hKidman weds Urban in Australian chapel
hKidman weds Urbanin Australian chapel
SYDNEY, Australia -- Nicole Kidman married country music star Keith Urban at an Australian clifftop chapel Sunday in an intimate ceremony attended by close family and a smattering of A-list stars. The beaming Oscar-winning actress arrived at the Roman Catholic church in flowing white Balenciaga gown and veil, clutching a bouquet of white roses. Church bells pealed 90 minutes later, indicating the service was over.
A beaming Kidman, accompanied by her father, Antony, arrived at the church in Manly in a cream Rolls Royce limousine after driving from her harborside mansion across the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge -- followed all the way by media helicopters.
Kidman's adopted daughter with ex-husband, Tom Cruise, Isabella, 13, and sister Antonia arrived in a separate limousine dressed as bridesmaids. Cruise and Kidman's adopted son, Connor, 11, also was expected to participate in the ceremony. The event was in contrast to Kidman and Cruise's marriage ceremony, which was held in private according to the rites of the Church of Scientology to which Cruise belongs. The couple divorced in 2001 after 10 years of marriage. It is Urban's first marriage.
Kidman was born in Hawaii but reared in Australia, and Urban was born in New Zealand but reared in Queensland. She held low-key celebrations in Sydney this week marking her 39th birthday. He is 38.
Reports Sunday suggested the couple recently signed a prenuptial agreement that allegedly includes an escape clause for Kidman should Urban revert to excessive drug or alcohol abuse. Urban, who won a Grammy this year for best male country vocalist, has publicly acknowledged his former cocaine addiction.
Urban was expected to serenade his bride. A Country Weekly magazine reader poll this year named him country music's sexiest man.
Richardson leaving group
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Backstreet Boys are saying goodbye to the oldest member of their band, according to a statement posted on the group's Web site Saturday. Kevin Richardson, 33, said he was leaving to purse other interests. "It was a very tough decision for me but one that was necessary in order to move on with the next chapter of my life," Richardson said in the statement.
The Orlando-based pop band ushered in a new teen-music craze in the late '90s, buoyed by their soulful harmonies, synchronized dance steps, clean-cut good looks and charm. Their three albums sold a total of more than 35 million copies. The group took a hiatus in 2001 after A.J. McLean's highly publicized entry into rehab forced the band to postpone their "Black & amp; Blue" tour. They reunited to release the album "Never Gone" in 2005.
Today's birthdays
Actress Eleanor Parker is 84. Jazz musician-film composer Dave Grusin is 72. Singer Billy Davis Jr. (The Fifth Dimension) is 66. Rock singer Georgie Fame is 63. Actor Clive Francis is 60. Actor Robert Davi is 52. Actor Gedde Watanabe is 51. Rock singer Chris Isaak is 50. Rock singer Patty Smyth is 49. Singer Terri Nunn (Berhlin) is 45. Rock musician Colin Greenwood (Radiohead) is 37. Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson is 36. Actor Sean Hayes is 36. Actor Matt Letscher is 36. Actor Chris O'Donnell is 36. Actress Rebecca Budig is 33. Country singer Gretchen Wilson is 32. Actor-musician Jason Schwartzman is 26. Actress Kaitlin Cullum is 20.
Associated Press