Search

"Wasn’t my choice": Star spills on Neighbours exit

<p><em>Neighbours</em> star Ryan Moloney has revealed the truth about his surprise exit from the soap opera after almost 30 years on the show. </p> <p>The actor made the announcement that he would be leaving the show, and his character Toadfish, in a video posted to <em>Neighbours'</em> Instagram account in late June. </p> <p>In a recent interview with Australian soap opera website <em>Back to the Bay</em>, he finally opened up about leaving Toadfish behind after all these years. </p> <p>“Well, it actually wasn’t my choice. It was their choice,” he told the outlet.</p> <p>“So, yeah, I’ve been wanting to leave for quite a long time, but <em>Neighbours</em> is one of those jobs that you work with awesome people. You get paid really well. And if you had a mate who had one of these jobs, you’d be saying, ‘oh, mate, what are you doing? You’ve got to stay there. See it out for as long as you can.’”</p> <p>The actor said that he felt pressure to “suck it up and stay” despite wanting to move on - so in the end, he was “quite grateful that they actually made that decision for me because I don’t think that I could ever say no to a contract.”</p> <p>“And that’s kind of not the way you want to be doing Neighbours. You don’t want to have that kind of level of resentment in there. So I was very grateful for it,” he said.</p> <p>Moloney made his debut on <em>Neighbours</em> as a teen in 1995, and stayed with the show until it was axed in 2022. He was then a returning cast member when the show was rebooted a year later.</p> <p><em>Image: Network 10</em></p>

Neighbours fan favourite leaving Ramsay Street after 30 years

<p>After 30 years on Ramsay Street, a fan favourite actor is saying goodbye to <em>Neighbours</em>. </p> <p>Ryan Moloney, known for his longstanding role as Jarrod ‘Toadfish’ Rebecchi, announced that he would be leaving the show in an announcement video posted to the <em>Neighbours</em> Instagram page. </p> <p>The 44-year-old actor introduced himself as “formerly Jarrod ‘Toadfish’ Rebecchi" before clarifying, "That’s right, I did say formerly, because after 30 years playing Toadie, I will be leaving Ramsay Street.”</p> <p>“I can’t tell you what is happening to the character – maybe I could be the next Jim Robinson. Or maybe I’ll be the next Harold Bishop and just keep popping back over the years.”</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8tUG1GScZq/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/reel/C8tUG1GScZq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Neighbours (@neighbours)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Moloney hinted at his career change saying he wanted to spend more time behind the camera and start working as a director. </p> <p>As part of his new career move, he shared that he’d just finished on his first <em>Neighbours</em> episode as a director.</p> <p>“Thank you all so much for all the love that you have shown me and Toadie over the years. For three decades, in fact. I’m going to miss you, I’m going to miss him, and I’m going to miss Erinsborough. But whatever you do, make sure you do not miss what is going to happen on Ramsay Street,” he said. </p> <p>The sudden news sent fans into a tizzy, with many sharing emotional reactions to the news as they prepared to farewell a character who has been with them since the 90s. </p> <p>“Omg What?! Toadie is iconic. Won’t be the same. Hopefully he comes back to Erinsborough for a visit,” wrote one viewer.</p> <p>“This is so sad! I hope he keeps ‘popping back’ to the street rather than die. I am going to miss toadie,” said another.</p> <p>Moloney made his <em>Neighbours</em> debut in 1995 as a teenager and stayed with the show until it was axed in 2022.</p> <p>He was then one of the returning cast members when the show was rebooted a year later.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Andy Barnes / FameFlynet.uk.com/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p> <p> </p>

Former missing person found dead at age 40

<p>A former missing girl has been found dead in Queensland, 24 years after she disappeared as a teenager. </p> <p>The body of Natasha Ryan, who was at the centre of one of Australia's most bizarre disappearances, was found on the Rockhampton Golf Course on Sunday, with police saying the circumstances of her death were not suspicious.</p> <p>The RACQ CapRescue chopper service had been searching for a reported missing person for several hours on Sunday when Ms Ryan's body was found, as statement from Queensland Police said emergency crews confirmed her death. </p> <p>“Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the sudden and non-suspicious death of a woman in Rockhampton,” it said.</p> <p>Ms Ryan first made headlines in 1998 when she was 14 years old, when she ran away from home to be with her 21-year-old boyfriend Scott Black. </p> <p>The teenager was presumed to have been murdered by serial killer and rapist Leonard John Fraser after the investigation into her disappearance turned up no leads. </p> <p>However, five years later after a tip off to police, she was found hiding in a cupboard at the home of Mr Black in central Queensland in 2003.</p> <p>She then became known nationwide as 'the girl in the cupboard'.</p> <p>In 2005, the pair stood trial on charges of falsely causing a police investigation, where Mr Black pleaded guilty to perjury for telling police he didn’t know where Ms Ryan was, and was jailed for 12 months. </p> <p>Ms Ryan was also found guilty of causing a false police investigation and fined $1,000.</p> <p>The couple later married and had four children. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News / 60 Minutes</em></p>

Caring

Meg Ryan is back after a "giant break"

<p>Meg Ryan is back and she has spilled it all, ahead of her first rom-com release in nearly 15 years. </p> <p>In an interview with <em>People Magazine,</em> the <em>When Harry Met Sally </em>star revealed the reason why she took a step back from her career. </p> <p>"I took a giant break because I felt like there's just so many other parts of my experience as a human being I wanted to develop," she told the outlet. </p> <p>"It's nice to think of it as a job and not a lifestyle. And that is a great way of navigating it for me."</p> <p>The 61-year-old also shared the inspiration behind her first rom-com <em>What Happens Later, </em>which she directed, wrote and starred in. </p> <p>"It came to me during lockdown," she gushed. </p> <p>"The essence of it is these two people who are stuck together. I just love that idea that we're held in a space, even if it feels conflicted, maybe for reasons that heal them."</p> <p>This is the first rom-com that she has acted in for over a decade, with her last film in that genre being <em>Serious Moonlight</em> back in 2009.</p> <p>In another another conversation with <em>Interview</em> <em>magazine's</em> Carol Burnett, she opened up about the process of making her film. </p> <p>"Truly, the easiest part was acting in it," she told the publication. </p> <p>"I want to direct again just so I can sit in the chair, because I’m sure there’s a lot of things I missed."</p> <p>"I hadn’t done a role in a really long time, but it was fun with David," she added, referring to co-star David Duchovny, known for his role as Fox Mulder in <em>The X Files</em>.</p> <p>"A lot of it was done in two shots. I’m proud of that. I set up everything beforehand so that once we were there, it was just David and I trying to tell the truth."</p> <p>She revealed that the film was assembled together with a very "deliberate" process and a budget of only $3 million. </p> <p>"We had to do it really quickly. A lot of those extras weren’t even ours, they were real people," she said. </p> <p>"We went back in post and made everybody the same palette. There’s a lot of stuff you can do digitally now, thank god." </p> <p>The actress first shot to fame in 1980 for her girl-next-door image, after playing the love interest in iconic films like the original <em>Top Gun </em>and <em>When Harry Met Sally. </em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty Images/ Edward Berthelot/WireImage</em></p>

Movies

"He's here": Olympic champ shares the name of her new baby boy

<p>Reality TV personality Ryan Gallagher and Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm have joyfully announced the birth of their first child together!</p> <p>Seebohm and her fiancé, Ryan Gallagher, known for his appearance on <em>Married At First Sight</em> (MAFS), were thrilled to introduce Sampson Ryan Seebohm to the world with the heartwarming revelation to their friends, fans and family.</p> <p>Following what Seebohm described as a "challenging" pregnancy, she expressed her desire for a distinctive yet not overly unconventional name for Sampson.</p> <p>“Obviously we didn’t want something super crazy,” Seebohm said. “But we wanted something that was going to be unique."</p> <p>Taking to Instagram, the four-time Olympian posted a simple message: "He's here."</p> <p>Gallagher also shared his excitement on his Instagram account, saying, "The past 10 days have been the most incredible of my life. Sampson Ryan Seebohm has entered our lives, and we absolutely adore him; he's perfect."</p> <p>The heartwarming news prompted an outpouring of well-wishes from friends and fans on social media.</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/CxcsbhbrL76/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/CxcsbhbrL76/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallaghergram)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Aussie swimming legend Libby Trickett extended her congratulations and wished for Seebohm's swift recovery and the baby's smooth adjustment to life outside the womb.</p> <p>Aussie Olympian Georgia Bohl congratulated the new parents, adding that Aunty Gigi already loves little Sampson.</p> <p>Swedish world champion Sarah Sjostrom chimed in with her own congratulations, and swimming great Giaan Rooney expressed her hope that the little one is happy in the outside world.</p> <p>Even Sarah Roza from <em>MAFS</em> shared her excitement, describing Sampson as an "absolutely gorgeous baby boy."</p> <p>Sampson's arrival is undoubtedly a relief for Seebohm, who openly discussed the challenges she faced during her pregnancy, humorously referring to herself as "Shrek" due to swollen feet at an event last month.</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/Cxcm7v4SFOX/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/Cxcm7v4SFOX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴊᴀɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʙᴏʜᴍ 🦋 (@emcbomb)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Seebohm and Gallagher's relationship became official in December, with rumours swirling after the Olympic champion was spotted wearing an engagement ring during a night out in Melbourne. The couple initially crossed paths on the Channel 10 reality show <em>The Challenge Australia</em>.</p> <p>This new addition to their family marks an exciting chapter in their journey together.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Block stars' tease mystery new TV show

<p><em>The Block</em> stars Ryan and Rachel Carr have teased a new TV show with exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of their young family being filmed by a camera crew. </p> <p>The season 18 runners-up took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the exciting news. </p> <p>"A busy little day in our house today," the caption read. </p> <p>The lovebirds, both aged 37, uploaded a gallery of images, including one where the couple were playing with their young children in their backyard as a camera crew filmed the happy family. </p> <p>In another photo, the couple teased fans as they were seemingly deep in conversation, while their two daughters played on the swing set, and their son was perched on Rachel's lap. </p> <p>"Lots of exciting things happening in our house," they captioned the photo with three star emojis. </p> <p>In a third pic, the couple posed by a stairwell with their three kids, as the film crew took a bunch of pictures, possibly for promoting the show. </p> <p>The photo was captioned: "It's always a fun time with this lot." </p> <p>The couple were dressed casually, with <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: graphik, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.16px;">Ryan in a pair jeans which he matched with a blue pull over, and Rachel looking like a chic mum in a pair of dark slacks </span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: graphik, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.16px;">and a brown top.</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: graphik, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.16px;">Details of the project are currently unknown. </span></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">The couple gained popularity after they came in second on <em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;">The Block </em>last year.</p> <p> </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">They managed to sell their five-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Gisbourne for $4,250,000, pocketing $169,000 of profit from the sale.</p> <p><em><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: graphik, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.16px;">Images: Instagram</span></em></p>

"Little bump in the road": Olympian shares joyous news

<p>Australian swimming sensation Emily Seebohm and former reality TV star Ryan Gallagher have made quite the splash with their pregnancy announcement. In a video that had everyone saying, "Aw!" and reaching for their tissues (mostly to wipe away tears of laughter), Seebohm proudly displayed her baby bump while Gallagher mimicked her with his own not-so-impressive belly.</p> <p>With Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" playing in the background, Seebohm, sporting an unbuttoned white shirt and jeans that were unbuttoned for extra effect, radiated joy as she embraced and smooched her soon-to-be baby daddy. She captioned the post, "We've had a little bump in the road 👶🏼." No pun intended, of course.</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/reel/Cubkg2mNKRr/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/reel/Cubkg2mNKRr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴊᴀɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʙᴏʜᴍ 🦋 (@emcbomb)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Now, let's talk about Gallagher's side of the story. On his own Instagram page, he decided to have a little fun with the announcement. Filmed on the same sun-soaked beach, he hilariously held his own belly, gleefully shook his head (probably to mix up all the excitement), and playfully compared his miniature bump to Seebohm's glorious baby bump. Comedy gold, folks!</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/reel/CubiRyGNEr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/reel/CubiRyGNEr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallaghergram)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Of course, the congratulatory messages came flooding in faster than a mixed medley relay. Australian swimming legend Emma McKeon exclaimed, "Congratulations ❤️❤️ love you guys. Love seeing you so happy." And former swimmer Giaan Rooney couldn't contain her excitement, saying, "Oh my goodness congratulations!!! 💗"</p> <p>Even Olympic gold medalist Libby Trickett chimed in with, "Congratulations! How wonderful ❤️," and Ian Thorpe, an Aussie swimming icon, added a simple, "Congratulations 👏." It seems like everyone in the swimming world wanted to dive in and join the celebration.</p> <p>But the accolades didn't stop there! Former Aussie hurdler Dr. Jana Pittman expressed her excitement, saying, "Amazing news. Lovely way to announce it too ❤️," while Australian swimmer Jenna Strauch gushed, "Very special news! So happy for you ❤️."</p> <p>And let's not forget about comedian Nikki Osborne, who humorously declared herself a future groomsman, reminding Gallagher not to leave her out of the fun. Good call, Nikki. Every celebration needs a touch of comedy!</p> <p>So, mark your calendars, folks, because the due date was revealed in the most adorable way possible. The words "Baby Seebohm due September" were written in the sand, making us all eagerly anticipate the arrival of this little bundle of joy.</p> <p>Congratulations to Emily Seebohm and Ryan Gallagher on their upcoming adventure in parenthood! May their journey be filled with laughter, love, and lots of pool floaties.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Rare sighting as famous friends step out in support of Michael J. Fox

<p>Michael J. Fox has been joined by a host of his famous friends for a screening of his upcoming documentary. </p> <p>The new documentary explores the <em>Back to the Future</em> star's ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease, and the changes in his life and condition as he gets older. </p> <p>In a show of support for the actor, his celebrity mates joined together for a screening of <em>Still</em> at New York's Lincoln Center. </p> <p>Among the famous faces was actress Meg Ryan, who has not been spotted in public for more than six months. </p> <p>The former rom-com queen, best known for starring roles in films like <em>When Harry Met Sally</em>, <em>Sleepless in Seattle</em> and <em>You’ve Got Mail</em>, lives a more quiet life outside of the spotlight these days.</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/Cr1TCUeO8e3/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/Cr1TCUeO8e3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tracy Pollan (@tracy.pollan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Ryan hasn’t appeared on screen since the 2015 film <em>Ithaca</em>, which she also directed.</p> <p>However, she is plotting a return to screens later this year, with Ryan starring in and directing the film <em>What Happens Later</em>, which is currently in production.</p> <p>Ryan was among a star-studded group of famous friends supporting J. Fox for the premiere of his doco, with stars including Bill Murray, Denis Leary, Joan Jett, Katie Couric, Mariska Hargitay, and Debra Messing. </p> <p>The screening of the documentary comes after Michael J. Fox <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/i-m-not-gonna-be-80-michael-j-fox-s-tragic-admission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">admitted</a> that his battle with the disease is getting more difficult. </p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">“I’m not gonna be 80,” he said in a preview for an upcoming episode of the American current affairs program <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">CBS Sunday Mornin</em>g, according to <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Page Six</em>.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">In the clip, Journalist Jane Pauley tells Fox that he has “not squandered” but that his condition will eventually “make the call” as to when it’s his time to go.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">“Yeah, it’s, it’s banging on the door,” the actor said.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">“I’m not gonna lie. It’s gettin’ hard, it’s gettin’ harder. It’s gettin’ tougher. Every day it’s tougher.”</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

All the highlights of Kyle's Big Day

<p>In the star-studded Australian party of the year (so far), familiar faces from all realms of ‘celebrity’ have flocked to ‘shock jock’ Kyle Sandiland and Tegan Kynaston’s Darling Point wedding. </p> <p>Among the guests were Kyle’s radio co-host Jackie O, singer Guy Sebastian, Today’s Karl Stefanovic, and former-NRL-turned-TV-star Beau Ryan. Convicted drug smuggler Simon Main and former-Kings Cross nightclub owner John Ibrahim were also in attendance - as well as Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese.</p> <p>The latter drew waves of criticism for his decision to attend in the lead up to the big day, particularly when considering the shadier portions of Kyle and now-wife Tegan’s guest list.</p> <p>However, when pressed about it, Albanese stressed that he was just going to witness their love. </p> <p>“Yes, I was invited to the wedding,” he said. “yes, I was invited in the context of Kyle saying how happy he was with Tegan.</p> <p>"The thing that occurs at a wedding, it's a public expression in front of people, invited guests, of love between two people. That's a good thing.</p> <p>"I enjoy weddings and I will be going to the wedding."</p> <p>Albanese made matters worse for himself when he went on to call Kyle an “Australian success story”, with many quick to point out the many controversies surrounding the radio host over the course of his career in the public eye. </p> <p>However, for those who were at the wedding, it was good to see the top politician there - who stayed for most of the night, despite assumptions he would pop in to congratulate the couple and then dash out again. </p> <p>“I’ll be honest with you,” Beau Ryan told <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>, “it was a big effort for him to come.</p> <p>“I thought he’d turn up for a hi-and-bye, but he was there for a lot of the night. I had visions of Albo with the headphones on, fully DJ’ing, but a DJ came in after Guy [Sebastian] and Conrad [Sewell] performed,” Ryan continued.</p> <p>As Karl Stefanovic added, “it was an absolutely fabulous wedding.</p> <p>“A great big Aussie mix of family and friends. And a Premier and a PM whose partners are more fun than them.</p> <p>“The best part was Tegan’s grandfather walking her down the aisle, 97 years young.”</p> <p>Singer Guy Sebastian - who sang Ray Charles’ ‘Hallelujah I Love Her So’ for the couple’s first dance - also opened up about his experience at the event, explaining that he “loved performing for their first dance, which started out as a romantic moment between the two of them, and ended with the whole room joining in with them.</p> <p>“I’ve known Kyle for 20 years now, he has always been in my corner and it’s great to see him so happy in love as a husband and a dad.”</p> <p>As for whether or not he had any particularly strong feelings about controversy surrounding the guest selection, Guy only had one thing to note, “it was the diversity in that community which made for some seriously interesting people watching.”</p> <p>And when it came to the happy pair and their future together, he gushed that “Tegan is such a kind and calm person and seeing them balance each other out on the day made it obvious to everyone that they are perfect for each other.”</p> <p>“Kyle was really overwhelmed and emotional,” Beau shared. “The ‘wow’ moment was when we all turned around and saw her at the end of the aisle.</p> <p>“My wife grabbed me and said ‘look at Kyle’. Seeing him be vulnerable was quite powerful.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

"Becoming. Wolverine. Again": Hugh Jackman reveals insane new diet

<p> Hugh Jackman has shared his intense meal plan to prepare for his comeback as action hero Wolverine<em>.</em></p> <p>The Aussie star, 54, is preparing to reprise the infamous role in <em>Deadpool 3</em>, a surprising revival after he was thought to have retired the character in the 2017 film Logan.</p> <p>With filming on the Marvel sequel, starring US actor Ryan Reynolds, which is due to kick off in the coming months, Jackman has revealed how he’s bulking up muscle with an 8,600-calorie daily diet.</p> <p>Jackman took to Instagram to show his followers his pre-prepped meals, with included a 2,000-calorie black bass dish, a 2,100-calorie salmon dish and a 1,800-calorie chicken burger.</p> <p>“Bulking. A day in the life. Thank you Chef Mario for helping me stay healthy and properly fed whilst … Becoming. Wolverine. Again,” Jackman captioned his post.</p> <p>Jackman has been keeping fans in the loop with his progress ahead of production, and last month he sent his fans into a frenzy when he posted a shredded photo from one of his many gym sessions.</p> <p>The beloved actor showed off his insanely jacked arms, also using the snap as an opportunity to have a dig at his long-time fake nemesis, Ryan Reynolds. “He’s only 46. I’m older. But it’s not a competition,” he said.</p> <p> </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/CofcbJUuBle/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/CofcbJUuBle/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It comes after Jackman told CNN that his entire focus for the next six months, beginning in January 2023, would be getting into shape to play Wolverine again after finishing his stint in <em>The Music Man on Broadway</em>.</p> <p>“I’m not doing any other work. I’m going to be with my family and train. That’s going to be my job for six months,” Jackman said.</p> <p>“And I’m really fit right now. There’s one thing that about eight shows a week being on Broadway singing and dancing, is I’m fit. So, I’m healthy. I have a good place to start.”</p> <p>Jackman and Reynolds sent their fans wild when they revealed Jackman would be making a comeback for the character that he first took on 22 years ago.</p> <p>Reynolds spoke about brainstorming ideas for the highly anticipated third instalment of the <em>Deadpool </em>franchise on his Twitter in September 2022.</p> <p>“I’ve had to really search my soul for this one. We need to stay true to the character. Find new depth and motivation and meaning. Every Deadpool needs to stand out and stand apart,” Reynolds began.</p> <p>“It’s been an incredible challenge that’s forced me to reach down and reach inside and I have nothing. Yeah, just completely empty up here, and terrifying. But we did have one idea.”</p> <p>At that point in the video, Reynolds paused while Jackman can be seen casually walking in the background.</p> <p>Reynolds asked, “Hey, Hugh, do you want to play Wolverine one more time?”</p> <p><em>Deadpool 3</em> is due for release in November 2024.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Body

"Yeehaaa": Olympic champ Emily Seebohm flashes engagement ring

<p><em>Married At First Sight’s</em> Ryan Gallagher has announced his engagement to Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm.</p> <p>The news comes just three months after the couple confirmed their relationship on social media.</p> <p>Sharing the news of the engagement on Instagram, Ryan posted a picture of Emily flaunting her new ring with the caption, "Yeehaaa ❤️”.</p> <p>The post was flooded with congratulatory messages and well wishes from friends and fans.</p> <p>Ryan, 34, proposed to Emily at a dam on his farm just outside of Golbourn in NSW.</p> <p>"I thought it was the right spot to do it – she loves the horses and she often swims in the dam," he told <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/ryan-gallagher-emily-seebohm-engagement-76958" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woman's Day</a>.</p> <p>"I did get nervous though. The box was making a bit of a bulge in my pocket. So either she knew I was proposing or she just thought I was happy to see her.”</p> <p>Ryan proposed to Emily with a trilogy diamond that features two small diamonds, symbolising Emma and himself, while the central diamond represents their love.</p> <p>The pair met while competing on Network 10’s The Challenge Australia in 2022, although Emily had a partner at the time.</p> <p>"Obviously it wasn't a nice call to make, but I told him what was going on and that there was something there with Ryan and I didn't see the point in wasting any more time." she said.</p> <p>The couple first went public with their relationship in December 2022.</p> <p>Emily broke the news of the engagement to followers by sharing an image of the two, paired with the caption, "Letting you in on a little secret."</p> <p>It seems as though Ryan and Emily’s chemistry is undeniable with many friends and co-stars commenting that they saw the relationship coming.</p> <p>"We all knew wasn't a secret 😜 called it after week 1," MAFS' Cyrell Paule commented.</p> <p>"I called this and honestly the most humble two people that bounce off each other .” one fan wrote.</p> <p>The pair are yet to announce a date and location for the wedding.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Tragic update on Tom Sizemore’s health condition

<p>Actor Tom Sizemore’s family have shared a tragic update surrounding his health condition, 10 days after he was rushed to hospital after suffering a brain aneurysm.</p> <p>In a statement issued to Variety, Sizemore’s manager, Charles Lago, revealed that there is “no further hope” for the actor and his family are in the midst of “deciding end of life matters”.</p> <p>The actor, best known for his roles in films such as <em>Saving Private Ryan</em>, <em>Black Hawk Down</em> and <em>Pearl Harbor</em>, suffered an aneurysm at his home in Los Angeles on February 18 and was hospitalised in critical condition.</p> <p>“Doctors informed his family that there is no further hope and have recommended end of life decision. The family is now deciding end of life matters and a further statement will be issued on Wednesday,” Lago said in a statement updating the media on the 61-year-old star’s condition.</p> <p>“We are asking for privacy for his family during this difficult time and they wish to thank everyone for the hundreds of messages of support, and prayers that have been received. This has been a difficult time for them.”</p> <p>The US Sun reported that an unknown person found Sizemore lying in his house and called 911, where emergency services then transported him to a local hospital.</p> <p>Sizemore rose to fame in the 1990s with a string of supporting roles in successful action and war roles, including distinguished roles in the heist film <em>Heat</em>, an award-nominated turn in the comedy <em>Heart and Souls</em>, and an acclaimed role in what turned out to be his most successful film, <em>Saving Private Ryan</em>.</p> <p>However, personal scandals eclipsed his acting career in the 2000s, with substance abuse, legal issues and allegations of on-set sexual abuse.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Saving Private Ryan star in critical condition

<p>Tom Sizemore has been hospitalised and is in intensive care after suffering a brain aneurysm, his spokesperson, Charles Lago, told CNN.</p> <p>Sizemore is in critical condition and is in a “wait and see situation,” said Lago. </p> <p>"His family is aware and waiting for updates," Lago told the outlet. "There is no further update at this time.”</p> <p>At 61 years of age, the Saving Private Ryan star hails from Detroit and has appeared in several hit crime and war movies in the ‘90s and 2000s, including the films Heat, Natural Born Killers, Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down.</p> <p>Often portraying a tough guy, he is likely best known for playing Sergeant Mike Horvath in the World War II movie Saving Private Ryan. </p> <p>Sizemore was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 2000 for Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for his role in Witness Protection. </p> <p>More recently, the actor appeared in episodes of Cobra Kai and Twin Peaks.</p> <p>Sizemore has long struggled with drug addiction and has had a catalogue of legal issues during his career.</p> <p>In 2003 he was convicted on domestic violence charges stemming from his relationship with former fiancée Heidi Fleiss. In 2006 he pleaded no contest to using methamphetamine outside a motel. He was then arrested in Los Angeles in 2009 for suspected battery of a former spouse and then again in 2011 for the same offence. </p> <p>Speaking to Larry King on CNN in a 2010 interview, Sizemore revealed he had been addicted to cocaine, heroin and meth. He also participated in the 2010 season of the reality show Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew. </p> <p>Image credit: Getty</p> <p style="color: #0e101a; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> </p>

Caring

How Ryan Gosling shut down Sydney Harbour Bridge

<p>Footage has emerged from the set of Ryan Gosling’s new film <em>The Fall Guy</em>, which was filmed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday.</p> <p>The iconic bridge was shut off in both directions today from 3 am to 10 am, with commuters redirected as the structure was closed off.</p> <p>The cycleway and footpath was also closed from 5.30 am to 10am.</p> <p>In a clip shared on <em>Sunrise </em>on Monday, Gosling's stunt double can be seen filming the high-speed stunt.</p> <p>The stunt double was filmed during an action-packed chase, where he was holding on to a shovel that was hanging on the back of a truck that sped across the Harbour Bridge.</p> <p>The actor and his stunt double were seen talking on set, wearing the same outfit, the red bomber jacket and the actor's stunning looks standing out in the picture.</p> <p><em>The Fall Guy</em> is a movie adaptation of a 1980s TV series about a crime-fighting stuntman.</p> <p>Gosling, his wife Eva Mendes and their two children touched down in Sydney last September.</p> <p>The power couple have been spotted multiple times in Sydney, running errands, hanging out at a park in Rose bay, and trick-or-treating as a family in Bondi last Halloween.</p> <p><em>Image: Sunrise/ Bill Hearne</em></p>

Movies

"Letting you in on a little secret": Olympic swimmer finds love

<p>Emily Seebohm has confirmed she is dating Married At First Sight star and comedian Ryan Gallagher.</p> <p>The popular swimmer and three-time Olympic champion, 30, is currently appearing alongside Gallagher on Channel 10 reality show The Challenge Australia.</p> <p>There has been lots of speculation surrounding their romance and last month Gallagher was asked on radio station 2Day FM if he was in a relationship with Emily, to which he replied: “Em is a beautiful, beautiful girl, and if there was a relationship there, I’d be very lucky”.</p> <p>Since then, the pair have made it official with simultaneous Instagram posts shared on Tuesday.</p> <p>“Letting you in on a little secret,” wrote Seebohm with an image of her and Gallagher smiling on a balcony.</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/ClxrAYUpWCU/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/ClxrAYUpWCU/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴊᴀɴᴇ ꜱᴇᴇʙᴏʜᴍ 🦋 (@emcbomb)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>At the same time Gallagher posted an image of Seebohm with her hands draped over him with a smiley face emoji.</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/ClxpL4ALSn-/?utm_source=ig_embed&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/ClxpL4ALSn-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallaghergram)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Various stars congratulated the couple including Tracy Grimshaw.</p> <p>“Gold for Australia,” wrote comedian and presenter Dave Hughes.</p> <p>“Outstanding,” replied former A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw</p> <p>Rhonda Burchmore said the announcement was “bloody magnificent”.</p> <p>Gallagher took up comedy after starring in Married at Frist Sight where he was matched up with Davina Rankin. They soon broke up after this.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Couple arrested over death of seven-month-old baby

<p dir="ltr">A man and a woman have been arrested following the death of a seven-month-old baby. </p> <p dir="ltr">Detectives from Inner West Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) and Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) were called to a home in Yugar on November 3 about 6.45am to investigate the death of the infant. </p> <p dir="ltr">A crime scene was declared and police took Reinhardt (Ryan) Bosch, 33, and his partner, Noemi Kondacs, 22, both known to the child, into custody. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is alleged that the couple were praying over the child’s body as they waited for the ambulance to arrive, The Courier Mail reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following inquiries and questioning, the police charged the pair with one count each of murder and torture.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple’s religious beliefs will also be part of the investigation. </p> <p dir="ltr">Inner West Crime Group Detective Inspector David Jackman said there were “visible” injuries on the child. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve been a Detective for 30-odd years and it’s one of the most confronting scenes that I’ve seen,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Both the man and woman are not known to police, neither is that address,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The investigation has uncovered injuries to the child that are enough for us to charge (the pair) with murder.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The circumstances leading to the death we will allege have happened in the last 24 hours.</p> <p dir="ltr">“From what I have seen the child wasn’t neglected in terms of nourishment and such, but it’s quite confronting.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple are due to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 4. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Sunrise</em></p>

News

"Kick cancer's ass": Ryan Reynolds shares potentially life saving surgery

<p>Ryan Reynolds shared the news he had a “subtle polyp” on his colon during his first colonoscopy.</p> <p>He broadcasted the entire experience in order to destigmatise the procedure and raise awareness, especially among men.</p> <p>The famed actor, aged 45, and his Wrexham soccer club co-chairman, Rob McElhenney, decided to partner up with <a href="https://leadfrombehind.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lead From Behind</a>, a colon cancer awareness organisation, aiming to draw attention to the procedure.</p> <p>In a Youtube video posted to Reynold’s page this week, the two explained they wanted to prove how the “simple step” can “save lives.”</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5sXkIUZEWIo" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>“I would never normally have any medical procedure put on camera and then shared,” Reynolds said.</p> <p>“But it’s not every day that you can raise awareness about something that will most definitely save lives. That’s enough motivation for me to let you in on a camera being shoved up my ass.”</p> <p>During the procedure, Reynolds found out that he found an “extremely subtle polyp” on the right side of his colon, which he had removed.</p> <p>“This was potentially lifesaving for you — I’m not kidding, I’m not being overly dramatic,” the doctor told the actor as he showed off images of the tissue. “This is exactly why you do this. You had no symptoms.”</p> <p>As for McElhenney, his doctor revealed they found three polyps that “were not a big deal, but certainly a good thing that we found them early and removed them.”</p> <p>“Colon cancer is preventable,” a message read across a black screen at the end of the video. “If you’re 45 years or older, ask your doctor about getting a colonoscopy. And help Rob and Ryan kick cancer’s ass.”</p> <p><em>Image: Youtube</em></p>

Body

What does American basketballer Shaquille O’Neal have to do with the Indigenous Voice to Parliament?

<p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with former NBA star and current TV personality Shaquille O’Neal in Sydney to enlist the sport star’s support for constitutional recognition for an Indigenous voice. O’Neal <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/from-insulting-to-welcome-shaquille-oneals-support-for-indigenous-reform-draws-mixed-reactions/0jlz2g5wo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voiced his support</a> for changes to the Australian Constitution, but is his voice the right one?</p> <p>The prime minister claimed O'Neal reached out to him because “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-27/shaquille-o-neal-anthony-albanese-voice-to-parliament/101379246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he wanted to inform himself</a> about what this debate was about”.</p> <p>Now O'Neal will be a part of the government’s campaign to change the constitution, recording a 15-second advertisement for free. He is meant to be the first of many stars, including unnamed players in the AFL, NRL basketball and netball organisations, to offer their public support for an Indigenous Voice to parliament.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">What are your thoughts? 💬<a href="https://twitter.com/SHAQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SHAQ</a> visited Parliament over the weekend to meet with PM <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlboMP</a> and Minister for Indigenous Australians <a href="https://twitter.com/LindaBurneyMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LindaBurneyMP</a> in a show of support for the Government's proposed Indigenous voice to Parliament campaign.⁠<br />⁠<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoiceToParliament?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VoiceToParliament</a> <a href="https://t.co/9SCIfBk7xM">pic.twitter.com/9SCIfBk7xM</a></p> <p>— NITV (@NITV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NITV/status/1564078033727791104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <h2>Whose voice should be heard on the issue?</h2> <p>For many, the selection of “Shaq” as a spokesperson for the Indigenous Voice to parliament is a strange one. O’Neal is well-known for his viral and sometimes problematic performances on and off the court.</p> <p>During his NBA career, O'Neal built a reputation as an overpowering post presence and a savvy media jokester. In his current job as a sports analyst on the popular television show Inside the NBA, he hosts a popular segment known as “<a href="https://www.nba.com/watch/list/collection/shaqtin-a-fool" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shaq’tin A Fool</a>,” which features bloopers from recent games.</p> <p>He has made some foolish decisions himself over the years: his feud with Kobe Bryant filled the tabloids for years, the film Kazaam was a ratings failure, and he has made and apologised for a range of <a href="https://www.sportscasting.com/shaquille-oneal-apologized-yao-ming-called-out-dad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">racist</a> or possibly <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120606230641/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2002-11-05/sports/0211050282_1_sacramento-kings-christie-lakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">homophobic</a> comments.</p> <p>Most Americans see O'Neal as a charismatic, even playful, person rather than as an engaged athlete activist. The prime minister claimed O'Neal had done great work in the US around “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-27/shaquille-o-neal-anthony-albanese-voice-to-parliament/101379246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social justice and lifting people up who are marginalised</a>” but has not followed up those comments with any specifics.</p> <h2>Raising awareness</h2> <p>Averill Gordon, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations at Auckland University of Technology, believes the choice of O'Neal will garner widespread domestic and international awareness and support for the Voice to Parliament.</p> <p>“Athletes are a great way to internationalise an issue as sport and music are key themes used to drive most global PR campaigns.”</p> <p>“The biggest challenge in a PR campaign is to move the people who are unaware of an issue to become aware,” she said. “Shaquille’s involvement and subsequent communication means people will become aware of this issue and may even become active. It also creates global traction that will feed back to Australia and circulate the message further, adding global interest that will ironically increase Australian awareness.”</p> <p>She notes the Australian government is addressing a global issue that “affects Australia’s country branding.”</p> <p>“The (Albanese) government is garnering popular international support to drive a national issue. By using a US opinion leader, it moves this national issue to be recognised as a common global issue.”</p> <h2>Support for conservative causes</h2> <p>The inclusion of O'Neal in the Voice campaign undoubtedly brings attention to the government’s position, but the choice is still considered an odd one by many. Albanese’s problem is not people’s unfamiliarity with the debate over the Indigenous voice, but rather that <a href="https://theconversation.com/creating-a-constitutional-voice-the-words-that-could-change-australia-187972" target="_blank" rel="noopener">few people yet know the proposed language</a> of any constitutional change.</p> <p>It’s important to also note that O'Neal is not an avatar of the sort of progressive politics that encompasses issues like the Voice. In the increasingly political NBA, players such as Lebron James and general managers like Daryl Morey have <a href="https://theconversation.com/china-has-form-as-a-sports-bully-but-its-full-court-press-on-the-nba-may-backfire-125141" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opened political firestorms</a> with their critiques of Donald Trump and the Chinese government.</p> <p>O'Neal has previously been tied to more conservative causes. He is a strong supporter of police and sheriff’s departments across the United States, including in Los Angeles, Miami and, controversially, Maricopa Country, Arizona. Maricopa County’s former sheriff, Joe Arpaio, faced criticism for racial profiling, poor conditions for undocumented immigrants, and eventually <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/348061-trump-pardons-arpaio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received a pardon</a> from Trump following his conviction for criminal contempt of court.</p> <p>O’Neal’s strong support for law enforcement, despite the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, might make activists working in the <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/04/14/australia-act-indigenous-deaths-custody" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stop First Nations Deaths in Custody</a> uncomfortable, as it has <a href="https://www.theroot.com/shaquille-o-neals-politics-have-always-been-confusing-1823768959" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for many African Americans too</a>.</p> <p>If O'Neal has become a progressive, the change happened recently, since he admitted in 2020 that he had never voted. In subsequent political commentary, he argued athletes should keep quiet in the press and social media. He <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/12/why-shaquille-oneal-voted-for-the-first-time.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Sports Illustrated</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>My thought is that if you are not an expert on it, or if you haven’t been doing it, don’t do it.</p> </blockquote> <p>So when did he become an expert on constitutional issues in Australia?</p> <h2>Indigenous voices divided?</h2> <p>The government must also take care that any Voice spokespeople, including O'Neal, do not replace the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander people. There is a vigorous debate among Indigenous people about the shape of any Voice to parliament.</p> <p>Minister for Indigenous Australians and Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney was with Albanese and O'Neal on Saturday. She lauded O'Neal’s efforts, presenting the American with a boomerang made by Indigenous artist Josh Evans and a South Sydney Rabbitohs Indigenous round jersey.</p> <p>Indigenous politicians from across the political spectrum have illustrated the complexity of this issue in Australia and the unsuitability of O'Neal as a commentator on it. On the political right, Country Liberal Party Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, a Warlpiri woman, said “I’ve no doubt Shaq’s a top bloke but it’s <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-29/analysis-shaq-loves-indigenous-voice-but-will-it-score/101381066" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a bit insulting</a> to call on a black American to help with black Australians as if this is all about the colour of one’s skin.” She followed up by calling Albanese’s move a desperate measure.</p> <p>Green Party’s Senator Lidia Thorpe, of DjabWurrung, Gunnai, and Gunditjmara descent, also took aim at O’Neal. She wrote on Twitter:</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thought a Black man coming to our Country would be more respectful to First Nations people than interfering in what is a controversial topic, dividing our people. Ill advised, hope you take the time to set it right <a href="https://twitter.com/SHAQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SHAQ</a>. We don’t come to your country& interfere in your business.</p> <p>— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorThorpe/status/1563719706418479104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <h2>‘Nothing about us without us’</h2> <p>In fact, there is reason to worry the selection of O'Neal as a spokesperson might overshadow the work Indigenous Australians have done in the sports space already.</p> <p>In the past, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes in a range of disciplines including athletics, AFL and Rugby League have used their sporting prestige to bring attention to Indigenous issues. Albanese could conceivably call on a range of beloved current and retired indigenous sports stars, such as Cathy Freeman, Adam Goodes or Ash Barty, to address this complicated issue.</p> <p>Many Australian sporting institutions, including the <a href="https://www.anocolympic.org/noc-highlights/australian-olympic-committee-approves-permanent-indigenous-voice-on-the-aoc-athletes-commission/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Olympic Committee</a>, already have committees devoted to including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. But that would require Albanese to wade into the complexities of Indigenous politics in Australia rather than take advantage of a celebrity from America.</p> <div> <p>Polling shows many Australians <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-04/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-vote-compass/101031774" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are already supportive </a>of an Indigenous Voice to parliament. Many in the public, as well as in Canberra, are wary of any decision made without appropriate consultation with Indigenous people and without clear language dictating the relationship between the Indigenous Voice and parliament.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-does-american-basketballer-shaquille-oneal-have-to-do-with-the-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-189533" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p> </div>

Legal

Margot Robbie’s eye watering movie salary revealed

<p dir="ltr">Margot Robbie has become the highest paid Hollywood actress thanks to her role in Greta Gerwig’s live action <em>Barbie </em>movie.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Australian actress, 32, takes on the lead role of <em>Barbie </em>in the upcoming film and received an eye watering USD$12.5 million (AUD$18.1 million) for it. </p> <p dir="ltr">This hefty sum now places Margot on the top of the list of Hollywood’s highest paid actresses. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her salary definitely soared since her last blockbuster <em>Birds of Prey</em> which saw her earn USD$10 million (AUD$14.6 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">Her co-star, heartthrob Ryan Gosling was reportedly paid the same amount for playing the lead male role in the film. </p> <p dir="ltr">Margot said that she is excited for the film to be released and it will certainly bring in a different type of audience. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We like the things that feel a little left of center. Something like Barbie where the IP, the name itself, people immediately have an idea of, ‘Oh, Margot is playing Barbie, I know what that is’,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But our goal is to be like, ‘Whatever you’re thinking, we’re going to give you something totally different—the thing you didn’t know you wanted’.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Barbie </em>is expected to be released in July 2023.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: IMDB</em></p>

Movies

Neighbours star reveals next big career step

<p dir="ltr">Actor Ryan Moloney, who played Jarrod “Toadie” Rebecchi in the iconic Aussie drama <em>Neighbours </em>has announced his surprise career plan once the TV show comes to an end.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite playing a lawyer for many years in <em>Neighbours</em>, Moloney is interested in getting his hands dirty with earth work.</p> <p dir="ltr">Moloney already has his commercial pilots licence but said he is “not ruling anything out” when it comes to the next chapter of his life.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m doing [a] civil construction course which is about driving excavators and building roads,” he told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/ryan-moloney-is-planning-life-after-neighbours-in-an-unusual-field/news-story/1104a23a7f0f8643eb2c8d123c770c1d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I like playing with those kinds of machines. I like doing earthworks, all that kind of manual labour stuff. That’s where I’m at, but who knows where it’s all going to end up?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Moloney said he wanted to become an Air Force pilot but he landed the gig on <em>Neighbours</em>, telling himself he’ll eventually do it.</p> <p dir="ltr">But then Covid hit and Moloney said there were skilled pilots out there who were out of work and that he will leave it for them.</p> <p dir="ltr">Moloney doesn’t regret his career path, who at first was just meant to be a visitor on Ramsay St.</p> <p dir="ltr">His character proved to be popular with fans and the studio invited him back for a lengthy 27 years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To be a working actor in Australia with consistent work is incredibly special. And I have a large dose of gratitude towards life into what is created,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The last episode of the beloved Aussie soap will be 90 minutes long and air on Channel 10 and 10 Peach on July 28, bringing an end to the 37 year history of the show.</p> <p dir="ltr">Earlier in the year, <em>Neighbours </em>announced that the show is coming to an end after Channel 5, the British production company that aired the show in the UK since 2008, announced it won’t do so anymore.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that <em>Neighbours </em>will cease production in June,” the statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The team thanked their loyal fans and promised to end the show on an “incredible high”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

"Wasn’t my choice": Star spills on Neighbours exit

Neighbours fan favourite leaving Ramsay Street after 30 years

Former missing person found dead at age 40

Meg Ryan is back after a "giant break"

"He's here": Olympic champ shares the name of her new baby boy

Block stars' tease mystery new TV show

"Little bump in the road": Olympian shares joyous news

Rare sighting as famous friends step out in support of Michael J. Fox

All the highlights of Kyle's Big Day

"Becoming. Wolverine. Again": Hugh Jackman reveals insane new diet

"Yeehaaa": Olympic champ Emily Seebohm flashes engagement ring

Tragic update on Tom Sizemore’s health condition

Saving Private Ryan star in critical condition

How Ryan Gosling shut down Sydney Harbour Bridge

"Letting you in on a little secret": Olympic swimmer finds love

Couple arrested over death of seven-month-old baby

"Kick cancer's ass": Ryan Reynolds shares potentially life saving surgery

What does American basketballer Shaquille O’Neal have to do with the Indigenous Voice to Parliament?

Margot Robbie’s eye watering movie salary revealed

Neighbours star reveals next big career step

Our Partners