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Deborra-Lee Furness shares life update after divorce

<p>Deborra-Lee Furness has broken her silence for the first time since photos emerged of Hugh Jackman's new <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/deborra-lee-furness-reacts-to-hugh-jackman-s-new-relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">relationship</a> with his co-star Sutton Foster. </p> <p>Furness revealed that she feels as though she is now in “chapter three” of her life following her shock split from Jackman in 2023. </p> <p>Speaking about focusing on her career over her love life, she told the <em>Herald Sun</em>, “I’ve had a few offers for films back here so I’m still reading some scripts so if there’s something that’s great.”</p> <p>She went on to share that she’ll be taking more time for herself now she’s single and able to focus on herself first. </p> <p>“I’ve got some projects in New York. I’m in my chapter three. I’m a creative, I love being creative in a variety of areas and I think I’ll be doing more travelling.”</p> <p>This is the first time she has spoken publicly since her ex-husband debuted his new relationship, although a source allegedly close to Furness said she felt "a sense of relief" when Jackman and Foster's relationship was announced. </p> <p>The source told the <em>Daily Mail</em>, “She has been plagued with suspicions. She was told it wasn’t true, and that they were nothing more than close friends who worked together. But something in her heart told her that this was not true."</p> <p>“She trusted her intuition and her intuition was right. She finally feels at ease after getting confirmation that her fears and suspicions were warranted. She can now fully close this chapter and move on.”</p> <p>Jackman and Furness announced their separation after 27 years of marriage in September 2023.</p> <p>The former couple have two adult children, Oscar, 24, and Ava, 19.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Matt Baron/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Relationships

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Wild claim about Hugh Jackman romance

<p>Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster have confirmed their relationship earlier this month, and as the couple ramp up their public appearances together, it has been reported that prior to getting together, they took their respective spouses on double dates.</p> <p>Jackman and Foster grew closer while starring together in the Broadway musical <em>The Music Man</em> from December 2021 until January 2023.</p> <p>Now, an insider has revealed to the <em>Daily Mail </em>that Jackman and his ex-wife, Deborra-lee Furness, would enjoy date nights together with Foster and her ex-husband, Ted Griffin.</p> <p>The source also said that after every performance of their show the pair would share an "uncomfortably" long embrace in front of everyone. </p> <p>“It was odd,” they continued. “In a way it was uncomfortable. As the entire cast is trying to get to their dressing rooms upstairs, we all had to pass the two of them hugging. They didn’t even hide it! It was a long embrace … and it was weird.”</p> <p>“I thought she was just a needy actress,” they added.</p> <p>“That’s the way it appeared to me - the needy actress needed the hug from the big superman.”</p> <p>This comes after the couple were <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/hugh-jackman-and-sutton-foster-fans-notice-odd-detail-in-new-loved-up-pics-disappointing-004854401.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently spotted holding hands</a> for a lowkey outing in new pap photos. </p> <p>In one snap, Jackman appeared to be looking at the cameras while laughing, leading some to believe the pair called the press on themselves. </p> <p>"They need to stop calling the press on themselves," one user wrote on Instagram.</p> <p>"Looking right at the camera lol," another said, while a third simply added, "Disappointing."</p> <p>"Please, stop calling the paparazzi. This is so ridiculous," someone else said.</p> <p>"This screams closeted PR stunt," another added.</p> <p>Others thought the pair looked happy, with one saying "they make a beautiful couple".</p> <p>Jackman and  Deborra-Lee Furness announced their <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/hugh-jackman-devastated-after-marriage-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener">separation</a> after 27 years of marriage in September 2023, and a little over a year later, Sutton filed for divorce from husband Ted Griffin after 10 years of marriage.</p> <p>It was recently reported that the <em>Wolverine</em> actor and Furness are struggling to finalise their divorce, as they didn't have a prenup in place, with rumours that the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/hugh-jackman-and-deborra-lee-furness-rumoured-to-face-messy-divorce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">split may get "messy"</a> as they attempt to divide their massive fortune. </p> <p><em>Image: SplashNews.com/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness rumoured to face "messy" divorce

<p>Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness have yet to file for divorce, according to the Daily Mail. </p> <p>Insiders told the publication that their split could get "messy" as the former couple struggle to divide their estimated $250 million fortune. </p> <p>They are now planning to file in New York "in the next couple of weeks."</p> <p>"One of the biggest reasons why they haven’t yet filed is that they never had a prenup," the source told the Daily Mail. </p> <p>"When they got married, they thought it would be forever. Who doesn’t? At the time, neither of them expected Hugh’s career to get as enormous as it has.</p> <p>"Because there was no prenup, and he made a fortune during their marriage, this divorce is not going to be cut and dry. It may even get messy because the stakes are high.</p> <p>"A lot of moving parts need to be worked out and there is a huge amount of money involved.</p> <p>The insider insisted that the couple both want to "make this as easy as possible," but after three decades together and Jackman's huge rise to fame, "it’s not quite that easy."</p> <p>Furness and Jackman announced their <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/hugh-jackman-devastated-after-marriage-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener">split</a> in September 2023, and not long after, rumours of the <em>Wolverine</em> actor's new relationship with Broadway co-star Sutton Foster started emerging, with the pair finally confirming their romance last week. </p> <p>His new relationship has reportedly added to the growing tension between Jackman and Furness, who had struggled with "resentment and an imbalance of power" towards the end of their marriage. </p> <p>The division of assets, including their properties in East Hampton, New York, Sydney, and Manhattan, is also complicated by the fact that they are "no longer friends". </p> <p>"Hugh and Deborra-Lee are cordial to each other, but they are no longer friends," the insider said.</p> <p>"They put their differences aside to co-parent and he cares a lot about is children."</p> <p>The insider clarified that there was no overlap with Jackman and Furness by the time he started dating Foster. </p> <p>Just a few days ago, Furness said that she was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/deborra-lee-furness-reacts-to-hugh-jackman-s-new-relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">relieved </a>to see images of Jackman and Foster as it finally confirmed her "suspicions" that the pair would get together. </p> <p><em>Image: Guerin Charles/ABACA/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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Deborra-Lee Furness reacts to Hugh Jackman's new relationship

<p>After months of speculation that Hugh Jackman and his <em>The Music Man </em>co-star, Sutton Foster, were together, the pair finally went public with their romance last week where they were spotted holding hands after an intimate dinner. </p> <p>Now, a little over a year after  Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness announced their split, a source close to Furness has revealed her surprising reaction to the news. </p> <p>“Deborra-Lee feels a sense of relief to be honest with you,” the source told <em>Daily Mail</em>.</p> <p>The source added that the 68-year-old had her suspicions and was repeatedly told the pair were just friends. </p> <p>“She has been plagued with suspicions. She was told it wasn’t true, and that they were nothing more than close friends who worked together.</p> <p>“But something in her heart told her that this was not true.</p> <p>“She trusted her intuition and her intuition was right. She finally feels at ease after getting confirmation that her fears and suspicions were warranted.</p> <p>“She can now fully close this chapter and move on.”</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/DEjHGPlM5Bi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/DEjHGPlM5Bi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by People Magazine (@people)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jackman and Furness announced their <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/hugh-jackman-devastated-after-marriage-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener">split</a> in September 2023, after 27 years of marriage. </p> <p>On October 22 2024, Foster filed for <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/broadway-star-files-for-divorce-amid-hugh-jackman-rumour" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"uncontested divorce"</a> from her screenwriter husband Ted Griffin. </p> <p>“They are 100 per cent together and are in love and want to spend the rest of their lives together,” a source previously told Page Six of Jackman and Foster's relationship. </p> <p>The pair have starred alongside each other in the Broadway show <em>The Music Man </em>from 2022 to 2023. </p> <p><em>Image: Ron Adar / M10s/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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Hunter Valley bus driver learns his fate

<p>The judge has handed down his sentence to Hunter Valley bus driver Brett Button, who was behind the wheel of one of Australia's deadliest crashes that killed 10 people and injured 25 others. </p> <p>After a three-day hearing, Button, 59, was sentenced before Judge Roy Ellis at Newcastle District Court on Wednesday afternoon to 32 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 24 years beginning May 8th.</p> <p>He will be eligible for release on parole on May 7th, 2048.</p> <p>When the judge read his sentence, gasps were heard within the courtroom from survivors of the crash, while many victims' families broke down in tears. </p> <p>In sentencing, Judge Ellis said Button was under the influence of the opioid-based painkiller tramadol and had “abandoned his responsibility” to his 35 passengers at the time of the crash.</p> <p>“Words cannot adequately express the pain, anger, and sadness that permeated the first two days of these proceedings as victim impact statement after victim impact statement was read by and for absolutely distraught, depressed, and devastated family members of the deceased and survivors," Judge Ellis said.</p> <p>Judge Ellis said that in his 50 years in the justice system he had never “dealt with, seen, or even read about a case that involved anywhere near the same extent of extraordinary devastation”.</p> <p>“Surviving passengers described the trauma of their injuries and scenes of the crash, with unwanted memory of the carnage still present and easily triggered,” Judge Ellis told the court.</p> <p>Outside the courtroom after the sentence had been handed down, Leoni Bowey, who lost her sister Nadene McBride and niece Kyah McBride in the crash, said the family was surprised by the result but she didn’t “think there was ever an end to this”.</p> <p>“I don’t think closure ever happens,” she said.</p> <p>“Listening to the stories, I realised many of the victims that were on the bus that night are all living with trauma, depression, and anxiety - all things that will be with us for the rest of our lives."</p> <p>“I was having an anxiety attack because it was taking so long to get the numbers, and I had no idea what it all meant... but I will say I didn’t think we would get that sentence. I am really surprised.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

Legal

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Hunter Valley bus driver finally speaks out over horror crash

<p>The man who was behind the wheel of the deadly Hunter Valley bus crash in June 2023 has finally taken the stand, saying he is deeply sorry for the hurt he has caused the victims and their families. </p> <p>Brett Button, 59, was transporting wedding guests from the reception ceremony at the Wandin Valley Estate back to Singleton when the bus flipped, causing the deaths of 10 people and injuring 25 others. </p> <p>After pleading guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, Button appeared before Newcastle District Court on Tuesday to hear emotional <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/hunter-valley-crash-survivor-s-demands-of-killer-bus-driver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">victim statements</a> from survivors and family members of those who were killed.  </p> <p>On Wednesday, Button finally broke his silence on the fatal crash, issuing an emotional apology to all those impacted by the devastating crash.</p> <p>"I've tried to figure out the words to say I'm sorry, but how do you say you're sorry for such a horrible tragic event that has ruined the lives of hundreds of people," he told the court.</p> <div data-component="EmphasisedText"> <p>"I can't forgive myself. I can't believe I caused this, I never meant to cause it and every single person that died and was injured and everyone involved in this, I truly wish it never happened and I could apologise where people actually believe me."</p> </div> <p>"I live with this every day and I hate myself. I've caused parents to have to bury their children, which has been my biggest nightmare all my life, and now I've done it to so many families."</p> <p>"I'm sorry to everyone involved, including the police and everyone, my family — I've shamed everyone."</p> <p>Button also shared with the court that he had been taking the opioid tramadol since 1994, and admitted on the day of the crash, he had taken “in excess” of his prescribed dose of painkillers.</p> <p>When asked by his barrister Paul Rosser KC if he felt he was addicted, Button said he was "certainly dependent", adding that a pain specialist warned Button one year before the crash that he was at risk of addiction. </p> <p>When further questioned, Mr Button said he had no perception on that night the drug had impaired his driving.</p> <p>"I take responsibility for the death and injuries, it was no way purposeful and I wasn't negligent," he told the court. "I didn't do it deliberately."</p> <p>Andrew Scott, 35, and wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, daughter Kyah McBride, 22, and her partner, Kane Symons, 21, Darcy Bulman, 30, Rebecca Mullen, 26, Zachary Bray, 29, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Angus Craig, 28, were killed in the crash on June 11th 2023, with the crash now known as one of Australia's worst ever fatal road incidents.</p> <p>Judge Roy Ellis will consider 40 victim impact statements as part of his sentencing.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

Legal

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Hunter Valley crash survivor's demands of killer bus driver

<p>A man who survived the devastating bus crash in the Hunter Valley in June 2023 that claimed the lives of 10 people has confronted the man who was behind the wheel with an emotional victim statement in court. </p> <p>On that fateful day, Brett Button was transporting wedding guests to the reception venue when the bus flipped at a roundabout at Greta, with the crash claiming the lives of 10 people and injuring another 25 passengers. </p> <p>As a result, Button, 59, has pleaded guilty to 19 charges, including dangerous driving occasioning death and grievous bodily harm, appearing before Newcastle District Court on Tuesday to hear emotional victim statements from survivors and family members of those who were killed.  </p> <p>Taking the stand to deliver his impact statement following a day and a half of hearings, one survivor demanded Button look at him before telling him he'd trapped him in a “bus of hell”. </p> <p>“My friends didn’t deserve to die, the others didn’t deserve to die,” he said.</p> <p>“The families here don’t deserve to be here. My future has been destroyed because of your actions. I can no longer be the person I was. The intergenerational trauma you have caused is enormous.”</p> <p>Earlier on Tuesday, Steve Symons, whose son Kane died in the crash, fought back tears to tell Button about how his son had seized on a “second chance” after a childhood injury only to have it “cruelly” robbed from him.</p> <p>“Kane’s death has shattered our lives. It has left an unrepairable void. He was a vibrant and ambitious young man who had been given a rare second chance at life,” Mr Symons told the court.</p> <p>“He lived with an acute awareness of just how precious life is and embraced every moment of it. To lose him now after he was given that second chance at life is both cruel and unjust.”</p> <p>Zachary Bray was also given a “second chance” after a battle with stage-3 bowel cancer, as his mother, Jackie, said he “always chose the right path” in another emotional statement. </p> <p>“In many ways, Zac was the perfect child if there ever was one. He just wanted to please and did so his entire life, making his family, friends and colleagues proud in everything he did,” she said.</p> <p>“He and his friends did what they were told to do: have a plan B. They trusted the bus driver would get them home safely, but my son who did everything right still didn’t make it home."</p> <p>“Zac got a death sentence, and his family and friends got a life sentence.”</p> <p>At least 35 people are expected to provide witness impact statements to the court during a marathon three-day sentence hearing that began on Monday morning before Judge Roy Ellis, who is expected to hand down his sentence to Button on Wednesday. </p> <p>Andrew Scott, 35, and wife Lynan Scott, 33, Nadene McBride, 52, daughter Kyah McBride, 22, and her partner, Kane Symons, 21, Darcy Bulman, 30, Rebecca Mullen, 26, Zachary Bray, 29, Tori Cowburn, 29, and Angus Craig, 28, were killed in the crash on June 11th 2023, with the crash now known as one of Australia's worst ever fatal road incidents.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Caring

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"I think I knew for years": Andy Lee spills on proposal

<p>In their first photoshoot and interview as an engaged couple, Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding have revealed how the sweet proposal unfolded. </p> <p>The couple are the cover stars on this week's <em>Stellar</em> magazine and featured as guests on the <em>Something To Talk About</em> podcast. </p> <p>In the interview, Andy explained that he'd known "for a long time" that he wanted to marry his girlfriend of 10 years. </p> <p>“I think six, maybe to eight months [beforehand] was when I really started thinking about it. I think I knew for years. Then getting the ring, and hoping Bec liked it – that would have been the most nerve-racking part. And getting her there on time to the actual proposal,” he said.</p> <p>Andy popped the question in May, and proposed at the couple's home in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn. </p> <p>He recalled how Rebecca was running late on the day and kept him anxiously waiting for more than an hour before she showed up. </p> <p>“It doesn’t matter. The important thing is, we went home together,” she told the publication. </p> <p>While their proposal was nothing glamorous, it had sentimental value, as he handed her a napkin asking for her hand in marriage, a callback to their first meeting when she was working as a waitress at a Melbourne cafe and he wrote his number on a napkin for her. </p> <p>“It was just happiness,” Rebecca said of the proposal.</p> <p>“It’s such a nice feeling to know someone has gone and put all of this effort into something, to ask you to spend the rest of your life with them. I mean, we’d been dating for 10 years, so I kind of was like, maybe getting married is not for us. There was enough in our life that I knew he was serious about me.”</p> <p>She also shared the external pressure she felt over the years for the couple to get engaged, and explained why it took them so long. </p> <p>“Andy doesn’t like being told what to do. So in my mind, I was like, can everyone please stop pressuring him to propose? Because he’s not going to do it,” she said. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Hamlet: Experience the epic tragedy reimagined

<p>Brett Dean and Matthew Jocelyn’s <em>Hamlet</em> has been one of the most universally applauded operas in recent memory, with successful performances at the Glyndebourne Festival, the Adelaide Festival, New York's Metropolitan Opera and the Bavarian State Opera. </p> <p>Now Opera Australia’s production of the incredible adaptation at the Sydney Opera House continues to bring new life to Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. With its rich storytelling, the opera masterfully combines the profound themes of betrayal, revenge and madness with stunning musical compositions – but with a huge difference. </p> <p>For those familiar with Shakespeare’s work, this version of <em>Hamlet</em> provides a fresh perspective, blending the traditional elements of the play with operatic expression skilfully applied by Australian composer Brett Dean and Canadian librettist Matthew Jocelyn. </p> <p>Over60 was fortunate enough to secure an interview with librettist Matthew Jocelyn about his experience in adapting one of the world’s most famous plays into an opera.</p> <p><em><strong>O60: Firstly, by way of an introduction, you’re a director and librettist – can you summarise your career and your current roles?  </strong></em></p> <p><strong>Matthew:</strong> “I have led a particularly speckled career, navigating happily between directing theatre and opera, writing, teaching, running arts institutions in France and Canada, and walking. I always look forward to more of the latter. Right now I direct Koffler Arts, a gallery and multi-disciplinary arts project in Toronto, Canada, the first time I have had the opportunity to work directly with visual arts projects.”  </p> <p><em><strong>O60: How did you get involved with working on this production of Hamlet? Was this a project you’d be looking for or did an offer come as a surprise? Had you done a lot of work with Shakespeare works before this project?</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Matthew:</strong> “Brett Dean contacted me in 2013, through the recommendation of a couple of mutual friends in Berlin, a composer and a singer – both of whom I had worked with on a new opera in 2010. Brett was looking for someone crazy enough to embark on a project of adapting Hamlet for the opera. It was a cold call, but after a few conversations it was clear we shared similar ideas about what the opera could look like, and how to go about it.”   </p> <p><em><strong>O60: How did you approach turning Shakespeare’s famous lines into an opera? Did you write the libretto first or did Brett write the music first? Did you feel pressure making changes to the great Bard’s iconic piece? </strong></em></p> <p><strong>Matthew:</strong> “One of the most important decisions we made very early on was to use only Shakespeare’s own words to compose the libretto. But as three different versions of Hamlet were published during Shakespeare’s lifetime, or shortly after he died, there is no one definitive version – giving us both a multitude of choices for various lines, but also a deep sense that Shakespeare himself was continually rewriting his own text, giving us licence to continue doing the same. </p> <p>“The other major decision was to give ourselves freedom in who would say/sing each line. In our version, Hamlet may sing lines from Laertes or Ophelia, Ophelia sings lines from Polonius, Hamlet and Gertrude, lines get moved from one scene to another, and certain scenes appear in unexpected places for those who know the play. But at the end of the day – and this was the goal – the story is clear, and the emotions strong.”  </p> <p><em><strong>O60: You’ve collaborated with Brett Dean on other projects. What do you like about working with this Australian composer? Do you have future plans for work in Australia?</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Matthew:</strong> "Brett and I worked on numerous projects over a nearly ten-year period. This included chamber works, works for large orchestra with solo voices, and this opera. It was a rich and productive collaboration – with deeply thoughtful exchanges and a shared sense of play. Now we are both working on separate projects.” </p> <p><em><strong>O60: What are your current projects / what’s coming up in the future?</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Matthew:</strong> “I am writing the libretto for a couple of new operas right now – one in Canada, one in France. And my most recent project, Cassandra by Belgian composer Bernard Foccoulle, will be performed at the Berlin Stadtsoper in June, 2025, after opening at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels last autumn. Reconceiving Koffler Arts is also a bit of a passion project – I’m very lucky that way.”</p> <p>Attending Opera Australia’s Hamlet is not just a night out but an opportunity to witness a masterful adaptation of a classic story. Whether you’re a seasoned opera lover or new to the genre, this production promises to be an enthralling experience. Don’t miss the chance to see this exceptional interpretation of Hamlet and immerse yourself in the beauty and drama of opera at its finest. Visit <a href="https://opera.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://opera.org.au/</a> for more info.</p> <p><em>Images: Opera Australia \ Tony Hauser</em></p>

Music

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Hilarious reason why Hamish and Andy are "banned for life" from Olympic village

<p>It's not easy to get banned from the Olympic village, but somehow Andy Lee and Hamish Blake have managed to do just that.</p> <p>Despite being warned to “not to talk about this ever”, Andy threw caution to the wind during an interview with Triple M's  <em>The Rush Hour With Leisel Jones, Liam & Dobbo</em> on Tuesday. </p> <p>He explained that he and Hamish copped the ban from the International Olympic Committee after an incident during the 2012 London games. </p> <p>“Hamish and I were given the honour of speaking to the (Australian) Olympians before it started,” Andy began. </p> <p>“There’s a lot of applications and security you have to fill out to get into the Olympic village … and someone who filled out the forms put my birth date as that day’s date," he continued. </p> <p>Despite that fact that it was clearly an admin error, the authorities refused entry to the duo on the day of the speech. </p> <p>Funnily enough, a quick-thinking Aussie came to the rescue and managed to sneak him in. </p> <p>“I won’t name who, but someone on the team said, ‘Hey, I can bring an outfit out. You look a little bit like one of the high jumpers,’” Andy recalled.</p> <p>“Suddenly I went through on someone else’s (pass) and we snuck in, which was obviously a huge breach of security at a time when they were trying to prove that security was tight.”</p> <p>Hamish and Andy delivered their speech and mingled with all the athletes, but their little lie was called out 90 minutes later, when the security team realised they'd been tricked. </p> <p>“They dragged us and put us in separate rooms and there was a lot of interrogation,” Andy said. </p> <p>“We were … just tight-lipped, and then the head of security came in.”</p> <p>In another stroke of luck, the head of security turned out to be an Aussie, who recognised the duo.</p> <p>“He went, ‘Hamish and Andy, what are you guys doing here?’ We explained, and he was more understanding,” the comedian said.</p> <p>However, because of their actions, the Australian Olympic team was also punished, with some of their visitor passes revoked. </p> <p>“That’s why I wasn’t really proud of what happened,” Andy said.</p> <p>“I hate the fact that some people missed out.”</p> <p>The IOC also made it clear to the duo that they weren't welcome back to the village. </p> <p>“We had to agree to be banned for life,” Andy recalled to the amusement of the Triple M hosts. </p> <p>Liam Flanagan jokingly suggested to Andy:  “I think the campaign needs to start here. We need the ban lifted for Brisbane 2032!”</p> <p>To which he replied:  “or, (we could try) another sneak in … let’s double down!”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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5 ways to fake a clean bathroom

<p>Got a friend popping around for a catch up, and, your bathroom is less than sparkling? Don’t stress. Follow our foolproof tips to fake it so no one knows you didn’t have time to do a proper clean.</p> <p><strong>1. Scrub the loo</strong></p> <p>The toilet is often a telltale sign that your bathroom is in need of a clean. If you haven’t already invested in a leave-in cleaner for your bowl, simply get in there with some toilet cleaner and give a good squirt under the rim. Leave it to do its job while you get on with the rest of the bathroom.</p> <p>Then when it’s had a few minutes to soak, give it a once over with the toilet brush. Grab some toilet paper (or an antibacterial wipe) and give the rim and the top of the toilet a once over to remove any dust.</p> <p><strong>2. Eliminate any obvious mould and grime</strong></p> <p>Find yourself some good-quality mould spray that you can apply and then leave to work its magic while you move on to other areas of the bathroom. After 10 minutes (check your packet for the optimal time) you should be able to spray it with warm water from the shower and then wipe it clean.</p> <p><strong>3. Do a quick dust bust</strong></p> <p>Grab yourself a clean cloth or antibacterial wipe and go over the shelves and basin to get rid of any dust or dirt you can see.</p> <p><strong>4.Change your bathmat and hand towel</strong></p> <p>There’s nothing like a fresh and clean bathmat to trick your guests into thinking that you’ve just finished scrubbing the bathroom. Add a clean hand towel to complete the look.</p> <p><strong>5.Add a sweet scent</strong></p> <p>Give your bathroom a look of freshness by popping a small vase of flowers in there. You can also try a scented candle on top of the toilet to give off a nice scent and hide any odours.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Deborra-Lee Furness reflects on life as a single woman

<p>Deborra-Lee Furness has reflected on her life after her high-profile divorce from Hugh Jackman. </p> <p>Eight months on from the split, the 68-year-old actress has opened up about her life as a single woman, sharing what she has learned about herself through the emotional process. </p> <p>Jackman and Furness shocked the world when they announced their divorce after 27 years of marriage last September, but Furness told <a href="https://people.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>People</em></a> magazine that she has rediscovered parts of herself through the journey. </p> <p>“[I learned] that I’m strong and resilient,” Furness said. </p> <p>She also told<em> <a href="https://pagesix.com/entertainment/"><span id="U8341706792141mG">Page Six</span></a></em> at the screening for her new movie that she’s been “learning a lot about myself and I’m embracing evolution and growth.”</p> <p>The actress told the publication that it’s been a “year of evolution” for her that has been “scary” and “every other adjective.”</p> <p>However, Furness also told the outlet she was “grateful” that the last few months, although they have been difficult, presented her an opportunity for personal growth.</p> <p>She also revealed that she’s had close friends to lean on for support as she explores life as a single woman again. </p> <p>“I say this to all women — your girlfriends are a necessity in life,” Furness said before adding that her children have also been “very supportive”.</p> <p>Furness and Jackman announced their split in a joint statement shared with <span id="U834170679214oEC">People Magazine.</span></p> <p>“We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” they said. “Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Relationships

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How to avoid 6 common tourist scams

<p>Often when people are on holidays their focus is on relaxing or seeing the sights of the area. But if you don’t keep your wits about you, it’s possible you might end up losing everything to scammers who will do anything to get their hands on your belongings.</p> <p>Here we have six common scams to look out for while you are travelling abroad.</p> <p><strong>Scam 1:</strong> You are in a busy bar in a tourist friendly area when some locals ask where you’re from and offer to buy you a drink. Without thinking, you accept the drink and then find yourself waking up hours later without any of your belongings as you’ve had your drink spiked.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Solution:</em></span> If people seem too friendly, be aware that they may be scammers. Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know, and don’t leave your drink unattended to use the bathroom.</p> <p><strong>Scam 2:</strong> You are about to put your handbag and computer on the conveyer belt to go through the scanner. The people in front of you walk through the metal detector and while one goes through, the other sets off the alarms. They step back into where you are standing and take their time removing wallets and coins from their pockets. While you are waiting for your turn to walk through the metal detector, the other person has taken your belongings and is long gone.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Solution:</em></span> Don’t place your items on the conveyer belt until there is no one else waiting in front of you to go through the metal detector.</p> <p><strong>Scam 3:</strong> In a busy area such as after a concert or a busy night like New Year’s Eve it can be impossible to get public transport or a taxi back to your hotel. A friendly looking guy comes by and offers you a lift for a reasonable fee using his private car. The scam itself can then range from being charged an exorbitant amount when you arrive at your hotel – or you could even find yourself robbed and dropped by the side of the road with no way home.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Solution:</em></span> However tempting it is, never get in the car with an unlicensed taxi driver. This is even more important to note if you are travelling alone.</p> <p><strong>Scam 4:</strong> While you are waiting with your luggage for a train or bus, a passer-by appears to drop their wallet and walk off without noticing. You might try to do the right thing by grabbing the wallet and running after the person to return it. By the time you get back, your luggage is missing.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Solution:</em></span> When travelling alone, never leave your items unattended even if it means you don’t help someone when you normally would. This is especially true in airports where baggage will quickly be confiscated if left alone.</p> <p><strong>Scam 5:</strong> You’re taking in the sights when a couple of men dressed as policemen approach you. They demand to see your wallet and let you know that counterfeit money has been given to tourists in the area. When your wallet is returned it has had much of the contents removed.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Solution:</em></span> Police would never demand to see your wallet. If something doesn’t feel right, suggest that you continue the discussion at the nearest police station as you don’t feel comfortable. Most likely they will not push their luck.</p> <p><strong>Scam 6:</strong> You receive a phone call in your hotel room late at night from someone claiming to be from the front desk. They apologise for the late call but request that you just confirm your credit card details as their system is playing up. You read out the numbers and hang up. Before too long your credit card has rung up a huge bill as this was a scammer calling you, not a staff member.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Solution:</em></span> Organise payment in person by letting the caller know that you will come down to the front desk to discuss it.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Travel Tips

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Andy Lee is engaged!

<p>Andy Lee has announced his engagement to Rebecca Harding after almost 10 years together. </p> <p>Host of <em>The Hundred with Andy Lee </em>shared the news live on-air with his co-host Hamish Blake in the latest episode of the <em>Hamish &amp; Andy</em> podcast. </p> <p>"I asked Bec to marry me on Sunday," Andy announced six minutes into the podcast. </p> <p>With Bec on the line, co-host Hamish Blake jokingly asked: “Is it a bit quick? Is it a bit sudden?”</p> <p>“We really should’ve given it another couple of years,” Rebecca quipped. </p> <p>But Hamish also revealed how he and wife Zoe Foster Blake were overjoyed at the news and that they’d both been “crying” with happiness.</p> <p>Andy said that for the proposal he took Rebecca to their "new old house" - a derelict heritage-listed property the Melbourne - under the guise they needed to film videos for social media before they start the build.</p> <p>While the couple were standing in front of the old marble fireplace Andy said he pretended he could see something inside the fireplace and went to take a look before pulling out a napkin, in a nod to how they met.</p> <p>“When I was down there, I stayed on one knee and I gave her another napkin — because when I first met her at the cafe, I wrote on a napkin my details,” he explained.</p> <p>He also shared the news on Instagram today, with a few photos from the engagement with the caption: “People keep saying we’ve rushed into this but we don’t care what people say!”</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/C6cK5UQSHyF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/C6cK5UQSHyF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Andy Lee (@andytomlee)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple originally met in a Melbourne cafe where she was working as a waitress. Andy was smitten and ended up giving her his contact details on a napkin. </p> <p>“She was attractive, but it was more her bubbly personality and how she wasn’t good at her job,” he said in a column for <em>The Age </em>in 2022.</p> <p>“She’d leave a table knowing about the person’s grandchildren or dog, but forget their order. I ordered cups of tea I never drank and eventually left a note on a napkin.”</p> <p>"She told me she was two weeks away from finishing her master's degree for the year. I said, 'That's a Tuesday. I'll call you on the Saturday and tell you where I'm going to take you,' and we went out Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday," he told <em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em>. </p> <p>The couple went public with their relationship at the Australian Open in January 2015 but briefly split in 2016 after media pressure.</p> <p>Six months later they rekindled their relationship and showed up arm in arm to the 2017 Logies Awards red carpet. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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Australian Idol host opens up on painful health battle

<p>Australian Idol host and singer Ricki-Lee Coulter has revealed that she has been battling endometriosis for over a decade. </p> <p>The 38-year-old took to Instagram to share the process that led her diagnosis, straight from the hospital bed, following her laparoscopy and excision surgery. </p> <p>"For over a decade I’ve been dealing with chronic pain that has progressively gotten worse,” she began the post. </p> <p>“Anyone with endometriosis knows it takes a long time to get to the point where you have surgery and can get any kind of diagnosis — and that you have to advocate for yourself and keep pushing for answers.</p> <p>“Over the years I have seen so many doctors and specialists, and have been down so many different paths to try to figure out what was going on — and for so long I thought the pain was just something I had to deal with.</p> <p>“But the past couple of years, it has become almost unbearable and is something I’ve been dealing with every single day.</p> <p>“I met with a new GP at the start of the year, who referred me to a new specialist, and we went through all the measures that have been taken to try to get to the bottom of this pain — and the only option left was surgery.</p> <p>“So this week I had a laparoscopy and excision surgery — and they removed all the endometriosis they found, and I can only hope that is the end of the pain.</p> <p>“I’m now at home recovering and feeling good. Rich is taking very good care of me xxx," she ended the post.</p> <p>She also shared a few photos after her surgery, and of her recovering at home. </p> <p>One in nine women suffer from endometriosis, a condition where the  tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, which sometimes moves to other areas of the body. </p> <p>Friends and followers shared their support in the comments, with reality TV star and fellow endo-warrior Angie Kent saying: “Sending you lots of love! You’re not alone in this — it’s a marathon not a sprint, unfortunately.</p> <p>“But there’s an amazing chronic invisible illness sista-hood out here! I hope you have a good support system with the recovery including an amazing women’s health practitioner.”</p> <p>“Sending lots of love,” Sunrise host Natalie Barr added. </p> <p>“Sending you so much love. Been where you are now and it gets so much better honey,” wrote Jackie O. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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Hunter Valley bus driver breaks silence

<p>Brett Andrew Button, 59, who allegedly caused a fatal bus crash that <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/hunter-valley-bus-driver-hit-with-new-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">killed 10 people</a> and injured 25 others has broken his silence over the incident for the first time.</p> <p>Button appeared before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday as he faces almost 90 charges associated with the horror crash. </p> <p>In a statement read by his lawyer, Chris O’Brien, Button said that there was “not a day that goes by that I don’t think about what happened that night”.</p> <p>“There isn’t an hour that goes by that I’m not thinking of the families that have been affected by the crash.</p> <p>“I truly feel for anyone involved, including the emergency services.</p> <p>“I am devastated by what has occurred and I am truly deeply sorry.”</p> <p>Button was the bus driver in charge of driving wedding guests to a Hunter Valley venue when the vehicle allegedly lost control and crashed.</p> <p>Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott were killed in the crash and farewelled in ceremonies weeks later. </p> <p>Nadene and Kyah McBride who were among the ten wedding guests killed in the crash, were also <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/a-moving-time-hunter-valley-bus-crash-victims-honoured-at-aflw-grand-final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">honoured with a tribute</a> at the AFLW grand final in December. </p> <p>Zach Bray, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen were the other victims of the horror crash. </p> <p>Button faces 89 charges including nine counts of negligent driving occasioning death and 16 counts of driving a motor vehicle furiously doing or causing harm.</p> <p>He has not entered any pleas. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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Deborra-Lee Furness breaks silence on life post-divorce

<p dir="ltr">Deborra-Lee Furness has broken her silence on what life has looked like since her high profile split from Hugh Jackman. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Aussie actress has hit the press circuit promoting <em>Force of Nature: The Dry 2</em>, the sequel to the hit 2020 film, in which she’ll star alongside Eric Bana.</p> <p dir="ltr">Facing questions about her divorce, the 68-year-old finally broke her silence on how she has been dealing with life as a single woman. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It is kind of exciting,” she told <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hook-ups-break-ups/deborralee-furness-on-life-without-hugh-jackman-frightening/news-story/dc4fa3f9e19c80ea9dada89a852e67c0"><em>The Advertiser</em>.</a></p> <p dir="ltr">“You know what, change, transition, evolution is a little frightening, and we are all a bit scared of it, but I think it is probably our greatest gift.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Deborra-Lee Furness and Hugh Jackman shocked the world in September last year when they announced they would be separating after 27 years of marriage. </p> <p dir="ltr">The couple released a joint statement at the time announcing they were going their separate ways and had decided to split to pursue “individual growth”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They added that their family is their highest priority and that they will undertake “this next chapter with gratitude, love and kindness”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple met in 1995 on the set of an Australian television show they both starred in, and married just one year later. </p> <p dir="ltr">Together they share two children, Oscar and Ava. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9556549a-7fff-b18e-2baf-242c622406aa"></span></p>

Relationships

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Post break-up Hugh Jackman reveals brand new look

<p>In an inspiring turn of events, Hugh Jackman, the ruggedly handsome Wolverine of our dreams, has ditched his trademark beard, just a month after amicably splitting from his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness. We're not entirely sure if the divorce court stipulated a "no facial hair" clause, but the man's commitment to cleanliness is truly inspiring.</p> <p>Jackman took to social media to reveal his fresh, beardless face to the world, leaving fans flabbergasted. The Aussie actor, who previously resembled a distinguished mountain man, now flaunts a look that screams "I might be going through a breakup, but my grooming game is still on point."</p> <p>The transformation was nothing short of astonishing. Instead of the wild and untamed beard we've come to know and love, Jackman shared pictures of himself sporting neatly trimmed facial hair, captured during a visit to a New York barbershop. He even took two street selfies to commemorate this momentous occasion, radiating a vibe that said, "I am ready to tackle life with a jawline as sharp as my wit."</p> <p>On his Instagram stories, Jackman posted a photo of himself grinning like a Cheshire cat in the barber's chair, with the caption, "Thank you Gabriel!!!" Clearly, he was thankful not just for the fine work of his barber but also for the chance to lighten his facial load.</p> <p>Fans couldn't contain their excitement over the "fresh" new look. One fan enthusiastically wrote, "Post break-up Hugh is here! Bring it on." Another chimed in, "You look great Hugh, much cleaner and fresher." It seems the internet was united in their appreciation for the change, as one person couldn't help but comment, "OK, that beard was a bit too long. Now it is 👌. Good decision 😁."</p> <p>Others couldn't resist a good-natured ribbing, with one cheeky commentator joking, "I bet that feels SO much better! We were going to start calling you Grizzly Adams soon 😂." Indeed, Jackman's transformation from a forest-dwelling hermit to a dapper gentleman is a sight to behold.</p> <p>And, of course, there were those who declared Jackman "handsome as ever". It seems that even without his facial fur, the man can still make hearts flutter.</p> <p>Jackman and Furness, who were married for 27 years, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/hugh-jackman-devastated-after-marriage-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced their separation</a> in September. They revealed their intention to part ways for the sake of "individual growth". And it seems that Jackman's journey of personal development begins with a well-trimmed beard.</p> <p>But what's next for this newly clean-shaven Jackman? Reports suggest that he's on a quest to find love again, with his inner circle placing bets on him "remarrying fairly quickly". Although some reports say he's still "mourning" his past relationship and isn't quite "back in the dating game" just yet, we have no doubt that his fresh face and renewed sense of self will lead to exciting prospects.</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/CydYhgjOenY/?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/CydYhgjOenY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In a surprising twist, <em>US Weekly</em> has reported that the actor is "in the early stages" of writing his memoir, promising "big bombshells." Perhaps this newfound style transformation is just the tip of the iceberg in a series of revelations that will leave us all reeling. We can only imagine the epic tales of his time as Wolverine, his love story with Deborra-Lee Furness, and of course, the "No Beard, No Baggage" chapter.</p> <p>October 12 marked Jackman's 55th birthday, with the actor reuniting briefly with Furness to celebrate at a New York restaurant. The couple enjoyed a "very happy" meal together with friends, and a source reported that it was a "good birthday". A representative for Jackman confirmed, "Yes, it's true. It was a lovely evening," proving that even in the wake of a separation, these two can still dine amicably.</p> <p>Jackman and Furness are said to be speaking fairly regularly following their separation, and the bond between them remains strong. So, as we look forward to the next chapters in the life of Hugh Jackman, we can only hope they come with more shocking style changes, captivating memoirs, and a dash of his infectious charisma. After all, when it comes to Jackman, it's clear that even without his beard, he'll always be a cut above the rest.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Deborra-Lee Furness speaks out for the first time since separation

<p>Deborra-Lee Furness has broken her silence for the first time since announcing her and Hugh Jackman were separating after 27 years of marriage. </p> <p>Just one week after the news of their split made headlines, Deborra-Lee answered a cold call from Kyle and Jackie O, live on their radio show. </p> <p>Sandilands admitted he wasn't expecting Furness to answer the call, as they didn't realise they hit the dial button. </p> <p>“Seriously, this isn’t a stitch up,” Sandilands told Furness when she picked up on <em>The Kyle &amp; Jackie O Show</em>. </p> <p>“We didn’t mean to actually call you. But now you’re here, we won’t go into it. We love you, we hope you’re well.”</p> <p>“Thank you, guys. I really appreciate it. You’re really sweet,” Furness told Sandilands and Henderson.</p> <p>Feeling bad, Sandilands stressed that the duo weren’t after a scoop about their separation as they did not want to pry so early after the couple's split. </p> <p>“I just feel it’s too soon,” the shock jock told Furness over the phone. “I don’t want to get involved in anything. But we love you, and you ring us when you want to chat.”</p> <p>Before hanging up, Furness again said, “Thank you, guys. I really, really appreciate it.”</p> <p>Henderson praised Sandilands after the phone call, telling him “that was the right thing to do” – and he agreed.</p> <p>“I’m not here to stitch anyone up in the worse time in their life,” he explained. </p> <p>Despite Kyle's offer to Deb for her to chat about the divorce, Hugh and Deborra-Lee made in clear in their separation announcement that the statement would be the one and only time they will both speak publicly about the break-up.</p> <p>“This is the sole statement either of us will make,” they wrote. </p> <p>The Hollywood couple <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/hugh-jackman-devastated-after-marriage-split" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shocked the world</a> on September 15th when they released a statement confirming their separation after being married for 27 years.</p> <p>“We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,” Jackman and Furness told <em><a href="https://people.com/hugh-jackman-and-deborra-lee-jackman-separate-exclusive-7970286" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link-type="article-inline">People</a></em>.</p> <p>“Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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