Yachts of luck tryin’ to sell Russian big boats
There is a limited market for used superyachts seized from Russian kleptocrats. A number of big boats have been confiscated since Russian forces invaded Ukraine. But authorities in the European Union now don’t know what to do with them.
“These governments are going to be stuck with all these huge yachts. They’ll just rust away,” said a source. “Who can afford them?”
Russian businessman Alexei Kuzmichev, of Alfa-Bank, had two yachts frozen by French authorities in March, Forbes reports.
Italy has seized the boats of banker Andrey Melnichenko and steel magnate Alexey Mordashov.
“There are no buyers for these superyachts,” said my source. “It’s a bust.”
Roman Abramovich, who is being forced to sell his Chelsea soccer club, has two yachts in Turkey, a safe haven for Russian oligarchs.
Turkey is offering a Turkish passport for an investment of $250,000 with a turnaround of three months for a citizenship.
Eagle-eyed spies in the Turkish resort of Bodrum have spotted Abramovich looking at high-end villas with a broker.
Aluminum king Oleg Deripaska’s 240-foot yacht was in Turkey last month after authorities raided his mansions in Washington, D.C., and New York and seized a Diego Rivera painting.
Former Los Angeles Laker Lamar Odom said during his FanRoom Live interview with Jae Benjamin that of all the celebrities he met, avid basketball fan Jack Nicholson is his favorite.
“He’s so into the game, he doesn’t just sit there. It’s like having a second coach!”
Odom also discussed his admiration for Kobe Bryant, who died, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif., in January 2020.
“When I was in the ‘Big Brother’ house for 26 days, I dreamt of Bryant six times ... he was talking to me,” Odom said. “The last dream was so vivid, I wished to mark it by getting a neck tattoo.”
Morgan O’Conner, the former Ralph Lauren model with blond dreadlocks, is about to become a father.
The Anheuser-Busch heir threw a baby shower for his very pregnant girlfriend, Alexis Vetter, at the International Polo Club in Palm Beach.
Conspicuously absent was Morgan’s mother, Pamela, a former Town & Country cover girl.
“There’s no ring, no date for a wedding, and Pamela is unhappy,” a source told me.
“Pamela is clearly worried about Morgan’s trust money, which is considerable.”
Marijuana is legal and being openly smoked in 18 states, but the federal government is still punishing pot smokers.
Dame Zandra Rhodes was the headliner at the opening of a jewelry show at the Museum of Arts and Design, but was a no-show because the Brit couldn’t get a visa.
“The U.S. Embassy here in London have been processing my visa for the better half of six months! I am considered a felon as I was arrested for growing marijuana in 1984,” Rhodes informed me.
“The earliest appointment I am being offered is mid-August.”
Naomi Campbell was the undisputed star at the memorial service for Andre Leon Talley at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.
The model wore a white feathered coat and a flying saucer hat, prompting the Rev. Calvin Butts to announce, “I walked down the aisle thinking of the Gospel, but when I saw Miss Campbell, all thoughts of the Bible went out of my head.”
Campbell (above) credited Talley. “Andre always said, ‘If you look in the mirror and think, “This is too much,” you are ready to go out.’ Thus the outfit I’m wearing today.”
Diplo DJ’ed at Chelsea’s new strip club Wonderland, and comedian Eric Andre joined him on stage, taking selfies as a crew of girls followed him around throughout the night.
Six-liter champagne bottles were popped, with some tables spending more than $40,000 during the night of debauchery.
Former NFL star-turned-rapper Antonio Brown also stopped by to see Diplo spin and to throw money in the air to the dancers’ delight.
Andy Sabin, the Hamptons metal mogul, gathered nine U.S. senators for dinner to promote the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a land conservation law he hopes will pass in June.
“My agenda is for the good of the planet, the benefit of humanity,” Sabin told me.
The senators breaking bread were Democrats Martin Heinrich, John Hickenlooper and Sheldon Whitehouse and Republicans Lindsey Graham, Steve Daines, Shelley Moore Capito, Kevin Cramer, Lisa Murkowski and Mike Braun.
“People don’t see this. They see all the fighting,” Sabin said. “Every day aboveground is a good day.”
The 15th annual George Lopez Golf Tournament in Toluca Lake, Calif., sold out immediately.
The money raised goes to the families of underprivileged kids who need a kidney transplant. Lopez, who suffers from a genetic kidney disease, received a transplant from his former wife in 2005.
Lopez’s friends showed up to play: Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Garcia, Don Cheadle, Caroline Rhea, Sugar Ray Leonard and comedienne Eugenia Kuzmina.
Romero Britto, whose artwork has been collected by Leonardo DiCaprio, Oprah Winfrey, Prince Charles and Tom Brady, will have an exhibition at Charles Saffati’s Carlton Fine Arts on Madison Ave. on Wednesday.
Britto’s new word painting “Love” will be unveiled for the first time, along with a portrait of Brigitte Bardot.