Amy Winehouse’s mum secretly visits biopic set and tells Marisa Abela she is spitting image of late star
AMY Winehouse’s mum Janis has secretly visited the set of the biopic about her late daughter’s life.
Insiders said Janis met with actress Marisa Abela, who plays the multi-award-winning singer in Back to Black, and was blown away by their similarities.
Since production began on the biopic earlier this year, some of Amy’s fans have criticised the decision to make the film.
Those close to the Winehouse family, and in particular Janis, said they were keen to see how the director, Sam Taylor Wood, was telling Amy’s story.
A source said: “Janis visited the set of Back To Black at Ealing Studios last week.
“Janis was introduced to Marisa and said she could not believe how similar they were.
“It was a huge moment for both women and Janis told Marisa it felt like Amy was in the room with them. It was incredibly special.”
Janis was welcomed onto the set where the filmmakers had recreated the living room of Amy’s beloved grandmother Cynthia, who was her father Mitch’s mother.
In the film Grammy award winning singer Amy, who died aged 27 in July 2011, will be seen spending time with Cynthia who was a huge influence on her life.
The insider added: “Janis took her brother Brian on the visit to the set.
“Being in what was her former mother-in-law’s living room brought back so many memories for Janis.
“Janis said she felt like they had stepped back in time.
“The filmmakers have recreated Amy’s memory box which was in Cynthia’s house and they said the attention to detail was amazing.
“It was hugely moving for Janis, Brian and everyone working on the film.
“The effect of meeting Janis and speaking with her had a huge impact on Marisa.
“She has been painstaking in her research for the role and to have the blessing of Amy’s mum means everything to her.”
Liam voices apology
THERE was a mini One Direction reunion when Liam Payne attended the premiere of Louis Tomlinson’s film All Of Those Voices.
But Louis may not have recognised Liam at first glance, as he appears to have had cosmetic work done to his face.
Liam, who was there with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, sported a more prominent jawline and angular cheeks on the red carpet.
However it sounds like he was less put together by the time the film, about Louis’ personal struggles including the deaths of his sister and mum, was over.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Liam wrote: “I’m so sorry I was so out of my mind and I didn’t do better for you.
“I feel ashamed in those moments to not be as good of a friend as you have been to me, at least I have time now and I’m me again so will try and make amends.
“I’m emotionally drained watching the movie and I only did an hour and a half, you lived it.”
Liam and Jake party hardy
I REVEALED over Christmas how Liam Gallagher, had led Jake Bugg astray during a wild after-party at his final gig of 2022.
And after catching up with the Lightning Bolt singer, it turns out Jake, felt just as bad as I imagined thanks to Liam.
Jake laughed: “That was a pretty late night, it was the last gig of the year and it was a big one at the end.
“The hangover the next day was not great, I am not going to lie.”
He will be back on fine form on Thursday though when he performs at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series, organised by The Who lead singer Roger Daltrey.
Jake said: “There will be a couple of new things for the fans. I have been working on a couple of things and I am just working out where to go sonically on the new record.
“I am still writing new stuff all the time and I am hoping to get something out soon.”
Tickets for the series are on sale through Ticketmaster, which runs from March 20 to 26 and will also feature headline shows from bands Wet Leg and Kasabian.
Annie Lennox’s daughter Lola will perform on the final date.
She said: “The work of Teenage Cancer Trust is so vital for young people impacted by cancer. I am in awe of the services they provide and I am so glad to be able to support their work in this way.”
Taylor shakes off old flames
TAYLOR SWIFT has taken another dig at her ex-boyfriends, this time claiming in a new song that she can’t even remember their names.
The Shake It Off singer released the track as she rehearsed on stage ahead of her Eras stadium tour, which began in Arizona last night.
The tune, called All Of The Girls You Loved Before, was originally written for her 2019 album Lover but wasn’t included at the time.
Recalling how she felt about an old flame, Taylor sings: “Cryin’ in the bathroom for some dude, whose name I cannot remember now.”
The track is about how her partner Joe Alwyn’s previous romances, and her own, brought them together.
Taylor goes on to sing: “All of the girls you loved before made you the one I’ve fallen for.
“Every dead-end street led you straight to me, now you’re all I need.
“I’m so thankful for all of the girls you loved before, but I love you more.”
Then she adds: “I wanna teach you how forever feels like.”
It has been six years since The Sun revealed that Taylor was dating the British actor.
They are still going strong, so maybe they really are for ever.
Ben's Wordle with himself
HOLLYWOOD’S elite are at war – because they are so “fiercely competitive” over the daily word game Wordle.
Ben Affleck has revealed he is in an A-list group chat with Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, and Jason Bateman where they fight over the online puzzle.
He said: “I was invited to join a cool little red velvet rope celebrity Wordle group.
“Matt’s one of them. Jason Bateman and Bradley, and . . . actually, the first rule of Wordle is don’t talk about Wordle. Unless you get it in three guesses.”
Ben admitted he needs to step up his game, though. He said: “I used to think I was good at word games.
“And let’s face it, going up against actors, it’s not a high bar. [But] I was seriously humbled. It’s fiercely competitive, and there’s a lot of mockery.”