Rolling Stones hire Normal People hunk Paul Mescal to star as rock ‘n’ roll leading man in new music video
HE’S shot to stardom on TV – and now Paul Mescal is teaming up with the world’s greatest rock icons in the latest indication he’s really made it.
I can reveal the actor, who rocketed to fame in BBC3 drama Normal People as Connell Waldron, is working with the Rolling Stones and will appear in their upcoming music video — as a rock ’n’ roll leading man.
The video will be for their latest musical comeback, a track titled Scarlet, which the band actually wrote in 1974 alongside Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.
And insiders say Mick Jagger and co are thrilled to have the Emmy-nominated Irishman in the project and hope he’ll bring a fresh twist to their image.
A source said: “It’s a massive collaboration and a great coup to get Paul on board.
“He’s one of the biggest stars in the world right now, but obviously he was keen to work with some music legends too.
“Universal managed to pull off the partnership at just the right time, and everyone involved is seriously excited.
“Paul plays a hunky party boy in the film, and no doubt there will be a whole new set of fans of his who will want to check it out too, as well as the band’s fanbase.
“The plan is to finalise it over the next few days. Hopefully fans will get to see the results very soon.”
Normal People saw Paul playing on-off lover to Daisy Edgar Jones’ feisty Marianne Sheridan in the sexy show.
The 12-part series became a big hit around the world and won huge critical acclaim from A-list stars including Hugh Jackman, alongside a raft of awards nominations.
This week Paul picked up his latest nod, for Outstanding Leading Actor In A Series Or Movie — one of four US Emmy Awards the drama is up for.
And it is anticipated he will follow that with a string of further accolades.
Mick and bandmates Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts know a thing or two about showbiz longevity — it sounds like Paul’s in safe hands.
‘Heartbreak over my split from Jesy’
CHRIS Hughes has revealed he was “heartbroken” over his split from Little Mix’s Jesy Nelson.
Opening up about their April separation for the first time, the reality TV star said: “I had a break-up so I needed to focus on myself. It happened right at the start of lockdown. It was tough.
“Everyone says time’s a healer, and you don’t believe it in the moment.
“I don’t think I’d ever felt heartbroken before.”
He told Vicky Pattison’s The Secret To . . . podcast: “A couple of weeks down the line, you start thinking about it less and less as each day passes.
“Next thing, good as gold. My manager was a shoulder to cry on.
“Lockdown has been good for me in that sense. People who know you, when you say you’re fine, they can see it in your face that you’re not. But everyone says, ‘You’re back to yourself now’.”
Meanwhile, Jesy and her bandmates have confirmed they are teaming up with Compare The Market’s Meerkat Music for a concert at Knebworth House, Herts, as I revealed on Tuesday.
The gig will be broadcast on YouTube on August 21.
Perrie Edwards said: “We’re really excited to be able to perform together as a band for the first time in a while.”
bizbit
GIRLS Aloud are all in contact amid plans for a 2022 reunion.
Kimberley Walsh said: “I speak to Cheryl Tweedy and Nicola Roberts anyway but I’ve been in touch with Nadine Coyle and Sarah Harding too.”
Ava is black in front
OFF the back of three hit singles in 18 months, Ava Max has announced her debut album Heaven & Hell.
The record will be out on September 18, featuring her breakout No1 single Sweet But Psycho as well as follow-up tracks So Am I and Kings & Queens, which both reached the Top 20.
Ava, posing here in skimpy combat gear, said: “I have been dreaming of this day for so long.”
Tonight she released yet another tune from the album, Who’s Laughing Now, all about getting away from a nasty ex.
She sings: “Pushed me to the edge, now it’s over. Shutting off the hate, get closure. This will be dust when I’m older.”
That ex will be kicking himself now.
Art of singles
ARTIST Morgan Howell has released a book featuring 95 of his paintings, showcasing his interpretations of some of the most famous 7in singles.
The publication includes artwork from musicians including The Who, Pink Floyd, the Stones and Shirley Bassey.
Each painting is accompanied by words from famous fans.
Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder, who proudly wrote a piece for David Bowie’s Life On Mars, joked: “This is the first record I ever owned that I hadn’t stolen, that’s how much it meant to me.”
The book, Morgan Howell At 45RPM, is available for pre-order now.
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Instaglam
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Drinks on you, Lewis
LEWIS Capaldi’s bank balance has had another major boost.
I told earlier this month how he had raked in £900,000 from sales of his music, but the Someone You Loved singer also made a whopping £1.6million from touring – meaning he earned a total of £2.5million in the 12 months up to last September.
The new figures were lodged through his company Face Like Thunder Touring.
It shows just how quickly his profile has soared as he had net assets of just £16,500 last year.
In April 2019 he joked about his bank balance on Instagram after discovering Google had his net worth as $10million (£7.7million).
He wrote: “I have less than £200 in my bank right now so who the f*** has my $10million?”
Drinks are on you now, Lew, but with concerts looking unlikely for the rest of 2020, I doubt he will be making the same bumper figures this year.
Kendall’s expensive soak
KENDALL Jenner has splashed out on a bathtub costing a whopping £40,000.
The supermodel gave fans a glimpse inside her newly renovated Los Angeles mansion, including her opulent bathroom with marble countertops, walk- in shower and the piece de resistance – a gold, freestanding bathtub.
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She told Architectural Digest mag of the gaff she bought for £6.5million in 2017: “I like a house that has character. When I walked into this place I was immediately drawn to the peaceful Spanishy, farmhousey vibe.”
She said: “I get a lot of love for my gold tub. I’d say at least three times a week I’m in this tub. It’s my favourite ever.”
That’s a hell of a price to spend for a soak.
bizmeter
- Rihanna has insisted she is always working on music but refuses to release it just because her fans are urging her to. She said: “When I am ready to put it out in the way that I feel fit, it’s gonna come out. And you’re not going to be disappointed when it happens. It’s going to be worth it.”
- Sam Smith has released new song My Oasis, featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy. Sam cancelled the May release of third album To Die For after deciding the title was insensitive at a time of pandemic. My Oasis is the singer’s first new music since Demi Lovato collaboration I’m Ready in April.
- Game of Thrones actors Lena Headey, and Maisie Williams have reunited to make a music video for French producer Madeon’s song Miracle. Lena directs and recruited Maisie to star in it. Madeon said: “They focused on the drama of the music and made a beautiful video.”
- Lewis Hamilton has finally said he is the secret collaborator on Christina Aguilera track Pipe, two years after it was released. F1 ace Lewis, named as XNDA on the tune, said: “I’ve spent the last ten years working with some of the most talented and beautiful people, which I’m so grateful for.”
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