"I've modelled for Vogue and acted in Hollywood - now I'm 'coming out' as deaf"
By Hannah Van De Peer
A model who appeared in Vogue is “coming out” as deaf - after 12 years of pretending not to be.
Georgia Meacham, 30, was born “moderately” deaf and started using hearing aids on both ears at 17 months old.
Despite a happy childhood, she says she spent her entire adult life "ashamed" of her disability.
After receiving a modelling contract aged 18, she didn’t want to tell anyone she was deaf - and managed to keep the facade up for over a decade.
She even starred in major Hollywood blockbusters by lipreading her cues.
Now Georgia wants to restart her career as a role model for deaf people - and says “coming out” as disabled has been one of the best things she’s ever done.
Georgia, from Camden, west London, said: “Hiding my disability has been one of the most draining things I’ve ever done - but I’m so excited to start my new life.
“People probably look at me and think ‘tall blonde model who doesn’t have any struggles’ - but I want to show people that disability doesn’t have a certain look.
“23 per cent of women in the UK are disabled, according to the Women’s Budget Group - we need more representation in the media.
“I look at celebrities like Tasha Ghouri and Rose Ayling-Ellis and I feel like I want to be as confident as them.”
Georgia’s deafness was always accepted when she was a child.
She was so confident she even wore pink, sparkly hearing aids to school every day.
Under uniform regulations, she had to wear her hair up - which she says helped her confidence.
“When I was going through school, I was very confident,” she said.
“I was never bullied for my deafness.
“I didn’t have a chance to hide it, either, because I had to wear my hair up.
“I might’ve wanted to hide them if things had been different - but I didn’t have much choice.”
Georgia started at Queen Mary University of London in September 2011 - which is when she began to feel embarrassed of her hearing aids.
She wore her hair down to fit in with her other classmates and avoided the subject altogether when meeting new people.
“I hated the thought of mentioning my deafness,” she said.
“I didn’t know how to discuss it with new people.
“I felt like I’d disassociated myself with being deaf.”
She was scouted by a modelling agency within her first year and signed her first contract at 18.
Her career took her all over the world and she modelled for brands such as Stella McCartney, Karen Millen and Ted Baker.
Artists like Tinie Tempah, Cheryl and One Direction even snapped her up to be in their videos.
But the entire time, she was lipreading cues from photographers and directors - often having to guess what they were telling her - and keeping her disability a secret.
She said: “Modelling became a fresh chapter in my life - I wanted to re-identify myself.
“I thought hiding my hearing aids would make me a more successful model.
“I’d go to castings with my hair down - because I never saw any models with hearing aids.
“On shoots, I’d quickly take my hearing aids out and chuck them in my bag - I absolutely hated them.
“And I was just in complete denial, really. I had to guess what was being said on set all the time.”
Five years into her modelling career, Georgia began auditioning for acting roles.
She has since featured in films including ‘Bridget Jones’ Baby’ and ‘Wonder Woman: 1984’ - but says she was lipreading instructions from directors the whole time.
The long days, demanding schedules and constantly guessing what people were saying to her, gave Georgia “deafness fatigue” - and she decided she couldn’t keep it up anymore.
She said: “It was incredibly mentally exhausting, lipreading the whole time.
“Deaf people already suffer from something called ‘deafness fatigue’ - because it takes more brain power for us to hear what people are saying.
“I was working myself into the ground, trying to hide this secret of mine.”
Georgia credits deaf celebs like Rose Ayling-Ellis and Tasha Ghouri for her “awakening”.
Watching them on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Love Island’ made her want to begin embracing her deafness again.
She started therapy in June 2023, and has her first British Sign Language (BSL) class booked for this month.
The model hasn’t done any public photoshoots since deciding to “come out” as deaf - but she’s looking forward to embracing her hearing aids from now on.
She said: “I feel really determined now - to use this position to speak about deaf representation in my industries.
“There needs to be that accessibility on set - I would’ve loved an extra person with me to take notes on my cues and directions.
“When you’re casting for a TV show - don’t just have one disabled person as a tick-box exercise.
“There needs to be more of a spotlight shone on hidden disabilities, too.
“I’m so proud to reintroduce myself as a model with hearing aids.
“I feel so excited to start this new chapter as someone who embraces my disability.”
New Aston Martin residential tower looks like Bond villain's lair
By Dean Murray
Hello Mr Bond, I've been expecting you.
An incredible new Aston Martin residential tower looks like a villain's lair from a 007 movie.
The 66-storey tower is the tallest all-residential building south of New York.
Aston Martin Residences Miami is the first ultra-luxury real estate project from Bond's favourite car brand.
Situated on the coveted Miami waterfront, the project has garnered excitement amongst ultra-luxury home buyers, with 99% of the 391 condominiums sold ahead of completion.
The development boasts seven penthouses - all of which enjoy private pools and spacious terraces – complimented by a range of expansive one to five-bedroom residences and duplexes.
The jewel in the crown is the $59m “Unique Triplex Penthouse” – a magnificent three-floor condominium, spanning a total 27,191 square feet of living space, situated at the pinnacle of the property.
There is a private butler service on-call 24/7 to "take the stress out of home management" by offering luxury travel support and a host of other services to homeowners. Residents are also able to enjoy direct access to an exclusive superyacht marina.
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin said: “Melding a captivating design aesthetic with one of the city’s most idyllic locations, on one of the last parcels of the Miami waterfront, the ultra-luxury Aston Martin Residence adds further distinction to the already expressive Miami skyline. We think this project firmly sets the mark for luxury residential design around the world."
Savvy friends fly to Italy for just eight hours for a pizza
By Amy Reast
Savvy best friends flew to Pisa for a pizza and got back in time for work the next day - for less than the cost of a trip to London.
Morgan Bold, 27, spotted budget flights to and from Pisa, Italy, and decided to try an 'extreme day trip' so they would only need to use a single day of annual leave.
She and best friend Jess Wooder, 26, booked day return flights and jetted off at 6am from Manchester airport on April 24.
They had a full day of shopping, sightseeing and enjoying Italian cuisine and say it was less than the cost of a trip to the capital.
Morgan, from Maghull, Liverpool, said the whole day set her back just £170 - including flights, airport parking, food and activities.
The social media manager said: "We went to another country and it was probably cheaper than us going from Liverpool to London.
"Trains to London Euston there and back are around £100 and that's without the expensive food and drinks.
"It's so easy to do as well - you don't need to check a bag, you just go straight through security and you're on the plane.
"I only took one day off work - I was back the next day!"
The women drove from Liverpool and parked at Manchester airport, where they flew from.
Morgan and Jess, a customer service manager from Melling, Liverpool, arrived in Pisa at 9am and used Google Maps to find their way to Pisa's centre.
They sat in the sunshine by the Leaning Tower of Pisa to take some fun touristy photos before doing a free tour of the cathedral nearby.
They enjoyed a pizza and Aperol Spritz in the afternoon before wandering around the local markets and shops.
They flew home at 6pm and were in bed by 11pm - ready to be back at work the next day.
Morgan said: "The food was the best bit, being able to have a pizza while looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
"The food prices were so reasonable even right by the tower.
"It was a surreal experience knowing you were going back the same night.
"We loved it so much we're going to do a day trip to Christmas markets in December - we're thinking Krakow or Prague.
"I just love exploring."
Flights: £101 each
Airport parking: £28.50 each
Food and drink: £41 each
"I own an ice cream van for pooches"
By Poppy Huggett and Isobel Williams
A mum who quit her air hostess job to work with dogs has launched her latest venture - an ice cream van exclusively for pooches.
Emmie Stevens, 36, opened Poochies Pupsicles on March 31 - and says business is booming.
Based in south London, she is making the van available for hire - and is planning to hit the road this summer.
Emmie, a mum-of-one, left her cabin crew role 15 years ago to work as a groomer after realising dogs were her "niche in life".
She first hit upon the idea of the ice cream van four years ago after visiting a tradeshow, and has now made it a reality.
The menu includes stacks of options including a Doggy Mr Whippy which comes with a gravy bone and doggy sprinkles, and Pupsicle bites which is six different flavoured ice bites.
Emmie, from New Addington, near Croydon said: “This is a very unique business, there isn't anything out there currently like me.”
The inspiration for a dog-friendly business began when Emmie adopted her pet Doodles from a puppy farm.
The mum-of-one explained that she went through a “troubled childhood”, such as being bullied at school and found it hard to socialise with humans.
Emmie said: “I gave Doodles a chance – he was in a complete state when I got him. But when I took him on, he changed my life.”
After rescuing Doodles, she and the pooch headed to dog events across London, and before she knew it, she ended her career as an airhostess and took a new role on as a dog groomer which she has now been doing for 15 years.
She added: “I realised this was my niche in life – I wasn’t a people person.
“I then realised dogs are for me – they’re very loyal, loving, and deserve to be spoiled.
“I offered one-to-one service for the dogs at my clients houses and was so busy, but I then got a mobile dog grooming van.”
Emmie’s business was so successful she opened a cage free dog grooming shop, and eight years later, she now has a three-year-old boy, eight dogs, and a brand-new ice cream van for dogs.
She said: “I saw normal ice cream vans stocking dog ice creams – it wasn’t just me being over the top with my dogs - dogs are like people’s family now.
“I am very over-the-top with my dogs; I dress them up, they have their own bedroom, shoes, buggies, and dresses – some dresses have cost me £60 per piece.
“So, I wasn’t sure if I was just wanting to spoil my dogs, but even a normal person will want to spend a little money to give their doggy an ice cream”.
After researching ingredients, figuring out what would appeal to humans, and what would taste great for dogs, Emmie decided it was time to buy an ice cream van, and make her dream a reality.
Emmie says she plans on taking Poochies Pupsicles to the surrounding areas, such as West Wickham and Bromley, and will cover special days further afield, such as in Dartford and Lakeside.
The van will also be up for hire in case of any grand openings or pup parties where ice cream might be needed.
Emmie added: “In the summer I’ll be going around the roads, selling to my current clients and new ones.
“We will be pulling up by the side of doggy parks, and then deep into the summer we'll be doing dog events like Paws in the Park and the Detling Show Ground.
“This is a very unique business, there isn't anything out there currently like me.”
Driver spots 'lucky' white moose in Canada
By Samuel Wightwick
A 'lucky' driver spotted a rare white moose in Canada.
Video filmed in Alberta shows the animal walking down a grass bank and crossing the road.
A brown moose follows shortly after - and both then walk into the woods together.
The driver said on X, formerly Twitter, that spotting the moose was a "spiritual moment".
There have been several sightings of white moose in Canada, mainly in the state of Ontario.
In some Canadian indigenous cultures, the white moose is considered to be sacred and a sign of luck.
First ever UK museum exhibition of Mr Doodle is coming to Bath
By Lauren Beavis
A museum has announced the fist UK exhibition of internationally renowned artist and internet sensation Mr Doodle.
The selection of Mr Doodle’s personal sketchbooks, going back to his teenage years, will provide the starting point for a show that will fill the gallery and spread across the walls, floor and ceiling of the Holburne Museum, in Bath.
Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, said: “My intention has always been to create a universal doodle language that can relate to and attract people from all over the world.”
Primarily characterised by black ink on a white background, Mr Doodle’s graphic style conjures up a world of quirky creatures and anthropomorphic forms - using ink pens and spray paint to intricately weave together what he describes as “graffiti spaghetti”.
Mr Doodle began to garner recognition in the art world in 2015 and has since seen a meteoric rise in interest in his work.
He stands at the forefront of a new art wave, taking the online art community by storm with a mass social media following - his works provoke discourse on what we consider fine art today.
Sam's work builds on the narrative of 'DoodleLand' - telling the story of Mr Doodle’s life and his doodle family, including his evil twin Mas (aka Dr Scribble) and the Anti-Doodle Squad who intervene in his attempts to achieve his ultimate mission to doodle over the entire planet.
Part of this mission includes doodle interventions that will appear throughout the museum’s permanent collection, temporarily replacing a number of paintings and decorative objects with doodled canvases and 3-D sculptures inspired by their surroundings.
These new works will open a dialogue between the museum’s historic collection and Mr Doodle’s distinctive drawing style, enabling visitors to see these artworks in an entirely new context.
Doodles will also pop up throughout the rest of the building, in unexpected places including in the lift and along the café windows.
The exhibition also spills into the wider city - as Mr Doodle has created new site-specific work to occupy some of the main thoroughfares, including Milsom Street and Union Street, phone boxs, bench seating and banners overhead.
Dr Chris Stephens, Director, Holburne Museum said: “At the Holburne we are working hard to present a wide and diverse range of artistic practice and I am delighted to be the first museum in the country to present the extraordinary world of Mr Doodle.”
For more information visit: https://www.holburne.org/
Woman runs friend's Hinge and sets her up on blind dates to help her find love
By Ben Barry
A woman turned matchmaker to help her best friend find love - and sets her up on blind dates and has full control of her Hinge profile.
Sixtine Rouyre, 26, set up a new profile for her pal Hannah Kerr, 25, and chose all the pictures, prompts and date locations.
Hannah had been unlucky in love and asked for her friends advice after Sixtine, a model, got into a relationship in spring last year.
Hannah doesn't have the password for the account and trusts Sixtine to pick out men and set up dates.
So far, Hannah has been on one date and has a few more lined up.
Hannah, a model, from New York City, US, said: "She made a new profile from scratch. I don't have the password and no say in the photos.
"My first date was in March 2024. I don't think I was nervous at all, I was more excited if anything.
"We went to a bar in New York. I get given an address and told where to go.
"We both texted her as we were arriving. He knows what I look so when I walked into the bar he stood up."
When Hannah and Sixtine were both single in 2023, they would often go on dates to the same location to make dating "fun".
But after Sixtine got into a relationship in October 2023, after meeting her boyfriend on Hinge - Hannah stopped dating.
Hannah said her dating life beforehand was "interesting" and after one too many "love bombers" she was unmotivated to date.
She believes she's having more success with her profile this time around because she is meeting people who are "genuinely fun" as they are signing up for a blind date.
Sixtine a model, from New York City, US, said: "She wanted to get back into dating but didn't think dating was fun anymore.
"We joked that I was doing something right as I got a boyfriend.
"Hannah said how I should run her Hinge account and set her up on blind dates."
Sixtine set up the profile in March 2024 and keeps Hannah in the dark about her potential suitors.
She said: "Hannah didn't want to see what any of the dates looked like or any information about the date.
"The profile I set up says what we are doing. It says I am not Hannah and that I am setting her up on a blind date.
"We're trying to get her on one date a week to keep up the momentum."
Hannah went on her first date in March 2024 to a bar in New York for cocktails.
She said: "I have been on one date so far with a guy and we went for a few drinks.
"I have a few more dates coming up, we have both been so busy.
"The whole experience has been very positive, she is my best friend.
"We will go to each other for advice in all aspects of out life.
"This is not out of the ordinary for the two of us."
Hannah said she doesn't have a type and completely trusts Sixtine to pick the right man for her.
Sixtine said: "I veer towards men who are into prompts.
"Other than that it is really just vibes.
"I have got a lot of responses from men saying that this is the best thing.
"A lot of men have messaged me saying 'here is my resume'."
Man records himself sleepwalking - and captures himself arguing and talking
By Ben Barry
A prolific sleepwalker recorded his antics and captured himself arguing and talking - while fast asleep.
James Grayson, 27, noticed he would sleepwalk and talk while he was on trips away in 2014 - as he would wake up people he was sharing a room with.
His friend, sent him funny clips of someone sleepwalking and James decided to record himself out of "curiosity".
James looked back at his footage and noticed he would be up out of bed and talking or walking between three to four times a night.
Whilst he has been asleep, James has got up out of bed thinking that someone is there and doing anything from whispering to shouting.
James says he finds the videos funny and his partner, Daisy Dayton, 26, is a "heavy sleeper" and doesn't bat an eyelid when it happens.
James, a musician, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, said: "It isn't affecting my life, it doesn't feel like it is impacting me greatly - I don't feel the need for a solution.
"People ask if I remember any of it which is usually no.
"Sometimes I wake up feeling confused or embarrassed knowing I have done something but I can't put my finger on what."
In 2014, James started travelling for work and noticed he was waking people up.
Originally James put his sleepwalking down to being in an unfamiliar place but it continued when he returned home.
He said: "I think I have always done it to some extent, but I haven't had people around to witness it.
"I started travelling for work a little bit and would share hotels with people.
"That is when I noticed I would start to wake people up.
"At first, I thought I did it in an unfamiliar setting, in a hotel, but when I started recording I noticed I was doing it more often."
James started recording himself sleeping a year ago in May 2023.
He said: "I wanted to figure out a way to record out of curiosity.
"It was shocking to see how much I was doing it.
"I probably average around three to four times a night, sometimes it'll me nonsensical muttering - anywhere to full-blown shouting.
"I put a handful of them on Instagram and TikTok, I thought they were really funny.
"But, when I saw friends in the pub they were all talking about my sleepwalking."
James says it is a "weird feeling" plugging a memory card in to see if he has done something "impressive".
He said: "It is a weird period of disappointment when there isn't something but I'm happy I got a full night's sleep.
"It is my usual routine now, I almost don't think about it too much - I sleep pretty well."
James said he feels sorry for his partner, Daisy, for having to deal with his sleepwalking but says she doesn't seem fazed by it.
He said: "I feel really bad for Daisy or anyone who is subjected to it.
"I don't know if she is being nice about it as it would infuriate me.
"She has become accustomed to it to an extent and found a way to deal with it.
"You have to entertain what I am doing to an extent."
Daisy added: "We've been together for nearly seven years, and when something out of the ordinary happens nearly every night for a length of time is becomes ordinary.
"At first I was definitely concerned, as anyone would be when you see someone you love seem so distressed.
"But over time I've learnt how to steer the situation calmly and quickly deescalate so we can both get back to sleep."
James says he has tried all sorts to see if that will limit the amount of time he is sleepwalking.
He has changed his diet, sleeping pattern and had blue light exposure but claims nothing has worked.
James said: "I usually get at least eight hours of sleep, my sleeping pattern is pretty normal.
"I have changed my diet, the time I go to bed, times I am on my phone but none of it seems to have an impact on the frequency I sleep talk.
"I am not looking for a cure but if someone said this is a pathway to sort it out I would be interested in going down that route."
Woman sets up 'Hot Mess Express' - a group offering support for struggling mums
By Amy Reast
Meet the women who have formed the 'Hot Mess Express' - a community offering a helping hand to mums struggling to stay on top of things.
Brittinie Tran, 37, responded to an online callout for women in Piedmont Triad, North Carolina, US, to help a local mum in crisis.
She was one of a group who all showed up to help with deep cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, organising rooms, and tidying wardrobes and drawers.
The group were so moved by their experience they decided to form a community of like-minded women to help others during their time of need.
Dubbed 'Hot Mess Express' (HME), the group became a non-profit - with people free to volunteer whatever time they have.
The group respond to callouts from women - often with young children - who need hand with cleaning, tidying, organising and laundry.
Mum-of-three Brittinie, who is now president of HME, said the group is based on the proverb "it takes a village to raise a child" - and a desire to help each other out.
Brittinie, a stay-at-home mum, from Clemmons, North Carolina, said: "I saw the post asking if anyone could help out the mum with her cleaning.
"As a mum-of-three I had been there and I didn't have a village when my children were young, so I could relate to it.
"Around eight of us showed up and it was a great group - at least half are still actively involved today.
"Its so important because, as a woman and a mother, it can be very isolating.
"There's a lot of vulnerability in showing people your mess - that's why in Hot Mess we support and uplift each other with no judgement or shame."
Brittinie spotted a post shared on a Facebook group by Jen Hamilton, 33, who became the group's founder.
She was asking for local people to volunteer time to help out a struggling single mum with her housework.
After their first successful 'rescue mission' in August 2021, they took on more and more 'missions', with the group of volunteers expanding as word got around.
Now, Hot Mess Express in Triad completes a 'mission' around once a fortnight.
They have a waiting list of more than 60 people seeking help with their homes and the team of volunteers is ever-expanding.
But all across the continent, people heard of the concept and have been inspired.
Now, since the first, 276 other geographical 'chapters' of HME have sprung up all over the USA.
Brittinie, who also runs a podcast, said: "We have created that 'village' to support and uplift each other."
Woman with paralysed stomach hasn't eaten anything for eight years
By Emma Dunn
A young woman with a paralysed stomach hasn't been able to eat or drink anything for eight years - and is fed through her heart to survive.
Liv Rose, 25, has struggled with stomach pain since the age of three but says doctors dismissed it as 'tummy ache'.
She struggled to eat anything other than bland foods - such as plain pasta or chicken.
Liv began vomiting undigested food but says her symptoms were dismissed for an eating disorder at first.
She was finally diagnosed with gastroparesis - when food passes through the stomach slower than it should - and pan-gut dysmotility - where the gut does not work as it should.
Now Liv has a Hickman line which goes directly into her heart so she can receive nutrition.
Liv, who is unable to work, from Chester, Cheshire, said: "I've had gastro pain since I was three and pain with eating.
"I had to fight to get diagnosed.
"My parents were made to feel they were overbearing.
"You don't realise how much life revolves around food until it's taken away from you."
Liv struggled with pain when eating from the age of three.
She said: "I went to the doctors frequently but I was dismissed.
"They said 'kids get tummy ache'.
"As I grew the pain got worse."
Liv's health deteriorated further when she was 17.
She said: "I was living off bland foods.
"Rich foods are more painful.
"I ate plain foods like pasta without sauce and pain chicken."
Liv's symptoms worsened when she suddenly started vomiting 2017 at the age of 17.
She said: "It happened out of the blue."
Liv went from vomiting once a week to once a day to throwing up every time she tried to eat.
She said: "Anything I ate always came back up.
"It came back up undigested.
"We went to the GP and they automatically said 'you're doing it to yourself'.
"I was desperate to eat.
"I had to go to an eating disorder unit. I spent all day at a unit being assessed before they realised I was showing no signs of an eating disorder."
Liv was then monitored and underwent a gastric emptying study before she was diagnosed with gastroparesis in March 2017.
She was fitted with a nasal feeding tube and given different treatments to try and ease her symptoms.
Liv had Botox injected into her stomach to try and hold the sphincter in place - to help the food pass through.
But doctors realised Liv also had an issue with her stomach and following tests on her gut she was diagnosed with pan-gut dysmotility at the end of 2017 - aged 18.
As Liv was still malnourished and wasn't maintaining weight, she was put on a Hickman line so she could be fed directly through her heart in January 2018.
Liv has to clean the line carefully and regularly - as there is a high rick of blood infections such as sepsis.
The line also puts pressure on her kidney and liver.
She said: "It's a very scary way to be fed.
"My weight is stable. My nutrition is stable.
"I have a lot more energy. My quality of life has improved."
Liv has her bloods taken every two weeks and had to adjust to not being able to eat and enjoy the taste of food anymore.
She said: "When I could eat I still got to enjoy the taste of food.
"It's difficult to go to not being able to eat.
"Food is such a big part of life. It's an experience.
"I won't stay in the room when my family are eating.
"I miss ice cream. I miss pizza - just fun foods."
Liv was also diagnosed with nutcracker syndrome - a rare vein compression disorder - in 2021 which doctors believe may be contributing to some of her gastro pain.
Liv underwent surgery in the same year as one of her veins was being compressed and she had it taken out and replaced with a prosthetic vein.
Liv also has visceral neuropathy - which doctors are now investigating to see if it is causing her gut issues.
She said: "I'm able to get up and walk the dogs.
"I'm able to spend time with my family.
"My family has been incredible."
