Category: 5. Entertainment

NEW YORK — Before his precipitous downfall, Sean “Diddy” Combs was a pop-culture supernova with innumerable stars in his orbit.

Like it or not, that’s part of the reason we’ve all been so glued to his criminal trial, as the once-untouchable music mogul awaits a verdict on five charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution.

It’s why journalists dashed breathlessly through the halls of Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse on June 13, in an attempt to catch a glimpse of rapper Ye as he made a fleeting appearance to show his solidarity with Combs. It’s also why dozens of social media influencers waited for nearly four hours in the pouring rain in the early morning hours of May 22, hoping to land a spot in the main courtroom as musician Kid Cudi testified about an alleged arson attack by Combs.

Throughout nearly two months of testimony, attorneys and witnesses alike have name-checked several celebrities as they’ve excavated nearly two decades of Combs’ apparent criminal past.

They’ve recounted nights of partying with Prince, Stevie Wonder, Muhammad Ali and Rita Ora, some of which ended in Combs allegedly assaulting his girlfriends or forcing them into “freak offs” with escorts. Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross were referenced in court, as defense tried to highlight the powerful connections that Combs helped afford to his ex-lover, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine. Michael B. Jordan, 50 Cent and Suge Knight were all subjects of Combs’ ire, while Usher and Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard were both on the sidelines of allegedly violent incidents.

Lawyers for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs give closing arguments to jury

Sean “Diddy” Combs and his legal team were back in Manhattan court to plead his case to jurors in the sweeping federal sex-crimes probe.

Diddy trial bombshells: What his inner circle said about baby oil, ‘freak offs’

There were name drops that sparked dry amusement from reporters, too, like the revelation that Combs once had ecstasy pills shaped like the face of former President Barack Obama. Or that the rapper gave his staff an annual paid holiday on the Notorious B.I.G.’s birthday. (Checking into hotels, Combs often used the alias Frank Black ‒ a nod to Biggie Smalls’ nickname, Frank White.)

Combs’ lawyer also mentioned Beyoncé in his closing statement. “I don’t expect we’re going to see Beyoncé in CVS,” lead defense attorney Marc Agnifilo said as he argued Combs’ employees were not part of a criminal enterprise and that they instead were just doing their jobs.

Here are just a few of the most notable A-listers to find their way into the Diddy trial:

R. Kelly

“Mia,” a former assistant of Combs who testified under a pseudonym, told jurors that she had been abused and assaulted by the rapper throughout her employment. In a series of texts read aloud in court, she invoked the name of disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, who is in prison following his own sex-crimes trial. 

Jurors saw an exchange from 2019, in which Mia wrote to Combs: “I had a nightmare. I was trapped in an elevator with R. Kelly and you came to rescue me.”

Leonardo DiCaprio

In a lengthy text that she sent Combs around 2020, Mia described some of their most “magical, hilarious” and “hysterical” memories together. One was of a night in Paris when Mick Jagger tried to take her home; another was of a night when Jennifer Lopez wouldn’t stay out.

Mia also referenced a high-stakes poker game between the hip-hop mogul and DiCaprio. She wrote that Combs said, while cursing: “That ‘Titanic’ (guy) doesn’t know (anything). He won $10,000, I won $650,000.”

What to expect: Diddy trial is ending, jury deliberation underway

Chadwick Boseman

In a message from August 2020, Mia texted Combs, “Thinking of you with Chadwick Boseman,” following the actor’s death. Mia said on the stand that Combs was “auditioning for the role” of James Brown in the “Get On Up” biopic that Boseman ended up playing. In a text exchange shown to jurors, Mia told Combs that she had his audition tape and would send it to him.

Brad Pitt

Mia alleged that in 2012 she witnessed a discussion between Combs and Ventura Fine escalate at the premiere of the Brad Pitt film “Killing Them Softly,” during the Cannes Film Festival in France.She claimed she saw Combs grit his teeth while digging his nails into Ventura Fine’s arm, and eventually insisted that Ventura Fine leave, which she did.

Chelsea Handler

On the stand, Mia said that over the years, she saw Combs take molly, MDMA, ketamine and prescription drugs. Although she said it was “mostly in party situations,” she once claimed to see him high at a board meeting. On another occasion, she alleged that he was so high at a Chelsea Handler show that she pulled him aside. “You look a little crazy right now,” Mia told Combs.

More: All the witnesses who took the stand in the Diddy trial, including Cassie and Kid Cudi

Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston

On the stand, Combs’ ex-personal assistant Capricorn Clark was asked whether she thought Ventura Fine was “very talented.” Clark responded “no,” adding that she thought the rising R&B star merely had “talent.”

“Very talented to me is Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey,” Clark told jurors. “Very talented is that level of performer, entertainer. Cassie was more of a studio artist.”

Bruce Willis and Eddie Murphy

During Ventura Fine’s lengthy testimony, jurors saw a text that she sent to Combs in July 2013. At the time, she had been dating Combs for roughly seven years, and expressed frustration that she wasn’t integrated more into his family life with his children.

“As much as you think you’re Bruce Willis, you aren’t,” Ventura Fine texted Combs. “He’s married, and before he was married, the family as a whole went on trips together or just him and his woman.”

“Eddie Murphy and Paige (Butcher) took his kids away on their own,” the message continued. “I don’t think you sympathize with my feelings. I understand you feeling like you need to protect your children. But after a while, it’s like, for what?”

Surviving abuse: Cassie Ventura Fine and the unlikely bond with her mother-in-law

Keke Palmer

Kerry Morgan, a model and former friend of Ventura Fine, testified that Combs once attacked her in Cassie’s California home, choking her and hitting her in the head with a wooden hanger. She also told the court she saw Combs assault Ventura Fine several times, and she pleaded with her friend to leave the rapper.

During cross-examination, the defense showed a number of photos of Morgan and Ventura Fine hanging out with groups of people. One snapshot included Morgan, stylist Deonte Nash, producer Rob Holiday, and “Nope” actress Keke Palmer. Defense asked whether they all had fun together: “We had a lot of fun,” Morgan said. “We look like a loving bunch,” although “I didn’t love all these people.”

Shaq, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan

On the stand, Combs’ ex “Jane,” who also testified under a pseudonym, said that she, Combs and one of the escorts they allegedly hired used the nickname “trifecta” when they had sex. Jane claimed she was Kobe Bryant; Paul, the entertainer, was Shaquille O’Neal; and Combs was Michael Jordan. 

Jurors were also read a series of flirty text messages between Jane and Combs, where she likens their relationship to the NBA legends. In the exchange, Jane thanks Combs for making “me very happy” and giving “me so much love.”

“You’re my Michael Jordan and I’m your Kobe Bryant,” Jane texted Combs. “We’re the greatest.”

More: Diddy’s defense claims he was just ‘swinging.’ These swingers are appalled.

Pamela Anderson

In another frisky text exchange read aloud to jurors during testimony, Jane compared herself to former Playboy models.

“It’s giving Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra,” Jane texted Combs, adding two melon emojis.

Jane frequently referenced famous figures in her text messages to Combs. Some of their other nicknames for each other: Bert and Ernie from “Sesame Street.”

Chris Brown

In court, Combs’ attorneys pressed Ventura Fine about a time when the hip-hop heavyweight suspected she was cheating on him.

“He found out you were dancing with another person in the entertainment industry? Do you remember the incident where he suspected you of dancing with Chris Brown?” defense asked, referencing an unspecified occasion in 2013. Ventura Fine said she did not remember the incident, but she “was not dancing” with the singer.

Defense showed an exhibit to help jog Ventura Fine’s memory of a time when Combs allegedly took the “Me & U” singer’s phone after he suspected her of dancing with Brown. After looking at the evidence, Ventura Fine said, “It says that in the message, but I don’t really remember it.”

Ventura Fine is close friends with Karrueche Tran, the actress and model who won a five-year restraining order against ex-boyfriend Brown in 2017.

Diddy lawyer Marc Agnifilo compares ‘freak offs’ to couples drinking lemonade

Every celebrity mentioned in Diddy trial

• Cassie
• Beyoncé
• Rihanna
• Michael B. Jordan
• Barack Obama
• Georgina Chapman
• Mike Myers
• Will Smith
• DJ Whoo Kid
• Dallas Austin
• 50 Cent
• Suge Knight
• Prince
• Usher
• Britney Spears
• Common
• Madonna
• Jimmy Iovine
• Dawn Richard
• Kalenna Harper
• Kid Cudi
• French Montana
• Too Short
• Chris Brown
• Biggie Smalls
• Ryan Leslie
• Brad Pitt
• Keke Palmer
• Pamela Anderson
• Carmen Electra
• Whitney Houston
• Mariah Carey
• Chris Gethard
• Jay-Z
• Michael Jordan
• Kobe Bryant
• Shaquille O’Neal
• Bruce Willis
• Eddie Murphy
• Leonardo DiCaprio
• Mick Jagger
• Jennifer Lopez
• Chelsea Handler
• R. Kelly
• Chadwick Boseman
• Rita Ora
• Nicki Minaj
• Lil Wayne
• Yung Miami

Contributing: USA TODAY staff

An anticipated Paris show presenting Dior’s latest men’s collection, set to be released in 2026, and the first designed under ex-Loewe’s Jonathan Anderson direction, made subtle nods to European art and culture.

Dior presented its latest men’s collection at the Invalides, a museum complex centered on French military history, using a large black-and-white image of Christian Dior’s original salon as a backdrop. The display, which stretched across the entrance, was meant to signal the 80-year-old brand’s historic connection to French culture. 

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The Dior Homme’s 2026 Spring/Summer collection was the first designed by Anderson after taking up the position last month. He is now overseeing men’s and women’s designs at the house, the first designer in the house’s history to hold both roles simultaneously. 

In the Paris show, Anderson, avoiding dramatic changes, mixed some of Dior’s heritage with the present, as first reported by critic Vanessa Friedman of the New York Times. Friedman wrote that the collection meshed “formal and casual, historic and contemporary,” while according to Dazed, Anderson was centering the “aristocrat,” as the show’s main concept, using 18th century European art and English tailoring to deliver the message.

Dazed also noted that the show’s stage was designed to mimic visuals from older museum exhibitions that use velvet as wallpaper, including the Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie gallery and New York’s Frick collection, both holding European art collections.

The Paris show drew from that design choice, covering the Invalides’ interior walls with off-white velvet, and hanging two paintings by 18th century French still-life artist Jean Siméon Chardin that were loaned from the National Galleries of Scotland and the Louvre.

Prior to the debut show, Anderson’s art references were leaking through online. Earlier this month, Dior published famous photographs of social and artistic royalty from Anderson’s “mood board,” on social media: separate polaroids of Lee Radizwill, an American-European princess and fixture in aristocratic circles, and painter Jean Michel-Basquiat, both subject of Andy Warhol.

Radizwill’s connection to Dior’s history began in the 1960s under the label’s then-creative director, Marc Bohan, who used her as a muse. (A 1977 silk robe designed by Bohan, gifted by Radizwill, is in the Met’s collection.)

Anderson’s first women’s collection will be presented in September.

F1: The Movie has been in theaters for just under a week, and early tallies are in: It smashed box office expectations by netting $144 million in its worldwide debut. 

The impressive figure means F1 is the most successful Apple Original film in history, as well as Brad Pitt’s most successful film launch.

F1: The Movie makes global waves in debut

Hailed as being the must-see blockbuster of the summer, F1: The Movie has just completed its first weekend in theaters, and it has been rewarded with stunning success — particularly for a racing movie.

The film debuted at No. 1 on American domestic box office charts, netting $55.6 million in the US alone. It also made $88.4 million internationally, bringing its debut weekend total to $144 million.

That makes this movie the most successful film launch of star actor Brad Pitt’s career, which is an impressive feat for a man with such a diverse resumé under his belt. It’s also the best market debut for an Apple Original Films movie; the company’s previous top debut was Killers of the Flower Moon, which made $23.2 million on opening.

More on the F1 movie:

👉 Six things about the F1 movie that make it a must-see

👉 Brad Pitt F1 movie: An insider’s complete guide to the F1 film

Motorsport-related films often struggle to make waves in the box office, which makes F1‘s success a compelling case study. Recent films like Ford v Ferrari only netted $52 million globally, while 2013’s Rush brought home $100 million.

And with America’s Independence Day holiday approaching this weekend, potential viewers of F1: The Movie who weren’t able to attend opening weekend will likely have the time to do so soon.

While $144 million is an impressive figure for a debut film, F1: The Movie will need to sell far more tickets in order to break even. Vulture estimates that the film cost around $250 million to film, while its advertising and promotion campaign cost an additional $150 to $175 million — and with ticket sales split between the theaters and the production company, some estimates have claimed F1 will need to net over a billion dollars to break even. However, Apple’s film model also relies heavily on streaming success through AppleTV+, which can build revenue for years to come.

Still, the film’s initial success had proved several things. It showed that Apple Original Films can produce a box-office success. It developed innovative filming techniques that could even transform the way motorsport is broadcast. It also proved that, with the right amount of hype and promotion, a racing film can branch out to new audiences.

Reviews of F1: The Movie have been mixed, with critics pointing out everything from its obvious product placement to its clunky plot, and motorsport fans noting that much of the movie hinges on racing sequences that are both unrealistic and that would also justify a driver being banned from the sport.

Still, many viewers have praised its top-notch editing and immersive film style. Over on film review website Rotten Tomatoes, F1: The Movie has netted an 83% rating on its “Tomatometer,” which means that 83% of verified user reviews for the film are positive. It has also earned a “Certified Fresh” status, meaning it has netted strong reviews.

Further, the website also rates films based on something called the “Popcornmeter,” which evaluates reviews for all users, not just verified users. F1: The Movie has earned a 97% rating on that metric, which means most fans have given the movie a 3.5-star rating or higher.

The long-term impact of the film is impossible to know at this point, but those involved with its release are hoping it will engage a new set of fans in much the same way that Netflix’s docuseries Drive to Survive did.

Read next: How many penalty points would F1 movie star Sonny Hayes have got in real life?

Whenever Beyoncé performs in her native Houston, her return creates a rippling homecoming effect across the city. That’s less of a reference to the tour de force singer and songwriter’s 2019 live album and documentary concert film of the same name, but more a nod to true-to-life, Lone Star State homecoming traditions.

The scene outside of NRG Stadium over the weekend for the two-night run of Cowboy Carter shows was nothing short of a pep rally. Texas-sized chrysanthemum corsages were on parade, embellished with ribbons and decorative spirit trinkets, pinned at the shoulder (down South, we call them mums). Red, white, and blue silk sashes sliced through crowds, too, customized to riff on the Grammy Award-winning (Best Country Album, anyone?) record cover. And because June 28 serendipitously doubled as International LGBTQI+ Pride Day, a gulf of self-described queens rounded out this metaphoric homecoming court.

Beyoncé’s past and present onstage fashion inspired street style looks laden with Easter eggs. A number of outfits paid homage to the inaugural NFL 2024 Christmas Day Halftime Show, apropos-dubbed BeyBowl, for the Houston Texas vs. Baltimore Ravens game, which also took place at NRG. Many a concertgoer drew from the furry, feathered, and rhinestone-flecked all-white western wear that stylist and costume designer Shiona Turini produced for Cowboy Carter Christmas. Others paid tribute to classic Americana, with patriotic flags waving through Levi’s or Wrangler denim belt loops.

For Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo competitors, such as sister barrel racers Leah and Elizabeth Zadel, it was an occasion to layer functional cowgirl gear with couture.

“These are Stella McCartney jeans that I saved up for, for a long time with the Ariat boots I always wear,” Leah told Vogue. “And my sister got the idea for her pants from Beyoncé’s custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture outfit for the tour. She sewed on all those conchos after she couldn’t find anything similar and thought, ‘Why not make it myself?’”

Outside of Queen Bey’s hometown hoedown, Vogue photographed some of the most inventive and inspiring looks.

Arturo Valenzuela: “I really went off of her Christmas [halftime show] outfits. With everything going on in the world right now I thought, ‘Let me show up and show out.’ I thought the white really pops on my skin tone. And my sash was made by a designer I found on TikTok.”

For “Grease” fans in Los Angeles, recent summer nights had a surprise in store. We’ll tell you more, tell you more.

John Travolta, who brought life to bad boy heartthrob Danny Zuko in the 1978 classic, crashed the Hollywood Bowl’s sing-along event Friday. He surprised not just the audience, but also fellow “Grease” alumni as he sauntered on stage in his character’s signature pompadour and leather jacket.

“No one knew, not even the cast,” Travolta, 71, recalled of the moment in an Instagram post shared Saturday.

The “Pulp Fiction” and “Hairspray” star on Instagram shared a closer look at his Danny Zuko-inspired styling and posted a video of him reuniting with co-stars Didi Conn, Barry Pearl, Michael Tucci, Kelly Ward and “Grease” filmmaker Randal Kleiser. Video from the sing-along shows audiences cheering and celebrating Travolta with a standing ovation. His surprise appearance came before the beginning of the sing-along, according to Entertainment Weekly.

“L.A.,” he says to fans before referencing a memorable line from the movie. “I thought you were going back to Australia!”

In that scene from “Grease,” Danny excitedly greets his summer sweetheart Sandy, before quickly playing it too cool and aloof, saving face for his T-Birds greaser squad. Olivia Newton-John indelibly played the role of Sandy. She died on Aug. 8, 2022, at age 73.

During Friday’s event, Travolta and his co-stars led fans in singing “A-womp-bop-a-looma-a-womp-bam-boom,” a line from the “Grease” finale number “We Go Together,” according to video from EW. He and his cast then left the stage and the sing-along began.

“Thank you for a great evening,” Travolta added in his Instagram post.

After several acts at the U.K. festival Glastonbury led chants in support of Palestinian freedom and denouncing the Israel Defense Forces, U.K. police opened a criminal investigation into their performances.

Several outlets including the BBC cited a statement from Avon and Somerset police in the U.K. announcing an inquiry into sets by the rap-punk group Bob Vylan and the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap.

During Bob Vylan’s set, the band’s singer Bobby Vylan (born Pascal Robinson-Foster) led Glastonbury crowds in chants of both “free, free Palestine” and, more controversially, “death, death to the IDF.”

Though police did not cite specific actions that were being investigated, “This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage,” the statement read. “The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.”

The BBC, which broadcast Bob Vylan’s set, said in a statement that “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.” The network added that it “respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.” Glastonbury’s organizers said in a statement that they were “appalled” by Vylan’s comments, which they said “crossed a line.”

The U.S. State Department also announced the the two members of Bob Vylan would have their U.S. visas revoked. “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on social media.

The BBC did not broadcast the Glastonbury set from the acclaimed Belfast rap trio Kneecap, which has attracted worldwide attention for its outspoken criticism of Israel’s war on Gaza, including at its recent Coachella sets.

Kneecap instead reportedly roused the crowd in a profane chant against U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had criticized their booking at the festival after the group’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a flag from the terror group Hezbollah at a London concert in 2024 (Chara denied the charge).

U.K. prosecutors, citing time limits, recently dropped charges against the group after a 2023 concert where Chara allegedly said, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

After the performance, talent agency UTA reportedly dropped Bob Vylan from its roster. Singer Bobby Vylan stood by his comments, writing on social media that “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.”

Prada has acknowledged that its new leather sandal design was inspired by India’s famous Kolhapuri “chappals” – handcrafted shoes known for their toe-loop design – after facing criticism over its failure to credit the footwear’s origins.

“We acknowledge the sandals … are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage,” Lorenzo Bertelli, the corporate social responsibility chief at the Italian fashion house, said in a letter to the Maharashtra chamber of commerce.

The chamber had complained on behalf of thousands of Kolhapuri sandal-makers after images from Prada’s Milan runway show showed models wearing the open-toe footwear that was virtually identical to the unisex Indian original.

The chamber president, Lalit Gandhi, had said: “The collection includes footwear designs that bear a close resemblance to Kolhapuri sandals, a traditional handcrafted leather sandal that has been awarded ‘geographical indication’ status by the government of India in 2019.”

The geographical indication tag verifies that a product originates in a specific place. The sandals’ origins go back to the 12th century, to the city of Kolhapur in western Maharashtra state.

The buffalo-hide shoes with their distinctive braided T-strap are worn by everyone from farmers to millennials and business leaders.

The sight of models walking the runway last week in the footwear blandly described as “leather flat sandals” triggered a widespread backlash in India and charges of “cultural appropriation”.

The row tapped into a broader debate about how global fashion houses frequently repackage traditional craftsmanship as luxury goods without credit or compensation to the original artisans.

The sandals, known for their durability, cost about $12 (£8.75) in India, whereas Prada sandals retail for upwards of $800. Indian artisans “lose, while global brands cash in on our culture”, said Harsh Goenka, the chair of the pharmaceuticals-to-IT conglomerate RPG Group.

As photos of the show spread online, Indian outrage mounted. “From the dusty lanes of Kolhapur to the glitzy runways of Milan … will the world finally give credit where it’s due?” asked the news outlet DNA on X.

Gandhi asked Prada to seek ways for “collaboration or fair compensation that could benefit” Indian craftspeople. Bertelli replied the sandals were still in the “early” design stage, but that Prada was willing to open a “dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisans”.

“While Indian artisans and small-scale producers excel in craftsmanship, they rarely have access to capital or business acumen” to position their products globally as luxury goods, Dhanendra Kumar, an ex-World Bank executive director, said in India’s Economic Times.

“By not calling their new line of sandals ‘Kolhapuris’, Prada is guilty of monetising cultural appropriation,” Kumar said.

Still, some believe the row could have an unexpected upside. Sales of the sandals have plateaued in India in recent years, but local designers believe the spotlight could boost interest in the classic design, especially among younger consumers.

“Until now, it hadn’t been considered part of the ‘cool’ or aspirational footwear space in India’s luxury market … I truly believe in the ripple effect of what Prada has done,” said Shirin Mann, the founder of Needledust, a label known for its contemporary take on traditional Indian embroidered slip-ons.

Mann could be right. Since Prada’s runway show, Google Trends has shown a rise in searches for Kolhapuri sandals, and retailers report interest has surged, according to local media.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following the roaring success of its annual winter Comedy Tour over the last decade, one of the UK’s leading humanitarian aid charities, Human Appeal, today announces its first ever summertime Comedy Tour.

Taking place across three major UK cities – London, Manchester and Birmingham – Human Appeal’s summer Comedy Tour will feature some of the biggest names in the international comedy circuit: American actor and comic Omar Regan, who appeared in Hollywood films Rush Hour 2, American Sharia, and Five Thirteen; Ali Official, writer and comic best known for BBC Three show Muzlamic and for presenting the BBC 3 film Being British Bangladeshi; and Aatif Nawaz, writer and star of BBC Three comedy Muzlamic, who joins the Comedy Tour for the 9^th year running.

Whereas Human Appeal’s winter Comedy Tour reaches every corner of the UK at large capacity venues, the summer Comedy Tour features intimate shows for a much more personal audience experience.

Proceeds of the ticket sales for the summer Comedy Tour will support the charity’s Gaza Emergency Appeal.

The dates and times of the summer Comedy Tour shows are as follows:

• 20^th August, London: Coliseum Suite, 300-310 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1QW
• 21^st August, Manchester: Vermilion, Lord N St, Hulme Hall Ln, Manchester M40 8AD
• 22^nd August, Birmingham: The Eastside Rooms, Woodcock Street, Birmingham, B7 4BL

Early bird tickets are available from13^th June 2025 at just £7. Standard tickets will go sale on 13^th July at £10. Further ticket information, including ticket bundles and VIP packages can be found here.

Announcing the news, Razwan Faraz, UK Director of Fundraising at Human Appeal, adds, ‘Our annual winter Comedy Tour has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, and following its success spreading festive cheer year on year, we felt it was time to expand our much-loved event. This is the first time we are bringing the Comedy Tour to smaller venues for much more intimate shows, during the summer months and bring comedy cheer all year round.’

Tickets are available to purchase here.

About Human Appeal

Human Appeal is a fully independent British humanitarian charity based in Manchester, UK. It was established in 1991 as a registered and regulated UK charity that runs targeted aid relief programmes in collaboration with recognised global organisations such as the UN. Its purpose is to save and transform lives through emergency aid response and sustainable development programmes at home and abroad across 25 countries worldwide.

Media Contact

Grace Tucker

grace@mediafoundry.london

humanappeal@mediafoundry.london

02030111023

Movie franchises come and go, but The Twilight Saga is truly immortal.

The supernatural drama series, an adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling young adult novels, follows the against-all-odds romance of high schoolers Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson).

Unlike most teen love affairs, the couple’s relationship is complicated by the reality that Edward is secretly a centenarian vampire with a thirst for blood. Bella’s life is thrown into further disarray when she befriends Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a fledgling werewolf who descends from a pack that has an uneasy relationship with the Cullen clan.

‘Twilight’ turns 20: Here’s your refresher on the iconic vampire books

Following the 2008 debut of “Twilight,” the franchise exploded into a pop culture phenomenon, raking in $3.4 billion worldwide across five films. Bella and Edward’s star-crossed romance, which includes an angsty love triangle with Jacob, inspired legions of “Twihards” to declare their allegiance to “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.”

In honor of the third installment “Eclipse,” released 15 years ago on June 30, 2010, we take a fresh bite and rank the movies from worst to best:

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5. ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ (2012)

How do you say goodbye to a group of vampires who live forever?

The conclusion of The Twilight Saga makes a mighty attempt, focusing on Bella’s long-awaited transformation into a vampire and the raising of Bella and Edward’s half-human, half-vampire daughter Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy). Despite the cuteness of it all, that CGI face of newborn Nessie was … a choice.

The thrill of Bella exploring her vampiric powers is truly a treat; the lamb becomes the lioness thanks to her own super-speed, inexhaustible strength and nifty force field-generation. On the parenting front, Bella and Edward are thrust into a race against time, albeit a sluggishly paced one, as they gather family witnesses to prove to the Volturi that Renesmee is not a threat to vampirekind.

4. ‘Twilight’ (2008)

Arizona transplant Bella attempts to acclimate to life in Forks, Washington, after moving in with her divorced father (Billy Burke), only to become captivated by aloof classmate Edward and his equally enigmatic group of siblings.

Bella and Edward’s meet-cute is fraught with painfully awkward conversations, sullen stares and a near-death by runaway van. The exposition required by their oil-and-water dynamic means the film isn’t as action-heavy as its sequels (with the exception of a rogue trio of murderous vampires, of course).

But the suspenseful mystery packed into Bella’s pursuit of Edward’s true identity, enhanced by cinematographer Elliot Davis’ eerie visuals, makes for a riveting introduction to the franchise. And with an immaculate soundtrack boasting moody alternative-rock, “Twilight” is a haunting you won’t want to exorcise.

3. ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 1’ (2011)

For a paranormal love story, “Breaking Dawn − Part 1” is probably as close as Twihards will ever get to a feel-good flick. The film kicks off in a haze of marital bliss as Bella and Edward prepare for their wedding, after Edward proposes marriage as a condition for turning Bella into a vampire (leave it to an undead bloodsucker to keep tradition alive.) 

Unfortunately, the couple’s newlywed fun is cut short when Bella unexpectedly finds herself pregnant on their honeymoon. Shockingly, Bella successfully gives birth in a body-horror extravaganza that is both gut-wrenching and mesmerizing. And if your heart wasn’t pounding already, Edward saves Bella from a post-delivery death in a nail-biting finale.

2. ‘New Moon’ (2009)

Bella hits rock bottom in this somber yet action-packed follow-up to “Twilight.” After Edward abruptly breaks up with her − in a cloaked effort to shield her from the dangers of the vampire world − grief-stricken Bella copes with a rebellious adrenaline junkie phase and her deepening friendship with Jacob.

Jacob, who has secrets of his own as he comes to terms with his werewolf power, is a shaft of earthy sunshine compared to Edward’s often icy veneer. Don’t get me wrong: The intense smolder of a bloodthirsty vampire would make my heart flutter, too. But Jake is cut from a softer cloth, and his warmth is an emotional salve for our distraught heroine Bella.

Bella’s brewing situationship with Jacob is thwarted by a whirlwind reunion with Edward in Italy. The happy ending is undoubtedly a win for the hopeless romantics (and not to mention Team Edward stans), but the pragmatist in me can’t help but root for the underwolf and his grounded charm.

1. ‘Eclipse’ (2010)

It’s not just the anniversary talking, folks. “Eclipse” is the soapy, hormonally charged climax of the franchise that solidifies the trifecta of Bella’s intense bonds with Edward and Jacob.

Bella’s reconciliation with Edward reaffirms her desire to become a vampire, while Jacob, futilely, maintains his dogged pursuit of her affections. The push and pull lends itself to some juicy dramatic tension, with Jacob even taking a punch to the face after a spur-of-the-moment kiss goes awry.

The impending invasion of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) and her army of newborn vampires inspires an unlikely alliance between the Cullen coven and Jacob’s Quileute pack, setting the stage for some kickass action sequences. In the afterglow of their victory, Bella tells a battle-injured Jacob that she’s chosen Edward as her partner in a finale that’s as heartbreaking as it is infuriating.