Latest news with #SophiaLoren
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Jayne knew exactly what she was doing': The forgotten story behind the most famous side-eye in Hollywood history
One of show business's most glamorous – and notorious – images, there's more to this 1957 snapshot of Sophia Loren and Jayne Mansfield than might first appear. On the night of Sophia Loren's "Welcome to Hollywood" dinner party in April 1957, Jayne Mansfield walked into the exclusive Romanoff's restaurant in Beverly Hills with a plan. The swanky soirée being thrown by Paramount Studios was packed with some of the biggest Hollywood stars of the era, from Barbara Stanwyck and Montgomery Clift to Gary Cooper and Shelley Winters. But it would be a candid photograph of Mansfield and Loren that would earn the evening an indelible place in Hollywood history. According to Eve Golden, the author of Jayne Mansfield: The Girl Couldn't Help It, Mansfield wanted to make sure all eyes were on her. Signed to a seven-year contract by Warner Bros. in February 1955, the then 24-year-old blonde former Playboy Playmate was seen as a rival to Marilyn Monroe, who had been "causing problems" for 20th Century Fox, Golden tells the BBC. Released just eight months apart, the huge success of The Girl Can't Help It (1956) and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957) quickly established Mansfield as a star. Sophia Loren was just 22 when she arrived in Hollywood. Born and raised in Italy under Mussolini's fascist regime, Loren's mother had her "own theatrical ambitions", says Mary Ann McDonald Carolan, author of The Transatlantic Gaze: Italian Cinema, American Film. Loren entered beauty competitions as a teenager, where she met her future husband, the film producer Carlo Ponti, before she enrolled at the national film school of Italy. Ponti produced many of her early films. Post-World War Two Italy was swamped with Hollywood productions, too, as studios took advantage of the country's lower production costs. "There was an extraordinary amount of artistic, economic, business, and cinematic exchange between Italy and America at that time," Carolan tells the BBC. After the success of 1953's Aida and 1954's The Gold of Naples, which screened at that year's Cannes Film Festival, Paramount signed Loren, betting she could follow in the footsteps of her European counterparts Leslie Caron, Ingrid Bergman, and Marlene Dietrich. By April 1957, it was time for Loren to make her debut amongst the Hollywood elite at Romanoff's, where Mansfield was the last guest to enter. She walked in covered by a "great big fur coat," says Golden. When she took it off she was wearing a backless, extremely low-cut satin dress, which she knew would draw the attention of everyone in the room, particularly the photographers. "She sauntered over and plumped herself right down next to Sophia Loren," says Golden. "It was definitely planned. Jane knew exactly what she was doing." Photographers Delmar Watson and Joe Shere shot Loren and Mansfield next to each other. But while Mansfield stared directly down the lens, Loren was captured giving the most famous side-eye in Hollywood history, glaring at her tablemate's cleavage. Sixty-eight years later, it's still one of the most iconic photographs in Hollywood history. Heidi Klum, Anna Nicole Smith, Sydney Sweeney and Maude Apatow, Sophia Vergara and Julie Bowen have all replicated it. The picture has endured because it presents Loren and Mansfield as polar opposites, the image symbolising elegance against bombast. Europe against America. Brunette against blonde. "It's almost as if they got dressed purposely as a contrast," says Carolan. The photograph's long legacy There are troubling implications linked to the prolonged prevalence of the image, however. It highlights the media's tendency to exaggerate female rivalry, pushing the harmful stereotype that women are always in competition. In reality, this was the only time they ever met, and Loren was perhaps worried that Mansfield was about to have a wardrobe failure in front of the press. In a 2014 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Loren recalled, "Look at the picture. Where are my eyes? I'm staring at her nipples because I am afraid they are about to come onto my plate. In my face you can see the fear. I'm so frightened that everything in her dress is going to blow – boom! – and spill all over the table." In her new documentary My Mom Jayne, Mansfield's daughter Mariska Hargitay, who was three years old when she died, explores the actress's career in a bid to discover the mother she barely knew. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Hargitay admits that she struggled with the photograph as a youth. "That was a rough one. To see another woman look at your mom like that was excruciating for me as a little girl." Growing up, she developed a demure style that was the opposite of Mansfield's glamorous public image. In the documentary, Hargitay admits that she decided to become a different kind of actor with a different image to her mother, whose career struggles she was keen to avoid. Now 61, the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit actor is reclaiming Mansfield's story in the documentary – after all, this was a woman who could play violin and piano, spoke three languages, and who Life magazine called "Broadway's smartest dumb blonde". This moment was to be the only time where the two women's careers criss-crossed, because while Loren's star was on the rise, Mansfield's was about to decline. In 1960, Loren won the best actress Oscar for Two Women, making her the first performer to win an Academy Award for a foreign-language role. Meanwhile, Mansfield's stunt at Loren's party was met harshly by 20th Century Fox. "This is when they realised they had signed a loose cannon," says Golden. "I think this is the moment Fox really stopped taking an interest in furthering her career." In 1962, shortly after the death of Monroe, Mansfield was dropped by Fox, following three years of poor box-office performances. Suddenly, Golden says, with a "huge house to pay for and three children", Mansfield started opening supermarkets and petrol stations to "support her family". Golden believes that Mansfield's career ambitions were scuppered because while "she knew where she wanted to go, she didn't have the vaguest idea how to get there. She really needed a strong, smart manager." Meanwhile, Loren was able to turn to the Oscar-winning producer Ponti for advice. "She has this incredible knowledge from inside the film industry," says Carolan. "She had a good sense of how to behave in the media circus. She couldn't be manipulated by the press or by managers." Loren was so astute at navigating her film career that she managed to combine Hollywood and Italian films while still remaining popular for nearly 70 years. Not only did Mansfield's fame fizzle out, but her life ended in tragedy. When she died in a car crash on 29 June, 1967, at the age of 34, she was driving from a night-time appearance at a Mississippi supper club to a midday radio interview in New Orleans. But the journey wasn't unusual for someone who had insisted on appreciating every last drop of her fame since becoming a star. "She loved being in the spotlight. She loved her fans. She became her on-screen persona," says Golden. "You could call her the first reality star because she lived her life in public. No matter what she was doing, she had photographers and reporters along with her." Carolan acknowledges that Mansfield helped to "pave the way for actresses like Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, and Claudia Cardinale", as she broke down barriers in the male-dominated industry by proudly owning her beauty and sexuality. And while their paths might have only crossed fleetingly, Loren told Entertainment Weekly that she is still repeatedly asked to sign the famous picture. She always refuses, though. "I don't want to have anything to do with that. And also out of respect for Jayne Mansfield because she's not with us anymore." My Mom Jayne is available to stream on Max. -- For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Jeff Bezos' Wife Lauren Sánchez Didn't Want "Sexy" Wedding Dress
Originally appeared on E! Online No, Lauren Sánchez didn't find her wedding dress on Amazon. Instead, Jeff Bezos' bride relied on luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana to fit her in a custom gown featuring a high neckline, a snatched corset and hand-appliquéd lace for their June 27 nuptials in Venice, Italy. 'It went from 'I want a simple, sexy modern dress' to 'I want something that evokes a moment,'" she told Vogue of her wedding dress' design in an interview published shortly after the ceremony, "and where I am right now. I am a different person than I was five years ago." The journalist—who was previously married to talent agent Patrick Whitesell from 2005 to 2019—continued, 'I went into a lot of therapy and it's changed me in a bunch of ways. But it's really Jeff." Explaining how the billionaire has "revealed" her most confident self, Lauren said of her current mindset, "I feel safe. I feel seen. He lets me be me." And that's why she ultimately went for a dress based on the high-necked look Sophia Loren wore to marry Cary Grant in 1958's Houseboat. As she explained of Jeff, "Like I said about Sophia Loren being unapologetically free, he lets me be unapologetically free." Overall, Lauren spent a year and a half designing her dress with the intention of showing less skin. 'I researched pictures of brides in the 1950s," she recalled. "I wanted to reflect back, and I saw Sophia she was in high lace, up to the neck, and I said, 'That's it. That's the dress.'' For her wedding day jewelry, Lauren ditched the cushion-cut pink engagement ring Jeff, 61, proposed with in May 2023, opting to keep it simple with diamond and white gold earrings also made by Dolce & Gabbana. "We don't have a lot of traditions that we're keeping," she explained, sharing how the earrings would be her something borrowed. "I love traditions, but for a 55-year-old woman, it's a little different." More from E! Online Bachelor's Madison Prewett Details Being "Enslaved" by Porn and Masturbation Addiction Lauren Sánchez Details Small Diet Changes to Lose Weight Before Jeff Bezos Wedding Kim Kardashian Confirms Her "Lifer" Friend Lindsay May Died After Cancer Battle Overall, Lauren spent a year and a half designing her dress with the intention of showing less skin. 'I researched pictures of brides in the 1950s," she recalled. "I wanted to reflect back, and I saw Sophia she was in high lace, up to the neck, and I said, 'That's it. That's the dress.'' For her wedding day jewelry, Lauren ditched the cushion-cut pink engagement ring Jeff, 61, proposed with in May 2023, opting to keep it simple with diamond and white gold earrings also made by Dolce & Gabbana. "We don't have a lot of traditions that we're keeping," she explained, sharing how the earrings would be her something borrowed. "I love traditions, but for a 55-year-old woman, it's a little different." As for her something blue? "Well, Blue Origin," she said, revealing that had brought up a secret souvenir from her April spaceflight on one of Jeff's astronautics company crafts. "Because it was literally one of the most profound experiences I've ever had in my life." But of course, the couple's multi-day celebrations included more than just Lauren's Loren-inspired gown. According to Vogue, she had also set aside a sweetheart neck gown inspired by the Rita Hayworth film Gilda for the wedding dinner, as well as an Oscar de la Renta cocktail dress adorned with 600 yards of hand-sewn chain and 175,000 crystals for the after-party. Plus, she also chose a 2003 Alexander McQueen dress and the Schiaparelli corseted number for the wedding's not one, but two welcome parties. However, Lauren knows that the most talked-about look would be her wedding dress. After all, as she put it, "It is a departure from what people expect." "But it's very much me," added the Good Day L.A. alum, who tends to wear gowns with plunging necklines on the red carpet. "It's so elegant, it's timeless." Keep reading to see photos from Lauren and Jeff's wedding... Here Comes the GroomAnd the Bride Wore WhiteKeeping Up With the KardashiansKorsetsThumbs UpGoing KokoIn EuphoriaThink PinkMVPsMomager at PlayBlack Tie (and Cap)Trump CardBaby Bump on BoardIconic DuoMaking WavesCiao, Italia!Here Comes the BrideMeeting Up With California Gurls in ItalyBFFs On Board!The Love BoatMystery GuestTouch Down in VeniceVittoria in VeniceSummer Style For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Telegraph
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Inside the Zurich grande dame hotel where the Lionesses will stay for Euro 2025
The UEFA Women's Euros will be held in Switzerland this year and England's champions are in for a treat as they defend their title. The Lionesses' den for the tournament will be the five-star grande dame of Zurich, the Dolder Grand. This turreted fairytale castle of a hotel, which opened in 1899 and has hosted iconic figures from Sophia Loren to Nelson Mandela, is all about luxury. The squad will find Lamborghinis and Bentleys in the car park rather than Fiats or Vauxhalls, while hallways are lined with valuable artworks. Guests will be wearing Hermès or Chanel and carrying the results of a day's shopping in Zurich's gilded streets. Two Norman Foster-designed wings made of steel and glass flank the hotel's belle époque old building, tastefully blending contemporary design with the likes of sweeping staircases and opulent chandeliers. All 175 rooms are large for Zurich and made for lounging. Most have south-facing balconies and offer views of the lake or forest, while even entry-level rooms have bathtubs. The players may well be hoping for a suite, as these come with their own saunas and whirlpool bathtubs, as well as butler service. This time, in short, England has stepped its hotel game up a gear. The four-star, more corporate Lensbury in Teddington was the Lionesses' base back in 2022, when England hosted the tournament. This certainly wasn't slumming it, but with off-season prices there starting at around £130 it isn't fair to compare it to the Dolder, whose comparative rate is £648. For the 2023 World Cup, business hotel brand the Crowne Plaza was chosen, in Terrigal, Australia. These clearly served as excellent bases, as the team reached the World Cup final in 2023 and beat Germany 2-1 in the Euros final in 2022. Perhaps it was these successes, and the subsequent surge in support, that has led to the decision to book a hotel befitting of this century's most successful England team. A group from the FA went to 23 different base-camp options before deciding the Dolder was the one. Manager Sarina Wiegman described finding the right 'home from home' as 'one of the most important elements for tournament football'. It's certainly a much more characterful choice than the utility-focused hotels often chosen as the accommodation for sports teams. And so, some 55 people, including players and staff, will be heading to the Dolder, deep in the forest on the Adlisberg mountain. Sitting high above Lake Zurich, many rooms have breathtaking views over the water towards the Glarner Alps, but as remote as this may sound, the players will only have a 20-minute drive to their training ground at Sportanlage Au. Plus, the squad can get into the city in around 10 minutes, if they have time for some sightseeing (I would suggest the Fifa Museum might be of interest). The hotel's gym and spa is the perfect place to recuperate after a tough game. Captain Leah Williamson and her teammates can choose between doing laps in the 25-metre indoor pool, or relaxing those muscles in the sauna or outdoor hot tub while enjoying views over the lake. Fellow guests may see them relaxing on one of the loungers on the terrace, or testing their mettle in the cold plunge pool. The hotel also offers forest bathing sessions and guided meditation (ideal for getting in the zone), as well as yoga, Pilates and even ballet lessons. If I can insist upon anything, though, it would be that the players treat themselves to a massage, which starts at £190 for 60 minutes. I came out feeling like I had just discovered what a massage should really feel like. The squad will be travelling with two chefs and a nutritionist, who will work with the hotel's catering team to create the breakfasts, lunches and dinners of champions. A pity not to be able to enjoy two-Michelin starred The Restaurant, while even the more casual Saltz may prove difficult to resist, with its hearty central European dishes such as Wiener schnitzel and potato gratin. Perhaps after the final. The choice of venue will also help meet UEFA's sustainability recommendations, which encourage squads to use low-emission transport rather than fly to the games. England's opening fixture against France on Saturday July 5 and the next one against the Netherlands on Wednesday July 9 will both be at Zurich's Stadion Letzigrund, while the last group stage match against Wales will be in neighbouring St Gallen, 50 miles away. The players could even use Switzerland's famously efficient train system if they make it to the final in Basel. The men's team failed on this count in 2024, when its choice of the beautiful but remote GolfResort Weimarer Land in central Germany meant they had to fly to many of their matches. The Dolder's manager described hosting the Lionesses as an 'honour' for the hotel, so they are sure to receive the warmest of welcomes and, as in the most recent World Cup, will have an area decorated in the colours of England. Let's hope the team does as well in this tournament as it did last time – if only to stay in the lap of luxury a little longer.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Renowned Aussie Italian restaurateur dies
A renowned restaurateur who cooked for Hollywood royalty like Frank Sinatra and Sophia Loren before moving to Australia has died. Tony Sanso is being remembered as a pioneer of Italian cuisine in South Australia, following his death at the age of 87 on June 18. 'It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the passing of my dear father Eugenio Antonio Sanso, (or) Tony to his friends,' his son Terence wrote on social media. Tony Sanso, pictured here at Tony's Tuscan Inn on Main Street, Hahndorf, in 1994. Brian Webber Credit: News Corp Australia 'My father worked in the restaurant business for many years here in Adelaide opening many restaurants in his time. 'His diligence and hard work will be remembered forever and he will be sadly missed by his wife Zeny, his youngest son Eugene and his grandchildren.' Originally from Florence, Mr Sanso cooked for Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren and Bob Hope at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and The Savoy in London. Restaurateurs Tony and Zeny Sanso in their restaurant Osteria Sanso in Kanmantoo. Supplied Credit: News Limited Mr Sanso's successful restaurants included The Old Mill in Hahndorf, The Stable in Bridgewater, The Gawler Mill, Villa Sanso and Chianti Classico in Adelaide, Tony's Bistro and Tony's Tuscan Inn in Hahndorf, and most recently, Osteria Sanso at Kanmantoo. He settled in Adelaide in 1964, and worked until the age of 84. More to come.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Renowned Adelaide restaurateur Tony Sanso, who cooked for legendary names like Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren, dies aged 87
A renowned restaurateur who cooked for Hollywood royalty like Frank Sinatra and Sophia Loren before moving to Australia has died. Tony Sanso is being remembered as a pioneer of Italian cuisine in South Australia, following his death at the age of 87 on June 18. 'It is with a heavy heart that I must announce the passing of my dear father Eugenio Antonio Sanso, (or) Tony to his friends,' his son Terence wrote on social media. 'My father worked in the restaurant business for many years here in Adelaide opening many restaurants in his time. 'His diligence and hard work will be remembered forever and he will be sadly missed by his wife Zeny, his youngest son Eugene and his grandchildren.' Originally from Florence, Mr Sanso cooked for Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren and Bob Hope at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and The Savoy in London. Mr Sanso's successful restaurants included The Old Mill in Hahndorf, The Stable in Bridgewater, The Gawler Mill, Villa Sanso and Chianti Classico in Adelaide, Tony's Bistro and Tony's Tuscan Inn in Hahndorf, and most recently, Osteria Sanso at Kanmantoo. He settled in Adelaide in 1964, and worked until the age of 84.
