Latest news with #TradingPlaces
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Billionaire film mogul David Geffen sued by estranged husband Donovan Michaels
David Geffen is being sued by his estranged husband. The 82-year-old film producer is accused of treating Donovan Michaels, 32, like a "living social experiment" during the couple's two-year marriage in a lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court. Michaels has accused Geffen of breach of contract and alleges that the record executive kicked him out of their New York while he attended Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos's wedding to Lauren Sanchez in Venice last month and went back on a promise to give him lifelong financial support. The lawsuit alleges that Geffen – who has an estimated net worth of $8.8 billion – used a "toxic mix of seduction, control, promises of love and lavish displays of wealth to entrap" Michaels in a loop of "dependency, submission and humiliation". Patty Glaser, a partner at the law firm representing the film mogul, said: "There was no contract – express, written, oral or implied – that has ever existed. We will be vigorously and righteously defending against this false, pathetic lawsuit." The complaint says that Geffen met Michaels on the dating site in 2016 and paid him $10,000 for sex. The couple married in a private Beverly Hills ceremony in 2023 and the complaint claims that Geffen did not seek a prenuptial agreement. The DreamWorks co-founder filed for divorce in May, citing irreconcilable differences, and the pair had kept details of their separation private until Michaels filed his lawsuit. The dancer – whose real name is David Armstrong – described himself in the lawsuit as a vulnerable young gay black man who had been exploited by a "wealthy, powerful white gay billionaire who believed himself untouchable". Geffen is alleged to have criticised "every aspect of Michaels's appearance" and body hygiene that required him to get "painful" laser and dental treatments. Michaels claims that he was frequently subjected to "back-handed insults and put-downs" about his "past and lack of sophistication". He likened the pair's relationship to the plot of the movie Trading Places and alleges that Geffen treated him like "a living social experiment – a trophy to show off to his wealthy friends, under the guise of benevolence". The lawsuit states: "Geffen told Michaels he loved him, and the two agreed to treat each other as life partners, share all assets equally and that Geffen would support Michaels financially for life. "Michaels gave up his dreams – his modelling career, his independence – to dedicate himself fully to this promise." The suit also alleges that Geffen ordered Michaels to "immediately vacate" the couple's New York home as he partied aboard his $400 million Rising Sun superyacht in the lead-up to the Bezos wedding. It states that Michaels was left homeless as Geffen was "decadently and extravagantly partying and dancing the night away in Venice, Italy with the other 0.0001 per cent of the wealthiest people on the planet". The complaint says: "While Geffen holds himself out to the public as an extraordinarily charitable man whose foundation gives millions and millions of dollars to advocacy and support groups for the homeless and disadvantaged populations, he is simultaneously endeavouring to render Michaels impoverished and homeless."
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
David Geffen accused of abusing ex in suit alleging paid sex and superyacht drug parties
David Geffen has been sued by his estranged husband, Donovan Michaels, who says that the billionaire film producer preyed on his vulnerabilities as a young gay Black man from the foster system and trapped him in a manipulative and abusive relationship. Geffen, 82, and Michaels, 32, met in 2016 on a dating site where affluent individuals often seek relations with younger singles in return for some form of compensation, according to the complaint. On the night they met, the media mogul allegedly paid Michaels $10,000 to have sex with him. The pair continued their relationship and married in 2023, minus a prenup, according to the complaint. In May of this year, Geffen filed for divorce. Now Michaels, whose legal name is David Armstrong, is suing Geffen for breach of contract, saying that the billionaire promised to take care of him financially but left him near broke and homeless. The lawsuit compares their relationship to the plot of the movie 'Trading Places,' saying Geffen used Michaels as a trophy to show off to his rich and famous friends. 'It was a sick game,' the complaint states. 'Michaels became a prop in Geffen's theater of virtue, paraded around as evidence of Geffen's supposed altruism, while privately used as a sexual commodity.' Geffen's attorney Patty Glaser pushed back on Michaels' allegations. 'There was no contract — express, written, oral, or implied — that has ever existed,' she said in a statement to The Times. 'We will be vigorously and righteously defending against this false, pathetic lawsuit.' The 33-page complaint is packed with explosive claims about the exploits of the richest man in the entertainment industry. Geffen has an estimated net worth of $8.8 billion, according to Forbes. He amassed his wealth as a music and movie producer, signing major artists including the Eagles and Joni Mitchell and co-founding Dreamworks Pictures, which has produced iconic movies such as 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Shrek.' Michaels entered the Michigan foster-care system at 18 months old and grew up in various foster and group homes where he regularly experienced physical and emotional abuse, according to the complaint. He moved to Florida at 19 and relied on exotic dancing and X-rated videos to get by financially. The lawsuit claims that Geffen expected Michaels to use drugs such as cocaine and molly alongside Geffen's friends on the billionaire's 450-foot superyacht the Rising Sun. The complaint alleges that Geffen enjoyed physically dominating his sexual partners and causing them pain. This type of sexual behavior triggered Michaels' childhood trauma and caused him digestive issues, headaches and the need to isolate, according to the complaint. The suit further alleges that the billionaire 'critiqued every aspect of Michaels' appearance,' and that the mere existence of an ingrown hair would raise Geffen's ire. The media mogul allegedly told Michaels 'where to go, what to wear, what to read, what to watch, and what to say' and required him to submit to extensive painful cosmetic treatments. In addition, Geffen allegedly prevented Michaels from continuing to pursue his modeling career, saying he needed to be constantly available. Michaels says he began reevaluating his life and relationship after entering addiction treatment earlier this year. He then approached his husband and said he 'wanted a new beginning wherein he could stand shoulder to shoulder with Geffen as an equal free from power dynamics that existed.' According to the complaint, Geffen then cut Michaels off, demanded a divorce and denied Michaels financial support 'commensurate with his lifestyle' and his share of assets acquired during their cohabitation. While the media mogul was attending fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding in Italy last month, he ordered Michaels to vacate his New York residence, the complaint alleges. Michaels is seeking compensatory damages and a judicial determination of his rights under an alleged oral agreement made with Geffen. His attorneys argue that this should entitle him to having his living expenses covered for the rest of his life and an equal division of all properties subject to the agreement. 'While Geffen holds himself out to the public as an extraordinarily charitable man whose foundation gives millions and millions of dollars to advocacy and support groups for the homeless and disadvantaged populations,' the complaint states, 'he is simultaneously endeavoring to render Michaels impoverished and homeless.'
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Channel 5 launches new challenge show inspired by iconic Eddie Murphy film
The new show has a retro feel to it 'for more than one reason' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EDDIE MURPHY's Eighties movie Trading Places is the inspiration for a new TV project. The Channel 5 show has the same name and will see two people with very different lifestyles have to walk in one another's shoes. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Eddie Murphy alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd in Trading Places Credit: Alamy So you might end up watching a banker try his hand at farming, or a violinist become a lorry driver, or a ballerina ditch their tights in favour of working on an oil rig. It is based on the story at the heart of comedy Trading Places, which sees Eddie's down-and-out character Billy Ray Valentine trade positions with upper-class stock broker Louis Winthorpe, played by Dan Aykroyd. Meanwhile, snobbish Louis becomes a street hustler and pals with local hooker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. A TV insider said: 'While this has strong echoes of the 1983 movie, it has a retro feel to it for more than one reason. "The new project definitely has a whiff of Channel 4's Wife Swap or Faking It, which were hugely successful in the Nineties and Noughties. 'Though this does take things to higher level, as there is an implied amount of competition given that it's two people trying to excel in the other's field of expertise.' But the experience goes much further than their nine-to-five job. The participants will live in one another's houses, take over their hobbies, and even socialise with their friends and families. They will even have to follow the other's sleep routines — and neither has the faintest idea what the other does for a living before they start filming the show. DAMIAN'S GALAXY OF STARS ACTING royalty DamiaN Lewis brought together a galaxy of stars for the launch of Lightroom's Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs. I was on Wife Swap - what the other woman said when she went through my fridge left me reeling The attraction, in King's Cross London, is a new immersive experience that takes visitors back to prehistoric times, 66 million years ago. 3 Damian Lewis with celeb pal Billie Piper Credit: Getty 3 GMB host Kate Garraway was one of a string of Damian's famous pals to attend Credit: Getty Damian, who played Henry VIII in the BBC's Wolf Hall dramas, lends his dulcet tones to proceedings as the narrator. But at the official launch he was also playing host to a string of famous pals including Billie Piper and GMB host Kate Garraway. Other big names attending included Kay Burley, Anita Rani, Charlotte Ritchie and Matt Johnson. The prehistoric world was brought vividly to life through Lightroom's cutting-edge 360-degree projection technology – and all to the sound of a score by Hanz Zimmer. LIAM'S GIFT TO SINGERS NICOLE SCHERZINGER has told how co-star Liam Payne would put in extra hours behind the scenes of Building The Band to help the wannabes. The late singer is also a judge and mentor on the Netflix talent show that launched yesterday. It was filmed prior to his shock death last October. Nicole, who was a guest judge on The X Factor in 2010 when Liam found fame with One Direction, said of his time on Building The Band: 'He was in his happy place coming full circle, having started out in a similar situation on a talent reality show, and then having the global success that he has had, and then to be able to give back and to mentor bands. 'He put in the extra hours to work with these bands even off screen. 'He was giving back and that's one of his gifts.' AMY SET FOR LAST LAUGH THE first comedian primed to join a new star-studded cast of Jimmy Carr's Last One Laughing is Amy Gledhill She has been snapped up by Prime Video for the second series of the hit comedy show, which drops next year. Jimmy is back to host the show challenging ten of the UK's funniest people enter a room for a six-hour battle of wills - where the last one to laugh is crowned the winner. Amy will follow in the footsteps of Bob Mortimer, Daisy May Cooper and Joe Lycett who featured in the first outing. An insider told The Sun: 'Amy is not massively known as yet, but she's a rising star who has already achieved acclaimed success at the UK National Comedy Awards and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 'Last One Laughing is the perfect opportunity to show off her talent - and help catapult her onto the worldwide stage.' ROSE'S THRILLER GROWS ITV has commissioned a second series of thriller Code of Silence which stars Rose Ayling-Ellie. The first, six part series was widely acclaimed when it aired on ITV1 and ITVX in May and June and the first episode consolidated with 7.5m viewers In particularly, people tuning in were impressed by it putting a deaf character, Alison, at the heart of the action. Former EastEnders and Strictly winner Rose, who plays the key role, said: 'I'm so proud that Code of Silence has been recommissioned. 'The response to the first series has been incredible, and it means so much to be part of a drama that not only keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, but also puts a Deaf character at the heart of the story. 'I'm really excited to see where Alison's journey goes next and to be working again with the wonderful cast, crew and creative team behind the show.' A NEW trailer has dropped for series two of Netflix hit Wednesday, and it suggests Jenna Ortega's eponymous lead is in grave danger. During one of her psychic visions, she learns her best friend Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) will die and it is her fault. It lands on August 6. NETFLIX's longest-running unscripted series Queer Eye has been canned. The lifestyle show followed the Fab Five – experts in fashion, design, relationships, grooming and interiors – as they made over willing its 2018 debut more than 90 episodes have been aired.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Channel 5 launches new challenge show inspired by iconic Eddie Murphy film
EDDIE MURPHY's Eighties movie Trading Places is the inspiration for a new TV project. The Channel 5 show has the same name and will see two people with very different lifestyles have to walk in one another's shoes. 3 So you might end up watching a banker try his hand at farming, or a violinist become a lorry driver, or a ballerina ditch their tights in favour of working on an oil rig. It is based on the story at the heart of comedy Trading Places, which sees Eddie's down-and-out character Billy Ray Valentine trade positions with upper-class stock broker Louis Winthorpe, played by Dan Aykroyd. Meanwhile, snobbish Louis becomes a street hustler and pals with local hooker, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. A TV insider said: 'While this has strong echoes of the 1983 movie, it has a retro feel to it for more than one reason. "The new project definitely has a whiff of Channel 4's Wife Swap or Faking It, which were hugely successful in the Nineties and Noughties. 'Though this does take things to higher level, as there is an implied amount of competition given that it's two people trying to excel in the other's field of expertise.' But the experience goes much further than their nine-to-five job. The participants will live in one another's houses, take over their hobbies, and even socialise with their friends and families. They will even have to follow the other's sleep routines — and neither has the faintest idea what the other does for a living before they start filming the show. DAMIAN'S GALAXY OF STARS ACTING royalty DamiaN Lewis brought together a galaxy of stars for the launch of Lightroom's Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs. I was on Wife Swap - what the other woman said when she went through my fridge left me reeling The attraction, in King's Cross London, is a new immersive experience that takes visitors back to prehistoric times, 66 million years ago. 3 3 Damian, who played Henry VIII in the BBC's Wolf Hall dramas, lends his dulcet tones to proceedings as the narrator. But at the official launch he was also playing host to a string of famous pals including Billie Piper and GMB host Kate Garraway. Other big names attending included Kay Burley, Anita Rani, Charlotte Ritchie and Matt Johnson. The prehistoric world was brought vividly to life through Lightroom's cutting-edge 360-degree projection technology – and all to the sound of a score by Hanz Zimmer. LIAM'S GIFT TO SINGERS NICOLE SCHERZINGER has told how co-star Liam Payne would put in extra hours behind the scenes of Building The Band to help the wannabes. The late singer is also a judge and mentor on the Netflix talent show that launched yesterday. It was filmed prior to his shock death last October. Nicole, who was a guest judge on The X Factor in 2010 when Liam found fame with One Direction, said of his time on Building The Band: 'He was in his happy place coming full circle, having started out in a similar situation on a talent reality show, and then having the global success that he has had, and then to be able to give back and to mentor bands. 'He put in the extra hours to work with these bands even off screen. 'He was giving back and that's one of his gifts.' AMY SET FOR LAST LAUGH THE first comedian primed to join a new star-studded cast of Jimmy Carr 's Last One Laughing is Amy Gledhill She has been snapped up by Prime Video for the second series of the hit comedy show, which drops next year. Jimmy is back to host the show challenging ten of the UK's funniest people enter a room for a six-hour battle of wills - where the last one to laugh is crowned the winner. Amy will follow in the footsteps of Bob Mortimer, Daisy May Cooper and Joe Lycett who featured in the first outing. An insider told The Sun: 'Amy is not massively known as yet, but she's a rising star who has already achieved acclaimed success at the UK National Comedy Awards and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 'Last One Laughing is the perfect opportunity to show off her talent - and help catapult her onto the worldwide stage.' ROSE'S THRILLER GROWS ITV has commissioned a second series of thriller Code of Silence which stars Rose Ayling-Ellie. The first, six part series was widely acclaimed when it aired on ITV1 and ITVX in May and June and the first episode consolidated with 7.5m viewers In particularly, people tuning in were impressed by it putting a deaf character, Alison, at the heart of the action. Former EastEnders and Strictly winner Rose, who plays the key role, said: 'I'm so proud that Code of Silence has been recommissioned. 'The response to the first series has been incredible, and it means so much to be part of a drama that not only keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, but also puts a Deaf character at the heart of the story. 'I'm really excited to see where Alison's journey goes next and to be working again with the wonderful cast, crew and creative team behind the show.' A NEW trailer has dropped for series two of Netflix hit Wednesday, and it suggests Jenna Ortega 's eponymous lead is in grave danger. During one of her psychic visions, she learns her best friend Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) will die and it is her fault. It lands on August 6. NETFLIX's longest-running unscripted series Queer Eye has been canned.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Channel 5 launches new challenge show inspired by iconic Eddie Murphy film
EDDIE MURPHY's Eighties movie Trading Places is the inspiration for a new TV project. The Channel 5 show has the same name and will see two people with very different lifestyles have to walk in one another's shoes. 3 Eddie Murphy alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Aykroyd in Trading Places Credit: Alamy So you might end up watching a banker try his hand at farming, or a violinist become a lorry driver, or a ballerina ditch their tights in favour of working on an oil rig. It is based on the story at the heart of comedy Trading Places, which sees Eddie's down-and-out character Billy Ray Valentine trade positions with upper-class stock broker Louis Winthorpe, played by Dan Aykroyd. Meanwhile, snobbish Louis becomes a street hustler and pals with local hooker, played by A TV insider said: 'While this has strong echoes of the 1983 movie, it has a retro feel to it for more than one reason. Read more on Channel 5 "The new project definitely has a whiff of Channel 4's Wife Swap or Faking It, which were hugely successful in the Nineties and Noughties. 'Though this does take things to higher level, as there is an implied amount of competition given that it's two people trying to excel in the other's field of expertise.' But the experience goes much further than their nine-to-five job. The participants will live in one another's houses, take over their hobbies, and even socialise with their friends and families. Most read in News TV They will even have to follow the other's sleep routines — and neither has the faintest idea what the other does for a living before they start filming the show. DAMIAN'S GALAXY OF STARS ACTING royalty DamiaN Lewis brought together a galaxy of stars for the launch of Lightroom's Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs. I was on Wife Swap - what the other woman said when she went through my fridge left me reeling The attraction, in King's Cross London, is a new immersive experience that takes visitors back to prehistoric times, 66 million years ago. 3 Damian Lewis with celeb pal Billie Piper Credit: Getty 3 GMB host Kate Garraway was one of a string of Damian's famous pals to attend Credit: Getty Damian, who played Henry VIII in the BBC's Wolf Hall dramas, lends his dulcet tones to proceedings as the narrator. But at the official launch he was also playing host to a string of famous pals including Other big names attending included Kay Burley, Anita Rani, Charlotte Ritchie and Matt Johnson. The prehistoric world was brought vividly to life through Lightroom's cutting-edge 360-degree projection technology – and all to the sound of a score by Hanz Zimmer. LIAM'S GIFT TO SINGERS NICOLE SCHERZINGER has told how co-star Liam Payne would put in extra hours behind the scenes of Building The Band to help the wannabes. The late singer is also a judge and mentor on the Netflix talent show that launched yesterday. It was filmed prior to his shock death last October. Nicole, who was a guest judge on The X Factor in 2010 when Liam found fame with One Direction, said of his time on Building The Band: 'He was in his happy place coming full circle, having started out in a similar situation on a talent reality show, and then having the global success that he has had, and then to be able to give back and to mentor bands. 'He put in the extra hours to work with these bands even off screen. 'He was giving back and that's one of his gifts.' AMY SET FOR LAST LAUGH THE first comedian primed to join a new star-studded cast of Jimmy Carr's Last One Laughing is Amy Gledhill She has been snapped up by Prime Video for the second series of the hit comedy show, which drops next year. Jimmy is back to host the show challenging ten of the UK's funniest people enter a room for a six-hour battle of wills - where the last one to laugh is crowned the winner. Amy will follow in the footsteps of Bob Mortimer, An insider told The Sun: 'Amy is not massively known as yet, but she's a rising star who has already achieved acclaimed success at the UK National Comedy Awards and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 'Last One Laughing is the perfect opportunity to show off her talent - and help catapult her onto the worldwide stage.' ROSE'S THRILLER GROWS ITV has commissioned a second series of thriller Code of Silence which stars Rose Ayling-Ellie. The first, six part series was widely acclaimed when it aired on ITV1 and ITVX in May and June and the first episode consolidated with 7.5m viewers In particularly, people tuning in were impressed by it putting a deaf character, Alison, at the heart of the action. Former EastEnders and Strictly winner Rose, who plays the key role, said: 'I'm so proud that Code of Silence has been recommissioned. 'The response to the first series has been incredible, and it means so much to be part of a drama that not only keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, but also puts a Deaf character at the heart of the story. 'I'm really excited to see where Alison's journey goes next and to be working again with the wonderful cast, crew and creative team behind the show.' A NEW trailer has dropped for series two of Netflix hit Wednesday, and it suggests During one of her psychic visions, she learns her best friend Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) will die and it is her fault. It lands on August 6. NETFLIX's longest-running unscripted series Queer Eye has been canned. The lifestyle show followed the Fab Five – experts in fashion, design, relationships, grooming and interiors – as they made over willing its 2018 debut more than 90 episodes have been aired.
