15 April 2006
DailyRecord
SCOTS STAR RECORDS THIRD ALBUM WHILE LIVING THE HIGH LIFE IN LA
HIS career was written off as one big joke but Pop Idol Darius is having the last laugh - from his million-pound mansion.
He's moved into the Hollywood Hills home of his screen-star lover Natasha Henstridge.
And he's now recording songs for his third album.
Darius, originally from Bearsden, Glasgow, has been dating Species star Natasha, 31, for two years.
Now he's moved half-way around the world to live with her in Los Angeles in a £1million home.
A source said last night: "Darius has come a long way.
"His critics said he had no talent and would end up a nobody.
"But he's working on his third album and is living in the Hollywood Hills in a million-pound mansion with his gorgeous film star girlfriend.
"It's hard to believe it's the same person who was laughed off Pop Stars as a joke-figure.
"Darius is living the high life now."
The couple's Spanish - style white-washed home has stunning views over the San Fernando Valley.
And their neighbours include actor George Clooney and Desperate Housewives actress Teri Hatcher.
Film stars Hilary Duff and Kim Basinger also live in the exclusive neighbourhood.
The colonial-style mansion, which has a private swimming pool and plush gardens, is in posh suburb of Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks.
Natasha, who is currently starring in hot US drama series Commander In Chief, last night confirmed Darius, 25, had moved in.
The actress said: "Yes, Darius lives here now, although he's out of town at the moment."
Natasha, who also starred in The Whole Ten Yards, bought her luxury LA mansion in December 2003. She also has a flat in the heart of Manhattan.
An insider said: "Darius and Natasha are very much in love and decided to move in together.
"Although Darius was going to get his own apartment, they realised that was daft.
"It means they get to spend quality time together which they are both delighted about, because they are often forced to spend weeks or even months apart, because of work commitments.
"This is a big step for both of them and proves how serious they are about each other. Darius loves living in LA and Natasha's home is stunning."
Last year, Darius told the Record: "I'm very much in love with Natasha. She is gorgeous on the outside and beautiful on the inside."
But he added: "Although I have a foothold in LA and a foothold in London, my home is Glasgow. Home is where the heart is."
Darius shot to fame after he appeared on reality TV show Popstars. He was labelled a joke-figure after his infamous rendition of Britney Spears's Hit Me Baby One More Time.
But the singer shaved off his goatee beard, left, and re-appeared on Pop Idol a year later with a sleek new image.
He eventually finished third behind Will Young and Gareth Gates. Darius, who famously vowed to have a double-platinum selling record before he was 30, shot to the top of the charts with single Colourblind.
He went on to sell over 500,000 copies of debut album Dive, followed by second record Live Twice.
Darius was ditched by his record label last year but he bounced back after securing a role playing Billy Flynn in hit stage musical Chicago in London's West End.
Darius and Natasha first met two years ago while the Pop Idol singer was recording in LA. Natasha then starred in his red hot video for Live Twice, in which the pair romped on a beach in Spain.
After dating for a while they split up - only to get back together last February after Darius jetted to LA for a romantic Valentine's surprise.
Darius has been seen with a series of beauties since he shot to fame.
They include former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, Lynx model Jacqui Ainsley and Emmerdale actress Amy Nuttall.
Natasha has a seven-year-old son Tristan and a four-year-old son Asher from a former relationship with Ghosts Of Mars actor Liam Waite.
She was also briefly married to actor Damian Chapa but the couple divorced in 1996.
