The legacy of Freddie Mercury continues to be a subject of intense debate nearly 35 years after his death. A new book, "Freddie Mercury: A Life In Lyrics," penned by his former fiancée Mary Austin, has stirred controversy, particularly with the family of 'B,' a woman who claimed to be Mercury's secret daughter.
Austin's book features handwritten lyrics, personal observations, and photographs from her private collection. However, 'B's' husband, Thomas, has expressed strong objections, asserting that the book relies on Austin's subjective memories and lacks the authenticity of Mercury's own words.
Thomas claims that Mercury's notebooks, given to his wife 'B,' hold the true insights into the singer's life and work. He stated that his wife would have been "enraged" by Austin's book. "The only writings by Freddie are those in the notebooks he gave to his daughter, my wife," Thomas said. He further criticized "A Life In Lyrics," suggesting that despite its title, it focuses more on Austin's perspective than on Mercury's lyrics and thoughts.
Thomas also accused Austin of factual inaccuracies, citing her claim of meeting Mercury shortly before Queen's formation in June 1970. He pointed to photographs from December 31, 1969, showing Austin with Mercury and Queen drummer Roger Taylor, indicating she knew the singer much earlier. Thomas plans to release a picture book next year, which he claims will provide definitive proof of his wife's paternity claim, including verified photographs.
Meanwhile, sisters Rooney and Kate Mara have collaborated for the first time in the film "Bucking Fastard." The surreal movie is inspired by the real-life story of twins Freda and Greta Chaplin, who shared a unique bond. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, with director Werner Herzog noting the ease with which the Mara sisters portrayed their co-dependent characters, requiring less rehearsal time than anticipated. "We had so much fun!" Rooney Mara commented on their experience.
The Barbican production of Stephen Sondheim's "Sunday In The Park With George" is facing uncertainty following the departures of lead actors Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey. Producers are reportedly considering delaying the production by a year to allow for new casting and creative direction. A source indicated that proceeding with the show next year might not be feasible.
Amazon experienced embarrassment when the Jason Statham film "Mutiny" was mistakenly made available for viewing prior to its cinema release, potentially impacting its box office performance. Separately, the AI film "Artificial," which Amazon had previously dropped, is set to premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.
In the fashion world, speculation surrounds Anna Wintour's future at Vogue following the controversy surrounding the Met Gala's planned tribute to designer John Galliano. While Wintour has not commented on retirement, industry insiders suggest the miscalculation may have weakened her position. Galliano's collaboration with Zara is expected to launch soon, with no plans to halt its release.