A brush with love for Asher Keddie

Melbourne artist Vincent Fantauzzo has painted his girlfriend actress Asher Keddie for the Archibald Prize / Pic: Jason Edwards Source: The Daily Telegraph

Joel Christie, The Daily Telegraph, reports

It’s a look of chaos but contentment - the ease of coming home from an awful day to the arms of the one you love.

After months of struggling for inspiration, Vincent Fantauzzo, the artist boyfriend of actress Asher Keddie, only needed to watch her walk in the door one night to realise how he would paint her for the Archibald Prize.

"It had been a fairly hectic day for Asher and she had this glazed-eye look but there were other looks of comfort and confidence and affection too," Fantauzzo told Confidential yesterday.

"We work so hard and life moves so quickly and then all of a sudden that chaos can just disappear (when we're together). We have moments like that quite a lot."

Fantauzzo, who is entering his ninth picture in the Archibalds, found infamy with a dark portrait of Heath Ledger showing three alter egos of the troubled actor, which became public just after Ledger's tragic death in 2008."A lot of my images have been quite dramatic and I guess this one (Asher) is about where we're at right now," he said.

"I wanted it to be honest and not over-complicated."

Offspring star Keddie, who met Fantauzzo about a year ago through mutual friend Matt Moran, admitted to being breathless when she saw the end result.

"It's a celebration for us, in a way," she said.

"There's a lot of loveliness in our lives at the moment and this was something we could enjoy doing together."

Fantauzzo, who took six weeks to complete the painting, said it was the easiest work he has done.

"I just loved doing it every day," he said.

While the Archibald finalists won't be announced until next Thursday, Fantauzzo knows what he could do with the $75,000 prize money.

"I would take Asher on a really good holiday," he said.

The Archibald winner will be revealed on March 22.

Asher's brush with love again

Asher Keddie and Vincent Vantauzzo. Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

Almost one year since splitting from musician husband Jay Bowen, Offspring actress Asher Keddie has found love again with well-known painter and fellow Melbourne local Vincent Fantauzzo.

The much-loved actress made her first official appearance with Fantauzzo on Saturday night when he spoke at the Art Series Hotels Conversation Corner at Warehouse on Oxford St with fellow artists Stormie Mills, Paul Davies and Sarah Goffman.

But all eyes were on Keddie who, according to spies, "hung on Fantauzzo's every word" during his Q&A with the intimate crowd.

"They looked like a very sweet couple and were more than happy to be photographed together," said one partygoer. "He gave a speech and she watched from the front row, glowing"

The pair also enjoyed a romantic dinner at Chiswick on Friday night.

While not quite the household name in the entertainment industry like his new lady love, Fantauzzo is somewhat of a celebrity in the art world having painted Heath Ledger, Matt Moran, Australia star Brandon Walters and most recently Emma Hack for the Archibald Prize.

The Melbourne-based painter is also a two-time the Archibald Prize People's Choice Award winner - for his famous portrait of Ledger in 2008 and Walters in 2009 - and last year he won the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize for his portrait of Baz Luhrmann.

It's understood Fantauzzo recently separated from wife Michelle (they have a two-year-old son, Luca) while Keddie - who married Bowen in 2007 - split amicably with the rocker last December. A rep for the actress yesterday said, "I can confirm Vincent and Asher are dating," adding Keddie and Bowen, "remain great friends".

Sing-off show fights to survive

Logie winner Hugh Sheridan. Picture: 10 Channel Source: Supplied

Amy Harris and Joel Christie, The Daily Telegraph, report

Channel 10's under-performing, cross-dressing sing-off I Will Survive is set to live up to its name with the network vowing to stick by the show despite its poor debut this week.

A network spokesman yesterday pointed to positives surrounding the Hugh Sheridan star vehicle, saying that, despite its overall ratings average of just 510,000, the audience increased as the show went on. Starting out with an audience of 423,000, I Will Survive ended its 70-minute broadcast with just under 700,000 viewers - presumably as a result of a significant buzz across social networks.

Ten was also quick to point out the fact the show was among the top trending topics on Twitter - both here and overseas.

"We are definitely sticking by the show and take a lot of positives out of its debut," a Ten spokesman said.

However there is no denying the show, which had been pegged as one the last great ratings hopes for 2012, was a major disappointment for the network which had ploughed a significant amount of time and money into luring three-time silver Logie winner Sheridan over from Seven to host.

Costly, too, was securing the high-profile celebrity cameos on the series - they include Rachael Taylor, Toni Collette Asher Keddie and Magda Szubanski.

It was an investment that failed to translate for Ten on Tuesday night, with Seven's X Factor blitzing the timeslot with its 1.5 million average.

However, Ten were not alone in their misery, with Nine's much-hyped Charlie Sheen comeback show Anger Management pulling in just 643,000 viewers on Tuesday night.

This was significantly down from its debut figure of 1.1 million last week.

Offspring saves the best till last

Offspring stars Asher Keddie and Matt Le Nevez. Source: National Features

Ian Cuthbertson, The Advertiser, reports

Sadly, Wednesday's season-three finale could be the very last episode of Offspring.

There have been rumours of a fourth season, but nothing has been confirmed. It has been quite a ride for Asher Keddie, Eddie Perfect and the team. The recent bombshell that Keddie's character Nina Proudman might be pregnant continues to resonate tonight. It's also, in the wacky spirit of the show, her birthday. The problem with the pregnancy is that nothing is resolved in her relationship with the father Patrick (Matthew Le Nevez), and that it comes as something of a slap in the face to her sister Billie (Kat Stewart), who is working through infertility issues with her husband Mick (Perfect). It's great to see Mick and his pop duo co-star Rosanna (Clare Bowditch) singing together on television, even if it is the sort of thing that tends to make a Proudman girl hallucinate, feel inadequate, and sing incredibly badly for far too long in the bathroom. A great finale that will keep you guessing until the very last minute.

Offspring, Wednesday, 8.30pm, Ten

Channel Ten's I Will Survive talent quest in Port Augusta

On talent quest ... Jason Donovan,Toni Collette ,Stephan Elliott and Hugh Sheridan for Network Ten's I Will Survive. Picture: Network Ten Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph reports

Toni Collette is the latest guest judge on Network Ten's new talent quest, I Will Survive.

Collette has joined Jason Donovan and Stephan Elliott as the show travelled to Port Augusta in South Australia in the show's quest to find what's known in showbiz as a ``triple threat'' - someone who can dance, sing and act.

The other female guest judges casting a critical eye over the show's 12 contestants were Rachael Taylor, Magda Szubanski and Asher Keddie.

Collette is no stranger to the small screen, having earned an Emmy for her performance as a woman with multiple personalities in United States of Tara.

Asher Keddie set to spread her wings

 

Asher Keddie and Matthew Le Nevez play Nina and Patrick on Offspring. Picture: Channel 10 / Source: Supplied

Colin Vickery, The Herald Sun, reports

Asher Keddie is ready to take on the world.

The Logie award winning actor has conquered Australia as Nina Proudman in Offspring and Ita Buttrose in Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo.

Now it is time for Keddie to spread her wings.

Producing her next TV project is one option. Taking on an overseas acting role - most likely in the UK or US - is another possibility.

Keddie has seen peers Claudia Karvan (Spirited) and Lisa McCune (Reef Doctors) kickstart their own TV projects.

She has also seen Aussie actors Jessica Marais, Brett Tucker and Jessica McNamee score major US TV roles in recent times - in Magic City, Mistresses and Scruples.

Up until now, Keddie has been content to stay local. Why wouldn't you when you have a string of top-notch credits that include Blanche d'Alpuget in Hawke and Julia Jackson in Love My Way.

Keddie reckons the time is ripe to take a chance, make a brave choice and challenge herself.

"I'm open to anything at the moment," Keddie says. "I'm just waiting for something to pique my interest which is different from Nina.

"I enjoy working here (in Australia) but if America or any other country comes into play and there is an opportunity to work overseas, I will heartily embrace it, if I feel the project is right and it excites me."

"Producing is something I'm thinking about, too. I'm interested in the whole filmmaking process. I've worked with such generous producers over the past few years who have valued my creative input."

Maybe life is imitating art. Making brave choices is the theme of the third series of Offspring.

Nina is rapturously in love with medico Dr Patrick Reid (Matthew Le Nevez). That is a landmark for a character well known for her roller-coaster romantic life.

Nina ended her relationship with paediatrician Chris Havel (Don Hany) at the end of series two. Keddie reveals that a third series of Offspring was no certainty until a discussion took place with executive producers John Edwards and Imogen Banks.

"We did speak after the second series," Keddie says. "I guess what we all felt was that if we were going into a third (series) it was important that Nina evolves.

"We knew we had to push ourselves harder otherwise let's not do it. I really wanted to see Nina stay in a relationship. That was a tricky thing because the series was developed on the basis of a woman who has a fabulously messy love life.

"That was the boldest thing to do as opposed to keeping her single and jumping from guy to guy.

"I'm thrilled they (Edwards and Banks) felt the same way. She can still have a fabulously messy love life if she stays put in a relationship and learns to trust someone, however complex that might be."

Dr Patrick Reid is no pushover. He is enigmatic, wry and moody and a former drug addict. The passionate relationship with Nina tests them both emotionally.

"Patrick was the difficult choice - one Nina really had to fight for," Keddie says.

"Dr Chris was a fantasy man and it was a fantasy relationship. Patrick is the complete opposite. He is very complex, difficult to be around, grates on her, and pushes every emotional and physical button she has. I felt it was a brave choice for her to settle into a relationship with him.

"Nina's also brave enough to acknowledge that she's no easy walk in the park either.

"They are mirroring each other. She is taking a deep breath and saying 'I want to grow with this person'."

In the series three debut, Nina also learns that Darcy Proudman (John Waters) isn't her biological father. That will have ramifications.

Offspring fans will be glad to know that Keddie won't abandon the show to pursue other projects. She believes they can work in tandem.

"I think the way series three has evolved has been really interesting," Keddie says.

"There is still plenty of material (for another series). I love this character (Nina)."

Offspring, Channel 10, Wednesday, 8.30pm



Want to know more about Asher Keddie? Keep reading

When Asher Keddie isn't producing award-winning TV performances you will find her on the back of a horse. The 37-year-old is more than happy to get away from the demands of stardom by escaping to the property in country Victoria she shares with actor/musician husband Jay Bowen.

Keddie loves the peace and quiet and the anonymity.

"It (country life) allows me to stop and still my mind," Keddie says. "It is important for all artistic people, particularly actors, to get out of their own bubbles once in a while.

"I have an amazing network of people in the country who couldn't care less what I do for a living.

"I'm just the girl who loves horses and a bonfire on a Saturday night."

Offspring's fiery start for season three

Will Nina's happy life come crashing down around her in season three of Offspring? Picture: Channel 10 Source: Supplied

Colin Vickery, The Herald Sun, reports

Asher Keddie's Nina Proudman is deliriously happy at the start of the third series of Offspring.

Nina is passionately in love with anaesthetist Patrick Reid (Matthew Le Nevez), her career is going gangbusters and the sex is great.

Is it happy ever after?

Not once Nina's mind kicks into gear. She is worried that life is going too well.

"Does the adoring man have to be quite so lovely?" Nina ponders.

"My life is going too well. It means I'm inviting disaster."

Trouble is on its way.

Nina's apartment is destroyed by fire. A scented candle, lit for romance, is the culprit.

"It is just stuff. Fire can be a cleansing thing - burning away everything that doesn't matter," Nina says philosophically.

"Disaster has struck. Balance has been restored."

Unfortunately, there is a bigger blow coming.

Nina finds out that Darcy (John Waters) isn't her biological father.

Darcy's blood type is AB. Nina is type O. Nina's world is ripped apart.

The return of Offspring starts with Nina deliriously happy and ends with her homeless and realising she isn't a Proudman.

A lot of series can sink into complacency by series three, but not Offspring.

This is one Aussie drama, boosted by Keddie's wonderful performance, that gets better with age.

How all Asher Keddie's roles have turned to gold this year ahead of the Logies 2012

 

Asher Keddie with Kat Stewart from the tv show Offspring Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Debbie Schipp, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

Less than 24 hours after being nominated for a slew of Logie Awards this year, actor Asher Keddie is perched among cast and crew in a makeshift lunch area on location in Melbourne.

Clad in off-duty attire of faded slim jeans, low boots and T-shirt, Asher Keddie is casual and calm, ready to resume her role of neurotic Nina Proudman on hit drama Offspring for the day.

She modestly accepts congratulations for three personal Logie nominations - Gold and Silver for the most popular personality and actress categories, and another for most outstanding actress - voted by her industry peers.

Offspring's nomination for both most popular and most outstanding drama, and castmate Eddie Perfect's nomination for most popular actor, are the icing on the cake.

She wears not a trace of make-up, and shows not a trace of the "bolshie-ness" she confesses surfaces occasionally when she's working.

If she's cheering her nominations recognising a body of work that last year saw Offspring ratings soar and Keddie critically acclaimed for her portrayal of media maven Ita Buttrose in Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo, it's happening largely on the inside.

"We are all so excited that we are popular and outstanding," she says with a satisfied chuckle.

Keddie may be striving for unruffled, but not so those around her.

Offspring set-up director Kate Dennis blazes in, sees Keddie and launches:

"We did it. Four nominations - four!" Dennis whoops, folding Keddie into a hug.

Keddie gives a low, burbling laugh.

"That's enough Logies talk from you," she says. But the intrusion has liberated Keddie.

"I used to think it was the industry peer-voted stuff that was most important, but having won most popular actress last year (the Silver Logie, she was also nominated for gold in 2011), I think I've changed my mind.

"I was thrilled to accept that. It was a great show of faith from our audience to embrace a show that is not always easy to digest.

"I assume that's why I was celebrated then, so I'm quite keen on the popular awards now."

This year, Logies voters have even more of Keddie to celebrate - her turn as Buttrose in Paper Giants won her a legion of new fans.

She's honoured to be in the company of this year's fellow Gold nominees - reigning Gold Logie holder and Today co-host Karl Stefanovic, funnymen Hamish Blake and Adam Hills, The Project's Carrie Bickmore and former Home and Away actor Jodi Gordon.

"I've never been quite sure what the Gold Logie means - and I'm not being facetious about that," Keddie says. "I hope it means people have been enjoying my work in the projects that I have been committed to in the past two years.

"I love Hamish Blake, I love Adam Hills - all the nominees have extraordinary talent to offer. And if I'm in that mix, I feel pretty special."

At 37, Keddie is one of Australia's most lauded and recognisable actors.

With a third season of Offspring hitting our screens on April 18, just days after the Logies ceremony, audiences will welcome her back as Nina Proudman. But it's Keddie's chameleon quality to absorb herself in any role that has earned her the accolades.

When she adopted the lisp, mannerisms and walk of Buttrose for Paper Giants, she stunned even Buttrose, who recalls hearing Keddie's Ita speak and thinking, "gosh, I know that voice".

Keddie's magic was spotted early by powerful producer John Edwards, who cast her in her "breakthrough" role of neurotic new mum Julia in Love My Way. The pair's projects have included The Secret Life of Us, Offspring and Paper Giants.

Edwards describes her as "thorough, meticulous" and "the hardest-working actor, in terms of preparation, that I've ever worked with".

Off camera, Keddie is intensely private. She cherishes her weekend and between-shoot escapes to the property she shares with musician and actor husband Jay Bowen and her horses in country Victoria. It gives her the mind space she needs.

"There's no balance when we're shooting. I dive in, tear it apart. Then I can go and re-find myself," she says.

"As soon as I get home I'm straight out to the horses. They don't allow you to think about anything else, because they pick it up and react to it."

That sometimes means consciously leaving her characters at the paddock gate. "If I take Nina to the paddock, she has to keep her neuroses in check. She's anxious and that works against any relationship with a horse," she says. "I took Ita to the paddock, though. She was fine."

Keddie is "mildly nervous" about topping her big 2011.

"I want to keep disappearing into other characters," she says.

"I don't want to make too much of a fuss about everything at the moment because it's so important I be able to have a choice about what kind of roles I take on in the future. That means being able to disappear."

Keddie warns Offspring fans "don't get too excited and comfortable with Nina" early in the upcoming third season. "She's shifted, she's digging her heels in to try and grow up and evolve in a relationship that she very much wants, but challenges her to breaking point," she says.

With Offspring wrapped, and the Logies a week away, Keddie is ready for a break.

There are roles in the offing, but first she wants "to see some Europe and see some New York and swim, sleep, eat and read on a beach.

"I'm craving a little more life experience, and to get out of my bubble," she says.

A gap year for Nina of sorts?

"A gap couple of months. I just want to go and live a bit," she says.

"I tend to get consumed by roles. But I don't know how to do it any other way."

Channel Nine will screen the 54th Annual TV Week Logies on April 15 at 7.30pm. Offspring airs on Channel Ten on April 18 at 8.30pm

Wild weather can't dampen spirits as winner adds some fizz to Tropfest

Crowds enjoying the films Photo: Quentin Jones

Garry Maddox, The Age, reports

In the race between the films and an approaching thunderstorm, the films won - but only just - at the 20th Tropfest in the Domain last night.

In heavy rain and intermittent lightning, a judging panel that included Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Nicole Kidman, Toni Colette, Asher Keddie and John Polson gave the top prize at the country's biggest short film festival to Alethea Jones for Lemonade Stand, a comedy about a man and his grandfather whose efforts to sell lemonade bring a clash with an officious council officer.

She collected her prize in a near-deserted Domain, without a working microphone, amid a few hundred hardy souls sheltering in the VIP tent.

Jones said she was ''absolutely thrilled'' and ready to take the next step in her filmmaking career. Asked whether she planned to step up from shorts to a feature film, Jones said: ''I've got five ready to go.''

She is the third woman to win in the past five years, winning two weeks after signing up for the dole.

In a year in which the 700-plus entries were required to include a ''lightbulb'' as the signature item, Jones's prizes include a trip to Los Angeles to meet film industry executives, a $6000 camera and $10,000 cash.

Second prize went to actor Rupert Reid for Boo!, a comedy about an elderly couple who play tricks on each other, while Michael Noonan's Photo Booth, about soldiers who stumble on a mysterious photo booth, was third.

The festival was almost a repeat for Marie Patane, whose film How Many Doctors Does It Take To Change A Lightbulb? was washed out during the dramatic storm that closed down Tropfest in 2006.

The sequel to that film, How Many More Doctors Does it Take To Change A Lightbulb?, was the final film to screen in torrential rain last night. She won the women in film award.

Veteran Don Reid was named Best Male Actor for Boo!, which also won the Crowd Pleaser Award.

Best Female Actor went to Kate McNamara for the comedy Kitchen Sink Drama, about a proposal gone wrong.

The stellar guest list included Baz Luhrmann, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Gia Carides and Rachel Ward.

On the black carpet, Blanchett said she was ''shellshocked'' by how the festival had grown since the early years at the Tropicana Cafe in Darlinghurst.

''It's more than just the films, we're celebrating the whole industry and it's future,'' she said.

Just back from the United States, Kidman said short films were important for actors as well as filmmakers. ''Each little step is a chance to learn and a chance to grow,'' she said.

The Trop Jr competition was won by two 15-year-old school friends from Melbourne, Max Barden and Tim Sheehan, with Let's Make A Movie, a comic short about choosing a genre to enter the competition.