Former England rugby star Danny Cipriani and his fiancée, Hollywood actress AnnaLynne McCord, have drawn criticism for their decision to crowdfund their upcoming wedding. Cipriani’s ex-wife, Victoria Rose, has voiced strong disapproval, calling the move “tacky” and questioning the couple’s financial choices.
Criticism Over Wedding Crowdfunding
The couple is reportedly seeking to raise around £10,000 through a crowdfunding website, Honeyfund, to cover various wedding expenses, including the venue, reception, and even the marriage license. Guests are invited to contribute amounts ranging from £75 to £450 towards specific wedding elements or to make general monetary donations.
Victoria Rose, who was married to Cipriani from 2021 to 2024, expressed her dismay at the crowdfunding effort. “It’s just plain tacky of them to hand round the begging bowl,” she stated. “The very idea! They’re even asking for money for the marriage licence.” Rose suggested that the couple could scale down their wedding or explore alternative income streams, humorously referencing platforms like OnlyFans.
Rose believes that the crowdfunding initiative is likely not Cipriani’s idea, given his past actions. She recalled an instance where Cipriani covered the costs of her sister’s funeral, despite financial constraints, rather than asking for help. “The Danny I knew would sell his last pair of socks for a fiver rather than ask anyone for money. I think the crowdfunding must have been AnnaLynne’s idea,” she speculated.
Background on Danny Cipriani and Victoria Rose’s Marriage
Victoria Rose, a neuroscience practitioner, was married to Danny Cipriani for four years after meeting on social media in 2020. Their marriage ended in 2024, with Cipriani reportedly leaving without explanation. Rose received a settlement of £275,000 in their divorce.
During their marriage and subsequent divorce proceedings, Rose spoke candidly about Cipriani’s past struggles with drug addiction, detailed in his 2023 autobiography “Who Am I?”. The book acknowledged his use of hallucinogens and cannabis during his rugby career and confessed to a history of numerous sexual encounters. Cipriani, once considered a successor to Jonny Wilkinson, played for several top rugby clubs but had a somewhat inconsistent international career.
Rose described Cipriani’s financial habits as profligate, noting his tendency to spend lavishly on drugs and gifts, while being inept at managing household finances. She also highlighted his generosity, recounting how he proposed to her three times and bought her engagement rings.
Financial Discrepancies and Unclaimed Possessions
Rose believes Cipriani is now financially depleted, partly due to significant spending on spiritual retreats and travel with McCord. Records suggest he spent substantial amounts on trips to Egypt, where McCord hosts retreats, and on “spiritual vacations” and yoga classes. Both Cipriani and McCord have spoken about using ayahuasca in the Amazon for trauma processing, which Rose dismisses as “complete woo-woo.”
Adding to the financial narrative, Rose revealed that Cipriani left behind a vast collection of personal belongings and rugby memorabilia when he moved to the US. This includes childhood items, his entire rugby kit, designer clothing, heirlooms, and a Rolex watch. Rose has been storing these items for years and has begun selling some of them on Vinted to recoup storage costs, questioning why Cipriani hasn’t claimed or sold these possessions himself to fund his wedding.
Rose also raised questions about the engagement ring McCord wears, reportedly a large, emerald-cut diamond. While acknowledging Danny’s past generosity, Rose doubts the ring’s authenticity given his current financial situation, but suggested if it were real, McCord could sell it to finance the wedding.
Contrasting Wedding Plans
Rose contrasted her own modest, Covid-restricted wedding to Cipriani in 2021 with the lavish plans she believes McCord will experience. Their wedding took place at Stroud Register Office with minimal guests, a far cry from Cipriani’s initial dream of a Tobago wedding. Rose noted similarities in how Cipriani courted both her and McCord, including proposing with rose petals and using the same song for a social media post.
She also recounted a difficult period during their marriage when, after an overdose, Cipriani suffered from psychosis and paranoia, even mistaking her for the devil while she was pregnant. Tragically, she subsequently miscarried their baby. While Cipriani expressed remorse and promised to change, Rose remains skeptical about his ability to stay drug-free, though she hopes he has.
Victoria Rose is planning her own fresh start in Los Angeles, humorously remarking that she might attend the wedding but certainly won’t be paying to go.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Danny Cipriani and AnnaLynne McCord’s wedding crowdfunding highlights differing perspectives on financial responsibility and public image. While the couple seeks guest contributions for their celebration, Victoria Rose’s outspoken criticism underscores a sentiment that such requests from public figures can appear out of touch, particularly given their past and present lifestyles.
