Magician Sacred Riana raises and the episode went down in history at America’s Got Talent 2023
Simon Cowell reveals why he wears red glasses on Britain’s Got Talent
Monday, 10 March 2025 15:23
By Amanda Flannery
Ever wondered by Simon Cowell wears glasses with red-tinted lenses?
Well, there’s a reason behind it and it’s not just a fashion accessory.
It turns out the music mogul suffers from migraines and says wearing them helps.
(via Getty Images)
Speaking to The Sun, the BGT judge explained: “The red glasses are because I have lights in my eyes all day long.
“It’s like a laser and I get migraines and that’s like a filter.
“And they actually do work.”
(via Getty Images)
According to the Association of Migraine Disorders, migraine glasses are “designed to filter out or block certain wavelengths of light to help ease photophobia.”
Simon is currently back on TV judging the new series of Britain’s Got Talent, which he’s calling his favourite year to date.
Updating fans on Instagram, the music mogul said: “I think BGT is one of my favourite years this year.
“I’ve been watching the show every week along with you. Let me know which contestants you like and don’t forget to tune in this Saturday.”
The 25 Most Expensive Homes in the World for Sale
Here are the priciest listings on the planet in 2025.
Modified on January 22, 2025 , Published on January 9, 2025
By Wendy Bowman, Abby Montanez, Demetrius Simms, Mark David
Though it wasn’t all To’ak chocolates and Juliet roses when it came to offloading ritzy megamansions, the ultra-luxury housing market nonetheless managed to muster up a bit of steam in 2024. Per a report by global real estate brokerage Knight Frank, international sales of $10 million-plus homes flagged somewhat but are still up considerably from five years ago, and in Manhattan, the sales volume for $20 million-plus properties rose by a staggering 58 percent during the fourth quarter.
Overall, the priciest residences currently for sale around the world are, unsurprisingly, in locales that are well known as attractive magnets for multibillionaires. About half of the homes can be found in the U.S., where seven are scattered around Southern California and several others are in Florida and New York City. London and Dubai also make strong showings with three properties in each city, while Hong Kong, Turkey, and Switzerland, and are represented as well.
Whether in the market for a palace-sized penthouse, a waterfront retreat with a private stretch of sand, or a suburban estate in convenient proximity to a world capital, prepare to pony up a minimum of nine figures to snag one of the world’s most expensive homes. Since our last update, several properties were taken off the market, a few underwent price reductions, and a few posh pads were added. The top spot clocks in at more than $300 million, while the least exorbitant of the most expensive homes for sale on the planet tallies up at $105 million.
Photo : Tim Waltman and Kenneth Chen for Evan Joseph Studios
24. 432 Park Avenue, New York, New York — $105 Million
Three years ago, this sky-high penthouse at 432 Park Avenue was the most expensive listing in New York City, going for a head-spinning $169 million. With a slew of designer furnishings by name-brand fashion houses like Fendi and Hermès, the apartment has remained on the market with a lowered asking price of $130 million since last year. Despite this, the crown jewel of the 1,400-foot Rafael Viñoly-designed tower—now listed at $105 million—continues to provide a bird’s-eye view of Central Park and beyond from its prime position along Billionaires’ Row. A private elevator landing and library are special features of the 8,225-square-foot residence, along with its six bedrooms and bathrooms and 24 windows. The home’s luxe furniture and custom piano are also emblazoned with “Penthouse 96” for distinction.
Photo : Austin Ashline/Future Home Photos
23. Sand Castle, La Jolla, California — $108 Million
This jaw-dropping estate, created and owned by Texas-based billionaire tech entrepreneur and political donor Darwin Deason, sprawls over two parcels of oceanfront land in the seaside community of La Jolla near San Diego. Anchoring the $108 million gated spread is a seven-bedroom main home featuring a yacht-inspired bar room and a fitness center, as well as an adjoining three-bedroom guesthouse showcased by a great room flaunting a bar and a pair of 18th-century mermaid statues. Rounding it all out: a beachfront “boat bar,” several on-property caves, and gated access to La Jolla Shores Beach, as well as a private elevated beach sporting the same pristine white sand found at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters Tournament is held.
Photo : Tanata Pongphibool, Thailand Via Getty Images
22. Bodrum, Turkey — $110 Million
Turkey has endured as a popular destination for folks who are considering investing in waterfront homes. So, it’s not surprising that this lavish estate built atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean would rank as one of the most expensive properties on the market. The exact price is available only upon request, but it’s believed to be approximately $110 million. Sited in the seaside resort town of Yalikavak on the shores of the Bodrum peninsula, the ultra-modern mansion is run entirely on solar power and rests on just shy of five acres. There are 22 bedrooms in a little more than 43,000 square feet of living space boasting glitzy amenities like a sauna, steam and massage rooms, and an indoor pool. Additional highlights include a second outdoor pool flanked by a sundeck and a grassy lawn.
Photo : EThamPhoto via Getty Images
21. Mies, Vaud, Switzerland — Price Upon Request
Not too far from Geneva, in the commune of Mies in the canton of Vaud, a 19th-century lakefront home of about 11,000 square feet underwent a state-of-the-art update less than a decade ago using the finest of materials, craftsmanship, and technology. The unconfirmed asking price is believed to be in the range of $110 million. In addition to a five-bedroom main home with a basement-level cinema and a separate guesthouse, the estate includes a caretaker’s house and two staff apartments, along with a swimming pool, a tennis court, and space to moor a boat.
Photo : Nils Timm
20. Villa Del Amor, Bel Air, California — $115 Million
This custom-built estate, dubbed Villa Del Amor (House of Love) and owned by Paul L. Kessler and his wife Diana Derycz-Kessler, founders of the investment firm Bristol Capital Advisors, which operates the artisan candy company Sugarfina, was crafted by Sinclair Associates Architects with Moroccan-influenced interiors by Dejager Design. Encompassing roughly 15,000 square feet, the nine-bedroom mansion sits amid a 1.6-acre parcel nestled alongside the 13th hole of the Bel-Air Country Club golf course. In addition to vintage fireplaces and fountains culled from the couple’s European travels, highlights include a candy bar stocked with Sugarfina products, a movie theater, a private chapel, a pool and spa, a gym, and four courtyards. There’s even a 130-step staircase for outdoor workouts.
Photo : Alexander Spatari Via Getty Images
19. Le Palais, Cannes, France — $125 Million
Inspired by Italy’s famous floating city of Venice, Le Palais sits alongside a man-made lagoon and a lagoon-sized swimming pool in the hills above Cannes, France. Price at £120 million (about $125 million), the palatial abode presides over nearly six acres and showcases extravagant architecture with monumental columns, stately arches, and fountains aplenty. The home spans a whopping 32,000 square feet and offers a total of nine bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, numerous reception rooms, and an impressive wine cellar. The grounds are nothing to sneeze at, either, with a tennis court, stately gardens surrounded by woodlands, and, within the lagoon, two islands with meandering paths.
Photo : United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty
18. Clarges, London, U.K. — $125 Million
Architects Squire & Partners completed one of Mayfair’s most luxurious residential buildings in 2019, naming it the Clarges. The 34-unit apartment house is crowned by a sprawling three-story penthouse now on the market for $125 million. Six bedrooms and bathrooms are spread across nearly 8,700 square feet with an additional 2,775 square feet of outdoor space. For entertaining, two reception rooms are found on the ninth floor next to the eat-in kitchen with a marble island and lacquered cabinetry. A wrap-around terrace provides 360-degree views of the London skyline and Green Park. Take the glass, steel, and marble staircase down one floor to reach the all en suite bedrooms, including the primary with a spacious walk-in closet and a bathroom laced with marble features. Back upstairs, on the tenth floor’s rooftop terrace, there are unobstructed views of landmarks like the London Eye and ample space for sunset views. Clarges’s also provides residents with access to a private cinema room, gym, and 82-foot swimming pool.
Photo : Dennis Fischer Photography via Getty Images
17. 9505 Gloaming Dr., Beverly Hills, California — $126 Million
Beverly Hills and mega-mansions go hand in hand. Perhaps that’s what sparked a few headlines last summer around this 10-acre spread above Coldwater Canyon. But more interesting than its design, some might say, are its versatile options for purchase. For $40 million, you can buy the land along with its approved plans. The alternative is dropping $126 million to have developer Bo Zarnegin construct the hilltop compound over a two- to four-year period. Its eight-bedroom main residence will span 21,661 square feet with posh amenities like a salon, yoga room, home gym, and theater. But that’s not all. A 5,000-square-foot guest house is planned, alongside a car museum with over 3,000 square feet of space and a turntable for displaying trophy models. The mountainous landscape makes for epic sunrise vistas out by the lap pool; the glimmering views of the City of Angels at dusk from the estate aren’t too shabby, either.
Photo : Arada
16. Armani Beach Residences, Dubai, U.A.E. — $131.5 Million
Tadao Ando, one of architecture’s biggest stars, announced an exciting first-of-its-kind collaboration with The Armani Group in early 2024. At the time, the two announced they were partnering on a residential tower in Dubai known as the Armani Beach Residences at Palm Jumeirah. While the highly anticipated tower isn’t expected to reach completion until 2026, the waterfront condo currently has a private presidential suite available to the tune of $131.5 million. Naturally, the penthouse is being outfitted by Armani/Casa, however, the buyer will have the opportunity to customize the interiors with the firm’s help. Across its two floors, you’ll find five bedrooms and seven bathrooms contained within an epic 43,830 square feet of living space. Of course, there will be plenty of perks too. Think everything from a mega-sized rooftop terrace with an infinity pool and jacuzzi, a movie theater, a personalized gym, and a seven-car parking lounge.
Photo : Lou Cathenaut via Getty Image
15. Gingins, Vaud, Switzerland — Price Upon Request
This lavish home is tucked away on more than 10 private, park-like acres behind a stacked stone wall and hammered copper entrance gates in the semi-rural commune of Gingins, near the foot of the La Dôle mountain peak, about 15 minutes north of Geneva. The listing price is by request only but is believed to be in the neighborhood of $135 million. The 18,000-square-foot main house boasts spacious reception rooms, 10 bedrooms (the primary suite includes a two-story dressing room), an office suite with a conference room, a gym, a home theater, a gold-encrusted hammam, and a salon with hairdressing and manicure stations. Other notable features include a swimming pool, a meditation pergola, and a two-bedroom staff residence.
Photo : Barry Winiker via Getty Images
14. Banyan Ridge, Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida — $135 Million
This urban oasis in South Florida’s affluent Coconut Grove neighborhood splashed onto the market for the first time in over four decades last year. Priced at $135 million, Banyan Ridge Estate’s best feature is its Eden-like outdoor settings that span 4.5 acres. This includes a 100-year-old banyan tree, hence the property name, set alongside cascading waterfalls and a saltwater fishpond. The massive estate is comprised of 10 parcels of land with two primary residences, a guest house, and a townhouse that accounts for 13 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms altogether. An impressive zero-edge infinity pool blends into the estate’s natural settings, while the terrace overlooking the bay is ideal for hosting guests for sunset cocktails. Just 20 minutes from downtown Miami, the home places residents near local entertainment options like Design District shopping and award-winning restaurants.
Photo : Jim Bartsch
13. 594 S. Mapleton Dr, Los Angeles, California — $137.5 Million
Appearing once again on our list is this luxurious showpiece nestled within the sumptuous Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. First listed for $165 million and subsequently reduced, the residence that’s touted in marketing materials as “undoubtedly one of the finest estates in the world” still packs a pricey punch at an eye-popping $137.5 million. But you’re sure to get your money’s worth with this opulent limestone structure, which was custom-built over several years by the late primetime TV titan Aaron Spelling and his socialite wife Candy Spelling. Completed in 1990—and recently updated to the tune of around $20 million by a former owner, English Formula 1 racing heiress Petra Ecclestone—the palatial home rests on almost five manicured acres hosting a pool and spa, fountains, a tennis court, citrus trees, and rose gardens. As for the 56,000-square-foot mansion itself, there are 14 bedrooms and a staggering 27 baths, along with a bowling alley, a movie theater, a beauty salon, a nightclub, and an aquarium. There also are two separate motor courts and covered parking for dozens of vehicles.
Photo : Donna Dotan of DD-reps
12. Sky House, New York, New York — $150 Million
As the crown jewel of Central Park Tower, aka the world’s tallest residential building, Sky House is all about making a statement. The duplex’s ballroom-scale grand salon, sculptural staircase, and library are three of its most captivating features. But there’s even more to discover across its 11,535 square feet, including eight bedrooms and several en-suite bathrooms laced with marble and Dornbracht fixtures. Floor-to-ceiling windows span the home’s 127th and 128th floors, while 14-foot ceilings hover above custom-stained herringbone-patterned wood flooring. Residents can relax or seek entertainment at the building’s Central Park Club, which houses 50,000 square feet of amenities like a 60-foot heated saltwater pool, sports courts, a sculpture garden, and the globe’s highest private cigar lounge. Best of all, perhaps, is that there’s 24-hour concierge service.
