Livia: Have you ever been surprised by the appearance of a celebrity and why?

Nelson: All the time. No one ever looks or acts the way you imagine them from onscreen. Steve Carrel is a much more subtle and classically handsome guy than the characters he plays. And Angelina Jolie just took my breath away. She is even MORE stunning in person, if that's possible! Interestingly, she looks older than she is (32), but her inner and outer radiance will keep her as one of the world's most beautiful people no matter how old she gets. The late, great Jessica Tandy was a good example of a woman who got more and more beautiful with age. As a young woman, she was quite plain but as an old lady she was so lovely! It's as if her years of experience made her prettier with time. Kate Hepburn was the same way.


Livia: Who would you say looks better in person then on the screen and why?

Nelson: People don't mean to be rude when they meet me and remark, "Oh, you're so much shorter in person." And I've gotten used to it. I understand that most of the time, viewers only see me from the waist, up. It's the same with everyone in TV and film. You don't get an accurate sense of their height or weight on camera (Tom Cruise and Paul Newman are shorties; Catherine Zeta Jones looks voluptuous on film, but there's not an ounce of fat on her!) and certainly in person you see all the lines, freckles, thinning hair, and other "flaws" that you wouldn't notice otherwise. And don't get me started on who has bad breath!

The stars who look BETTER in person are the ones who surprise you with PERSONALITY. Antonio Banderas always seems to be in a great, playful, happy mood. So that makes him sexier. The divine Meryl Streep is so down to earth and good humoured, that she glows. Dame Julie Andrews is self effacing and interested in talking about YOU (as opposed to HERSELF) and it makes her beauteous. Cameron Diaz constantly surprises me with how naturally clever she is, and I find it makes her better looking than the "dizzy blonde" character she usually plays.

Livia: What are the latest Hollywood Beauty Fads?

Nelson: It sems like everything's about "firming." Firming cremes for the abdominal area, face, legs, etc. It turns me off because I'm not into temporary solutions. If you want firmer abs, go do your situps! And everyone's into the fake tans, more than ever. I don't think there's anything wrong with being pale. Look at how lovely Nicole Kidman and Anne Hathaway are and they're so fair!

Livia: In the glossy magazines we often see cosmetic surgery procedures gone wrong on celebrities. Who have you seen with less than desirable results?

Nelson: Don't get me into trouble! I will say that Mickey Rourke, Melanie Griffith and Faye Dunaway certainly seem to have decided not to age gracefully and consequently have managed to botch their good looks.

Livia: Have any of the celebrities shared their makeup Secrets with you?

Nelson: Still lovely Tippi Hedren should have counselled her daughter Melanie. She always tells me "Sleep!" and to be sure to always wash your face before bed. Those are basic tips you can't beat.

Livia: We all know that smoking and drinking is detrimental for your skin. How do the party girls of Hollywood (eg: Lindsay, Paris ect.) look after a big night out and do you know of any tricks they use to spruce up for the cameras?

Nelson: Those poor girls will be hags in 20 years at the rate they're going. Right now they've got youth on their side so they can bounce back quickly, but that won't last long. A lot of them are hooked on B-12 vitamin injections for quick fixes and even a lot of mainstream medical offices offer them now.

Livia: Which celebrity has caught your eye recently and why?

Nelson: I think Jessica Biehl does a great job of looking consistently good and natural. Of course, as a guy I'm impressed when I see men who are effortlessly well groomed, healthy and looking good. the young actor Joseph Cross impresses me and I've always been an admirer of English actor Terence Stamp. He's in his late 60s and more handsome than ever.

Livia: You are yourself a celebrity, being on our TV screens twice every morning on Channel 7, Sunrise. You are also a serious Menscaper. What is your latest Grooming purchase/ love and why?

Nelson: I use an Oxygen-enhanced moisturizer from my esthetician pal Maria DeSio and a tinted Chanel moisturizer when I'm on-camera. An Australian skin care company, Eyre BioBotanics, sent me samples of their men's products and I loved ALL of them. Shaving cream, cleanser and scrub. Jo Malone has a fantastic new lip balm, but unfortunately it's a little too shiny for guys...we don't want to look like we're wearing lip gloss! I'm still trying to figure out what the heck "Toner" is supposed to do for us!

Livia: How do your 7 SUNRISE mates feel about skin care. Are they as into it as you are?

Nelson: Ha ha In the 4 years I've been chatting with him, Kochie has definitely developed his education in that area. But somehow I doubt he goes home and exfoliates in the shower! Mel and Nat not only have excellent skin and skin care habits, but God given bone structure. A real plus for them being on camera under the hot lights every day is Lizzie the show makeup artist. Whenever she & I get together, I meet her in Beverly Hills and we go on a "beauty bender" through the department stores. She not only has the artist skills to paint a face, but the technical knowledge about the skin she's working with...