Category Entertainment News

Rihanna has confirmed her pregnancy with A$AP Rocky won’t delay her long-awaited new album too much as she jokes what will be the only delay of new music despite her pregnancy

Rihanna has assured fans that her impending bundle of joy won’t cause too much of a delay to her upcoming album.

The 37 year old pop sensation, who is expecting her third child with beau A$AP Rocky, confirmed the joyful news at Monday’s Met Gala. This led some fans to question whether her highly anticipated record would be pushed back.

In a chat with Entertainment Tonight, the Umbrella singer was asked if the album, affectionately nicknamed ‘R9’, would be ‘put on pause even longer’. Rihanna responded: “No, maybe a couple of videos.”

Fans have been eagerly awaiting this album for nine years, but RiRi hinted that plans are still on track. She cheekily added: “I can sing!”

Rihanna, already mum to sons RZA, two, and Riot, 21 months, with Rocky, also shared that she isn’t feeling ‘too overwhelmed’ by her pregnancy, despite an initial shock. She said: “I’m good! I’m shockingly feeling ok, and not too overwhelmed at the moment. At first it was kinda like, ‘Ahhh!'”

Meanwhile, fans continue to wait for the successor to 2016’s Anti. While specifics about the album remain scarce, Rihanna gave a sneak peek into what fans might expect from the record in February. Speaking to Harper’s BAZAAR magazine, she revealed: “I’ve been in the studio the whole eight years. But it didn’t hit me. I was searching for it. I went through phases of what I wanted to do. ‘This kind of album, not that album’.”

“I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it’s not going to be commercial or radio, digestible. It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now. I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!”

The singer emphasised that the album doesn’t fit into any specific genre and that she’s been focused on creating music that reflects her personal growth.

She said: “After a while, I looked at it, and I was like, this much time away from music needs to count for the next thing everyone hears. It has to count. It has to matter. I have to show them the worth in the wait. I cannot put up anything mediocre. After waiting eight years, you might as well just wait some more.”

When asked by a reporter at the Met if there were any other big announcements, such as a secret wedding with boyfriend ASAP Rocky, Rihanna responded with a laugh, “No, girl, you don’t know I keep secrets very well.”

ASAP Rocky co-chaired this year’s gala, themed Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, with a dress code of Tailored for You. He arrived ahead of Rihanna, who joined him later.

Before her arrival, Rocky couldn’t resist expressing his admiration for his partner, telling the Associated Press: “It feels amazing, you know. It’s time that we show the people what we was cooking up.”

“And I’m glad everybody’s happy for us ’cause we definitely happy, you know.”

Rihanna chose a Marc Jacobs ensemble that accentuated her blossoming baby bump with a structured corseted bodice and cropped suit jacket. The outfit was topped off with an oversized hat and a maroon polka-dotted necktie.

The Met Gala, dubbed as the pinnacle of fashion events, takes place on the first Monday in May and marks the inauguration of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition at the New York museum.

This year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, delves into 300 years of Black fashion history, exploring the concept of black dandyism and its enduring influence on modern style.

Each year, Vogue editor Anna Wintour personally selects a group of celebrities to serve as co-chairs and kickstart the museum’s exhibition. This year, alongside Rocky, Wintour picked seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, singer and producer Pharrell Williams, and Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo.

Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell and her partner Joe Sugg enjoyed a trip to Belgium together recently for her birthday ahead of this year’s BAFTA Television Awards

Content creator Joe Sugg has revealed that he went away with Dianne Buswell on a “spontaneous” trip abroad ahead of her birthday yesterday. The couple have shared photos from the recent holiday with fans on social media this week.

Dianne, 36 – who is best known as one of the dancers on Strictly Come Dancing – has been met with well wishes for her birthday. Her partner Joe, 33, celebrated the occasion on Instagram with photos from their time in Belgium.

The couple – who met when they were partnered together on the BBC show back in 2018 – visited the city of Bruges together just a few days ago. Whilst on the trip, Dianne and Joe enjoyed some sightseeing, including on a canal cruise.

Alongside a selection of photos from their time away, Joe wrote in his post yesterday: “A little spontaneous trip to Bruges for]Dianne’s] birthday”. Beside a heart emoji, he concluded by writing to her: “Happy birthday my love”.

Dianne had previously asked for recommendations from her followers on the platform amid the trip. She made the request in a post that included footage of the pair exploring the city, which is considered a tourist destination.

She wrote in the caption on Sunday: “Today’s story. I love exploring with you]Joe]”. Dianne tagged a tourist information office before saying to fans: “If you have any Bruges recommendations please leave in the comments”.

More recently, the Strictly winner shared photos from the trip. She wrote in a post on Monday: “A few special days in Bruges”. She added: “Thank you to everybody who sent us recommendations]Joe] #bruges #travelgram”.

She was met with reaction in the comments section this week. One person wrote: “Lovely photos, looks amazing. Love all your outfits”. Another said: “What a lovely selection of pics! Perfect way to spend the lead up to your birthday”.

“What a lovely way to celebrate your birthday eve”, a third person reacted to the post. Another follower said: “Gorgeous photos”. Whilst someone else wrote to Dianne: “Oh cute! Looks like you are having the absolute best time”.

Others commented on the destination. One fan said: “Looks stunning. I love how pretty the buildings look everywhere there”. Another wrote in their reply to Dianne’s post: “Looks beautiful, adding it to my list of places to visit”.

Her birthday comes just days ahead of this year’s BAFTA Television Awards. Dianne is among the nominees for the awards ceremony, which will be held on Sunday at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.

Dianne and comedian Chris McCausland are nominated for the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award for their waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone on Strictly last year. They’re up against ‘memorable moments’ from Bridgerton, Gavin and Stacey, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Rivals and the Traitors.

She previously told fans: “A few years ago Joe and I were invited to go watch the BAFTAs! My makeup lady asked if I was a nominee I remember thinking it would be so amazing if I actually was! Fast forward to now, and the dream has come true.

There are still a few days left to cast your ballot for this special moment, Dianne said at the time. I watched it once more just now, and yes, I shed a lot of tears, especially when Chris thanked me for it. It was a truly special time.

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Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell and her partner Joe Sugg enjoyed a trip to Belgium together recently for her birthday ahead of this year’s BAFTA Television Awards

Content creator Joe Sugg has revealed that he went away with Dianne Buswell on a “spontaneous” trip abroad ahead of her birthday yesterday. The couple have shared photos from the recent holiday with fans on social media this week.

Dianne, 36 – who is best known as one of the dancers on Strictly Come Dancing – has been met with well wishes for her birthday. Her partner Joe, 33, celebrated the occasion on Instagram with photos from their time in Belgium.

The couple – who met when they were partnered together on the BBC show back in 2018 – visited the city of Bruges together just a few days ago. Whilst on the trip, Dianne and Joe enjoyed some sightseeing, including on a canal cruise.

Alongside a selection of photos from their time away, Joe wrote in his post yesterday: “A little spontaneous trip to Bruges for]Dianne’s] birthday”. Beside a heart emoji, he concluded by writing to her: “Happy birthday my love”.

Dianne had previously asked for recommendations from her followers on the platform amid the trip. She made the request in a post that included footage of the pair exploring the city, which is considered a tourist destination.

She wrote in the caption on Sunday: “Today’s story. I love exploring with you]Joe]”. Dianne tagged a tourist information office before saying to fans: “If you have any Bruges recommendations please leave in the comments”.

More recently, the Strictly winner shared photos from the trip. She wrote in a post on Monday: “A few special days in Bruges”. She added: “Thank you to everybody who sent us recommendations]Joe] #bruges #travelgram”.

She was met with reaction in the comments section this week. One person wrote: “Lovely photos, looks amazing. Love all your outfits”. Another said: “What a lovely selection of pics! Perfect way to spend the lead up to your birthday”.

“What a lovely way to celebrate your birthday eve”, a third person reacted to the post. Another follower said: “Gorgeous photos”. Whilst someone else wrote to Dianne: “Oh cute! Looks like you are having the absolute best time”.

Others commented on the destination. One fan said: “Looks stunning. I love how pretty the buildings look everywhere there”. Another wrote in their reply to Dianne’s post: “Looks beautiful, adding it to my list of places to visit”.

Her birthday comes just days ahead of this year’s BAFTA Television Awards. Dianne is among the nominees for the awards ceremony, which will be held on Sunday at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.

Dianne and comedian Chris McCausland are nominated for the P&O Cruises Memorable Moment Award for their waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone on Strictly last year. They’re up against ‘memorable moments’ from Bridgerton, Gavin and Stacey, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Rivals and the Traitors.

She previously told fans: “A few years ago Joe and I were invited to go watch the BAFTAs! My makeup lady asked if I was a nominee I remember thinking it would be so amazing if I actually was! Fast forward to now and it’s come true”.

Dianne added at the time: “Team there’s only a few days left to vote for this special moment. I watched it again just now and yes tears streamed down my face especially when Chris says thank you at the end. It truly was such a special moment”.

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READ MORE: Zara McDermott’s new ‘recession’ bronde hair is spring’s top money-saving colour trend

Prince Harry has been seen for the first time since his interview, where he claimed his father, King Charles, won’t speak to him, and one expert believes the comments he made at his latest event were ‘quite telling’

Prince Harry’s remarks during his first public outing since his outburst against King Charles were “quite telling”, according to an expert.

Last night, the Duke of Sussex praised the empathy, truth, honesty and fearlessness of the younger generation amid “an apathetic world” as he travelled to Las Vegas for an onstage discussion to launch a new initiative for The Diana Award.

There, he heralded young leaders for standing up for themselves, just days after speaking out about his relationship with his father, the King. Also at the launch of the Pledge To Invest yesterday, he described how young people have an openness about mental health “that previous generations struggled to express”.

READ MORE: Prince Harry issues statement on ‘apathetic world’ days after explosive royal outburst

The appearance came just days after he lost a Court of Appeal challenge over his security arrangements in the UK. The duke gave a sit-down interview in which he said the King will not “speak to him”, and he does “not know how much longer his father has left”, who is being treated for cancer.

He expressed hopes of a reconciliation with his family and told the BBC his court defeat was a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up” and that he could not see how he could bring his wife and children safely back to the UK.

And royal expert Jennie Bond told the Mirror how Harry’s words at the event were interesting. The former BBC royal correspondent said: “I’m sure he will continue to work hard on causes that were close to his mother’s heart. And the Diana Award is obviously one of them.

“Some of his remarks at the event were quite telling: he praised young people for their refusal to accept the status quo, for being fearless and determined to stand up for themselves. And that seems pretty much Harry‘s own philosophy – for better or worse.”

Harry’s trip to Vegas came as his oldest son, Prince Archie, celebrated his sixth birthday. On Friday, he said in the TV interview he “can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK”.

He also said the protection given to members of the monarchy was a form of “control”, saying: “I think what really worries me more than anything else about today’s decision, depending on what happens next, it set a new precedent that security can be used to control members of the family. And effectively, what it does is imprison other members of the family from being able to choose a different life.”

And Jennie added: “I suspect that Harry said more than he had perhaps intended because he was consumed with anger that the court decision had gone against him. When the court ruling went the opposite way, he was, in his own words, ‘ gutted and devastated’. And he was clearly seething with fury. And that is rarely the best time to air your thoughts.

“I think he might now realise that he went too far in talking about his father’s health. That was a clear invasion of the privacy that Harry himself so covets. And he might also realise that he has, in my opinion, now lost the support of the vast majority of the British public.”

Five early concept designs for a new landmark memorial to the late Queen, who died in September 2022, in St James Park in the heart of London have gone on display

The final shortlisted designs for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II have been unveiled, including a bronze cast of a Windsor oak tree, a giant canopy of stone lily pads and a statue of the late Queen next to Prince Philip. The five early design concepts have been displayed as part of an online public exhibition which opened today.

Other ideas include audio installations featuring the late Queen’s voice, a “tranquil family” of romantic royal gardens inspired by the Georgian architect John Nash, “forest bathing in the heart of the city”, and a “graceful and strong” stone bridge with cascading water. The public is being encouraged to view the proposed designs for the competition run by Malcolm Reading Consultants and offer feedback by May 19.

The Mirror exclusively revealed last year that the national memorial will stand in St James’s Park in the heart of London, which Prime Minister Keir Starmer later said will provide “everyone with a place to honour the late Queen and connect with the shared history we cherish”.

READ MORE: Prince Harry issues statement on ‘apathetic world’ days after explosive royal outburst

The late Queen died peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Elizabeth II, whose reign spanned 70 years, dedicated her life to her royal duty.

After a year of consideration by a specially appointed committee headed by Lord Janvrin, the late Queen’s former private secretary in the wake of her passing, St James’s Park has been chosen and approved by the King. The location of the memorial was chosen because of its closeness to the ceremonial route of The Mall, and Buckingham Palace, and its historical and constitutional significance, but also because of a poignant personal connection to the late Queen – the nearby statues of her beloved parents.

The bronze tributes to King George VI, who died at the age of 56 in 1952, and the Queen Mother, who died aged 101 in the Golden Jubilee year of 2002, stand just a short distance along The Mall. The announcement of the final design will coincide with what would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday year in 2026.

Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, said: “Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary life of service profoundly touched countless individuals, and she was a figure of great respect and admiration. Memories of her long reign are still fresh for so many of us and we need to capture the essence of them for future generations”.

He added: “In recognition of this, it is only fitting that we invite the public to express their views on these design concepts.

“We are delighted to be working with some of the best architects, artists and designers in the world to produce a landmark memorial of outstanding beauty that celebrates and honours the life of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Hailed as one of the most significant design initiatives in modern British history, the memorial in St James’s Park, close to Buckingham Palace in the heart of London, will provide the public with a permanent memorial to the country’s longest-reigning monarch, who died in 2022.

A panel of committee members will select the winning concept and work with the team on the final design, which is expected to be unveiled in 2026, which would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday year.

The committee will also select an artist, through a separate process, to create a figurative representation of Elizabeth II for the site on The Mall in central London.

The five design concepts are:

1. A” tranquil family “of royal gardens inspired by John Nash’s original landscape of the park, linked by a natural stone tessellated path by Lord Foster of Foster + Partners with artist Yinka Shonibare, ecologist Professor Nigel Dunnett and landscape architect Michel Desvigne Paysagiste.

Other elements include a statue of the Queen alongside Philip on Birdcage Walk next to a Prince Philip Gate and, on the other side of the park, an equestrian statue of the Queen in a new civic space called Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate. The plans also incorporate a contemporary wind sculpture for reflection, audio installations of the Queen’s voice, a digital conservatory and a translucent Unity Bridge.

2. Bridge of Togetherness – A memorial walk inspired by the idea of” togetherness “with 70 lily pad stepping stones by Heatherwick Studio with sculptor and ceramicist Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and Arup. At the centre of the bridge is a limestone sculpture of the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet, protected by a giant canopy of eight carved sculptural lily pads, with the stone chosen because it will” age with dignity”.

3. An innovative stone bridge over soil, tree roots and water, featuring a gentle cascade of water onto the lake, to represent the late Queen as the bedrock of the nation, has been designed by J&amp, L Gibbons with production designer Michael Levine, and William Matthews Associates. It aims to capture a” meandering flow of geology carrying people through an ephemeral choreography of blossoming and colour beneath the high tree canopy “and includes glades to invite” forest bathing in the heart of the city”.

4. The Queen’s Oak – An exact bronze cast of an” awe-inspiring “ancient oak from Windsor Great Park, representing the late Queen’s strength and endurance and symbolising the monarchy, is the central focus of a design by Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects and artist Adam Lowe of Factum Are. The digitally scanned replica tree would stand on a plinth in the lake, with a curved stone bridge as a viewing platform. There would also be a serpentine memorial path, for all ages and abilities, which incorporates inlaid bronze casts of significant objects from the late Queen’s life and a” sonic soundscape “of memories from those she impacted.

5. A thread of pathways and landscapes” gently woven through the natural fabric “of the park with a pair of” elegant bridges “have been suggested by Wilkinson Eyre with artists Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clarke. Aiming to impose the” lightest footprint “on the park, the thread, with symbolic spaces for reflection, focuses on seven themes of the late Queen’s life – reign, faith, Commonwealth, values, nature, family, and Prince Philip.

The final design will be submitted to the King and Prime Minister Keir Starmer for approval. The proposed designs are available to view at competitions.malcolmreading.com/queenelizabethmemorial/gallery

Gymnastics star Claudia Fragapane forced to relocate after alleged repeated harassment from a teenage stalker, despite a prior restraining order

Olympic gymnast and Strictly Come Dancing alum Claudia Fragapane was forced to move out of her home after enduring a prolonged stalking ordeal at the hands of a teenage girl, a Bristol court has heard.

The 27-year-old athlete, renowned for her accomplishments in gymnastics and her 2016 Strictly semi-final run with partner AJ Pritchard, found her privacy disrupted when a 15-year-old girl allegedly tracked her down and appeared at her doorstep.

Fragapane photographed the teenager after she arrived unannounced, having reportedly located her address through independent efforts described as “detective work”.

Magistrates were told that Fragapane’s sense of safety was shattered. The incident left her gripped by “fear and anxiety”, as detailed in a previously submitted victim impact statement.

The teenager, whose identity remains protected due to her age, violated a restraining order that had already been put in place the previous month. On May 5, she once again allegedly tried to initiate contact, further escalating the situation.

District Judge Lynne Matthews commented on the distress the actions had caused: “Claudia has no idea how]the defendant] found her. She left her own home because of her actions. She’s turned Claudia’s life upside down”.

The court heard the girl is currently not enrolled in school and is awaiting an educational placement.

In response to the breach, she was issued an 18-month rehabilitation order, which includes a requirement to live with her father, supervision for the full duration, and an extended restraining order prohibiting her from approaching Fragapane at any location, including her known address.

Judge Matthews concluded the hearing with a firm warning, saying: “I’d really like it if this was the last time you see me. Stay away from her]Claudia]”.

She emphasised that any further violations would likely result in detention, noting the seriousness of the continued harassment.

Fragapane, who was not present in court, has previously been honoured as the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year and claimed four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games – a record-equalling feat in British gymnastics history.

Born in Bristol, Claudia began gymnastics at age six and trained at Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club under coaches Helen Potter and Rory Weavers. She announced her retirement from elite gymnastics in February 2024 at age 26, expressing plans to continue in the sport as a coach and choreographer.

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