Innehållsförteckning för Issue 12, 2025 från New Idea

Largely thanks to the juggernaut that is Married At First Sight, it’s been the wildest year in Aussie TV ever! We’re heading towards the pointy end of the season, and the New Idea team can’t look away from the contestants’ hijinks – both on-screen and on their social media accounts. It’s fair to say there’s been a bit of oversharing happening, and we’ve heard that’s landed some of our favourites in hot water. Find out more on page 12. With the MAFS finale fast approaching, we’re already getting excited about the next reality shows on the slate – especially Nine’s debut season of The Golden Bachelor. Turn to page 26 for a sneak preview of the lucky man – and the women vying for his attention. With all this TV…

Gretel Killeen is coming back to a TV screen near you! The original Big Brother host is taking part in the new celebrity edition of Network 10’s The Amazing Race Australia with her daughter, Epiphany Mason. Some of the famous faces Gretel will be racing against include Brendan Fevola, Melissa Leong, brothers Stephen and Bernard Curry, and Bronte Campbell. Television insiders are wondering if the gig is something of a “consolation prize” for Gretel, 62, from Ten. She was overlooked by the network to host their incoming reboot of Big Brother, infuriating fans. Instead, comedian and radio star Mel Tracina will oversee the housemate shenanigans when the show returns.…

KATE SKIPS PIPPA’S PARTY With less than two years between them in age, Catherine, Princess of Wales and her slightly younger sister Pippa Matthews have always relied on each other. From navigating a cliquey boarding school together as teenagers, through to Pippa famously supporting her sibling as maid of honour at the 2011 royal wedding, the Middleton sisters were practically a brand on their own when Kate married her prince and joined The Firm. But it seems the pressures of busy lives and raising families has severed their once incredible bond. It was revealed last week in the British press that Kate, 43, had been forced to miss the fourth-birthday party of Pippa’s daughter Grace due to work commitments. Instead, the future Queen attended a Six Nations rugby match between…

Glamorous Carina, who is married to Paul in the experiment, reportedly spent an eye-watering $27,000 – of her own money! – to ensure she looked her very best on MAFS. With production not covering any wardrobe costs, the Perth-based fashionista splashed the cash on clothes, hair styling and makeup for the duration of filming. Carina, who lists her pre-MAFS day job as a digital marketing manager, even hired celebrity stylist Jacob Muller to ensure she was always camera-ready. “There were mornings we had to start at 3am just to have her ready and back at the apartments by 7am for an 8am filming start,” Jacob recently told Yahoo Lifestyle. “It was both exciting and intense, especially knowing that the look we created at 3am needed to last sometimes until 3am…

Hollywood’s most low-key couple, Meryl Streep and Martin Short, are getting hitched! New Idea can reveal the pair – who continue to dance around their relationship status – have started talking about tying the knot. Tentative plans for a small ceremony in Southern California are in motion, with Meryl, 75, and Martin, who turns 75 this week, already scoping out potential venues. “They love taking romantic trips to Santa Barbara and the wine country around there, so that would definitely be a frontrunner when it comes to [a wedding location],” spills the source. “They’re both big fans of The Ritz-Carlton Bacara near Montecito. “It’s a gorgeous spot for a wedding and the resort is famous for its discretion, which is going to be a huge factor for Marty and Meryl…

Denmark’s Queen Mary has been going full throttle ever since she and her husband, King Frederik, ascended the throne last January. But the 53-yearold’s relentless schedule finally caught up with her last week when she was forced to pull out of several engagements due to illness. “It’s no shock to hear she’s unwell,” a palace source tells New Idea. Mary first withdrew from the Heart Association’s annual awards ceremony in Copenhagen scheduled for March 12. Although the palace didn’t provide specific details about her undisclosed illness, they did tell local publication BT that “Her Majesty the Queen, like many others right now, has become ill, and therefore, unfortunately, cannot participate.” Days later, the royal household also called off a planned event for March 14 at the University of Copenhagen. But…

FRIENDSHIP FOR LIFE Tears flowed as Eve Kheir embraced her hero, Sue Williams – the woman she credits with saving her life. “I can’t believe I found you,” Eve said, as they hugged. On January 27 this year, Eve was meditating near a breakwater at a secluded part of Adelaide’s Glenelg Beach, when a rogue wave swept her out to sea. Trapped in a powerful rip, the 45-year-old clung to a pole for three gruelling hours, fighting for survival. Sue, 73, was sitting on the balcony of her apartment across the road when she spotted Eve struggling. “We saw this young lady … and I just said to my husband, ‘I don’t feel happy about this,’” Sue told The Advertiser. Acting fast, Sue ran down to the Glenelg Surf Life…

As she prepares to travel around the country on her upcoming Australian Made Tour, Kate Ceberano has also been reflecting on the highs – and lows – of her 40-year career in music. In particular, the singer has admitted that she regrets “following the pack” and bagging out Kylie Minogue when she was an emerging artist. Kate, 58, recently told the Daily Telegraph that she was “best friends” with the artist who first labelled Kylie as the ‘Singing Budgie’. The nickname was quickly adopted by Kylie’s harshest critics. “If I look back now, we were all doing the classic Australian thing which was to tear down,” Kate admitted. The ‘Bedroom Eyes’ singer also noted that, before Kylie’s emergence with her 1987 hit single ‘The Loco-motion’, the Aussie music scene was…

Tonkatsu Chicken Noodle Salad SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 20 MINS ■ 2 tblsps vegetable oil ■ 3 crumbed chicken schnitzels (375g) ■ 225g thin dried egg noodles ■ ¼ cup tonkatsu sauce ■ 2 tblsps sweet chilli sauce ■ 200g bag classic coleslaw ■ ²⁄³ cup fresh coriander leaves ■ 1 large Lebanese cucumber, halved lengthways, thinly sliced ■ Kewpie mayonnaise, to serve 1 Heat oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add chicken. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper. Cut into 1cm thick slices. 2 Meanwhile, cook noodles in a saucepan of boiling, salted water for about 3 minutes, or until tender. Drain. Rinse under cold water. Drain well.…

HIGH FRYER If you’re a fan of whipping up delicious, simple and healthy meals, chances are you own an air fryer – a kitchen game-changer that even celebrity chef Jamie Oliver approves of. With his new cookbook Easy Air Fryer, Jamie celebrates the air fryer as the cornerstone of modern cooking with chapters loaded with easy midweek meals, veg dishes, sweet treats and more. If it involves an air fryer, Jamie has it covered. Available in all good bookshops. HOT CROSS FUN! Aldi has upped its Easter treat game this year with the launch of limited-edition Bakers Life Banoffee Hot Cross Buns. Priced at just $4.49 (for four), they’ll be hopping out the door alongside other classic Bakers Life hot cross buns like Apple & Cinnamon, Chocolate Chip and Mini…

Comfy and casual Ditch the dull shades and opt for a pastel textured knit to brighten up an outfit. Pair with wide leg jeans and sneakers for an on-the-go look. Office ready Nothing says sophisticated style like a matching set. Dress up your look with gold statement earrings. Stepping out Whether dressing up for an event or a classy brunch with the girls, a playful knitted dress is the perfect weekend attire. Pair earthy greens with chocolate browns for a chic, seasonal contrast. Compiled by Stephanie De Nobile. Stockists: countryroad.com.au, ninewest.com.au, seedheritage.com, sheike.com.au, target.com.au, zara.com/au…

Catch Charlie on BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Fri. 7pm on Channel7 and in Better Homes and Gardens magazine every month. Summer has come and gone and as we come into autumn, it’s the perfect time to consider which flowers we want to see blooming come spring. The competition to be spring’s flowering supremo is tough, given the profusion of spring-flowering bulbs and bushes. But what makes lilac the clear winner is that each of its tiny flowers produces a perfume that sends bees and butterflies into a frenzy as they search for nectar. GROWING AT A GLANCE Growing lilac flowers is a simple process. To plant, follow this process: 1 Choose a spot in full sun, with well-draining soil. Lilacs like it loamy, so ensure your soil is the right…

Harrison Ford might be happily married to Calista Flockhart, but it’s his on-screen spouse, Helen Mirren, who he seems more infatuated with right now – and vice versa! The pair are back on our screens in the second season of the Yellowstone prequel series 1923. They’ve been gushing nonstop about the deep connection they share while doing press. “Working intensely on 1923 has been a revelation and they’re now more like a co-dependent couple than co-stars,” an insider tells New Idea. “Harrison’s conversations are increasingly including Helen and it’s no wonder. They love working together.” Helen, 79, mentioned just last week she feels particularly “connected” to Harrison, 82. She first worked with him on the 1986 film The Mosquito Coast. “Harrison and I have … this weird, connected[ness],” she told…

Carrie Bickmore’s celebrity mates have her in their thoughts, after the radio host revealed she’s been going through some tough times of late. The outpouring of love came when Carrie posted an emotional selfie to Instagram. She explained that she was sharing the photo as a reminder that “we all have sad days/weeks/months for so many varied reasons”. Although Carrie, 44, didn’t elaborate on the cause of her recent distress, she’s endured a difficult period following the 2022 split from her partner, Chris Walker. The couple are doing their best to peacefully co-parent their daughters Evie and Adelaide, and Carrie’s teenage son Oliver. Carrie has also spoken about experiencing anxiety and panic attacks over the past 20 years.…

It’s no secret that many of this year’s Married At First Sight contestants have gone rogue when it comes to spilling show spoilers – and they may need a reminder about the repercussions if they break any rules specified within their strict legal contracts. As a result, an entertainment industry expert warns they are in jeopardy of limiting – or even destroying – their post- MAFS work opportunities. Digital marketing and PR guru Adrian Falk tells the Daily Mail that some “may never work again” in television. “Talent need to be aware that when they sign up to be on a reality show they enter a legal agreement, and it’s an actual enforceable contract that they need to abide by,” Adrian explained. “Obviously, depending on the circumstances, if talent break…

Sam Pang’s legion of fans had high hopes for the comedian’s foray into the night-time talk show genre. But teething problems during the debut episode of Sam Pang Tonight led to some very underwhelming reviews. “Many were taken aback that the usually supremely confident and capable Sam appeared to have the jitters,” an insider close to the Network 10 show tells New Idea. “Sam has nailed two Logies hosting roles and is a total pro on Have You Been Paying Attention? so it was a surprise to see him stumbling over his words and nervously deferring to his cue cards at times.” The choice to book veteran actor Jack Thompson as the show’s first guest also raised eyebrows. “There’s whispers behind the scenes that Jack, despite being the Australian acting…

Tom Cruise has babies on the brain – well, one baby at least! The actor, 62, showed off his softer side as he enjoyed a snuggle with Hayley Atwell’s young daughter, and his rumoured godchild, in London this month. The co-stars arrived at a heliport after spending the day doing some postproduction work on the next Mission: Impossible movie. Hayley’s partner, Ned Wolfgang Kelly, was also with them. “Tom was tickled pink – no pun intended – to spend time with Hayley’s little girl. She’s the spitting image of [Tom’s youngest child] Suri when she was the same age,” a source tells New Idea. “Tom has been a great mentor for Hayley – not just in her work, but also encouraging her to find happiness with Ned.” It’s been a…

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most polarising star of them all? Well, when it comes to the Snow White press tour, it’s a toss-up between co-leads Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler. The release of the film, a live-action ‘reimagining’ of the 1937 Disney animation, has been marred by reports of beef between Gal and Rachel. Both stars have received considerable backlash for the movie. So much so, Hollywood trade bible Variety claimed Disney are scaling back the premieres and limiting press access in order to mitigate any potential disasters. The first Snow White screening was held in Segovia, Spain, with only Rachel in attendance. Billed as a ‘European event’, she sang the film’s new song ‘Waiting on a Wish’ to a small crowd of invited guests. A…

Forty years ago, The Breakfast Club forever changed the high-school movie genre. Directed by John Hughes, the film starred Emilio Estevez, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Anthony Michael Hall and Judd Nelson as five wildly different teenagers who find common ground while stuck in Saturday detention. Today, the movie remains a teen classic and is synonymous with the Simple Minds’ song ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’. But while the film’s legacy has endured, its cast haven’t all fared as well… BRAT PACKERS In 1985, New York Magazine published an article titled ‘Hollywood’s Brat Pack’, which lumped The Breakfast Club stars in with other young actors at the time, including Demi Moore, Andrew McCarthy and Rob Lowe. It insinuated the group of “popcorn movie stars” were privileged, hard-partying and lacking in serious…

Passionfruit Lemon Meringue Cake SERVES 10-12 PREP & COOK 2 HOURS 10 MINS ■ 375g unsalted butter, softened ■ 2 cups caster sugar ■ 1 tblsp finely grated lemon rind ■ 6 eggs, at room temperature ■ 4 cups self-raising flour ■ 1¼ cups buttermilk ■ ¹⁄³ cup fresh passionfruit pulp, plus extra to serve ■ ½ cup lemon curd ITALIAN MERINGUE ■ 4 egg whites, at room temperature ■ 1 cup caster sugar 1 Grease three 20cm round cake pans. Line bases and sides with baking paper, extending paper 2cm above pan edges. 2 Beat butter, sugar and rind in large bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until combined. Transfer to an extra large bowl. Add sifted flour, buttermilk and pulp…

From the way we talk to the way we dress – sexuality plays some part in everything that defines us. But why should that change when you reach menopause? Although your periods might disappear, your sex life doesn’t have to! WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MY BODY? During menopause, hormonal changes come with the gig. From hot flashes and mood swings to vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse, being intimate with anyone can feel overwhelming when you’re just trying to stay afloat. Menopause can decrease sexual arousal, which sounds troubling if you’re not looking to hop off the saddle just yet, but nothing is ever set in stone! Understanding the changes your body goes through can help maintain or even improve intimacy and sexual health in this brave new world. When normal…

RACHEL’S SAVVY SPRAY We love a pharmacy find – and so does Rachel Bilson! “I still swear by [L’Oréal Paris] Elnett [hairspray],” the actress says. “It’s great. It brushes out, and it’s a miracle.” With lasting hold that keeps hair soft, it’s no wonder it’s star-worthy. L’Oréal Paris Elnett Normal Hold Hairspray, $7.49, chemistwarehouse. com.au TRACEE’S ON-SET STAPLE The secret behind Tracee Ellis Ross’ glowing complexion? It might just be due to a beloved Aussie brand. The star posted on Instagram while on the set of her TV show Black-ish dousing herself with none other than Jurlique’s Rosewater Balancing Mist. And she’s not the only A-lister who’s a fan. The mist has also been spotted in the beauty bags of Amy Adams, Jennifer Lopez and Ella Mai. Jurlique Rosewater Balancing…

NEWIDEA.COM.AU NEWIDEA@AREMEDIA.COM.AU GPO BOX 4088, SYDNEY, NSW 2001 (02) 9282 8000 FACEBOOK.COM/ NEWIDEAMAGAZINE @NEWIDEAMAGAZINE @NEWIDEA MAGAZINE EDITORIAL Editorial Director Erin Holohan, Editor Karleigh Smith, Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin, Art Director Katie Garside, Picture Editor Matthew Mackay ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Andrew Cook, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.auWebsite www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.auPublished by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. New Idea is a registered trade…

1 Which ‘Real Housewife of Sydney’ is afraid of direct sunlight? A) Krissy Marsh B) Martine Chippendale C) Caroline Gaultier D) Sally Obermeder 2 How long is New Zealand’s Ninety Mile Beach? A) 90 miles B) 100 miles C) 64 miles D) 55 miles 3 Which of these movies is not based on a book? A) The Godfather B) The Hunger Games C) Twilight D) Avatar 4 Where does the word ‘karaoke’ originate from? A) Korea B) Japan C) China D) The Philippines 5 Which Jane Austen novel was adapted into a movie starring Keira Knightley? A) Sense and Sensibility B) Persuasion C) Pride and Prejudice D) The Watsons 6 In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, what is the name of the starship? A) Space Explorer B) Discovery One…

Kylie Gillies emerged as a winner at the Pink Fashion Lunch at Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens on March 15 – after spontaneously raising $12,500 for breast cancer support! The kind gesture came after The Morning Show host, 57, won a pair of $25,000 earrings in a raffle. Visibly shocked at her ticket being drawn, and aware of how privileged she is, Kylie quickly decided to auction the 18-carat earrings off instead of keeping them. After some back and forth, the final bid of $12,500 was placed. “I’ve never even won a meat tray in a raffle!” Kylie tells New Idea. “Finding a cure is simply about money. The extra $12,500 could help pay for a research scientist’s wage for a month. It’s a tiny piece of the puzzle in trying to…

Oh baby! Jessica Mauboy has opened up about her new life as a mum, after secretly welcoming her first child with husband, Themeli Magripilis. The 35-year-old pop star quietly gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Mia on January 13. In a chat with Stellar, Jess shared she opted to keep Mia’s arrival on the down low so that she and Themeli could enjoy the “precious moments”. She added that motherhood has been up and down. “It has been a bit of a roller-coaster but a magical one … I’m making up lots of lullabies for her,” Jess said.…

Amelia Ramsay was just eight years old when she found out she, along with her two sisters, Melinda and Greta, and their mother, Toni Freudenstein, all had a rare and life-limiting cancer. The neuroendocrine cancer, which is called Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome, causes tumours and cysts to grow throughout the body. At the time of her diagnosis, there was no cure and the only treatment available involved operations to remove tumours when they arose. Amelia, now 38, has had more than 50 surgeries in the last 30 years, including eight brain surgeries and a kidney transplant. However, now thanks to a new drug which has just been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Amelia’s children – Xavier, 18, and Leo, 12 – will not have to face a similar…

THEN NOW Melissa Moore remembers the moment her father, Keith Jesperson, casually told her, “I know how to kill someone and get away with it.” She was 13 years old and the duo were driving along the Columbia River, which separates the states of Washington and Oregon in the United States. He told her he could cut off the victim’s buttons so there’d be no fingerprint evidence and wear cycling shoes to hide his tracks. Melissa says she shrugged off his comments as a reflection on his love for fictional crime novels. Years later, she discovered that day he’d taken her to the burial site of his first victim – Taunja Bennett, 23, who he’d killed three years prior. “I think he wanted to relive it and enjoy the moment…

Chicken Jambalaya SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 45 MINS ■ 600g chicken thigh fillets, trimmed, halved crossways ■ 1 chorizo, finely chopped ■ 1 large onion, chopped ■ 1 large green capsicum, roughly chopped ■ 2 tsps Cajun seasoning ■ 1 tsp smoked paprika ■ 2 cups chicken stock ■ 400g can chopped tomatoes ■ 1 cup medium-grain white rice ■ Lemon wedges and chopped fresh parsley, to serve 1 Heat an oiled, large, deep frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until browned. Remove. 2 Add chorizo, onion, capsicum, seasoning and paprika to same frying pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. 3 Return chicken to pan with stock, tomatoes and…

Deep Dish Berry Meringue SERVES 8 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 25MINS ■ 6 egg whites, at room temperature ■ 1½ cups caster sugar ■ 2 tsps cornflour ■ 1 tsp white vinegar TOPPING ■ 600ml tub thickened cream ■ 125g punnet raspberries ■ 125g punnet blueberries ■ ¼ cup icing sugar ■ 1 tblsp vanilla essence ■ 250g punnet strawberries, quartered 1 Grease a 23cm x 32cm x 6cm deep, ovenproof dish (14-cup capacity). 2 Beat egg whites in large bowl of an electric mixture until frothy. With motor operating, gradually add sugar, 1 tblsp at a time, beating well after each addition until sugar is dissolved. Continue to beat for a further 5 minutes, or until thick and glossy. 3 Beat in cornflour and vinegar until just combined.…

Debra Messing Knowing full well you need to either go big or go home, Deb rocked a ginormous faux fur coat while out in New York City. Home and Away cast You know these three belong together! Home and Away mainstays Ray Meagher, Ada Nicodemou and Emily Symons were all smiles while filming in Palm Beach, NSW. Leah Purcell While in Murgon, QLD, for a public reading of her latest stage adaptation, Is That You, Ruthie?, Leah enjoyed meeting some fans. Richard Roxburgh The Sydney premiere of Richard’s new film The Correspondent turned into date night, with the actor joined by his gorgeous wife, Silvia Colloca. Dolly Parton The country music queen celebrated from 9 to 5 as her Tennessee theme park Dollywood marked its milestone 40th anniversary. Ronan Keating…