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Nicole Kidman's daughters help celebrate mum's historic first

<p>Nicole Kidman taken to the red carpet with her family in tow for a rare appearance, as Nicole accepted a lifetime achievement award. </p> <p>The Aussie actress was joined by her husband Keith Urban and their two daughters, Sunday, 15, and Faith, 13, who were all dressed to the nines for the occasion.</p> <p>Nicole was also surrounded by her sister Antonia Kidman, brother-in-law Craig Marran and their family for the glitzy event. </p> <p>The 56-year-old actress has now become the first Australian to win the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award, with the award often being dubbed the highest honour in American cinema. </p> <p>The accolade has also been won by the likes of Julie Andrews, Al Pacino, Denzel Washington, George Clooney, Meryl Streep Morgan Freeman and many other iconic figures in the industry. </p> <p>The Academy Award winner who grew up in Sydney said on social media she was "deeply moved" to receive such a prestigious award. </p> <p>"Thank you to all of you and to the American Film institute for including me in this illustrious group of honorees — now let's have some fun!" she wrote on Instagram. </p> <p>When announcing Kidman as the recipient of the award, AFI released a statement saying, "Both a powerhouse performer, spellbinding movie star and accomplished producer, Nicole Kidman has captured the imaginations of audiences throughout her prolific career, delivering complex and versatile performances on-screen."</p> <p>"She is a force both brave in her choices and bold in each performance. AFI is honoured to present her with the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Country music star dies at age 62

<p>Country music singer Toby Keith has died at the age of 62 after an 18-month battle with stomach cancer. </p> <p>A statement was posted to the musician's website confirming his passing, saying, "Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family." </p> <p>"He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time."</p> <p>Country music icon Dolly Parton led the tributes to the late star shortly after the news of his death broke. </p> <p>Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "It's always hard when we lose our brothers and sisters in country music."</p> <p>"Toby Keith was one of the greats in every way. He will be missed but his music and legacy will live on. Love Dolly."</p> <p>Musician Carrie Underwood also shared a post to her more than 13 million followers on Instagram, calling him a "a true blue cowboy".</p> <p>"Saddle up the horses, Jesus, 'cause a true blue COWBOY just made his ride up to heaven!!!" she wrote.</p> <p>"We're gonna miss you, Toby, but my heart has no doubt that you are standing in the presence of our King right now!!! See you again someday, friend."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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Shane Warne’s dad takes aim at Warnie series’ false narrative

<p dir="ltr">Keith Warne, father of the late cricket legend Shane Warne, has offered his take on Channel 9’s<em> Warnie</em> miniseries.</p> <p dir="ltr">A large number of viewers took issue with the first episode, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/rougher-than-sandpaper-gate-warnie-series-a-swing-and-a-miss-with-fans">voicing their displeasure across social media for all to see</a>, and while Keith’s thoughts weren’t quite as vehement, they didn’t shine the most positive light on the series, or paint an accurate picture on <em>Warnie</em>’s behalf.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Warne patriarch shared his thoughts with entertainment reporter Peter Ford ahead of the first episode going to air, and Ford went on to discuss that take with 3AW’s Jimmy Bartel and Mark Allen. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I took a call last night from Keith just before it went to air last night,” Ford told the hosts, before going on to share that the previous week, he’d reported that “Keith and Shane’s brother Jason had gone in for a private screening” and had come out both “pleasantly surprised” and “quite happy with what they had seen.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Ford explained that that was what he’d been “told by people who were there”, but in talking to Keith the night before, he’d learned that that was “not an accurate description of their reaction to it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Keith is a very astute man, he knows it’s entertainment, he knows it’s not a documentary, but he feels that they missed out on a few key things,” he continued. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The main thing is he feels they didn’t portray the growth of Shane from the larrikin teenager to the mature adult who wanted to make a difference in the world.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ford then shared that Keith felt “there were some inaccuracies that didn’t reflect well on Shane”, in particular the cricket great’s relationship with Liz Hurley.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shane’s 10-year marriage to Simone Callahan ended in 2005 when the couple announced their divorce, and he met Liz in 2010 at a horse racing event, with the two revealing their engagement in 2011. </p> <p dir="ltr">They were together for three years, but ultimately called off their engagement - and their relationship - in 2013. </p> <p dir="ltr">And while their romance was “correct”, according to Keith via Ford, “in the show it’s presented that he did that during the time he was still married to Simone and Keith is quite adamant there was a distance between those two things happening.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s not angry, he’s just disappointed by the result.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

TV

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Controversial call on Ben Roberts-Smith

<p>Following the dismissal of Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation trial, politicians and defence experts argue that his belongings should remain in the Australian War Memorial until he is criminally proven guilty.</p> <p>The civil case saw Australia’s most decorated living soldier lose out to <em>Nine</em> newspapers due to claims he had committed war crimes, including a murder while deployed in Afghanistan.</p> <p>Amid the findings, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/australian-war-memorial-urged-to-remove-ben-roberts-smith-s-uniform-from-display" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many have urged</a> Roberts-Smith should be stripped of his medals, including the Victoria Cross, and to have any mention of him removed from the Australian War Memorial.</p> <p>However, Liberal MP and former soldier Keith Wolahan argued that Roberts-Smith should still be featured in the memorial’s commemorations of the war in Afghanistan.</p> <p>He told <em>ACB TVs Q+A</em> program, “It’s a part of our history, but I think it should acknowledge the Brereton report and perhaps this defamation trial,”</p> <p>The Brereton report is the official inquiry by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force that found a culture of unlawful killings, horrid initiation rituals as well as cover-ups within the Australian military during his time in Afghanistan.</p> <p>Wolahan said it may not be necessary to include references to the defamation trial until criminal investigations are finalised, saying that politicians should “stay out of criminal proceedings”.</p> <p>“Ben Roberts-Smith still has a right to appeal and there’s a question about whether there’s a criminal charge,” Wolahan said.</p> <p>“He’s entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process, but I think the Brereton report belongs in the War Memorial.”</p> <p>Wolahan is a three-tour veteran of Afghanistan and served as an operations officer, platoon commander and deputy chief of operations.</p> <p>The former captain added that the Australian Army “have to hold ourselves to a higher standard”.</p> <p>“When you look at the Brereton report, you cannot ignore it. Yes, it’s not at the criminal standard and that defamation trial was not at the criminal standard, but you cannot ignore the findings,” he said.</p> <p>The <em>Q+A</em> panel discussed the culture within the armed forces of the West, with war correspondent Michael Ware noting that soldiers must go to a “very dark place” to face war.</p> <p>“It says we’ve all participated in small war crimes, I know I’ve certainly seen my share of them,” he said.</p> <p>“And according to the laws of war, and I have to tell you, this is a harsh reality – we in the West – we kill children.</p> <p>“If an eight-year-old is placing a roadside bomb, a sniper can legally shoot that child.”</p> <p>He then argued that despite that, there is an even worse cultural issue within the Australian Army.</p> <p>“All that said, there is a line you don’t cross, you've got to have a moral compass ... it does appear to me that there was a culture that developed over a period of years within the regiment where this just became a part of the way they operated and Ben Roberts-Smith is not alone.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty / Instagram</em></p>

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"It's been really hard": Nicole Kidman's Mother's Day heartbreak

<p>Nicole Kidman has opened up about her heartache on <a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/gifts/mothers-day-gifts?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=nativearticle&amp;utm_campaign=MothersDayGifts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mother’s Day</a> this year as she continues to remain in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>The 52-year-old is currently living with husband Keith Urban and their two daughters, 11-year-old Sunday Rose and nine-year-old Faith Margaret in her Nashville home.</p> <p>And despite spending the special day with her daughters, there was one person noticeably absent from the day.</p> <p>Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald via telephone, Nicole became emotional due to not seeing her mum on Mother’s Day this year.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pwH7fpfow/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pwH7fpfow/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Happy Birthday to my darling Mumma. I love you so much. This photo is so US! 😂 ❤️ 🥰</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/nicolekidman/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Nicole Kidman</a> (@nicolekidman) on Mar 12, 2020 at 4:40pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“We’re in a position where we just have to relinquish control right now and go day by day,” she said.</p> <p>But as much as she tries to remain optimistic, that hasn’t detracted from the hard reality of being away from her extended family.</p> <p>“I have my immediate family here, but I don’t have my extended family, who are so much a part of me. I can’t touch them,” she said.</p> <p>“So many people are in exactly the same position. So many people right now are going, ‘When do I see my family again?’”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAA2TmspCxP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAA2TmspCxP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I know so many of us are not getting the chance to kiss and hug our Mums today, but to all the Mothers of the world - we are always with you and celebrating you 💕 #MothersDay</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/nicolekidman/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Nicole Kidman</a> (@nicolekidman) on May 10, 2020 at 9:00am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The actress described her mum as “my mentor, my guide and my nurturer”, while adding that she was extremely grateful for Keith’s mother Marienne.</p> <p>“She gave me Keith, she gave me the greatest gift,” she said.</p> <p>“And I am down-on-my-knees grateful to her.”</p> <p>For the day itself, Kidman described her ideal celebration with her mum.</p> <p>"I would love to be able to have a cup of tea with mum and sit on the balcony and talk about life and have her tell me what I should be doing," the actress said.</p> <p>She also said that it had been “really hard” as her mother made the difficult decision to move back to Australia so she can spend time with her 80-year-old mum.</p> <p>"Talk about just gut-wrenching. At least there's FaceTime and technology because that's been a saving grace... It's been really hard," she said.</p>

Family & Pets

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"You're The Voice" writer dies aged 76

<p>Songwriting legend Keith Reid has died aged 76.</p> <p>Reid was the lyricist for British rock band Procol Harum and co-wrote John Farnham’s greatest hit, You’re The Voice.</p> <p>The news of Reid’s death comes after Farnham was rushed to hospital with a respiratory infection several months after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour.</p> <p>Reid was behind You’re The Voice alongside co-writers Andy Qunta, Maggie Ryder and Chris Thomspon in 1986.</p> <p>The song reached number one in the charts in Australia and peaked at number six in the UK.</p> <p>The song is one of the most loved and iconic rock anthems in Australian music history.</p> <p>British rockers Procol Harum confirmed Reid had passed in a statement on Facebook.</p> <p>“It is with the deepest sadness that we must announce the passing of the lyricist Keith Reid, who died suddenly on 23 March 2023, in hospital in London. He had been receiving cancer treatment for the past couple of years,” the band said.</p> <p>“Keith was the co-founder and lyricist for the band Procol Harum, notably penning their biggest hit A Whiter Shade of Pale, which contains some of the most enigmatic lyrics of all time.</p> <p>“He always said that, at the end of his life, he would explain what it all meant: but sadly he didn’t get this opportunity.</p> <p>“Keith was also involved in numerous other projects within entertainment, and was a co-writer on what became known as the unofficial Australian anthem You’re the Voice, sung by John Farnham.</p> <p>“His family would like to thank numerous well-wishers for their very kind messages. A private funeral will be held, and this page will be updated soon with details for those who would like to make a donation in his memory. Keith will be greatly missed.”</p> <p>Farnham’s family have shared that the Aussie icon, 73, is in hospital being treated for a respiratory condition.</p> <p>“But he is comfortable and receiving the best care,” the statement from his wife Jill Farnham said.</p> <p>“John continues his recovery following last year’s successful surgery. He’s always been a strong and determined person with everything he’s ever done and we are all so very proud of him.</p> <p>“He is responding well to the specialist care he’s receiving.</p> <p>“The family would like to reiterate their appreciation for all the medical staff that have attended to John over the past six months, and for all the kind messages that have been received from across Australia and the world.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook</em></p>

News

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“As good as it gets”: Behind the scenes of Elton John’s final tour

<p>Richard Wilkins has shared priceless insights into the backstage experience of Sir Elton John’s final Australian tour after attending the music legend’s concert in Newcastle – and he even ran into a few more rock celebrities while meeting the man himself.  </p> <p>Wilkins had the privilege of catching up with Elton in person, after Elton launched the Australian leg of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Farewell Tour in Newcastle, and the Today entertainment editor reported that he "absolutely delivered in spades".</p> <p>"To witness Elton John in concert is to witness an absolute masterclass in stadium entertainment and rock and roll - witnessing a legend at the top of his game," said Wilkins on the Today segment.</p> <p>And Wilkins wasn't alone backstage when it came to rubbing shoulders with the rock and roll royalty; Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman were in attendance, and seemed more than happy to share a candid photograph with Sir Elton and Wilkins.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnMB89Uri1u/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnMB89Uri1u/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Richard Wilkins AM (@richardwilkins)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Wilkins went on to say that everyone lucky enough to see Elton live would be waking up this morning "with a big smile on their face".</p> <p>"It's a joyous experience," he said.</p> <p>"A show for the ages and the great man will be waking up with a smile on his face as well knowing he's made a lot of people happy."</p> <p>“On-stage at seven. Offstage at nine-thirty. Two-and-a-half hours of hit after hit after hit… He’s “still standing”, and when he hits that piano you instantly know.”</p> <p><em>Image: Richard Wilkins / Instagram</em></p>

Music

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The real reason Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban returned to Australia

<p dir="ltr">The real reason for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s return to Australia has been revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Aussie lovebirds and their daughters Sunday, 14, and Faith, 11, landed Down Under in time for Christmas to spend some quality time with their mothers.</p> <p dir="ltr">"My mum just turned 80 and Nic’s mum … who knows how many Christmases we get with anybody ever, but particularly with our mums,” Keith told <a href="https://www.newidea.com.au/nicole-kidman-mum-janelle-sick" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Idea</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“[We] really cherish that chance to spend Chrissy with [our mums] and our family in Australia,” he added after mentioning the loss of their fathers in the last few years.</p> <p dir="ltr">During Nicole’s last visit to Australia at the start of 2022, she revealed that her mother Janelle, now 82, was unwell.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re here primarily to take care of my mother and to have her surrounded by her grandchildren,” Nicole said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She has every brain faculty available, so she hasn’t lost anything. She hasn’t lost any memory, which is fascinating, and she’s extremely bright.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So I’m getting access to the world through her eyes, my mother’s eyes, so therefore a part of me at 80.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair however are making sure their children are being accustomed to the Aussie way of life by soaking up the sun at Sydney’s Balmoral Beach.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

International Travel

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“Loving grandfather” ousted as serial rapist

<p dir="ltr">A local Bondi grandfather has been ousted by police as a serial rapist - one of the worst in New South Wales.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following a long 40 years of investigations and using new technology for DNA as well as a shocking 12 crime scenes, Keith “Maggo” Simms has been identified as a serial rapist.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dubbed “The Beast of Bondi”, Simms is believed to have raped and terrorised more than 30 women in Sydney's eastern suburbs from 1986 to 2001.</p> <p dir="ltr">He died earlier this year on February 20 at the age of 66.</p> <p dir="ltr">When Simms was ready to attack a woman, he would wear a balaclava and approach them with a knife, putting a hand across their mouth and threatening to kill them.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was only in 2016, when police received a weak DNA match to a relative of Simms, that they were eventually able to tie the crimes back to him.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unfortunately for his victims, Simms died before police were able to question him and get them some form of justice.</p> <p dir="ltr">His family also had no idea and referred to him as a “loving family man”, and when his wife found out she was shocked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“His family had no idea at all … we met with his wife and she was absolutely shocked,” Detective Sergeant Shelley Johns, from Strike Force Doreen said, The Daily Telegraph reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sex Crimes squad boss Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said that despite his death, it gives his victims a peace of mind knowing he’s not out there anymore.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was important for the victim survivors and that is why we persevered. We wanted to let them know we were not just guessing it was him. It also meant we are not still looking for someone that is still out there,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So those women who are walking down the street and are still wondering: Is that him? They now know that person is deceased.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: The Daily Telegraph</em></p>

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Proof that Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are our sweetest rock and roll couple

<p dir="ltr">Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman will forever be known as the sweetest rock and roll couple. </p> <p dir="ltr">The loved up couple once again proved that during one of Keith’s shows where Nicole made a surprise appearance on stage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We love you Nashville,” a smiling Nicole said as Keith embraced her. </p> <p dir="ltr">She then turned to get off stage for her husband to start his show before telling him to “play some music”. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Happy wife, happy life. You guys know what I'm talking about,” Keith responds.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nicole later shared a stunning noir photo of her and Keith with their arms around each other backstage at the show in Nashville. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjeWh7NpWdG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjeWh7NpWdG/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Nicole Kidman (@nicolekidman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Fans went crazy at the photo, with many thanking the couple for being incredible and sweet during tour. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Nicole you looked amazing last night. I loved your outfit. I waved to you as I was very close to you. You and Keith are such a beautiful blessed couple. Love to you both and your family,” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love you two Nicole and Keith! You guys are so beautiful together!” another commented. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You two were the sweetest last night - I love seeing a couple still thriving together- gives us all hope,” someone else wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Do you know what I love the most about this photo? It’s the utter love the two of you share — you’re close, you're touching, you’re communicating, you’re supporting, you're in it together. Love it!” another read. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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Sweet 16: Nicole Kidman shares wedding day snap

<p dir="ltr">Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have celebrated their sweet 16 wedding anniversary. </p> <p dir="ltr">The loved up couple shared heartwarming photos to their respective Instagram accounts with adorable captions.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Aussie actress dug her photo out of the archives of the pair lighting a candle on their wedding day in 2006.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sweet XVI Remember this like it was yesterday. Forever,” her caption read with a couple of heart emojis. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfO2y-arY_M/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfO2y-arY_M/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Nicole Kidman (@nicolekidman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Keith shared a more recent photo of themselves at a recent outing and smiling at the camera. </p> <p dir="ltr">“HAPPY SWEET 16 BABY xxxxx,” he wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">The sweethearts began dating in 2005 and got married the following year. They share two daughters, Sunday Rose, 13, and Faith Margaret, 11.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nicole is also mother to two other children Isabella, 29, and son Connor, 27, with ex-husband Tom Cruise.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking about her relationship with the musician, Nicole said that she couldn’t be happier with him.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfQF4UvusEQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfQF4UvusEQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Keith Urban (@keithurban)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">"I met him later in life and it's been the best thing that's ever happened to me. That man is the best thing that's ever happened to me," she said in January.</p> <p dir="ltr">Keith also commended his relationship with the actress for settling him and stopping his wild party days. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Life is very different nowadays. I'm trying to set a good example for the kids, but I still don't know if I'm getting it right," he previously told The Sun.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I have made so many mistakes, but you have to work out what works for you. My message to them is always to do whatever they are passionate about, I don't care, as long as they work hard to achieve it.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Both Nic and I worked really hard. For me, it was like paying dues twice. I worked my way up through the clubs in Australia to get a record deal, and then moved to the US and had to start all over again from the bottom. Luckily things worked out a second time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Nicole Kidman shares the moment she knew Keith was 'the one'

<p>Nicole Kidman has revealed the sweet moment she knew she was "a goner" for her husband Keith Urban, when he turned up at the door of her New York apartment at 5 am with flowers.</p> <p>The Aussie actress told Jimmy Fallon about the special moment during an appearance on <em>The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon</em>.</p> <p>"He sat on the stoop of my New York apartment,” she said. “I came out, it was 5 am in the morning and it was my birthday, and he had flowers," Kidman recalled of the day back in June 20, 2005.</p> <p>"And that was it. I was a goner. I'm like, 'Yes I'll marry you'," she added.</p> <p>Kidman didn’t elaborate if that was the moment Urban proposed to her or just the moment she realised she wanted to marry the country singer.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uk9wV_Cm7qE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>Celebrating 15 years of marriage</strong></p> <p>The couple, who first met at G'Day LA in 2005, married on June 25, 2006 in Sydney.</p> <p>In the interview on <em>The Tonight Show</em>, Fallon congratulated the pair on their recent 15th wedding anniversary in June of this year.</p> <p>"For a second there, I thought you said 50 years," Kidman laughed, before adding: "Hopefully one day, but 15 years, which is pretty amazing, right?"</p> <p>Fallon tried to get the actress to divulge how the couple celebrated their relationship milestone but Kidman kept details of the celebration private.</p> <p><strong><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ca21f771ab00460e9382cb079b8d38f0" /><img style="width: 500px; height: 359.70636215334423px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844350/nicole-kidman-1-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ca21f771ab00460e9382cb079b8d38f0" /></strong></p> <p><strong>No joint albums coming out soon</strong></p> <p>It's certain the happy couple won't be marking the milestone by creating an album of duets together because the actress was horrified when Fallon asked if that will ever be on the agenda.</p> <p>While Kidman has sung in musicals like <em>Moulin Rouge</em><br />and <em>Nine</em> as well as a duet with Robbie Williams, she says she's not confident as a performer and would rather "stay in my lane" and leave the music to her hubby.</p> <p>Kidman previously told <em>People </em>magazine in a 2019 interview it was her 38th birthday when she knew Urban was the one for her.</p> <p>"I believed by that point he was the love of my life," she said.</p> <p>"Maybe that's because I am deeply romantic, or I'm an actress, or I have strong faith as well, but I just believed, 'Oh, okay, here he is,'" she added.</p> <p>And speaking of their relationship in 2007 with <em>Vanity Fair</em>, the actress described it as the right timing.</p> <p>"I would probably say that two very lonely people managed to meet at a time when they could open themselves to each other. We were a mixture of frightened and brave," Kidman said.</p> <p>The couple share two daughters together Sunday Rose, 13, and Faith, 10.</p> <p><em>Image: The Tonight Show and Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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The Voice fans outraged at Rita Ora's pick for final four

<p><em>The Voice Australia</em> fans have expressed their outrage at Judge Rita Ora for picking girl group G-Nat!on over Sian Fuller and some have even slammed the competition as 'rigged.'</p> <p>On Sunday's episode of <em>The Voice Australia</em>, the judges had to pick between their last two finalists for the grand final next week and it was Rita Ora’s choice which left fans fuming.</p> <p>Ora chose girl group G-Nat!on over Sian Fuller and this infuriated fans – many of whom took to Twitter to express their disappointment.</p> <p>The top four artists competing for the title on <em>The Voice Australia </em>next Sunday are Bella Taylor Smith from Team Guy, Arlo Sim from Team Keith, Mick Harrington from Team Jess and G-Nat!on from Team Rita.</p> <p><strong>Sian had become a fan favourite</strong></p> <p>Sian Fuller has become a fan favourite on the show as she merely accompanied her talented brother, Jordan, to the audition and it was the host, Sonia Kruger, who asked Sian if she would like to try out to be part of the show.</p> <p>Sian said “yes” and when she auditioned, she was accepted. She competed with everyone else, including her brother Jordan, and both of them made it to the semi-finals last night.</p> <p>Jordan was unfortunately not picked by his coach as well. In a difficult choice, Guy Sebastian chose Bella Taylor Smith. But at least fans could understand these were competitors were both very gifted.</p> <p><strong>Outraged fans took to Twitter</strong></p> <p>But when Rita Ora chose G-Nation over Sian, fans expressed their anger with one posting: 'Thought it was The Voice not The Voices', while another said, 'What the hell wrong choice'.</p> <p>Someone else added: '#TheVoiceAU is rigged! What a crappy decision to take the girl group through instead of a beautiful amazing girl! Rigged I say!'</p> <p>Another didn't mince words, writing: 'I am gob smacked. Rita you are an idiot. I'm so disappointed'.</p> <p>Another chimed in: 'What's with the whole 'the world needs another girl group' we'll be fine, I promise'.</p> <p>Yet another complained: 'G NATION OVER SIAN????? F**k off Rita!' while someone else wrote: 'What the hell wrong choice'.</p> <p>G-Nat!on is made up of Isla Ward, 17; Taylah Silvestri, 18; Emma Caporaso, 18; Mateja Sardelis, 16; Alessia Musolino, 17 and Rylee Vormelker, 17.</p> <p>The six girls hail from Adelaide and they're the largest group to ever audition for <em>The Voice Australia</em>. They’re also the only group to take part this season.</p> <p><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p>

Music

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"Cut before a cut": The Voice fans react to brutal new format

<p>Viewers have slammed The Voice because they felt ‘The Cut’ segment was harsh and now it seems the new ‘Knockouts’ segment could be even more brutal.</p> <p>Sunday night’s episode of the show saw the coaches trim their teams down to only five members and they had to cut quite a few members from their teams to achieve this.</p> <p>Unfortunately, after this step, the coaches then needed to get rid of a <em>further </em>three members from each of their teams which was difficult for everyone concerned.</p> <p>Sunday’s episode saw coach Keith Urban’s team members go up against Guy Sebastian’s, and in another Voice first, the coaches were given three options after hearing their team sing.</p> <p>They had the choice of sending them straight through to the finals, send them straight home <em>or</em> get them to wait until the end of the night when the judge will make their final decision.</p> <p><strong>Keith and Guy had to cut down their teams</strong></p> <p>While Keith made most of his team wait except for Arlo, who he sent straight through to the finals, Guy sent his members home right after their performance.</p> <p>After getting a major makeover, Guy’s team member Adrian Hood sang his heart out to <em>Try A Little Tenderness</em>. While he sang it well, Guy decided to send him home.</p> <p>The same was said for Penelope Pettigrew, who Guy gave a song to sing by fellow Voice coach Jessica Mauboy, <em>This Ain’t Love</em>.</p> <p>While she did a great job with the song, doing Mauboy proud, Guy decided to send her home as well.</p> <p>In the end, Guy chose his team members – Bella Taylor-Smith and Jordan, to go through to the final shows.</p> <p><strong>Fans unhappy with new format</strong></p> <p>Some fans have already expressed their disappointment with the new format of The Voice where the judges have to cut their team members down in ‘The Cut’ segment.</p> <p>On social media, one fan wrote: ‘This format doesn’t allow for us to connect with the contestants. Couldn’t care less who wins when people are dumped after a 10 second sound bite.’</p> <p>‘This whole cut experience was so sh***y, they got rid of so many people who we had all grown to love and we barely had time to see them go,” another wrote.</p> <p><em>The Voice continues on Channel 7 on Monday night at 7:30pm.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Channel 7</em></p> <p> </p>

Music

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“We can all sing, Jess!” snaps Rita Ora on The Voice

<p>It was after rapper Isaiah Lugo-Hale’s audition, when both the British songstress, Rita Ora and our own Aussie singer, Jessica Mauboy, were competing with each other to get him on their team as part of <em>The Voice</em> TV show.</p> <p>Jess chose to burst into song in an attempt to win over Isaiah and clearly annoyed with this play for his attention, a fed-up Rita snapped: “We can all sing, Jess!”</p> <p>This is not the first time it’s become heated at the judges panel on the TV show, The Voice, because the judges are competing with each other to get the best contestants on their teams and the stakes are high so each judge attempts any foil they think will get the contestant to choose them as their judge.</p> <p>Singing to contestants when she's pitching to them is something Jess has done multiple times over the course of the show so far and sometimes it's worked to her advantage - and sometimes not.</p> <p>This time, perhaps it didn't. Rita followed up yelling: “What else you got? What else you got? And then Jess merely smiled and asked Isaiah: “Do you like it?”</p> <p>Isaiah ended up choosing Rita to be his judge for the duration of the show.</p> <p><strong>Fans were both for and against Jess’s singing antics</strong></p> <p>From the social media posts which followed, there were fans who sided with Rita and others who sided with Jess.</p> <p>Viewers took to Twitter to share their opinion, with one writing 'as much as I like her, I'm getting a bit sick of Jess singing during her pitches.'</p> <p>'Even Rita hates when Jess sings,' another pointed out, while a third wrote: 'I wonder if Jess sing-talks to her family and friends too.'</p> <p>'Drinking game where you drink every time Jessica Mauboy sings to win a pitch and it doesn't work, and you're drunk,' another joked, while a fifth said: 'OK but why does Jess sing absolutely EVERYTHING.'</p> <p>But others were quick to stick up for the Jess, with one fan writing: 'Y'all getting mad at Jess for singing when you're forgetting the title of the show is <em>The Voice</em> - let her sing it ain't that deep!'</p> <p>When Isaiah chose Rita Ora as his coach, she was was ecstatic with his decision.</p> <p>“We're going to kill this! We're going to surprise everybody. Let's go!” she said.</p> <p><em>Photo: Courtesy Channel 7</em></p>

Music

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Nicole Kidman reveals Keith Urban’s thoughts on sex scenes: “He doesn’t know what’s going on”

<p><span>Sex scenes are a normal part of many Hollywood films, and it seems that even Keith Urban understands the importance of creating meaningful art.</span><br /><br /><span>His wife Nicole Kidman has had her fair share of racy scenes, but it’s not something her husband is worried about, she says.</span> </p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842992/nicole-kidman-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/834422e137ab4ed8be1be76fa1dc0996" /></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em><br /><br /><span>While speaking with <em>E! News' Daily Pop</em>, the Australian starlet, 54, admitted her musician husband isn’t affected by the sex scenes she films on set.</span><br /><br /><span>"My husband is an artist, so he understands all of it, and he also does not get involved," she said.</span><br /><br /><span>"He sees the show at the very end when it's a show, all edited together, and he's fresh eyes.</span><br /><br /><span>“He doesn't read any script, he really doesn't know what's going on on the set, he's got his own career that he's completely absorbed in."</span><br /><br /><span>Kidman famously acted in some extremely explicit sex scenes on the set of <em>Big Little Lies</em> with her co-star Alexander Skarsgård back in 2017.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842993/nicole-kidman-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fc8239e284b94cc9bd5238503ab510ba" /></p> <p><em>Kidman with her on-screen husband <span>Alexander Skarsgård, on Big Little Lies. Image: HBO</span></em><br /><br /><span>The 53-year-old even went as far to joke that Urban "doesn't know much about what I'm really doing".</span><br /><br /><span>It appears nothing can tear this loved-up couple apart, not even an intense working schedule.</span><br /><br /><span>Kidman says she and Urban make their relationship with each other and their two youngest daughters a main priority.</span><br /><br /><span>Together they share Sunday, 13, and Faith, 10.</span></p> <p><span><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842996/nicole-kidman-5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c7aeac702555481f9bb04f7538c20c01" /></span></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p> <p><span>"We have a system worked out to keep the family together," Kidman told WSJ. Magazine in 2020.</span><br /><br /><span>"When Keith's not touring, it's much easier. He'll be on tour next year, and then I just don't work as much.</span><br /><br /><span>“Literally — it will become imbalanced, and we will change it.</span><br /><br /><span>"We don't have the answers, but the one thing we do know is that we will not jeopardise us."</span></p>

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“Sublime”: Guy Sebastian blown away at The Voice audition

<p>A talented singer from Sydney has wowed the judges of The Voice with her extraordinary performance at the blind auditions.</p> <p>23-year-old Bella Taylor Smith moved the judges to tears and has become a very early favourite to win the show. </p> <p>After an emotional performance of Beyonce's <em>Ave Maria, </em>judge Guy Sebastian praised her by saying, <span>“You could be on any stage, that voice is sublime.”</span></p> <p><span>He fought for her attention saying, </span>“I think you have a future and I want be a part of it... Your voice is crazy.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 293.18936877076413px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842926/the-voice.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ef883112d8ed49139cb013c7eacd1ef3" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Channel Nine</em></p> <p>Keith Urban also fought for Bella to be on his team as he said, <span>“It’s not just your ability with your voice, with your gift, it’s the humanity that you’ve got inside there, and the things you’ve been through and I don’t even know what they are yet but I can hear them."</span></p> <p>Guy was ultimately chosen by Bella to be her mentor, leaving Keith Urban, Jessica Mauboy and Rita Ora down on their luck.  </p> <p>Guy found common ground with Bella as she spoke about her background in church, as Guy became emotional when Bella said she <span>didn’t think she could “lay claim” to her gift.</span></p> <p>Singer and judge Rita Ora said, <span>“I will never probably forget this audition, honestly, that was a true amazing performance.”</span></p> <p><span><img style="width: 500px; height: 279.874213836478px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842927/the-voice-2.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/632b4e7e076c41aba4b6610669c075c9" /></span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Channel Nine</em></p> <p><span>Viewers of the audition took to online spaces to praise the young singer and her talents, with one person commenting, “Bella just moved me to tears! I’m calling it now … she’s gonna win!”</span></p> <p><span>Another commenter said, “That was hands down the single greatest blind audition I’ve ever seen,” with several others vowing to vote for the young songstress in the competition. </span></p> <p><span><em>Image Credits: Channel Nine</em></span></p>

Music

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Night at the opera: Keith Urban reveals what really happened

<p>Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman love a night at the opera, but not when they're attacked with programs by avid opera fans.</p> <p>The pair found themselves in a heated exchange against an opera lover at the Sydney Opera House, where the man allegedly hit Kidman with her program.</p> <p>Of course, this was all just rumours until Urban confessed the story was true on<span> </span><em>The Kyle and Jackie O<span> </span></em>show.</p> <p>"We were sitting down with Nic's mum and we were clapping. It was a bloody great performance and everyone was cheering and cheering," Keith said.</p> <p>"I looked around and I see a few people standing and a few more and I thought 'oh I'm getting up'.</p> <p>"And then this guy behind me just whacked Nic, like really hit her, with the program."</p> <p>"It's a bit of a pickle I was in because I'm a husband and you want to defend your wife but it took a lot of restraint. I was pretty upset," he said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdzh1KHS1c/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdzh1KHS1c/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Nicole Kidman (@nicolekidman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Keith explained that it was his first time at the opera and was unaware standing up was a bad thing.</p> <p>"We did not know you are not supposed to stand in the opera. Having not been to the opera before ever in my life, I am sensitive to the etiquette," he said.</p> <p>It's unclear whether the pair have plans to return to the opera after the exchange.</p>

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban fight stranger at the opera

<p>Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had an eventful experience at the Sydney Opera House after an altercation with a gentleman.</p> <p>According to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/high-drama-when-nic-and-keith-went-to-the-opera-20210204-p56zjy.html" target="_blank"><em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em></a>, the couple fought about opera etiquette with the man and it resulted in him being escorted from the building.</p> <p>The couple attended a showing of<span> </span><em>The Merry Widow</em><span> </span>and were so thrilled with the performance that they both rose to give a standing ovation to the cast.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Last night we were joined by two familiar faces (recognisable even with face masks) at The Merry Widow...<br /><br />Thanks Nicole Kidman and <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithUrban?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KeithUrban</a> for your support! We were honoured to have two great Australian artists in the audience and hope you enjoyed the performance. <a href="https://t.co/bfj2oM57d6">pic.twitter.com/bfj2oM57d6</a></p> — Opera Australia (@OperaAustralia) <a href="https://twitter.com/OperaAustralia/status/1349867238887624705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>The gentleman behind them allegedly took issue with the fact that the pair were on their feet and told them so.</p> <p>After the famous couple didn't sit down, the man swatted Kidman with his show program, which was where Urban accused the man of assaulting his wife.</p> <p>Kidman was left very upset after the incident, which prompted a call to police.</p> <p>NSW Police confirmed that two officers were called to the opera that night.</p> <p>"Police have been told a 53-year-old man and a 67-year-old man were both attending the entertainment centre when an argument broke out. Officers spoke to both men and no further action was taken," NSW Police said in a statement.</p>

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Nicole Kidman said husband Keith Urban saved her from the "great killer" of loneliness

<p>Nicole Kidman has praised her husband Keith Urban from keeping her from loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>The<span> </span><em>Undoing</em><span> </span>actress praised him in a recent interview with<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://redirect.viglink.com/?format=go&amp;jsonp=vglnk_160617672419810&amp;key=e5200498106ac69367fbfbf8b5361be3&amp;libId=khv6vh6e0102kn81000DAbbr2cdm6ros2&amp;loc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etonline.com%2Fnicole-kidman-on-parenting-in-lockdown-and-how-keith-urban-saved-her-from-the-great-killer-of%3Futm_source%3Dfeedburner%26utm_medium%3Dfeed%26utm_campaign%3DFeed%253A%2BETTopStories%2B%2528Entertainment%2BTonight%253A%2BBreaking%2BNews%2529&amp;v=1&amp;out=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.glamourmagazine.co.uk%2Farticle%2Fnicole-kidman-glamour-cover-interview-2020https%3A%2F%2Fwww.glamourmagazine.co.uk%2Farticle%2Fnicole-kidman-glamour-cover-interview-2020&amp;title=Nicole%20Kidman%20on%20Parenting%20in%20Lockdown%20%26%20How%20Keith%20Urban%20Saved%20Her%20From%20the%20%E2%80%98Great%20Killer%E2%80%99%20of%20Loneliness%20%7C%20Entertainment%20Tonight&amp;txt=Glamour" target="_blank"><em>Glamour</em></a>.</p> <p>"I have a very good relationship. It is a very soothing, comforting place for me to go, and he's a very strong, warm, kind man," she said.</p> <p>"I'm very fortunate to have that in my life because it's a really strong place to be able to go and curl up."</p> <p>The pair have been married since 2006 and share daughters Rose, 12 and Faith Margaret, 9.</p> <p>"And, this is a lonely world, right?" she said. "That's an extraordinary thing to have found, particularly later in my life. But it saved me, as well, which is a beautiful thing to have."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdzh1KHS1c/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdzh1KHS1c/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Nicole Kidman (@nicolekidman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Kidman referred to loneliness as a global "epidemic" and that she doesn't take her husband's unconditional love for granted.</p> <p>"They say loneliness is the great killer," she said. "It causes so much pain and I've been lonely, and it is very, very, very hard. You see it in older people. You see it in young people. You see it now in this world. We can't even hug anymore. Loneliness is an epidemic. So, I am very fortunate to come home to him. My heart goes out to the people who don't have a person to go to now."</p> <p>She said her family keeps her grounded.</p> <p>"I said once, 'I prefer children to adults.' I like adults more now — not more than kids, though," she said. "I love being around children and we've got five kids living with me now because Keith had to go [to Nashville] to release his album. So, my sister moved in to help me while I'm filming, and we have three of her younger kids — she has six — living with us."</p> <p>"Our kids — because we travel, and we won't be apart — are used to having to learn online," she said. "But the social distance has been very difficult for them. They are working through the emotions. For a 12-year-old, it's about not being able to access friends easily. That's a whole thing which every parent will be going through."</p>

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