Celeb roundup: Bob Mackie dies at 87, Kim Kardashian awarded €1 and more

Celebrity news took a turn through fashion, music, family, legal troubles and some difficult personal moments this week.

Bob Mackie’s death marked the loss of one of Hollywood’s most recognisable costume designers, while several South African stars made headlines for everything from pregnancy announcements to political and financial disputes.

1. Bob Mackie, Hollywood's 'designer to the stars', dies at 87

Known as the “Sultan of Sequins”, Mackie spent decades creating costumes for stars including Cher, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton and Elton John. His career earned him nine Emmys, a Tony Award and three Oscar nominations.

His death was announced on his Instagram account on Monday, with a statement saying he had fulfilled his dream of becoming a fashion and costume designer.

Mackie had a particularly close creative relationship with Cher, designing the dramatic Mohawk look she wore to the 1986 Oscars. The outfit, featuring a feathered headdress and exposed midriff, became one of the most memorable looks in Oscars fashion history.

His career began as a sketch artist, and one of his early assignments involved sketching the dress Marilyn Monroe wore while singing “Happy Birthday Mr President” to John F Kennedy in 1962.

2. Artists leave Ed Sheeran tour after Macklemore controversy

Several artists have announced their departure from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour following the removal of rapper Macklemore from the line-up.

Macklemore had made pro-Palestinian comments while performing at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month, including saying “Free Palestine!” Sheeran subsequently said the decision to remove him was made by the tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, not by him.

Finneas, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, and Danish singer Lukas Graham have since said they are leaving the tour. Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking up for oppressed people, while Beoga and Rowe pointed to Ireland’s own history of colonialism and occupation.

Matheba publicly questioned Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie over his proposal to bring Jay-Z’s “JAY-Z 30” concert event to South Africa.

McKenzie shared details of his trip to France, where he attended the Lumiere Film Summit and met executives from Roc Nation. He said he had pushed for the concert to be brought to South Africa.

Matheba responded by questioning why government attention and resources should go towards an international mega-event when local creative industries continue to face financial and structural challenges.

Her comments specifically pointed to the struggles facing local awards including the South African Music Awards and South African Film and Television Awards.

4. Cici announced pregnancy

South African singer Busisiwe Thwala, better known as Cici, has announced that she is expecting a baby. The singer shared the news on social media alongside a heartfelt message about her unborn child.

“Loved before we met, prayed for before we knew you, and cherished beyond words,” she wrote.

The announcement surprised many of her followers, who responded with messages of congratulations.

5. RG Snyman and wife welcomed first child

Springbok rugby player RG Snyman and his wife, Saskia, have welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Rooks Rose.

Saskia shared the news on Instagram, posting a picture of their daughter dressed in an off-white baby grow with brown hearts.

The couple announced in May of 2025 that they were expecting their first child together. They have been based in Ireland since 2020.

6. Lady Gaga welcomed first baby with Michael Polansky

Gaga and her fiancé Michael Polansky have reportedly welcomed their first child together.

“People”, “Entertainment Weekly” and “Page Six” reported that the couple became parents earlier this year. Details about the baby’s name and exact date of birth have not been made public.

The couple were recently spotted in northern California as a family of three, with Gaga carrying the baby in a wrap while Polansky walked beside her.

Gaga and Polansky were first linked publicly in 2020, and she confirmed their engagement while attending the 2024 Paris Olympics. The singer has previously spoken about wanting to become a mother, telling the New York Times in 2025 that she was excited about motherhood.

7. Federal agents search Hayden Panettiere’s home

Federal agents have reportedly searched the West Hollywood home of actor Hayden Panettiere as part of an ongoing investigation into her death.

Panettiere, 36, was found unresponsive and in cardiac arrest at an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina, on August 16. According to a witness, more than six law enforcement officers later entered her residence, although authorities have not said whether anything was found during the search.

A county coroner’s report found no evidence of trauma or foul play. A toxicology report is expected to determine whether drugs played a role in her death.

8. Pearl Thusi responded to reported R15m SARS tax demand

Media personality Pearl Thusi has responded to reports that SARS issued her with a final demand relating to an alleged tax debt of almost R15 million.

The reported figure includes around R9.8 million in personal income tax, R5.2 million in interest and R20,000 in administrative penalties. According to reports, she was given 10 business days to settle the amount or use the available remedies.

Thusi has reportedly acknowledged that she is dealing with the matter and engaging with SARS, but disputes the figure that has been reported. She described the nearly R15 million amount as “grossly incorrect and therefore misleading”.

9. Kim Kardashian awarded €1 over 2016 Paris jewellery robbery

Nearly a decade after Kim Kardashian was held at gunpoint during a jewellery robbery in Paris, a court has awarded her €1 (about R19) at her own request.

Kardashian was robbed of about $6 million worth of jewellery in October 2016 when five masked men, some posing as police officers, entered her hotel room. The attackers restrained her before taking the jewellery, most of which has never been recovered.

The SKIMS founder testified during the criminal trial in 2025, recalling that she believed she was going to die during the ordeal.

Eight defendants were eventually convicted of charges connected to the robbery, while two were acquitted. None of those convicted will return to prison after their time served was taken into account.

Kardashian and her childhood friend Simone Harouche, who was also awarded €1, said the decision was not about the money but about accountability and recognition of what they experienced.

10. Sol Phenduka apologised over joke about missing woman

The “Podcast and Chill” co-host has apologised following a joke he made during a recent episode of the popular podcast show following the discovery of a missing woman’s body.

Phenduka said the episode was recorded on a Sunday while he and guest co-hosts Yanda Woods were exchanging jokes. During the banter, he made what he described as an “unfortunate pun joke” involving a woman who had been reported missing.

The situation took on a much more serious context after the woman, identified as a member of the Musila Khomo family, was found dead in Kempton Park.

In an apology video, Phenduka said he understood why the joke was inappropriate, particularly against the backdrop of femicide in South Africa.

THE NATIONAL