The Masked Singer’s Ne-Yo accused of abusing stardom by demanding cash to promote struggling artists
THE Masked Singer’s Ne-Yo has been accused of abusing his stardom by demanding up to £1,000 to promote struggling artists. The £8million R&B hitmaker, who has collaborated with Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Rihanna, wanted bungs to assist young musicians. Jobbing singer Kyle Passmore was offered a tantalising chance to chase his dream — if he […]
THE Masked Singer’s Ne-Yo has been accused of abusing his stardom by demanding up to £1,000 to promote struggling artists.
The £8million R&B hitmaker, who has collaborated with Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Rihanna, wanted bungs to assist young musicians.
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Jobbing singer Kyle Passmore was offered a tantalising chance to chase his dream — if he agreed to pay the star.
He told The Sun: “Ne-Yo is abusing his platform. This is predatory behaviour.”
For £300, Ne-Yo is said to show photos of a budding musician on his Instagram account, adding a caption with the artist’s name.
It allows singers to share evidence of the global celebrity “backing” their track.
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An £800 payment apparently guarantees Ne-Yo vowing “big moves”, such as recording an introduction to a song.
And a £1,000 fee is said to buy a duet with the star.
The US songwriter, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, saw his UK fame rocket after being unveiled as Badger and finishing runner-up on ITV1 hit The Masked Singer.
Ne-Yo, 41, told online followers he wanted to help the “up and coming talent”.
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Kyle, 30, from Blackpool, was unaware a pal had put his details forward — and flabbergasted when Ne-Yo got in touch.
But Kyle, who is finishing an album with an “Adele meets Bowie vibe”, began to feel wary as Ne-Yo said: “Have promo starting 300 or can do some other big moves for 800 or more.
“At the end of the day it’s your budget so you tell me.”
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Kyle, who reached the semis of 2017 BBC talent show Let It Shine, added: “It became clear what he wanted and it was really poor.
“He’s approaching people to see who’s gullible enough to pay him.”
Last night agents for Ne-Yo had not responded to requests for comment.
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