“Already what I did last year was amazing and to be a champion here, I thought I deserved a wildcard and to get a little bit of respect.”
In further comments to reporters, Maria added: “I did it last year. It was not five years ago.
“I was surprised when I got the message of [tournament director] Laura Robson saying all the wildcards would go to the British players, which I understand. But as a champion, it’s tough for me.
“It is something that should be normal. If you are champion of an event and you don’t get in the year after, I think automatically this should be considered.”
Maria, watched by her two daughters, beat four top-20 players en route to the title, becoming the oldest winner of a WTA 500 tournament.
She is ranked 52nd in the world – too low to earn direct entry for the 28-strong main draw but higher than each of the four British players awarded wildcards.
This year’s recipients were Katie Boulter (world number 73), Fran Jones (98), Harriet Dart (160), and Mika Stojsavljevic (261).
A spokesperson for the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) said: “The LTA owns and invests in staging these events for the benefit of the British game as a whole – so fans can see world class international players from around the world, and support our British players, but also so British players are afforded the playing opportunities to progress their careers and climb the rankings.
“We have seen British success at these events, and breakthrough wins, so there is clear value in giving British players these development opportunities.”
When Compton Unified School Board President Micah Ali checked his mailbox last week, he was in for a shock.
The school district has been making headlines as a state and national leader in student performance gains, and it has been upgrading and replacing its aging campuses to help advance that growth. Next week’s ballot includes a $360-million bond measure called CPT, which would keep that momentum going and replace badly dated Dominguez High School.
So when Ali opened a slate mailer titled “Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ Sample Ballot and Voter Recommendations,” he couldn’t believe her advice on Measure CPT.
Vote “no.”
Given Waters’ stature as a congressional representative for 35 years, Ali said, her slate mailers can swing outcomes.
“Yes, it does carry weight,” Ali said, and the thumbs-down recommendation “can literally cripple our ability to pass this bond.”
Ali was doubly surprised because the mailers went out to voters just a few weeks after Waters attended an unveiling ceremony for the new Compton High School campus. Compton High alums and hip-hop heavyweights Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre joined the celebration, and the latter was honored for his $10-million donation to the new performing arts center.
Lunch tables and a temporary cafeteria are set up outdoors at Dominguez High School because of a fire three years ago.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
A second district high school, Centennial, is being replaced with a modern campus, and district officials are hoping Measure CPT passes so Dominguez students aren’t left behind, but also because the district’s other schools would get multiple upgrades and repairs, from infrastructure to classrooms to athletic fields.
I met with Ali on Wednesday afternoon at Dominguez, along with Principal Caleb Oliver. The school turned 70 this year, and it shows. The grounds are scruffy, wiring and plumbing are outdated, the gymnasium air conditioning hasn’t worked in years. To walk the campus is to step back in time — to the Eisenhower administration.
While we were talking, Oliver called out to a senior named Angelina Ramirez, referring to her as a superstar student. I asked Angelina what kind of upgrades the campus could use.
Dominguez High School Principal Caleb Oliver.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
“Well, I like to use the cafeteria as an example,” she said, pointing to where it used to be.
What happened to it?
“It burned down,” she said. An electrical problem was the suspected cause, her principal added.
“I feel like that’s affected students a lot,” Angelina said.
The big question, of course, is why Waters’ campaign committee — Citizens for Waters — recommended a no vote.
I’d like to tell you why it is that a rapper has written a $10-million check in support of Compton’s students while a congresswoman has told them to go fly a kite. But I’ve asked by phone, text and email, and I still don’t have an answer.
After contacting Citizens for Waters, which referred me to the congresswoman, I called her office and emailed her press office, which sent me this response at 7:43 p.m. Thursday:
“Per US House Ethics rules, we are unable to respond to your request.”
I don’t know what rules those are, but the rulebook needs some rewriting if a congresswoman can’t answer a simple question about why her campaign mailer recommends a no vote on a school bond measure.
“We have no idea, and we’re baffled,” Ali said. “Who would oppose the construction of a new school in a community like Compton?”
In the working-class community, the student population is roughly 84% Latino and 14% Black.
I suggested that Ali consider having students march over to Waters’ district office and ask for an explanation.
“We’d rather have these children’s butts in seats and learning,” Ali said, adding that “we need … to continue driving up these test scores.”
Compton school board candidate Tana McCoy talks to school board President Micah Ali about the mailer.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
It’s not as if there is no reasonable opposition to Measure CPT. These kinds of bonds cost taxpayers real money over the course of many years, and CPT would add about $60 per $100,000 of assessed property to annual tax bills.
That would hit working folks and retirees with an added tax burden of between a few hundred and several hundred dollars a year. And taxpayers have been paying off two previous school improvement bond issues, one passed in 2015 and one in 2022.
In addition to the financial burden, according to district parent Anthonia Limon, who wrote the statement against CPT for the L.A. County sample ballot, safety issues have undermined community trust in district leadership.
“Infrastructure alone does not create safe schools,” Limon wrote.
If Waters has similar concerns, that would be one thing. But to my knowledge, and to Ali’s, there has been no public explanation for recommending a no vote. And when you read the fine print on the slate mailer, which advises voters to “take Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ recommendations with you to vote,” it only raises more questions.
“This document was prepared by Citizens for Waters, not an official party organization. Appearance in this mailer does not necessarily imply endorsement of others appearing in this mailer nor does it imply endorsement of, or opposition to, any issues set forth in this mailer,” it says.
Huh?
Are they endorsements or aren’t they?
The Times reported in 2004 that the rep’s daughter, Karen Waters, “has charged candidates for spots on her mother’s ‘slate mailer,’ a sample ballot that many voters in South Los Angeles use to guide their choices.” Last year, the Waters campaign paid a $68,000 fine for campaign finance law violations following a Federal Election Commission investigation that involved Citizens for Waters.
Rep. Maxine Waters’ slate mailer.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Also in the fine print on the current mailer:
“Appearance is paid for and authorized by each candidate and ballot measure which is designated by” an asterisk.
So are these endorsements or paid advertisements? There’s an asterisk on nearly every endorsement in the mailer, from city council to governor to judgeships to Measure CPT. The way I read this is that various parties paid for endorsements, but the mailer does not reveal who paid, or how much they ponied up. Such mailers, by the way, are not uncommon in California, according to election law experts.
“I think this is misleading for voters,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the UC Berkeley law school. Although he thinks the endorsements are a form of protected free speech, he said this “reflects a very deep problem in our elections with dark money, when we don’t know where the money is coming from.”
On Thursday, I visited Tana McCoy, a Compton High grad and retired city employee who is running for Compton Unified school board. She showed me the slate mailer delivered to her home, but said she’s going to vote yes on CPT despite Waters’ recommendation.
“Children need to feel good about their environment, because that’s all part of their mental health,” McCoy said.
At Dominguez, where graduates have a 96% college acceptance rate, according to district officials, junior Zaiden Ross gave me a tour that included a stop at a gymnasium fountain that he said hasn’t worked in years. Some fountains are dirty, he added, “and some of the pipes on campus produce water that has, like, extremely high amounts of lead and magnesium.”
Student Zaiden Ross demonstrates a nonworking sink in a bathroom on the campus of Dominguez High School in Compton.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Zaiden took me to a classroom to show me water samples he’s still testing. Then we visited the robotics classroom, where he turned on a faucet, and the flow was closer to the color of apple juice than water. The air conditioner was rattling, and teacher G.C. Esiobu, who runs the engineering and robotics club, said there had been an “emergency” fix for a busted system. Zaiden gave me a quick rundown of dated computers and other equipment students use to design drones and robots.
And yet despite all that, a display case was filled with trophies. At competitive meets, Esiobu said, “we have been winning with little or nothing.” With equipment upgrades, she added, “just imagine the level we will go.”
There’s still time, before Tuesday’s election, for Waters to visit Dominguez High and maybe get a tour from Zaiden and Esiobu.
AS captain of actor Danny Dyer’s beloved West Ham United, Jarrod Bowen was seen as the perfect match for his daughter Dani Dyer.
But May 2026 will go down in history as a devastating time for the Dyers, after Bowen captained West Ham to relegation from the Premier League – for the first time in 15 years – which has put his and Dani’s future up in the air, and has broken his father-in-law’s heart.
Jarrod Bowen – West Ham’s captian – is now at a crossroads after being relegatedCredit: GettyThe footie ace is happily married to former Love Island star Dani DyerCredit: Instagram
Just two days before the Hammers’ relegation, Jarrod suffered more devastation when he missed out on a place in England’s World Cup squad, and insiders have now told us just what this might mean for him and Dani going forward, and how ex-EastEnders star Danny is coping.
Rivals actor Danny once famously joked he was probably “more in love” with Jarrod than his own daughter was, and he has previously been spotted singing an X-rated chant about Dani alongside the West Ham faithful: “Bowen’s on fire, and he’s s****ing Dani Dyer.”
Jarrod certainly rose to the occasion in June 2023, when he netted a last-minute winner in the Europa Conference League final to secure West Ham their first major European trophy for 58 years.
A day after the historic moment, Danny told talkSPORT: “I just didn’t think I could love a man anymore.
“It’s always a weird thing because it’s your daughter, they fall in love with people you don’t usually like, but she brought home Jarrod Bowen.
“I think I love Jarrod more than anyone, more than me own wife! I’m a bit jealous of my daughter.”
Since meeting in 2021, Jarrod and former Love Island star Dani welcomed twin daughters, Summer and Star, both three, in 2023, and two years afterwards, the couple married in late May 2025.
However, one year on from their big day, the pair have a crossroads to navigate this summer.
A source told us: “Dani has enjoyed a dream romance with Jarrod so far, made even better that he is the captain of her dad Danny’s beloved West Ham United.
“But part of that dream has turned into a nightmare this season after West Ham crashed out of the Premier League.
“Jarrod is one of the best players at the club, but, as captain, he has to take a lot of responsibility for the Hammers’ downfall.
“Die-hard West Ham fan Danny is absolutely devastated about his side dropping down to the Championship, and it could have major repercussions for the Dyers.
“Jarrod could do no wrong in Danny’s mind three years ago when he effectively won West Ham the Conference League.
“But that moment is a distant memory now.”
Following West Ham’s relegation, Bowen’s future at the club is up in the air.
He is under contract at the London Stadium until 2030, but that doesn’t mean a lot in football.
West Ham could cash in on their star man, and there are fresh concerns from Hammers fans after Bowen was revealed to be a client of a brand-new football super agency – Gersh.
Dani and Jarrod are parents to twins Summer and Star, who are now threeCredit: InstagramDanny is a huge fan of West Ham – and his son-in-lawCredit: Splash
A move to the north west of England would be particularly upsetting for Dani, because it would no doubt mean relocating from their Essex home, which is just down the road from her parents, Danny and wife Joanne Mas.
The source said: “West Ham’s relegation could have a huge impact on Dani, too.
“Jarrod missed out on a place in England’s World Cup squad this summer, and manager Thomas Tuchel even suggested West Ham’s poor form could have hampered Jarrod.
“He is desperate to win his place back in the England squad, with a European Championships on home soil scheduled for 2028.
“Jarrod has been heavily linked with a move elsewhere, and he is keen to keep testing himself at the very top.
“But this could be devastating for Dani, because they might have to relocate.
“Danny would also be gutted, because a West Ham with Jarrod has a much better chance of returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking than a West Ham without their star man.
Danny and Dani won’t be watching Jarrod in the World Cup this yearCredit: EURO 2024 News Pool (ENP)Danny has joked that he loves Jarrod more than his daughter DaniCredit: Instagram
“The Rivals star is desperate for Jarrod to remain at West Ham, and he has been dropping hints to Jarrod to stay and help guide his beloved Hammers back to the top flight.”
Danny recently lobbied England boss Tuchel to take Jarrod to the World Cup, telling FourFourTwo his son-in-law “will damage any team” on the pitch.
But the Football Factory star’s plea fell on deaf ears when the England squad was announced on May 22nd – two days before West Ham’s relegation on the final day of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Bowen scored in West Ham’s final game, a resounding 3-0 victory over Leeds, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Hammers up due to Tottenham’s final-day win over Everton.
Following West Ham’s last Premier League match for some time, Bowen was asked about his future, saying in his post-match interview: “I’m under contract here. I’ve been here six-and-a-half years. I’ve had some really high moments, and this is a low moment that will outweigh everything.
“There’s going to be rumours, there’s going to be talk. Ultimately, what I see is getting this club back in the Premier League because that is where it deserves to be.”
A few days ago, he took to Instagram to write a lengthy apology to the West Ham faithful.
Bowen admitted winning the Conference League was the “best night” of his career, but being relegated with West Ham was his “worst”.
While the emotional statement may have provided some solace for die-hard Hammers fans, there was a notable omission.
He didn’t pledge his future to the club, signing off by saying: “One thing I know about this club is that it has the desire and fight to bounce back from this. This club belongs in the Premier League and deserves to be back there as soon as possible.”
But will this desire and fight to return to the top flight happen without their leader, Bowen?
Danny has previously said on his and Dani’s Sorted With the Dyers podcast that West Ham is his “one true love” and he loves the football club “more than anything else on this planet”.
He will be fiercely hoping his son-in-law can lead West Ham to further glory in the future, and while Dani no doubt wants this, too, remaining in Essex is one of her top priorities.
Relocating from Essex might also make it difficult for Dani to shoot more episodes of her and dad Danny’s popular Sky TV show The Dyers’ Caravan Park, which is filmed in Kent.
A source added: “One compromise for Jarrod could be a move to Tottenham, who he has been linked to for years.
“That would be OK for Dani, because Jarrod would still be playing for a London team.
“But it would leave a sour taste in Danny’s mouth, considering Spurs were the team that remained in the Premier League at West Ham’s expense.
“Jarrod has a massive decision on his hands this summer, which will have a huge impact on him on and off the field.”
KATIE Price’s sister has revealed how her mum Amy was left so “p***ed off” with the star after another debacle involving husband Lee Andrews.
Last week, following his ‘disappearance’, Katie posted a cover version of the song Get Here and said her desire to record the song had come after being left missing Lee.
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Katie Price’s stunt has left her mother ‘p***ed off’Credit: AlamyAmy Price was left angry with her daughter after she claimed a song she had recorded for her – was actually for ‘missing’ husband LeeCredit: instagram
But in a new episode of their sister’s podcast, The Katie Price Show, Sophie revealed how Katie had originally told their mum she had recorded it for her.
The track came about as Katie enjoyed a recording session for her upcoming single.
During a break, she revealed how she had asked to record a cover of Get Here as a treat for her mum with the song being a family favourite.
Katie then sent the track to her mum but shortly after posted it online and dedicated it to Lee.
Lee went missing and Katie then shared a recording she had dedicated to himCredit: InstagramBut it seems she had told her mum it was for herCredit: Getty
The move left Amy feeling “p***ed off” with Katie according to Sophie.
Katie originally said: “I did it for mum.
“I said to mum, ‘I know you love this song’.
“But… she’s so p***ed off.”
Sophie interjected to add: “She was so p***ed off right because you put that Reel up…
“Kate called mum and was like I’ve been in the studio and made this song for you.
“Then Kate put it up on Instagram and was like, ‘oh it’s for Lee and for the situation.”
Katie went on to say: “I thought, do you know what, these words actually resonate with what’s going on.
“So then I put it up for Lee.”
Katie proceeded to sing some of the lyrics which included the lines: “You can reach me by sail boat, you can reach me on an airplane.”
DAVID Beckham has shrugged off estranged son Brooklyn’s snub once again after celebrating his birthday with family.
The former footballer, who has turned 51, enjoyed his day being ‘blessed’ and ‘spoiled’by loved ones, despite being dealt another blow from Brooklyn and his daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz.
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David Beckham has shrugged off son estranged Brooklyn’s snub once again after celebrating his birthday with familyCredit: Instagram / David BeckhamThe former footballer enjoyed his day being ‘blessed’ and ‘spoiled’ by loved onesCredit: Instagram / David BeckhamDavid was dealt another blow from Brooklyn his daughter-in-law Nicola PeltzCredit: Getty
Taking to his Instagram, David shared two sweet snaps of him as a child and him present day smiling as he blew out his birthday candles.
He added the caption: “I feel very lucky & blessed to have had a very special day today being spoilt by my wife, kids , family and friends from the moment I opened my eyes till now.
“And I just want to say thank you and I love you all so much @victoriabeckham & my beautiful family thank you (heart emoji).”
On the star’s birthday, David was met with a barrage of birthday shoutouts from the Beckham clan.
In the caption, the fashion designer penned: “You are our world, our everything. We love you so much!!!
“Happy birthday to the best husband, daddy, son, brother, and friend.”
Brooklyn’s brothers, Romeo and Cruz, also praised their dad by sharing photos of their younger selves with David.
Cruz wished his father a happy birthday with Romeo penning the message: “Happy birthday dad love u so much. Thank u for everything you do.”
Eldest son Brooklyn chose to remain silent for the second year in a row, which comes as no surprise considering he and wife Nicola’s major fallout with the rest of his family.
Former Spice Girl Victoria led the birthday shoutouts for her husband and gushed over him by sharing a series of unseen private snapsCredit: InstagramRomeo Beckham wished his dad David a happy 51st birthday on InstagramCredit: InstagramYoungest son Cruz Beckham also gave dad David a sweet birthday shoutoutCredit: instagram
Earlier this year Brooklyn had launched a nuclear attack on his family stating that he did “not want to reconcile” with his them, and accused his parents of “controlling” the narrative.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal magazine, Victoria did not refer to Brooklyn by name when asked about the rift but discussed how she had only ever tried to “protect and love our children”.
The Spice Girls star said: “I think that we’ve always—we love our children so much.
“We’ve always tried to be the best parents that we can be. And you know, we’ve been in the public eye for more than 30 years right now, and all we’ve ever tried to do is protect our children and love our children.
“And you know, that’s all I really want to say about it.”
Eldest son Brooklyn chose to remain silent on his fathers birthday for the second year in a rowCredit: Getty
WHEN Jack Whitehall decided to leave Sky’s A League of Their Own in 2018 to try and crack America, he feared it would leave his friendship with his co-stars James Corden and Freddie Flintoff in tatters.
Fast forward eight years, and it appears Jack’s prophecy may have come true. Both Flintoff and Corden skipped his £250k nuptials on Saturday – with Flintoff posting photos of himself on the golf course in Slough instead.
Freddie Flintoff’s absence from Jack Whitehall’s wedding has raised eyebrows and sparked rumours of a feud between the former best matesCredit: AlamyWhen Jack left A League Of Their Own, he feared his friendships with co-stars would be left in tattersCredit: AlamyJames Corden was at Jack’s stag do, but didn’t make the star-studded weddingCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEAN
Their absence at the bash raised eyebrows – and sparked rumours of a feud between the former best mates.
One guest tells us: “Of course, people noticed that Freddie and James weren’t there. They were huge parts of Jack’s life for so long.
“But Freddie has been through so much over the last few years, and people suspected he just didn’t want to be at such a public event.
“All the guests were photographed for Vogue, and it was actually quite a big spectacle, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Freddie didn’t want to be part of the circus.
“Why James missed it is another matter and very bizarre considering he was at the stag do.”
‘Very bizarre’
Other guests, including Jamie Redknapp, who also worked on the Sky show, shared gushing posts about the nuptials on Instagram. Corden however, is no longer following Whitehall.
Meanwhile, Redknapp certainly made his presence known; he posted his Vogue snaps from the big day and gushed: “Congratulations to Jack and Roxy on your big day. I honestly couldn’t be happier for you both. I think the world of you guys, and I’m so proud to be there to see it all
“Jack, you’re like a little brother to me, although somehow still my favourite man baby. And Roxy, fair play… you’ve taken on a lifelong project there.
“Wishing you both a lifetime of laughs, love, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Have the best day, and an even better life together.”
Roxy sent a pointed response, saying: “Thank you so much for being there on our special day x”
His stag do took place at the end of March in London and saw him joined by fellow celebs Jamie Redknapp and James Corden as well as ex-rugby star, Lawrence Dallaglio.
The boozy day out, which Whitehall says started at 11am with a Guinness, ended up getting so rowdy that the comedian can barely remember what happened.
Whitehall tied the knot with Roxy at Euridge Manor over the weekendCredit: anna_longford / InstagramRoxy and Jack’s wedding took place in the grounds of £12million stately home Euridge Manor, near Chippenham, WiltsCredit: Instagram/RoxyhornerJack Whitehall starred alongside James Corden, Jamie Redknapp and Freddie Flintoff on the hit Sky show A League Of Their OwnCredit: Handout
The lads sank pints at The Devonshire pub, before visiting the infamous and very sexy nightclub The Box, which is believed to have put on a private show just for Whitehall and his rowdy group of mates.
They then moved on to mini-golf hotspot, Swingers and ended the night with drinks at the Soho Hotel bar.
Images from the night showed Whitehall staggering down the street with Corden and Redknapp, but Flintoff was absent.
The four mates started working together in 2012, at the time Whitehall was a relative unknown, while Flintoff and Redknapp were sporting legends, and Corden had made his name in comedy Gavin & Stacey.
‘Breaking up the friends’
Whitehall’s career started to take off, and despite League of Their Own being a huge hit, he decided to quit in 2018 to pursue a career in America like Corden.
He admitted at the time he was worried about leaving his mates behind and said: “It was very sad sitting down with Jamie and Freddie and telling James on the phone. Jamie wept.
“I’m the b*****d breaking up the friends. But I think they still like me.
“I think we’re all still pals, it will probably help going forward with our friendship as we won’t see each other all the time.”
His career skyrocketed from there, and a few years later, Corden quit A League of Their Own and then Flintoff left a year later.
Jamie Redknapp, pictured, and James Corden attended Jack’s boozy stag do in London – but Flintoff gave it a missCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEANFlintoff posted photos of himself on the golf course in Slough on Jack and Roxy’s big dayCredit: Instagram
Former cricket star Flintoff landed a place on Top Gear in 2019 but in December 2022, he was involved in a terrifying accident while filming the BBC show.
He was airlifted to hospital after his three-wheeled Morgan flipped, leaving him with devastating facial injuries, which meant he needed reconstructive surgery, as well as suffering some broken ribs.
He became a social recluse, not leaving the house for over six months, and struggled with his mental health, including suffering from PTSD, flashbacks, and anxiety.
Whitehall appeared in Flintoff’s 2025 Disney+ documentary about his accident and recalled their first meeting, he said: “I remember being quite intimidated. I was meeting Freddie Flintoff, who I looked up to a lot as a kid, for the first time.
“So many people think of him as so strong and so alpha, but he’s definitely fragile.”
Asked if he had a message for Flintoff, whose friendship with Top Gear co-host Paddy McGuinness also struggled post-crash, Whitehall replied straight-faced: “Answer my texts.”
ACTRESS Anne Hathaway steals the show in a red dress at the US premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 — but Sydney Sweeney was a no-show after her scenes were cut.
Anne, 43 — who wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown — was joined by co-stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci for the screening.
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Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney skipped film’s premiere in New York despite being pictured on set last yearCredit: SplashMeryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway on the red carpetCredit: SplashAnne wore a custom Louis Vuitton gownCredit: Getty
British Bridgerton star Simone Ashley was also there, along with Lady Gaga, who worked on the music for the film and makes a cameo appearance.
However, it did not make the final cut as it was felt it did not work with the rest of the storyline.
The film’s stars are due back on the red carpet in London’s Leicester Square this evening for the European premiere.
The Devil Wears Prada 2 comes 20 years after the original, in which Anne played aspiring journalist Andy Sachs working for cruel magazine editor Miranda Priestly, played by Streep,
Anne has previously spoken about how it changed her career.
She said: “This film opened so many doors for me, and it gave me so many opportunities.
“It became this anchor for how audiences responded to me, and let me take a lot more risks and make a lot of weird choices in my career, because I have this warm hug to come back to.”
Lady Gaga worked on the music for the film and makes a cameo appearanceCredit: GettyBritish Bridgerton star Simone Ashley wore a dazzling green dressCredit: Getty
AFTER becoming the first Love Island star to make Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, savvy Molly-Mae Hague has a nifty plan to ‘Fury-proof’ her finances.
With a staggering £22million in the bank and a second baby with boxer fiancé Tommy on the way, there are whispers that a watertight pre-nup featuring a “loyalty clause” is in the works.
Molly-Mae took Tommy Fury back a year ago after their shock split in 2024… but she’s determined to make sure he’s 100% dedicated to herCredit: GettyTommy surprised Molly with a romantic Ibiza proposal in 2023Credit: Instagram
Now sources close to the business-minded beauty say she is determined to make sure Tommy, 26, is 100 per cent dedicated to her before tying the knot.
An insider explained: “Molly has more than proved she knows a thing or two about making money and she knows full well what marriage could mean for her wealth.
“There’s been talk that she would want him to sign a contract before they commit any further, which would have a cheating clause and allow her the access to her money she feels she might need to move on.”
Molly was already a popular influencer when she appeared on Love Island in 2019 and met Tommy but her rise to super stardom and extreme wealth after the show is unprecedented.
Molly would not be the first woman to demand a cheating clause.
Catherine Zeta Jones is said to have included a similar one in the pre-nup prior to her 2000 wedding to fellow actor Michael Douglas.
It was reported that if he ever cheated he would have to pay Catherine £1million for every year they were married.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel also allegedly have a clause in their prenup that would entitle Jess to £400,000 if he cheated.
It was late in the summer of 2024 that Molly dumped Tommy, telling her followers: “Never in a million years did I think I’d ever have to write this.
“After five years of being together I never imagined our story would end, especially not this way.”
The couple had been planning to move into a £5million mansion but after Tommy was accused of kissing a blonde beauty on a lads’ holiday to Macedonia, Molly stayed put in her £4million Cheshire home and booted Tommy out.
There’s been talk that she would want him to sign a contract before they commit any further, which would have a cheating clause
And while they now live in their new family home, we can reveal Molly has kept hold of her first mansion, which is solely in her use.
Molly was already a popular influencer when she appeared on Love Island in 2019 and met TommyCredit: RexMolly has started wearing her huge engagement ring againCredit: mollymae/Instagram..
Our insider said: “Molly has been very reluctant to sell the Cheshire home and knows it’s probably wise to keep hold of it as a back up.”
At the start of the year fans were shocked when Molly quietly announced she was expecting another baby with Tommy, and was already six months pregnant.
Pals say the star opted to have another child with Tommy because she was keen that her children all have the same father.
Another source adds: “Molly is very traditional in lots of ways and Tommy is, of course, also very old school, so they wanted to have more children together.”
A blended family was not an option for Molly, the source said.
Molly’s dream
“She wants her kids to have consistency like she had growing up. It’s one of the main reasons she got back with him.”
Casting doubt over their relationship, Tommy’s dad John Fury said in the family’s Netflix show, At Home With The Furys: “Molly is a lovely person, but she can’t help the life she’s been brought up in, it’s contrasting to ours.
“But she’s put up with some s*** hasn’t she, so fair play to her – she’s not a bad girl.
“I’m also going to be there to support them. Let’s see what happens.”
Tommy’s half brother and former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson has also been critical of Molly’s career.
She wants her kids to have consistency like she had growing up. It’s one of the main reasons she got back with him.
Source
In the new series of his show he appears mocking of influencers, warning his daughter Venezuela: “If you are an influencer your private life is non-existent. Look at Tommy and Molly. If you want to make money out of doing nothing, basically privacy doesn’t exist.
“I’ve done a million-thousand achievements. I can write a table full of them. We’re just in an era where you can get famous for what? Getting our tits out on telly.”
But Molly, a dropout from the London College of Fashion, has come a long way since Love Island.
Forbes might have put Tyson at No3 in its ranking of the highest-paid athletes in the world, with his earnings being estimated at £120 million, but Molly is hot on his heels (wearing her sold-out Adidas shoe collection).
Pals say Molly opted to have another child with Tommy because she was keen her children all have the same fatherCredit: InstagramMolly has been very reluctant to sell the Cheshire home to keep it as a back up, revealed our insiderCredit: Refer to source