Megan Gale. Photo: Foxtel/Jez Smith
Quote of the week: "Don't starve yourself to conform," says Megan Gale to a young, teary would-be model on the upcoming Australia's Next Top Model (Foxtel).
Gale has joined the panel with Jennifer Hawkins and Alex Perry (who is as forthright and tough as ever) and utters those words to console the young woman - told once she was too "big" to be a model. Gale also becomes emotional and wipes away tears as she encourages her and gives her a big hug. The program returns to Foxtel on September 11.
Spotted: Denim jean-clad Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush engrossed in his phone outside the Sofitel Melbourne.
Geoffrey Rush and Donna Demaio Photo:
Musical director Chong Lim has worked with some of the best, including John Farnham, Kylie Minogue and Tommy Emmanuel. He is pouring his musical genius into this weekend’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular which sees a cast of three thousand students perform. It’s not a competition but a celebration of skills and talent including dance, magic and vocals. There are even puppeteers and roller skaters. This Saturday at Hisense Arena for two shows only. “The exciting project gives me great pride and satisfaction as it helps students prepare for a future in the entertainment industry,” he said.
Spotted: Neighbours star Olympia Valance positively beaming through a delicious dinner at popular new eatery The North Melbourne Hotel.
Christie Whelan Browne is popping up everywhere. She has a final few shows of The Beast with Eddie Perfect at The Comedy Theatre. (The show is exceptionally funny, insightful and scathing and closes September 10).We will next see the talented actor in Channel Ten’s The Wrong Girl with Jessica Marais. The series aims to give an insight into producing breakfast television shows – now THAT I’m looking forward to. It premieres September 28.
Spotted: Eddie Perfect having a quiet moment on a city stoop, minutes before treading the boards in his brilliant show The Beast. He’s writing all day and performing at night. He must be exhausted!
Amongst some of the names seen checking out The Beast: Matt Preston, Lawrence Leung, Kate Ceberano, Shaun Micallef and Geoffrey Rush.
Hugo Weaving has walked the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival for his new movie - the Mel Gibson directed Hacksaw Ridge (which has received rave reviews from several international critics) - but before he left he recorded a powerful video to support a cause close to his heart. The four minute video is about living with autism, narrated by Weaving and is about his nephew Ky.
Watch here:
Fashion Aid has added our beloved Molly Meldrum to its guest list for this Saturday’s glitzy event. The charity gala at Crown Palladium attracts an impressive list of designers, performers and artists all contributing to raise funds for The Leukemia Foundation and Fight Cancer Foundation.
Showbiz legend Bert Newton seems to be enjoying semi-retirement, with loads of quality time with the grand kids. His wife Patti shared this lovely snap on social media:
Who’s making the best pizza in Australia? Who’s creating the most impressive chocolate? Who’s the best patissiere? These questions are to be posed, amongst many others, at next week’s Fine Food Australia at the Exhibition Centre. More than 30 countries will be represented over four days of impressive dining, competing and business dealings. The likes of Grossi Florentino, Crown and Le Cordon Bleu are taking part.
Spotted: Australian Survivor contestant Kylie Evans, in 25 kilo fire-fighting kit, raising funds for the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute at the Crown Metropol in the third annual Climb for Kids. That’s 28 flights of stairs. She said, “It was as tough as anything I did on Survivor."
Charity concert of the week: Jazz artist and poet Allan Browne OAM passed away in June. On Friday September 23 at the Atheneum Theatre, some of our greatest musicians will perform a memorial benefit concert. Paul Grabowsky, Barney McAll and Bob Sedergreen are amongst the musos. Sadly, friend, and poetry lover, Paul Kelly is unable to attend due to tour commitments. www.mjc.org.au
