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Sunday 30 November 2014

Dawn Fraser to late husband: 'Touch my baby and I’ll kill you’ - Fox Sports series 'Breaking Ground'

What a story I read in my Sunday paper this morning, about the icon of Australian swimming, Dawn Fraser.

As I scanned the story for pull quotes, it wasn't hard to find many that were confronting and so raw and upsetting. They told the real story behind Dawn's life… and what stories, what a life!


Her story is part of the upcoming Fox Sports series called 'Breaking Ground', which airs from December 2 on Foxtel's Fox Sports channel. Here is a pic from the episode with Dawn:

Kelli Underwood (left) speaks with swimming legend Dawn Fraser on Breaking Ground.Source: FoxSports



In the Sunday Telegraph interview (you can read the whole thing here) the Olympic champion has revealed the horrifying violence she suffered at the hands of her late husband Gary Ware.
“I was trying to protect my daughter, I could have gone to jail for stabbing a person,” she reveals in 'Breaking Ground'.
“He came home drunk one night and I said to him: ‘Gary don’t go in the baby’s bedroom please, she’s asleep’. He said: ‘I want to kiss her goodnight and he grabbed me by the throat’.
“I had the baby’s bottle in my hand and I smashed it on the balustrade and I put it in his throat and I said: “Please go away because I will kill you’.
“‘I don’t want to go to jail, but I will go to jail, because I want to survive’.”
Dawn tells all to award-winning journalist Kelli Underwood, and it's one episode of a six-part series which sees some of Australia’s best sportswomen opening up on their personal lives.

Underwood also conducted interviews with some of Australia’s most prolific sportswomen including Cathy Freeman, Layne Beachley, Jana Pittman, Louise Savage and Liz Ellis.

As well as talking about the domestic violence she suffered, the Olympic swimming champion talks about her bisexuality, as well as the acceptance of her family when she revealed to them she was having a love affair with a woman.
“I think I am both ways, I really enjoy the company of a woman, she gave me the comfort that I needed ... there was no abuse, there was no grabbing my throat and things like that, it was just lovely,” Dawn says.
Breaking Ground airs from December 2 on Fox Sports 502.

Michael Clarke's tribute to Phillip Hughes

Phillip Hughes would have turned 26 today. Michael Clarke wrote this special tribute about his 'little brother.' (Source: Sunday Telegraph).

"As I stood in the centre of the SCG on Thursday night, at the spot where my little brother played his last shot, I struggled to comprehend how this tragedy could happen to one of life’s true characters and gentlemen.

I resolved then and there to write this tribute to Phillip Hughes.


I want to use the occasion of this, his 26th birthday, to shine a bit more light onto Phillip — the man he was and the life he led — which will help explain the extraordinary outpouring of support from inside, and outside, the world cricket family.

His cricketing achievements — of which there were many — really play second fiddle to the human qualities that he exhibited.

Loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child like verve for life … I really could go on and on.

Sitting with his parents Greg and Virginia, sister Megan and brother Jason over the past few days it struck me that above all, he was a family man.

He was always incredibly proud of his family and the upbringing he had.

He was a country boy at heart, with honest values and a work ethic second to none. And it is easy to tell where those qualities come from.

His parents are salt of the earth Aussies, who have handled the past several days with a dignity and grace I could only admire. They will have my support, and the support of the entire Australian cricketing family, whenever and wherever they need it.

I met him as a boy of 17, when he came down to Sydney from Macksville to play for my club Western Suburbs.

I was drawn to him instantly, falling for his cheeky grin and love of life.

Phillip truly was uncomplicated — what you saw was what you got.

I don’t think in 12 years of playing cricket at the top level I have ever come across a more loyal or generous-hearted teammate.

Whenever Hughesy suffered adversity — if he was replaced in the team or if he wasn’t scoring as many runs as he wanted — he never dropped his head, never once complained.

If he had a tough conversation with a selector he would nod, agree he needed to work harder, grin because he felt bad for the person delivering the message and then get on with it.

You knew deep down he was shattered because playing cricket for his country meant everything to him.

But his head wouldn’t drop because he knew his teammates didn’t need that — he was honoured to be running drinks as 12th man for his mates and he went out of his way to show that.

But Phillip’s laid-back nature disguised something more important about the man. He was as mentally tough as they came.

That toughness was evident in the way he approached the craft of batting.

It is easy to forget just what a prodigious talent he was.

He may not have had textbook technique — show me someone who does — but what this man could do is score runs for fun.

At only 25 years of age he had 26 centuries to his name in first class cricket, and I have no doubt he would have made it 27 last Tuesday.

What an amazing talent.

I said a couple of months ago that I had no doubt Phillip would have gone on to play 100 tests, such was his determination and skill.

When he was last dropped from the Australian team he knuckled down, worked on parts of his technique that he felt could be improved and he peeled off century after century for South Australia.

He lit up like a beacon again for the selectors to not help but notice.

He also had a knack of making people laugh. I remember the last time we batted together: we would meet in the middle of the pitch and I would be asking him whether the ball was moving in the air or off the deck.

All he could do was talk about his cattle. What that man didn’t know about cows wasn’t worth knowing.

He was a world champion at expressing the smallest facts about Black Angus in particular.

He loved them so much he was trying to convince me to run a herd of them on my own farm.

When we were on tour every night on the way to his room he would come past mine to steal my liquorice.

I used to say to him constantly: “What’s mine is yours, mate”, which he took as licence to nick my one vice.

I heard a mate a few days ago refer to Phillip’s life through this line from an old military poem and I think it perfectly sums him up:

“One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.”

Phillip was taken from all of us way too soon, but his attitude to life, his achievements on and off the field, and the hundreds of friends he made along the way all demonstrate that he did indeed live a crowded hour.

That his career, and his life, was cut short in his prime is incredibly unfair.

I don’t have a blood brother, but I am very proud to have called Phillip my brother. I am a better man for having known him.

Vale Hugh Dog. I will miss you forever, but I will not forget. Happy birthday bro."
Michael Clarke.

VIDEO: Michael Clarke's emotional statement about Phillip Hughes: http://on.fb.me/1uX97NH



Here are the social media birthday messages from Michael Clarke and from his wife Kyly Clarke:





Friday 21 November 2014

Roxy Jacenko: 'The Spotlight' - Interview + PHOTOS

Roxy Jacenko's profile has certainly become more prominent and obvious since the last time Josie's Juice spoke to her, talking about book number one 'Strictly Confidential' - it was 2011, and back then, although Roxy had been in the PR business for seemingly an eternity, she was yet to appear on Channel Nine's 'Celebrity Apprentice'. Read that interview here.


It was during her stint on TV that Roxy's profile skyrocketed, and she has not looked back, building on her profile further by launching another two business (see below for more), and generally never staying still. Girl is on fire more than ever, and Josie's Juice again managed to wrangle ten minutes of this PR maestro's time to interview the inimitable Jacenko.




Roxy Jacenko and her daughter Pixie

Much has been said about how close this book is to happenings in your own life, and around you. Can you shed some light?




I certainly draw inspiration from the day to day happenings in my personal and professional life when writing my books, but that said, what you read is fiction, heavily embellished at that!
Of particular interest is the guff around whether the main character's husband is aligned with your own husband, in his disdain for her child/Pixie being entrepreneurial (for the record, I love what you're doing with Pixie's profile - the haters should keep their thoughts to themselves…)

There has certainly been conversations (and at times heated)! with Oliver regarding Pixie’s Instagram @pixiecurtis – but that was early on when there was so much publicity that Oli was a bit shocked, now he is busy taking snap shots with her and sending them to me for upload!!


Tell me what you love about the writing process? Having just written my first book, I know it can be incredibly solitary. How does an extremely busy, social person cope with that? ;)

I think the best thing about the books is that is a chance to uncover some of what happens in the world of PR and showing the reader that no matter what you do in life that everyone has ups and downs and has to fight to stay at the top of their game. I am busy, yes, but no busier than any other working mother, so I guess for me its just about being a great opportunity and making the most of it.


If readers start with The Spotlight, will they get the gist of the story? Or best to start from the first one?

I would suggest starting with book number one, 'Strictly Confidential', moving onto 'The Rumour Mill' and then on to my new book 'The Spotlight', which is out this week. It’s a series and I think the journey is all part of the excitement of experiencing all three books!


Is there a book number four?


Look, I didn’t think there would be a one or a two, let alone a number three!

Okay, now: there MUST be film in thea works! Have you been approached?
Day to day life is most certainly film-worthy; even I baulk at the goings on! And so, if there is, I pick Cameron Diaz to be me!


What is the next for the indefatigable, energetic Roxy Jacenko?
I guess just the continued growth of both Sweaty Betty PR and The Ministry of Talent  [a blogger talent agency] as well as further developing Pixie's bow range into additional products for babies and toddlers – www.pixiespix.com.au


'The Spotlight' is on sale now, from all bookstores. Look for as an e-book too!

Here are some more fab new photos of Roxy with her beautiful daughter (that hair!), Pixie Rose Curtis.







Thursday 20 November 2014

Pirelli Calendar: 2015 - PHOTOS

The 2015 Pirelli Calendar is here - and it's beautiful.

It's now into year 42 of this highly-sought project and yes, it's as difficult as ever to get your hands on one.

Lucky for you, we have a (NSFW) behind the scenes clip of the shoot:



Shot by the legendary Steven Meisel, styled by Carine Roitfeld, with hair and makeup by Guido Palau and Pat McGrath, the supermodel-filled calendar features Carolyn Murphy, Isabeli Fontana, Anna Ewers, Cameron Russell, Sasha Luss, Natalia Vodianova, Gigi Hadid, Karen Elson, Adriana Lima, Joan Smalls and Raquel Zimmerman.

The calendar also presents a first for models with curves: Vogue Italia fave Candice Huffine has also features in the 2015 calendar.
Steven Meisel revealed in a statement, “They represent the stereotypes that the fashion and star system impose upon us right now.”
“I didn’t want to make a conceptual calendar, or link it to some particular location, but rather to create 12 posters in which women, in all their sensuality, are the absolute protagonists of 12 very different images,” Meisel adds.
Carine Roitfeld said, “Sometimes, to show a bit of fashion is even more sexy than to be totally naked. I think that is the point of this calendar.”
Only 40,000 copies of the calendar are produced each year and are a highly prized collector's items. Photographers from past editions have included Richard Avedon, Mario Testino, Terry Richardson and Patrick Demarchelier, and supermodels have (my fave!) included Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss and Helena Christiansen.
Here are the 2014 calendar photos:










Wednesday 19 November 2014

Kim Kardashian on 'The Project', Rove balances glass: VIDEO

This clip (via news.com.au) shows Kim Kardashian on tonight's The Project'… and, you guys, she's kinda endearing and fun

Here is the clip (and, Rove balances a glass, with Kim's help).

Watch the video here.



Tuesday 18 November 2014

'A Different Brilliant': Aspect Autism - VIDEO

If this post had a 'like' button, I'd hit it a million times over. If only just for the fantastically brilliant header just above.
Aspect has released a positive awareness campaign on its Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages called, 'a different brilliant.' The campaign includes a centrepiece film and microsite (www.adifferentbrilliant.org.au), which celebrates our differences by introducing viewers to seven quirky real-life characters on the autism spectrum in a beautifull shot, positive and inspiring montage. 
Seven real-life ASD heroes tell the story
The captivating short film captures the stories of seven unique individuals as told by them, their friends, families and communities:
CALLUM THE PUZZLE WHIZ. 14 year-old Callum is enthusiastic about puzzles and completes them in record time without looking at the finished image on the box. He represents the unique talent for sorting and visual problem solving some people on the spectrum possess.
CHELSEA THE DRESS-UP SUPERHERO. Like many girls her age, four year-old Chelsea loves pink, dressing-up, and playing with Barbies™. But thanks to her unique way of expressing herself, rather than dressing up as a fairy like all the other little girls going to a birthday party, she arrives in a self-designed superhero outfit. Those with highly sensitive nerve endings as part of their ASD often delight in specific fabrics and textures that are gentle and familiar to their touch.
SUPERMARKET SURVIVAL, NATHAN. For an ASD child with super-hearing powers, like seven year-old Nathan, supermarkets are a deafening cacophony of disharmonious sounds: buzzing fridges, in-store announcements, checkout noises and errant trolleys. A two-year old is shown sitting in a trolley with ear defenders as an example of how many children on the spectrum with auditory sensitivities, like Nathan, bravely tackle the experience.
SCHOOL BOYS AT HEART, BEN. We see 10 year-old Ben () at the school gates as other children come and go around him. Both he and his brother, Nathan (7) attended Aspect schools and have now successfully transitioned to the mainstream education system. The scene reminds us that people with autism don’t look any different – they could be any school friend or classmate; but take the time, and you’ll discover a different brilliant.
ALEXANDRA, THE DREAMER. Sometimes people on the autism spectrum have trouble with communication, social interaction and sensory overload. The story of 29 year-old Alexandra is told in a café scene. She gazes out the window while conversations happen around her, brilliantly finding a “safe place” in her own mind to block out the overwhelming nature of her surroundings, but eagerly joining in the conversation when a friend asks her a direct question.
ROBBIE, THE VISUAL ARTIST. Passionate photographer and business owner Robbie is in his early 20s. His story is told creatively via a class field trip montage. As others take similar shots to each other, Robbie sees the world through a different brilliant lens.
CAMERON THE WORKER. Cameron is in his 40s and an active member of the workforce. Aspect supports both Cameron and his employer via the Aspect Capable specialist employment service, which offers person-centred employment training and support to jobseekers with ASD, and their employers through coaching, mentoring, job preparation and training.
“So often wonderfully talented, brilliant people with autism spectrum disorder are overlooked by society as being odd, or quirky, or obsessive. With our a different brilliant campaign, we hope to inspire a wider understanding and respect for how people on the autism spectrum are just like you and me, in many ways, but with their own uniquely brilliant take on the world,” says Adrian Ford, CEO of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).
The 'a different brilliant' short film was released to the public via social media today, on Thursday 13 November on the Aspect Facebook page facebook.com/AutismSpectrumAustralia, as well as via Twitter and LinkedIn.
The public is encouraged to ‘like’ and ‘share’ the 'a different brilliant' short film with the hashtag #adifferentbrilliant and include links to the a different brilliant microsite in any social media posts: www.adifferentbrilliant.org.au/
And so, I am doing my part, to honour my beautiful son Rafael, who is six, and (to borrow a line from one of the best films on the planet, and one of my fave flicks ever, 'Temple Grandin') "different, not less", here is this exceptional video:




Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi: Holiday Christmas Card 2014

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have just released their 'holiday card' (or what we in Australia call a 'Christmas card').

On Monday's Ellen, DeGeneres revealed her latest card: a take on Paper magazine's "Break the Internet" campaign that featured a nude Kim Kardashian.



Their card reads: "Happy Holidays And a Shiny New Year," with their heads Photoshopped onto Kardashian's oiled-up body.

"A shiny new rear," DeGeneres quipped as she showed the studio audience the finished product on Monday's show. 

Monday 17 November 2014

'Do They Know It's Christmas' 2014: VIDEO

It's here!

The just recorded 'Do They Know It's Christmas' 2014 video.

In 1984, it was about Bob Geldof's Band Aid and wanting to "feed the world" in response to the Ethiopian famine.

Now a new generation of pop stars wants to heal it, raising money to fight the scourge of Ebola.


The new version The incredibly emotional line sung Bono – “Well tonight thank God it’s them, instead of you”, which, in the original song, was an apparent rebuke to western audiences. In the new version, this is now: “Well tonight we’re reaching out and touching you”.


Here is the 1984 version:





Anthony Callea and Tim Campbell: Married - PHOTOS

Anthony Callea and his partner Tim Campbell have married.

Anthony just posted on his Facebook page:

Happy Monday! It's extra special today as we finally get to share our exciting news..... Tim Campbell and I were married last week! There's a whole bunch of pics and and what went on over two days of celebrations in this weeks Woman's Day! Yep.... he liked it and definitely put a ring on it!







Here is the cover, and the photo posted on the Woman's Day Facebook page:




Sunday 16 November 2014

'That Sugar Film': Trailer + Screen Date

I just watched this, and I was kinda blown away. This Australian movie will be HUGE!

Called 'That Sugar film', the film's Facebook page says:

I am thrilled to finally be able to share the trailer for That Sugar Film. We’ll be bringing it to Australian cinemas early in 2015 and I’ll be at screenings all around the country, so watch this space for details. We've made the film to be enjoyed by the whole family, so please help us by sharing it with your friends.

Watch the trailer here:



'That Sugar Film' is coming to Australan cinemas in March 2015 – and, the makers say, it will change the way you think about ‘healthy’ food.

The YouTube blurb says:

'That Sugar Film' is one man’s journey to discover the bitter truth about sugar. Damon Gameau embarks on a unique experiment to document the effects of a high sugar diet on a healthy body, consuming only foods that are commonly perceived as ‘healthy’. Through this entertaining and informative journey, Damon highlights some of the issues that plague the sugar industry, and where sugar lurks on supermarket shelves. 'That Sugar Film' will forever change the way you think about ‘healthy’ food.

The director is Damon Gameau, and it stars Damon Gameau, and featuring guest cameos with the likes of Stephen Fry, Isabel Lucas and Brenton Thwaites, interviews with Gary Taubes, Michael Moss and Kimber Stanhope plus a rocking soundtrack including Depeche Mode, Peter Gabriel and Florence and the Machine. 

For more details visit http://www.thatsugarfilm.com

And, like them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thatsugarfilm
Follow them on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thatsugarfilm
Follow them Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thatsugarfilm





'Being Me': Transgender Children. Four Corners ABC TV - VIDEO

Tomorrow night on Four Corners, Janine Cohen will present a report titled ‘Being Me’ – the story of girls and boys, born in the wrong body and their struggle to be who they are.


Here is a preview:


Says the show's promo:

There are any number of self help books that will tell you how to find yourself.

But what if truly being yourself involved changing your gender? Would you have the courage to do it?

Eleven-year-old Isabelle does. To the world she looked like a young boy. But she knew that she was really a girl, and a year ago she told her parents the way she felt.

This week Four Corners reporter Janine Cohen tells Isabelle’s story and the story of the family, the doctor and ultimately the community that backed her decision to truly be herself.

Along the way we meet other people who’ve confronted the same feelings and discover that a growing and significant number of children are finding themselves in the same situation. Some find support from their parents and doctors. Others discover fear, prejudice and a legal system that doesn’t make it easy for them to be themselves.

For Isabelle, the decision to tell her story was not made lightly. She and her parents tell Four Corners that they are willing to speak about their experience so that others won’t feel alone and other transgender children can be helped and protected.

Doctors tell the program that trying to repress the feeling that you are trapped in the wrong body simply does not work. Instead, it can lead to self harm and even suicide.

Paediatricians also make it clear that timing is important. They explain that if children want to make a physical change, then treatment should begin at puberty. In that way, hormone treatments can be prescribed with far better results.

A senior judge tells Four Corners she is keen to see the law relating to transgender treatment tested sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, doctors and families warn the current legal situation is putting some children at risk.

Isabelle’s story is remarkable and inevitably raises many questions for families, doctors and society in general. Ultimately though, it’s a journey that shows courage and honesty is essential to triumph over ignorance. It’s a story that is not to be missed.

'Being Me', reported by Janine Cohen and presented by Kerry O’Brien, will air on Monday 17 November at 8.30pm. It is replayed on Tuesday 18 November at 11am and at 11.35pm. It can also be seen on ABC News 24 on Saturday at 8.00pm, ABC iview and at abc.net.au/4corners.

Amy Nelmes Viral Break-Up Text Tweet

This breakup text - posted on Twitter by an Australian woman - is going viral NOW.

Posted by Amy Nelmes - follow her on Twitter @amynelmes - she describes herself as:

The fast-talking, cocktail-drinking, dance-loving Editor of ninemsn'sTheFIX. I love life, laughter and expletives. Beyoncé guru.

Here is the Tweet:





Kendall Jenner: Estée Lauder New Face

Kendall Jenner has some big news… and it's big news in the beauty world.

UPDATED:


Estée Lauder has just posted this beautiful video online:



And Khloe Kardashian just posted this on her Instagram page:


Post by Khloe Kardashian.

According to vogue.com, Kendall will be announced as the new face for cosmetics giant Estée Lauder.

The 19 year old let her nearly sixteen million Instagram followers in on her latest announcement:


A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on

Kendall joins the ranks of fellow Estée Lauder stars Joan Smalls, Liu Wren, and Constance Jablonnski.
For more, click here: http://www.esteelauder.com/kendall


Saturday 15 November 2014

Karl Stefanovic wears same suit for a year: sexism experiment

Karl Stefanovic has conducted an interesting experiment in front of our very eyes, each morning, for the past 12 months… and nobody even noticed. So, it can essentially be deemed a success. Clever guy.

Angered by the sexism directed at his female colleagues he decided to wear the same blue suit on air, two days in a row. Then three. And then, a month went by… nobody said a thing.

And now, a full year has passed – and he is still wearing the same cheap Burberry knock-off suit, every morning, on Channel Nine's 'Today' show.

No audience member has asked about it, says Karl.

Here he is a variety of shots wearing the saaaame suit:

Karl Stefanovic in same blue suit he has worn all year. Photo: 'Today' show Facebook page


He tells Fairfax Media:

"No one has noticed; no one gives a shit. But women, they wear the wrong colour and they get pulled up. They say the wrong thing and there's thousands of tweets written about them.

"Women are judged much more harshly and keenly for what they do, what they say and what they wear."

Read more here.