Few have done bigger, better or more lucrative tours than the Rolling Stones. But it is being quietly accepted that their rolling days may be over – with a planned European tour this summer to promote a new studio album being scrapped.
In its place, I can reveal that the Stones are planning three mini–residencies (also for this summer): one in the UK, one in the US and one in Argentina, where they have a huge and avid fan base.
The idea is that they will do a week ‘on’ and then a fortnight off between gigs.
It is possible that the US gig will be at the Sphere in Vegas, according to an American source who is party to negotiations. Which would cause huge excitement.
I hear that a ‘big offer’ is on the table from the arena – but the set–up costs at the innovative immersive venue are high; and the number of seats relatively low. So it might not make economic sense.
As to the why, it’s not because they don’t enjoy playing together, or making money – both still appeal.
But the decision has been made because of the energy levels of the Stones’ legendary guitarist Keith Richards.
Now 82, and living quietly (for the most part) in Connecticut with wife Patti – with the occasional jaunt to his place in the Turks and Caicos islands – I hear he couldn’t face the demands of yet another globe–spanning, money–spinning tour.
Guitarist Keith Richards’ energy levels are said to be the reason why the bandhave scrapped their tour next summer
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. Alison Boshoff can reveal that the Stones are planning three mini–residencies (also for this summer): one in the UK, one in the US and one in Argentina, where they have a huge and avid fan base
Frontman Mick Jagger, who is also 82 and as buzzing as ever, would have relished it. But there was no question of doing it without ‘Keef’.
‘Keith just didn’t want to take on a month of rehearsals – and then three months on the road,’ my source said. When the Stones embarked on their No Filter tour in 2019, Keith said they were all very aware their advancing years meant it couldn’t last for ever. ‘So far, no one is tottering and falling over,’ he joked. ‘Everyone is in remarkable shape and, yeah, as long as that holds up, I think we’ll keep at it.’
Ronnie Wood, who plays guitar in the band, agreed: ‘None of us can really believe that we get a clean sheet… My doctor, without bribery, says I’m fit!’ But the tour was interrupted by Covid, and before it could resume, in 2021, drummer Charlie Watts died.
Fans were divided, with some feeling it was time the ‘Strolling Bones’, as they are jokingly called, stopped strolling. Instead, drummer Steve Jordan was drafted in to finish the last leg; and also took Watts’ place on the 2024 tour of America.
The Stones first hit the road in 1963, and in the early years their shows were a byword for sexual and narcotic excess. They’ve performed more than 2,000 concerts – and are widely considered one of the best live acts of all time.
Holly’s biggest client? Why, it’s… Holly!
Holly Willoughby left her agents at YMU to set up an all–female talent agency to manage herself, and others, in 2021.
However those dreams now appear to have faded, with her company Roxy Management reporting plummeting earnings and Holly apparently the only talent on the books.
Accounts just filed show that in the year to December 2024, Roxy Management had net assets of £13,464 – compared with £123,242 the previous year.
The plunge is not so surprising, given that Holly has stepped away from showbusiness after a horrifying plot to kidnap, rape and kill her came to light. The man behind it, Gavin Plumb, was jailed in 2024.
Holly Willoughby set up an all–female talent agency to manage herself, and others, in 2021. However those dreams now appear to have faded, with her company Roxy Management reporting plummeting earnings and Holly apparently the only talent on the books
Since leaving ITV’s flagship breakfast show This Morning, she has presented Celebrity Bear Hunt for Netflix (which has not been renewed); and a revival of You Bet!
She ended up having an exchange of legal letters with YMU over so–called ‘sunset provisions’ when they parted ways.
They felt they were entitled to 15 per cent of deals she’d made, including her (at the time) hugely lucrative contract to present This Morning. It was settled before any legal action.
The Golden Globes were far from glittering this year. Many actors left early.
And then there was the tacky optics of new owners Todd Boehly and Jay Penske promoting their online betting venture Polymarket by flagging up the odds on nominees during the event.
Globes producer Glenn Weiss said: ‘It was an added element that was really important to the organisation and the folks we work for.’
Teyana going for a thong at Golden Globes
Teyana Taylor caused a fashion sensation at the Golden Globes – not so much for her custom, ‘whale tail’ Schiaparelli gown… but for the eye–catching, bejewelled thong which it revealed – and which she referred to in her winner’s speech as her ‘party in the back’.
Vogue magazine pronounced that this brave look ushered in ‘The Year Of The Crack’. But not everybody approved.
Fashion critic Melissa Rivers tutted: ‘I loved it… until she showed the bow. What is this, plumber chic?’
Taylor, who was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance as revolutionary Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, apparently recently stopped working with the stylists Wayman + Micah, and is managing herself instead.
Teyana Taylor caused a fashion sensation at the Golden Globes – not so much for her custom, ‘whale tail’ Schiaparelli gown… but for the eye–catching, bejewelled thong which it revealed – and which she referred to in her winner’s speech as her ‘party in the back’
Teyana’s One Battle co–star Chase Infiniti, turned up to the Globes in a dazzling bustier covered in mirrored appliques, black velvet skirt – and no visible panties
Vogue magazine pronounced that this brave look ushered in ‘The Year Of The Crack’. But not everybody approved. Fashion critic Melissa Rivers tutted: ‘I loved it… until she showed the bow. What is this, plumber chic?’
The duo are still working with her One Battle co–star Chase Infiniti, who turned up to the Globes in a dazzling bustier covered in mirrored appliques, black velvet skirt – and no visible panties.
Infiniti is on the shortlist for the BAFTA Rising Star award, which is an audience vote.
In a video message beamed to London this week she expressed her gratitude for the nomination, and for the love people were showing the film, in which she plays Leonardo DiCaprio’s daughter.
‘This film has completely changed my life,’ she said. Her first movie, it’s expected to sweep the board at the Oscars and BAFTAs.
Other nominees are Robert Aramayo, Miles Caton, Archie Madekwe and Posy Sterling, and votes can be cast at ee.co.uk/BAFTA.
What are YOU willing to risk to be beautiful?
There is a sense of endlessly reflecting mirrors at play in the new Ryan Murphy show The Beauty.
It stars, among others, Ashton Kutcher – who famously dated Demi Moore when she was an impossibly beautiful 40 and he was 25. They married two years later.
In 2024, Moore, now 63, played an actress seeking eternal youth in the body horror box office hit The Substance.
Demi Moore as Elizabeth Sparkles in the body horror The Substance
Ashton Kutcher famously dated Demi when she was an impossibly beautiful 40 and he was 25. They married two years later
And now Kutcher, 47, is playing a shadowy billionaire, who is offering people ‘The Beauty’, a mysterious treatment which gives physical perfection… followed by a gruesome death.
Kutcher reflects: ‘Yeah, I think we’re living in a world where GLP–1s are pervasive. You know, the demand for Ozempic and Wegovy and Mounjaro and all of these drugs. Some of them are for health complications – others are just for aesthetic outcome.
‘And then we have this increasing demand for cosmetic surgery… in order to achieve a look, or a feel, or a vibe that they think will give them some sort of advantage – or maybe it will just make them happy.
‘The question is: What are you willing to sacrifice for that? And what risks are you willing to take?’
The Beauty streams on Disney+ from January 22.
Victoria Beckham’s beauty company is a huge success, with her eyeliners flying off the shelf at a rate of one every 30 seconds.
Her new foundation costs £104 for just 30ml and has caused a social media sensation. (‘What’s in it – David’s tears?’ asks one online wag.) However it can be revealed that Victoria Beckham Beauty took out three loans in December.
Filings show the registration of three ‘charges’ with JP Morgan which amount to £4.1million.
A source at the firm explained: ‘This is not new debt. This merely reflects a change of banking partner from Bank of America to JP Morgan.’
In September, company accounts showed losses of £4.8million – and a cash injection from David and Victoria of £6.2million.
Which reminds me of the old joke: How do you make a small fortune in fashion? Start out with a big one.
Nobody likes a party pooper, Meghan!
The fallout continues after Prince Harry and Meghan attended Kris Jenner’s James Bond themed 70th birthday party on the eve of Remembrance Day.
You may remember that pictures of the couple inside the bash were put up by the Kardashian ‘momager’ on social media – and then mysteriously taken down.
Although Sussex sources denied they had asked for the deletion, the finger pointed in their direction… and their PR manager Meredith Maines jumped ship soon afterwards. At the time, Jenner’s press spokesperson poured scorn on reports that guests had been asked to sign some kind of document, opting in or out of pictures, which was the Sussexes’ claim.
In the weeks since, Kris Jenner has not dropped a single like on any posts by the Duchess – and hasn’t liked any of Meghan’s many posts showing her As Ever brand, either.
The fallout continues after Prince Harry and Meghan attended Kris Jenner’s James Bond themed 70th birthday party on the eve of Remembrance Day
That includes Meghan’s Happy Holidays post on December 22, and a post (on November 26) of her showing off her As Ever items on sale in West Hollywood. She still follows As Ever, but has not liked any of the last 15 posts.
A source close to Jenner, who has 52million followers, to Meghan’s 4million, said: ‘Just because it’s not public, doesn’t mean they have not continued their relationship, and they have.’
There has also been no love shown for Meghan by Lauren Sanchez Bezos, wife of Amazon boss Jeff, who hosted the Jenner party at their mansion. However friends of Bezos say she doesn’t really know Meghan, so one shouldn’t read too much into it. You can gather from that statement that Meghan probably won’t be on the list for any parties Bezos is planning to throw around Oscars night.
And speaking of Meghan and her social circle, she still isn’t followed on Instagram by Gwyneth Paltrow, and nor is her brand… even though the pair made a daft video (pictured) last March, to ‘prove’ the Duchess and the Goop creator are friends.
