Former England rugby star Danny Cipriani and his fiancée, Hollywood actress AnnaLynne McCord, are facing criticism for their decision to crowdfund their upcoming wedding. The couple is reportedly seeking to raise around £10,000 by asking guests to contribute to various wedding expenses, a move that has drawn sharp disapproval from Cipriani’s ex-wife, Victoria Rose.
Criticism Over Wedding Fundraising
Victoria Rose, who was married to Cipriani from 2021 to 2024, described the crowdfunding effort as “plain tacky.” She questioned the appropriateness of asking guests to fund specific elements of the wedding, including the marriage license, stating that while donations for a honeymoon might be somewhat acceptable, both Cipriani and McCord have the capacity to earn income. Rose suggested alternative, less extravagant options, such as a backyard barbecue, rather than a large, costly event when the couple claims financial difficulties.
The crowdfunding campaign is being managed through the couple’s website via the platform Honeyfund. Potential guests are presented with options to contribute between £75 and £450 towards specific wedding costs or to make general monetary donations. Rose expressed disbelief at the idea of sending out wedding invitations with a request for guests to pay for drinks, remarking that the couple seems “emotionally and spiritually involved” to the point of being unaffected by potential humiliation.
“I’m all for love, light, peace and finding yourself,” Rose commented, referencing the couple’s interest in therapeutic retreats. “But Danny’s found himself in a bloody hole if he’s begging for money for their wedding.”
Background on Danny Cipriani and Victoria Rose’s Marriage
Victoria Rose, a neuroscience practitioner, was with Cipriani for four years after they met on social media in 2020. Their marriage took place during the Covid-19 lockdown in April 2021, described by Rose as a modest ceremony at Stroud Register Office with limited guests due to restrictions. Cipriani’s initial extravagant wedding plans for Tobago were thwarted by the pandemic.
The divorce proceedings were complex and at times acrimonious. Rose revealed that during their marriage, Cipriani struggled with significant drug use, including hallucinogens and cannabis, which he later detailed in his 2023 autobiography, “Who Am I?” The book also touched upon his past excesses, including admitting to sleeping with multiple women daily at the height of his fame.
Rose believes Cipriani’s financial situation is dire, partly due to his past spending habits. She recalled him frittering away substantial amounts on drugs and being “recklessly generous,” citing instances where he proposed multiple times with engagement rings. However, she also noted his “hopeless” ineptitude with managing finances and paperwork, contrasting it with her own meticulous accounting.
Financial Discrepancies and Personal Possessions
Despite Cipriani’s alleged financial struggles, Rose pointed to the substantial engagement ring McCord wears, reportedly a 15-carat emerald-cut diamond. While Rose doubts the ring’s authenticity given Cipriani’s financial state, she suggested that if it were real, McCord could sell it to fund the wedding.
Furthermore, Rose highlighted that Cipriani left behind a significant amount of personal belongings when he moved to the US after their separation in January 2024. This includes a lifetime’s worth of rugby memorabilia, designer clothing, heirlooms, and even childhood items. Rose has been storing these possessions for two-and-a-half years at her own expense and has begun selling some items on Vinted to recoup costs, while still retaining approximately 80% of his belongings.
“He has this ability to walk out of the door and not look back,” Rose observed, expressing bewilderment that Cipriani hasn’t reclaimed his “legacy, his love, his passion.” She questioned why he wouldn’t retrieve and sell these items to fund his wedding.
Past Trauma and Relationship Parallels
Rose recounted a particularly difficult period during their marriage when Cipriani, after an overdose of magic mushrooms, experienced extreme paranoia and psychosis, mistaking her for the devil while she was 23 weeks pregnant. Tragically, she subsequently suffered a miscarriage, a loss she concealed from him initially due to his condition.
She also noted parallels between how Cipriani courted her and how he is romancing McCord. He reportedly used their wedding song, “Spirit Bird” by Xavier Rudd, in a social media post for McCord’s birthday and proposed to her similarly to how he proposed to Rose, with a room covered in rose petals.
Rose expressed skepticism about Cipriani’s ability to overcome his drug dependency, stating, “The Danny I know can’t not take drugs.” She acknowledged that he could appear functional while using, even during his rugby career, but finds it hard to imagine he has quit entirely.
Financial Spending and Spiritual Pursuits
Between his separation from Rose and their divorce finalization in October 2025, Cipriani allegedly spent approximately £450,000. Rose detailed significant expenditures on trips to Egypt, where McCord hosts “spiritual and consciousness retreats,” a “spiritual vacation,” and numerous yoga classes and “therapeutic retreats.” Both Cipriani and McCord have spoken about using ayahuasca in the Amazon for trauma processing, which Rose dismisses as “crackers” and “complete woo-woo,” citing a video of McCord speaking a fantasy language.
Divorce Aftermath and Future Plans
The divorce also involved a difficult accusation where Rose was falsely accused by Cipriani’s mother of stealing £70,000 while caring for her after a stroke. Rose was eventually exonerated after a nine-month investigation, which required her to hire forensic accountants.
Cipriani’s father, Jay, has reportedly told Rose that he will not be attending his son’s wedding in Los Angeles on August 22, citing difficulties obtaining a visa, though Rose wonders if this is a convenient excuse.
Rose, who is now resolutely single, is planning a fresh start and is considering moving to Los Angeles. She humorously remarked that while she might be invited to the wedding, she certainly won’t be paying to attend.
