Table of contents for Issue 15, 2026 in New Idea

Two years after announcing her split from husband Sacha Baron Cohen, Isla Fisher has stepped out in London with a new man, prompting romance buzz! “They were playful, flirty and couldn’t keep their hands off one another,” an onlooker told New Idea. The actress, 50, and her mystery man were seen exiting the trendy Soho House club in Notting Hill. The pair put on an affectionate display as they exited the venue, with Isla’s date placing a protective arm around her at one point. They were also seen giggling over their phones. Isla has discussed how tough the end of her 13-year marriage to Sacha, 54, with whom she shares three children, has been. She told Elle Decoration that moving into her own place after the break-up was “the most…

Smokey Paprika Chicken Wraps SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 6 chicken thigh fillets (about 850g), trimmed ■ ¼ cup olive oil ■ 2 tsp smoked paprika ■ 2 tsp dried oregano ■ 1 tsp ground cumin ■ 2 cloves garlic, crushed ■ 2 red capsicums, cut into 3cm-thick strips ■ 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges ■ 4 souvlaki breads, warmed (see tip) ■ 200g tub hommus ■ 75g Greek feta, crumbled ■ Mixed salad leaves, hot chilli sauce, to serve 1 Place chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle over 2 tbsp oil. Sprinkle with paprika, oregano, cumin and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. 2 Lightly spray a 7-litre air fryer basket with olive oil. Place chicken in basket in a single…

TIP Chipotle seasoning is available from supermarkets. You can replace it with taco or fajita seasoning. Chipotle & Tomato Con Carne SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 30 MINS ■ 1 onion, finely chopped ■ 2 cloves garlic, crushed ■ 500g beef mince ■ 30g sachet chipotle seasoning ■ 400g jar tomato passata sauce ■ 1 cup beef stock ■ 400g can red kidney beans, drained, rinsed ■ 300g can corn kernels, drained ■ ¹⁄³ cup chopped fresh coriander, plus sprigs to serve ■ Warmed tortillas, sour cream, chopped avocado, to serve 1 Heat an oiled, large deep frying pan over a medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add beef. Cook over a high heat, stirring to break up mince, for about 3-4 mins, or until…

THE VERSATILE SHIRT A button-up in autumnal hues can take you through the week. Dress it up with tailored pants or leave open over a T-shirt and jeans to pop to the shops. Shirt, $79.95, Zara THE SATIN DRESS A breezy slip dress can bring the glam to an evening occasion or be worn casually with a top underneath. Simply swap your heels for sneakers for instant chill. Dress, $59.90, Uniqlo THE WORK-READY BLAZER As the weather turns chilly, a fitted jacket is an essential if you’re not working from home. Opt for stylish warm brown and chocolate hues for a trendy touch. Blazer, $79.99, H&M THE COMFY CULOTTES A pair of wide-leg pants can be styled seamlessly with cosy knits, crisp shirts, casual tees and a variety of jackets.…

Losing loved ones is something everyone will endure during their lifetime. But unfortunately for some, death can come in a one-two punch. Such was the cast case for Kathryn Heyman. In 2020, the author lost the two people she was closest to within a fortnight of each other – her mother and sister. The unfortunate circumstance inspired her to write her latest novel, Circle of Wonders. In particular, it was the women who came together and created a circle around Kathryn’s late sister that sparked the idea. “At the end of her life, a small army of women gathered to protect her and to give her the death that she wanted,” Kathryn, 61, tells New Idea. “And that created this extraordinarily intense and very beautiful community.” Writing Circle of .…

Taylor Swift has turned the ‘revenge album’ into a lucrative art form – and now it looks like Keith Urban could soon follow in her footsteps! Keith is working on new music, and according to a source, his ex-wife Nicole Kidman is “freaking out” over it. “She’s not having Keith kiss and tell about her flaws in his music, no matter how cryptically he might present it,” says New Idea’s source. Alarm bells rang for Nicole, 58, when Keith’s country music star pal Russell Dickerson spilled that Keith is “doubling down” in his songwriting and he “can’t wait to hear what comes” of it. Keith, also 58, recently confirmed he has a new album in the works. While it’s thought to be a covers collection, sources close to Nicole say…

The Duke and Duchess of Sussexes visit to Australia this week is being called their most important trip since they left royal life, in 2020, by insiders. “They’ll be all smiles – but make no mistake, they both realise this visit is ‘make or break’ for their brand,” a source tells New Idea exclusively. “The stakes could not be higher.” It’s Prince Harry and Meghan’s second trip to Australia together. They visited as newlywed working royals in 2018 and received a “rapturous reception”, recalls our source. “There’s every chance that won’t be the case this time, especially after Meghan later admitted to being ‘unhappy’ during that tour. Aussies don’t forget that! Meghan will be glossing over it, but Harry will be concerned about their reception,” adds the source. Harry, 41,…

Pamela Doyle has been delivering meals to older Australians for 25 years. Now aged 83, she starts her mornings the same way every day getting into her car and visiting clients who rely on the Meals on Wheels delivery service, not just for food, but for companionship. “It gets me out of bed in the morning,” Pamela tells New Idea. “If I didn’t have Meals on Wheels, what would I do? I’d sit around the place and get slow.” For Pamela, the role is deeply personal. Many of her clients live alone, and she makes a point of speaking with each person. “There are those that don’t have anybody to talk to at all,” the volunteer says. “We try to talk to them, even if it’s only a few minutes…

10 YEARS ON Holding her 19-year-old son Pat’s leg as he was stretchered into the ambulance, Robyn Cronin expected he would be waking up soon with a big headache. Robyn and her husband, Matt, had rushed to Pat’s side after he’d phoned saying he was hurt. Out with some mates in April 2016, Pat had tried to pull a friend away from a brawl outside a Melbourne pub when he was struck from behind with a single punch. “I didn’t realise how bad it was,” Robyn, 60, from Melbourne’s north, tells New Idea. “His eyes were open and his breathing was laboured so I thought maybe he was having an asthma attack. He was squeezing our hands so he knew we were there. That’s where we lost him though. “The…

Only in New Idea MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA Returns Sun. April 19 on Network 10 and 10 Play Jean-Christophe Novelli has been a fan-favourite MasterChef Australia judge ever since he joined the series in 2024. And in good news, he has no plans to step away from the dream gig! No stranger to working on television, Jean- Christophe, 65, has also appeared on Hell’s Kitchen, The Games and Chef Academy. More recently, he added The Heat to his belt. That show follows 10 young chefs, who are put to the test in Jean-Christophe’s Barcelona kitchen, and highlights the dramas that happen long after service is over. When The Heat was announced last year, MasterChef fans worried that it meant Jean-Christophe would be leaving for good. But, as the French foodie exclusively tells…

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes MAKES 10 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 470g Lemon Cake Mix ■ Icing sugar, to dust ■ ²⁄³ cup lemon curd ■ 3 egg whites, room temperature ■ ¾ cup caster sugar 1 Line 10 holes in a 12-hole muffin pan (¹⁄³ cup capacity) with 4cm-deep paper muffin cases. 2 Prepare cake mix according to packet directions. Reserve icing sachet for another use. Divide mixture evenly into paper cases. 3 Cook in a 160C preheated oven for 20-25 mins, or until cakes are lightly golden and spring back when lightly touched in centre. Stand in pan for 5 mins. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. 4 Using a small, sharp knife, cut a 6cm circle from the top of each cake, about 1cm deep. Reserve…

Cranberry Ripe MAKES 10 SLICES PREP & COOK 15 MINS + FREEZING ■ 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries ■ 3 medjool dates, pitted and coarsely chopped ■ 1 cup moist coconut flakes ■ ¼ tsp vanilla extract ■ 180g chocolate, broken into pieces (I like a mix of dark and milk) ■ 2 tsp coconut oil ■ A good pinch salt flakes 1 Line base and sides of a 10cm x 20cm loaf pan with baking paper. 2 In a food processor, blitz cranberries, dates, coconut and vanilla for a few secs until fruit has minced together. 3 Melt chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl, in the microwave on high for 30-45 secs; stir until melted. Drizzle half chocolate mixture over bottom of loaf pan, smooth it…

As committed to environmental conservation as you are a fine drop? Howard Park Wines has unveiled two gorgeous new bottles in its eco-loving Arbor Novae collection that are as kind to the planet as they are your palate. Whether it’s the label’s new bright, textured fiano and syrah or existing chenin blanc, a portion of bottle sales support landscape restoration through Carbon Positive Australia. Cheers to that! Available through Howard Park Cellar Door at howardparkwines. com.au (RRP from $30).…

COLES MUM’S SAUSE Coles Mum’s Sauses and Jams taste good and do good. Made from real ingredients with no artificial colours, these sweet spreads are sure to please. Coles donates 50 cents from every jar sold to Hospitals United for Sick Kids on their mission, so don’t forget to add these delicious delights to your shopping cart. coles.com.au GOLDEN COURAGE Meet the real Alexa Leary. In this vulnerable and honest memoir, the Australian Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist reveals how she cheated death and embraced her second life. Her story is one of incredible resilience and determination. RRP $36.99, penguin.com.au H20 TO GO Pure, great-tasting water at the touch of a button. The Cara CA3001 Benchtop RO filter removes impurities while delivering hot or cold water instantly – no installation…

1. ADD SOME ZEST Massage this lemon-infused balm over nails and cuticles. It’s power-packed full of natural ingredients, while vitamin E, sunflower oil and cocoa seed butter work their magic to soften skin. Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, $16, woolworths.com.au 2. GLIDE AND GLOW Soothe parched lips with this award-winning balm powered by peptides to help plump and hydrate. Apply throughout the day for soft, nourished lips with a sheer pink glossy finish. Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Gloss Balm Lip Treatment, $39, paulaschoice.com.au 3. HANDY HELPER Give hands some TLC with this non-greasy balm that aims to deliver up to 96 hours of hydration. Fruity meets floral perfection thanks to fragrant notes of dewberry, green leaves, rose jasmine and soft musk. The Body Shop Dewberry Hand Balm, $10,…

Nicole da Silva Look who’s back in the Bay! The star was spotted filming scenes on a Sydney beach, alongside Jeremy Lindsay Taylor for Home and Away. Nicole last appeared in the drama in 2006! Rebekah Elmaloglou After surviving weeks in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, we already know Rebecca is a wonder woman! She channelled the superheroine for a pal’s fancy-dress party. Stephen Merchant The Brit star brought New York City to a standstill while filming scenes for his upcoming new rom-com The Sham in the Big Apple. Laura Byrne Ahead of her recent 40th birthday party at home in Sydney, the podcaster posed for this cute family portrait with husband Matthew and daughters Marlie-Mae, Lola and Poppy. Cute! Mariah Carey The music star…

“I COULD SPEND HOURS MULCHING LEAVES.” Green thumb Steve Carell is easil amused! “IT’S A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX.” Robbie Williams on besting The Beatles’ record for most UK number one albums. “YOU KNOW WHAT I REALLY LIKE, AT THIS AGE? MISS TURNER.” Kathleen Turner prefers a more formal address from journalists. “I’VE NEVER HAD A PLAN, I’M DEVOID OF AMBITION.” Brenda Blethyn’s always taken a relaxed approach to her career! “OF COURSE I HAVE!” Harrison Ford admits to having sex to his movies’ soundtracks.…

It’s dawn on the 25th April ,1915. Far from home, Australia found itself under shot and shell for the first time. The ANZAC troops lowered into the dark waters off Gallipoli that day, were scarcely more than boys. As the boats grounded, rifle fire erupted from above. Imagine the chaos. Units scattered. Officers and men separated. The harrowing cries of the wounded and dying in the darkness. In the midst of all that, the Anzacs fight back. Instead of waiting for orders that never came, men followed mates rather than maps. And by night fall - somehow, anyhow - they secured a position on a narrow ledge overlooking the ocean. The Anzac Legend was born. Containing a quarter ounce of pure silver, and accented with 24-carat gold, this important commemorative…

Rachel Gilmore signed up to Married At First Sight hoping to find her happily ever after. And for a moment, it seemed like she had. Rachel and groom Steven Danyluk re-committed to each other during the Final Vows ceremony. But her joy was short-lived, as Steven ended their relationship just a few weeks later, right before they shot the reunion. “Heartbreak is the worst. It sucks. It’s like a physical illness,” Rachel, 35, tells us. Although the split happened some months ago now, Rachel’s pain is still clear to see when New Idea caught up with her, ahead of the reunion airing, to talk about the break-up. During our emotional chat, Rachel says she started seeing red flags when Sydney-based Steven began using “every excuse” not to visit her in…

It’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but did you know Charlie’s Angels almost never happened! Studio executives threatened to clip the show’s wings before it had a chance to soar. “They thought it was a fluke, that it didn’t have endurance,” star Jaclyn Smith recalled last week at a 50th anniversary event, where she reunited with fellow Angels Kate Jackson and Cheryl Ladd. “They thought these women in men’s roles, it wasn’t going to work.” The pilot, produced by Leonard Goldberg and Aaron Spelling, made its debut in March 1976. Based around three female private crime fighters and their anonymous millionaire boss, Charlie, the pilot got enormous ratings. Still, America’s ABC Network was so convinced the show was a dud that they repeated the pilot a week later. The…

FOR MORE RECIPES, VISIT New Idea Magazine newideamagazine or newidea.com.au/food Bee Sting Cake SERVES 8-10 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 45 M INS ■ 75g butter, chopped ■ ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar ■ ¼ cup honey ■ ¾ cup flaked almonds CUSTARD ■ 3 egg yolks ■ ¼ cup caster sugar ■ 2 tbsp custard powder ■ 1 tbsp plain flour ■ 1¼ cups milk CAKE ■ 125g butter, softened ■ 1 cup caster sugar ■ 2 tsp vanilla bean paste ■ 3 eggs ■ ½ cup milk ■ 1²⁄³ cups self-raising flour 1 Grease a 20cm round cake pan. Line base and side with baking paper. 2 CUSTARD Whisk egg yolks, sugar, custard powder and flour in a bowl until combined. Heat milk in a medium saucepan…

FRESH SPIN KitchenAid has unveiled its highly anticipated colour of the year – spearmint! Yes, the brand’s iconic Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer now comes coated in a cool, minty shade of green, guaranteed to brighten your space while continuing to be the dream cooking companion. KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $999, kitchenaid.com.au SUITE DREAMS Sleep just got a luxurious upgrade thanks to Bed Threads’ piped cotton range. Available in four trending colour combinations, cosy up under 100 per cent organic cotton duvet covers and accompanying pillowcases. The best part? Each design is reversible, allowing you to mix and match between seasons. Bed Threads Piped Range from $70, bedthreads.com.au COLOUR YOUR KITCHEN When it comes to colour, Our Place does not disappoint, and their limited-edition Forget-Me-Not Blue range is the calming…

Vietnam had always been at the top of my travel bucket list, and in January this year I was lucky enough to make the trip with friends. The Southeast Asian country, known for its delicious local food and rich cultural experiences, was budget-friendly and did not disappoint. Before you book the next flight out, check out my tried-and-true tips for a week in Vietnam’s bustling capital! BUT FIRST, COFFEE! Whether you’re a usual coffee drinker or not, it’s worth trying the local coffee here, as Vietnam is famous for their traditional coffees. A must try is the classic egg coffee, which is black coffee with egg yolk whisked with sugar and condensed milk. I also loved their salted coffee, which was salted caramel foam on top of black coffee, plus…