A friend's bullying comment in school haunted my whole life. Then decades later I confronted him on Facebook - and his perverse reaction utterly changed me: MICHELLE BRASIER
I was only 12. Levi and I had been friends for three years; we used to ride our bikes together, sharing jokes and exchanging burned CDs full of Britney Spears hits.
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The Guardian
38 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Marcia Hines: ‘The strangest thing I've done for love? Believe the lie'
You grew up with Donna Summer, as you were best friends with her little sister Linda. Is it true you two used to sneak into Donna's bedroom? It's true, I can't lie! She was older than us and any teenage girl knows that a teenager that's older than you is cooler than you. I don't think we ever read her diary or anything. But we wanted to see what she was wearing and try her clothes on. We'd try to hang them up tidy so she didn't know we had been in there. But she'd always know. She didn't like it. But that's what little sisters do! They annoy, you know? She was just so sophisticated and cool compared to us. Donna has passed, but she did get in touch with me and say how proud she was of my accomplishments and congratulations, which was a really nice thing. Is it true that you are distantly related to both Grace Jones and Colin Powell? Absolutely. They're my cousins. Grace is my second cousin and Colin would have been second or third. Grace was brought up in England and I was brought up in Boston, but I did meet up with her brother, Noel Jones, who has got the biggest black American church in LA. I actually went to church with him and one of the guys from the Rockmelons. He said, 'You look like Grace' – well actually, he said, in West Indian terms, he said, 'You favour Grace.' I didn't get to know Colin, but he was so way up in politics, it would have been very difficult to get to him. What's the best piece of advice you have ever received? Stay humble, be gracious, be grateful. And do unto others, as you have them do unto you. I was brought up very well – you learn those teachings as a kid, and it's important to put them into practice when you grow older. What are you secretly really good at? Mosaics! It's always been my hobby. I was taught that if you're artistic as a performer, you're usually artistic with your hands as well. You know that fantastic actor in Silence of the Lambs – Anthony Hopkins! He's an incredible artist. Tony Bennett too. And Joni Mitchell is a fine artist. It's messy, but I do like it. If someone's getting married, or if someone's going moving into a new home, I'll make something for them. It's a nice thing to give something of yourself that you've had to think about. I love to break dishes. What is the strangest thing you've done for love? Believe the lie. [laughs] What's been your most memorable interaction with a fan? There's so many of them. I adore my fans. If it wasn't for my fans, I wouldn't be able to live the dream that I'm living. So many people tell me really moving things – like someone was actually dying and they insisted they played my music as they died. That's big. I hear some incredible stories, because I do a meet and greet with my audience at the end of my shows. It's so touching, you know? One lady told me, 'That song encouraged me to leave my husband.' I was like, 'Well, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I'm so pleased I could help.' Do you have a nemesis? No. Well, hang on, hang on. Not that I know of, right? I hope not. You can't like everybody and everybody can't like you, but you can meet in the middle of all that madness. If you've got a nemesis, you probably made it. What's the oldest thing you own, and why do you still have it? My Bible, which I wrote in when I was about seven. I used to have a teddy bear that I had when I was a kid, and we put it into a teddy bear exhibition, and someone pinched it. But I still have my Bible. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion What's the most chaotic thing that has ever happened to you while on stage? I fell! This was back in the 1970s – I did a kick, and my foot went out from under me. So I stood up and did it again to make it look like a dance step. Also, one of the scariest things that ever happened to me was when I was doing Jesus Christ Superstar. It was almost time to go on stage to sing I Don't Know How to Love Him. Someone spoke to me about something and it disturbed me greatly so when I walked on stage, I blanked. It is scary when you blank. The conductor, Patrick Flynn, was a genius – he saw that I had lost my way, and I don't know where he got a piece of paper and a Texta, but he wrote down a prompt and held it up in the orchestra pit for me. It's not an unusual occurrence to forget lyrics. You do what you can not to. But when it's happening, a millisecond feels like an hour. What's been your biggest fashion crime to date? Platform shoes. It's all relative, isn't it – everything old is new again. I'm seeing all these rehashed hippies wearing clothes that I used to wear. Platforms are back, as are flared trousers and baggy clothes. When I was growing up, midriff was everything –that is back too. Do you have any pets, what are their names and what are their nicknames? I have a dog by the name of Dalley. He's a cavoodle. I also have a cat called Sistah and I have just got a new puppy called Brotha. So I always have a sister and brother in the house! Which book, album or film do you always return to, and why? Out on a Limb by Shirley MacLaine. That really was an incredible thing to read and it's still a very good book. It talks about being a spiritual person, and some of the things that she went through and expressing herself as a spiritual person when people thought she was mad. She's anything but! I don't know where we live as performers – we live someplace else. We can live in amongst this, but we live someplace else and especially when you've got a gift such as she has. I just really like Shirley. Marcia Hines' Marcia Sings Summer tour with Casey Donovan is heading around Australia in October; see here for dates. Her song You (Teddy Cream Remix) is out now (Sony Music Australia)
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Lidl to sell £7.99 dupe of £29.50 Marks & Spencer essential that is perfect for summer holidays
LIDL is selling a £7.99 dupe of a £29.50 Marks & Spencer essential that is perfect for summer holidays. Shoppers can find a trendy pair of sandals from the middle of the aisle for just a fraction of the price of the original version from M&S. Whether you're planning to stroll the streets of a sunny destination or simply want something to slip your feet into on the way to the pool, these shoes are worth the investment. The Esmara Ladies' Brown Sandals will be available for just £7.99 from Lidl. Product details These leather mules from LWG-certified tanneries have moulded footbeds for extra comfort. These EVA soles are also lightweight to ensure all day wear without issue. And the shoe straps also feature buckles for an easily adjusted fit. These sandals are available in women's sizes four through 7.5. Shoppers can find these from the Lidl middle aisle from Sunday, July 27. M&S version A similar version is available at Marks & Spencer for a slightly higher price. The Suede Buckle Footbed Mules are available for £29.50, in both black and khaki. "Add some luxe texture to your favourite sunny day looks with these suede mules," said the product description. Primark's new £10 summer top is the perfect & Other Stories dupe "The easy slip-on design features comfy footbeds set on practical low heels for all-day comfort." Manufacturers described the shoes as "effortlessly stylish" and "easy-to-wear". These shoes are available in women's sizes three through eight. The sandals have received an average rating of 4.6 stars out of five from M&S customers. Shoppers confirmed that the shoes fit true to size. Hottest fashion trends of 2025 Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street. The East/West Bag Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s' shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber. In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder. They've been on runway models' arms at nearly ever designer show - think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta - and are hitting the high street now, too. Powder pink Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025. Pantone may say that it's the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own. If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour. The shell jacket The '80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025. We all know we're likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket. Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in '80s windbreakers'. Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion! The turn-up jeans While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we're styling them is different. This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups. For this look, size doesn't matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good - but only as it's just one single fold. Peep-toe shoe Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event. After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style. From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street. Sheer blouses See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life - until now. Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S '25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season. Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks. More on fashion buys Plus, the £12 jeans available from Sainsbury's, they're perfect for summer and autumn. Another Sainsbury's fashion buy looks fresh out of the 1920s. The retailer also has a £26 dress that shoppers say is perfect for summer getaways. And an £11 Tesco dress that works "year round" and is super flattering around the arms. Another Tesco printed midi dress is available for £12, it disguises your tummy and is perfect for summer.
Powys County Times
5 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Headteacher celebrates 'rollercoaster' 15 years at school
PUPILS at a Powys primary school have thrown their departing headteacher a special rollercoaster-themed farewell, to honour his love of theme parks. Adam Shearman has been the headteacher of Llanelwedd Church in Wales Primary School, near Builth Wells, for 15 years, but is heading to another school in the county in September. Llanelwedd deputy head Satu Haikala said staff and pupils 'brought Disneyworld to Llanelwedd' as a way of giving Mr Shearman a fitting send-off at the end of term. Members of staff planned a special surprise to honour Mr Shearman's love of theme parks with a surprise roller coaster ride around the school grounds. The playground was decorated as a theme park and a special cart had been designed as a 'rollercoaster', where children in Year 6 pushed Mr Shearman through specially decorated theme lands that included references to his favourite theme parks; as well as to the other schools that he has supported over the last 15 years. All the pupils wore Disney-themed outfits and lined up in rows for Mr Shearman to be pushed through. They waved, cheered, threw streamers and joined in the fun. Mr Shearman had no idea that staff and pupils had conspired to organise the leaving party. 'I didn't have a clue,' he said. 'Bearing in mind we have 113 children, not one of them said a word. They knew it was a secret. 'When I walked into school I was met by our deputy headteacher, dressed as one of Snow White's dwarves. 'I then walked into assembly to see the whole school dressed as Disney characters. The staff were dressed as Snow White and her dwarves.' Another teacher, Paul Walby, who is also leaving this term, was dressed as Snow White herself. Ms Haikala, the school's deputy head, said: 'We had a collection and didn't make enough to send Mr Shearman to Disneyworld, so we brought Disneyworld to Llanelwedd.' The children also sang songs from their recent production of the Wizard of Oz. Mr Shearman joined the school in 2010, when it had just 43 children; he now leaves the school with 94 pupils, with a further 19 in the school-based pre-school setting. On the school's Facebook page he said: 'I find myself reflecting on the journey we've shared. 'Llanelwedd school has never been just a place of learning, it has been a living, breathing community where curiosity is encouraged, resilience is built and compassion is celebrated. 'Together, we've weathered challenges (and flooding), embraced change and created a culture that values both academic achievements and empathy. 'Over the years the school has grown and developed, but at its heart is the children. The children at Llanelwedd are like family.' The was described as 'thriving' by Church in Wales inspectors who visited just before Easter. 'The true legacy of a school lies not in its buildings or measured by the awards it wins but is in the hearts and minds of those who pass through its doors,' added Mr Shearman. 'As I move on to new adventures, I leave with immense pride and unwavering hope for the future of this remarkable school. 'I know the school is in very safe hands with the new headteacher, Ms Haikala, and the wonderful staff team here. 'I would like to thank the whole school community for their support, good wishes and contributions. It has truly been an honour to serve as the headteacher of this very special place.'
