Latest news with #NickGrimshaw
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Guide #193: Meet Ernesto, the viral America's Got Talent contestant … who doesn't exist
Have you heard Ernesto's story? It's a real tearjerker. You may well be familiar with it, in fact, having caught it on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram at some point over the last few weeks. A hard-working carpenter, Ernesto devoted every ounce of himself to his wife and child, skipping meals and working overtime to provide for them and send his son through college. But things changed: said wife and child grew distant and walked out on poor old Ernesto, who lost his house and sense of purpose, eventually ending up on the streets. The one thing Ernesto did have left? His beautiful baritone singing voice, of course. Somehow the 54-year-old found his way on to the America's Got Talent stage, to perform not for fame and fortune but in the hope that his wife and child might hear him and remember that he never stopped loving them. Suddenly misty in here, isn't it? If you're welling up, you aren't alone – Ernesto's sad tale and stirring performance of his song Still Waiting at the Door certainly reduced the America's Got Talent judges to tears: Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Nick Grimshaw and … wait, Nick Grimshaw? Grimmy's apocryphal presence on the AGT judging panel – he's never been on it in reality, given that, with respect, he's a British radio host unknown to most Americans – is the first clue that there might be something fishy going on here, as are the appearances of fellow non-AGT judges David Walliams, Amanda Holden, Cheryl Tweedy, and an Ant-less Dec sobbing side-stage. There's the strange, out-of-sync reactions from gawping audience members. And then there's Ernesto himself with his fuzzy outline, jerky movements, and suspiciously smooth skin texture – all telltale signs of fakery, as anyone who read an earlier Guide on deepfake scams will know. Yep, this heart-rending story of a lonely carpenter is AI fakery. It was created by YouTube account AGTverseai, which specialises in splicing together videos from various UK and US talent shows to react to AI-generated performances of songs that might be AI, or AI-assisted, too. 'Some visuals and audio have been altered or enhanced using AI tools', a disclaimer in the video description reads. 'The scenarios presented are fictional and intended solely for entertainment or illustrative purposes. This is not real footage and should not be interpreted as fact.' If Ernesto's performance not being 'real footage' seemed insultingly obvious to you, you may well be in the minority. The YouTube comments for the video are, in the vast majority, credulous and approving. In fairness, plenty of the accounts posting those comments could be fake themselves: YouTube comment threads, like everywhere else online, are susceptible to bots. Still, there are enough seemingly authentic commenters praising Ernesto's performance, and likening it to their own experiences of loss, to suggest this isn't wholly artificial. The video has been played 24m times over its two 'official' YouTube videos, and a post of it on TikTok has a further 30m views – and that doesn't factor in the many, many other accounts that have reposted and disseminated it on various social media platforms. Search for the song title Still Waiting at the Door on Instagram or TikTok and you will be greeted by a wall of Ernestos warbling away (sorry for ruining your algorithm, by the way). The video has received a debunking from factchecking site Snopes, usually a clear sign that a fabrication has travelled far and wide. What's really interesting though is that there are plenty in the comments and elsewhere online who know the video isn't real – and still love it regardless. ('I never thought AI would bring such emotion,' one bandana'd YouTuber gasped.) We hear plenty about AI's depredations – its replicating, flattening and hollowing out of popular culture, the sea of AI slop – and perhaps assume that an ethical and aesthetic aversion to it is universal. But what if, per a Times piece this week looking at the popularity of AI personal essays, poetry and therapy, some people actually prefer the artificial? Why watch an actual TV talent show, whose contestant's backstories might not match the emotion and drama of their performance, when you could watch an artificially enhanced performance instead? Already there are dozen or so on the AGTverseai channel, full of overly ripe, sob-inducing tales: an ex-con singing about finding God in prison; a woman with 'a cancer' finding solace in song; a 95-year-old second world war veteran paying tribute for his fallen comrade. They're preposterous, gratuitous and pretty obviously fake – but maybe that doesn't matter if they give you the feels. Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion If you want to read the complete version of this newsletter please subscribe to receive The Guide in your inbox every Friday
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Natalie Portman admits she found it 'hard' attending the 2011 Oscars pregnant because 'fellow stars mocked the size of her bump'
Natalie Portman has admitted she found it 'hard' attending the 2011 Oscars pregnant because fellow stars mocked the size of her bump. The American actress, 43, who was pregnant with her first child Aleph, now 13, shared the sad and offensive reason during an appearance on Nick Grimshaw & Angela Hartnett's Dish from Waitrose podcast. Natalie said she had people come up to her inside the ceremony saying she 'looked like she was about to pop' despite only being four months pregnant. The A-list, who won Best Actress that year for her role in Black Swan, explained: 'I was so big, like everyone was like, "Oh, you're gonna pop", like, and I was like, "I'm four months pregnant". 'Like everyone was like, "You must be giving birth tomorrow! Hope it doesn't happen on the red carpet", I was like, "I got five more months to go!" From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Um… yeah, so I was probably the only actress eating my way to the, to the Oscars', she added. Laughing off the memory, Natalie said she equally found it difficult being sober at the award ceremony while being surrounded by everyone drinking. She quipped: 'I was pregnant when I went through that award season, so I couldn't drink at all during like all of those events [laughs]. Which was hard. 'It's a lot of stress. It's a lot of attention. And I was sober while everyone else was not.' Natalie shares her two children Aleph and Amalia, seven, with ex-husband Benjamin Millepied, 47. The actress and the choreographer, who wed in 2012, started dating after they met on the set of Black Swan in 2009 and announced they were engaged the following year. They finalised their divorce in February 2024 after amid reports from Page Six he had allegedly cheated on her with a then-25-year-old woman named Camille Étienne. Natalie is reportedly not 'surprised' her ex-husband Benjamin started a new romance 'pretty quickly' after their divorce. A source shared how she is feeling after he was snapped kissing a mystery woman. The insider told Us Weekly: 'Natalie isn't surprised that Benjamin has moved on because of how their relationship ended. She thought he'd move on pretty quickly.(Natalie) hopes Benjamin is happy.' Another insider told the publication: 'Benjamin's dating life doesn't really have any bearing on Natalie. 'She's super happy in her life right now and has been prioritizing family and friends.' And yet another source told Page Six: 'Natalie doesn't really care who Benjamin is dating. She moved on a long time ago.' Natalie is set to star in the upcoming film Fountain of Youth opposite John Krasinski. The Apple TV+ feature follows two estranged siblings reuniting in search of the mythical source of eternal life and will be released on May 23. Meanwhile, The Gallerist does not yet have a confirmed release date. When asked what excites her most at this stage in life, Natalie said: 'My kids are always a source of excitement, because you just see them develop into the individuals they are. 'And also, I've been spending a lot of time with my friends, with their kids and my kids; that's pretty fun.' She also said her films are 'usually not appropriate' for her children. The Oscar-winning actress loves that her children will actually get to watch The Fountain Of Youth The star told Extra: 'They have not seen it yet and I can't wait to show it to them because A, I like never get to show my kids my movies because they're usually not appropriate, and then B, it's so fun. 'I think they're gonna have the best time watching it.' Natalie also relished the experience of working alongside John, describing him as a 'great actor'. The celebrity duo have actually known each other since they were children, and Natalie loved being reunited with her showbiz pal. She said: 'I get John Krasinski as my brother, who's, like, the greatest and so funny and such a great actor. 'I think it's so fun to have a brother-sister relationship at the centre of the film. I think it's quite unusual in this kind of adventure and makes sense for 'Fountain of Youth' to be with someone that has known you since you're a child.' Dish from Waitrose is available on all podcast providers.
Scottish Sun
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I'm a decor expert – these are the 8 biggest mistakes people make and why spending just £5 extra can transform a room
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Tash Bradley also reveals how you can avoid colour clashes with one simple rule DECOR DON'TS I'm a decor expert – these are the 8 biggest mistakes people make and why spending just £5 extra can transform a room Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH this month's rise in stamp duty and many people continuing to work from home, we are doing more redecorating than ever. But how clued up are you on DIY decor? Tash Bradley, of design firm Lick and author of Master The Art Of Colour, has helped celebs including Pixie Lott and Jamie Laing with home design. She tells Sarah Morton about common mistakes people make . . . and how to get a revamp right. DON'T COPY A CELEB 9 Nick Grimshaw's gorgeous lounge which featured on Celebrity Gogglebox Credit: Channel 4 ONE in four people decorate 'for other people' — meaning they choose decor to impress others or follow what they have seen on Instagram or in a celebrity's house. I've been fortunate enough to do several amazing projects and one was DJ Nick Grimshaw's home. We did this living room, where we painted the walls and ceiling in a warm off-white with contrasting woodwork in black. It featured on Gogglebox and I had so many people wanting me to recreate it for them. But Nick had the furniture and artwork to begin with to suit the colouring. You have to ask yourself if it would work for you personally. Follow your own instincts. Kelly Hoppen shares her top design tips BOOST YOUR SEX LIFE WITH EARTH TONES 9 Certain shades can really influence your sex life in the bedroom Credit: Getty YOUR bedroom is the space in your house that's just for you so I tell my clients it can be anything you want. But, as someone who studied colour psychology, certain shades can influence how you feel between the sheets. Those wanting to make their bedroom as sexy as possible may choose a pillar-box red but to wake up to that every day would be too over-stimulating. I would advise a client who wants that passion and excitement to choose an earthy, terracotta shade. It's calming, it sets the mood and it's super-sexy. Rich, velvet fabrics also work wonders. AVOID THE SPOTLIGHT 9 Pockets of warm light can make all the difference to a room Credit: Getty I'VE never turned on the overhead lights in my house, I prefer soft lighting from lamps. Spotlights are my pet hate but some people love them in a kitchen or underground room to ensure maximum light. So I would advise you to avoid blue light bulbs. Since we live in the northern hemisphere, where it's mostly grey, we need warm lighting. And pockets of warm light, especially from lamps, can make all the difference to a room. GO BIG OR GO HOME 9 If you're decorating a small room, make sure to go big with the furnishings: big rug, big sofa, big everything Credit: Getty I'VE seen many small rooms packed with the tiniest furniture which, believe it or not, only serves to make the room look even smaller. You should actually go bigger. A bigger rug, a bigger sofa, bigger everything. The front feet of the sofa should always be on the rug, you don't need one so small it's like an island in the middle of your floor. You'll be amazed what you can fit in and how good it can look. AVOID COLOUR CLASHES WITH SIMPLE RULE 9 Tash would personally avoid grey and yellow together - but if you like the combo, make sure the undertones match Credit: Getty THERE are no 'wrong' combinations when it comes to paint colour despite what you may have heard. The key is to get the tone right. Some shades clash terribly if the tone is wrong. You need to work out whether the undertone is warm or cool then pair your furnishings to match it. SPEND AN EXTRA FIVER PEOPLE often use poor-quality brushes and rollers. By spending as little as four or five pounds more on a better brush can make a huge difference to the quality of the job and make the whole project easier. My tip for the best tool of all time is the mini roller. From painting walls to upcycling furniture or kitchen cabinets, it does the job and it's so easy to use. I recommend the mini-roller from It's £6 for the handle, £6 for the four-piece sponge set. SIT DOWN TO PLACE YOUR TELLY 9 The position of the television is one of the most frequent mistakes that Tash sees Credit: Getty ONE of the most common mistakes I see is easily avoidable — poor TV placement. I've been to houses where the telly is just too high, you're straining your neck to watch it and it looks all wrong on the wall. The reason this happens is people position the TV while they're standing, forgetting for the majority of the time they'll be watching it sitting down. So always sit on your sofa and work out your eye level. KEEP A LID ON COLOUR SAMPLES 9 Do not overwhelm yourself with a million paint options - just see which two or three you gravitate the most to Credit: Getty YOU may come up against colour paralysis, when you have too many choices. I've watched people at B&Q faced with 100 different shades of blue. It's no wonder they go overboard with samples. I had one lovely lady who brought home a whopping 20 samples of paint to test on a single wall, which is way too many. After consultation, I tend to advise on two or three colours and I see which one they're naturally drawn to. Don't overwhelm yourself with a million options. FAIL TO PREPARE…PREPARE TO FAIL 9 Tash Bradley has over 10 years experience in interior design and specialises in colour Credit: Supplied WHEN people don't prepare properly it can cause chaos. I'm talking about sanding and prepping your walls and making sure all your furniture is covered and protected. One client tripped over a full pot of paint and it went all over his sofa. I died for him because no amount of stain or paint remover was going to salvage it. It's essential everything is in order to ensure it all goes as smoothly as possible. Renovation and redecorating is not the easiest job in the world but with a bit of preparation, it can be enjoyable and the results can be amazing. 9 Master the Art of Colour by Tash Bradley Credit: Supplied
The Guardian
13-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Sunday with Angela Hartnett: ‘I'm up at 6.30am enjoying an empty Hampstead Heath'
Early riser? I try, although I've been slacking recently. I like to be up at 6.30am and off to an empty Hampstead Heath. I've got antisocial dogs who think they own the park, so it's easier that way. Then I can spend the rest of the day at home away from everyone. Not a people person then? On Sundays, no. I live in east London, where Sundays are stupidly busy. I'm old enough to remember when everything was closed. I miss that sense of the world being shuttered. I love being in southern Italy. Sundays, all the shops are shut, save the baker, maybe, for the morning. We need that break from the insanity. The perfect Sunday to yourself? I'd start to sort the crap out in my house: I'm on the verge of becoming a reformed hoarder. I'm slowly sorting out all I've accumulated and love when everyone pisses off and I can pick a room to start working through. How hoard-y are we talking? I'm a nightmare on eBay when it comes to kitchen stuff: plates, pans, bowls, another stack of cocktail glasses. It was a problem, but I'm getting better. I've stopped in the last 18 months. And now, I don't put stuff away for special occasions. Use or get rid is my new mantra. Sundays growing up We went to mass and Catholic Sunday school when we were young. Then, and into my teens, we'd come home and sit round the table having a family roast, whether my mum's or grandmother's. We were all there, no excuses. It only stopped at university. Do you host? Yes, I'm too lazy to travel home from anywhere. My partner Neil is also a cook, so we divvy up food duties. If we have chef-y friends coming over, they're instructed which course to bring. A friend of ours has lodged with us for 20 years – he's part of the family. In the evenings, three of us and my sister chill out, watch TV, and roast something mellow, like a chicken. Dish from Waitrose with Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett, season seven, is available now
The Guardian
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Nick Grimshaw: ‘Getting people to talk about music is the same as talking about food. Both are full of memories'
Born in Oldham in 1984, Nick Grimshaw has just taken over as 6 Music's new breakfast DJ . After stints in PR and TV, his radio career began in 2007 on Radio 1 youth strand Switch; in 2012, he became the station's breakfast presenter, doing it for six years. He's also been an X Factor judge, a Gogglebox regular (with his niece, Liv), has written a memoir, Soft Lad, and co-hosts Waitrose's Dish podcast, with Angela Hartnett, and BBC Sounds podcast Sidetracked, with Annie Mac. Engaged to his dancer partner Meshach Henry, he lives in London and will broadcast live from the 6 Music festival in Greater Manchester, later this month. Congratulations on the new job. How is breakfast DJing different on 6 Music?Radio 1 is about being at the zeitgeist of what's going on in popular culture, so when there's a change of presenter there, it feels seismic – there's new imaging, new jingles, a new attack. The remit on 6 is more about the music, giving you classics you love to hear, and new songs we hope you fall in love with, to actually make you want to get up and survive a Tuesday morning. You've also been caretaking the slot since last summer, since Lauren Laverne's cancer diagnosis (she's since returned, to mid-morning).There was definitely more sensitivity from me as a DJ because Lauren wasn't well. I had listened to her every morning, so it felt quite emotional. I knew how she was a massive part of people's routine. You used to occasionally present Radio 1 shows hungover. How is getting up at dawn for you now?I find it embarrassing that I used to do that – I guess that's growth! I love waking up earlier than I need to now, even on the weekends, taking my dogs out before the day begins, and the streets and the park being quiet. As a teenager, I'd be getting in from a night out at 5.30 or 6 in the morning, seeing my dad awake with his toast in a toast rack, thinking, 'What's wrong with him?' The naivety of being 17! You've always been known for your famous friends such as Kate Moss, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles… how does an ordinary kid from Oldham fit into a glamorous world?There's a perception that anyone who becomes successful or famous becomes different. And I'm sure some famous people are very starry and otherworldly, but then there are people like Kate who are still very grounded and funny. I first met her as an intern at MTV, and she was all [adopts a camp cockney accent and mimes holding a cigarette], 'So, what do you do then?' Maybe that's why some people are famous, too, because they are personable and real. Have you done anything embarrassing in a superstar's house?I took my bull terrier, Pig, to Noel Gallagher's place in the countryside, let her in the back garden, and she ripped up all his plants. Literally all of brother knew Noel before he was famous, didn't he?Yes, they lived in the same block of flats in Manchester, on Whitworth Street – I remember being about 10, and him saying, my friend Noel's band are going to be good. And my dad being like, They're crap. My brother was very instrumental in getting me into music, taking me to gigs. I think I was 10 when Definitely Maybe came out, and my brother got me the CD. I still have it – I literally know where it is. Is doing a podcast about food a welcome change from music?It's funny, getting people to talk about music is the same as talking about food, I think. Both are full of memories; they're personal; they're woven into our lives. It's another portal to good conversation. But I love working with Angela. She's honest and funny, and I love seeing any expert at the top of their game. They could be a physician, the world's best dentist, or a chef. And getting to witness her cooking every week is unreal. Your friend Amy Winehouse died in 2011, and your father died in 2016 – you've had to deal with grief very young. How have you managed that?There are moments when I think about friends or family members I've lost and I don't think you ever get over it. It's a process that you'll go through for the rest of your life, but when you're with the right friends, remembering and honouring [those you've lost] in the right way helps a little bit. With Amy, it's still hard to think about her and talk about her. On a [Sidetracked] podcast I just recorded, someone asked me: 'Is there any music that you can't listen to because it's too emotional?' and Amy's is because she made such soul-baring music. But you also do want to listen, because it's great music. On the10th anniversary of her passing, I went into the BBC archives and found great bits of early interviews and old session tracks for a documentary [Radio 1 Celebrates Amy Winehouse], because I'd thought, how do I best honour her? And I realised showing people how great she always was was the best way to celebrate her. Who was your favourite DJ growing up?John Peel. He was so personal and direct. And Sara Cox, since I was 15, 16. She'd be playing the Chemical Brothers and Missy Elliott, and she felt very funny and free. She still does. What are your biggest fears for the music industry?Gig venues closing, clubs closing, ticket prices soaring – it feels that every element of the musical landscape is being chipped away. But I do love that this conversation is very prevalent. We've heard Sam Fender talk recently about how [the music business] is a game for rich people and Myles Smith and Ezra Collective bring it up at the Brits. I don't want to sound defeatist, but we're in such a tough time for artists to be able to make money, to live. We are. So whose music or gig tickets should we be buying now?The new Marie Davidson album, City of Clowns, is wonderful. She's a Canadian producer, and 6 has played lots of her fantastic records in recent years. Then there's 1-800 Girls, this new artist called Naina, who's with us at the 6 Music festival, and a song really jumped out to me on Iggy Pop's show on Sunday, by Pan Amsterdam, called Confines, which is like a stream of consciousness, but he [Leron Thomas] wanted to have the same feeling like when you're scrolling social media. Oh, and he's a jazz trumpeter and rapper too. Of course he is – you can always trust Iggy! Nick Grimshaw presents on weekdays, 7-10am, BBC Radio 6 Music / BBC Sounds and will broadcast from the 6 Music Festival in Greater Manchester, 26-29 March
