"I would say, from my limited experience of hearing about what other kids of people who are successful go through, like Julian Lennon, that there are not that many clear examples of kids doing a good job of putting themselves out there and coming up with the goods," said Duncan Jones recently.
Jones, who was once named Zowie by his father, David Bowie, has just made a low-budget sci-fi movie that echoes his father's The Man Who Fell to Earth. Jones's film, Moon, has been praised by critics.
It's the first time that Jones, who earned his directing chops in commercials, has stepped out of the shadow of his famous father. And if he has done so cautiously, it's not hard to see why.
For most famous children, getting attention from the public is not difficult. It's knowing what to do with it that's tricky. A sense of direction eludes all but the very few, and the rest often find themselves in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
"I think Stella McCartney has done a good job," said Jones, but the director struggled to come up with more examples of successful famous kids. Fortunately, we have a list to help him out.
1. Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa Geldof
Blurb: Bob Geldof's middle daughter has done it all - not terribly well.
Is there nothing she has not tried her hand at? Just 20 years old, she has been a columnist, a TV presenter, a runaway bride, a divorcee, a model, the face of an Australian fashion line, a DJ, a musician and been voted the 53rd sexiest woman in the world (by the readers of FHM). But by far her most outlandish project was the December 2008 launch of Disappear Here, a style guide aimed at young adults. The process of launching the magazine was the subject of an MTV documentary. The first issue featured reviews of coffins.
Successful? The response to Disappear Here was largely negative. A second issue was produced in April, but Peaches was not listed as editor in chief.
They said: "Will Disappear Here magazine ever see the light of day or are we truly living through the ruined last days of the insipid celebrity oligarchy?" - www.mojo4music.com
2. Julian and Sean Lennon
Blurb: One was the prodigal son, the other not so much.
John Lennon ignored his first son, Julian (who, after being left out of his dad's will, was reduced to buying his father's possessions at auction), and doted on his second son, Sean. But the talent in the family arranged itself differently. It was Julian who enjoyed three billboard top 10 hits. Sean's snoozy solo effort, Into the Sun, sank shortly after release.
Successful? Julian received a nod from the Cannes Film Festival for his 2007 documentary Whale Dreamers. His sixth album, Everything Changes, is released this year. Sean has released albums and film scores, but flies under the radar.
They said: "Sean was clearly John's favourite while he was alive." - The Times.
3. Jakob Luke Dylan
Blurb: He has a lot to live up to.
"When I listen to Blood on the Tracks," said Jakob Dylan, "that's about my parents' divorce." Awkward! But that wasn't the only problem for Jakob. "My dad is the best at what I do," he noted.
Success? His band the Wallflowers' 1996 album, Bringing Down the Horse, won two Grammys and sold six million copies. This year, Dylan was voted by the readers of Vanity Fair as one of the most handsome men in the world.
They said: "He has had to compete not only with his father's peerless achievements, but also with the standard of his own commercial success. Two subsequent albums, have not sold nearly as well." - The New York Times
4. Jack Joseph Osbourne
Blurb: A chip off the old, heavily tattooed, foul-mouthed block.
"They never went to school," observed a member of the production staff of The Osbournes once the hit MTV reality show propelled the family to fame. "I was paid to stay home," shrugged Jack. His lack of schooling (and dyslexia) hasn't harmed his career. If there is a reality TV show with a youthful demographic, Jack Osbourne will present it: Adrenaline Junkie, Extreme Celebrity Detox, Celebrity Wrestling.
Successful? For every up, there has been a down.
They said: "The man can do anything he wants. Anything in the world. He just needs to decide whether to pitch it at ITV2, Virgin1 or MTV." - The Times
6. Stella McCartney
Blurb: A famous kid with, you know, a real job.
She may have attended Sussex state schools, but Stella McCartney always had connections to die for. As a teenager, she did work experience at Christian Lacroix and her graduation collection at St Martin's was modelled for free by Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Yasmine Le Bon. But unlike other famous designers she did not get a first.
Successful? She was the creative director of the Paris fashion house Chloé before launching Stella McCartney with Gucci. She also designs for Adidas, H&M and Gap. She made Time magazine's Top 100 Most Influential People in 2009, the only fashion person to do so.
They said: "Her first collection for the house Chloé, shown in Paris in October 1997, quickly dispelled any doubts about her talent." - Vogue
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
%3Cp%3EGoogle%20wasn't%20new%20to%20busting%20out%20April%20Fool's%20jokes%3A%20before%20the%20Gmail%20%22prank%22%2C%20it%20tricked%20users%20with%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fmentalplex%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emind-reading%20MentalPlex%20responses%3C%2Fa%3E%20and%20said%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fpigeonrank%2F%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3E%20well-fed%20pigeons%20were%20running%20its%20search%20engine%20operations%3C%2Fa%3E%20.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%20subsequent%20years%2C%20they%20announced%20home%20internet%20services%20through%20your%20toilet%20with%20its%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Ftisp%2Finstall.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Epatented%20GFlush%20system%3C%2Fa%3E%22%2C%20made%20us%20believe%20the%20Moon's%20surface%20was%20made%20of%20cheese%20and%20unveiled%20a%20dating%20service%20in%20which%20they%20called%20founders%20Sergey%20Brin%20and%20Larry%20Page%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Farchive.google%2Fromance%2Fpress.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3EStanford%20PhD%20wannabes%3C%2Fa%3E%20%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EBut%20Gmail%20was%20all%20too%20real%2C%20purportedly%20inspired%20by%20one%20%E2%80%93%20a%20single%20%E2%80%93%20Google%20user%20complaining%20about%20the%20%22poor%20quality%20of%20existing%20email%20services%22%20and%20born%20%22%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fgooglepress.blogspot.com%2F2004%2F04%2Fgoogle-gets-message-launches-gmail.html%22%20target%3D%22_blank%22%3Emillions%20of%20M%26amp%3BMs%20later%3C%2Fa%3E%22.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Elvis
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Baz%20Luhrmann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Austin%20Butler%2C%20Tom%20Hanks%2C%20Olivia%20DeJonge%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
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Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
