But it's Cher's defensive arms for whom Lorde should be most grateful. The superstar told her 1.8 million Twitter followers yesterday what she thought of the teen queen.
"So unique! Isn't it great to discover a new young amazing artist," Cher gushed. "Soar little woman," she tweeted. "This is your time."
When a tweeter queried Lorde's criticisms of fellow female pop stars, Cher was having none of it.
"She's not a make-nice artist. She's looking to point out the bullshit and tell her truth. She's busting it open. This ballsy little chick's being true to her beliefs. Pushing boundaries. She'll find her way to deal with sister art."
As far as tacit approval goes, it doesn't come much bigger than this.
BOXER LOOKS TO BESTOW A TITLE ON MISS RIGHT
He may want to pummel David Tua in Hamilton next week, but Belarusian boxer Alexander Ustinov tells The Diary he is in no rush to return to his homeland and wants to find love and settle down in New Zealand - most likely Nelson.
"I want to find a family-oriented wife to settle down with and have a beautiful family. Have two kids. I liked Nelson. That's the New Zealand place where I think I could start a family," he said through a translator.
And he's serious. So keen, in fact, he's advertising his eligibility to potential suitors. He provided this column, in a bid to play match-maker, with a bio and a strict list of prerequisites. Belarusians are nothing if not bold.
Ustinov wants to find love in New Zealand and says he prefers our fairer sex (who can blame him?). "Kiwi women are far prettier and have much nicer natures than any other women in the world. All women are special, but Kiwi girls are extra special."
The downside is his English is limited and a translation app will be needed if your Ruski's not up to scratch, but, plus side: the big guy is single and ready to mingle. However, not all Kiwi gals will cut the mustard.
"I don't like women who smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, take drugs or are easy in virtue. I really want to meet a Kiwi girl who I can proudly introduce to my family." Also, word of warning, ladies: he's a bit of a mama's boy.
Taika's rant at radio hosts
It hasn't been a good week for RadioLive hosts Andrew Fagan, John Tamihere and Willie Jackson, whose insensitive interviews about teenage sex victims drew disparaging comments around the country. Isn't it time we expected more from our high-profile media men than misguided misogyny and prejudice? Taika Waititi thinks so.
"Open letter to John Tamihere and Willie Jackson.
Dear JT and Willie,
You guys are pricks.
Sincerely,
T. Waititi."
Waititi's censure on Twitter marks the discontent that's been brewing all week. RadioLive's advertisers are sure to be on alert. Let's hope the station and parent company MediaWorks, both run by women, take heed. Maybe they should send key male staff on a sensitivity symposium where they can learn about rape victims and sex crimes. Senior members of the police force may want to attend, too.
ABs find love in Paris
From watching macho movie The Expendables in French and not understanding a word, to taking selfies at the Eiffel Tower, All Black Cory Jane is soaking up Parisian culture. Beauden Barrett satisfied his discerning taste at the Louvre by ticking the Mona Lisa "off the bucket list". The City of Love is having an impact, too, on Aaron Cruden, who is turning on the romance for girlfriend Grace King. "Amazing day out in Paris with this beauty," he told Twitter. "Certainly is a special place." Israel Dagg shared some love by posing with girlfriend Daisy Aitken in front of the Eiffel Tower, while Liam Messam channelled Tom Cruise and went down on one knee for a giggling Ma'a Nonu, proving romantic proposals at the famous landmark can be churlish, too.
Fassbender snapped snacking
Local paparazzi photos of Michael Fassbender in Twizel this week were splashed across Britain's Daily Mail yesterday showing the Hollywood heartthrob shopping with a mystery brunette. The 36-year-old actor is in the South Island town to film the movie Slow West, which he both stars in and produces. He was snapped heading to a local convenience store in a Toyota SUV to buy snacks.
Twizel locals say Fassbender has been keeping a low profile lately. "I haven't seen him for about a week. They [the crew] are doing night shoots at the moment, so he sleeps during the day and films at night," said one local woman wistfully.
Shots taken from inside the set reveal a rugged-looking Fassbender in period clothes, brandishing a pistol and knife. Slow West is set in 19th-century Colorado, with Twizel playing the American frontier.
TV reporters to wed
Television news journalists Michael Parkin (TVNZ) and Rachel Tiffen (TV3) are tying the knot tomorrow in Akaroa and the bride-to-be, a former Herald journalist and self-described "control freak", said she is yet to "experience any Bridezilla moments".
The pair, who met in Napier in 2009 while both covering the siege, will say their I-dos in a low-key ceremony at a waterfront French restaurant in front of 65 guests, including TV3 presenter Susie Nordqvist (who is bridesmaid) and TVNZ reporter Abbey Scott and her partner Guy Wilson, Lydia Ko's coach.
The pair will honeymoon in Bali. We wish them all the best.
