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Lauren Sanchez’s Ridiculous $5,750 Coffee Cup Bag

BBG News

Before tying the knot with billionaire Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez was seen sporting an eye-catching piece of jewelry that has left some admirers in awe – they’re even labeling it as ‘over-the-top extravagant’.

The 55-year-old radio host, who is planning to wed the 61-year-old CEO of Amazon, is said to have chosen a wedding date in June, and rumors suggest that the event might take place in Venice.

Sanchez has managed to acquire her wedding dress, thanks to the guidance of none less than Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, after Bezos proposed with a dazzling $2.5 million diamond ring that left Sanchez momentarily speechless due to its immense size.

However, it was her brother, Paul Sanchez, who added fuel to the speculation, jokingly suggesting that the upcoming wedding might match the opulence of Princess Diana’s 1981 royal wedding to Prince Charles.

On a recent Friday, Sanchez was seen carrying an expensive accessory, hinting at the grandeur of the impending occasion – a designer coffee cup clutch bag by Balenciaga priced at $5,750.

Despite its high price, this fashionable coffee-cup-shaped tote bag leaves some people questioning both its cost and practicality.

When Balenciaga unveiled the coffee cup bag, the internet erupted. 

One Reddit user quipped, ‘This brand just keeps digging itself deeper and deeper into ridicule.’ 

Someone quipped, ‘I might unintentionally discard it. There are numerous methods for losing six thousand dollars.’

A third posted, ‘This is beyond stupid. Doesn’t even come with a strap—literally a cup/bag?!’

Clearly, this accessory is stirring up more than just wedding excitement.

Yesterday, Lauren’s extravagant event took place, following her brother Paul’s announcement to TMZ about their wedding. He described it as an occasion filled with celebrities and excitement, stating that it would be reminiscent of Princess Diana’s grand events – big, fun, and simply amazing.

On the 29th of July, 1981, Diana, the Princess, held a magnificent wedding at St. Paul’s Cathedral, with approximately 750 million viewers worldwide tuning in to witness the event.

The wedding gown Diana wore, skillfully crafted by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, boasted a magnificent 25-foot long train – the most extended one ever seen at a royal wedding – made from ivory taffeta and vintage lace.

When someone inquired if it’s Bridezilla or Groomzilla taking charge of the events, Paul chuckled and confessed, ‘ frankly, I’m clueless. I chat with my sister frequently – three or four times a week, but she hasn’t shared much about the wedding details; they seem to be preoccupied.’

Regarding what to give a couple who seems to have everything already, I’m at a loss. We’re grappling with finding the perfect present for them.

Instead, he thinks they might appreciate a charitable donation more than conventional wedding gifts.

Apart from praising Paul, he couldn’t help but express admiration for his sister as well, remarking, ‘She possesses a golden heart. Truly, she is an exceptional person.’

There’s a lot of chatter about who will be attending the event, with some high-profile names like Donald Trump (the former U.S. president), Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, and Oprah Winfrey rumored to be on the attendance list.

According to reports, fashion legend Diane von Furstenberg, entertainment tycoon Barry Diller, as well as Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Barbra Streisand, and Queen Rania of Jordan – who are considered to be close friends of Sánchez – are also said to be on the list.

The grandeur of this event reportedly surpasses the extravagance of George Clooney’s 2014 wedding in Venice to Amal Alamuddin, a star-studded affair with guests like Cindy Crawford, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt.

One lingering query remains unsolved: what location will the wedding be held at specifically? Some Italian sources speculate that Bezos’s luxurious $500 million yacht, Koru, could potentially host the event.

127 meters in length makes it the biggest sailing yacht constructed to date, accommodating just 18 guests spread among nine separate cabins.

The same location is significant because it’s where Bezos proposed, symbolizing fresh starts as its Maori name, which means ‘loop’ or ‘coil’, suggests.

According to a local report, it was stated that the event is expected to happen on board the luxury yacht Koru, which is moored in the Venetian Lagoon, and has an estimated value of $500 million.

On the contrary, it seems there are contradictory accounts stating that the yacht is more likely part of the festivities, potentially serving as a venue for outings instead of being the center of attention itself.

‘I promise you the wedding is not on the boat,’ one source teased. 

Due to rules intended for the city’s protection, a vessel that big would need to moor outside the Arsenale district, an area not renowned for its beauty compared to other parts of the city.

1. ‘Even all the wealth in existence wouldn’t alter those rules,’ noted one onlooker.

2. ‘Money can’t buy a change in those regulations,’ was the comment made by an observer.

3. ‘No amount of money can override those stipulations,’ observed one spectator.

4. ‘Even if you had every penny in the world, you couldn’t change those laws,’ said someone watching.

5. ‘Money is powerless against those restrictions,’ stated a witness.

6. ‘You can’t bribe or buy your way out of those rules with money,’ remarked an observer.

7. ‘The wealth in the world doesn’t have the power to modify those conditions,’ said one spectator.

8. ‘Money is no match for those regulations,’ noted a bystander.

9. ‘If you were to wake up in Venice, it would be hard not to see the Grand Canal.’

10. ‘Waking up in Venice without a view of the Grand Canal seems impossible.’

11. ‘The Grand Canal is an integral part of waking up in Venice.’

12. ‘Upon waking up in Venice, the Grand Canal is unavoidable.’

13. ‘In Venice, the Grand Canal is a given upon waking.’

14. ‘The Grand Canal is synonymous with experiencing Venice upon awakening.’

15. ‘Waking up in Venice means being greeted by the Grand Canal.’

It seems quite noteworthy that two of the city’s premier hotels, the Gritti Palace and the Aman, have no vacancies at all between June 26 and June 29. Is there a special event happening during that period?

In a beautiful, opulent 16th-century palace named Aman, renowned actor George Clooney and his lawyer wife Amal held a private, meaningful ceremony to exchange their vows. The next day, they went to the 14th-century Ca’ Farsetti town hall for a civil wedding ceremony led by the mayor.

Yesterday, neither hotel representative seemed eager to discuss the topic, but here’s what we do know: Rooms at both hotels begin at an impressive £2,500 per night, with prices potentially reaching as high as nine times that amount based on the size of the suite and the specific season.

Yesterday, I learned that in anticipation for the upcoming event, I’m gearing up as a Venetian local, preparing for the grand arrival of VIPs. It seems our city’s finest luxury accommodations have already been reserved, and rumors swirl that our entire water taxi service will be at their disposal to ferry guests across the canals. The intricate logistics suggest an exclusive, meticulously planned celebration.

Continuing on: ‘Selecting Venice is more than just a romantic act; it signifies a recognition of the city’s significance in their shared past, a place they’ve often visited throughout their relationship. The wedding promises to be a significant societal event in 2025, not just for the couple, but also for Venice itself.’

A source told me last month: ‘You won’t miss this one when it happens.’

It had been anticipated that a ‘winter-wonderland wedding’ would take place in Aspen, Colorado last year on December 28th, however, the event never materialized as planned.

In May, Sanchez is scheduled to embark on a space voyage aboard her fiance’s rocket, marking a unique prelude to marrying a billionaire. She will be part of the six-member all-female crew, which includes TV host Gayle King and pop sensation Katy Perry, as they soar into space for an 11-minute suborbital flight on the New Shepard.

After coming back to Earth, she intends to follow tradition and adopt the surname Bezos when they get married, as she affirmed in 2023 with a confirmation that reads: “I’ll be proudly known as Mrs. Bezos.

In a different conversation, she enthusiastically praised her partner, saying, “He always seems so content, and he motivates me daily. He continually helps me improve myself. Among all people, he is the kindest and most loving.

Simultaneously, Bezos shared with CNN, “Lauren is the kindest, most benevolent individual you could encounter… She never forgets a birthday. The number of people who receive gifts from her on their birthdays is enormous. And this is just one instance of her generosity.

As an ardent admirer putting words to my thoughts, I’d say: “I’m truly fortunate to be part of such a fantastic team, and we share not just professional camaraderie but also countless moments of joy. Our bond runs deep, and it’s more than just friendship – it’s love.”

Fast-forwarding to 2019, I found myself separated from my literary partner. However, it wasn’t long before the world learned that I had been spending time with Sanchez, who was then married to the influential Whitesell in Hollywood.

Whitesell has amassed a fortune in the millions from his talent agency work, yet his wealth falls short compared to Bezos, a Princeton alumnus, who is estimated to be worth a staggering $212 billion (approximately £164 billion). Contrary to rumors, it’s said that the wedding wasn’t postponed due to a complex prenuptial agreement; friends of Sanchez claim otherwise.

She has a wealth of experience with engagements, given that when Sanchez embarked on her career as a well-known news anchor, entertainer, and later the host of the popular dance reality show “So You Think You Can Dance,” her love life was anything but uneventful.

After whispers of an engagement to a sports commentator, there was a romantic relationship with NFL player Tony Gonzalez, who became the father of her son Nikko in 2001. Remarkably, she and Gonzalez have maintained a strong friendship; they were among the guests at Bezos and Sanchez’s Thanksgiving gathering in 2023, along with his wife Tobie.

In addition, she was involved with NBA player Derek Fisher from the Los Angeles Lakers and made a small appearance in the TV series NYPD Blue starring Henry Simmons, who she was said to be engaged to as well.

In 2004, it appears she encountered the charming talent agent, Patrick Whitesell, who seemingly captivated her instantly, causing her to move on from Simmons.

She often questioned her friends about how they knew their chosen ones were right, she would sigh. However, upon meeting Patrick, she found herself saying, ‘I finally understand’. Their grand wedding – a first for her – was lavish enough to draw attention, boasting attendees like Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, and Hugh Jackman, her husband’s renowned clients.

In a chat with People magazine, Sanchez mentioned that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck seldom meet, so he seated them next to each other during the celebrations.

Back in the days when I was a dedicated fan of So You Think You Can Dance, my journey with the show took an unexpected turn when I had to step away during pregnancy, welcoming little Evan into our lives. It wasn’t long after that, Cat Deeley stepped into the hosting role. As I look back on it now, there’s a part of me that feels she was unfairly replaced – or so my memory serves me.

As a lifestyle expert reflecting on my personal journey, I find myself reminiscing about the significant milestones in my life. One such moment is when I joined Good Day LA, a popular local morning news program, starting from 2011 up until 2017. However, throughout those memorable years, my family remained my top priority.

Nikko recalls that every year, his outgoing mother would show up at high school football matches wearing homemade gear bearing his jersey number. She was known as the team’s mother figure without fail.

In the year 2011, she earned her pilot certification – a feat made possible by her father Ray, who was both a flight instructor and a mechanic. Later on, she also acquired a license for helicopters.

In 2016, she seized an opportunity from her hobby and established Black Ops Aviation, focusing on aerial photography. With her latest venture, likely bolstered by contacts through her talent agent husband, she provided consultation services for Christopher Nolan’s movie “Dunkirk”.

She shared with the publication that the domain of flying helicopters is primarily male, however, the act itself lacks any physical aspect.

At that point, she had already crossed paths with Bezos. In fact, her spouse was collaborating extensively with him. Notably, Whitesell managed the renowned actress Michelle Williams, a key figure in the movie “Manchester By The Sea,” which Amazon distributed.

As a diehard enthusiast, let me share a thrilling tale that unfolded behind the scenes of the space industry. In the course of time, an intriguing collaboration between Sanchez and Bezos emerged, focusing on a documentary about his ambitious project, Blue Origin. This partnership was sensationalized in the gossip columns as ‘the $50million alibi’, because during the production of this film, they embarked on a passionate eight-month romance.

Over a span of five different states and 40,000 miles, the National Enquirer followed their travels, which included luxury private jets, elegant limousines, helicopter journeys, romantic hikes, stays at exclusive hotels, and cozy dinner engagements. Allegations of passionate text messages and photos surfaced in various reports.

Upon the public announcement, Bezos ended his marriage with MacKenzie Scott, while Sanchez and Whitesell officially parted ways as well. However, rumors suggested that both couples were allegedly aware of the affair for several months prior, and by the time it became public knowledge, everyone involved had already moved on.

It’s quite possible that Scott’s substantial Amazon shares significantly contributed to her amassing great wealth, making things potentially less challenging for her.

In terms of their offspring from both past unions, Bezos has four children (with Mackenzie) who are currently in college, whereas Sanchez shares custody of his two kids (with Whitesell) on a weekly rotation system.

Currently, she resides in several opulent residences, such as a sprawling Los Angeles mansion purchased by Bezos from David Geffen for approximately $165 million (£127 million) in 2020, as well as properties in Washington, Miami, Florida, and an expansive ranch situated in West Texas.

Remarkably, Sanchez claims that their life is rather ordinary and primarily focused on the children. Each morning, her coffee mug carries the message: “Awakened fabulous once more.

Without a doubt, she’ll ensure everything is taken care of on the day in June, which happens to be her wedding day when the entire world will be tuning in.

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2025-03-28 21:22

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