Innehållsförteckning för Issue 20, 2025 från New Idea

Are you one of the hundreds of thousands of Aussie TV viewers absolutely obsessed with Nine’s new game show The Floor? If you’re not already on board, I highly recommend checking out the quiz phenomenon that sees players battling it out in head-to-head duels on their chosen topic of expertise. This week, we share all the secrets from behind the scenes of the Rodger Corser hit on page 32. It got us thinking about what our chosen trivia topics would be. Deputy editor Leigh’s topic would be Nicole Kidman – he’s her biggest fan. Our creative director Del says Neighbours would be it for him – he’s seen literally every episode! Meanwhile, Nine tell us they’d love New Idea readers to appear on the next season. You heard them, it’s…

Move over Goldie, Diane and Bette – there’s a new rom-com club taking over Tinseltown! A source tells New Idea that Meg Ryan, Calista Flockhart and Andie MacDowell are in talks to star in a new comedy together. It comes after Calista, 60, signed with the Gersh Agency, who also manage Meg, 63, and Andie, 67. “Meg and Andie have been looking for a third actress to team up with and Calista ticks every box,” a source explains. “Bringing Calista on board will be box-office gold.”…

Exciting news for Little House on the Prairie fans – the upcoming Netflix adaptation has found its Laura Ingalls. Alice Halsey, 10, has landed the pivotal role and the original Laura, Melissa Gilbert, approves! Melissa, 61, shared the news via Instagram earlier this month, writing, “Here she is. Wishing [Alice] all the luck in the world!” Young Alice currently plays Rachel Black on Days of Our Lives, but she’ll be stepping into Laura’s lace-up boots when filming commences later this year. The first TV iteration of Little House ran between 1974 and 1983 and was based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Image of Alice: Joanna DeGeneres.…

VISITING POPPY AT WORK! Scott Cam can’t stop hammering on about his adorable new granddaughter – and who can blame him?! Last week, The Block host called ‘tools down’ to announce that his eldest son, Charlie, had finally made him a grandfather. Taking to Instagram to reveal the joyous news, Scotty explained that Charlie and his partner, Amber, welcomed their baby girl, Tiggy, in mid-April. “As of five weeks ago, I became a proud grandfather to beautiful Tiggy,” Scotty posted, along with several photos of himself carefully cradling the newest member of the Cam clan. “I’m so proud of Charlie and Amber, she is absolutely gorgeous,” he added. A few days later, Scotty, 62, shared another photo, this time of Tiggy and Charlie visiting him in Daylesford, VIC, where he’s…

Following Jarrad’s recent departure from Farmer Wants A Wife, a new romeo is riding in to take his place – Farmer Jack! Originally announced in the initial casting notice last year, Jack, 26, hails from Railton, TAS, where he works on a dairy farm with his sister. Sitting down with New Idea before his first episode hits screens next week, Jack admits his relationship history is pretty uneventful. He loves music, animals, woodworking, restoring vintage cars and going to the pub with his mates. “The dating that I have done, I suppose hasn’t been all that successful. I haven’t found someone who would be willing to come and live on the farm with me,” he shares. Jack admits taking part in FWAW ’s 15th season wasn’t exactly on his bingo…

CASTING REQUIREMENTS The Floor sees 81 players battling to take over a giant quiz grid by winning headto-head duels. Although it’s marketed as a local product, only about 15 per cent of the cast were sourced directly from Australia, dishes a production source. With filming done last year in Amsterdam, many of the contestants were recruited from nearby European countries and England to keep costs under control. All Australian expats were chosen for their charisma, competitive edge and category expertise. HELLO, AMSTERDAM Only in New Idea The decision to shoot in the Netherlands was strategic. The complex set (which has a massive digital floor serving as the playing battleground) has already been used for international versions – so it was significantly cheaper to rent the existing facilities than build a…

Meat Lover’s Parmigiana SERVES 6 PREP 10 MINS COOK 25 MINS ■ 6 large (175g each) crumbed chicken schnitzels ■ 6 slices (200g) short cut bacon ■ ⅔ cup smoky barbecue sauce ■ 2 x 130g packets Pulled Pork (see tip) ■ 1¾ cups (225g) pizza blend shredded cheese ■ 100g thinly sliced pepperoni ■ ½ red capsicum, finely chopped ■ 1 small red onion, thinly sliced ■ 350g packet kaleslaw kit 1 Cook schnitzels according to packet directions. Transfer to an oven tray. 2 Meanwhile, heat a lightly oiled, large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add bacon. Cook for 2-3 mins on each side, until golden. Drain on paper towel. 3 Spread 1 heaped tbsp of sauce over top of each schnitzel. Top evenly with pork, then…

Taurus APR 21 – MAY 21 You’re full of smart ideas this month, not just moneywise, but on the home and family fronts too. Exciting opportunities are heading your way, but first, reassess your long-term goals and get organised. Perhaps it’s time to create a little study nook or update your home computer? Lucky gemstone: Emerald Leo JUL 24 – AUG 23 The stars are turning you into a team player! Group endeavours should bring out your best this month, with shared projects producing good results. With Mars energising your sign, that inner confidence is shining through. Just don’t take on too much: let others carry some of the load. Lucky plant: Orchid Scorpio OCT 24 – NOV 22 As the planets speed up, a dream could come within reach.…

New Idea Book of the week The building – and destruction – of family bonds are explored in this captivating story about the struggles between sisters. The year is 1996 and Genevieve and her younger sister, Arin, have grown up joined at the hip. Living with their parents and grandmother in a single room flat, the sisters navigate the intensity of life in working-class Singapore together, both knowing that failure is not an option. But, as the winner-takes-all world threatens to leave one behind while the other soars ahead, Arin and Genevieve find their relationship tested. Told over two decades, this sweeping story will make you think about the ties that really bind. OUT NOW, HACHETTE AUSTRALIA, $34.99 GET TO KNOW THE AUTHOR The Original Daughter is Singaporean author Jemimah…

ONE CHIC BUBBA! Lily Collins She’s in her working mum era! Lily brought new daughter, Tove, to the Rome set of Emily in Paris – where her co-star, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, enjoyed some cuddles. Maggie Beer Maggie enjoyed a catch-up with fellow culinary queen, Nigella Lawson, at Lee Mathews’ Australian Fashion Week showing in Sydney. Monaco royals It was a proud parent moment for Prince Albert and Princess Charlene as their twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, received their First Holy Communion at the Chapelle de la Visitation. Princess Beatrice Wearing a $1900 frock by Aussie designer Rebecca Vallance, Bea made a sweeping arrival into London’s Kew Gardens, where she was attending a gala event. Fran Drescher What a fine way to celebrate! The Nanny star spent Mother’s Day in Florida…

BROOKI BREAKS COVER! RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi has scored a major win against her fellow culinary queen, Brooke Bellamy. Both cookbook authors were nominated at this year’s Australian Book Industry Awards in the Illustrated Book of the Year category, for RecipeTin Eats: Tonight and Bake with Brooki. Nagi, 46, was declared the winner at the award ceremony on May 7, making this her second win in the category. Brooke was not in attendance and was understood to be at a pop-up bakery venture in the United Arab Emirates. The win comes after Nagi made allegations in late April that her caramel slice and baklava recipes were plagiarised in Bake with Brooki, claims which Brooke has denied. After a furore erupted over the allegations, Brooke broke cover for the first…

Much-loved British series, Doc Martin, is getting a surprise American remake, and not everyone’s happy about it – especially as original star, Martin Clunes, is not returning as the grumpy Dr Martin Ellingham. Instead, Josh Charles is leading the reboot. Josh, 53, is best known for his roles in the film Dead Poets Society and the long-running legal drama The Good Wife. The American version, titled Best Medicine, will follow a hot-shot Boston surgeon who moves to a sleepy seaside town to be its reluctant new GP. It’ll premiere early next year. While Doc Martin viewers have prayed for more episodes since the show ended in 2022, a source says this is likely not what they had in mind. Even though original UK producers, Philippa Braithwaite and Mark Crowdy, are…

She should be basking in family celebrations for her milestone 80th birthday this month, but instead, Priscilla Presley is all shook up by a nasty legal battle with a former business partner. “Priscilla is fighting in court to get money back she claims was stolen from her by a woman she foolishly trusted,” a source tells New Idea. “Just talking about it gets her so upset because she feels she was taken advantage of.” Priscilla has filed an elder abuse lawsuit against Brigitte Kruse, with the document alleging she had “duped” Priscilla, and had conspired to “drain every last penny she had”. The lawsuit also claims she was manipulated into signing contracts that diverted almost $2 million in earnings from her An Evening With Priscilla Presley shows and was isolated…

FAMILY-TREE FINDS Between 1995 and 1998, four women were sexually assaulted across Perth, WA. Their attacker remained unknown until he was finally unmasked in 2023 as Michael Anthony Woodhall, now 53. His downfall? His genes. Senior Constable Lisa Rosenberg was working on the case when the breakthrough occurred. She specialises in a new forensic technique called Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), where police can access data from private testing companies, and link the data to DNA found at a crime scene or in human remains. Police can only access the results from people who have opted-in to share their data with authorities. “The Woodhall case was the first in WA to use IGG,” Lisa, 54, tells New Idea. “I was in the Serious Crime Squad working on sexual assaults and realised…

KISS & TELL! Love is in the air for Meryl Streep and Martin Short – on screen and off! While some couples might avoid mixing business with pleasure, fearing it might extinguish the flame, Meryl and Martin are all too happy to take that risk. The pair were seen kissing up a storm on the streets of New York City recently. They were actually on set of the upcoming fifth season of their hit crime comedy, Only Murders in the Building, in which they play a married couple, but it could easily have been a scene ripped from their own lives. Indeed, although Meryl and Martin, both 75, have yet to officially confirm their romance, it’s considered one of the worst-kept secrets in Hollywood at this point. Since the long-time…

Edited extract from Australian Women’s Weekly Dinners, available where all good books are sold and aremediabooks.com.au, RRP $29.99. Quick Balsamic Chicken with Tomato and Mushrooms SERVES 4 PREP 5 MINS COOK 30 MINS ■ 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ■ 6 chicken thigh cutlets (1.2kg), bone in, skin on ■ 4 large flat mushrooms (320g), sliced ■ 2 cloves garlic, sliced ■ 8 sprigs thyme ■ 250g cherry tomatoes ■ 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar ■ 80g feta, crumbled ■ ¼ cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 Heat half the oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over high heat. Season chicken all over. Cook chicken, in batches, for 4 mins each side or until well-browned. Remove chicken from the pan. 2 Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add remaining…

One of Australia’s favourite actresses, Nicole da Silva, is loving being back on stage at one of her favourite places – Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre. Currently, Nicole stars in the company’s new production of playwright Harold Pinter’s dark comedy, The Lover. It’s running as a double bill with another of Pinter’s one-act plays, The Dumb Waiter. New Idea caught up with Nicole, 43, between shows. How are you feeling about being on stage again? I had such a great time working at Ensemble Theatre – it must have been a year and a half ago now – so I was delighted when they asked me back. It was just the perfect combination of great team, great writing and a place that I really wanted to work at again. The Ensemble is…

Tennis commentator Jelena Dokic was all smiles as she arrived home in Melbourne last week after a trip away. Meeting the 42-year-old at the airport was her very attentive – and chivalrous – chauffeur. He greeted Jelena with a warm hug and a peck on the cheek before carrying her bags to his vehicle. “They also shared some laughs and a chat,” an onlooker told New Idea. “Jelena seemed very happy to be home.” The ex-tennis pro loves her life in Melbourne, and admits she’s in a good place now, after some tough times following the end of her 19-year relationship with Tin Bikic in 2021. “I’ve really focused on myself, my life and what is important to me,” she said in a January Instagram post. Jelena also urged fans…

It looks like Lily Allen has something to smile about. The singer was spotted enjoying a friendly catch-up with American hotelier André Balazs in London on May 7. André, 68, owns the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Sources wondered if the get-together was a continuation of Lily’s recent birthday celebrations, as she carried two large Miu Miu shopping bags when she left. She turned 40 on May 2. While there’s no suggestion that Lily and André are anything more than mates – yet! – she’s no doubt happy to have his support after a rough few months. In February, the mum of two split from her Stranger Things star husband, David Harbour, and then entered a treatment facility for ‘emotional turmoil’.…

PLANE-LY AWKWARD! Where’s air traffic control when you need it? Megan Gale almost bumped into her ex-boyfriend, Andy Lee, and his new fiancée, Rebecca Harding, at Sydney Airport! Megan, 49, had just jetted into Sydney from Melbourne and emerged from her flight at a gate adjacent to Andy’s. “They only just missed each other,” an onlooker told New Idea. “Megan seemed to be in a hurry as she dashed away from the gate.” Meanwhile, Andy, who turns 44 this week, and Bec, who turns 35, were waiting nearby to board their flight. “They were holding hands as they approached their gate and seemed totally loved-up,” the onlooker added. Megan and Andy were quite the noughties It couple, when they dated for four years from 2006. While they quietly separated in…

Photo of the Duke of Sussex in UK: The Sun Doorbell camera footage of the Duke of Sussex knocking on homes in London’s Hammersmith and Fulham area continues to take the internet by storm. Dressed in a tieless blue suit and with his phone to his ear, Prince Harry was “looking for a friend”, according to reports. “We were shocked to see it was Prince Harry on the camera,” one resident told UK’s The Sun. “We only really noticed once neighbours started talking.” Another source added that two of the houses Harry knocked on were at “opposite ends” of the road, which is about “half a mile” long – or 800 metres. The clip was reportedly captured in early May, after Harry, 40, lost his Court of Appeal hearing, where…

Through the hum of machinery and the clang of steel, the sound of laughter drifts out of a workshop in the small town of Tailem Bend, SA. The shed is the home of RPCutters – a local metalwork and design business set up by the Wicker family. “It doesn’t feel like work,” daughter Katherine Wicker tells New Idea. “I’m just hanging out with my family, and we’re making stuff.” The business launched in 2011 after decades of physical labour caught up with dad John, 62. The seasoned welder and boilermaker bought a plasma cutter and asked Katherine, 32, to help with designing. “I started doing some decorative stuff for my friends as gifts, and it really took off,” Katherine recalls. “One friend of mine has a snail farm for people…

Plum Blueberry Custard Tart SERVES 8 PREP 30 MINS COOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS ■ 1¼ cups plain flour ■ ¼ cup caster sugar ■ 2 tbsp custard powder ■ 100g cold butter, chopped ■ 1 egg yolk ■ 425g can whole plums in syrup, drained ■ 125g punnet blueberries ■ Cinnamon sugar, whipped cream, to serve CUSTARD ■ 2 eggs ■ ⅔ cup caster sugar ■ 2 tbsp custard powder ■ 300ml tub thickened cream 1 Lightly grease a 24cm round, loose-base flan tin (3.5cm deep). 2 Process flour, sugar, custard powder and butter in a food processor until mixture resembles fine crumbs. With motor operating, add yolk and about 1-1½ tbsp cold water until mixture forms a ball. Remove. Shape into a flat disc. Wrap in plastic wrap.…

WHIMSICAL UPDO STEP 1 To replicate Rita’s soft updo, start by prepping with a lightweight treatment for seamless styling later on. Revlon Professional Uniqone Hair Treatment, $24.95, adorebeauty.com.au, is an all-in-one treatment that nourishes strands, controls frizz and detangles, and adds a dreamy coconut scent. STEP 2 Use a styling brush to part hair from the middle, leaving a few strands at the front of the face, and gather into a low bun at the nape of the neck. Secure into place using a thin elastic and bobby pins for any loose strands. Tangle Teezer Ultimate Styler Brush, $37.70, adorebeauty.com.au STEP 3 Use a curling wand such as this VS Sassoon Hair Curler, $20, bigw.com.au, to loosely curl leftover strands at the front, curling outwards to frame the face. STEP…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Erin Holohan, Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin, Art Director Katie Garside, Picture Editor Matthew Mackay ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Anna Quinn, 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.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.au Published 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 mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au Printed by IVE…

1 Who is the only Australian actor or actress to win an Oscar, an Emmy and a Tony Award? A) Cate Blanchett B) Guy Pearce C) Nicole Kidman D) Geoffrey Rush 2 What colour jacket is awarded to the winner of the Masters golf tournament? A) White B) Black C) Gold D) Green 3 The recently deceased Pope Francis was the first pope from which country? A) Austria B) Argentina C) Albania D) Azerbaijan 4 What was the name of Cliff Curtis’ character in the acclaimed New Zealand film,Once Were Warriors? A) Uncle Billy B) Uncle Benny C) Uncle Bully D) Uncle Baddy 5 Which four-letter word will get you the highest Scrabble score? A) Poxy B) Quiz C) Hazy D) Whiz 6 What is the longest-running Broadway musical of…