nicole kidman

Celebrity Moms After 40

July 21, 2010 By marc Leave a Comment

With or without engagement rings, there are several moms in Hollywood who have had or adopted children after the age of 40. Check out what these content moms have to say about their different experiences.

	Sheryl Crow. This singer adopted her son, Wyatt, when she was already 48 years-old. But already at the age of three, Wyatt was telling his mother what to do. “I want to sing to him, but right now he’s like, ‘Mommy, no! All done! All done!’” And just this week Crowe surprised everyone with a newly adopted brother for young Wyatt!
	Nicole Kidman. This superstar was already a mom in the nineties, having adopted two children with ex-husband Tom Cruise. But, with the help of infertility specialists, Kidman gave birth to daughter Sunday in her forties. Of the experience, Kidman once said, “It’s almost like my heart is stretching…with emotion.”
	Kim Basinger. This Oscar-winning actress had a child with ex-husband Alec Baldwin when she was 41. And now as a blossoming teenager, their daughter Ireland seems to have inherited much of her mother’s stunning beauty.

Filed Under: Celebrity Tagged With: celebrity moms, kim basinger, nicole kidman, sheryl crow

Tom Cruise’s Favorite Role: Dad

May 26, 2010 By marc Leave a Comment

Tom Cruise is on the cover of Esquire this month, which features the title “How To Be a Man”. The issue could also be called “How to Be a Dad” as Cruise doles out the parenting advice. “I’ll never forget the moment I became a dad. It’s hard to describe–that level of responsibility, the desire to give such joy. [And] the clarity: nothing is more important than this.”

Cruise first became a dad when he and ex-wife adopted their daughter, Isabella, seventeen years ago. They subsequently adopted a boy, Connor, just two years later. Cruise later married Katie Holmes in Italy and the pair had a daughter, Suri, age 4.

Cruise and Kidman were married for nearly ten years until a very abrupt divorce. Kidman was said to have been devastated when she found out that Cruise was having a biological child with Holmes. Though the pair remain on good terms, the actress is said to believe that biological children create a bond stronger than wedding rings between a couple. Speaking of their first daughter, Cruise says, “I remember that first night, just staring at Bella. I was checking her every second, just looking at her, feeling that immediate bond. I was probably looking at her so much I was keeping her up.”

And of course the all-star Dad, who had a lackluster relationship with his own father, has some advice to give to upcoming parents. “It’s easy to be cynical. Making the choice not to be cynical is important. You can keep dwelling on what didn’t work, or you can figure out how to fix it. Which is what being a parent is all about.”

Filed Under: Celebrity Tagged With: celebrity couples, celebrity dads, Katie Holmes, nicole kidman, Tom Cruise

Nicole Kidman the Happy Housewife

May 24, 2010 By marc Leave a Comment

Nicole Kidman has been one of the most acclaimed actresses of this generation. This Australian actress enjoyed much of the nineties starring in several art house successes, such as To Die For and Eyes Wide Shut, alongside then-hubby Tom Cruise. Kidman then had a huge mainstream success with Moulin Rouge, for which she was nominated for an Oscar. It was no surprise then when she took home many awards, including the Oscar, in 2003 for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours. But these days Kidman is happily staying at home in Nashville, not working as much and being a good wife and mother.

The pair married in 2006, but not without a sequence of elaborate pre-wedding festivities, including some fabulous bachelor and bachelorette parties. Their wedding was held in North Sydney at a chapel overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbor. They even decorated the chapel with white freesias, gardenias and carnations. Of course, Nicole’s style was classic and certainly the talk of all the guests. Kidman arrived in a cream-colored 1948 Rolls Royce, wearing a simple ivory tulle wedding dress designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga. She walked down the aisle carrying a simple bouquet of white roses. The couple also asked for no gifts at their wedding, but for guests to donate to the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Kidman’s wedding ring featured three huge diamonds surrounded by several smaller diamonds.

The couple has had their ups and downs, with Urban having a stint in rehab. But these days Kidman happily announces that the couple never spend more than three days apart. “I think I’ve reached a point in my life where I’ve slowed down a lot, so it’s not difficult. My priority is very much keeping my family together and not being away from them.” Kidman says.

Kidman and Urban had a child in 2008, named Sunday Rose. A friend exudes, “She’s never been healthier. She is absolutely radiant and enjoying nesting and homemaking with Keith at their new home in Nashville.”

Filed Under: Celebrity Tagged With: celebrity couples, celebrity weddings, keith urban, nicole kidman, Wedding Rings

20 Hollywood Honeymoon Spots

March 24, 2010 By marc Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for some ideas on where to go for your honeymoon, then why not take some advice from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars? Once you have gotten those engagement and wedding rings in place, don’t go cheap when it comes down to finding a romantic locale that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

	Debra Messing and screenwriter Daniel Zelman. This “Will and Grace” and her new husband went to the private and opulent Santa Barbara Bacara Resort after their wedding in 2000. Sipping champagne and heading to the beach, they definitely seemed to be having the time of their lives.
	Elvis and Priscilla Presley. They were the world’s most famous couple at the time, and their honeymoon definitely matched their fame in terms of romance. At first staying at the Aladdin Hotel in Beverly Hills for their honeymoon, they moved to 1350 Ladera Circle in Palm Springs, California, which is now available for rental.
	Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. This couple from the Golden Age of Hollywood spent their honeymoon at the Ingleside Inn in Palm Springs, California.
	Britney Spears and Jason Allen Alexander. Though this 24-hour marriage was quickly annulled, the “Crazy” singer wed a high school friend in a Vegas chapel, after which the couple hot the casinos and partied till dawn.
	Victoria “Posh Spice” and David Beckham. The two wed in a decadent ceremony in Ireland, after which the couple took a brief honeymoon in a villa in the south of France, taking their infant son, named Brooklyn, along with them.
	Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. This New York couple wouldn’t think of marrying anywhere outside of their beloved city, but the honeymoon was a different matter completely. The couple chose a unique destination in green and beautiful Ireland for their honeymoon.
	Kate Winslet and Jim Threapleton. Before Winslet was an Oscar winner, and before her marriage with Sam Mendes, she wed Threapleton in England and headed out for a rustic honeymoon in Western Scotland.
	Director Steven Soderbergh and Julie Asner. This Hollywood heavyweight, who directed the Oscar favorite flick, “Traffic”, wed E! Entertainment News anchor, Julie Asner, in New York, before heading out for a honeymoon in France. Of course, Soderbergh was also a judge at the Cannes Film Festival for their French honeymoon.
	Jennifer Lopez and Cris Judd. Before J-Lo was J-Lo, and before her romance with Ben Affleck and marriage to Mark Antony, she wed Cris Judd. The pair honeymooned in George Clooney’s favorite hot spot, Lake Como in Italy, a scenic northern Italian locale.
	Natalie Imbruglia and Daniel Johns. This pop singer, best known for her late nineties single, “Torn”, wed Silverchair singer Daniel Johns at the Thala Beach Lodge, before heading out for a romantic Australian honeymoon.
	Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer. This pair set out for a honeymoon in the rustic Australian outback after their wedding at Crowe’s Australian ranch.
	Sigourney Weaver and Jim Simpson. After wedding New York’s “Flea Theater” director, Jim Simpson, this “Aliens” actress and her new husband headed to an exotic locale on the island of Bali for their honeymoon.
	Liza Minelli and David Gest. This short-lived couple, whose reality show never got off the ground, spent their honeymoon at the luxuriously exotic Amanpuri resort in Phuket, Thailand, where they enjoyed massages, boating excursions and fantastic Thai meals.
	Trista and Ryan Sutter. This star of “The Bachelorette” honeymooned with hubby Ryan Sutter on Fiji’s lavish Turtle Island. This island was splashed all over newspapers a decade ago when it hosted the first wedding of the millennium because of its location on the international date line.
	Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. They ended it in a messy high-profile divorce, but before that the two married in a huge ceremony in Ireland. The couple then headed for seclusion by private jet, landing on Fregate Island, located in the Seychelles Islands.
	Joan Collins and Percy Gibbons. This thoroughly English couple wed in a ceremony that could have been in Collin’s decadent eighties show, “Dynasty”. The couple then sunbathed and enjoyed elegant tropical dinners at a private resort in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.
	Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. The star-crossed couple honeymooned at the Hotel Cipriani in beautiful Venice, Italy. Offering private gardens, marble-trimmed rooms, and gorgeous balconies, it doesn’t get more swoon-worthy than this.
	Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. Honeymooning in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at the Esperanza Resort, this chic couple enjoyed Mexican clay spa treatments with aphrodicisacs, a delicious menu with authentic Mexican fare, and of course the beautiful beaches.
	Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The pair had only divorced sixteen months earlier, but decided to remarry at the exclusive Chobe Game Lodge in Botswana. Featuring individual private swimming pools, a famous game reserve and “love canopy” beds. As luxurious as the honeymoon was, however, the pair lasted less than a year.
	Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren. Before the golfer hooked up with a slew of mistresses, he paid nearly $1.5 million to marry Swedish model Elin Nordegren in a lavish wedding. The two celebrated their honeymoon at the scenic Sandy Lane resort in Barbados.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: britney spears, elizabeth taylor, joan collins, kate winslet, liza minelli, nicole kidman, russell crowe, sigourney weaver, tiger woods, Tom Cruise

20 Most Ridiculous Pre-nups

March 15, 2010 By marc Leave a Comment

In today’s world of movers and shakers, getting a prenuptial agreement is becoming increasingly more common, with spouses making sure their needs are met in pre-disclosed legal arrangements. It’s more about getting what you want after getting your choice of decadent designer engagement rings—and some couples can be very specific! Check out some of the world’s most ridiculous prenuptial agreements to see how demanding some marriages can be.

Britney Spears apparently believed so much in her undying love with Keven Federline that she originally didn’t want to get a pre-nup. But then all her celebrity friends insisted that she get one, including Donald Trump. Ultimately Spears did have her lawyers devise a pre-nup, which assured that Federline with $1 million. Thankfully this pre-nup was devised because otherwise Federline could have taken a huge sum of Spears’ hard-earned fortune.

Construction worker Larry Fortensky found a way to make his marriage pay. Before marrying superstar actress Elizabeth Taylor, the couple devised a pre-nup that stated Fortensky would receive $1 million after five years of marriage, regardless of whether the couple divorced or not.

	Reality star Khloe Kardashian indicated in her prenup that she wanted a flat sum of about $500,000 for each year they were married, $25,000 a month in general support, their new house, a new luxury vehicle at the ned of every lease cycle, $5,000 a month for shopping, $1,000 a month for beauty care, and courtside Laker’s tickets for her and her family. Geez!
	One prenup not only indicated the number of times the couple was to have sex per week, but also the positions tried. The “reverse cowboy” twice a week? Okay, I guess!
	Some couples have required there spouses to perform random drug tests. And if the results came back positive, they would have to start paying!
	According to one attorney, some couples have drafted into their pre-nup that they would be able to opt out of all vacations with their in-laws. Why bother!
	After his disastrous affairs with several mistresses was revealed, Tiger Wood’s retooled his prenup agreement to give wife Elin Nordegren incentive to stay. Apparently, Elin was offered $5 million immediately if she agreed to stay and eventually $55 million if she stayed another two years. Not bad!
	One woman indicated she wanted to limit her husband to watching only one football game per week.
	When football star Tony Romo and Jessica Simspson were still together, there was much talk about an engagement. Some sources said that Romo might’ve wanted to include a “porker clause” in their pre-nup, which would theoretically state that if Simpson weighed more than 135 pounds during their marriage, she would have to pay him $500K. Stay away from the buffallo wings, Jessica!
	Superstar Nicole Kidman apparently had no original pre-nup with country crooner Keith Urban. But as her advisors insisted, Kidman arranged that Urban would get approximately $640K per year married if she and Urban divorced. There was one catch, however. Urban was a former drug addict and if it was found that he relapsed, then he wouldn’t receive a penny.
	Rumors were splashed across the tabloids regarding Katie Holmes’ and Tom Cruise’s pre-nup. They settled on agreement where Holmes would get a sizable sum–$3 million per year married. But after eleven years, Holmes would inherit half of Cruise’s mega-fortune. Almost there, Katie!
	One woman drafted a pre-nup that stated she could use her husband’s frequent-flier miles if he were ever to be caught cheating. Um…okay?
	One of the more odd pre-nups provided that the wife be allowed to own as many pets as she wish. Sounds like a cat lady in the making.
	The divorce between Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards was particularly messy, with tabloid fights and endless character attacks. But fortunately there was a pre-nup in place which kept all financial matters on track. The most interesting part of their pre-nup was that Richards would receive a $4 million bonus if Sheen ever cheated on her. Cha-ching!
	Another crazed pre-nup included a payout of $100,000 every time the spouse was caught cheating. Time to cash in.
	One weight-obsessed husband insisted that his wife never weigh more than 120 pounds. If she did, he’d punish her with a penalty of $100,000. Stay away from the ice cream!
	Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones also included cheating as a factor in their pre-nup. Not only does Zeta-Jones get a big chunk–$2.8 million per year married–but she also gets $5 million if Douglas was ever caught cheating. The former philanderer (and over twenty years older) Douglas hasn’t been caught yet, so this couple may be in it for the long-haul.
	The Head of General Electric might have wanted to consider better lawyers–he could certainly afford them, right? General Electric Head Jack Welch and wife Jane Beasley Welch had a very detailed pre-nup devised. However, Jane included a “sunset clause” in the pre-nup which effectively abolished the pre-nup after ten years of marriage. And then Jane took off with a cool $150 million!
	According to attorney Leon F. Bennett, who has represented Marlon Brando and Dennis Hopper, he once represented a case where a couple’s taxidermied horse was mentioned in the pre-nup.
	One crazy pre-nup can sometimes be to not get one! As the reigning queen of television for most of the nineties, Roseanne Barr made the worst error by firing her lawyer for suggesting she get a pre-nup when she married Tom Arnold in 1990. Four years later, she paid for it dearly when their messy divorce cost her $50 million.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: celebrity pre-nups, nicole kidman, pre-nups, preuptial agreements, roseanne barr, tiger woods, Tom Cruise

Top Fifteen Celebrity Wedding Gowns

March 10, 2010 By marc Leave a Comment

Most people don’t have the dough that celebrities have to shell out on multi-million dollar weddings. But stars are built to impress, choosing lavish gowns that they’ll remember forever. And if you’re only thinking about wedding plans—checking out a few engagement rings first might help you along with the process. Whatever you’re looking for, checking out these big celebrity wedding gowns may give you a few ideas.

	Eva Longoria. Many wanted to do this “Desperate Housewives” star’s gown, but Longoria is said to have always wanted designer Angel Sanchez to do it. The final creation was a contemporary silk mermaid-sillouhette gown replete with a train of ribbons of metallic embroidery.
	Rebecca Romijn. Romijn wore an understated Ralph Lauren gown with a gold bracelet and diamond chandelier earrings on loan to her from celebrity jeweler Neil Lane. The wedding was held at secluded country estate and Romijn’s “something blue” was a blue ribbon sewn on the inside of her dress.
	Jenna Bush. This First Daughter wore a stunning and simple beaded organza gown designed b y White House favorite, Oscar de la Renta. She married in a serene lakeside ceremony in her homestate of Texas.
	Gwen Stefani. Married in London, the No Doubt lead singer and solo pop star, wed in a custom-made pink-and-white silk-faille Dior dress and an antique veil designed by her designer friend, John Galliano.
	Courtney Ford. This “Dexter” star wanted a unique dress fit for a simple outdoor wedding. She ultimately decided on a Junko Yoshioka gown with scallopped chantilly lace and platinum beads.
	Christina Aguilera. This pop star had two dresses to wear on her wedding day. For the cermony, she wore a custom-made Spanish-style, curve-hugging gown designed by Aguilera-favorite, Christian Lacroix. Then, for the festivities, Aguilera slipped into a sleek white satin mini-dress designed by her stylist, Simoune Harouche.
	Ana Ortiz. This “Ugly Betty” star shined on her wedding day…even if the sun didn’t. In spite of a heavy rainstorm, Ortiz had a smile on her face for her wedding day, dressed in a beautiful backless lace gown designed by Monique Lhuillier.
	Lisa Ling. Former “View” co-host and National Geographic reporter Lisa Ling wore a ravishing red dress for her authentic Chinese wedding. The dress was a silk Vivienne Tam platinum thread gown that was an unexpected but beautiful surprise to guests, including Connie Chung, who cried as Ling walked down the aisle.
	Tia Mowry. Everyone on the red carpet loves designer Kevan Hall, and for TV star Tia Mowry it was no different. Mowry praised him for her simple white chiffon dress, saying he was “the perfect person to work with a bride.”
	Jaime King. This star went barefoot on her wedding day—and still looked fabulous. Wearing an Italian silk faille gown by Calvin Klein, King impressed all her guests at this quiet summer wedding.
	Nicole Kidman. This bridal gown for Kidman’s 2006 wedding to Keith Urban was voted “Best Wedding Dress of the 21st Century” by Conde Nast Brides. Keeping in mind that the century is only a decade old, this is still a wonderful dress and has often been compared to Grace Kelly’s bridal gown.
	Katherine Heigl. This was a widely appreciated dress–a white silk faille, off-the-shoulder Oscar de la Renta creation.
	Paulina Rubio. Wedding in California’s San Francisco of Assisi Chapel, this Rosa Clara dress featured transparent silk layers that gave the bride an ethereal aura.
	Kate Walsh. Nearby guests admired the sparkling Neil Lane diamond and platinum earrings that this Private Practice star wore for her wedding. But it was her very feminine lace Monique Lhuillier dress with three-quarter sleeves that was the real attraction.
	Kristin Dos Santos. Used to shining the spotlight on Hollywood’s bright talent, this E! columnist became the star of the show as she walked down the aisle in a stunning strapless, lace Monique Lhuillier ensemble accented by a champagne-hued sash and diamond bracelet and earrings by Alan Friedman.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: celebrity wedding gowns, engagement rings, Eva Longoria, jenna bush, nicole kidman

Red Carpet Jewelry

February 17, 2010 By marc Leave a Comment

Keeping your eye on the jewelry worn by celebrities gracing the red carpet can be a good way to get a sense of the the current jewelry trends and get a sneak peek at what’s going to be hitting stores in a season or two. As one of the biggest red carpet events, the Oscars, takes over TV screens next month, you may just see what is about to become a popular fashion trend.

Obviously the Oscars is Hollywood’s most prestigious event, but it is also the best event to witness celebrities covered in vintage, contemporary and costume jewelry. From diamonds to platinum, and scads of colorful gemstones, the Oscars invite some bold and glamorous jewelry trends to the red carpet, with designers eager to catch the public eye.

In year’s past, diamonds and platinum have typically ruled the roost at the Oscars. For instance, no one could forget Nicole Kidman’s or Angelina Jolie’s previous diamond ensembles. There have, however, been more recent trends towards colorful jewelry to accent the red carpet ensembles. Jolie, Amy Adams, Heidi Klum and Phoebe Cates have all previously accessorized with colorful, vibrant gemstones on the red carpet.

With the Oscars only days away, everyone will be ready to take note of the jewelry the stars are wearing.

Filed Under: Celebrity Tagged With: angelina jolie, Heidi Klum, nicole kidman, Oscars, red carpet jewelry