“I definitely think I am a private person. But you sort of have to give over to the fact that it’s impossible to be private these days. It’s more about acceptance of the reality instead of creating my own reality that doesn’t exist,” Hollywood actor-director Bradley Cooper told British director Stephen Daldry at BFI Southbank last night.
“I was shy and I still am shy.” It’s hard to believe given Cooper’s illustrious career in the spotlight, but his fear of public speaking started young, he says. “I had so much stage fright. The idea of getting in front of people and talking was like a nightmare but I always loved movies,” he said. At acting school, Cooper was “terrified” to ask Robert De Niro, who was visiting to give a talk, a question from the audience. “I thought everybody would laugh at me,” Cooper said.
Yet the actor seems to have grown out of his fear. Ten years ago, he was on Broadway then the West End playing the lead role in Bernard Pomerance’s Elephant Man. Would he do theatre again? “I’m dying to,” Cooper admits. “I love theatre love it. You really do have to love it cus eight shows a week and it is just no bullshit, it is the real deal.” The BAFTAs and Oscars are on the horizon, and Cooper’s latest film which he both directs and stars in, is nominated for seven awards at both ceremonies. But at the front of his mind is his next film, which he is shooting later this year. Or as he calls it, “a tiny little movie, like a little ten million dollar movie.” That’s showbusiness.
Schiffer brings pet pal to premiere
Actors Claudia Schiffer and Henry Cavill, singer Dua Lipa and... Schiffer's cat, Chip. Nothing short of an all star lineup to attend the premiere of Argylle at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square last night. Schiffer packed her pet pal into an on-theme backpack for the yellow carpet, then brought her feline friend out onstage to introduce the film to the audience. Chip is quickly getting famous having starred in the film and been spotted with Taylor Swift on social media. Over in east London, singer-songwriter Raye hosted and performed at the H&M Move collection launch with model Leomie Anderson among the guests. Meanwhile, Paloma Faith enjoyed a private view of CUTE, a new exhibition at Somerset House. In Soho, Laura Whitmore celebrated the VIP opening of Gilgamesh.
