Friends have revealed a distraught Jennifer Aniston tearfully blurted out “I hate Brad” after her ex-husband and his lover Angelina Jolie brazenly flaunted her baby bump just hours before pulling out of a long-planned meeting. The distressing stunt follows single Jen’s decision to freeze her eggs, as she quickly approaches the big 4-0.
At Film Independent’s Spirit Awards last week, Brad and Ange finally publicly confirmed that they’re expecting, with Angelina parading her baby bump in a skin-tight black gown that was clearly intended to show off her unborn twins.
The photo call has devastated Jen, who was expecting to finally face Ange and Brad hours later at the Oscar’s Night Before Party at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
In a turn of events that insiders compare to a cruel cat-and-mouse game, Ange and Brad then suddenly pulled out of the event…
Read the full story in this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale March 3, 2008)
The first time Saskia Burmeister set eyes on actor Jamie Croft, she fell instantly in love. Don’t miss this week’s issue to see the pictures of the beautiful wedding.
11 months after founding the Leonardo Legrand Appeal to honour her son’s memory, Kerry Legrand shows off her baby girl for the first time, and tells Woman’s Day of her joy at being a mother again.
In real life, Susan Flannery is nothing like the strong-willed, manipulative matriarch Stephanie, as Woman’s Day reveals in an interview with the TV legend.
The first time Sea Patrol star Saskia Burmeister set eyes on actor Jamie Croft, she fell instantly in love. He was on screen in a darkened cinema. She was only 14, but somehow sensed he was destined to be someone special in her life.
The following year they met in person at a movie audition. Saskia didn’t get the role of Jamie’s sibling — perhaps because she “just melted” in a rather un-sisterly style when they hugged.
But fate soon came to the rescue. Playing girlfriend and boyfriend in another film, The Pact, real life imitated art and Saskia and Jamie started dating over chocolate milkshakes…
Read our interview with Saskia and see all the beautiful wedding photos in this week’s Woman’s Day (on-sale March 3, 2008)
She’s mistress of the angry slap, maestro of the meaningful stare. For 21 fabulous, sudsy years Susan Flannery has starred as stop-at-nothing Stephanie Douglas Forrester on super soap The Bold and the Beautiful.
The multi-award-winning actress — four Daytime Emmys and a Golden Globe, plus many more nominations — is also a director, producer, licenced pilot, all-round adventurer, gourmet cook and mother-of-one.
Her “sassy” daughter Blaise, 21, has lived in Australia for a little over two years with her boyfriend, who’s a Sydney sportswriter. That’s why 64-year-old Susan — whose melodramatic B&B adventures screen in more than 110 countries — recently flew Down Under for the first time.
Thankfully, in real life she’s nothing like strong-willed, manipulative matriarch Stephanie, as Woman’s Day discovered on an exclusive visit with mother and daughter…
How does your real life compare with The Bold and the Beautiful?
(Chuckles) Not at all! I lead a dull, quiet life in Santa Barbara and I like it like that.
And what about motherhood? Are you a tigress like Stephanie?
Blaise is an only child, but she’s a handful, more than enough! She fell into my life and for me she’s been a gift from the gods. I’m here to enroll her at university in Sydney. I met her boyfriend’s family the other day and they’re lovely people but they’re all psychologists — so I was very careful what I said. I didn’t want to be analysed!
Have you ever counted how many people you’ve slapped on the show?
I think it would be such a great promo if they just did clips of all the slaps, and then I turned around and gave a wink to camera. I always tell new cast members, “Stay at arm’s length; that’s my best advice.” They wait for the slap and look forward to it now. They call the writer and ask, “Is Stephanie going to slap me?” Sometimes it’s not even in the script and I say, “Get over here for a slapping!”
Is there anyone you itch to slap off screen?
George Bush; I’d like to slap him silly, and Dick Cheney as well. They’re two nincompoops. Thank God we won’t have them any more after this election. I just hope they won’t do anything terrible to the world before they go. Actually I am a Republican and have been one my whole life until Bush and Cheney. It’s sad.
Is there anything of your character in Stephanie?
I like to think she’s just a great creation between the writers and myself. She’s a very typical American woman. No, honestly! A lot of American women are very strong and kind of controlling in a way, which Stephanie is. A lot of them are working, running a family business, taking care of the farm, things like that, and there’s a strong “get on with it” mentality. That’s a generalization, and all are false, but I do think Stephanie is a wholly American character.
Are you controlling like Stephanie?
I’m very decisive. I don’t know if I’m bossy, but directing is very enjoyable to me. It’s nice to see all the elements come together, and because I have acted with all the other actors in the show they trust me, which is nice. They know I will never do something that would injure their character or their performance for the sake of getting a shot.
What’s the worst thing Stephanie has ever done?
I don’t think the rape story was a great idea. Originally the writers had the idea that Stephanie deliberately placed Brooke in a position to be raped, and I said, “We can’t do that, the audience would never forgive her.” Also I didn’t like the idea of making a victim out of Brooke because that’s one of the great things about her — she has never been a victim. I thought it would damage both characters, so we changed the end of the story. It doesn’t happen very often.
If you could invent your own exit, what would it be?
I wouldn’t even begin to think about it, because William J. Bell, the creator, will come up with something inventive and great.
**Read more of this interview in Woman’s Day (on-sale March 3, 2008)
The Bold and the Beautiful screens on Network Ten weekdays at 4.30pm
One of the most recognisable faces in Australia and the world — and our beautiful cover girl for our March issue, Megan Gale gives us a 60 second insight into her busy life!
How does it feel to have graced the catwalk for the very last time?
A: It obviously was a case of mixed emotions. A little sad but happy that I could have the opportunity to make that choice for myself.
What has been your most memorable career moment to date?
A: Oh there have been so many over the 15 years that Ive been doing this! Going away and doing the shoots for David Jones around the world has obviously been fun.
Did you prefer modelling in Italy or Australia, and were there any interesting differences between the two?
A: I’ve enjoyed both! Being on the catwalk during fashion week in Milan was a highlight , but obviously it’s great and personally satisfying to do well in this industry back home!
What are the three main things that make Megan Gale tick?
A: A desire to be successful in what ever I do personally and professionally, a desire to be the best person I can be for myself and for others and the desire to lead as happy an existence as possible.
Your essential beauty advice would be…
A: Always wash your face and moisturise before sleeping, no mater how tired you are and drink lots of water.
You’re obviously one of Australia’s favourite sweethearts and our audience loves you, but do you feel there are any misconceptions about you in the public eye?
A: There are a few and I guess are always going to be there. I suppose when people don’t know you personally they can form their own opinion of you which they’re entitled to. I think a part of you gets formed by the press and fed to the public and that’s how the misconceptions are created. I just try to learn to not let it upset me.
What advice would you give to budding young models?
A: Make sure you don’t take it all too seriously and have a back up plan as it’s a fickle industry. But also to believe in yourself and your ability even if others doubt it. That belief can get you a long way, trust me.
How do you manage the long-distance relationship with Andy given both of your busy work schedules…are there any pieces of wisdom you can share with our audience on making this work?
A: I think it’s about trusting that person and making time for them. We are fortunate that both of us work a lot in Melbourne and Sydney , so thanks to our jobs we get to see each other a fair bit.
What are your favourite Aussie labels at the moment?
A: Sass and Bide, Collette Dinnigan, Alex Perry, Lisa Ho , Kirrily Johnston and Willow, just to name a few. Ginger and Smart and Zimmermann are great too!
If you weren’t a model, actress or successful business woman, you would… ?
A: be a chef as I adore cooking or do something where I could be around animals.
You never leave home without
A: my wallet.
What’s your motto in life?
A: Take one day at a time as that’s all that you can deal with in the moment.
Favourite thing to do on a lazy Sunday morning (if you ever have them!)?
A: Have a sleep in then a big breakfast.
What are you reading at the moment?
A: Nothing.. I have no time!
What do you wish you had more time to do?
A: Dedicate more time to learning how to surf and see my family.
Is moving into the acting world a natural progression for you? Is it something you’ve always wanted to pursue?
A: It is something that has always intrigued me and I always said I would pursue it, given the right opportunity.
Aside from playing Wonder Woman, do you have any other acting projects coming up?
A: No but I’d play a bond girl in a heartbeat!
What favourite food will you be indulging in a little more now there’s not so much pressure on your physique?
A: I won’t be changing my diet. I think looking good on the outside is directly related to feeling good on the inside so I eat very healthy foods and lots of them.
Finally, what is your most memorable or loved cover of The Australian Women’s Weekly? www.aww.ninemsn.com.au
A: mmmmmm hard one, they’re all so different! I love them all because we have the best team when we shoot so the best result is always achieved!
My best friend Kerry fell pregnant when she was 15. She and I had been inseparable since childhood but on the night of her child’s conception she had gone alone to a town dance while I was at home sick. There she danced with the town heartbreaker (who I had been in love with).
One thing led to another and a month after the dance she confided to me that she thought she could be pregnant. Together we bought a pregnancy test so that no-one in the chemist could say for sure which one of us might be pregnant. We did the test at my house during the day when my parents were at work. As the test showed positive, Kerry began to cry. We lived in a small country town and she knew that the town gossip would be unbearable.
Over the next few months, Kerry told her parents and the father of her baby and his family. His family said they didn’t believe her and didn’t want their son to have anything to do with a girl they described as “promiscuous”. I stood by Kerry as best I could but being pregnant, she had to drop out of school and spent most of her time hiding away from town gossip. In February, just as I started year 11, Kerry gave birth to a boy she named Joseph.
She was living with her parents and although we both tried to stay in touch, we drifted further and further apart. In the next couple of years while I was celebrating the end of school and picking a university, she was fretting about getting Joseph to eat enough and trying desperately to move into her own place on government subsidies.
Eventually our contact became limited to a call on birthdays and a card at Christmas. Although I had been around Joseph when he was a baby, I didn’t see him as a child. After four years of very occasional contact, I finished my degree and moved to London. I ended up staying 12 years, getting a great job in international banking and marrying a man called Michael.
But everything changed when I found out through a friend that Michael had been unfaithful to me ever since we’d married seven years earlier. I was shattered. I had trusted him totally and to find out that my whole marriage had been a sham shook me to the core. I lost all faith in myself and performed terribly at work. Needless to say I left Michael, but I also decided to leave my dream job and move back to my parents’ house.
Being back in town after a decade and a half was strange, but Kerry and I managed to pick up our friendship and soon we were closer than ever. She had never married and lived with Joseph, who was now 16 and extremely handsome. I had noticed how clumsy he was around me and Kerry even teased me sometimes, saying that her teenage son had a crush on me — she never suspected I might feel the same.
One afternoon I popped over to their house unannounced to borrow a book from Kerry. She wasn’t home but Joseph let me in and made me a cup of tea. I had received my divorce papers that morning and was feeling pretty low. All of a sudden Joseph began to stare at me with a look I had never seen before. He looked exactly like his father and I was taken back to my teenage years. I felt butterflies in my stomach as Joseph leaned in to kiss me. We spent the whole afternoon together and it was passionate and magnificent. The next day I came round at the same time and we spent the afternoon together again.
But I knew I couldn’t do it again. The thought of Kerry finding out was more than I could take. Joseph had told me I was his first lover and I couldn’t have Kerry know that I had taken her son’s virginity.
I left town the next day. Joseph tried to contact me for a while but I knew it was just teenage passion and would pass. I’m back to birthday and Christmas contact only with Kerry, which is sad, but in a way I’m glad it happened. Joseph gave me back my ability to love.
If lack of time is challenging your New Year fitness goals, try breaking up your exercise into multiple small bouts. Three 10-minute sessions can be just as effective as one 30-minute session.
The following tips are designed to help you be more active in your daily routine throughout the day. This will have enormous positive effects by improving your fitness, decreasing weight and helping you feel good.
Active parking: Instead of circling the car park looking for that perfect park, park further away from the shops and walk that little extra distance. You will generally save time and frustration as well as being more active.
Aisle assaults: In the supermarket walk up and down all the aisles. Even if you don’t need to buy foods in that aisle, you may even find some new, healthy foods to add to your shopping list!
Escalator escapes: Generally where there are escalators there are usually a set of stairs close by. Escape from the norm and take the stairs. If there aren’t any stairs near by, walk up the escalator.
Find a new lunch café: Try walking that little bit further from work and find a different place to eat lunch or take your own healthy lunch to work and walk to the local park. This is also a great way to meet new people.
Take comfortable walking shoes to work: This will allow you the freedom on nice days to have a gentle stroll during your lunch break, or to walk an extra tram/bus stop or two.
Take a 2 minute stress reliever: If the work and stress builds up, taking two minutes to get up and walk around can help to clear the mind, re-focus and feel better.
Move while watching: Try walking on the spot, ride an exercise bike or use a treadmill while watching TV. Remember it all adds up to help increase your energy expenditure.
Active ads: Instead of sitting there watching the same old boring ads why not get up and move around during the ad break. Try some stomach contractions or pelvic floor exercises.
Wriggly watcher: Don’t just find a comfortable position and stay in it, wiggle your legs, circle your feet or move your arms or hands. Remember every little bit helps
Move and groove: Turn on the radio and tap your hands or bop along to the music when driving.
Window shop: Window-shopping is not only enjoyable but it also helps to fit in some gentle activity throughout the day.
Walk while you talk: If a friend comes over for a social visit and it’s a nice day, why not visit a park or garden and go for a gentle stroll while you are catching up with the latest gossip.
Visiting Paris? Then read our Paris hot list from the little black books of those in the know and insure you’re armed with the best addresses when in the French capital, writes Mike Dolan.
“Place des Vosges is our very favourite place in Paris. It’s full of French charm, especially on the weekend – a wonderful mix of old ladies and their dogs, tourists on walking tours and an array of buskers.”
Pavillon de la Reine
Stay: Pavillon de la Reine (left, www.slh.com) is a four-star hotel in the historic Marais district in the middle of the colonnaded Places des Vosges. It’s like staying at a 17th century palace.
Address: Pavillon de la Reine, 28 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris.
Didier Ludot
Shop: Didier Ludot (right) is one of the most famous vintage (pre-loved) shops in the world that stocks fabulous pieces – from Hermès handbags to classic Chanel suits. Don’t expect op-shop prices as these are collector’s items.
Eat: Gaspard de la Nuit is a classic little Parisian bistro, tiny and intimate with great and well-priced food run by a very eccentric family. And it’s open every night!
Address: Gaspard de la Nuit, 6 Rue des Tournelles, 75004 Paris.
“My favourite places are all in the 1st arrondissement, simply because it’s where most of the fashion shows happen.”
Sleep: Sofitel de Faubourg (left). I love this area and the street. It’s a beautiful, small hotel in the heart of Paris.
Address: Sofitel de Faubourg, 15, rue de Boissy d’Anglas, 75008 Paris.
Shop: Lanvin is where you’ll find clothes from the designer Alber Elbaz, who has transformed this famous French label – it’s on fire. Elbaz does the best dresses in the world.
Address: Lanvin, 22 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris.
Eat: Hotel des Costes has the biggest buzz during Paris Fashion Week – everyone is there and the food is fast, easy and delicious.
Address: Hotel des Costes, 239 Rue Faubourg St Honoré, 75001 Paris.
“Earlier this year, a friend introduced me to rue Oberkampf in Paris in the 4th arrondissement, and it’s become a favourite of mine. It’s full of great little bars and cafes, where you can have a glass of wine or a bite to eat.”
Sleep: Hôtel de Crillon is where Collette Dinnigan stays when she spends two or three months a year in Paris at the shows. This revered palais hotel, overlooking the Place de la Concorde, is one of city’s oldest.
Address: Hôtel de Crillon, 10 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris.
Shop: Le Bon Marché – the historic Paris department store – because everything is there, from cosmetics and shoes. It’s perfect for a one-stop shop.
Address: Le Bon Marché, 22 rue Sevres, 75007 Paris.
Eat: Chez Omar serves simple affordable dishes from the Mediterranean – it’s most famous for its traditional couscous plate and other Moroccan and North African dishes.
Address: Chez Omar, 47 rue de Bretagne, 75004 Paris.
“Now I’m living in Paris, I’ve fallen in love with my own quartier in the 3rd arrondissement, part of the charming historic Le Marais area.”
Sleep: Hotel du Petit Moulin gives you a whimsical fashionista experience. It’s an eccentric boutique hotel designed by French couturier Christian Lacroix. Housed in an old bakery, the old signage still says “Boulangerie” above the door. Every room has a different décor. It’s often booked out during Paris fashion shows, so visit when it’s quieter.
Address: Hotel du Petit Moulin, 29-31 rue de Poitou, 75003 Paris.
Shop and stop: All around rue de Poitou, rue Vielle de Temple and rue Charlot, you’ll find super hip boutiques for clothes, shoes, bags and jewellery. Take a break, hang out at Café Charlot, and watch the fashion crowd wander by.
Address: Café Charlot 38 rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris.
Eat: Le Marché des Enfant Rouges is my favourite place to eat in all Paris. It’s a small covered food market open all week, except Monday. You can also eat at one of several stands: French, Moroccan, Italian and even Japanese, or buy a crepe made on the spot from organic ingredients.
Address: Marché des Enfant Rouges, 39 rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris.
“Paris is the world’s greatest window-shopping city. Home to the most desirable luxuries, the most opulent stationery and the most fabulous shoes, this is the city of temptations.”
Stay: Pavillon de la Reine on Place des Vosges (left, www.slh.com) is an historic, understated and luxurious haven that’s in the prettiest square and perfect for shopping at the Marais.
Address: Pavillon de la Reine, 28 Place des Vosges, 75003 Paris.
Shop: Cassegrain is for every stylish woman who would have her own embossed letterhead. The company has been printing letterheads in copperplate since 1919. See if the helpful staff will blink when you spell out your address in Woolloomooloo or Indooroopilly. If you’re feeling modest, just buy some deluxe greetings cards. Also visit the Roger Vivier shoes store (right) at 29 rue du Faubourg, St-Honoré.
Address: Cassegrain, 422 rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris.
Eat: Le Grand Colbert is a classic brasserie with a magnificent Belle Epoque dining room with globe lamps and ceiling mouldings. What’s never changed is the elderly ladies dining out with their dogs, right there at the table.
Address: Le Grand Colbert, rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris.
“In my dreams, I would stay at the Ritz; it’s one of the world’s most iconic hotels.”
Sleep: The Ritz is where Coco Chanel used to live and it’s still going strong. The bar is very popular and visited by a mixture of fashionistas, celebrities and an intriguing mix of French and international high society.
Address: The Ritz, 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris.
Shop: Chanel in the Rue Cambon is my perennial favourite and is probably one of the biggest Chanel shops in the world. It will satisfy any hard-core Chanel shopper.
Address: Chanel, 31 rue Cambon, 75001 Paris.
Eat: Café Ruc is a pivotal meeting point for all the fashion community during fashion week. It has the best French fries in Paris and I can still smoke there.
This boutique hotel is located next to the Place des Vosges and is full of character. Housed in a 17th century building and around the corner from an old royal palace, it’s in the heart of the Marais. The rooms are cosy, but furnished with antiques and have old wooden beams and lead windows. The perfect abode to put your head down at night and explore the city by day.
Located under the white dome of Sacré Coeur, Le Relais is located in a quiet street in the bustling “village” of Montmartre. In winter, guests gather around a roaring log fire in the sitting room; in summer they drink iced tea or cocktails in the courtyard. There are just 26 rooms, some on the small side, but all decorated with charm.
On the Left Bank in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this hotel is housed in an historic 18th century building several minutes’ stroll from Notre Dame cathedral. Its rooms are larger than most, but the floral décor is dated. However, if you want to stroll to world-famous Brasserie Lipp, with its plain wooden floors and exquisite Art Nouveau interiors, and enjoy the area’s animated street culture, it’s a very convenient place to stay.
This Sofitel Demeure hotel (right) has been awarded many design accolades for its extraordinary interiors. A corner property close to Eiffel Tower, every room from its foyer to its sitting room recreates a different ambience. The entrance and foyer are styled as a parterre garden and conservatory; its lobby a 19th century gentleman’s club. Moving into the lounge, you’ll find an elegant Regency drawing room, while the Champagne bar is decorated like a Louis XIV salon. In typical Paris style, the bedrooms are small, but beautifully furnished. In fact, what creates such a magical atmosphere in this jewel of a hotel is all the exquisite detail.
This family-run hotel is friendly without being familiar. A few minutes stroll away from the Place Vendôme and the gilded dome of the Palais Garnier (the 13th century home of the Paris Opera), it’s a beacon of simplicity and comfort in the heart of Paris.
Named after one of its former guests, King Edward VII, it has 70 rooms and suites decorated and furnished with impeccable taste. Many visitors find the service in Paris aloof. Not so at Edouard VII, where the welcome is always warm. Run by the Corbel family since 1951, the hotel marries informality and impeccable service. Its Edwardian charm comes with all the expected modern comforts of a five-star hotel. Each of the air-conditioned, sound-proofed rooms has a distinct style and, most importantly, its sheets and pillows are among the finest money can buy. Don’t miss dining in the quirky restaurant that serves an innovative East meets West cuisine.
Rooms from €345 ($520).
Hôtel de Vendôme
1 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
www.hoteldevendome.com
Any hotel with such a prestigious address would face ridicule unless it met the highest standards. Hô:tel de Vendô:me doesn’t disappoint. It may be a boutique establishment with 19 rooms and 10 suites, but this member of the Small Luxury Hotels of World club (www.slh.com) offers the comfort and service comparable with its more famous palais hotel rivals. Equally important, all of its rooms are spacious and exquisitely fitted out. The beautiful Louis XIV marble in the lobby is also found in the bathrooms; the drapes and soft furnishings in the rooms are as luxurious as any in Paris. Around the corner are the Tuillerie Gardens and the rue de Rivoli. The hotel bar has live jazz and blues evenings and the restaurant serves fine French and Middle-Eastern cuisine. The breakfasts are also unforgettable (right).
If lack of time is challenging your New Year fitness goals, try breaking up your exercise into multiple small bouts. Three 10-minute sessions can be just as effective as one 30-minute session.
If lack of time is challenging your New Year fitness goals, try breaking up your exercise into multiple small bouts. Three 10-minute sessions can be just as effective as one 30-minute session.
The following tips are designed to help you be more active in your daily routine throughout the day. This will have enormous positive effects by improving your fitness, decreasing weight and helping you feel good.
Active parking: Instead of circling the car park looking for that perfect park, park further away from the shops and walk that little extra distance. You will generally save time and frustration as well as being more active.
Aisle assaults: In the supermarket walk up and down all the aisles. Even if you don’t need to buy foods in that aisle, you may even find some new, healthy foods to add to your shopping list!
Escalator escapes: Generally where there are escalators there are usually a set of stairs close by. Escape from the norm and take the stairs. If there aren’t any stairs near by, walk up the escalator.
Find a new lunch café: Try walking that little bit further from work and find a different place to eat lunch or take your own healthy lunch to work and walk to the local park. This is also a great way to meet new people.
Take comfortable walking shoes to work: This will allow you the freedom on nice days to have a gentle stroll during your lunch break, or to walk an extra tram/bus stop or two.
Take a 2 minute stress reliever: If the work and stress builds up, taking two minutes to get up and walk around can help to clear the mind, re-focus and feel better.
Move while watching: Try walking on the spot, ride an exercise bike or use a treadmill while watching TV. Remember it all adds up to help increase your energy expenditure.
Active ads: Instead of sitting there watching the same old boring ads why not get up and move around during the ad break. Try some stomach contractions or pelvic floor exercises.
Wriggly watcher: Don’t just find a comfortable position and stay in it, wiggle your legs, circle your feet or move your arms or hands. Remember every little bit helps
Move and groove: Turn on the radio and tap your hands or bop along to the music when driving.
Window shop: Window-shopping is not only enjoyable but it also helps to fit in some gentle activity throughout the day.
Walk while you talk: If a friend comes over for a social visit and it’s a nice day, why not visit a park or garden and go for a gentle stroll while you are catching up with the latest gossip.
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