Love Island: 16 Viral Moments From This Year’s Series That We’re Still Not Quite Over

Posted on 22/08/2021 by Boris Clair

It’s official, the summer of love is nearly over as the sun sets on Love Island 2021.

After a somewhat slow start, this series finally lived up to its high expectations and provided us with some much-needed TV gold over the last few weeks.

From the iconic Casa Amor recoupling, to couples being on-and-off (and on again – we’re looking at you, Chloe and Toby), series seven has brought drama, an abundance of love and one very questionable talent show.

Ahead of Monday night’s grand finale – where one couple will walk away with the £50,000 prize fund – here’s a roundup of our favourite viral moments that we’re still *puts on Lucinda’s voice* reallllllyyyy obsessed with…

1. Hugo’s recoupling speech

One of the most fiery fire pit moments this year was undoubtedly Hugo’s speech after Toby coupled up with Abi instead of Chloe. It marked the turning point of the series, as we saw our first real glimpse of drama.

Throwing a number of shady comments at his fellow islander Toby, Hugo said of Chloe: “She doesn’t deserve to be treated how she has been this past 24 hours.”

His speech was obviously met with some iconic facial reactions from the Islanders, which were immediately turned into memes.

2. Mary and Millie’s talent show efforts

Picture this – it’s Christmas Day and your cousins are performing their talent show to your family… oh wait, you don’t have to imagine after this particular Love Island moment.

From a rendition of Grease’s You’re The One That I Want, to two semi-pro footballers showing their (lack of) tricks, the Love Island 2021 Talent Show scene was jam-packed with debatable ‘skills’.

However, the real stand-out acts for us were Millie and her keyboard take on Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, and Mary’s tap dancing, both of which left the fellow Islanders – and indeed viewers – speechless.

3. Faye trying her hardest to be unbothered at AJ’s arrival

Despite some of Faye’s more fiery moments causing controversy, her unbothered energy when new bombshell AJ entered the villa was a real mood.

All the other girls were peeking over the terrace to get a first look, but Faye remained the queen of reactions as she filed her nails and emphasised how unbothered she was: “I’m not bothered at all, AT ALL.”

We totally believed her…

4. Rachel slides head-first into a fence

A rare moment of silence fell in the Line of Booty challenge as Rachel was whisked off her feet, but sadly not by Brad.

Coming down the slide at speed, we saw Rachel going head first into the fence and later recalling the event as “tragic”.

It’s been an hour and I’m still lol-ing at Rachel trying to be sexy but face planting a railing 💀💀💀send help #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/Zt5ocypNJy

— Stephanie Soteriou 🛸 (@StephanieRiou) July 8, 2021

Luckily, she was OK, but we can still feel the pain.

5. Toby’s unusual reaction to losing Sports Day

The internet was left confused when Toby’s immediate reaction to his team losing Sports Day was to start lifting weights.

However, we weren’t the only ones left baffled as many of his fellow islanders were also unsure as to what was going on.

6. Priya getting the ick from Brett over… Brie?!

Now we’ve heard of a lot of reasons for getting ‘the ick’ but being put off by thinking your partner’s favourite cheese was Brie? Well that is unheard of.

Cheese-lover Priya struggled to picture a future with Brett as she thought his choice of favourite cheese was quite boring. Maybe it’s a Gouda idea to start choosing our partner’s based on their favourite cheese from now on?

FYI, Brett later confirmed that he never said that and in fact he isn’t really a fan of cheese at all.

7. Hugo’s job being “done”

Many of us would probably love to hear some words of encouragement or affection after our first kiss with a new partner. However, Hugo took a slightly different approach after locking lips with Amy in Casa Amor… and we wouldn’t recommend it.

The PE teacher thought the statement “Job done” was the perfect way to win someone over. Spoiler: it didn’t turn out that way.

8. Lillie gets her moment

The nation’s jaws collectively dropped when Lillie entered the main villa to deliver some home truths about what Liam had been up to in Casa Amor.

Never before has an Islander made such an impact in such a short space of time. A Love Island legend.

9. The record-breaking amount of times Jake called Liberty his GIRLfriend

Some would say that Jake had an obsession with having a girlfriend after the amount of times he’s mentioned the G-word.

After a rocky few weeks of their relationship, it seemed as though Jake’s preferred method of reassurance was repeatedly stating Liberty was his “GIRLfriend”.

Sadly, it wasn’t to be for the couple, who ended up leaving the villa after splitting days before the final.

10. This culinary monstrosity

You know what they say, food is the way to the heart. However, we’re not sure that Aaron’s choice of a Halloween DIY-looking carrots in hummus is quite what is meant by that.

The carrots in question were unpeeled and wedged vertically into a bowl of the dip, leaving them looking like inedible witches fingers.

We haven’t seen a Love Island dish look so unappealing since Tommy served up that ketchup and mayo sandwich for Maura.

11. Speaking of culinary fails…

Rachel made us question our French GCSE after she described Coq au Vin as ‘duck with wine’ to Brad.

The mistake didn’t seem to go unnoticed with viewers, as social media flooded with the correct description for the dish, which is actually chicken braised in wine.

We have to give Rachel a A+ for confidence though.

12. Shannon’s brutal dumping

This year’s contestants were prepped for the summer of a lifetime, but for OG Islander Shannon this was not the case – in fact she was packing her case after just one day in the villa.

After the mandatory two-week quarantine before entering the villa, we can only imagine how it felt being dumped after day one.

13. Georgia. That’s it.

After Hugo was stuck on ‘Friend Island’ for the majority of his time in the villa, viewers were glad to finally see the arrival of Georgia, who had her sights firmly set on Hugo and Hugo only.

Despite being the third girl to make Hugo’s rejection list, Georgia’s short stint in the villa consisted of elocution lessons with Lucinda, bringing the sequins and the inspirational message “Never meet your heroes” – and to be honest, we’re not mad about it.

14. Millie’s comedy timing

You can always count on Millie to keep it 100% real, and let’s be honest her comedic inputs have been up there with the best of them during her time in the villa – case in point, this moment from Unseen Bits.

Is it a bug? No, Millie simply humbled her Chloe by calling her a mug for taking Toby back after their on-and-off romance. We have to say the timing was 10/10.

15. Hair horror

The Undercover Lover challenge wasn’t only very messy but it also left the girls in need of a trip to the hairdressers, as the vibrant slime and accidentally dyed their hair all the colours of the rainbow.

16. Chloe’s Beach Hut entries

Chloe has brought many iconic one-liners to the table this series, often from her Beach Hut entries.

Love Island: 16 Viral Moments From This Year's Series That We're Still Not Quite

She has offered hilarious commentary on the day-to-day twists and turns in the villa, and who could forget her “very muggy” speech that came after Toby’s head started to turn?

While she proved to be a slightly Marmite character at the beginning of the series, many of us can now agree that Chloe has carried the humour of the show and we love to see it.

Love Island continues on Sunday and Monday at 9pm on ITV2.

Rachel Riley Spells Out ‘Poo Anally’ On Countdown, Reacts Accordingly

Posted on 20/08/2021 by Boris Clair

Rachel Riley had the perfect response after serving up a rather smelly solution to a puzzle on the latest edition of Countdown.

The presenter couldn’t hide her smirk as “anally” was offered as a solution to a puzzle on the Channel 4 numbers and letters quiz show on Friday.

But to top if off, the remaining letters of the anagram had also left “poo” up on the board.

Rachel Riley couldn't hide her smirk on the latest edition of — Rachel Riley couldn’t hide her smirk on the latest edition of Countdown

When one fan tweeted her commenting that it was quite a way to mark her 3000th show, Rachel responded: “Is there any other way?!”

Is there any other way?! https://t.co/UMtS92mwdA

— Rachel Riley 💙 (@RachelRileyRR) August 20, 2021

Rachel has now co-hosted 3000 episodes of Countdown since taking over from previous maths whizz Carol Vorderman in 2008.

To celebrate the occasion, she was visited by her partner, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev, and their daughter Maven in the studio and was also presented with flowers by the production team.

Rachel tweeted: “Loved my surprise visitors for my 3000th show today! One of them was particularly disappointed when it was time to go.”

She added: “I’ll always be the new girl but who can believe it’s been 3000 shows already!Thanks Countdown family.”

Loved my surprise visitors for my 3000th show today! One of them was particularly disappointed when it was time to go. Thanks for the gorgeous flowers @C4Countdown 😆☹️💐 pic.twitter.com/bWe0z3vR3F

— Rachel Riley 💙 (@RachelRileyRR) August 20, 2021

Today I had a big surprise in studio, complete with my favourite of surprise guests!

I’ll always be the new girl but who can believe it’s been 3000 shows already!Thanks Countdown family ❤️ https://t.co/iAsSDUsUEj

— Rachel Riley 💙 (@RachelRileyRR) August 20, 2021

Earlier this week, Countdown came under fire when a competitor’s answer of a seven-letter gay slur was left in the programme.

Channel 4 later apologised admitting they had got it wrong.

“The airing of the word was an error of judgement,” the broadcaster said.

“It does not align with our values and we apologise for any offence caused.”

Countdown airs weekdays at 2.15pm on Channel 4.

Little Mix: 20 Incredible Old Photos That Show Just How Far They’ve Come

Posted on 19/08/2021 by Boris Clair

In the 10 years they’ve been in the public eye, Little Mix have topped the charts, dominated the headlines and become style icons in their own right.

But it wasn’t always that way.

You see, they’ve come so far in the past decade it’s easy to forget that the hit girl group started life as four girls who auditioned for The X Factor as soloists, only to be put together as a four-piece group by the judges at the eleventh hour.

And as these old photos show, they were still a long way off establishing themselves as the group we know and love today in that first year.

On the 10th anniversary of Little Mix’s formation, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and remember the girls as they were – clashing prints, patterned braces, questionable dye jobs and all…

Like One Direction before them, Little Mix were formed at Bootcamp, after originally auditioning as solo artists. It was Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland who first saw the potential in the four-piece as a group.

Little Mix: 20 Incredible Old Photos That Show Just How Far They've

A month later, the newly-formed Rhythmix (as they were then known) were off to Greece, where they performed for the first time in front of the very 2011 crowd of Tulisa and Jessie J.

In those days, X Factor was synonymous with its makeovers. After making it through to the live shows, here’s what X Factor’s team of stylists did to Jade, Jesy, Leigh-Anne and Perrie…

As live shows got underway, the newly-formed band became known for their wardrobe, which included lots of bright colours, bold prints and shiny materials.

**Seriously, they loved a print.**

It was this eerie Halloween week performance that cemented the girls’ place as contenders in what became a stiff competition…

We’re giving you fair warning, do not look directly at these skirts…

Or, frankly, these skirts (though that has less to do with their luminous properties)…

As the renamed Little Mix’s popularity grew, they began being papped on their way to X Factor rehearsals.

Is this photo making anyone else want to buy some Dove soap? Just us?

Eventually, Little Mix made it all the way to the X Factor final where they went up against Marcus Collins.

And we all know how that turned out by now…

The morning after their win, Little Mix made an appearance on Daybreak.

Here they are posing with the oft-forgotten fifth member of Little Mix: Kate Garraway…

Fresh from their X Factor victory, Little Mix opened the show at the NTAs in January 2012.

And, a month later, made their Brits debut. Later in their career, Little Mix would eventually go on to deliver a string of iconic Brits performances and – almost a decade after forming – became the first girl band in history to scoop Best British Group.

With superstardom within reach, the band made a string of public appearances in early 2012 in the lead-up to their debut album’s release.

**There is a lot going on here…**

On the band’s first birthday, they performed their debut single Wings at G-A-Y, and Jade was over the moon that the group got some balloons.

And a year after that first performance in Greece, they topped the charts with their debut single Wings (like the band themselves, we’re just pretending that Cannonball doesn’t exist).

New Banksy Artwork Defaced In ‘Selfish And Mindless Way’

Posted on 15/08/2021 by Boris Clair

A local council has said it is “appalled” that a new Banksy artwork that had brought excitement to a seaside town has been defaced.

The elusive artist famed for his street art recently paid a visit to Lowestoft, leaving behind a painting of a rat sitting on a deckchair.

But residents in the Suffolk town awoke on Sunday to the news that the new attraction had been daubed with white paint.

In a statement, East Suffolk Council said: “We are naturally appalled that someone has chosen to behave in such a selfish and mindless way given how excited we all are by the appearance of these works here on the east coast.

“We are, however, hopeful that this particular work can be restored, and are engaging with specialists.”

The council said that prior to the rat art being confirmed as a genuine Banksy it had placed an order for protective materials to safeguard the piece.

It added: “In the interim, we have also employed security patrols to visit each site and on this occasion, our patrols actually interrupted the individual defacing this work and prevented any further damage occurring.

“We are very grateful for the huge goodwill of local people who are proud of these artworks, but we would kindly ask people not to try and repair the works themselves and to please leave this to professional restorers.”

Freaky Friday: 13 Things You Probably Never Knew About The Disney Classic

Posted on 14/08/2021 by Boris Clair

This month marks 18 years since one of the most entertaining films to leave Walt Disney Pictures graced our cinema screens – Freaky Friday.

It showcases a mother-daughter duo – played by Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis – who switch bodies once a spell takes effect, with unexpected consequences.

A remake of Disney’s previous 1976 and 1995 adaptations, the 2003 family comedy was a major success, with many young people and their parents finding it hilariously relatable to their lives in one way or another.

To mark Freaky Friday’s milestone anniversary, we’ve uncovered 13 facts you probably didn’t know about it.

Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in Freaky Friday

1. Lindsay’s character was originally supposed to be a goth

When the Parent Trap star read the original script, she thought Anna’s character was a bit too scruffy. “There was nothing there, no one can relate to the character when she’s really goth,” she told Vanity Fair in 2006.

To recreate her own envision, LiLo turned up to the audition dressed extremely preppy, which worked to her benefit as the character was rewritten.

2. The shots in the opening credits are actual photos of Jamie Lee Curtis and her daughter Annie Guest

We all love a fake snapshot or two at the beginning of a film, but who knew the photos at the start of Freaky Friday actually captured true moments from Jamie Lee’s real life.

One sees her daughter as a toddler laying on her mother’s back, with her arms tightly placed around her neck.

3. Lindsay had to give Jamie Lee precise lessons on how to say ‘shut up’

During a promotional interview on YouTube, the True Lies actor admitted to needing help from her then-teenage co-star with the specific way she said ‘shut up!’

“There’s a way she says shut up that I couldn’t get. She had to give me a ‘shut up’ tutorial because it’s a very specific way,” she said.

Jamie Lee, who was raising 16-year-old daughter Annie Guest at the time, claimed that starring in this film with a young person helped her see things from her child’s point of view.

“I think I probably have a judgmental bitch badge that I put on because I can be harsh, and I think that walking a mile in some very uncomfortable teenage shoes gave me the opportunity to see what it’s like on the other side,” she said.

4. Gwen Stefani was offered a role as a member of the band

Freaky Friday: 13 Things You Probably Never Knew About The Disney

According to IMDB, the US singer was offered a role as a member of Anna’s band, but sadly we didn’t get to see that happen – although we think she would have been a perfect addition to that cast.

5. Michelle Trachtenberg was supposed to be Anna

The Ice Princess star was first to be cast as the mouthy teenager, but had to back out of the project due to her her contract with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where she played Dawn Summers.

This was actually the second film Michelle turned down in which LiLo later landed the lead gig – the first being The Parent Trap in 1998, in which Lindsay made her name.

6. Kelly Osbourne also auditioned for the role

The star, known for her family reality show The Osbournes, was also offered the part of Anna after auditioning, but had to pull out after her mother Sharon was diagnosed with cancer.

Kelly later described how people told her it was the biggest mistake of her career, due to the success of the film.

7. Lindsay’s mum made an appearance in the movie

LiLo’s mum Dina can be seen in the final scene where Anna is dancing with Jake. Dina is in the background dancing with an older man, but there is an awkward moment where she is seen looking directly at the camera.

8. The famous Anna and Tess collision scene is similar to a scene in Bewitched

Anna and Tess’ idea to collide at full force in an attempt to reverse the spell is similar to a scene in 1966′s Bewitched: Divided He Falls, where Darrin is split into two people and Endora suggests he do the same to break the spell.

However, in this scene, the trick had the desired effect.

9. Lindsay had her first on-screen kiss in Freaky Friday

In a behind the scene YouTube clip, Lindsay admitted that the kiss she shared with co-star Chad Michael Murray was the first she had done on screen.

10. Lindsay went on to win three awards for the movie

Freaky Friday quickly became a Disney fan favourite in the early 2000s and Linday took home three awards for her performance of both Anna and Tess Coleman.

At the 2004 Teen Choice Awards, she won Choice Breakout Movie Star and Choice Hissy Fit. She then added to that at the MTV Movie Awards, receiving the Best Breakthrough Award in 2004.

11. The film paid homage to Jamie Lee Curtis’ mother

A character named Mr Bates appears in the film as a tribute to the actor’s mother, Janet Leigh who is best known for her performance in the 1960 film Psycho.

Mr Bates is a reference to Norman Bates’ character in the classic movie.

12. A member of the band Orgy instructed Jamie on how to play the guitar for the last scene

Orgy, an American rock band formed in 1994, offered up one of their members to teach Jamie Lee how to play the guitar, and although the actor practiced making the concert scene look as authentic as possible, a studio musician dubbed over the guitar solo in the finished film.

13. Freaky Friday is based on Mary Rodgers 1972 novel of the same name

Rodgers’ story was adapted many times, including the original Disney version in 1976.

In 2020, it was the source for the movie Freaky, which focuses on a teenage girl who unintentionally swaps bodies with a middle-aged male serial killer.

Gossip, Gaffes And Guests – Nick Grimshaw On His 14 Years Behind The Radio 1 Mic

Posted on 12/08/2021 by Boris Clair

Nick Grimshaw hosting the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 2013

“It’s quite weird when you’re looking through loads of stuff, I’ve never really stopped before and looked back to take stock of what I’ve done on Radio 1,” says a nostalgic Nick Grimshaw as we reflect on his incredible 14 years with the station.

Having joined the BBC in 2007 as Annie Mac’s sidekick on her Sunday night teen show Switch, Grimmy – as he’s affectionately known – has risen through the ranks to become one of Radio 1’s biggest stars.

He’s fronted the Weekend Breakfast Show (“I was 24 and I was going out a lot. Trying to get me to stay in on a Friday and Saturday night in 2008 was…. [laughs]”) and followed in the footsteps of the legendary John Peel as the host of Radio 1′s late-night new music show. Then in 2012, Grimmy landed the biggest break of his career when he was handed the keys to the Radio 1 Breakfast Show after its longest-serving presenter Chris Moyles stepped down.

“People really, really loved Chris, so it was very daunting to take over from him because he is a huge personality and so loved by people,” he says of his Breakfast predecessor.

“He had that thing that was attractive to me about Radio 1 in that it felt lawless and anything could happen on that show, so it definitely felt daunting to take over, but it also felt right. I felt confident that I could make a fun, inclusive, lawless show. I really like Radio 1 when it’s a bit live and loose and guests come in who are hungover.”

An “open-door” policy – as Grimmy describes it, adopted from his late-night show – meant that a day would rarely go by without one of his celebrity pals popping up to regale listeners with tales of their antics – Rita Ora was practically a regular (“I just love her… She’s one of those people who you meet at Radio 1 and you’re just like ‘you had to be a pop star, because I don’t think you’d survive if you weren’t a pop star’”), while Harry Styles once drunkenly co-hosted the show after he and Nick pulled an all-nighter at the Brits.

“I always just liked hearing the real lives of the DJs on Radio 1 when I was listening,” he says, explaining how his pals became so synonymous with his show. “I always liked how Sara Cox would talk about her night out or Chris Evans would talk about going down the pub – I liked that openness as a listener.”

After moving to the drivetime slot in 2018, the Oldham-born presenter is now hanging up his headphones for the last time on Thursday, as he says goodbye to the station he dreamed of being a presenter on “since he was a kid”.

Here, Grimmy reflects on the gossip, gaffes and guests from 14 years behind the mic…

The morning I got the Breakfast Show, I thought I was about to be fired

“I remember going in to meet my boss that morning and thought maybe he was going to change the nighttime show or fire me, I just didn’t think it was good news.

“When I got there, he said he wanted me to take over the Breakfast Show and it was a really surreal moment. It was a dream of mine as a kid, and for it to actually happen still feels surreal because it’s all I ever wanted to do.”

I always thought if you were up past 12 on Brits night, you might as well just stay out

“Everyone who works at Radio 1 is so passionate about it, the music and the Brit Awards, so to be able to go to that is so exciting. The adrenaline is through the roof and everyone is geeing each other up. We’d really go out, out.

“The first one was 2013 and we went out as a Breakfast Show team. You’ve got to get up at 5 but I always think it’s worse to go to bed. So we made the executive decision to just stay up. At about 2am, my producers decided to head into the office and have some sleep. I was like, ‘Really?! OK!’.

“I turned up after having a house party back at mine – there was me, Jaime Winston, Harry Styles and a cardboard cutout of Robbie Williams on air at 6.30am with a giant bottle of vodka that said ‘Grimmy’ in diamanté and no producers. We went on air and did the Breakfast Show and by the time the producers woke up, we’d been on air an hour.

“One poor guy, it was one of his first days as an assistant and he had to try and produce the Breakfast Show with all these drunk people chatting shit. The most stressful day ever for him.”

Grimmy took over the Breakfast Show in 2012

The guest who exceeded my expectations? Kim Kardashian.

“I didn’t really used to get the fascination. Yeah she’s pretty, but I never really got why she was the most famous person in the world. And then when I met her, she was so charming, so nice to everybody – and not fake nice – I just really liked her and really got her. Everyone in the studio loved her.

“I saw her in Ibiza a year later, and I never go over to a guest and am like, ‘Hi, I’ve interviewed you,’ but I saw her and she was like, ‘Hey, how are you? How’s the radio? I had so much fun that day!’

“She’d just got married and was gossing about the wedding. She was just dead normal and warm and a great story teller – really open and chatty.”

Rita Ora is the dream guest because she just chats and chats

“I only met her through radio. We just sort of really clicked when we started doing a lot of radio and telly together around the same time as me starting Breakfast.

“She’s so funny, scatty and charming and very sweet, and she’s like what she is on the radio off air.

“We used to do the Radio 1 Teen Awards together for a few years and we always used to want to go out on the Sunday night afterwards. But the problem was we’d have probably woken up at 6am that day to get there, so we’d always go out then we’d have a sleepover at mine because I lived right by Radio 1. Then we’d go in on a Monday morning.

“I sit back now and I can’t imagine what that sounded like, me and her chatting absolute shit in the morning.”

Nick with Rita Ora at the 2017 Teen Awards

My biggest gaffe saw me land a world exclusive and then press play on the wrong song

“I don’t remember doing this but someone tweeted me the other day, but I introduced the new James Bond song by Sam Smith and gave it a really big, amazing intro – it was a first play – but then I played the wrong song: Peanut Butter Jelly by Galantis. Everyone was like, ‘What the fuck is this?’ Not great.”

One thing listeners might not know about Radio 1 is that it has the strictest canteen

“You think it would be really fun and LOL, but actually the strictest canteen I’ve ever been in. I always get food during Newsbeat, and they’re always like, ‘Sorry, we’re not serving chips for another minute,’ and I’m like, ‘Could I have them now because the news is going to end?’ And then they are like, ‘Sorry, we don’t serve chips til 6’. It’s 5.58!

“It was a nightmare for Annie Mac every night, but it will be Clara’s problem now!”

Co-hosting with Annie is my favourite Radio 1 memory

“First our Sunday nights together and then getting to chat every single night on Drive.

“Annie told me a little while ago that she was thinking about [leaving]. She’s such a good planner and she knows where she’s going and what she wants. She told me in her garden and then I told her [I was leaving] a few weeks before I made my announcement.

“Annie is so safe and one of my best friends in the world and when I called her and told her, she is very measured and was like, ‘OK babe, let’s figure out how you want to do it and what you want to say’ – she’s exactly who you want to speak to for advice.”

Unlike her, I haven’t planned my last link yet

“I’m not very good at planning things like that. I work best under last minute pressure, it’s the only way I can do things. So I’ll think about it the night before.

“It is a big deal, but I’m not dying. I want to say something poignant, but it is a funny one because people send you really nice messages and comments and it is a bit like you have died, you know what I mean?”

I definitely want to have a little break from radio

“I really love it but I didn’t want to leave and start another radio job straight away. I wanted some separation from it and some time to take stock of it. I’ve done a daily show for 12 years, and every day I wake up thinking, ‘What the fuck are we going to talk about today for four hours?’ So I just don’t want to do that for a little bit. I don’t want to stop doing the radio, I’d love to do it again in six months or a year.

“I want to try and commit to some things I’ve not had the time to commit to before and start building my interiors business and do some TV I’ve not been able to do.”

On stage at a Radio 1's Big — On stage at a Radio 1’s Big Weekend

There’s some great new Radio 1 talent I’m going to be following

I really love a new DJ called Sarah Story who is going to be on Friday nights. I heard her doing some cover and she was really lovely and funny and warm and northern, and has amazing taste in music. Then I met her at Annie’s leaving party and really clicked with her.

“I also really love Sian Eleri, who does The Chillest Show. It’s so good and she’s amazing. Both Sian and Sarah are really special.”

I’m not going to have to leave the What’sApp group. Am I?!

“Annie I speak to constantly and more off the radio than on the radio. Then we have a What’sApp group of me, Greg [James], Clara [Amfo], Scott [Mills] and Chris [Stark]. Everyone really does get on. I’m not going to have to leave the What’sApp group. Am I?!

“No, I don’t think so…”

Nick Grimshaw’s last Radio 1 show airs on Thursday from 2pm.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

What It’s Actually Like To Work In Fashion vs. What We See In Movies

Posted on 01/08/2021 by Boris Clair

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, The Devil Wears Prada remains a cultural phenomenon that has shaped the way we view the fashion industry. Meryl Streep’s renowned portrayal of Miranda Priestly, the steely editor-in-chief of Runway magazine, is one the world won’t soon forget.

Priestly’s effortless delivery of her infamous catchphrase, “that’s all,” held a gravity that clearly depicted fashion as a high-stress, high-stakes industry with no tolerance for any hint of incompetence.

The Devil Wears Prada is not the only media depiction of the fashion industry as a glamorous, impenetrable space where dreams are both dashed and realised. In 101 Dalmatians, Cruella De Vil is a designer whose love of fashion drives her to criminal extremes to obtain the coat of the season.

Ryan Murphy’s Halston miniseries on Netflix recently provided insight into the designer, who was prone to grand gestures of affection and verbal abuse of colleagues, providing another trope of the misunderstood genius who’ll dispose of anyone not aligned with his vision.

But how accurate are these film portrayals in reality? Four fashion industry professionals shared their perspectives on what it’s really like to work in fashion.

Miranda Priestly was the queen of microaggressions, like throwing her coat on her assistant's desk. — Miranda Priestly was the queen of microaggressions, like throwing her coat on her assistant’s desk.

“I don’t feel like those interpretations reflect what hard work is and how you’re rewarded,” said Heather David, who has worked as in-house public relations for Balenciaga and Alexander Wang. “When I was young, my boss seemed like Miranda Priestly, criticising my work. I realised she pushed me because she saw more in me. Her pushing helped me become a better worker and leader.”

David described the environment at Balenciaga as “structured” and “traditional,” and said there’s a disconnect between media portrayals and the reality of fashion.

“Films show interns on a trip to Paris or using the fashion closet. I don’t think that’s realistic at all,” David said.

The fashion closet scene in The Devil Wears Prada set in motion millions of dreams that an intern could simply take a Fendi poncho and turn it into a personal wardrobe transformation. But that’s not real life. “I think people come into fashion naive and they only see these stories,” David said.

Cymone Williamson, a former publicist who worked for the brands DE Marketing and All the Rage, shared a similar sentiment. “People aren’t getting makeovers,” she told HuffPost. “I never came across anyone who had no experience and was moulded into a fashion prodigy.”

Williamson said The Devil Wears Prada thickened her skin, though. “I was prepared to be treated poorly. My experience was a mild version of what you see in movies. I was surprised I wasn’t fired when someone was having a bad day or I made a mistake.”

The Halston miniseries features tantrums and tongue-lashings galore ― there is a scene in which Halston’s career is on the decline and he storms into his atelier screaming at a designer for submitting a sketch without his approval.

Williamson said temper tantrums are not unheard of in reality. She recalled an instance with an employer in a PR showroom: “I had a male boss who was upset about losing an account. My desk was the first desk [near him], and he walked in and pushed everything off my desk. Everyone felt the wrath.”

Emma Stone in Disney's live-action "Cruella." — Emma Stone in Disney’s live-action “Cruella.”

The 2021 film Cruella touches on power dynamics between management and employees – Emma Stone’s titular character finds herself in a tense environment early on in her career, where she works with a designer who rules with an iron fist.

Recent headlines show that mistreatment of staff, by both designers and organisations, is still an issue in the fashion industry. Brands such as Refinery 29 and Manrepeller, for example, have been called out over the past few years.

513 designer Jerome Lamaar, also known as The Style Monk, is familiar with industry antics. Starting with Baby Phat (run by Kimora Lee Simmons) at age 15, Lamaar said his trajectory has been similar to what he’s seen on film.

“Most of it is on point. I feel my life is very Funny Face he said. In that 1957 film, Jo Stockton, played by Audrey Hepburn, is a young librarian who’s plucked from obscurity and becomes a model at the pinnacle of fashion. While this is purely movie magic, Lamaar’s 20-year career is a one-in-a-million that’s not the norm.

He recalled an instance when “a PR person who was very well known didn’t recognise me and I was visiting a friend’s show. She kicked me out from backstage, and these are the old guards that the movies depict.” He added: “It’s because they are stressed out and it happens during Fashion Week.”

Julian J. Callis, who has worked at the Nicki Minaj Collection and Ralph Lauren, explained that while many films depict young women being groomed to become the future of fashion, they mostly focus on the character getting a glamorous life makeover, and ignore the actual hard work that goes into a career in fashion. “These films don’t show the gray area of starting from the bottom and working to the top,” he explained.

So, before you submit that application to become the next intern at your favourite fashion magazine, remember that it’s not all twirling around in fashion closets and trips to Paris.

The Crown Shares First Look At Imelda Staunton In Action As The Queen

Posted on 30/07/2021 by Boris Clair

The Crown has offered fans their first look at Imelda Staunton as the Queen in the upcoming fifth series.

The actor is taking over the royal role from Olivia Colman in the hit Netflix drama, which is set to return in 2022.

The Crown’s official Twitter account shared the image on Friday afternoon, writing: “An early glimpse of our new Queen Elizabeth II, Imelda Staunton.”

Imelda is leading a brand new cast for in the new series, which sees the action jump ahead in time.

Speaking about taking over the role in an interview in a Woman’s Hour earlier this year, Imelda explained: “I think my sort of extra challenge, as if I needed it, is that I’m now doing the Queen that we’re a little more familiar with.

“With Claire Foy, [her version of Queen Elizabeth II] was almost history and now I’m playing one that people could say ‘she doesn’t do that,’ ‘she’s not like that’. And that’s my personal bête noire for me to deal with.”

Sophie Mutevelian

Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II

Disney Brands Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow Lawsuit ‘Sad’ And ‘Callous’

Posted on 30/07/2021 by Boris Clair

Disney has issued a statement after it was revealed Scarlett Johannson is suing the company over its streaming release of Black Widow.

The actor, who plays the titular superhero and served as executive producer on the Marvel film, filed a lawsuit on Thursday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming her contract had been breached.

Scarlett said that her contract guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release, but the film simultaneously debuted on streaming service Disney+ for a 30 dollar (£21.50) rental earlier this month.

Toni Anne Barson via Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson

The star’s potential earnings were tied to the box office performance of the film.

The lawsuit, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, said: “In the months leading up to this lawsuit, Ms Johansson gave Disney and Marvel every opportunity to right their wrong and make good on Marvel’s promise.

“Disney intentionally induced Marvel’s breach of the agreement, without justification, in order to prevent Ms Johansson from realising the full benefit of her bargain with Marvel.”

While Disney did not immediately respond, they have since issued a statement to The Independent, claiming that there is “no merit whatsoever to this filing”.

“The lawsuit is especially sad and distressing in its callous disregard for the horrific and prolonged global effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the statement said.

“Disney has fully complied with Ms Johansson’s contract and furthermore, the release of Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access has significantly enhanced her ability to earn additional compensation on top of the $20m she has received to date.”

Marvel

Scarlett in her Black Widow role

Black Widow’s release was delayed by more than a year because of Covid-19, and debuted to a pandemic-best of 80 million dollars (£57.2 million) in North America and 78 million dollars (£55.8 million) from international cinemas three weeks ago, but theatrical grosses declined sharply after that.

While cinemas were closed during the pandemic, hybrid theatrical and streaming releases have become more normal for many of the biggest studios.

This weekend, Disney is employing the same strategy with its latest release, Jungle Cruise, which stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

Jodie Whittaker Confirms Doctor Who Exit Along With Showrunner Chris Chibnall

Posted on 29/07/2021 by Boris Clair

Jodie Whittaker has finally confirmed speculation she is leaving her role as the Time Lord in Doctor Who.

The actor, who has played the 13th incarnation of The Doctor since 2017, will exit the hit BBC sci-fi series alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall.

Questions about her future with the show began earlier this year, with Jodie now saying in a statement that she had Chris had decided to leave together.

She said: “In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes. I could not have guessed the brilliant adventures, worlds and wonders I was to see in them. My heart is so full of love for this show, for the team who make it, for the fans who watch it and for what it has brought to my life. And I cannot thank Chris enough for entrusting me with his incredible stories.

“We knew that we wanted to ride this wave side by side, and pass on the baton together. So here we are, weeks away from wrapping on the best job I have ever had. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express what this role has given me. I will carry the Doctor and the lessons I’ve learnt forever.”

Jodie, who made history when she was cast as the first female actor to play The Doctor, added: “I know change can be scary and none of us know what’s out there. That’s why we keep looking. Travel Hopefully. The Universe will surprise you. Constantly.”

Jodie and Chris will leave Doctor Who in what the BBC described as an “epic blockbuster special” to air in autumn 2022, to tie in with the broadcaster’s centenary celebrations.

Jodie became the first female Doctor in 2017

Chris added: “Jodie and I made a “three series and out” pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast. So now our shift is done, and we’re handing back the Tardis keys.

“Jodie’s magnificent, iconic Doctor has exceeded all our high expectations. She’s been the gold standard leading actor, shouldering the responsibility of being the first female Doctor with style, strength, warmth, generosity and humour. She captured the public imagination and continues to inspire adoration around the world, as well as from everyone on the production. I can’t imagine working with a more inspiring Doctor – so I’m not going to!

Jodie has already filmed the thirteenth series of Doctor Who, consisting of six episodes which will air later this year and also see John Bishop make his debut will as the Doctor’s new companion, Dan Lewis.

The series will then be followed by three specials – the first of which will transmit on New Year’s Day 2022, with another later in spring and the final one will see the Thirteenth Doctor will regenerate in the autumn.

The BBC has said Jodie’s replacement will be announced in due course.