As Miranda Priestly’s acerbic Gen Z assistant Amari Mari, she’s the breakout star of The Devil Wears Prada 2. But Simone Ashley, who previously starred in Bridgerton, has her sights set beyond mere Hollywood fame, and is aiming for a top-flight music career, too.
Lucrative Record Deal
Her ambitions have got off to a flying start as the actress has signed a ‘very, very lucrative’ record deal with music giants Universal, I can reveal.
While the Surrey-born star – who turned heads in a dress made of silver chains at the Met Gala last week – hopes to become as big a pop star as Beyoncé, her inspiration comes a little closer to home.
Inspired by Sade
‘Simone has grown up massively inspired by British UK soul sensation Sade,’ reveals a close friend. ‘Not only does she adore Sade’s voice, but she also admires her style. That’s the sound and look she wants to take forward – and obviously taking on board the more recent success of soul sensations like Beyoncé. That’s where she wants to go. It’s super exciting.’
Ashley, 31, recently released an EP called Songs I Wrote In New York, penned while shooting The Devil Wears Prada 2. Her Universal contract means she will return to the US to record an album at the end of the year.
She says she’s ‘really proud’ of the release, adding: ‘It’s just the beginning. I’m really excited to see how [my music] evolves over the years.’
Born Simone Pillai to Indian Tamil parents, she studied at Redroofs School for the Performing Arts in Berkshire and ArtsEd in London, but says: ‘Music was the first thing I did before acting.’ And now it seems to be paying off!
Lila Moss Back with Ex
Earlier this year, I revealed Lila Moss had joined her supermodel mother, Kate, on the singles pile after splitting from her boyfriend of three years. Well, now I can reveal Lila has returned to her ex, Yoni Helbitz. Two years older than her, he’s an e-commerce maestro at fashion label Self Portrait.
I’m told Lila, 23, is now ‘really happy and making loads of money with her brand deals. At last, she feels she’s coming out of her mum’s shadow.’
Dua Lipa’s Hen Do in Italy
Dua Lipa spends much of her life on holiday – so it should come as no surprise that her hen do will be in Italy. I hear the pop star has a host of ‘wildly luxurious’ surprises in store for her ‘besties’ such as models Sarah Lysander and Rosie Van Amerongen. Lipa, 30, will marry 36-year-old actor Callum Turner – who’s tipped to be the next 007 – in Palermo in Sicily.
No Leg-Up for Luca Firth
No showbiz leg-ups for the son of Bridget Jones heartthrob Colin Firth – he’s even resorted to cleaning pub loos to earn his keep. Luca Firth tells me he’s been working in various bars to fund his dream career as a musician, where the tasks include keeping the Gents in good order. The 25-year-old hopes to make it big with his indie-folk album called Big Eagle.
Emma Corrin Turned Away
Actor Emma Corrin never faced rejection as the wanton Lady Chatterley in Netflix’s recent steamy drama. But things are different at the hip Corrochio’s restaurant in Dalston, East London. Corrin rocked up looking edgy in double denim, only to be turned away by a doorman for not having a reservation. I’m told the poor star skulked away looking miserable and hungry.
Nina Darzi Marries Benjamin Cleary
Many congratulations to society beauty Nina Darzi who got married last week in a dress she helped design. The daughter of NHS reformer Lord Darzi tied the knot with Benjamin Cleary, an ex-director of Mayfair watch dealers Armour-Winston, at St Margaret’s, the parish church in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. Nina, who once made Tatler’s Little Black Book of eligible singles, designed her gown with Stewart Parvin, who also made Zara Tindall’s wedding dress.
The Queen’s Secret Measurements
There are some things a Queen never reveals... even after death. Curators of a new Buckingham Palace exhibition of Elizabeth II’s wardrobe have been besieged with requests for the measurements of each item, but aides refuse to yield. ‘They do not want her measurements over the years to be public,’ a source says. ‘It is far too personal and too private.’
