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He is an amateur street artist-turned-professional who counts the Obamas, late comic book legend Stan Lee, and the Pope among his high-profile fans.

Known as Mr Brainwash, he insists he is paying tribute to artists such as Banksy, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons by reproducing their work.

“You are kind of honouring them… because there are some pieces that you cannot get; it’s impossible, so I think of it it as loving and sharing.”

First lady Michelle Obama looks to artist Mr. Brainwash during a live painting of a Let Girls Learn mural at Union Market in Washington, Tuesday, March 8, 2016. Pic: AP
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Michelle Obama pictured with Mr Brainwash at a Let Girls Learn mural in 2016. Pic: AP

Mr Brainwash, who was born in France and lives in Los Angeles, found fame in Banksy’s documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop. In it, the prolific graffiti artist, with his identity hidden in shadow, said: “This guy tried to make a documentary about me – but he’s actually a lot more interesting than I am.”

The man Banksy referred to in the documentary is Mr Brainwash, whose real name is Thierry Guetta.

Guetta’s starring role in the academy award-nominated film catapulted him from amateur videographer and used clothing store owner to a global pop-artist who has sold millions of pounds worth of work.

Talking to Sky News at Clarendon Fine Art Gallery in Covent Garden, the impact of the film was not lost on Guetta.

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“Twelve years later, I can meet some people in the street and they say ‘Oh my God, I just saw the movie yesterday’… and I’m like, it’s 12 years ago… and you just keep going and keep going.”

Kobe Bryant memorial mural at Sparadise La Brea at 1251 St. La Brea Ave., Sunday, Feb 16, 2020, in Los Angeles. The mural, created street artist Thierry Guetta aka Mr. Brainwash, showcases Bryant and his daughter Gigi Bryant
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Mr Brainwash is behind this memorial mural for basketballer Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi, who died in a helicopter crash. Pic: AP

He added: “It was incredible. I mean, it’s a journey that, you know, it’s like when you have dream and live… something you think is not possible.”

But he points out that Mr Brainwash’s potential global appeal and success was always within Thierry Guetta, even before Banksy focused the lens on him.

“It didn’t change my life, but it continued my life because… you know, my life’s always been, you know, since I’m a kid… they call me crazy.”

Once just a part of Banksy’s art, the man also known as Thierry Guetta is now a bona fide artist in his own right. And with show-stopping exhibitions and a celebrity fan base many would envy, Mr Brainwash’s future looks bright.

“I feel like I want to give a lot more. This is really like the beginning of what I want to give,” he said.

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Taylor Swift ‘shares extremely important reminder’ to her fans on US election

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Taylor Swift 'shares extremely important reminder' to her fans on US election

Taylor Swift has given a “friendly but extremely important reminder” to her American fans to vote in the presidential election.

The neck-and-neck race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – which is believed to be the closest since 2000 – has seen US stars throw their weight behind both candidates.

It had been widely speculated that Swift would appear at Ms Harris’s final rally in Pennsylvania – where the 34-year-old singer grew up.

However, the Shake It Off singer was at Arrowhead Stadium to support her boyfriend – NFL star Travis Kelce – who was playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

US election latest: Voting begins for millions of Americans

Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga were the big names alongside Ms Harris at her final big event.

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Swift’s election reminder came in a post she shared on the eve of polling night, celebrating the wrap of the US leg of her Eras Tour, and sharing images from her last three gigs.

In the Instagram post, the singer wrote: “Thank you to everyone who came out to see us on our last three American shows.

“And here’s a friendly but extremely important reminder that tomorrow is the US election and your last chance to vote.”

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She will pick up her tour in Canada next week, with six shows in Toronto and three in Vancouver.

Her record-breaking shows – which have boosted the economy around the globe – will wrap on 8 December.

Swift publicly confirmed her support for Ms Harris in September, sharing the message on social media: “I believe we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”

At the time, Swift also shared links to information on how to register to vote and find out early voting dates, reminding voters: “Your research is all yours to do, and the choice is yours to make”.

Shared with a photo of the star cuddling one of her beloved cats, she signed off her post “Childless Cat Lady,” in a nod to Republican vice-presidential candidate JD Vance’s now infamous 2021 remarks.

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Quincy Jones: Oprah Winfrey, Elton John and Barack Obama among famous figures paying tribute to music legend

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Quincy Jones: Oprah Winfrey, Elton John and Barack Obama among famous figures paying tribute to music legend

Oprah Winfrey, Sir Elton John and Barack Obama among the famous figures who have paid tribute to Quincy Jones following his death at the age of 91.

Following the announcement of his death on Monday, a string of friends, collaborators and admirers have been speaking out to praise the music producer and composer.

TV host Oprah Winfrey said her life “changed forever for the better” after meeting Jones as he helped secure her role in the 1985 film adaptation of The Colour Purple, which earned her an Oscar nomination.

Jones, the jazz musician known for collaborating with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, wrote the film score and also co-produced the film.

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Quincy Jones dies aged 91

Winfrey wrote on Instagram: “My beloved Q. The world’s beloved Q. The one and only Quincy Jones ‘discovered’ me for The Color Purple movie in 1985. My life changed forever for the better after meeting him.

“I had never experienced, nor have since, anyone who’s heart was so filled with love.

“He walked around with his heart wide open, and he treated everybody as if they were the most important person he’d ever met. He was the Light. No shadows.

“He was love lived out loud in human form and he was the first person I ever loved unconditionally.”

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10 things about Quincy Jones

Whoopi Goldberg, who was also in The Colour Purple, also wrote on Instagram: “I was lucky enough to have him in my life for all these years.

“My heart is breaking for his friends and his extended family who loved and adored him… my condolences.”

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Former US president Barack Obama, who honoured Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010, said: “For decades, Quincy Jones was music.

“From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it.

“His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age. And by building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business.”

U.S. President Barack Obama congratulates musician, composer, record producer, and arranger Quincy Jones after presenting the 2010 National Medal of Arts during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 2, 2011. REUTERS/Larry Downing (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT)
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Barack Obama honoured Quincy Jones with the US National Medal of Arts in 2010. Pic: Reuters

He added: “Michelle and I send our thoughts to Quincy’s friends, family, and everyone who has lived their lives to his songs.”

Sir Elton John remembered Jones as someone who had a more “incredible” career in music than anyone else.

He shared a photo with him at the Elton John Aids Foundation Oscar viewing party, and called him a “loyal supporter of this important fundraiser”.

The singer added: “Nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones. He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”

Rapper Ice T hailed Jones as a “genius”, while US Grammy-winner Lenny Kravitz said he was “speechless”, but added: “What a life. What an expression of authenticity. What a teacher. I am humbled that I was given the gift of your openness and friendship”.

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Singers react to death of ‘hero’ Quincy Jones

Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland thanked Jones for being “such a wonderful teacher” and creating the soundtrack to “some of the most extraordinary moments” in her life.

Jones also helped to launch and was an executive producer on the popular US sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith.

Jones with his daughter Rashida Jones and Will Smith in 2007. Pic: Reuters
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Jones with his daughter, actress Rashida Jones, and Will Smith in 2007. Pic: Reuters

Smith said: “Quincy Jones is the true definition of a mentor, a father and a friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me.

“He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers, who was friends with Jones, shared a video that said “Rest In Power Quincy Jones. The Greatest of All Time”.

Peter Hook, the bassist and co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, wrote on social media: “It’s so sad to hear about Quincy Jones. When he signed us to his label, he made us feel so welcome – inviting us to dinner at his home every time we were in town.

“He made us big in America. He was so humble & sweet that you immediately fell in love with him.”

Hook added: “And to this day I still got a lovely message from him every year on Christmas and birthday cards! A musical genius and a great, lovely man.”

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Amy Dowden ‘heartbroken’ as she leaves this year’s Strictly Come Dancing

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Amy Dowden 'heartbroken' as she leaves this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden will not take part in the rest of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The professional dancer made a return to the celebrity contest this series after undergoing treatment for breast cancer and had been partnered with JLS star JB Gill.

However, the 34-year-old has now had to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.

In a statement on Instagram, she said: “I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short.

“My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury.”

Dowden added: “I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and I’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something I’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB.

“To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you.”

Strictly Come Dancing stars JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston
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JB Gill and Amy Dowden. Pic: BBC/Ray Burmiston

A spokeswoman for Strictly added: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year.

“Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer Lauren Oakley will step in as JB’s dance partner.

“The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”

The news was first announced on Monday evening during the show’s spin-off programme Strictly: It Takes Two.

Lauren Oakley partnered with Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year.
Pic: PA
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Lauren Oakley partnered with Krishnan Guru-Murthy last year.
Pic: PA

Dowden was taken ill during the live show the previous weekend and missed the Sunday results programme.

She was taken to hospital from the BBC show’s production centre, Elstree Studios, as a “precaution” after “feeling unwell”, a spokesman for Dowden said at the time.

Last year, Dowden found a lump in her breast while on her honeymoon in the Maldives with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones, and was unable to compete on Strictly.

After treatment for stage three breast cancer, she announced in February that tests showed she had “no evidence of disease“.

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Dowden was made an MBE in this year’s New Year’s honours list for services to fundraising and raising awareness of Crohn’s. She was diagnosed with the disease as a teenager and is a UK ambassador for the charity Crohn’s and Colitis.

She was also admitted to hospital in Manchester following a Crohn’s flare-up during the 2022 Strictly live tour.

Dowden also said in her statement that in the past few months she had “finally felt like me again”.

She added: “Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again.

“My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back.”

Dowden also praised JB Gill for being the “perfect partner” on the dancefloor.

“I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor. I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader,” she added.

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