This week, Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town” has been making a lot of headlines. I didn’t realize, before now, that the song has been out for a few months already. The music video recently came out, which is probably what started this week-long conversation about the lyrics of the song and the imagery of the video. The lyrics are plainly pro-lynching. The music video is plainly pro-lynching, especially given that Aldean staged the video at the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, the site of the lynching of Henry Choate in 1927. Well, it looks like Aldean’s Git Er Done (Er being “lynching”) message was too much even for the country-music network CMT. CMT removed Aldean’s video from the air and Aldean threw a huge hissy fit about all of the backlash. Keep in mind, Aldean and his Insurrectionist Barbie wife are very MAGA.

CMT has confirmed that, after initially airing Jason Aldean’s highly controversial music video for “Try That in a Small Town,” the network pulled the contentious clip from the air on Monday, even before the furor over the tune grew greater on Tuesday. A CMT spokesperson had no further comment on the video being yanked. Reps for Aldean’s label, BBR Music Group, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Billboard was first to report the video being removed by the network.

Meanwhile, Aldean took to his social media Tuesday afternoon to defend the song from its many critics, taking a much softer tone in his messaging than he does in the hostile single itself, or a video that projects images of demonstrators onto a courthouse that was the site of a famous lynching.

“In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous… There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it- and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage -and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far. As so many pointed out, I was present at Route 91-where so many lost their lives- and our community recently suffered another heartbreaking tragedy. NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart.”

Aldean tried to paint the song as taking a positive attitude on small towns, and downplayed the belligerent threats to outsiders that make up most of the lyrics, not to mention the stock footage of protesters that takes up a good portion of the video’s running time.

“‘Try That In A Small Town,’ for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences. My political views have never been something I’ve hidden from, and I know that a lot of us in this country don’t agree on how we get back to a sense of normalcy where we go at least a day without a headline that keeps us up at night. But the desire for it to — that’s what this song is about.”

[From Variety]

“Where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief.” The song is literally about white guys murdering people who don’t “fit in” with his all-white, all-Christian view of small towns?? What if your small-town neighbor is a Black woman who attends BLM protests? Is the song about her right to exist as a Black woman in a small town and her right to protest? No. It’s not. It’s a song which is gleefully about murder, lynching and mythologizing a corrupt and racist police state. Anyway, I’m sort of shocked that CMT made the decision to remove the video. As Variety pointed out in the piece, it will be interesting to see if country-music radio follows suit and removes the song from rotation (hint: they will not). I imagine this controversy will make the song climb up the country music charts too.

Variety’s music critic didn’t hold back this week: “Jason Aldean Already Had the Most Contemptible Country Song of the Decade. The Video Is Worse.” Yeah, I’m not posting the video.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

For months now, we’ve heard that King Charles simply won’t be able to keep up with all of the charitable patronages he had when he was the heir. Say what you will about Charles – he’s a douche – but the man actually had/has a work ethic and he was often recording 500-plus events a year. Those numbers aren’t even padded like they are for Prince William and Kate. Anyway, since Charles became king, we’re heard that his staff is doing a review of his patronages and commitments and trying to downsize his patronage portfolio. Surely, the new Prince and Princess of Wales would take on a big chunk of Charles’s portfolio? Not so much. That’s the point of this new story in the Telegraph – we’re coming up on the anniversary of QEII’s passing and William and Kate are still doing f–k all and refusing to take on any of Charles’s patronages or QEII’s patronages.

Hundreds of charities are in limbo following the King’s accession as a Buckingham Palace review of royal patronages has thrown their future into doubt. All of the charity affiliations held by Elizabeth II, the King and the Queen are on hold pending the outcome of a review that was launched several months ago.

Organisations founded by His Majesty when heir to the throne, including those such as The Prince’s Foundation, remain unsure whether they will continue to operate under the same name. Last week, the first move was made as the Prince’s Countryside Fund was rebranded The Royal Countryside Fund. It is thought the move, which gives the charity an elevated status, is considered something of a test case but there are no guarantees for the hundreds of others that have relied on royal patronage for decades.

Several charities have told The Telegraph they hope they will be given a suitably high-profile royal patron to help support them, emphasising that they found such a presence invaluable in promoting their work.

The late Queen was patron of more than 600 charities and organisations across the UK and the Commonwealth and with a shrinking number of working royals, it is unlikely that they will all maintain such links with the monarchy. Of 12 remaining working royals, only seven are likely to take on additional responsibilities; the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal. The Duke and Duchess of Kent, aged 87 and 90, respectively, and Princess Alexandra, 86, are far too old to continue, while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, aged 78 and 77, are also of an age when most are winding down.

But the Prince and Princess of Wales each have their own interests and have made it clear that they intend to approach their new roles in their own way, focusing more on creating impact and legacy and less on ribbon-cutting appearances for appearances’ sake.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said: “Given that there are hundreds and hundreds of charities and organisations to be redistributed, this is a major problem. It certainly can’t go on in the way it has done because there are fewer people to undertake the work of what was once a much bigger team. The slimmed-down monarchy can’t get any slimmer and cuts will pretty clearly have to be made…. It will be interesting to see what the palace comes up with. It seems inevitable that they will have to say farewell to some organisations and charities that have had royal patronage use for very many years because otherwise, it’s just spreading the load far too thinly. We’re nearly a year into the new reign now and clearly these things are taking a lot of time to tackle, to assess how to handle them in the most sensitive way.”

[From The Telegraph]

If only Charles, Camilla, William and Kate weren’t incandescent with rage, jealousy, racism and pettiness, they could have had two other working royals to help with all of these charities and patronages. Every year that passes since the Sussexit, Harry and Meghan’s offer of a half-in scenario, wherein they would continue to work on behalf of the crown, seems like an incredibly sensible solution and one which the Windsors should have agreed to. Oh well!! Charles gave in to William’s threats and tantrums, and now look where they are: Peg and Buttons are about to disappear for ten weeks and when they “go back to work” in the fall, they’ll just continue to do their asinine busy work of barely one event a week. That decision in early 2020 really was the inflection point for the entire future of the monarchy. And the Windsors got it wrong.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

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I love that we’re still talking about Wimbledon gossip! It’s so much fun. So, here’s the backstory – when Prince William, Kate and their two oldest children arrived at Wimbledon on Sunday for the men’s singles final, they got there later than the peasants. Most people were already seated in the stands and the Royal Box. Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz were two of the celebrities who got Royal Box seats, and their seats were a few rows behind the Wales family, who were seated in the front row of the Royal Box. Kate came barreling down the steps and she stopped and said some friendly words to Daniel and Rachel. Neither Daniel nor Rachel stood up or bowed or curtsied when they saw Kate or William or their children. Very few people did, actually, but the fact that Rachel and Daniel stayed seated is apparently a big deal:

It’s a subtle question of etiquette: when meeting the Princess of Wales, just how should royalty behave – Hollywood royalty, that is? Daily Mail Diary Editor Richard Eden has made his views known:

James Bond actor Daniel Craig and wife Rachel Weisz should have got to their feet when Kate approached them in the Royal Box on Sunday – as a mark of respect if not plain good manners, he told his followers on Instagram.

Sharing a photo in which the Princess of Wales can be seen talking to the celebrity pairing, he wrote: ‘This photograph makes me uneasy. While there may not have been space for Rachel Weisz to curtsy or Daniel Craig to bow, shouldn’t they have at least stood up to greet the Princess of Wales? Craig could have even gone mad and removed his sunglasses.’

It should be noted that fellow actor James Norton, star of Happy Valley and War and Peace, felt able to stand up in order to greet the princess.

[From The Daily Mail]

There’s nothing I love more than bootlickers demanding that everyone adhere to their bootlicking strategy. I’m glad Daniel and Rachel stayed seated, because who cares? The royalists keep demanding that we center Kate and her family in every Wimbledon conversation, when really… people were just there to see tennis, not perform their devotion to a racist, out-of-touch institution.

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Photos courtesy of Getty, Cover Images, Avalon Red.

The marijuana laws have loosened (if not completely disappeared) in so many states in the US, we barely hear about celebrities getting arrested on drug charges. I figure pretty much everyone in half of the country (if not more) has easy access to pot, whether it’s through medical dispensaries or simple open-to-anyone sales. Young people don’t know what it was like in the 1980s and 1990s, when marijuana was considered a “gateway drug,” and being arrested for possession could mean some really terrible sh-t for your future. All of which to say, Gigi Hadid was arrested for possession in the Cayman Islands. She was carrying marijuana in her bag at the airport! Good lord.

Gigi Hadid had a bumpy start to her summer vacation. The supermodel was embarking on a girls’ trip to the Cayman Islands on July 10 when she was arrested at Owen Roberts International Airport, E! News has learned.

According to local outlet Cayman Marl Road, shortly after Hadid and her pal arrived via a private plane, custom officials allegedly found “ganja and utensils used for the consumption of ganja” in their luggage.

Hadid and her friend were then arrested on “suspicion Importation of Ganja and Importation of Utensils used for the consumption of ganja,” the outlet reports, adding that they were then taken to the Prisoner Detention Center, where they were released on bail.

Two days later, on July 12, Hadid and her pal were formally charged during a court appearance, where they pleaded guilty and were both fined $1,000, according to Cayman Marl Road. They are not facing any charges.

“Gigi was traveling with marijuana purchased legally in NYC with a medical license,” her rep tells E! News. “It has also been legal for medical use in Grand Cayman since 2017. Her record remains clear and she enjoyed the rest of her time on the island.”

E! News has reached out to authorities has not heard back.

[From E! News]

I mean… I would never carry on any flight, especially an international flight, regardless of medical license and regardless of the medical-use laws. That’s another thing ‘90s kids will tell you: you never carry drugs on commercial flights! Don’t assume you know all of the drug laws of other countries! There are too many horror stories. That being said, my feeling is that Gigi got off lightly, probably because of her celebrity. I hope this will be a lesson learned – don’t carry drugs internationally. Especially when you’re rich and famous, you’ll be able to find a dealer wherever you go.

Her vacation was barely interrupted – the Cayman Islands probably got thousands of dollars in free tourism advertising from this incident. Gigi posted photos and videos from her vacation too, nary a mention of her arrest.

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Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Instagram.

Dan Wootton’s time is finally here, or at least that’s how it feels this week. Wootton is bizarrely well-connected, not just within the British media, but within the royal establishment. Wotton broke two of the biggest royal stories of the past decade: Prince William’s alleged affair with Rose Hanbury (the infamous “Rural Rival” story) and the news of the Sussexes’ exit from the Firm. While the Mail and GB News are “investigating” the credible claims against Wootton, his royal partners are silent as the grave. Of course, William and Kate were on vacation as soon as the Wimbledon men’s final was completed, but still – considering Wootton’s deep connections to current and former Kensington Palace employees, one would think that KP would have something to say. Or not. Or maybe this is what they have to say – the mainstreaming of a Radar Online report about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s “trouble in paradise.” Here’s how Page Six (part of the NY Post, which is part of Rupert Murdoch’s long-tentacled press empire) reported it:

Rumors are swirling that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s marriage is on the rocks. RadarOnline reported Tuesday that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are “taking time apart” to heal and rebuild their bond.

“They’re trying to figure out what hit them. Harry doesn’t fit in Meghan’s tacky Tinseltown world,” a source told the outlet, adding that he’s hoping to “find himself.”

However, an insider close to the couple — who wed in May 2018 — assures Page Six that any speculation of a breakup is untrue. “It’s not true, it’s literally made up,” the insider explains.

As we previously reported, the renegade royal, 38, is making plans to return to Africa solo for a new Netflix documentary. RadarOnline’s source said Harry feels “most like himself” while on the continent, which he considers his “second home.”

The source added that the Sussexes — who moved to Montecito, Calif., in March 2020 after stepping back as senior members of the royal family — are “under tremendous financial pressure to fund their lavish California lifestyle, including their $14 million mansion and huge security costs.”

“That stress, coupled with their emotional issues, has likely made life a living hell,” the source continued. “Taking time apart on different continents will hopefully help them find whatever they need to move on.”

Meanwhile, an anonymous tipster told Deuxmoi the pair had “sold their mansion in Montecito” and that Harry was “living in another place.” The self-proclaimed “curators of pop culture” behind the celeb gossip site responded, “Not sure if the house was sold but I had heard a couple weeks ago he was staying someplace else there.”

Despite public spats with their loved ones and widespread backlash to their various personal projects and business ventures, RadarOnline’s source claimed that the duo’s Spotify failure was a “game-changer” in their relationship.

[From Page Six]

“Harry doesn’t fit in Meghan’s tacky Tinseltown world…” They literally live in Montecito, not LA. Meghan has been quiet for months, it’s not like she’s partying at LA nightclubs every week. And let me tell you something about “tacky” – tacky is evicting a prince from the dilapidated shack he paid to renovate. Tacky is using the Sussexes to deflect from the Flop Windsors at every turn. Tacky is making moves to protect a dangerous blackmailer at the expense of your brother.

Nacho Figueras had a response to Page Six’s story:

BS

— Nacho Figueras (@nachofigueras) July 19, 2023

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

It’s a little bit funny that people are in their feelings about Ariana Grande’s divorce, just because… like, it had “starter marriage” written all over it. Even more than that, I think Ariana got married out of boredom, to have something to do, to give it a try and see how being someone’s wife felt. It was also about the pandemic – Dalton and Ari’s romance blossomed in lockdown, and once the world started opening up, Ariana was like “oh right, I’ve lots of other stuff to do, I don’t have to stick around LA forever.” Speaking of:

Distance has gotten in the way for Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez. Following news of the couple’s separation, a source tells PEOPLE that with the singer and actress, 30, filming the Wicked adaptation in the U.K. for much of the year, absence did not make the heart grow fonder.

“She was happy in Los Angeles for a couple of years. She wanted to make a life there with Dalton,” the source tells PEOPLE exclusively on Monday. “He is super focused on his career and needs to live in Los Angeles,” the insider notes of Gomez’s job as a luxury real estate agent. “It’s definitely been an issue for them. Dalton’s career is demanding and he can’t leave Los Angeles often. So when [Grande] started filming Wicked in England, they were in for a long-distance marriage.”

Though the relationship eventually “didn’t work,” the insider says “Ari has nothing but kind words to say about Dalton. During their marriage, he was her No. 1 fan.”

[From People]

TMZ had a similar story too, so this is definitely the talking point from Ariana’s people: their marriage could not survive her work commitments, the marriage could not survive outside of the pandemic bubble. TMZ’s sources also say that the marriage basically couldn’t survive because of Ari’s fame.

Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez couldn’t make their marriage work in a post-Covid world … because their lives were vastly different. Sources connected to the former couple with direct knowledge tell TMZ, when Ariana and Dalton hooked up in 2020, they were everything to each other — company, romance, support … all of it.

When Covid restrictions lifted, we’re told their differences became alarmingly apparent. Dalton, an L.A. realtor, was taken aback by Ariana’s celebrity. He had not dealt with her schedule, the paparazzi and the various opportunities that took her out of L.A. We’re told Dalton would sometimes question why they needed to go around town with security, something that was a must for Ariana.

Their differences started to make the marriage unravel, and it was greatly exacerbated when she went to England last December to begin filming “Wicked.” By January, they were separated, but still on friendly terms. They began living separate lives until May, when they decided to take a shot at it again. That lasted 2 weeks before they both threw in the towel.

Fact is … we’re told Dalton has been dating over the last few months, which was fine with Ariana. Our sources say both Ariana and Dalton were “shocked” no one picked up on the separation until today, when TMZ broke the story they had gone their separate ways and were headed for divorce court.

[From TMZ]

This is similar to the first reports of Joe Alwyn and Taylor Swift’s split too – that their relationship couldn’t survive once Taylor decided that being quiet and lowkey was no longer what she wanted. Of course, we now know that Taylor had Matt Healy waiting in the wings. I wonder if that’s true of Ariana, who is (much like Taylor) known as a serial dater, someone who always likes to be in a relationship. I already said that I was getting a vibe from Ariana and Andrew Garfield at Wimbledon. Let’s wait and see! Garfield isn’t really her type, but sometimes people change. If it’s not Andrew, I guarantee that she’s already got someone hanging around, just waiting for the official rollout.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Ariana’s IG.

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I guess it is a certain level of achievement for a celebrity to become a wax figure at Madame Tussauds. I’ve never been there but I know they have so many celebrity wax figures. That kind of stuff creeps me out, but I get why people find it fascinating at the same time. The latest edition to their collection is seven new Harry Styles figures, which will be installed at locations around the world. They’re all featuring different outfits, since he’s known as much for his style as his music.

Harry Styles fans are being given the chance to see some of the popstar’s most iconic looks as Madame Tussauds prepares to unveil seven new waxworks following “thousands of fan requests”.

Each of the lifelike models, which will be displayed in cities across the world, will look back to his most memorable outfits from the stage and red carpet.

One of the versions of the 29-year-old singer will go on display at the London venue in a green double-breasted suit jacket and lime green trousers, inspired by an outfit he wore at the My Policeman premiere.

Angela Jobson, global brand director at Madame Tussauds, said: “Harry is one of the biggest stars in the world right now. From filling stadiums worldwide with his sellout tours to being a fashion influencer, there is no denying he has left a timeless mark on popular culture.

“When the opportunity came up there was no hesitation, we jumped at the chance to add the Grammy award-winning superstar to our collection.”

Styles waxworks in a pink waistcoat and a rainbow-sequined jumpsuit will feature at Madame Tussauds in Berlin and New York. While figures in Amsterdam, Hollywood, Singapore and Sydney will feature other famous standout clothing items including a pink feather boa and a pink embroidered suit.

[From Sky News]

As much as I love Harry (and I do!) saying he’s left a “timeless mark” on culture is a bit premature. He’s only 29! As for how the figures look, I don’t think they’re that far off. They got his bone structure mostly right and his hair is on point. Someone on social media remarked that he looked “yassified” and he does…his skin has that oddly smooth quality that I guess is just what wax figures are like. The ones where his expression is more animated does look weird but that’s because it’s the kind of expression you’re used to seeing in motion. It looks odd on a wax figure that’s totally still. I like the outfits they chose–my favorite is the sequin jumpsuit and the pink embroidered suit. All that being said, I’m a big fan of his, but I’m not going to make an effort to see any of these wax figures. They’re just too uncanny valley for me. I do think it was a start business move for Mme Tussauds, because he’s a megastar and Gen Z likes him. I believe they were getting requests for him, actually. They should pose him next to a Taylor Swift wax figure as an inside joke.

photos credit: Cover Images, Avalon.red and via Instagram/Madame Tussauds

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Paul Rudd is an Internet Boyfriend and while he isn’t that cute to me, he’s also one of the few celebrities that I genuinely believe is probably a pretty nice person. Also, the joke is that he looks forever young because he’s nice, but he definitely gets professional help with that–most celebrity men do. And it’s not just getting good sleep like he says. Anyway, Paul was at a New Jersey Taylor Swift concert back in May when he met a young musician Claud Mintz, who goes by Claud. Claud is signed to the same label as Taylor’s friend and opener Phoebe Bridgers, and they are up-and-coming. Claud has a song called “Paul Rudd” on their latest album. Paul listened to Claud’s songs and loved what he heard. Long story short, he ended up starring in a music video for Claud’s song “A Good Thing.” In it Paul plays a bumbling, lonely mailman. It’s a cute little video and a sweet story–Claud says it was the best day of their life.

How Paul and Claud met: Taylor Swift unwittingly helped Paul Rudd land his latest role as a loveless, bumbling mailman. His cameo in the music video for “A Good Thing” came about when the artist, Claud Mintz — who goes by Claud — met him at Swift’s The Eras Tour earlier this year. “I, like, randomly met him in passing at the Eras Tour, at the Taylor Swift concert. I walked kind of like past the VIP tent,” Claud explained in a TikTok posted July 16. “I was like, ‘Paul Rudd, this sounds kind of weird but there’s a song on my album. The song’s called ‘Paul Rudd.’ I hope this isn’t weird.’”

How Paul got involved in the music video: “He was, like, so nice about it and he gave me his email and he was like, ‘Send it to me. Like, I’d love to hear your album,’” Claud said. Claud sent Rudd their album, “Supermodels,” and explained that track eight, titled “Paul Rudd,” is named after him because “it’s me, like, trying to envision myself as, like, this cool, confident, charismatic, lovable character that you play.” That’s how Rudd comes across in real life, too, Claud said. But Claud believes they often don’t have those same qualities. Claud adds Rudd told them he “loved the album.”

This opened the door for Claud to invite Rudd to the filming of their music video: “Would you ever consider stopping by?” He ended up staying for “the whole entire day,” Claud said. “He stayed for, like, five hours and we shot, like, that whole scene and danced outside and it was the best day of my life,” they said.

[From USA Today]

Am I surprised that Paul is apparently a Swiftie? I have to say I am. But it’s charming that he wanted to be a part of this music video. I’m sure that he recognized his involvement would raise Claud’s profile and help more people discover them. They are very similar-sounding to Phoebe Bridgers, if that’s your thing. The music video is fun (there is also a cute cat in it) and the song is catchy. Claud makes it seem like his visit to the music video set wasn’t planned but I think it must have been because he has a costume and everything! It is cool that Paul stayed for so long when I’m sure his scenes were quick to shoot. I like that Paul doesn’t take himself too seriously and is happy to be the comedic relief. He doesn’t give off vibes of having a big ego, which is rare in his industry. His reputation as a sweet guy is seemingly well-earned. Now if we could just figure out who his aesthetician is, then we’d be cooking with gas.

Photos credit: Avalon.red, Cover Images and via Instagram

Studios are terrified that the strikes will reveal the truth about streaming. Per Kayleigh Donaldson: “Think of the two major possibilities here: Either the studios owe untold millions to their talents and paying it out will decimate their stock prices, or they owe so little because there really is no money in streaming and the bubble of their entire 21st century business model will burst in spectacular fashion. And make no mistake: this is a bubble.” [Pajiba]
Maluma is posting pics in his underwear! [OMG Blog]
Daniel Craig & Rachel Weisz are so friggin’ hot. [LaineyGossip]
How did the dudes look at the Oppenheimer premiere last week? [Tom & Lorenzo]
Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS saves lives! [Jezebel]
Oprah admits she only has three close friends – me, Gayle King and who?? [JustJared]
The latest Gaurav Gupta collection is great! [GFY]
Did Brad Pitt have plastic surgery? Yes. He did. [Towleroad]
Ralph Lauren dressed so many people at Wimbledon. [RCFA]

During the Wimbledon fortnight, we heard endless stories about how the Princess of Wales is somehow too precious, too delicate, too important to ever speak to a Russian or Belarusian. It felt like Kate was on strike during the tournament too – other than her appearances on finals weekend, Kate only attended Wimbledon for one Centre Court session on Day 2, and she had to be bribed with “you get to flirt with Roger Federer!” So please, tell me how Kate “sparked an A-list renaissance at Wimbledon.” That’s Camilla Tominey’s latest column at the Telegraph – Kate is receiving credit for… celebrities enjoying tennis matches? To be fair, there were tons of celebrities at the men’s final on Sunday. But the argument there is that people (including Kate’s children) were excited to see the sport’s new superstar, Carlos Alcaraz.

Not since the Oscars has a single venue been sprinkled with so much stardust. From an ageless Brad Pitt, munching on crisps with director Guy Ritchie, to James Bond star Daniel Craig and his actress wife Rachel Weisz making a rare public appearance together in the Royal Box, Sunday’s men’s singles final brought an unprecedented amount of Hollywood glamour to SW19. As a close friend of the seven-time Wimbledon champion, Australian X-Men actor Hugh Jackman watched the action from Djokovic’s box alongside his wife Jelena.

Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield was sitting next to the singer Ariana Grande and Bridgerton actor Jonathan Bailey (he and Grande worked on Wicked together), behind Thor actor Tom Hiddleston and his actress fiancé Zawe Ashton. Elsewhere in the stands were the rapper Stormzy and incoming Doctor Who and Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, who sat next to Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame and Lewis Capaldi. With the exception, perhaps, of Formula 1, it is difficult to remember a sporting event that has managed to attract quite so many A-listers.

And at the centre of it all was avid tennis fan the Princess of Wales, clearly in heaven, seven years into her role as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC). Joined by her husband Prince William, 41, and children Prince George, who turns 10 on Saturday, and Princess Charlotte, eight (at five, Prince Louis was deemed too young to attend), Kate, 41, was once again leading the style stakes in a £750 green short sleeved Roland Mouret “Cady” midi dress, which she teamed with Victoria Beckham black sunglasses.

Cheered by the crowd as she stepped on to the hallowed grass to present the trophies, the mother of three has become as synonymous with the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament as strawberries and cream.

Like her predecessor the Duchess of Kent, who along with her husband the Duke of Kent, handed out the trophies at Wimbledon from 1969 to 2001, famously comforting a tearful Jana Novotna when she lost to Steffi Graff in 1993, the Princess has put tennis firmly on the royal map.

She even twice accompanied her sister in law, the Duchess of Sussex, to Wimbledon in 2018 and 2019, when they cheered on Meghan’s friend Serena Williams alongside Kate’s sister, Pippa Matthews. (Federer and his wife Mirka were guests at Pippa and her husband James’s wedding in 2017 and Kate’s parents Carole and Michael have both been to Wimbledon and the cinch championships at Queen’s on numerous occasions).

The princess’s enthusiastic involvement appears to have helped to spark a renaissance for a sport which some had dubbed “boring” because of the dominance of Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal. With the exception of Andy Murray’s historic wins in 2013 and 2016, Alcaraz’s victory on Sunday marks the first time a new name has been engraved on the silver gilt, 18in high trophy since Australian Lleyton Hewitt beat Argentinian David Nalbandian in 2002.

[From The Telegraph]

Again… it was about Alcaraz and his star power. It was about the match-up of Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, a historic generational battle (which advertisers and fans love). People thought it would be a good final and it was. Tons of celebrities have always gone to Wimbledon too, and if you watch ESPN’s coverage, John McEnroe will often sprinkle in stories about meeting Princess Diana, who loved tennis and was a regular at Wimbledon. It’s truly crazy that Tominey is so desperate to give Kate credit for something, anything, that she’s settled on this: Kate is the reason why celebrities come out for Wimbledon! Not only that, but Kate has star power too, she’s a celebrity too! I thought they hated celebrities?? Meanwhile, there are so many celebrities at the US Open and the Miami Open gets pretty star-studded too. They’re there because of Kate too!!

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.