Singer John Legend has commented on his former friendship with Kanye West as it’s revealed why the pair no longer see eye to eye due to rapper’s vile comments about Hitler
John and Kanye used to work together(Image: Getty Images)
Singer John Legend has spoken out on Kanye West’s “sad devolution” along with cutting comments about the rapper. John reminisced on his friendship with the music star as well as explaining the reasons for their fallout.
He first described Kanye as “passionate” and “gifted” before going onto say what he thinks about Kanye’s most recent work which includes a song which samples Adolf Hitler’s speech from 1935. John’s own music career first launched when he was signed by Kanye to his label.
However, the duo are no longer close as Kanye started selling swastika T-shirts on his website and wore a black Ku Klux Klan hood to an interview. John said that his demise “does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now”.
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John and Kanye fell out in 2022(Image: Getty Images)
The Times reported that John said: “Back then Kanye was very passionate, very gifted, and he had big dreams not only for himself but also for all the people around him. He had so much optimism, so much creativity. It does feel sad, sometimes shocking, to see where he is now.”
West first rose to fame when he produced Jay-Z’s album The Blueprint in 2001 before going on to be a solo artist where John also travelled with him. Despite falling out with Kanye in 2022 when the rapper came out in support of Donald Trump, John explained that he still owes him a lot for how far he has come in his own career.
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“I didn’t see a hint of what we’re seeing now, his obsessions with antisemitism, anti-blackness, and it is sad to see his devolution,” John said. Despite not knowing the reason for how Kanye is now, he thinks it could come down to the loss of his mother, explaining: “I don’t think we’re qualified to psychoanalyse him, but after his mother passed in 2007 there was definitely a difference. His descent started then and seems to have accelerated recently.”
John has spoken out about Kanye(Image: Getty Images)
This comes as Kanye released a vile new song on VE Day which samples Adolf Hitler’s speech from 1935. The song, called Heil Hitler (Hooligan Version), was shared on the controversial rapper’s X/ Twitter account and featured a video showing shirtless men wearing animal fur.
The song ended with the Hitler speech, which translates to: “Whether you think my work is right, whether you believe that I have been diligent. That I have worked, that I have stood up for you during these years, that I have used my time decently in the service of my people. You cast your vote now, if yes, then stand up for me as I stood up for you.”
The music video began with Kanye rapping: “These people took my kids from me and they froze my bank account.” Kanye was referring to the children he shares with ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
He has claimed he hasn’t been allowed to see his children and said he became a Nazi because of the custody battle with Kim. He rapped: “With all of my money and fame I still don’t get to see my children / N****s see my Twitter but they don’t see how I be feeling / So I became a Nazi, yeah b***h, I’m the villain.”
Get your lawn up to scratch in time for your next garden party with this best-selling grass seed that’s set to give visible improvements ‘within a week’ – and it’s under £15
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Best-selling grass seeds with 21k reviews regrow lawns ‘within a week’(Image: Getty)
Growing grass back in dead or trampled parts of your lawn has never been more affordable with this premium grass seed, which has become a best-seller on Amazon. Retailing for the wallet-friendly price of £14.49, this Pronto Seed (1.4kg) promises noticeable results in a matter of days.
With speedy growth in seven to fourteen days, this grass seed transforms lawns, providing germination that gives you lush, green grass coverage in no time. Perfect for elevating your garden in time for the summer season, over 21.8k customers have rushed to Amazon to rave about their purchase, with a hefty majority bestowing a glowing 5-star.
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This Pronto Seed Premium Grass Seed 21.8k reviews on Amazon(Image: Amazon)
One 1.4kg pack (£14.49) can rejuvenate up to 84m² when overseeding or establish 42m² of fresh, turf-like grass from scratch with proper soil preparation. The advanced seed blend naturally helps maintain a thick, healthy lawn with less effort, so you don’t have to have a green thumb to restore your grass to a lush and vibrant degree in no time.
Specially engineered for the UK climate, this deep-rooted, resilient grass withstands heavy foot traffic, harsh weather, and shady or sunny spots, making it the ideal choice for this time of year when the weather remains turbulent. The grass is also durable enough to withstand energetic pets and children, ensuring that once your lawn is back in shape, it won’t disappear again after one afternoon in the garden.
Sealed at peak freshness with a 2-3 year viability window, ensuring high germination rates, this grass seed is highly rated for its fast growth and top-quality results that last for seasons to come.
Restoring patches of grass that have been worn down or died couldn’t be easier – simply rake as much of the dead grass as possible, shake the seeds over the soil and rake lightly to ensure they’ve embedded in the dirt and then water. After that, you can sit back and relax – and watch your grass grow back in a matter of days.
Among the 21,813 reviews, there are masses of 5-star reviews proclaiming the impressive results of this grass seed. One satisfied customer raves: “I used this Pronto Seed to overseed some patchy areas in my garden, and the results were impressive. Within a week, I noticed new grass sprouting, and by two weeks, the lawn looked much fuller and healthier. The 1.4 kg bag covered a substantial area, making it great value for money. The grass is thick, vibrant, and seems to handle foot traffic well. It’s also resilient in both sunny and shaded spots. Overall, a reliable choice for anyone looking to rejuvenate their lawn quickly.”
Another buyer beams: “I recently purchased Pronto Seed Grass Seed to rejuvenate my lawn, and I am thrilled with the results! After carefully preparing my garden and ensuring the right conditions for growth, I can confidently say that this product has exceeded my expectations in delivering a lush, green lawn.”
They go on to add: “One of the most impressive aspects of Pronto Seed Grass Seed is its fast germination. Within a week of sowing, I noticed tiny green sprouts emerging from the soil. The seeds sprouted quickly and evenly, filling in patches and creating a uniform carpet of grass that looks fantastic. By the third week, the grass had grown significantly and started to thicken, giving my lawn a full and healthy appearance.”
And they conclude: “Overall, Pronto Seed Grass Seed is an outstanding product for anyone looking to achieve a lush, green lawn. With fast germination, dense growth, and vibrant colour, this seed mix can transform your outdoor space into a beautiful and inviting area. Just be sure to provide the right conditions, and you’ll be rewarded with a lawn that’s the envy of the neighbours.”
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A third shopper chimes in: “Had to write a review as this grass seed is amazing! Started growing after only one week! Since then have been drenching with water each night and more and more grass appearing! Fantastic results!”
Primark, which has almost 200 stores across the UK, is introducing a change to it’s shopping experience and it will mean you having to dig a bit deeper at the checkouts
Primark customers have reacted to a change announced by the company that comes into effect on May 12 (stock)
Primark customers have taken to social media to express their displeasure after a staff member revealed that a significant alteration is on the horizon for all the retailer’s stores from Monday (May 12).
Founded in Ireland in 1969, High Street store Primark has built a reputation for affordable fashionwear, now boasting almost 200 shops throughout the UK. But come next week, shoppers will have to dig that little bit deeper into their pockets. In a TikTok clip, employee Beth Clare explained: “Just a little heads up for everyone, from 12th May, we will be charging for our paper bags.” And pointing to a store sign, she elaborated: “So if you need four, that will be four times 15p and so on and so forth.”
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Beth Clare suggests opting for a sustainable fabric bag from Primark as a cost-effective substitute. “The big, massive ones are £1.20, we also have £1 ones that are still big, and little, tiny ones – they’re 80p, but they fit quite a lot in,” she remarked.
Among the available eco-friendly bags at present are designs featuring Hello Kitty and Disney’s Lilo and Stitch characters, alongside a variety of Primark-branded options, including trendy leopard-print patterns.
The announcement was met with mixed feelings among shoppers, with one TikTok user quipping: “15p for a bag that disintegrates as soon as you walk out the door? No thanks I’ll pass.”
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Another person slammed: “Well we need better bags than papers bags then as in the rain they do not last.” A third shared a similar concern: “So does that mean that when we walk out of the shop and the handles break will Primark either swap the bag or refund the bag price?”
Whilst a fourth TikTok user concurred: “They should be exchangeable if they break and have broken for new policy! When they are pushing twice the number of bags they will change their mind.”
In defence of Primark’s plan, however, one customer pointed out: “Not sure why you’re all chatting about this. People have been taking their own plastic bags to shops for more than a decade now.”
And similarly, a second noted “Too right. Everyone should have reusable bags, we all have them and they have been around for years so no excuse.”
A statement issued by Primark earlier this week confirmed: “Across our business we use thousands of paper bags every day. While our paper bags are made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, we’re always looking for ways to cut down on single-use waste. That’s why from May 12th 2025, we’ll be introducing a 15p charge on all paper bags, whether small, medium, or large.”
Primark added: “Why the change? Research shows that introducing bag charges reduces the number of new bags customers use. It’s a simple step that encourages all of us to think twice about our use. We’re committed to being part of the solution when it comes to clothing and non-clothing waste, and this change is just one of the small steps we’re taking. We hope it inspires more customers to make the switch to reusable bags.”
As the feud between the Beckham family and Brooklyn and Nicola refuses to disappear, a source has claimed that Victoria is ‘devastated’ by her eldest son’s ‘betrayal’
Victoria Beckham feels “betrayed” by Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz, a source has revealed
Famously family-oriented David Beckham was no doubt hoping to ring in his recent 50th birthday with all his nearest and dearest, but the festivities were overshadowed by a devastating family feud, which shows no signs of fizzling out. After eldest son Brooklyn, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz seemingly snubbed David’s birthday celebrations, a source tells the Mirror he and Victoria have been left “hurt and angry” over the shock move.
David marked his 50th with a star-studded bash. His three youngest children – Romeo, 22, who brought girlfriend Kim Turnbull along; Cruz, 20, with his other half Jackie Apostel; and Harper, 13 – partied alongside his celeb pals Tom Cruise and Eva Longoria. But Brooklyn and Nicola, 30, were missing following weeks of speculation that there has been a fallout. They also failed to publicly wish Victoria, 51, a happy birthday last month. Now, a source claims to the Mirror that devoted mum Victoria can’t help but feel upset.
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it’s thought designer Victoria feels ‘betrayed’ by Brooklyn and Nicola(Image: Getty Images for Victoria Beckham)
“Victoria feels betrayed by Brooklyn and Nicola because she’s done everything she can to make them both feel welcome and Nicola like another daughter. But she feels it’s been thrown back in her face,” the source said. “She would normally do anything to avoid a family fallout, but she thinks they’re both being unreasonable.” The family drama has taken its toll on the power couple, our source goes on to claim. “David and Victoria are at a loss at what to do over Brooklyn and Nicola,” the source said.
“For them to miss David’s 50th celebrations is very upsetting in their eyes, as family means everything and sometimes you’ve just got to do things you don’t want to do when it comes to family.” The source also claims New York-born actress Nicola has different views to her London-based in-laws.
“Nicola has a very American way of thinking and refuses to put herself in a situation where she feels uncomfortable even for a minute, regardless of who she upsets – and has encouraged Brooklyn to do the same.
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“It’s different to the way Brooklyn was brought up, but he seems to be following her lead. There have been a lot of tears over it, and David and Victoria have tried to put on a brave face but they’re hurt and angry.”
However, a source close to Nicola – who’s thought to have hired a new LA-based PR team to manage her profile – has claimed she and Brooklyn didn’t snub the event, but were “rebuffed” by David and Victoria. “Nicola’s incredibly close with her family and hoped to have the same relationship with her in-laws. However, the in-laws’ behaviour towards Nicola and Brooklyn has made that difficult. They flew to London with the intention of celebrating David’s birthday but were rebuffed,” the source said.
It comes after the reported feud between the two couples reached a new level, with friends of Nicola accusing the Beckham family of “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour”. They said: “We are at this point because Nicola, an outsider coming into the Beckham family, has been able to help Brooklyn see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family, that it’s not healthy and it’s not normal and it’s not ok.”
A source close to actress Nicola maintains the couple were ‘rebuffed’ about meeting David and Victoria
A source close to the Beckhams hit back by refuting the claim, stating: “I don’t think anyone who has ever seen David and Victoria with their children would recognise this deeply unpleasant attack. It doesn’t even warrant a response it’s so ludicrous and patently untrue.”
While a second source close to the family said that they have been left “open-mouthed” by Nicola’s friends “pumping out untruths”.
It’s not the first time rumours of tension between the family and Nicola have swirled. The months following her and Brooklyn’s wedding in 2022 were plagued with reports of a feud between the actress and her mum-in-law, including claims that Victoria had been cut out of the wedding planning and raised eyebrows when the bride wore a Valentino dress rather than one by Victoria herself.
Nicola insisted there was no bad blood, telling Variety, “I was going to wear a Victoria Beckham dress and I really wanted to, and then a few months down the line, she realised that her atelier couldn’t do it, so then I had to pick another dress. She didn’t say you can’t wear it. I didn’t say I didn’t want to wear it.”
After that, Brooklyn and Nicola were seen publicly supporting the family, including at Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week shows and David’s premiere for Netflix show Beckham. But something else is claimed to have come in the way of the family dynamic – Romeo’s relationship with model and DJ Kim.
They went public last November and she appears to have formed a close relationship with the family. In her teens, Kim, 24, was friends with Brooklyn and Rocco Ritchie – son of Guy Ritchie and Madonna – and, according to reports, had a brief fling with Brooklyn, which has left Nicola green-eyed.
The Mirror, however, is informed that Brooklyn and Kim never dated. The source says David and Victoria “refuse to be dictated to” by Brooklyn and Nicola, adding that they won’t put the aspiring chef over their other children. It’s a sad state of affairs, but one that, hopefully, will eventually reach a peaceful solution.
Luxury fashion labels are increasingly reaching beyond the red carpets and exclusive parties of the cinema world, becoming partners with filmmakers and production companies.
At the Cannes film festival this year, which starts Tuesday, labels will be looking to showcase not only their outfits, but also their credibility as investors.
Alongside corporate heavyweights such as Chanel and Dior, trendy Paris-based label AMI and its founder Alexandre Mattiussi have linked up with the festival for the first time.
FILE: US actor and Honorary Palme dor of the 76th Festival de Cannes Michael Douglas (C) arrives with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones (R) and daughter Carys for the opening ceremony and the screening of the film “Jeanne du Barry” during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2023. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP)
AMI is set to present a new award for emerging talent –- the Grand Prix AMI Paris –- at the secondary Critics’ Week section of the festival.
“We’re going there humbly, in support of cinema and its actors, to accompany artists,” Mattiussi, who serves as creative director of his brand, told AFP.
But AMI has also co-produced several films such as “The Beast” in 2023 by Bertrand Bonello, starring French actress Lea Seydoux, or “Enzo” by Robin Campillo which will premiere in Cannes this year.
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FILE: US actor Johnny Depp arrives for the opening ceremony and the screening of the film “Jeanne du Barry” during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2023. (Photo by Patricia DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)
Fashion and cinema are “in a way, the same job. I also tell stories through clothing. A runway show has a context, music, and this idea of spectacle – it’s a narrative process too,” added the 44-year-old.
But Mattiussi stressed he doesn’t “consider myself a film producer. That would be pretentious.”
“I don’t get involved in the scripts or creative decisions,” he said.
His label contributed to costumes for “The Beast”, much like Jonathan Anderson — newly appointed creative director of Dior Homme and formerly at Loewe –- did for Luca Guadagnino’s 2024 movie “Queer”.
For years, Anderson’s runway shows have also served as gathering spots for cinema stars, from Timothee Chalamet to Tilda Swinton.
Expanding
Other fashion houses are expanding their presence in the film industry with Saint Laurent running a division devoted entirely to cinema, called Saint Laurent Productions.
Run by current artistic director Anthony Vaccarello, the division aims to co-produce two to three films per year.
It has already backed works by Paolo Sorrentino (“Parthenope”), David Cronenberg (“The Shrouds”), and Jacques Audiard’s 2024 smash hit musical “Emilia Perez”.
FILE: US actor Michael Douglas acknowledges the audience after he received the Honorary Palme dor of the 76th Cannes Film Festival during the opening ceremony in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2023. (Photo by Antonin THUILLIER / AFP)
Kering, the owner of Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga among others, is also the sponsor of a major Cannes prize — “Women in Motion” — which recognises figures who “advance the place of women in cinema and in society”.
This year’s winner will be Australian actor Nicole Kidman.
L’Oreal, the festival’s official make-up partner for 28 years, also sponsors a prize supporting “women in cinema”.
In return, its logo appears behind stars including Eva Longoria, Helen Mirren, Andie MacDowell, Viola Davis, and Aishwarya Rai.
A new sponsor this year will be French carmaker Alpine, which has teamed up with another major parallel section of the Festival, the Directors’ Fortnight.
It has been rumoured that Nicola Peltz doesn’t see eye to eye with her husband Brooklyn Beckham’s famous family – and fans have now picked up what appears to be a dig from Cruz
Nicola reportedly doesn’t see eye to eye with the Beckhams(Image: Getty Images for ENTER Works)
Nicola Peltz has been “mocked” by Brooklyn Beckham’s brothers on Instagram amid their family feud, it has been reported. Romeo and Cruz Beckham seemed to have a dig at their sister-in-law when they replied in the comment section of one of their photos last month.
This comes after it’s been rumoured that Nicola doesn’t see eye to eye with the Beckhams after marrying eldest Beckham son Brooklyn back in 2022. It’s thought that one source of their arguments is over Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turnbull, who Brooklyn is said to have been close to in the past. At the start of April, Romeo’s ex-girlfriend model Mia Regan posted a photo from her latest cover shoot on Instagram. Nicola, who reportedly became close to Mia during her relationship with Romeo, commented: “So beautiful Mia.”
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Romeo and Cruz left a cheeky comment(Image: Getty Images)
Just two days after this, Romeo shared a collection of pictures on his own Instagram page, including of his current girlfriend Kim. Romeo and Cruz seemed to have a dig at Nicola as Cruz commented: “So beautiful Romeo.”
Romeo then responded with three cry laughing emojis. While the brothers could’ve thought they were being subtle, several followers picked up on the dig in the comment section.
One said: “Childish,” with another adding: “@cruzbeckham you copy @nicolaannepeltzbeckham s comment to Mia? Why?” The Mirror has reached out to Romeo and Cruz Beckham for comment. This comes as it has been reported that the real reason for the “relationship fracture” between Victoria and David and Nicola has been revealed.
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Nicola and Brooklyn got married in 2022(Image: WWD via Getty Images)
Nicola’s friends have made claims what the real reasons for the fallout are as a pal has suggested that there is “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour” between the family which is why the four are unable to get along. However, David and Victoria reject the claims and are outraged by the suggestions.
A source close to the Beckhams said: “I don’t think anyone who has ever seen David and Victoria with their children would recognise this deeply unpleasant attack. It doesn’t even warrant a response it’s so ludicrous and patently untrue.” While another source told The Mirror that the couple have been left “open mouthed” after hearing the suggestions.
Nicola’s friend said: “We are at this point because Nicola, an outsider coming into the Beckham family, has been able to help Brooklyn see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family, that it’s not healthy and it’s not normal and it’s not ok.”
However, someone close to the Beckhams said they were “pumping out untruths” as they added: “You wouldn’t expect this of your worst enemy, let alone close family members. The whole thing beggars belief.”