Terri Donnelly
ALL THE BEST LOOKS FROM THE 2022 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL RED CARPET This year's festivities mark the 75th celebration and will take place from May 17-28, showcasing 24 feature films over the 12 days, including Eva Longoria's Final Cut (Coupez!). This year's jury is making history, with Deepika Padukone, the first-ever Indian jury member, joining Noomi Rapace, Jasmine Trinca, Vincent Lindon, Rebecca Hall, Asghar Farhadi, Ladj Ly, Joachim Trier, Jasmine Trinca, and Jeff Nichols. Together, they'll decide which movies take home the coveted Palme d'Or and the competition's other awards. PALME D’OR AND GRAND PRIZE It’s hard to imagine that Belgian filmmaker Lukas Dhont’s Close, a deeply affecting portrayal of a friendship between two young boys who may be gay, won’t walk away with the fest’s first or second prize for best film. It was certainly the best film I saw at this year’s fest, and A24 was wise to snag its U.S. distribution rights hours before it premiered. Dhont, who is just 30 and would be one of the youngest-ever winners of a top Cannes award, unveiled his one prior feature in Cannes four years ago: Girl, the story of a trans youngster, was recognized with the Caméra d’Or for best first feature and the Queer Palm en route to being selected as the Belgian entry for the best international feature Oscar. I suspect Close will end up representing the country at the Oscars, too.
Evelyn Maisvoreva
BRITNEY WEDS FOR THE THIRD TIME, EXHUSBAND CRASHES PARTY Britney, 40, tied the knot with Sam, 28, at her $7 million Los Angeles home on Thursday evening Britney Spears swapped her Versace bridal gown for just a blazer as she let loose at their wedding reception on Thursday evening after tying the knot at her Los Angeles home earlier in the day. The singer, 40, became a newlywed for the third time during an intimate fairytale wedding that was attended by a select group of friends and family. Britney Spears married her fiancé seven months after being freed from her controversial conservatorship but the ceremony was marred when her ex-husband was arrested for gatecrashing.
The day got off to a rocky start when Britney's first husband, Jason Alexander, was caught trespassing and attempted to crash the wedding, yet Britney and Sam didn't let the drama cloud their special day.
Madonna and Britney on dance floor
After the ceremony, the new Mrs Asghari joined Sam, 28, on the dancefloor inside a stunning marquee that had been erected on the grounds of her $7 million Thousand Oaks mansion.
dance, but Britney's hit song Toxic played out for the guests while she teamed up with Paris to sing the socialite's hit song Stars Are Blind.
The couple didn’t have a first
Britney put her toned legs on
display as she donned a Versace blazer with a glittering Versace lining on the seam and gold buttons, opting not to don trousers and flashing her bottom as she
threw some dancefloor.
shapes
on
the
The mother-of-two also highlighted her fancy footwork as
Famous friends: Drew Barrymore and Selena Gomez wrapped Britney up in a bear hug
donned a plunging scarlet dress which had tasseled sleeves and a very plunging neckline for the kiss before beaming in another snap as Earlier in the night, Britney also the two ladies turned back to the she kicked off her heels in order to throw some shapes on the dancefloor.
camera.
makeup look. Britney was clearly in the mood to Britney completed her wedding spread the love around throughout look with silver heels and wore the evening, during which she was her hair in a half-up, half-down seen embracing Drew Barrymore style while opting for a glamorous and Selena Gomez, with all three
happily smiling as the cameras snapped the touching moment.
flowing along the floor behind her as she wed her husband
Wine glasses, cigarette packets, and lighters were seen littering the glass tables inside the reception, where guests danced the night away with pink disco lights filling the space as they partied in celebration of Britney and Sam's union.
Britney Spears’ wedding looks through the years, from Juicy to Versace
The bride was, without a doubt, the star of the dance floor. However, she was seen showing off her moves alongside a pal while sporting a very short black Versace tuxedo jacket, under which she appeared to be wearing pink bikini bottoms - with the strings seen hanging down from the waist-length design.
The couple announced their engagement last September after five years of dating. They were first linked in 2016 after they had met on the set of the pop star's music video for "Slumber Party". "I was like, 'He was really cute, this guy was really cute,' so I called him," Spears recalled of their initial spark during a 2017 radio interview, per People. "He’s just a really fun, funny person."
Last year, when Spears endured a highly publicized legal battle to Selena was the ultimate hype girl end her 13-year conservatorship, praised Asghari for during the event, where she was fans pictured cheering Britney and Sam unflinchingly standing by her side the contentious on as they hugged on the dance throughout floor in front of their guests - process. including actor Ansel Elgort, who was a somewhat surprising "This man has been with me addition to the guest list for the through it all," the singer wrote in evening. a Valentine's Day Instagram Bloomin' lovely! Britney and Sam tribute earlier this year. She added, exchanged vows in front of an "I don't know what I would do enormous pink flower wall, with without him, so I think I will keep the bride's long train and veil him around a bit longer."
Stephen Akinmosa Cleopatra Magazine, London
DAMI AND WALE TIE THE KNOT IN MOROCCO for words. The traditional wedding party was berthed at the prestigious ‘THE DECORIUM’ in north London. The ceremony began with fullfledged traditional activities where the Yoruba culture was displayed and explored to the fullest. The local MCs known as Alaga Iduro and Alaga Ijoko entertained the audience.
Weddings are spectacular memorials which are designed to last forever, so every couple strives their utmost to make it even more memorable. The meeting of Wale and Dami falling in love is almost too cute
The next destination was Marrakesh, Morocco, in North Africa. The location of the wedding was kept secret. The moments were nothing short of magical, breathtaking, and magnificent, with outstanding outings in a space of five days. The parents of the groom and
bridegroom set the stage for what was going to be the wedding of the year. The venue was literally transformed into a compound of colour as radiantly attired guests filled the length and breadth of the venue. Every aspect of the ceremony
that followed was beautiful and radiated with love, passion, warmth, and adoration. The love in the eyes of the couples spoke volumes. Throughout the ceremony, it was noticeable that the pair were truly into each other and in love; they kept cooing into
each other’s ears, exchanging glances, and generally having fun. Guests were treated to the best of
local and continental cuisine with a vast choice of beverages while being serenaded by lovely music. Team Cleopatra was there to cover the event.
THE BARBECUE PARTY DAMI & WALE’S WEDDING
The day after the wedding was the Barbecue Party. Admittedly, a barbecue isn’t something that is usually associated with a wedding, but that’s why it makes for such a unique and fun experience. The occasion later metamorphosed to a swimming pool party.
The newly wed with friends and family
The newly wed with the editor of Cleopatra Celebrity Magazine
Mary Anderson
QUEEN LATIFAH RECLAIMS HER CROWN AT COVERGIRL
Once a queen, always a queen. Queen Latifah has already proven that to be true with her decadeslong career in entertainment, but lest we forget, the multihyphenate star has also been an icon in the beauty industry. In 2006, CoverGirl enlisted Latifah to collaborate and be the face of its Queen collection, the brand’s first
attempt at diversifying its shade range to better accommodate women of color. “I thought it would be so amazing for everyone to see me as a Covergirl because I didn’t get to see that CoverGirl growing up,” she told Essence magazine in 2017, sharing that the idea for the
Queen collection was initially inspired by a comment from a fan. “The woman came up to me and was like, ‘I’m so happy for you and CoverGirl. I love that, but I wish ya’ll made a shade in my complexion,’” she recalled. “I [thought], ‘okay, let’s go make a
shade in your complexion’. I thought, why am I CoverGirl if we can’t get our different shades?” Latifah worked with CoverGirl for over a decade before the Queen collection was discontinued. But now, the Equalizer star is back on board
with the brand—and once again, she’ll also be influencing greater inclusivity behind the scenes, reports BusinessWire. “It feels like a full-circle moment to be back with my CoverGirl family,” said Latifah via a statement. “I’m excited to reconnect and collaborate with them once again to bring inclusivity to the forefront every step of the way, from product creation to ad development to product dissemination. I’m
excited to be back and look forward to what we can create together!” As noted by WWD’s Beauty, Inc, Latifah’s reunion with the brand comes as parent company Coty Inc. takes the legacy brand “into growth mode.” “Bringing back Queen Latifah to the CoverGirl family was a nobrainer for us. Latifah is one of the most powerful voices of our generation, and we are thrilled to
join her in her endeavors to inspire and evoke change,” said Stefano Curti, Chief Brands Officer of Consumer Beauty at Coty (h/t BusinessWire). “The future is big for CoverGirl and Queen Latifah,” “The emotional side and connection with American consumers are super, super strong. And therefore reactivating memories, reactivating this love factor, is one of the key elements of success,” adds Chief Executive Officer Sue Nabi in conversation with WWD, teasing what the new phase of Latifah’s partnership will look like. “[Queen Latifah is] going to represent products such as TruBlend [foundation], our line
that’s going to demonstrate our ability to be one of the most inclusive brands in the U.S. in terms of shades.” WWD further notes the line currently boasts over 50 shades— and that the 52-year-old Latifah’s return to CoverGirl is also a statement on ageless beauty. As Nabi put it: “You do exist after 40 years old.” “She’s been an icon,” Nabi continued, later adding: “Queen Latifah is going to bring to the brand all these generations of consumers who have been in love with the brand in the past.”
GUCCI
Jack Morgan
EX-WIFE OF PUTIN’S JUDO SPARRING PARTNER LOSES £8.73M to repossession after failing to pay the mortgage. Ballet teacher Natalia Rotenberg, 40, has been battling in the UK divorce courts with former partner Arkady Rotenberg, 69, for the last six years over money and the ownership of a £27million mansion in Surrey.
The ex-wife of a billionaire friend of Vladimir Putin has lost her £8.73million London Apartment
The couple, who have two children, split in 2013 after eight years of marriage, before Mr. Rotenberg was hit with sanctions from the British government over his close ties with Putin and for having “financially benefited
from Russia decision-makers” after the 2014 annexing of Crimea. During their marriage, the Rotenbergs’ British base was a mansion in Windlesham, Surrey, which boasts a 42ft swimming pool, games suite, a cinema, catering unit and wine cellar, staff quarters and an underground garage for up to six cars. When the couple split, Mrs Rotenberg, a former rhythmic gymnast, clothing label owner, and head of
a children’s school of arts and Russian ballet, was handed the property in a 2019 UK divorce court ruling. However, the Court of Appeal last year overturned the order for Mr Rotenberg to hand over the home, finding it had not been proved that the billionaire was the true owner. The legal fight over the property is due to be reheard in the future. September 2021, Mrs Rotenberg took out a £1.3million loan to buy an apartment in King’s Gate
Walk, West Minister, at a total cost of £8.73. However, Adrian Worthington at Mayor’s and City of London county court has now ordered repossession after hearing she did not make any payments on the mortgage debt which now stands at over £1.6million
Lawrence McDonald, representing lender Certain Bridge Ltd, said sanction had created a “turbulent time in the lives” of the former couple but pointed out the loan was meant to be “paid back in full by January 20, 2022.
DEACONESS TOYIN MAKUNJUOLA CELEBRATES 60TH BIRTHDAY
Deaconess Toyin Makunjuola celebrates 60 years of God’s goodness. The celebration included a service at the Communion of Saints Evangelical Church in Kent, England. It was a well attended service with friends and families elegantly dressed.
RUSSIANS BAN 963 AMERICANS, MORGAN FREEMAN INCLUDED BUT NOT DONALD TRUMP
It looks like former President Donald Trump is one of the few American citizens still allowed to step foot in Russia. As reported by The Washington Post, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are among 963 Americans forbidden from entering the country as a result of the United States’ support for Ukraine. The revised “stop list” comes as Russia claims to have taken over 2,400 Ukrainian soldiers hostage at the Azovstal steel factory in Mariupol, the besieged city’s final stronghold. “In the context of response to the constantly imposed anti-Russian sanctions by the United States and in connection with incoming requests about the personal composition of our national ‘stop list,’ the Russian Foreign Ministry publishes a list of American citizens who are permanently banned from entering the Russian Federation,” ministry
officials said in a statement recently. In addition to Biden and Harris, the list also includes former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, current Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker, esteemed actor Morgan Freeman and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy are among the key members of Congress who have also been barred from Russia. President Biden’s son, Hunter, is also named, along with a host of other members of his administration, plus advocates, politicians, journalists, healthcare professionals and citizens. As far as prominent members of Trump’s administration, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is the only person not allowed to enter. “We emphasize that the hostile actions taken by Washington, which are boomeranging against the United States itself, will continue to receive a proper rebuff. Russian counter-sanctions are forced and aimed at forcing the ruling American regime, which is trying to impose a neo-colonial ‘rules-based world order’ on the rest of the world, to change its
behavior, recognizing new geopolitical realities,” according to the Foreign Ministry. Despite the block list, Russia maintains its position that it is open to talks — as long as it separates the American people from U.S. authorities. “Russia does not seek confrontation and is open to honest, mutually respectful dialogue, separating the American people, who are always respected by us, from the US authorities, who incite Russophobia, and those who serve them. It is these people who are included in the Russian ‘black list,’” per its statement. Russia invaded Ukraine in late February when President Vladimir Putin sent in thousands of troops who had been positioned at the border. Putin threatened severe consequences if any Western countries attempted to intervene. More than 3,000 civilians have been killed, and more than 5.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the invasion.
VETERAN SOUTH AFRICAN ACTRESS SHALEEN SURTIE RICHARDS DIES IN HER SLEEP
In what many have described as an emotionally-taxing year, legendary South African actress Shaleen Surtie Richards' passing has added to our collective heartbreak. The 66-year-old TV and theatre actress died in her sleep at a guesthouse in Edgemead, Cape Town according to her friend and fellow actress Lizz Meiring. "It is surmised that she died peacefully in her sleep. There are no signs of trauma, of criminal activity or of suicide nor do we think it was COVID-related," shared Meiring in an interview with East Coast Radio.
With an acting career spanning over thirty years, the multi-awardwinning actress' contribution will be remembered in the iconic film Fiela Se Kind and TV shows such as 7de Laan, Generations, Egoli, Place of Gold and Broken Vows amongst others.
Speaking to eNCA, family friend and musician Alistair Izobell said Surtie Richards was one of the most phenomenal and incredible contributors the South African entertainment and arts scene had ever seen. "We understand her contribution through what we experienced in Fiela Se Kind, and her being the longest-serving soapie actress on Egoli, Place of Gold. Everything else that she touched was just legendary. Even during the tapestry of apartheid, she made people understand that she belonged in the arts, that other people of colour also belonged here," she reminisced, adding that her contribution was about making a statement with every piece of work that she did.
A TV aunt to most who grew up on her earlier shows, Meiring added that in Surtie Richards, "the nation has lost a wonderfully warm, humorous, clever and fun person with so much compassion." Izobell urged the public to allow Surtie Richards' family some time to mourn in privacy, as the late actress essentially spent the bulk of her career in the public eye.