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Brad Pitt explains retirement

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has spoken about the 60 minutes interview in which he said he would stop acting at the age of 50, explaining that he wasn’t putting an expiry date on himself.

“I wasn’t actually putting an exact deadline on my expiration date, but I see it coming. I just have other interests and I do quite enjoy the production side,” he said while in South Korea.

He also said that given the choice, he would choose wisdom that comes with ageing, over youth.

“Me, personally I like ageing. With age comes wisdom and I have said it before and I say it again, I will take wisdom over youth any day. I think certainly, being a father has changed everything for me as far as perspective and interest, taking care of myself and wanting to be around for them,” he said.

Brad Pitt at a news conference in South Korea.

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Jessica Marais confirms pregnancy

Jessica Marais confirms pregnancy

Speaking through her management today, Jessica Marais has confirmed that she and fiancé James Stewart are expecting their first child.

“James Stewart and Jessica Marais announce they are expecting their first child,” the statement from her management said.

“The couple are excited and looking forward to this next phase of their lives.”

The pair, who met on Packed to the Rafters where they played onscreen lovers, have been the subject of pregnancy rumours for the past few days.

The logie award winning actress, who left the Aussie TV show in 2010 to concentrate on a career in the US, has recently been working on American series Magic City, which is being filmed in Miami.

The pair who say they are in no hurry to get married spoke openly about having children in an interview with Seven’s Sunday Night.

“Jimmy can’t wait,” Marias said in the interview.

“We need to have at least a couple of boys; if we have a girl that looks like you, they’re going to have to have brothers,” Stewart said.

The pair are yet to comment on whether Los Angeles based Marais will relocate to Australia for the birth.

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Home movies earn family $155k

Home movies earn family $155k

For most people, home movies are nothing more than a way to embarrass your children at their 21st birthday parties — but for one British family, a short clip of their two sons has earned them a cool $155,000.

Howard Davies-Carr uploaded a short clip of his sons Charlie and Harry onto Youtube so the boys’ godfather could view it.

In pictures: The worst Photoshop fails

That clip — entitled ‘Charlie bit my finger — again!’ — has now been viewed more than 387 million times, earning the family a $155,000 share of the advertising profits Youtube made from the clip.

Mr Davies-Carr now posts a new video every six weeks, and is still getting regular income from the video sharing site.

The family has used the money to put their three sons through private school, and to pay for holidays and other luxuries.

In pictures: Amazing celebrity weight loss

“Nearly all income from YouTube is banked,” Mr Davies-Carr said. “A little is spent on holidays and we bought a castle for the garden.

“We would have struggled to put all three boys through private education but with the YouTube money we decided to commit to all, and it was always going to be all or none.”

Your say: Would you put your home movies online if it could make you money?

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Sneak peek: Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher and Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep has received more Oscar nominations than any other star and looks likely to get another one for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in a new film.

The 62-year-old actress plays Britain’s legendary prime minister in The Iron Lady, which is scheduled for release in January, just in time for the awards season.

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Meryl’s casting in the film — which sees an elderly Baroness Thatcher reflecting on her life — was met with outrage, with many critics saying Meryl would butcher the role.

Those same critics have now completely changed their tune after seeing previews of the film.

Meryl is spectacular in the movie, and many are predicting the performance will earn her a 17th Academy Award nomination, and her third actual Oscar.

Whether she comes away with a coveted golden statuette or not, Meryl loves The Iron Lady, and says playing the legendary Thatcher was a “privilege”.

In pictures: Amazing celebrity weight loss

“It took a lot out of me, but it was a privilege to play her, it really was,” Meryl told the UK’s Daily Mail. “It was one of those rare, rare films where I was grateful to be an actor and grateful for the privilege of being able to look at a life deeply with empathy. There’s no greater joy.”

Your say: Do you think Meryl Streep has captured Margaret Thatcher well?

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Brad Pitt: I’m quitting Hollywood

Brad Pitt: I'm quitting Hollywood

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt © Getty

Brad Pitt has announced he is quitting Hollywood on his 50th birthday.

In a candid interview that aired on 60 Minutes last night, the actor vowed he would not appear in another film after December 2013.

But while Brad is certain his acting career has a use-by date, he’s not entirely sure what he will do with his newfound free time.

“Hell if I know,” he said. “I am really enjoying the producing side and development of stories and putting those pieces together and getting stories to the plate that might have had a tougher time otherwise.”

Related: George Clooney on sex, orgasms and farts

Brad, 47, raises six children with his equally famous partner Angelina Jolie. The pair are notoriously guarded about their private life and try to keep their kids out of the limelight as much as possible.

Despite their best efforts, the children sometimes get photographed by the paparazzi, which worries and angers Brad in equal measures.

“Sure I worry,” Brad said. “It’s the only thing I get hot about, I’m ready to fight about. But on the other hand you know, it’s a trade-off, like anything.

“There’s a great trade-off. And we, these guys, I’m so happy for them, because they get to see the world. And their lives are so enriched by it.

“The privacy issues are something we’re always battling. But you know, it is true that a couple of ours do not like it. You know, they don’t like it and I’m sure that will colour them in some interesting way.”

Related: Angelina and Brad ‘prisoners’ in their own lives

On a lighter note, Brad spoke about his relationship with close friend and fellow actor George Clooney. Brad said he “loved” George, but thought that he was much better-looking than his silver fox pal.

When asked who was the sexiest man alive, Brad said: “I’m gonna go out on a limb. I’m gonna say me.”

Your say: Who do you think is sexier, Brad Pitt or George Clooney?

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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt take son Pax back to Vietnam

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrive with their family in Vietnam

The entire Jolie-Pitt family of eight arrived at Con Dao Island airport in south-east Vietnam on Friday, from Japan, where Brad had premiered his new film Moneyball last Wednesday.

The stop-off is particularly significant to seven year-old Pax who was born in Vietnam where Angelina adopted him from an orphanage in 2007 when he was three years old. It is thought to be Pax’s first venture back to his native country since his adoption, with Angelina telling the Financial Times in July, “We owe Vietnam a visit, because Pax is due.”

Pax enjoyed some special mum time, with Angelina taking him out to lunch in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday and local newspaper the VN Express is expecting the family to pay Pax’s old orphanage a visit.

Jolie also told the Financial Times that she and Brad make sure that their children are educated about their native countries. “They are all learning about each other’s cultures as well as being proud of their own. They all have their flags over their beds and their individual pride.”

“Z wants to get back to Africa, and Shiloh too. So everyone takes their turns in their country.”

Over the weekend Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt took a rare day trip out as a couple without their kids, visiting the historic prison known as the ‘tiger cages’ on Con Son Island, the largest of the Con Dao Islands.

The prison is infamous for its ill-treatment of prisoners who were kept in small tiger-like cages during the Vietnam civil war between 1955 and 1975, when the South Vietnamese government used it to hold political prisoners. The prison was closed in 1975 with the fall of Saigon.

The Con Dao Islands are now primarily a national park and have a growing eco-tourism business, with endangered species protected within the park including the hawksbill turtle, the green turtle and the dugong, so there’s lots for the kids to explore.

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Shengo Deane: I couldn’t keep up with the Kardashians

Shengo Deane: I coudn't keep up with the Kardashians

The mystery man who was part of Kim’s life talks exclusively to Woman’s Day about her, and his new love.

As Kim Kardashian dashes across the globe in the wake of her split from husband Kris Humphries – frantically fulfilling work commitments and meeting with Kris for “closure counselling” – the reality TV queen’s Aussie ex-boyfriend has been lying low at home in Sydney. Shengo Deane, Kim’s hunky former bodyguard turned lover, who appeared on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and its spin-off Kourtney & Kim Take New York, has been reluctant to talk about his ex-girlfriend…until now.

The pair are still friends, he explains – and, after all, he has a new woman in his life, flight attendant Sally Poulos. Cuddling on the couch of their South Sydney apartment during an exclusive photoshoot for Woman’s Day, it’s clear the couple are very much in love. But the shadow of Shengo’s ex looms large. Pulling on a purple shirt for our pictures, the 31-year-old security guard confesses, “I wore this shirt on a date with Kim.” Sally, 27, blushes at the mention of his ex’s name. “That makes me feel a little funny,” she giggles.

The blush returns when it’s pointed out Sally bears a striking resemblance to the reality TV star. “He likes his curvy girls!” she says. Their personalities are similar too, Shengo adds. “They have the same heart,” he says. “They both want the same things in life. They both want a family. They both want to be with a good man.” Shengo’s relationship ended because he couldn’t keep up with the Kardashians. “They are a beautiful family and I enjoyed being part of that, but I didn’t really have a lot of work over there and I didn’t want to have to ask for $50 to go to the movies,” he explains.

His expiring US visa didn’t help matters much, either. As seen on the reality series, the couple were heartbroken when they split, but they’ve kept in touch via email. The last time they talked was just after Kim’s marriage fell apart, shortly before her recent visit to Australia. “She wanted to use me as a bodyguard, but her business manager said that security had already been arranged,” a disappointed Shengo says. “I wish we could’ve worked together, but I understand it could have been completely misconstrued.”

Read more about Shengo Deane and see what his wife has to say about him, his girlfriend and Kim Kardashian in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale November 14, 2011.

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Cruise control: Connor Cruise plans his escape

Cruise control: Connor cruise plans his escape

Tom Cruise’s only son infuriates his superstar father by abandoning the family business.

When Connor Cruise took his first few tentative steps into the film world with a small part in the Will Smith movie Seven Pounds and a role in the blockbuster remake Red Dawn, his proud father wasted no time in telling Hollywood the next superstar had arrived on the scene. Tom Cruise set about pulling showbiz strings and was determined his adopted son would follow in his famous footsteps. But the Mission: Impossible star’s dream has crashed, with Connor abandoning acting to focus on a new passion – DJing.

Tom, 49, initially encouraged the hobby, thinking it would give the 16-year-old’s image “a cool urban edge”. He bought Connor – who goes by the name “DJ C-Squared” – $8000 worth of DJ equipment and arranged his first paid gig back in July. Now Tom is furious the teenager has given up the family business, and relations between father and son – as well as stepmum Katie Holmes – are strained. “Connor is sick of living under Tom’s constant control,” a family friend tells Woman’s Day.

“He wants to be an independent man, so he’s started rebelling and there’s been some serious clashing of big male egos.” The situation has become so bad that Connor has begged his adoptive mother, Tom’s ex-wife Nicole Kidman, to let him live with her and her husband Keith Urban in Nashville.

Speaking exclusively to Woman’s Day, another longtime family friend reveals, “Nicole told Connor a move would be too disruptive and that he couldn’t run from his father, but she offered to talk to Tom to try to get him to calm down.” Tom is also refusing to allow Connor to trace his biological parents because it would disrupt his schooling.

Read more about Tom and Connor and how Nicole Kid man plans to stan by her man Keith, in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale November 14, 2011.

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Stars unite for White Ribbon

Domestic violence is more than black eyes and bruises – the emotional and psychological scars last forever. Our favourite stars have united with Woman’s Day, Mission Australia and White Ribbon to speak out in support of women and White Ribbon Day on November 25.

Shelley Craft: Host, the Nine Network’s Australia’s Funniest Home Videos and The Block

“The only way to make a change is to make noise and create a voice for women to feel empowered to come forward about violence.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

Carrie Bickmore: Co-host, Network Ten’s The Project

“As a mother with a young son, I feel this is something that needs to be spoken about so the women and children who have been affected are free to seek assistance without fear of being judged.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

Sheree Murphy: Actress wife of soccer superstar Harry Kewell

“I think when you are being abused in a relationship – mentally or physically – and that abuse is going on behind closed doors, you probably feel very alone. I hope that by speaking out, some women will feel they, too, can come out.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

Antonia Kidman: Mother, author and TV personality

“Promoting awareness through campaigns such as White Ribbon, and empowering women and men to stand up and recognise that violence against women is never acceptable, will go some way towards protecting the vulnerable and eradicating this damaging behaviour.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

Alison Langdon: Reporter, the Nine

“It’s my firm belief that if a man hits once, he’s guaranteed to do it again. No real man uses violence against a woman – it’s the coward’s way.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

Chris Bath: Seven Network news anchor

“People often ask why victims of domestic violence don’t speak up, don’t leave. What they don’t understand is that by the time victims know they should get out, they’re stuck in a psychological trap that requires

the self-esteem, support and strength that’s been taken away from them.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

Melissa Doyle: Sunrise co-host on the Seven network

“Women can do incredible things when they support each other. If you know a woman in an abusive relationship, be brave enough to step forward and offer help.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

Sandra Sully: Anchor of Sydney’s News at Five on Network Ten

“Men and women need to stand up and help each other in doing the right thing.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

Giaan Rooney: Nine’s Wide World Of Sports and Postcards

” I am proud to support the White Ribbon campaign as it not only raises awareness of society’s ‘silent’ problem but encourages both sexes to find ways to end the violence.”

– Real life stories: I escaped domestic violence and you can too!

– Domestic abuse in Australia: The facts

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Is Schapelle Corby the greatest actress of all time?

Is Schapelle Corby the greatest actress of all time?

Schapelle Corby’s apparent crocodile tears and outrageous web of lies are exposed in an explosive new book, which claims her late father Mick Corby packed her boogie board bag full of marijuana and sent her to Bali as a willing drug mule.

Schapelle Corby might just be the greatest actress of all time. Since her arrest seven years ago at Bali airport with a boogie board bag full marijuana, ustralians have watched as Schapelle shed rivers of tears and appeared on the brink of insanity as she declared she had absolutely no involvement in the case. The desperation etched on her face has drawn sympathy from most of her countrymen and sparked high-profile campaigns demanding she be freed from her 20-year prison term.

The beauty school dropout was seen as the ultimate innocent abroad, caught up in a corrupt system. Now it seems Schapelle was putting on the performance of a lifetime, conning the world about her innocence while all the while knowing it was her father Mick, a long-time drug smuggler, who put her behind bars. Or at least this is what highly respected investigative reporter Eamonn Duff alleges in Sins Of The Father: The Untold Story Behind Schapelle Corby’s Ill-Fated Drug Run – an explosive new tell-all book alleging Schapelle is as guilty as sin.

“Schapelle took the rap for her father and his mates,” Eamonn says. “Loyalty to family ran thick through Schapelle’s veins. They had always been her lifeline, and dobbing in dad just wasn’t an option. She wasn’t going to ‘sing’ for anyone – there was way too much at stake.” Eamonn has spent the past three years interviewing relatives, friends and drug syndicate members, who all help to paint a picture of Mick Corby as an experienced smuggler who turned his daughter into a drug mule. “It was her father who packed these drugs into her bag,” he says. A family spokesperson told Woman’s Day Schapelle’s family would be making no comment on Sins Of The Father at this stage, while publisher Allen & Unwin kept the book under wraps until last week because of its claims.

The author says Mick had two convictions for possessing and using marijuana in 1973 and was openly selling the illicit drug as far back as the mid-70s, before graduating to smuggling as part of an international syndicate that stretched from Adelaide to Bali. He also says police seized 197 plants from the Queensland farm owned by Mick’s next-door neighbour, Tony Lewis – four weeks before Schapelle was arrested in Bali.

Read more about the Schapelle and claims in this new book in this week’s Woman’s Day, on sale November 14, 2011.

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