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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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Bill Cobbs: Night At The Museum actor dies aged 90

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Bill Cobbs: Night At The Museum actor dies aged 90

American actor Bill Cobbs has died at the age of 90.

He was best known for his roles as security guard Reggie in the 2006 film Night At The Museum, and as Whitney Houston’s manager Bill Devaney in the 1992 film The Bodyguard.

He also featured in the former’s sequel Secret Of The Tomb, released in 2014.

The veteran actor died on Tuesday evening in the Inland Empire, California, his agent told the PA news agency.

His agent said Cobbs was surrounded by his family and is thought to have died of natural causes.

Pic: 20thC.Fox/Everett/Shutterstock

'Night at the Museum' film - 2006
'Night at the Museum' - Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, Bill Cobbs
2006
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Cobbs in Night At The Museum. Pic: 20thC.Fox/Everett/Shutterstock

Other roles Cobbs will be remembered for include Arthur Chaney in Air Bud, Moses the Clock Man in The Hudsucker Proxy and Dr Elton Lloyd in Sunshine State.

His TV credits included appearances on The Sopranos, The West Wing, Sesame Street and ER.

In total, Cobbs featured in 200 films and TV programmes throughout his career.

In 2020, he won an Emmy award for outstanding limited performance in a daytime programme for the series Dino Dana.

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In a statement on X, Wendell Pierce, who appeared alongside Cobbs in I’ll Fly Away and The Gregory Hines Show, described him as a “father figure”.

“To honour Bill and his memory, I will dedicate myself to creating work he would be proud of,” he said.

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Travis Kelce reveals what he thinks about Prince William after meeting at Taylor Swift concert

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Travis Kelce reveals what he thinks about Prince William after meeting at Taylor Swift concert

Travis Kelce has revealed what he thought of the Prince of Wales after meeting the royal at his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s London concert.

The American football tight end, who has been in a relationship with Swift since September 2023, joined the singer as she met Prince William, and his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, at last Friday’s show at London’s Wembley Stadium.

A picture of the group was posted on Instagram on 21 June, the same day as William’s 42nd birthday.

Pic: Taylor Swift/Instagram
Image:
Pic: Taylor Swift/Instagram

Describing the royal meet on podcast New Heights, which he hosts with his brother Jason, Kelce said: “He [Prince William] was the coolest m*****f*****.

“They were an absolute delight to me, I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to bow to them or curtsy, or just be an American idiot and shake their hand.”

Pic: princeandprincessofwales/Instagram
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Jason Kelce described Princess Charlotte as “adorable”. Pic: princeandprincessofwales/Instagram

Jason, who retired from the NFL back in March, added that they were given guidance before meeting the royals that because it was not an official event they did not need to bow.

“The highlight was Princess Charlotte, Prince George was great too, but she was so f****** adorable,” the former Philadelphia Eagles player said.

“I cannot express how much of a superstar she was.

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Taylor Swift: Prince William ‘shakes it off’

“Maybe it’s because I have three girls now, but she had fire to her, she was asking questions, that was the most electric part of it.”

Praising William’s parenting technique, Kelce said it seemed like nine-year-old Charlotte had been encouraged to be “present and vocal” and was asking questions.

The pair also had high praise for London itself, from the scenery to the better tasting beer.

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Taylor Swift is expected to attend the Super Bowl to watch her boyfriend Travis Kelce play, both pictured. Pic: AP
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Kelce with Swift. Pic: AP

“The beers, they’re a little bit tastier over here, they’ve been doing it for a little bit longer, it does taste really nice over here,” Kelce said, adding: “The scenery is awesome, it kind of switches depending on which part of London you’re in, and I like that.”

In the ultimate seal of approval he said the only team he would leave the Kansas City Chiefs for would be a team based in London as he said the city was “awesome”.

On night three – of eight Swift will perform in London in total this year – Kelce joined the US pop star on stage sending the crowd of almost 90,000 wild.

It is the first time the footballer has appeared on stage, while his brother Jason revealed the shows in the capital was the first time he had seen the singer perform live.

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Glastonbury: Shania Twain says she wants to ride a horse to her set

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Glastonbury: Shania Twain says she wants to ride a horse to her set

Shania Twain is hoping to arrive for her Glastonbury set in style by riding a horse to the Pyramid Stage – but admits she’ll “have to find out if it’s allowed”.

The country music icon will be following in the footsteps of Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, and Johnny Cash as she takes to the stage for the prestigious legends slot on Sunday – usually a highlight of the festival weekend.

Asked if she had any special plans for her show, the Canadian singer told BBC Breakfast: “I love horses. I love animals, I’m going to see if there’s a horse around I can borrow.”

She continued: “I’d love to ride a horse to the stage… I’ll have to find out if it’s allowed.”

It wouldn’t be the first time the 58-year-old singer has incorporated a horse into her performance.

Twain used to sing her hit “You’re Still The One” while sitting on the back of a white horse during her Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace between 2012 and 2014.

She was also seen riding a horse through a yucca plantation in the video for her 2005 single Don’t!.

Twain also often appears on social media with her own horses – including three Tennessee walking horses and two American saddlebreds.

Shania Twain performs in New York in 2017. Pic: AP
Image:
Shania Twain performs in New York in 2017. Pic: AP

Meanwhile, Twain has suggested her Glastonbury show will be free of guest appearances – ruling out sharing the stage with Harry Styles two years after they sang together at Coachella.

The singer said she is “overwhelmed” to be following in the footsteps of music icons such as Barry Gibb, Kylie Minogue, and Lionel Ritchie – who have all graced the stage for the Legends slot in previous years.

She said: “It’s been explained to me that it is a real event, a once in a lifetime thing. Everyone keeps going: ‘Let me tell you about it. Let me tell you about my experiences’.”

Twain’s 1997 album Come On Over is one of the top 10 best-selling global albums of all time and its singles, including Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You) and From This Moment On, will likely feature in her Glastonbury set list.

She said: “I’m planning on getting up there and having so much fun. I’d love to be able to sing with everyone and be a part of the journey of the crowd. So, I’m going to do everything familiar. I want to do the hits. I want to do what they know.”

Emily Eavis opens the gates on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture date: Wednesday June 26, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Glastonbury. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
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Emily Eavis opens the gates on the first day of the Glastonbury Festival. Pic: PA

People arrive for the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture date: Wednesday June 26, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Glastonbury. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire
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People arrive for the Glastonbury Festival. Pic: PA

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Thousands of festival-goers will descend on Worth Farm in Somerset as the world-famous festival opens its gates on Wednesday.

The Met Office has said campers can expect “mostly warm, dry and settled” weather for the next five days, but scattered showers could begin from day one and last until the end of the weekend.

This year’s event will see headline performances from global stars including pop singer Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and American singer Sza.

Other attractions at the 900-acre festival, which runs from Wednesday until Sunday, include speeches, film screenings and Q&As, circus performances, comedy sets and more.

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