Lorde (and her spots) will have the last laugh as she performs with Disclosure at the Brit Awards next week.
HOO-HA OVER MANSION VISITS DELIGHTS DOTCOM
Political aspirant Kim Dotcom, who is fighting extradition, has entertained a number of people at his mansion "who are actively involved in politics right now, to expand my knowledge of the political arena", he told The Diary yesterday.
He reckons he's spreading the love. He's hesitant to name names, but says the politicians come from both the right and the left.
The Diary broke the news that Russel Norman visited the Dotcom mansion twice to talk the millionaire out of setting up a political party. This column also busted Don Brash making a visit, and Winston Peters, who dropped around three times.
Labour MP Clare Curran, who hails from the Deep South, was at Dotcom's Coatesville estate "at least twice, and once with a large suitcase", a source said. She caught a taxi once and was chauffeured another time. But why the baggage?
Curran confirmed she did go to the mansion twice, but can't recall travelling heavy.
"I was probably on my way to or from home," she told The Diary.
As to what was discussed, Curran won't divulge. "At that time I was spokesperson for ICT and I meet with a lot of people."
Her leader, David Cunliffe, assured The Diary "there has been no discussion with Dotcom from any member of my Labour caucus about a deal or financial contribution to the Labour Party".
Dotcom insists, too, that "no deals were made or donations offered". He says he is very serious about his political ambitions and about "understanding how politics in New Zealand works".
Who visited Dotcom and why has become the finger-pointing game of the week. As far as visitor books go, chez Dotcom is racking up quite the number of signatures.
Dotcombook author, Herald reporter David Fisher, said the internet millionaire was lapping up the publicity. "He is not in court for a while and he wants to create some sort of political relevance. He wants to be talked about and be the centre of attention. He will be loving this visibility."
BAD NEWS KEEPS FOLLOWING KIM
Dotcom has endured abysmal album reviews, a botched foray into politics, a broken ankle and MP mates scarpering for cover. His bodyguard Wayne Tempero left his employ in October, and now four security men have walked off the job. They resigned last Saturday.
Dotcom is relying on the strict enforcement of confidentiality agreements to ensure former employees won't squeal and reveal anything private.
"They resigned because they have had a better job offer," he told The Diary.
As for Tempero, Dotcom admits he could no longer afford to pay him what he was earning. "Wayne resigned because he was getting half the pay of what he was getting two years ago and he couldn't sustain that. He is starting his own company. We are still friends."
KIWI DARLING EMBRACES THE DREAM
She has become the darling of the Winter Olympics with her tongue-in-cheek Tinder search for love with a Jamaican bobsledder. And slopestyle boarder Rebecca "Possum" Torr got her wish - sort of - when the 23-year-old got together with bobsleigh team members yesterday.
"I found them!" the Kiwi tweeted, embracing the guys. They tweeted: "FINALLY 'matched up'." The good humour is no surprise for the rags-to-riches Jamaicans, who endured lost luggage and money woes. They needed an internet fundraising campaign to finance their Sochi trip. It was so successful Winston Watts (his fourth Olympics) and brakeman Marvin Dixon pleaded with fans to stop sending money, said ABC news.
