Cast member Cate Blanchett poses at a press line for "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Cast member Cate Blanchett poses at a press line for "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies" during the 2014 Comic-Con International Convention in San Diego, California July 26, 2014. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

Cate Blanchett’s secret to her flawless complexion isn’t emu oil. Rep for the Australian actress has denied a tabloid article in which she purportedly revealed her penchant for using oil derived from emu birds.

The 45-year-old “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” star, a spokesperson for the luxury skin care brand SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, had apparently admitted that she’s using more than one brand on her face to keep her youthful complexion. In an interview with Refinery29, she claimed that although she’s a regular and long-time user of SK-II, she’s not entirely loyal to the brand.

“The only other thing I use would be essential oils – there’s an oil that I use called emu oil. In indigenous Australian culture, that’s the first oil they put on a baby because it’s so hydrating,” she allegedly said, adding that she also uses the popular papaw ointment.”

She was also quoted by the Daily Mail Australia as saying, “I tend to use really basic creams, and I like to put an oil on, like an emu oil from Australia. It’s from the emu and it’s really nourishing. I prefer an oil to a cream.”

There’s one problem with the interview, though. It apparently never took place. Her rep told The Daily Telegraph that not only Cate does not use emu oil, but she also did not give the interview about it.

“Cate does not and has never used emu oil on her face,” her rep Michelle Elliott of RGM Artists said. “This is not a fresh interview with the Daily Mail – this interview actually never took place.”

The Daily Mail is adamant about the emu oil talk taking place, though. Spokesman Sean Walsh insisted that Blanchett mentioned the oil in the interview. “Ms Blanchett clearly mentioned emu oil in the quotes provided by Daily Mail,” he said.

Emu oil is made from the oil taken from the adipose tissue of the flightless bird, which is indigenous to Australia. A 100ml bottle costs around $19.50, while a 75ml bottle of SK-II is $100 at David Jones.