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Katie Holmes: Fight to save Scientology kids

Katie Holmes: Fight to save Scientology kids

The actress plans to become a lawyer so she can help other mums escape the cult without having to give up their kids.

Katie Holmes knows all too well how hard it is to extract yourself from a Scientology marriage. After all, this is the woman who had legal and Hollywood circles shaking their heads in wonder when she escaped her unhappy union with the church’s second -in-command Tom Cruise.

Not only did she manage to leave him in her dust, but she also pulled off what few other Scientology mums have been able to do – keeping custody of her daughter and pulling in a healthy child-support sum, rumoured to be $400,000 per year. Now it’s been reported Katie is planning to go back to uni to study law, in the hope of helping other mums escape the cult without having to leave their kids behind.

“She expressed a keen interest in law while splitting from Tom,” a source tells The National Enquirer. “Now the divorce has been finalised, she has the time, money and opportunity to go to school.” Katie’s career change is no doubt inspired by her lawyer dad, Martin, who orchestrated her divorce. Tory Christman, who was a Scientologist for 30 years before leaving – and being disowned by her husband – hopes Katie becomes a lawyer for women like herself.

“When you have children or parents who are still ‘in’ and who threaten to cut off all contact if you leave, it’s incredibly hard,” she tells UK Grazia magazine. “The worry of every mother who finds themselves in Katie’s position is that they will lose their kids. There aren’t enough legal resources to support [them]. I talk to people every day who are in this position. They’re desperate for the kind of legal support Katie had access to.” It’s a story all too familiar to Katie. She’s well aware that when Tom divorced Nicole Kidman in 2001, he got to keep their children Bella and Connor, who are still Scientologists.

Read more about Katie’s crusade in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday February 18, 2013.

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Heir it is! Kate’s cute beach bump

Heir it is! Kate's cute beach bump

With a future king or queen on the way, the royal couple take time out for one last romantic holiday.

When the Duchess of Cambridge was in the grip of crippling morning sickness in December, her weary husband admitted they felt like it would “go on forever”. Thankfully, Kate, 31, who is believed to be four-and-a-half months pregnant, is through the worst of it. So she and Prince William, 30, are celebrating by treating themselves to their last romantic holiday before their family becomes three.

Holed up in a $28,500-a-week five-bedroom villa on the Caribbean island of Mustique –which comes complete with six staff members and an infinity pool – you’d think they’d be keen for some time out alone. However, with Kate’s parents Michael and Carole and siblings James and Pippa staying just up the road in a villa of their own, the royal couple were happy to hit a public beach.

All eyes were on Kate’s adorable baby bump, proudly on display in her blue bikini. Many holidayers were abuzz with chatter about her curvier physique. “Most women dream of looking like her during pregnancy!” one exclaimed to US Star magazine… and Kate and Wills agree. “Kate said she loved the feeling of being pregnant and how it’s transforming her body,” said one local on the island, who stopped her in the street for a chat.

A friend of William’s adds, “He keeps telling his wife how amazing her new curves are.” The holiday, which many have described as a “babymoon”, is just what the doctor ordered after a tough first trimester, during which Kate was admitted to hospital with severe nausea. “They’re really making an effort to reconnect and go back to being a normal couple for a while,” the insider says. “They are aware that soon they’ll return to royal duty – but in the meantime, in Mustique, they’ve never looked happier.”

See all of the beautiful pictures of Prince William and Duchess Catherine on holiday in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday February 18, 2013.

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MKR’s Candice and Lisa: They’re out to get us

MKR's Candice and Lisa: They're out to get us

Candice and Lisa allege there’s more to the scoring than food.

There’ve been allegations of strategic scoring in the past, but never before in MKR history has anyone been accused of collusion. However Western Australian mother/daughter team Lisa and Candice Clarke say that’s exactly what happened during filming of the current season.

“There was definitely some collaboration going on,” mum Lisa, 52, claims. The Perth-based teachers say they first felt distanced from the rest of the group after they were struck down by a severe chest infection the day of their instant restaurant, and were too sick to socialise with the others off set.

“Honestly, we weren’t in-in,” Lisa says. “I mean, everyone liked us, we were all friends and stuff like that, but the fact that we were sick for the first half, and that the other crew, they’d all meet for dinner and breakfast at the hotel. People have breakfast in the same place in the hotel. So, you know, you’re going to chat.”

It wasn’t until Dan and Steph’s instant restaurant that Lisa saw what she believes to be proof of an alliance. “There was a bit of talk going on amongst the others,” Lisa says. “I don’t know if they filmed that, it’s kind of at a toilet break,” adds Candice, 28. “Mum comes up to me and goes, ‘Oh my God, Candice, I just saw, you know – “five, six” – and everyone’s kind of showing them, hand-signalling what they’re gonna score them!’”

Read more about this MKR scandal in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday February 18, 2013.

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Steph Rice and Millsy: It’s on!

Steph Rice and Millsy: It's on!

A couple of headline makers grab more attention together.

Stunning Aussie swim star Stephanie Rice appears to have fallen for her Celebrity Apprentice co-star, singer Rob Mills, since meeting him on the set of the Nine Network reality series. “Everyone has been talking about it,” an insider confirms. “There is chemistry there and they make a really cute couple. They have spent a lot of time together over the past two weeks and always seem to be laughing together.”

A fellow celebrity contestant was even more forthcoming, claiming that Stephanie spent two nights last week at Rob’s home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs instead of staying in the luxury hotel room provided by the show’s producers. They did nothing to hose down the rumours at an auction of portraits of contestants in Sydney last Wednesday, spending most of the night together and co-hosting part of the event.

“Steph’s awesome – she’s a beautiful girl,” Rob, 30, tells Woman’s Day, adding they forged a bond after she asked him to become her gym partner and they started working out together. Stephanie, 24, admits “we flirt a lot” and that she finds Rob “handsome”. She has also posted several shots of Rob to Instagram, with the caption, “What a handsome man he is”.

The golden girl of the pool explains she had found it hard to meet someone special since moving from Brisbane to Sydney three months ago, adding, “It was a hard sacrifice to leave my family and friends (in Brisbane).”

Read more aboutSteph and Millsy’s new found chemistry in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday February 18, 2013.

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Hugh Grant becomes a father again

Hugh Grant has welcomed his second child, a son, Felix Chang.
Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant has welcomed his second child, a son, Felix Chang.

After registering the birth on Valentine’s Day last week, Grant was forced to publicly announce his new child, which he had kept secret since the baby was born on December 29.

The mother of the child is Grant’s on-again off-again girlfriend, Tinglan Hong.

“In answer to some journos. Am thrilled my daughter now has a brother. Adore them both to an uncool degree. They have a fab mum.” Grant tweeted.

“And to be crystal clear. I am the Daddy.”

Grant and Hong welcomed their first child together, Tabitha, in September 2011, when it seemed unlikely they would expand their family further.

“I can confirm that Hugh Grant is the delighted father of a baby girl,” Grant’s publicist said at the time.

“He and the mother had a fleeting affair and, while this was not planned, Hugh could not be happier or more supportive.

“He and the mother have discussed everything and are on very friendly terms.

After announcing the arrival of his son, Hugh then took to Twitter with a plea for privacy.

“Thanks for v kind messages. Now I’ve confirmed (press somehow got birth certificate & were calling), hoping my family will be left in peace.”

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Matthew Newton: “I’m a changed man”

In his first "clean interview", troubled actor Matthew Newton has opened up about his violent past, and admitted he was completely at fault for assaults on his former girlfriends.
Matthew Newton

In his first “clean interview”, troubled actor Matthew Newton has opened up about his violent past, and admitted he was completely at fault for assaults on his former girlfriends.

The 60 Minutes interview also revealed Newton had never been officially diagnosed with a mental illness, but blamed his outbursts on a “wave of terror” and feeling of “hopelessness” brought on by mental issues, causing him to feel like he was “about to die”.

Newton was charged with the assault of former girlfriend actress Brooke Satchwell in 2007, and in 2010 allegedly assaulted his then-fiancée, actress Rachel Taylor.

The following year he was charged with the assault of a taxi driver in Sydney 2011, repeatedly avoiding conviction on the grounds of mental health.

The actor revealed he had hit “rock bottom” when he was arrested for hitting a hotel clerk in the face in Miami last year.

“I was put in the back of the police car and I realised I was completely alone. I realised there were two choices: there was help, there was honestly opening myself up and asking for help, or there was nothing, there was the end,” he said.

Though he has previously blamed his violent outbursts on mental illness, Newton admitted he was at fault for assaults on former girlfriends saying “it’s never okay to hit someone” and stressed he was on the mend.

“I’m now doing everything in my human power to make sure that any events of the past don’t occur again.”

Newton told interviewer Liz Hayes that this was his first “unmedicated” interview and that he hadn’t come on the show which an agenda.

“I have come with an agenda before,” he said.

Newton’s mental illness was the focus of an interview with A Current Affair last year.

“I’m the strongest and most focused I’ve ever felt in my life,” an erratic Newton told interviewer Tracy Grimshaw.

Grimshaw said afterwards: “Matthew is mentally ill and Matthew’s mental illness is like a third presence in the room, something I had to be very aware of the whole time.”

In last night’s interivew, Newton said he was no longer on addictive medication, and that he was looking forward to getting on with his life and returning to acting.

“I want, in the second half of my life, to be an exemplary citizen, a successful professional and one day a really good parent.”

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Designer labels Duchess’s wardrobe as ‘wasteful’

Designer labels Duchess’s wardrobe as ‘wasteful’

It seems famed designer Vivienne Westwood isn’t exactly a fan of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wardrobe choices and has attacked her for buying so many outfits.

Kate, who has become a style icon since marrying into the royal family, has notably recycled numerous outfits more than once, but the British designer believes she doesn’t do it enough.

Speaking to reporters before her London Fashion Week show, Vivienne said she thought Kate should stop buying so many outfits as it was not environmentally responsible.

The eccentric designer and long-time environmental activist handed out a “climate revolution charter”, calling on people to “buy less, choose well, make it last”.

When asked what fashion advice she had for Kate, the 71-year-old explained that she wanted to see the duchess recycling her outfits even more often than she does.

“I don’t have any advice to her, except I think it would be great if she wore the same clothes over and again, because that’s very good for the environment and it would send out a very nice message,” she said.

“If you’re going to all that trouble to get an outfit that suits you, then you should keep on wearing it.

“I mean, you don’t have to have a red outfit one day and then something almost the same in blue the next.”

Related video: Kate’s style file.

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Nicole Kidman’s most unusual outfits

Whether you love or hate Nicole Kidman’s sense of style, you could never call her boring.

The 45-year-old actress’s unusual dress sense was on display in London last night as she attended a film screening in what was essentially a bedazzled skivvy.

While other guests played in safe in classic cocktail dresses, Nicole chose the eye-catching electric blue L’Wren Scott design that had made its debut on the catwalk at London Fashion Week just hours earlier.

Nicole is certainly no stranger to pushing fashion’s boundaries – here are some of her most unusual outfits.

Nicole Kidman wearing an unusual L’Wren Scott design.

Her infamous silver suit in Sydney in 2007.

Flapper-style at the Golden GLobes in 2004.

Nicole at the CMAs in 2011.

Straight out of *My Fair Lady* at the 2012 Derby Day.

Straight out of My Fair Lady at the 2012 Derby Day.

This look was panned at a film premiere in 2003.

An unusual silhouette at the Oscars in 2011.

Experimenting with skin-tight lurex in 2006.

Jewel-encrusted nipples at the Golden Globes in 2012.

Blue and green should never be seen. Nicole at the CMT awards in 2011.

Dressing like an Academy Award at the Oscars in 1997.

Maroon velvet at a film premiere in 1993.

Nicole at the Golden Globes in 2010.

Ombre ruffles at the Grammys in 2011.

Hot pink at the CMAs in 2009.

Gold spangles in 2004.

Looking like a peacock is hiding in her dress in 2005.

Looking like a milkmaid at the Toronto Film Festival in 2003.

Trying an unusual colour at the Oscars in 1997.

Bringing crochet back at a film premiere in 2009.

Nicole in Paris in 2012.

Nicole at the SAG Awards in 2002.

Low-cut and velvent BAFTA after-party in 2002.

A mullet dress at the Golden Globes in 2033.

Nicole at the SAG Awards 2003.

Dog collar and sequins at the Golden Globes in 2002.

Nicole at a Vogue event in 2009.

Sheer with feathered shoulder pads in Tokyo in 2012.

Baby blue and feathery at the Oscars in 2004.

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How attractive are you to men?

How attractive are you to men?

It’s the burning question that has plagued women for centuries: how attractive am I to men?

Thankfully, Esquire magazine published a helpful quiz to answer this very question in 1940.

The quiz, written by men, tells the 40s girl exactly why she is still single, and how to go about getting married immediately.

So where were women going wrong, according to the male editors of the magazine?

Drinking too much for starters. If men “marvel at your capacity for holding liquor” it’s a sure sign you’re promiscuous and, what’s more, an expensive date.

Wearing sensible clothing is another no-no. While your male companion may “rant about that crazy hat” they apparently “swell with pride” when you get admiring glances from less fashion-forward women.

Choosing less attractive friends for doubles tennis or other “foursome” occasions is another massive mistake. While you might think a chubby pal will make you look better in comparison, men would rather have someone pretty to look at, even if it’s not you. “Get the most glamorous girl you know,” the magazine advises. “And both men will be pleased.”

Knitting (“men hate to see a woman doing anything with her hands when talking to her”), promising sexual favours you don’t plan to deliver (“this is a low trick”) and having uncomfortable living room furniture (“no man can fall in love unless he has the chance to relax and he can’t if he’s sitting bolt upright”) and also fatal errors in the quest to snare a man.

When it comes to things you should be doing, flattery is unsurprisingly number one.

“Do you ever embarrass a man by telling him he’s good-looking or has big muscles or is too, too intelligent? Try it! Almost any man can stand almost any amount of flattery, however obvious, without embarrassment of suspicion.”

While the rest of the list is ridiculous, we think this one shows some things never change!

How attractive are you to men? From Esquire’s Handbook for Hosts.

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Thandie Newton: ‘I was sexually abused on the casting couch’

Thandie Newton has revealed she was sexually abused on the casting couch as a teenager.
Thandie Newton

Thandie Newton has revealed she was sexually abused on the casting couch as a teenager.

The 40-year-old British actress said she is still scarred from the “horrific” incidents that started when she was just 16 years old.

In a candid interview with CNN International, Thandie confirmed she was “abused” at 16, but said the worst incident happened two years later.

“It was a screen test,” she said. “There were two other people in the room — the director and the casting director, who was a woman.

“The director asked me to sit with my legs apart — the camera was positioned where it could see up my skirt — to put my leg over the arm of the chair.

“Before I started my dialogue, [I was told to] think about the character I was supposed to be having the dialogue with and how it felt to be made love to by this person.

“I’m 18 years old, you know, and I’m thinking this is, obviously normal. I thought I was in a protected environment, that there were boundaries.”

Three years later, Thandie discovered the director had played the video of her at parties.

“It turned out the director used to show that video late at night to interested parties at his house — a video of me touching myself with a camera up my skirt.”

Thandie has starred in film and TV favourites, including E.R., Crash, Mission: Impossible II and For Colored Girls.

She has two daughters, Ripley, 12, and Nico, eight, with her film producer husband Oliver Parker.

She said she had decided to speak out about her abuse as part of One Billion Rising, an international campaign to end violence against women.

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