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March 22, 2009

Bali bombings victim: Royal wedding healed my heart

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By Philip Koch

After the devastating loss of her husband in the Bali Bombings, Natalie has found love again with her Prince Charming.

Brave Aussie mum Natalie Grezl Juniardi has found happiness again, marrying an Indonesian royal six years after her first husband was killed in the Bali bombings.

Natalie tied the knot with her Balinese prince in front of family and friends, including close friend Mercedes Corby.

“It was a beautiful ceremony,” says Natalie, 34, who met her “shy” groom, Anak Agung Ketut Suma Widanta (Agung), 42, through some mutual friends almost three years ago.

Natalie was three-and-a-half months pregnant with now six-year-old Jay when her first husband, John Juniardi, was killed in the Bali bombings, which claimed 202 lives on October 12, 2002.

It was her pregnancy that saved her life. She and John had gone out to dinner with friends on the night, but Natalie decided to go home afterwards as she was tired, leaving John to head off to the Sari Club or Paddy’s Bar.

John, a surfboard factory owner, was one of 38 Indonesians killed in the terrorist attacks on the two venues, which also left 88 Australians dead.

When Natalie heard the explosions and saw a huge fireball from their nearby home in Tuban, she jumped on a motorbike and went in search of her husband. After six weeks of heartache she finally got news confirming John’s death after DNA testing.

For the full story, see this week’s Woman’s Day (on sale March 23).

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March 22, 2009

Demi Moore begs fan: ‘Don’t have surgery to look like me’

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A dying woman is on a disturbing quest to become Demi’s clone.

Demi Moore has issued a desperate public plea for a dying fan to abandon her bizarre quest to have plastic surgery to look like the Hollywood star.

Lisa Connell, 29, who has a brain tumour, has revealed she plans to spend around $85,000 to become a clone of her 46-year-old idol Demi.

British Lisa plans to use money her mum Angela had saved up for her daughter’s wedding to pay for her new look, but Demi is horrified.

“Wish I could contact this woman Lisa Connell who wants to have surgery to look like me and encourage her not to!” an upset Demi wrote on her Twitter internet page. “She is a beautiful girl!”

Despite stunning looks, Lisa has never been happy with her appearance, and has always dreamt of looking like Demi.

“People think I’m crazy for wanting to do this, but I know it will make my last months or years happier. I want to die beautiful. This is my way of getting control back in my life.”

Demi is no stranger to cosmetic surgery herself — she has reportedly spent $540,000 on boob jobs, liposuction, facelifts and even a knee lift.

Now, in a race against time, Lisa will undergo liposuction, a breast enhancement and an eyebrow lift, plus work on her skin and teeth, to fulfil her dream.

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March 22, 2009

‘Octomum’ ruining Dr Phil’s marriage

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The TV shrink’s relationship with the controversial single mum of 14 is putting even more pressure on his marriage.

Dr Phil McGraw’s wife Robin has threatened to walk out if he continues his burgeoning relationship with California’s controversial “Octomum” Nadya Suleman.

The mother of octuplets has been the subject of worldwide criticism since it was revealed she asked to be implanted with multiple embryos, despite having six other children, no job and no partner.

According to US magazine Globe, Robin McGraw has issued her husband with an ultimatum as Nadya continues to reach out to the therapist — day and night — following her string of appearances on his TV show.

“Robin is horrified by this woman, and now she’s a part of their lives, like it or not,” a close friend of Robin’s told Globe. “Octomom has totally insinuated herself into Phil and Robin’s life, and Phil laid a welcome mat out for her.”

Nadya has appeared on The Dr Phil Show four times in as many weeks, after her first appearance significantly boosted his flagging ratings.

Since then, the controversial psychologist has showered Nadya with gifts — including cribs, change tables and even around-the-clock nursing care for her eight babies. In an unprecedented move, he has even counselled Nadya at his Beverly Hills home.

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March 22, 2009

Nicole Kidman: My fears for Sunday Rose

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The celebrity mum often retreats inside the family mansion as her anxieties grow for her daughter.

Nicole Kidman has become increasingly guarded of her daughter Sunday Rose, with friends revealing that she worries so much about the eight-month-old that her fears are controlling her life.

The Aussie star is scarcely seen out with precious Sunday — a move friends say is no coincidence. And in a rare public sighting last week, Nicole appeared particularly attentive to her little girl, while carrying her from a play centre in their hometown of Nashville.

“Nicole’s been keeping an unusually tight rein on Sunday Rose,” says a friend. “She’s turned into one of those mothers who can’t handle letting her baby out of sight.”

So intent is she on keeping Sunday in a protective cocoon, Nicole has retreated inside the mansion she shares with husband Keith Urban.

“It’s starting to cripple Nicole. She’s constantly worried and hardly wants to leave the house,” the friend says. “She may be keeping Sunday safe, but in the process she’s also keeping herself isolated, and that’s not healthy for her or Sunday.”

Having struggled to fall pregnant after she and Keith married in 2006, Nicole had all but given up on having a biological child until she was surprised to find she was expecting while filming Australia in rural Queensland.

Nicole admits the long-held desperation to have a biological child has put her constantly on edge when it comes to motherhood.

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March 22, 2009

Grant Hackett and wife Candice: ‘We’re having twins’

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By Jackie Brygel

Pictures: Trevor King

The couple reveal their joy in our exclusive interview.

No-one could accuse Grant Hackett of doing things by halves. Famous for winning gold in the 1500m freestyle at two successive Olympic Games, the retired swim star is now taking a double dive into parenthood.

An ecstatic Grant and his pop singer wife Candice Alley now reveal for the first time that they’re expecting twins.

For the much-loved champion, currently forging a successful career as a TV presenter on the Nine Network, the discovery that he’s going to be a father to not one but two bundles of joy has easily eclipsed all of his triumphs in the pool.

“There’s no comparison,” Grant says. “I worked so hard for those things and, of course, they mean the absolute world to me, but this is your own — it’s your children. It’s just unbelievable.”

Candice agrees. “We feel so lucky. It’s a dream come true.”

Grant, 28, was by his partner’s side when a home pregnancy test taken at their inner Melbourne apartment confirmed they were to be parents. The couple were so thrilled they hadn’t even contemplated Candice, 26, could be carrying two babies.

“I went off to the first doctor’s appointment a couple of weeks later by myself, because I didn’t know that I’d be having an ultrasound then,” Candice says. “I was incredulous. When I saw the screen, I heard the doctor say, ‘There’s the baby,’ before he then said, ‘And there’s the other one!'”

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March 22, 2009

Jen and John: Why they really split

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Jen is left picking up the pieces after her latest romantic disaster.

Jennifer Aniston has been left feeling humiliated and used after her romance with John Mayer failed for the second time.

Less than a month after the two appeared at the Academy Awards together, they suddenly called it quits when Jen returned to the US from a European promotional trip for her movie Marley & Me.

Just days before arriving back at her home in Los Angeles, devoted Jen, 40, was spotted shopping for John, 31, at his favourite boutique in Paris, spending more than $1500 on clothes and footwear for him.

“She had a long list of things she knew John wanted,” confirms a source. “She could’ve sent someone else to shop, but she seemed intent on doing it herself.”

Then, within hours of returning to the US, the star was stunned when her relationship came to an abrupt halt. “She called him when she got back, and they decided to end it,” says a friend. “They both wanted different things.”

Despite the reportedly mutually agreed separation, friends say Jen is devastated by the failure of yet another high-profile relationship, having been hurt by actor Vince Vaughn and model Paul Sculfor in the past two years.

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March 19, 2009

Comedienne Magda Szubanski just keeps on shrinking

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Now she’s lost a total of 75cm from her body. Since she began her weight-loss crusade, Magda has lost 26kg — including a massive 16.5kg since she joined weight loss program Jenny Craig.

Magda has lost so much weight, she now has to don a full body fat suit when she takes to the stage in her role as Big Jule in Guys & Dolls.

Check out amazing Magda throughout her career here.

“I’d much rather wear the fat suit than wear the fat. When I put my suit on again this year after losing all this weight the pants were so huge they were like clown pants. Every time I put my pants on now it’s a reminder of just how much weight I have lost.”

“Yes I am feeling a bit foxy, and when I lose another 8.5kgs I may have to sedate myself!” the Kath & Kim star says.

“I’m making better food choices on my own now, and it’s been surprisingly easy to stick to my eating plan.”

As Magda told the March issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly, on sale now: ‘When you lose weight, you don’t just fit into clothes, it allows you to lead a meaningful life.’

Since starting with Jenny Craig in December, Magda has lost:

Bust – 13cm
Waist – 17cm
Hips – 16cm
Each Arm – 6cm
Each Leg – 8.5cm

For a total of 75cm

Your say: Send your message to Magda below…

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March 18, 2009

Natasha Richardson dies after ski fall

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From AFP

Actress Natasha Richardson has died two days after she apparently suffered brain damage in what was initially dismissed as a minor ski accident.

Richardson — married to Irish actor Liam Neeson, and daughter of British theatre icon Vanessa Redgrave — died in New York, where she had been flown after the accident in Canada. She was 45.

“Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha,” said a statement from spokesman Alan Nierob in Los Angeles.

“They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.”

The actress became gravely ill shortly after a tumble on a beginner’s slope at the Mont Tremblant resort in Canada.

In the hours after she was injured, Neeson, 56, rushed to her side and flew her on a private jet to New York, where tabloids reported the star was “brain-dead.”

Redgrave, a film and theatre star, was seen arriving overnight at the Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, as were Natasha’s sister Joely Richardson and her two sons.

On Wednesday, Hollywood screen legend Lauren Bacall was among those paying a visit.

Richardson’s tragic ending apparently was triggered by what was initially dismissed as a harmless fall during the ski lesson, the Canadian resort said.

“She did not show any visible sign of injury,” the resort said.

But as a precaution, the local ski patrol and her instructor accompanied her back to her hotel and “insisted she should see a doctor.”

An hour later, Richardson “was not feeling good” and an ambulance was called to take her to the Centre Hospitalier Laurentien in Ste-Agathe, Quebec. She was later transferred to Sacre-Coeur hospital in Montreal, the resort said.

Even a blow to the head that leaves no visible injury can sometimes cause brain damage, for example swelling or blood clots.

Neeson, married to Richardson since 1994, flew to be with his wife following the accident from a movie set in Toronto, a publicist for the film Chloe told local media.

In 1998, Richardson won a Tony award for her role in the musical Cabaret, and she has appeared in films The Parent Trap, Maid in Manhattan and Evening.

Other movie credits include The Handmaid’s Tale, Gothic, A Month in the Country and Nell in which she appeared with Neeson, whose most celebrated screen turn was in the movie Schindler’s List.

Born in May 1963, Richardson was educated in London and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in the city, which has groomed a host of British actors.

Her extensive stage experience includes a number of Shakespearean roles, among them Ophelia in Hamlet and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Redgrave clan is one of Britain’s most famous stage and screen dynasties.

Vanessa, Corin and their sister Lynn are the children of Rachel Kempson and Michael Redgrave, who played in such British classics as the 1938 The Lady Vanishes and 1969 Goodbye, Mr Chips.

Natasha Richardson’s sister Joely is also an actress, who is currently starring in the television drama Nip/Tuck.

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March 18, 2009

I love his parents more than I love him

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I met my current boyfriend, Thomas, at a charity function that his parents commissioned me to organise. Usually, one doesn’t meet their boyfriend’s parents until they are both ready, but in our case I met them before I met him!

I got along with Edward and Diane so well that they were more than delighted to hear that Thomas and I had started seeing each other. I think this was especially because they thought that I was going to ‘fix’ him in some way.

You see, Thomas came with a truckload of baggage — baggage that I only gradually became aware of. He had hung out with a very bad crowd in the past, and this led to his dabbling in hard drugs and other risky behaviours. But I was in love, and truly thought that we could make it work together. He was trying very hard to change for his parents and me.

I also changed myself to make things work between us. He was possessive and jealous, so I went out with my friends less. He was a couch potato, so I became a couch potato too and gained 5kg in three years! He wanted to settle down and get married and I, er, wanted that too, I suppose.

One thing I couldn’t help, though, was being transferred to another part of the country for a job with great perks. It was only going to be for a year, so I thought, “Why not?” Edward and Diane were really supportive too. It so happened that they owned a ritzy townhouse near my place of employment, and they let me stay there for free!

By that point, it was apparent that Edward and Diane were generous in many ways. For Christmas and birthdays, they bought me expensive items — clothes, shoes, jewellery. Also, they funded most of my life with Thomas too. Thomas was trying to complete an Arts degree, so they funded his cushy lifestyle and, therefore, my cushy lifestyle.

A few months into the new job I was missing Thomas madly. So I decided to surprise him by turning up at his place a week early. Needless to say, I was shocked by what I saw. I found stuff there that clearly belonged to another girl — her bras, her clothes, her cosmetics, used condoms — in our bed! I was crushed. I sat in a bar all day crying my eyes out.

Later in the evening, though, I had an epiphany. I was unhappy with our relationship anyway — I hated who I was becoming, and how stifled I felt. And maybe the real reason I had taken that one-year assignment was to get away from him. But I was still angry, and I wondered how I could make things even. So what did I do?

Nothing. I pretended that I didn’t discover his dirty little secret because, although things had fizzled out between Thomas and I, I still loved his parents. I still stay in their townhouse rent-free, and still get all these fabulous presents.

And if Thomas says that he misses me, I tell him that I’m swamped with work. He can have his little floozy on the side, but I’m getting the best of both worlds too. That was two years ago. I wonder how long I can keep it going…?

Names have been changed. Picture posed by models.

Your say: Have your say about this true confession below…

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March 17, 2009

Amy Winehouse’s dad: ‘Divorce Blake, you stupid girl!’

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Troubled singer Amy Winehouse apparently plans to meet up with estranged husband Blake Fielder-Civil so she can resolve their issues. Meanwhile Blake — who was released from prison in February after serving a 15 month sentence for assault and trial-fixing — wants to see Amy too… along with £5 million (AU$10.6 million) of her money.

But Amy’s dad, taxi driver Mitch, won’t have a bar of it.

“Does he think we’re idiots?” Mitch told the magazine Closer. “His mum’s saying: ‘He’s had such a hard time, and now someone has to compensate and support him’ — it’ll be Amy.”

Sadly, says Mitch, it’s Amy’s heart that’s clouding her judgement.

“Amy wants to resolve the situation. She’s guilty of loving him, stupid girl!” Mitch is quoted widely in UK press. “I’m not saying she’s going back to him, she just wants to talk.

“I want her to get divorced. I want Blake and his family out of our lives. I just hope Amy can stay away from him. It’s the only chance she has.

“Blake’s a destructive influence on her life. And he’s a liar. This is the man who openly admitted he introduced Amy to Class A drugs. Amy nearly ended up dead thanks to him.”

Amy split from Blake last November and, says her father Mitch, the only way she’ll return to her true calling is to stay away from her bad-news ex.

“Amy’s a musical talent, but since she’s been with Blake she’s barely been able to perform on stage, let alone make a record. All I want is for Amy to get well and to watch her sing again.”

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Now she’s lost a total of 75cm from her body. Since she began her weight-loss crusade, Magda has lost 26kg — including a massive 16.5kg since she joined weight loss program Jenny Craig.

Your say: Send your message to Magda below…

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Related stories

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