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From lettuce fields to opera stages – the brilliant journey of Helen Sherman

How does a young girl growing up on a lettuce farm in rural New South Wales, surrounded by the quiet rustle of leaves and the hum of daily farm life, go on to become such a powerful voice on the operatic scene? This is the unlikely beginning of Helen Sherman, the Australian-British mezzo-soprano who has taken the world of opera by storm. Sherman’s musical journey began at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where her extraordinary voice started to attract attention. It wasn't long before her ambition led her to the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) in the UK. There, she honed her craft, setting the stage for a remarkable career that would see her representing Australia at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition and the Francisco Viñas International Singing Competition. Sherman's rise to operatic fame has been nothing short of meteoric. Her versatility and talent have seen her perform a wide range of roles across the globe. Recent highlights include Flora in La traviata at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier and Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro with Opera North. Her portrayal of Tamiri in Farnace with Pinchgut Opera and Dorabella in Così fan tutte at Teatru Manoel in Malta further cemented her reputation as a mezzo-soprano of extraordinary range and depth. One of Sherman’s standout performances was her interpretation of the title role in Carmen with the State Opera South Australia. Her embodiment of Carmen’s fiery spirit and complex emotions captivated audiences and critics alike. Equally compelling was her portrayal of Giulio Cesare with Bury Court Opera, a role that showcased her ability to navigate the demanding vocal and dramatic challenges of baroque opera. In 2024, Sherman’s calendar is as busy as ever, as she will be singing Dorabella in Così fan tutte and Mistress of the Novices in Suor Angelica for Opera Australia, roles that promise to highlight her versatility and emotional depth. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: #ffffff; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Over60 was lucky enough to be able to interview Sherman in the lead-up to her Sydney performances of <a href="https://opera.org.au/productions/il-trittico-sydney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Il Trittico</a> and <a href="https://opera.org.au/productions/cosi-fan-tutte-sydney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Così fan tutte</a>: O60: How did you become an opera singer after growing up on a lettuce farm in rural NSW? “It was quite a journey. My father was an incredible piano accordionist (think Flight of the Bumblebee, Malagueña etc). In the 1970s his teaching studio in Bathurst peaked at about 40 accordion students, which I think is quite remarkable. After his father died, Dad stepped back from his teaching to take over the family farm, though he still plays to this day. “My mother is a music lover, and wanted her children to have the opportunity to explore creative outlets that she wasn't fortunate enough to explore in her youth, so my brother, sister and I all had lessons in piano accordion, piano, dancing, drama and singing. We were fortunate to live in a town that had many thriving arts organisations, such as the Dolly McKinnon School of Dance, Bathurst Eisteddfod Society and Mitchell Conservatorium of Music. “Bathurst's Carillon Theatrical Society (for which my dad's cousin, the late, great, Carole Eastment, was choreographer) afforded us the opportunity to be part of full-scale classic musical productions. I was also fortunate to attend MacKillop College, a local Catholic high school of humble proportions, that had a very passionate and resourceful music teacher, Mr David Eyles. Thanks to him, students like me were able to star in wittily re-written and orchestrated G&S productions. With such a plethora of opportunities at my feet, my love of the stage was pretty much pre-determined. “Upon graduating high school, aged seventeen, I moved to Sydney to take up a place at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where I completed a Bachelor of Music and a post graduate diploma in opera. At this stage, I wasn't really in love with opera, that came later, when I found myself covering third novice in OA's 2007 production of Suor Angelica. “During the last studio run of the show, mere metres away from me, star soprano Cheryl Barker was singing the final solo notes of the title role: ‘Madonna! Madonna! Salva me! Salva me!’, tears streaming down her face, and the most incredible voice soaring out; I had chills all over my body and in my soul, and I have loved opera ever since.” O60: You were based in London for years; how did you find the opera world overseas versus in Australia – in both your studies and performing? “I guess the main differences are that the UK scene is a bigger one with more companies and more music schools; a more international one, that students and professionals from around the world flock to, and one with – historically – more financial backing and patronage. However, the scene in the UK has suffered dramatically in the last few years, particularly with the effects of Brexit compounded by COVID, cost-of-living crisis and embarrassingly ignorant cuts made by the Arts Council. “Generally, abroad, there are many more opportunities for musicians, but many, many more musicians competing for them. It is an awe-inspiring thing to meet and work with musical idols like Roger Vignols, Julius Drake, Yvonne Kenny etcetera, to sing a piece of music in the venue in which it premiered or was composed for; to tread the same cobblestones that the likes of Mozart and Handel trod and to delight in the discovery that the shoes or trousers you're wearing in a production bear the name of the likes of Dame Sarah Connolly.” “However, I would say that there is plenty of exciting stuff going on in Australia and an optimism and openness in the Australian people, which is impactful on our industry and its creative output. “More needs to be done in our country to insure all children are given creative learning outlets for the benefit of their development, their communities and for the future of our industry.” O60: Why did you return to Sydney and how are you enjoying it? Any future plans to head back overseas? “After a health scare in 2022 that forced me to cancel all my work, my husband received a job offer to relocate to Sydney. It felt like the universe was opening a door for us, so we gladly walked through it, and onto a flight to Sydney in mid 2023. I have felt welcomed (back!) with open arms both personally and professionally and I have no imminent plans to return abroad, at this stage.” O60: You’ve appeared in many staged productions as well as concerts. What do you like about these two types of performances? “Concert performances are a chance to home in on the music and the words without worrying about physical action. Staged productions afford the performer the luxury of inhabiting and exploring a character, physically, right down to their shoes and petticoats. Both are wonderful ways of working and some works naturally lend themselves to one or the other – though, I think for opera, context is key, and can be a challenge to properly manufacture on the concert platform.” O60: Tell us about your two characters and how do you prepare for performing two roles in different operas in the same season? “I've been playing the role of Mistress of Novices in Suor Angelica and am currently preparing the role of Dorabella in Così fan Tutte. One is a senior nun and the other an excitable teenage girl, so they are rather disparate. “The big challenge is in the early days of learning and memorising the role. Once you have a grasp of the music, the libretto and who you are, it's about showing up and reacting to your world. Preparing disparate roles concurrently can be a vocal challenge, since tessitura and vocal gesture have a big impact on how one might approach a score. I like to keep in touch, daily, with technical exercises that encourage economy and flexibility in my voice, especially when I'm working on contrasting roles. Thankfully, the human voice is a very sensitive instrument and responds intuitively to intention and emotion, so developing the character arc and subtext helps a lot with that. O60: What should audiences be watching and/or listening out for Il Trittico versus in Così fan tutte? “There's so much to enjoy so let it wash over you in broad, beautiful, very human brushstrokes!! Or, if you love little details, in Il Trittico see if you can spot which singers appear in all three operas and watch out for Frugola's bag of strange objects in Il Tabarro. You'll learn a lot from the body language and small glances between characters in the world of Suor Angelica, and in Gianni Schicchi, well, I am told there is a very interesting door stop! “In Così fan Tutte, listen out for the way Mozart creates subtext for his characters; tiny details, like Dorabella needing to sing a third higher than Fiordiligi (because she is the competitive younger sister!) when emotionally fraught in some of their act one recitatives! Mozart is a genius of musical detail!” O60: Do you have any dream roles you’re yet to perform? “There are too many to list, but I adore the role of Octavian in der Rosenkavalier by Strauss (a role I have sung, but would love to revisit) and I would love to sing Ariodante by Händel.” --- <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px;">Click here for more information on <a href="https://opera.org.au/productions/il-trittico-sydney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Il Trittico</a> and <a href="https://opera.org.au/productions/cosi-fan-tutte-sydney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Così fan tutte</a>.

Music

Are you a victim of elder abuse without even realising it?

A wealthy widow being told how to manage her money. A retired couple being denied access to their grandchildren. A single woman paying her high income-earning son’s credit card debt with her superannuation. Very different Australians with one unfortunate thing in common – they are all victims of elder abuse. While most people are familiar with the term ‘domestic violence’, the term ‘elder abuse’ is less well known. Which in itself is part of the problem: a lack of awareness helps perpetuate the cycle. The World Health Organization (WHO) <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abuse-of-older-people" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defines elder abuse</a> as: “a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person. This type of violence constitutes a violation of human rights.” It isn’t necessarily restricted to actions that leave physical scars – which can make it harder to identify, even for victims themselves. The absence of physical violence or financial theft can provide a false sense of security. Not recognising the signs that something is amiss lets mistreatment go unnoticed altogether. Alternatively, excuses are made for a loved one’s behaviour or concerns aren’t raised in order to ‘keep the peace’. How prevalent is elder abuse in Australia? The limited discussion of elder abuse in the media and society in general would suggest it isn’t common in Australia. Sadly, this couldn’t be more wrong. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/population-groups/older-people#abuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Government figures</a> estimate that one in six older people – around 598,000 individuals – were directly affected in 2023. Psychological abuse was the most widespread, while 2.1 per cent of older Australians – 83,800 people – experienced financial abuse. Who is responsible? The saddest fact of all is that elder abuse is typically committed by people their victims should be able to trust the most. More than half (53 per cent) of perpetrators are family members: adult children are the most common, with partners/spouses ranking third. Friends are the second most common perpetrators. What are the impacts? Impacts of elder abuse are typically far-reaching and depend on the type of abuse involved. Among them are: <ul> <li>Loss of control and independence</li> <li>Physical and mental health issues</li> <li>Relationship breakdowns</li> <li>Financial losses</li> <li>Insecure living arrangements</li> </ul> It is not uncommon for older people to be pressured over how to manage their finances and estate planning, influencing everything from how much they have to live off in retirement to care arrangements in their final years and who benefits from their estate. Much of the abuse and subsequent fallout centres around the family home. Charity <a href="https://www.theforgottenwomen.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Forgotten Women</a> notes there are over 40,000 women aged 55-plus who are homeless in Queensland alone. Elder abuse is often a contributing – if not causal – factor, such as one woman forced to live in her car while her son occupies her home. Meanwhile, the current housing crisis creates ideal conditions for abuse to flourish. Multi-generational households risk reduced independence and increased control over older people. A lack of proper agreements and structures when the Bank of Mum and Dad assists with a home deposit and/or loan guarantee opens the door to expectations of further financial assistance or threats to default on guaranteed loans. Warning signs of elder abuse Besides physical violence, red flags to look for include: <ul> <li>Coercive control – undue pressure over decision-making, living arrangements, spending and investment strategies, pensions, superannuation, tax, legal affairs and wills, ownership of assets, power of attorney.</li> <li>Guilt – emotional manipulation and ‘guilt-tripping’ for not meeting particular demands.</li> <li>Isolation – from family and friends as well as from independent professional advisers (your accountant, financial adviser, lawyer, healthcare professionals etc.).</li> <li>Money mismanagement – taking cash without consent; restricting access to money and assets; pressure to pay expenses that aren’t yours.</li> <li>Neglect and abandonment – withholding essentials or anything that is needed to maintain quality of life.</li> <li>Blackmail – a tragically common example is withholding access to grandchildren unless financial or legal demands are met.</li> </ul> Given the potentially disastrous consequences, it is important to recognise the signs and act quickly. Don’t suffer in silence or hope that things will sort themselves out. If you or someone you know is experiencing elder abuse, seek help straight away. Speak to a trusted relative or friend. Seek independent legal and financial advice about your affairs. Or call the government’s <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/elder-abuse-phone-line" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free elder abuse line on 1800 353 374</a>. And if your life is in danger, call triple zero (000) immediately. About the Author: Helen Baker is a licensed Australian financial adviser and author of On Your Own Two Feet: The Essential Guide to Financial Independence for all Women. Helen is among the 1% of financial planners who hold a master’s degree in the field. Proceeds from book sales are donated to charities supporting disadvantaged women and children. Find out more at <a href="http://www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.onyourowntwofeet.com.au</a> Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal financial or product advice. Any opinions or views expressed are those of the authors and do not represent those of people, institutions or organisations the owner may be associated with in a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Helen Baker is an authorised representative of BPW Partners Pty Ltd AFSL 548754. Image: Getty

Retirement Income

Queen Camilla meets . . . Princess Margaret?!

In a collision of regal proportions, the world witnessed an unforgettable convergence of the fictitious and the real, as the one and only Helena Bonham Carter, famous for her portrayal of the indomitable Princess Margaret in seasons three and four of The Crown, found herself in the splendid company of none other than the Queen Consort herself, Camilla, at Clarence House. The rendezvous occurred at a glitzy reception held to celebrate 30 years of the Forward Arts Foundation. The Foundation, on a mission to spread the love of poetry throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, decided to throw this soiree just as London was gearing up for another artistic extravaganza: Frieze Week. Clearly, this was a battle for the city's cultural heart, and poetry had the honour of setting the stage. The highlight of the evening, however, was the majestic meeting of the minds between Bonham Carter and the Queen Consort. As they locked eyes, it was hard to tell who was more starstruck. The actress executed a curtsey so profound it nearly reached the Earth's core before engaging the Queen in delightful conversation. In a refreshing break from her usual attire, which would make even the most extravagant peacock jealous, Bonham Carter sported a dress adorned with bright florals and black feathers, accented by pink ribbons in her hair. Camilla, on the other hand, stole the sartorial spotlight in an arresting peacock feather print shirt dress that must've made any nearby birds quite envious. But Bonham Carter wasn't content with merely being a guest; she also graced the audience with her talents by reciting a poem. Her choice was William Stafford's "Yes," a poem that would have moved Shakespeare himself to stand up, clap and stomp his booted feet. William Sieghart, the founder of the Forward Arts Foundation, expressed his immense pride in the work of the foundation and thanked the Queen for her involvement, calling it "proof of the pudding" that they were indeed making progress. Among the distinguished guests at this intimate soirée were previous winners of the Forward Prizes for Poetry, including the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, the actress Karen Bryson, and Bonham Carter’s former The Crown co-star, Natascha McElhone. Speaking of royalty, Netflix's juggernaut series, The Crown, has once again captured our attention. The recent announcement of the November and December release dates for the final season has ignited a whirlwind of excitement and speculation. The promotional artwork for this last hurrah features a moody and atmospheric image of the Queen, played by the talented Imelda Staunton, and a reimagining of the iconic photograph of Princess Diana poised on the diving board of a yacht in Portofino, just a week before her untimely departure from this world. While fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming season, it hasn't been without its controversies. Critics have <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/major-twist-in-store-for-final-season-of-the-crown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raised their eyebrows at reports</a> suggesting that the show will include depictions of Princess Diana's "ghost". Bonham Carter herself, who graciously passed her fictitious tiara to Leslie Manville for the final seasons, has spoken out about the show's duty to distinguish between fact and artistic license. During a chat on the show's official podcast back in 2020, she insisted that The Crown carries a "moral responsibility" to remind viewers that this is a work of fiction inspired by facts, not an educational documentary. It's a reminder to us all that even the fanciest of crowns can come with a little disclaimer. So, as the final season of The Crown approaches, we can only wonder what other regal surprises are in store for us. In the meantime, let's raise a glass to the poetic evening at Clarence House, where fact met fiction, and where, for a brief moment, we were all kings and queens of our own whimsical kingdom. Images: Getty

Beauty & Style

Helen Mirren debuts new look on the runway at Paris Fashion Week

Helen Mirren has proven yet again that style, glamour and beauty have no age limit, as she hit the runway at Paris Fashion Week to debut her new look. The 78-year-old acting legend showed off a wild crimped hairstyle as she donned a sparkly silver ballgown for L’Oreal's Walk Your Worth event, which took place under the Eiffel Tower on Sunday. Mirren beamed as she walked down the catwalk, exuding confidence and charm, with the who's-who of the fashion world watching on. Mirren appeared alongside fellow actress Elle Fanning, who also sparkled in a plunging gold fringed dress as the unexpected duo held hands. One fan tweeted, “Elle Fanning and Helen Mirren both played Catherine the Great in 2 TV series and I’m so here for this nod.” A host of other celebrities also walked in the fashion show, including Eva Longoria, Cindy Bruna, Andie MacDowell, Viola Davis, and many more. L’Oreal's event focused on women's empowerment, as messages of sisterhood and supporting women and female strength were displayed as stars walked the runway. The brand's website reads that the star-studded event is "inspiring all women to unapologetically show up in the world and walk towards their destiny in confidence" by "celebrating the beauty, the strength, and the potential of all women." Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Sir Michael Palin opens up on grief

Sir Michael Palin has made a candid admission about his grief, following the loss of his beloved wife <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/indescribable-loss-sir-michael-palin-shares-tragic-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Helen Gibbins</a>. Gibbins passed away just weeks after the couple celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary, following a long battle with kidney failure and chronic pain. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Palin opened up about the "great emptiness" he felt in the wake of Gibbins' death. “When someone’s gone, someone who has been so much part of your life for the past 60 years, you can’t believe they’re not there to enjoy a little joke, or an observation, or a b**** about somebody,” he said. “A great sort of emptiness comes in.” Palin shared that his wife relied on dialysis for "so many years" to "keep her alive" that when she, and their children, ultimately made the decision to stop the treatment, he had “never seen her happier". “She’d accepted it, we’d accepted it, she was in a wonderful hospice,” Palin said about the days before his wife's passing. “The children and grandchildren had all come to see her, so her death was a great deliverance for her.” Despite everything, the comedy legend tried to look at the bright side, sharing that he experienced a full circle moment when he had to register Gibbins' death, and a couple with a baby were also at the at the registry office. “I saw the father, I presume, holding on his chest this tiny, tiny little newborn baby,” he said. “And I thought, yes, that’s it, a new person – one in, one out.” Images: Getty

Caring

"I can't wake Mummy up": Olympian dies at 43

A former Olympic swimmer has passed away suddenly at the age of 43 while on a trip with her family. Helen Smart, a British swimming champion who competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, was found unresponsive by her four-year-old daughter Heidi when she tried to climb into bed with her parents. Heidi then woke up her father Craig Smart, saying, "Daddy, I can't wake Mummy up," before Craig discovered his wife lying next to him dead. Smart's mother confirmed the news of her passing, telling the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12413199/Ex-Olympic-swimmer-turned-headteacher-Helen-Smart-dead-four-year-old-daughter-heartbreaking-video-shows-mother-paddleboarding-hours-sudden-death-aged-42.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MailOnline</a>, "Heidi had woken up in the night and tried to get into bed with her. She said to her daddy, 'Mummy won't wake up''. He said, 'Oh, she must be very tired Heidi - you go back to bed'." "He put the torch on and he said later that when he looked he could tell." Linda continued, "We're distraught. They don't know what it is but they think it must have happened shortly after she went to bed. She just died in her sleep." Just hours before her sudden passing, Helen and her family had been paddle boarding in the north of England, while on a trip for her brother Robert's 40th birthday. Helen had not been suffering with any illnesses her family knew of. Linda said, "At midnight, she went to bed telling me: 'I'll go to bed now mum as I know I'll be woken at 6am by Heidi. I just want to get some sleep in as I've had a long day.'" Linda was then woken by Robert at 4am who said, "Mum, dad, you need to keep up - we think Helen's died." Smart's father John said he and his wife "can't comprehend how she could simply go to sleep and not wake up." Helen became a school principal after her retirement from swimming and was enjoying her new life. Craig Smart took to her school's Facebook page to say his wife "loved the school, staff, children and parents so much." "She was so proud to reach her goal of being Head Teacher," he continued. "She used to say to me all the time she could never see herself at another school. She was Worsley Mesnes through and through! I remember only last week she said her goal was to get the school to outstanding and that she had the right staff to achieve this!" "I hope you all keep learning like champions. Please learn from this and live your best life, no regrets, take lots of photos, make memories and keep smiling just like Helen always did!" he added. Image credits: Twitter / Getty Images

Caring

Tragic end for pensioner struck by royal motorcade

Helen Holland, the 81-year-old woman who was struck by a police motorcade escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh, has died. <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/elderly-woman-hospitalised-by-royal-motorcycle-escort">Helen was hit on May 10 at the junction of West Cromwell Road and Warwick Road in west London’s Earl’s Court</a>, and was taken to hospital after receiving treatment from paramedics at the scene. Her family confirmed the news of her passing, telling the BBC that while she had fought "for her life for nearly two weeks”, tragically “irreversible damage to her brain finally ended the battle”. Helen had suffered “multiple broken bones and massive internal injuries” in the crash, despite using the “safe route of [a] pedestrian crossing”, according to her son, Martin Holland. In the wake of the devastating incident, her family had announced that Helen was in a coma, with the police later revealing that she remained in a critical condition. In a statement reportedly shared with Sky News, the family had described Helen as a "beautiful, loving, kind, and caring lady who would always put anyone before herself. "The family are deeply saddened and shocked at the news Helen was involved in such a tragic accident.” They went on to share that while she had been 81 years old, she was “sprightly for her age and nothing stopped her living life to the full, spending precious time with her family, muddy walks with the dogs and lunches with friends is what she enjoyed most”, before asking that everyone keep her in their thoughts and prayers. Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace had announced that Sophie - the Duchess of Edinburgh - had offered her “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to “the injured lady and her family”, and that she was “grateful for the swift response of emergency services and will keep abreast of developments". An investigation was launched by The Independent Office for Police Conduct soon after the event, and it remains ongoing, with the police watchdog assuring Helen’s family that they would keep them “regularly updated as the investigation progresses". That investigation involved examining footage from neary CCTV as well as footage from police body cameras. Additionally, officers who were present at the scene were to be interviewed, while the organisation sought other witnesses to come forward with any more information they might have. While the family waits for answers, they are also coming to terms with their difficult loss, with Helen’s grandson - Joe Strutter Holland - sharing on Facebook, “rest in peace Nanny (Helen) Holland. One of the kindest and most joyful souls you'll ever of had the pleasure of meeting. Taken before her time.” He went on to note that he was glad his grandmother and his son had gotten the chance to meet, writing 'I'll ensure he knows who you are, till we meet again”. Images: Facebook, Getty

Caring

"Indescribable loss": Sir Michael Palin shares tragic news

Sir Michael Palin has revealed that his beloved wife, Helen Gibbins, has died. Palin made the devastating announcement on his own website, with an update titled ‘Helen’. “My dearest wife Helen died peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday morning,” he wrote. “She had been suffering with chronic pain for several years, which was compounded a few years ago by a diagnosis of kidney failure. “We first met on a summer holiday on the Suffolk coast when we were both sixteen and we married in our early twenties. Two and a half weeks ago we celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary. “Her death is an indescribable loss for myself, our three children and four grandchildren. “Helen was the bedrock of my life. Her quietly wise judgement informed all my decisions and her humour and practical good sense was at the heart of our life together. “The family ask that their privacy be respected at this time.” Just one year prior, Palin had also revealed that the then-79-year-old Helen had moved into respite care, with The Guardian reporting it was due to her body not responding to pain medications. As he told The Telegraph at the time, “I don’t think you can cure it, but they will help her manage it. “It’s such a bore. She was so active and still is, mentally. But we’re both getting on a bit. The body is declining. She’s going to be 80 in October, I’m going to be 80 at the beginning of next year. “We live life with our fingers crossed.” The 79-year-old comedian had enjoyed over a half-century of marriage with his “dearest wife”, after the two first crossed paths at the tender age of 16, with the pair even celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary mere weeks before her passing. Gibbins - who spent her days working as both a teacher and a bereavement counsellor - shared three children with Palin - 54-year-old Thomas, 52-year-old William, and 48-year-old Rachel. In his 2015 interview with The Telegraph, the actor opened up about his experience meeting Gibbins on a holiday in Southwold, naming her “a vision of rebellion”, and how they kept in touch after going home. Unfortunately, the pair lost touch again for the next two years, until they ran into each other once again through mutual friends at Oxford University. As Palin himself said of the less-than-ideal start to their lengthy relationship, “you can see fate was actually tightening the screws on us very hard at that time.” Images: Getty

News

Dame Helen Mirren lets her “radical” hair down

Dame Helen Mirren has put her foot down over the idea that older women are meant to keep their hair short. While chatting to Lorraine Kelly on the UK breakfast TV show Lorraine, the award-winning actress - who has openly spoken out in the past against ‘beauty standards’ and the unfair stereotypes imposed on her generation - shared her latest take on the matter. “You’re not supposed to have longer hair after a certain age,” the 77-year-old stated. “But during Covid, I started growing my hair and I hadn’t actually had long hair since I was in my 20s,” she continued. “And it sort of grew and grew and grew, and I couldn’t be bothered to cut it, basically. “I thought, ‘do you know what? It’s pretty cool, I think I’ll stick with it for a little while. It will come off eventually’. “But I’m kind of enjoying it, it’s quite radical.” And when it came to the idea that Helen was “fly[ing] the flag” for women over 60, the actress shared that “life doesn’t stop. And creativity doesn’t stop and passion doesn’t stop and energy doesn’t stop, unless you decide to stop it. “So it’s just [to] be self-motivated, really, and never give up. And find enjoyment, if it’s possible in your life.” Helen has been stunning with her long hair and natural glow for years, on film sets and red carpets alike, and speaking out against ageism in life and the industry alike for many before that. In a 2021 interview with The Cut, she confessed she was opposed to the term ‘anti-ageing’, and that she found it to be quite “demeaning”. “We age. It happened. I’m really sorry, but you know what? It happens, and there’s no way out,” she explained. “It’s a part of the human condition. So to talk about ‘anti-ageing’ is like saying ‘anti-human’, ‘anti-real’, ‘anti-wisdom’, ‘anti-experience’, and so on, you know? “But you can put on your best possible face. It doesn’t mean you have to go, ‘oh my God, it’s all over for me!’ because it’s not all over for you … in a way, with each era, it’s the start of something new, so I absolutely believe in beauty products for all ages, and all skin types, but I don’t like the word ‘anti-ageing’. I think it’s demeaning, actually.” Similarly, in 2019, she told Grazia that ageism had been forced upon her generation for “far too long”. “It’s extremely annoying to women of my generation and others following mine to have beauty products sold on a 15-year-old face,” she said. Helen went on to explain in the interview that she didn’t feel comfortable using terms like “beauty” in that context, as it led those who are insecure about their appearance feel “immediately excluded” from the conversation. As she explained, “they’ll think ‘well, I’m not very beautiful. It’s all very well for these beautiful women, but I don’t feel beautiful’. “I don’t want to exclude these people from feeling fabulous about themselves.” Images: Getty

Beauty & Style

Reward in mystery murder of billionaire couple tops $52 million

The deaths of Canadian billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman have been a mystery right from the start. On December 15, 2017, a realtor giving a tour of the couple's Toronto mansion around midday discovered their bodies, fully dressed, beside their indoor basement swimming pool. They were semi-seated side by side, with belts tied around their necks and attached to the railing of the indoor pool according to police. Barry Sherman was 75 and his wife Honey was 70. The story made headlines across the globe, as police called the deaths suspicious. Theories have swirled about who might have wanted to kill the founder of Canadian generic drug giant Apotex and his philanthropic wife – being one of Canada's richest couples. Investigators have worked to connect the dots however, five years later, no arrests have been made. On this week's anniversary of the killings, the Shermans' son offered an additional $25 million (A$37 million) for information leading to an arrest. The reward is now $52 million. "This week marks the five-year anniversary since my parents were murdered in their home. Every day since then has been a nightmare. I have been overwhelmed with pain, loss, and sorrow and these feelings only continuously compound," Jonathon Sherman said in a statement announcing the reward money. "Closure will not be possible until those responsible for this evil act are brought to justice," he added. The victims' prominence meant the case was high profile from the start. At the time of his death, Forbes estimated Barry was worth $4.5 billion. The Shermans' wealth, vast investments and philanthropy work saw them cross paths with Canada's business and political elites, their funeral was attended by thousands of people, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Kathleen Wynne, premier of the province of Ontario. At the service an emotional Jonathon Sherman took the stage, with his three sisters, and slammed speculation that their parents died by suicide. Police later concluded someone had killed them, only six weeks after the bodies were found, Toronto police announced a review of evidence showed they were victims of a homicide, saying they believed the couple was targeted. With no forced signs of entry to the property, it's possible someone had a key, had access to the lockbox that held the keys or was known to the couple, Gomes said. In 2021, police asked for help identifying a shadowy suspect. After years of silence, police made a shocking announcement on the fourth anniversary of the couple's deaths last year, sharing a video of a shadowy person caught on security video walking on the snow-covered sidewalks in the couple's North York neighborhood. The Sherman children say the lack of answers adds to their grief. It's been five years since the murders and there have been no major developments. True crime podcasts have even have tried to unravel intrigue surrounding the deaths. In a statement to the CBC, her brother, Jonathon Sherman, echoed the same sentiment, saying the family will never get closure until the killer is brought to justice. The siblings reminded the public of the $52 million in reward money and pleaded for anyone with information to contact the Toronto Police Service. Image: AP

Legal

“How do you write to your Queen?” Helen Mirren reveals contents of special letter

Helen Mirren has revealed the secret letter she wrote to Queen Elizabeth when the actress was playing Her Majesty in the 2006 biopic The Queen. The Hollywood legend reflected on crafting the letter in an interview with the <a href="https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/radio-times-new-issue-cover-helen-mirren/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Radio Times</a>, saying she felt compelled to write after realising the intensity of the Queen's role firsthand. "I realised we were investigating a profoundly painful part of her life, so I wrote to her," she said. "How do you write to your queen? Was it Madam, or Your Highness, or Your Majesty?" "I said: 'We are doing this film. We are investigating a very difficult time in your life. I hope it's not too awful for you'. I can't remember how I put it. I just said that in my research I found myself with a growing respect for her, and I just wanted to say that." The 76-year-old actress won an Oscar and a Bafta for her portrayal in the film, which is set during the time Princess Diana tragically died. While she never received a response to her letter from the Queen, Mirren said she did receive a letter from the Queen's secretary. Upon opening the response she confessed, "I was very relieved subsequently that I had written that letter." Earlier this year, the actress told <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/helen-mirren-interview-f9-golda-meir-1235097461/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hollywood Reporter</a> that she believes the Queen has watched the biopic. "At the time, it had never been done before, playing the queen. It was quite nerve-racking because I didn't know – no one knew – how the public would receive it, let alone the establishment in Britain," Mirren reflected. "But I got the sense that it had been seen and that it had been appreciated. I've never heard directly, and I never will," she added. Image credits: Getty Images

Movies

Helen Mirren's stepson dead at 52

Actor and club owner Rio Del Valle Hackford has died in California at age 52. Hackford, who appeared in films and TV shows including Jonah Hex, Swingers, Treme and The Mandalorian, was the step-son of British acting legend Helen Mirren. His brother Alex confirmed the news, saying he had died of an illness. Rio Hackford, who was the son of director Taylor Hackford, was known by friends for being a "connector of all sorts of people," said his friend, screenwriter D.V. DeVincentis. "Not simply obsessed with movies and how they mirrored and compelled, he was something more: a superfan of innumerable scenes, of particular gestures of unsung actors, weird career turns, roaring comebacks, cinema swan songs," DeVincentis wrote on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CcWrs87pZgB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>. Hackford was known for his joy and excitement of life, and his generous embrace of artists at his clubs including Matador and One-Eyed Jacks in New Orleans, where he also owned Pal's Lounge. In San Francisco, he owned Homestead, and in Los Angeles he renovated the Monty bar just west of downtown. These inclusive venues were often seen as a safe haven for alternative artists, which Rio championed. "He was a great magnet to creative people, with a Zelig-like path that could make a page-turner of a biography. He loved the alchemy of personalities and talents, and was one of the great facilitators in this respect," DeVincentis continued. He is survived by his wife, musician Libby Grace; two children; brother Alex; his father; and stepmother Helen Mirren. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Helen Mirren set to test your Harry Potter knowledge

In the first event of its kind, Dame Helen Mirren will be hosting a four-part television quiz event called Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses later this year, to celebrate the 20th anniversary since the release of the first film in the franchise, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The four-part quiz, which will air later this year, will see fans of the Harry Potter franchise put their knowledge to the test and compete for the title of House Cup champion, much like the students at Hogwarts do each year. The quiz will feature hundreds of trivia questions, as well as special guest surprises and a play-along component for those watching at home. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Award-winning actor Dame Helen Mirren is joining the Wizarding World family to host an exciting four-part quiz competition, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses. Discover more: <a href="https://t.co/uemnzU9zoT">https://t.co/uemnzU9zoT</a> <a href="https://t.co/WW8ozPzU6y">pic.twitter.com/WW8ozPzU6y</a> — Wizarding World (@wizardingworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/wizardingworld/status/1438173666949443585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2021</a></blockquote> While Mirren never starred in any of the Potter films, she will “add some British grandeur” to the proceedings, according to Tom Ascheim, Warner Bros. president of global kids, young adults, and classics. Mirren herself said, “I knew someday I’d get a Harry Potter role, and I’m so pleased to take part in the 20-year film celebration. The films inspired such enchantment and wonder for so many of us, and it will be such a treat to reignite that magic for the countless fans who continue to revel in this spellbinding world.” Mirren, an Academy Award winner for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in 2013’s The Queen, was appointed a Dame for services to drama as part of the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours. She also played the Queen in the 2013 play The Audience, a role for which she won both a Tony Award and a Laurence Olivier Award. The event will tape later this month and be broadcast later this year. Better start studying now if you want to try and beat Ravenclaw! <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTMvaG-KvPr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTMvaG-KvPr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Helen Mirren (@helenmirren)</a> </div> </blockquote> Image: Jacopo Raule/Getty Images

I Am Woman is Helen Reddy’s story

When Helen Reddy Reddy came out and sang I Am Woman nearly 50 years ago, the world listened. Like most songs, there was an important story behind it and the film, I Am Woman tells that story in fascinating detail. It does seem strange that no-one had told Helen Reddy’s story on the big screen before. Sure, Reddy did write a book about her life titled, The Woman I Am, but to date, we haven’t had a film about this iconic Australian singer-songwriter and Grammy-award winning artist. Not only is Reddy one of the most successful performing artists ever to emerge from Australia, she’s also the person who co-wrote and sang the song that went on to become the anthem for the women’s movement in the 1970s – I Am Woman. The film I am Woman tells the full story Released earlier in 2020, the film about Reddy’s life is now streaming on <a href="https://www.stan.com.au/">Stan. </a> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6WLMz8Qeg4A" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Made by the producers of The Sapphires, I Am Woman was directed by Unjoo Moon and shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer Dion Beebe. Australian actor, Tilda Cobham-Hervey stars as Reddy and American actor, Evan Peters, stars as Reddy’s husband, Jeff Wald. It’s an inspiring story because Reddy, who arrived in New York in 1966 with $230 in her pocket and her three-year-old daughter on her arm, went on to have incredible success as a singer in both the American market and then, worldwide. It wasn’t long before she ran out of money but five years later, she was one of the biggest superstars of her time. She became an icon of the 1970s feminist movement by co-writing a song which galvanised a generation of women to fight for change. Arrived in New York with $230 in her pocket Helen Reddy arrived in New York in 1966 with $230 in her pocket and her three-year-old daughter, Tracy, on her arm. Reddy traveled to America because she’d been told she’d won a recording contract, but when she goes to see the record company about it, she’s met with blatant sexism and a dismissal of her work as a female artist. Without a visa, Reddy decides to stay in New York anyway and pursue a singing career, struggling to make ends meet and provide for her daughter. She befriends fellow Australian and legendary rock journalist, Lillian Roxon and later, it’s Roxon who inspires her to write and sing the iconic song, I Am Woman. Roxon holds a party for her and it’s there Reddy meets Jeff Wald, a young aspiring talent manager who later becomes her agent and husband. Reddy’s story unfolds as she marries Wald and they move to LA so he can help her get the breaks she needs. But it’s not easy and Reddy has to persuade him to keep pushing her. In the end, Wald helps her achieve her goals, but it’s not enough to save their marriage because he becomes addicted to cocaine and this gradually turns their relationship toxic. I am Woman becomes an anthem Reddy writes her iconic song, I Am Woman, during this time when she’s trying so hard to be heard as a musical artist in America. At exactly the same time, the Women’s Liberation Movement was at its peak. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/nothing.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a046199a0c1e4783add573ce4273060e" />Reddy has said She was looking for songs that reflected a positive self-image that she felt she had gained from her participation in the women's liberation movement. She’s been reported as saying she was looking for the right song and she couldn’t find it, so she knew she had to write it herself. She worked on the song with another song writer, Ray Burton, and together they came up with I am Woman. It became the perfect unofficial anthem and was a smash hit at the same time. Of course, the song upset some of the men who said it was “angry” or even “man-hating.” Reddy sang many popular songs after this one but she didn’t write many more, which would seem to be a pity. The film is largely and Australian production The film, I Am Woman, is a Goalpost Pictures production in association with Deep Blue Pacific. It had funding from Screen Australia, in association with WestEnd Films, Screen NSW, Adelaide Film Festival and South Australian Film Corporation. The film premiered in Sydney about a year and a half ago, with the director, Unjoo Moon, and the Australian actor, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, who played Reddy in the film. At the premiere, Unjoo Moon said she was thrilled to be there because: “It’s deeply meaningful to me that the release of Helen Reddy’s inspirational story, I Am Woman, will kick off in Australia. Not only did Helen’s story begin in Australia but so did our journey of making this movie.” Moon continued, saying her inspiration for the film came from her early years: “I remember so clearly, when I was a young girl growing up on the north shore here in Sydney. I wasn’t old enough to have been at a Helen Reddy concert but I remember what would happen when her music came on the radio. I’d be sitting in the back seat of the station wagon and the windows would get rolled down and everyone’s hair would come out – and I knew she just had this kind of impact on my mother and her friends,” said Moon. This film still has so much relevance today Some reviewers have said this film about Reddy’s life is timely for our current situation because it gives us historical background to issues which are still relevant to feminist discussions today. While it appeals to a specific audience – those women who grew up with Reddy’s songs as background to their lives and their children – it’s still interesting for younger women who may not know about these events. For the women and their children who lived through the 1970s, watching Reddy sing her songs on the big screen would be a deeply personal and rewarding experience. For those who are younger and don’t know Reddy’s songs as well, it’s probably enough to learn about how these songs gave women inspiration for their feminist cause – and how Reddy will always hold a special place in their hearts for the role she played as a strong and successful woman. Helen Reddy passed away in September 2020 Helen Reddy was able to see the film, I Am Woman in 2020 but sadly, she passed away on September 29, 2020. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother,” her daughter Traci and son Jordan posted on Facebook. “She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and a truly formidable woman. You can watch I Am Woman now on <a href="mailto:https://www.stan.com.au/">Stan.</a>

Movies

“Gone too soon”: Hugh Jackman’s touching tribute to Helen Reddy

Stars are remembering Aussie trailblazer and I Am Woman singer Helen Reddy, who died aged 78 in Los Angeles yesterday. Reddy’s family announced the tragic news on Wednesday via social media. "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29th 2020 in Los Angeles," her two children, Traci and Jordan, said in a statement. "She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever." Hollywood star Hugh Jackman took to Twitter to share a beautiful tribute to the late star, sending his sympathies to the singer’s family. "#HelenReddy A trailblazer with a voice as smooth as silk. Gone too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends," he wrote to Twitter. Jamie Lee Curtis also shared a few words of her own, as she posted a video of the singer at the Women’s March in LA back in 2017. "Honour of my life. Introducing Helen at the Women's March, January 2017! THANK YOU Helen. RIP," Curtis tweeted. Reddy’s ex-husband, Jeff Ward, wrote: "I am v sad to announce that my first wife of 18 years and the mother of my two oldest Traci & Jordan. Traci spent the morning with Helen and she passed soon after under the excellent care of the Motion & Television Home. #Helen Reddy."

News

Nation mourns the loss of Aussie legend Helen Reddy

Trailblazing Australian singer and actress Helen Reddy has died at the age of 78. The award-winning musician, who was best known for her hit song I Am Woman, is survived by her two children, Traci and Jordan, and her beloved grandchildren. "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29th 2020 in Los Angeles," Traci and Jordan said in a statement on the Helen Reddy Official Fan Page. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvyrMSn6V7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvyrMSn6V7/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by A. (@iam_number_5)</a> on Sep 29, 2020 at 9:09pm PDT </div> </blockquote> "She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever. At the time of her death, Reddy was in an assisted living facility. Traci recently said in a statement that her mother "has some health and memory issues". The star was reportedly diagnosed with dementia in 2015. Reddy was born in Melbourne in 1941 to a prominent showbiz family and began her entertainment career at the age of four. The star joined her parents on the Australian vaudeville circuit at a young age and by just 17, she had won a talent contest on the television program Bandstand. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvywa0lvsi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvywa0lvsi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by VJBrendan (@vjbrendan)</a> on Sep 29, 2020 at 9:10pm PDT </div> </blockquote> Her prize was a ticket to New York City to record an audition, which unfortunately turned out to be unsuccessful. She continued on and persevered however, and in 1968 her hard work paid off when she released her debut single One Way Ticket , followed by I Believe in Music in 1970. She enjoyed prominent success in the '70s, and released I Am Woman in 1971. The song solidified her place in the hall of greats as her music became a trailblazing anthem for second-wave feminism. Many of Reddy's singles made the Billboard Top 40 and she went on to win a number of music awards. Remarkably, she was the first Australian to host a weekly primetime variety show on US television. Reddy also acted, appearing in a number of theatre shows as well as films like Pete's Dragon, Airport 1975 and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Reddy was married three times. She wed Kenneth Claude Weate at the age of 20 and they separated not long after the birth of their daughter, Traci, in 1963. In 1968, the Aussie feminist icon married Jeff Wald, who was also her manager at the time. Their son Jordan, who would go on to be a film director, was born in 1972. Reddy and Wald separated in 1981. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFvxuRIj9L5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CFvxuRIj9L5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Brandon R. Watford (@brandon_the_bearded)</a> on Sep 29, 2020 at 9:08pm PDT </div> </blockquote> Her third and final marriage came in 1983 when she married Milton Ruth, a drummer in her band. They divorced in 1995. Her life was recently turned into a movie titled I Am Woman, with the singer played by Australian actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey. Director Unjoo Moon recently told 9news that she and Reddy became friends after they met at an awards season event a few years ago. Moon couldn't believe a film about Reddy's life hadn't already been made. Reddy eventually trusted Moon with her story and the director was honest with Reddy by admitting that I Am Woman wasn't going to get every fact right. "I remember when we finally agreed to make the movie, I said to her, 'Look, Helen, this is going to be a work of fiction based on your life, it's not going to be a documentary. I can't promise you that I will get every word right, that I will include everybody who's been in your life. I may combine people together, I may do different things to tell this story because it's a work of fiction. But I will promise you that I will honour the spirit of who you are, what your life is, and how your music has impacted people'," Moon said. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvwUS2Bejp/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFvwUS2Bejp/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Matt Berman (@mrmattberman)</a> on Sep 29, 2020 at 8:48pm PDT </div> </blockquote> “I think that was the thing she always felt was important, that the spirit of it had to be in line with who she is." Following her death, Moon expressed her grief in a statement to 9Honey. "When I first met Helen Reddy she told me that I would be in her life for many years. What followed was an amazing seven-year friendship during which she entrusted me with telling her story in a film that celebrates her life, her talents and her amazing legacy," she began. "I will forever be grateful to Helen for teaching me so much about being an artist, a woman and a mother. She paved the way for so many and the lyrics that she wrote for I am Woman changed my life forever like they have done for so many other people and will continue to do for generations to come. She will always be a part of me and I will miss her enormously. "On behalf of all of us involved in making the film I am Woman, producer Rosemary Blight and I extend our condolences to Helen's family especially her children Traci and Jordan, her granddaughter Lily and her ex-husband Jeff."

News

Helen Mirren applauds Meghan and Harry's decision to step down as royals

Dame Helen Mirren has said she “applauds” Prince Harry and his wife Meghan for stepping back from their royal life and positions, adding that the Duchess was a “fantastic addition to the royal family.” The London-born actress, 74, who won an Oscar for taking on a role as Queen Elizabeth, has revealed she believes the pair’s decision to step down from carrying out official royal duties was a correct one. Despite noting the Duke and Duchess would be a grave loss to the public, Mirren told <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://variety.com/" target="_blank">Variety</a>: “I think their instincts are absolutely right, and I applaud them for it. Hugely actually. Of course, it is complicated. “Meghan Markle was a fantastic addition to the royal family - charming, did everything right, was gracious, was sweet-natured, and seemed to be ... Wow! What a lovely addition. Didn't seem to be neurotic... “So, I think it is a loss in a way, but at the same time I think their instincts are absolutely correct.” It comes after sportsman David Beckham spoke out about how “proud” he was of his royal friend following his marriage to Meghan Markle and the birth of their son Archie, who is nine months old. The English soccer star, 44, praised the Duke of Sussex for “growing up” after announcing his decision to step back as senior royals and relocate to Canada. Their plans to carry on the brand of SussexRoyal has also been abandoned. Harry and Meghan have maintained their intention to split time between the UK and Canada while seeking full financial independence from the Firm. The date of Megxit has been confirmed as April 1.

Relationships

Father demands the truth about his daughters’ death in boiling car

The father of two toddlers who tragically died after being left in a hot car for hours has spoken out about exposing the truth of his girls’ death. The biological dad of two-year-old Darcey-Helen and 1-year-old Chloe-Ann told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/qld/queensland-father-calls-for-inquiry-after-mother-charged-with-murder-of-daughters-c-574077">7News</a> he deserves to know the whole truth to his daughters’ dying. “I want a full public inquiry into the deaths of my girls,” he said. “I want those responsible for the inaction that led to my kids being exposed to the situation that they were in to be held accountable. “I want to expose the truth. The community has a right to know.” Darcey-Helen and Chloe-Ann passed away in a black station wagon parked out on the front yard their family home in Logan, south of Brisbane, on Saturday afternoon. The two toddlers were left in the vehicle for an estimate of 6-7 hours before they were rescued. Their mother, 27-year-old Kerri-Ann Conley, has been charged with their murders, as well as possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug utensils. Miss Conley is the first person to be charged under Queensland’s expanded definition of murder, which includes reckless indifference to human life. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters the state’s safety child department was aware of the family and had contacted them in the past. She said Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath would ask Cheryl Vardon, the Queensland Family and Child Commission’s principal commissioner, to investigate, and findings would the. Be released “The death of these two young girls is an absolute tragedy,” she said on Monday. “I was heartbroken when I heard about it. I think everybody would be in exactly the same position.” Paramedics were called to the family home in the Waterford West suburb of Logan on Saturday afternoon but could not revive Chloe-Ann and Darcey Helen. The sisters were declared dead at the scene and police say they showed signs of being exposed to extreme heat.

News

Dame Helen Mirren gets candid about filming sex scenes in her latest role

While some actors and actresses have a tough time filming sex scenes in front of entire film crews, Dame Helen Mirren has admitted she isn’t bothered by it in the slightest. The 74-year-old Oscar winner admitted she “loved every minute of it,” to Foxtel Magazine while discussing her new show Catherine The Great. The HBO four-part series will be available for viewing on Sunday and features a particularly steamy session with not one, but two men. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2_a1nJjgAn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2_a1nJjgAn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Helen Mirren (@helenmirren)</a> on Sep 29, 2019 at 2:58am PDT </div> </blockquote> The show will delve into the lavish life of the famous Russian empress, who lived throughout the 18th century. “Catherine was a serial monogamist and one of her lines was, ‘I’m in love with love’,” Mirren explained. “She was a woman who always wanted to have a man, but she didn’t want to relinquish power. She loved sex and she loves a sexual relationship, but when she wanted to get rid of them after, she’d give them palaces or something. “She even gave one guy a country, making him King of Poland (Stanislaw August Poniatowski). <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4PKH7toTWQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4PKH7toTWQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Fillm & Serie TV (@filmandserietv)</a> on Oct 30, 2019 at 2:11am PDT </div> </blockquote> There is a particular rumour Mirren cannot stand, which alleges Catherine the Great - whose death was in 1796 - passed away while having sex with a horse. “I hate that in history men can sleep with anyone they want but women are punished for their sexuality. There was always the intimation that Catherine was some sort of debauched, mad, sexual creature, but those rumours absolutely weren’t true,” she said. German-born Catherine became ruler of Russia after deposing her husband, Emperor Peter III - a violent, drunken bully. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4PPuXCjo-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4PPuXCjo-R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sky Atlantic Italia (@skyatlanticit)</a> on Oct 30, 2019 at 3:00am PDT </div> </blockquote> Despite having a successful ruling, Catherine’s sex life was at the forefront of public and media gossip, which historians believe was a method used to detract from her powerful and influential leadership. Legend says Catherine the Great’s libido was so powerful that she was enticed to sleep with a horse and died while a leather harness holding the horse above her snapped and Catherine was crushed to death. While it is a widely debated myth, many assume it is whispers of misogynists attempting to tarnish the extraordinary achievements of the ruler. “It’s appalling the way history treats successful, powerful women. It has to pull them down. Her unbelievable achievements were very successful, obfuscated by history,” Mirren told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/">The Sun.</a> “I have feminist friends who say, ‘Oh, what are you going to do about the horse?’, which of course is a complete lie, a classic way of belittling her.”

Movies

Graceful in green: Helen Mirren steps out in eye-catching dress on red carpet

She is set to play the role of Magdalene Shaw in the Fast & Furious franchise. And Helen Mirren dazzled as she joined her fellow co-stars on the red carpet in London for her latest film, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw on Tuesday. The 73-year-old opted for a bright green floral number, which was cinched in at the waist with a matching belt. The Academy Award winner paired the midi frock with silver statement earrings and bright pink high heels. Her makeup was kept light and simple, with a pop of pink on her lips to tie the whole look together. The star looked visibly happy to be there as she couldn’t wipe the smile off of her face as she posed for photographs. She was joined by fellow co-star and The Crown alumni, Vanessa Kirby (who played Princess Margaret) along with other notable cast members such as Idris Elba and Jason Statham. Scroll through the gallery above to see Helen Mirren grace the red carpet.

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