Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 5, 2023 i New Idea

Just like a proud parent, I could never choose my favourite issue of New Idea. BUT … there’s always one that is that little bit more special than the other, and this issue is it for me. This week, not only do we reveal (blow by blow) all the details about that Noosa bust-up everyone is talking about, we also catch up with former Australian Idol star Cosima De Vito, pay tribute to singing legend Renée Geyer and meet the family who invented Vegemite! What more could you want? A glimpse at your 2023 MAFS brides and grooms you say? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered there too. Happy reading! Editor newidea@aremedia.com.au newidea.com.au @newideamagazine @newideamagazine…

NEWS Channing Tatum is remaking the 1990 hit movie Ghost, starring in Patrick Swayze’s role. But the late actor’s co-stars, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, aren’t loving the news – especially after hearing that Channing thinks the beloved flick “needs to change” due to some “problematic stereotypes”. “It’s nothing against Channing – they simply feel strange about anyone remaking Ghost, out of respect for Patrick’s memory,” a source tells New Idea. “Whoopi in particular is reticent to get too excited about it. She is fiercely protective of Patrick’s memory and isn’t sure that anyone could do justice to one of his greatest legacy films.” Patrick passed away in 2009 at 57 after a battle with cancer.…

Riverdance icon Michael Flatley is fighting his aggressive cancer diagnosis head-on, after going public with the devastating news this month. The 64-year-old’s loved ones asked fans for their prayers and well wishes after he underwent surgery performed by “an excellent team of doctors”. The news comes 20 years after Michael was diagnosed with skin cancer. At the time he said that the early discovery of melanoma on his face was “purely by chance” and that he’d made a full recovery.…

Local stars NOOSA FIGHT FIASCO Karl Stefanovic has swung into protective mode, calling an urgent family crisis meeting in the aftermath of his shock altercation with Michael Clarke. “Since that fight video went public, Karl has been rocked to the core. He is terrified that there could be more footage to come,” a close family friend tells New Idea. “Because [wife] Jasmine witnessed the whole ugly showdown, Karl is very glad he has her to lean on. “Jas did everything she could to break up the fight, and is standing by Karl as they navigate the damage that’s been done.” Also giving Karl, 48, support are his brothers Tom and Peter, Pete’s wife Sylvia Jeffreys, and his three eldest children, especially daughter Willow. On tenterhooks, Karl…

Priscilla Presley couldn’t imagine there was room for any more tragedy within her family. She’d lost her ex-husband Elvis, her grandson Benjamin, and ridden out more controversies than she could count. But in the 77-year-old’s lifetime of loss, nothing compared to the shock of her daughter Lisa Marie Presley passing away on January 12, after suffering two cardiac arrests at age 54. “Priscilla is inconsolable but she knows she has to pick up the pieces for Lisa Marie’s girls,” a close family insider tells New Idea. “She will do anything to help them get through this. “It’s a lot to deal with for someone Priscilla’s age, but she insists she’s up to the task. Really, she doesn’t have a choice.” Racked with unnecessary guilt over Lisa Marie’s death, Priscilla paid…

Much has been made of Samara Weaving’s uncanny likeness to fellow Aussie actress, Margot Robbie, over the years. But the former Home and Away starlet may have taken things a step too far at the Sydney premiere of their new film, Babylon. Red carpet watchers were left aghast when Samara, the 30-year-old niece of actor Hugo Weaving, arrived looking like Margot’s double – from their similar dresses in identical shades of blue to their long blonde locks. “This was one big faux pas on their stylists’ behalf,” a source tells New Idea. “For these big Hollywood promo tours, it’s normally protocol for stylists to check in with each other to make sure their clients won’t be wearing similar looks. “But it seems like Samara’s team might have missed the memo…

Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Salad SERVES 6PREP & COOK 30 MINS ■ 400g can black beans, rinsed, drained ■ 1 green capsicum, chopped ■ 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved ■ 1 avocado, chopped ■ 4 trimmed cobs corn (800g), husks, silks removed ■ 1 small iceberg lettuce, coarsely chopped ■ ¹⁄³ cup shredded parmesan ■ White corn tortilla strips, to serve DRESSING ■ 1 cup firmly packed, chopped fresh coriander leaves and stems ■ ¹⁄³ cup olive oil ■ ¼ cup lime juice ■ 2 tblsps chopped, pickled jalapeños ■ 1 tblsp chipotle in adobo sauce ■ 2 tsps honey 1 To make dressing, blend all ingredients in a blender with ¼ cup water until smooth. 2 Combine beans, capsicum, tomatoes and avocado in a large bowl. 3 Heat…

Passionfruit Custard Brioche Cake SERVES 8-10PREP & COOK 50 MINS ■ 12 slices brioche loaf (420g) ■ 300ml tub thickened cream, whipped ■ Fresh passionfruit pulp, to serve CUSTARD ■ ¼ cup custard powder ■ 2 tblsps caster sugar ■ 2 cups milk ■ ¼ cup fresh passionfruit pulp SYRUP ■ ½ cup fresh passionfruit pulp ■ ¹⁄³ cup caster sugar 1 Invert base of a 20cm springform pan (base measures 19cm). Line base and side with baking paper, extending paper 3cm above edge. 2 To make custard, place custard powder and sugar in a medium saucepan. Add a little of the milk, whisking to form a paste. Whisk in remaining milk until smooth. Cook, stirring, over a medium heat until boiling and thickened. Remove. Stir in passionfruit pulp. 3…

Advice OUR DESIGN GURU HELPS YOU NAVIGATE YOUR NEXT PROJECT It’s no secret that I am passionate about homes. The financial successes I have had as a developer, the awards I have achieved as a designer and my role in the Master Builders Association makes me a bit of an expert, and I’m often asked: “What are the best ways to improve a home’s value?” For me, there is no greater value than that holistic sense of belonging, comfort and pride in the home I raise my family in. As life changes, I look to improve and add to it, and I need to know I am getting value for my money while maintaining that home. A term real estate agents love to throw around is “the street appeal will…

Where should I vacuum around the house? Vacuuming your hard and soft floors and skirting boards, even your car, are probably on all of your cleaning lists. But there are other parts of the home that we seem to be skipping – and they’ve got a whole heap of nasty bacteria and microscopic life that can affect our health. Here are some of those less-obvious spots... YOUR MATTRESS Did you know we spend roughly a third of our lives in bed? And while letting our head hit the pillow after a long day seems relaxing, knowing what germs lie below in our mattress is anything but. “According to the results of Dyson’s first-ever global dust study, four in five Aussies don’t clean their mattress regularly – that’s alarming given there…

Q I have bought a small old country house that I’m doing up alone. It’s not easy, as funds are limited. Will I ever finish the renovation to a comfortable level for me and my cat? Will I pay the very small mortgage off and live a basic but comfortable retirement here? – MEL A Congratulations on your purchase. I feel that your little country cottage picked you to live there. I do see that you will pay off your mortgage and have a simple and stress-free life in the country. I see you purchasing secondhand treasures from garage sales and second-hand stores and restoring them to make your little cottage feel like home. I also see that you will be very busy in the garden. I am seeing bees…

Entertainment After 12 years filming Grand Designs Australia, Peter Maddison is calling the next season his last, as the acclaimed Foxtel series finds a yet-to-be-announced new home. Loved for his obsession with design, eye for detail and eccentric personality, Peter’s optimistic about his future, but first he can’t wait for everyone to tune in and watch his last eight episodes. “It’s got some incredible diversity, from the snow-capped, wind-battered Blue Mountains – we’ve got a guy who throws together seven shipping containers with his bare hands and his teeth – to the centre of South Australia in the underground in Coober Pedy,” Peter, a multi award-winning architect, tells New idea. “We also go to South Australia again to the home of a psychiatrist. They’re Indian and they bring the Indian…

“I ORDER TWO DOUBLE-DOUBLES, ANIMAL STYLE, FRIES AND A COKE!”Now Prince Harry’s stateside, he loves a bit of In-N-Out Burger. “I WANT SOME OF HER SASS. I WANT SOME OF HER A--.”Cate Blanchett, aka Viola Davis’ number one fan, is desperate for the pair to work together. “YOU COULD STUMBLE OUT OF A BAR, GO HOME WITH SOME RANDO AND NO-ONE WOULD KNOW.”Gwyneth Paltrow reminisces about the good ol’ days of the ’90s before camera phones. “I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO PLAY A DOLPHIN.”The White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge reveals what she wants to do next. “THERE’S STILL A PART OF ME THAT WOULD RATHER BE A TANNED BLONDE.”Proud redhead Julianne Moore dreams of walking on the light side of life.…

NEWS Michael Douglas treated his daughter, Carys, to some retail therapy in Santa Barbara on January 13 – but it seems the 19-year-old might have been providing some much-needed support for her movie star dad, too. Indeed, the sighting comes as an insider detailed tensions between Michael, 78, and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, 53, over his decision to work with his son, Cameron, in the upcoming film Blood Knot. “Catherine is against it. She’s genuinely worried for Michael’s health,” New Idea’s source tells. “Unfortunately, Michael is desperate to do this for Cameron, who’s done incredibly well getting his life back together since getting out of jail.” According to the source, Michael has a case of the guilts, adding “Cameron’s talents have always been overshadowed by his family.”…

Royals Prince Harry is finding out the hard way that some things are better left unsaid after his deeply personal memoir hasn’t gone down quite as expected – much to wife Meghan Markle’s horror. Since the release of Spare on January 10, Harry, 38, has been widely mocked for oversharing about his frostbitten penis, boozy nights out, drug taking and whining that Prince William got a better bedroom than him at Balmoral Castle. Harry’s complaints about his privileged position in life has sparked a fierce backlash, despite the book becoming an international bestseller. Not only has there been a deluge of social media memes aimed at the couple, but they’ve taken a massive tumble in the most recent YouGov popularity polls. While Harry has brushed off the criticism and continues…

Local stars The news came as a shock to fans, who believed she had the picture-perfect life. But those closest to Carrie Bickmore knew her split from long-term partner Chris Walker was on the cards, saying it wasn’t a matter of if, but when. “They had been working on their relationship for some time,” tells our exclusive insider. “I think taking their family to the UK last year was an effort to mend things.” But the friend doubts whether uprooting their daughters Evie and Adelaide, and Carrie’s son Ollie, from her marriage to late husband Greg Lange, was such a good idea in hindsight. Even veteran entertainment reporter Peter Ford questioned the decision, suspecting something was amiss when Carrie took a leave of absence from The Project to make the…

Royals Tensions were running so high in the Danish royal family in the wake of the title-stripping drama that the clan put thousands of miles between themselves at Christmas. But just a few short weeks later, Crown Prince Frederik and his younger brother, Prince Joachim, put aside their differences to support their mum, Queen Margrethe, at the January 16 funeral of their uncle, King Constantine II. The last king of Greece had been happily married to Margrethe’s youngest sister, Queen Anne-Marie, since 1964. Despite the solemn occasion, Margrethe, 82, couldn’t help beaming with pride as she embraced her sons and stood side by side with them. The scenes of the grieving family, united in the loss, were in stark contrast to those seen in Britain following the respective deaths of…

Mediterranean Lamb Salad SERVES 4PREP 20 MINS ■ 120g baby spinach and rocket salad leaves ■ 3 cooked lamb leg steaks, thickly sliced ■ 100g sliced hot salami, torn ■ 180g tub traditional bocconcini, drained, torn in half ■ ¹⁄³ cup semi-dried tomatoes in oil, drained DRESSING ■ 2 tblsps olive oil ■ ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ■ 1 tblsp honey ■ ½ cup dried figs (90g), sliced 1 To make dressing, whisk oil, vinegar and honey in a medium jug. Add figs. Stir until combined. 2 To serve, place salad leaves, lamb, salami and dressing in a large bowl. Toss to combine. Arrange on a serving platter. Top with bocconcini. Scatter over tomatoes. TIP This recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked meat. Lamb can be…

Cherry Jam MAKES 4 CUPSPREP & COOK 55 MINS ■ 1kg cherries, pitted ■ ¹⁄³ cup lemon juice ■ 1kg jam setting sugar 1 Pulse cherries, in three batches, in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a stockpot over a medium heat. Add juice and sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves. 2 Bring to boil. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until jam reaches setting point. To test setting point, place 1 tsp hot jam onto a chilled saucer and run your finger through it. If it wrinkles and doesn’t run together, it’s ready. If it’s still runny, continue to cook until it reaches this point. 3 Once cooked, stand jam for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Skim any foam from the surface. Pour hot…

What summer styles will suit me? “I love a floaty linen midi dress, but how can I dress it up for a balmy evening?” – Michelle, Cranebrook, NSW. SOLUTION “We love a floaty smock dress too – it’s a fashion staple! All you need are three things: a stretch woven belt, a pair of block heels and hoop earrings. The belt will change the shape of the dress and elevate it slightly by giving you some shape; a block heel will add height and give that dressy feeling; and a simple medium-sized hoop will keep the look classic.” “Where can I find size-inclusive swimwear?” – Jane, Toowoomba, QLD. SOLUTION “There are so many great options. NSW label Fayt include up to a size 24 in their bikinis and swimsuits. For…

Advice THE MUM OF SIX ON THE TRIALS & TRIUMPHS OF PARENTING As much as I love Christmas and the school holidays, there is a special excitement that comes with the new school year approaching. There is all the new books, stationery and shoes, but also a new teacher and sometimes a new class. As wonderful as it can be, it can also be a time full of big feelings – and nerves. This year we have Perla starting 4-year-old kindergarten, Monty in Year 1, Lola in Year 5, Eva in Year 8 and Sam in Year 9. Luckily for me I still have Alby at home, otherwise I would be a complete mess! There are lots of different stages as the younger ones are beginning their school life and…

$300 UP FOR GRABS! COMPACT STARS To win one of six prizes of $50, complete the puzzle and read the coloured squares to reveal a movie featuring Andrea Riseborough (7). Write this title on the coupon. $2000 PRIZE TO SHARE! SUPER CROSS For a chance to win one of two prizes of $250, simply solve the crossword to reveal the name of a drama film featuring our pictured star (5,7) in the coloured squares. Write this on the entry coupon. $500 UP FOR GRABS! ACROSS 1 Mrs Flintstone (5)4 First appearance (5) 6 – Roberts, actress (5)9 Inquisitive (7)12 Bird of peace (4)13 Aquiline raptor (5)14 Tailoring apparatus (6,7)16 Clumsy dolt (3)17 Soft bathroom powder (4)18 Of 5th/6th century Germanic culture which invaded Britain (5)19 Island in the Bay…

Patient Lexi, 9, has been waiting anxiously all day for her dad to get home, to open up her birthday gifts. PAMELA DECKERT, NHILL, VIC. Our much-adored little Millie. K. SIMPSON, WOODVALE, WA. I was starstruck meeting the fun and talented Rob Mills at the Red Bull go-karts racing in Melbourne. MATT GRAHAM, CARRUM DOWNS, VIC. Hospital humour While visiting a friend in hospital, I brought him some things he needed, including a shirt he asked for. When giving it to him, I mentioned that I had to give it a good iron because it was wrinkled. He responded: “It’s the same as its owner!” J CLANCY, FAIRFIELD, NSW. Baby Maggie with her new little toy. EMMA SCHEEPENS, MADDINGTON, WA. This is my new eco-watering system with my new puppy…

There’s plenty of drama on this season of The Bachelors, given we have three suitors looking to find The One. However, it seems Thomas, Jed and Felix are only sharing the gig because Tony Armstrong turned down the offer to hand out the roses. “He thought it might not align with his personal branding and could ruin future career prospects,” a source told the So Dramatic podcast of why Tony turned down Channel Ten’s proposal. Tony, 33, has also admitted he thinks it’d be a “pretty weird” experience, quipping: “I can’t organise a meeting … I couldn’t organise a relationship on national TV!” Still, Tony is hoping to settle down without the show’s help, recently telling New Idea that he can’t wait to start a family.…

Special report An argument over a drone resulted in the deaths of campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay, police have proposed. Last seen on March 19, 2020, the pair – who had been having an affair for 15 years – seemingly vanished from their secluded campground in Victoria’s High Country. Ex-pilot Greg Lynn, who was arrested in November 2021, now stands accused of the alleged murders. Police outlined their claims against Lynn, 56, in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court last week to see if there is enough evidence for the matter to go to trial. The court heard Ms Clay, 73, was allegedly shot in the head as Mr Hill, 74, and Lynn wrestled over a shotgun. Mr Hill was then fatally stabbed. The two men were thought to be arguing over…

Local stars Aussie sporting great and all-round nice guy, Dylan Alcott, can’t wipe the cheeky smile off his face. And if rumours swirling around the Australian Open are anything to go by, the former world number one wheelchair tennis champ has every reason to feel like he has won another title, after scoring the girl of his dreams. According to our courtside insiders, Dylan is ready to finally tie the knot with long-time love, 31-year-old Melbourne sexologist Chantelle Otten, and preparation is in full swing! While the larrikin Paralympian remains tight-lipped on the details, New Idea hears Dylan, 32, has already told his closest mates to save the date. “So far, Dylan has given every hint it’s before the end of the Melbourne summer – while the sun is still…

Local stars Age is no barrier to finding love – at least, that is, if you’re billionaire Rupert Murdoch. Just six months on from his abrupt split with fourth wife Jerry Hall, the 91-year-old media mogul is giving romance another try. Last week, Rupert enjoyed a sun-filled blissful vacation in Barbados with new girlfriend AnnLesley Smith. The loved-up duo were spotted holding hands, taking a quick dip in the ocean and later dining together while on the Caribbean island. “He seems very happy,” says one friend of the Australian-born businessman. Prior to meeting Rupert, Ann-Lesley, who is 25 years his junior, was married to US country music star Chester Smith, who passed away in 2008. Rupert and Ann-Lesley are believed to have started seeing each other back in November before…

Lemon Cream Lamington Cake with Raspberries SERVES 8PREP & COOK 1 HOUR ■ 4 eggs, at room temperature ■ ¾ cup caster sugar ■ ¹⁄³ cup self-raising flour ■ ¹⁄³ cup plain flour ■ ¼ cup cornflour ■ ½ cup lemon curd ■ 1 ½ cups shredded coconut ■ Fresh raspberries, to serve LEMON CREAM ■ 300ml tub thickened cream ■ 2 tblsps icing sugar mixture ■ ¼ cup lemon curd ■ 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 Grease a large, straight-sided loaf pan (top measures 15cm x 23.5cm x 9cm deep). Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 5cm above pan edges. 2 Beat eggs and sugar in small bowl of an electric mixer for about 5 minutes, or until pale and thick. Transfer mixture to a large…

How can I navigate my relationship when it gets tricky? It’s meant to be a time of togetherness, but in some households, the new year period can signal division. In some parts of the world, January 8 is known as ‘Divorce Day’ due to a spike in separations, and relationship experts here say the new year period is a common time for Aussie couples to split. Elisabeth Shaw, CEO of Relationships Australia, says that in some cases couples were already planning to separate but want to get through the holiday season for the family’s sake. “For others, the hope that family or couple time over the holiday season will rekindle feelings, a sort of ‘one last chance’, is also in the mix. When that doesn’t occur, then the relationship ends…

How can my beauty regimen be more eco-conscious? When it comes to the health of our planet, there is no time to waste. Right now, there are five trillion pieces of plastic on or near the ocean surface, with an estimated one-third of all that coming from beauty and personal care products. While tossing an empty shampoo bottle in the bin might feel like the proverbial drop in the ocean, every decision we make about our beauty buys matters. Here are a few brands taking sustainability more seriously. “The only solution for [solving issues with waste] is circularity,” says Emma Lewisham, founder of her eponymous skincare line that cares deeply about closing the loop and creating packaging that is refillable and highly covetable. Emma Lewisham Illuminating Brighten Your Day Crème,…

Advice Adding colour to the garden Petunias are a summer annual, which means they grow and flower through the year’s warmer months. After flowering, they die, and you pull them out and replant them the following year. If growing petunias seems like a lot of work for one season of growth, it’s definitely worth it. Kevin Parker, a senior horticulturist at The Greenery Garden & Home, says petunias are probably one of the easiest summer annuals to grow. “They are spectacular when they flower,” he says. “Petunias are one of the best annuals for colour, really.” HOW TO PLANT Petunias come in various flower types and colours and can be grown from seed in your garden. But the quickest way is to buy seedlings from your local nursery. “The most…

Stars From January 23-29 Aquarius JAN 21 – FEB 19 Ready to don your therapist’s hat? Your help or advice could prove invaluable, so make time for someone who’s been doing it tough. On a lighter note, an image overhaul could gather momentum, so if you’ve fallen into a rut, why not hit the shops with a fashion-savvy friend? Lucky gemstone: Aquamarine Pisces FEB 20 – MAR 20 Flattery will get you everywhere this week! As Venus amplifies your natural charm, ask a few favours, or if you’re looking for romance, ask someone out. With Mercury enhancing your conversational skills, you might be surprised by what you discover. Wear red or orange for extra pizzazz! Lucky numbers: 2, 12, 27, 31, 38 Aries MAR 21…

Spotlight Much like her character’s counterparts, Lily James has gotten herself into a few scrapes while looking Mr Right. Having dated co-stars Matt Smith and Jack Fox, Lily hit the headlines when she was seen kissing her on-screen The Pursuit of Love father Dominic West, who was very much a married man at the time! So Lily finds she has a lot in common with Zoe, the character she plays in What’s Love Got to Do with It? “[The movie] really asks the open-ended question about how to find lasting love because it’s something I think we’re all still trying to figure out,” Lily tells New Idea. Here, we chat with the British beauty about life, romance and a shared love of Julia Roberts! Tell us about What’s Love Got…

SHELTER FROM THE STORM by Penelope Janu This rural romance follows naval officer Patience Cartwright’s secondment to her country hometown and her reunion with infuriatingly attractive biologist Hugo. OUT NOW THE CLIMATE CHANGE GARDEN by Sally Morgan & Kim Stoddart Botanist Sally Morgan and gardening journalist Kim Stoddart team up for this practical guide on gardening amidst extreme weather events like heatwaves and torrential rain. A must-have in today’s ever-changing world. OUT NOW THE LAST LOVE NOTE by Emma Grey When single mum Kate and her boss become stranded in a small town, she finally has a second chance at love. OUT NOW THE LIPSTICK BUREAU by Michelle Gable Fearless young woman Niki Novotná sets up a secret American spy branch in Italy during World War II. Inspired by a…