In the weeks following Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s shock separation last September, the internet was alight with claims the country crooner had moved on with a mystery woman who worked in the music industry – and a slew of beautiful blondes were named in connection with the Fighter singer.
Fast-forward a few months and a new woman has entered the fold – Shayla McGhee. Fresh off headlining the C2C: Country To Country festival in London, Keith, 58, was seen jetting out of London’s Stansted Airport with Shayla. A showbiz insider revealed that it appeared the pair were doing their best not to be seen.
Arriving in separate cars from the same London hotel, the pair boarded the private jet just 10 minutes apart. Their next destination is believed to be Belfast, where Keith played another gig.
“Shayla’s been working in Nashville on the music scene for years after PA-ing for Jared Leto in LA on a string of his movies,” reports our insider.
“In fact, she helped Jared rediscover his passion for music, so she’s like a handler/muse. “She knows everyone, including Keith, so it’s no surprise to see them together. Officially she’s working with him on his C2C gigs, but they’ve been inseparable the whole time. She’s the only one flying with him on his jet, so no one is entirely convinced this is just a professional relationship. “The fact they arrive in separate vehicles only adds to the suspicion – it’s clear she’s someone whom he’s trying to protect,” sources say.
Romance rumours heat up
The timing of Keith being spotted with Shayla has also raised eyebrows. It came just days after his ex-wife Nicole, 58, held hands with her hunky Scarpetta co-star and rumoured new love, Simon Baker, 60, at the show’s New York premiere.
“It’s unusual for Keith to be photographed getting on and off a private jet without his knowledge,” our source says.
Last straw for Keith
“But all that may have changed after those rumours about Nicole and Simon exploded in the news. “That would have been a kick in the teeth for Keith, who considers Simon among one of his friends. “And seeing Nicole swan about in awards season with [their kids] Sunday and Faith would have also stung. It has everyone convinced it was the last straw. “It’s highly likely he saw red and purposely let these pictures of him with Shayla be leaked.”
Nicole shines amid the drama
While Whangārei-born Keith was sneaking onto private jets with his new friend, Nicole was stealing the show. She presented with her Moulin Rouge! co-star Ewan McGregor at the Oscars and also revealed she’ll be co-chairing the upcoming Met Gala with her eldest daughter, Sunday.
Family tensions deepen
It comes as questions continue to be raised about whether Keith has become estranged from his daughters Sunday, 17, and Faith, 15. Tellingly, in her first magazine cover for Elle Australia, Sunday gushed about her mum, calling Nicole “her biggest inspiration”, but she failed to reference her world-famous father at all.
Showbiz mogul Rob Shuter says Keith was left “numb” by the deliberate lack of reference.
“Seeing it in black and white like that really hurt,” he tells.
“He feels erased. “The kids have essentially cut off contact with Keith. This isn’t just about a quote – it’s been building for a while. “He’s putting on a brave face, but privately he feels like he’s lost his daughters.”
Mystery girlfriend sparks speculation
And if Shayla really is his rumoured new love, she couldn’t have arrived in Keith’s world at a better time. He seemingly needs all the support he can get.
“If she is the mystery girlfriend we’ve all been wondering about, Shayna makes perfect sense,” reports our insider.
“She’s incredibly discreet, she’s used to high-profile celebrity scenes and she’s passionate about music, especially live music. “She’s gorgeous, has a killer bod and she understands the whims of a musician in a way Nicole always wished she could.”
