Two little friends... united by courage

By PAUL SIMS

Here's how to do it: Ellie (right) shows off her new prosthetic leg to Charlotte, who hopes to get her first pair in a few months


Smiling together, the two pretty blonde girls could easily be mistaken as sisters, not new friends with a unique bond.

The lives of Ellie Challis and Charlotte Nott have taken almost identical paths. Both started life as healthy babies — until they contracted meningitis and had to have all of their limbs amputated.

The incredible survival story of Ellie, now seven, gripped the nation after she fell ill in 2005 at just 16 months old. And in December, three-year-old Charlotte narrowly survived the illness, but at the cost of her arms and legs.


Hello, pet: Seven-year-old Ellie, who contracted meningitis in 2005, makes friends with the lambs during a day at a farm


‘Charlotte put her stumps up against Ellie’s to say hello,’ said her mother Jenny Daniels, 29, yesterday. ‘She was so happy to see someone else with stumps just like hers.

‘Ellie was great — she showed Charlotte that she could get around easily with or without prosthetic legs and Charlotte hobbled after her. It was very special.’

The girls spent the day giggling with one another as they cuddled rabbits and fed lambs at Mead Open Farm in Bedfordshire.

‘I love Ellie’s legs and I can’t wait until I get some, too, so we can run around together,’ said Charlotte, from Oxford.


You have a go: Little Ellie is all smiles as she shows a curious Charlotte how to operate the wheelchair


Ellie’s parents Lisa, 37, and Paul, 47, have helped her learn to walk on prosthetics, start school and ride a bike. ‘I know exactly what Jenny is going through,’ said Mrs Challis.

‘I remember thinking that Ellie would never have a normal life. But it’s great that we’ve been able to show Charlotte and her family that there’s very little Ellie can’t do.’

Charlotte’s parents - Jenny, an administrator for a book publisher, and air conditioning repairman Alex Nott, also 29 - are just starting to come to terms with what has happened to their daughter.


I'll race you: Charlotte (left) and Ellie giggle together as they get behind the wheels of toy cars


‘When Charlotte caught meningitis, my world fell apart. I was terrified about what the future held for her,’ said Miss Daniels.

‘So to see Ellie running around was so special to me - it has given me hope for Charlotte’s future.’

Ellie became the youngest person ever fitted with £10,000 carbon ‘flex-foot’ legs two years ago.

Ellie also let Charlotte have a go on her wheelchair - it is too tiring for her to use her prosthetic legs all the time. She controls it with the stumps of her arms.

Charlotte will have to wait until she is five before the NHS can provide her with a wheelchair.

She hopes to get her first pair of prosthetic limbs in the next few months once her wounds heal.

‘I still say thank you every day that Charlotte is still here with us,’ said Miss Daniels.

‘Watching her playing with Ellie was a miracle.’

source: dailymail

'Catherine was outed during bipolar struggle,' Michael Douglas tells Oprah

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Anger: Michael Douglas told Oprah that Catherine Zeta Jones was 'outed' during her struggle with bipolar disorder


Michael Douglas is enraged that his wife Catherine Zeta Jones was 'outed' in her struggle with bipolar disorder.

The 66-year-old actor, who is looking fantastic despite his high-profile battle with cancer, appeared to be gripped by fury as he talked about his wife of 12 years checking herself into a Connecticut institution.

Asked about 41-year-old Zeta Jones's illness by U.S. chat show queen Oprah Winfrey, the Wall Street star declared: 'She was outed.'


'My eldest son is in federal prison, my ex-wife is suing me and I got cancer': Douglas tells Oprah his woes


His statement was shown during a preview of Winfrey's exclusive sit-down chat, which airs in the United States next week.

Zeta-Jones's spell in a mental facility first emerged in the American tabloid magazine the National Enquirer, prompting her to release a statement hours later revealing she was suffering the condition.

Douglas, who announced in January that he had defeated throat cancer, still appeared frail as he sat in front of Winfrey's live studio audience.

During the interview the actor speaks candidly about his wife's illness and his own heath problems, which saw him diagnosed with a throat tumour last year.


Release: Douglas spoke frankly about his family's recent troubles with Winfrey


He also opens up about his ex-wife Diandra's attempts to get a cut of his earnings from 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' and his son Cameron's jail sentence for drug dealing.

'My eldest son is in federal prison, my ex-wife is suing me and I got cancer,' he said.


Concern: The talk show mogul looked concerned as Douglas talked about his wife's battle with depression


Sombre: Zeta Jones has a moment of sadness on the Louisiana set of Playing the Field


'It takes a lot of courage to seek help and I am proud of Catherine for doing something positive about her situation,' he said. 'It's onwards and upwards for us.'

For her own part, Catherine, who is back at work on the set of new film Playing the Field in Louisiana, is sanguine about the news breaking, even defiant.

'There is no shame in seeking help, she told People magazine.




source: dailymail

An 18in waist and size three feet: Former anorexic's life-sized Barbie reveals bizarre - and dangerous

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

Scary figure: Galia Slayen's life-size Barbie is 5ft 9in tall, has a 39in bust, a tiny 18in waist and 33in hips. A real woman with the same dimensions would weigh just 110lb, giving her a BMI of 16.24

She's been a favourite with young girls for decades. But a life-sized Barbie is being used to demonstrate just how unhealthy the doll's proportions would be on a real woman.

The mannequin, which stands 5ft 9in tall, has a 39in bust, a tiny 18in waist and 33in hips. Even her feet would be disproportionate, at a tiny U.S. size 3.

Galia Slayen, who made the model, revealed that a real woman with the same dimensions would weigh just 110lb, giving her a BMI of 16.24 - a figure associated with eating disorders.


Unbalanced: If Miss Slayen's mannequin was a real woman, she would have to walk on all fours due to her proportions. The doll was made to highlight the dangers of eating disorders


She told the Huffington Post: 'If Barbie were an actual woman, she would be 5ft 9in tall, have a 39in bust, an 18in waist, 33in hips and a size 3 shoe.

'She likely would not menstruate... she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions.'

Miss Slayen, a former anorexia sufferer, knows the implications of being underweight all too well, and built the doll as part of her recovery and as a means of raising awareness about the dangers of eating disorders.

The giant Barbie, made from chicken wire and papier mache, is now on show at Hamilton College, Oregon, where Miss Slayen is a student, as part of its National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (NEDAW).


Painful reminder: The former anorexic dressed her doll in a size double zero skirt she wore at her thinnest


She told CBS News: 'The goal of Barbie is to get just get people's attention. [Eating disorders are] very prevalent and not talked about.

'It's sensationalised in the media every time a star loses weight, but this is a very internal struggle.'

Miss Slayen, who played with Barbie dolls as a child said that her own weight problems began when she was 15.

She revealed that a troubled relationship with her parents and pressure from her peers drove her to excessive calorie-counting and exercise - something that became an obsession.

She explained: 'I was living on my own and trying to figure out how I was going to survive. My life was completely out of control and it was the one thing I was able to control - the hours at the gym, the calories I was in-taking. It's a means to control your life.'


source: dailymail

'There is no need to suffer silently,' says Catherine Zeta-Jones as she heads back to work

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Feeling better: The actress looked relaxed and happy as she returned to work in Louisiana today, where she is filming Playing the Field alongside Gerard Butler


Just a week has passed since she revealed she was being treated for bipolar disorder.
But it was showbusiness as usual for Catherine Zeta-Jones when she returned to work yesterday.

The actress looked elegant and glamorous in a ruched silk top as she began shooting romantic comedy Playing the Field in Louisiana.


Smiles: The actress returned to work on the same day she appeared on the front cover of People
And yesterday, it looked


The 41-year-old’s appearance on the film set came after she revealed she went public with her diagnosis to help other sufferers.

And Zeta-Jones is hoping her admission will encourage others with the condition to seek treatment.

She told People magazine: 'There is no shame in seeking help.


Battle: Michael Douglas, who took his daughter Carys to school today, is recovering from throat cancer


'This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them,' she adds in a statement. 'If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it.'

In early April, the star checked into Silver Hill Hospital, a mental health facility in Connecticut, where she spent five days receiving treatment for bioplar II disorder.

She sought help after struggling to cope with the trauma of husband Michael Douglas’s battle with throat cancer.


Treatment: Catherine is said to have checked in to the Silver Hill mental health hospital in Connecticut in early April


source:dailymail

'There is no need to suffer silently,' says Catherine Zeta-Jones as she heads back to work

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Feeling better: The actress looked relaxed and happy as she returned to work in Louisiana today, where she is filming Playing the Field alongside Gerard Butler


Just a week has passed since she revealed she was being treated for bipolar disorder.
But it was showbusiness as usual for Catherine Zeta-Jones when she returned to work yesterday.

The actress looked elegant and glamorous in a ruched silk top as she began shooting romantic comedy Playing the Field in Louisiana.


Smiles: The actress returned to work on the same day she appeared on the front cover of People
And yesterday, it looked


The 41-year-old’s appearance on the film set came after she revealed she went public with her diagnosis to help other sufferers.

And Zeta-Jones is hoping her admission will encourage others with the condition to seek treatment.

She told People magazine: 'There is no shame in seeking help.


Battle: Michael Douglas, who took his daughter Carys to school today, is recovering from throat cancer


'This is a disorder that affects millions of people and I am one of them,' she adds in a statement. 'If my revelation of having bipolar II has encouraged one person to seek help, then it is worth it.'

In early April, the star checked into Silver Hill Hospital, a mental health facility in Connecticut, where she spent five days receiving treatment for bioplar II disorder.

She sought help after struggling to cope with the trauma of husband Michael Douglas’s battle with throat cancer.


Treatment: Catherine is said to have checked in to the Silver Hill mental health hospital in Connecticut in early April


source:dailymail

Zeta tries retail therapy - with her little girl's help

By RYAN KISIEL

Support: Catherine Zeta-Jones, pictured for the first time since her treatment for bipolar II, with daughter Carys in New York


Just days earlier she was checking herself into a mental health clinic.

But as she was pictured in public for the first time since her treatment, Catherine Zeta-Jones appeared relaxed and cheerful.

And the troubled actress had plenty of support in the form of her seven-year-old daughter Carys, who clutched her hand tightly as the pair went shopping.


Cool and calm: Wearing a top that matched her daughter's, they visited a cafe with a friend and enjoyed the sunshine


Wearing matching blue and white striped tops, mother and daughter visited a cafe with a friend and strolled in the sun.

An observer who saw the pair in upstate New York on Friday said: ‘Catherine looked in astonishing shape considering she’s been through such a rough time.

‘Her daughter was clearly delighted to be with her. They look so happy together. It shows what a strong woman she is.’


Hand-in-hand: Michael Douglas takes daughter Carys to the New York Rangers game


The 41-year-old, who revealed last week that she has bipolar II disorder, spent five days at the £770-a-day Silver Hill psychiatric hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut, near her country estate.

She sought help after struggling to cope with the trauma of husband Michael Douglas’s battle with throat cancer.

‘She’s feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on two upcoming films.’

On Friday, the couple were spotted ay a pizza take-away in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The actress, 41, and her 66-year-old husband stopped by Pizza Post parlour for their modest take-away snack.

Onlookers say that the couple looked happy as they waited for their meal.


BIPOLAR DISORDER EXPLAINED: Catherine Zeta-Jones being treated


source: dailymail

Charlie Sheen's ex wife Denise Richards enjoys yoga by the sea

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Yummy mummy: Denise Richards shows off her beautiful form by the ocean in Nassau, the Bahamas


While her ex-husband Charlie Sheen continues his manic tour across the US, Denise Richards decided to go in search of inner peace in the Bahamas.

It's something that must be hard to find, with the father of her two daughters issuing forth blistering invective in venues across her homeland.

To make things worse, the venomous rants in his Torpedoes of Truth tour are frequently aimed at his former wife.


Yogi Bare: The actress looked stunning with minimal make-up on her face as she trained with master


Richards though, seems to have settled upon a spiritual solution to the turmoil and was quick to transport their daughters Sam, seven, and Lola, five , far away from news of their father's latest antics.

And the 40-year-old looked radiant and content for it, as she showed off her fine form in various complicated yoga positions in Nassau last Thursday.

Former Dancing with the Stars contestant, Richards, even had her own yogi to instruct in advanced positions and meditation by the beautiful ocean.


Inner peace: Richards looks calm after her session by the ocean, despite the turmoil in her personal life


Rant: Sheen has slated Richards


Richards is spending much time by the ocean in this tumultuous period and found unexpected inspiration in the form of former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger's wife Maria Shriver, 55 , on the beach.

She tweeted to the journalist and author, who has been happily married to the Terminator star turned politician for 24 years: 'Great seeing you and your beautiful family. Everyone on the beach was talking about how pretty you are.'

Shriver returned the compliment by revealing her children had said she could take 'tips' from Richards, but the mum-of-two responded: 'thats very sweet. you don't need any! but next time I get married, I want marriage tips:)'


source: dailymail

Catherine Zeta-Jones checks into treatment facility for bipolar disorder

By TOM LEONARD

Treatment: Catherine Zeta-Jones, pictured here with her husband Michael Douglas in New York on March 14, was this month treated for bipolar II disorder in a mental health facility


Catherine Zeta-Jones has been treated for manic depression over the stress of her husband Michael Douglas’s battle against cancer.

The 41-year-old actress was admitted last Wednesday to the Silver Hill psychiatric hospital, where she reportedly shared a ward with alcoholics and drug addicts.

She stayed for five days, joining ten to 15 others in the £770-a-day detox centre at the hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut.


Facility: The actress spent five days at the Silver Hill Hospital near New Canaan, Connecticut


Her publicist confirmed that she had received mental health treatment to help her cope with her traumatic personal life.

‘After dealing with the stress of the past year, Catherine made the decision to check into a mental health facility for a brief stay to treat her bipolar II disorder,’ she said.

‘She’s feeling great and looking forward to starting work this week on two upcoming films.’


Difficult time: Douglas picked up supplies in New York City today



Family time: Catherine and Michael with their children Dylan and Carys at Disneyland in November


Douglas' adult son Cameron, from his marriage to Diandra, was sentenced to prison last year on drug charges.

Zeta-Jones and Douglas are parents to son Dylan, 10, and daughter Carys, who turns eight on April 20.

The actress' upcoming film projects include Playing the Field, a comedy starring Gerard Butler, Dennis Quaid Jessica Biel, and Dali, a biopic with Antonio Banderas.


source: dailymail

The moment Kylie Minogue breaks down while talking about her traumatic cancer battle in an extraordinarily raw interview

By Andrea Magrath


Emotional: Kylie Minogue broke down while discussing her battle with breast cancer during an interview with Australian television


Just last week she celebrated the monumental five year, all clear mark.

And despite being at the top of her game, in the midst of a spectacular world tour, Kylie Minogue has revealed how her harrowing battle with breast cancer still haunts her.

The 42-year-old singer broke down in tears and had to leave the room during an emotional interview with Australian television program Sunday Night.

Overcome: Kylie had to turn her face away from the camera during the interview with Australian music personality Molly Meldrum to attempt to recover


In what is undoubtedly her most raw and candid interview to date, Kylie opened up about the dark period to her close friend, Molly Meldrum, before the opening night of her Aphrodite tour in Denmark.

Meldrum complimented her on her 'brave' battle with the disease, but Kylie corrected him: 'You might have seen the bravery. I don't think the public saw... well, I stayed indoors.

'My family got me through really rotten, dark moments.'

Distraught: The singer had been discussing an encounter with a sick child's parents when the memory became too much for her

Time out: The 42-year-old apologised to Meldrum, a good friend, and halted the interview


Tears welled in hear eyes and she struggled to speak after discussing an encounter with a sick child and their parents in a children's hospital.

Kylie said: 'I was talking to some parents across the other side of a bed and their child was there.

'I was saying the things that I would normally say in that situation, just making conversation with the child, with the parents, giving them some support as well.

'And then, they really caught me off guard, they just eyeballed me and said, "How are you, and we hope you get through it" and it’s like...'

Memories: Kylie explained that she had not thought about the encounter for some time and she was 'caught off guard'


The singer struggled to find her words and became overcome with emotion.

As Meldrum, a legendary music personality in Australia, started to move onto another question, the emotion became too much for Kylie and after hiding her face to attempt to recover, she apologised and dashed out of the room.

But Minogue quickly returned to the room, eager to explain why the topic had upset her so much.

Still clearly emotional and fighting tears, she told the crew, 'It's OK, keep rolling.

Traumatic: Kylie was diagnosed with cancer in May 2005, and says that her family got her through 'the really rotten, dark moments'


'The reason that that gets me is, and the greatest part of my job and what I do is the humanity of it, and there’s certain moments where that really cuts through.'

She said that she hadn't thought about that encounter for some time, and that: 'It stopped me in my tracks.'

Kylie was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005 but at the end of February, she celebrated five years of being given the all clear.

'The five-year mark is the end of this month and I feel like I’m back with all guns blazing,' Kylie told Australian newspaper the Herald Sun in February.

Family: Kylie also said that she 'might' marry boyfriend Andres Velencoso and that he is 'a natural' with children


'I’ll have a few mixed emotions on the day. I wanted to do a concert but now I’m on tour myself. I don’t know what to do. Obviously, it’s going to be exciting but it’s also going to be surreal and momentous and a bit scary.

'Anyone who’s been through cancer or any other disease with surgeries and treatments knows you have constant reminders that this is not how it used to be. I think my path is written,' she added.

'Even if part of you wants to say "OK I get it, I’m used to this", another part of you takes a lot longer to catch up with it and get with the program.'

After their raw discussion, Kylie and Meldrum moved on to cheerier topics, including the prospect of marriage and babies with her boyfriend, Andre Velencoso, 32.

Fighting fit: Minogue just celebrated the five year, all clear mark at the end of February


Quizzed by Meldrum on the subject of marriage, she said: “It might happen, who knows!

And she even beat her old friend to the chase on the inevitable follow-up question, saying: 'Andres is a natural with children. We will just have to see but I’m not sure if that will be part of my future.

'There’s more than one way to skin a cat. It’s important for women to know there are other options available, whatever means you have to use to have a family, if that’s your desire go for it.'




Source:dailymail.co.uk

Secret to being a model? It's hard work! Alessandra Ambrosio gets put through her paces in Pilates class

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Working up a sweat: Victoria's Secret supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio attended a Pilates class in Venice, California, yesterday


Alessandra Ambrosio proved yesterday that a body worthy of a Victoria's Secret catwalk show doesn't come easily.

The Brazilian supermodel was spotted working up a sweat on a specialised 'reformer' machine during a Pilates session in Venice, California, yesterday.

Dressed in a green vest, leggings and leg warms, the 29-year-old brunette was put through her paces in a group session.

The 5ft 10in mother of one says she approaches her catwalk career very seriously.
'I guess it's like a real job,' she recently told W magazine. 'When I started, it was a hobby, something fun to do.

'Before, models had that rock star life and it was all about going to the parties and having that glamorous life, and I think these days, models are more like businesswomen and the whole industry takes it really serious.'

As well as Pilates, Alessandra uses a combination of workout techniques to keep in shape for her frequent lingerie and swimwear shoots.


Bend and stretch: The Brazilian model showed just how she keeps her lean body in shape


She said: 'I have a personal trainer who created the Brazilian Butt Lift class that mixes capoeira and samba. It's fun but you're still doing squats and getting exercise.

'I did cardio after I had my daughter to get in shape again, but I usually don't do cardio other than walking on the beach. I'm not a fan of going into the gym and running on a treadmill. I would rather go for a hike.'

'In the beginning of my career I really felt the pressure to be thin - but one thing I always said was that if I had to stop eating to work then I would have to switch careers. Compromising my health to be a model was never an option for me.'

Now Alessandra, who is said to have a 34-25-34 figure, does allow herself to indulge in the occasional treat.

'I love Cheetos, those hot, spicy kind,' she says. 'And chocolate. Every time I'm in the airport I'm buying Cheetos and eating them on the airplane.'

Alessandra, who is engaged to California businessman Jamie Mazur, gave birth to daughter Anja in August 2008.

When asked if she plans to have more children, she replied: 'I don’t know. I don’t really plan that. [Anja] came unplanned, and I think that’s the way it is with me.
'I like it as a surprise.'


Catwalk queen: The mother-of-one is among Victoria's Secret's leading lingerie models


Alessandra Ambrosio @SPFW - backstage



source: dailymail [endtext]

'Doesn't he look better?': Catherine Zeta Jones's pride as husband Michael Douglas beats cancer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saxW3TlkD7oendofvid

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By BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Looking good: Catherine Zeta Jones poses with her husband Michael Douglas on the red carpet at the Golden Globes in Los Angeles today after the actor revealed last week he had beaten cancer


A beaming Catherine Zeta Jones couldn't hide her pride as she followed her brave husband Michael Douglas down the red carpet.

'Doesn't he look better?' Catherine asked the MailOnline as they arrived at the Beverly Hilton for the Golden Globes last night, days after he announced his throat cancer appeared to have been beaten.

Douglas himself was in a happy mood, joking, 'There's gotta be an easier way to get a standing ovation,' as he took to the stage to present the award for Best Film.

His acting peers in the audience showed genuine affection as they applauded the 66-year-old.


Everything to smile about: The happy couple walk the red carpet


Earlier, Douglas had told MailOnline: 'I'm doing fine and I'm okay. I'm putting some weight back on and I have to watch what I eat'.

His recovery has been helped every inch of the way by the devotion of his wife, who looked stunning in a strapless, green, ruffled silk gown created by Monique Lhuillier.

Douglas was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the Wall Street sequel, although he missed out to Christian Bale in The Fighter.


Back to his old self: Douglas looked the picture of health as he took to the stage last night as he emerges from his battle with cancer, compared to a picture of him taken last October


Last week Douglas, who was diagnosed with cancer five months ago, revealed he was confident he had beaten the illness.

Speaking in his first interview since finishing chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, the veteran actor, 66, said his tumour has now vanished.

'The odds are, with the tumour gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer, that I've got it beat,' Douglas told Matt Lauer in an interview on NBC's Today show, which airs in the U.S. on Tuesday.

Doctors have warned the Wall Street star that he shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss concerns that the cancer could return.

But while he still has to undergo monthly checks, Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta Jones are said to be ‘absolutely delighted’ at the news.


Celebrity friends: The couple pose with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie inside the venue


Head-turner: Zeta-Jones looked stunning in a strapless, green, ruffled silk gown created by Monique Lhuillier


The Oscar-winning actor, who was given just a 50-/50 chance of surviving the stage four cancer when it was first diagnosed, is already looking forward to making the most of the rest of his life.

‘It's put a timeline on my life,' he said.

‘I'm 66 now. You know, I'm fortunate I've got a mother who's 88. She'll kill me. She may be 87. My father's 94. So, you know, I feel good about those genes.

‘But it's definitely a third act,’ he added. ‘And so you're a little more conscious of your time in how you choose to spend it.’


Glitzy: Speaking at the event, held at The Beverly Hilton hotel, Douglas revealed he is putting weight back on


After the ceremony, Douglas and Zeta Jones took in the party buzz at the Relativity Media and The Weinstein Company's bash presented by Marie Claire held at The Beverly Hilton.

'We meant to go directly from the show. For an early night but there was a party atmosphere in the air so we thought we'd check it out', Catherine admitted.

Michael welcomed well-wishers for about an hour then the couple left .'We need our bed and he needs his rest', said Catherine as she escorted her husband to a side exit.



Enjoying the party buzz: Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones chat to Eva Longoria at Harvey Weinstein's party before taking off for an early night


Michael Douglas and wife Katherine Zeta Jones so happy at Golden Globe Awards 2011


source: dailymail [endtext]

Bye bye Botox? These celebrities claim to have given up their frozen faces - but have they really?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afh7WJU5i0Eendofvid

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Botox free? Nicole last week, left, and in 2009, right: 'I've tried a lot of things, but apart from working out and a good diet, most things don’t help,' the miraculously line-free Miss Kidman told a German magazine interviewer last week. 'I even tried Botox, but I didn't like how my face looked afterwards. Now I don't use it any more — and I can move my forehead again.' Really?


After years of claiming her perfect, wrinkle-free features were totally natural, Nicole Kidman finally admitted last week that she has tried Botox in the past.

However, the 43-year-old actress swears she no longer uses it because she didn’t like the results.

And she wasn’t the only one who thought this. In 2008, one cosmetic surgery expert told a medical conference that the Oscar-winner was so ‘over-Botoxed’ she was giving the industry a bad name.

Nicole is the latest in a long line of stars who swear blind that they’ve said bye bye to Botox, but can we really believe them?

Look at the pictures and decide for yourself...


Can you tell how old she is? Jennifer in 2009, left, and 2010, right: In 2009, the fresh-faced rom-com star claimed: 'I tried Botox once and it was not good. It makes women look older. Harder. The warmth in their faces goes away . . . You see women and you know they're not young, but you can't tell how old they are.' So who would have thought she's 41?


Wrinkle free: Cindy in 2008, left, and 2010, right: The still super-looking model, 44, told Ladies' Home Journal last July: 'I've tried Botox, but it scares me. Plastic surgery is scary, but as long as you don't use these things to change your face, I think it's OK.' But did she find wrinkles even scarier than the injections?


Given up? Dannii in 2008, left, and 2010, right: The 39-year-old X Factor judge claims to have stopped having Botox. 'I see the comments. "Plastic", "All Botox",' she said. 'I see what people see, but I have to say that while I have been open about doing it before, I'm not doing it now.' We're raising our eyebrows, Dannii — can you?


Mum's the word: Amanda in 2009, left, and this year, right: The 39-year-old actress, who is six months pregnant, claims she lets nature take its course. 'I haven’t had Botox for eight or nine months. It puts me off when I see people in LA. Everyone looks the same and it's quite grotesque.' But will she stick to her vow post-pregnancy?


See any lines? Kylie in 2009, left, and 2010, right: There has been speculation for years about the upward trajectory of Kylie's brows and her increasingly waxen skin. But in May 2010, the singer (now 42) said: 'I did use Botox, but I don't any more. I won't go near it. I have lines. You can see the lines on my face.' Um, no we can't...


Used to love Botox: Lulu in March 2010, left, and November 2010, right: In March 2008, the singer (who is now 62) said: 'I used to have Botox and I thought it was fantastic at first. But it quickly fades. Too much of it makes your face immovable and it doesn't actually help you to look young. So I stopped.' Or did she?


Nicole Kidman Admits She Had Botox


source: dailymail [endtext]