Plan B, a.k.a. Ben Drew, is laying down some acting cred in advance of The Sweeney remake’s release, and is currently at the Festival de Cannes to promote his new film, Ill Manors.
The film is a brutal and graphic look into London ganglands. Drew says he does not think the film offers a solution, but ‘if we address them, talk about them, we can somehow learn from it … It brings awareness to the subject matter.’ Ill Manors is released in the UK on June 6.
Stateside, the American Idol fashion brand, called Authentic Icon, sharing the hit TV show’s initials, hit Kohl’s department store in Alhambra, Calif., with some of the season 11 contestants last week. AI is exclusive to Kohl’s and kohls.com.
Former contestants Hollie Cavanaugh, Skylar Laine, Elise Testone, Colton Dixon, Hee Jun Han, DeAndre Brackensick, Erika van Pelt, Shannon Magrane, and Jeremy Rosado were in attendance to meet fans.
HRH Prince Harry has a cameo alongside Liam Gallagher and other Commonwealth artists in a song commemorating HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, titled ‘Sing’.
The Prince performs briefly on the tambourine in the video.
The song has been written by Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd-Webber, and was first presented to the Queen at Windsor Castle on May 8. It celebrates her commitment to the Commonwealth, according to Lord Lloyd-Webber’s company.
‘Sing’ will be performed at a concert outside Buckingham Palace on June 4 at 7.30 p.m. that will feature Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue and JLS. The initial recording will be released on May 28. A free download of the sheet music and words is available from Really Useful Group’s licensing site. The video has been released on MSN UK.
Both Barlow and Lloyd-Webber hope that schools and street party-goers will have learned the song in time for Jubilee celebrations in June.
Above At the Haïti: Carnival in Cannes benefit dinner: Virginie Ledoyen and Melissa George.
The Festival de Cannes has helped fund-raise this year for the earthquake victims in Haïti. The Haïti: Carnival in Cannes gala dinner was presented on Friday by Giorgio Armani, supporting Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization, Paul Haggis’s Artists for Peace and Justice, and Petra Nemcova’s Happy Hearts’ Fund.
Guests photographed include Virginie Ledoyen, Melissa George, Jada Pinkett Smith, Joshua Jackson and Diane Krüger, Gerard Butler, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jessica Chastain, Jimmy Jean-Louis, and Lyle Lovett.
The benefit is a rare event for Festival de Cannes. In 1984, it held a benefit screening of Il était une fois, l’Amérique, by Sergio Leone, to help the Institut Pasteur, and in 1996, it screened Paolo and Vittorio Taviani’s Elective Affinities, in support of the reconstruction of the Fenice.
Giorgio Armani said in a release, ‘I am proud to stand alongside Sean Penn, a man cut from a very rare cloth. He first captivated me as an astonishing actor. Then as a respected director. Then as a loyal friend. And now, as a life changer. It is an honour to be a part of Sean’s remarkable life of service by joining his humanitarian efforts for the people of Haïti. For this to come to fruition at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival marks a career milestone for me, and demonstrates what happens when you work with Sean, a world-class force of nature.’
Cannes Film Festival chief Thierry Frémaux added, ‘Sean Penn is a good friend of the Festival de Cannes, he came in competition as an actor and as a director, he was president of the jury. But it is not the only reason why we offered to receive him. We are greatly fascinated by his permanent and long-lasting commitment to Haïti’s recovery. And we are very pleased to be a part of this evening which intends to raise money and honour the Haïtians themselves.’
Festival president Gilles Jacob said, ‘People say that a great actor is by nature egocentric, and that a great director is focussed on his art. Sean Penn is both a great actor and director. What he does above and beyond that for the people and the land of Haïti, giving freely of himself, his abiding presence, his work—one could almost say the work of his own hands—his whole discreet, human, moral and altruistic involvement as a benefactor, commands our greatest respect.’
The dinner was overseen by chef Bruno Oger, of the two Michelin star Villa Archangel, with the help of Electrolux.
A Haitian show entitled Carnival in Cannes will also present a concert of authentic RaRa and Racine music, created with the RAM band, Haïti’s leading Racine group, brought in for the occasion. The event will be co-sponsored by Chopard.
Montblanc, meanwhile, notes that Ledoyen and Jean-Louis both wore Montblanc jewellery and watches to the dinner.
Other celebrities spotted on the red carpet, whose photographs have since come in, include Charlotte Casiraghi, fourth in line to the throne of Monaco, wearing jewellery from Cartier; former ballerina and model Du Juan, in Montblanc, and Hofit Golan and Russian model Natasha Poly, wearing de Grisogono.
Behind-the-scenes photographs of the meals and preparation can be found at Lucire Home.
Top Jessica Chastain, David Schwimmer, Ben Stiller, Martin Short, Jada Pinkett Smith and Chris Rock attend the Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted première at the Cannes Film Festival. Above Shailene Woodley, Jessica Chastain, Naomi Watts, Ludivine Sagnier, Diane Krüger, and IFP executive director Joanna Vicente at the Women in Film celebration.
There was plenty of press for animated feature Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted at the Festival de Cannes over Thursday and Friday, with Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Martin Short, and Jessica Chastain, and directors Tom McGrath, Conrad Vernon and Eric Darnell.
There were two photo calls, the later being the official one, as well as a red-carpet première at the Palais des Festivals, where Smith and Chastain took the opportunity to wear gowns from Atelier Versace and Giorgio Armani respectively. Chastain’s jewellery was by Chopard.
The Independent Filmmaker Project, Calvin Klein Collection and Euphoria Calvin Klein also had a celebration for Women in Film at the Cannes Film Festival, held at the Villa St Georges. Actresses Diane Krüger, Naomi Watts, Ludivine Sagnier, Shailene Woodley and Jessica Chastain were joined by guests including Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Joshua Jackson, Isla Fisher, Inès de la Fressange, Astrid Muñoz, Lara Stone and David Walliams, Melissa George, Carmen Chaplin, Dolores Chaplin, Hayley Atwell, Du Juan, and Vahina Giocante. IFP executive director Joana Vicente served as one of the hosts.
It was also announced that Lara Stone will model the Euphoria Calvin Klein scent, breaking in October.
Finally, Shia LeBœuf showed up at the Cannes Movie Stars Lounge for his television interviews.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Pascal le Segretain/Getty Images
Sara Jaye Weiss/Getty Images Samuele Franizni/Souldesigner
The Duchess of Cambridge donned a pink Emilia Wickstead dress, retailing at £1,200, as she and Prince William attended the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee luncheon.
The dress, with a pleated skirt, is from Wickstead’s current collection. (Click here for a photo of the Duchess in this dress on our Tumblr.)
New Zealand-born Wickstead, in business for four years, has been favoured by a number of celebrities, including Dannii Minogue, and the wife of the British Prime Minister, Samantha Cameron. She is a Central St Martin’s graduate.
Last month, the Duchess had chosen an outfit by Rebecca Taylor, another New Zealand-born designer.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were present at the luncheon.
The Sovereigns’ Lunch at Windsor Castle is said to be the biggest gathering of royal heads of state since the Queen Mother’s funeral in 2002, according to media.
It was not without controversy, as there were demonstrations outside Buckingham Palace, where Prince Charles would later host a dinner, over some of the names on the guest list.
Though advised by the Foreign Office, there were criticisms over invitations being extended to heads of state and representatives of Bahrain, Swaziland, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene, who were married the same year as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were among the many guests.
The two royal couples shared plenty of conversation. The Duke and Duchess also chatted in depth to King Abdullah II of Jordan and Queen Rania.
There were 98 in total attending the luncheon, including 62 royals, divided into tables of up to 12. The reception was held in the Waterloo Chamber before lunch was served in St George’s Hall, according to Buckingham Palace.
More shots have been coming from the Cannes Film Festival at the premières and the gala dinner on Wednesday night, sponsored by Electrolux.
And it’s not just any food at the Electrolux Agora Pavilion: the gala dinner saw a collaboration between two Michelin star chefs, Bruno Oger (Villa Archangel, a two Michelin star property in Cannes) and Rasmus Kofoed (a Bocuse d’Or medal winner).
Photographed at the gala dinner were Freida Pinto, Jessica Chastain, Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis, Eva Longoria, Dolores Chaplin, Julie Gayet, and Tilda Swinton. Other celebrities arriving on the red carpet earlier in the day were Lana Del Rey, Jane Fonda, Diane Krüger, Virginie Ledoyen, Fan Bing Bing, Phoebe Price, Eva Herzigova, Vahina Giocante, Hofit Golan, Harvey Weinstein, Chris Pine, Sarah Marshall, Jean-Claude Jitrois, Daphnée Roulier and Michel Hazanavicius.
Frédérique Pirenne, European PR director for Electrolux said in a release, ‘The Festival is an internationally renowned stage for originality so for the 65th anniversary we wanted to deliver an opening event that reflects the talent and inventiveness that have contributed to its success. We’ve worked with Michelin star chefs for over 90 years, helping to support their creative endeavours in the kitchen, so it makes sense that we honour the festival with a dining experience that matches the artistry of the attendees.’
At the Cannes Movie Stars Lounge, previewed yesterday, Marco Müller presented photographer Stephanie Cornfield first prize from the eighth Venice Movie Stars Award, while Isabella Ferrari was also spotted.
Ian Gavan/Wireimage Mike Marsland Charly Hel/Pix’Hel, courtesy Jaeger-LeCoultre Pascal le Segretain Ian Gavan/Wireimage Samuele Franzini/Souldesigner
The Festival de Cannes is well and truly on. Spotted on the red carpet so far have been model Sarah Marshall and actress Julie Gayet, both wearing the Cartier Princesse Grace de Monaco Petales entrelcés red gold earrings and bracelet (Marshall’s earrings are semi-pavé). Naturally, where there’s Sarah Marshall, there’s designer Jean-Claude Jitrois, wearing a Cartier Timewalker with ceramic bezel and black alligator strap. Marshall is wearing a dress from the designer’s collection.
Marshall, Jitrois and Gayet were present for Moonrise Kingdom, by director Wes Anderson, along with other A-list stars such as Bruce Willis, Alec Baldwin, Virginie Ledoyen and Eva Longoria.
This year, there will be a Cannes Movie Stars Lounge at the Hôtel Martinez, where we expect further imagery of the celebrities in town for the Film Festival. Montbel, Baracuta, San Benedetto, Villa Castalda, Getty Images, Vanity Fair and Lamborghini are partnering.
Not all the film activity is in France. Will Smith, Nicole Scherzinger, Emma Thompson, Alice Eve, Josh Brolin and director Barry Sonnenfeld were in Leicester Square, London, for the UK première of Men in Black 3. The consensus, as ITN records in the video below, is that everyone fancies Smith.
If reader stats are anything to go by, more people came to our X Factor USA judge announcement story because of our mention of Nicole Scherzinger than any member of the panel.
But there is more from ITN. Simon Cowell said he ‘charmed’ Britney Spears into joining the panel, with Spears responding, ‘He’s adorable. He didn’t have to try hard.’
She continues, ‘Really just being able to be there and to inspire the other contestants, and they’re so young, and they’re trying to fulfil their dreams, it’s just a whole beautiful concept. So being able to be a part of this is really cool.’
A presenter has not been announced for the second season show.
Lady Gaga, meanwhile, continues her Born This Way Ball tour in Asia. In Japan, Gaga wore a dress made of mirrors, while at Songshan Airport, Taiwan, she wore a neon green cutaway dress with purple sunglasses.
She is in Taiwan for a two-day concert tour. However, Gaga will not head to Indonesia after the government there turned down her visa after pressure from Islamic groups who were concerned about her style.
Finally, Kristen Stewart speaks on her new film Snow White and the Huntsman. The Twilight star joked that she only accepted the role because she got to kiss both leading men. The film also stars Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Charlize Theron, Ray Winstone and Ian McShane.
If reader stats are anything to go by, more people came to 
However, Gaga will not head to Indonesia after the government there turned down her visa after pressure from Islamic groups who were concerned about her style.
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