Drake drops surprise album Honestly, Nevermind

OHMYGOSSIP — Drake has surprise-released a new album.
The rap megastar gave fans just a few hours notice that he was set to drop his seventh studio effort, ‘Honestly, Nevermind’, in the early hours of Friday (17.06.22).
And upon its release on streaming services, the ‘Nonstop’ hitmaker accompanied the music with a poetic insight into the reason behind the project.
The 35-year-old Grammy winner admits he has an “urge for revenge” and struggles to be “a forgiving guy” in the deep statement.
He wrote: “I let my humbleness turn to numbness at times letting time go by knowing I got the endurance to catch it another time
“I work with every breath in my body cause it’s the work not air that makes me feel alive.
“That’s some real detrimental s*** but that’s that s*** my perfectionist mind doesn’t really mind because no one knows what’s on my mind when I go to sleep at 9 and wake up at 5 – unless I say it in rhyme.”
Drake continued: “I can’t remember the last time someone put they phone down, looked me in the eyes and asked my current insight on the times
“But I remember every single time someone shined a light in my eyes. I purposely try to forget what went on between some ppl and I because I know I’m not a forgiving guy even when I try.
“My urge for revenge wins the game against my good guy inside every single f*** time
I got plans I can’t talk about with more than like 4 guys because the last time I shared em with someone on the outside … well that’s another story for another night.
“I was tryna get thru that statement to get to saying I’m not at a time in my life where pats on the shoulder help get me by.
“I’ll take loyalty over an oh my and emoji fire.
“I know if it was a dark night where all the odds were against my side and my skill went to whoever took my life they’d done me off with a big smile and maybe even post it for some likes.
“I know everyone that tells me they love me doesn’t love me all the time especially when I’m doing better than alright and they have to watch it from whatever point they at in their life.
“I got here being realistic.
“I didn’t get here being blind.
“I know what’s what and especially what and who is by my side
“Honestly…Nevermind.”
The 14-track LP includes one collaboration with 21 Savage in the form of ‘Jimmy Cook’s’.
‘Honestly, Nevermind’ follows September’s ‘Certified Lover Boy’.

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Lizzo, Chance The Rapper and more set to perform at BET Awards

OHMYGOSSIP — Lizzo, Chance The Rapper, Roddy Ricch and more are set to perform at the 2022 BET Awards.
A stellar list of performers have been confirmed for the upcoming music ceremony, which takes place on Sunday, June 26 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Chlöe, Doechii, Ella Mai, Fireboy DML, GIVĒON, Jack Harlow, Joey Bada$$, Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin, Latto, and Muni Long are also set to grace the BET stage.
Doja Cat leads the nominations with six to her name, including Best Female R’n’B/Pop Artist, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Album of the Year, BET Her, Video of the Year, and Best Collaboration for ‘Kiss Me More’ with SZA.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Hollywood star Taraji P. Henson is set to host the star-studded ceremony.
Meanwhile, the awards show was recently in the headlines after rapper Lil Nas X accused them of snubbing him from the nominations because he’s gay.
In response, BET said: “Unfortunately, this year, he was not nominated by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of an esteemed group of nearly 500 entertainment professionals in the fields of music, television, film, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, influencers, and creative arts. No one from BET serves as a member of the Voting Academy.”
Still not happy, the ‘Old Town Road’ hitmaker replied: “These are literally just buzz words placed together.”

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Lambchop announce new album inspired by the killing of George Floyd

OHMYGOSSIP — Lambchop have announced a new album.
The 1990s country band – who were originally known as Posterchild and currently consists of Kurt Wagner, James McNew, Andrew Broder, Ryan Olson, C.J. Camerieri and Tim Purnel – are set to release their 15th studio album ‘The Bible’ later this year, with a cover of 1920 song ‘Police Dog Blues’ to serve as the lead single inspired by the killing of George Floyd.
In a statement, songwriter and vocalist Kurt said: “During the unrest surrounding the horrific injustice in Minneapolis in 2020, I had been re-listening to a song by Blind Blake, ‘Police Dog Blues’. Of note, it was originally recorded in 1929, the year my father was born, and it seems John Peel played it on his show on Sept. 11, 1968. It was deceptively upbeat musically and not what I remembered at all. Then I remembered a police dog is a Shepherd.
The ‘Everything for You’ hitmaker then went on to explain the album’s title and was keen to stress to fans that they do not “have to be religious” in order to enjoy the new record.
He said: “I had this idea that — I’m not a religious person but I do believe that there’s a spirituality to a lot of people and they’re not religious. You don’t have to be religious to be a spiritual person, right? You just don’t have to, there should be an acceptance or a way of recognising spirituality without it being overtly religious.”
In a tweet, the band noted that the new album will be released as a CD, or as a “merge yellow and black marble vinyl” and will also be available to stream through Merge Records.
‘The Bible’ is due for release on September 30.
Listen to the new single and pre-order the album at https://lambchop.lnk.to/policedogblues

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Calum Scott: I can finally say I am proud of who I am

OHMYGOSSIP — Calum Scott was able to write his way out of a “dark place” with his new album.
The 33-year-old singer – who shot to fame when he reached the finals of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ back in 2015 – released his new album ‘Bridges’ on Friday (17.06.22) and explained that while the new record was born out of a “dark place” after he had suffered from low self-esteem, he was able to find the “light” by writing about it.
He said: “The title song is about being in a dark place; low self-esteem and confidence. But the silver lining of that story is, that not only did I manage to find that light, but I was also able to write about it. I’m very proud of who I am and it’s taken me a long time to be able to say that.”
Meanwhile, the ‘Dancing On My Own’ hitmaker – who is set to tour the UK over the summer of 2022 – revealed that in terms of his personal life, he is still single and explained that his busy career doesn’t allow much time for a relationship.
He said: “I’m still searching. It’s a bit of an uphill battle sometimes, especially in the business I am in – it’s nigh impossible to make the time. There’s got to be so much understanding of the fact that I can’t necessarily be in one place. I’ve got to split focus, my phone is constantly in my hand, there’s so much I’ve got to think about.’
However, Calum then revealed that his celebrity crush is ‘Thor’ star Chris Hemsworth and joked that if he isn’t available, he can go for one of his three brothers.
Asked to name his celebrity crush, Calum told Metro newspaper’s Guilty Pleasures column:”‘Thor’ – Chris Hemsworth. He is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful men on the planet! Then I found out that there are three Hemsworth brothers!”
‘Bridges’ is out now.
https://www.calumscott.com/

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Sir Paul McCartney to reunite with John Lennon at Glastonbury

OHMYGOSSIP — Sir Paul McCartney is set to virtually reunite with John Lennon at Glastonbury.
The 79-year-old music legend is to take to the stage at the annual musical festival at Worthy Farm next week (26.06.22) and will be joined by his former Beatles bandmate – who was shot and killed in 1980 – and Paul is reportedly gearing up to stage a “virtual duet” with him as part of a tribute.
A source close to Paul said: “He is tinkering around with the setlist but it looks like he will do a virtual duet with John Lennon. There is some footage of Lennon singing ‘I’ve Got a Feeling’, from ‘Let It Be’, which Paul puts up on the big screen, and then he turns around and sings to him. John’s vocal has been isolated in the footage and it is stunning.”
The source went on to explain that the ‘Hey Jude’ hitmaker has been duetting with John on recent tour dates in the US and may also be tempted to perform a John Lennon classic as he brings a Ukrainian flag onto the stage at Glastonbury in support of the wartorn country.
The insider told the Daily Mail newspaper: “He has been doing that on recent dates in America and it is likely that he will bring that to Glastonbury. Paul may well be moved to add ‘Give Peace A Chance’ to his set list, and that he will run onto the stage for his encore carrying the Ukrainian flag.”
Paul will take to the Pyramid stage as part of the final day of the festival on Sunday (26.06.22) and will join pop star Bille Eilish in the lineup, as well as Motown songstress Diana Ross who is set to fill the Legends slot.

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Nicole Scherzinger is relaunching her solo career with David Guetta

OHMYGOSSIP — Nicole Scherzinger is relaunching her solo career.
The 43-year-old star – who shot to fame as a member of The Pussycat Dolls in the early 2000s before branching out on her own and recording two solo albums – has not released any of her own music since 2016 but is reportedly set for a comeback, according to The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre Column.
The outlet claims that Nicole – who has become known for her appearances as a judge on ‘The X Factor’ and enjoyed a stint in the West End musical ‘Cats’ during her time away from the recording studio – will team up with ‘Titanium’ hitmaker David Guetta for a dance track called ‘The Drop’ which will be released next week.
It has also been reported that the new release will be the first of many for the ‘Don’t Cha’ hitmaker, with more music set to come throughout 2022.
Nicole was set to reunite with her Pussycat Dolls bandmates back in 2020 for a tour and although the plans were scrapped due to the COVI0-19 pandemic, the girls did get back together to release the single ‘React.’
Back in April, she told the audience at an intimate gig in Los Angeles: “I’ve been doing some writing lately, working on this album.”
Nicole reportedly played new song ‘Never Going Back’ at the gig, which
features the lyrics: “I’ve been underestimated, undermined, underrated.
If you only knew what it takes every day just to defeat it.
“See, you don’t know where I came from, you don’t know what I’m made of,
you don’t know.
“If you ain’t living my story, then you ain’t living my glory… I ain’t
never going back. I’ve come to far for this, I fought too hard

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George Benson praises ‘amazing London’ fans at Hampton Court Palace Festival concert

OHMYGOSSIP — George Benson praised his “amazing London” fans as he took to the stage at the Hampton Court Palace Festival 2022 in London on Thursday night (16.06.22).
The 79-year-old soul legend wowed the sell-out crowd on a hot summer’s night at the historic venue and took a moment before playing his 1983 hit single ‘Lady Love Me (One More Time)’ to share his love for the UK capital.
He said: “We’re finally back here at Hampton Court. People are moving from all over the world to London. You’re amazing. London is amazing.”
Benson’s setlist was packed with his greatest hits such as ‘Turn Your Love Around’, ‘In Your Eyes’, ‘Shiver’ and ‘Never Give up on a Good Thing’, which prompted the audience to join him in a mass singalong.
George took a break at one point so his backing singer could take lead vocals on ‘Ain’t Nobody’ – originally a 1983 hit for Rufus and Chaka Khan – but returned for more hits such ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You’ and ‘Give Me The Night’, which saw everyone get out of their seats to dance.
Benson left the stage to raucous applause and cheering only to return for an encore which included a cover of Glen Campbell song ‘Wichita Lineman’ and ‘On Broadway’, from his 1978 album ‘Weekend in L.A.’.
Benson was the fourth artist to take the stage for this year’s Hampton Court Palace Festival and other acts still to perform include The Human League, Jack Savoretti, Crowded House, Ministry Of Sound Classical, Kacey Musgraves and Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.
Hampton Court Palace Festival is a series of truly special and unique open-air concerts. Artists perform in an intimate 3,000-seat auditorium in Base Court, set against the backdrop of Henry VIII’s magnificent Tudor Palace and attendees can enjoy picnics, drinks and street food in the Palace Gardens, whilst waterside gazebos are also available to purchase for those that want to sit back and relax in luxury.
Go to www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com for more information and tickets.

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Baz Luhrman’s secret music plans with David Bowie

OHMYGOSSIP — Baz Luhrmann had plans to work on a project with David Bowie.
The ‘Elvis’ director was a huge fan of the late musician and they worked together on the soundtrack for Baz’s 2001 movie ‘Moulin Rouge!’, which led to a close friendship.
Baz revealed they had talked about working together again, before David passed away in 2016, following a secret battle with cancer, and he now regrets not taking up the opportunity.
He told NME: “From the moment I first heard this [Bowie’s ‘Changes’] song, I was a huge Bowie fan, eventually worked with him [on the ‘Moulin Rouge! soundtrack’] and then towards the end of his life, he became a very good friend.
“He used to come round and we’d walk the dogs. We were talking about going to Berlin at one point to do something together. I must have been so stupid, why didn’t I just say yes?”
Baz also revealed he is a huge fan of Doja Cat, after she recorded the song ‘Vegas’ for the ‘Elvis’ soundtrack.
He said: “She made this song for the Elvis soundtrack and it’s already blowing up. I’ve worked with Madonna and Beyoncé and I see something similar in Doja Cat: she’s just a really, really hard worker. And when you see her on stage, my god she’s a good dancer.”

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Tom Grennan and Usain Bolt to record new music together

OHMYGOSSIP — Tom Grennan and Usain Bolt are set to record new music together.
The 27-year-old singer/songwriter and the 35-year-old Olympian struck up a friendship after meeting at this year’s Soccer Aid and the pair have now decided to hit the studio together to work on Usain’s new album.
Bolt – who released his debut album ‘Country Yutes’ last year – told told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: “We are still working on our rhyme right now. Next year we will do an album.
“We are still trying to get my name out there for music as ¬people still don’t take it that seriously. Then I’ll try to put out another album.
“Music is just a part of me. In lockdown I wasn’t doing much so I thought I could take the opportunity to get into music as it is something I love to do. I’d like to do more coll¬ab¬¬or¬ations on the record.”
Tom added: “Usain is a producer. I am a singer. When he is doing his album I am flying to Jamaica 100 per cent.”
Even though Tom and Usain were on different teams for Soccer Aid, they bonded over their shared love of music.
And they even joined fellow celebrities, including Liam Payne’ for a singalong.

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Union J ‘lost touch slightly’ after split

OHMYGOSSIP — Josh Cuthbert says Union J “lost touch slightly” after they split.
The boy band – comprising George Shelley, Josh Cuthbert, JJ Hamblett and Jaymi Hensley – reunited on stage at the London Palladium last month for a one-off gig , and he says it was great to get back to performing with his bandmates after rebuilding their bond.
Speaking to Heat magazine, the 29-year-old star said: “After we split with lost touch slightly, but time has healed our relationships.”
The ‘Carry You’ hitmakers were dropped by Epic Records following the release of their 2014 LP ‘You Got It All’.
Jaymi, 32, recently said: “All offers were off the table for two years, so the relationships started ­blossoming again between all of us as a four.
“I went to George first, then I went to Josh and then I rang JJ and said, ‘Well you haven’t got any choice, you’re still in the contract’.”
JJ, 34, added: “We’re like four brothers. We’ve spent the last few days together and it’s so natural.”
The band were originally known as Triple J when they auditioned for ‘The X Factor’ in 2011, but changed their name when they were grouped with George, 28, on the show.
They signed to RCA Records after finishing fourth in the competition and released their debut single in June 2013.
George competed on ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ and quit the group in March 2016.
He was replaced by another former ‘X Factor’ star, Stereo Kicks singer Casey Johnson, but his tenure with the group didn’t last long.
In 2018, Josh announced his departure, citing his desire to pursue “individual opportunities across entertainment and music”.
Jaymi has admitted they had convinced themselves that they were going to release a third album, despite being ditched by their label.
Speaking about parting ways with Epic for the first time, he said: “There was a real shift.
“We never told anyone we were dropped by our label and we didn’t get an explanation. We didn’t speak about it, we didn’t go out to new labels to try to get a new deal, so we just pretended we were still doing album No3. We were lying to ourselves.”
George battled with depression after his younger sibling Harriet passed away from a “severe traumatic brain injury” at the age of 21 after being hit by a car in April 2017, and later spoke about his grief in the BBC Three documentary ‘George Shelley: Learning to Grieve’ .
He said: “Our dreams were crushed. I was suffering a lot with my mental health at the time and it didn’t feel like there was much going on.
“I still wanted to remain friends with everyone and Jaymi and I stayed really close, I’ve seen JJ a tiny bit, and Josh and I haven’t seen each other in six years.
“It’s beautiful to be back. But that label news was the crushing moment. It felt like the end of the road for us.”
It turns out, each band member “suffered from clinical depression” after being thrust into the limelight.
Josh said: “There were so many occasions when we were doing Union J that I should have loved and I didn’t, because my mental health was suffering. I was unhappy all the time.”
Jaymi added: “I know things are huge at the moment about men’s mental health but eight years ago it wasn’t. We all suffered from clinical depression at one point and I didn’t have a clue what it was.”

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George Ezra shocked by Platinum Jubilee concert

OHMYGOSSIP — George Ezra was “a bit ignorant” about the scale of the Platinum Party at the Palace concert.
The ‘Green Green Grass’ singer was among the performers outside Buckingham Palace earlier this month for a special show honouring Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne, and despite his huge fame, he still had to take along proof of ID in order to gain admission to the gig because of the huge security operation, but it still took him until days afterwards to fully process the event.
He told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “There was this whole stress of what you need to get in. There was a list – utility bill was one of them. We were like, ‘Let’s just do it by the book… do what they want’.
“I was a bit ignorant about how big an event it was. I got on stage and on seeing The Mall, I went, ‘Oh my God’. A couple of days later I walked down The Mall to soak it all in.
But it was great to be a part of it in real time.”
But George was grateful he’d taken along his household bills because it allowed him to go inside the palace after the concert – and use the toilet.
He added: “The utility bill came in handy because we were allowed into the palace after the concert.
“I was shown to the toilet where there were 20 urinals and I thought, ‘Well, this isn’t the family quarters, this is the guest wing’. It felt like a museum.”
George recently admitted it wasn’t his decision to censor the word “die” in his song ‘Green Green Grass’ during the concert.
Speaking about omitting the word from the line, “Green green grass, blue blue sky, you better throw a party on the day that I die”, he said:“I think the reaction to it has kind of worked in our favour to say it was unnecessary.
“My gut instinct was that you don’t need to change it.
“I don’t know if it came from the royals or the producers of the show, but it’s pretty obvious that if you’re playing for the Royal Family and the powers that be say, ‘We don’t want you to sing that lyric,’ then you’re not going to argue.”

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Billie Eilish felt vulnerable with personal songs

OHMYGOSSIP — Billie Eilish feels “really vulnerable” when she sang about abuse on her latest album.
The 20-year-old singer found making her 2021 LP, ‘Happier Than Ever’, during lockdown to be a “cathartic” experience but she was wary of people hearing the songs because they were so personal.
She said: “It’s really vulnerable to be putting yourself out there in that way. Here’s all these secrets about me and here’s all these insecurities I have and here are all the things I keep to myself.
“There’s a verse in ‘Your Power’ that is about my experience and that’s as specific as I’ll get. The rest of it is about so many other things I’ve witnessed — from all these different points of view.”
Although she didn’t go into specific detail, Billie – who has spoken about being abused as a minor in the past – admitted she has been changed by what she’s been through.
She told the Sunday Times magazine: “It [abuse] does change you. It makes you feel this responsibility and regret and embarrassment. You feel guilty. You feel like it is your fault and it’s because of you and you started it and this and that.
” And you’re, like, but wait, I didn’t, though, because I was just a kid. We blame ourselves and usually the people abusing you blame you too when it’s nothing to do with you. Especially when you’re young and your brain isn’t developed and you don’t know what is right or wrong.”
The ‘Ocean Eyes’ hitmaker insisted people with “ill intention” can seem to be “charming” on the outside and will take advantage of their good reputations.
She said: “The worst part is it can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter how vigilant your parents are, it doesn’t matter how smart you are, it doesn’t matter about your judgment, it can just happen to you and you have no control over it. It’s crazy. Cray-zee.
“And a lot of the time people who have that ill intention seem to be really charming on the outside, they can be charming to your family, they can make a really good impression on your friends. And they take advantage of that.”

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Kim Wilde thrilled to duet with ‘icon’ Boy George

OHMYGOSSIP — Kim Wilde is so glad she got “icon” Boy George on her recent single ‘Shine On’.
The ‘Kids In America’ hitmaker asked the ‘Karma Chameleon’ hitmaker if he would lend his vocals to the track and it ended up on her 2021 ‘Pop Don’t Stop: Greatest Hits’ LP.
She told Best magazine: “We recorded a song in lockdown – that ended up in my greatest hits record.
“I wanted him to be on it, he’s such an icon!”
Kim, 61, is joining Boy George and Culture Club on tour next month and “can’t wait”.
The 80s pop star will then head out on her delayed headline tour in September, celebrating more than 40 years in music.
And the ‘You Came’ singer – who is the daughter of 83-year-old rock and roll legend Marty Wilde – admits it feels like a “lifetime” has passed since she was a fresh-faced 20-year-old singing ‘Kids In America’.
She said: “I’ve got a great band behind me and we’re throwing a lot at it as joyful as we can … that 20-year-old that sang ‘Kids In America’ feels like a lifetime ago, hanging out with Hot Chocolate and Suzi Quatro – the days of ‘Top of the Pops’, before mobile phones and the internet.
“I feel like I’m living in a parallel world now.”
Meanwhile, Kim previously revealed she lost out on her “dream job” because of her pop success.
Her instant fame meant she had to turn down the opportunity of being a sales assistant at a local record store, somewhere she’d always wanted to work.
She recalled: “Mum sent me to the Job Centre and they said, ‘What do you want to do? I said, ‘I want to work in a record shop.’
A few months later, a record shop in Hertford needed an assistant and the Job Centre sent me details.
“I felt pretty ­confident I could get the job because I had an immense music knowledge. We almost had a record shop in the house.
“But ‘Kids in America’ charted and scuppered my plans. I was all set to have my dream job and it got snatched away from me by a hit record.”

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Phoebe Bridgers gets songwriting advice from Paul Mescal

OHMYGOSSIP — Phoebe Bridgers turns to Paul Mescal for songwriting advice.
The 27-year-old singer/songwriter – who is reportedly engaged to ‘Normal People’ actor Paul, 26 – admitted she is trying to write more upbeat tunes, like her recent track ‘Sidelines’, and she often gets Paul involved in the process.
She told Variety: “I’m striving to do more stuff like that. I think it’s more challenging to sound smart and write well about happiness than it is about sadness. In the interest of not seeming trite, I lean toward darker subject matter, just out of comfort. And I think a challenge to myself, now, is being articulate about things that are good.
“My partner Paul and I were like going through the lyrics, and I was constantly punishing him with: ‘What about this? And what about this? And what about this? What about this?’ And then just one random day, Marshall [Vore Bridgers’ drummer] and I were sitting at the piano and something flooded open, and I wrote some of my favourite lyrics right at the last minute. But it was cool to embark on that. My favourite thing is already loving an idea and not wanting to ruin it, so everything you put into it has to be great — instead of when an idea is still a baby, and there’s not that much compelling about it yet, so you can put anything into it. That’s a challenging way for me to write, because I can’t tell what’s good or not. Whereas if what’s there is already so good, then I don’t want to f*** it up. It just makes the whole thing way better.”
‘Sidelines’ features on the soundtrack of the TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s ‘Conversations With Friends’ and Phoebe admitted Rooney’s work is extremely important to her.
She said: “I read [‘Conversations’] while I was making ‘Punisher,’ so 2019. I think Sally’s writing is so beautiful and perfect, and ‘Normal People’ affected me deeply, too, in totally different ways.”

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Kimberley Walsh calls for more girl bands

OHMYGOSSIP — Kimberley Walsh says it’s “sad” that there are no girl groups in the UK after Little Mix went on hiatus.
The Girls Aloud star – who shot to fame alongside Cheryl, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, and the late Sarah Harding in the ‘Sound of the Underground’ girl group after appearing on ‘Popstars: the Rivals’ in
2002 – admitted she can understand why Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock need a break because being in the spotlight is “intense”.
However, the 40-year-old singer would love to see new girl bands like the ‘Shout Out To My Ex’ hitmakers and the Spice Girls coming through for the next generation to enjoy.
She said: “I love Little Mix.
“I thought they were a really strong, powerful group of girls.
“They’ve done amazingly, but everyone needs to take a break now and again, it’s intense.
“A couple of them have babies now, so I totally get it.
“But it is said that there isn’t a new girl band coming up to follow in their footsteps. Bring back girl bands and boy bands – it was such a fun time.
“These guys don’t know what they’re missing.”
Girls Aloud are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, but they’ve put reunion plans on hold following the tragic passing of their beloved bandmate, Sarah, who lost her battle with breast cancer, aged 39, in September 2021.
Kimberley told new! magazine: “For me, this 20-year thing, with everything that we’ve dealt with over the past year, it’s different.
“But I still feel very grateful that people still celebrate our music and do appreciate our moment of pop.
“Personally, I feel very grateful to still be out there in a job that I love and being part of the industry I grew up loving and wanting to be in.”

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Rina Sawayama stunned Lady Gaga knows her

OHMYGOSSIP — Rina Sawayama thinks it is “insane” that Lady Gaga knows who she is.
The ‘Chosen Family’ singer was approached by Sir Elton John and Charli XCX for collaborations and also teamed up with the ‘Star is Born’ actress on ‘Free Woman’ on Gaga’s ‘Dawn of Chromatica’ remix album, and she’s “honoured” to have been asked to work with such high-profile stars.
She told Britain’s ELLE magazine: “To be surrounded by people who are pushing the envelope, pushing the boundaries of music in the past and present in so many ways is such an honour.
“I mean, the fact that Gaga even knows I exist is just insane.”
Rina released her debut album, ‘Sawayama’, in 2020 and she admitted it was surreal to find fame at a time when the world was in lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said: “It was amazing but I was literally sitting in my room.
“There was absolutely no work-life balance because there was no life to be lived.”
The 31-year-old star wants to make songs that have “substance” and can mean a lot to people.
She explained: “[It is my mission] to make a pop song that sounds good but also has meaning. It’s really important to me that it has substance, it has soul.
“I grew up with songs about heterosexual love, and I don’t negate them.
“I think there’s a place for them.
“Most of the world is heterosexual, it’s not a big deal. But my best friends and I are queer and they are not hearing the songs that represent them.”
Rina previously explained she first met Gaga by chance.
She said: “I met her for the first time because our bus broke down outside Vegas.
“I was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if we just spent the night in Vegas and saw a show. Imagine if Gaga is on’.
“We had a connection because I was on her remix album.
“I was able to meet her for the first time backstage and she was so sweet, so warm and so full of life.
“She is so influential to me. I don’t really get nervous before meeting people, like I didn’t before meeting Elton [John]. But I was a bit nervous before meeting Lady Gaga.”

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