Model Mischief

 The drama following the gaff made by host of the show, Sarah Murdoch in the announcement of the winner of the 2010 Australia's Next Top Model has been on-going

Feathers are flying in the modelling world after the top agency Priscilla's was dumped from the up-coming series and replaced by Chic run by the legendary agent Ursula Hufnagl who manages Miranda Kerr.

Taking over the reins as producer of the show Sarah ditched the production company Granada Media Australia and hired her sister-in-law Elisabeth Murdoch's  new TV production vehicle Shine. It's the sort of thing you can do when dad-in-law Rupert and husband Lachlan own most of the cable network the show features on.
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When gap toothed Victoria's Secret model Jessica Hart  scored the prestige job as top model in the Myer's G'Day Australia USA fashion spectacular in Los Angeles, she was at first reluctant to take the offer having just returned from working in the US.

However a financial offer made  by Myers sealed the deal. It was the kind that she couldn't refuse. Now there are rumblings in the huge Myer Emporium about whether former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins will continue in her role this year as ambassador for the chain store.

Miranda Kerr with a new bub to look after and under contract to the David Jones chain won't be attending this year's summer/spring collections.

Insiders are saying Myers are looking for a knock out blow to take DJ's fashion crown. Step forward Jessica.

The Shuttle's spies in New York report the gap-toothed beauty also has an ulterior motive for the trip back to the States. She has been getting up close and personal with  Stavros Niarchos who has had an on and off affair with Paris Hilton over the past few years and that has turned into a full blown affair with Niarchos begging Jessica to return to the US, according to friends.
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Billionaire James Packer's $45M Vaucluse  mansion ( right) is steaming ahead with massive earth-shifting machines digging deep into sandstone in preparation for an underground garage to house 13 vehicles, staff quarters and a huge swimming pool and presumably a kiddie's pen for children Indigo and Jackson.

James appears to be determined to dispense with all shreds of his father Kerry Packer's empire. Having sold off his dad's beloved Channel Nine network and the ACP magazine publishing titles that filled the Packer coffers, James has now purchased a controlling interest in the Ten TV network.

the Bondi Beach pad

When father Kerry died  James inherited a $6B fortune and lost a billion in just six months. He still lives in the sprawling Packer Bellevue Hill complex-2 mansions surrounded by the grounds of 2 more that were purchased and demolished, and his 3 storey apartment that he built directly opposite Bondi Beach.

The Vaucluse house, which James spent $18M on buying 3 houses to knock down and build the ultimate play pad will be ready in about 18 months time.

Meanwhile there was a rumour being touted at the Hobart to Sydney yacht race in January that the Z-Sydney, the luxury gin palace owned by James Packer that has played host to Hollywood movie stars Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes is for sale with James shopping for a new vessel and in talks with the ship yard that built the world's second biggest 'super' yacht, Al Said for Sultan Qaboos of Oman . In 2007 Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes also joined James and wife Erica aboard their luxury converted minesweeper the  Arctic P on their Mediterranean cruise after their Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc wedding.

read more at 'PS' in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Tragic Day for Top Models

Ashley & Jessica Hart

On Thursday the Shuttle brought you the story of how gaped tooth model Jessica Hart will be replacing Jennifer Hawkins at the G'Day Australia USA promotions in LA. Jessica is in high demand in the USA and is well on the way to becoming as popular as new mum Miranda Kerr.

Today Jessica and her equally beautiful sister Ashley are recovering from a distressing scene they witnessed at an up-market Portsea Polo event in Melbourne on Saturday.

As invited guests of the polo committee the 2 models toured the various sponsor's marquees throughout the day and were later resting by the field when one of the polo horses tumbled right in front of the pair. Before they could comprehend what was happening, a quick tent was erected around the unfortunate horse and Jessica and Ashley were startled by the sound of a gunshot as the animal was put out of it's misery.

Both girls were highly distressed as the truth dawned. Last night they cancelled an appearance at a lavish dinner planed to celebrate the day's matches and instead, dined at a local Portsea pub with a few close friends.

More Beauties Headed to LA

Richard Branson &Pia Miller

Following our story yesterday about how Jennifer Hawkins has been replaced by Jessica Hart for the Myer fashion carnival in the G'Day Australia USA promotion in Los Angeles, news comes that two more leggy beauties are joining Jessica on the catwalk.

Hawkins & Jake Wall

Laura Dundovic who is a Myer ambassador and Pia Miller will strut the boards to showcase Aussie fashions in the USA in February.

As for Jennifer, she was spotted by our operative today holidaying in Byron Bay with new fiancee Jake Wall. The loss of the income from her canned USA trip isn't having too much effect on the pair's finances. Jennifer is sporting a $200,000 engagement ring whipped up by the Shuttle's favourite jeweller, Nic Cerrone.

And she should feel flattered that it has taken three models to replace her!

Miss Universe Ditched From Hollywood Gala

The most successful Miss Universe ever, Jennifer Hawkins has been dropped from the annual G'Gay Australia USA celebrations in Los Angeles by the department store Myer.

The annual affair that runs from the 15th to the 29th January features a grand ball attended by the USA's Gum Leaf Mafia at the Hollywood Palladium on the 19th. Guests have  included the likes of Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman and a host of local stars who have made it big in the USA. 

Jessica Hart

There are events from Dallas to Boston as the Australian government promotes everything local from business policy to the still struggling film industry. This year the timing is perfect with the 2 shows filmed in Sydney by Oprah Winfrey to be shown on US TV with Oprah herself being a guest at the ball.

Last year Jennifer Hawkins was a guest along with her fiancee Jake Wall (they got engaged last week) Barry Humphries, Kristy Hinze and Rupert Murdoch.

Myer are investing big in the event with a fashion festival to run for the 14 days and Jennifer was meant to be the star  model but she has now been dropped with the gap-toothed Jessica Hart picking up the role.

The Shuttle can exclusive report that the reason for Hawkins being canned was nothing to do with her personally but because of friction between her ambitious manager Sean Anderson and the Myer public relation's team. Myer CEO Bernie Brookes says that Hawkins was dropped because of a"culmination of a number of issues".

Although Anderson has presided over Hawkin's career as she raked in millions of dollars in appearances and endorsements her crown has begun to slip lately with the Seven TV network announcing that they will not be re-newing her contract this year.

Below: A reason to be glad you were not be at the last G'Day Ball : Nicole Kidman and  Keith Urban's ditty to Simon Baker.