Innehållsförteckning för Issue 13, 2021 från New Idea

The inspirational story of Kenadie Jourdin-Bromley – lovingly nicknamed ‘Thumbelina’ – continues to capture our hearts. Her mother, Brianne, first brought Thumbelina’s story to New Idea’s attention eight years ago, explaining how the then 10-year-old had defied doctors who had predicted she wouldn’t live past her first day on Earth. In our exclusive new interview with the family, Thumbelina has passed yet another milestone – her 18th birthday! Head to page 34 for an update from the family about how they celebrated and what’s next for the young woman. It’s been incredible to follow Thumbelina’s journey over the years, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.…

New Idea has learnt that producers on set of the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Melbourne have been tasked with a secret mission: “find a new leading woman”. According to sources, when filming soon ends on the fifth season, series favourite Gina Liano will be calling it quits! Sources say Matchbox Pictures barely managed to convince the 55-year-old barrister to return for one last gig, but she made it very clear that “this season is [her] swan song”. It’s believed Gina, who has appeared on the show since it premiered in 2014, will depart the reality series, making room for new additions Cherry Dipietrantonio, Kyla Kirkpatrick and Anjali Rao to bask in the spotlight.…

After appearing on Foxtel’s Selling Houses Australia for more than a decade, Shaynna Blaze has stepped down from her role as the lifestyle program’s resident interior expert. “Leaving Selling Houses Australia is a big decision for me, and one I didn’t take lightly,” the 57-year-old wrote on Instagram. The move has TV insiders speculating that Shaynna could also be gearing up to quit her role as a judge on Nine’s The Block, following the 2021 season, to pursue more personal projects. “I hoped I’d be able to balance working on Selling Houses, honouring my business commitments to clients and pursuing some other exciting upcoming projects, but once SHA’s production schedule was confirmed, it quickly became obvious that, unfortunately, juggling everything was going to be too much of a stretch,” she…

With the whole of Australia waiting with bated breath to meet Bindi Irwin’s little girl, rumours are circulating that the star and her husband, Chandler Powell, are secretly already parents! At press time, the couple – who tied the knot at Australia Zoo in March last year – were yet to announce any news on the birth front. But it didn’t stop some fans from speculating that Bindi, 22, had already gone into labour, all thanks to one peculiar social media post. On March 16, Bindi shared a ‘bump update’ on her Instagram (above). “Waiting for Baby Wildlife Warrior to arrive,” she wrote. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed that the photo may have been taken a month ago. The photo in question  shows her Florida-born husband, 24, standing with Bindi, her…

Following their divisive interview with Oprah, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “laying extremely low” after their popularity rating in the UK took a spectacular tumble to an all-time low. “Harry and Meghan expected to face backlash, but nothing like this,” dishes a source. “They’ve decided to keep relatively quiet for a little while ... but don’t take that as them not plotting their next move.” New Idea’s sources say the couple plans on doubling down on their claims of racism and neglect in the palace they made during their bombshell TV tell-all. They inferred a senior family member made an offensive comment about the possible colour of their biracial child’s skin, and also insisted Meghan’s desperate pleas for help over her suicidal ideation went ignored. “They expected this…

For years, Kate Ritchie has been Australia’s golden girl, rarely putting a foot wrong – which is why it came as quite a surprise to many when the former Home and Away star was seen in full party mode! Indeed, eyebrows were raised when the Nova radio host was spotted looking less than her usual composed self while celebrating with a group of friends in Adelaide. Wearing a black dress and strappy stilettos, Kate, 42, appeared to be held up by a pal as she attempted to make her way through the streets after the night out. Among the party pack was Kate’s on-air colleague Tim Blackwell, with the group headed out to see their fellow co-host Joel Creasey’s live comedy stage show. It appeared that Kate, Tim and their…

They’ve always had a tight bond, however Nicole and her sister Antonia, 50, aren’t seeing eye to eye on one particular issue. New Idea hears that Antonia’s eldest child, Lucia Hawley, is eager to follow in Nicole’s acting footsteps – but the star is having reservations. “Antonia thinks having Nicole by Lucia’s side would make things easier. They have tried it by having Lucia shadow Nic while she’s been working in Australia, but Nicole still has her doubts,” says a source. “It’s a soul-destroying life and not many get through it with their mental health intact. Nicole is just being her usual, cautious self.” Nicole has remained honest about the affects her challenging life as an actress has had on her over the years. Following her role in The Undoing,…

While Becks is telling Posh it might be time to drop the curtain on her career as a designer, he’s gearing up to start a new chapter of his own. The soccer star is preparing to open his 25,000-seat Freedom Park stadium in Miami, and has plans for a string of events, including the stadium launch concert scheduled for next year. And top of his list of performers is former Miami resident Shakira – much to Posh’s chagrin. “Shakira’s an obvious choice ... she’s a huge star in Miami, but Victoria’s not happy about it,” claims an insider. “David’s always been overly friendly with Shakira. He was blushing when he met her at a charity event back in 2009, and some reckon Vic might be worried there’s an ulterior motive.”…

The tumultuous relationship of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy packs all the drama you’d expect of a high-profile celebrity couple! After first meeting on The Muppet Show pilot in 1976, things took off in 1979’s The Muppet Movie when Miss Piggy revealed her true feelings for Kermit. Later that same year, Miss Piggy shocked the world by announcing their engagement on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The pair married in 1984 in The Muppets Take Manhattan, but the pair later called it quits in 1990 – announcing their separation during an appearance on the Today show in the US. The couple had a change of heart by 1993, telling the late Larry King that they were happily living together, and by 2005 both described their relationship as “married…

A little girl nicknamed ‘Thumbelina’ has defied doctors who said she wouldn’t live past her first day on Earth – to celebrate her 18th birthday! Kenadie Jourdin-Bromley has primordial dwarfism – a condition causing underdevelopment of limbs, which affects about 100 people worldwide. It means that despite her age, she is just 100cm tall, weighs 22kg and wears a toddler’s size-eight shoe. But Kenadie’s condition doesn’t hold her back, and after graduating high school later this year, she’s looking into a career in hairdressing. “It’s a little surreal that she’s turned 18,” mum Brianne, 41, tells New Idea exclusively. “No-one thought she’d live past her first day, – it’s amazing that she is 18 and a real young lady. I am lucky to have her.” When Kenadie was born on…

Pumpkin, Mushroom and Spinach Rotolo Serves 4-6, Prep and Cook: 1 hour, 15 mins 500g diced pumpkin 2 tblsps olive oil 200g sliced mushrooms 2 cloves garlic, crushed 250g pkt frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained 500g tub smooth ricotta 1 cup finely grated parmesan ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ x 375g pkt (4) fresh lasagne sheets 500g jar Chunky Tomato & Herbs pasta sauce Baby rocket leaves, to serve 1 Boil, steam or microwave pumpkin until just tender. Drain. 2 Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add mushrooms and garlic. Cook, stirring, over a medium to high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft. Add spinach and half the pumpkin. Cook, stirring, for a further 2›minutes. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir…

Fudgy Malteser Crackle Slice Serves 16, Prep: 25 mins 395g can sweetened condensed milk 200g block milk chocolate, chopped 1 cup Dark Choc Melts (175g) 75g unsalted butter, chopped 1 tblsp honey ½ x 250g pkt Scotch Finger biscuits, coarsely chopped 2 cups Cocoa Pops cereal (80g) 2 x 140g pkts Maltesers 1 Grease a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 4cm above pan edges. 2 Place condensed milk, chocolate, Choc Melts, butter and honey in a large heatproof bowl. Sit bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove bowl. Stir in biscuits and Cocoa Pops. 3 Working quickly, pour mixture into prepared pan. Smooth over top. Sprinkle with Maltesers, pressing into top. Cover. Refrigerate overnight, or until firm.…

1.THE KNITTED TOP 2.SNEAKERS 3.PANTS 4.CROSS-BODY BAG 5.BLAZERS STOCKISTS APEROLABEL.COMCOUNTRYROAD.COM.AUDAVIDJONES.COMFOREVERNEW.COM.AUFRENCHCONNECTION.COM.AUHM.COM/AUKMART.COM.AUMARKSANDSPENCER.COM/AUMYER.COM.AUORDEROFSTYLE.COMOROTON.COMSELFRIDGES.COM/AUSHOP.MANGO.COM/AUSPORTSCRAFT.COM.AUSTRANDBAGS.COM.AUTARGET.COM.AUTHEICONIC.COM.AUWITCHERY.COM.AUZARA.COM/AU…

NARROW IT DOWN What are your and your family’s activity levels like? Are you up for going on long walks or playing at the park once or twice a day? Do you have the time? If it’s a yes, a dog may fit in very well. Or if you live a quieter life, where being at home means sitting on the couch with a good TV series or a book, a cat may be more suitable. CONSIDER FOSTERING FIRST By becoming a foster carer for animals, you can provide a home for those that aren’t yet ready to be adopted as pets. Some animals require ongoing medical treatment and care beforehand, and the best place to do this is in a home environment. If you have space and spend considerable…

Drowning doesn’t just occur in summer. Tragically, these deaths happen no matter what the season. So keep your loved ones – and yourself – safe these school holidays by arming yourself with the facts on water safety, with the help of Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins and Craig Riddington from Surf Educators International and ABC Kids’ program Kangaroo Beach. WHAT IS WATER SAFETY? Hoppo explains that water safety refers to the precautions taken to ensure safety, whether in or around any bodies of water, when there is risk of injury or drowning. “Drowning can happen so fast, sometimes in less than two minutes after a person’s head goes under water,” both he and Craig say. “It’s important to have water safety knowledge, so when kids and adults are around any water, they’re…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 This start of this week brings the Full Moon in your Love Zone, so it’s time for you to turn the corner when it comes to one important relationship. Moreover, the overall energies around you now are overwhelmingly positive, suggesting that any changes happening for you are likely to be positive as well. You should also start to feel more secure regarding money. YOUR POWER DAY: MARCH 22 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 One of the best things you can do for yourself now is make sure you have a balance between everything on your to-do list, which keeps your life ticking over and functional, versus the time out you need to take of your body, mind and spirit. Get this right and…

CRACKER MEAL I asked my 3-year-old what she would like for dinner one night. She said: “Cracker Knackers.” Not understanding the first time, I asked again. She tells me again: “Cracker Knackers.” After much confusion and great attempts at translating toddler talk, I came to realise she was asking for chicken nuggets. See the connection? Yeah, me neither! TRACY LEROY, REDCLIFFE, QLD. FASHION FORWARD How inspirational it was to read of Deborah Hutton’s new fashion line. After facing her toughest year to date, undergoing surgery to remove skin cancer from her face, she is still shining her light on the world and sharing the importance of being sun-smart. Deborah is partnering with famous Australian brand, Rigon Headwear, and will be releasing a new range of UPF 50+ hats. What a…

Twenty-six years after Hugh Grant was arrested for a sexual liaison with prostitute Divine Brown, the actor has finally revealed what prompted him to seek her services, and cheat on then-girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley in the process. “I was about to launch my first Hollywood film [Nine Months], my timing was impeccable ... I’d just been to see it,” Hugh explained. “Everyone in it was brilliant, but I was so atrocious that I was not in a good frame of mind ... One thing led to another. I just was disappointed in myself.” On June 27, 1995, Hugh was busted by police on Hollywood’s Sunset Boulevard after reportedly paying Divine $60  to perform oral sex on him in his car. He was fined $1180 and placed on two years’ probation.…

Tom Cruise has dropped a whopping $20 million off the price of his Colorado estate in a desperate bid to finally rid his portfolio of the dreaded house of broken dreams. “That property is something pretty special, but for Tom it  holds tough memories. He did his famous couch-jumping Oprah interview there, and he and Katie [Holmes] holed up there with their newborn daughter, Suri,” tells a source. “Tom hasn’t been back since. This is the third time he’s  tried to sell it with no luck, but dropping the price so dramatically could make a difference this time.” Tom first put the seven-bedroom mansion on the market for $59 million back in 2014.…

Chloë Sevigny surprised fans last week when she revealed that she secretly tied the knot with her beau, Siniša Mackovic, last March in a black wedding dress. Sharing a throwback photo from their wedding day to Instagram, Chloë wrote: “Married on a Monday. March 9th 2020. Happy one-year anniversary my love.” The actress, who was pregnant at the time with the couple’s now 10-month-old son, Vanja, opted to forgo the traditional white wedding dress for a bump-hugging black number. She paired the look with boots and tights, and wore a simple white veil.…

Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic have made no secret out of the fact that their 11-month-old daughter, Harper May, has brought sheer joy to their lives – and now it seems they could soon be expecting another! Tongues are wagging in circles around the pair, after shoe designer Jasmine was spotted trying to conceal her midsection while out in Sydney. The 37-year-old was seen swiftly placing her Chanel bag over her stomach as she exited her car. The telling move was all too similar to a scene in December 2019 when Jasmine – who married 46-year-old Karl in 2018 – attempted to conceal her growing bump while running errands alongside her husband in Sydney. Just a few weeks later they confirmed they were indeed expecting Harper, Jasmine’s first child and Karl’s…

The 63rd Grammy Awards saw Beyoncé and Taylor Swift make history! The night kicked off with former One Direction star Harry Styles performing ‘Watermelon Sugar’ before winning his first Grammy for the hit track. Beyoncé later took home four gongs for Best R&B Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video, taking her Grammy Awards total to an incredible 28. Meanwhile, her 9-year-old daughter Blue Ivy, who she shares with rapper Jay Z, also picked up her first Grammy alongside her mum for ‘Brown Skin Girl’. Elsewhere, with her win for Folklore, Taylor became the first female artist in history to be awarded Album of the Year three times.…

Despite divorcing in 2017, former spouses Lisa Curry and Grant Kenny have been closer than ever in recent months. The shock death of their eldest daughter Jaimi, who passed away at 33, has seen the pair reunite to support their family, including their youngest children, daughter Morgan, 30, and son, Jett, 26. Last week, former Olympic swimmer Lisa, who married Grant in 1986, marked the six-month anniversary of Jaimi’s passing, telling her Instagram followers she will be “forever remembered, forever young, forever beautiful, forever free.” But it’s not just tragedy that’s bonded the duo. The former couple were recently overjoyed as they attended the 3rd birthday of their oldest grandson, Flynn, together at Morgan’s home on the Sunshine Coast. Posing together with their youngest grandson, 4-month-old Taj, the pair looked…

Jennifer Lopez might be denying reports that she and fiancé Alex Rodriguez have ended their four-year relationship. However, close friends insist to New Idea that a split could still happen, and suggest that if and when it does happen, J.Lo could possibly rebound in the most spectacular way – by dating Brad Pitt! Following two cancelled weddings and recent revelations that A-Rod, 45, was texting Southern Charm reality star Madison LeCroy, an insider tell New Idea that J.Lo, 51, is “100 per cent ready to wash her hands of him”. No sooner had news broken of J.Lo and Alex’s doomed union via the New York Post – a publication long plugged into the inner workings of A-Rod – the mother-of-two insisted from the Dominican Republic set of her new movie,…

Clutching her husband Keith Urban’s hand tightly as they left a Japanese restaurant in Sydney’s Potts Point on March 13, Nicole Kidman is said to be savouring every last second with the musician before he heads back to the US without her! It’s been announced that Keith, 53, will be co-hosting the American Country Music Awards in April, alongside his friend and occasional collaborator, Mickey Guyton. But New Idea hears the last thing Nicole wants right now is to be separated from her husband, especially in this topsy-turvy world. The couple, along with their daughters Sunday, 12, and Faith, 10, relocated Down Under last year. Nicole “thought they would be in Australia for the foreseeable future,” explains a well-placed source. “But then Keith accepted this hosting gig back in Nashville…

IT’S A BRITISH SHOW! After failing to find a US production home, the original series was picked up by British network ATV, who then syndicated it back to the US. THERE’S A CAMERA TRICK IN THE OPENING NUMBER The extravagant theme song appears to simultaneously feature the entire Muppet cast, but it’s actually several versions shot and pieced together to make it look like a single performance. THE HOST HAD ONE SHOT… A total of 120 guest hosts appeared on the show – but no celebrity was allowed to appear more than once on the series. …BUT THEY COULD MAKE REQUESTS Guest hosts were allowed to make special requests to appear in a scene with their favourite Muppet, with Miss Piggy reportedly the most requested. GONZO THE GREAT ALMOST WASN’T…

Byron Bay is famous for its stunning coastline, idyllic lifestyle and star-studded residents like the Hemsworths and Aussie actress Bridie Carter. But it isn’t all sunshine and surfing – a serial killer could be stalking the streets and targeting tourists. First, backpackers and friends Erwan Ferrieux and Hugo Palmer vanished. Three months later, Theo Hayez met the same fate. Bones believed to be Erwan’s and the remains of Theo have been the only evidence found. It all began when the two backpackers disappeared in February 2019 from Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie, on NSW’s Mid North Coast. Frenchman Erwan, 21, and his English pal Hugo, 20, were travelling north along the east coast of Australia. On social media, they shared photos of their travels, admiring the amazing views the country…

Ricotta and Spinach Freeform Tart Serves 4-6, Prep and Cook: 50 mins 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 egg yolk ¼ cup dried packaged breadcrumbs Tomato salad, to serve FILLING 1 tblsp olive oil 1 bunch English spinach (300g), trimmed, washed, chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed 150g fresh ricotta 150g soft Greek feta, crumbled 1 To make filling, heat half the oil in a large frying pan. Add spinach. Cook, stirring, for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until just wilted. Transfer to a›sieve over bowl. Cool slightly. Squeeze out excess liquid. 2 Meanwhile, add onion, garlic and remaining oil to same hot pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Transfer to a large bowl. Cool slightly. Add spinach, ricotta and feta. Season with salt and…

Chipotle Pork Tortillas with Mango Serves 4, Prep and Cook: 20 mins 500g pork loin steaks 35g sachet Smokey Chipotle Seasoning (see tip) 8 x 16cm corn tortillas 1 red capsicum, sliced 2 small Lebanese cucumbers, sliced 1 large (420g) mango, thinly sliced Chipotle aioli and fresh coriander leaves, to serve 1 Sprinkle both sides of pork steaks with seasoning. 2 Heat an oiled chargrill or barbecue grill plate over a›medium to high heat. Add pork. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until cooked. Transfer to a plate. Rest, covered with foil. Cut in half lengthways. 3 Meanwhile, on same lightly oiled grill plate, add tortillas in batches. Cook for about 30›seconds on each side, or until lightly charred. Transfer to a plate. Cover with foil.…

Forget the face cream, ingestible beauty is the latest way to encourage collagen production and boost your overall skin health. We look into how a crop of powders and elixirs designed to make us glow actually work. WHAT IS COLLAGEN? Let’s start from the beginning. Naturally formed in the body, collagen is the protein primarily responsible for the strength and structure of the skin. The issue? “As we age, our body’s ability to produce collagen naturally declines,” says Carla Oates, founder of The Beauty Chef. Collagen in supplements is called marine collagen, which is a low-molecular-weight peptide (amino acids that make up proteins needed by the skin), created from the collagen tissues of marine fish. CAN I GET IT FROM FOOD? Our body produces collagen by combining amino acids, which…

There are two steps to setting up the ultimate home cinema experience, says Joshua Corin, product specialist at Bose. “Most people will firstly focus on the visual experience. Once that is ticked off, the next best thing is audio,” he says. “It plays a big role in re-creating the cinema feeling.” Gone are the days of massive speakers flanking your plasma TV – instead, a slim soundbar speaker is the future of creating a home cinema. Not only is their sleek appearance a major drawcard, they are often incredibly easy to install and offer unparalleled sound quality. “Soundbars are essential to creating a natural, airy spaciousness to the audio and achieve surround sound,” explains Joshua. His advice when looking to buy? Choose a soundbar with a centre-tweeter. That’s the audio…

Dry, itchy skin, red bumps and scaly rashes – these are all symptoms that most eczema sufferers are all too familiar with. Also known as atopic dermatitis, it’s a common condition that often affects infants and children, but it can also continue into adulthood. While the most commonly afflicted areas are the elbows and behind the knees, eczema can occur anywhere on the body. WHAT IS ECZEMA? “Atopic eczema is a genetic condition,” says Dr Cara McDonald, medical and cosmetic dermatologist from Complete Skin Specialists. “The skin is compromised, resulting in dryness and sensitivity associated with an exaggerated inflammatory response to skin irritation.” Eczema usually flares up when skin is dry or irritated. “Other common triggers include factors that affect the immune system, such as stress or illness and, in…

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY… This could be an amazing year for you. Make your keyword over the coming 12 months “healing”. Whether you’re healing emotionally or physically, you can emerge from the year ahead feeling better – body, mind and spirit. It also looks positive for love and money. Make your intentions known. You’re extra persuasive – who do you need to convince of something? READER Q&A Q Will my finances improve and will my job stay safe in this current climate? MAREE, SYDNEY, NSW. A The card I randomly drew for you is the Full Moon in Taurus, which is a good sign – Taurus is one of the money signs, so you are definitely on the right track. However, it comes with the message: “Your dreams need a…

Growing up, she wanted “to be an astronaut for the longest time”. But there came a time when Hilary Swank decided to act instead – crediting her struggling single mum, Judy, with giving her the boost she needed. “I didn’t have a head shot. I didn’t have formal acting training,” Hilary recalled. “I just had my mum, who believed in me.” Though Hilary was “anything but an overnight success”, that faith paid off as the two-time Oscar winner, 46, is now one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, drawn to those people, like her mum, “who, against all odds, persevere”. 1 In 1990, at the age of 16, Hilary left her home town after her mum, Judy, said, “Let’s go to Hollywood, because that’s where you need to be if you…

Susan Sarandon has confessed she’s ready to jump back into the dating game and isn’t against romancing a member of the same sex – just as long as they’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine! “I don’t care if it’s a man or a woman. I mean, I’m open to all age, all colour,” said Susan. “Those things are just details ... but what I’m interested in is someone who wants to be adventuresome.” The mother-of-three was previously married to actor Chris Sarandon and had a 23-year relationship with Tim Robbins. Her last public relationship was with director Jonathan Bricklin. The pair split in 2015 after five years.…

Jessica Marais has sparked speculation that she is back with her ex-boyfriend Jake Holly after he splashed their reunion across social media. The former Packed to the Rafters star, 36, and the photographer met up at Coogee Beach in Sydney recently, with Jake sharing a photo of the pair together to Instagram Stories. In the happy snap, the pair posed close together, both smiling and appearing relaxed in each other’s company. The duo are believed to have split in 2018, the same year they went public with their romance after attending a concert together in Sydney.…

Following the tragic death of her only son, Benjamin, Lisa Marie Presley has moved back in with his father, her first husband, Danny Keough. And while those closest to Lisa Marie, 53, insist the move is a positive sign for the grief-stricken star, there are now concerns that the singer could slip back into the controversial Church of Scientology! “Lisa and Danny are still in complete and utter shock, and leaning on each other like never before,” says a close friend of the pair, who also share their actress daughter Riley, 31. “Danny was her big true love – they’re both completely traumatised and using everything to help, from meditation to walking and even Scientology practices to get through the pain and confusion,” adds the insider. After Ben’s passing in…

Prince Harry confirmed a falling out with his brother, Prince William, in his controversial sit-down with Oprah Winfrey. And it appears the pair went all out to one-up each other while honouring their late mother on Mother’s Day in the UK. Wills paid tribute to Diana by sharing several photos of handmade cards that his children – Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 2 – made for “Granny Diana”. “Papa is missing you,” wrote Charlotte. Not to be outdone, an official spokesperson confi rmed that Harry, who is currently in LA, had a bouquet of flowers laid at Diana’s grave at the Spencer family estate, Althorp.…

Television’s worst -kept secret finally became a reality earlier this month when Samantha Armytage confirmed she was leaving Sunrise after eight years as co-host. Following weeks of criticising the industry as well as her own hinting that she was ready for a change of pace, Sam – who took over the reins from Melissa Doyle in 2013 – explained she wanted to spend more time with new husband, Richard Lavender, in the wake of a tragic few months for their families. While many fans and industry peers congratulated Sam, 44, on her lengthy career at Channel Seven – and the well-deserved sleep-in! – New Idea has since learnt that one of the first people who contacted her was none other than former network rival and industry pal, Karl Stefanovic! It’s…

Nicole Kidman’s nephew, Hamish Hawley, has been slapped with a $250 fine after he was caught speeding through a school zone back in October. The 20-year-old, who is the eldest son of Nicole’s sister, Antonia, and the late multi-millionaire financier, Angus Hawley, attended court in Sydney on March 12 to plead guilty to the charges. Despite his mum working as a high-profile solicitor, Hamish represented himself at the hearing. “I understand my actions,” Hamish, who is in his final year of studying a Bachelor of Construction, Management and Property at the University of New South Wales, told the magistrate. “What I did was wrong. I take full responsibility for what I did.”…

David and Victoria Beckham were once a powerhouse business duo, thanks to the success of ‘Brand Beckham’. But in recent times, their empire has crumbled, thanks in large part to Posh’s fledgling fashion label. “It’s no secret that Vic’s business has been bleeding cash for years now,” reveals an insider close to the former Spice Girl. In the wake of the global pandemic, Victoria’s titular high-end label has struggled. As such, says the insider, it’s forced David, 45, into the awkward position of having to tell his wife, 46, to “give it up”. “David said she’d be better off retiring and living comfortably with the kids and leave him to focus on Brand Beckham, which shocked and upset her,” says the insider. Meanwhile, Golden Balls continues to strike gold for…

From Kermit the Frog to Fozzie Bear, the Muppets have been pop-culture icons for almost half a century! Created by the godfather of puppetry, Jim Henson, the quirky characters first debuted on local Washington kids’ show Sam and Friends in 1955, before some of the characters appeared on beloved children’s series Sesame Street in 1969. But the story of the Muppets as stars in their own right begins with The Muppet Show, which premiered 45 years ago on January 16. Beloved by the young – and young at heart – the broad popularity of the variety sketch show attracted many celebrity guest hosts, including Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews and Elton John. The show even generated two chart-topping hit songs, with Kermit’s ‘Rainbow Connection’ and ‘Halfway Down The Stairs’, and became…

Four-year-old Arlo Gleeson is thriving after receiving the precious gift of sound through a cochlear implant in her right ear. Born with bilateral sensory neural hearing loss, Arlo was first fitted with hearing aids at just 3 months old. But the toddler takes it all in her stride – and her mum, Lauren, says the electronic device that stimulates the cochlear nerve has been life-changing for the whole family. “Arlo is so confident and outgoing. She’s actually really proud of her implant and the hearing aid in her left ear, too,” Lauren, 35, tells New Idea. “There’s nothing she can’t hear anymore.” Life has been far from easy for the Gleeson family since Arlo was born at 30 weeks, weighing a tiny 1.4kg. After enduring a seven-week hospital stay, Lauren…

All Catherine Headland had to do was walk 100 metres from her boyfriend’s house in the Victorian suburb of Berwick to the bus stop where she planned to catch the bus to her job. But Catherine, just 14, never made it to work that day on August 28, 1980. Over three months later her decomposed body was found on December 6, 30km away in bushland in outer Melbourne. No-one has ever been charged with her murder, nor any of the six killings that have since become known as the Tynong North and Frankston murders. On the 40th anniversary of the killing spree, Catherine’s childhood friend and neighbour Cheryl Goldsworthy, now 53, confesses that one thought has haunted her ever since that fateful day. “If only she had been a few…

Blackberry and Pear Upside-Down Loaf Serves 8-10, Prep and Cook: 1 hour, 35 mins 175g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 1 cup caster sugar 2 tsps finely grated orange rind 3 eggs, at room temperature 1½ cups self-raising flour ¾ cup almond meal ¼ cup milk Whipped cream, to serve TOPPING 50g unsalted butter, melted ¹/ ³ cup caster sugar 1 pear, peeled, cut into thin wedges ¾ cup fresh blackberries 1 Grease a large, deep loaf pan (11.5cm x 20cm x 9cm deep). Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 3cm above pan edges. 2 To make topping, pour butter evenly over base of prepared pan. Sprinkle with sugar. Arrange pear over sugar. Scatter over blackberries. 3 Beat butter, sugar and rind in a small bowl…

For years, the team at Frank Green has been creating reusable cups to reduce plastic waste. Now they’re making what goes into those cups, too. Sustainable Sips is a range of coffee and tea that’s certifi ed organic and Fairtrade, and made with minimal and compostable packaging. The coffee is a bright arabica and robusta blend with chocolate, caramel and fruit notes. There’s also an innovative French Press that is triple-walled and vacuum insulated to keep coffee hot for hours, with a stainless-steel mesh plunger for the perfect brew flavour. For tea lovers, the Tea Infuser reduces waste by eliminating the need for teabags. Tea, herbs, berries and strain-suitable fruit can all be put in the infuser for a delicious beverage. The Sustainable Sips range is available at frankgreen.com.au…

Whether it’s renting a spare room on Airbnb or doing odd jobs through Airtasker, working in the sharing economy can be a major income earner or cash booster for some, discusses financial planning expert Helen Baker. If planned and structured well, it can make a real change to your financial situation. But flying in without considering costs or personal security, could be dangerous. Take the time to think about your options. Time spent researching and planning is always a good investment. Whether it’s your primary income or you’re testing the waters, there are a few dos and don’ts to maintain financial security in the sharing economy. DON’T SACRIFICE YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES Know your limits and how much you want to invest to make it work. You’re effectively starting a new…

1 Avoid getting in the car with dogs that have just been fed. The motion could result in them feeling or being sick. Feed them an hour or two before you go and keep them hydrated on the road. 2 Make sure you travel with a dog safety harness. Travelling without is dangerous if you happen to slam on the brakes. The harness simply clips into an existing seat belt holder! 3 Give your dog a toilet stop and a quick walk every hour.…

Meditation, breathing exercises, journalling – there are many practices out there to help with mindfulness. But have you thought about picking up your child’s puzzle or board game instead? It might sound a bit silly, but it turns out ‘adult play’ could be a real driver in combating stress, burn out and poor mental health. RELEASE YOUR INNER CHILD According to the LEGO Play Well Study 2020, play helps eight in 10 adults relax. “Sometimes as adults, we need to give ourselves permission to play, to laugh, to connect or just take a break,” says Sean Hall, mental health advocate and CEO of productivity and mental wellbeing consultancy service, Energx (energx.com.au). “Neuroscience and positive psychology research show that practices that help you slow down, let go of tension and give…

Janet Jackson is set to spill the beans in a new documentary that has her family and friends ducking for cover. The two-part documentary, currently titled Janet, won’t air until 2022, but a well-placed source says the potential bombshells it could reveal already has some people “freaking out ... Janet wants to let go of these deep, dark secrets”. It certainly sounds like the five-time Grammy winner has a lot to get off her chest. According to the source, Janet will dish on everything from her rocky marriage to Wissam Al Mana, the father of her 4-year-old son Eissa, as well as the Super Bowl scandal involving Justin Timberlake and the controversies surrounding her late  brother, Michael Jackson. “She admits [Michael’s] lifestyle was bizarre,” the source adds. “It broke her…

After a scandal-ridden year, Ellen DeGeneres has been dealt yet another crushing blow. Sources say the embattled TV star was left devastated when she was dropped as the potential host for the highly anticipated Friends reunion special. Recently, star David Schwimmer was asked if Ellen was still on board to host the HBO reunion, which is set to begin taping this month. He curtly replied: “No.” According to an insider, Ellen “was crushed by the decision. She has had Jennifer Aniston on the show so many times promoting the idea of a reunion, she feels like it’s a personal betrayal. “Ellen feels like she was one of the key figures in bringing this concept together and now she’s being shunned by the people she helped to make it happen.”…

He announced his engagement to Molly Hurwitz in November, but is Matthew Perry at risk of getting cold feet? While the actor is head over heels for his talent manager fiancée, a source reveals the stress of planning the wedding is starting to get to him. “[Molly] can see wedding planning is stressing him out, even more so now that the Friends reunion is set to start shooting,” tells the pal. “He’s pushing himself to go through with it, but his doubts are gnawing away at him.”…