n their new book, the rugged leading man and his wife, Anne, reflect on the iconic moment when he and Brigitte Bardot paired up for the quintessential beach photo, but behind the scenes, he was falling love with the festival’s head of protocol.

The 1953 photos of Kirk Douglas and Brigitte Bardot frolicking on the beach — semi-spontaneous, semi-staged — captured the combination of American masculinity and European sexiness that defined post-World War II cinema and were seen around the world. Despite his obvious affection for Bardot, Douglas, then 36, was falling in love with Anne Buydens, then 34, who had just joined Cannes as the head of protocol. In this excerpt from their new joint memoir, Kirk and Anne: Letters of Love, Laughter, and a Lifetime in Hollywood, the pair, who married in 1954, recall meeting in Paris in early 1953 and their time together at Cannes that year.

ANNE My friend Anatole Litvak, the director of Act of Love, convinced me to meet with Kirk, who was anxious to hire a bilingual assistant who could also handle his personal publicity. Kirk had already gotten quite a reputation in his first few weeks in town. The press had dubbed him “Le Brute Cheri,” the darling brute, and he was photographed with a succession of stunning women. I was sure this would be a courtesy interview. I had signed a three-year contract to handle protocol for the Cannes International Film Festival starting in April.

KIRK I was fascinated by the lovely young Parisienne who sat in my dressing room, her slim ankles crossed under her a la mode blue suit. Within minutes, I offered her the job. She took only seconds to turn me down in her impeccable English. I was not used to rebuffs. A few hours later, in my most seductive tones, I called Anne to invite her to dinner at the romantic La Tour d’Argent. “Thank you, but I’m tired. I will just make some scrambled eggs and stay in tonight,” said the voice on the other end of the phone. I was shocked and annoyed. I was determined to change her mind— at least about the job. I sent emissaries: Litvak, Irwin Shaw — Act of Love‘s screenwriter who remembered her from The Young Lions — and Anne’s friend, [photographer] Robert Capa. She finally agreed to work with me on a trial basis, making it clear our relationship would be strictly business. We spent a lot of time together. Anne was efficient and had a wicked sense of humor. Everyone liked her — much more than they liked me! We often spoke in French, which I was studying. With no romance in the picture, I stopped talking about myself and trying to impress Anne. Instead, I began to listen to her. She had told me very little about her background; I didn’t even know that she spent her early years in Hitler’s Germany.

ANNE Kirk was invited to the annual charity gala at the Cirque d’Hiver, the famous Winter Circus. He wanted me to accompany him. We had been working through the afternoon at his lovely apartment near the Bois de Boulogne when he started asking me questions about my life. I was always reluctant to talk about myself, particularly as so much of my past was painful. Kirk was an attentive listener, and I found myself being very honest. I even opened up about my rift with my father. We talked for hours. I had a strange feeling in my heart that I could fall in love with this man. I didn’t want to, because I had seen too many young women enter into intense affairs with visiting movie stars — Dean Martin, Marlon Brando and Cary Grant among them. Then the film wrapped and the men returned to their wives and families. At the circus, the producers spotted Kirk coming in. “You must participate.” I took my seat, wondering what he would do with no preparation. After the elephants left the arena, there was the tuxedoed Kirk — the popular Brute Cheri — pushing a giant pooper-scooper of a broom across the ring to great hilarity. How could I resist a man who could laugh at himself? We went back to his place for a nightcap, which turned into something more.

Cannes’ 70 Most Memorable Stunts, Stars, Fights and Iconic Moments

KIRK As things became more serious with Anne, I warned her not to expect a commitment. I was secretly engaged to [Italian actress] Pier Angeli, I told her. I could have saved us both a lot of anguish if I had used my new fluency in French to read the movie magazines. Anne knew, but never breathed a word, that Pier was constantly in the news, always with another man at her side. My next picture would be filmed in Italy, so I was sure that would all change. The two producers of Ulysses, Dino de Laurentiis and Carlo Ponti, were going to Cannes in April, and I would meet with them there. They had already hired Anne Buydens to do the unit publicity for the picture.

ANNE I was glad Kirk was in Cannes, though I didn’t have much time for him. In the midst of everything, [Hotel Bel-Air owner] Joe Drown arrived from California and insisted on taking me to dinner. It was a disaster. Joe got drunk and gambled heavily. I left him and called Kirk, who was next door at the Carlton. He had been asleep. “How was your evening?” he asked. I burst into tears. “Just awful … and it’s my birthday.” “I’ll get dressed and take you out,” he said. We went to a small cafe near the beach, and he turned my tears into laughter.

KIRK Ponti invited us to his villa in the hills above Amalfi. We had a wonderful, romantic holiday in an ancient tower that served as their guest quarters. During that magical week, Anne and I would set off in a little rowboat. She would row; I would sing her Italian love songs …

Excerpted with permission from Kirk and Anne: Letters of Love, Laughter, and a Lifetime in Hollywood by Kirk and Anne Douglas with Marcia Newberger by Running Press, May 25, 2017. © The Bryna Co.

The Trinity model, three rings in three different golds, is the most recognizable piece of jewelry from Cartier

Barcelona

Three is the number that resonates the most in Cartier’s history. Three were the founders, Louis, Jacques, and Pierre. Three were the historic boutiques, Paris, London, and New York. And three is the perfect number for the maison and for the detail that changes everything. From that very personal Trinity, that design that boils down to the essentials to capture all the magic. Three rings in three different golds in a communion that makes them extremely discreet yet instantly recognizable. That magical trinity, the most emblematic of the maison, has turned one hundred without losing its appeal. On the contrary. Redefining itself. Seeking and finding its space with new designs and XL versions to become a contemporary icon.

It all began in 1924, when the house released that unique ring linking three mobile rings of platinum, yellow gold, and rose gold in a poetic and technical enigma. The legend has it that Louis Cartier invented that maximum fluidity of the mobile rings (round on the outside, smooth on the inside) that overlap and assemble lightly as a gift for his friend Jean Cocteau.

Yes, but not quite. Because even though the intellectual was one of the first to sport it, it wasn’t designed especially for him. If this design became groundbreaking, it was because Louis Cartier was deeply immersed in that Paris of artistic and cultural effervescence dominated by the aesthetics of Art Deco and giving way to the first outbursts of surrealism. Romy Schneider, Cary Grant, Alain Delon, and Grace Kelly were also great ambassadors of this piece (which was also released as a bracelet) with which Louis Cartier unwittingly introduced the world to unisex fashion.

The brand ‘maison’ has baptized the new square corner shape as Trinity Cojin

If Trinity has never ceased to be an icon and shines with special intensity today, when more than unisex, we are already going for the agender, it is because from its first day it captivated men and women alike.

To celebrate that long history, the maison has redesigned its trinity. In three versions, of course. There is a pendant, bracelet, and ring for this new stage in which the extra size of the 2000s has been recovered in its triple hoop that hides or reveals the diamonds, depending on the game played by the intertwined pieces, and has introduced for the first time a version with rounded corners or in a cushion shape. This new shape is what the artistic director of the firm, Laure Cérède, has named Trinity Cushion. “It seemed ridiculous, impossible to redesign an icon, but that was precisely what drove us.” And there you have it. The icon is more alive than ever and shines brighter than before.

In the later seasons of the iconic TV series “Bewitched,” viewers may have noticed a significant change in the wardrobe choices of the show’s leading lady, Elizabeth Montgomery. Contrary to the fashion norms of the time,

Montgomery’s character, Samantha Stephens, notably eschewed the wearing of a bra in several episodes. While this departure from convention may have raised eyebrows among audiences, there were practical and artistic reasons behind Montgomery’s decision.

For Montgomery, the choice to forgo a bra was not simply a matter of personal preference, but rather a deliberate creative choice made in collaboration with the show’s producers and costume designers. As “Bewitched” evolved and entered its later seasons, the character of Samantha became increasingly associated with themes of liberation and empowerment, mirroring the changing social attitudes of the era. By opting to go braless, Montgomery sought to embody Samantha’s confident and free-spirited nature, challenging traditional notions of femininity and embracing a more natural and relaxed aesthetic.

Moreover, the decision to forego a bra also had practical considerations, as the restrictive undergarments of the time could often prove uncomfortable for actresses during long hours on set. By allowing Montgomery to forgo a bra, the show’s creators aimed to prioritize her comfort and ensure that she could fully embody the character of Samantha without unnecessary constraints.

While Montgomery’s wardrobe choice may have been unconventional for its time, it ultimately served to deepen the character’s complexity and resonate with audiences in a way that reflected the spirit of the times.

Jennifer Esposito, known for her boldness on and off-screen, recently turned heads at a glamorous event with a daring ensemble that left little to the imagination.

The actress’s fearless fashion statement sparked a whirlwind of reactions, showcasing her penchant for pushing boundaries and captivating audiences.

Esposito’s latest move proves once again that she knows how to command attention and keep us all on the edge of our seats.

Michael McGuire, a hardworking coal miner, didn’t let a shift covered in dirt stop him from sharing a special basketball game with his son at the University of Kentucky’s Rupp Arena. The heartwarming scene was captured in a viral photo that struck a chord with none other than University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Coach John Calipari.

During a press conference, Coach Calipari revealed that the photo hit him “right between the eyes.” He took to Twitter to share the poignant image and express why it resounded with him: “My family’s American dream started in a Clarksburg, WV coal mine, so this picture hits home.”

The coach was determined to give the McGuire family a memorable experience, and he reached out to Michael’s wife, Mollie. According to Mollie, her husband is a dedicated and selfless father who frequently makes the effort to spend quality time with their son, even after grueling work shifts. “He’s done this many times,” Mollie conveyed.

Photo Credit: CBS News

Upon connecting with Michael, Calipari discovered that he was willing to forgo a shower and a change of clothes, all to make it to the game with his son. Michael’s commitment to his family left a deep impression on the coach.

“His wish was to be there with his son. That’s what truly mattered,” Calipari affirmed. The coach learned that Michael rushed to the game right after his late shift in the mine, displaying unwavering dedication.

Following the photo’s viral spread, acts of kindness began pouring in. Hotels extended offers for accommodations, restaurants reached out with invitations for dinners, and even a car dealership offered a car to the humble coal miner.

Calipari expressed his admiration for the outpouring of support and recognition Michael received. He underscored the significance of acknowledging hardworking individuals like Michael and commended their values. “Isn’t it wonderful for someone like him, who is a quiet, humble guy, to know that people appreciate him, and we appreciate what he stands for?” Calipari mused.

Drawing a personal connection, Coach Calipari highlighted that his own family’s journey began in a coal mine in Clarksburg, West Virginia. This sense of shared beginnings fueled his determination to ensure that the McGuire family felt valued and appreciated.

Photo Credit: CBS News

Within mere minutes of seeing the viral photo, Calipari made up his mind: “I’m taking care of this guy and his family.” The coach’s gesture reflects a deep-seated appreciation for hardworking individuals who hold family values close to their hearts.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTAs) isn’t shy to famous guests and perhaps the biggest name of anyone in attendance was the Prince of Wales and future King of England, who appeared sad as he discussed his wife’s health.

Prince William’s wife of 13 years, Kate Middleton, recently had abdominal surgery at The London Clinic for undisclosed reasons, and Lady Diana Spencer’s son had no intention of revealing those to the public either.

It normally wouldn’t be an issue as the Royal Family are very secretive about health but, in a stark contrast, King Charles III was very open about his own prostate surgery and then his diagnosis of an unrelated cancer.

“I’ve seen less than ever,” Prince William said, on how many films he has watched. “With my wife it’s been a bit… But I hope we catch up, I’ll make my list tonight.”

Why all the hush?

Middleton simply may not want her private affairs to be known to everyone in the world, which is a reasonable request made by many normal people too, but it hasn’t stopped conspiracies and questions flying around…

The only thing we know thus far is that it is not cancer, Kensington Palace made that very clear. Nonetheless, many suspect it could be Crohn’s Disease, a hysterectomy or surgery to handle avid refluxes following the delivery of three children in the last decade.

Whatever the reason, it knocked the future Queen off her feet as she needed her entire immediate family to rally around her and to look after her children, George, Charlotte and Louis.

That included her husband who stepped back from official royal duties for a brief period, whilst Middleton is expected to return to hers after Easter once she is back to a full recovery.

Pauley Perrette has been a familiar face to TV viewers since 2003, when she was cast as goth-attired forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on NCIS. While Abby spent years helping the team capture make-believe cr!!minals, Biography pointed out that Perrette herself, ironically, earned a masters degree in criminology with an eye toward fighting crime in real life. However, Perrette was bitten by the acting bug instead.

After appearing in TV commercials for the likes of Volkswagen and Sprint, in 1996 Perrette landed a recurring role in legal drama M..ur..der One (using the moniker Pauley P. at the time). That exposure led to more TV work, making her debut as a series regular in the short-lived sitcom That’s Life. Further screen credits include such movies as Almost Famous and My First Mister, as well as another series regular role starring opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jennifer Garner in the Party of Five spinoff Time of Your Life – before she was ultimately cast in her life-changing NCIS role.

Despite being one of TV’s most popular stars for well over a decade, there’s much that fans may not know about this multitalented, multifaceted performer. Read on to discover the untold truth of Pauley Perrette. Pauley Perrette spent years as TV’s most-liked female star

The popularity of everything from consumer products to entertainers is measured by Q Scores. Compiling its data from consumer surveys, the company is considered to be “the recognized industry standard” when it comes to measuring how consumers respond to various celebrities, utilizing a scoring system to rate stars’ appeal.

According to Entertainment Weekly, when the company released its January/February 2010 Performer Q study, Pauley Perrette wound up with an enviable score of 43 points. In the years since, Perrette continued to be a Q score champion. According to The Wrap, by 2018 her score had risen to 44 — impressive, considering that the average score for a female television star was just 21. The next-highest score for a television actress at that time was Empire’s Taraji P. Henson, with 36 points — certainly higher than average, but a full eight points behind Perrette. Perrette’s high Q score no doubt had something to do with NCIS being the world’s most-watched TV series for eight consecutive years. The irony, however, was that the 2018 Q score was released after she’d announced she was quitting the show, and just days before her final episode aired. Pauley Perrette has appeared in a ton of music videos 

Pauley Perrette, best known for her role as Abby Sciuto on “NCIS,” has sparked intrigue with her latest romantic interest.

Iconic Cher was noticed with her boyfriend who is 40 years younger than her

Recently, the Hollywood diva was caught accompanied with her new young boyfriend who turned out to be

Believe it or not, forty years younger than Cher.

As we all can clearly see, the iconic celebrity doesn’t waste her time.

“He actually looks like her grandchild”, “Can’t she perceive that he only needs her money and nothing else?”, “The world is turning upside down”, “The diva, frankly saying, looks stunning at her age”.

“She is simply a goddess!”, “The second Madonna”, “What is going on there?”.

Share your opinion in the comment section!

Did you like the unusual couple?

On her Instagram page, her family shared the sad news that Alley had lost her fight with cancer.

Not long after that, her family released a lengthy statement with more details about Kirsties’ last hours alive – and it was a heartbreaking read.

Kirstie Alley became a star through her appearance on the sitcom Cheers, and throughout her career, the two-time Emmy-winning actress starred in many successful films, as well as becoming a fan favorite on Dancing With The Stars.

Kirstie Alley – early life
Her early life was a rollercoaster. She was born on January 12, 1951, in Wichita, Kansas.

She graduated from Wichita Southeast High School and attended Kansas State and Kansas Universities, where she studied drama. However, her early days were marred by drugs.

“The truth of how I escaped Kansas is being high. I was drugged out of my mind … I got in the car, and I left to go to California,” she told Parade.

“If I hadn’t been drugged out, I would never have been able to realize my dream. It sounds so stupid but to extricate myself from Wichita, Kansas really took some doing.”

“With reality shows and things like that on TV now, people probably feel a little more hopeful that they could make something of themselves. But at that time, 30 years ago, it was just like, ‘How could I possibly dare to think that I could go be a star? How could I possibly think that?’ That’s more of a Midwest thing, you’re sort of humbled, and if you’re not humbled people will humble you, like, “Well, who the hell do you think you are to move to California and be a star? I mean, come on, Kirstie,” she added.

Alley left Wichita to pursue an acting career in California. She started as an interior decorator, but the party lifestyle proved too much for her.

She entered a tumultuous period, during which she experimented with many drugs and surrounded herself with the wrong people. Then, in 1981, tragedy struck her family.

Start of acting career & move to Hollywood
A drunk driver hit her parent’s car, killing Alley’s mother and seriously injuring her father. It was, of course, a traumatic moment for the young woman. Years later, the drunk driver responsible spoke about the accident and wanted to meet Kirstie. However, the actress wasn’t interested at all.

“I can understand why Kirstie doesn’t want to talk with me,” the drunk driver added. “But if she changed her mind, I would tell Kirstie and her father how truly sorry I am for what happened that night and the pain that I caused them.”

The passing of her mother changed everything for Kirstie. She changed her lifestyle, moved away from drugs, and underwent rehabilitation. She also joined The Church of Scientology.

In 1982, she landed her earliest roles. She starred as half-Vulcan officer Saavik in the film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, which would turn out to be her breakthrough role.

A few years later, Alley was cast as Gloria Steinem in the TV movie A Bunny’s Tale. In 1985, she also played a minor role in the North and South miniseries, starring alongside Hollywood legend Patrick Swayze.

They weren’t the most significant roles, but they allowed Kirstie to enter the Hollywood spotlight. Then, in 1987, she got the part that changed her life as she starred as Rebecca Howe in the sitcom Cheers.

Kirstie Alley – success on ‘Cheers’ & other work
Cheers propelled Alley to a whole new level of stardom, earning her recognition from viewers and critics alike. In 1991, she won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Following her exit from Cheers in 1993, Alley starred in several big productions, including winning a second Emmy Award for her part in the television movie David’s Mother. She also appeared in the sitcom Veronica’s Closet and the drama miniseries The Last Don in 1997.

The actress will also be fondly remembered for her role in films such as the Look Who’s Talking movies and Drop Dead Gorgeous, where she starred alongside Ellen Barkin.

Alley appeared in many productions during the last ten years of her life. In 2012, the American people saw a new side to her as she competed in the TV dance competition Dancing with the Stars. She and dancing partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy placed second on the show – later the same year, she was invited back to participate in the All-Star competition.

Through it all, Kirstie also enjoyed a positive private life. She met her second husband, actor Parker Stevenson, and the couple tied the knot in 1983. They adopted son William and daughter Lillie.

Alley and Stevenson eventually divorced in 1997.

In 2017, Kirstie was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Speaking openly about it, the actress revealed how she had gained plenty of weight because of the disease caused by borrelia bacteria.

Kirstie Alley’s inspirational weight-loss journey
“If I made cookies, I wouldn’t eat two cookies. I would eat 12 cookies! And I really went off the rails … I started drinking 12 grape sodas a day. I was consuming massive amounts of sugar!” she explained.

Yet Alley’s weight struggles went back further than that. In 2004, she opened up about how she, over one summer, had “gained around 40 or 50 pounds.”

“Honestly, I didn’t know how fat I was,” she said. “Thanks to the tabloids, I went, ‘Damn, girl, you’re fat!’”.

Perhaps it was that experience that gave her the inspiration for her new comedy series. One year after that interview with Oprah, Fat Actress premiered.

Kirstie had the lead role and the series was loosely based on her own life – it centers around an actress in Hollywood whose weight loss is the subject of every tabloid imaginable.

“I think women across the country will identify with her,” co-creator Brenda Hampton told TODAY in 2004.

“It’s difficult to lose weight and find a relationship, no matter where you live. It makes it all the more painful when you’re in the spotlight.”

Yet after getting help from the weight-loss program Jenny Craig, things moved fast. For three years, Kirstie found a balance and steadily lost weight. Then, thanks to the program, she dropped 75 pounds and became a spokeswoman for Jenny Craig until 2007.

“No surgery, No flippin lasers”
By the time Kirstie was cast in Dancing With The Stars in 2011, she had once again gained weight. According to People, she weighed 230 pounds when the show started.

Yet when the competition had ended, she had dropped over 100 pounds. By all accounts, Kirstie worked extremely hard to achieve success on the dance floor.

Unfortunately, critics were vocal among TV viewers. Some speculated that Kirstie had undergone surgery or starved herself to get in shape for the program. Kirstie responded to the haters on Twitter:

“NO surgery, NO flippin lasers, NO barfing, NO starving … Jeez … my products, organic food, dance,” she tweeted a few months after the show wrapped.

Alley appeared in her last production in 2020, starring in the television movie You Can’t Take My Daughter.

Kirstie Alley – cause of death & last hours
On Monday, December 5, 2022, her family announced that Kirstie Alley had passed away from cancer at age 71.

According to the family, it was “only recently” that her cancer had been discovered. A representative for the actress said that Kirstie succumbed to colon cancer following a brief struggle against the illness.

“To all our friends, far and wide around the world…We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered. She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead,” the statement read.

“As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.We are grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center for their care. Our mother’s zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did. We thank you for your love and prayers and ask that you respect our privacy at this difficult time. With love always, True and Lillie Parker.”

On Instagram, her ex-husband Parker Stevenson shared a touching tribute to her.

“Dear Kirstie, I am so grateful for our years together and for the two incredibly beautiful children and now grandchildren that we have,” he wrote alongside an image of Alley. “You will be missed. With love, Parker,”

In the last years of her life, Alley, a Scientologist, didn’t leave her home in Clearwater, Florida.

Touching tribute from John Travolta
“She’s done with LA.,” a source told OK Magazine. “She’s happily disappeared into a quiet life in Clearwater, where she can also be more open about her beliefs.”

Another insider added: “Kirstie hasn’t worked in over a year, and she’s fine with that,” an insider previously said. “She has no plans on returning to Hollywood.”

After the news of Alley’s passing, many took to social media to share tributes to her. One of those who did was John Travolta, who starred alongside Alley in the 1989 film Look Who’s Talking and its two sequels.

In 2020, the Grease star lost his wife, Kelly Preston, to cancer. Travolta’s wife, Kelly Preston, died of cancer at 57 in July 2020.

“I love you, Kirstie,” Travolta wrote on Instagram. “I know we will see each other again.”

The two shared an extraordinary relationship through the years. When appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, Alley explained that she at one point fell in love with John Travolta.

“He was potential marriage material. I almost ran off and married John,” she said. “I did love him and still love him,’ she reflected. ‘And if I hadn’t been married I would have gone and married him. And I would have been in an airplane.”

In 2018, Kirstie added more context to their relationship.

“A beautiful mama bear”
“John would agree it was mutual that we sort of fell in love with each other,” Alley said of their relationship in 2018, adding that saying no to the romance was “one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do.”

She continued: “Because I was madly in love with him – we were fun and funny together. It wasn’t a sexual relationship because I’m not going to cheat on my husband.”

Another former colleague, Jamie Lee Curtis, whom she starred alongside in the 2016 horror series Scream Queens, also took to social media to pay tribute to Alley.

“She was a great comic foil in Scream Queens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life. She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas,” Curtis recalled.

“We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.”

Rest in peace, Kirstie Alley.