Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 37, 2025 i New Idea

Imagine getting to the supermarket and not having to pay the bill! Well, that dream could come true for one lucky reader, as we launch a new comp this week – win your groceries for the rest of the year! We’re giving away $3000 cash, to cover the cost of your food shopping for the rest of 2025, on page 16. In other exciting news, we’re big readers at New Idea. From all the feedback we get from you, our loyal readers, we know you love to get stuck into the latest page-turners too. So, this week, we launch New Idea Book Club – our brand-new feature on page 80, where we’ll be bringing you author interviews, extracts, our recommendations, plus what your favourite stars and our team are reading.…

When Denise Richards called time on her four-year marriage to Charlie Sheen in 2006, their split was toxic. But now, almost 20 years later, they appeared to be the best of friends as they hit the red carpet for the LA premiere of Charlie’s Netflix documentary aka Charlie Sheen together. “They looked very close,” an onlooker told New Idea. “They shared several hugs, whispered together and enjoyed some laughs. They looked more like a couple than ex-husband and wife.” Despite the nastiness that went down during and after their divorce – which included a protracted custody battle over their daughters Sami and Lola – in recent years, relations between Charlie, 60, and Denise, 54, have slowly thawed. In fact, Charlie’s proving to be a rock for Denise as she goes…

Despite finalising her divorce from Ben Affleck earlier this year, Jennifer Lopez is still on very good terms with his kids. The pop queen, 56, was spotted on a shopping trip in Los Angeles’ Westfield Century City mall last week – accompanied by Ben’s youngest child, Samuel, 13. The duo grabbed a bite to eat together and then checked out a shoe store, as well as some of the high-end fashion in the Balenciaga boutique. After the outing, the pair left the ritzy shopping strip in an SUV together. “She’s a great mum and always gave Ben’s kids the same love,” a source close to J.Lo told People. “Even though her contact with Ben is now more sporadic, they make sure the kids can spend time together whenever they want.”…

End-of-year shake-ups are already happening at Channel Nine, with Weekend Today host Clint Stanaway leaving the network – and TV – to focus on his radio career. Clint, 42, announced the news on his Melbourne breakfast Nova radio show Jase & Lauren, where he is the newsreader. He explained that it was a “really tough decision” to make after nearly 25 years at Nine. “I’m relieved, because I’ve been thinking about it for a while now,” Clint shared. “I needed to make a decision, because looking back on how I was feeling and where my head was at, I was burnt out. “I walked into Channel Nine in January 2001 as an 18-year-old.” Adding that he felt overwhelmed and “emotional” about tending his resignation, Clint said it was ultimately necessary…

Forget killing two birds with one stone, as Eric Stonestreet has managed to simultaneously tick off three big celebrations from his to-do list – including tying the knot! Eric took to social media last week to share the happy news that he and partner, Lindsay Schweitzer, had married at their Kansas City home on September 8. The next day, they celebrated Eric’s 54th birthday while Lindsay has turned 46 just a few days before the nuptials. Eric’s wedding post was met with many congratulatory messages. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who played Eric’s husband on Modern Family, wrote: “Of all second marriages, this one is my favourite. I love you both! I’m so happy for you!” Eric and Lindsay, a paediatric nurse and mum to twin boys, met in June 2016. They…

Witney Robert Irwin is set to take to the dance floor for the first time this week, as Dancing with the Stars premieres in the US. And New Idea can reveal the Wildlife Warrior is already enamoured with the blonde bombshell on his arm – as well as one of his rivals! Robert, 21, has been matched with professional dancer Witney Carson, with the star describing their pairing as “perfect”. “I am so lucky to have the best dance partner for this amazing … adventure,” Robert wrote in the caption of a social media video of him and Witney together. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening, here we go!” Robert and Witney, 31, first met 10 years ago, when his older sister Bindi appeared on – and won – the…

Michelle Pfeiffer is said to be devastated that the affair that destroyed her first marriage has been thrust back into the spotlight. The actress, 67, had a scandalous, off-set tryst with John Malkovich while they were making the 1988 film Dangerous Liaisons, in which they play lovers. At the time Michelle was married to actor Peter Horton and John to Glenne Headly. While their real-life liaison is common knowledge in Hollywood, Michelle has never spoken about it publicly. “It completely upended her life,” reveals a well-placed Tinseltown source. John, however, has chosen now to spill all. In a new, wide-ranging interview with the Fashion Neurosis podcast, the actor, 71, shared rare insight into his side of the love affair. “It’s not something I ever really talk about,” John began, before…

Kim Novak briefly returned to the spotlight earlier this month to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival. But the reclusive screen goddess isn’t too happy that a new biopic, about a deeply complicated period of her life, will be keeping her name in lights a little longer yet. Polarising actress Sydney Sweeney is set to portray Kim, one of Alfred Hitchcock’s iciest leading ladies, in the movie, which is currently titled Scandalous!. It will depict Kim’s clandestine love affair with musician Sammy Davis Jr. during the late 1950s. At the time, their romance created a media firestorm due to its interracial nature. “Kim has been dreading a project like this for years,” confirms an insider to New Idea. “She is an extremely private person who likes…

Gooey Nutella Chocolate Cookies MAKES 12 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR ■ 150g butter, softened ■ ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ■ ⅓ cup caster sugar ■ 1 tsp vanilla extract ■ 1 egg ■ ½ cup hazelnut meal ■ 1¼ cups plain flour ■ ⅓ cup cocoa powder ■ ½ tsp baking powder ■ ½ cup Nutella, chilled (see tip) 1 Grease and line two large oven trays with baking paper. 2 Beat butter, sugars and vanilla in small bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg. Beat until combined. Transfer to a large bowl. 3 Add hazelnut meal and combined sifted flour, cocoa and baking powder. Mix well. 4 Roll two level tbsp of dough into a ball. Using your thumb, make an indent…

10 MINUTES TO EASY HOLLANDAISE ■ 250g butter, chopped ■ 4 egg yolks ■ 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 Melt butter in a small saucepan over a medium heat until hot. Transfer to a heatproof jug. 2 Process yolks and juice in a blender for 15 secs, or until combined. 3 With motor operating, add hot, melted butter in a slow, steady stream to form a thick sauce. Transfer to a medium jug. Season with salt. Serve hot. TIP This sauce is delicious served over steamed asparagus, poached eggs or grilled fish. EASE AND COMFORT Make life easier, cosier and more delicious with Sunbeam’s Alinea Max DiamondForce Air Fryer. This 7.5-litre capacity fryer keeps heat in for speedy, evenly cooked dishes and takes the stress out of meal planning. With…

There’s nothing quite like a good old, classic cut and blow-dry but if you’re seeking something more dramatic, switching up your hair colour might be just what you need. Not sure which shade to choose? You’re in luck! We hit up Acqua Lounge Hair Studio founders and Revlon Professional stylists Anthony and Sarah Giorgio who gave us the inside scoop on the trendiest hair colours of the season. HONEY BLONDE Those looking to warm up their tresses might want to give sun-kissed honey blonde a try. “Perfect for a beachy, golden glow year-round,” Anthony and Sarah describe this shade as, “a golden-toned blonde that blends soft, natural-looking highlights with deeper honey hues.” Delivering a subtle yet fresh beachy glow, this shade is a great low-maintenance option as we head into…

Jamie Lee Curtis With a spring in her step, Jamie Lee – aka Hollywood’s biggest cheerleader – arrived in Toronto to sing the praises of The Lost Bus, a film she helped produce. Anya Taylor-Joy She might have been premiering her film Sacrifice, but Anya wasn’t about to scrimp on style, opting for an eye-catching blue dress for the occasion. Emily Blunt The actress played peacemaker as excited fans rushed to greet her at the premiere of her new film, The Smashing Machine. Russell Crowe When it comes to walking a red carpet, there’s no-one the Nuremberg star would rather have by his side than his fiancée, Britney Theriot! Leslie Mann Leslie was on hand to support her daughter, Maude Apatow, whose directorial debut film Poetic License screened during the…

Her most famous and enduring tune is ‘Shout’ – but for decades, British pop icon Lulu was hiding a secret she told no-one about. “For me, [alcohol] was controllable until I got into my sixties,” Lulu, now 76, told The Times in an in-depth interview. “After I became menopausal, with both my parents gone, the empty nest, I became more and more reliant on it. For many years I had not been happy with the way I felt, and [yet] unable to ask for help.” Lulu – born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie – grew up in a rough part of Glasgow. She witnessed domestic violence and alcohol abuse at home, but escaped, aged just 15, when ‘Shout’ became a huge hit. “I’ve never spoken about the alcohol before,” Lulu also…

Twenty years on from her big Australian Idol win, Kate DeAraugo is finally in a good place, personally and professionally. The singer, 39, is about to embark on an anniversary tour, From Idol Till Now, in which she will perform some of her favourite songs, including tunes from Idol and her hits with the Young Divas. Kate, now married and a mum of two, is proudly seven years sober from the crystal meth drug addiction that almost cost her everything. “Do I blame winning Australian Idol for my drug addiction?” Kate pondered a recent TikTok post. “I will say that it probably gave me the means to use way more drugs and create a bigger habit quicker than I would have – had I just been a normal 18-year-old doing…

It shouldn’t have come to much surprise for Erin Patterson last week, when a judge sentenced her to life in jail for the horrific murders of her three relatives, and the attempted murder of a fourth, during a lunch laced with death cap mushrooms in 2023. Patterson, 50, sat in the dock, largely emotionless, eyes closed, meditating, while Victorian Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale slammed her actions, describing her as a serial liar and a person with no remorse. He also made reference to her two children. “You inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents,” he told her. Justice Beale sentenced Patterson to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, and life, with a non-parole period of 33 years,…

A few years after leaving school, Mark Dapin read a story in a UK newspaper about the horrific murder of Karena Bigg-Wither. But what stood out to him was the name of her killer – Ian Haywood. Haywood had been in the year below Mark at school, and the pair had shared a nasty run-in. IN BAD COMPANY “He was a gloatingly vicious kid. I bumped into him in the town centre once and he twisted my nipple,” Mark, who moved to Australia in 1989, tells New Idea. “Then I read that newspaper and saw Haywood had hacked a girl to death with a machete.” Unsurprised by Haywood’s descent into violent crime, Mark adds: “A few boys at school looked like they’d go to jail, but Haywood had no boundaries”.…

Apple Tarte Tatin SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 20 MINS ■ 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, just thawed ■ 1 cup caster sugar ■ 50g butter, chopped ■ 1kg Pink Lady apples, peeled, cored, quartered HONEYCOMB CREAM ■ 300ml tub thickened cream ■ 1 tsp vanilla bean paste ■ ½ x 130g bar honeycomb, crushed 1 Place one pastry sheet on a clean bench and lightly brush with water. Place remaining sheet on top, then gently roll out to a 28cm square. Cut out a 26cm circle, discarding trimmings. Place pastry on a tray and refrigerate. 2 Scatter sugar evenly over base of a 23cm round ovenproof frying pan. Cook over a medium-low heat, shaking pan occasionally, for about 10 mins, or until sugar is dissolved and golden.…

CHECKER WALL ART This project is a great jumping-off point for anyone dipping their toes into upcycling. You only need a few simple materials and willingness to give it a go. WHAT YOU’LL NEED Materials: • Second-hand art canvas • 1000 gsm cardboard sheet • Medium-texture paint • Water-based white primer paint • Water-based acrylic paint in two contrasting colours • Construction adhesive Tools: • Drop sheet (cloth) • Measuring tape • Pencil • Ruler • Utility knife • Paintbrush • Caulking gun Safety Gear: • Protective eyewear • Protective face mask • Latex gloves MAKE IT YOUR OWN I love making projects you can tailor to suit your style, and this upcycled checker wall art is no exception. You don’t have to frame it if you don’t want to…

BEST OF THE WEEK WINS $100 When your teenage sister won’t let you practise on her with makeup, who is the next best person? Your little brother, of course. Tyla couldn’t resist showing her skills on Alex. SANDRA MASKEY, DARRA, QLD. Child’s play I’m a teacher who also has five beautiful grandkids. One day, I was explaining to Master 5 that one of the little boys in my class calls me ‘Mrs Marshmallow’ (surname is Marshall). I was laughing and so was Harry, and then in all seriousness he says, “but Nanna, he should be calling you Mrs Nanna!” What could I say? LEIARNE MARSHALL, RIVERVALE, NSW. Meet Andy, our ragdoll kitten who loves to go fishing. But this is one that got away!. FAY WALKER, GWANDALAN, NSW. Send us…

EDITORIAL Acting Editorial Director Rachel Williams, Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin, Art Director Katie Garside, Picture Editor Matthew Mackay ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Anna Quinn, 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 Printed by…

Although casting is now open for The Block, some vocal fans are calling for more than just new Blockheads in 2026. According to a busy thread on social media site Reddit, a judging panel shake-up is what’s required, with many expressing frustration over what they perceive to be Shaynna Blaze’s harsh critiques. “Why does she focus on crap that can be changed in three seconds?” said one user. “It’s time to refresh the judges’ line-up,” said another. Meanwhile, some viewers are suggesting that Foreman Dan’s wife Dani Reilly would be a welcome addition. “I think Dani would make a great judge!” one wrote on social media. Dani has a segment on the show called ‘Dan vs Dani’, where the pair comment on the contestants’ rooms. Her views have clearly resonated…

You’d think that after taking eight years to finally settle their bitter divorce, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would be finally done with the drama. But New Idea can report that yet another row is potentially brewing between Ange, 50, and Brad, 61. Last week, reps from Brad’s production company Plan B announced his intention to expand the business into the UK, where he will be opening an office in London. “The only problem is, Ange has long made it clear to everyone in Hollywood that she would be moving to London as soon as [the twins] Knox and Vivienne turn 18 next year,” our source reveals. “For the past few years she’s been all over Europe looking for the right spot and almost settled on Portugal – but London…

Having first been spotted together on a mini-break in Rome last month, it looks like Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz’s fledgling romance is more than just a fun summer fling! Harry, 31, and Zoë, 36, were seen out and about again on several occasions last week – this time in New York City. They were holding hands and sharing lots of laughs. “I feel like they’ve gone from zero to 60,” an insider told Page Six. “It’s so hard to date as a celebrity – Harry wouldn’t have gone public with Zoë if it wasn’t anything. [But] it’s very new and fresh and they’re just having fun.” LENNY’S WORRIED! It’s not publicly known when Harry met Zoë. In August, The Sun reported they had also recently been spotted kissing in…

It’s certainly been a big year for New Zealand star Guy Montgomery. After winning the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent at the recent Logies, he’s now celebrating an exciting life milestone. The Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont-Spelling Bee host has welcomed a baby with his fiancée, actress Chelsie Preston Crayford. Taking to Instagram to announce the news on Father’s Day, Guy wrote: “Happy Father’s Day to me and to all who celebrate and also to Chelsie for making me a dad.” Although they did not state the baby’s gender or name, Chelsie hinted on her Instagram that it may be a little girl. “Happy Father’s Day, Monty, your girls adore you,” she wrote. Chelsie, 38, has an 11-year-old daughter Olive with a previous partner. “I love Olive as…

Pastitsio SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR ■ 300g elbow pasta ■ 1 large onion, finely chopped ■ 500g beef mince ■ 2 tsp ground cinnamon ■ 2 tsp dried oregano leaves ■ 560g jar passata sauce ■ 150g Greek feta, crumbled ■ Fried oregano sprigs, to garnish (optional) CHEESE SAUCE ■ 80g butter, chopped ■ ⅓ cup plain flour ■ 2½ cups milk ■ 1 egg, lightly beaten ■ 1½ cups (165g) finely grated parmesan 1 Cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water until tender. Drain. Return to pan. 2 Meanwhile, heat an oiled, large, deep, frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add beef, cinnamon and oregano. Cook, stirring to break up mince, for about 5 mins, or…

Chicken Caesar Salad SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 25 MINS ■ 2 wholegrain bread rolls, torn into small pieces ■ 500g packet (4) chicken breast schnitzel steaks ■ 100g mixed baby salad leaves ■ ⅓ cup shredded parmesan, plus extra to serve ■ 4 hard-boiled eggs, thickly sliced BUTTERMILK DRESSING ■ ½ cup buttermilk ■ 2 anchovies, drained ■ 2 tbsp shredded parmesan ■ 2 tsp Dijon mustard ■ 1 clove garlic, crushed ■ 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 BUTTERMILK DRESSING Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. 2 To make croutons, place bread on an oven tray. Spray with olive oil. 3 Cook in a 200C preheated oven for 6-8 mins, until golden brown and crisp. 4 Heat an oiled, large, non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat.…

Life with children brings so much joy but can also challenge us in ways we didn’t know were possible. A support network is vital and sometimes the most important assistance comes from grandparents. GUIDING HANDS I knew my parents would love being grandparents, but I never imagined just how important their role was for the children and myself. We’ve really needed the backup and support, and I’ve seen how special their relationship is with the kids. It’s not so much about them babysitting, more about their involvement in our lives and the knowledge and love that they share. WISDOM & WARMTH In the past, grandparents were often thought to be sitting at home knitting or gardening. But for many older Australians now this isn’t the case. My parents continued to…

Catch Charlie on BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS Fri. 7pm on Channel 7 and in Better Homes and Gardens magazine every month. A beautiful green lawn is one almost every gardener aspires to and when it goes wrong, it can be heartbreaking. Getting on top of issues before they become problems is the best plan of attack for a bowling green-like lawn. START BY LOOKING UP If your lawn doesn’t get six hours of direct sunlight it will become sparse, opening it up to various issues. Prune tree canopy cover to allow as much light through as possible and keep up the raking to remove any leaf litter or other things that can shade the grass. MOW WEEKLY Taking up a regimen of mowing once a week will help build a…

Virgo AUG 24 – SEP 23 Catch-ups this week could prove bigger than expected, so slip on your dancing shoes and prepare to give them a workout. And it’s not only the social scene that’s sizzling – a new love interest might add to the buzz, but keep those rose-coloured glasses in your handbag. Lucky flowers: Poppies Libra SEP 24 – OCT 23 If life feels complicated, a closet clear-out might lighten your load – and once you start, there’ll be no holding back. Sentimental stars might also see you sorting through heirlooms, jewellery and photos. Why not have a piece remodelled or restored, or even pass it on? Lucky days: Tuesday and Saturday Scorpio OCT 24 – NOV 22 Things could get busy this month, but you’ll be up…

TALKIN’ ‘BOUT YOUR GEN Premieres Tue. 7.30pm on 10 and 10Play It’s the latenoughties game show that had Australians young and old in stitches as Shaun Micallef gleefully pitted generations against each other in a test of pop culture knowledge. Now, Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation is returning to its original home at Network 10 – albeit with a cooler, hipper name and a new host in Anne Edmonds. There’s also a fresh batch of team captains in Dave Hughes (who is leading Gen X), Tommy Little (Gen Y) and Anisa Nandaula, whose Gen Z replaces the original show’s Baby Boomers generation. Each week they’ll be joined by guest panellists and face questions, viral-worthy challenges and nostalgic throwbacks that will test their memory. Chatting to New Idea ahead of Talkin’ ‘Bout…

1 Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, one of New Zealand’s most famous sopranos, famously sang at the wedding of which royal couple? A) Prince William and Kate Middleton B) Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer C) Princess Anne and Mark Phillips D) Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson 2 Which Australian TV drama, set in the 1920s, starred Essie Davis as a glamorous detective? A) Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries B) A Place to Call Home C) The Doctor Blake Mysteries D) Love Child 3 Which Australian wine region is famous for shiraz? A) Hunter Valley B) Barossa Valley C) Margaret River D) McLaren Vale 4 Who won Australian Idol in 2023? A) Royston Sagigi-Baira B) Jessica Mauboy C) Shannon Noll D) Casey Donovan 5 Who painted the Mona Lisa? A) Michelangelo B)…