10 Free Things to Do in India

Some of the best things in India are free! While many of India's important monuments and historical sights do charge admission fees (which are unfortunately much higher for foreigners, and can substantially add to the expense of your vacation), there are plenty of fabulous things to do in India that won't cost you anything at all.

Here are the top 10 free things to do in India.

1. Enjoy a Festival

www.flickr.com user nickgraywfu

Being a spiritual country, festivals are at the heart of people’s lives in India. The numerous and varied festivals that are held throughout the year offer a unique way of seeing Indian culture at its best. But, best of all? They're free!

Dance with Lord Ganesh in the streets for Ganesh Chaturthi, throw colored powder and water all over people on Holi, watch brilliant fireworks displays at Diwali, marvel over guys forming a human pyramids on Krishna Janmashtami, see 50,000 camels converge on the small desert town of Pushkar for the camel fair, and admire the beautiful floral displays during Onam. Kerala is also renowned for its magnificant temple festivals, featuring parades of decorated elephants. Indian festivals are unforgettable!

8 Most Popular Indian Festivals

2. Relax on the Beach

www.flickr.com user jmsuarez

If you're feeling tired from traveling, or just love the beach and want to chill out for a while, there are plenty of options for an India beach vacation. Forget the beaches of Ibiza, Rio, or even Australia. These days, India's beaches are where it's all happening.

India has some incredibly scenic beaches that offer everything from action to solitude, and of course parties. The best India beaches can be found on the west coast. The beaches on the east coast tend not to be as clean or appealing, with Mahabalipuram near Chennai being the pick of the bunch on that side.

Most people flock to the beaches in Goa, however Gorkana andVarkala are also picturesque and popular.

If you really want to relax and unwind, try Marari Beach in Karnataka.

Top Beaches in India

3. Visit a Temple

www.flickr.com user Koshyk

India's temples are magnificant in their construction, with so much intricate detail. Some of the major temples that don't require a contribution include the dazzling Golden Temple in Amritsar, Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi, Haji Ali mosque in Mumbai, the Galta Monkey Temple in Jaipur, Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai, Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore, Srirangam Temple in Tiruchirappalli, BudhhistMahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, and Karni Mata (rat temple) near Bikaner.

The holy Hindu places Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Varanasi also have many cost free attractions to offer visitors. The temples and ghats(steps leading down to the river) in these cities are captivating. Don't miss the evening candlelit aarti prayer ceremonies by the Ganges river.

4. Marvel at the Architecture

www.flickr.com user ♣ ℓ u m i è r e ♣

Elaborate examples of architecture from India's past empires and rulers can be found all over the country. Many of India's cities are made up of old and new parts. It's fascinating to simply explore the narrow lanes of the old cities, and see where they lead.

Mumbai is full of grand colonial architecture, such as the Gothic looking Prince of Wales Museum, Victoria Terminus railway station, and the buildings of Horniman Circle in the Fort area.

Drive through the Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan and you'll come across beautifully painted old havelis (mansions).

Many parts of ancient abandoned cities such as Hampi and Manduare free to enter.

Instead of paying the entrance fees to see India's palaces, wander though some authentic palace hotels.

5. Go for a Nature Walk

www.flickr.com user Dave 'Coconuts' Kleinschmidt

There are some very enjoyable gardens in India, which are free of cost. Many of them are in Delhi. One of the best is Lodi Gardens, built around the tombs of 15th and 16th century rulers. The Garden of Five Senses is also free. It's a sprawling 20 acre site designed to awaken all five senses.

In Mumbai, the Hanging Garden and Kamala Nehru Park are both free. Hanging Garden has an unbeatable view of Marine Drive and the beach, and a giant shoe for children to play in. The quirky Kamala Nehru Park is home to a motley menagerie of topiary animals.

The extensive Botanical Gardens in Kolkata are free, and feature a massive banyan tree.

India's mountains and hill stations are also full of refreshing scenery, perfect for hiking or a relaxing walk.

6. Visit Free Monuments and Attractions

Sharell Cook

Some of India's most recognizable monuments are free to visit! These include the Gateway of India in Mumbai and Delhi Gate in New Delhi.

Mumbai is also home to the massive open air laundry known as thedhobi ghat, and renowned dabbawalas who are responsible for delivering over 200,000 packed lunches to office workers.

In Kolkata, a walk across the Howrah Bridge is excellent entertainment value. It's said to be the busiest bridge in the world. The sheer volume and variety of traffic it carries is astonishing. The grassy expanse of the Maidan is an attractive place to have a stroll through. You'll come across a number of monuments there, such as Fort William, Shahid Minar, St Paul's Cathedral, and Victoria Memorial.

7. Window Shop at a Market

Sharell Cook

The markets in India are so lively and absorbing, you don't have to buy anything to enjoy them. These include Chandni Chowk in Delhi,New Market in Kolkata, Johari Bazaar and Chameliwala Market in Jaipur, and Chor Bazaar and Crawford Market in Mumbai. These chaotic and congested markets will keep you absorbed for hours, as you explore their winding lanes, marvel at the array of goods for sale, and watch the interaction between buyers and sellers.

The Kolkata flower market also makes interesting viewing. After seeing it, take a walk over the Howrah Bridge.

8. Get a Taste of Indian History

www.flickr.com user Hyougushi

Mahatma Gandhi, affectionately referred to as the "Father of the Nation" has a special place in Indian history for his efforts in facilitating the country's freedom from the British.

In Delhi, a visit to Gandhi Smriti will show you the exact spot where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948. He lived in the house for 144 days up until the time of his death. The Gandhi Memorial Museum, at Raj Ghat where Gandhi was cremated, displays the pistol with which he was assassinated.

In Mumbai, the engrossing Mani Bhavan museum is where Gandhi stayed during his visits to the city from 1917-1934. You'll be able to see the room that Gandhi occupied, picture gallery, library hall, and the terrace where Gandhi was arrested on January 4, 1932.

9. Admire Indian Art

www.flickr.com user harpreet thinking

Kolkata is well regarded as the cultural capital of India. Art enthusiasts will find the Academy of Fine Arts on Cathedral Road absorbing. It's one of the oldest art societies in India, and offers a fascinating journey through history of Bengal art. The Gallery of Contemporary Art, and carpet museum are part of the complex.

Mumbai has a dedicated arts precinct called Kala Ghoda (Black Horse), between Colaba and the Fort. It's full of art galleries, with the most famous being the Jehangir Art Gallery. It displays interesting works by Indian artists.

In Jaipur, head to the Juneja Art Gallery to see artwork by contemporary Rajasthani artists. The Modern Art Gallery there is also worth a look.

The Delhi Art Gallery in Hauz Khas Village is popular.

10. Check Out the Nightlife

Sharell Cook

If you're a female, you're in luck! Many bars in Indian cities have ladies nights during the week, where admission and drinks for women are on the house. The easiest way to find these events is to have a look at the local entertainment guides, such as Time Out, when you arrive in a city.

Monday nights are ladies night at Firangi Paani in Mumbai (Andheri West), while Zenzi and Zenzi Mills (Bandra and Lower Parel) have ladies night on Tuesdays, and the Wink Bar at the Taj President Hotel (Colaba) and Vie Deck and Lounge (Juhu) have ladies nights on Wednesdays. Underground, Shisha, and Venom hold ladies nights in Kolkata.

Posts filed under 'Exclusive trim Heidi Klum Kate Moss

No more bumps for super-trim Heidi Klum

Supermodel and mother-of-four Heidi Klum has decided that her child-bearing days are over.
Heidi, who is married to singer Seal, 47, told me: ‘We are done now. I think four to look after is plenty. We aren’t like Angelina and Brad. Four is a good number.’
Heidi, 37, was at InStyle magazine’s Best of British Talent party last week, and with her killer figure and stunning looks it was hard to believe she had a brood at home.
But the Victoria’s Secret model says she has no intention of having any more now that she is back to her 34-24-34 dimensions.
German Heidi caused a sensation when she strutted down the catwalk in 2009 just five weeks after giving birth to her fourth child, Lou.
The presenter of TV show Next Top Model moved her trainer David Kirsch into her LA home and replaced processed carbs, sugar, dairy and fruit in her diet with egg-white omelettes and spinach salads to help her shed her post-baby weight.
As well as Lou, Heidi and Seal have sons Henry, five, and Johan, four.
She also has a daughter Leni, six, with ex-F1 boss Flavio Briatore.
Despite being one of the world’s most famous models, Heidi says her husband helped develop her style.
‘Before I met Seal I didn’t have any good clothes or much fashion sense. He gave me my fashion education. His wardrobe was far more impressive than mine.’
Read more: dailymail.co.uk

Natasha Poly Appeared on More International Vogue Covers Than Any Other Model This Year

Fashin looked at all international Vogue issue covers for this year and found Inez and Vinoodh were the most frequently used photographers, Dolce & Gabbana was the most frequently used designer, and Poly was the most frequently used model. The average age of the cover girls was 27, while Meryl Streep was the oldest woman to appear on an international issue of Vogue this year, at age 61.
source: nymag.com

Add comment December 9th, 2010

Gisele Bundchen flies the flag for Brazil at New York gala

Some celebrities love to show off their cleavage, while others a bit of leg, butGisele Bundchen decided back was best during the Annual Brazil Gala in New York last night.
The supermodel showed off her stunning figure in the backless Calvin Klein sequinned gown.
The floor-length maroon dress was as snug as a swimsuit and it’s no surprise the 30-year-old Brazilian chose to wear Calvin Klein, after all she has modelled for the designer many a time.
Gisele attended the gala at the MET Museum, and earlier in the week had also stopped by New York’s American Museum of Natural History for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Summit.
As well as being one of the world’s most beautiful women, Gisele is also an Environmental Ambassador for the United Nations and attended the Brazil Gala as part of her duties too.
The Brazil Gala helps to provide resources for the non-profit BrazilFoundation, which promotes social change in the country.
Read more: dailymail.co.uk

Liskula Cohen files lawsuit against Google

Model Liskula Cohen has filed a lawsuit against Google in a bid to unmask the blogger who called her a ’skank’ and an ‘old hag’ on a Web site meant to ruin her image. The Vogue model, who has posed for Giorgio Armani and Versace, wants to force Google to reveal who defamed her on the blog ‘Skanks in NYC’ as the ‘No.1 skanky superstar’.
“I can’t begin to imagine why someone would post these things then hide behind a screenname. I guess we’re going to have to find out,” The New York Daily News quoted her lawyer, Steven Wagner, as saying. As part of the defamation suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, the blonde beauty seeking a court order compelling Google and its Blogger.com subsidiary to identify the person who led the vicious Internet assault against her.
However, Wagner agreed that it’s quite difficult to identify bloggers who pitch insults anonymously, considering that New York courts have generally declined to unmask them.
“We think we have a case. This is libelous, it’s defamatory and you shouldn’t just get away with this,” he said. On the site, Cohen, 36, is referred to as a desperate “40-something” who “may have been hot 10 years ago. Desperation seeps from her soul, if she even has one.”
According to the suit, Cohen came to know of the blog via two people after hearing about it from modeling clients, who “were concerned about Cohen’s image and its relationship to the client’s products.”
“She’s quite upset,” said Wagner.

Sophie Anderton arrested after threatening to kill herself

An out-of-control Sophie Anderton was arrested last night after allegedly threatening to kill herself in front of former boyfriend, property developer Ed Buxton.
Sophie turned up at the tycoon’s apartment at 2am demanding to see him.
After he refused to let her in, in her highly emotional state, she reportedly screamed: ‘I’ll kill myself if you won’t take me back.’
When Buxton and his doorman tried and failed to calm her down, the property developer was forced to call 999.
Ed split from Sophie last week, after Sophie flirted with Danio Domingues, a doorman from Chelsea nightclub Kitts.
Buxton’s wealthy neighbours in Parsons Green, west London, rushed to help after hearing Sophie’s screams in the lobby.
A resident told the Sun: ‘She kept shouting, ‘”I’ll kill myself if you won’t take me back.” She said she didn’t want to live without him.
‘She was scratching at her wrists and saying, “I could do it, who would care? Nobody cares’.
‘Ed kept saying they’d talk things over but she kept wrestling with him and screaming.’
Paramedics were also called to deal with Sophie, but she allegedly resisted treatment when they arrived, before police arrested her for disorderly conduct.
The Mail On Sunday’s Katie Nicholl wrote this weekend: ‘It’s all over and Sophie’s in a very bad state at the moment,’ I’m told.
But friends of the former supermodel, who has battled drink and drug addictions, and recently finished a long spell in rehab after being exposed as a call girl, insist that the break-up had nothing to do with Danio.
‘Sophie told me she was single,’ said Danio.
‘She was really hitting on me.
‘She gave me her number but, when I called, Ed answered wanting to know who I was.’

Kate Moss tackles one skin problem but reveals another…

Kate Moss recently came under scrutiny after arriving to board a transatlantic flight sans make-up, revealing in the process the signs of her ageing model face.
But this time, although she opted for some make-up and huge sunglasses, the model revealed another area which betrayed the signs of ageing – her crepey-looking chest.
Just last week her iconic, youthful face looked wrinkled and worn as she arrived at LAX airport.
After stepping off her long haul flight from London, the supermodel’s skin was looking blotchy and every inch her 34 years.
But as the star stepped off her 11 hour flight at LAX airport on Friday, it was startlingly clear the plane had left her skin in an even worse state.
Meanwhile, it seems like her romantic getaway with boyfriend Jamie who accompanied her to Los Angeles didn’t quite go to plan.

Kate and Jamie’s hotel Chateau Marmont hotel became the setting for one of their characteristic rows.
A source told the Mirror: ‘A crowd had gathered in the hotel lobby to watch TV screens showing the US election results and there was a lot of excitement about Barack Obama’s victory.
‘Someone said they had heard shouting coming from Kate’s suite. Then Kate suddenly appeared. She had a face like thunder and stormed through the lobby to the bar, downed several drinks and left to get a car.
‘As she left the hotel she was heard yelling into her phone at Jamie for him to stay away from her.’
source:dailymail.co.uk

Cindy Crawford’s ravishing age-defying poses for French Vogue at 42

In her 20s she was the ultimate bombshell. Two decades on, Cindy Crawfordsomehow manages to look even better.
The mother of two has appeared in a stunning photoshoot for the December issue of French Vogue.
At 42 she has clearly lost none of her natural beauty, with flawless skin and lustrous hair.
Cindy Crawford
Shaping up nicely: Cindy Crawford posing for French Vogue at the age of 42
And the demands of motherhood have, if anything, left her famous supermodel figure even more toned.
Miss Crawford reportedly keeps in shape by hiking and using the Power Plate vibrating gym machine, and she sticks to a high-protein diet.
She has appeared on more magazine covers than any other model in history.
Source:DailyMail

Agyness Deyn Abstinating From Catwalk

British supermodel Agyness Deyn was not part of the action on the runway at fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan or Paris.
However, she was the star of the fashion show by her close friend Henry Holland as he presented his collection for the House of Holland, winning over the audience at the final exit in a floral dress. According to Grazia.co.uk, her pal Henry said that Agy has a severe case of bronchitis, which is the cause of her abstinating from the runway.
Agy has recently changed her hair style, copied by Pixie Geldof and Kimberly Stewart, and has been spending time in the arms of her boyfriend Albert Hammond Jr. The rumour is that they are even engaged.
Her new hair do looks like a pot with Mr. Spock ears – an extra short bob cut. Even though British singer and model Sarah Harding had the identical cut last year, it is without a doubt that it will become recognisable and acknowledged on Agy`s head.
source: javno.com

Gemma Ward Is Not Retiring, But Still Not Walking

Yesterday reports surfaced that Gemma Ward, the baby-faced, blue-eyed, blonde-haired beauty, would be retiring from modeling to pursue her blossoming acting career. But today we have news to the contrary, straight from the model herself.
“I was surprised to wake up this morning and read news of my own retirement. While I am taking some time off currently to rest and enjoy the company of friends and family, I am still very much a (excited and enthusiastic) working model and actress. I’m only 20, for God’s sakes.”
Hear that? She’s only 20. Let the girl have a break! Her agency, IMG, did confirm for us, however, that she will be taking off through the end of September, which means we won’t be seeing her on the spring 2009 runways. That said, we’ll be watching carefully to see where she plants herself for her modeling reappearance. It’s bound to be something big.
source: NY Magazine

Gemma Ward to Retire From Modeling?

Australian model Gemma Ward has been branching out recently taking acting roles in major films.
She has already starred in both The Strangers and Black Balloon.
Pedestrian magazine is today claiming that Gemma Ward is close to officially retiring from modeling.
They say that she is retiring to pursue her Hollywood acting career.
I think that Gemma is a great model and looks amazing in editorials for fashion magazines.
Here she is pictured on the catwalk at Valentino where she looks gorgeous.
The retirement has not officially been announced yet but it’s been rumoured for a while.
We wish her luck in Hollywood

Kate Moss spied giving a goodbye kiss in Rio… In 2011

Kate Moss spied giving a goodbye kiss in Rio…

She only stepped out with her engagement ring to Jamie Hince earlier this month but yesterday Kate Moss was spied kissing another man.
Flashing her huge rock, Kate cradled the man’s head in her hands as she planted a kiss on his lips.
But rocker Jamie Hince needn’t worry – she was simply saying her goodbyes to legendary fashion photographer and long term friend Mario Testino.
The 37-year-old supermodel was leaving the Copacabana Palace Hotel as she embraced the photo artist.
And after the affectionate goodbye a stylish Kate was helped into a car by a number of helpers and headed for the airport.
Kate was dressed in a simple yet stylish black outfit consisting of a pair of loose shorts, a vest, jacket and a wide brimmed trilby finished the look.
She stepped out in a pair of black peep toe espadrille wedges and carried a black Chanel shoulder bag as she made her way to the flight.
But while Jamie was not in her company, the couple have been extremely affection of late and are seemingly more loved-up than ever.
The supermodel flew out to the South American country and combined her latest job – being photographed by legendary snapper Mario Testino for Vogue – with having a family holiday and was accompanied by Jamie and daugther Lila Grace.

Once arriving in Rio, the trio headed out to a five star hotel on Copacabana beach where the family made the most of the pool to cool down from the South American sun.
But the trip wasn’t all pleasure, and Kate got down to business and did what she did best – posing in front of the camera.
Since leaving her reign at Topshop, Kate has not been left with any spare time in her schedule and had her new Longchamp shoot released last week.
The British beauty posed for her eighth season as the face of the French luxury bag company during a photo shoot in Morocco for their spring/summer 2011 collection.
Her current worth was recently estimated at around ?45 million, but it seems the Croydon-born model isn’t set to retire any time soon.
Read more: dailymail.co.uk

  

Diane Kruger rolls around in fur blanket in seductive photo shoot

Nap time rarely looks this good.
Inglourious Basterds star Diane Kruger has stripped off for a revealing bedtime photo shoot for men’s magazine GQ.
The 34-year-old German born actress appears nude save for a pair of furry boots and a carefully placed fur blanket.
Lounging on a bed wrapped in the fur throw, Diane looks completely at ease.
Her hair is tousled and she looks fresh faced with barely-there make up which shows off her natural beauty.

Known for her roles in Troy and the Quentin Tarantino Nazi thriller Inglorious Basterds, Diane actually started her career as a high fashion model in her native Germany before moving to Paris to when her career took off.
She is currently starring in Unknown, alongside Liam Neeson and January Jones.

The film is about a man who awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one, not even his wife, believes him.
Diane plays a young German woman who helps his as he sets out to prove the truth.
With her career on the rise, her private life is also on track too.
The actress has been dating former Dawson’s Creek star Joshua Jackson for four years.
On Monday, Valentine’s Day, the actress was greeted by Joshua when she touched down at Los Angeles International Airport on a flight from New York.
The romantic actor, 32, brought his long term girlfriend a huge bunch of red roses and even wheeled her suitcase back to the car for her.
Diane was married to French actor Guillaume Canet in 2001 but the relationship soured and the couple split in 2006.
She has previously revealed that she has no plans to walk down the aisle again.
‘Without sounding pessimistic, I learned that I don’t believe in marriage,’ she says.
‘I believe in a commitment that you make in your heart.’
Read more: dailymail.co.uk

Agyness Deyn is stepping off the catwalk to run the London Marathon for Oxfam

Supermodel Agyness Deyn is trading in the catwalk to pound the pavements in aid of charity.
Agyness, who is orginally from Failsworth and also lived in Rossendale, is part of a team put together by fashion photographer Rankin and his wife Tuuli Shipster who will run the London Marathon for Oxfam.
The Oxglam Squad as they are known also includes model David Gandy, designer Henry Holland and Hotel Babylon actress Emma Pierson.
Deyn said: “It’s going to be fun running the marathon with Henry and the rest of the Oxglam Squad, and it’s also great knowing that Oxfam will put the money we raise to such good use.”
The fashionistas will go out to Tanzania to see one of the projects which will benefit from their fundraising efforts.
Rankin said: “ I have travelled twice with Oxfam and seen for myself how their work literaaly transforms lives. The projects which will be supported by the money raised by the Oxglam Squad and other Oxfam marathon runners, will change people’s lives for the better both now and for generations to come.”
source: menmedia.com

Lexus LFA and Supermodel Rianne Ten Haken Challenge Each Other

Everyone loves supermodels and the same goes for supercars, but what if the two are combined? Well, the first answer that came to our minds when this question popped up was a pretty weird one. To put it simply, we imagined a creature that has all the assets offered by a supercar and replaces its downsides with the qualities… of a supermodel. Eventually, we realized that it would be pretty hard to create such a bio-mechanical beauty and we decided to use Lexus’ answer.
The Japanese company decided to mix its LFA with a supermodel in a spot that uses a simple name: “Supercar Meets Supermodel”.
To put it simply, the company released a video that shows Supermodel Rianne Ten Haken being drifted around by a yellow Lexus LFA. No, she’s not in the car. The vehicle is being manhandled by no other than Rhis Millen, who forces the four-wheeled beast to perform tight circles around the supermodel.
Oh, we almost forgot: the stunt is being used for the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.
“A gorgeous supermodel with wind blowing through her hair isn’t unusual to see in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. But when that wind is created by a Lexus LFA supercar screaming by, it’s definitely something to check out. Supermodel Rianne Ten Haken, participated in a very different swimsuit photo shoot as she faced off with the 552 horsepower, 4.8 liter, V10 engine of the LFA. At a distance of just four feet, the LFA ran multiple high-speed donuts around the model,” stated the press release.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: ‘My ‘Transformers’ audition was awful’

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has said she thought she was “awful” at her Transformers: Dark Side Of The Moon audition – and was unaware she was being lined up to replace Megan Fox. The actress has been cast by director Michael Bay as leading man Shia LaBeouf’s new love interest.
The new recruit told the Daily Express: “I went to the casting unaware they were looking for a new female lead. We were told it was for a ‘nemesis’ role and I left thinking I was awful. The next day I was offered the lead!”
She added: “I met with Shia that evening and within three weeks I was on set shooting my first scenes.”
Both Bay and LaBeouf have insisted that the third movie in the series will be a vast improvement from 2009’s critically-mauled second installment, Revenge Of The Fallen.
LaBeouf told FHM last year: “There are a lot of people that liked the second one, but I hated it. I just didn’t enjoy it. I thought we missed the mark. I got confused, I couldn’t see what the fuck was going on, you know, with certain robots…”
He added: “I know that directors Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg are dedicated to making the best movie we possibly can, and we’re not going to miss next time.”
source: nme.com

Christie Brinkley Wasn’t Sure Who Joel Was When They First Met

Supermodel Christie Brinkley had no idea who Billy Joel was when she first met her husband-to-be in the early 1980s, while he was playing piano in a club.
The stunner was out with pals Whitney Houston and Elle MacPherson when the trio became transfixed by Joel’s piano skills.
Brinkley knew that the man before her was a big star, but she’d spent so long modelling in Europe she had no idea just how big he was.
She tells TV show Access Hollywood, “I didn’t know what to call him… so I just called him Joe. I said, ‘Y’know, you look a Joe to me.’
“I remember having a little anxiety over that because I knew that he was supposedly very famous, but I had been living in Europe, so I wasn’t all that familiar.”
The couple wed in 1985 and divorced nine years later, but remain good friends.
source: contactmusic.com

Gemma Ward seeks the limelight

The highly-anticipated comeback of Gemma Ward continues to gain momentum.
The Aussie supermodel-turned-recluse, who only recently stepped back into the limelight she withdrew from for more than two years, has started rehearsals for a lead role in the Perth Theatre Company’s production of The Ugly One.
Last month, in her first interview since retiring from the runway in 2007, the one-time catwalk queen admitted to her widely suspected relationship with Heath Ledger, saying his death was the reason she shunned the spotlight.
“There was no one like him and no one will ever be like him,” she said.
Yesterday, the 23-year-old beauty seemed as happy as ever while taking a break from rehearsing the comedy in her hometown.
“[Gemma] is loving the fact she’s back in Perth,” an insider told Confidential yesterday.
Ward is rumoured to be the star at the Sydney premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, in which she plays a mermaid, in June.
The general manager of Perth Theatre Company, Nic Clark, said Ward was fitting in well. “It is such a joy to have a great cast of actors bringing this extremely funny script to life,” she said.

Swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker shows off her school photos

She is gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition for the second time this year and currently stars in the number one film in the US.
But blonde bikini model Brooklyn Decker was once a brown-haired schoolgirl, who could only dream of fame.
Some of the pictures show the then 17-year-old in her red cheerleaders outfit, posing on the grass.

In others is caught smiling with friends as they pose for end of year photos.
But while she may look innocent, Brooklyn claims she was ‘crazy’ when she was at school and used to get into trouble with her teachers.

The 23-year-old made the surprising suggestion while she showed off high school pictures of herself on the MTV show, When I Was 17 which aired last night.
Brooklyn talked about an incident when one of her teachers disagreed with her and she lost her temper.
‘I don’t know what came over me – I was crazy in high school. I was all hopped up on [energy drink] Red Bull,’ she said while showing pictures of her before she graduated.

Brooklyn was scouted by a talent agent before graduating from her North Carolina high school and moved to New York later to pursue a career in modelling.
Last year she married tennis star Andy Roddick and currently stars in the comedy Just Go With It alongside Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.
The film is currently the number on movie in America according to the US box office and took in over $30 million in its opening weekend.
Brooklyn meanwhile will also appear this week in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition – her second time being photographed for the famous magazine spread.

Lily Cole is separated by the Atlantic Ocean from the man she loves

A matter of months after she was talking about the possibility of marriage to Enrique Murciano, Lily Cole has broken up with the dashing actor.
The 22-year-old actress and model cut a solitary figure at The King’s Speech producer Harvey Weinstein’s post-awards party at W London, Leicester Square. She talked about Murciano, the 37-year-old star of the television series Without a Trace, as her “ex”.
Mandrake reported last year how the St Trinian’s star, who is in the final year of her history of art degree course at King’s College, Cambridge, had been upset that she couldn’t see more of Murciano, who had been busy with his film career in Los Angeles. Asked about whether she would like to marry Murciano, who is of Cuban descent, she had said that she would. “I love him and he knows that and he loves me,” she had replied. “So we’ll see.”
Yesterday, Paula Karaiskos, Lily’s spokeman, would say only: “We won’t be commenting as it’s a matter of privacy.”
Lily, who has spoken of her wish to have children, was comforted at the party by David Gandy, 30, who is reputedly the highest paid male model in the world.
Only too well aware that no career in modelling lasts forever, Gandy tells me that he is already thinking about following the example of Helena Christensen – his co-star in the film Away We Stay – and taking up fashion photography.
Meanwhile, he has the London Marathon to run. “I don’t have a runner’s body,” he grumbles. “Also, I’ve got a bad back.”
source: telegraph.co.uk

Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Irina Shayk in tears

Irina Shayk’s career seems to be moving from strength to strength.
The girlfirend of Cristiano Ronaldo, who fronts the 2011 Sports Illustrated’s annual Swimsuit Issue, cried tears of joy as the cover was revealed on The Late Show with David Letterman last night.
She was accompanied on the show by a group of other swimsuit models, but only one could nab the coveted spot.
Backstage, the group gathered, and Miss Shayk was pictured laughing and wiping away her tears after the TV host made the shock announcement.
The news had still yet to sink in this morning, as Miss Shayk appeared on breakfast programme The Today Show.

‘To be on the cover of Sports Illustrated is a dream come true,’ she said. ‘We Russians, you know, we know all the secrets, but I didn’t know I was landing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and it was so surprising to me. I was in shock; I was crying’.
The model posed for the provocative photo shoot months ago in Hawaii and the Philippines at a number of pristine beaches.
And she clearly made an impression on the magazine’s editor in her pink and yellow Sauvage by Elizabeth Southwood bikini to land the cover.
The 25-year-old accompanied her skimpy swimsuit with an Ettika bracelet as she accentuated her curves with an array of poses for photographer Bjorn Looss.
But it wasn’t until last night that she found out that her photo shoot was picked to adorn the magazine’s cover.
Irina said on the U.S show: ‘There were 10 models there to do (Letterman’s) Top 10 List, and nobody knows until the last minute who the cover will be… And then I saw it, and I couldn’t believe it.’
The nine other swimsuit models who appeared on the show were Anne Vyalitsyna, Julie Henderson, Kate Upton, Alyssa Miller, Chrissy Teigen, Hilary Rhoda, Genevieve Morton, Damaris Lewis and Izabel Goulart.

During her appearance on the Late Show, Irina proved she looks just as good in a mini-dress as she does in a swimsuit as she arrived in a skimpy red silk dress.
The lady in red accompanied her outfit with classic black Christian Louboutins and a matching black clutch.
And there to support the model was her beau Ronaldo, who strolled into the Ed Sullivan Theater in a brown leather jacket and aviator sunglasses.
Although the latest edition marks the fifth time Irina has appeared in the magazine, she has become the first Russian cover model for Sport’s Illustrated Annual Issue.
Before the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition official unveiling on Letterman, photos of Shayk were leaked on a New York City billboard for extra publicity.
The week before the unveiling, posters of Irina, Brooklyn Decker and Anne Vyalitsyna were placed around the Big Apple to generate curiously over who would be the 2011 annual cover girl.
Irina was discovered while on a train to Moscow in 2004 and has since made a big impression on the modelling industry.