entertainment

Surprising celeb hair cuts, the best of racing fashion and why Tom Cruise didn't see Suri for 110 days...

Former PM Julia Gillard.

 

1. Which Australian actress is set to play Julia Gillard in a new bio-drama?

The rumours were true, Rachael Griffiths is going to play Julia Gillard in a new bio-drama.

The series will focus on Labor leadership challenges of the Rudd/Gillard Governments. It is being based on Kerry-Anne Walsh’s book, The Stalking of Julia Gillard, and will pay particular attention to the media’s role in the former Prime Minister’s ousting.

And, it’s being produced by the same team who made Hawke and Curtin, so we have high hopes.

The project will most likely hit our screens in 2015.

Tom Cruise and his daughter, Suri.

 

2. Tom Cruise tells all.

Tom Cruise didn’t see his daughter, Suri, for 110 days after his split from Katie Holmes. That’s just one revelation from the Top Gun star’s recent defamation lawsuit against two US magazines who claimed that he had abandoned his daughter in their coverage of his divorce last June.

In the transcript of his testimony obtained by RadarOnline, Cruise conceded that 110 days was a long time, saying: “It’s not an ideal scene. It’s not an ideal situation.”

Despite their distance, Cruise said that he was able to parent Suri by telling her “wonderful stories” on the phone.

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Cruise also hinted that struggles to decide upon custody arrangements also impacted on his absence. He said: “Listen, when there is a divorce — if you look at this also in terms of Suri coming to me and certain agreements that you have, when a divorce occurs thing change. And it’s more complicated, as everyone know when that is, when that occurs, and there are certain agreements; now you have to ask for permission and organize schedules to make things happen.”

Cruise’s case is expected to go to court early next year.


3. One of Australia’s most iconic brands is undergoing some major restructuring…

Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke have resigned as directors of their fashion label Sass & Bide, following Myer’s recent acquisition of 35% of the label (Myer took stock of 65% in 2011).

The duo, who began with skinny jeans 14 years ago built the empire to turnover annual sales of more than $50 million, will now focus their creative energies on the brand, maintaining their executive roles, as well as sitting on an advisory board.

Heidi Middleton will remain creative director and Sarah-Jane Clarke will retain her position as brand director.

According to Fairfax media, “Crucially for Myer as it looks to build on sass & bide’s success in the fashion world as well as an expansion to the label’s range into areas such as lingerie, both co-founders will still spearhead the business’ style direction.

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“Since [Myer’s] first investment, sass & bide has delivered a consistently strong performance for its investors, growing sales by 45 per cent and profit by 112 per cent.

4. Hollywood hairdressers report record profits as (nearly) every celebrity decides to chop their hair off.

It’s been a big week in Celebrity Haircut World, with several celebrities debuting new looks.

First up? Jennifer Anniston. She’s moved far, far away from ‘the Rachel’ and gone for a chin-length bob. She told Pop Sugar: “I was just ready for a change… I was ready for something new, to get it out of my face, so I could have a bit of an easier go at it.”

Jennifer

Mamamia’s favourite-ever person, Beyonce, has also ditched her hair extensions, debuting a wavy blonde bob for her Adelaide concert last night. We’re slightly disappointed. The Mamamia team saw her Sydney concert and the hair-flicking was AMAZING. But hey, she still looks FIERCE.

Beyonce at her Adelaide concert

Jennifer Lawrence, everyone’s favourite celebrity BFF, has also cut her shoulder length hair off but, alas, the internet appears not to be a fan of the shorter style

The pixie cut is reminiscent of the one Gwyneth Paltrow sported in the 90s and comparisons have also been made to Kate Gosselin from US tv show Jon & Kate Plus 8.

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According to International Business Times:

…social media is already buzzing about the shorter ‘do. “What the heck? Why would you cut your gorgeous hair?? Oh no!!!” wrote one fan, Carrie Buckles of Salem, Mass., on the social media page Wednesday, a similar sentiment of many of the Kentucky-based actress’ fans. “You had such beautiful long hair Jen! Why did you have to cut it off!” said fan, Farrah Faraci.

And last – but not least – Jada Plinkett-Smith, Will Smith’s wife, has revealed quite the new do. The 42-year-old showed it off at an event in Beverly Hills this week: it features shaved, bleached sides, while still remaining long and dark on top.

Edgy, hey?

Jada Pinkett Smith

 

Christina McLarty with David Arquette

 


5. Lots and lots of celeb babies… Must be something in the water.

PEOPLE magazine is reporting that David Arquette is expecting a baby with his girlfriend, Christina McLarty.

The 42-year-old actor was formerly married to Courtney Cox for 11 years. The pair have a 9-year-old daughter, Coco. They announced their separation in 2010, and Arquette filed for divorce in 2012.

Arquette has been dating McLarty on and off since 2011; apparently, she’s four months pregnant. Congratulations to both of them.

Drew Barrymore

While we’re on babies, Drew Barrymore and her husband, Will Kopelman, are expecting their second child!

So far, the 38-year-old actress and 35-year-old art dealer have one 13-month-old daughter named Olive.

Her rep confirmed the news to PEOPLE magazine, after rumours started up when Drew was seen at the LACMA Art + Film Gala on Sunday. No word just yet as to when the baby is due, or how far along she might be.

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Drew and Will have been married since June 2012, in a Jewish ceremony at their estate in Montecito, California, with star-studded guests including Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Busy Philips and comedian Jimmy Fallon.

Guy Sebastian with baby Hudson James

And to local baby news, one of Australia’s favourite pop stars and his wife are expecting their second baby, too.

Guy Sebastian‘s wife, Jules, announced to New Idea that the pair are expecting their second child. She said that they’re really excited at the thought of a sibling for their 20-month-old son, Hudson.

“Hudson was playing in his little cubby house by himself the other day,” Guy told the magazine. “I was really excited at the prospect of having someone to keep him company.”

32-year-old Guy Sebastian, who grew up with 4 brothers, also revealed his eagerness for another son: “I would love to give him a little brother- I mean, a little sister would be super cute – but we would be so happy with another boy too!”

Congrats, Jules and Guy – we’re so excited to meet the new baby.

 

6. Jaimie Alexander’s sheer all over dress. Would you wear it?

29-year-old actress Jaimie Alexander turned up to the premiere of the new Thor movie wearing the below outfit. As you can see, it brought a whole new level to “sheer”. In the front AND the back. Would you wear it?

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Jaimie

And would you wear any of these?

 

7. Melbourne has a new breakfast radio duo

Fifi Box and Dave Thornton

Fifi Box and Dave Thornton have been announced as Fox FM’s new breakfast radio team, starting January 2014.

They will be taking over from Jo Stanley and Matt Tilley, who announced last month that their Matt and Jo Show would not be returning to Fox FM – a part of the nationwide Austereo network – in 2014.

New mum Fifi Box has been hosting Austereo’s drive timeslot with Jules Lund from Monday to Thursday (with Hamish and Andy taking over on Fridays.)

And, Dave Thornton? Well, he’s one of the family. He hosted out Mamamia Today radio show alongside Em Rusciano. Since Mamamia Today ended, Dave’s acted as a fill-in presenter for Matt Tilley on multiple occasions.

He’s also written for us a bunch of times, because he is a hilarious and all-round top bloke. We couldn’t be more pleased for him.

Fifi and Dave have big shoes to fill: the Matt and Jo Show has aired on Fox FM for ten years, and has topped Melbourne’s breakfast radio ratings for the past six.

Box and Thornton told Fairfax media they were both excited about the opportunity – and looking forward to working together.

Box said, “We’re friends anyway so for us to socialise is very common … We’ll just kick that up a gear. We’re very committed to making it a powerful, strong show for Melbourne.”

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“We’re going to have lots of guests coming through, it’s really a matter of putting the building blocks together and that’s what’s probably the most exciting thing about the next few months before we get the show to air.”

There has never been more turmoil in breakfast radio in the two dominant markets of Sydney and Melbourne. In addition to the Matt and Jo Show, Nova’s Kate Langbroek and Dave Hughes are calling it quits after 12 years and, just last week, Sydney’s hugely successful Kyle and Jackie O announced that they would not be returning to 2Day FM (Austereo’s Sydney station) in 2014.

Nova have since announced that the fabulous Meshel Laurie and Tommy Little will replace Hughesy and Kate, but 2Day FM are yet to say who will take over from Kyle and Jackie O.

The breakfast shift is the most high profile and lucrative shift of the day for any radio network and it’s the most prestigious slot for any host.

We wish Fifi and Dave all the best.


8. The Victorian Spring Racing Carnival: our top fashion picks.

Derby Day:

Melbourne Cup Day:

Oaks Day:

Stakes Day: