Thursday, January 1, 2009

Truth, Lies and a Unauthorized Biography

I really would love to read the book but we aren't on the "right" list. There is a new book out there about Keith Urban - Fortunate Son: The Unlikely Rise of Keith Urban, written by an Aussie and mentioned in a previous blog:
http://umyths.blogspot.com/2008/10/isnt-it-sleazy.html.

Having read an excerpt from a newspaper we feel safe to say that we aren't missing much with it being published only in Australia. From what we can tell the author fell hook, line, and sinker for the fairytale that Kidman and her hacks have been painting for the last three and half years. That's fine; not everything that is printed is true and we know that Kidman has the power to get to a previously reliable author. Actually we were kind of expecting the other end of the spectrum; that Keith would come off as a nasty, not so likable character in his pursuit of a career. That one isn't truthful either, but a lot closer to the reality than the sugarcoated ode we have here.

Are we being fair based solely on only one newspaper article that reviewed the courtship? Yes, because the facts have been tampered with. If you have been around a skeptic or two in the last three years you will know what in that article can be challenged. Will we do that now? No. That truth will take another author’s hand and guide them to writing the definitive biography of Keith Urban.

What we find strange is that a number of early editions of this book have crept out and found their way to the major "bunny" Keith sites. Yep, there are already reviews out there on the non-skeptical sites. That's very weird, don't you think? Or is it? Not when too many have so much invested in this fairy tale? No wonder you have a book that reads like this. If you helped your financial best interests by bringing Urban and Kidman together are you going to then shoot all of that down to bring out the truth. These aren't people with a conscious; these are people out to make money and do it however they can. Someday a real biography will be written about Keith Urban and it is going to be a good book. The struggle, family dynamics, the crawl up the ladder in Nashville, the drugs, the women, the people Keith has put his trust and faith in making him who he is today and their agendas. That will all be there and it won't be clouded in the love story of Hank and Evie, either. Nicole Kidman will be only a chapter about mistakes made. I am looking forward to that book. Regarding this one, save your money, it’s not worth it.

P.S. All of us at Urban Myths wish each and every one of you a Happy 2009! Cheers!

29 comments:

Unknown said...

You said "These aren't people with a conscious". Huh? Don't you mean "conscience"?

It's really hard to take you seriously when you're so filled with jealousy and this unhealthy obsession with a singer and his actress wife. Good grief, hon, they're just a couple of show biz folks -- yeah, they're flawed -- but YOU, my dear, are truly pitiful. May I suggest a more worthwhile, constructive hobby for you.

Again, nobody cares what you think (except for maybe a couple of other equally obsessed weirdos).

maclen said...

Yes, no doubt another attempt by inept team kidman... a white washed vanity piece in honor of those washed up D list celebs...and looking at the release date, no doubt an attempt to continue PR for kidman's overhyped and overblown epic failure. Too bad for inept team kidman, Australia is already dead and buried at the box office... only four weeks out and down to only 700+ theaters...so much for those "Titanicesque" grosses, huh? I have read a little bit of this book, here...

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24848125-5001026,00.html

...but even this obviously bought off and paid for hack couldn't in this article over look the reality of that 6 month gap in this so called "love at first sight" romance. Which begs to recall the orbs own reported explaination at the time...(for kidman now has a "fairy tale" version publicly released)...after first meeting kidman and having been given by kidman herself, her phone number...he never called her because he was under the impression that she was involved at that time with two-time dead beat father and lowlife steve bing...(and there were of course photographic proof of kdiman and bing out publicly after that first meeting) Which of course, also begs to wonder, why kidman who was publicly... prior and after that first meeting with the orb still involved with bing... why would she be giving the orb her number? Kind of gives a little insight as to why cruise might choose to dump her boney ass! But I doubt if you'll read any of that in this vanity piece of... fiction... But, yeah I expect this pathetic attempt by kdiman and Co. at revisionist PR to be about as successful as kidman's latest film ...or the orbs last cd....

maclen said...

...ps...

..ah yes... also forgot to mention in regard to the release date for this book...first week of jan 2009... an attempted release date to no doubt try and bolster kidman's awards chances...a little fairly tale romance stories to infect the news cycles for her behalf. But again, kidman...Australia or the bazz got zero awards recognition for this bloated, overcooked and as of now already rancid piece of rotting celluloid...long before this book can even be noticed...

Insane Traveler said...

You know you also fall into the mythology. I don't have time to search references for each of your sentences, but some of the stuff you are quoting are also myths.
If Nicole is such a divisive force in Urban's life, then why do people from the country music culture always talk about what a loving wonderful couple they are? I now folks in Nashville and the surrounding area who have seen them lovey dovey without paps around. Why would they go out to eat together when they don't have to keep up the facade? Why would they act like they are genuinely in love when no paps are around and very few people?
Personally I think they are in love. It is an odd pairing--true. But for those of you who say it is a fake romance, just how long do they have to stay together for you to believe it just might not be? Three years? Ten Years? Twenty years? If it is fake, then when does Keith decide to get tired of it and walk?
I personally always thought Keith, inspite of his addictions was a strong person. He certainly didn't need a marriage to Nicole to solidify his music base or to increase his popularity. Most of the comments that are negative seem to come from country music groupies who are upset he didn't marry another C&W singer or someone younger.
Nicole was courted by men that would have provided her with far more publicity and notoriety (in a good way) than Urban. So what advantage did marrying Urban have over marrying one of the others? Not much.
For the first time I think Nicole looks genuinely happy. Keith doesn't look expressive as she does--but he also in certain pictures looks happy. He seems to be in love with her.
Guess I just don't understand why there is such hatred against her. She didn't commit adultry. She didn't steal him from anyone. They were both single. Both appear to have wanted the marriage and the baby.
If you are a true Urban fan and he is truly happy then why try to ruin it?
Will the marriage last forever? Name a dozen hollywood types and popular singers from any genre that have marriages that have lasted 25 years or more. Not too many.
I'm rooting for them! They are an odd, but interesting couple. I think the pairing makes each individually more interesting and adds depth to their public being.
So you go Keith and you go Nicole.Be happy. Be in love. And don't let the naysayers and the rumor mongers get you down.

maclen said...

Well, I'll give you one thing, Insane Traveler...at least you seem to admit that these dwindling celebs read... or who am I kidding...these celebs have their hacks and flunkies read up online blogs like this one for public reaction...and you are not a silly hysterical fansie...take cindy for instance..."Again, nobody cares what you think (except for maybe a couple of other equally obsessed weirdos)." But we know better, dont we? Otherwise you wouldnt bother to try to reassure kidman and Co. here in the comments, and attempt to blunt the ongoing critizism that goes on here on this blog...but I gather cindy is not totally "with it" if you know what I mean...not free of her little hazy and celeb worshipping eurphoric daze to see that.

maclen said...

Insane Traveler said...
"But for those of you who say it is a fake romance, just how long do they have to stay together for you to believe it just might not be? Three years? Ten Years? Twenty years? If it is fake, then when does Keith decide to get tired of it and walk?

It really doesnt take a psychic to believe that the odds that a "celeb marriage" is doomed to failure in the first place. It doesnt matter how long it lasts... or whether you may personally believe that they "truly" love each other or not, as I believe. Simply looking at the circumstances of this couple from the first meeting "reports"...to the events that lead to them getting engaged... married and now having a baby...all of which I've commented about for the past 2 year on this blog, explains why I believe that this "marriage" will end in failure...just because they are celebs, doesnt exempt them from the rules of the everyday normal reality... just because kidman managed to remain married for 10 yrs to cruise doesnt make it a "success" for her...and she'd be the last person to claim that...as we've heard her exclaim in every self pitying manner possible every year for the past 7 yrs!

marathonmom69 said...

Ok, so I have an early copy of The Fortunate Son and I am NOT a damn bunny, I am NOT a fan of Nicole, but I do love Keith. This book is GOOD! It shows the "real" Keith as close as can be, since he wasn't involved in its writing. At times it shows him in a very bad light, he has had a tough time getting to where he is at now. There is only a tiny bit of the book at the very end that has Nicold in it. The author couldn't very well completely ignore her. It would of been nice, but just not possible if you are writing a true biography of someone.
The book will be available in the states in January for everyone to be able to read.

maclen said...

"Nicole was courted by men that would have provided her with far more publicity and notoriety (in a good way) than Urban. So what advantage did marrying Urban have over marrying one of the others? Not much."

Well, besides hooking up with lenny kravitz and the aforementioned bing, which were actually confirmed with public photographic confirmation...all others are considered simple internet rumors and gossips... and not worth mentioning by me. So you have the kravitz hookup from late 2003... kravitz...who's last top 10 hit was 3 years prior... who while with kidman no doubt spent that 6 months hanging out in NYC clubbing and partying in places like p diddys bday party...who just after the end of that hookup with kidman made headlines when the downstairs neighbors of one of his penthouse apartments sued kravitz over the damage to their ceilings by one of kravitz's constantly overflowing toilets...( wonder if that was the apartment he had rented kidman, which is how they met?) Kravitz would have been publicity and notoriety (in a good way)? How? Or her involvement with steve bing...who was coming off of the gossip and tabloid headlines over spliting with liz hurly when she announced she was pregnant with his kid...(by the way, speaking of photos...my favorite paps photo's of these two out together are as they enter his car, once kidman sights the pap, she ducks her head under the dash! Yes, I can imagine her humiliation at being sighted with this sleazebag!)....only to have bing deny paternity, and accused hurley publicly of basically being a tramp and that she slept around while they were together...so the kid could not have been his! (only eventual to have DNA tests prove he was the pops!) and as I alluded to before in my last comments...and this isnt the only kid bing denies paternity. This hookup was a complete sham for the supposedly public kidman's proclaimations of how she was such a concerned and dutiful parent! But then perhaps kidman was just angling for some film package deals or financing from the billionaire... and perhaps she figured she had hooked her own Murdoch! As Ive said before, kidman is a PR klutz...nothing she has done, outside of playing for sympathy courtesy of cruise, has helped her in her career.

Imahick said...

Marathonmom, thanks for your comments. I'm looking forward to reading this book and I'm glad that the emphasis was on KEITH's career / music and not his marriage. What a concept. How did you get an advanced copy to review?

onlykeith said...

I too am looking forward to reading this book.Glad to hear it is mostley about Keith just as the title suggests.

Choice said...

Here is a long article about the upcoming book today in a local paper. I hear they are planning a movie already. Guess who will be playing Keith? Nicole's part yet to be cast:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/lifeandstyle/people/deconstructing-keith-urban/2009/01/01/1230681711506.html

maclen said...

Very interesting article, choice...this article. and based on the comments by marathonmom69...this book it seems will concentrate on the orbs early and then his "successful" year... the year before he met kidman...and will no doubt gloss over his declining years...basically right after he married kidman. Being that it is set for OZ release, just how popular is the orb in OZ? And seeing how kidman is soooo over Oz... having spent thanksgiving...xmas and the new year in the states... since the failure of her movie...I dont see her droning on about her aussie roots...let alone getting back to the continent anytime soon. So what the hell is the interest for the aussies of this book? His past two years of dwindling cd sales in the states? His dwinding awards noms...and lack thereof...his half assed piggyback touring with other far more successful country artists? Is there any analysis of this in this so called "biography"...or is it simply analysis of the nature of showbiz PR and spin...as this book seems to be. I seem quite sure this writer still considers the orb to be a "huge success" since marrying kidman...contrary to the facts of the measurements of the biz... so I would expect him to not dwell too much time on kidman's impact.

Choice said...

Hi Maclen. Keith is not successful here simply because country music has a small following. His only hit was 'Days Gone By'. The book may sell well in Queensland where his parents live (Caboolture).

Are you willing to play the part of Keith in the movie? I don't think Billy Ray is available.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/lifeandstyle/people/deconstructing-keith-urban/2009/01/01/1230681711506.html

maclen said...

Ha! I always get a kick out of checking out the NKUsers pitiful and self dellusional rants...they are always good for a giggle... and with the absence of the usual fansies, no doubt too humiliated and embarrassed to comment, from UM's blog comments...I just thought I'd export a few humorous rants form NKU...

...so this from "skankyoldwhore"...in response to Fox bringing Australia's theater count to 711...
"Why do they still need a box office hit? NK was never a BO star so why exactly does she need a hit? The only people that it seems to bother are those writing the articles, if the studios stop paying her $16m per movie, I doubt she would stop working."

... to which "wildwicky responds...
"Having a hit matters in as much as it makes it easier to get your films financed. Of course, she probably has enough money to finance her own films but there's still the problem of finding a distributor. It's not so much about how much they get paid as being first pick for the best projects.
I don't think either of them has been particularly hurt by this but if it had been more successful it would have given them a boost."

...and then here's the last comment on the thread from "sylv"...
..."She's definitely the greatest and most important film icon of our time. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt latest Box Office intake weren't even deemed newsworthy.
I am surprised that it's only the 1st day of the year and Nicole's already the most talked and written about Hollywood Star of 2009."

...so for the sad pathetic fansies...she doesnt need to be a box office star...but do not fear...she can finance her own films from now on...and some nonsense about cruise and pitt not being newsworthy... which makes kidman "the greatest and most important film icon of our time? Kidman has just been knocked and critisized from all sides for being a constant and continual failure and loser...but these fools actually believe that is something to be proud about because she is then..."already the most talked and written about Hollywood Star of 2009."? Based on the level of intelligence and logic of her fansies...is it any wonder that kidman is a total washout?

maclen said...

Choice said...
"Hi Maclen. Keith is not successful here simply because country music has a small following. His only hit was 'Days Gone By'. The book may sell well in Queensland where his parents live (Caboolture). "

Which again begs my question as to why release it in Oz...if this guy hopes it's successful seller? Certainly the answer is it is simply for PR reasons...which again as I noted earlier...is pretty much moot at this point, with the failure of kidman's film. And as for me playing the orbs part in a movie? I wouldnt play a cd of the orbs...let alone try to, as the pretensious kidman might say, "inhabit his being". Perhaps instead of doing the sex change film with theron, kidman will opt to play the orb in this movie..sort of try and pull a Cate Blanchett as in the Dylan role...kidman no doubt very sure she could portray the orb with far more conviction and fortitude...but we all know better... dont we!

hoosierlady said...

Today's word is:

disingenuous

moles go back to holes and get the meaning

I'll just watch old interviews

remember that Barenaked Ladies song about, "You can be my Yoko Ono"?

notachance said...

Looks like the book will be an interesting read based on that L&S write-up.

A440 said...

maclen asked

Which again begs my question as to why release it in Oz...if this guy hopes it's successful seller?

He's an Aussie writer who submitted his manuscript to an Aussie publishing house. Since it's Random House that's publishing it, I'd be very surprised if the book could not be ordered in the States. Who knows...there may be a future push in the States for this book come March.

Casse Role said...

I too am curious to read this book.
I do wonder what Keith has to say about it all. Many artists struggled with drugs, alcohol, etc. And yet became popular and changed their life. It's not a different story really. I wonder if there will be anything shocking that we "don't" know.
I still "hope" he makes his fans proud with his new cd. I still have some faith in him.

marathonmom69 said...

Imahick-
I actually bought my copy of the book straight from the author. If you go to jeffapter.com.au there is a link that you can email him. I am sure that if you emailed him he would work it out to get anyone who wanted one a copy of his book.

***And...this book WILL be available in the U.S.A. in January.***

Imahick said...

Thanks for your response, Marathonmom.

Smart Girl said...

If anybody can't get hold of this book online, I'm more than happy to send you a copy. I'm flying up to Sydney next weekend and can pick up a copy or two! Let me know.

A440 said...

Hey, Anna!

LOVE your photo!

realitycheck said...

Insane Traveler, I have no idea how long you have read this blog or have followed the skeptics rants. But the Golden Rule here is this: Unless the article, book, story, comment etc. is less than kind it is considered a plant, a payoff by Kidman, a beneficial career move, or ramblings by an "obsessed" fan. It doesn't matter how long this marriage lasts, its all for show and the skeptics will always be right now matter how it turns out. The main thing is that they have set it up so that they are always right. If you've read enough skeptic comments you'll see both Keith and Nicole are pretty much "damned if they do, damned if they don't". These skeptics think they have proven alot but what exactly have they shown us? Only that they have contempt for Nicole. Some even have contempt for Keith. The fact that they spend so much energy following a couple they claim they can't stand shows their maturity level. Many ex-fans say they wont spend any more money on KU. But they are just giving away their time by talking about his every move. How does that make any sense?

You raised some very good points in your post but they will be ignored by the skeptics. Put up any sort of logic against their vast array of conspiracy theories and they just get angry and call YOU crazy.

I do have to disagree with you about them being an odd pairing. Being a long-time fan of both of them I can see why they are a good match. Yes they come from different backgrounds but for the most part are quite suited for each other and see the world in a similar way. I am rooting for them too :)

Jett456 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
stillhopefull said...

I think many other people look a whole lot happier coming out of church than Nicole. Not sure what the problem is, Keith is caring everything...however it is odvious that she did not spend a half a day getting ready for church. It does appear that she is just pulled together. And I do not believe this was Christmas Day. Most church services are Christmas Eve until midnight. I can't say I know of one open Christmas Day. I believe this was the Sunday after Christmas....hoping that most will not know the difference. Not that I know about all churches, however I do know that most services are at 11 or after to acknowledge the birth of the Lord. There is little to do on Christmas Day after that.

TamiKay38 said...

I beg to differ, stillhopefull ... I am a church musician and you'd better believe that a LOT of churches have services on Christmas morning! :)
It's one of the most important days in the church year and, although many churches are NOT holding services on Christmas Day, it's a pretty sure bet that most of the large churches are! I live in a rural area in the US and know for a fact that some of the smallest churches don't even have a Christmas Eve services due to no attendance, however, a LOT of our medium-sized and large-sized churches DO hold 2 services on Christmas Eve and then another 1-2 services on Christmas Day. Having to play at those services was kind of a pain during the kids' younger years because they didn't want to wait until after church to open gifts ... but we made it work. Enough about that ... you're right, though. Nikkers actually looks pretty unhappy coming out of church. I wonder if the priest's sermon cut a little too close to the truth and had anything to do with selfish people and how we should love unconditionally, put others before ourselves, etc. I also wonder where the familials were? I thought it was a bit strange that Nicole's family was VERY visible just a day or so before this but yet didn't go to church with them. GASP! Church couldn't have been used as another photo op, could it? FOR SHAME!

marathonmom69 said...

For anyone who's interested. The Forunate Son will be available on Amazon to purchase with delivery being in March in the next couple of days. It's worth the read.

Choice said...

I've decided not to buy the book, and spend my savings on lip enhancement. It really is all the rage.

http://nicole-kidman-journey.blogspot.com/2009/01/read-my-lips.html