Donna Demaio’s Gossip Sheet, December 15
Quote of the week: ‘I do like squeezing into a dress every now and then,’ smiles Hugo Weaving who’s lapping up accolades for his excellent performance in The Dressmaker, filmed in Victoria and co-starring Kate Winslet. He believes there is only a tenuous link between the recent role of a transvestite country cop and his drag-queen persona in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Spotted: Reality show contestant Geoffrey Edelston reportedly ignored the tin rattlers while sitting in his Mercedes at traffic lights on Kings Way. Volunteer Surf Life Savers moved on to more generous drivers who understand the fine work they do.
Tweet of the week: @rickygervais How do parrots form certain words without lips? It’s doing my head in.
Jan Logan unveiled her exquisite range of ‘matrix’ jewellery with an elegant afternoon tea of lobster rolls and pork buns at cool city eatery Supernormal. Logan, whose diamonds have decorated many a famous body revealed she would love to see super-sweet singer Taylor Swift showcase her pieces. I did spot some of Logan’s gorgeous bracelets on Glitch actress Daniela Farinacci at the AACTA awards in Sydney.
Jennifer Hawkins is on a mission to help young entrepeneurs, launching her online Jbronze Kickstarter campaign. It involves sending in a video to win a cash prize. She wants to hear from men and women and is keen for all ideas. Hawkins even advised that she would consider investing in a business, if she was suitably impressed by the idea.
Meanwhile with Christmas not far off, Hawkins has popped on her wish list two items: a beach towel and a chic marble-coloured Mac book cover. Hint, hint Jake.
Ryan Gosling has made a great first impression on Melbourne teenager Angourie Rice, who co-stars with the Hollywood star in the upcoming feature The Nice Guys. The 14-year-old told me about her experience while walking the green carpet at the world premiere of her new film Nowhere Boys. The Tony Ayres penned film for pre-teens is brilliant and Rice is a stand-out. But want more about more about Gosling? Rice tells me it was a lot of luck that she landed the role. ‘He’s so nice and very sweet. I learnt (from him) that I should line up for my own close-up to get the lighting right. It was crazy. I had an hysterical fit the day before. I was so nervous that I was shaking.’
Paul Mercurio (Strictly Ballroom) is off on a beer tour next year with helloworld Lower Templestowe. The Hello Beer Tour tracks through Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic next October with beer aficionado Paul as your host. He’s trying to cope with empty nest syndrome as all his adult children have now left home, taking most of their belongings. Mercurio admits he did have a cry in one of the empty rooms.
The superb Sigrid Thornton will next be seen treading the boards with Anthony Warlow in Fiddler on the Roof. But in the meantime, she reflects on her stand-out and AACTA award winning role as Judy Garland in the Peter Allen Story. ‘You can’t mimic her. Certainly Judy required a boldness of spirit. It was a wonderful opportunity to leap in, boots and all.’
Spotted: Geelong captain Joel Selwood was dining with family at new and happening Malaysian eatery Hawker Hall in Windsor.
While Star Wars fans gear up for the big premiere of the latest instalment in the franchise The Force Awakens, there’s at least one George Lucas that is having a bad week. The owner of the Food Republic caf?, namely George Lucas, saw fire cause severe damage to his Blackburn eatery.
GIVEAWAY: Please email to win the Molly Do Yourself A Favour CD. The television ads for the Molly mini-series are being played ad nauseum on Channel 7 ahead of the highly anticipated screening next year. In the meantime the soundtrack, aptly titled Do Yourself A Favour has been released through Liberation Records. Three CDS include 60 songs of the era ( tracks handpicked by Molly). Tracks include songs from Russell Morris, Sherbet, Skyhooks, Cold Chisel and so many more. Email ddemaio@3aw.com.au ( including postal address) to win a copy of the CD.