Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 3, 2025 i New Idea

The New Idea office has gone bananas! Why? One of the team’s favourite reality shows, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, is finally back for another season of fun and games. Associate editor Mel interviewed Nicky Buckley shortly before she headed into camp. In their wide-ranging chat (page 30), Nicky shares the poignant reason behind her agreeing to rough it in the jungle, and also tells us that South Africa has long been on her bucket list. I was lucky enough to do a safari there in 2019 and it is truly awe-inspiring. You’ll love it, Nicky! One place still on my own travel bucket list is Uluru. New Idea’s designer Apostolos headed there recently for a food tour and I got rather envious (and hungry) reading all about…

It looks like Sofía Vergara’s love life could be changing gears. The actress has been spotted in New York with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton. TMZ reported that Sofía, 52, and Lewis, 40, were all smiles as they enjoyed a flirty lunch together. While many think the pair would make a great couple, a close source warned fans not to start their engines just yet – saying it was just a casual lunch between friends. The sighting comes after Sofía ended her reported romance with Justin Saliman late last year. She was linked to the orthopaedic surgeon following her 2023 divorce from Joe Manganiello.…

Five years ago, the humble RSL was struggling to stay relevant. Losing around 1600 members a year, they were unable to encourage younger veterans to become involved. But a group of small country, not-for-profit sub-Branches are now leading the charge to reinvent themselves. Jeff Earley, President of the Old Bar Beach RSL sub-Branch on NSW’s Mid North Coast, says the Aussie institution needed to change, otherwise it could face closure forever. “I could see traditional meetings were going the wrong way,” Jeff, 59, tells New Idea. “We’d talk about the same things, have a beer, and then go home. I could see it was going to die out.” Jeff and his wife Teresa, 52, took on the roles of President and Secretary of the sub-Branch in 2020. There were just…

Samuel Johnson and Sam Pang were secretly embroiled in a feud for years, but the public never knew about it – until now! Samuel made the surprise revelation last week, after he and Sam both attended a charity golf day on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. In a lengthy post shared on the Facebook page of his charity Love Your Sister, Samuel explained things had become awkward with Sam following an incident backstage at the 2017 TV Week Logie Awards. ‘As far as Sam was concerned there’s nothing to forgive’ Samuel, 46, began by saying that he “didn’t mean to be an a--hole” to Sam, 51, and had “been trying to over and told me to come apologise to him for years”. Although he didn’t provide explicit details of what happened, Samuel…

Jack & Tori STRONGER THAN EVER One of the most talked-about couples from Season 11 has proved the naysayers wrong. Jack Dunkley exclusively tells New Idea he is extremely grateful to still have Tori Adams in his life, calling her “hands-down the best partner I have ever had”. Jack, 35, reveals that after their “unfortunate journey on MAFS”, their connection as a couple grew stronger once they had some normality. “We had to learn extremely quickly to trust, love and respect each other under immense pressure, so continuing in the real world has been a breeze,” he says. Jack and Tori share the same ambitions for setting up their future together. He adds: “We have become very in sync living together, navigating our careers, fitness schedules, beach dates and quality…

Nicky Buckley admits that a stint on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! was the last thing she expected to be on her 2025 bingo card. “I’m still in disbelief that I agreed to go ahead with this,” Nicky tells New Idea from South Africa, just a few days before she headed into camp. With a laugh, she adds: “I’m a girl who likes her coffee and nice sheets. What was I thinking?!” On a more serious note, Nicky, 59, explains why she’s really forgoing her creature comforts – to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Sadly, she lost her mother, Joan, to the disease some 20 years ago. ‘You can get through anything’ “Mum was only a few years older than I am now and there were no detectable…

Salt and Pepper Prawns with Mango Slaw SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 24 raw king prawns, peeled, deveined, leaving tails intact ■ 8 large bamboo skewers (see Tip) ■ Lime wedges, to serve SALT AND PEPPER MIX ■ 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder ■ 1 tsp sea salt flakes ■ 1 tsp garlic powder ■ ¼ tsp ground white pepper MANGO SLAW ■ 300g bag fine-cut coleslaw ■ 1 mango, peeled, chopped ■ 1 Lebanese cucumber, halved lengthways, deseeded, thinly sliced ■ ½ cup chopped fresh coriander ■ ¹⁄³ cup bottled Asian salad dressing 1 Make salt and pepper mix. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. 2 Place prawns in a large bowl, sprinkle with salt and pepper mix and toss to coat. Thread three prawns…

Uluru is one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, and I was thrilled to visit for the first time. Located in the heart of the Red Centre near the Northern Territory’s southern edge, this destination has long been favoured by celebrities, royalty and travellers alike. After years of watching friends post stunning photos and stories that gave me major FOMO, I finally boarded a Qantas flight from Sydney to experience Uluru for myself – and yes, to fill my socials with unforgettable content. Booking a window seat on the right side of the plane gave me breathtaking views as the landscape shifted from green to the famous orange-red. Flying over salt lakes and landmarks like Mt Conner (often mistaken for Uluru and nicknamed ‘Fooluru’) was just the beginning of this incredible…

EDITORIAL Editorial Director Erin Holohan, Editor Karleigh Smith, Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin, Art Director Sarah Hadnam, Picture Editor Matthew Mackay ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Andrew Cook, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.au Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. New Idea is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au…

The Princess of Wales made an emotional return to London’s Royal Marsden Hospital last week, which is the centre where she received her cancer treatment. The heartfelt visit marked Kate’s first major solo engagement in more than a year, and saw her personally thanking the medical team for their care while offering support to other patients. The princess, 43, also shared rare insight into her own cancer experience. Chatting to one patient who was having chemotherapy, Kate, 43, noted: “When I came in, everyone said, ‘Make sure you have all your warm things [clothes] on’ because of the side effects.” While talking with another patient, Kate sympathised that she too had a ‘port’ mechanism to deliver the medicine. She jokingly added that she became “attached to it”. Kate also touched…

John Farnham is becoming a grandfather for the first time, and sources claim the singer plans on spoiling the bub rotten! “John hopes to be a fun grandad,” tells our source. “He’s got the biggest heart – that’s going to be one loved kid.” John’s youngest son, James, announced he’s expecting a son later this year, with his partner Tessa Effendi. The couple shared the news on Instagram by posting an ultrasound picture and a gender reveal video, which showed they’re having a little boy. Following his recent cancer and health struggles, John, 75, and his wife Jill are said to be delighted about the new addition to their family. The happy news comes after their eldest son, Robert, tied the knot with Melissa Kelly last February. “After a rough…

Only in New Idea Bracing in her seat, Natalie Merlehan knew the white object coming towards her car was on a collision course. Trapped at an intersection in Queensland’s Alexandra Hills, there was nothing the mum could do as the 4WD (which she later learnt was stolen and being driven by a teenager on drugs) ploughed into her vehicle on January 26, 2021. Natalie’s husband, Mathew, and their daughter, then three, were also in the car. While they survived, two pedestrians didn’t. The deaths of Katherine ‘Kate’ Leadbetter, who was 31 and six months pregnant, and her partner Matthew Field, 37, made national headlines. “I got out to check on my daughter and Kate was lying next to my door. It was obvious she’d already passed,” Natalie, from Brisbane, tells…

Prior to Nicky entering the jungle, word leaked online that she was a potential campmate thanks to internet sleuths identifying her distinctive engagement ring from a social media teaser video! “It’s very unfortunate and something Network 10 do their utmost to avoid,” a well-placed TV insider tells New Idea. “Much of the preseason interest in I’m A Celebrity rests on who is going into the jungle, so it is vital that they keep these names under lock and key.” Indeed, the show’s producers and hosts Julia Morris and Robert Irwin go to extraordinary lengths to protect the identities of campmates prior to the launch. “Once contracts have been signed, all participating celebrities are given codenames to try and avoid leaks,” our insider dishes. “In previous years, the campmates have been…

Greek Tuna and Bean Jars SERVES 2 PREP 15 MINS ■ 185g can tuna in oil, drained ■ ½ cup three olive dip ■ ½ red capsicum, finely chopped ■ 300g can four bean mix, drained, rinsed ■ ½ Lebanese cucumber, chopped ■ ½ x 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved ■ 70g Greek feta, crumbled ■ 40g mixed salad leaves 1 Place tuna in a small bowl. Stir in the dip. Spoon evenly into two large jars with lids (600ml capacity). 2 Layer capsicum, bean mix, cucumber, tomatoes, feta and salad leaves evenly over tuna. Seal with lids. Refrigerate until ready to serve. TIP Assemble salad in jars the night before. Use chickpeas for bean mix, and shredded roast chicken for tuna. Salmon and Cucumber Sushi Jars SERVES 2 PREP…

LOVE mangoes Here are a few delicious ways to serve this sensational summer fruit. • Place chunks of mango onto skewers with raw prawns and grill them on the barbecue. • Chop or slice mangoes and add them to a green leafy salad with toasted almonds or macadamias, and serve with a sweet, tangy dressing. • Puree the mango flesh and spoon a little into a champagne glass, then top with chilled prosecco. • Puree the mango flesh with a little caster sugar and fresh lemon juice, then swirl through slightly softened vanilla ice-cream. Freeze until firm, then serve scoops of mango ice-cream with amaretti biscuits or wafers. • Freeze chopped or sliced mango flesh to use later in smoothies, fruit salad or on top of granola and yoghurt. MISO…

Track SHORTS Skip the bike pants for something breezier. A retro track short is trending, especially those longer in the leg. MOISTURE WICKING Bra TANKS Tanks with built-in bras will not only keep you cool but supported too. Pair with shorts or tights and style with a shirt. Extra PROTECTION Being active often means extra thought goes into an outfit to make it sun safe. Shop UV protective gear. BREATHABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT SPF 50+ FABRIC 3 OF THE BEST: Studio slides Heading to a Pilates, barre or yoga class with no need for a training shoe? Try a slide you can slip into without having to take off your socks. By Aimee Bruce. Stockists: archiesfootwear.com.au, cottonon.com/au, hm.com/au, kathmandu.com.au, lornajane.com.au, lululemon.com.au, uniqlo.com/au…

Casey Donovan It was love-all in the stands for the singer and fiancée Renee Sharples. What an ace couple! Aryna Sabalenka The reigning women’s champion danced up a storm with commentator Jelena Dokic after her first round victory. Novak Djokovic Before the tournament began, Novak had fun at a Melbourne surf park with his family. Waleed Aly The host of The Project and his wife Dr Susan Carland looked like they had a ball during their courtside date at Rod Laver Arena! John Newcombe Posing alongside the Open’s trophies, John was joined by fellow icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Rob Mills Millsy caused a racket in the stands alongside his fiancée, Georgie Tunny, Bachelorette star Lee Elliott and some other friends on day one of the tournament. Stefanos Tsitsipas The Greek…

Michelle Williams and Sissy Spacek have become unlikely pals since working together on the upcoming miniseries, Dying for Sex . Despite a 31-year age gap, an insider tells New Idea the duo forged an instant connection and were “like schoolgirls” on-set together. “Sissy and Michelle have a lot in common,” says the insider. “They’ve bonded over being working mums. They both lost loved ones and recognise the same scars.” Sissy, 75, experienced the deep losses of her teenage brother Robbie to leukaemia and more recently, her close pal, singer Loretta Lynn. Meanwhile Michelle, 44, tragically lost Heath Ledger, the father of her eldest child, daughter Matilda, in 2008.…

Lily Allen is seeking solace at a trauma treatment clinic, amid mental health struggles following her rumoured separation from husband David Harbour. According to the Daily Mail, the singer, 39, will spend several weeks at the US retreat. Lily admitted on a recent episode of her podcast Miss Me? that she was “spiralling” and “not in a good place”. The mum of two, who is five years sober, added she was “going away” but adamantly denied she had relapsed. Lily wed David, 49, in 2020. They’ve been the subject of split talk after she allegedly found the actor’s active profile on a celebrity dating app.…

Essendon Bombers legend James Hird and wife Tania have split, with news about their year-long separation coming to light last week. A source close to the Hirds exclusively told New Idea the married couple of 27 years had simply “grown apart” and “were wanting different things for their future”. “The decision to separate was amicable and happened in early 2024. It was a conscious uncoupling,” our source shared. According to our insider, the Hirds had hoped to “keep the breakdown of the marriage out of the media for another three years” – until their children finished school. However, the news reportedly leaked “sooner than later” after their neighbours in the posh Melbourne suburb of Toorak noticed unusual comings and goings from the family home over the holiday season. “The family…

Nicole Kidman prides herself on being a loyal friend through and through. But when it comes to her long-time pals, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness, the actress is reportedly torn over who to prioritise as the former couple continue to move on from each other. After weeks of speculation, Hugh, 56, has finally confirmed he is now dating his former Broadway co-star Sutton Foster. New photos published last week showed the smitten pair indulging in a car make-out session while parked outside fast-food chain In-N-Out in LA. According to New Idea’s exclusive insider, Hugh and Sutton, 49, going public has left Nicole, 57, particularly “worried” for Deb, 69. “Nicole knows Hugh is going to be fine – he has the best team of handlers in Hollywood and he’s in the…

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? WE’VE LASTED THESE 2024 COUPLES ARE PROOF MAFS WORKS Ridge Barredo and Jade Pywell joined the 2024 experiment late in the piece, and are one of only two expert-matched couples who remain together. Setting up a shared TikTok account where they post cute videos together, the former intruders have sent their followers into a spin by teasing a potential engagement! A massive diamond has been spotted on Jade’s ring finger in recent social media posts. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. At first, Jade wasn’t sure if their relationship would work, admitting it was scary falling for Ridge. “Everyone had a lot more faith in us than we did each other,” the 27-year-old wrote on Instagram. The pair were originally both against being in a…

Before her arrest, Xie Caiping used her ill-gotten gains to buy expensive cars and sprawling villas. She also maintained a 16-strong collection of younger lovers. But in 2009, Caiping swapped her designer duds for a prison uniform after she was jailed for running a network of illegal casinos across southern China. Known as the ‘godmother’ of Chongqing’s ‘black societies’, Caiping oversaw secret gambling operations in hotels and tea rooms, brutalised an undercover cop and bribed government officials to turn a blind eye. Her brother-in-law, a high-ranking police officer, was part of her network and was executed by Chinese authorities for his role in her crimes. Caiping, now 61, was jailed for 18 years. PATRICIA’S POWER GRAB Known simply as ‘Patricia’, this Colombian rebel fighter’s name instils fear. As a leader…

Summer Fruit Tiramisu SERVES 8-10 PREP 25 MINS ■ 250g packet sponge finger biscuits ■ 1 cup Peach Iced Tea Flavoured Cordial ■ 1 ripe yellow peach (200g) ■ 1 large mango ■ ¼ cup passionfruit pulp MASCARPONE CREAM ■ 300ml tub thickened cream ■ 2 tblsps icing sugar mixture ■ 1 tsp vanilla bean paste ■ 250g tub mascarpone cheese ■ ½ cup sour cream 1 Make mascarpone cream. Beat cream, sugar and vanilla in small bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Transfer to a large bowl. Gently fold in mascarpone and sour cream until just combined. 2 One at a time, dip half the biscuits in combined cordial and ½ cup water until just soaked. Arrange over base of a glass trifle dish (9-cup capacity).…

Eyes Take any makeup look from day to night by swiping some colour onto your lids. These compact quad shades from Elizabeth Arden are easy to blend with their mini brushes and will last all evening without smudging. 1. Elizabeth Arden Eyeshadow Quad in Oh So Neutral, $70, myer.com.au Limbs Add some shimmer to your legs and arms with a nourishing oil that hydrates while delivering a radiant lit-from-within glow at the same time. Pure Fiji’s formula contains cold-pressed coconut and macadamia oils, which smells just as good as it sounds. 2. Pure Fiji Coconut Body Shimmer Oil, $49.95, au.purefiji.com Lips If you’re on the hunt for a new SPF lip oil this summer, make it this one. The Quick Flick’s non-sticky formula keeps lips nourished all day while adding…

Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and our very own Guy Pearce, The Brutalist has received rapturous reviews since its Venice Film Festival premiere last September. Most recently taking home the Golden Globe for Best Drama, the epic is now considered the Oscar frontrunner. But the accolades are hardly a surprise to Felicity, 41. The British actress knew instantly that the film – about Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor László Tóth migrating to post-World War II America – was “special”. “I read the script and I was just like, ‘Wow!’ It really was one of the best scripts I have ever read,” Felicity tells New Idea. She plays László’s wife Erzsébet, who is in extreme physical pain due to the malnutrition she suffered while imprisoned in the concentration camps. “Usually, the…