Millionaire twin has eating disorder

ASHLEY Olsen has cancelled a trip to Australia to stay with her twin sister, Mary-Kate, who is being treated for “a health-related issue”.

“Ashley Olsen has decided to be with her family at this time,” Robert Thorne, chief executive of the Olsen twins’ Dualstar Entertainment Group, said yesterday.

US Weekly and People magazines reported this week that Mary-Kate has an eating disorder and had entered an unidentified treatment centre.

Her publicist, Michael Pagnotta, wouldn’t comment on the exact nature of the eating disorder or the location of the treatment centre, but said Mary-Kate entered a treatment facility “to seek professional help for a health-related issue”.

US Weekly said Mary-Kate is anorexic.

Mary-Kate and Ashley, who turned 18 on June 13, have been acting together since they were 9 months old, most notably on the TV sitcom, Full House, and in a series of direct-to-video movies.

They have also attached their names to a line of merchandise including clothing, beauty products and home decorating materials.

Ashley had been scheduled to attend the Australian premiere of their new movie, New York Minute, in Melbourne next week.

“While it is unfortunate that plans have been cancelled, Mary-Kate and Ashley appreciate everyone’s support and understanding at this time,” Mr Thorne’s statement said.

“They look forward to coming to Australia and New Zealand in the very near future.”

Ashley and Mary-Kate each boasts a reported personal worth of $215 million, while their company Dualstar Entertainment last year grossed more than $1.4 billion in global retail sales

New York Minute did poorly at the US box office after its May release.