An Open Letter to Keith Urban

Dear Keith,

I have been a fan of your work since The Ranch, that's why what I have to say is so hard. I think you are a nice guy. I have actually met and talked to you. I liked the way you used to tick. You seemed aware of the world and of deeper things. The entire concept of Be Here appealed to me. I love your music; I love to see you in concert. I can get a contact high watching you play. But after this last week with the diva behavior over the soccer match, the questionable motorcycle wreck and now the appearance at a movie gala, it has become clear to me that you have made a choice. That choice is something I can't accept nor tolerate any longer. Keith, you have chosen the A-list sideshow over real life.

You talk about “balance”, but is it? You fly to Australia and disrupt your work. Your wife doesn't do that. You hang with her family and her friends. Your family and friends, and even the town you lived in have all but disappeared. That wonderful house that was built with everything you wanted was sold, and why? Because you can't go back to Nashville? Why? Is it too hard being around people who know and understand you? Is it easier to start fresh? Are you so damaged that you don't know who you are any more?

Is your addiction so severe that you are afraid of the past? Does that past include your fans? When you chose the A-list lifestyle, and many of us know you do like the finer things, did you think you could have it all?Please understand it is not because I am jealous or hate your wife or have some weird obsession with you. I believed in your work. I believed in the career you were building. I liked your music. I wanted people to hear it, more importantly, I wanted others to see you performing. You have a gift when you are on that stage and you can touch every single person in a room. You seem to have lost that since rehab. Yep, you can still touch the sky in concert but you don't linger there any more. I miss that. I miss the chills I used to get hearing you. I miss the themes and variations on the songs you chose for your records.

When Love Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing was released almost a year ago, you said it was a reflection. A reflection of your marriage, you said. I saw a man very uncomfortable with who he wants to be, who he chooses to see himself as,and who he really is. It hurt so many of your fans when you went to rehab, not because we were dependent on you, but because we cared. Yep your fans, while some are crazy, most of them are mature, functioning human beings who support you. Today I look at headlines about you and ask myself what am I supporting? Since the infamous motorcycle ride in the country in July of 2005, it is less about your music, performances, and songwriting and more about your private life. I know that the woman who you made the marriage contract with was very high profile, but Keith, so many people are high profile and they live quietly and quite happily. You aren't doing either. You look miserable more so now than in the past which apparently was all about the career - so you say. We knew you had relationships with women off-stage. There was never a time you were alone, was there? You dated a supermodel but you kept all of that private and it worked. Has the way you have been conducting your life recently been working? You played at Live Earth - the best performance that day, yet flew to New York in a private jet. That's very fake. You say you are normally private, yet all I ever read anymore about you is how you do or don't want children and that you aren't who you are today without your wife. I hate to remind you, but if it weren't for the fans and your career you would never have met her in the first place. The motorcycle incident is a prime example of what your life is today. Going to an AA meeting you say, and I don't have a reason to doubt that, but why should I even want or need to know that. Then being chased, or whatever it was, and an accident that could have killed you. You assessed blame not on yourself for speeding but on the paparazzi for following you. Keith you know why they are now following you. Keith Olbermann on Countdown reminded you that part of that 12 step model is the one step about admitting your own mistakes. Maybe that is what you should think about. What is working and what isn't. Unfortunately I have done that and have reached some conclusions.

I will no longer buy any of your work. I won't go to your concerts. I can't support your lifestyle any longer. I hope you can get it together and realize what you are losing and what you are left with. I can't believe in a man who I used to believe could talk to anyone without looking down on them and now flies to New York to have dinner with Rupert Murdoch and then gets in a group picture in the way he did with real people in a meet and greet. I won't buy the Greatest Hits. If there is something new on it I will have someone get a free copy. I never would have downloaded or bought a bootleg as I know how you felt about that. But you used to be someone else. I am also choosing to go an extra step and discourage people from buying your work or seeing you. No more DVD’s, no more hoping you get nominated and win an award. Your life choices have brought the wrong element to Nashville and Country Music. I wish you would make some changes, but I know I can no longer wait. Thank you for the past. I sincerely hope that you find whatever it is you are looking for. I pray for you and I hope you don't destroy yourself in the process. I will be looking in from time to time and will be back if it does change.

We all have to make choices,

A follower

Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are!

It has been an exciting week for those of us in Keith Urban World. We heard that “they” are selling “their” house. We saw photos of him at the airport to prove that hetraveled many a mile to see the beautiful, beautiful princess. We read about how they couldn't go to a footy game because there wasn't a private box available, and they wouldn’t accept seats in the stands like the normal folk (even though the game was sold out). The highlight of the week was a certain internet gossip columnist and his allegations about a certain Hollywood actress.

Of course there were no names mentioned. The gossip queen stated that this actress from a land far away was making statements in the press about her relationships with both of her husbands. Was this, according to the gossip source, a way to throw people off from finding out that this actress was really batting for the home team? If you couple this with a recent Blind item from said sage, about how the new husband, a ladies man himself, knew all about her inclinations and thought he could "cure" her. It’s up to you to decide who all this is about. Well, when I connect the dots......

What if Nicole Kidman isn't in the closet? Would that be a terrible thing? I think we should be who we are and embrace it. For some, religious and moral constraints stop them. They become hidden. They live lives, but they aren't true. If you are a Keith Urban fan you will know what I mean when I say live your own truth. So what if she is? She could be a role model to young people like her everywhere. It wouldn't take away from her looks or her so-called talent. It may even answer some of those questions so many of us have had about her very public life for the last 18 or so years. Hollywood would love it. Nicole, if that is who you are come out! Get in touch with your inner Dorothy and be proud. It would be the first honest thing you have ever done.

All Eyes Will Be On Keith Urban in October...

Why is that important you ask?

Well, remember a few episodes ago, Keith was on tour in Europe and had announced 10 additional dates. The fans in the UK were elated!

Then he unceremoniously cancelled them all, citing “international commitments”. Keith’s fans in Europe and the US were, um, less than thrilled and a bit confused. Tickets had been purchased, hotels booked, travel plans made.

Just in case you missed those cancelled dates:

10/10 Munich
10/11 Frankfurt
10/13 Hamburg
10/14 Berlin
10/25 Dusseldorf

10/17 Belfast
10/19 London
10/20 Manchester
10/21 Glasgow
10/23 Birmingham

So October is the month for pumpkins, trick or treats, witches and international commitments.

Everyone take good notes.

Lets all meet back here to discuss this in November, shall we?

The Urban/Kidman's are Selling "Their" House...

I just looked at pictures of Keith Urban's home on the INTERNET. And sadly, some of the sites are calling it “her house”. Wow. It seems like yesterday that he was talking about his excitement about moving in. He really did love that house. He picked out the furnishings…the appliances, rugs, fixtures, everything. He entertained there. Many people came to parties and gatherings in the lovely home. He even had a place for his parents to stay. So why is this home on the market?

Well, dear readers, two words -- Nicole Kidman.

Remember two years ago when all those rumors about Kidman and Keith started and they were saying that she was visiting? Do you remember how maps of how to get to his house started showing up on the net? Finally, with Kidman showing up in November of '05, her favorite photographers were there too, and they never left. Until the day Keith left for his contractual wedding, there were always one or two photographers or reporters watching his house. Often if you went to a Keith site you would hear of someone driving by or another picture in a tabloid. Yes, Kidman brought the bright lights of publicity to Keith's private retreat. Why couldn't she have just let him have his home? After the marriage during the few times she has been in Nashville, Kidman again brought that glare with her so even when Keith wanted to be there on his own he couldn't. Was this on purpose?

I know some of you are probably saying hey, if he were my husband would I want to live in a house where my new husband entertained other women? Well, Nicole you expect Keith to live in the house that your true love bought you? You expect him to fly on a private jet that you shared with your true love and you think nothing of having him ride around on the yacht that was purchased by your former husband. So why couldn't you live in his house? That is what this is all about. It’s his house. It is the place that he lived in, loved in and a place he created for himself. Nicole Kidman is so damn insecure that she can't stand that he would keep this home. There are rumors that they or Kidman herself bought a condo in downtown Nashville to live in during one of her meet and greets with her husband. There are also rumors that they are buying land to build a farm on outside of Nashville. Whatever the case, I feel sad for Keith. If you look in the living room above the fireplace there is a large portrait of Keith from the Somebody Like You video shoot. Now we all know the significance of that shoot.

We also know that after that time is when Keith got to where he is. The house was a culmination of all his hard work and success. I doubt in the new house, wherever that will be, you will see a picture of Keith hanging above the mantle, but I just bet somewhere in that house Keith is hanging his head to cry. I think Kidman should be the one feeling bad.

A letter to Nicole Kidman Cruise Urban

Dear Nicole,

According to Keith, you are going to be on the road with him this November. How sweet. I am so glad that you want to share Keith's stage experience with his fans. I am sure Keith and the band and the crew are so very happy about this. I would like to point out a few things that you might not be aware of, just so you know.

First, your presence creates quite a lot of stir. People come to look at you. They don't really enjoy the show because they are looking for you. Nicole spotting, last done in the states in late 2005, ruined a number of shows for those of us who were there to enjoy Keith and his music.

Mrs. Kidman Cruise Urban, you may not be aware of it, but there are a number of people who are there to see your husband. They aren't there to see you. Does that shock you? I bet dear beautiful, beautiful princess it does, but many people are there to support your husband.

Second, many people on this leg of the tour are there to see the opening act. Yes, Gary Allan has his own fans and will be playing for the first hour. I realize that you have never heard of him, nor will you probably meet him at all on the tour, but Mr. Allan is well known in his own right and deserves to be respected and not subjugated to a mere mention in a review because Nicole was spotted with a snow-cone and her newly large lips turned blue, and she was oh so cute.

Third, what is the real point of coming on the road with Keith Urban? You don't like his music do you? Oh, that’s right he is your husband and you are there to support him. Yeah right. We are savvy enough to know that its time for the Keith and Nicole Love One Another Tour ‘07. Yes, every review, every article will be about seeing Nicole, hearing Keith sing to Nicole, where Nicole sat (generally around the sound board or in the right corner by the stage and she comes in around the third song) and what was she wearing.

I bet People will be there to share the love. But what isn't realized is that when the Missus is along there are lots of hassles. Keith becomes less accessible by spending time with his bride or because her security detail doesn't allow it. Security gets too tight and even opening acts are denied access to backstage areas because the beautiful, beautiful princess is getting her lips injected or whatever it is you do back there.

Finally, and most importantly, Keith does not give good shows when you are there. Just to remind you, I am paying to see him. Not you. Not your marriage, not a dedication. I am paying to see his show, to hear his music. I don't want to lose that connection because he can't get it up enough to do a good show. Look at the Australian shows, Keith really didn't have the interaction nor the joy he usually has at the shows you attended. The audience was treated to spewed crap from Keith about Aussie make-out places and verbiage about Frankie Valli and his music. It becomes all about the relationship and less about the music.

You are as boring as a couple as he is exciting as a performer. Your presence lessens the excitement of seeing Keith. Why is this happening now? Is it because many noticed how Keith was flying back and forth, but yet where the hell where you? Is it because there are rumors that some things are not so perfect with the most boring middle aged couple in the world? Is there going to be an appearance on Oprah? Well, whatever it is, who really cares? It’s not like you have a cute little Suri with you.

I was going to go to Chicago but hearing that you will be there, well, frankly I am not going to waste my money.

Keith, when she is gone I will be back. Until then all of your fans will have to make their choices about what to do with their money. I will spend what I was going to spend to see you and buy Kenny and Garth's new CD's. I don't want to waste my time and money on the world of Keith Urban's personal life and lies.

Kidman Hits Vanity Fair Again... WHY OH WHY?

Just a note to begin: Urban Myths is written by many fine people of either gender. There is no main writer nor are they primarily male or female. Those that are choosing to judge this blog should take a moment and reflect on what they publicly post, as do we.

Where do we start with Vanity Fair? Let's go back to the October 2006 issue. Who was on the cover? C'mon you know it... Miss Suri Cruise making her national debut. And one year later we see Nicole Kidman busting out all over to yet again call attention to her private life. The “oh so private” Kidman opens up about the one true love of her life, Tom Cruise. I don't want to bore you, but I have to ask… how desperate is this woman to get her former husband’s attention? Apparently, he is the “be all, end all.”

We all have that Great Love in our lives. Nicole, he has moved on to a younger, prettier and more fertile woman. They have Suri, a cutie beyond compare. The new missus even likes the children you have ignored. Get over it. You aren't going to have his baby… but you did say you tried. Now we are hearing of an early miscarriage. No, not the famous miscarriage at the end of the marriage but a miscarriage at the start.

Why did we never hear of this before? I find it interesting, considering both Kidman and Mr. Cruise have had questions aplenty thrown around about their ability to have children. Why not mention it sometime in that 11 years you were married? Another revelation is that people told Kidman that she would have no career if she married Cruise. Well, Well, Well… Do they think we don't remember when Kidman and Cruise met? Do you recall? Wasn't it on a movie set for Days of Thunder and Tom Cruise was married at the time to Mimi Rogers, yet Kidman chose to have an affair with him? Yeah, a new actress…if I was your manager and you were having an affair with the number one box office star, I would say “be careful” -- right! Kidman also hit Ladies Home Journal again and splewed her verbiage about the great love of her life, saying she has no regrets about her time with Tom. I wouldn't either. In the end she got world wide fame, millions in the bank and several houses and a plane. She did okay…I would love Tom too. Actually I like Mr. Cruise a great deal and could never understand the Kidman phase.

Let’s continue on about Kidman. She was engaged before Keith Urban. Let’s see… that means that someone found her attractive and that Keith almost got away. Rumors are that it was Stephen Bing, a reliable mate for the future. Or Lenny Kravitz, a man who holds my utmost respect for dumping Kidman. So someone wanted her. Okay, if you say so, Nicole.

But what about Keith? Apparently when they met there weren't any fireworks. Really??? Is that why you chased him around G’Day LA trying to give him your number? Is that why you pursued him through his people when after six months he still hadn't called you? He was lonely? Ask the woman that he was dating when you had your first PR date? And now eight months later Keith says a baby in 2008 would be nice. More than a month after Keith said we're not trying? It's Keith who doesn't want to have a baby. Kidman shows in the photo with niece/prop baby that yeah, she wants a baby. She is shown now for the third time with that baby. Look at the photo of Kidman and the baby. The baby is hidden in her coat. Hidden in her coat -just like a year ago when Suri was hidden in Tom's coat. Yes, Nicole, Suri exists. It doesn't matter if you want to put your ta-tas out there and tell us how much your current husband wants to worship only you and not share you with an infant…Tom has moved on. I can only wish that the media would do the same and, most of all, I hope Keith does, too. It seems like the ground work is being laid for the blame game. That’s okay - we are still on to Kidman. Wasn't it this blog that predicted the focus would become Nicole Kidman “the woman”? It reads more like Nicole Kidman the fraud...

A Chunk of the Truth about the Kidman/Urban Illusion

Some folks took the time to point out recently to one of the many responders to this blog the truth about this fantasy trip we are on with Keith Urban. Namely, that it is a fantasy. Most of us have our feet firmly planted on the ground. But there are a few who seem to be out in the nether regions and are lost. I am not talking about those who are warped or possibly ill. You know them. They are the ones that have a "personal" relationship with Keith because he squeezed their butt at a meet and greet, or he smiled at them on stage. I am not even talking about those very sad souls who believe they are married to him and have children with him and who stalk him. No, my concern is with, and the reason I write is, the woman or man who thinks that everything written about Keith and that wife of his is gospel.

You see this blind following particularly with her fans. There is one particular fan site that is so funny on the surface but after reading it for awhile you realize how sad it is. These people are living their lives through Nicole Kidman. Each new movie, each new article or interview, and it’s as if Kidman had spoken just to them. The sad part is that this isn't just a few but many people who feel the same way.

Sorry to blow this up for all of you living in the illusion, but Nicole Kidman doesn't care about you or your opinions. She hires bodyguards to protect herself from you and the only thing she wants is your money.

As for Keith, musicians are different. Of course, he is there to get adulation, that’s part of it. He goes out into the crowds - he is live. It is very “in the moment”, and a musician is playing to whatever is inside of the listener. Keith Urban doesn't know what you desire but perhaps something he is playing is touching you and affecting you. That is very intimate and dangerous. He isn't really asking you to come along as much as he is playing and it is touching you. Then you tell others and then it builds a following. That, my readers, is the power of music and when you are skilled as Keith you don't need to manipulate anyone.

Yet, we are all as good as the company we keep, and since 2005 things have changed a bit.

There has always been some speculation about plants from Camp Urban on fan sites. There are certain people who lead discussions toward a specific topic or away from others. There are also believed to be insiders who plant information in bits and pieces to create a demand for a show or CD or boost the ratings of a program that Keith will be on. I am fine with that. Tell me, “the fan” what is coming up. I always thought it was weird that a machinist and a beautician were able to go to all these shows all over the world and have inside information about tour dates months in advance, and yet post about how wonderful Keith and the wife are, as if they were normal fans? What I don't like is that there are now plants that seem to be having fan experiences to counter that which many of us know isn't true. They are creating a myth.

One thing about cruising all the fan sites is that not everyone has a great time. Not everything is hunky dory. A fan review generally is honest about the show. What has been appearing on some Keith sites is eyewitness reports of how wonderful everything is; how great the shows are; how they are filled to the rafters and sold out, and the thing that bugs me most -- that Keith is personally happy and well.

There is one poster who was at many of the shows writing glowing reviews. I am not talking about Green Bay or DC. I am talking about Australia and England and the US. This person even talked to Keith the day that he had the flu and had to say goodbye - perhaps forever - to Europe. What made this observer interested was that this poster happened to be in China when Keith and Kidman were there in 06. Happened to be? No, my readers, this person is paid to plant “all is well” hooey on Keith Urban fan sites.

And who pays her? Most investigations put this not at the feet of Camp Urban, but in the wacky manipulation superhighway created by Nicole Kidman and those she hires to protect her fame.

I am sure Kidman is not the only one that does this, but it’s painfully obvious that she doesn't get the world that Keith inhabits. For example, that shot of them at the 2006 Grammy’s with Keith dressed as Keith and in his element and Kidman dressed like what Vogue magazine would expect a rock and roll girlfriend to look like. She was out of place and she hasn't learned.

She is a shrewd manipulator of image but she hasn't figured out that what Keith does is touch your heart. He plays to your emotions. I guess you have to have some kind of emotional balance to understand this. It's why no one cares when she is at a show.

It’s not about her. It's about what we are getting that Keith is giving us. Keith's audience isn't that stupid. Some are a bit naive but so many are not. They can see his face and hear his voice and that’s when we understand. Plant all the glowing folks you want Kidman, we can pick them out and pick them apart. Going to see Keith has never been about you, your marriage or your drama, it’s about seeing one of the most talented musicians performing today reaching people through his art. Take some notes or just leave quietly…you won't be missed.

Kidman and the Tabloids

Did you enjoy reading the review of The Invasion in In Touch? How about the one in Star, OK or Life & Style? Funny, The Invasion opened last week and they didn't have a review. Wonder why? There was a review in People, but it was watery and not really that critical. The newspapers and TV film critics really slammed the film. Anyone who has followed the career of one Nicole Mary Kidman Cruise Urban knows that you can be blindfolded and have a better chance playing darts than Kidman does of having a hit film. Why didn't those tabloids review the film? They do review films. They aren't the late Pauline Kael but they do tell you whether or not to spend a buck on a film. But nothing about The Invasion.

For a few months now, Urban Myths has been pointing out to you, dear readers, about how Kidman has used the media to perpetuate the crap about her happy life.

We have gone over how a photo might appear and the circumstances about it. We talked about the race with Kidman's true love to manipulate the media. But what we haven't talked about is the need that exists between Kidman and those tabloids. They both keep one another afloat.

Let's start with People magazine. People is a legitimate, respected magazine. It's part of the establishment and it's less of a tabloid and more of a magazine. People is also a press agent’s wet dream. What a celebrity wants you to think about them is found in People. Note: Keith Urban couldn't buy coverage if his life depended on it. Yes, in 2002 he was voted one of those sexy dudes but it was a tiny picture and not more than that. Suddenly Kidman sits her ass on Keith's bike (a PR stunt, Keith privately told those close to him). The photo is shown first in the Aussie People then one week later in American People with a blurb about who this Keith Urban is, because certainly the average reader wouldn't know.

He got famous almost overnight. This was a good thing for Kidman - she was in the race with her true love and she used the magazine to show the world how happy she was. We had the pictures of Keith and Nicole strolling in Boston with a ring on her finger. That was black Wednesday, 11/16/05, the day after Keith Urban lost his singular identity as a country music star and Entertainer of The Year for the CMAs. She used People again to show the happy Thanksgiving, and the family Christmas stroll. She used People to write a story in winter 2006 about them living together in Nashville, and finally to announce her engagement. Of course, she neglected to tell Keith she was doing this, but she got what she wanted. They got a cover for the wedding. They got the cover again when he went into rehab. But the story was quite generic. When Keith came back he talked to People. So, if it's in People it must be true...right? Well, that’s what Keith said...

But those other rags? Well, they need a Nicole Kidman. She was Mrs. Tom Cruise. She won an Oscar. She got her heart broken. Yes, her life has sold their magazines and she needs them to perpetuate her name. She can't do it because of her work. Her movies are not the movies that the average reader will go see. Yet, Nicole Kidman needs those people who read the tabloids to keep her famous. She wouldn't give you the time of day on the street. But read about how she took a whole Sunday afternoon to see her poor addicted husband at Betty Ford and you keep her a viable commodity in Hollywood.

The tabloids want you to want to be interested in Nicole and Keith. They sell the magazine. Nicole and Keith (“I don't read them and neither should you”) Urban want you to be interested so that you will buy their tickets. It’s kinda creepy, like all those weird movies Kidman makes with little boys.

But let’s face facts…Kidman and Keith are actually boring. There isn't a scandal there. Yeah, there were rumors, and yes, Keith admitted they were true, but that was in a little known German magazine. These two aren't the power brokers that Katie and Tom are. So what does a famewhore like Kidman do? She knows the strength of those connections, so she cozies up to an emerging internet photo site. I am not mentioning the name, but this person is now on her fan board. It also appears that some deal or arrangement has been made with the photographer that was her worst enemy. He seems to be getting some very nice exclusives lately or else he is using older photos to help the myths move. All of that helps, but Kidman is just not exciting and she has been the subject of more and more ridicule.

Perez Hilton, LaineyGossip and Dlisted have all pointed out the flaws. In my opinion, the future of the celebrity is found in these places. The internet and those who use it for gossip are the new power. Why read about something in People when someone on a blog is actually talking about the real event? Why wait a week for a picture or a review of an event when you can log into Lainey every morning and get a pretty damn accurate report that hasn't been cleaned up by a Wendy Day? I love blind items. Both the E! message board and the king Ted Casablanca have some really great stuff. Nicole can't control that. Even if it’s not true, it’s gone as fast as it comes. It all becomes urban myth. And while the future is the internet, those tabloids will begin to flop just like a Nicole Kidman film. Is it really the consumer who controls the show, not Kidman, not People or Star, Life & Style, In Touch or OK? Not even US. So, the next time she is on the cover don't buy it and soon she won't be on the cover. Anyway you can read more about the real truth on a gossip site than in the pages of one of those magazines.

Hey, Nicole, no one really cares what you want them to believe. The truth will sell you out every time.

Kidman and Urban Flopping Down the Bunny Trail

What is she going to do? Her career is in the toilet, Tom is getting popular again, that damn kid is everywhere, I am getting older, Keith isn’t “the same” to his fans... random thoughts lashing through the mind of Nicole Kidman.

Are you going to go out and see The Invasion? From what I am reading it would be best to save your ten dollars, pull out your old Barbie and Ken and pretend Midge, Skipper, Tutti and Alan have all become zombies. Barbie must get out of the way before they take young Kelli with them.

Yet another Nicole Kidman movie that is a flop. Not just a flop, but one of the biggest stinkers of the year. Oh, I can only imagine how hot the Australian Outback is right now. I can also imagine one Keith Urban is trying hard to avoid calling back to Oz to check on the beautiful, beautiful princess. What will Mr. Kidman do? Let’s face facts. You can't keep having these kind of flops and get the paycheck that she gets. Yes, she is producing more of her own films but after awhile even those won't make a studio want to touch her. Her appeal is worldwide, so they say. What I don't understand is, what is her appeal?

I will admit when this whole contracted relationship started with Keith, I went and looked at some of her films, and with the exception of To Die For, I wasn't impressed. The whispered voice, the same delicate mannerisms, the red hair and perfect skin - yes that is part of the package. The looks that some find beautiful. When you get down to it - she isn't a good actress. I think for so long Hollywood bought this myth about Kidman being good. She made some "artistic" pictures, and she did a thriller or two. But what really pushed her to the A-list was her association with her former husband. Tom was THE thing and with her on his arm they were THE couple. She got the good scripts because it was a way to get to her husband.

And then it ended... it was over. "THE" couple got divorced and the murky details helped no one. Poor Nicole. Tom left her and why? No one knew except that Nic knows, but to this day that is just gossip and speculation and what was a 33 year old former Australian television actress to do? Well she lived with one of the best press manipulators ever. Nicole learned from the master.

She turned the divorce around and damaged the golden boy. She played “Polly Pity Me” to the hilt. She got the best publicist and with that the scripts kept coming and they were A-list scripts. Nicole Kidman won an Oscar for being a deserted wife more that her performance in The Others. After the Oscar, it should have been easy, but the roles were not good. Why? Because she has a limited range and a limited appeal. Diane Lane should have won the Oscar that year - she actually acted. Diane didn't have to put on a rubber nose and pull angst out of her pocket. Kidman's appeal has been like watching someone after they have been sick trying to regain their strength. When they get on their feet they don't need us. But Nicole needs us. To this day she is still trying hard to prove something and enough time has passed that her connection and her break up with Tom are in the past and some don't even remember it.

Is she a good actress? No, look at her body of work. Anyone could have done these roles and in some movies you wonder if they could have done them better. The Others was her last real hit. It was okay, but what if someone else had been in that role? There is a whole group of actresses who are far better than she is. She was going to be in Panic Room. Can you imagine that film with her instead of Jodie Foster? I can't.

What Kidman did was played the victim to further her career, but now the gig seems to be up. She is in another flop and people are wondering if her career may be up, too? She is getting older. There are a lot better actresses out there. Even her best friend Naomi Watts is a better actress. So what will be her next move? Kidman has always used her personal life to get attention, the attention she couldn't get with her acting. I predict that with yet another flop we will be hearing about Nicole Kidman “the woman” more and more. Pictures of her with her husband and more pictures of her trying to look like a mother.

Nicole doing her part with the UN. All of this to make us think of her as a celebrity, and not just an actor. The two things that could happen are a baby for the Kidmans or a divorce. I think either will be played to the hilt. Nicole Kidman, who had a hard time conceiving, conceives, or humanitarian Kidman finds a young child in China or India and she and Keith bring the baby back to Nashville and they become very public parents. The baptism, first steps, traveling to visit mom on the set. Little baby (Suri) Kidman-Urban will be a star in its own right. Of course no one would ever ask why not adopt from the US or Oz? Maybe because those pesky rules about having a parent who is a recovering addict might be used to stop the adoption. The happy family unit - working mom, devoted dad and little acquired baby just warms the heart doesn't?

My, oh, my, you don't win an Oscar for changing a nappie do you? But you can for being a victim. Kidman knows that by experience. So how does one achieve that? You have your marriage fall apart and it’s not your fault.

Keith goes back to being Keith and Nicole kicks him out. Of course she will be lauded. She was his savior but he was weak. She stood by him and he played her for a fool. He used her fame to get more for himself. Poor, Poor, Nicole.

I can't predict which one she will use but eventually one of these scenarios will come true. Flop after flop after flop. Nicole, I bet you have all your eggs in the basket of the Golden Compass. Happy Feet is for kids right? Rumors are already rampant that they have changed several of the characters, especially Kidman's character so much so that the loyal book reader may turn on the movie. I guess because I like Keith so much, I hope she gets some kind of hit and can keep working and eventually the marriage will lose its appeal. It’s already as if they aren't "the couple” in that sense. Nicole, I suggest you find that special television project that will endear you, as you totter into oblivion and one that will allow you to be happy enough to quit seeking fame by any means necessary. Do you really need to do that your kids and the incredible guy you are currently married to?

Unrest in Keith Urban's Monkeyville

Members of Keith Urban’s fan club have been desperately attempting to make known to Fan Club management and Keith Urban’s management their dissatisfaction with the present state of the Fan Club. Unlike most businesses who receive consumer complaints, it appears Monkeyville and Keith’s management is turning a deaf ear to the complaints made by Fan Club members regarding dissatisfaction with the fan club.

For your $24.99/per year membership fee the fan club member is to receive the following benefits:

Exclusive Video Footage: Most of this is a 2-3 minute video where Keith reads from just about the same script for every venue thanking people for showing up to the show. These exclusive videos are blatantly designed as advertisements for the next tour dates. Some of the membership thought the KU Tube footage was Keith’s way of reaching out to his fan club members. As soon as this was expressed on the Fan Club boards Keith took a break from taping and updating the KU Tube Footage.

Photo Galleries: These photo galleries are professional photos you can find on the internet if you know how to look for them. These photos eventually end up in magazine publication or for use in publicity. Thus, these photo galleries are not exclusive to the fan club.

News and Tour Dates: This is a joke most of the time I get my news through google alerts before anything is published on the site. What is ironic is that Nicole Kidman’s fan site has more up to date information regarding Keith Urban then his own fan site. As to Tour Dates, I have them from Pollstar usually a week before anything appears on this site.

Ticket Pre-Sales: If the Fan Club Pre-sales go through Ticketmaster then you’re going to pull up nosebleed seats. The only decent tickets I got through a Monkeyville pre-sale, were GA tickets to the Red Rocks concert in 2005 which were sold through Ticketmaster or from a ticket vendor other then Ticketmaster in 2006. There are some fan club members who will tell you that Keith nor his management can do anything about this, the problem has to do with Ticketmaster. I say they are naive.

Brad Paisley’s Fan Club which is also run by Echo had similar problems with Ticketmaster which are listed below:

1. Problems logging on and using the passwords to get tickets - some missed getting tickets because the passwords didn't work etc.

2. Poor seats - if they asked for two tickets - they were in section six at the back of the arena. Some found that they could get closer seats if they got an individual one, but generally nothing like what they'd been able to get through the fan club.

3. In some cases, they couldn't tell what seats they got...just had to take the seats they were assigned and wait for TM to send them to them, and hope they were decent.

The majority of complaining was the quality of the seats compared to what they'd been getting from the FC and being locked out from ordering seats because of the system not taking passwords etc...

In response to these complaints Mr. Paisley’s fan club sent out this e-mail to all fan club members:

Hey Guys! Thank you to everyone who has shared their thoughts and experiences on the VIP ticketing process through Ticketmaster! Based on your feedback, we have decided to resume VIP ticketing through BradPaisley.com while Ticketmaster revamps their ticketing process to better suit our needs. This means on the day of a VIP ticket sale, all you need to do is go to the Tour Page and click on the VIP ticketing icon! From there you will enter your credit card information and the tickets will be held for you on the night of the show at Will Call under the name on your Fan Club Membership. Each member may purchase up to two (2) tickets per show… and you may buy tickets to as many shows as you wish. There may be a few shows that we are unable to do ticketing for, but we’ll do our best to keep those to a minimum! And, as before, ticket prices will be determined by the venue and include a handling fee to cover the costs of credit card processing, etc.Again, we appreciate your feedback and patience… VIP ticketing is a benefit of being a loyal Brad Paisley Fan and we want your ticketing buying experience to be painless and fun!! Please keep an eye on the TOUR page for all the latest updates! Thanks for your support, BradPaisley.com Administrators

Nice to know that they listened to the fans and are taking care of them. So I’d say the lousy ticket selection has everything to do with the Fan Club and Keith’s management and nothing to do with it just being a Ticketmaster thing. Ticketmaster couldn’t shaft the fan club members without Keith’s help.

Meet and Greet Opportunities: Yes, there are meet and greet opportunities, (called the Keith Urban Backstage Experience because you probably won't get to "meet" him) but most Fan Clubs offer more then the number KU does. For example Rascal Flatts fan club offers 35 meet and greets per show. As opposed to the 8 BSE passes awarded via lottery by Monkeyville.

Community Boards: Yes, you have the opportunity to post on the community boards, as long as you agree with everyone, because if you state an original opinion which doesn't follow the line of stating Monkeyville is a wonderful place, then you run the risk of having your post deleted and yourself placed on mime status. Also you have to remember that you cannot post anything that you do not wish a 10 year old or a Catholic Nun to read. Basically all commentary must be “G” rated. The deletion of whole threads happens on a regular basis at Monkeyville, these deletions occur if you complain about lack of up to date information provided by the fan club; problems with the fan club ticket presales; or just stating disappointment that Keith cancelled a concert for which tickets had already been purchased.

Exclusive Contests: Yes, they have contests, most of which have to do with how much you are willing to embarrass yourself in the pursuit of promoting Keith to the general public.

Keith’s disconnection with the Fans has become obvious and it is my opinion that he is feeling the effect of this disconnection in the lack of sell outs on this tour. Just last week Keith had two nights of shows in Green Bay, Wisconsin in a facility which held only 5000 seats. I assume the reason they scheduled two nights at this particular venue was because the venue was so small and because on the prior tour there was a demand for a second show. It has been reported by a fan in attendance both nights that there were still a lot of empty seats in the venue, that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house, that even being in the very back of the venue would have had an awesome view. This same fan reported that one of her friends bought tickets the day of the second night and was in like row 13 on the floor (but outside aisle). Mind you, she didn't get them from the venue, but a ticket center in Green Bay, and only paid $60 each. This is just another indication of Fan dissatisfaction with Mr. Urban. In 2005, those row 13 seats would have fetched in excess of $100 a piece on the secondary market. Now some of the seats in the venues are being sold by the ticket brokers at below cost.

It is my prediction that if Keith does not do something to fix the problems that exist within the fan club and does not make an effort to reconnect with his fans, not only will Monkeyville membership continue to dwindle, but also Keith’s career may.