Cynthia Erivo has stopped trying to "fit in".
The 'Wicked' actress realised early in her career was the best way to approach an audition was to be herself and then "transform" into a role, rather than wanting casting directors to see her as a character.
She told the new issue of Britain's ELLE magazine: "In my very early twenties, I was trying to fit in.
"But I remember, early on, walking into an audition, and seeing people going in as the character, and not as themselves. Because they wanted to be seen as the character.
"But I believe that, if you walk in as yourself, just wholly you, you give anyone who’s watching a chance to see you transform; to become a character, right in front of them, with no need for a costume. That’s the magic!’ "
The 37-year-old star won't censor herself or change her image to make other people happy.
She said: "I keep spotting people saying, why is she bald? She needs to get a wig. Why does it bother you so much that I don’t want to wander around with blonde tresses? I like my bald head. There’s nothing wrong with my hair – it grows in very fast. I just like my face.
"When I walk into a room, I’m not pretending. I’m gonna come in with my nose ring, I’m gonna come in with my earrings and my many piercings and my nails, and I made that decision a long time ago to just, like, be."
Cynthia values her friendship but prefers to be "selective" about who she keeps close to her.
She said: "I have people, but I’m a Capricorn, so I have few people. I’m very selective about who the closest ones are. I think that makes for good relationships, with people who know more than I do."
And one of her closest friends now is her 'Wicked' co-star Ariana Grande.
Cynthia said: "We cultivated a friendship, outside of all of this, that allows us to have these real, deep connective conversations that join us as friends and sisters. We sit on FaceTime for hours."
The full interview with Cynthia is published in the February issue of ELLE UK, which is on sale from 3 January.
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Dave Grohl's daughter Violet is working on her debut album.
The Foo Fighters frontman has a budding musician in 18-year-old Violet – the eldest of his three children with wife Jordyn Blum – who has not only been penning her own original music but has been performing regularly at the intimate Sun Rose venue on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles to hone her craft after making a handful of live appearances with her famous father, including Glastonbury in 2023.
A source told The Hollywood Reporter: “She’s a true torch singer.
“Her vocals are tremendous. She’s very talented.”
Violet made her music debut by teaming up with her rock star dad – who was Nirvana's drummer before forming Foo Fighters in 1995 – on a cover of 'Nausea' by punk legends X.
She also joined forces with David Bowie's pianist Mike Garson on a cover of the late music legend's 1970 classic 'The Man Who Sold The World', which grunge pioneers Nirvana covered in 1993 on 'MTV Unplugged'.
Violet launching her music career comes two months after Dave confessed to being unfaithful to his wife of 21 years – with whom he also has Harper, 15, and 10-year-old Ophelia – and dropped the bombshell news that he had welcomed a love child.
The 'Best of You' hitmaker – who tied the knot with Jordyn, 48, in 2003 – confessed on Instagram in October: “I’ve recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage. I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her.
"I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness."
The 55-year-old musician did not reveal the identity of his mistress or their child, and signed off his admission with by saying he and his family were “grateful” for the public’s “consideration toward all the children involved” as they “move forward together”.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared their annual family Christmas card.
Prince William and his wife Catherine, both 42, took to their official Instagram account on Thursday to share a picture of the sweet card, which features an informal picture of the royal couple with their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis – in the countryside.
They captioned the post: “Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas."
The card simply reads: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”
The couple were absent from King Charles and Queen Camilla’s pre-Christmas luncheon at Buckingham Palace today, as they are already in Norfolk at their Amner Hall home for a festive break.
However, they will reunite with their family at Sandringham on Christmas Day (25.12.24). Prince Andrew – the king’s brother – was also absent after hitting the headlines over his connection to alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.
It’s been a tough year for the royals after Catherine and Charles, 76, were both diagnosed with cancer this year.
The princess touched on the "challenging times" at her annual ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service earlier this month.
Catherine, who underwent a course of chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free, spoke about her health struggles at Westminster Abbey on December 6.
Speaking to Paloma Faith, one of performers at the event, she shared: "I didn't know this year was going to be the year that I've just had.
"But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times, many who are here today."
The princess also thanked the music star for agreeing to perform at the event, which airs on Christmas Eve on ITV.
She said: "I know as a mum it's hard pulling yourself away, the juggling."
The princess recently revealed that her focus is to "stay cancer-free" after finishing her treatment.
The royal – who has been married to Prince William since 2011 – admitted that it had been an "incredibly tough" period for herself and her family.
She said on X: "As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment. The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown."
The princess also described her cancer journey as "complex, scary and unpredictable".
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‘Tis the season for spirited and winless debates about what the best Christmas movie is. No one needs us to remind you about the obvious holiday movies playing on repeat on cable, whether it's "It's a Wonderful Life", “Home Alone" or “Love, Actually," or even those holiday adjacent classics like “Eyes Wide Shut” and “The Godfather.” But perhaps you are looking to go beyond the obvious this year (sorry, “Christmas Story," “White Christmas” etc, etc).
Associated Press Film Writers Jake Coyle and Lindsey Bahr have you covered with the best Christmas films for every mood.
A movie that feels like a Christmas movie but isn’t, really
“Grand Budapest Hotel”: Truthfully, there’s nothing outside of a little snow to make Wes Anderson’s 2014 delight a Christmas movie. But I don’t think there’s another movie that better resembles the experience of opening a present than “Grand Budapest Hotel.” Unwrap Anderson’s intricate designs and the movie’s Russian doll-like narratives, and smile. (Available for digital rental) — Coyle
Best movie for feeling fancy
“Metropolitan” (1990): Who among us hasn’t dreamt of doing debutante season in New York? Maybe don’t answer that, but Whit Stillman’s “Metropolitan,” about a few privileged youths on the Upper East Side, is the ideal film to turn on when you’re craving something that feels like an elegant evening on the town but doesn't require breaking out the white tie and ball gowns. (Streaming on Criterion, MAX, Hulu and Prime Video) —Bahr
Best performance next to felt
“A Muppets Christmas Carol” (1992): It’s one thing to do Dickens with, you know, other humans. But Michael Caine gives an Oscar-worthy performance as Ebenezer Scrooge while sharing the screen with the likes of Beaker and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew. To be fair, though, Gonzo the Great and Rizzo the Rat are also really good in this. (Streaming on Disney+) — Coyle
Best Christmas cry
“The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” (1964): Jacques Demy’s technicolor musical isn’t exclusively set at Christmas, but its final tearjerker scene at that snowy gas station is enough for me. The whole candy-colored experience, from Catherine Deneuve’s whimsical bows to Michel Legrand’s sweeping, melancholy score just feels right around the holidays. (Streaming on The Criterion Channel) —Bahr
The best L.A. Christmas movie
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”: Yuletide traditions don’t normally include a motormouth Robert Downey Jr., but Shane Black’s 2005 neo-noir black comedy is worth revisiting perennially whether or not it technically qualifies as a Christmas movie. In “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” about a thief-turned-actor in Los Angeles, Christmas is more of a decorative ornament set ironically against all the deliciously unwholesome seediness. (Available for digital rental) — Coyle
Best house swapping fantasy
“The Holiday” (2006): Ok, so the cozy English cottage isn’t real, but what is? The premise? The romances? Cameron Diaz’s sprint through snowy fields and country roads in stilettos? Mr. Napkin Head? (Actually, maybe Mr. Napkin Head). The thing is it doesn’t really matter, does it? Nancy Meyers’ romantic fantasy is never trying to be anything other than a delightful movie, a little too earnest, a little too glossy and an unabashed ode to the classic movies Meyers loves right down to Eli Wallach teaching a new generation about the “meet cute.” (Streaming on Hulu and Prime Video) —Bahr
A great Christmas thriller not named “Die Hard”
“Three Days of the Condor”: I’ll take any excuse to rewatch Sydney Pollack’s 1975 spy thriller with Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. But, like in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” the Christmas backdrop isn’t accidental. If the holidays are the ultimate time of togetherness, “Three Days of the Condor” questions what that means in a post-Watergate world. (Streaming on Paramount+) — Coyle
Best recent kids Christmas movie
“Klaus”: There’s such a steady stream of mediocre or worse holiday movies that it can be easy to miss when a gem arrives. Sergio Pablos’ 2019 animated Netflix film was basically an origin story for Santa Claus by way of a desperate postman stationed in a remote northern village. Further proof, along with “Miracle on 34th Street,” that the best Christmas movies hinge on the postal service. (Streaming on Netflix) — Coyle
For the under-five set
“Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas” (2021): Clocking in at only 30 minutes, this is the perfect film for the littlest ones in the house. It’s sweet, funny and adventurous and not even a little bit scary (unless you fear flying sleighs and botched recipes). (Streaming on Netflix) —Bahr
Best general holiday-period movie
“Nobody’s Fool”: Robert Benton’s 1994 Richard Russo adaptation, with Paul Newman, spans Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. And while that covers Christmas, the richness of “Nobody’s Fool” exceeds its vaguely holiday setting. It’s a movie more about daily smalltown struggles and long-term regrets, yet its warmth could match that any of any more traditional Christmas movie, and then some. That’s much owed to Newman, but there are countless great performances here, including Jessica Tandy (in her final film), a never better Bruce Willis and a young Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a sniveling police officer. It makes me happy just thinking about it. (Streaming on Kanopy, available for digital rental) — Coyle
For midcentury style and heartbreak
“Carol” (2015): Even if Rooney Mara didn’t catch Cate Blanchett’s eye while wearing a Santa hat behind the counter of a Manhattan department store, Todd Haynes’ “Carol” would still be one of the loveliest, most achingly tender Christmas movies around. Romance, heartbreak, plaids and martinis, “Carol” is truly flung out of space. (Streaming on Netflix, Paramount+ and MUBI) —Bahr
The ultimate TCM Christmas movie
“Christmas in Connecticut” (1945): You don’t have to watch it on TCM but it’s certainly a fitting place to catch this 1945 screwball classic, with Barbara Stanwyck. She plays a popular homemaking column writer whose false persona as a family woman with a Connecticut farm is challenged when her boss (Sydney Greenstreet) comes for Christmas dinner. As a rule, it’s good to watch everything with Greenstreet. But the central conceit of “Christmas in Connecticut” – that the perfect Christmas is a lie, and isn’t that fun – has proved remarkably durable. (Streaming on WatchTCM) — Coyle
For 19th century New England vibes
“Little Women” (1994 and 2019): Gillian Armstrong’s “Little Women” just feels like Christmas. Maybe part of that is because it came out around the holidays 30 years ago or that its DVD cover leans into it. But then you remember Beth’s piano, the girls stomping through the snow with their Christmas feast, the caroling, the return of their father, the fireplaces and nightcaps and it makes sense. Those wanting all of this with a side of dancing Chalamet, Greta Gerwig’s version is there for the taking too. (1994 version available for digital rental; 2019 streaming on Hulu) — Bahr
The very best Christmas movie
“The Shop Around the Corner” (1940): You can make a strong case for that other Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie. But in the knock-down, drag-out battle for the Christmas movie title, there’s no greater delight than Ernst Lubitsch’s timeless love story. One of the most charming movies ever made, partly because it doesn't shy away from real darkness, too. It also makes for a very effective drinking game if you sip something every time someone says “Mr. Matuschek.” (Streaming on WatchTCM and Max) — Coyle
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947): It’s not even a remotely out of the box choice, but George Seaton’s “Miracle on 34th Street” endures as the platonic ideal of a Christmas movie. It’s strikingly modern for something that came out 77 years ago with Maureen O’Hara’s single working mom, Natalie Wood’s prematurely cynical New York kid and the litigious and capitalistic culture and yet it’s all full of hope and holiday spirit (and a healthy amount of glossy capitalism), taking us from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade through Christmas Day. (Streaming on Disney+, Hulu and Prime Video) — Bahr
What's your favourite movie?
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Dr. Dre isn't inspired by modern hip-hop.
The 59-year-old rapper and producer admits that he has little interest in the genre at present because none of the material excites him.
Dre told Complex magazine: "I don't want to be disrespectful to anybody right now, but I'm not really inspired by what's happening with hip-hop these days.
"It's not for me. I've always said I'm not going to disrespect it or anything like that, but I haven't heard anything that makes me go, 'F***, why didn't I do that?' I haven't heard that in a long time, which makes my job easy, to be honest."
Dre has collaborated with Snoop Dogg on the new album 'Missionary' and believes that it is amongst the finest work of his career.
He explained: "Snoop came in and allowed me to get down the way I get down.
"You know, I feel like this is some of my best work. Because my mentality for the musicianship and everything that goes into doing this s*** within those 12 notes has just advanced so much. So, yeah, I feel like right now, today, this is some of my best work."
Meanwhile, Dre revealed that he isn't interested in listening back to his old music because of the time he invests in the recording process.
The 'Let Me Ride' rapper said: "I don't listen to any of the songs I've ever made since 1985, which is when I started. I don't even allow my family or anybody to play that s*** around me.
"I think that just the process of recording is what I really enjoy. Just recording the albums, and I'm listening to it enough while we're recording, and when we finish recording, I wake up listening to that s*** once it comes out. I'm ready to listen to the next s."
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Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are reportedly planning to stay "connected" after their divorce.
The singer/actress split from the Hollywood actor in April after less than two years of marriage, and she filed for divorce on August 20 – the date of their second wedding anniversary – but a new report suggests the pair want to continue being a part of each other's lives for the sake of their families.
A source told New York Post column PageSix: "They have every intention of continuing to be in each other’s lives despite not being romantically involved.
"Ben and Jennifer are still connected and they do communicate when it involves their kids.”
Affleck is dad to Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, from his marriage to Jennifer Garner while Lopez is mum to 16-year-old twins, Emme and Max with ex Marc Anthony.
Seraphina and Emme attend the same school in Los Angeles and the former couple recently reunited to attend the performance of a school play alongside Garner.
Affleck also has maintained a good relationship with Garner – who he divorced in 2018 – and recently spent Thanksgiving with her and the kids.
Lopez, 55, was engaged to the Hollywood actor in the early 2000s, but the relationship ended shortly before they were due to get married.
They got back together in 2021 before tying the knot in two ceremonies in 2022 – one in Las Vegas and one in Georgia.
The divorce filing came exactly two years after the couple's extravagant second bash on August 20, 2022. The paperwork lists the official date of their separation as April 26, 2024.
Lopez recently admitted it's been an "intense year" and she's looking forward to taking time off and spending the holidays with her family.
She told People magazine: “It was a pretty intense year for me and I'm most looking forward to spending time with my kids and my family coming out from the East Coast.
"The holidays are such a special time for us and they've always been since I was a little girl. And I really look forward to those moments when I can be with my sisters and just relax and have fun and create new memories.
"We don't get to see each other all year, so we kind of catch up on what everybody's doing and how life is. It's just a beautiful time. I really enjoy it."
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Pamela Anderson is "not ashamed of the choices" she's made in her life.
The 57-year-old actress became an international sex symbol in the early 90s, when she joined the cast of 'Baywatch', and Pamela has now insisted that she doesn't have any reason to feel "ashamed" of her past.
She told Variety: "I’m not ashamed of the choices that I made, even though maybe in hindsight I would’ve done things differently. But you need life experience to know that you would’ve done that differently."
Pamela was actually able to lean on her own life experiences for her starring role in 'The Last Showgirl', the Gia Coppola-directed drama film.
The actress explained: "I was able to bring a lot of my own personal experience, my long life of dealing with beauty and glamour and aging and reassessing life choices. I got to bring my whole life into this role."
In November, Pamela observed that she's had a "beautiful, messy life".
The actress also claimed that her "life experience" informed her performance in 'The Last Showgirl'.
Pamela – who plays a seasoned showgirl in the film – told Entertainment Weekly: "Having a beautiful, messy life is something incredible to draw from, and sometimes I'll look back on my life and think, I could have done this differently, but you need the life experience to be able to look back and say those things.
"I do love the craft of acting and I have taken a lot of private lessons and, finally, I felt like this is an opportunity for me to put that into practice."
Pamela actually relished playing the film's central character.
She said: "I knew I was capable of more than I'd done in the past, and I kind of had given up and went home and thought, oh well, it's too bad. I screwed up. I didn't work hard enough or people just see me a certain way because I fell into the trappings.
"I want to be defined by what I do and not what has been done to me."
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Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy's highest civilian honour for being a "staunch advocate" for the service.
The 'Mission: Impossible' star received the Distinguished Public Service Award from Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony held at Longcross Film Studios in Surrey, England on Tuesday (17.12.24) to celebrate his movie work which has raised public awareness and appreciation for Navy personnel.
Tom said in a statement: "I’m happy I have been able to be a source of inspiration to many of the sailors who serve today or have served in the past.
"The effort was not just on my end, but the cast and crew I get to work with on all our sets. They are what really bring the work to life."
Del Toro added: "It was an honour to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service award for his decades of naval advocacy through many movies. His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps."
Tom – who played a Naval pilot in 1986 blockbuster 'Top Gun' and its 2022 sequel 'Top Gun: Maverick' – made a speech during the event and he lavished praise on all those serving in the Navy.
He said: "I admire all of the servicemen and women. I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women."
The actor also played a member of the United States Marine Corps in 1989's 'Born on the Fourth of July' and a Naval officer in 1992 drama 'A Few Good Men'.
The DPS Award is the highest honour the Secretary can bestow on a civilian outside the Department of the Navy and it was previously awarded to director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks for their work on World War II movie 'Saving Private Ryan'.
Tom was previously named an Honorary Naval Aviator in 2020.
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Taylor Swift's final show of 'The Eras Tour' felt like "the last day of school", according to Gracie Abrams.
Gracie opened for the singer on the last leg of the trek and was there for the final show in Vancouver, Canada on December 8 and she's revealed it was highly emotional backstage because everyone was "crying" and signing each other's tour books.
Speaking to Nylon magazine, Gracie explained: "Everyone had been crying all day. It felt like the last day of school backstage.
"Everyone was walking around with their ['The Eras Tour'] books, signing each other’s books. We were all walking around with Sharpies."
It was also emotional for dancer Kameron Saunders, who was a regular on the tour, as he admitted he couldn't stop crying after the final show.
In a post on Instagram, he wrote: "I have not stopped crying since Sunday … and because of that simple fact, I’m not quite ready with the proper words to encapsulate this entire experience and the past 2 years of my life so guys PLEASE be patient with me as I navigate how best to do that …
"BUT what I can and am ready to do is say thank you to my Boss Lady!
"Taylor! My girl! You have steered the HELL out of this ship. So gracefully!! With poise, confidence, heart, passion, kindness, utter bravery and love!!!
"Every SECOND of this with you I felt seen, honored, celebrated, valued, respected … babe, I would follow you anywhere at any time in any universe in EVERY lifetime."
He added: "It has been the honor of my life to have been at your side night after night! … I love you! Thank you!"
The 34-year-old pop superstar sold more than $2 billion worth of tickets and performed for more than 10 million people across five continents over 149 dates before bringing the shows to an end in Vancouver – and she made sure to say thank you during her final appearance on stage.
In a video posted on X – previously known as Twitter – Taylor was seen telling the crowd: "I want to thank every single one of you for being a part of the most thrilling chapter of my entire life to date my beloved 'Eras Tour'. Thank you for being with us tonight."
During the final show, Taylor also called the trek "the most exciting, powerful, electrifying, intense, most challenging" experience of her life.
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Timothee Chalamet embraces the "grit" of working on major movies.
The 28-year-old actor has appeared in films such as 'Dune: Part Two' and 'A Complete Unknown' and explained that he sets out to work as hard as possible when he's on set.
Timothee told the 'This Past Weekend' podcast: "There is this little misconception about actors too. You can have a cushy job on a TV show. If you give a s about your work, it could be a great lifestyle. You're making high six figures, low seven figures, and you're just showing up when you want.
"If you give a f*** about what you're doing… these are long ass days. These are 14-hour days, six days a week, for three months.
"I know people got it way harder but want to feel that grit. I hope people don't laugh at it. I feel like I'm the hardest working man. Maybe I shouldn't say that. Why do this if you're not going to go as hard as possible?"
Chalamet has immersed himself in the role of music icon Bob Dylan for the biopic 'A Complete Unknown' and wanted to do a "great job" in his depiction of the 'Blowin' in the Wind' singer.
He said: "You're never supposed to say you're competitive but… there's been a lot of music biopics and I wanted to do a great f****** job. I love Bob Dylan, I love this artist. None of this is for granted."
Dylan has hailed Chalamet's work in 'A Complete Unknown' and Timothee was thrilled by the plaudits he got from the reclusive star.
The 'Wonka' star told Extra: "He's a man of few words.
"He's probably said fewer words publicly in his life than I've said in this interview alone, so to get some sort of … affirmation – deeply validating. And everything we do in life, we want our heroes to, should they even know about us, affirm us, so the fact that he did, it's more than I could ever ask for, and hopefully he doesn't delete it."
Timothee never had a one-on-one conversation with Dylan and doesn't have any plans to do so either.
He explained: "He's a reclusive figure, he's a mysterious figure, and those that have had a career like Bob's that can remain elusive, good on them. We should … let them be."
Dylan previously took to social media to heap praise on Timothee, describing him as a "brilliant actor".
The 83-year-old singer wrote on X: "There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!). Timothee Chalamet is starring in the lead role. Timmy’s a brilliant actor so I’m sure he’s going to be completely believable as me. Or a younger me. Or some other me. The film’s taken from Elijah Wald’s Dylan Goes Electric – a book that came out in 2015. It’s a fantastic retelling of events from the early ‘60s that led up to the fiasco at Newport. After you’ve seen the movie read the book. (sic)"
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Adriana Lima has married her partner Andre Lemmers in secret.
The supermodel has been dating film producer Andre Lemmers since 2021 and they welcomed their first child together – a son named Cyan in August 2022 – and the Victoria's Secret star has now revealed the couple tied the knot in a secret ceremony.
Sharing a picture of her wedding ring on Instagram, Adriana wrote: "Officially Mrs Lima Lemmers AKA Limers".
She added an emoji of a diamond ring and a bride to confirm the wedding news, but didn't give any more details about her big day.
Adriana was previously married to Serbian NBA player Marko Jaric and they are parents to two daughters – Valentina, 12, and Sienna, nine – together while Lemmers also has two children from a previous relationship.
Adriana and Marko walked down the aisle in 2009 but split in 2014 and their divorce was finalised in 2016.
The wedding news comes just weeks after Adriana returned to the Victoria's Secret runway after a six-year absence.
She was part of the underwear brand's fashion show in New York City in October and a source told DailyMail.com the model enjoys life as a mum but she missed her work.
The insider said: "Adriana has had to be committed to other things in life. But she missed doing the job she has loved forever.
"She wants to prove that she still has it."
Adriana previously hit back at cruel online trolls who criticised her looks – insisting she hasn't changed her appearance but she's just a "tired" mom-of-five.,
In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "The face of a tired mom of one teenage girl, two preteens, a one-year-old learning to walk, and three dogs.
"Thanks for your concern."
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Jay-Z’s lawyers asked a judge Wednesday to speedily extract the rapper from a lawsuit in which a woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs when she was 13.
The unidentified woman recently added Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, to her lawsuit against Combs in Manhattan federal court, alleging that she was attacked by the singers in 2000 after Combs’ limo driver offered her a ride to an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.
In their court filing Wednesday, Jay-Z's lawyers cited a recent television interview in which the woman acknowledged inconsistencies in her story.
The filing came before Combs appeared for a pretrial hearing in his criminal case. After lawyers discussed evidentiary deadlines, prosecutors told Judge Arun Subramanian that any new charges against the hip-hop mogul before a May trial would require minimal new evidence to be shared among lawyers.
In the criminal case, Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that the Bad Boy Records founder coerced and abused women for years with help from associates and employees. Combs, who has been jailed without bail for three months, hugged his lawyers and touched his heart as he acknowledged his children among spectators.
In the civil case, one of several filed against him, the woman originally asserted that she was raped by Combs at the after-party but did not mention Jay-Z.
Last Friday, NBC aired an interview in which she said she spoke with musicians Benji Madden and his brother at the party, and her father picked her up after the alleged assault. NBC also reported that a representative of the Maddens said they were touring the Midwest during the VMAs, and her father said he does not recall what would have been a drive home of more than five hours.
Jay-Z has said the article proves that Tony Buzbee, a personal injury lawyer in Houston, filed a false complaint against him for money and fame. Attorney Teny R. Geragos, representing Combs, has said the TV interview was a part of the “beginning of the end of this shameful money grab.”
In the newly filed court papers, Jay-Z's lawyers wrote that the allegations “have caused incalculable harm to Mr. Carter, his family, his businesses, his employees, and his legacy.”
Buzzbee told The Associated Press via email that the plaintiffs' lawyers planned to respond in court to the latest filing.
“They continue to file meritless motions that are contrary to the rules and which have absolutely no merit,” Buzzbee said.
Buzbee announced in October that he represents some 120 people, men and women, with allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs.
Jay-Z and Combs gained fame in the 2000s, emerging as wide-ranging entrepreneurs and two of the world’s wealthiest rappers. Earlier this year, Forbes estimated Jay-Z’s net worth to be $2.5 billion.
The artists have collaborated over the years, with Jay-Z featured on Combs’ debut album, “No Way Out” and Combs appearing on Jay-Z’s sophomore album, “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.”
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