X Factor goes Stateside: Cher Lloyd and One Direction meet up in LA as they plot their plans for the future

By Sarah Bull



X Factor goes Stateside: Cher Lloyd and One Direction meet up at The Grove in Los Angeles


They became the most famous teenagers in the country when they appeared on The X Factor last year.

But it seems Cher Lloyd and boyband One Direction aren't content with fame in their home country.

Both Cher, 17, and the boys have descended on Los Angeles, in the hope of making a career for themselves Stateside.


Cher, who has been in America for the past two weeks, met up with One Direction - Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson - at famous LA shopping spot The Grove for a spot of retail therapy yesterday.

Their reunion comes as it is reported the boys recently received a £2million investment from mentor Simon Cowell's record label Syco, on top of the £8,000 each they already received when they signed with Syco.

And while they will repay the majority of that £2million through record sales, the investment shows Cowell is confident of the group's success.

A source told the Sun: 'One Direction are in the States to meet top producers and songwriters before they start recording material for their debut album. Even The X Factor finalist usually waits nearly a year to release their material but Simon is keen to get One Direction cracking.

'They are getting stuck in and will put out a first single this spring. Then they will hear the cash register chime.'

But while One Direction have a bright future ahead of them, Cher has apparently got off to a rocky start with her career.

The teenager has allegedly been demanding to bring her own 'swagger' to her songs, asking to be allowed to record more 'urban' tracks.

A source said last week: ‘You’d think Cher would just be happy for the chance, but she’s told Simon she wants to do it her own way. She’s thrown a few heavy-duty tantrums and is, frankly, being a bit of a pain.

‘You have to admire such self-­confidence in a young girl, but she’s no respecter of authority and she’s had run-ins with a few people.’

However, while Cher might have angered some people with her at times difficult attitude, it is widely believed she is destined to become a success - both in the UK and in the States.


Heartthrobs: One Direction performing on The X Factor last year


Quirky: Cher, seen here performing on The X Factor, is also tipped for a successful future in the music industry


But before launching their own careers, both Cher and One Direction have commitments with the X Factor tour which starts on February 19th.

Katie Waissel, Paije Richardson, Mary Byrne, Wagner, Rebecca Ferguson, Matt Cardle and Aiden Grimshaw will also feature in the tour.


Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Who's that girl? Annie Lennox's daughter Tali unveiled as face of Julien Macdonald's new High Street line

By Tamara Abraham



Potential: Tali Lennox has been unveiled as the new face of Diamond by Julien Macdonald at Debenhams


Her mother may be the world-famous recording artist, but 17-year-old Tali Lennox already looks set to become a star in her own right.

The teenager, who is the daughter of Annie Lennox and Uri Fruchtmann, is already carving a successful career as a model, and was unveiled today as the face of Julien Macdonald's latest range for Debenhams.

And as the most outspoken judge on Britain's Next Top Model, Macdonald certainly knows potential when he sees it.


Tali, who has walked the catwalk for Prada, Burberry and Missoni, looks stunning in the collection, which is predominantly eveningwear.

With her hair in Eighties-style waves, she models asymmetric minidresses in black and punchy orange, as well as military-inspired shorts and jackets.

One LBD, which is sure to prove a hit with shoppers at Debenhams, features an oversized corsage that would put Carrie Bradshaw to shame.

Tali has also been tipped to become one of the new faces of Burberry. If the rumours are true, she will follow in the footsteps of Emma Watson and Kate Moss, and joining a line-up that includes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.


Face value: The 17-year-old daughter of music legend Annie Lennox wears an Eighties-style hairdo to model military-inspired shorts and a punchy orange asymmetric dress


In an interview earlier this month she spoke of her passion for music and fashion: 'I never expected I'd be doing [modelling]. However, I've always been very interested in and inspired by fashion. When I was younger, I used to want to be a fashion designer.

'I don't know how long I'll be modelling. But I'm not afraid of the day it ends, because I'm looking forward to focusing more on my real passions which lie in creativity.

'I always enjoyed singing at school. I had lessons, did grades and sang in the choir for years.

I'm not sure if I'd ever pursue it. My voice is a bit low and husky - not the same calibre of that of my mum's or my sister Lola's, who has an exceptional gift for singing.


Glamourous: Tali, right, with her mother, Annie Lennox, and sister Lola, who is a budding singer


'But I love music, so if the chance arose I wouldn't necessarily shy away from it.'

Diamond by Julien Macdonald is set to be a younger sister line to the exisiting Star by Julien Macdonald collection.

Debenhams describes it as: 'Flirty, fun, shorter, tighter and lower cut!
'Diamond is Julien’s signature glamorous, sexy style has been realised through glitzy flattering party pieces, perfect for a night out on the town.'

Diamond by Julien Macdonald starts at £22, and launches on Feb 1 in 40 Debenhams stores nationwide.


Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Cake factor: X Factor star Katie Waissel ends 25th birthday party with a massive food fight

By Jody Thompson



Birthday with a bang: Katie Waissel shows off her 25th birthday cake at London's Proud last night - complete with fireworks


Katie Waissel was rocking the punk look as she celebrated her 25th birthday last night - while brandishing a huge cake that she also ended up wearing.

The X Factor star had on black leather waistcoat covered in safety pins, a ripped black t-shirt that showed off her black bra, bondage-style tights and her favourite fringed black ankle boots.

Katie revealed on her Twitter account that the outfit had come from Top Shop - and also that the night out at London's trendy Proud had descended into a food fight.


She revealed that she and her friends ended up flinging red velvet birthday cake from London's Hummingbird Bakery at each other.

According to the Hummingbird Bakery, the £50 cake is a 'deep red vanilla confection, with a light taste of chocolate, topped with cream cheese frosting' - but made no mention of serving suggestions.

However, Katie decided on her own and wrote today on her Twitter following her night out: 'Covered in cake. :-/'


Rock on: Katie dances on the table amongst the drinks and birthday presents


Write caption here


Unsurprisingly however, her X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole was nowhere to be seen at her party, which saw Katie dancing on the table.

Katie revealed earlier this week that the Girls Aloud star hadn't called her since the show finished.

She told this week's Now magazine: 'I'd love to catch up with Cheryl over a glass of wine and have a girly chat, it would be fun.'


Tease: Katie gives a friend a taste of her cake as opposed to her singing


Sparks: The birthday girl gets help from a friend to hold up with cake, complete with fireworks


Once she's washed all the cake crumbs out of her hair meanwhile, Katie will be gearing up for the X Factor tour.

It kicks off on 19 February at the Birmingham LG Arena and also features One Direction, Paije Richardson, Mary Byrne, Wagner, Rebecca Ferguson, Matt Cardle, Cher Lloyd and Aiden Grimshaw.


Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher join Brazilian football superstar Ronaldo for dinner in Sao Paulo

By Daily Mail Reporter



New friends: Ashton Kutcher joined Brazilian football star Ronaldo at an event he hosted to kick off Sao Paulo Fashion Week last night


Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher received a very warm welcome after touching down in Sao Paulo, Brazil, yesterday.

Just a few hours after jetting in from from Los Angeles, the couple attended a party hosted by Brazilian football star Ronaldo to kick of Sao Paulo Fashion Week.

The dinner party, held at Dom restaurant, was attended by a host of local celebrities as well as the Hollywood superstar couple.


Late dinner: The couple headed to the event at Dom restaurant


Wearing matching check shirts, Demi and Ashton pushed their way through crowds of local media and fans as they made their way from the car into the restaurant escorted by security.

The part host, Ronaldo, arrived a few minutes later accompanied by his girlfriend Bia Anthony.

Earlier today Demi tweeted: 'Loving being back in Brazil.'

The A-list couple spent last week in the snowfields at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, before jetting out to South America yesterday.


It's a family affair: Demi and Ashton jetted out to Brazil from LAX yesterday, accompanied by Demi's daughter Tallulah Belle


They were joined by Demi's youngest daughter, 16-year-old Tallulah Belle.

Demi is accompanying her husband who will be taking a turn on the catwalk this weekend modelling winter designs for the Colcci label.

Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen will also model for Colcci during the shows, which starts today and runs through until Wednesday.


Airport or catwalk? both husband and wife looked fashionable for their flight


Source:Dailymail

Read more!

'Having children is the most important thing in my life,' reveals Christine Bleakley

By Sarah Fitzmaurice



Feeling broody: Christine revealed that she wants to be a mother and said that children were the most important thing in her life


First she donned a huge wedding dress and now Christine Bleakley has revealed she is desperate for children saying becoming a mother is the most important goal in her life.

The 31-year-old presenter outlined her strong desire to have children on Daybreak discussing a Daily Mail article regarding the fertility of women as they age.

The debate was centred on warnings from doctors that women at 35-years-old are six times more likely to have fertility problems than women aged 25-years-old and Christine stated that having children was her highest priority in her life.


She said: ‘For me, I’m 31, I don’t have babies. And for me, having children is the biggest and most important thing I’m ever going to do in my life.’

‘It’s not about my career, it’s not about your job or anything else, it’s about that.’

With Christine reaching the age where her fertility could cause problems when trying to conceive children she was adamant she wanted children.


It's all about children: Christine told fellow presenter Dan Lobb and guests that her highest priority was having children


Group discussion: Christine was talking about the Daily Mail on the Daybreak when she made her revelations


The news may see boyfriend Frank Lampard heading for the hills as the revelations could turn up the pressure on their relationship.

Earlier in the week Christine donned a huge wedding frock on her TV show and was the first to quip that Frank might have been freaked out by her appearance and said he was ‘currently running a mile’.

The dress was in fact a mock up of a dress worn on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding which documents the wedding customs of traveller people.


What do you think Frank? Christine tried on a huge Gypsy-style wedding dress on Daybreak earlier in the week


But the sheer sight of her in the wedding frock could have been her way of sending a not-so-subtle message to Frank about her intentions.

While Christine made light of Frank’s possible reaction speculation about an impending engagement have been swirling around the couple for some time, since she moved into Lampard's London home.

The couple have both spoken about their contented home life, and a source told the Daily Mail recently that Lampard has told friends that she is 'absolutely the girl for him


Happy couple: Christine and Frank attended the National Tv Awards earlier this week and looked happy and together on the red carpet


And while marriage could be on the cards soon, Christine did outline that she isn't quite ready for children.

She said: ‘I just don’t feel quite ready to do it yet. I don’t feel ready to sort of have that role.’

When it was put to Christine that at 31, she’s still quite young, Christine replied: ‘It is, well yes, but you know suddenly, you’re 35 in a flash and it’s just the timing doesn’t feel quite right and yet I still want children, so.’

Christine and Frank, who has already has two daughters with former fiancee Elen Rivas, have been together for just over a year.


Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Whoops! Chris Evans doesn't look too impressed after Vanessa Feltz crashes into his £300,000 Ferrari

By Sarah Bull



Fender bender: Chris Evans was stunned when he saw the damage on his £300,000 Ferrari, which Vanessa Feltz had crashed into earlier in the day


He's a proud collector of Ferraris, and has a fleet of the luxury cars to choose from when he heads out for the day.

But Chris Evans may have been left regretting his decision to take his £300,000 Ferrari 599 GTO for a spin this morning, after a fender bender which left the vehicle scratched and damaged.

However, rather than a unaware member of the public causing the damage, the guilty party was actually fellow radio DJ Vanessa Feltz, who accidentally backed her white mini into the Ferrari twice as she pulled out of a tight spot in the car park after finishing her Radio 2 show.


Accident: Evans' silver and yellow 599 GTO is a very rare supercar


Evans, 44, tried to hide his shock as he clapped eyes on the silver and yellow super-car, which had huge scratchmarks on the front bumper.

Apparently, Feltz remained completely unaware about what she had done, and headed home after the minor crash.

Evans is such a fan of the Italian supercars that he has a vast collection of the vehicles.

In the summer last year, Evans splashed out on a £12million Ferrari 250 GT to celebrate the success of his show on Radio 2.

The father-of-one posted a photograph of the red car on his Twitter page after he found out his breakfast show had pulled in more listeners than previous host Sir Terry Wogan.

He took delivery of the Ferrari 250 GTO and then posted a picture of the sought-after 1960s classic, tweeting the caption 'The new one has arrived.'

The car, described as the 'Leonardo da Vinci of motoring', would have cost £6,000 when it was new in 1963. Only 36 were ever made.

Evans had a busy morning after interviewing Elton John on his radio show.


Close call: Vanessa backed into Evans' Ferrari as she left the Radio 2 car park this morning


But the Rocket Man singer was left red-faced after accidentally saying the f-word live on air, and apologised later for saying 'that naughty word'.

Later, Evans wrote on his official blog: 'Wonderful to chat to Elton John this morning. A bundle of fun and a ton of talent. Always happy to talk about anything. He is both a superstar and a fan - the perfect combination. He loves what he does and loves the other people that do it too.

'You gotta have your projects! They keep you going. Elton John is the personification of that philosophy. I have a treasure chest of respect for him. He has been to the dark side and back, and lived to sing the tale.'


Famous friends: Evans with Elton John on his Radio 2 show this morning


Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Feeling the pinch, Wayne? £200k-a-week Rooney saves his cash and gives his car a vinyl wrap makeover

By Georgina Littlejohn



Improved but not so new: Wayne Rooney shows off his old Range Rover that has gone from silver to white courtesy of a vinyl wrap


With many of us still feeling the post-Christmas pinch, buying a new car wouldn't even be a possibility.

But for a man who earns £200,000 a week, surely it wouldn't even the slightest dent in his overstuffed wage packet?

In fact, Wayne Rooney could buy a whole fleet of new Range Rovers with all the trimmings with the ridiculous amount of money he earns.


But times must be hard for the Manchester United striker who instead of splashing out on a new motor, had his old one recovered in a new colour instead.

The England star was snapped arriving for training today in what looked like a brand new white Range Rover.

But on closer inspection, it was in fact his old £150,000 ride which had been given a gleaming new makeover, courtesy of the latest celebrity craze - vinyl wrapping.


Looks ok to us! Coleen pictured with the old colour of the Range Rover before it got its vinyl bling


Wayne, 24, bought the car in silver in 2009 and had it souped-up by Overfinch, a company that specialises in enhancing Range Rovers and customising bodywork and mechanicals.

Clearly deciding he was bored with the colour, he took it back to the company and had them perform a vinyl wrap on the car, which, according to the experts, is better than respraying.

Rooney follows in the footsteps of Formula One star Jenson Button, footballer David Beckham and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who have all had their cars covered in vinyl.


Buffed and ready: David Beckham has his Porsche vinyl wrapped in matt black


But Blackburn Rovers forward El Hadji Diouf went one step further and had his Mercedes McLaren SLR vinyl wrapped in mirrored chrome, along with a red interior and black wheels.

Mainly a craze that is popular among the Hollywood gentry, Vehicle graphic specialists, Creative FX have brought the fad to the UK.

And director Chris Pook said he has been asked to wrap everything from family hatchbacks to vans and explained why it was much better for the vehicle.


Chef's delight: Gordon Ramsay followed in his friend Beckham's footsteps and had his Range Rover vinyl wrapped in matt black


He said: 'People are choosing vinyl wraps over other more permanent alternatives, as they allow you to have fun with your vehicle, without any long-lasting effects.

'A re-spray is forever and can reduce the value of a car, whereas a wrap is quick and easy to remove, so you can return your vehicle to its original colour whenever you want.'


Batman of Blackburn: Rovers player El Hadji Diouf shows off his metallic vinyl wrap on his Mercedes Benz


Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Is this the most ill-advised pop comeback ever? B*Witched twins look like cheap Lady Gagas for attempted chart return

By Georgina Littlejohn


Scroll down for the video...


They're back: Edele and Keavey have reunited and are now called Barbarella


They were the sweet and sickly girl group that topped the UK charts several times in the late 90s but then disappeared without trace a few years later.

But nine years after they split, B*Witched have pulled themselves out of the 'where are they now' file and are back with a new look, a new name - and two less members.

However, their attempt to reign the pop charts once again could be set to fail before it has even started, if today's TV appearance was anything to go by.


Twins Keavy and Edele Lynch appeared on Lorraine Kelly's show this morning reformed - without former members Lindsey Armaou and Sinead O'Carroll - as a two-piece called Barbarella.

And keeping the sci-fi theme, the 32-year-olds were dressed in white bodysuits, silver cropped jackets and cropped bobbed wigs.

But as one observer put it, they looked more like 'Primark Lady Gaga' then possibly the cool and cutting edge look they were probably striving for.


Desperate? Or determined? The former B*Witched twins are back as duo Barbarella and appeared - in space age Gaga attire - in Lorraine Kelly's show to promote their debut single


The twins, who are the younger sisters of Boyzone and Coronation Street star Shane, are set to release their debut single Body Rock on Monday.

They performed the single on the show for Fiona Phillips, who was sitting in for Lorraine, with three half naked male dancers.


Sisterly strut: Keavy and Edele perform their new single in the studio - complete with semi-naked male dancers


Space age: The girls tried to emulate Lady Gaga in their bodysuits and cropped bobbed wigs


But long-gone was the saccharine fresh-faced 23-year-old chart-toppers of the late 90s that sold-out concerts and also became a success across the Pond in the United States.

Instead, the two girls just looked sad and desperate, their performance looking far too amateur from a duo who have had years of experience in the industry.


We're back! The girls make their presence known in their music video


Before they sang, they spoke to Phillips about their time away from the charts and said they were shocked when they were dropped without warning by their record label in 2002.

But while Edele threw herself into her work, writing songs for Girls Aloud and Sugababes, it hit Keavy hard and she sunk into depression.

But having bounced back after seeking much-needed help, she said it didn't put her off returning to the charts.


Not so sweet anymore: The girls ditch the denim for skin-tight suits


Keavy said: 'So many people ask us why we're doing it again and we've always loved music, we've been writing songs since we were teenagers, it's about the love of music for us.'

And they said their older brother has been very supportive of their comeback - even if his manager, X Factor judge Louis Walsh isn't.

Edele said: 'Louis doesn't like to promote bands that aren't his own. So when our names come up naturally in conversation about Wonderland, an Irish girl band, he goes, "oh please!".

'But maybe he's not trying to shake off the B*Witched image - that's our job!'


Chart cuties: B*Witched - with former members Lindsay Armaou and Sinéad O'Carroll - in an early photo shoot in 1998







Source:Dailymail

Read more!

'They seem nice... but unelected bodies are a problem for me,' The King's Speech star Colin Firth reveals anti-monarchist views

By Daily Mail Reporter



The King's interview: Oscar nominee Colin Firth joined Piers Morgan on his new CNN chat show


He has just been announced as one of the nominee's for Best Actor at this years Oscars.

But despite his award-winning role as the last King of England in the movie The King's Speech, Colin Firth has revealed he is actually anti-monarchist.

The 50-year-old star is due to appear on Piers Morgan's new CNN chat show Piers Morgan Tonight on Saturday night and during the pre-taped interview he admitted to preferring a government he actually gets to vote for.


When asked directly by Piers if he thinks the insitution of the monarchy is a good one the actor initially hesitates joking: 'I think they seem very nice.'

He then relents after some pushing from Piers and admits 'I really like voting. It’s one of my favourite things.'

'So, an unelected institution isn’t really your cup of tea?' asks the host to which Colin responded 'It’s a problem for me, yeah…unelected bodies'.


Oscar nod: Colin, seen alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush, in The King's Speech


The actor is outspoken about his political beliefs, and recently declared that he had ended his public allegiance with the Lib Dems after becoming disillusioned with the party.

He denounced the Lib Dems' decision to switch policy on tuition fees, which he said, 'Made it difficult for us who thought progressive politics would be the way forward.'

Firth was guest editor on BBC Radio 4's Today in December, and commissioned a segment researching whether brain shape dictates political allegiance.

He quipped that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg should be subjected to a brain scan.

During the programme the actor admitted that the coalition made him 'extremely uneasy.'


Outspoken: Firth is open about his political views and recently ended his support for the Lib Dems after becoming 'disillusioned'


He did not, however, rule out supporting the party again in the future: 'I would have to see what identity they took on because I don't recognise them at the moment,' he said.

'I think all three parties are in a state of re-evaluation.'

Colin is the favourite to win the Best Actor Academy Award at next months Oscars with the film leading the field with a total of 12 nominations including ones for Best Picture and Best Screenplay.

Both of Colin's co-stars, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush were also both nominated in their respective supporting categories.

In the film, Colin plays King George VI who suffered from a stammer.
Firth won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie earlier this month.





Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Here comes the 'femiman' bride: Jean Paul Gaultier's male muse is the star of the Couture (and menswear) show

By Maysa Rawi



Boys will be girls: Male model Andrej Pejic was Jean Paul Gaultier's bride at yesterday's Couture show in Paris


With a supermodel figure, full lips and high cheekbones, no one could argue that Jean Paul Gaultier's choice for the Couture show finale made a beautiful bride.

But it may come as a surprise to the audience that the French designer's new muse - a male model - also featured in his menswear show a week earlier.

Serbian-born Andrej Pejic is part of the new wave of 'femiman' models.


James Blond: The model also starred in Gaultier's menswear show last week, inspired by James Bond


Displaying physical traits of both sexes, the androgynous mannequins make for versatile looks on the runway - and headline news off it.

The 19-year-old, who fled war-torn Serbia to live in Australia, is also the face of Marc Jacobs and has appeared in numerous campaigns including French and Italian Vogue.

He was discovered by the Matthew Anderson, the director of Chadwick Models in Melbourne.

Anderson told the Sydney Morning Herald: 'His beauty was extraordinary.

'He's also intelligent and it's amazing, really, that he's just so comfortable in his own skin.'

And Andrej, who also stars in Gaultier's campaign where he shares a kiss with supermodel Karolina Kurkova, certainly enjoys playing dress up.

He told WWD: 'I may as well push it to the limits.

'I wouldn't dress this way if I didn't have fun with it.'

It is clear androgyny chic is having a fashion moment.

Transsexual model Leah T shot to fame after being discovered by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci.

She went on to pose for Vogue and most recently was pictured on the cover of Love magazine locking lips with Kate Moss.


So it comes as no surprise that Jean Paul Gaultier, no stranger to controversy, has joined the trend.

Of his Bond-themed menswear show, he said: 'James Bond is an icon of masculinity, so much so that he’s become a sort of sex object — just like the Bond girls he’s seducing.'

Pejic walked to the Bond theme tune 'Goldfinger' and clearly, sporting cascading waves and high heels, was more Bond girl than spy - or 'James Blond' - as he has been referred to by Gaultier himself.


It's in his kiss: Supermodel Karolina Kurkova and Petric lock lips for the new Gaultier campaign


Muse: Andrej and Gaultier share a moment on the catwalk



Source:Dailymail

Read more!

Outrage as picture of Elton John's baby is covered with shield by U.S. supermarket to 'protect children'

By Daily Mail Reporter


-Store claims 'several' shoppers complained about photograph
-Gay rights campaigners furious at move


Protective shield: Elton John and his newborn son were deemed too offensive for young shoppers at a grocery store in Arkansas, U.S.


A U.S. supermarket sparked outrage today after it covered with a 'family shield' a magazine showing a picture of Elton John, his husband and their newborn baby.

The Arkansas store deemed the image of the gay couple and their child, on the front of Us Weekly, to be offensive.

Staff say complaints from shoppers prompted them to cover the magazine with the 'shield' - the same method used to cover pornographic magazines.

The move today triggered fury among gay rights campaigners.


Uncovered: Elton John and his husband of five years David Furnish proudly showed off their baby son Zachary Jackson Levi Furnish John who was born via a surrogate mother on Christmas Day


The magazine cover shows Elton and his husband David Furnish, 48, proudly showing off their baby Zachary Jackson Levi Furnish John who was born on Christmas Day via a surrogate mother.

The Harps grocery store in Mountain Home, Arkansas even wrapped last week's edition of the magazine in a protective plastic shield to stop youngsters flicking through it.

Only the very top of the magazine was visible, with the cover reading: 'Family shield. To protect young Harps shoppers.'

The move has sparked outrage among representatives from GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).


Star: Sir Elton joined Chris Evans on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show this morning
Local resident Jennifer Huddleston took a photo of the shield and posted it on Plixi.


'This was taken at my local grocery store,' she wrote. 'I was shocked and horrified.

'They are saying they need to keep children from seeing it, because it is a gay family.'

Ms Huddleston then tweeted Anderson Cooper, Kathy Griffin, Ellen DeGeneres, The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the ACLU and a number of other gay rights activists.

The picture immediately sparked controversy across the blogosphere.


Proud fathers: But photos of Elton John and partner David Furnish 'offended' shoppers in the U.S.


But a company spokesperson defended the shield, saying Harps bosses reacted in response to 'several' customer complaints at that particular store.

He insisted the move was 'in no way our opinion on this issue', adding, 'we do not have an opinion on this issue.'

But others were quick to complain about the shield, with many urging a boycott of the chain.

Even international news outlets carried the story.

Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail wrote: 'Heaven forbid your seven-year-old, while waiting in line with you at the grocery store checkout, be exposed to the gays.'


And British paper the Sun wrote: 'Either Elton's baby is in some way offensive or there's some serious homophobia going on here.'

After receiving a plethora of complaints, the store management have taken action and un-censored the magazine.

'In this case our store manager received some complaints and, as has been our custom, placed the shield over the cover of the magazine', said Kim Eskew, president of Harps Food Stores Inc.

'When we began receiving complaints at our corporate office, we reivewed the magazine in question, removed the shield and are selling the magazine in all our locations today without any shield', Ms Eskew added.

The shields are usually placed over adult magazines with racy covers.

'Our true intention is not to offend anyone in our stores and this incident happened at just one of our 65 locations, which when brought to our attention we reversed', Ms Eskew said in a written statement.

On its blog, a GLAAD spokesman said the shield should ‘never have been put up in the first place’, adding: ‘Obviously, someone felt that shoppers should not have to look at this smiling, happy couple and their newborn baby.’

Just last week Elton John publicly bemoaned feeling like a 'second-class citizen' in the U.S. because of his sexuality and said he was 'fed-up' about it.

During a performance at a Beverly Hills fundraiser to help the legal challenge to California's gay marriage back Elton said: 'As I get older, I get more angry about it'.

Elton and his husband David Furnish have been together for 17 years and were married in a lavish ceremony in 2005.

He recently shared how he is coping with life with a new baby.

'Fatherhood is fantastic', he said. 'It's been the most wonderful thing that's happened to me after meeting David'.

He said that being a dad is 'surprisingly relaxing'.

'This little soul that you're feeding, changing, bathing and telling bedtime stories to is a blank canvas', Elton shared.

'And all it needs is love and nurturing. When he gets to talking and running around, I will probably feel a little different.'



Source:Dailymail

Read more!