Latest news with #SimonFuller
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Rebranding of horse racing is bearing fruit
Hong Kong's horse racing season has ended on a high, with a capacity 20,000 crowd enjoying a party atmosphere at Happy Valley last week. The season has been successful. Wagering turnover bounced back from last season's decline to increase 3 per cent to almost HK$139 billion. But the bigger achievement lies in the rebranding of racing, to make it about more than just betting on the races. The aim is to provide world-class sport and entertainment, attracting tourists and a younger crowd. The transformation is bearing fruit. Among the 1.7 million who attended last season were nearly 200,000 mainland tourists, more than double the number for the previous season. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has responded well to the call by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu for horse racing to be one of the unique Hong Kong experiences appealing to visitors. Race days now feature live music, DJs and a focus on food and drink. The aim is to offer a 'cool' experience to complement the sporting action. This is drawing a new generation of young fans. Some of them, encouragingly, don't even bet. The club, which has a monopoly on legal gambling in Hong Kong and pumps billions into charitable causes, is establishing itself as a global sports and entertainment brand. It has teamed up with American Idol creator Simon Fuller. One of his bands is to play at the races. Racing, though, remains at the heart of the events. Hong Kong hailed three champion horses – Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble – last season. The introduction of lawful gambling on basketball will boost the club's revenue as well as the government's coffers and is intended to draw money away from illicit bookmakers. The club's Conghua racecourse in Guangzhou, meanwhile, provided more winners than before and will start staging races next year. Amid all the excitement, the risk of gambling leading to addiction, with serious social consequences, must not be forgotten. More must be done to prevent problem gambling and to help addicts. Horse racing has long been an iconic Hong Kong event which has flourished under the 'one country, two systems' concept. China's former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping famously said horse racing would continue after the 1997 handover. As the club adapts to changing times, the sport is set to become an even bigger winner.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Victoria Beckham in ‘new feud' after Brooklyn drama as Geri cuts her out of Spice Girls ‘reunion'
VICTORIA Beckham has reportedly been cut out of the Spice Girls 'reunion'. Posh Spice - whose husband David is to be knighted - is said to have been left out of discussions to create Abba-style avatars of the band to 'perform' in concert. 2 It's after Geri Halliwell-Horner said she wasn't interested in going on tour when their old manager Simon Fuller began talks about marking the group's 30th anniversary. Now a source tells The Mail's Alison Boshoff that Victoria will not be part of the virtual. line-up, adding: "Simon Fuller planning a tour has caused yet another schism. Victoria is f****d off that they have gone with him and there is no way that she will be a part of it. "The bad feeling seems to go back to her and David having to spend millions on buying him out of Beckham Brand Holdings. "He still has a stake and board seat on her fashion business. There is resentment there. "But Simon Fuller is the only person who could get Geri to rejoin the Spice Girls. "He is also the one person in the world who could never persuade Victoria." It follows a tricky time for Victoria and her family amid a and his wife Nicola Peltz. Her husband David celebrated his 50th last month with a string of parties, though Brooklyn stayed away. Brooklyn's siblings Romeo, Cruz and Harper all turned out to party with their dad, mum, and A-list names like Tom Cruise and Guy Ritchie. Meanwhile, the eldest Beckham child and his wife were nowhere to be seen.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Victoria Beckham in ‘new feud' after Brooklyn drama as Geri cuts her out of Spice Girls ‘reunion'
VICTORIA Beckham has reportedly been cut out of the Spice Girls 'reunion'. Posh Spice - whose husband David is to be knighted - is said to have been left out of discussions to create Abba-style avatars of the band to 'perform' in concert. 2 The Spice Girls are set to celebrate their 30th anniversary next year Credit: Getty 2 Victoria Beckham has allegedly been left out of planning Credit: Getty It's after Geri Halliwell-Horner said she wasn't interested in going on tour when their old manager Simon Fuller began talks about marking the group's 30th anniversary. Now a source tells "The bad feeling seems to go back to her and David having to spend millions on buying him out of Beckham Brand Holdings. "He still has a stake and board seat on her fashion business. There is resentment there. READ MORE ON VICTORIA BECKHAM "But Simon Fuller is the only person who could get Geri to rejoin the Spice Girls. "He is also the one person in the world who could never persuade Victoria." It follows a tricky time for Victoria and her family amid a rift with eldest son Brooklyn and his wife . Her husband last month with a string of parties, though Most read in Celebrity Brooklyn's siblings Romeo, Cruz and Harper all turned out to Meanwhile, the eldest Beckham child and his wife were nowhere to be seen. Major new Spice Girls project planned with boss Simon Fuller inspired by groundbreaking hit – but will Posh be involved?
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Victoria Beckham is embroiled in another feud as she is left out of Spice Girls avatar plan while Geri Halliwell-Horner confirms she will NOT be returning to the stage
She's already deep in conflict with eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola – and now Victoria Beckham is feuding in the Spice Girls universe as well. Simon Fuller – the man who managed the band, created Brand Beckham and helped found Victoria's fashion empire – is keen to organise a tour to mark the group's 30th anniversary next year. He has the support of Mel C, Mel B and Emma Bunton, and has spent more than a year trying to win Geri Halliwell-Horner round to the idea. A source told The Mail's Alison Boshoff: 'Geri isn't interested in stepping foot on a stage again.' So the plan she agreed to was for Abba-style avatars of the girls, which would 'perform' in concert. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. But Victoria is being left out of discussions and will not be part of the virtual line-up. A source said: 'Simon Fuller planning a tour has caused yet another schism. Victoria is f****d off that they have gone with him and there is no way that she will be a part of it. 'The bad feeling seems to go back to her and David having to spend millions on buying him out of Beckham Brand Holdings. He still has a stake and board seat on her fashion business. There is resentment there. 'Geri wants to do the avatars idea. She isn't interested in coming back and doing a tour. She doesn't need to. This is the one idea which Simon has had which has tempted her.' The source added: 'Simon Fuller is the only person who could get Geri to rejoin the Spice Girls, but he is the one person in the world who could never persuade Victoria.' No wonder only Mel C and Emma Bunton went to Mel B's 50th birthday celebrations in Leeds last weekend. All of the 'girls' showed up for Victoria's 50th birthday last year, but it seems that they are in separate camps once again. In fact, there has not yet been a meeting to discuss plans with Geri and the other Spice Girls in the same room because 'at any given point half of them aren't speaking to the other half'. A source said: 'Simon Fuller planning a tour has caused yet another schism. Victoria is f****d off that they have gone with him and there is no way that she will be a part of it' The source insisted: 'There will be a Spice Girls reunion and all the details are now being debated by everyone apart from Victoria. 'He [Fuller] has always got on with Geri; and he has been getting alongside her for the past year. He flatters her. He has been playing the long game cleverly and has pulled it off. 'Geri is now the power broker.' Mel B, Mel C and Emma Bunton would all sooner perform in person. It's pretty much guaranteed big bucks and they all enjoyed their limited run of dates in 2019. In fairness to Victoria, the main reason she is not rejoining the gang is because she is focused on her business and content to leave her pop career as a fond memory.
Winnipeg Free Press
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
City news in brief — week of June 4, 2025
Winnipeg Osborne Village Ukrainian Village Festival coming to The Forks June 13 to 15 Winnipeg The Manitoba Ukrainian Village Festival is a new, three-day event intended to bring the spirit of Ukraine to The Forks from June 13 to 15. File photo by Simon Fuller Dancers perform at Folklorama's Pavillon canadien-français in this 2023 file photo. Tickets for this year's Folklorama are now on sale. Organizers say the festival will showcase 'everything from intricate embroidery and traditional clothing to high-energy dance performances. It promises to be a joyful and colorful experience filled with the warmth and charm of Ukrainian culture.' Guests will enjoy authentic Ukrainian cuisine, live music and performances, interactive workshops, a fair with artisanal goods, and more. Visit for more information. Village Music Fest to celebrate music, diversity June 27, 28 Osborne Village The Village Music Fest, presented by Osborne Village BIZ and produced in collaboration with Real Love and The Village Idiots, is a new festival which aims to showcase multiculturalism and local music. Programming will run from 8:30 p.m. to midnight on Friday, June 27 and from 1 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, June 28. Venues include The Osborne Taphouse, The Toad in the Hole, Must Be The Place, ANAF 60, Small Mercies, and The Bell Tower. Artists performing include: Kelly Bado, The 12/21, Amarula, Wlf Grl, Kimmortal, Jérémie and the Delicious Hounds, NO FUSS, Cartel Madras, Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Hayden Mekai, The Kaptain, Steppe Kolektyv, Gabriela Ocejo, SCENEREO (live painting/movement performance), The Rangers, Karina Joy and The Cosmos, Guilty Sleep, Hera, Fontine, The O.B., Tinge, Live Band Karaoke, Funky Miracles (featuring Gabriela Ocejo & Fontine), French Class, Dr. Henry Band, and Son D'Arranke. Additionally, interactive art exhibits will be in place throughout Osborne Village. The festival has received funding from the Government of Canada, Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry), and the Osborne Village BIZ. For more information, visit Folklorama 2025 tickets now on sale The countdown to this year's Folklorama continues. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. The organization has launched ticket sales for the 54th edition of the event, which will run from Aug. 3 to 16. Single tickets, multi-packs, and VIP Tour tickets are now available for purchase and organizers say this year's festival includes three new tour options — a VIP beer tour, a VIP wine tour, and a VIP zero-proof (non-alcoholic) tour. Folklorama will host its free, signature kickoff event on July 26 at Assiniboine Park's Lyric Theatre from 4 to 8 p.m. Visit for more information and to order tickets. — Staff
