Out and About ~Varekai Premier

Here's another addition to the "Taboo Section" folks!

~Named such because speculation about Richard Armitage's private life is often
frowned upon by forums and some admirers.  I don't think it's a big deal if done tastefully...
meaning without rude/negative comments- keep that in mind, please!

This is fair game because it's a public event!

On January 5th, Richard was spotted attending the gala premiere of
Varekai, Cirque Du Soleils latest extravaganza with Annabel Capper.

In the past, I've speculated that Annabel was Richard's girlfriend.

That was just a guess, one that was thrown off by this article which stated

his long time live-in girlfiend (leaving her nameless) had moved out.

That interview had been conducted before Richard was seen

with Annabel at the "Carrie's War" premier last June 24th.

I have to wonder,

Was the live-in girlfriend Annabel  and they'd remained friends,
or was the live-in girlfriend someone else entirely?

Who knows!?
What we DO know is that Richard and Annabel have been long-time friends.
Whether it has always been just a friendship or something more, I for one am glad to see
that Richard is enjoying a night on the town and has someone to share it with.
He deserves a break from work after a busy year in 2009!

We also know that Annabel likes big purses (you never know what you'll need, right?)

and now we can add big scarves to the list!  Meanwhile, Richard looks a bit chilly in his
Lucas North shirt and thin-looking overcoat.  The Porter tan is gone and
he's back to his normal skin color.  Handsome either way!

More pics of RA at the event individually HERE.

YouTube video of RA and AC at the event HERE.

Something else that came to mind...
Seeing Richard once again out in public with Annabel makes me think that he doesn't guard
his personal life as fiercely as some would suggest... at least his friendship with AC.
Is the anti-personal life thing a fan myth?  Oh, I'm sure he enjoys his privacy,
but to the extent I've been told?  Again... who knows!?

Thanks to Time4Tea and Cesta for bringing these items to my attention!

*Reminder: thoughts and  differing opinions are welcome,
but please be respectful. Thanks!*


*           *           *           *           *

Update- 1/12/09

This post generated 209 comments in 6 days!  Thank you for your interest. 
All the buzz has been cool... but I honestly don't blog for popularity purposes.  I blog because it's FUN.  All RA sites have their strengths and I think this blog's is humor. The problem is, despite my request for comments to stay respectful, they didn't. I don't mind people voicing different opinions or speculating about Richard's personal life... but when things turn ugly towards other commenters (no matter the side) or Richard in general, I have to take a stand.  Therefore, after much consideration, I've decided to hide this post's existing comments (they have not been deleted- I still have access to them) and block further comments on this post.  I've hesitated to do this because I don't want to be a bossy, keyboard-slapping, discussion-controling type of person. I'm proud that so far, this has been an uncensored place to talk about RA... but I feel that some have taken advantage of my open discussion policy, using it for their own means. This will not stop me from posting these sort of pictures in the future or speculating about Richard's personal life in a tasteful way, but unfortunately I will have to be more strict with comments. Differing opinions will be allowed... but bullying other commenters, swearing, catfighting or lashing out at RA will not be accepted, so just plan on those being deleted.  It spoils the fun for the rest of us. 

Just so you know, nobody persuaded me
to hide this post's comments.  (If they had tried, I probably would have been stubborn and left them up.)  It was purely my decision.
I hope that this blog can continue to be an entertaining hobby

for me and a fun place for you to visit!
Thanks for your support. :)

A Must-Read Article

If you have not read the October 10th Daily Mail article about Richard Armitage, click HERE.

There are some great photos, talks of Spooks and some sad news for RA:

Whoever his live-in girlfriend was (whether Annabel or someone else) she no longer lives with Richard.

"He admits ruefully that the live-in girlfriend he mentioned in previous interviews has recently moved out. A casualty, he implies, of such a fast-paced professional life."

Aw... poor Richard.  If his heart is broken, I hope it heals quickly.  That goes for his former roommate too.

The article isn't all about Richard's love life.  Here's another great quote from reporter Allison Pearson:

"You know, I wonder if being a late starter isn't the key to Armitage's vast appeal. By the time we first clapped eyes on him as John Thornton, he was already a proper grown man, in sharp contrast to all those snub-nosed pretty boys who pass for movie stars these days. Richard Armitage reminds you of those calm, classic leading men of the 1940s and 1950s - the men with the depths below the still waters."

Amen, sister.

5th Poll Results~ The Big Question Answered.

Poll Question: RA's personal life: okay for fans to discuss & share?
145 people voted and here are the results...
Yes, if done tastefully- 104 (71%)  No, off limits- 33 (22%)   Undecided- 8 (5%)

In honor of the latest poll results, here are a few more pictures of Richard Armitage with Annabel Capper, who may or may not be his girlfriend. (RA hasn't revealed who his live-in girlfriend is, but AC would be my guess.) I know I said I'd post links instead of photos, but oh well.  My blog.

First Pic: Children's BAFTA Awards- Nov. 2006- Hilton Hotel, London ("The Holy Grail" picture. haha.)
Second Pic: "Carrie's War" Premier- June 24, 2009- Apollo Theatre, London (Different pose from original photo.)
Apparently, the "Carrie's War" pictures were for sale on ebay and the thumbnail showed a cropped version of RA and a mystery woman. *Que suspenseful music.*

And just for your viewing pleasure, here is one of Richard posing solo at the "Carrie's War" Premier looking handsome as ever.

I was more curious to find out the results of this poll question than any other after THE PICTURE was posted a few weeks ago and sparked some debate. At the time, I didn't know RA's personal life was considered off-limits to some. Call me naive. I didn't belong to any forums. I thought, "Oh, cute picture..." *upload* and that was that. After receiving mixed reviews (the majority in favor of seeing these types of things, some very opposed) I wanted to know how you blog readers truthfully felt about the subject. Some may argue that Richard has asked for privacy. That is understandable, however, I don't think that applies to things he has openly discussed in interviews or posting pictures that have been taken at public events. (That is what was meant by "if done tastefully.") There are definite limits.
The Richard Armitage Fan Blog hasn't employed paparazzi or spies lurking around, waiting for a chance to capture an intimate moment. So those who have been fans far longer than others and think they are "Keepers of the Sacred Flame" (as one reader commented in an email) can relax. :)  To wrap things up, you can see from the poll results listed above, there are far more readers who share my point of view on the subject than don't.  FYI, I won't be posting much on RA's personal life, but if I come across anything interesting, you can be sure I'll share!  If you disapprove, there are plenty of RA forums with strict guidelines... I'm sure you'll feel at home there.  (Which brings me to my next poll question- be sure to vote!  I'm not rooting for a particular result in this case, just curious.)

Thanks to everyone who participated in this poll! 
Thanks to those who sent pictures/info~ you know who you are. :)

Questions and Decisions...

Even though the 4th poll hasn't yet come to a close, I couldn't resist starting a new poll question after this week's hot debate. I know a lot of blog readers don't comment and have been curious to know the overall opinion. So vote now and make your voice heard!

I have another picture of "the maybe couple" I could share. (Dun dun dunnnnn!!! *Suspenseful music.*) I think I have come up with a compromise that should satisfy most readers: instead of posting a private life picture smack dab in the middle of the blog, running the risk of "killing the magic" for some, I could post a link to the picture. Then you'd have a choice whether to view it or not. Curious people, such as I, could see those oh-no-how-dare-you photos (which are not even scandalous... taken out in public with the couple posing for the camera) or those who do not wish to see them can choose not to peek.

What do you think???
(All opinions welcome, but politeness is appreciated, "anonymous" folks.)

Hold your horses!!!

Dear Fellow RA Fans,

I realize that my last few posts have sparked a bit of controversy so I thought I'd respond.
This blog has become a fun hobby for me. I wanted to create something exciting and humorous, involving all things to do with Richard Armitage. If I think something is interesting, I post it... figuring others out there will enjoy it as well.

Apparently some think I have crossed the line by speculating about RA's personal life. Sorry if I have offended any, or gone "trashy" like one commenter accused... but I found these tid-bits interesting, so I thought I'd share. It was not done in a malicious way.

Here's the deal: I will continue to post whatever I think is fun, fascinating or note worthy. I appreciate your comments and suggestions and hope those who do not agree with me will express so in a kind way (like Maria.) That being said, I ultimately will decide what I do or don't post of course. If you don't like this blog, don't tune in. Simple as that. There are many other fabulous sites dedicated to the awesome RA. (There are links on the lower right bar.) With over 12,000 views in the last month and a half (see the site counter at the bottom of the screen) I know that not everyone will be satisfied with everything I post and that's okay.

If you DO like this blog (or have in the past before I struck a chord) please continue to tune in! There are many topics covered, as you can see on the bar to the right. I'm always looking for new fan art, videos, etc. so if you have anything to add or see something cool online, let me know. :)

Thanks
~Natalie
RA Fan Blog Blogger

An acutal photo of the couple.

Here is a picture of Mr. Armitage and his (maybe) girlfriend, Annabel Capper,

taken at the premiere of a play this year. I think they make a nice pair.A link to this picture was provided by an anonymous commenter... thank you!
(Maybe that secret person was Annabel herself wanting to show herself and her studly man together? Haha, kidding!) RA is lookin' mighty handsome, I must say, with that unbuttoned white shirt and Lucas North haircut. Ooo-eee! What is in Annie's (if RA can call her that, so can we) giant bag? A baseball bat to ward off the crazy fans coming after her beau?

Richard's Drawing for Charity

In response to Kristi and Maria's comments for the last post,

(read the previous post and comments if you don't know what I'm referring to)

this is the picture Richard doodled on a napkin for charity:

Ah-ha! You can see that he wrote "Annie Capper with me."
(Nice handwriting, by the way... no really, it's good for a guy in my opinion!)
You can see the link for the charity along with the drawing HERE.Once again, time to dissect this to bits.
Is the thing in the top left supposed to be a piano? Is this a retarded pirate's map with the skull and cross bones? Is that Season 3 Gisborne-haired-looking stick-figure labeled "French Spy" supposed to be Annie, aka: Annabel Capper?

It was very sweet of him to do this for charity.
That being said, stick to acting Richard... you're much, much better at it! :)

You know, if I ever got ahold of a napkin RA drew on, wiped his face with (or blew his nose in for that matter) I'd frame it and put it in the living room in place of my family picture. (Sorry kids, you have to move out of the way for RA. Priorities, you know...) Either that or sell it on ebay for thousands from one of the crazy Army ladies! haha. (It was a joke, AA members. Clearly I suffer from my own Team Leather issues. Don't unleash the hoards on me.)

Richard's Woman?

Some of the last few posts have focused attention on RA's leading ladies...

but the REAL woman in Richard's life is most likely this one:

Annabel Capper

I'd never thought much about RA having a significant other since he's very private about his personal life. Then I recently read this article that mentions in the second-to-last paragraph that he lives with his girlfriend in London who works in the theatre. Every time I've searched "Richard Armitage's girlfriend" online, this woman's name has come up and she fits the description of a London-based stage actress.

Sure, we all have crushes on RA due to the "Thornton Effect" and like to think of him as "ours."
However, I think it's great that Richard has someone to share his life with. (Especially since most of us have boyfriends, husbands or partners of our own, right? No need to be selfish.)

You can find out more about Annabel here.

Now let's scrutinize this, shall we?

Is it just me, or does Annabel have some similar features to RA?
She has a strong jaw line, her eyebrows have the same arch (although thinner & nicely sculptured) and her eyes are kind of shaped like Richard's as well (although they're green, not blue.) She is definitely beautiful.
On a random note, her face shape reminds me of Lucy Griffiths (aka: Marian.)

Okay, I'm done over-analyzing now.