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February 10, 2013

Ellen and Portia’s secret Aussie break

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A blissful beach break is part of the plan when the star brings her hit show and Aussie wife to our shores.

It’s just weeks away from US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres’ visit to Australia, and the megastar’s been planning a holiday in the beachside spots her Geelong-born wife Portia has been so desperate to share with her. With the couple – who arrive on March 15 – unlikely to venture beyond Victoria and New South Wales, our sources say the water-lovers are planning trips to Byron Bay – including Olivia Newton-John’s ritzy Gaia Retreat & Spa – and Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.

Ellen’s dad Elliott, who spoke exclusively to Woman’s Day about his relationship with his daughter, confirms that Ellen is “very excited to be going to Australia”. And the visit is perfect timing, as Ellen and Portia are celebrating not only four years of wedded bliss, but Portia’s 40th birthday – an event Ellen chose to share with the world in a hilarious yet touching tribute on her show.

Her eyes twinkling and that trademark grin creeping across her face, Ellen let her audience in on the secret before looking directly into the eyes of her wife – seated in the audience – and announcing: “I want to celebrate you today”. Calling Portia to her side, an unusually serious Ellen choked back tears as she said,“I have to say, the last eight years of my life have been the happiest, best eight years of my life. Best time ever.”

As Ellen’s friend Joshua Radin played guitar gently and sang, “You make me so happy. You’re amazing. I love ya. Happy birthday!” “Thank you, baby,” replied Portia, as they shared a tender embrace and a kiss.

Read more about Ellen and Portia’s secret break in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday February 11, 2013.

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Dr Katrina Warren and her border collie Chill

DR KATRINA WARREN: ‘I’d love to go back to Harry’s Practice’

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Who is Outlander’s Sam Heughan dating? We deep dive into the heartthrobs history

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Sam Kerr and partner Kristie Mewis are having a baby

Inside Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan’s rock-solid marriage

5 big bombshells from Cher’s new memoir

Bindi Irwin's secret meeting with granddad Bob.

Bindi betrays Terri: Secret reunion with grandad Bob!

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Sonia Kruger lists luxury Sydney home for sale

The Bachelor’s Jimmy Nicholson and Holly Kingston are expanding the family

Today’s Sarah Abo is married to her soulmate! But who is he?

Inside Johnny Ruffo and Tahnee Sims’ relationship and the unbreakable bond they forged

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February 10, 2013

Katie tells Tom: We need to talk about Suri

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The actress wants to keep her ex updated first hand about their their daughter’s activities, but instead it’s lawyers at 10 paces.

Co-parenting a child after a divorce is tough on any former couple. But throw warring A-list exes and a bitter disagreement over religious beliefs into the mix and it effectively becomes Mission: Impossible. In fact, so hurt is Tom Cruise by his then-wife Katie Holmes’ sudden decision to split, Woman’s Day’s sources say he rarely speaks with her at all, and much of their contact is through lawyers.

As Tom wants to stay informed of their daughter Suri’s every move as she goes about her new life in New York, Katie has to relay the information to her lawyer, who then passes it on to Tom’s long-time rep Bert Fields. “Tom is still sceptical of Suri not going to a Scientology school, so he wants weekly updates on Suri’s class topics, homework, teacher feedback, and even who she’s socialising with and the background of those children,” a source close to Katie tells us. “Yet he leaves all the one-on-one interacting with teachers to her.”

Katie was so desperate to escape her marriage with Tom that she stole out of their LA compound and filed for divorce in New York, while he was out of the country. But now she’s telling friends she finds Tom’s method of communication utterly ridiculous and would prefer they just speak directly.

“At first Tom wanted all communication to go through his sister Lee Anne DeVette, also a devoted Scientologist, but Katie had no interest in speaking to her so it’s come to this arrangement with the lawyers,” another insider confirms to Woman’s Day. It doesn’t help that the once-happy couple are now disagreeing – via third- hand arguments – over six-year-old Suri’s future.

Read more about Katie and Tom’s future plans for Suri in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday February 11, 2013.

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DR KATRINA WARREN: ‘I’d love to go back to Harry’s Practice’

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Who is Outlander’s Sam Heughan dating? We deep dive into the heartthrobs history

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Sam Kerr and partner Kristie Mewis are having a baby

Inside Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan’s rock-solid marriage

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Bindi betrays Terri: Secret reunion with grandad Bob!

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Inside Johnny Ruffo and Tahnee Sims’ relationship and the unbreakable bond they forged

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February 10, 2013

Best-dressed at the 2013 BAFTA Awards

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Rain, flash-flooding and snow weren’t enough to deter film’s A-list from walking – or wading – the red carpet at the 2013 BAFTAs last night.

The stars took their fashion cues from the stormy weather, with the majority donning blacks, greys and dark blues.

Anne Hathaway was a big winner on the night, taking home the best supporting actress award as well as the unofficial best-dressed prize.

Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Lawrence, Gemma Arterton and Helen Mirren also impressed with their fashion choices. Who gets your vote for best-dressed?

Anne Hathaway, Alice Eve, Jessica Chastain, Gemma Arterton and Amy Adams.

Anne Hathaway in Burberry.

Jessica Chastain.

Amy Adams in Elie Saab.

Gemma Arterton in Celia Kritharioti.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness.

Helen Mirren shocked with her pink hair.

Jennifer Lawrence.

Sally Field in Antonio Berardi.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Elie Saab.

Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton.

Dame Judi Dench.

George Clooney and Ben Affleck.

Alice Eve in Alessandra Rich.

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February 10, 2013

Nicole Kidman glitters in gold at the 2013 Grammys

She wasn't a nominee, but Nicole Kidman stole the show at the 2013 Grammy Awards in a figure-hugging gold Vera Wang gown.

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She wasn’t a nominee, but Nicole Kidman stole the show at the 2013 Grammy Awards in a figure-hugging gold Vera Wang gown.

Nicole walked the red carpet alongside husband Keith Urban, who was nominated for best original song (but ended up losing to Adele’s ‘Skyfall’).

It was a big night for another Aussie too – Gotye took home three Grammys, including best alternative album, best pop duo and the coveted record of the year prize.

Here are our pick for best-dressed at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.

Nicole and Keith.

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart.

Adele.

Katy Perry.

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Nicole and Keith.

Nicole and Faith Hill.

Rihanna.

Beyonce Knowles.

Gotye and Kimbra.

Kelly Rowland.

Florence Welch.

Taylor Swift.

Carly Rae Jepson.

Natalie Bedingfield.

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DR KATRINA WARREN: ‘I’d love to go back to Harry’s Practice’

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Who is Outlander’s Sam Heughan dating? We deep dive into the heartthrobs history

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Sam Kerr and partner Kristie Mewis are having a baby

Inside Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan’s rock-solid marriage

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Sonia Kruger lists luxury Sydney home for sale

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Inside Johnny Ruffo and Tahnee Sims’ relationship and the unbreakable bond they forged

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February 10, 2013

Why there is NO excuse to avoid immunising your kids

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The number of Australian kids who are not vaccinated is growing, putting all children at risk of potentially fatal diseases. Mum-of-two Zoe Arnold explains why there is no excuse not to immunise your kids.

Picture this: a screaming infant sitting in a trolley, with his stressed mother pushing him as quickly as possible through a supermarket checkout. It’s busy and onlookers feel sorry for the woman, trying to collect her weekly groceries.

Then: a fountain of milky vomit erupts from the baby’s mouth — splashing the floor and counter next to a shocked checkout worker. The baby continues screaming.

This sounds dramatic, but it’s a true story of my little brother, still a baby when he contracted whooping cough. He was immunised, but another baby was not.

I remember that cough of my brother’s. It sounded like the name suggests — “whoop, whoop” — often followed by a vomit, and a terrible scrambling for breath.

It was scary: he was small and helpless, and turned a frightening purple during each episode.

Science shows us that vaccinating our children is the most effective way to reduce the spread of dangerous, potentially deadly diseases like whooping cough.

Yet there are still an alarming number of people who formally refuse to immunise their children.

To be clear: I am not a doctor, or a trained medical professional. But I am a mother of two children and I do comprehend science. There is no need for our immunisation rate to be less than 100 percent — but it is.

While it stinks that anyone would want to put their own child’s health at risk, what’s even worse is that they’re endangering the rest of us with their blasé attitude towards the vaccination process.

For four years now, Australia has been experiencing a whooping cough epidemic: with an estimated 38,500 Australians suffering through the disease in 2011.

Modern medicine means most of those who catch the disease will be okay in the end, but for little babies it is especially dangerous and difficult to treat.

It’s not just whooping cough: last year, NSW Health issued multiple alerts about the dangers of measles in that state with the highest numbers of the disease recorded in 14 years.

“People with measles usually feel extremely unwell,” Dr Jeremy McAnulty from NSW health says. “Symptoms include a high fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore eyes before a blotchy red rash appears.

“Measles is incredibly contagious but is preventable through vaccination.”

So why wouldn’t you want to protect your children and yourself from these deadly diseases? Misinformation is usually to blame. So-called “conscientious objectors” run websites and issue brochures claiming that the vaccination process is dangerous.

It’s not.

Decades of research shows that fully immunising our children gives them the best chance of avoiding diseases like measles and whooping cough. Yes, there’s still a chance you can be infected, but nowhere near as seriously.

If you aren’t convinced about the benefits of immunising, take a look at polio. Until a vaccine was developed in the 1950s, thousands of children were crippled by polio every year.

Many would die, or be left with devastating disabilities. Today, all but four countries in the world are polio-free, thanks to a handy little vaccine.

There are lots of things to think twice about when you have children: whether to breast or bottle feed them; which daycare is right for you; which method of parenting works in your house. But vaccinating your child isn’t something to think about twice; as it’s every child’s right to have the healthiest start possible.

To find out more about immunisation, visit the Department of Health and Ageing.

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Teresa Palmer’s family is beyond adorable and here are all the photos to prove it

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How Ada Nicodemou’s close-knit family with son Johnas came together

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February 10, 2013

It’s time to nominate: Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards!

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There is rarely a person who influences us as much as our mothers do, and this is certainly the case for the mums nominated for Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards.

Now in its 18th year, the charity’s flagship event, which honours and recognises the enormous contribution everyday Mums make in shaping Australia’s future through nurturing children, has welcomed Professor Kerryn Phelps AM and wife Jackie Stricker-Phelps as the 2013 Mother of the Year Ambassadors.

“Mothers are so special because they are the first point of reference for a child, and remain one of our most powerful influences,” Professor Phelps said.

“Strong and positive mothering helps children to become confident and independent adults. However, not all children are fortunate enough to have love and care from their biological mother.”

As one of Australia’s leading children’s charities, the Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards aim to showcase what everyday mums and great women can do for our children and our communities.

Barnardos Australia Marketing & Fundraising Director, Manisha Amin said Barnardos Australia was proud to welcome two high profile mothers like Kerryn and Jackie to the Awards.

“Each year, Barnardos Australia recognises and rewards inspirational mothers in our community through Barnardos Australia’s Mother of the Year Awards,” Manisha said.

“This Mother’s Day Barnardos Australia wants to celebrate these families and the mothers who make homes those children can belong to.”

Kerryn and Jackie join other high profile Barnardos Mother of Year Ambassadors including Noni Hazlehurst, Damien Leith, Natarsha Belling, Lisa Wilkinson and Dr Ginni Mansberg.

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February 8, 2013

Odd celebrity hook-ups – past and present

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Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkosy

Love blossomed between 26-year-old Mary-Kate Olsen and the 42-year-old brother of the French President back in mid 2012 and since then their romance has certainly been turning heads.

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling

Strange but true! This unlikely pair dated for a year until 2002, and since then Ryan has only had the nicest things to say about former flame, Sandra.

Simon Cowell and Carmen Electra

Simon Cowell first invited glamour model Carmen Electra to be a judge on UK talent show Britain’s Got Talent but now the couple are allegedly dating. We give it 6 months.

Marilyn Manson and Evan Rachel Wood

In 2007, 39-year-old shock-rocker Manson, who has fetishes for pain and mutilation, started dating the 19-year-old eclectic actress, saying “I’ve found my double, my twin, with my new girlfriend, Evan Rachel Wood.”

Since their split in 2009, Rachel Wood has admitted regretting the odd romance.

Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton

Thorton stated in an interview that “I wear her underwear a lot when we’re away. And she wears mine.”

If that’s not strange enough, the couple also admitted to wearing vials containing each other’s blood around their neck.

50 Cent and Chelsea Handler

The hard-core rapper dating funny woman Handler was one of the strangest moments on the celebrity dating scene in 2011.

Although the pair never confirmed it, Handler tweeted a photo of the pair kissing in bed.

Britney Spears and Colin Farrell

After Britney brushed off rumours that she and Colin Farrell were dating, the cheeky Irish actor was rumoured to have sent her a T-shirt saying: “I slept with Colin Farrell and all I got was this lousy t-shirt”. Unsurprisingly, they’re no longer on the best terms.

Tom Cruise and Cher

Celebrity match-ups don’t get much stranger than this one.

At 16 years his senior Cher said that she was “crazy” for Cruise and that the affair would have continued if not for invasive press.

Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison

The 51 year old Green Mile star married the aspiring pop singer when she was just 16-years-old after falling in love over email and phone calls.

The PDA lovers are not fazed by attacks on their age difference, with Stodden saying: “It’s kind of funny, because if a woman doesn’t call me [a slut] when I walk by, I think I need to go home and redo my hair because I don’t look as good as I did when they call me that.”

Kristy Hinze and Jim Clark

The Vogue Australia cover-girl married the billionaire in 2009.

Clark’s two children, both of whom are older than Hinze, one by a decade, were apparently “thrilled” by the marriage. Clark inspired Hinze to finish high school when she was 29-years-old.

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley

The King of Pop married Elvis’ daughter around the time of the first series of child sex abuse allegations. They bonded over their shelter from the real world and missing out on their childhoods.

Jackson would not allow Presley to see his body or to see him without makeup, and wore some of her jewellery in bed.

Brad Pitt and Sinitta

The American singer dated Pitt in the ‘80s before his rise to stardom. Sinitta bragged of their relationship years later saying, “Some ardent fan gave me a slap when I came out of a supermarket over that relationship!”

She also revealed that he had an “amazing body”, even referencing his manhood!

Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller

These two could not have been more different when they married. Miller was an intellectual, sombre playwright and Monroe was arguably the most famous woman of the century.

Monroe was known for her lavish spending and dramatic episodes and it is alleged that Miller charged her production company for buying and shipping an expensive car to America.

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey

Cannon allegedly has to ask “Sugar Mama” Carey, who is 11 years his senior, for her permission to speak to his friends.

It’s no wonder, because when asked if she trusts her husband Carey replied “sometimes.”

Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock

Anderson married the rocker wearing a white string bikini in a trashy, rock’n’roll wedding which took place on a yacht.

It was rumoured that Rock’s hunting passion conflicted with Anderson’s animal rights activism, leading to their divorce.

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DR KATRINA WARREN: ‘I’d love to go back to Harry’s Practice’

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February 8, 2013

Tom Cruise: Call me Cage

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It seems Tom Cruise is taking his latest acting gig very seriously.

On the set of his latest movie, All you need is Kill Tom has requested that cast and crew only refer to him as his character’s name – Cage the UK’s Sun reported.

“Tom doesn’t care what people think,” a source told the paper. “He’s so focused on doing the best possible job on the movie and has used the same tactics in previous roles.”

And it seems everyone on set, including fellow actor Emily Blunt, is more than happy to oblige.

“Because he’s Tom Cruise, everybody follows orders. He’s a legend to them,” the source said.

The film, which is currently being shot in London, is set for release in 2014.

Tom Cruise on the set of All you need is Kill.

Tom Cruise on the set of All you need is Kill.

Tom in Character alongside Emily Blunt.

Tom and Emily share a smile on set.

Tom watches a scene unfold behind the cameras.

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DR KATRINA WARREN: ‘I’d love to go back to Harry’s Practice’

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February 7, 2013

Frocks that rocked: The best-ever Oscars gowns

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The Academy Awards are just hours away and while Hollywood anxiously speculates about who will take home the prizes for best actor and actress, we’re more interested in who win another coveted title – best-dressed.

Based on recent red carpet form, we think Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain and our own Naomi Watts will be ones to watch, but the red carpet is a funny place, and an actress with lesser fashion credentials could easily scoop the prize.

While we wait for the annual frock fest to begin, we’ve put together a list of the most memorable Oscar gowns of all time.

Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon, Michelle again, and Sandra Bullock.

Julia Roberts in vintage Valentino in 2001.

Halle Berry in Elie Saab in 2002.

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton in 2012.

Meryl Streep in Lanvin in 2012.

Sandra Bullock in Vera Wang in 2011.

Michelle Williams in Vera Wang in 2006.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford in 2012.

Hilary Swank in Guy Laroche in 2005.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein in 2011.

Natalie Portman in Rodarte in 2011.

Cate Blanchett in Valentino Couture in 2005.

Reese Witherspoon in Armani Prive in 2011.

Nicole Kidman in Christian Dior in 2011.

Jacki Weaver in Collette Dinnigan in 2011.

Helen Mirren in Vivienne Westwood in 2011.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy haute couture in 2011.

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad in 2012.

Kate Winslet in Ben de Lisi in 2002.

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior in 2005.

Penelope Cruz in Versace in 2007.

Helen Mirren in Christian Lacroix in 2007.

Keira Knightley in Vera Wang in 2006.

Nicole Kidman in John Galliano for Dior in 1996.

Kim Basinger in Escada in 1998.

Cindy Crawford in Versace in 1991.

Cate Blanchett in John Galliano in 1999.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Ralph Lauren in 1999.

Catherine Zeta-Jones in Versace in 1999.

Reese Witherspoon in vintage Christian Dior in 2006.

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February 7, 2013

Lock up pregnant women who drink, take drugs, police union says

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The Queensland police union has sparked controversy by requesting tougher laws that could see pregnant women forced into institutions if they drink alcohol or take drugs.

The union wants the power to lock up “risk-taking” mums-to-be to protect their unborn babies.

Union president Ian Leavers has argued for the law change in a submission to the Queensland child protection inquiry.

He cites fetal alcohol syndrome and children born with drug addiction as reasons the state should be allowed to intervene, and says the state’s focus should be on the rights of the unborn baby, not the “rights and liberties” of the mother.

“The cost to society in providing care and assistance to children born with ailments solely as a consequence of the actions of the mother during pregnancy is astronomical,” Leavers said in the submission.

“Those children also deserve a right to full life and health and should not be disadvantaged simply because of the actions or inaction of their birth mother.

“The state must have the ability to intervene and protect the unborn child when its mother refuses, or is incapable or unwilling, to do so.”

Queensland has a growing problem with pregnant women who take drugs. The child protection enquiry has heard that one baby is placed on a drug-dependence program every week in the Gold Coast region.

Social work expert Rosamunde Thorpe, who has worked in Queensland communities for years, has blasted the union’s request, branding it “draconian”.

“I think it’s very perturbing, very, very perturbing,” she told The Australian newspaper.

“There would need to be far more safeguards built in.”

Queensland’s child protection inquiry is being headed up by former Family Court judge Tim Carmody. He is expected to release his final report in April.

Your say: Do you think police should have the power to lock up pregnant women who might be putting their unborn babies at risk?

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Anne Hathaway, Alice Eve, Jessica Chastain, Gemma Arterton and Amy Adams.

Anne Hathaway in Burberry.

Jessica Chastain.

Amy Adams in Elie Saab.

Gemma Arterton in Celia Kritharioti.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness.

Helen Mirren shocked with her pink hair.

Jennifer Lawrence.

Sally Field in Antonio Berardi.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Elie Saab.

Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton.

Dame Judi Dench.

George Clooney and Ben Affleck.

Alice Eve in Alessandra Rich.

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.

Nicole and Keith.

Jennifer Lopez and Casper Smart.

Adele.

Katy Perry.

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Nicole and Keith.

Nicole and Faith Hill.

Rihanna.

Beyonce Knowles.

Gotye and Kimbra.

Kelly Rowland.

Florence Welch.

Taylor Swift.

Carly Rae Jepson.

Natalie Bedingfield.

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Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkosy

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling

Simon Cowell and Carmen Electra

Marilyn Manson and Evan Rachel Wood

Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton

50 Cent and Chelsea Handler

Britney Spears and Colin Farrell

Tom Cruise and Cher

Courtney Stodden and Doug Hutchison

Kristy Hinze and Jim Clark