Home Page 4822

Julia Morris: Wow, look at me now!

Julia Morris: Wow, look at me now!

The funnygirl is hitting her straps, with a new smaller dress size to add to her big TV role.

Julia Morris made a name for herself on Full Frontal in the 90s as a grown-up class clown. Looking at the svelte 44-year-old now it’s hard to believe she ever earned a crust making fun of herself. Her incredible transformation has seen her drop an impressive 15kg and two dress sizes – from a size 16 to a size 12.

“It took a year and a half to lose that weight. It’s a churn and burn industry. There are so many failures,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. But it wasn’t simply a desire to get healthy that spurred her makeover. The House Husbands star was given a clear ultimatum when she moved to Los Angeles three years ago.

After her first round of auditions her agent told her, “I can’t work out why you didn’t land even a walk-on role, and the only thing I can think of is your size. You either need to put on weight or lose it, but unfortunately in Hollywood you’re invisible.” It was the wake-up call Julia needed. “I guess she was kinda saying, ‘I don’t want you to move your entire family across to the other side of the world and miss opportunities because of cake’, ” Julia told Woman’s Day.

Now she maintains a “no carbs after 5pm” rule and fits in exercise whenever she can. But unlike her LA counterparts, the mother-of-two refuses to suggest it’s a walk in the park. “These people who say, ‘I just love getting out there. It makes me feel so good’. No. No it doesn’t. I have to be forced at gun point out the door by a trainer a couple of times a week.”

Read more about Julia’s new lease on life in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday October 1, 2012.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Johnny Depp begs Vanessa: Take me back

Johnny Depp begs Vanessa: Take me back

The Hollywood heart-throb regrets dumping the love of his life for his much younger co-star.

When Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis announced in June they were splitting up after a 14-year relationship that produced two children, it was seen as a sad indication that not even the strongest bonds can survive the unique pressures and temptations of Hollywood fame and fortune.

Johnny had spent much of the previous year under the spell of US actress Amber Heard, a blonde bombshell who has openly boasted of her bisexual affairs. According to Woman’s Day’s sources, Amber was determined to seduce the actor from the moment they began working together on The Rum Diary.

And when Johnny was pictured boarding a private jet with Amber and her “girlfriend” back in May, it seemed his Hollywood love story with Vanessa had come to a somewhat sleazy ending. But now one close friend of the 49-year-old Pirates Of The Caribbean star has stepped up to tell Woman’s Day that Johnny is far from happy with his new single life.

Our source, a musician who has worked with Johnny and socialises with him regularly, explains, “In the past few weeks he has started saying that leaving Vanessa was a huge mistake. Johnny says he misses his kids desperately and that being apart from Vanessa makes him feel like he’s lost half of himself.” And it’s a gap that not even saucy 26-year-old Amber can fill.

Read more about Johnny and Vanessa in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday October 1, 2012.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Suri Cruise: Where’s daddy?

Suri Cruise: Where's daddy?

Suri hasn’t seen her father in 53 days, but is Tom about to put an end to their separation by leaving Scientology for good?

As Suri Cruise skipped down the street in Manhattan with her mum Katie Holmes, it was just another day in her reassuringly normal new life. A posh private school has replaced the Scientology Centre, and, for the first time, the famous six-year-old is surrounded by friends her own age, thanks to the gymnastics and ballet classes her mum has enrolled her in.

Katie has made every effort to ensure Suri’s life is filled with everyday activities, insisting her daughter sees the inside of cinemas and supermarkets instead of being cocooned in a Beverly Hills mansion like the days of old. But there’s one thing missing – her dad, Tom Cruise. In the past Tom, 50, has been an endlessly devoted father, lavishing his little girl with attention and a lifestyle fit for a princess. But it has now been more than 53 days since he’s seen his daughter – and counting.

“Their first day together after the divorce was a helicopter ride and the last time he saw her, he took her on a VIP day to Disney World,” says a friend. Now, two months later Suri is starting to ask questions. “Suri has generally been very happy since the split,” says a source who has seen the six-year-old twice in the past eight weeks, and who has spoken with Katie. “But she doesn’t understand why she can’t see her dad or why he’s not around these days. It has led to tears.”

Tom has been in the UK for the past few months filming his upcoming movie All You Need Is Kill. Instead of travelling back and forth to visit his daughter, or having her brought to the set by Katie as used to happen – and is now strictly forbidden by his ex, who refuses to allow Suri to leave the US – he’s remained on the other side of the Atlantic. His attorney Bert Fields insists there is nothing unusual about the situation. “This is something that has been going on her whole life. When Tom is shooting out of the country, he has to rely on the phone.”

Read more about Tom’s new life in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday October 1, 2012.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Debbie Newsome: Love is all I need

Debbie Newsome: Love is all I need

The vivacious Perfect Match co-host never takes her health – or loved ones – for granted.

Debbie Newsome always wore a brave face for devoted husband Mark Learmonth before her regular health checks. The star of 80s hit dating show Perfect Match has a family history of breast cancer. Her grandmother was a victim of Australia’s leading cause of cancer deaths in women, and more recently so was her Aunt Louise.

But glass-half-full Debbie, 51, always assured Mark, 54, she was different. She would live forever, she’d joke to put his mind at ease. That is, until a routine check-up last October when her doctor found a lump under her breast. The biopsy result was benign but it was the scariest wait of her life. “I don’t want anything to happen to me because of Mark,” says Debbie. “I don’t want him to be alone.”

By sharing her scare for the first time during October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, Debbie hopes to inspire other women to get checked. “I even make sure my daughter, who is just 22, gets checked, and if you can’t get to a doctor, at least do regular self-exams. You don’t need to have a family history.”

The former beauty queen says her love for sparky Mark is reason to stay healthy. The pair have been inseparable since the For Your Eyes Only Bond bombshell moved to NSW’s Central Coast 12 years ago to live with Mark. “I can’t imagine life without him – we’re just so the perfect match. My girlfriends call him my angel sent from heaven.”

Read more about Debbie in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday October 1, 2012.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Think pink: The products that can help save lives

October marks Breast cancer Awareness month and you can do your part just by shopping! Take your pick from some of these pink products and click here for more from the National Breast Cancer Foundation website.

Pink products

October marks breast cancer awareness month and you can do your part just by shopping! Take your pick from some of these pink products and click here for more from the National Breast Cancer Foundation website.

Pink Princettia

These beautiful pink Princettia plants from Oasis Horticulture can help raise funds for breast cancer research. For each plant sold Oasis has donated 50c to research.

Click here for stockists

Dove Pink range

Dove has been supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation as a platinum partner for six years.

Since 2006, Dove has donated over $1million to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The Dove Pink range includes Dove Pink Anti- Perspirant Roll-On Deodorant, Dove Pink Anti-Perspirant Aerosol Deodorant, Dove Pink Body Wash, Dove Pink Beauty Cream Bar, Dove Pink Shampoo and Conditioner and Dove Pink Summer Glow.

**Click here for stockists.

**

Magnum Strawberry White Crumble

Streets Magnum have created Magnum Strawberry White Crumble! This delicious limited edition creamy strawberry flavoured ice cream coated in cracking white chocolate and delicious biscuit pieces has been made especially to support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Limited edition pink volleys

These limited edition pink volleys not only look good, but $1 of each sale goes towards funding research for the prevention and cure of breast cancer.

Purchases are online and the first 100 buyers get the bonus of pink heart laces.

Click here for stockists.

RRP: $35

Pink Ribbon umbrella

Stevie Marx offers you the official Pink umbrella and has been a partner of the National Breast Cancer Foundation for two years.

**Click here for stockists.

**

limited-edition Wash Bag

Bras N Things are a Gold Partner of the National Breast Cancer Foundation and have designed this limited-edition Wash Bag. A percentage of the profits will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Click here for stockists.

Clinique limited-edition Moisturizing Lotion

Clinique is offering a limited-edition bottle of its best-selling, cult classic Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.

The 200ml bottle is adorned with a Clinique key ring with a “C” shaped charm on one side and a convenient mirror on the other and $20.00 from every sale will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

RRP: $110.00

Available at: Selected MYER and David Jones stores from September 30, 2012.

OPI

This OPI Pink of Hearts 2012 twin pack contains two special pink-ribbon capped bottles with 100 per cent of the sale price going to breast cancer awareness.

RRP: $24.95

Available at: Selected beauty salons, spas and David Jones from 16th September, while stocks last.

Click here for stockists.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm

Clinique has also created a limited-edition shade of its number one selling lip product, the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm available in Plumped Up Pink. The lip stick also comes with a pink cosmetic carrying pouch and $5 from each sale goes to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

RRP: $35.00

Available at: Selected MYER and David Jones stores from September 30, 2012.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Salma Hayek’s slimming secrets

Salma Hayek's slimming secrets

She has one of the most enviable bodies in Hollywood, so what’s Salma Hayek’s secret to maintaining a slim figure?

The 45-year-old recently revealed her secret is a detoxifying all-natural fruit juice drink.

“Carrots and apples give you a super boost of Vitamin A and antioxidants,” she told US Weekly.

Her favourite recipe includes 2-3 carrots (greens removed), 1 apple (cored), 1/2 small beet and 1/4 lemon (peeled). Push lemon through juicer with carrot, apple and beet. Scrape off the foam and serve over ice.

The sultry star who is currently promoting her new movie Puss in Boots said that she find this is the best way to keep herself in shape, as she isn’t good at dieting.

“When I feel stressed, I turn to food for comfort, but I don’t like to diet and I’m not good at it,” she said.

“After doing a juice cleanse, I’m motivated to eat healthier and not emotionally. Cleansing is like my meditation. It makes me stop, focus and think about what I’m putting into my body. I’m making a commitment to my health and hitting the reset button.”

Hayek believes in the juice cleanse so much that she co-founded a juice company Cooler Cleanse, a raw, pressed juice company that specialises in detoxifying drinks, in 2010.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Reese Witherspoon welcomes baby boy

Reese Witherspoon welcomes baby boy

Reese Witherspoon has welcomed a son with her husband Jim Toth, naming him Tennessee James.

“Both mom and baby are healthy and the entire family is thrilled,” a representative for the actress told People magazine.

The 36-year-old actress, who gave birth on Wednesday, spent some time in a Los Angeles medical facility last month after it was feared she had gone into early labour.

But it was a false alarm and after being discharged, Reese was told to stay home and rest.

Reese now plans to take a break from her acting career to raise her newborn and to spend more time with daughter Ava, 13, and son Deacon, 8, her two children with ex-husband Ryan Phillippe.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Holly Valance to marry billionaire beau this weekend

Holly Valance to marry billionaire beau this weekend

Former Neighbours star Holly Valance is set to marry her billionaire beau, London-based property tycoon Nick Candy, this weekend in a lavish three-day event in California.

The pair plan to tie the knot at a grand black-tie event at a beachfront location in Malibu on Saturday. The celebration also includes a dinner in Beverly Hills on Friday night and a Sunday “recovery” barbecue.

The guest list is just as impressive as the celebration itself with Sir Elton John, Simon Cowell and Dutch supermodel Lara Stone and her husband Little Britain star David Walliams all expected to attend.

The couple added a bit of flair to their hand-delivered invitations, calling themselves “Valandy.”

The details of Holly’s dress are strictly under wraps but it’s expected to be a show-stopping design.

Nick popped the question with a whopping great teardrop-cut ring while the pair were holidaying in the Maldives over Christmas last year.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Photoshop fail: Magazine slammed for adding weight to skinny model

Photoshop fail: Magazine slammed for adding weight to skinny model

Before and after: An international fashion magazine has been criticised for airbrushing out model Karlie Kloss' protruding ribs.

Fashion magazines are constantly criticised for altering images to make models appear thinner, but in the latest Photoshop fail, an international fashion magazine has been attacked for airbrushing skinny supermodel Karlie Kloss to make her appear more full-figured.

Posing in Numero magazine, the 20-year-old model is pictured topless with her hands raised above her head in a seductive pose causing her ribcage to protrude from her body.

Related: Why is Vogue glamorising domestic violence?

In the original images, released by the photographer and brought to attention by several outraged fashion bloggers, Kloss appears emaciated.

But by the time the spread was printed, the image had been altered to cover up her bony body, adding several pounds to the model’s skinny frame.

The unusual airbrushing — a technique usually reserved for making models appear slimmer — was carried out without photographer Greg Kadel’s knowledge, and much to his shock and disappointment.

In a statement from Kadel’s studio, the photographer revealed that he wanted to represent the model as she appears naturally.

“It was Greg’s desire to represent Karlie as she naturally is … slender, athletic and beautiful,” the statement read.

“That is why he released the images as he intended them to be seen by the public. He is shocked and dismayed that unbeknownst to him, Numero took it upon themselves to airbrush over his original images.

“Greg stands by his original artwork and cannot stress enough that he not only was unaware of the magazine’s retouching but also finds the airbrushing of Karlie unacceptable and unnecessary.”

As well as upsetting the photographer, the altered images have fashion bloggers and commentators outraged for a number of reasons, from accusing the magazine of ‘playing God’, to criticising the choice of model.

“This is another case of a magazine being extra cautious (or lack taste), and I prefer Kadel’s original to Numero’s manipulation,” one blogger stated.

Several observers have suggested the airbrushing was unnecessary, and that even a fuller-figured model in the same pose would have exposed ribs.

Related: Models reveal terrifying slimming secrets

“Anyone who stretches back like that will have their ribs show through. It’s natural; unlike the edited image,” the Fashion Copious blogger said.

It has been suggested that the magazine was being cautious in their treatment of the images, following a spread in Vogue Italia last year featuring the same super-thin model that ended up appearing on a number of pro-anorexia website and garnered a great deal of criticism for promoting unhealthy body image.

Related stories


Home Page 4822

Ready, set, bake! Highlights from our sponge cake bake-off

The great sponge cake bake-off

Australia's Sponge Cake Queen Natalie Dick

From hundreds of eager entrants, our expert food team selected eight finalists to bake their signature sponge cake recipes in The Weekly’s famous test kitchen to compete for the title of Australia’s Sponge Cake Queen.

Two hours of baking time flew as finalists got busy in the battle to create the perfect sponge.

There were nervous mutters as contenders prepared their ingredients, cries of panic as time ticked on, and cheers as contenders topped off their cakes with delicate decorations.

The Weekly’s food team was joined by judges Julie Goodwin and Georgie Gardner who were given the tricky task of testing each one of the cakes to pick a winner.

Congratulations to South Australia’s Natalie Dick who took out the title with her simple jam and cream filled sponge topped with strawberries and cream.

Australia’s Sponge Cake Queen finalists’ recipes

Related stories