Renée Zellweger shines at otherwise car-crash Bridget Jones premiere
Renée Zellweger can do no wrong — even donning her best Barbiecore look, a vintage fuchsia satin gown from Pierre Balmain, she shone at the London premiere of "Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy"; the fourth and final installation of the beloved film series.
The Texan-born actress paired the strapless gown, complete with exploding train from the Fall 2000 haute couture collection, with burgundy stilettos and a statement bling ring as she posed up a storm with other well-dressed cast members Leo Woodall, smart in a Loewe chocolate brown corduroy suit, and Hugh Grant, safe wearing a black tux and unbuttoned white shirt.
Other respectably clad co-stars counted Chiwetel Ejiofor, in a black suit with navy suit and tie, Celia Imiere, who was ravishing in a tuxedo with ivory satin lapels, and Sarah Solemani, who adopted the naked dressing trend in a bodysuit and transparent, black embroidered lace frock.
Elsewhere, discouragingly, the whole event descended into mad, candy-floss, Instagram flower walled, Jeff Goldblum jazz hands dressing. What has gone wrong with the premiere circuit? Look back to the first two London openings in this franchise alone, and it's all Naomi Campbell in dark, flared denim, Keira Knightley in lace vests and Mr Valentino himself, arriving in a dapper pinstripe navy suit.
Best believe Valentino Garavani remained safe at the haute couture shows in Paris last night, as reams of TikTokers took to the violently pink Odeon Luxe Leicester Square carpet in Strictly Come Dancing gold, sequin jumpsuits, ill-fitting floral satin suits worn with exposed bras, Lauren Sánchez style, a blinding number crystal ASOS bags — hell, Made In Chelsea alum Sophie Habboo even helped host the evening in a full, Catwoman second-skin latex suit.
It is blindingly obvious, now, the bar for a premiere night dressing has reached the floor. Anything in a shade so startlingly fluorescent or blisteringly shiny it forces a photographer's hand to take a snap appears now to be the best choice, as seen at the press tours of Barbie through Wicked. Might it be time for reassessment?
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USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Funk pioneer Sly Stone, leader of Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82
Funk pioneer Sly Stone, leader of Sly and the Family Stone, dies at 82 Sly Stone, a onetime San Francisco DJ turned pop and funk music innovator, has died. He was 82. "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone," a statement shared with USA TODAY on June 9 reads. "After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. "While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come." Sly Stone's 5 essential songs: From 'Everyday People' to 'Stand!' After huge chart-topping success in the 1960s and 1970s, Stone had become an enigmatic and largely reclusive figure plagued by homelessness and health issues. He also had endured financial problems amid management disputes, at one point winning a $5 million judgment for unpaid royalties that was later overturned. In one dire period, reports indicated that the Woodstock icon was living in a van in Los Angeles. But despite such misfortunes, the music created by the Texas-born California transplant and his trendsetting multi-racial, multi-gendered Bay Area band, the Family Stone, had never stopped being a touchstone for generations of musicians. Among Stone's oft-covered but never matched hits are "I Want to Take You Higher," "Hot Fun in the Summertime," "Stand!" and the infectious and phonetically titled funk anthem, "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." The statement from Stone's family hailed him as "a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk and rock music,' one whose songs 'have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable.' Stone's family noted that the musician had recently completed a screenplay for his life story and concluded: "We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly's life and his iconic music." Stone was born Sylvester Stewart on March 14, 1943, in Denton, Texas, but grew up in the northern San Francisco suburb of Vallejo, where he and his siblings quickly mastered a variety of instruments, notably guitar and keyboards. In the mid-'60s, just as the San Francisco music scene was exploding with global impact, Stone served both as a record producer and disc jockey at KSOL, whose listeners immediately took to his deep, resonant voice as he shared an incessant stream of hits being generated from area groups. In 1966, spurred on by the local revolution that was birthing bands such as Jefferson Airplane, Santana and the Grateful Dead, Stone decided to combine his fledgling band with one led by his brother Freddie, forming Sly and the Family Stone. Hits followed in short order, starting with 1968's "Dance to the Music" and "Everyday People," both of which celebrated the sheer and simple joy created when music brings the masses together. But Stone's compositions also frequently plumbed deep depths, with lyrics that pierced as ably as they moved. In "Family Affair," Stone's sensitive growl intones: "One child grows up to be/ Somebody that just loves to learn/ And another child grows up to be/ Somebody you'd just love to burn/ Mom loves both of them/ You see, it's in the blood/ Both kids are good to mom/ Blood's thicker than the mud." By 1969, Stone and his group were among the most well-known bands in the nation, and performed a memorable set at that year's Woodstock festival in upstate New York, a hallmark of which was the band's audience-lifting rendition of "I Want to Take You Higher." The band also performed that year at the Summer of Soul concert in Harlem, an event memorialized in the documentary of the same name by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. (Questlove went on to direct 'Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), a 2025 Hulu documentary focused on Stone.) While Stone's band was among the earliest of the '60s groups to feature a mix of genders and races (including founding member and trumpet player Cynthia Robinson and founding drummer Greg Errico), Stone was the leader and visionary who steered the band's direction. Often cloaked in elaborate stage clothing, his massive Afro glowing, Stone's looks and music were an indisputable harbinger of the coming funk revolution that would take the foundational innovations of James Brown and propel it to an otherworldly showboating level as best exemplified by the huge success of '70s legends such as George Clinton and his Parliament-Funkadelic band. But the rocketship ride to fame would quickly come crashing back to earth. By 1971, with the band addled by drug use and internal strife, Sly and the Family Stone would increasingly lose tour bookings and fail to produce music that matched the songs of just a few years prior. While Stone spent the '70s working on new music, often on his own since he played numerous instruments, success proved elusive. In 1983, he was arrested in Florida on drug charges. More trouble and misfortune found its way to Stone's doorstep in the coming years, although in 1993 he did make a public appearance during the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A decade later, in 2005, Stone, by now almost a legendary ghost, was spotted at a Los Angeles club after driving his sister Vet, who was in a Family Stone tribute band, to her gig on his motorcycle. The next year, Stone shocked thrilled attendees at the Grammy Awards by taking the stage, resplendent in a huge blond mohawk, as his band roared through a number of hits during the show's salute to the seminal group. In 2009, documentarian Willem Alkema released "Coming Back for More," a look at Stone's life and career. The director told journalists at the time that Stone was homeless, but the pioneering musician nonetheless made a number of appearances, however brief, at California festivals. In 2023, Stone released his autobiography, the first book released by Questlove's imprint, which aptly took its title from his song, "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." The book received mixed reviews, as its subject seemed a bit at a loss to recall that epic golden period so long ago that created those unforgettable songs. But one excerpt captures the delightful lyricism that he brought to his hits, and serves as a reminder that genius never really fades. Of many others who over the years tried to tell Stone's story, he wrote: 'They're trying to set the record straight. But a record's not straight, especially when you're not. It's a circle with a spiral inside it. Every time a story is told, it's a test of memory and motive. … It isn't evil but it isn't good. It's the name of the game but a shame just the same.' Contributing: KiMi Robinson
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
What's a Labubu and why do I need one? Everything to know about the viral stuffed toy that has people talking.
Take a quick scroll through your social media feed, and chances are you'll come across a furry, fluffy, stuffed monster with devious eyes and a wide, toothy smile hanging proudly from a luxury handbag. In a matter of months, this mischievous critter — known as a Labubu — has exploded in online popularity, becoming one of the world's most coveted bag charms. So what's with the fascination? Why are these creepy-looking collectibles the hottest accessory of the season? With a stamp of approval from A-listers like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa, a Labubu is a 'blind box' toy manufactured by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company. A blind box toy is a collectible figure sold at random in a sealed box, so the buyer has no idea what they're getting. The Labubu was introduced in the 2015 children's picture book, The Monsters Trilogy, which was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Lung drew inspiration from Nordic mythology when crafting these monsters, setting his trio of picture books in a mystical world occupied by magical creatures. Lung signed a deal with Pop Mart in 2019 to put his characters into production as collectible figures. Labubus were eventually turned into bag charms in 2023 with the 'Exciting Macaron' collection, which features six pastel-colored plushies from Pop Mart's 'The Monsters' collection. But Labubu isn't the only creature from Lung's books that has been turned into plushies and charms — there's also Zimono, who has a tail and is bigger than Labubu, and Mokoko, who is pink and has a heart-shaped nose. Labubu, who is canonically female, is described by Pop Mart as being 'a small monster with high, pointed ears and serrated teeth' that is 'kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.' While TikTok has definitely taken the Labubu craze to the next level, the furry critters were originally popularized by Blackpink and White Lotus star Lisa. An early adoptee of the Labubu craze, the 'Rockstar' singer first shared photos of herself with a Labubu in April 2024, later decorating her Christmas tree with several of them. 'I just got into Pop Mart like early this year, and I learned about this from one of my close friends in Thailand,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'I go [to] Pop Mart everywhere. If I fly to New York, I go to Miami, I try to find Pop Mart there. Paris, you know, everywhere. [It's] kind of like treasure, finding treasure.' Rihanna has since been spotted at a private L.A. airport with a pink Labubu clipped to her Louis Vuitton Speedy in February. David Beckham, who was gifted a brown Labubu from his daughter Harper Beckham, was seen toting the plushie around on his black leather bag in May. Chris Evans, while promoting his upcoming film Materialists in June, was also seen unboxing a Labubu during a premiere. Bethenny Frankel has even gotten in on the craze — The Real Housewives of New York City alum debuted her pink Labubu, dressed in head-to-toe Chanel, on June 9. Lipa, who's made her love for Labubus known, was spotted with one on her Birkin bag at JFK Airport in New York City last December. Kardashian, meanwhile, has an extensive Labubu collection, which she's shared on Instagram. More than 300 Labubu variants have been released, which include collections like 'Fall in Wild,' 'Have a Seat' and 'Big Into Energy.' Pop Mart has even collaborated with brands like Coca-Cola and Uniqlo to create their own collection of Labubus. In addition to introducing new types of Labubus in each series, there's often a rare, 'secret' figure that's made available too. 'Every collection, they have like the rare one,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'It's really hard to get. We call them 'secret.' So I always wish that I got secret.' Some Labubu aficionados also dress their critters up in branded clothing to better distinguish 'what kind of girl' she is. Labubus have been seen wearing a slew of designer garments, from Alo Yoga and Prada to Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. Unfortunately, nabbing one of these coveted creatures is easier said than done. While Pop Mart does weekly restocks of their Labubu collections — online on Thursdays and in store on Fridays — they sell out immediately. Resellers are often your best bet for nabbing one of these stuffed toys, though prices can reach up to $7,000 for limited editions — a far cry from the Pop Mart retail price of around $32 per blind box. Fake Labubus, otherwise known as 'Lafufus' are popping up en masse as a result. Independent doll designers like August Dahl are also selling handmade, one-of-a-kind 'Bratzbubus' — a take on the Labubu doll craze using Bratz doll heads. Because of how coveted they are, Labubu theft has also become a growing concern. Thieves in Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in the U.K. raided a vehicle carrying more than $203,000 in Pop Mart products in April of this year. Labubus are also being snatched directly off people's purses. The Labubu craze has even gone so far as to incite full-on mobs and brawls at some Pop Mart locations. In an effort to 'prevent any potential safety issues,' in May, Pop Mart chose to stop selling Labubus in all 16 of their U.K. stores until June, following increased reports of customers fighting one another for them. 'Labubu will return to physical stores in June, and we are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved,' the manufacturer told the BBC last month. Those in pursuit of the plushie in the U.K., however, are still awaiting its return, both online and in stores.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
What's a Labubu and why do I need one? Everything to know about the viral stuffed toy that has people talking.
Take a quick scroll through your social media feed, and chances are you'll come across a furry, fluffy, stuffed monster with devious eyes and a wide, toothy smile hanging proudly from a luxury handbag. In a matter of months, this mischievous critter — known as a Labubu — has exploded in online popularity, becoming one of the world's most coveted bag charms. So what's with the fascination? Why are these creepy-looking collectibles the hottest accessory of the season? With a stamp of approval from A-listers like Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Dua Lipa, a Labubu is a 'blind box' toy manufactured by Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company. A blind box toy is a collectible figure sold at random in a sealed box, so the buyer has no idea what they're getting. The Labubu was introduced in the 2015 children's picture book, The Monsters Trilogy, which was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Lung drew inspiration from Nordic mythology when crafting these monsters, setting his trio of picture books in a mystical world occupied by magical creatures. Lung signed a deal with Pop Mart in 2019 to put his characters into production as collectible figures. Labubus were eventually turned into bag charms in 2023 with the 'Exciting Macaron' collection, which features six pastel-colored plushies from Pop Mart's 'The Monsters' collection. But Labubu isn't the only creature from Lung's books that has been turned into plushies and charms — there's also Zimono, who has a tail and is bigger than Labubu, and Mokoko, who is pink and has a heart-shaped nose. Labubu, who is canonically female, is described by Pop Mart as being 'a small monster with high, pointed ears and serrated teeth' that is 'kind-hearted and always wants to help, but often accidentally achieves the opposite.' While TikTok has definitely taken the Labubu craze to the next level, the furry critters were originally popularized by Blackpink and White Lotus star Lisa. An early adoptee of the Labubu craze, the 'Rockstar' singer first shared photos of herself with a Labubu in April 2024, later decorating her Christmas tree with several of them. 'I just got into Pop Mart like early this year, and I learned about this from one of my close friends in Thailand,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'I go [to] Pop Mart everywhere. If I fly to New York, I go to Miami, I try to find Pop Mart there. Paris, you know, everywhere. [It's] kind of like treasure, finding treasure.' Rihanna has since been spotted at a private L.A. airport with a pink Labubu clipped to her Louis Vuitton Speedy in February. David Beckham, who was gifted a brown Labubu from his daughter Harper Beckham, was seen toting the plushie around on his black leather bag in May. Chris Evans, while promoting his upcoming film Materialists in June, was also seen unboxing a Labubu during a premiere. Bethenny Frankel has even gotten in on the craze — The Real Housewives of New York City alum debuted her pink Labubu, dressed in head-to-toe Chanel, on June 9. Lipa, who's made her love for Labubus known, was spotted with one on her Birkin bag at JFK Airport in New York City last December. Kardashian, meanwhile, has an extensive Labubu collection, which she's shared on Instagram. More than 300 Labubu variants have been released, which include collections like 'Fall in Wild,' 'Have a Seat' and 'Big Into Energy.' Pop Mart has even collaborated with brands like Coca-Cola and Uniqlo to create their own collection of Labubus. In addition to introducing new types of Labubus in each series, there's often a rare, 'secret' figure that's made available too. 'Every collection, they have like the rare one,' Lisa told Vanity Fair in November 2024. 'It's really hard to get. We call them 'secret.' So I always wish that I got secret.' Some Labubu aficionados also dress their critters up in branded clothing to better distinguish 'what kind of girl' she is. Labubus have been seen wearing a slew of designer garments, from Alo Yoga and Prada to Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu. Unfortunately, nabbing one of these coveted creatures is easier said than done. While Pop Mart does weekly restocks of their Labubu collections — online on Thursdays and in store on Fridays — they sell out immediately. Resellers are often your best bet for nabbing one of these stuffed toys, though prices can reach up to $7,000 for limited editions — a far cry from the Pop Mart retail price of around $32 per blind box. Fake Labubus, otherwise known as 'Lafufus' are popping up en masse as a result. Independent doll designers like August Dahl are also selling handmade, one-of-a-kind 'Bratzbubus' — a take on the Labubu doll craze using Bratz doll heads. Because of how coveted they are, Labubu theft has also become a growing concern. Thieves in Hempstead, Hertfordshire, in the U.K. raided a vehicle carrying more than $203,000 in Pop Mart products in April of this year. Labubus are also being snatched directly off people's purses. The Labubu craze has even gone so far as to incite full-on mobs and brawls at some Pop Mart locations. In an effort to 'prevent any potential safety issues,' in May, Pop Mart chose to stop selling Labubus in all 16 of their U.K. stores until June, following increased reports of customers fighting one another for them. 'Labubu will return to physical stores in June, and we are currently working on a new release mechanism that is better structured and more equitable for everyone involved,' the manufacturer told the BBC last month. Those in pursuit of the plushie in the U.K., however, are still awaiting its return, both online and in stores.
