Amy Winehouse's close friend and stylist, Naomi Parry, has spoken out and claimed that she 'begged' people not to allow the late singer to perform during one of her final stage appearances. The late musician performed her final headline concert in Belgrade, Serbia, in June 2011 – just weeks before Amy tragically died.
The musician died aged 27 on July 23, 2011, at her home in Camden. An inquest concluded that Winehouse, a five-time Grammy Award winner, died from accidental alcohol poisoning. Her death was ruled a 'misadventure' after she had abstained from drinking for a period of time before she died.
During her final headline show, Amy appeared on stage, intoxicated, and the crowd booed her off the stage. This is something Naomi Parry, Amy's close friend and stylist, found incredibly hard to watch. Earlier this week, Amy's father, Mitch, lost a High Court battle against Naomi and their friend Catriona Gourlay, whom he accused of 'deliberately concealing' that they were auctioning items belonging to them, gifts from Amy.
Naomi Recalls Heartache Over Belgrade Performance
Speaking in a rare interview, Naomi recalled her heartache over Amy's performance in Belgrade. 'I was the only person begging them not to put her on stage,' she told The Times. Ms Parry, now 40, went on to add: 'I couldn't even watch, it was unbearable. Inhumane. That was the catalyst for the binge that ended her. She was so broken by it.'
For the tour, Naomi created 12 bespoke dresses, with a bamboo-print halterneck being worn in Belgrade. After Amy's death, Naomi attempted to honour the multi-talented songstress by curating exhibitions to celebrate not just her music, but also Amy's legacy and instantly recognisable appearance.
High Court Battle Over Amy's Items
Amy's fashion varied over the years, from stunning fitted dresses, to skinny jeans, polo shirts and of course, ballet pumps. However, the dresses and other items associated with the late singer-songwriter became the centre of the High Court battle. Earlier this week, Judge Sarah Clarke KC sided with Naomi and Catriona and dismissed Mitch's claims that the pair had stolen items and concealed any profits from auctions between 2021 and 2023.
Judge Clarke stated that Mitch is 'understandably sensitive about anyone who he perceives as exploiting Amy's memory, particularly for financial gain... but also in my judgment, he is equally sensitive about ensuring that the family continue to benefit financially.'
Although Naomi auctioned off several items, she kept a 'small collection' that she would never sell, and only sold Amy's tour dresses because she found them too distressing to look at. Just one day before Amy's death, Naomi visited the star at her home in Camden to discuss options for wedding attire.
With Amy dying just one day later, Naomi says she found it hard to understand. She claims Mitch was 'disappointed' with how much he made from Amy's possessions after discovering that the 'most valuable' items actually belonged to Naomi.
Naomi says that Mitch offered her $250,000 in exchange for the money she had made to resolve the issue. She told the publication: 'We'd all witnessed this sort of behaviour before, it was always shouting and aggression, bullying [Amy] into submission. Even with Amy's alcoholism, there was no kindness.'
The judge described Mitch as an 'unreliable witness' and 'prone to aggressive reactions'. Despite Amy's show in Serbia not going to plan, days before her death, she joined her goddaughter, Dionne Bromfield, on stage at Camden's Roundhouse on July 20, and danced while Dionne performed her song, Mama Said.
Naomi Speaks Out After High Court Ruling
Shortly after the High Court ruling on Monday, Naomi said on social media: 'Today, the High Court has cleared my name, unequivocally and in full, after years of deeply damaging and unfounded allegations brought by Mitch Winehouse. This was not a partial outcome or a matter of nuance. The claim has failed entirely. It should never have been brought.'
'I stood beside Amy as a friend, a creative partner, and her costume designer. What we shared was built on trust, loyalty, and a genuine love of the work. To see that relationship misrepresented so publicly has been both painful and profoundly unjust. This judgement restores the truth. It does not, however, erase the toll on my health, my work, and my life of defending myself against claims that had no evidential foundation.'
'Accountability matters, and I will take the steps necessary to address the damage caused. For now, my focus is on rebuilding my life and career, and protecting my name, the work I created with Amy, and her legacy. I am deeply grateful to Mark Lewis and the team at Patron Law, my barrister Beth Grossman, the Court, the witnesses: Darren Julien, Ruth Butah, Sadie Frost, Kelly Osbourne and Jenny Dale. My thanks also to my partner Simon, my family and friends, and to Amy's fans, who never lost sight of the truth.'
Mitch Winehouse has been approached for comment.
