Love Birds spotted

 

Whisper's New York spy disguised as America's top social snapper Patrick McMullan has sent us some pics to share. Out on the tiles this week was the legendary Rupert Murdoch owner of the Fake News Fox News conglomerate with his glamorous wife Jerry Hall.
The shindig was the opening night of The Metropolitan Opera 2017-2018 season.

And look at some of the other celebrity guests who went on to the gala dinner afterwards: the amazing Patti Smith who can make a white t-shirt and long gray hair look so elegant, actors Josh Lucas and Paul Sorvino with his wife Dee Dee and F.Murray Abraham among so many others. What a difference it makes compared to your average Sydney party where the major guests are..newsreaders and male models! (we really do love them though).

Veronika Part looked the part & actor Paul Sorvino took his wife Dee Dee to the party

 *********************************************************

Whisper's spy disguised as an aging Eastern Surburb's socialite informs us that society couple Anthony Bell and beautiful wife Kellie Landry are back living under the same roof. What joy- we can only approve. They make a fine couple.

exclusive : A Murdoch Marriage

In a low key ceremony Elisabeth Murdoch the daughter of media mogul Rupert Murdoch has married artist Keith Tyson (right)
Various members of the Murdoch clan gathered at Elisabeth's Cotswold farm in the UK this weekend including father Rupert and his partner Jerry Hall, Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch and flying in from New York where they now live, her mother Anna Mann and her partner William (pictured below).

Among the influential and powerful guests, former UK PM David Cameron and wife Samantha, the controversial News Corp head honcho Rebekah Brooks and Emily Oppenheimer heir to the South Africa diamond fortune.
Noticeably absent was Elizabeth's previous two husbands, publicity guru Matthew Freud and Dutch economist Elkin Pianim.
Now that's a real power get-together. Below is a sample of Tyson's work

Gerry & The Pacemaker Get Hitched !

         READ ALL ABOUT IT

Cleo Clanger

Feel for the staff of Cleo Magazine who probably read today via the Daily Telegraph that they would lose their jobs as the magazine closes. Cleo came as part of the package when the James Packer sold out his publishing interests to the giant German Bauer Media Group in 2012.

First published 44 years ago with the venerable Packer favorite Ita Buttrose as editor (a shout-out to Ita who Whispers found themselves with in a Surry Hills post office queue just a few days ago), Cleo was aimed at an older female audience. Recently their Bachelor Of The Year awards have received plenty of publicity (aided by some self-important publicists who seemed oblivious to the rapidly changing world of media). Circulation has hovered around 53000 a year with a claimed readership of 173000 and a claimed 300,000 online readers.
But just look at Whispers'(thesocialshuttle.com) online readership (left : Google's figures) . Daily views are around 2300 with monthly views around 72000 which is not dissimilar to a monthly magazine or a local newspaper (and a shout out to our daily 300 approx readers who are in Russia). Of course it's very hard to compare and many factors influence readership but compared to a blog run by 1.5 (part timer) and a dyslexic cat who claims to be the sub-editor, something must give in these print publications and the large staff needed to run them.

 **************************************************************

 

Meanwhile as the Happy Couple, Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall announce their engagement, Don Rupioni's beloved Sun Newspaper is under investigation for claims it was also involved in phone hacking. We couldn't help but notice a recent cover. As one irreverent wag from that august publication put it : "how dare they, that's our job"

Love Match of The Century

Who doesn't love an engagement? Whispers reckons this is the best comment to date:

Reporting the Love Match of the Decade

 
The British media were out in force at the now famous Rugby match at Twickenham between New Zealand and Australia. One lucky snapper secured the first pictures of the love-birds Jerry Hall & Rupert Murdoch as they arrived at the grounds. Whispers is a cynical old thing and finds this most odd. The photo is clearly taken as the loving couple are arriving - not via the VIP entrance as other celebrities did, but along with the general public. The photographer appears to have been the only one to get the shot almost as though he/she had prior knowledge of this. And then likewise the photo of Uncle Rupes planting a kiss on a coy Jerry's cheek. Again just one snapper got the pics. And the source of the coupling :"a family friend". Such friends revealing info like this are usually banished to the outer realms, Not that Whispers is complaining as every time Rupert Murdoch's private life is reported our now famous snap of he and former wife Wendi Deng features throughout China's media (Chinese Hello! seems to love it)
Even odder is the fact not one News Corp outlet (proprietor Rupert Murdoch) has mentioned the tryst or published photos. Yet the pair seem happy to pose and appear in public ! Amongst the dozens of News Corp titles across the world that passed on the mention of the Love Match of The Decade:

And so it came to pass

Princes Harry & William were there as was our own princess Kylie Minogue. And this couple finally fronted the cameras : Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall.  Read all about it in the MailOnline.

A rainy day in Melbourne

The Melbourne Cup season is upon us again. A long planned trip South had to be cancelled at the last minute although by the looks of that unpredictable Melbourne weather perhaps Whispers is fortunate. Our Victorian racing spy disguised as a $2 poncho raincoat promises to keep his/her eyes open for fascinating snippets which usually means people you saw last week at a party in Sydney doing something else in Melbourne but probably dressed up to the nines.

As always Swisse trotted out a major celeb- Hilary Swank this year, to pose in front of the dreaded "wall". It's a long way to come to stand in front of a wall but I suppose they are suitably rewarded (financially). As for Swisse, there must be big bikkies in vitamins as their rival Blackmores just demonstrated with a share price having risen from $31 to over $200  in a year and that's without a Hilary Swank standing in front of a wall.
And here some of our favourite Sydney people who we did see last week (walking their dogs in Redfern) David Novakpiper and The Block judge Neale Whitaker with a lady pal lunching in The Birdcage 
 **********************************************************************************

The entire world is awaiting (well the paparazzi are!) Will they or won't they? As a "close family friend of the Murdochs" promised : said: "It's all very new.  They are really enjoying each other's company very much. "He is very fond of her. There is no question that they are a couple." 
Tonight is the final in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham and as the "close family friend" promised the star crossed lovers Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall are to appear in public for the first time together at the match as Australia plays New Zealand. We wait with baited breath.
********************************************************************************
And the wondrous MailOnline does not fail to once again impress with this caption :
" Racegoers line-up at a Melbourne station as they head to Randwick in a bid to beat the early-rush ". Melbourne to Randwick by train? About 900 kms and 12-14 hours.

The Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall rumours

Fleet Street in the UK is having one of it's meltdown moments as the claim that Jerry Hall is now dating Rupert Murdoch run riot. Oddly they all echo the same source who is said to be a 'family friend' - the usual way of describing an unknown source - and all quote the same thing :
" they are set to go public by attending next Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham. Billionaire Murdoch was introduced to Texan Jerry by one of his sisters and a niece while in his native Australia." 
 Time will tell. As Whispers reported on the September 20th Murdoch's defunct News of The World  bugged the phone of Mick Jagger's publicist when Jagger was married to Hall and they were having marital problems. The bugging provided many stories that were published. So is all forgiven?

Day One with Georgia May Jagger

Bauer Media launched their '30 Days of Fashion & Beauty' with a cocktail party at the Sydney Town Hall. Ambassadors include Jecinta Campbell, looking quite amazing in a hot pink Alex Perry dress and Georgia May Jagger who brought her mum Jerry Hall.

World Premiere-Dr Zhivago, a New Musical





 

London may have Anna Nicole The Opera but Sydney tonight had the world premiere of a new $5.5M musical : Dr Zhivago with a star studded red-carpet opening.

Launched at the newly re-furbished Lyric Theatre at the Star City Casino, the Lucy Simon scored musical received a rapturous standing ovation from the audience. Anthony Warlow's (as Yuri) vocals were superb.

Michael Scott-Mitchel's sets are an achievement-from lavish room settings to war torn street scenes with real snow, the pace is set in the first scene that moves quickly and never slows.

Lucy Maunder as Lara is a treat while Taneel van Zyl as Yuri's wife Tonia puts in a superb performance.



Lucy Simon



Rob Mills



Director  Des McAnuff whose Jersey Boys has been a smash hit has another success on his hands.

 Simon's music is romantic and perfect, never waning and there is that much needed memorable song, the musical's refrain Now which will be in your mind for long after.

Mrs Russell Crowe-Danielle Spencer

With great lighting and terrific costumes by Teresa Negroponte-will this be the beginning of a trend for out of town preview runs ? . Sydney as the new off-Broadway ?. We hope.

                                **************

 A little over a week ago the Shuttle brought it's readers the news that despite talk that the production had come to a standstill, the Baz Luhrmann planned re-make of The Great Gatsby was still on the cards.



Luhrmann told the Shuttle's contact at a New York dinner to honour Geoffrey Rush that he had 2 Hollywood studios competing for the movie.

And that he would shortly decide which studio to go with.

Now the secret is out- The Great Gatsby is to be a Warner Bros production but the big news is that the 3D film will be shot in Sydney at Fox Studios with Australian government backing.





Maria Venuti does Dr Zhivago



Mick Jagger's Big Dick and Rats !



Jerry & Georgia in Melbourne



Mick Jagger is has a big dick  !.

That's according to Jagger's ex-wife Jerry Hall in response to Keith Richard's claim in his autobiography life- that the Rolling Stone's front man has a "tiny willy".

She didn't quite put it like that to our Shuttle operative in Melbourne today.

"Mick has nothing to complain about, nor would anyone with him be disappointed in the slightest ! " said the 6' Texan.





Jerry was attending a cosmetic launch at Myer along with her gorgeous daughter Georgia Jagger who has inherited the best aspects of her parents. Tall and languid with Micks big sensual lips.

Jerry says she hasn't resorted to plastic surgery-or face designing-but is very into yoga.

"I like to change things from the inside" she said.

On her extended visit to Australia she said: 

 "I love this country. Everything is better here. " (mind you, they all say that). She is a regular visitor having been to these shores 6 times now.

" I think I'll be spending a lot more time here " presumably referring to her current beau, Perth businessman Warwick Hemsley (pictured right).

On Mick :"he's the most wonderful father to our children".

Jerry still lives in Jagger's Surrey house which is divided into 2 sections and where she keeps a menagerie of pets.

On the subject of animals we specifically asked our Melbourne mole  (who chickened out at the last moment)  to remind Jerry of a Shuttle tale that appeared in a UK newspaper a few years ago.

Mick had already collared the Shuttle at a Sydney party and chided your scribe over our claim that the Jagger house on Cheyne Walk in Chelsea had a cellar that was a seething pit of huge rats.

As a regular visitor to a friend who lived opposite on  a barge on the Thames, we once spotted one of those horrendously huge foot long rodents that appear at low tide, scuttle across the road and disappear into the Jagger garden and duly reported the fact, as one does, to a Fleet Street tabloid in exchange for a generous financial consideration.



former Jagger householder

Mick remonstrated with your scribe and said Jerry had not only read the tale and believed it but had ordered in the exterminators who fumigated the entire house and grounds whilst the  family retired to a country retreat for the weekend.

On returning the fumigator's report stated no rats had been found, but any number of cockroaches had been destroyed and a dozen tiny mice had bitten the dust.

Apparently Jerry said Mick, had worried for weeks that the deaths of so many insects and mammals may affect her karma !

Amazing isn't it ?. Some old boozy hack can completely upend a celebrity's life no matter how famous they are !

# Jerry has also taken the opportunity to introduce daughter Georgia to some of her Australian cousins. Mick Jagger's mother originally emigrated to the UK from Australia and Jagger, a family man has always maintained contact with the Aussie side of the Jagger family.

Dame Edna Shines!

The Victorian racing season is in full swing although somewhat soggy with 2 days of rain now. It peaks with the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday and lasts until Ladies Day the following weekend.

Guests have included ex-Spice Girl Mel B (the Daily Mail in the UK reports Victoria Beckham asked for too much money to appear), Jerry Hall and daughter Georgia Jagger and Kelly Osborne.



Dame Edna at Derby Day



But it's Dame Edna Everage who has stolen the show. Last night at Luminere Club at an after races bash she got stuck into Brynne Gordon , the ex-fitness instructor from Las Vegas who married medical entrepreneur Dr Geoffrey Edelsten.

Brynne is known for her colourful frocks and Edna spotted her in the crowd from the stage :

"What  a gorgeous outfit my dear " said the Dame. " It must be suitable for a special occasion. What a shame it isn't suitable for this one !"

"Who did you come with ?" she continued "that little senior citizen beside you ?" referring to hubby Geoff.

And this is just the beginning!

Delicious Ironic Moments # 1

In an exert from her autobiography in the UK's Daily Mail, Jerry Hall-currently in Australia writes in a piece titled :

'I got Mick Jagger to quit heroin... but I could never get him to give up GIRLS': Jerry Hall reveals all in long-awaited autobiography

"He wasn't nearly as rich as people thought".....and in the following paragraph..

.."We bought homes in New York, London, Paris and Mustique !"

Jerry Hall's new Aussie bloke

Jerry at a Sydney party last month

Warwick Hemsley

The rumour began just over ten days ago-Jerry Hall was being squired around town by a new man. This week his identity was revealed : Warwick Hemsley, a millionaire Perth businessman who is on the board of numerous A- listed companies. 

Jerry is residing in Perth for an upcoming appearance of her memorable role in The Graduate, in which she appears nude on stage and which opens tomorrow night.  

Eileen Bond

Hemsley has impeccable art credentials as well. He is on the Council of the National Gallery in Canberra and was Deputy Chairman of the West Australian Opera Company and was Chairman of the Australia Day Council of Western Australia. He was instrumental in bringing about the current exhibition in Canberra :Masterpieces from Paris: Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne and beyond: Post-impressionism from the Musée D’Orsay.

Hall and Hemsley were spotted arm in arm at a party given in Jerry's honour at Eileen 'Big Red' Bond's up-market Peppermint Grove mansion on Tuesday night. Bond, ex-wife of Alan Bond and Hall are old friends-they met through theatre producer John Reid, the former manager of Elton John.

Jerry Hall jets in

an ecstatic Guy Sebastian

Myers held their Summer Spring fashion show tonight in the Carriage Works in downtown Redfern. The contrast between the David Jones fashion parades this Tuesday could not have been more stark. No expense was spared with about 4 times the guests, huge platters of delicious Sydney oysters, champers etc.

And a special guest-Jerry Hall who flew in this morning sans her reputed boyfriend chauffeur. Jerry tells me she is on her way to Perth for 3 weeks rehearsals before opening in The Graduate. Her daughter Georgia May Jagger joins her tomorrow and they expect to be in Oz for 3 months. "Lots of things lined up" says Jerry, "adverts, promotions and so on". At 54, she looks sensational. She joined Leah Woods, Ron Wood's daughter for pre-show cocktails.Singer Leah is living in Sydney for the foreseeable future.

Natrasha Belling & Jackie Frank

Leah Woods & Jerry Hall

footballer Kris Smith models

the magnificent Maggie Tabberer

Jennifer Hawkins and friends

pontificating on fashion

Leona Edmiston

designer Jayson Brunsdon

Jessica Hart