Saltburn’s shock link to the downfall of Harvey Weinstein revealed ahead of 2024 Baftas
IT is up for five Baftas on Sunday and has helped breathe new life into the career of Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
But Saltburn, the hottest film of the year, has its roots in the downfall of Hollywood monster Harvey Weinstein.
I can reveal that director Emerald Fennell specifically mentions Zelda Perkins in the “special thanks” section of the credits, as she believes she would not be enjoying her huge run of success if it were not for her.
Zelda was Weinstein’s assistant, who bravely blew the whistle on him, leading to the #MeToo movement and the film producer being sentenced to 23 years behind bars for rape and sexual assault.
Now Zelda has revealed Emerald, who is in the running to win Best British Film at Sunday’s ceremony, was also a “huge support” to her when she breached her NDA in 2017 to speak out about the scandal.
When asked about why her name is in the credits, Zelda explained: “It was her nod to the fact that she and other women would not be able to make films like this without the demise of Weinstein.
“I have known Emerald since she was a baby so she and her family are a huge support, and I to her in the making of Promising Young Woman and Saltburn.”
Women supporting women, I love to hear it.
PERRIE ON RECORD FOR LOVE
PERRIE EDWARDS is using her upcoming debut solo album to lift the lid on her relationship with footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Little Mix singer hosted a private listening party for fans on Tuesday, where she played three new tracks – two radio-friendly, upbeat pop singles and one stripped-back ballad.
As well as her relationship, Perrie says she has been influenced by both their son Axel and her ongoing battle with anxiety.
As with her bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie will ditch her surname when it comes to going it alone.
She’s already registered the website perrieofficial.com with her Sony label, which launched today.
I told last week how the star will shoot her debut solo music video later this month.
It has been almost two years since Little Mix went on hiatus in order for Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade Thirlwall to go solo.
Hopefully the music will be worth the wait after all this hype.
PEARL JAM FLYING IN ON TOUR
PEARL Jam are back with their first album in four years – and are coming over to this side of the Atlantic for a run of massive shows.
The rockers, fronted by Eddie Vedder, will release record Dark Matter on April 19 and have announced shows at Dublin’s Marlay Park, Manchester’s Co-Op Live and in my spiritual home, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in June.
Texas have also announced a new album called The Muscle Shoals Sessions, out on March 29, which sees them reimagine 12 of their biggest hits with pianist Spooner Oldham.
Sharleen Spiteri – I salute you.
Biz blinds… naming no names
CATERING staff working on the new Downton Abbey film should stay Highclere of one particularly amorous leading star.
This fan favourite cast member has made an unfavourable name for themselves over the years for repeatedly propositioning attractive waiting staff.
Unsurprisingly, they never got that many Abbey endings – but it never stopped them trying.
Smile, Kylie
KYLIE Minogue gets snap happy as she celebrates Valentine’s Day as a single lady.
The Padam Padam singer pulled on this red minidress to pose for a few selfies, which she shared on social media.
This week she has been taken on by top US talent agency UTA for live shows and acting roles in the States, suggesting she could be on the brink of breaking America.
No wonder she has a huge grin on her face.
VANESSA’S FANTASTIC NEW ROLE
MISSION: Impossible and The Crown star Vanessa Kirby is taking on a very different role, as one of the Fantastic Four.
The English actress has been cast as Sue Storm, also known as the Invisible Woman, in a reboot of the superhero franchise.
She will star alongside Pedro Pascal as Mr Fantastic and Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn, who is also from London, as the Human Torch.
Completing the new set of heroes will be Ebon Moss-Bachrach – who previously starred in the award-winning series The Bear – as The Thing.
The movie is due to begin filming this summer with plans for it to hit cinemas in July next year.
I’m not a massive fan of superhero flicks, despite them being big box office bankers.
But with some British blood in this one, I’ll try to get behind it.
Kim’s rude awakening
IF you thought Kim Petras’ No 1 track Unholy with Sam Smith was racy, you’ve heard nothing yet.
The German singer posed for this suggestive snap to promote her X-rated EP, Sl*t Pop Miami, which she dropped today as a Valentine’s Day gift to fans.
But the tracklist was enough to make me spit out my Yorkshire Gold.
In fact, Banana Boat is the only almost family-friendly title I can share in this column.
And the lyrics across the record are far more explicit.
In other new music news, Dua Lipa’s single Training Season will be out tomorrow, while Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man’s brilliant Lovers In A Past Life will be out on Friday.
When it comes to albums, Norwegian singer-songwriter Metteson will drop his beautiful debut Look To A Star on Friday ahead of shows in London and Manchester, which are scheduled for May.
SHERIDAN Smith has been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 42.
The star revealed the news in a Vogue mag interview and said it is helping to “make a lot of sense” of her life.
It comes ahead of the launch of her new West End show Opening Night, which will launch next month, and which she will have extra support for.
She said she has been paired with a therapist who will be on hand during the run, after feeling like she wasn’t supported during previous shows where she struggled.
Speaking about therapy, Sheridan explained: “I should have had it sooner, but, you know, there’s a real working-class [stigma].”
On her prior experience, she said: “I can’t blame the machine, but it was really obvious I was struggling.
“I felt people getting angry at me rather than trying to understand me.”