Madonna’s son Rocco Ritchie enrols on a fine art course at London college Central Saint Martins
MADONNA is one of the world’s most successful singers — but her son has plans to be a different kind of solo artist.
Rocco Ritchie has followed in the footsteps of his mum’s pal and Beatles offspring Stella McCartney and signed up to renowned London college Central Saint Martins to do a fine art course.
He has started his studies at the hipster uni just months after I told how the ex-Radio 1 breakfast show DJ Nick Grimshaw had also enrolled there part-time.
Last year he was close to joining pal Brooklyn Beckham at New York’s Parsons School Of Design, but has now opted for the British alternative with his famous mum helping him pursue his dream.
An industry source said: “Rocco takes his art really seriously. He had a wayward few years, but now he’s dedicated to this new course and feels he really fits in with his course mates.
“It's a huge opportunity for him at a top school, and both his parents are pleased he is doing something creative with his time and following his passion.”
The insider continued: “He’s proved his dedication by attending all his classes and throwing himself into studying. Plus, no one treats him like the son of a superstar — he feels like a normal student.
“He is inspired by graffiti artist Banksy and sees himself as a key player in the London art scene in a few years’ time.”
Other famous alumni of the prestigious school include James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, singer Paloma Faith, rapper M.I.A. and fashion designers Alexander McQueen and Giles Deacon.
In 2016, Guy and Madonna fought publicly in the courts over Rocco’s custody after he was arrested for taking drugs aged 16, but ultimately he managed to stay with his dad in London.
The Queen of Pop now spends a lot of time nearer to the UK with a new home in Portugal and the pair are back in a good place - regularly spending time together.
At least she can hope for mates’ rates when it comes to album artwork for her next record.
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A hard look to Cara off
Cara Delevingne has gone beyond the pale with her latest shoot.
The model looks like she’s seen a ghost in these theatrical new snaps for LOVE magazine, wearing white powder and bright red eye make-up with a gold studded headpiece.
And while she clearly isn’t afraid to don bold looks – such as the Prada outfit on the mag’s cover – Cara has admitted she hasn’t always felt comfortable in her own skin.
She said: “My idea of beauty as a kid was that everything was beautiful... nature and animals and the sky.
“I didn’t necessarily think of people as beautiful, and definitely not that I was beautiful myself.”
As the UK’s highest-paid model, fashion brands clearly don’t agree.
Weeknd 'gay slur'
THE Weeknd has come under attack for allegedly homophobic lyrics in his comeback track Lost In The Fire.
Some listeners have objected to a line about a lesbian he lusts after: “I can f*** you straight.”
The singer also faces the wrath of pal Drake in the song, by taking an apparent dig at his fellow Canadian for having a secret son.
The track, which is a collaboration with French producer Gesaffelstein, contains the line: “And I just want a baby with the right one, ’cause I could never be the one to hide one.”
Drake fans were left stunned last year after it was revealed he had fathered a child with a French adult film star.
- Meanwhile, Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson came under fire after posting a video of herself singing along to R. Kelly’s Ignition – despite sexual assault allegations against him. I don’t believe she would have had any idea of the accusations. Fans should give her a break.
Fleur East proved to be everyone’s Favourite Thing while performing her new single.
The I’m A Celeb star hopped up on stage in the early hours of Sunday morning at club night G-A-Y in London’s Heaven.
She sang her catchy new tune as well as old favourites Sax and Breakfast.
And despite the late start, the former X Factor contestant proved she had plenty of energy by getting low while dancing on stage. A lie-in was well deserved.
Westlife say no to Brian four ever
Westlife have been a four-piece for the past 15 years since Brian McFadden quit – and it’s not going to change.
Despite Brian saying he would “never say no” to returning, remaining members Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan have insisted they didn’t ask him to be part of the reunion and he won’t be back in the future.
Putting any uncertainty to bed once and for all, Shane said: “We will always see it as a four.
“It’s nothing against Brian. It’s just he left and we went on and became a four-piece. We’re still a four-piece and we will probably always be a four-piece. I haven’t spoken to Brian in ten years.
“We did nine years without Brian. We made six albums without him. It would be different if we all ended six years ago and we were a five-piece and now we’re four.
“But we have been a four for three-quarters of the band’s time, including the time off.”
The Irish group, who have racked up an exceptional 14 UK No1s since they formed in Dublin in 1998, returned with their first song in seven years Hello My Love last week – and the track shot straight to the top of the iTunes charts.
Now they are turning their attention to their next album which they will be recording in the coming months. On returning to their old sound, Shane said: “We’re going to be doing killer ballads as well... but they’ll be 2019 killer ballads.”
The boys couldn’t do it any other way.
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From Shania Twain to Nicki Minaj, a host of huge names were snubbed from the Brits’ International Female category. In particular, after making her huge comeback following a four-year break, Kylie Minogue failed to get a single nomination.
Similarly, Cher missed out after an incredible 2018 following her starring role in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
It has scored 26 non-consecutive weeks at the top of the charts, overtaking Adele’s 21 to become the longest-running No1 album this decade. But somehow Hugh Jackman and his incredible Greatest Showman album didn’t even get a single nod at the Brits.
The cast recording has shifted a massive 1.6million combined copies in the UK, topping George Ezra’s Staying at Tamara’s. And it’s still at No1 this week.
Two of the UK’s biggest pop legends stormed the charts last year with new albums, but Paul McCartney and Rod Stewart were both disregarded from the Best Male category.
Similarly, Korean boyband BTS, missed out on a Best International group nomination despite a record-breaking year. They had two sold-out shows as London’s O2 Arena and a music video watched 45million times on YouTube.
Little Mix are now tied with the Spice Girls as the most nominated girl group in Brits history.
They are up for two gongs this year – Best British Group and Video of the Year.
Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson even joked about their rivalry with the iconic band during ITV’s nominations show, The Brits Are Coming, saying: “Girl power never dies.”
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