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The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Chris Hughes shares steamy bed snap with JoJo Siwa before quickly deleting it as fans call it proof of CBB stars romance
CHRIS Hughes kissed JoJo Siwa in a steamy selfie of them in bed – before quickly deleting the intimate snap. The Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother star posted the cosy shot on social media, showing JoJo tucked into his side. 6 6 6 JoJo, 22, closed her eyes in the romantic photo but couldn't resist a sweet smile, while resting one arm on his naked chest. Chris wrote over the photo: "Sleeping beauty." The photo wasn't up on Chris' Instagram for long, but fans of the couple grabbed it and shared it on TikTok. Some had questioned their romance, with many pointing to another video of the pair showing JoJo pulling away when Chris leans in for a kiss. 'I think they aren't together and it's all for publicity as they would kiss by now,' one person said. 'Has anyone seen them kiss each other?' another asked. Another fan simply replied to the posts with the picture of Chris kissing JoJo in bed. Another JoJo and Chris fan said: "My heart can't take it!" Chris and JoJo have not commented on reports surrounding their relationship after previously insisting they were platonic. However, they've been dropping major hints that they are an item. JoJo recently sent fans wild at her London gigs this week after she told them onstage she had 'never felt so special and so loved'. She also went on to change the lyrics of Bette Davis Eyes to ' Chris Hughes' eyes' as he looked on, giddy and red-faced at a music venue in Shoreditch. Chris could not attend the second of her two-night run there — but JoJo didn't miss her moment to shout out to him, singing to his orange beanie which she had placed in the crowd. It comes after Chris made a 12-hour flight from the UK to Mexico to support JoJo as she performed to fans in Mexico City. He later posted cosy snaps of them together online. The two were then spotted kissing in The Sun's exclusive photos while straddling a lilo at an adults-only hotel. 6 6 6
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa cosy up for new snap during night out with pals
CHRIS Hughes and JoJo Siwa have cosied up for a new snap during a night out with their family and friends. The pop star, 22, who recently performed two shows in London, beamed with happiness as Chris, 32, wrapped his arm around her. 6 6 6 6 The happy couple were enjoying a meal with their family and friends and posed for a photo which showed them cosying up together. The lovely snap comes after the pair drove fans wild with an intimate backstage moment in a post to TikTok. JoJo gave fans an inside look into her pre-show routine and was seen in the video warming up and spending time with her dancers. Later, the pair were hugging each other, holding hands and putting bracelets on each other. Former Love Islander Chris also learnt her hit song Karma and is videoed singing the lyrics alongside her. JoJo also sent fans wild at her recent London gigs this week after she told them onstage she had 'never felt so special and so loved'. She also went on to change the lyrics of Bette Davis Eyes to ' Chris Hughes' eyes' as he looked on, giddy and red-faced at a music venue in Shoreditch. Chris could not attend the second of her two-night run there — but JoJo didn't miss her moment to shout out to him, singing to his orange beanie which she had placed in the crowd. It comes after Chris made the 12-hour flight from the UK to Mexico to support JoJo as she performed to fans in Mexico City. He later posted cosy snaps of them together online. JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes drive fans wild with intimate backstage video The two were then spotted kissing while straddling a lilo at an adults-only hotel during a loved-up getaway there. When JoJo later returned to London the pair had a emotional reunion at Heathrow airport as JoJo flew in from Los Angeles — Chris greeting her with a large bouquet of red roses. The two have set tongues wagging ever since getting close while competing on this year's series of Celebrity Big Brother and have been crossing oceans to spend time together since the show ended. However, earlier this week, Chris gushed about his "favourite person," JoJo as they enjoyed a cozy home dinner that he cooked for her. Chris opened up about his relationship with the US pop star, as they appeared to confirm their loved-up status. After doing two gigs in London, JoJo headed to Chris' property in Surrey where he whipped her up a scrumptious dinner. "Back cooking," Chris wrote on his Instagram stories over a photo of ingredients including flour, chicken stock and parmigiana cheese. He cooked a creamy chicken dish and his next slide showed the "empty plates" of the satisfied JoJo who'd consumed his meal. Before their cozy dinner together, Chris gave plenty of details about his relationship with JoJo, including how he had "stomach rumbles" due to his "separation anxiety" from being away from the singer. 6 6
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Can South by Southwest's London debut recreate Austin's star-making power?
South by Southwest London could become a launchpad for 'music's global superstars of the future', according to the organisers of the event, which starts its inaugural edition on Monday. SXSW London's director of programming, Katy Arnander, and the event's managing director, Randel Bryan said that despite huge competition in the capital, the event, which has been billed as 'Olympics of the mind' and is known as SXSW, could become a star-maker. 'We had Amy Winehouse playing in tiny venues back in the day,' says Bryan, referring to the Austin event. 'We've had Adele and Ed Sheeran, and we're hoping that South by Southwest in London is the same platform to really launch the global superstars of the future.' The original event, which launched in the Texas capital of Austin in 1987, has grown to a London-wide festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city in March. A mix of cutting-edge music, tech, talks from business and political figures and a film strand, previous guests to the event including Barack and Michelle Obama, Johnny Cash, Matthew McConaughey, Kelly Rowland, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. The London event has been welcomed with open arms by everyone from music figures to the city's mayor, Sadiq Khan, who said he was 'delighted' to have SXSW in London, where it will take over multiple venues in Shoreditch in the east of the city. But launching in London is a risk. When SXSW is in the Texas capital, it takes over the city's downtown area – a feat that's impossible in London. The UK's capital is not Austin, which is a big city but without the myriad cultural offerings of London. On the music front, nearby Brighton's Great Escape has long been billed as the UK's answer to SXSW, while this summer season is packed with park festivals that started last weekend at Brockwell Park despite a row over use of public space. Events such as Intelligence Squared already offer access to the great minds of our time, and the London film festival brings in talent from all over the world. So what does SXSW London offer? 'We really do believe that it's truly unique in the ability to combine creativity with technology and bring some of the greatest thought leaders together on a platform,' says Arnander, who previously worked at the Barbican and Sadler's Wells. 'And so in that sense, we think it's something truly remarkable to bring to the UK.' 'Austin is very music focused, but we're sort of broadening it out and introducing other elements to it,' adds Arnander, highlighting the visual arts programme that features Alvaro Barrington. In the 2000s and 2010s, the Austin event became known as a key launchpad for musical talent, particularly British artists, who went to Texas and came back after planting a flag in the notoriously difficult to break American market. Amy Winehouse, Dua Lipa, Skepta and Stormzy all made waves in Austin, but over recent years, that kingmaker status has faltered. Last year, more than 80 artists withdrew from the 2024 edition in support of Palestine after Israel's invasion of Gaza, citing SXSW's ties to the US army and the defence contractor RTX Corporation. Sign up to The Guide Get our weekly pop culture email, free in your inbox every Friday after newsletter promotion The US army was listed as a 'super sponsor' of the 2024 festival, and SXSW initially defended the partnership, while also supporting the boycotting artists. SXSW said it defended the artists' right to free speech but added that the 'defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today'. In June 2024, the festival ended its US army partnership after the backlash. When asked if the row had affected bookings, Arnander said: 'No, just to be clear, we're quite independent from Austin, and while Austin had sponsorship from the US army, we don't have any such sponsorship.' The UK and US events are owned by different companies. London's musical offering has some big names: Afrobeats star Tems is playing a show at the Troxy, Wyclef Jean is in town, while Erykah Badu was a late addition to the lineup. Mabel is another highlight. But compared with the US event's usual musical lineup – where Drake, Lana Del Rey, John Legend or Iggy Pop might show up – London's first edition feels underpowered. SXSW London's talks programme is where most of the star wattage is found. The CEO of Google's AI laboratory DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, is over for a chat about artificial intelligence; Hollywood spiritual guru Deepak Chopra imparts wisdom; while the former Arsenal star Cesc Fàbregas discusses the rise of Como, the Italian side he manages. Fitness influencer Joe Wicks will give his thoughts on integrating fitness into office life (working meetings, apparently), while actor Idris Elba talks about creativity and comedian Katherine Ryan discusses immortality. The US event also evolved to include film programming, alongside the traditional tech, talks and music. SXSW London will take over the Barbican, hosting premieres of Eminem's fan documentary Stans and Tom Kingsley's comedy Deep Cover starring Bryce Dallas Howard and Orlando Bloom, while there's a retrospective for British film-maker Jenn Nkiru at Christ Church in Spitalfields.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
London Brings Its Own Musical Touch to South by Southwest
When South by Southwest first began in Austin, Texas, in 1987, the Shoreditch neighborhood in East London was still filled with empty warehouses. But it was beginning to attract a wave of artists who would help it eventually become synonymous with music and culture. Almost 40 years later, this area will be the site of South by Southwest London, the organization's first foray into Europe. And for some of the London-born musicians who are performing, it's a huge opportunity that also reflects the area's reputation and artistic cachet. 'It's super exciting that it's now finally arriving on home soil,' said Joel Bailey, an R&B and soul artist from Southwest London whose stage name is BAELY. He continued: 'London's got so many different hubs of, kind of like pockets of creative spaces and Shoreditch is definitely one of them. It's thriving.' Jojo Orme, who performs as Heartworms, was born in London and said she briefly lived in Shoreditch. 'They just have the fingers on the pulse there. It's always beating,' she said, adding that 'so many people love to travel to Shoreditch for a show because it's always a good time.' South by Southwest London, which begins on Monday and runs through June 7, will feature performances by more than 500 artists across about 30 venues as part of its music festival. It will also include a film and conference series, just like the flagship festival in Austin. An Asia-Pacific branch of the event started in Sydney in 2023. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Space travel is queer': the unstoppable film-maker skewering Bezos and Musk's macho fantasies
'She's a great inspiration,' says Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, picking up a photo she keeps in her wildly decorated office of the scientist Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel prize and also the first person to win one twice. 'I pick people that really inspire me. Partners in crime. When a project is difficult, I think, 'What would Marie Curie have done? What would Hannah Arendt have done?' Hahaha.' She talks mile-a-minute, finishing sentences with a laugh as she speaks to me in her office, which could well be the best one in London: an old, graffiti-covered tube carriage plonked on top of the roof of a Shoreditch nightclub, with views over the city. Its interior is loud and colourful: posters and flyers plaster the walls, while the floor is a trippy swirl of purples and pinks. And, propped up on her desk, is that photo of Curie. Having done projects for Nasa, Porsche, Lego and Nike, Ben Hayoun-Stépanian's role is artist, activist and creative director all rolled into one. Not that she cares for labels: at a push, she will describe herself as a 'designer of experiences'. In March, she installed a 'cosmic playground' in London's West End, placing asteroid-shaped rocks in Piccadilly Circus as well as giant inflatable fluorescent cats (not any old cats, but Schrödinger's cats, for students of quantum physics). She has also sent heartbeats into space, bouncing them off the moon. Ben Hayoun-Stépanian is fascinated by space and in 2012 co-founded an orchestra of scientists at Nasa. The International Space Orchestra has performed with Sigur Rós, Beck and Damon Albarn. The idea behind it is typical of her mantra of 'challenging power structures' and inspiring people to think differently. 'The orchestra created a counterculture in Nasa. You have the head of Nasa playing the gong and a new astronaut playing percussion. They can speak about what went wrong in the space programme. Suddenly, they are having a conversation about why we are doing what we are doing.' And don't get her started on the education system. In 2017, frustrated with the status quo, she set up the University of the Underground. It's a non-tuition-fee-paying university run from the basements of nightclubs (past lecturers include Pussy Riot and Noam Chomsky). She has also directed five feature films – the latest, Doppelgängers³, is being shown next week as part of the London incarnation of the SXSW (South by Southwest) festival. It may be difficult to pin down exactly what she does, but she does a lot. Films do loom large, though. Ben Hayoun-Stépanian's tube carriage is also an Aladdin's cave of props from her films and projects. There's a giant foam strawberry on one shelf, a comedy oversized telephone on another. And is that Barbie above the desk? 'Yeah! That is me!' The Barbie is indeed a mini Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, wearing her trademark boilersuit and red lipstick. The toy manufacturer Mattel made her the doll after she consulted on its I Can Be range of Barbies which gave the toys proper jobs. 'This was way before Barbie was considered cool, way before the Barbie film. These big companies – sometimes it's hard for them to agitate from within. So they invite people like me. My whole work is also about representation, making sure voices are being heard.' Ben Hayoun-Stépanian is entertaining company. But we are meant to be talking about Doppelgängers³, which explores the future of space. After working in the space industry, she has come to believe that we have learned nothing from history, that humans may be doomed to repeat the mistakes we made on Earth in space: the same old western exploitation, the same old colonialism. Take the billionaire space race. Elon Musk's mission is to populate Mars with a human colony, while Jeff Bezos wants to move heavy polluting industries to space. 'These two, their visions are getting the most media space. But I find they are problematic. And I find they are lacking originality.' If space exploration is now the preserve of the 1%, Doppelgängers³ imagines a new vision: less heteronormative, less patriarchal. It's a film pinging with so many ideas, I don't know where to start, I say. She nods vigorously. 'It's polyphonic. That's really the way my brain functions. It's the way I do things. The idea that you could compartmentalise knowledge just doesn't make sense to me. You can't dissociate biology from physics or from literature or culture. All are parts of the same ecosystem, which is the cosmos!' She adds: 'Space, to me, is not a luxury. It's not entertainment. It is a critical experiment – the ultimate test of what kinds of societies we are capable of imagining.' Her film is very funny, funnier than it sounds on paper. Ben Hayoun-Stépanian travels the world talking to experts: she interviews pioneering astronomer Jill Tarter, a neurogeneticist, an economist, a transgender activist and a quantum physicist. Some conversations reach Louis Theroux heights of randomness. When she visits the political theorist Uday Singh Mehta, he rolls her up like a burrito in a massive rug on the floor. Nothing is scripted. 'I don't want to come with a preconceived idea of how things are going to go,' she explains. Besides, she can always tell when it's time to leave: 'I know when someone is going to throw me out.' The film gets its name from the two doppelgangers Ben Hayoun-Stépanian hires to accompany her on an 'analogue mission', a practice run for space travel here on Earth. Her doppelgangers are Lucia, an Armenian, and Myriam, an Algerian. The three women travel to a cave in Spain to take part in a simulation of a space mission. Wearing cumbersome astronaut suits, gripping a rope handrail, they descend into the cave. The whole thing looks terrifying. 'I'm so glad you could see that! I genuinely thought that was the most dangerous thing I've done in my life.' The idea behind hiring doppelgangers was partly inspired by Ben Hayoun-Stépanian's fascination with quantum physics. She is also interested in intergenerational trauma – how emotional pain can be transmitted from parent to child. Ben Hayoun-Stépanian is French, of Armenian and Algerian heritage; both countries have painful colonial histories. Her project resulted in the first academic paper on intergenerational trauma and decolonial futures in space. Ben Hayoun-Stépanian grew up in Valence in south-eastern France. Her grandfather was a member of the committee of French Armenians who lobbied the French government to formally recognise the Armenian genocide of 1915-16. 'I was maybe 13 or 14. I remember [the campaign] quite well.' It was only in recent years that she thought of her grandfather as an activist. She wonders if she was politicised by him. Growing up, the family had a textile business and her first degree (among many) was in textile design. She then moved to Tokyo, designing kimonos and making jewellery (a hit with Yakuza gangsters). In Ben Hayoun-Stépanian's mind, space exploration forces us to reimagine everything. 'It's queer. It's decolonial. It's pluralistic.' We need to let go of the binaries and borders, she says. Since her film premiered at Sundance last year, Donald Trump ordered Nasa to close its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 'It's devastating. You can't just think of people as minorities. Actually, there is a direct value in bringing them into the room because, in space mission design, they bring a different way of functioning and thinking. I am making a case, which is a scientific case, for it.' Pussy Riot contributed music to the film, and Ben Hayoun-Stépanian is friends with the band's co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova. They met when they were both speaking at a conference. 'These diplomat dudes were running after Nadya, like, 'Oh my god, we want to take your picture.' I was sitting next to her in my big black bomber jacket. They all thought I was her security. Nadya is a force to be reckoned with. For me, she is the definition of courage. Me, I risk power structures. I annoy them. But I never get to a point where I'm going to go in jail. I always work with lawyers. I know what I can do, what I cannot do. Nadya has been put in jail. It's another level. I wouldn't go that far, you know?' I ask Ben Hayoun-Stépanian if she gets resistance walking into institutions such as Nasa looking as she does? 'Always!' she says cheerily. 'There is always a moment where when I arrive in the room and people are like, 'What is this?'' Her look today is head-to-toe snakeskin print, huge hoop earrings and neon green nails. Is she comfortable with conflict? A nod. 'There is always conflict, but conflict is part of the process. Conflict is never a state that remains.' I ask her if there's anything else I should ask. 'I am turning 40 on 27 May. Haha. My mom told me to tell you this.' OK. And what about your next film? 'Ha! My next film is even more mad.' Doppelgängers³ screens on 2 and 7 June at Rich Mix, London, as part of SXSW.
