Latest news with #softlaunch
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
From Zara & Louis to Liz & Billy, how celebs are following Gen Z trend and ‘hard-launching' their new relationships
WHEN David and Victoria Beckham announced their engagement in 1998, they memorably held a press conference to tell the world their happy news. Britain's most famous couple posed gleefully for the cameras – but such scenes would be unthinkable in today's age of 'soft' and 'hard' launching on social media. Those terms, which now form part of Gen Z's terminology, are used to express how youngsters and celebs announce their relationships to the world by sharing pictures online. Soft-launching mean they drop hints about their romance without explicitly telling their social media followers what is going on. A hard launch, meanwhile, is a clear display of a couple's love, such as plastering a picture of themselves together on their Instagram profile. Here, we take a look at some recent showbiz romances which emerged on social media. Gigi & Bradley 11 MODEL Gigi Hadid posted a passionate snog with her actor beau Bradley Cooper on her 30th birthday in May. Romance rumours first surfaced in October 2023 after they were photographed after dinner in New York. But it was only three months ago when Gigi landed a smacker on Brad – who is 20 years her senior – that the pair hard-launched their romance. Zara & Louis 11 THE Sun first revealed former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson was dating Strictly star Zara McDermott in March after they were spotted going out for dinner. They partied at Glastonbury together but remained tight-lipped. Zara soft-launched their romance on Instagram last month by wearing a necklace with the initial 'L'. They hard-launched on Monday when Zara, 28, uploaded a selfie of them kissing, with Louis, 33, commenting: 'I love you x.' Watch the moment proud boyfriend Louis Tomlinson is spotted supporting Zara McDermott as she takes to the stage at Glastonbury 11 Paul & Gracie SINGER Gracie Abrams last year insisted gossip about her and actor Paul Mescal 'has nothing to do with me'. At the LA premiere of Paul's movie Gladiator II in November, they did not walk the red carpet as a couple. It wasn't until June that Gracie, 25, made a hard launch with a sweet video of her on the shoulders of hunk Paul, 29, at Glastonbury. 11 Leah & Elle RIDING the wave of last month's Euros victory, Lionesses captain Leah Williamson's girlfriend Elle Smith shared a snap of them cosying up together in bikinis – an intimate image which marked the hard launch of their relationship. It came after a soft-launch video clip in March of the pair relaxing on a paddleboard. Elle, 27, wrote 'happy birthday my love' in the caption – but the face of former Miss USA Elle, 27, was obscured, setting tongues wagging over her identity. Channing & Inka RUMOURS of Hollywood heart-throb Channing Tatum finding love with Inka Williams began when they left a pre-Oscars party together in February. It came just months after his three-year relationship with his actress fiancee Zoe Kravitz ended. And Australian model Inka, 25, confirmed Channing had moved on when she hard-launched their relationship on his 45th birthday in April, writing on Instagram: 'Happy life to the handsomest, kindest, funniest, stupidest most gorgeous human ever!!!' Liz & Billy 11 LIZ HURLEY'S 3.2million Instagram followers were stunned when she posted a photo of US country singer Billy Ray Cyrus kissing her in April. Many of them thought the hard-launch image was computer-generated as their romance seemed so unlikely. But Austin Powers star Liz, 60, and Billy, 63, look to be going strong – with the couple holding hands on the red carpet on Wednesday at a premiere for reality series The Inheritance, in which Liz stars.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Did Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Just Soft-Launch an Engagement?
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have never needed a red carpet to go public — but their phones might be doing the talking for them. On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs star shared a 13-photo Instagram carousel recapping his offseason adventures, and it didn't take long for Swifties to zoom in. In one image, the couple sits at a dinner table, and on the screen of Kelce's iPhone? A black-and-white photo of him and Swift — sparking immediate speculation that it wasn't just a cute snapshot, but an engagement photo. More from SheKnows Taylor Swift & Blake Lively's Tension May Be Behind This Party Snub 'Is she holding up her hand with a ring on it?' one fan commented. 'Not to be that person,' another chimed in, 'but is she pointing at her hand like she's… engaged????' Adding to the frenzy: Swift's own phone appears visible in the same photo. Though slightly obscured, eagle-eyed fans claim her lock screen also features a matching couple shot — one seemingly from their Lake Como trip in May of last year, based on Kelce's striped sweater. For a couple that's never walked a red carpet together, dual lock screens feel like the most Swift-Kelce version of a soft launch. The post marked Kelce's first time featuring Swift directly on his Instagram grid — a big move for a relationship that's been public for nearly two years but still keeps its milestones low-key. Their fans, however, are not so subtle. Comments poured in: 'THE LOCK SCREEN!?' and 'They got married?!' That last theory stems from a separate incident earlier this summer. In June, a wedding planner posted a photo from Chicago Bears player Cole Kmet's wedding — and the invite list included 'Taylor and Travis Kelce,' seated at Table 13. While many chalked it up to wedding-day aesthetic, it was enough to send Swifties into overdrive. For what it's worth, Swift shut down marriage rumors just last month, referring to Kelce as 'my boyfriend' during a hospital visit in Florida. Still, sources close to the couple have confirmed they're 'on the same page' about the future. Still, insiders have confirmed to TMZ that the two are still not engaged, despite the cutesy lock screens and the mysterious ring on Swift's left hand — which happens to be not one, but three of Kelce's Super Bowl rings, mind you. One thing's still clear: the lock screens were no accident. In Swiftian terms, this is a curated kind of chaos — the kind that says, we know what you're looking for — and we just might be giving it to you. Before you go, click to see all of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's cutest PDA moments. Best of SheKnows Actors Who You Forgot Have Impressive Singing Careers Too All About Conor Kennedy, RFK Jr.'s Private Son Who Was Once Linked to Taylor Swift 16 Times the Celebrity Death Rule of Threes Actually Happened Solve the daily Crossword
Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Catherine Connolly's Áras campaign begins with a very ‘soft launch'
Confirmation Day for Catherine Connolly. In the business world, the start of her campaign for the presidency would have been described as a 'soft launch'. A low-key event before a smallish crowd with her fledgling team still learning the ropes. A chance to test the offering before flinging the doors open and inviting the world in for the official grand opening. But one suspects that a lack of the usual razzmatazz may be the hallmark of this particular bid for the Áras . READ MORE Campaign launches tend to take place in a nice room in a landmark building or a swanky hotel. There is a top table and a lectern and a microphone. A folder stuffed with background literature. Some branded merch for the foot soldiers. A slogan or two. And a lorry load of vision. On Wednesday, the Independent TD for Galway West was simply standing on her vision while standing on the footpath outside Leinster House. She was surrounded by a meagre donut of Social Democrats TDs, Paul Murphy of People Before Profit, some fellow independents and Independent Senator Eileen Flynn. Fourteen in all, although the candidate confirmed she has nailed down the 20 Oireachtas nominations required to get her name on the ballot paper. At least the small gathering of politicians, supporters and media spilling onto the road was in no danger from passing double-deckers. The field was clear for Deputy Connolly on her first day of campaigning. Kildare Street was closed at both ends because of an anti-immigration march, while Molesworth Street, directly opposite the gates, was also closed to traffic due to a protest over Gaza . There was a heavy but good-humoured garda presence around the general area as confused tourists attempted to negotiate their way around the barriers to hotels and visitor attractions. It was in this salubrious setting that Catherine set out her somewhat insubstantial stall. This Presidential project is still very much a work in progress. But the vision is already in full flight. The candidate said she spent many months thinking about whether she should run or not. People were urging her to do so but, initially, she wasn't quite so keen. However, in the end, the weight of their confidence and trust convinced Catherine to take the plunge. She admitted it was all very sudden in the end so the logistics still need to be worked on. It takes big money to fight an election too – there was a wing-and-a-prayer aspect to her initial musings on how a war-chest might be funded. Independent TD Catherine Connolly spoke to the media at Leinster House, Dublin, where she was surrounded by TDs and senators, as she formally launched her bid to become Ireland's next President. Photograph: Cate McCurry/PA Wire The former barrister and clinical psychologist personally covered her own costs in the last two general elections, which shows it may be possible to become the nation's first citizen on a shoestring. 'This is bigger than wealth and money,' she declared. 'Having said that, I will need money, and we will be open and asking for contributions, because obviously we need a campaign.' Catherine got a cheer from the Gaza protesters corralled beyond Buswell's Hotel when she walked outside with her political sponsors to launch her bid. Out in the open, it was very difficult at times to hear her. 'Speak up please, Catherine!' shouted exasperated reporters. It didn't help that speeches from her kindred spirits mustered behind the barriers in support of Palestine were winning the battle to be heard. The fledgling Team Connolly should have asked for a quick loan of their microphone and speaker. 'I stand here, not as a politician seeking office, but as a citizen to serve as the President of Ireland, with the help of the people and the votes of Ireland,' said the former Mayor of Galway and thrice elected Dáil deputy who left the Labour Party in 2007 when she wasn't selected to run alongside Michael D Higgins in that year's General Election. That unpleasantness is all water under the bridge now. Catherine's admiration for Michael D Higgins's performance as President over the last 14 years is undimmed. He spoke truth to power, she said. 'I'm particularly proud that he showed courage and that his wife showed courage.' She bridled at a suggestion that she is a Michael D wannabe mini-me offering another '14 years of Galway Socialism' from Áras an Uachtaráin. 'I have my own vision and my own support and my own values.' Away from the dreamy aspirational references to visions and voices and humility, there wasn't much detail about how the campaign will be run and what would be the candidate's goals should she reach high office. Mairead McGuinness, the other declared candidate, for Fine Gael, was also in the building but keeping a low profile However, she is standing 'to enable people, to empower people to find their own voices, to stand up and be counted'. That sounds great, so it does. The reporters gave Catherine a fairly robust introductory grilling on her maiden voyage into what will be a very long campaign. There were probing questions about her political ideology and, in particular, her fact-finding trip to war-torn Syria in 2018 under the notorious Assad regime, which was overthrown last December. She travelled with then TDs Mick Wallace, Clare Daly and Maureen O'Sullivan. The questions will continue. Presidential campaigns are very tough. Catherine says she is up to the challenge. 'I think we have conviction. I think we believe in what we're doing . . . I'm fully ready now.' Support will come from independents, parties of the left and 'from the ground up'. No sign of anyone biting from Labour and Sinn Féin yet. But former Sinn Féin and now Independent TD, Brian Stanley, was standing next to the woman who would hope to be the candidate for all parties of the left. Patricia Ryan, also formerly of Sinn Féin, who lost her seat at the last election, took photographs of the scene. She is now a member of Deputy Stanley's staff. As the short press conference finished, Heather Humphreys, the former deputy leader of Fine Gael, breezed past. She was very much in the frame as a possible runner but quickly dampened expectations and said it wasn't for her. She was back for a meeting of former Fine Gael TDs and senators. Looking great. Happy out. Enjoying life. Mairead McGuinness, the other declared candidate, for Fine Gael, was also in the building but keeping a low profile. It's game on. She addressed the former politicians in advance of the campaign to come. Heather, meanwhile, bumped into the newest candidate on the corridor and they shook hands. 'You would have been a great candidate,' Catherine told Heather. Senator Eileen Flynn agreed. 'You would have been an excellent candidate.' A short time later, Heather bumped into another former colleague, and talk invariably turned to the presidential election. 'You've dodged a bullet there,' he said. She didn't disagree.
