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'I is marrying me Julie'
By Richard Simpson and Clair Weaver, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 04.03.04
Sacha in his better known guise as Ali G
As Ali G himself would put it, I is marrying me Julie.
The man behind Da West Staines Massive, Sacha Baron Cohen, is to marry his girlfriend, Australian actress Isla Fisher, in a Jewish ceremony in Britain.
The couple - together for the past two years - will tie the knot in a traditional ceremony after Sacha's devout Jewish parents gave them their blessing.
Fisher, who starts filming The Wedding Crashers in Los Angeles next week, told the Standard: "I will definitely have a Jewish wedding just to be with Sacha."
The former Home and Away star added: "I would do anything - move into any religion - to be united in marriage with him. We have a future together, and religion comes
second to love as far as we are concerned."
There had been reports the couple had problems in their relationship over setting a date. Baron Cohen, 33, is said to have proposed months ago, but had problems finding the time.
This was said to be particularly galling for Fisher, 28, who has spent many hours studying Hebrew texts after pledging to convert to Judaism. But when asked when the marriage will happen, she blushed and said: "I cannot say much more - sorry."
Fisher, who was talking at the Hampstead premiere of Suzie Gold, went on: "Sacha is in Los Angeles at the moment - and I am joining him out there. I don't think we'll move to LA - we love Britain too much."
Both Baron Cohen and Fisher have been spending extended periods in LA in recent months because of work. His first series in America - Ali G In Da USA - was a runaway success, being nominated for three Emmy awards and named third best show of the year by the New York Times.
Now he is trying to develop a more rounded career, and has landed a role in Steven Spielberg's Dinner For Schmucks. Fisher - born in Oman to Scottish parents before moving to Australia as a baby - is also building a busy movie career.
Reader views (6)
Today we have freedom of choice. This is her choice based upon her own reasons. Honestly, people these days love to get up on their high horse and judge.
- Melissa,, Australia
This does not happen only to women. A man wanting to marry a muslim woman has to convert, else he does not get the parental approval.
- Kathe, Canada
Tricky concept? It's not such a tricky concept to understand that women are expected, even encouraged, to accommodate men in this regard. Show me the man who would barter such a personal aspect of themselves for the privilege of the woman's attention. Women do this all the time though. It's disgusting.
- Kim, New Brunswick, USA
Perhaps it is simply a matter of "believing" in the principals of her new "chosen" religion, after all, there is more than one religion on earth; I believe it is wrong to assume that "belief" is not a factor in her decision.
- Michael, Dallas, USA
"If religion comes second to love, then why is she converting?"
Because when you love someone, you're willing to do things that are important to them and that make them happy. Even if it's not something you would have done otherwise.
Now that's not such a tricky concept, is it?
- Laura, Chicago, USA
If religion comes second to love, then why is she converting?
- Truth, London
