Latest news with #Torcello
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lady Gaga And Elton John Insiders Address Rumor They Demanded $6M Each To Perform At Bezos' Wedding
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Venice wedding has finally come and gone, leaving behind wild rumors that plagued the lavish event. One of the biggest rumors was that music stars Elton John and Lady Gaga were approached to perform at the wedding, but that Bezos said "no" to a request for $6 million performance fee each. Now, insiders for Elton John and Lady Gaga have denied the claim, stating that Jeff Bezos never even asked the Grammy award winners to perform at his wedding. Before Bezos' wedding to Sanchez, a rumor had circulated that the Amazon founder had turned down an alleged demand by Gaga and John to be paid $6 million each to perform at his lavish nuptials. "Each wanted $6 million for a single night. Jeff said, 'Absolutely not,'" a source said at the time, per RealityTea. However, insiders for both Gaga and John have branded the rumor "laughable," telling TMZ that such a thing never happened as they were not approached to play the wedding, let alone request such a "gigantic fee." While the two music icons were not at the wedding, Bezos and Sanchez were still serenaded by top performers, such as "Burn" singer Ellie Goulding, who reportedly performed about four or five of her songs, and Andrea Bocelli's son, Mateo. With their wedding over, Bezos and Sanchez have reportedly departed Venice to kick off their honeymoon. Although the newlywed couple hasn't disclosed their exact plans, a source revealed that they would first stay in the Torcello area before heading to Nicelli Airport. From there, Bezos and Sánchez are expected to board a helicopter that will take them back to Bezos' $500 million superyacht, Koru, where they will set sail for Taormina in Sicily. According to The Mirror, the historic destination is said to be a favorite of the couple, who fell in love with it during a sailing trip around the region last year. In Taormina, they are expected to stay at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, the same hotel famously featured as a primary filming location in "The White Lotus" Season 2. Bezos and Sanchez's wedding was met with protests by Venetians. However, it seems the opulent event may have been beneficial for the Italian city. New reports claim that Venice was expected to generate over $1 billion from hosting the celebration. This figure reportedly accounts for nearly 68% of the city's annual tourism revenue, driven by extensive logistics arrangements for the couple and their guests, as well as hospitality services. As part of the wedding festivities, Bezos and Sanchez reserved dozens of water taxis, effectively booking out a large portion of the city's fleet. Guests also filled nearly all of Venice's top luxury hotels, including the Aman Hotel, where Bezos and Sánchez stayed, as well as the St. Regis, Gritti Palace, Cipriani, and Hotel Danieli. Given the massive figures, it is no wonder that Daniela Santanchè, Italy's Minister of Tourism, earlier called for activists to "abandon the controversy and focus on opportunities." "This is not just a private event but a concrete driving force for the entire sector," she said in a news release, per CNN. Venice has all it takes to transform it into an opportunity for relaunch and promotion." Before the wedding, Bezos made sure to spoil his bride with a jewelry set that cost an eye-watering sum. The gift was reportedly a diamond necklace from a high-profile jeweler, valued at $3 million to $5 million. "It's a diamond necklace that circles her neck with a large center stone and matching earrings," a source told Page Six. "You won't be able to miss this elegant diamond necklace as it's almost as massive as Jeff's superyacht," the source added about the expensive piece. "Lauren is thrilled with her blinding new necklace and earrings that take her already impressive collection up several notches." Sanchez didn't waste time updating her name across social media after tying the knot to Bezos. She now goes by Lauren Sanchez Bezos on her Instagram page. However, it remains unclear if the Emmy Award-winning journalist has also legally taken the billionaire's last name. The swift name-change doesn't come as a surprise, as Sanchez already made clear her excitement about becoming Mrs. Bezos during a 2023 interview with Vogue Magazine. When asked about taking Bezos's last name at the time, she asserted, "Uh, yes, one hundred percent. I am looking forward to being Mrs. Bezos." Shortly after the name update last Saturday, Sanchez shared the first look from the wedding, which appeared to have been held in a garden setting on Venice's island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos rumoured to be setting sail for 'the White Lotus Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Sicily' after their £40m three-day wedding celebrations in Venice
Following their glamorous multi-day, multi-million dollar wedding celebrations in Venice, newlyweds Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are now heading on their equally lavish honeymoon. Sources suggest the billionaire couple will enjoy a luxurious trip as they take their first holiday as husband and wife. Though the details have not yet been confirmed, it is believed they will have stayed in the area of Torcello to enjoy lunch, before heading to Nicelli airport. There, the luxury travel will continue, with the pair said to be journeyed in a helicopter back to Bezos' $500 million superyacht, 'Koru,' the crown jewel of sailing yachts. The plan is for the impressive vessel to move on to Taormina in Sicily, according to The Daily Mail's Chief Showbusiness Writer Alison Boshoff. Bezos fell in love with the town last year when the couple sailed along Sicily's coast and the Aeolian Islands. The belief is that he and Lauren will anchor in Taormina and spend time at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace – famous for being the host hotel for The White Lotus, season two. The hotel, where a suite can cost upwards of €7,000 a night, is in the Sicilian hilltop town, beside the Ionian Sea and below an active volcano called Mount Etna. It is located near vineyards, an ancient Greek theatre, and medieval villages. Earlier, the beaming newlyweds were snapped waving goodbye as they left the Aman Venice hotel by boat on Sunday after their three-day wedding extravaganza. While the details of the honeymoon are unconfirmed, it's believed the couple will stay at the luxurious Four Seasons San Domenico Palace (pictured) on Sicily - which was featured in the second season of The White Lotus Lauren stunned in a loose-fitting sleeveless white dress with an elegant drape as the Italian sun shined down on her. She completed the look with a wide-brimmed black hat and oversized black shades. Meanwhile, her husband kept it casual after a weekend of formal looks, opting for a navy t-shirt to keep cool in the summer heat. If the couple are heading to the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, it is a luxury Italian hotel which has its own rich history - which includes an impressive rota of famous guests including Oscar Wilde. The hotel was bequeathed to the San Dominican religious order by Baron Damiano Rosso d'Altavilla, a benefactor of the order, who had turned to the monastic life himself. The order received the building in 1430, five years after the Baron's death. After the convent was established in the building, retaining a small community which never exceeded 40, over the coming centuries. Then, some 400 years later in 1866, a law was passed by the Italian state in an effort to suppress religious orders and confiscate their assets. State representatives came to confiscate the building, and despite there being only one monk there, Vincenzo Bottari Cacciola, they had to use force to take the keys as he was not willing to hand it over. Vincenzo went on to unearth an ancient document that had been kept in secret by the brothers - Damiano Rosso's will. Described as the 'wedding of a century,' the 61-year-old Amazon founder and the former journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, Italy , on Friday As the will stated that the building had only been lent to the Dominicans, this meant it could not be requisitioned by the state, so the monk approached a descendant of Damiano Rosso, Prince Cerami, who reacquired ownership rights to the convent. It was Prince Cerami's vision to transform the convent into a hotel, and his addition of a large wing in the Liberty architectural style, ensured the building's status as one of Europe's first grand hotels. With Taormina becoming a fashionable location for European tourists at the time, with the town known for its wild parties and a liberal sexual atmosphere, the hotel became a renowned global destination. High profile guests visited through the early 1900s, including King Edward VII the second, Baron Rothschild, Oscar Wilde and DH Lawrence. The hotel's fortunes took a turn in 1943, when it was bombed by the Allies while being used as a headquarters by the German army. It was several years until the hotel was reopened, in 1926, after the convent, which was almost totally destroyed during the war. Upon its reopening, it hosted many lavish parties. By the 1950s, many of the most famous stage and screen visited the location, including Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren. More recently, the hotel hosted political leaders for a G7 summit meeting in 2017 - but most people now associate it with the White Lotus franchise. Described as the 'wedding of a century,' the 61-year-old Amazon founder and the former journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, Italy, on Friday. The nuptials began on Thursday with the first of three days of parties in Venice, followed by the intimate ceremony on Friday and then a star-studded rave. Around 200 of the world's wealthiest people were gathering for a final night's fun, and many of the VIP guests were spotted bidding goodbye to the Italian city the following morning. The party appeared to have a pyjamas and masked ball theme, with music from Usher and popular US DJ Cassidy. Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Orlando Bloom and Leonardo DiCaprio led the star-studded departures from Venice on Sunday morning, following the final party on Saturday night of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez 's three-day wedding extravaganza. Kylie commanded attention as she made her departure, sporting a leopard print top and matching tight-fitted jeans as she climbed into a waiting water taxi. The makeup mogul looked ever the doting mother as she walked hand-in-hand with her seven-year-old daughter Stormi, who she brought along on the lavish trip. Described as the 'wedding of a century,' the 61-year-old Amazon founder and the former journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, Italy , on Friday (Orlando pictured) The makeup mogul looked ever the doting mother as she walked hand-in-hand with her seven-year-old daughter Stormi, who she brought along on the lavish trip While sister Kendall also was seen making her way down the dock, looking effortlessly styling in a lowcut tank top, capri pants and the latest footwear trend - jelly sandals. Following behind her was Hollywood stars Orlando, 48, and Leo, 50, who jumped into a water taxi alongside Leo's model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 27. Orlando flashed a wide grin as he climbed in the boat, wearing a button-up shirt left open to reveal a white vest underneath and several pendant necklaces. Hollywood's newest bachelor embraced his new single status on the Italian getaway, coming just after news broke that he and his fiancée Katy Perry, 40, had called off their engagement. The Pirates of the Caribbean star was spotted in the back of a Venetian water taxi with a woman on Thursday, who was later revealed to be Jamie Mizrahi, 36, who was actually a former stylist for Katy and Meghan Markle. Orlando was also spotted enjoying a Venetian brunch the following morning and sipping on cocktails poolside with celebrity pals Leo and Tom Brady during a boys' day out. While Leo continued his attempts to go unrecognisable as he left for the airport, pulling his trademark baseball cap down as low as possible, and adding the hood of his zip-up jumper over the top, to cover as much of his famous face as possible. In contrast, girlfriend Vittoria put on a leggy display in a fashionable summer minidress, as she received a helping hand onto the boat. The model added a pair of trendy black sunglasses, and was spotted standing at the back of the boat as it sped to the mainland, chatting to Orlando. NFL legend Tom appeared to make his exit at the same time, looking relaxed in a green T-shirt and black cargo pants. The makeup mogul looked ever the doting mother as she walked hand-in-hand with her seven-year-old daughter Stormi, who she brought along on the lavish trip Kylie and Kendall's mother Kris Jenner, was also spotted leaving arm-in-arm with Oprah Winfrey, with the two women walking down the dock alongside Gayle King and Kris' boyfriend Corey Gamble. The Kardashian family matriarch looked in high spirits, wearing a jungle-patterned jacket and trouser co-ord and hiding behind black shades. While Oprah looked chic in all-white, as she wrapped an arm around Kris' shoulders and listened intently to her pal. BFF Gayle - who memorably went on Bezos' Blue Origin spaceflight alongside Sanchez - caught the eye in a multi-coloured striped dress that showcased her slender frame. Among the star-studded guests at the $20M nuptials were Kris' fellow daughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian. While Leo continued his attempts to go unrecognisable as he left for the airport, pulling his trademark baseball cap down as low as possible, and adding the hood of his zip-up jumper over the top, to cover as much of his famous face as possible NFL legend Tom appeared to make his exit at the same time, looking relaxed in a green T-shirt and black cargo pants However, the two sisters left the city early, making a swift exit by boat on Saturday, despite the $20M festivities being far from over. Kim, 44, and Khloe, 41, were spotted wearing casual ensembles as they made a low-key departure, presumably to board a private flight back to Los Angeles. Bill Gates was also spotted making his exit from the Italian city, still looking cheerful after the extravagant 72-hour nuptials. Despite being far away from Silicon Valley, the Microsoft founder still looked the part of a tech entrepreneur in a simple black polo shirt with black trousers. He sported a black baseball cap to protect himself from the sun and opted for comfortable trainers for his journey home. Bill was joined by his glamorous girlfriend Paula Hurd, 62, - who he has been dating since 2023 - who looked effortlessly elegant as she matched with Bill in another all-in-black ensemble. CEO of Kering and fellows billionaire, François-Henri Pinault was among those spotted arriving at Venice airport after the celebrations had finally come to an end. And another of Bezos' billionaire guests, Barry Diller was stood at the dock of the airport, ahead of his flight back home. Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also spotted making their exit, after arriving in Italian city on Tuesday. The Kardashian family matriarch looked in high spirits, wearing a jungle-patterned jacket and trouser co-ord and hiding behind black shades While Oprah looked chic in all-white, as she wrapped an arm around Kris' shoulders and listened intently to her pal Among the star-studded guests at the $20M nuptials were Kris' fellow daughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian, however they left the nuptials early, making a swift exit on Saturday The couple flew in with their three children, Arabella Rose, 13, Joseph Frederick, 10, and Theodore James, eight, while sister-in-law Karlie Kloss - who is married to Jared's brother Joshua, also was a guest. Bezos, worth £177billion, has taken over the Italian city for a wedding estimated to have cost up to £40million, small change for the world's third richest man. But 700 demonstrators gathered at Santa Lucia railway station carrying protest banners and waving inflatable crocodiles. The demo was organised by the No Space For Bezos group, with some carrying Amazon boxes with the words: 'Ordered, Shipped, Delivered, Rejected.' But Bezos and Sanchez cared not a jot. It was the second marriage for both and they have seven children between them. Earlier, they blew kisses on a visit to Harry's Bar – and give a first glimpse of their understated wedding rings. Sanchez's simple wedding band was in stark contrast to the 30-carat $3million pink diamond she sported after Bezos asked her to marry him two years ago. In the run-up to Friday's ceremony, that sparkler was switched to her right to make way for an upgrade – an even larger, brilliant-white diamond, estimated at 35 carats and worth $10million. Bill Gates was also spotted making his exit from the Italian city, still looking cheerful after the extravagant 72-hour nuptials The Microsoft founder and billionaire kept comfortable in a simple black polo neck and trousers with a matching baseball cap Bill was joined by his glamorous girlfriend Paula Hurd, 62, - who he has been dating since 2023 - who looked effortlessly elegant as she matched with Bill in another all-in-black ensemble CEO of Kering and fellows billionaire, François-Henri Pinault was among those spotted arriving at Venice airport after the celebrations had finally come to an end (pictured) And another of Bezos' billionaire guests, Barry Diller was stood at the dock of the airport, ahead of his flight back home (pictured) Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also spotted making their exit, after arriving in Italian city on Tuesday The couple flew in with their three children, Arabella Rose, 13, Joseph Frederick, 10, and Theodore James, eight, while sister-in-law Karlie Kloss - who is married to Jared's brother Joshua, also was a guest The First Daughter is one of the most insulated guests at the wedding and was seen with her Secret Service detail But impeccable sources reveal that the billionaire were already legally married, with a source closely connected to the organisation of the week's events saying: 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month. 'The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.' The source added: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married. There is no application for a wedding license from the couple because it was not required. 'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.' The source added that Bezos had personally confirmed that he and Sanchez – who met when both were married to other people – are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion fortune. The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members. The only images that emerged of the nuptials came via Sanchez's official Instagram account - and photos of guests leaving the night-time celebrations were scarce. She revealed to Vogue her wedding dress was inspired by the high-necked lace wedding dress Sophia Loren wore to marry Cary Grant in the 1958 film Houseboat. The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members Houseboat. She also revealed that Bezos had begged to see her in the gown, but as is tradition for most brides, she explained that she wasn't going to let him lay his eyes upon it until the big day. The only images that emerged of the nuptials came via Sanchez's official Instagram account - and photos of guests leaving the night-time celebrations were scarce She also revealed that Bezos had begged to see her in the gown, but as is tradition for most brides, she explained that she wasn't going to let him lay his eyes upon it until the big day. 'I almost gave in,' she admitted. 'But I want it to be a surprise. As you get a little older, not many things surprise you. I can't wait to see his face.' This was not the only tradition the couple stuck with: Sanchez also donned 'something borrowed' for the ceremony - a pair of Dolce earrings. And she explained to Vogue that her 'something blue' was from her Blue Origin flight, revealing she carried a secret souvenir up in the rocket so she could bring it back for Bezos 'because it was one of the most profound experiences I've had in my life.' Sánchez went on: 'Seeing Earth from space, I came down and I couldn't describe it. It was the greatest experience I've ever had'. The Bezos couple are thought to have splashed out a staggering $20million on their multiple-day extravagant wedding bash. As guests arrived at the reception on Friday, they were welcomed by the stirring sounds of trumpets, violins, and a soulful Gospel choir. That same choir returned to belt out Whitney Houston's Higher Love right after the couple exchanged their vows, with guests cheering and singing along during the heartfelt moment. The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members Opera singer Matteo Bocelli kicked off the wedding reception with a touching tribute, opening his set with the timeless Elvis Presley classic I Can't Help Falling in Love With You. The son of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli stepped in since his father was tied up with concerts in southern Italy over the weekend. Earlier in the day, award-winning journalist Sanchez made a chic first appearance, stepping out of the five-star Aman Hotel in a sophisticated white Dior puff-sleeve suit, perfectly accessorized with a headscarf and oversized sunglasses. In the photographs, she flashed a dazzling new giant diamond ring that caught plenty of attention.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Secrets of the Bezos wedding exposed: Outrageous dinner plans. Who's in and who's out. The dress designer. And the REAL cost. Insiders spill every jaw-dropping detail to ALISON BOSHOFF
Very little disturbs the peace of the obscure island of San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice, which is connected at times by sandbanks to the neighbouring island of Torcello and enjoys views across the lagoon. The only dwelling here is a modest five-bedroom home, previously the guesthouse to a convent which was part of a long-destroyed monastery complex. The recorded population? Just 11 souls.
