Latest news with #Nicki
Sky News
24 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Mother reveals how she created fake Snapchat account to help catch paedophile who targeted daughter
A mother has revealed how she created a fake Snapchat account to help put a paedophile behind bars after he started messaging her daughter. Sarah's eight-year-old daughter Nicki was playing the online game MovieStarPlanet when she began receiving messages from someone claiming to be a 17-year-old boy. Speaking to Sky News presenter Sarah-Jane Mee on The UK Tonight, Nicki said: "It was just someone starting off a normal conversation saying 'hi, how are you?'. And then it just started getting weirder... he was saying that I looked really sexy sometimes. And as I was an eight-year-old, I didn't really recognise that word... so then I went straight to my mum because it didn't look normal to me." The person messaging her, who it later turned out was a man in his 30s, had also repeatedly asked Nicky to speak to him on the social media app Snapchat - despite the fact her profile on MovieStarPlanet clearly said she was eight. Remembering the moment her daughter showed her the messages, Nicki's mother Sarah said: "I won't lie, initially I genuinely did think it was just a 17-year-old boy, you know, just sort of pushing his luck, if you will. "We deleted the account [on the game]. We made her a brand new account... and then 12 hours later, ping! He found her again." Sarah then decided to create a Snapchat account in her daughter's name before adding the person who had approached her on the game. She decided not to include any photos of her daughter on the account. However, Sarah continued: "He understood who it was straight away and the conversation continued... s o then, if you will, I became Nicki for about five days." Sarah says a "major red flag" occurred when the person started sending videos and pictures. "I was well aware that that was no 16 to 17-year-old boy. This was prior to us seeing a full facial image. Luckily enough, he sent that as well, which made it a lot easier to identify this as a fully-grown man." Sarah continued: "Knowing what he wanted from her, what he wanted to do to her. He was very explicit in telling me what he wanted her to do... it encouraged me to continue knowing that I can't let him do this to her or any other child, that I have to ensure that I stop him." The paedophile, who Sky News has chosen not to name, ended up serving eight months in prison after he was convicted in August 2023 - three years after he sent the messages. Nicki said she started crying when she was told the predator had been jailed. She added: "It was kind of relief and obviously joy... it was just amazing." Nicki said she often overhears pupils at her school talking about how they are chatting to people online who they don't really know. She said: "You just kind of think, well, is that not a bit of a stupid idea? Because obviously you've never met him... If a friend came up to me, then I'd actually have the conversation with them. You know, [tell them] that could be someone completely different to who they say they are." What have Snapchat and MovieStarPlanet said? A spokesperson for Snapchat said: "Any sexual exploitation of young people is abhorrent and illegal. We designed Snapchat with extra protections for teens - including private friend lists, pop-up warnings if they start to chat with someone we think they don't know and easy reporting tools so teens can get help quickly. "You must be at least 13 to use Snapchat and we also have Family Centre for parents, which allows them to see who their teen is talking with and when they last chatted." A spokesperson for MovieStarPlanet said: "First, and foremost, our thoughts go out to the family involved in these incidents and we wish them well in their recovery process. "As a registered social worker, professionally working to safeguard children, my main focus is to make sure there are comprehensive safeguarding systems in place to protect children and adolescents who engage with the online games that we produce. "This is also the main focus of everyone at MovieStarPlanet where we work with a safety by design philosophy when creating and producing our online games. MovieStarPlanet is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable online experience for everyone that engages with the online games that we produce. "We have implemented a comprehensive set of child safeguarding measures designed to protect our users from potential risks and promote civility through positive interactions. We continually assess and upgrade these systems when it is deemed necessary."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I'm a lifelong reader — these are the 5 best books I've read that don't get enough attention'
Life can be a whirlwind of work, socialising, parenting and household tasks, often leaving little room for personal time. And when you do manage to carve out some free moments, picking up a book might not be your first choice. However, there's a wealth of reasons to choose a good read over scrolling through your phone. Whether it's immersing yourself in a captivating story or expanding your knowledge on a subject that fascinates you, reading offers a chance to relax, de-stress, and hopefully be entertained or enlightened. I've been an avid reader forever, but I only truly committed to reading every single day at the start of 2024. Since then, I've consumed a vast array of books, from science fiction and romance to non-fiction and thrillers. You can read some more of my recent recommendations here. I make sure to keep up with the latest releases, but also venture beyond my usual preferences to explore unfamiliar authors and genres. This approach has led me to discover some real underrated treasures that, in my view, deserve more recognition. So, without further ado, here are five standout books I've enjoyed over the past few years that I believe warrant more buzz, as originally reported in the Express. For additional book recommendations, reviews and news, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter, The Bookish Drop, on Substack. 1. So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne So Thrilled For You revolves around Nicki, Charlotte, Steffi and Lauren, a group of four university friends in their thirties whose lives have pulled them in all different directions. As they reunite for Nicki's baby shower, tensions rise and disaster strikes after someone starts a fire at the house. This is a tale about motherhood, friendship and the unspoken truths we keep from those closest to us. The characters in this book still linger in my thoughts; they're all so distinct, yet I found myself relating to each one as the story unfolded. I'd recommend this book to anyone, but especially to mothers or expectant mums. It's astonishing that it's only received 7,000 ratings on Goodreads so far! You can purchase So Thrilled For You here. 2. A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering by Andrew Hunter Murray This book follows Al, an "interloper" who lives in wealthy people's homes while the real owners are away, without them ever knowing he was there in the first place. He's getting by just fine until one day he breaks into the wrong house on the wrong day and sets in motion a pretty dramatic chain of events. I'm not typically drawn to thrillers and mystery novels, but when the publisher sent me an advance copy of this book before its UK paperback release, I was intrigued by the premise. To my surprise (and pleasure), I was hooked within just a few chapters. It's slightly lengthy for this genre, but don't be put off by the page count, as it's filled with hilarious moments and I was eager to find out how it concluded. You can purchase A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering here. 3. Goodlord: An Email by Ella Frears Goodlord: An Email was my first read of 2025, and what a way to start the year it was! Taking the form of one long, very poetic email addressed to an estate agent, this is a fictional memoir of habitation focused on the places we call home. We follow the writer of the email, an artist in her thirties, as she takes us through her life, from her teenage years to the present day, via a succession of short-term stays and shared accommodation. At times darkly humorous and at others utterly grim, this book offers a sharp critique of the housing crisis. Its style makes it a breeze to read in one go, and I simply couldn't put it down. With only 504 ratings on Goodreads at the time of writing, it's a true hidden treasure and definitely worth adding to your reading list. You can purchase Goodlord: An Email here. 4. Faebound by Saara El-Arifi Romantasy novels are a big deal at the moment, and it feels like everywhere you turn, there is a new series or standalone book popping up. If you're a fan of romantasy, there's an under-the-radar book that I believe is worth your time. As an avid fantasy reader, I found Faebound, penned by Saara El-Arifi, to be a breath of fresh air in the genre. The story revolves around two sisters - Yeeran, an elven army warrior, and Lettle, a diviner, who are thrust into the fae realm where their loyalty to each other, their kin, and their hearts are put to the test. The world-building is top-notch (and doesn't feel like a slog), the supporting characters are unforgettable, and the romantic tension between the leads surpasses many other popular books I've read. Plus, it boasts some unexpected plot twists, which are a rarity in this genre. Despite being a Goodreads award winner, this gem is criminally underrated with just 24,400 ratings on Goodreads, far fewer than some of the big hitters in romantasy. Faebound can be purchased here. 5. Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley Four Seasons in Japan follows Flo, a translator suffering from a crisis in confidence, who finds a mysterious book on the Tokyo subway and feels compelled to translate it. The novel in question revolves around Ayako, a strict woman who runs a coffee shop and has just taken guardianship of her grandson, aspiring artist Kyo. Flo follows these characters across a year in rural Japan, changing the course of her own life in the process. This is a beautifully gentle, introspective tale brimming with flawed yet endearing characters you'll find yourself rooting for. I initially picked this up due to its cover (yes, I'm one of those people), but was taken aback by how engrossed it made me feel; the author's years living in Japan clearly shine through. With just over 6,800 ratings on Goodreads since its publication two years ago, this is another hidden gem I would strongly recommend giving a go.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nicki Minaj And SZA Have Heated Exchange Online: 'Go Draw Your Freckles Back On'
Nicki Minaj and SZA had social media in a chokehold on Tuesday (July 15) when they got into a heated exchange on X — leaving many confused about how their rift began. It all kicked off when Nicki took aim at Top Dawg Entertainment president Punch, accusing him of bullying her online. 'Me after I suck some good zik. Guarantee you wouldn't fight a man,' she wrote on X. 'We have every tweet of your incessant bullying, lying, & more. Your name was added to that sh*t list sh*tty drawers. Same thing that make you laugh make you…sh*t.' In the middle of her rant, SZA posted what seemed like a harmless message about Mercury retrograde, writing, 'Don't take the bait lol silly goose.' Nicki, however, wasn't here for what she perceived as 'shade.' She responded directly, dragging the Grammy-winning singer with jabs about her appearance, streaming numbers, and signature freckles. 'Go draw your freckles back on bookie #JusticeForDemoree #DepositionPerez Liar liar pants on fire. Sounding like a fkng dead dog,' Minaj wrote, also taking aim at Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez. SZA clapped back quickly, tweeting, 'I don't give a f**k bout none of that weird sh*t you popping,' while Nicki fired off another tweet, writing, 'Bi**h looking & sounding like she got stung by a f**king bee. dot dot dot *Draws on my fake freckles.' Trying to clarify her original message, SZA responded to one of Nicki's fans, writing, 'I wasn't even talking about or to anyone I had just got off stage talkin bout retrograde. NI**AS @'d ME. The F**K YES IM MAD NOW DO YOU NEED THAT !??' Eventually, SZA decided to exit the conversation, tweeting, 'Lmao lemme go back to being calm shy and meek. Yall have blessed night! See you tomorrow for night 2 Paris !!' But Nicki wasn't finished. She shot back, 'Shutup ugly. I'm in a meeting so idk if u was still talking shit or not so if you didn't I'll delete later. H*e.' Then she doubled down in another post: 'Bi**h damn near broke that man back & leg. Bi**h fat chubby & Skinny @ the same damn time,' referring to SZA nearly falling during the GNX tour opening night while performing a move with one of her backup dancers. 'bi**h where are those 30 million streams that disappeared on Spotify like your feaux freckles. Botting tweets when you arguing is just as weird as sza,' she continued. Bringing others into the mix, Minaj recalled a few past post from SZA where she allegedly shaded Rihanna, Ciara, and Beyoncé, all of who she has built a relationship with since then. 'Btch used to be on twitter dissing Rihanna, [Ciara], etc. but then when it was time to suck zick & get opportunities from them, she drew them freckles on & got to sucking right? Allegedly,' Minaj wrote on X. 'Like bi**h stop being jealous of women who you secretly would kill to be up their a** holes.' She added, 'These men putting batteries in yall backs & yall stupid enough to still keep it going not peeping that it's not going to end well for them or you.' The whole exchange had fans wondering if there was some deeper beef between the two women. After all, SZA co-wrote Nicki's 2014 Beyoncé-assisted track 'Feeling Myself,' so they've worked together before. As we all know, the 'Snooze' singer is also close to Kendrick Lamar, who performed the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show over Lil Wayne in New Orleans Her TDE ties to has had some fans assuming she might've taken sides in the ongoing Drake vs. Kendrick feud, where Nicki sided with her Young Money brethren, Drake. Take a look at the exchange between SZA and Nicki Minaj above. More from Nicki Minaj Calls Out Roc Nation Over Allegations Including JAY-Z Paternity Rumors, Megan Thee Stallion Lawsuit SZA Claims Nicki Minaj "Asked For Features Twice To No Response" Nessa Supports Nicki Minaj's Claims Of Foul Play At Roc Nation, Says They Undermined Kaepernick Protest Solve the daily Crossword
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nicki Minaj alleges life threat amid SZA beef; calls on FBI and CIA
Nicki Minaj is seemingly not done after her public feud with SZA, or rather, is dealing with the fallout of the same. MackWop of TDE, reacting to their beef on X, told her to 'relax' before she got 'put in the blender like your boy did.' Nicki Minaj's crusade against Desiree Perez seems to be continuing.(Reuters) Nicki Minaj interpreted this comment as a threat and remarked, 'What streaming service is this? I want him removed immediately. If he's not removed, we'll know something.' What did Nicki Minaj do? She then went a step further and reached out to Florida representative Anna Paulina Luna, saying, 'this man just publicly threatened me. I've notified the FBI & CIA. I want this thug locked up & I'm ready to talk about everything these ppl have done to me.' Nicki's crusade against Desiree Perez seems to be continuing. The singer mentioned in another post, where she tagged the FBI and CIA, that she was 'willing to be a snitch 'just like DESIREE PEREZ if it has to do with her, ROC NATION or TDE!!!!!' Nicki's message to Representative Luna also got her a response from the Republican. 'Please text my cell, I will forward this to law enforcement immediately. Threats of violence and assassination should be taken very seriously,' Luna said, adding, 'Hope you're ok'. She assured Nicki that they would 'talk soon'. Nicki replied to Luna's response with a simple 'Thank you' followed by folded hands. What is Nicki Minaj's beef? Minaj's beef seems to be regarding ROC Nation's CEO Desirae Perez being allegedly abusive, as per daughter Demoree's claims.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Charli XCX's music star fiance jets off on Ibiza stag do with Matty Healy ahead of VIP filled wedding
THE 1975's George Daniel has jetted off to Ibiza for his stag do, along with his bandmate I've learned they flew out to the White Isle on Tuesday to live it up, but it was only a whirlwind trip because they're already back in the UK, ready for George's wedding to top pop star Advertisement 5 The 1975's George Daniel jetted off to Ibiza for his stag do Credit: Getty 5 He flew out to the White Isle with his bandmate Matty Healy Credit: Getty I told last week how the couple are planning a A source said: 'George has been busy this summer but his mates were determined to take him on a stag do. 'He flew to Ibiza for a couple of days for a raucous knees-up with his closest pals – including his bandmates – and party girl Charli was all for it.' Advertisement Read more on Charli XCX Mabel had her hen party last weekend, ahead of her wedding to partner Preye Crooks, and her cousin Miquita Oliver revealed the singer had a wild one. On her Miss Me podcast, the broadcaster said: 'It was raucous. They had a Rihanna drag queen who was called Rileasa – and what a performer she was. 'I thought Mabel would be embarrassed, but she was, like, legs apart like an Eighties music video. Advertisement Most read in Bizarre 'And then she just went down on the floor and did the splits and was bouncing up and down. "It was amazing.' Charli XCX fans say X-rated Grammys performance is 'best in show's history' - but critics blast the star's 'lip-syncing' 5 The 1975's drummer is set to marry pop star Charli XCX Credit: Getty TYLA COOKS UP A STORMZY 5 Tyla wore shades with a green bra top and tiny denim shorts at Phonox in Brixton, South London Credit: Splash Advertisement 5 Her arrival even managed to draw Stormzy to the club Credit: Splash TYLA will release her We Wanna Party EP next Friday – and she certainly lived up to that title with a big night out in the capital. The South African star was wearing shades with a green bra top and tiny denim shorts as she turned up to have fun at Phonox in Brixton, South London. And her arrival on Wednesday night even managed to draw Stormzy to the club – despite the fact he previously claimed he's a homebody these days and likes to be tucked up in bed early. Advertisement Tyla has just released her raunchy new single, Is It, along with a spicy video in which she sings: 'I can't leave, leave you alone with your eyes on me, no I can't.' It's no wonder she's caught Stormzy's attention. SZA SNUB TO MINAJ COLLAB SZA has provoked Nicki Minaj again – by claiming that she has snubbed two requests from Nicki for a collaboration. Nicki ranted on Tuesday night that the R&B singer sang like a 'dead dog' and that her streaming figures had been inflated. But she's now been left with egg on her face after SZA claimed that Nicki was once a fan and had messaged someone in her team about them working together in 2020. SZA wrote on X: 'Nicki. You absolutely know my music and you've asked for features twice to no response.' She then highlighted how she wrote lyrics for Nicki's 2014 Beyonce collaboration Feeling Myself, adding: 'In addition to rapping my lyrics 'Cooking up the bass looking like a kilo'? Lol ur having a moment . . .' I've a hunch this spat has legs. Proving she is one of the band's biggest fans, she has been at all of the gigs so far, and admitted on TikTok: 'I sound like I smoke a pack a day right now. Advertisement 'I've lost my voice from all the singing I've been doing at all the gigs. It's only going to get worse.'
