Pharrell Williams storms off stage at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as he blasts crowd for dangerous behaviour
HE hit the No1 spot with Get Lucky in 2013 but Pharrell Williams got stroppy on stage as he headlined the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
And I can’t blame him.
Onlookers told me the American singer cut his set short by 15 minutes after getting angry at fans among the 30,000-strong crowd lobbing light-up wristbands on to the stage.
Pharrell begged the crowds to calm down but it seems the F1 fans couldn’t help themselves.
From the stage in Jeddah, Pharrell, performing with stars including Alicia Keys said: “This is the liveliest city right now on the planet but we have also got to be the safest.
“I know you guys are excited. And I know you are wanting to throw your wrist gadgets and lights and all that, but you can’t as the girls are dancing. And me? love women, how about you?”
Ahem . . .
Pharrell added: “We must protect our women so if you want to throw them lights you have to throw them the other way, not at the stage. Who understands what I am saying?”
Despite his warning, the wristbands continued to fly – meaning Pharrell had to ask for calm again.
He shouted: “Let’s take those stupid wristbands and throw them in the air right now when I count to three. And now we are done.”
After realising his request was falling on deaf ears, Pharrell said: “OK, I am going to let you all finish,” before walking off and not coming back.
Onlookers told me the set was electric before it had kicked off.
One said: “Alicia and Pharrell were absolutely amazing but he’d clearly had enough by the end of it. He left the stage about 15 minutes before he was meant to because he didn’t want any of his dancers to get hit by the wristbands.
“It was a real shame because the show had been so good and the music was amazing.”
The night was organised by MDLBEAST and DJ Martin Garrix, Pusha T and A$AP Rocky also performed.
It’s sad when people can’t control themselves and ruin it for everyone.
Pharrell was definitely in the right.
OLIVIA RODRIGO and Sheryl Crow teamed up again on stage in California.
The pair first performed together back in September at the Bluebird Café in Nashville.
And clearly not content with sharing the stage with the music legend just once, Olivia pulled Sheryl up for the show on her Guts World Tour.
Olivia brought Sheryl out on stage after performing Can’t Catch Me Now and told the crowd: “I think she’s one of the most talented, most wonderful, kindest human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.
“I’ve been lucky enough to sing with her a few times and I’m even luckier to call her a friend.
“Will you guys please give it up for the incredible Sheryl Crow.”
The duo then treated fans to a rendition of my favourite Sheryl song, her 1996 classic If It Makes You Happy.
I’m jealous of everyone who got to see that live.
SHE was a mainstay on the charts throughout the Noughties and Anastacia believes the music industry has finally changed for the better after the #MeToo movement.
The I’m Outta Love singer exclusively told our Howell that blokes in the business can’t get away with things they used to – although she conceded she has always been so fierce no one ever dared take advantage of her.
Anastacia said: “There are certain things that I think it’s nice that men can’t get away with doing any more.
“I’m very clear and if there was a situation, I dealt with it in real time.
“I was really ballsy. I was like, ‘No. Get the f**k off’. I was way more that type of girl.”
Anastacia has recently released her eighth album, Our Songs, which, oddly, is a collection of Germany’s biggest hits translated into English.
Being frank about how barmy the idea is, Anastacia said: “The project was not my first choice when presented to me. I was like, ‘Thanks, but no thanks’.
“At the very beginning I was so scared, I thought I’d really made a mistake.
“But sometimes it’s these projects that really challenge you and now I really love this album.
“In Germany the record has gone gold. I haven’t been gold in years. But I don’t need singles, I’m lucky.
“I have a catalogue that has been gold and platinum throughout its life so I’ve been able to do new songs and enjoy them through different tours but I don’t need it to work and live.”
Her new love of the German tracks means Anastacia says she could now be tempted by the bright lights of the Eurovision Song Contest.
She added: “I would consider it. I never discount putting out a great song – and I know I can sing.”
Bring it on.
THE lyrics to her new album Eternal Sunshine had more Easter eggs than the Bunny himself.
Now Ariana Grande has been forced to call on fans to stop sending hate to people in her life because of it.
The record appears to have Ariana opening up about her split from estate agent Dalton Gomez and new romance with actor and singer Ethan Slater.
Ari said: “I just wanted to say anyone sending hateful messages to the people in my life based on your interpretation of this album is not supporting me and is absolutely doing the polar opposite of what I would ever encourage (and is also entirely misinterpreting the intention behind the music).”
That’s them told.
THE world has gone country music mad and now Bella Hadid is getting in on the act.
The model put on a Stetson with a Nineties-style handkerchief top as she cheered on her boyfriend, competitive horse rider Adan Banuelos, at a rodeo in Texas.
She was seen screaming in support of Adan, who was riding in the competition with the top prize close to £1million.
I’d have been going bananas too, to be fair.
After he got off his horse, Bella was spotted sharing a sweet moment with Adan, who she has been dating since October.
Bella and Adan met through their love of horse riding, with him cheering her on last month at her first competitive event with her new steed.
They’ll soon be riding off into the sunset together.
Raye on Glasto’s wishlist
IT’S already been an epic year for Raye – and we’re only two months in.
But before she can take her foot off the pedal I can reveal the Escapism singer has been given an offer she surely can’t refuse.
Glasto organiser Emily Eavis, who has her work cut out after Stevie Wonder was ruled out as a headliner for the June Festival, has offered Raye a prominent slot should she find the time in her diary.
It would be a return after she played the festival last year.
A source said: “Emily is a huge fan of Raye.
“She loves her story of grafting for years and taking on the music industry and record labels and winning.
“It was a no-brainer to have her back at the farm but after her six Brits last month Emily now wants to give her as big a slot as possible.”
Headliners for this year’s festival are set to be announced this week, with Skepta confirming over the weekend he was heading to Worthy Farm.
I have told how Dua Lipa has bagged one of the slots, alongside Coldplay, who will headline the iconic event for a fifth time.
With Stevie dropping out and Bruce Springsteen being too busy, Rihanna’s was the last name I heard which could be a feasible big-name act.
Only time will tell.
Jasmine Riz a top choice
TOP Boy actress and industry darling Jasmine Jobson is heading for the big time with her biggest role to date.
I’ve been told she has been cast in the big-budget movie version of Hamlet, which will be Riz Ahmed’s directorial debut.
She will play Fortinbras in the modern retelling of the play, to be set in London.
Jasmine has had an impressive career, playing Jaq in Netflix hit Top Boy, Cara in BBC One drama Noughts + Crosses and having the lead role of Lisa Evans in ITV thriller Platform 7.
She has also recently shot the movie Bird opposite Saltburn actor Barry Keoghan.
The Oscars took place overnight and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jasmine nominated in years to come.
‘Cilla still a villa thriller
PRISCILLA ANYABU was a class act as she hosted an International Women’s Day event with Skepta.
She wore a cute black co-ord for the bash at Apollo’s Muse inside Bacchanalia in London.
Priscilla made a name on Love Island before moving into presenting, where she now interviews stars around the globe for BET.
She’s come a long way since the villa in 2020 and I love to see her shine.
Ray even has a hard stare
I’VE heard of resting bitch face – I do a mean version.
It turns out Ray Winstone has one too, although his is a little more . . . murderous.
He said of home life with wife Elaine: “My wife says to me, ‘Why do you look like you’re going to kill someone when you walk into a room?’”
I feel your pain, Ray. The film legend has teamed up with Guy Ritchie for new Netflix show The Gentlemen.
Of his almost five decade-long career, Ray added: “It’s not until you reflect on it and you think, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve worked with (directors) Spielberg, Scorsese, Aronofsky and Jonathan Glazer.”
The week in bizness
TODAY: CARA Delevingne makes her West End debut in Cabaret. The supermodel is taking on the role of Sally Bowles in the stage show at the Playhouse Theatre alongside Luke Treadaway as The Emcee. Cara is due to perform until June 1.
WEDNESDAY: CELEBRATING the 30th anniversary of Oasis album Definitely Maybe, Liam Gallagher kicks off the first night of his tour with John Squire. The duo will begin the run in Glasgow, before playing in Dublin on Saturday.
THURSDAY: Actor Jake Gyllenhaal and bruiser Conor McGregor are in London for the premiere of their new Prime Video film Road House. The event, at Curzon Mayfair, begins at 6pm. The film is a remake of the 1989 original which starred Patrick Swayze.
FRIDAY: JUSTIN Timberlake drops his album Everything I Thought I Was and Kacey Musgraves releases her sixth studio record, Deeper Well. Zayn Malik is also back, with single What I Am.