Carole & Russell Bramston

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Ross McRae & Jessie PapainEditor Ross McRae Phone 9482 3124 Reporter Jessie Papain Phone 9482 3146Email ross.mcrae@wanews.com.au Follow twitter.com/todayAAA

90 Follow all the gossip online atthewest.com.au/aaa January 31-February 1, 2015

Sam Frost’s Bachelor ring wasbought by a mother for her

soon-to-be-engaged son.The 3.01-carat cushion-cut diamond

ring sold for $26,000 at auction, afterthe jilted bachelorette enlisted the helpof Sydney-based radio hosts Fitzy andWippa.

The woman who bought thechunky dazzler wanted to remain

anonymous, Fitzy said on NovaFM.

But he could confirm “she’sa mother and she bought thering for her son, who’s about to propose to hisgirlfriend”.

Frost, left, watched the auctionlive on the internet from the Nova

studio and says she feels “very relaxed” afterthe sale.

“I feel definitely like I’ve had, you know,closure and I feel at peace,” she said.

The ring, which was given to her by BlakeGarvey on the Bachelor, had been expected tofetch between $18,000 and $22,000.

Frost has previously said she will pay offcredit card debts and donate the proceeds from

the sale to charity.

Between the start of her final year of high school, her Year 12 ball and the release of her debut EP, it’s going tobe a busy few weeks for Sydnee Carter.

The former X Factor finalist has been charging ahead with hermusic career since finishing in ninth place in the recent series,recording the independent self-titled record just in time for herto go back to school at Sacred Heart, in Sorrento, on Monday.

“I already had all these original songs written and I knew Ineeded to get them out there,” Carter explained to AAAWeekend.

“Thankfully, we got some contacts through the show for amusic producer and engineer. We got it all done in four days andthe end result is incredible.”

When the 17-year-old’s time was cut short on the Seven talentsearch last year, she hadn’t yet had the chance to show off hersongwriting skills to TV audiences.

But that will change when Carter unveils her new self-writtentracks at a pre-release party for the EP at the Fly by NightMusicians Club, in Fremantle, on Thursday.

“I have been putting all these posts up on social media telling(my fans) to come down and see the gig,” the Wannerooteenager said.

“Now it’s finally my music and people are excited to hear whatI’ve been up to since the show.”

Between preparations for the gig and her school ball thefollowing week, Carter said she was still firmly focused onfinishing Year 12 on a high.

However, the singer is already making plans for her future andsaid she was not ruling out moving abroad to further her musicdreams.

“If I have to move away for months or a year for my musicthen I would be happy to live in the United States or in the UK,”Carter said.

“Wherever my music takes me I will go, but Perth will alwaysbe the start and the end.”Jessie Papain

Songbird: Former X Factor finalist Sydnee Carter in Leederville,gearing up for her EP release. Picture: Steve Ferrier

Picture: Don Arnold

Sydnee’s X-citedabout debut EP

Mum’s the wordfor ring buyer

My Kitchen Rules’ freshcrop of WA contestantsadmit they are feeling

the heat ahead of the newseason premiere on Mondaynight.Engaged couple Katherine

Donald-Hill and Andre Pagano,and workmates Eva Lean andDebra Ch’ng, had their first tasteof the spotlight at Seven Perth’sprogram launch last night, whichwas held at edgy CBD bar TheFlour Factory.

The two teams rubbed shoulderswith local media personalities andvisiting names, including actressRebecca Gibney and MKR judgesPete Evans and Colin Fassnidge,giving them a glimpse of thestar-studded world they will bethrust into once the show kicksinto gear.

But with just two days to gountil the first episode screens onSeven, Donald-Hill and Paganoagreed they were having mixedfeelings about seeing themselveson TV.

“It’s very exciting but it’salmost like having a scary dreamand then having to relive it allover again,” Donald-Hill told AAAWeekend.

“Swearing, crying, fighting . . .be prepared because you are goingto see all of it.”

On hand to provide moralsupport were last year’s Perthfinalists Chloe James and KellyRamsay, who are no strangers tocontroversy from their time onthe series and were more thanhappy to dish up some advice forthe newbies.

“Stay off social media,” Ramsaylaughed, while James said: “Sayyes to everything. Take everyopportunity and make the most ofit because it goes by very quickly.”

The two friends are proof justhow far the hit show can takesome of its alumni — they will jetto Brisbane today to host theirfirst Cook Like a Bitch cookinglessons at Hotel Jen.

“It’s our new brand — cook likea bitch, eat like a bitch. It’s goodto have our own thing now,”Ramsay said.

Meanwhile, Gibney flew intoWA fresh from pre-production onSeven’s new mini-series PeterAllen: Not the Boy Next Door, inwhich she stars alongsideKarratha-raised actor JoelJackson.

The veteran performer said shefelt an instant connection withJackson at their first read-through earlier this week.

“You close your eyes and hesounds exactly like Peter Allen,and he’s got all the charisma andstyle, I think you’ll be very proudof him,” Gibney said.Jessie Papain

Andre Pagano, Katherine Donald-Hill, Eva Lean& Debra Ch’ng. Pictures: Matt Jelonek Rebecca

Gibney

Chris Wharton & John Worsfold Steve Rosich & Matthew PavlichRick Ardon & Greg Pearce

ChloeJames &KellyRamsay

Sally Yamamoto & Tyson Smith

MKR newbiestaste big time