PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Diamonds aren’t forever as singer Bassey sells her gems
Dame Shirley Bassey, who famously sang “Diamonds Are Forever” in the James Bond film of the same name, is selling some of her jewelry and watches at auction, with proceeds from the sale to benefit her chosen charities.
The Welsh-born singer, 87, is parting with more than 80 items, including dazzling pieces by high-end names such as Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels at Sotheby’s Oct. 10 Fine Jewels sale in Paris.
“This collection is eclectic and shows (Bassey’s) grand personality and superstar status,” said Nikita Binani, head of jewelry at Sotheby’s London.
“A lot of the pieces have diamonds, which is a wonderful theme that connects everything together,” she said of the highly varied collection.
Top lots include a diamond necklace with an estimate of $292,500-$346,700, a diamond and gold parure by Cartier estimated at $217,000-$271,200, a yellow diamond ring for $179,000-$217,000 and an emerald and diamond necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels estimated at $65,100-$75,900.
“All the pieces are meaningful and have a story to tell, whether I bought them for myself, or they were gifted to me,” Bassey said in a news release.
Kodi, star of ‘Dog on Trial,’ takes home Cannes’ top dog prize
There was plenty of tail-wagging and face-licking as Kodi, this year’s winner of the Palm Dog, the canine equivalent of the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize, went up to receive his red collar for the French comedy “Dog on Trial” on Friday.
The Griffon mix was praised for his “breathtaking” performance as Cosmos, a guide dog for a visually impaired man, who goes on trial over an attack, in a case whose outcome could mean death.
“This film is very significant because it not only explores the bond between humans and dogs but it takes a satirical, comedic but quite profound look at the way that we domesticate dogs and the way that we relate to dogs, and the way our justice system relates to dogs,” said critic and jury member Anna Smith.
Xin, the greyhound who made a star turn in Chinese director Guan Hu’s “Black Dog,” was awarded the Palm Dog’s Grand Jury Prize.
Xin was in Cannes to don the red collar for the film about an ex-convict tasked with ridding his town of stray dogs and befriends one of them.
The unofficial awards show, which was created in 2001, is now in its 24th edition.
Parton to spotlight her family in new album and docuseries
Dolly Parton’s desire to fully embrace her family’s roots amid her now perpetual place in the global spotlight has reached a new level.
Via a partnership between Dollywood and Parton’s co-owned Owepar Entertainment, the singer will release the album “Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables” on Nov. 15.
The release will create a musical lineage from the Parton family’s roots in the United Kingdom in the 1600s to their home in the Great Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee.
The project will be available on vinyl and CD and via digital download and streaming. A four-part docuseries to accompany the album is also in production.
“I cannot believe that it has been 60 years this month since I graduated from Sevier County High School and moved to Nashville to pursue my dreams,” Parton said in a statement. “My Uncle Bill Owens was by my side for many years helping me develop my music. I owe so much to him and all the family members past and present who have inspired me along this journey. I am honored to spotlight our families’ musical legacy that is my Smoky Mountain DNA.”
Wilson is ‘doing great’ amid conservatorship, daughters say
Brian Wilson’s daughters Wendy and Carnie Wilson have good news to share about their dad’s health amid his battle with an undefined neurocognitive disorder.
The pair opened up about the 81-year-old Beach Boys legend’s wellbeing to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet for the new Disney+ documentary “The Beach Boys” on Tuesday.
“He is doing great! He is doing great. Every day he is in physical therapy. I’m cooking for him, he’s spending a lot of time with his children now, his family,” Carnie Wilson told ET. “I’m so happy he’s here tonight.”
The insight into Brian Wilson’s life comes after a Los Angeles County Superior Court placed him under a conservatorship earlier this month.
“I think he’s doing really good under the circumstances that he’s going through right now,” Wendy Wilson said.
The premiere saw Wilson reunite with former bandmates Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston as their new movie got the full Hollywood treatment at the TCL Chinese Theatre.