June 01, 2025

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MARTYN LAWRENCE BULLARD

If the walls of Martyn Lawrence Bullard's home in the West Hollywood Hills could talk, they'd have plenty of fascinating stories to tell. The stylish hideaway owned by the interior designer to the stars has been home to music legend Tina Turner, pop artist Andy Warhol and Hollywood hellraiser Dennis Hopper, and has also seen its fair share of parties and famous visitors -- including Martyn's own celebrity friends and clients"So many people have been in this house," British-born Martyn tells HELLO! as he opens his doors for this exclusive interview. "When Dennis Hopper lived here, there was everyone from the Rolling Stones and The Beatles to Jane Fonda and even a bunch of Hell's Angels." "I love to entertain, too. Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne and Gwen Stefani love coming here. Last week, Melanie ri t came for dinner, and uPaul is a regular visitor. We have fun game nights, and he loves to play charades." Central to Martyn's gatherings is the bar he created out of Andy's old breakfast room. On the wall is Steve Schapiro's 1965 photo of the artist with muse Edie Sedgwick in New York's Studio 54 nightclub"This room used to be papered in soup-can labels," Martyn says. "But I turned it into my little bar and used my own wallpaper, which I designed for Cole & Son -- and which, I hear, is also in t e Prince and Princess of Wales' apartment at Kensington Palace. I ave a bunc of ar ol's work in the house, which is a nod to his tenure here." As well as creating stunning interiors for his own property, Martyn, , as transformed t e omes of film stars, music legends, supermodels and royalty, winning a slew of industry awards and being hailed as one of the world's top designers. He has worked on Cher's palatial oceanside mansion in Malibu, Sir Elton John and David Furnish's colourful house in Los Angeles and the homes of Kris and Kylie Jenner, as well as Kylie's sister Kourtney KardashianAlso among his A-list clients are models Cindy Crawford, Alessandra Ambrosio and Winnie Harlow, fas ion designer ommy ilfiger, and actress llen Pompeo, plus ritis , Middle Eastern and European royalty"Cher is an amazing force of nature," Martin says. "We've worked toget er on and o for almost years, and she's a special part of my life. She loves exoticism and Moorish décor. She's great fun, wildly intelligent and a very cool lady."

AN ICON OF A GENERATION SIMONE BILES

Simone Biles may be right -- it may have been chance that brought sport into her lifeS "It wasn't me who decided to be a gymnast; I feel it was destiny," she tells HELLO!But being a legend at only 28 -- Simone is the most decorated gymnast in history -- is certainly not a matter of luck. It all started almost as a game when she was a child"They sent a letter to my house… And because I had a very muscular body, it was obvious to my parents to sign me up for gymnastics. I was already doing somersaults all over the house." After winning two gold medals at the 2013 Antwerp Championships, it was clear Simone, who made her debut with a revolutionary move in t e floor e ercise a double stretc wit a half twist in the second somersault -- was destined for unparalleled success ree years later, t is belief was confirmed e merican at lete stole t e s ow at er first Olympics in Rio, winning gold in the all-around competition. She shone again at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, w ere s e won five gold medals, performing er double-back somersault with a triple twist So the anticipation to see the young star at t e ne t lympics in o yo in also marked by the pandemic -- could not have been greater. Everyone was waiting with bated breath for her spectacular performance. But the une pected appened imone left t e arena after the vault event. BEFORE & AFTER That one gesture resounded around the worldven more so w en s e e plained t at er priority was her mental health. In that moment, Simone, the gymnast who put her wellbeing before Olympic glory, ceased to be just a recordbreaking athlete -- she became a role model"When I was younger, I was very intimidated by the idea of being an inspiration to new generations. ow I see it as a privilege I find it very e citing, s e e plains. I don't t in about it much. I just live my life, day by day, and I feel that people connect with who I am as a person, not just with what I've achieved." The winner of 30 medals in world championships and seven in the Olympics arrived in Madrid to attend the Laureus Awards