Rihanna to bring her Diamonds world tour to Australia in 2013

Rihanna will tour Australia in 2013. Picture: Supplied Source: news.com.au

The Daily Telegraph reports

Rihanna has confirmed she is bringing her Diamonds world tour Down Under.

The 25-year-old singer will perform a five city tour in September and October this year, stooping off at Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, before a sixth show in Auckland.

The Barbados born beauty kicked off her world tour in Buffalo, New York on Friday but has since cancelled her shows in both Boston on Sunday and Baltimore on Tuesday after coming down with the flu.

In just eight years Rihanna has sold an estimated 100 million albums and is currently dominating the global charts with Diamonds, the fastest-rising singlenr of her career to date.

It is also Rihanna’s 23rd Top 10 hit on the chart.

Tickets go on general sale from next Friday March 22.

Visa cardholders can purchase advance tickets across all seating categories from 9.00am (local time) Friday 15 March 2013 until 5.00pm (local time) Monday 18 March 2013 or until presale tickets sell out at www.visaentertainment.com.au

Rihanna Diamonds World Tour dates:

Tuesday 24 September 2013 – Perth Arena
Thursday 26 September 2013 – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Saturday 28 September – Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Monday 30 September 2013 – Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
Thursday 3 October 2013 – Sydney Allphones Arena

Mel B's fight got thrown out of court

Spice Girl and X Factor judge Melanie Brown (Mel B) / Pic: Cameron Richardson Source: The Daily Telegraph

Peter Bodkin, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Scary Spice's courtroom showdown with Sydney's most controversial photographer is officially over after police dropped an apprehended violence order application against the "Prince of Paparazzi".

Celebrity snapper Jamie Fawcett will now pursue police for his legal costs, claiming in court he could prove officers knew former Spice Girl Mel Brown's allegations were "false and misleading".

The X-Factor judge, who recently relocated to Los Angeles with her husband Stephen Belafonte and three children after taking a judging slot on America's Got Talent, accused Fawcett of endangering her life during a run-in on Sydney Harbour last year.

The photographer also allegedly threatened to kill Belafonte during the ugly stoush.

But the Downing Centre Local Court was today told the AVO application was being withdrawn before a hearing scheduled for next month.

Fawcett, who represented himself in court, told The Daily Telegraph he would be seeking "four or five grand" to cover his expenses. "As I've always said, there was no evidence to support the application and that's my belief as to why it was dismissed," he said.

Fawcett said police had been "blinded by the celebrity" of Brown and Belafonte when they applied for the AVO.

"I just want to, as a photographer, continue to take my photos. It's ludicrous to suggest that I would threaten to kill or make racial slurs against somebody in the course of my job," he said.

Neither half of the celebrity couple was in court yesterday.

Fawcett's costs application will be heard at a later date.

Apprentice hardship a living hell

Celebrity Apprentice cast including: Back row L-R Peter Everett, Dermott Brereton, Peter Berner, Stephanie Rice, John Steffensen and Brian Mannix. Front row L-R Layla Subritzsky, Prue MacSween, Prinnie Stevens, Rob Mills, Kym Johnson, Dawn Fraser, Jeff Fenech and Roxy Jacenko. Picture. Toby Zerna Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph reports

Celebrity Apprentice Australia contestant Brian Mannix has likened his experience on the show to being in a terrorist prison.

The lead singer of The Uncanny X-Men and one-time Dancing With The Stars contestant claims competitors were woken at 4.30am for no reason, escorted to the toilet by a guard and spun lies by producers and crew: "They would deliberately lie to stall or distract you. None of my fellow contestants gave me the shits. But the crew did. The food did, too."

Mannix said five competitors were struck down with food poisoning during filming.

"But you couldn't go to the toilet without a guard, which wasn't a lot of fun, especially when we had diarrhoea."

On waking up early he said: "We didn't even have anything to do. We stood around doing sweet f... all. They wear everybody out, so they crack."

Mannix said the highlight was watching sprinter John Steffensen ask Rob Mills about the famous one-night stand he had with Hollywood party girl Paris Hilton.

"Steff thinks he's American. He asked Millsy: 'So, man, was it a one-night beatdown? Did you take it to the house and shut it down?'"

Bindi Irwin finds love in Return to Nim's Island

Bindi Irwin and her on-screen love interest Toby Wallace in Return to Nim's Island. Source: Supplied

Vicky Roach, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Bindi Irwin is growing up - fast.

The wildlife warrior has a love interest in her first major feature film, Return to Nim's Island.

In Sydney today, 14-year-old Irwin said the role of a conservation-minded castaway - played by Abigail Breslin in the original 2008 film that also starred Jodie Foster and Gerard Butler - was almost custom made for her.

''Nim is a little bit uppity but apart from that we are quite similar.''

In the sequel, former Neighbours star Toby Wallace plays a smitten young adventurer who travels to the pristine island to reconnect with Irwin's character.

The story picks up a few years after their first meeting, when Nim's tropical paradise is simultaneously threatened by poachers and developers.

Irwin was full of praise for her charismatic co-stars - Wallace and Selkie the sea lion.

''Toby certainly has less fishy breath than a sea lion,'' she said.

But Irwin was just as impressed by the professionalism of the sea mammals.

''They were better trained than me. They hit their mark every time.''

Irwin has acted before - in Free Willy: Escape From Pirate's Cove, a film that went straight to DVD. But this is her first theatrical release.

Return to Nim's Island, which has its premiere at Australia Zoo on Sunday, will open in Australia for the upcoming school holidays.

It screens on the Hallmark Channel in the US on March 15.

Aussie Adelaide Clemens captivating as Valentine

Australia's Adelaide Clemens plays Valentine in new period drama Parade's End. Source: Supplied

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

The world has Hugh Grant to thank for the promising acting career of Australian beauty Adelaide Clemens (and no, this is not another secret love child story).

At 14, then a budding gymnast, Clemens distinctly remembers the moment she decided acting was the job for her, albeit in extraordinarily painful circumstances.

An accident had left the teenager in hospital for weeks with a broken back, leaving her to keep herself entertained by watching movies.

Clemens plays it down now, describing herself as a "silly duffer", but is grateful for the down time because it's what led her to acting.

"It was the escapism," the luminous 22-year-old tells Switched On.

"To be honest, I was having a Hugh Grant marathon, thinking 'this is the best stuff in the world and I want to be a part of it'," she says, giggling.

Fast forward to a "revolting hotel room in Covington, Louisiana" last year, where she was filming schlock horror film No-One Lived, when Clemens found herself auditioning over Skype for the role of bobbed suffragette Valentine Wannop in Parade's End, the kind of UK period drama that once would have been solid Hugh Grant territory.

She blames a dodgy internet connection for being knocked back after this initial, stilted audition, but like her determined character in the BBC series, to air on Channel 9, Clemens was not about to go down without a fight.

Clemens bought a ticket on the next flight to London and begged the director Susanna White for another chance - just 15 minutes of her time - to press her case again.

Such was her enthusiasm to play the role, she rode the Tube to the second audition in full period costume. She got the job.

"I honestly don't know what possessed me," she says. "This is the first time it happened to me, but I read a role and I really thought I could do it. Perhaps part of her character informed the way that I pursued it, because she's a very determined, admirable character. I just wanted to be her."

The hard yards clearly paid off, with Clemens singled out by British critics for praise.

The eldest daughter of an Australian nurse and an English-born marketing manager, Clemens, born in Japan but schooled in Sydney from 12, says it was her lifelong sense of being an outsider that made her right for the part.

"Even when I moved to Australia, I stuck out like a sore thumb because I was in a back brace for a couple of years. I've just always been a bit of a nerd and an outsider."

Her "nerd" instincts served her well in preparing for Parade's End, papering the walls of her rented flat with maps of rural England in order to give herself a sense of the drama's sweeping landscapes and her character's isolation in a small town, slowly dying post-Industrial revolution.

Filming in Rye, Clemens would also discover it was her father's birthplace, adding to the sense she was born to be Valentine.

Her character's forbidden romance with duty-bound army captain Christopher Tietjens (played by Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch) is central to the mini-series.

Clemens says she loved how "completely fearless" her activist character was to play, in stark contrast to Tietjens' social-climbing wife Sylvia (Rebecca Hall).

"Valentine's social status was of no concern to her, she had much more important goals and priorities."

The chemistry between Clemens and Cumberbatch is the high point of this drama, with the British actor clearly smitten by his young co-star.

The feeling was mutual, with Clemens equally enamored, describing the BAFTA nominee as "amazing, extraordinary. He's such a hard worker and so passionate. Just so enthusiastic, we had a ball just diving into that world and just trying to really make sure that we represented it in the best way possible".

She picks fault instead with the critics who dismissed the drama as plodding.

"I don't think it's slow at all, I think it's dense. It's not something you turn on, then go and get a cup of tea. You need to sit down and devour it. Even now I go back and read the scripts and there's more there. There's so much to explore," she enthuses.

There's more to explore for Clemens, who will next appear in Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby (as Isla Fisher's screen sister Catherine), and a second season of the Sundance Channel series Rectify (from the makers of Breaking Bad).

She stars opposite another local actor, Aden Young. He plays Daniel, a man released after 19 years on death row. Daniel returns to his family home to find it has fallen apart since his incarceration.

"I play Daniel's step-sister and she's a young Southern woman who basically sees the good in everybody," Clemens says.

Having started her TV career on hit drama Love My Way, she has made intelligent choices.

"You know if you've got it in you to tell a story or not, but I didn't really set out to go all over the shop the way I have, but I feel very fortunate it's turned out that way."

A day in the life of Teresa Palmer

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Joel Christie, The Daily Telegraph, reports

As far as alarm clocks go, there's nothing quite as effective as two puppies.

Each day, Adelaide-born, LA-based actress Teresa Palmer awakes to let her two dogs out from their "dog dungeon", a soundproof rock room attached to the side of the house she shares with actor/director boyfriend Mark Webber in Beachwood Canyon, a community in the Hollywood Hills.

"We call it that because it's decked out with all this dog furniture and toys and they absolutely love it," Palmer laughs.

Mixing together an almond milk protein shake, the recently turned 27-year-old sits outside by the pool and watches Kohda Bear, her labrador pit bull, do about 20 laps while monitoring the online health scrapbook she co-edits, Your Zen Life.

Then it's time to work out, which Palmer tries to do between four and six days a week, be it Pilates, kettle bell classes at her gym Equinox, or hiking.

"I love to run through Griffith Park and take the hike to The Observatory, which has one of the best views in Los Angeles," she said.

"When I started doing it a few years ago I managed it in about 40 minutes but I've got it down to 30 minutes.

"Just because I'm so competitive with myself, I have to do it every time in 30 minutes now otherwise I'm just ... not happy."

On this particular day Palmer and Webber head off to a pool party being thrown by US dance music maestro, Moby, in his "beautiful, historic castle".

"It's one of the most amazing houses I've ever seen," Palmer says.

"(Moby) is a sober guy so he has these parties with lots of great, diverse people, which are really just like a big picnic," she says.

"There's no drinking and it has this great family vibe. It's so nice just to be outdoors having fun."

By early afternoon, the Warm Bodies star is ready for a recharge of energy. "I started meditating maybe eight months ago and it's very grounding," she said.

"I do it for 20 minutes every day and it helps me understand the thoughts coming in and out of my head."

At the moment most of those thoughts are The Fun In Forever, a film Palmer and her beau have written and plan to star in, with filming beginning later this year on Palmer's dad's South Australia property.She describes it as a hybrid between The Tree Of Life, starring Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain, and Blue Valentine, with Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

"It's the most connected I've ever felt to a project and we're literally throwing everything we have at it," she said.

"My mum is actually going to play my mum in the film, too.

"She's a very sweet, gentle, religious woman who has never acted before and is very shy but she's excited."

Keeping with one of Confidential's favourite questions, we quizzed Palmer on her beauty regimen.

"OK, I have one product that is my absolute favourite," she says excitedly. "It's called Creme L/X by Artistry and it really has changed my skin.

"I love it. I use it twice a day. I've tried not to be a person that has to put on make-up before leaving house, so I really am mostly about moisturiser."

The catch?

L/X costs about $400.

"It's definitely an investment, but if you are going to choose to do with one beauty product I would say this is it, definitely."

Maybe next month.

No warm welcome for Mel B in the US

Spice Girl and X Factor judge Melanie Brown (Mel B) arrives at Waverly Court today. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: The Daily Telegraph

Annette Sharp, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Oh dear.

Two weeks ago this columnist penned a frosty farewell to Melanie Brown, aka Mel B, aka Scary Spice, aka part-time resident of Sydney.

She had taken off to the US of A as fast as her calf-crushing calves could carry her to plant herself in Sharon Osbourne's vacant seat on America's Got Talent.

This week comes word that American audiences may not have exactly warmed to Brit-born Brown, who has joined US TV host Howie Mandel, shock jock Howard Stern and fellow AGT newbie Heidi Klum for the opening round of auditions on the show.

In New Orleans this week Brown was reportedly booed and jeered on her first day on set after she told a popular local brass band she didn't like their style of music.

"Go home," the audience reportedly shouted - perhaps an AGT stunt, sure, but still begging the question: where is home for Brown and her brood these days?

She hasn't lived in the UK for years and sold her LA home late last year amid talk she might buy property in Sydney, which she did not.

Now there is buzz that X Factor boss Simon Cowell may make a spot for her on the program in the UK, which would at least give producers of that program in this country some hope there will be an injection of new talent on the judging desk locally.

Connor Cruise is cruising into Sydney

Connor Cruise / Pic: AP Source: The Daily Telegraph

Amy Harris, The Daily Telegraph, reports

The adopted son of Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise is set to make a rare visit to Sydney this weekend - but his international celebrity mum won't be in town to see him.

Connor Cruise, a budding DJ in town for the under-18 Goodlife Music festival, will arrive in the Harbour City on Saturday morning but his path will not cross Kidman's, who is currently in Europe filming the final stages of her flick Grace Of Monaco.

It's understood 18-year-old Connor will probably hole up at The Darling Hotel during his two-night stay here before heading to Melbourne on Monday, where he will DJ at a corporate event for Ferrari.

Rumours have long circulated that the younger Cruise and Kidman became estranged in recent years, but the actress recently shot down the claims, saying she does interact with Connor and daughter Isabella - both committed Scientologists - but gives them their own space.

"Everybody has their own path and when they find their path it's such a relief as a parent," she told E News.

This weekend marks the young Cruise's first visit to Sydney since coming of age and sources say he is expected to make a big splash on Sydney's party scene.

"Connor loves to make an entrance," said a source, who confirmed the budding DJ is set to cut a swath through Kings Cross's club scene.

"He loves fast cars and jewellery and loves to party."

A regular on the LA party circuit, Cruise Jr can often be seen tooling around in his bright yellow Lambhorgini - one of several luxury sports cars in the teenager's garage.

And, although he is of legal drinking age here in Oz (he turned 18 in January), Cruise's gig rider while in Australia has no mention of booze - requesting just "Gummi Bears and water".

The Martins enjoy the wildlife at Taronga Zoo

Ricky Martin and family at Taronga Zoo / Pic: Splash Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

Designer threads? Check. Perfect coiff? Check.

Cutting edge eyewear? Check.

No it isn't Ricky Martin's style book we're dying to take a leaf from. It's that of his adorable sons Matteo and Valentino, who stepped out at Sydney's Taronga Zoo looking fashionable enough to rival Harper Beckham and Suri Cruise in the celebrity tot sartorial stakes.

Forget dad and his black cowl-neck scarf, high-top black sneakers, and jet-black aviators.

It was all about Valentino and his blue rectangular glasses, a bright blue polo, white shorts and sandals.

Matteo, meanwhile, sported a grey zip-up, striped white Armani pants and casual blue shoes.

Of his to-die-for twins Martin said recently; "They're amazing, and they're growing up so fast. They've changed my life completely and I can't imagine my life without them."

The Martins arrived in Sydney on Tuesday, with Martin to join Delta Goodrem, Seal and Joel Madden on the panel of The Voice. No sign, however, of Martin's long-term partner Carlos Gonzalez Abella.

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.