Hands at Cannes

I found these brilliant photos on my desktop – they were taken by Francois Durand when I was at the Cannes Festival in May. I was in the Dior suite getting ready to walk the red carpet – and if there was ever anything that was going to make you feel nervous about walking the carpet, it would be this mass of hands with their raised cameraphones! Good job I only saw the pictures afterwards…

The Dior suite at the Majestic was just a pure oasis of calm in comparison to the hot, noisy world down on the avenue. I can absolutely see why actors and celebrities would want to spend a few hours in there, gathering their thoughts and taking deep breaths ready for the paparazzi onslaught. It must be incredibly difficult for those actors and actresses who are quite nervous and introvert in real life to get themselves down the red carpet; you’d expect anyone in showbiz to love courting all of that attention, but I know quite a few people in the public eye who go to absolute pieces when they have to face banks of photographers.

The view from the Dior Suite, above – straight down onto the red carpet. Unfortunately I didn’t see any superstars because I was busy having my hair and makeup done! And also stuffing down a rather good chicken club sandwich, with the obligatory fries-on-the-side and little pots of mayo and ketchup. Why do club sandwiches with fries always taste so amazing? It’s my staple “first meal of a holiday” fodder – throw cases in room, go to pool, order club sandwich and a glass of rosé. It’s the simple things in life, isn’t it?

Last pic – international Dior makeup artist Jamie Coombes putting some finishing touches to my look. You would never guess what we were talking about two seconds before this shot was taken. Ha. It’s too rude to print.

If you missed my Cannes video, you can watch it below – so many thanks to Francois for the photographs, you can see his website here.