Nicole Kidman wins apology and substantial damages from The Daily Telegraph
Updated 14 December 2007
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The Daily Telegraph has publicly apologised to our client, Academy Award winner, Nicole Kidman, over a libellous article published by the Daily Telegraph on 28 November 2007 entitled “Chanel left fuming”.
The article made a number of false allegations and in particular claimed that despite having signed a multi-million pound contract with Chanel, Ms Kidman was promoting a competitors fragrance, whilst in London to promote her new film “The Golden Compass”, in breach of her contractual obligations as the global face of Chanel’s prestigious signature fragrance, Chanel No.5.
A statement read in the High Court today by Ms Kidman’s lawyer, John Kelly of Schillings said: “These allegations were not put to Ms Kidman or her representatives prior to publication. Had [The Daily Telegraph] done so it would have been informed
of their utter falsity.
Following Ms Kidman’s complaint the Daily Telegraph “now accepts that the allegations are defamatory and untrue, and ought never to have been published. Indeed the Daily Telegraph has established that the source of the article invented
the story”.
The Daily Telegraph has agreed to publish an apology and retraction, has undertaken not to republish the allegations and has agreed to pay Ms Kidman substantial undisclosed damages and all of her legal costs.
Ms Kidman is donating the damages from this case to UNIFEM, the United Nations development fund for women. UNIFEM is the women’s fund at the United Nations. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies to foster women’s empowerment and gender equality.Our client, Academy Award winner, Nicole Kidman, has today won an apology from The Daily Telegraph newspaper after it falsely claimed she wore a competitor's fragrance to the London premiere of her new film "The Golden Compass" in breach of her contractual obligations as the global face of CHANEL No. 5.
The Daily Telegraph admitted the allegations are untrue and apologised to Ms. Kidman for any embarrassment caused.
Selection of press coverage
Kidman receives apology over false perfume claims, Contactmusic.com
7 December 2007
Kidman scents victory over newspaper - Sky News
14 December 2007
Kidman's sweet smell of victory - Channel 4 News
14 December 2007
The Daily Telegraphs's apology
Nicole Kidman - an apology, The Daily Telegraph
7 December 2007
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For PR enquiries please contact:
Catherine Olim
catherine.olim@pmkhbh.com