Table of contents for Issue 3, 2026 in New Idea

How exciting that I’m A Celeb is back on our screens! I love watching their friendships bloom as the stars are pushed to their limits, and of course the Bushtucker Trials! Do you sit at home wondering how you’d cope in the jungle, or what you’d be good at? I know I do! Let’s be honest, I’m glad I’m not famous and can watch from the safety of my couch! Also, check out our delicious recipes from page 38 – a perfect feast for when family or friends get together. And don’t miss your chance to win $50,000 when you subscribe (page 64). There’s not much time left! Acting Editorial Director Editor…

Chris Noth publicly hit out at his former Sex and the City co-star Sarah Jessica Parker – but quickly backtracked on his comment. Shortly after SJP was honoured with the Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes, Chris, 71, posted a gym selfie with the caption “F--k new years – let’s go!” Responding to a fan’s comment, “You mean f--kSJP and her award right?” he replied saying, “Right.” Chris now claims the comment was “off the cuff [and] slightly sarcastic”. If you say so!…

Could Britney Spears be treating Australian fans with a tour Down Under, one more time? Maybe! In a new social media post, the 44-year-old pop star sat in front of a piano, writing that she’s “giving” it to her youngest son Jayden Federline, 19. She then added, “I hope to be sitting on a stool with a red rose in my hair, performing with my son … in the UK and Australia very soon. He’s a huge star and I’m so humbled to be in his presence!” While teasing the tour, Britney said she’ll never perform in the US again because of “extremely sensitive reasons”.…

Note to online trolls – do not mess with Rachel Ward! The actress and director had no time for haters who left unkind comments about her appearance on a recent social media post. Rachel, 68, had posted about her ethical meat outlet Farmthru. But in among the almost 2000 comments, some people left cruel messages about the star’s casual and makeup-free appearance. One critic claimed that The Thorn Birds actress’ current looks were due to “years of neglect”. But feisty Rachel, who worked extensively as a model when she was younger, was having none of it. She took to the comments section to shut down the vile abuse. “I just feel sorry for those poor souls who fear ageing so much,” she wrote in a reply to one supportive fan.…

Bottles of champagne were popping for Jessica Rowe and Peter Overton as they celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, Pete, 59, and Jess, 55, whisked themselves – and their daughters Allegra, 18, and Giselle, 16 – off to the Maldives, where they had celebrated their honeymoon back in January 2004. Sharing photographs from the “full-circle” trip on social media, Jess penned a loving tribute to her newsreader husband in an accompanying caption. “How lucky we are to return all these years later with our precious girls. Happy anniversary, my darling Petee,” the podcast host wrote. Replying to messages of love from friends and fans in the comments section, Jess added they all had the “happiest time” and that a highlight was seeing “lots of turtles”. Jess once…

Having been a vegetarian for 30 years, Deni Hines had just one non-negotiable before she agreed to enter the jungle… “I told the producers that I cannot and will not eat meat – no way,” the singer tells New Idea. “So I think I will become known as the bug b---h!” Deni says her mental and physical strengths will work to her advantage in camp. “I’ve also done yoga for years, I’m not afraid of heights or confined spaces – I actually want to jump out of a plane – and I’m used to being on the road touring, so I can handle sleeping in strange places,” she explains. “I think I’m strong enough to become Queen of the Jungle. A 55-year-old woman with dreadlocks needs to win!” A determined…

Only in New Idea Australians have been familiar with Julie Goodwin’s name ever since she won the first season of MasterChef Australia in 2009. But now she is lifting the lid on her life like never before. The culinary queen is taking her 2024 memoir, Your Time Starts Now, on the road for her first-ever live stage show. During her tour, which kicks off in regional NSW on February 6, Julie promises some cooking, chaos and an honest chat – though speaking about herself publicly has come with its challenges. “[My memoir is] all the things that have happened, the good, the bad and the ugly, so it was quite a difficult process,” Julie, 55, tells New Idea. “Whatever part of the story the audience wants to hear is where…

Lamb Souvlaki SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 45 MINS ■ 1.2kg butterflied leg of lamb, trimmed ■ 4 cloves garlic, crushed ■ ¼ cup olive oil ■ ¼ cup lemon juice ■ ⅓ cup chopped fresh oregano leaves, plus extra fried sprigs to garnish ■ Greek pita wraps, tzatziki, lemon wedges, to serve TABOULI ■ 2 tbsp olive oil ■ 2 tbsp lemon juice ■ 1 tsp ground cumin ■ 3 tomatoes, cut into 1cm cubes ■ 2 Lebanese cucumbers, cut into 1cm cubes ■ 1 bunch fresh curly parsley, finely chopped ■ 1 bunch fresh mint, chopped ■ 4 green onions, finely sliced 1 Using a sharp knife, cut 1cm-deep slashes, about 2cm apart, across skin-side of the lamb. Turn over and cut slashes in thickest part of lamb.…

Brioche French Toast with Raspberry Sauce SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 22 MINS ■ 400g unsliced brioche loaf ■ 4 eggs ■ ½ cup milk ■ 2 tbsp caster sugar ■ 1 tsp ground cinnamon ■ 50g butter ■ Vanilla ice-cream, to serve RASPBERRY SAUCE ■ 2 cups frozen raspberries, thawed ■ ¼ cup caster sugar 1 SAUCE Place all ingredients in a saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a simmer. Transfer to a small bowl. Cool. 2 Trim ends off brioche loaf. Cut into six 3cm-thick slices. 3 Place eggs, milk, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk well. 4 Place one slice of brioche into egg mixture. Drain off excess. Transfer to a tray. Repeat with remaining brioche. 5 Melt half…

FLORAL WREATH WHAT YOU’LL NEED: ● 350mm Arbee galvanised silver metal ring ● Floral wire ● Pliers ● 3 mm Kaisercraft lucky dip natural twine natural ● 5 cm green living space flocked succulent stem ● 80 cm white hydrangea stem ● 75 cm cream chrysanthemum floral stem ● Eucalyptus stems ● Hot glue gun & glue sticks INSTRUCTIONS: STEP 1 With your chosen artificial floral and foliage stems, cut stems using pliers and create four bouquets. Tie arrangements with floral wire. Your arrangement should include different lengths of leaves and flowers, this will add volume and dimension. STEP 2 Create a centrepiece bouquet, we used hydrangea and chrysanthemum and the leaves from the stems. TIP Lay your bouquet covering half the ring to see how arrangement will look and…

For his latest novel, author John M. Green brings two of his passions together in one thrilling storyline – theatre and artificial intelligence (AI). As a result, John says he had quite a lot of fun writing Staged, which is his seventh book overall. The novel takes place during a Sydney Opera House production of The Rocky Horror Show. Things go awry when a stage prop kills Hollywood star Dane Cooder in spectacularly gruesome fashion. Although the death is ruled as an accident, not everyone believes that to be true. Enter disgraced journalist Dick Sonntag, who begins an investigation. When a small boy is kidnapped and held for ransom, a detective with a PhD in AI is brought on to both cases. John, who is based in Sydney, says he…

Julia Roberts loves to read, especially before bed, and The Wild Palms by William Faulkner is her favourite classic novel. “It’s such a beautiful, tragic love story – a book that will just destroy you,” the star says. “And [his] language is so utterly descriptive. He can write an entire page that consists of only adjectives and two commas.” The book interweaves two stories – in 1937 New Orleans, a doctor has an affair with a married woman, while in 1927 a convict rescues a pregnant woman during a Mississippi flood. OUT NOW, PENGUIN, $24.99…

It may just have been a bit of friendly horseplay, but Mike Tindall’s enthusiastic greeting of his friend, Delfina Blaquier, at a Magic Millions Carnival Barrier Draw event on the Gold Coast last week raised a few eyebrows! “He went in for the full hug and cheek kiss,” a surprised onlooker told New Idea. “They’re clearly very good friends!” But no need to fear. Mike’s wife, Zara Tindall, was close by during their greeting. And she, Mike, 47, Delfina and Delfina’s polo-playing husband Nacho Figueras were all spotted in deep conversation and sharing lots of laughs on the day. “Mike and Zara have made no secret of the fact that they love their annual holiday in Australia for the event,” a source tells New Idea. “It’s their chance to swap…

As Nicole Kidman continues to move on from ex-husband Keith Urban, her good friends Reese Witherspoon and Sandra Bullock are planning to throw her a ‘divorce party’. An insider tells New Idea, “Nicole’s split came as a shock to many, apart from a few in her closest circle, and it’s those friends who are planning on cheering her up while she’s next in LA.” Our source adds, “There are also a lot of Hollywood players who haven’t yet seen Nicole in person since the split either, and they want to check in on her, make sure she’s OK and cheer her up. They also want their number-one box-office queen back on track too!”…

Two iconic Hollywood Jens were at the Golden Globe Awards last week – but refused to be photographed together! Jennifer Lopez, 56, and Jennifer Garner, 53, who are both ex-wives of Ben Affleck, swerved a snap with each other to avoid a fuss. A source told the Daily Mail the two women “get along, they are cool with each other, there are no issues,” but added they “don’t want to drum up headlines by posing together at an awards show; that would be awkward. They don’t want to create a fuss because it would be hard for the kids.” Sounds like a sensible plan to us!…

He’s an in-demand A-lister … get him out of here! A new season of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! has started, and wild rumours are circulating that it will be the last one which features the dynamic hosting duo that is Robert Irwin and Julia Morris. According to several TV insiders, Robert, 22, is allegedly gearing up to leave the show after just three seasons, to take up the many offers that Hollywood has been throwing at him since he won the US version of Dancing with the Stars in November. ‘There are major deals on the table’ “Robert would never walk out on a job, but it might have been a mistake to leave the US so quickly after winning DWTS,” dishes our exclusive insider. “This isn’t…

Rebecca Jane Butterfield is edging closer to release after decades behind bars, despite being described by corrective staff as “more dangerous than Ivan Milat”. The turn of events has ignited fierce debate over whether Australia’s legal system can keep the public safe. Butterfield’s violent spiral began in her early twenties. The daughter of a country cop, she committed minor offences in Orange, NSW, in 1996 before escalating to serious violence the following year when she stabbed a taxi driver in an unprovoked attack. In 2000, she stabbed a neighbour five times after he tried to stop her from self-harming. Sentenced to six years, Butterfield, now 50, quickly earned a reputation as an unpredictable and dangerous inmate. That reputation turned deadly in 2003. Halfway through her sentence, Butterfield killed fellow inmate,…

When it comes to aceing a mixed doubles TV partnership, it doesn’t get any more on point than Todd Woodbridge and Jelena Dokic. The former tennis stars may have put down their racquets more than a decade ago, but these days they’re serving up plenty of action and entertainment as Australia’s most-loved commentary duo. Some fans have even dubbed them better than Jim Courier and John McEnroe! It’s easy to see why. From their effortless banter to their mutual respect, Jelena and Todd share a special bond that beats any Grand Slam championship. Their unwavering friendship began 15 years ago, when Jelena’s playing career ended due to injuries and her mental health. Unbeknownst to many at the time, the former world number four had endured years of abuse straight away…

Two years have passed since Queen Mary and King Frederik assumed the Danish throne, after Queen Margrethe shocked the world by abdicating. “They didn’t expect to become King and Queen while their four children were still teenagers,” a Danish royal insider exclusively tells New Idea. “The upgrade in responsibilities and workload has taken some adjusting to, especially for Mary, who, of course, was a commoner before her marriage to Fred.” But a recent spate of pressures, both publicly and privately, are causing Mary, 53, to lose sleep at night. He eldest child, Prince Christian, 20, is now heir to the throne. He’s also currently in the midst of his 12-month Lieutenant’s Training Course. It’s the second stage of Christian’s military education. When he completes it this June, he will serve…

Elizabeth Hurley is paying no attention to the latest allegations made about her beau, Billy Ray Cyrus, by his ex-wife, Aussie singer Firerose. Sources note that Billy Ray, 64, has gone “very quiet” since Firerose went on her attack, which included sharing a leaked recording allegedly of the country crooner in a heated tirade. In a world of artificial intelligence and deep fakes, it’s yet to be confirmed if the recording, which lasts 1 minute and 28 seconds, is genuine. But Firerose, 38, posted the audio clip on Instagram claiming it is Billy berating her repeatedly and dismissing her health struggles, specifically her BRCA1 gene mutation and double mastectomy. “This ain’t about your BRCA, this ain’t about your surgeries, this is about you being a f--king media, she’s warned others…

Green Goddess Corn Slaw SERVES 6 PREP 25 MINS ■ 2 fresh corn cobs, husks removed ■ ¼ green cabbage (400g), finely shredded ■ 1 green capsicum, cut into thin strips ■ 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced ■ 2 green onions, thinly sliced ■ ⅓ cup slivered almonds, toasted DRESSING ■ ⅓ cup whole egg mayonnaise ■ ⅓ cup sour cream ■ 2 tsp Dijon mustard ■ 2 tsp lemon juice ■ 2 green onions, sliced ■ ½ cup firmly packed fresh parsley leaves 1 Cut kernels from cobs. Place in a large bowl with cabbage, capsicum, celery and onions. Toss well. 2 DRESSING Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a jug. Season with salt and pepper. 3 Just before serving, pour dressing over salad. Add…

Gwyneth Paltrow has been blissfully in “semiretirement” from acting for several years now, but it was only a matter of time before a big project enticed her back onto a Hollywood set. That movie was Marty Supreme – and it didn’t hurt that Timothée Chalamet was attached as the lead! As New Idea sits down with Gywn, 53, to chat all things Marty Supreme, which follows a rising table tennis player in the 1950s, she admits she was “really excited” to work with “incredible Timmy. I was nervous coming back in, and he was so nice to me.” What was it about the role of wealthy socialite Kay Stone that lured you back? Well, it was a time of my life when I have not done a lot of films…

THIS BOOK MADE ME THINK OF YOU By Libby Page Five months after her husband Joe’s death, Tilly is shocked when she receives a birthday gift from him. Twelve books, one for each month. As the stories carry her around the world, Tilly rediscovers herself. Can the books show her love again? OUT FEB 3, PENGUIN BOOKS, $34.99 DEPARTURE(S) By Julian Barnes Stephen and Jean fall in love when they’re young, and again when they’re old, with Jimmy the dog happily along for the ride. This is the story of how the body fails us, starting at life’s end. It’s a warm, thoughtful tale about memory, love, letting go, and what really matters. OUT TUE., PENGUIN BOOKS, $34.99…

Jessie Buckley The luck of the Irish! Jessie and Paul Mescal beamed after Hamnet won Best Drama. She was also named Best Actress, positioning herself as a favourite for the Oscar. George Clooney And the award for Best-Dressed Couple goes to … these two! George and his stunning wife, Amal, can always be called upon to provide some Hollywood glamour. Amanda Seyfried Nominated for two awards, Amanda calmed her nerves with a mini bottle of bubbles as she made her way into the ceremony. Stephen Graham The brains behind Adolescence celebrated the show’s clean sweep by hitting the dance floor with his wife, Hannah Walters, at an afterparty. Hailee Steinfeld The pregnant actress compared bumps with her Sinners co-star, Wunmi Mosaku – who had just revealed she was expecting on…

The ongoing Beckham family feud has seemingly taken a new turn – on two fronts. Last week, it emerged David and Victoria Beckham’s eldest son Brooklyn, 26, had asked his lawyers to send his parents a legal letter, allegedly warning them from contacting him. “The letter is also thought to have stated that he doesn’t want his parents or family to mention or tag him in any social media statements,” a source tells New Idea. According to UK publication The Sun, he took the stance “to protect his mental health”. “David and Victoria are heartbroken that it’s come to this,” our source says. Then Brooklyn’s wife Nicola Peltz, 31, ‘liked’ social media statements which read, “I’m glad Brooklyn was able to join such a nice family” and “I’m sorry but…

If there’s one thing we know about the Hewitts, it’s that they’re notoriously private, with Lleyton and Bec rarely giving interviews. So, when their oldest daughter, Mia, agreed to do her first solo photo shoot and interview with Stellar, Lleyton, 44, laid down some ground rules. He and Bec, 42, “encouraged Mia to stay true to herself, but Lleyton made it clear that any family matters were not to be discussed in detail,” a source tells New Idea. Topics including her parents’ marriage, her siblings, Cruz, 17, and Ava, 15, and their upbringing were to be handled with care. Bec and Lleyton also advised Mia, who is the lead singer of folk-rock duo Father’s Favourite, to keep the photo shoot stylish and mature. Or as Lleyton put it: “Keep it…

SAFETY FIRST! From lady of the manor to newly minted mum, Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery has made her debut as a first-time mother in public. Michelle, 44, was spotted near her home in London on a recent, crisp winter’s morning while enjoying a takeaway coffee with her husband, Jasper Waller-Bridge. Their newborn was cosied up against dad Jasper, 37, as the pair ran errands. Although they haven’t publicly confirmed the birth yet – or revealed the child’s name or gender – the proud new parents were spotted getting out of an Audi which displayed a ‘baby on board’ sticker on the rear window. An onlooker told New Idea the pair looked “very happy”. “They seemed to be having a lovely day together and they couldn’t stop smiling at the…

It was business as usual for the Prince and Princess of Wales as they returned to work for the new year. Prince William, 43, and Kate, 44, were all smiles when they made a surprise visit to London’s Charing Cross Hospital. An onlooker said the pair shared lots of laughs together and with the staff and patients. But behind the scenes, things aren’t quite as relaxed for the couple. According to our royal insider, Kate and Wills have been left “frustrated” by some cruel and unfounded social media chatter about the state of their marriage. They will mark their 15th wedding anniversary in April. On January 6, a video of William, Prince George, 12, and Princess Charlotte, 10, emerging from a helicopter on the grounds of Kensington Palace and carrying…

It’s no secret that Jennifer Aniston is head over heels for her new beau, Jim Curtis. In fact, he has become such an important figure in Jen’s life that the actress is keen to officially introduce him to her ex-husband, Brad Pitt! While that might seem strange to some, since their five-year marriage ended in 2005, Jen and Brad have gone on to forge a good friendship, with Jen, 56, explaining that she and Brad, 61, are now “buddies”. Sources told UK Heat magazine earlier this month that, although Brad is “not someone who Jen “sees all that often”, they are still close and their lives are intertwined. “She doesn’t want to tip-toe around that with Jim,” the source added. “The sooner they can all get together for dinner and…

As a baby, Gabriella ‘Ella’ Belan never cried or made a sound. While that might seem ideal for a new mother, it was a sign something was wrong. “At about 10 days old, Ella was diagnosed with a paralysis of the vocal cords and doctors said she may never speak,” her mum Sophia, from Bathurst, NSW, tells New Idea. Ella also had what is known as a floppy windpipe and voice box, meaning her airways were constantly compromised, preventing her from breathing properly. As she grew, she needed 18 operations to rebuild her airway, which failed to stretch properly. With no voice, Sophia and Ella’s dad, Corey, relied on her heart monitor beeping to say her heart rate was up, signalling she was upset or needed something. As she got…

Tropicana Pavlova SERVES 12 PREP & COOK 2 HOURS ■ 6 egg whites ■ 1½ cups caster sugar ■ 1½ tsp white vinegar ■ 300ml tub thickened cream ■ ½ cup sour cream ■ 2 tbsp icing sugar mixture ■ Chopped pineapple, sliced kiwifruit, sliced mango, passionfruit pulp, to decorate 1 Grease a large oven tray. 2 Trace a 22cm-diameter circle onto a sheet of baking paper. Place onto prepared tray, traced-side down. 3 Beat egg whites in large bowl of electric mixer until soft peaks form. With motor operating, beat in caster sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, beating well between each addition until dissolved. Beat for a further 5 mins, until thick and glossy. Beat in vinegar. 4 Spoon meringue onto traced circle on tray. Spread to edge.…

You might be aware that our hair thins out as we age. But did you know that this can also include our brows and eyelashes? “A combination of factors such as hormonal changes, genetic predisposition and overall health influences this process,” explains Alyssa O’Rourke, co-owner and CEO of Locks Lash. You may also notice a change in texture, fullness and even colour. Luckily, there are tricks that we can throw into our routines to help… FILL THEM IN If your brows are looking a little sparse, it might be worth seeing a beautician. “Brow laminations with a hybrid brow tint and wax service are a perfect go-to,” says Alyssa. “If you’re someone who had extremely over-plucked eyebrows in high school and you want to grow them back, regular treatments could…

EDITORIAL Acting Editorial Director Rachel Williams, Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin, Art Director Katie Garside, Picture Editor Matthew Mackay ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Anna Quinn, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.au Website www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.au Published by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2026. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. New Idea is a registered trade mark of Are Media. Use of trademark strictly prohibited. Licensing Inquiries: www.contentshop.com.au / syndication@aremedia.com.au Printed by…