Lionel Richie has unearthed a nugget from the early part of his career with the Commodores.
In an interview on Watch What Happens Live, host Andy Cohen asked the singer to name the “first big actor-artist” to help the band gain exposure.
Lionel said it was Debbie Reynolds, the Golden Age star of Singin’ In The Rain and the mother of Carrie Fisher. The presenter could barely contain his surprise.
Lionel recalled: “When we came into town she was the one who said, ‘Oh, my God, you guys are fabulous, I’m gonna show you around to all the people,’ and she took me by the hand and just took me to meet everyone. She was such a sweetheart.”
The Commodores cranked out 1970s hits such as Three Times a Lady and Easy, and Lionel moved on to solo fame with All Night Long (All Night) and Say You, Say Me in the ’80s.
The latter earned him an Oscar in 1986 for Best Original Song in the movie “White Nights.” And he received his Academy Award from Debbie.
“How ironic is that? How about that?” the American Idol judge said.
Here’s Lionel getting his Oscar from Debbie and her Singin’ In The Rain co-stars Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor:
Pretty much cementing his national treasure status, Daniel was awarded Best Supporting Actor during this year’s ceremony for his performance in Judas And The Black Messiah.
As the London-born actor’s star continues to rise to even greater heights, we decided to take a look back at the roles he appeared in long before he became a worldwide star.
Along the way we unearthed long forgotten comedy characters, big-screen outings and, of course, a certain “Posh Kenneth”…
Skins (2007)
If you sat down to watch Get Out in 2017, only to get the distinct feeling you’d seen Daniel Kaluuya before, that could well be because you watched him in Skins back in the day.
Although not one of the main cast, Daniel played “Posh Kenneth” throughout the show’s first two series. And while Daniel’s Skins past has been raised several times since his rise to global fame, what you might not realise is that he also penned two episodes of the British teen drama, series two’s Jal and series three’s Thomas, which he co-wrote with Skins creator Bryan Elsley.
Doctor Who (2009)
Like many burgeoning British stars, one of Daniel’s earliest TV appearances was in the BBC’s long-running sci-fi show Doctor Who.
Daniel played Barclay in the 2009 special Planet Of The Dead, sharing the screen with David Tennant and – perhaps more excitingly – Victoria Alcock, otherwise known as Julie S from Bad Girls.
Psychoville (2009)
Daniel was one of several British actors to land a role in the black comedy mystery Psychoville, with Steve Pemberton (the show’s co-creator), Dawn French, Adrian Scarborough and Imelda Staunton also among the cast.
While much of the show’s humour derived from League Of Gentleman-esque surrealism and unpredictability, Daniel’s character, Tealeaf, was decidedly more rooted in reality than those surrounding him.
Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry And Paul (2010)
In 2010, Daniel appeared in a recurring sketch in the Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse comedy series Ruddy Hell! It’s Harry And Paul.
He played the overzealous traffic warden Parking Pataweyo in a somewhat questionable sketch intended to be a parody of Postman Pat.
When Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English character was resurrected in 2011 for a sequel almost a decade after the original film, the film brought in an all-star cast which included Gillian Anderson, Rosamund Pike and Dominic West.
Daniel was also among the new additions to the film, playing Colin Tucker, a young MI7 agent assigned to the same missions as the hero, who he assists along the way.
Black Mirror (2011)
A breakthrough moment in terms of Daniel’s profile was his leading role in the Black Mirror episode Fifteen Million Merits, a send-up of reality TV and instant fame, particularly off the back of Simon Cowell talent shows like The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.
Fifteen Million Merits was only the second episode of Black Mirror ever made, when the anthology series was still being shown on Channel 4, and saw Daniel playing Bing, who spends his inheritance on helping a friend realise her dreams of becoming a star. Black Mirror being Black Mirror, though, things don’t quite work out the way they hoped.
While still early in his career, Fifteen Million Merits allowed Daniel to show off his huge range as an actor, particularly in his character’s dramatic speech near the end of the episode.
Kick-Ass 2 (2013)
UniversalDaniel Kaluuya in Kick-Ass 2
Two years after winning critical acclaim for his performance in Black Mirror, Daniel appeared in the sequel to the superhero comedy Kick-Ass.
He plays a member of the villainous troupe The Toxic Mega C**ts, playing a UFC fighter known as Black Death.
Babylon (2014)
Channel 4Daniel in Babylon
In the police drama Babylon, Daniel played Matt Coward, a documentary filmmaker who aims to use his craft to highlight corruption in his local police force and bring them down.
Created by Danny Boyle, the show featured James Nesbitt, Bertie Carvel and Jill Halfpenny among its expansive cast.
Sicario (2015)
Richard Jr Foreman/Black Label Media/Thunder Road/Kobal/ShutterstockDaniel as seen in Sicario
Sicario marked Daniel’s final on-screen role before Get Out and Black Panther launched him to global fame, earning him an Oscar nomination and Bafta Rising Star win.
In the action thriller, he plays an FBI agent who is the on-duty partner of Emily Blunt’s character. A sequel was later released in 2018, though Emily and Daniel did not return for it.
Gal Gadot bonded with US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel over their missing fingertips this week.
Speaking to the presenter via video-link, the Wonder Woman star recalled a kitchen accident during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, around the same time as that panned “Imagine” video.
She remembered accidentally slicing the end of her finger off while cutting cabbage following some daytime drinking.
Her husband, Yaron Varsano, held up the tip and was so disgusted with it, she said, that he tossed it in into the garbage disposal.
ABCGal Gadot speaking to Jimmy Kimmel
“Wow, he threw your finger down the garbage disposal!” said a stunned Kimmel, who earlier revealed how he had once lost one of his own fingertips while cutting Parmesan cheese.
“It was a mess. We were a mess,” admitted Gal, who said she stopped drinking following the accident. The actor is now pregnant with her third child.
To Kimmel’s further astonishment, Gal said she didn’t even go to the hospital following the injury.
Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan could not control her excitement after finding out Kim Kardashian was a fan of her’s – and it appears the feeling was very much mutual.
The pair shared a Twitter love-in after the actor revealed the Kardashians were a source of inspiration for her on the set of the hit Netflix period drama.
On Tuesday, Nicola tweeted: “As the world’s number one @bridgerton Stan does @KimKardashian know that the Kardashians were a massive inspiration for the Featheringtons and we talked about them all the time during our fittings? Because I feel like she should know this.”
Netflix/ShutterstockNicola Coughlan as Bridgerton’s Penelope Featherington and Kim Kardashian
And sure enough, it wasn’t long before Nicola’s tweet caught Kim’s attention, and her mind was blown.
“WHAT?!?! I am freaking out!!!!!!” Kim wrote. “This tweet was sent to me on my @bridgerton group chat! Can I please come to a fitting?!?! It would make my whole life!!!!!! I love you Lady W!!!”
As the world’s number one @bridgerton Stan does @KimKardashian know that the Kardashians were a massive inspiration for the Featheringtons and we talked about them all the time during our fittings? Because I feel like she should know this
WHAT?!?! I am freaking out!!!!!! This tweet was sent to me on my @bridgerton group chat! Can I please come to a fitting?!?! It would make my whole life!!!!!! I love you Lady W!!! https://t.co/KVnCi6UZRT
Nicola. whose Bridgerton character Penelope Featherington was revealed to be the mysterious Lady Whistledown, replied: “Omg yesss of course we would love to have you!
“Also did you know that Mr Pearl made your corset for the Met Gala and the very next one he made was mine for Bridgerton? You’ve been part of the Bridgerton world for longer than you know.”
Kim then tweeted: “OMG I’m gonna faint!!!!!! Does this make me an honorary Duchess in Bridgerton ?!?!?!? I am the corset Queen!!!”
Omg yesss of course we would love to have you! Also did you know that Mr Pearl made your corset for the Met Gala and the very next one he made was mine for Bridgerton? You’ve been part of the Bridgerton world for longer than you know!❤️❤️❤️
Nicola then gave her the ultimate honour, tweeting: “Why of course, Duchess Kardashian of Calabasas! Lady Whistledown is happy to declare you the season’s true incomparable.”
“I will wear this title proudly and not let you down Lady Whistledown!” Kim insisted.
Why of course, Duchess Kardashian of Calabasas! Lady Whistledown is happy to declare you the season’s true incomparable 💎
Speaking to her followers, who were living for the exchange as much as she was, Nicola tweeted: “You know I’ve loved Kim for like over a decade, I can’t even deal.”
There’s a real possibility of Kim’s dreams coming true too, as earlier this month, it was confirmed that a third and fourth series of Bridgerton have now been commissioned, on top of a previously-announced second season.
It looks like a certain birthday girl wanted to start their own birthday celebrations as early as possible, judging by Victoria Beckham’s latest Instagram post.
The former Posh Spice, who is 47 today, shared a super glam snap shot by fashion photographer Ellen Von Unworth that sees her her stood on top of a table laden with gift-wrapped birthday gifts.
She is surrounded by ‘Happy Birthday’ banners and the fashionista even manages to make a paper birthday hat look cool.
But where are the rest of the Beckham clan?
Nowhere to be seen so far… so it was up to Vic to get the party started by herself.
She even captioned the snap: “Happy birthday to me”.
We’re sure it won’t take long for husband David and her children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper to join the party.
If David’s birthday message is anything as loved-up the one he shared on Valentine’s Day then we’re expecting all the feels.
The couple might have been married for over twenty years but the romance between them is as strong as ever it seems.
Elliot Page has described a wave of bills targeting the transgender community in the US as “upsetting, cruel and exhausting”.
Politicians in Alabama and North Dakota have approved bans on transgender women and girls from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity.
They joined a series of Republican-led states in having introduced bills critics describe as being anti-trans, including laws designed to ban gender-confirming surgery for transgender youths.
Elliot, known for his work on Netflix superhero series The Umbrella Academy, said: “As I watch the movement of these bills attacking trans youth across the US, especially this week in Florida, Alabama, Texas and North Dakota, I am thinking of my trans siblings and the collective pain that our community must endure to battle again and again for our right to exist.
“These bills are upsetting, cruel and exhausting.”
The 34-year-old added: “Call your representatives. Tell them to oppose legislation that discriminates against us. Tell them our access to health care is an inalienable human right. Tell them to let trans kids play sports. Tell them that #TransPeopleBelong – we always have, and we always will.”
Elliot also shared a picture of himself holding up a sign reading “protect trans kids”.
This year has seen a record number of anti-transgender bills introduced in the US, according to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT advocacy group.
Transgender rights have emerged as a fraught issue in the culture wars.
Earlier this month Arkansas became the first US state to outlaw gender-affirming medical treatments or surgery for minors.
Those who back restrictions on transgender women in sports say they are essential to maintain fair competition for female athletes, while critics argue they unfairly target the transgender community and are not based on science.
Jennifer Lopez has announced that she and fiancé Alex Rodriguez are going their separate ways after four years together.
The pair began dating in 2017 and announced that they were engaged in 2019.
However, on Thursday morning, the Jenny From The Block singer confirmed that she and Alex had decided to call off their engagement, just weeks after denying that they had split.
In a joint statement given to US broadcaster NBC’s The Today Show, the former couple said: “We have realised we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so.
“We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects.”
They added: “We wish the best for each other and one another’s children. Out of respect for them, the only other comment we have to say is thank-you to everyone who has sent kind words and support.”
Gilbert Carrasquillo via Getty ImagesJennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez pictured in 2019
It was first rumoured that J-Lo and A-Rod had called it quits last month, and while they insisted at the time that these stories were “inaccurate”, they also said in a statement they were “working through some things”.
Jennifer has been married three times, including to fellow singer Marc Anthony – with whom she has 13-year-old twins, Max and Emme – for 10 years.
She was previously married to Ojani Noa and former back-up dancer Cris Judd, and got engaged to actor Ben Affleck in 2002, but they split a year later.
Meanwhile, Alex has two teenage daughters with his ex-wife, Cynthia Scurtis, to whom he was married for six years.
The TV presenter has ruled out taking part on the BBC ballroom competition as he believes it would be too “weird” dancing in front of wife Tess Daly.
Despite Tess having hosted Strictly since it began in 2004, Vernon said he has “never” been asked to participate.
David M. Benett via Getty ImagesVernon Kay and Tess Daly
Speaking to Jamie Laing and Francis Boulle on their Private Parts podcast, Vernon said: “I think it would be weird, I really think it would be weird.”
“Because Tess is pretty much, ‘say what you see’ and I know that if I finished a dance, she would – she wouldn’t be able to help herself.
“She’d say, ‘You did that better in the kitchen.’
“She can’t hide anything, you know,” he added.
BBCTess with Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman
While we won’t be seeing Vernon showing off his moves any time soon, he has reunited with Tess on screen his new ITV gameshow Game Of Talents.
Tess appeared as a contestant on Saturday night’s series opener, which saw celebrities trying to helping two members of the public win large amounts of money by guessing complete strangers’ talents.
David M. Benett via Getty ImagesThe couple are keen to do more TV work together
The couple, who have been married 18 years, previously presented BBC singing competition Just The Two of us together in 2007 and are keen to work together again.
Vernon recently told The Sun: “When we did ‘Just The Two Of Us’, I had the role where you’re pretty much reactive to what you’ve just seen backstage, so I didn’t really have much to say.
“It was all Tess, and she was front of house. ‘Game of Talents’ was really nice. And after this we thought it’d be great to do something together again. So we’ll just wait and see what happens.”
Nikki Grahame has died aged 38 after battling anorexia.
The much-loved Big Brother star had checked into a private hospital last month after her eating disorder worsened in lockdown.
It came after fans, friends and family of the star raised more than £65,500 via a fundraising page to start paying for life-saving care.
Her manager confirmed she had died on Friday morning.
A statement from her representative said: “It is with immeasurable sadness that Nikki Grahame passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April 2021. Please respect the privacy of Nikki’s friends and family at this tragic and difficult time.”
Mike Marsland via Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: Nikki Grahame attends OK! Magazine’s 25th Anniversary Party at The View from The Shard on March 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
The organisers of the Go Fund Me fundraiser updated the page to share the sad news with fans of the star.
“It is with great sadness, we have to let you know that our dear friend Nikki passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April,” it reads.
“It breaks our hearts to know that someone who is so precious was taken from us at such a young age. Nikki not only touched the lives of millions of people, but also her friends and family who will miss her immensely.
“We would like to request privacy at this difficult time, while Nikki’s friends and family process the sad news.
“Full details will be released as and when we know them.
“All donations have been greatly appreciated and it was heartwarming for everyone including Nikki to see how much she was loved.
“Funds will be held safely in this GoFundMe until we have established an organisation supporting those suffering from anorexia to which we will make a donation in Nikki’s memory. We will post updates for you with more details as soon as we have them. Rest In Peace, Nikki. We love you & not a day will go by without missing your smile. X X X”
I am so desperately sad to hear about Nikki Graham x my thoughts are with her friends and family xx she really was the funniest , most bubbly sweetest girl x❤️❤️❤️💔
Bloody hell, just read the sad news about Nikki Grahame. Definitely one of the stars from the glory years of reality tv. I met her a long time ago and she was a lovely girl. RIP young lady.
Rip Nikki Grahame as fellow Big brother contestants we’ve gone through the same experience and having met you on tv shows! our heart goes out to your family and friends ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8iP7TLHEHi
Really sad to hear the passing of @NikkiGrahame grateful to have spent many fun times together ❤️ my thoughts are with her family. Rest in Peace lovely girl ❤️
I had the absolute pleasure of working with Nikki Grahame last year! She was an absolute joy, an icon like no other and will be so deeply missed! RIP Nikki ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CGmbNL4waF
Nikki was a contestant on the seventh series of Big Brother UK in 2006.
Last month, Nikki’s mum Sue told The Telegraph (££) that lockdown had “floored” her daughter.
“This last year has just about floored her,” she told the newspaper. “From the first lockdown, it was hellish. She struggled because she couldn’t go to the gym.
“Then in December she fell down and cracked her pelvis in two places and broke her wrist. I stayed with her for three or four weeks because she couldn’t do anything.
We’ve been on this road a long time, 30 years on and off, and I’ve never seen her this bad. I’m frightened that I’ll die and she’ll have no one to support her. I don’t want her to go through any of this alone.”
The legendary Beatle repeatedly “got cold feet” over the project, which was filmed in his native city of Liverpool, England, the Late, Late Show host recalled.
Speaking at PaleyFest LA 2021, James said he sent a heartfelt email to Macca, pleading the case for the singer-songwriter’s participation.
The show had already scouted locations, he told Sir Paul, and cancelling at the eleventh hour would cause a big financial hit. He promised the segment would turn out “great”.
Carpool KaraokePaul McCartney on Carpool Karaoke
Sir Paul apparently wobbled multiple times, and even considered pulling the plug on the morning of the shoot, according to James. Fortunately, the star finally agreed to get back on board when he was told to enjoy himself.
The Carpool Karaoke segment itself saw the pair driving around Liverpool, with Sir Paul visiting someone of his old haunts and singing Penny Lane on, well, Penny Lane, obviously.
After it aired, Sir Paul secured his first chart-topping album as a soloist in the United States and, according to James, texted him to say: “We did it. Thank you for convincing me to do it. I had a blast.”
