UNIFEM: Nicole's saving grace?

What is an actress to do when the movie roles dry up fast? A common problem with actresses in their 40s. However, many would argue that if a person is a good actor then the film offers will keep rolling in, regardless of their age. Just look at Meryl Streep, for example. Luckily Nicole still has the UNIFEM Ambassador role to fall back on, which still allows her some of the public adoration she craves.

This week Nicole welcomed the Australian Government's plan to reduce violence against women which sees it committing to recommendations outlined in a major report prepared by the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. In excerpts from her statement, Nicole Kidman commends the Australian Government’s action:

"As UNIFEM's Goodwill Ambassador, for the past three years I've worked to amplify women's voices and shine a light on the global pandemic of violence against women and girls, which affects as many as one in three during their lifetime. The more I've learned, the clearer it is that ending violence against women is a problem with solutions. I commend the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and the Government of Australia, for their strong endorsement to implement targeted actions. The national plan calls for actions and investment. As spokesperson for UNIFEM's Say NO to Violence against Women campaign, I've seen that Governments from many parts of the world are increasingly recognizing that ending violence against women is a national and international priority. Australia's leadership, through the national plan to reduce violence against women, sends a strong and hopeful signal that working together, we can change attitudes and practices and prevent these crimes against women and girls. It takes us all to 'say NO to Violence' and provide the services and accountability that will literally save women's lives."

As this Blog has said before, initiatives like UNIFEM are examples of where movie stars or ex-movie stars can use their names for worthwhile causes. However, whether Nicole should be allowed to write her own speeches is another issue. Think especially of the cringe worthy "March for Babies" speech. Perhaps she got some help this time round.

Nicole's new friends look like their owners

They often say that people start to resemble their pets over a period of time. Nicole and Keith purchased some Alpacas for the Bunya Homestead on their recent Easter visit to Australia. If you look closely at the above photos, you will see that the new friends ALREADY resemble their owners. So much so that we found it almost impossible to tell which photo is Nicole and Keith and which photo is Mr and Mrs Alpaca Kurban. The male Alpaca loves the fake orange tan like Keith, while the female Alpaca prefers the lily white skin ... like someone else we know.

Here's a question for you!  Which of the above photos is Keith and Nicole?  Is it the recent weekend photo taken at 'Starbucks' or the 'look of love' photo taken at Bunya Homestead? You decide. All correct entries will win a 'Do it Yourself Botox Pack'.

Latex face Nicole marches on, despite jet lag

Silky smooth skin. Not a wrinkle in sight!
Yesterday's appointment made it perfectly all right!

Who needs sleep when you are Mrs Nicole Kurban? Nicole wasted no time settling back into the Nashville community following her recent return from Australia. After being knocked back for a job as a Rollergirl attendant, Nicole volunteered to speak at a worthwhile event. This Blog will never poke fun at worthwhile events ... and let's face it, this is where celebrities can use their names appropriately.

Nicole was guest speaker at the March for Babies in Nashville on Sunday which helps raise money to fund research to prevent premature births and infant death. Nicole said "To all of the volunteers and all of the people who work so timelessly, I know everyone here is grateful to you and hopefully more and more money can be raised so more and more good work can be done."

I just wish she hadn't worn those hair extensions again. Never mind, at least we get a new cap! You can watch Nicole's appearance at this event by clicking here.

Back in the USA: "Don't you take Sunday's photo!"

"Not today Mister, Nicole is in a really bad mood. She didn't like the airplane food at all"

"Aaah, you clever photographer, you got my photo! But don't tell my Mommy, she'll get her Bodyguard onto you!"

Nicole and Keith arrived back in LA on Friday morning shielding Sunday's face as much as they could from the Paparazzi. Interestingly, Keith did not duck for cover this time round, and stayed around to help shield her face with his arm. I assume the Paps in LA were annoying on this particular day.  Not long ago, Nicole said the Aussie Paps were the worst in the world, but just look at how easy she was with them in Sydney on Good Friday, showing off Sunday like she was a doll.  You see, Nicole plays her PR cards a few different ways, predictable as these methods can be. Or perhaps they were all just tired. Let's give them that much.

"Nickers, we forgot about the choppers!"

"Oh Nicole, that dirt hill idea of yours was stupid! We forgot to block out the sky!"

"Oh Keith, put it back! The Easter egg hunt is for the kids!"

After the Airport Easter photo charade last week, Nicole and Keith headed to their Bunya Hill homestead to catch up with family and check out renovations - including the dirt wall erected to block out prying eyes. Unfortunately, the Kurbans forgot to block out the sky, because the Paparazzi in helicopters had other ideas.  Nicole is probably now organising to have the property completely covered with a huge sail. Believe it or not, there are times our Gran doesn't like to be photographed.

Looks like Sunday had some fun on the Easter egg hunt (bottom photo). What is really nice to see is Nicole wearing casual clothing that is not all black. Even the black cap gets a break now (perhaps someone pulled it off her head at the Airport and wouldn't give it back!).  I'm quite liking the new brown cap, I have to say.

Keith ducks for cover on Good Friday in Oz

Above are photos of Nicole arriving in Australia on Good Friday more than willing to show baby Sunday Rose off to the Paparazzi. Sometimes its advisable to give the Paps what they want, then they might leave you alone. Apparently Keith ducked for cover which doesn't make sense. His fan base is not that big here.  Or did he just move out of the way because Nicole hogs the cameras?  Mmmm, I think we know the right answer, folks.

As mentioned on this Blog a couple of weeks ago, the purpose of this Kurban visit is to check out renovations on their Bunya Hill Homestead and to see if the dirt hill has subsided after recent heavy rains.  

Nicole to take credit for No.1 Album?

Keith Urban's new album Defying Gravity recently hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Charts. This is quite an achievement considering the commercial failure of his previous album Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing.  Keith continues to show gratitude to Gran at his performances and several of the new songs are rumoured to be tributes to her. Afterall, Gran helped him sober up and seek help by entering rehab within months of their marriage. Don't be surprised if Nicole publicly takes credit for this album. You may hear something along the lines of:

"Without me, Keith would have lost all his creative juices and his ability to write songs with ghostwriters. Before I came along, his career was becoming boring and he was into drugs and booze. I saved him, I even showed him how to wear a suit and look like a gentleman. This new album is really all about me, even down to the title. That is why it is No. 1."

iPhone Baby

Nicole spent most of the ACM 2009 After-Party flashing her iPhone photos of Sunday to anybody who would look.  The mother who claimed she would never show her baby to the world, has once again proven that she can't remember anything she says. Oh well, she's a proud Mum we guess.  In between showing photos, Nicole is understood to have enjoyed a glass or ten of white wine.  

George Strait Tribute: Baby Bump or 'Kidman Tummy'?

And then more of the usual poses ...

There has been a fair bit of speculation lately that Nicole may be pregnant again because she has been sporting a bump in recent photos. At the 2009 ACM Awards the other day, Nicole and her pet Orang-Utang could hardly stop smiling for the cameras (see here). Don't be fooled by those smiles as these two are famous for their camera poses and pretend laughs. There was also speculation that Nicole was pregnant when she attended the Australia premiere in Sydney last November. At that time, Nicole proclaimed she wasn't pregnant and that the bump was simply the Kidman belly that "all the Kidman women have".

The thing is, Nicole loves to wear these figure hugging dresses to deliberatelyemphasise this Kidman belly to spark pregnancy rumours - for attention. But is she pregnant again? Was she ever pregnant? Do you know that cushions are quite versatile? If I stuck a cushion under my top, would you all be saying I was pregnant or that I ate too much Kentucky Fried Chicken?

The above photos taken at the 'George Strait Tribute' this week also reveal a very Drag Queenish looking Nicole with her stark white skin and her hair down. Trust me Nicole, you look better with your hair up. Some women in their 40's suit long hair or extensions, you don't.

Keith meets Miley at ACM Awards 2009

After the usual poses with camera-hogging wife Nicole at Sunday night's ACM Awards (see following post or click here), Keith then did a quick costume change out of his ridiculous suit into jeans and jacket. He then boot-scooted around the venue getting his photo taken with other 'stars'. We found this great photo of Keith with Miley Ray Cyrus. 

Keith, I know its embarrassing to be photographed with a young pop starlet like Miley, but you can't hide behind those sunglasses and stick-on goatee.  Those hair highlights and extensions give you away EVERY TIME!

Orang-Utang escorts Nicole to ACM Awards 2009

Click on above image to see Orang-Utang more clearly

Nicole Kidman left Keith Urban at home to attend the 2009 American Country Music Awards (ACM) last night with her pet Orang-Utang.

Seriously, Keith's skin looks so orange these days, I wish he would lay off the spray-on tan (or whatever procedure he uses). Don't you just love the way people whose skin is a little worse for wear go down this path! What exactly is Keith trying to hide? Ah, probably years of substance abuse.

Nicole arrived dressed in a backless number designed to show off her lily white skin and to prove that while she loves Botox, she does not love spray on tans. Oh, by the way, Keith has been nominated for "Entertainer of the Year" and "Best Behaved Zoo Animal".

"No more Botox for me"

Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame has revealed her dislike for Botox, after experiencing the negative sides of it. We offer Stevie's words of wisdom for keen users of this rat poison, such as Granny Freeze:

Stevie Nicks said ...

"I had Botox and I hated it. For four long months, I looked like a different person. It almost brought down the whole production of the last tour. It was so bad, I would look into the mirror and burst into tears. Botox is becoming the new face of beauty and it’s unfortunate because it makes everybody look like Satan’s children. Everybody has pointed eyebrows. Everybody looks related. All the Desperate Housewives look like sisters. If you’re an unattractive girl who’s trying to be beautiful with Botox, forget it. If you are a beautiful girl who’s trying to be beautiful with Botox, you will look like you’re angry all the time. You’d have to tie me down to get me to do it again."