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The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
A new generation of fashion lovers are just getting to know Steve Madden
Steve Madden, the eponymous founder of the famous shoe brand – and a man with a somewhat complicated history – said he had never seen anything quite like this in his 35-year career. He did an interview with the Cutting Room Floor fashion podcast that was posted online recently, and the reaction on social media (and beyond) has been overwhelmingly positive. 'Usually people are like 'what do you want from a con man?'' he said in a phone interview. But this time, 'people were calling me and they're like, 'Did you read the comments?'' he said. 'Some people want me to run for president.' He referred to the controversies and struggles he has been a part of over the years before pausing and adding that 'it's nice to be appreciated'. Political office isn't in his future, but later in the phone interview he said that he would consider running 'for the president of the board in my building' after all this positive attention. In the podcast interview, Madden and the host, Recho Omondi, touched on a range of topics, including his past white-collar crimes and the current government. Clips of the interview have been viewed by millions of users on TikTok, and Omondi's Patreon, which is where the podcast is posted, received 'thousands' of new subscribers, she wrote in a recent post. Read more: Style reigns supreme: Catherine, Princess of Wales, proves she's still got it In the days after the interview was released, stock in the Steve Madden brand rallied to its highest point in a month, and many TikTok users noted they were going to buy his shoes. In an emailed statement, the company said Google searches for 'Steve Madden' were up more than 60% and website visits from organic search had increased by 10%. The Steve Madden brand offers popular footwear styles at more affordable prices. Photo: Instagram/Steve Madden It's a case study in the best kind of press engagement, particularly for a brand that has, for years, been outside the trendy spotlight and more often associated with clearance aisles and outlet stores, said Matthew Quint, director of the Center On Global Brand Leadership at Columbia Business School. In the podcast interview, Madden owned up to the securities fraud he committed with Jordan Belfort, which landed him in prison in the early 2000s (Belfort's story inspired Martin Scorsese's 2013 film The Wolf Of Wall Street ). 'I was too ambitious, I was too greedy,' he said. 'I was complicit – I'm not blaming anybody.' On tariffs and the global trade war, he noted that policymakers, and in particular president Donald Trump, 'fundamentally do not understand what they're doing'. He also embraced the brand's reputation for copying styles from luxury fashion houses at cheaper price points. 'It's like calling the Beatles a knockoff band because they would take a little bit from Motown and a little bit from Elvis,' he said in the podcast interview. On the day the podcast was released, Madden sued Adidas for its 'efforts to monopolise' stripes after the sneaker brand complained that two of Madden's sneaker designs, with two stripes instead of three, infringed its trademark on the three stripes. Most of the reaction to the podcast interview on TikTok and Reddit praised Madden's candor and his plain way of speaking. Others found it refreshing for a business leader to speak so bluntly about the current administration's policies. For a younger generation, the interview also served as a moment of discovery, with many learning for the first time about Madden – his background, his struggles – or just putting a face to a name they have seen or heard over the years, Quint said. 'Suddenly it's like, Oh, that's Steve the shoe guy?' he said. 'There's sort of a surprise factor in all of it – the uncovering of who he is and thinking of that brand in a new light.' Madden admitted that perhaps a younger generation was meeting him for the first time. 'I'm kind of like an author, an author that you know very well but you don't know what he looks like,' he said. 'Then they get to see me – they've been wearing my shoes forever but I'm a real guy. I'm a real guy who goes to the grocery store and curses too much, you know, and tries to be a good dad.' In fact, his story – already extensively covered in the media, in his autobiography and in The Wolf Of Wall Street – is seemingly so fresh for a younger generation that many TikTok users suggested Netflix should produce a documentary about him. Read more: How today's best-dressed men aren't just wearing style – they're shaping it During the podcast interview he was shown a pair of Alaia shoes that his brand had replicated. His reaction was to ask, referring to his customers, 'Do you think some of my girls even know who Alaia is?' That line struck many who viewed the interview as endearing. 'From day one, I have loved Steve Madden and now I love him even more,' Gabriella Masseran said in a TikTok post, reacting to the interview. 'He's for the girls,' she added, before walking her followers through her personal collection of Madden's shoes. 'It felt really genuine – he wasn't snooty,' said Victoria Thompson, 31, a government worker and content creator in Augusta, Georgia. 'I felt like that could have been my uncle. And he called us his girls. I'm like, you know what? Let me go support him.' After seeing the clips on TikTok over the weekend, she drove to the nearest Dillard's department store and bought a pair of Steve Madden slippers. They look like a type produced by Hermes, but are far less expensive. – ©2025 The New York Times Company This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
New York Post
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Wolf of Wall Street' star Joanna Lumley, 78, admits her ‘time must be coming quite soon'
Joanna Lumley is reflecting on her life and sharing some sound advice while doing it. The British actress, who turned 79 on Thursday, recently revealed in a bold statement that she expects her 'time must be coming quite soon.' The 'Absolutely Fabulous' star said 'beloved friends are beginning to leave' in an interview with My Weekly. 8 Joanna Lumley in 2025. Getty Images for University of St Andrews 8 Joanna Lumley and Leonardo Dicaprio in 'The Wolf Of Wall Street.' Appian Way/Paramount/Kobal / Shutterstock 'As you near the top of the hill, you suddenly think: 'Gosh, there's not all that amount of time left,'' she continued. 'My time must be coming quite soon and I don't want to have wasted a minute of being on this beautiful planet.' 'The Wolf of Wall Street' actress explained she 'used to panic when I was young, but as I've got older, I've started literally to live day to day.' Getting older has only been a gift for Lumley. 8 Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley in 'Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.' Fox Searchlight / Everett Collection 8 'Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.' ©Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection 'With age, you work out what matters. I always knew that good stuff would come along when I was older,' she confessed. 'When I was 18, I longed to be 30. When I was 30, longed to be 50. We mustn't be led into thinking getting old is bad. Growing old is good.' Lumley admitted that while she is able to be present and live in the moment, she isn't sure the younger generation is able to do the same with the consumption of social media. 'You need time in your head,' the BAFTA winner shared. 'I'm so afraid we're going to breed a generation who don't know the world and don't know how to talk.' 8 English actress Joanna Lumley, circa 1970. Getty Images And even in Lumley's later years, her career hasn't slowed down one bit. She portrays Felicity Sanderson in the British sitcom 'Amandaland' and starred in Harlen Coben's 'Fool Me Once' on Netflix in 2024. Now, Lumley is set to play Grandmama Hester Frump in Season 2 of 'Wednesday' on the streaming platform. 'It's wonderful. I get to wear many, many huge wigs, one on top of the other – and lots of quite constraining clothes, so I love it,' Lumley gushed over the role on the horror show. 8 Leonardo DiCaprio and Joanna Lumley in the movie 'The Wolf of Wall Street.' Splash News In 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' which starred Leonardo DiCaprio as stockbroker Jordan Belfort, Lumley played Aunt Emma, the aunt to Margot Robbie's Naomi Lapaglia. There was even a scene in the film where Lumley kisses DiCaprio, 50, although it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. 'I did kiss Leonardo DiCaprio, about 15 times in fact,' the actress said in 2023 at a dinner for the Elizabeth's Legacy of Hope charity, per LadBible. 'There are so many takes and you both have to chew so much chewing gum.' Lumley added, 'It's like kissing someone in a dentist's waiting room.' 8 Joanna Lumley in 1965. Getty Images The actress was a model before getting her start in Hollywood as Purdey in the ITV action series 'The New Avengers' at age 30 in 1976. 'It was a proper big part in a series,' Lumley told The Guardian in 2023, 'made over the course of two years, so you have a real chance to get into a character and work all the time.' The star went on to play Patsy Stone in the British sitcom 'Absolutely Fabulous' in 1992 opposite creator Jennifer Saunders. Looking back at playing unapologetic women, Lumley told the outlet: 'They are women without brakes.' 8 Joanna Lumley attends The RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Getty Images 'It doesn't matter what they do, they don't care,' she expressed. 'I think people found that refreshing because women were usually anxious about things.' 'It was back to clowning again,' she recalled of the role, 'back to making people laugh.' In 2016, the women reunited for 'Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.' 'It's fantastic,' she told 'Good Morning America.' 'And to have had a character for 25 years and still be there is brilliant, because I know exactly what she's going to do. So although I am not like her, she is mine!'
The Independent
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Pope Francis: Leonardo DiCaprio among stars to pay tribute to ‘beacon of humility'
Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Michelle Yeoh are among the stars to have paid tribute to Pope Francis following his death on Easter Monday. The 88-year-old pontiff's passing, attributed to a cerebral stroke leading to a coma and irreversible heart failure, has prompted widespread reflection on his legacy. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday. DiCaprio, renowned for his roles in films like The Wolf Of Wall Street and Titanic, took to Instagram to remember the Pope. He lauded Francis as "a transformational leader – not only for the Catholic Church, but also for environmental reform and activism". The actor's words echo the sentiment of many who viewed the pontiff as an inspiration for environmentalists worldwide. Francis's advocacy for environmental protection resonated with a global audience, earning him praise for his commitment to the planet. Beyond his environmental work, the Pope was also celebrated for his "humility, compassion, and courage," qualities that touched those who met him, including Yeoh. He also recalled the spiritual leader appearing in his 2016 climate change documentary Before The Flood, which he called 'enlightening, deeply moving and thought provoking'. DiCaprio added: 'Pope Francis was one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of environmentalists around the world. May he rest in peace.' Everything Everywhere All At Once actress and United Nations Development Programme ambassador Yeoh wrote on Instagram: 'Pope Francis was a beacon of humility, compassion, and courage. Never afraid to speak up for the most vulnerable, and always reminding us to walk with grace and kindness. 'I will forever remember his warmth and his unwavering support for our UN road safety efforts. 'His compassion truly moved the world. May his spirit live on in every act of love we give to others. Rest in peace, Holy Father.' Other celebrities including Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, and US singer and actress Gloria Estefan – who were all reportedly raised Catholic – also paid tribute. Estefan wrote on Instagram that the pontiff 'opened hearts and minds and were fearless in your guidance'. 'Thank you for putting love first until your last moments on this earth,' she added. Stallone, who met the Pope along with Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese in September 2023 in an audience of public figures, wrote that he was a 'wonderful, wonderful man', while Longoria called him 'an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalised'. 'Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered,' the actress, who shared images of her meeting the South American pope, added. His papacy emphasised the defence of the environment and partial openness to LGBTQ+ rights, and he was praised globally for his strong advocacy for the poor and marginalised.
BreakingNews.ie
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Pope Francis inspired generations and was beacon of humility
Pope Francis has been praised for a legacy of inspiring 'generations of environmentalists around the world' and as a 'beacon of humility, compassion, and courage' by the famous faces he met including Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Leonardo DiCaprio. The 88-year-old pontiff died on Easter Monday after a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said. Advertisement His funeral will take place on Saturday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leonardo DiCaprio (@leonardodicaprio) On Instagram, The Wolf Of Wall Street and Titanic star DiCaprio called Francis 'a transformational leader – not only for the Catholic Church, but also for environmental reform and activism'. He also recalled the spiritual leader appearing in his 2016 climate change documentary Before The Flood, which he called 'enlightening, deeply moving and thought provoking'. DiCaprio added: 'Pope Francis was one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of environmentalists around the world. May he rest in peace.' Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Yeoh 楊紫瓊 (@michelleyeoh_official) Everything Everywhere All At Once actress and United Nations Development Programme ambassador Yeoh wrote on Instagram: 'Pope Francis was a beacon of humility, compassion, and courage. Never afraid to speak up for the most vulnerable, and always reminding us to walk with grace and kindness. 'I will forever remember his warmth and his unwavering support for our UN road safety efforts. 'His compassion truly moved the world. May his spirit live on in every act of love we give to others. Rest in peace, Holy Father.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gloria Estefan (@gloriaestefan) Other celebrities including Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, and US singer and actress Gloria Estefan – who were all reportedly raised Catholic – also paid tribute. Advertisement Estefan wrote on Instagram that the pontiff 'opened hearts and minds and were fearless in your guidance'. 'Thank you for putting love first until your last moments on this earth,' she added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eva Longoria Baston (@evalongoria) World Pope Francis's body to go on public display ahead... Read More Stallone, who met the Pope along with Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese in September 2023 in an audience of public figures, wrote that he was a 'wonderful, wonderful man', while Longoria called him 'an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalised'. 'Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered,' the actress, who shared images of her meeting the South American pope, added. Advertisement His papacy emphasised the defence of the environment and partial openness to LGBTQ+ rights, and he was praised globally for his strong advocacy for the poor and marginalised.
The Herald Scotland
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Pope Francis inspired generations and was beacon of humility
His funeral will take place on Saturday. On Instagram, The Wolf Of Wall Street and Titanic star DiCaprio called Francis 'a transformational leader – not only for the Catholic Church, but also for environmental reform and activism'. He also recalled the spiritual leader appearing in his 2016 climate change documentary Before The Flood, which he called 'enlightening, deeply moving and thought provoking'. DiCaprio added: 'Pope Francis was one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of environmentalists around the world. May he rest in peace.' Everything Everywhere All At Once actress and United Nations Development Programme ambassador Yeoh wrote on Instagram: 'Pope Francis was a beacon of humility, compassion, and courage. Never afraid to speak up for the most vulnerable, and always reminding us to walk with grace and kindness. 'I will forever remember his warmth and his unwavering support for our UN road safety efforts. 'His compassion truly moved the world. May his spirit live on in every act of love we give to others. Rest in peace, Holy Father.' Other celebrities including Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria, Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, and US singer and actress Gloria Estefan – who were all reportedly raised Catholic – also paid tribute. Estefan wrote on Instagram that the pontiff 'opened hearts and minds and were fearless in your guidance'. 'Thank you for putting love first until your last moments on this earth,' she added. Stallone, who met the Pope along with Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese in September 2023 in an audience of public figures, wrote that he was a 'wonderful, wonderful man', while Longoria called him 'an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalised'. 'Your compassion, kindness and humility will always be remembered,' the actress, who shared images of her meeting the South American pope, added. His papacy emphasised the defence of the environment and partial openness to LGBTQ+ rights, and he was praised globally for his strong advocacy for the poor and marginalised.
