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Celebrity Magazine Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Can it really be twenty years ago? I can see it now. Turquoise sea shimmering, sun warm on my back, toes dug snugly into the sand, sipping champagne on Portals Beach. Nothing special about that. We spent most summer Sundays with Ken and Angela Ross lazing on the beach. But that particular Sunday Ken and Angela were eager to disclose the vision of their new concept. A glossy coffee-table Mallorca magazine, filled with photos of local events and visiting celebrities. Ken, a longtime top fashion, glamour and showbiz photographer, was incredibly well connected with international celebrities while his wife Angie, a former top model, was the ideal partner for top beauty tips and gossip. As we brainstormed, the seed of Celebrity Magazine was born.
By Laura Stadler
“Working for two Mallorca newspapers, we were constantly reminded of the need for a publication featuring solely the social events of the island. Mallorca was now going through an amazing transformation. It was becoming the new trendy and glamorous Mediterranean location for top restaurants, bars and designer shopping, all set against a backdrop of white luxury villas and sleek superyachts” explained Ken. “With help from a prominent business couple, Tony and Margaret Whittaker, who also offered the use of office space, Angela and I were soon ready to launch the product of many hours of hard work and research; the first glossy edition of ‘Celebrity Magazine’. A Mallorca style publication of the already established and popular ‘Hello’. It surely hit the mark as they liked us enough to buy some of our stories.”
The magazine was an immediate success, with copies disappearing within minutes of them going on display. As these photos highlight, the magazine indeed went on to document through its glossy pages a unique era in Mallorca’s history.
The only downside was the end of our Sundays on the beach! This was a result of Ken and Angie’s mantra that no Mallorca occasion could be complete without Celebrity present. Thus they were too busy rushing from party to event, with Ken clutching his trusty camera, Angie close behind with pen and notepad, for further relaxing beach days.
Mallorca was in its heyday. The island packed with beautiful people. The summers saw Hollywood A listers, politicians, famous sportsmen and women, and even royalty flock to our shores. It was the place to be and the place to be seen. Elizabeth Taylor, Rod Stewart, Cliff Richard and Goldie Hawn, to name but a few, would be sure to drop anchor in Mallorca during their exotic Mediterranean cruises. As the movers and shakers moored their super yachts for a Mallorcan night out,
Celebrity would be waiting for them. No local party or charity event was of any worth without Celebrity in attendance. Ken, would busily snap glamorous partygoers eager to be highlighted in the new magazine. Guests would then wait with anticipation for the next edition, excited to see whether they would be included on one of its shiny pages. It was the magazine for the island; its pages where locals could mingle freely with top celebrities. Those were the days of baby boomers at the height of their partying days. A joyous time captured by Celebrity. There was plenty of madness and impromptu dancing with so many clubs and bars. However, Wellies was always the most popular Puerto Portals haunt. Always buzzing and ready to accommodate those up for one last drink or two before calling it a night. It was the place where particularly the British would gravitate and know they would feel amongst friends. Top celebrities, even Princess Diana would drop in for a Wellieburger while Julian Lennon, son of legendary Beatle John, was also a frequent visitor. Usually accompanied by his remarkable mother Cynthia, who had enthralling life stories to impart. Pirates annual Charity Premiere, in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, would also attract a host of popular celebrities, including many of the EastEnders cast. Most of them rounded up by Steve McFadden (aka Phil Mitchell), who was a local himself, owning a home on the island. Considered one of the biggest Mallorca annual events, it was the hottest ticket in town. Indeed, such was the generosity that between 2004 and 2016 Pirates raised an incredible for 738,744€ for GOSH. However, local charities also benefitted. In 2014 they divided 25,275.12€ between 5 charities, GOSH, Cancer Research Group Mallorca, Milk on Mondays (Mediterranea), Son Espases Children’s Ward and Stop FA. Each benefitting to the tune of 5,055.03€. In 2015 the Pirates event raised 32,703.62€ with 8,175.91€ for each of their 4 chosen charities: GOSH, Son Espases Children’s Ward, The Salvation Army and the Shambhala Fundacion. The final Premiere in 2016 raised 54,080.13€ with each of their 5 charities: GOSH, Son Espases, Help for Heroes, Bloodwise and the Lions Mallorca receiving 10,816.03€.
Apart from glamorous photos, Celebrity would also conduct in depth one-on-one interviews to fill the summer edition. I particularly remember spending time with the much-loved Barbara Windsor when, sadly, I detected the first signs of her dementia. I was impressed by the way the cast rallied round to cover her moments of confusion. “I’m a professional, an old trooper” she told me as she squeezed my hand. She took a deep breath, pulled back her shoulders, smiled and went on to do all that was expected of her.
In August 2007, Margaret and Tony Whittaker opened their elegant Mood Beach Club in Puerto Portals staging the glitziest party of the decade, attended by VIP’s including Hollywood golden couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. This elegant and stylish venue, with panoramic sea views, went on to host some of the most prestigious events to fill Celebrity pages.
Ever the professional, Ken never missed a photo opportunity. At the lavish summer opening of Nikki Beach, I watched in amusement as he walked straight into an ambush. Amid great fanfare, an impressive army of hunky men marched into the throng. It was quite a sight. Bearers dressed as gladiators, carried their casket, filled to the brim with dozens of bottles of champagne. Ken threw down his canape and rushed to follow the parade. He was so busy snapping photos, he failed to spot the bottles being hoisted aloft and shaken vigorously. Within seconds a cascade of bubbles had totally drenched him. Once his precious camera had been wiped down and he had been provided with a dry t-shirt, he was remarkably unfazed and cheerful. “I got some amazing shots!” was all he said.
Celebrity’s success was endorsed by none other than Spain’s former King, Juan Carlos I. Covering the annual Puerto Portals Breitling Royal Yacht Regatta, Ken and Angie found themselves amongst a large jostling crowd of world media and elbows-out paparazzi, with little chance of getting close enough to the King for that special snap. However, to their amazement the King singled them out and walking towards them, shook their hands, asked about their new magazine, and wished them luck. This began a unique relationship with the King, who later was to wave them through his army of tight security for exclusive photos.
“King Juan Carlos stood smiling amongst his six companions. Unbelievably the King then suggested we take an exclusive photograph for our Magazine, laughingly pointing his finger at us and telling us it had to be for the front cover,” reminisced Ken. However, after 16 hectic years, ill health started to take its toll on Ken and Angie and they decided to sell up and move to Eastbourne, ensuring they stayed close to the sea.
Thus in early 2018, Celebrity was given a new lease of life. Initially the takeover was to be a joint effort, but the proposed partnership didn’t work out, leaving Donna Suarez to take over the reins single handedly. However, ever the business entrepreneur, within 12 months she had recruited Directors Matthew Cull and Larrick Ebanks to make the leadership team complete. This dynamic trio embarked on their journey as new custodians of the beloved Celebrity Magazine.
The team got to work quickly as the magazine was soon hauled into the digital age, while still maintaining the original feel of the printed product.
“As many people do, I hold Celebrity Magazine close to my heart, and with such fond memories, I wanted to continue the good work that Ken and Angie had devoted so much of their lives.” Donna explained. “It was a brave decision to make, as my current businesses Calvia Properties and Portal REU were thriving. But my extensive knowledge of the real estate sector motivated me, knowing that publicity is one of the most important factors, not just for real estate, but for businesses in all sectors. Armed with that knowledge, I knew that a magazine that promoted Mallorca businesses, together with great content, plus the advantages of adding the online presence was sure to be a huge success. I wasn’t wrong. But most definitely I needed experts in the marketing and publishing world on board. Matthew and Larrick are an amazing asset to the company, and together with a fantastic team of writers and designers, we catapulted Celebrity Magazine into the 21st century.
The late Robert Winsor MBE, seen here with his wife Maria and friends, who was another icon of the island. His annual celebrity charity golf tournament at Bendinat Golf Club grew to become one of the biggest fundraising events in Europe, raising nearly a million euros for Mallorca’s under privileged children, proud to be able to change so many lives for the better.
Now six years in, I’m proud to say, be it online or in print, we have one of the island's most read magazines. Moving with the times, Celebrity has diversified to include a strong online presence at celebritymallorca.es. This includes a monthly digital newsletter, CMTV YouTube channel and more recently we have started producing popular podcasts. Not forgetting Celebrity ‘Nice To Meet You’ networking and other exciting events.“
Certainly, guided by this enthusiastic progressive team, Celebrity Mallorca looks set to expand further and continue to be enjoyed by the island for many years to come.
