Life At The Top

Nick & Holly

Former soap star Holly Vallance is to get hitched to her (reputed) billionaire boyfriend property developer Nick Candy this Saturday in Los Angeles at a wedding bash that is said will cost up to $2M. Guests like Sir Elton John  and Simon Cowell are expected to celebrate with the couple.

Erica & James

Meanwhile in Sydney local billionaire James Packer and his beautiful wife former model Erica


have just welcomed the birth of their second baby daughter Emmanuelle yesterday.
 James is selling off the last of the media empire he inherited from father Kerry Packer for around $1B while he expands his gambling and casino empire.

Ain't life grand !.

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And from the Emmys actor Tom Hanks demonstrated a new use for the award : he taped one to the bonnet of his car and drove around LA.

Putting the Gossips Under The Spotlight

Annette Sharp goes into battle with Ros Reines

It was an opportunity not to be missed : the chance to see the Australian reigning queens of gossip in action at the Secret Woman's Business lunch.
Veteran of British and Australian publications Ros Reines who writes for the Sunday Telegraph, and Annette Sharp, former TV network publicist who edits the Sydney Confidential pages in the Daily Telegraph were the guests at the ritzy Quay Restaurant.

Around a hundred ladies gathered to watch the three being questioned by Woman's Weekly editor-in-chief Deborah Thomas followed by questions from the audience.

actresses Paula Duncan & Judy Nunn

One particular table was notable for containing a number of ladies who had been subjects of the trio's tales including top publicists Brooke Tabberer and Deeta Colvin and society figures  Glen Marie Frost, Skye Leckie and Victoria Morish. Safety in numbers ?.

Ros Reines told us of some her legendary feuds that so far have included tiffs with society hairdresser Joh Bailey, Australia's Got Talent judge Kyle Sandilands and top New York publicist Kelly Cutrone and one that hit the front pages-a stand-up dressing down from James Packer at a Nine network season launch at Garden Island. The Shuttle was there on the night and it was the talk of the town : James Packer attacked Reines for writing about his personal life- an odd decision from a man whose wealth was built on publications exposing the lives other people and one that completely over shadowed the reason for the night.

Annette Sharp gave us all the details of the bicycle ride she was challenged to by Russell Crowe after she had written a story about his burgeoning weight. The subsequent story and film of the two cycling through Sydney streets went viral around the world. One of her top scoops was the news that James Packer had joined the Church of Scientology.

The occasion was voted a success by the largely civilian audience who all hoped it may become an annual event. It was the brainchild of actress Paula Duncan and in aid of the for the Royal Hospital For Women Foundation.

When Media Moguls dine

James & Erica (left)

Lachlan & Sarah

Heads turned on Saturday night as one of Australia's richest power couples walked into Surry Hill's Winery Restaurant. It was billionaire James Packer (estimated wealth : $6.1B) and his wife, ex-model Erica.

And the guests who joined them shortly after soon got tongues wagging-Lachlan Murdoch, son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and his wife, the model Sarah Murdoch.

This was a joint celebration.
James and Lachlan both share the 8Th September as their birthday. Which makes them typical Virgoans. In Chinese astrology James is Sheep. Sheep are often into new age philosophies.

Perhaps that explains the young Packer's interest in Scientology which movie star and good friend Tom Cruise introduced him to. ( Cruise phoned Packer at the restaurant to wish him all the best)

Sheep can be generous in love. Former wife Jodhi Meares could probably attest to that. It's rumoured she picked up $15M in her divorce from James plus a house and another for her mother.
Ex fiancee Kate Fisher is said to have got a $3M parting gift plus a Bondi apartment.

When James and Kate married they did it in style on the French Rivera at Hotel du Cap - Eden Roc . 100 guests were flown from Australia first class and the 2 honeymooned on the Mediterranean in the Packer's luxurious former ice-breaker, the Arctic P. ( joined by Cruise and Katie Holmes).

Sheep aren't the best in business. Possibly why Packer has dropped a billion since his father Kerrie left him the biggest inheritance in Australian history in 2005.

Lachlan Murdoch is a Pig or Boar in Chinese astrology. Pigs are nice to a fault and possess impeccable manners and taste. They delight in finery and riches. Lachlan fits this to a tee. He recently paid a record $23M for the former French Consulate in Bellevue Hill which came with tennis courts, swimming pool, sculptured lawns, 8 bedrooms and magnificent harbour views. It's also a stone's throw from his good sheep mate Jame's Belleveue Hill compound.

Pigs are so pure they cannot see bad in anyone. James and Lachlan took a pasting in their joint One-Tel venture losing around $300M of their respective father's money when they hung on every word from their former school mate Jodee Rich (pictured left with James & Lachlan) who convinced them it was a great investment.

When Lachlan was CEO of his father's Australian News Corporation he used to walk around the various newspapers enquiring after just about everyone's health. Old timers said he was too soft.

What do the rich give each other on their birthdays?. We aren't sure but Lachlan came bearing Cartier carrier bags for James !
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Following our report that Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer (plus kids) viewed a Seven Shillings Beach house (right) last week, the 1950's style house sold for $19M on the weekend at auction.

The property was sold by cardboard packing industry heir Nigel Butler who prefers surfing most days rather than high finance and business. Although the house is rather run down it does have exclusive access to the beach and a sensational view to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. No news yet on whether the Crowe family will be moving in.