Brisbane actress Melanie Zanetti

Brisbane actress Melanie Zanetti, 27, plays down Romeo and Juliet promotional poster in which she appears prepubescent

FORBIDDEN LOVE: The offending QTC advertisement. Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE actress Melanie Zanetti is known for her chameleon-like ability to transform herself. But even she was surprised to be mistaken for a prepubescent child.

The Matilda Award-winning thespian was inadvertently embroiled in controversy last year when a promotional poster portraying her and Romeo and Juliet co-star Thomas Larkin in a passionate embrace was pulled by the Queensland Theatre Company.

"I just thought it was bizarre": actress Melanie Zanetti. Picture: Adam Armstrong

Source: The Courier-Mail

Although it received only a single complaint, the Advertising Standards Bureau ruled that "Juliet" appeared too young to be portrayed in a sexual pose.
The offended party said the photo was "shocking" and "suggestive of pedophilia", but Zanetti told Confidential she was bemused by the reaction.

"I just thought it was bizarre," she laughed.
"I'm 27 myself and being told that I look prepubescent . . . was hilarious."
However, the chameleon-like actor joked that the confusion over her age could prove something of a boon in her line of work.
"In this industry it's definitely better to look younger rather than older, especially for a female, so I'm not complaining."
Romeo and Juliet plays at QPAC until May 13.