Pictorial proof has emerged of Olivia Newton-John’s secret visit to a grief-stricken Perth girl just a month after she suffered critical injuries in a 2003 crash that killed her mother.
Emily Barker was one of WA’s most promising young singing stars at 11 — and a big fan of Newton-John’s — but her life was changed forever when she was traveling in a car that collided with a truck in Beechboro.
Emily Barker. Credit: unknown/Supplied
Former Princess Margaret Hospital public relations manager MJ Wallace told The West Australian the girl’s now-late father Ron had called Newton-John’s record label to see if she would visit his daughter while she was in Perth for a concert.
The singing superstar did not hesitate, on the condition no media were alerted to the visit.
But a personal family picture of the pair tells a multi-faceted story of the physical difficulties Emily still faces in her life in Perth as a 30-year-old, as well as the selflessness described as typical in the wake of Newton-John’s death , aged 73.
Emily’s father said at the time that Newton-John had promised to do a duet with the girl when she recovered.
Kerry Bradford, who ran the Morley Dance Studio where Emily was a student, was in the hospital room on one of her daily visits to the girl when her singing hero walked in.
Mrs Bradford had been “good friends” with Emily’s parents, who were keen ballroom dancers and teachers, since before she was born.
“Emily was very badly hurt so her reactions were rather slow, but she obviously knew it was Olivia,” Mrs Bradford said.
“Olivia was just beautiful with her and it was so lovely that she fitted it into her busy schedule to visit her.
“Emily’s mum had been bringing her into dancing since the time she was two. She was a good dancer, but she also had the most beautiful singing voice right from a tiny age.
“She was such a lovely little pupil to have, so expressive and she could have ended up with a brilliant career if the accident hadn’t happened. She was very special.”
Catherine Barker was killed in the crash which also injured Emily. Credit: unknown/Supplied
Emily sang the National Anthem at a Perth Olympians’ welcome home parade and performed at a Bali relief concert. She also sang at charity events and donated the money she made to the Cancer Foundation.
Perth’s leading entertainers, including Todd McKenney who flew home from his Sydney base, put on a fundraising show at Burswood Theater for Emily to help with her rehabilitation.
Today entertainment editor Richard Wilkins has played a heart-warming voice message Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe Lattanzi left him after he was overcome with emotion during a tribute to the late Australian star on live TV.
The Grease actress and singer died “peacefully” at her ranch in Southern California earlier this week following a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
“Chloe Lattanzi, Olivia’s daughter, sent me a beautiful message earlier today, which I played and cried again,” Wilkins said on the Today show on Wednesday.
Stream more celebrity news with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends October 31, 2022
“And I said to her, ‘I would never do it without your permission. Would you like me to share your beautiful message with her many friends and fans on-air?’
“And she said, ‘Yes, please. Tell them how much their love is helping me cope. I want to be a link for them. Give light, give thanks, gratitude. I’m holding you in my heart’.”
In the voicemail message Ms Lattanzi said: “Hi Richard, this is Chloe, I just saw your beautiful tribute to my mummy.”
“I just wanted to hold you. I saw how much you loved her and I just want you to know she’s free now and out of pain and all the family is here together.
“She’s making the sun shine and the dogs are running around and smiling and the horses are galloping.
“I just want you to know that she’s free from pain now and she fought so hard and I was with her every step of the way.
“I just felt your love. Mummy and I both cared about you – care about you so much.
“I love you my friend, thank you for doing that.”
Wilkins, who was a close friend of Newton John, fought back tears as he paid tribute to the entertainment icon on Tuesday.
After airing a segment of his last interview with her, Wilkins was left unable to speak as he struggled to hold his emotions in.
Today co-host Karl Stefanovic got up from his seat to give him a hug as he grabbed a handful of tissues.
“It’s alright,” Stefanovic said, as he gave Wilkins a hug.
“She touched everyone, didn’t she? Even through a Zoom call, whether it was someone in a hospital, someone on the boardwalks of Hollywood who didn’t even know her that well, that depth of feeling, this woman was extraordinary. “
“Well, I’m still numb,” Wilkins said. “I’ve got nothing more to say.”
Lattanzi, who is Newton-John’s only child, paid tribute to her mother on Instagram just days after the news of her death was announced.
The 36-year-old singer said her mother was her “lighthouse”, her “safe place” and her “heart space”.
“It has been an honor and continues to be my honor to be your baby and your best friend.
“You are an angel on earth and everyone touched by you has been blessed. I love you forever my life giver, my teacher, my mama.”
Newton-John died surrounded by her close friends and family.
Bindi Irwin’s husband Chandler Powell has revealed a recent health scare, lavishing praise on his wife while he recovers in hospital.
The husband of Bindi Irwin had his tonsils removed this week, sharing the update with a photo on social alongside his wife in hospital.
In the snap, the couple are pictured smiling at the camera from Powell’s hospital bed.
The Instagram post was captioned with a sweet message to Irwin, who was by his side every step of the way.
“Just wanted to write a note to my amazing wife. I had to get my tonsils out and she has been taking the best care of me,” he said.
“I’m so lucky to be loved by you, Bindi.”
Powell was also sure not to forget Bindi’s mum Terri Irwin, who was baby-sitting their daughter Grace while he was on the mend.
“Also, thank you Bunny (my awesome mum-in-law) for taking care of Grace while we’ve been in the hospital and I’ve been recovering,” he said.
Bindi replied to the post with her own touching message, showing just how loved-up the couple is after two years of marriage.
“Sweetheart, always always always here for you,” she said.
“Being married to you is the very best and I’m so proud of you.”
Late last month Bindi celebrated her 24th birthday, sharing a snap of a big cake and her daughter with a spoon chasing a slice.
The Australian Zoo heiress held a rustic and low-key gathering to mark the occasion.
In an open field, the family set up a picnic rug and make-shift table to hold the floral, two-tiered birthday cake.
She also debuted a new look with a stylish curled bob.
“Without them realizing, my sweet family has given me the greatest gifts this year through their extraordinary actions each and every day,” she wrote alongside the images.
Kyle Sandilands has welcomed his first child in dramatic circumstances, abandoning his live radio show to make it to the hospital in time for the birth.
The shock jock and his fiancee Tegan Kynaston, 36, are now proud parents to a baby boy they have named Otto.
Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston announced they were expecting in February. Credit: Instagram/TheWest
Sandilands, 51, was broadcasting from his home studio when he had to walk out of The Kyle and Jackie O show when he realized the baby was on its way.
“I think I might have to leave the show… and go to the hospital,” he said.
Jackie O responded: “Oh, it’s time!”
“Calm down, we don’t want the kid coming too soon,” Sandilands responded. “Guys, I’m so sorry. I feel very unprepared. I’ve got to run
… I feel like I’m abandoning you, but I’m there for my child.”
Seconds later he was off air and Jackie O was left to host the show on her own. Not long after, though, she was able to share the happy news with her listeners that the birth had gone smoothly and the little one had arrived healthy.
“If you’ve just tuned in, little Otto has been born. It’s so hectic – I feel like I can’t think straight!” said Jackie O, who is Otto’s godmother.
Sandilands later phoned into the show, sharing some fairly graphic details about the birth.
“I cut the cord, I didn’t realize it was like tough calamari and blood spurted out. I was the first person to touch him, he sh*t himself, poo was oozing out,” he added.
And, he’s not planning to take too much time out to enjoy new fatherhood, with his manager confirming he will be back on his radio show on Friday to talk about his son and the birth.
Sandilands announced he and Kynaston were expecting their first child in February, with Jackie O admitting at the time she “never thought I’d see the day where Kyle would become a dad.”
“I know I’ve always sounded like I’m against children but when you think, ‘Oh, do you want to have your own child’, and you meet someone and you think, ‘Oh, yeah, I do want to have a child’,” Sandilands said.
Sandilands and Kynaston got engaged in Queensland over the Christmas holidays.
Actor Nicola Peltz-Beckham has opened up about the rumored feud with her husband’s mother, Victoria “Posh” Beckham, for the first time.
Speculation has been swirling for months that Peltz, who married Beckham’s eldest son Brooklyn in April, has been in a bitter stand-off with her mother-in-law, with the bad blood kicking off in the lead up to the wedding.
Now, the 27-year-old has finally addressed the rumours.
In a new interview with Variety, Peltz has denied all the allegations stating she believes the rumors began when she decided not to wear a wedding dress designed by Beckham.
“I was going to and I really wanted to, and then a few months down the line, (Victoria) realized that her atelier couldn’t do it, so then I had to pick another dress,” she explained.
“She didn’t say you can’t wear it; Ella i did n’t say ella I did n’t want to wear it. ”
Peltz, whose dad is a billionaire businessman, ended up wearing a stunning custom white Valentino gown designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli, featuring a long train and veil with floral embellishments that matched those on her sheer opera gloves.
Brooklyn didn’t say much about the drama in the interview just saying, “Everyone gets along, which is good.”
The newlywed tied the knot in a lavish Palm Beach wedding with celebrity guests including Mel C, Serena and Venus Williams, Marc Anthony, Eva Longoria, Jordana Brewster, and Gordon Ramsay.
Late last week, Page Six was reporting that Peltz and Posh Beckham were in a “cold-war” feud and hadn’t spoken for months.
Insiders even suggested that Brooklyn was no longer on speaking terms with his famous parents, with their relationship fractured as a result of the alleged feud between his wife and mum.
Just months after she was publicly served with legal papers in front of the world, Olivia Wilde has won her custody battle against her ex Jason Sudeikis.
The Hollywood star and director was victorious in a California court after the judge ruled that their two children — eight-year-old Otis and five-year-old Daisy — would continue to call the Golden State home, not New York as the Ted Lasso star had hoped.
The judgment came after the 38-year-old actress claimed that Sudeikis, 46, had arranged for the custody documents to be served in April “in the most aggressive way possible”, as she was speaking on a CinemaCon panel about her new movie.
Olivia Wilde holds an envelope that was handed to her onstage during the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2022. Credit: Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
In a filing, Wilde claimed that Sudeikis — who she was in a relationship with from 2011 until 2020 — intended to “embarrass” and “threaten” her by getting the papers delivered in such a public setting.
“Jason’s actions were clearly intended to threaten me and catch me off guard. He could have served me discreetly, but instead, he chose to serve me in the most aggressive manner possible,” she said in court documents.
“The fact that Jason would embarrass me professionally and put our personal conflict on public display in this manner is extremely contrary to our children’s best interests. Since Jason has made it clear that we will not be able to work this out for our children’s sake outside of the court system, I filed a petition for custody in Los Angeles.”
The development comes as rumors swirl that she had a falling out with her Don’t Worry Darling Costar Florence Pugh over her relationship with Harry Styles which reportedly happened whilst she was still involved with Sudeikis.
The conservationist’s husband went on to thank his mother-in-law Terri Irwin, 58, for taking care of the couple’s 16-month-old daughter Grace Warrior Powell.
Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell are in the hospital. Credit: Twitter
“Also, thank you Bunny (my awesome mum-in-law) for taking care of Grace while we’ve been in the hospital & I’ve been recovering,” he wrote.
Bindi, 24, was quick to reply to her husband’s message, commenting, “The greatest husband. Most amazing Bunny. Love you beyond words @chandlerpowell9 & @TerriIrwin.
“Go team… tonsils?” she said.
Alongside Bindi, other comments wished the father-of-one a “speedy recovery” and that he “heals quickly and painlessly.”
Chandler, Bindi and Grace. Credit: Instagram / bindisueirwin
Relationship timeline
Bindi and Chandler, who is originally from the US, met when he went to Australia Zoo while in Australia for a wakeboarding competition.
It so happened that Bindi was giving the tours that day.
Bindi went on to post about their meeting at the time, writing on Instagram: “Legendary wakeboarder Chandler Powell and his beautiful family came into @AustraliaZoo yesterday. Wonderful Wildlife Warriors!”
After years of a long-distance relationship, Powell moved to Australia in 2018 and proposed to Bindi the following year.
They married in March 2020 at Australia Zoo and welcomed Grace exactly a year later.
‘sweetest, kindest’
Powell’s tonsillectomy comes a week after the family farewelled its beloved pet echidna, a “family member of 38 years”.
Bindi announced the news on Instagram with a series of photos of the Irwin family and the echidna, which was part of the family before she and her brother Robert were born.
“Saying goodbye to our beautiful family member of 38 years,” she said on Thursday.
“The sweetest, kindest, most wonderful echidna you ever did meet. Rest In Peace, angel.”
The echidna can be seen in the first photo taken of Bindi and Chandler in 2013.
Soon after Bindi shared the news, Robert, 18, reposted the photos with a broken heart emoji.
bindi turns 24
Meanwhile, Bindi has celebrated her 24th birthday with her family, sharing photos on Instagram.
Her caption began: “24, the last year has been filled with enormous growth, unpredictable/ challenging times, and above all, love beyond my wildest dreams.
“Without them realizing, my sweet family has given me the greatest gifts this year through their extraordinary actions each and every day.
“My in-laws, the gift of no distance standing in the way of family bonds,” she said at the time.
The Irwin family. Credit: Instagram
Chandler moved away from his parents Chris and Shannon to marry Bindi in Queensland.
Due to COVID restrictions, his parents were unable to make the 2020 wedding and much of Grace’s first year.
Bindi continued, “My mum, the gift of perseverance, strength, and a shoulder to lean on. My brother, the gift of enthusiasm for life and remembering not to sweat the little things.
“My husband, the gift of steady support and infinite kindness.
Bindi and Chandler Powell with their daughter. Credit: bindisueirwin/Instagram
“My darling daughter, the gift of finding beauty in all things and running towards happiness (and bubbles, which are the same thing to her) with an open heart,” she continued.
“I’m grateful for another trip around the sun and another year to do my best making difference in this world,” Bindi said.
“Thank you to everyone who is part of my journey, I’m tremendously grateful for you.”
For more engaging celebrity content, visit 7Life on Facebook.
More from 7Entertainment
Awkward moment sheriffs serve eviction notice to wrong house.
Awkward moment sheriffs serve eviction notice to wrong house.
Armie Hammer and his scandal-plagued sex life is set to be the subject of a new three-part documentary series.
House of Hammer, which will air on Discovery Plus next month, includes testimony from two alleged victims of his extreme sexual fetishes.
The actor checked into rehab in May 2021 for substance and sex issues after he was accused of rape and battery by a 24-year-old woman, allegations he strongly denies.
A text — apparently from Hammer to one of his alleged victims — read: “I am 100 per cent a cannibal. I want to eat you.”
Armie Hammer was fired from many projects in Hollywood after he was accused of rape and battery by a 24-year-old woman. Credit: Andy Cropa/Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
Courtney Vucekovich, one of a pair of women who claim the 35-year-old actor assaulted her, detailed the abuse she allegedly endured at his hands, saying that things started fantastically “but then things change” as he “pushes your boundaries a little bit at a time”.
She detailed how the mention of cannibalism meant she spent ages “freaking out” and it was the only thing Hammer “wanted to ever talk about”.
Vucekovich also claims she got a message from him that said: “I’m going to bite the f*** out of you” and that he texted photos of rope to her.
Of the rope, she said: “The ropes were around your neck, your wrist, your ankles, and you’re completely immobilized. I was closing my eyes until it ended.”
Julia Morrison, the second accuser featured in the documentary, claims she received a text from Hammer that read: “I have a fantasy about having someone prove their love and devotion and tying them up in a public place at night and making their body free use and seeing if they will f*** strangers for me”.
Morrison says that she also got a voice note from the Rebecca star, saying: “My bet was going to involve showing into her place and completely tying you up and incapacitating you and then being able to do whatever I wanted to every single hole in your body until I was done with you”.
Elizabeth Chambers posts on Instagram, featuring Armie Hammer her (then) husband. Credit: Elizabeth Chambers/Instagram/Elizabeth Chambers/Instagram
In the three-part series, the women share a string of texts — which they assert came from Hammer, who according to reports works as a timeshare dealer in the Cayman Islands — detailing his apparent intentions.
One reads: “You are mine! Do you hear me? I own you now. I’ll own you forever”.
And, in another: “I decide when you eat, when you sleep. When you f***.”
The scandal, which was prompted by texts leaked in January 2021, has been labeled “bulls***” by the act, who has daughter Harper, seven, and son Ford, five, with his ex Elizabeth Chambers. He has since been fired from many projects in Hollywood.
Jerry Hall last night asked judges to dismiss her divorce case against Rupert Murdoch, the Daily Mail can reveal.
The former supermodel asked the Los Angeles Superior Court to cancel the divorce petition she filed just five weeks ago, meaning the case appears to be at an end.
The notice was filed by Miss Hall’s California lawyer Ronald Brot and was dated Tuesday, August 9.
The document says the divorce should be dismissed without prejudice, meaning that it can be revived.
Last night it wasn’t clear why Miss Hall had filed the dismissal, or if the couple had agreed to settle out of court.
The Mail has contacted both sides for comment.
The couple had been together for six years when their split was reported in June.
Last weekend, a newspaper claimed that the 91-year-old media tycoon ended their marriage via an email which Miss Hall, 65, is said to have received while waiting for him to arrive in the UK.
Miss Hall responded by filing for divorce on July 1 in Los Angeles rather than the UK, where they were married.
Her next move was even more aggressive and she hired a former Met Police anti-terrorism officer to serve Mr Murdoch the divorce papers at RAF Brize Norton on July 4, after he attended his granddaughter’s wedding nearby.
If Miss Hall’s request is approved, it would mean that Mr Murdoch might not have to go through a bitter and public battle which could have exposed his finances to the world.
In her original petition, she said she did not have his full financial information and was seeking it.
The filing of the divorce in California is significant as it is a community property state, meaning that any property acquired during the marriage is by default split 50/50.
The couple bought a multi-million-pound doer-upper in the Cotswolds as one of their new homes.
The sprawling pad in Great Tew had been uninhabitable for many years and the extensive renovation included installing a domed roof.
Mr Murdoch had 30 days to respond to the petition, a date which had passed by the time Miss Hall filed her request for dismissal.
Over the weekend, legal experts urged Mr Murdoch to settle the divorce. Mark Stephens, with London-based law firm Howard Kennedy, said: “This is a case that doesn’t need to be litigated.
“The smart thing is don’t line the pages of newspapers, just get on and settle the case.”
Radio host Kyle Sandilands was seen frantically leaving the show mid-air after discovering his pregnant fiancée Tegan Kynaston had gone into labor on Thursday morning.
WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Kyle Sandilands leaves radio show to welcome his baby boy
For more Celebrity related news and videos check out Celebrity >>
The 51-year-old quickly said his goodbyes to the KIIS team before removing his headphones – as he rushed out the door to be by Kynaston’s side in hospital.
Shortly after, co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson confirmed on the show the couple had welcomed their baby boy Otto after receiving a text message from Sandilands’ manager Bruno Bouchet.
“Little Otto was born this morning. Mum and bub both doing well,” the text from Bouchet read.
Kyle Sandilands from the hospital. Credit: Supplied
“Kyle’s beyond excited.”
Earlier on Thursday, Sandilands said he was broadcasting from home when he received the best personal news.
“I might have to leave the show and go to the hospital,” he abruptly said during the radio show.
“It’s time? Oh, it’s time!” co-host Jackie O Henderson was heard saying from the studio.
“It’s time,” Sandilands confirmed.
Jackie O Henderson reacts to the news. Credit: Supplied Kyle Sandilands leaves the radio show. Credit: Supplied
The studio broke out in applause as the dad-to-be prepared to leave.
“Calm down, we don’t want the kid coming out too soon,” Sandilands joked.
“You ready?” he was heard saying off the microphone before telling the team, “Guys I’m so sorry, I feel very unprepared – I don’t even know if…”
“It’s okay,” Henderson reassured him, asking “Have you got your bag packed and everything?”.
Kyle and Tegan find out they’re having a boy. Credit: kyleandjackieoshow/Instagram
“Yes, I’ve got my bag,” he replied.
“I’ve got to run, I feel like I’m abandoning you,” Sandilands added, before rushing off.
Boy or girl?
After announcing the pregnancy news in February, Sandilands and Kynaston celebrated by throwing a gender reveal party on a boat in the middle of Sydney Harbour.
Courtesy of the Kyle and Jackie O Show’s Instagram, the excited couple was seen arriving on the boat as a live band played.
Pictures were shared of the four-tier gender reveal cake, ‘baby Sandilands’ decor, an elaborate candy bar – all in shades of blue and pink.
Kyle and Tegan before the gender reveal. Credit: kyleandjackieoshow/Instagram
The parents-to-be found out live on air that they were expecting a little boy.
The gender was announced by plans that flew over their boat spewing blue smoke.
Live on air, you could hear the crowd cheer as the plans flew past.
“We did expect a girl but we’re very, very happy,” Sandilands said after the plans flew past.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW: Kyle Sandilands announces the birth of his unborn child
Kyle Sandilands announces the birth of his unborn child.
Kyle Sandilands announces the birth of his unborn child.Some snapshots from the gender reveal party. Credit: kyleandjackieoshow/Instagram
Sandilands and Kynaston, who began dating in 2019, shared that they already decided on potential baby names.
Announcing to his listeners on 13 February, Sandilands said: “We’re having a baby!” prompting the entire KIIS FM studio team to cheer.
“We are having a friggin’ baby. I couldn’t be happier,” he added.
Co-host Henderson – who’s a mother to daughter Kitty, aged 10 – told the couple she was “so happy”, and told them their lives would soon change forever.
Kyle Sandilands announces his baby’s gender in Sydney harbour.
Kyle Sandilands announces his baby’s gender in Sydney harbour.
‘He’s very emotional about it’
Speaking on air, Kynaston said Sandilands had been “excellent” since she’s fallen pregnant.
“He’s been very emotional… very happy about it,” she said.
Sandilands said his manager Bruno Bouchet found it challenging to deflect questions from the media after Kynaston was spotted on February 2 with a “slight bump”.
Kyle and Tegan, who began dating in 2019, have already decided on names for both genders. Credit: Kyle and Jackie OAnnouncing to his listeners, Kyle said: “We’re having a baby!” prompting the entire KIIS FM studio team to cheer. Credit: KIIS
The couple announced their engagement live on air in January after he proposed in Port Douglas.
“I apologize to the women of the world, as I am officially off the market,” Sandilands said at the time.
He told his listeners Kynaston had “no clue” the proposal was coming.
The 50-year-old went into detail about his elaborate proposal plans that were set to feature fireworks, live music, an array of candles and a lavish meal.
However, not everything went according to plan.
A still from the proposal video posted to Instagram. Credit: kyleandjackieoshow/Instagram
The KIIS FM host had organized for singer-songwriter Conrad Sewell to fly in from overseas and perform the couple’s favorite song while Sandilands got down on one knee.
The radio host shared that “two days before the proposal, Conrad rang and he was very upset because he had caught COVID.”
“I couldn’t postpone it because there were chefs, fireworks and I had hired a venue,” Sandilands said.
Despite the complications, Sandilands told listeners the proposal went ahead without live music, explaining to then-girlfriend Kynaston that they were attending a pop-up art show.
Kyle Sandilands, left, and Tegan Kynaston, right. Credit: Getty Images/Facebook
“When we got there, we got out, I swung the door open and they played the Conrad song. There were candles and soft lighting,” Sandilands said.
Following the romantic proposal, the couple watched the fireworks display alongside close family and friends.
Kynaston, who is 15 years younger than her fiancé, met Sandilands as his personal assistant in 2019.
For more engaging celebrity content, visit 7Life on Facebook.
