Influencer scandals, star proposals and more

THIS week, the spotlight swung from high-profile engagements to concerning matters that had the internet buzzing.

- KAMOGELO MAKHURA

From Cyan Boujee’s involvement in a Russian programme to Taylor Swift's engagement and the upcoming Netflix docuseries Beauty and the Bester, here's your weekly catch-up of entertainment news:

South African influencers spark human trafficking concerns over their involvement in Russia’s Alabuga Start programme

Multiple influencers including Cyan Boujee (Honour Zuma), Peachy Sprinkles (Siyamthanda Anita), Ghost Hlubi (Khanya Hlubi), Seemah (Sima Mangolwane) and Zillewizzy (Khathutshelo Netshitomboni), have promoted the Alabuga Start programme.

Reports from 2024 by The Associated Press brought to light concerns about the same programme recruiting women from Central and East African countries to assemble drones in a Russian factory for deployment in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, some of these influencers have since deleted the videos on their social media pages while others claim that the human trafficking claims are not true.

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana seek court intervention to halt Beauty and the Bester documentary

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana have challenged the release of Netflix’s true-crime docuseries Beauty and the Bester, which is set to premiere on September 12.

The pair have this week filed an urgent court application to stop the release as Bester and Magudumana claim that the series includes inaccurate, defamatory, and unsubstantiated claims, thereby infringing upon their constitutional rights.

Harry Styles and Zoé Kravitz spark dating rumours