Pussycat Dolls demand Nicole Scherzinger ‘take a back seat’ for the band’s reunion tour
IT’S going to be the biggest reunion since the Spice Girls returned to the stage this summer.
But just as it wasn’t plain sailing for those ladies, I can also confirm there are tensions in The Pussycat Dolls’ camp.
As I exclusively revealed last month, Nicole Scherzinger has finally agreed to return to the group for a massive tour next year to mark the 10th anniversary of their hiatus.
But just like all the best laid plans, they often go completely wrong — and discord between the six band members could lead to problems.
An insider said: “Before they took a break in 2009, Nicole had become the lead singer of the group. It felt natural at the time but now they’re starting planning the tour, some of the girls have demanded Nicole take a back seat.
“In the old days Nicole became the stand-out star next to Melody Thornton, Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta. But for the reunion, the women want it to be more of a level playing field.
“Melody’s camp have pushed for talks to iron out all the kinks beforehand. They don’t want anyone to feel sidelined, as it’s supposed to be a celebration of the group as a whole. Nicole has been totally laid back about the entire thing and wants all the girls to shine in their own right.”
Since I confirmed the group were making their comeback, all six of the lovely ladies have tried to downplay my story as just “rumours”.
But I can assure you, even this stumbling block won’t see them putting a stop to the money-making gigs — which will see them playing big arenas in the UK and Europe next year.
Their bosses need to loosen up their Buttons and let them finally talk about it . . .
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Camila calls Ed’s when in a spin
CAMILA Cabello’s rise to pop superstardom was inspired by someone close to our hearts in Britain.
In a tell-all interview with The Sun’s Executive Editor Dan Wootton, the US pop star revealed our very own Ed Sheeran spurred her on to success.
Camila said: “We’ve been friends for a really long time, but I feel like I separate the person that’s my friend from the person that’s Ed as an artist now.
“It’s because when I was younger, especially when I was, like 12, I said in an interview I liked him before his album Plus came out.
“I was just a fan. I would talk about him in every interview until I was 15. ‘Who’s your favourite artist?’ and I would say, ‘Ed Sheeran’.
“He was, like, my musical hero. Probably him and Taylor Swift. They’re tied.”
Cuban-American Camila also revealed she was such a big fan of Ed’s recent single, Take Me Back To London, with Stormzy – that she wishes she’d been born here.
She said: “I loved that track – it made me want to be British.” After Camila quit Fifth Harmony she went on to work with both Ed and Taylor – which she said was like a dream come true.
She added: “It’s been so cool just to get to know them.
“I ask Ed for advice all the time about different things.
“The first time we were in the studio writing together was just so surreal to me.
“That was an insane childhood dream that came through.”
You’re right Camilla. But I firmly believe you make your own luck in life.
bizbit
DAVID Gray will play 12 UK and Europe dates next year to mark the 20th anniversary of his album White Ladder.
The tour includes London’s O2 on March 20.
A re-mastered version of the album is set to be released on February 14.
Ryan’s big fright out
RYAN Thomas hasn’t been this scared since living in the Big Brother house with Roxanne Pallett.
The ex-Corrie actor took girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh to the VIP preview of Alton Towers’ Scarefest on Friday.
It was an interesting move given the former Towie star is expecting their first child, but that didn’t stop them trying The Mutiny horror maze.
Lucy swerved The Attic, so Ryan and old Corrie pal Chris Fountain took on the ghouls instead.
Natasha Hamilton was also at Staffordshire theme park, where you can get tickets for Scarefest in the run-up to Halloween at altontowers.com.
She is used to out-of-control screaming having been in Atomic Kitten with Kerry Katona.
bizbit
DUA LIPA has joined forces with TaP Music to back its campaign to increase mental health awareness in entertainment.
She said: “It’s time for the music industry to start taking the mental health of artists seriously.”
Metallica S&M2 – first review
FANS of rockers Metallica are in for a treat after the group recorded a feature length concert with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra to mark the 20th anniversary of album S&M.
The film, which is more than two and a half hours long, shows Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, Robert Trujillo and James Hetfield rocking out to some of their biggest hits across two nights in the US city.
Alongside the orchestra they play extended versions of some of their classic hits, including Nothing Else Matters and For Whom The Bell Tolls, and reveal new symphonic versions of some of their favourite songs.
As well as music, Lars uses their time on stage to talk to their fans about their legacy and why they wanted to make S&M2.
The film is in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday and is a must-watch for die-hard fans.
★★★★
bizmeter charts
- DANCE Monkey by Tones And I is on course for a second week at No1. It stormed to the top of the pile seven days ago and is a non-mover.
- Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner’s break up hasn’t hit him professionally, his new single, Highest In The Room, is this week’s highest new entry at No2.
- Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy is on course for his first Top Ten single with Outnumbered. His debut album, Without Fear, was released on Friday.
Official charts
First look
- Dance Monkey – Tones & I
- Highest In The Room – Travis Scott
- Ride It – Regard
- Higher Love – Kygo and Whitney Houston
- Ladbroke Grove – AJ Tracey
- Circles – Post Malone
- Sorry – Joel Corry
- Strike A Pose – Young T, Bugsey and Aitch
- 3 Nights – Dominic Fike
- Outnumbered – Dermot Kennedy
Instaglam
ZARA Larsson is looking So Good – but I’m not sure about the rollers…
Justin’s on detox dye-t
AFTER a two-day wedding celebration, I’m not surprised Justin Bieber and his new wife Hailey are in need of a detox.
The singer was snapped picking up healthy juices close to their California home at the weekend.
And although the pair were probably feeling a little delicate, he did nothing to calm his throbbing bonce in putting on this headache inducing, tie-dye hoody from his Drew House range.
Someone pass me a painkiller . . .
bizticker
- Bang Bang Romeo release Love Yourself
- Love Island’s Jess and Dom have first child
- Joker landed biggest October opening day ever after taking £32m in 24 hours
- Robbie Williams working on his new album with Feeder’s Grant Nicholas
- Cardi B and Lil Nas X sued over sample in track Rodeo
Taylor’s Joe is hot property
HE’S been Taylor Swift’s leading man since 2017 and now Joe Alwyn is about to take centre stage.
I can exclusively reveal the Brit is in advanced talks to take the lead in the film adaptation of JoJo Moyes’ hit novel The Last Letter From Your Lover.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
A film insider said: “Joe is seriously hot property in the film world and the team behind the movie were desperate to snap him up. Felicity Jones and Shailene Woodley are also being lined up.
“Joe will play the abusive husband of the film’s leading lady. Filming is due to start in London in the next couple of weeks.”
Joe was in New York with Taylor at the weekend, before their busy schedules will force them apart.
bizbit
KANYE West used his Sunday Service in Salt Lake City in the US to once again throw his support behind President Trump and he warned against social media.
He said: “It’s designed to make you think slower. They want to control you.”
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