WE’VE had McBUSTED and BOYZLIFE, but now the girls are getting in on the supergroup act.
I can reveal that West End divas BEVERLEY KNIGHT, AMBER RILEY and CASSIDY JANSON are teaming up as the LEADING LADIES and will put out an album in November.
The supergroup is the brainchild of three-time MOBO winner Beverley, who has recruited Dreamgirls star Amber and Cassidy, who played Carole King in the hit stage show Beautiful.
She jumped at the chance to try something new after a health scare this year which resulted in her having a hysterectomy.
In an exclusive interview, Beverley said: “I never thought I’d be that person to have some big, life-changing operation. Then I became that person.
“You get one shot, so suddenly you’re thinking of opportunities.
“Since the op, I’m just like, ‘Bring it!’ Whatever the universe puts in my lap, I’m ready. And this has been a phenomenal thing to put in my lap.”
The album Songs From The Stage is out on November 17 on East West Records, and features the trio performing belters from the shows Cats, Rent, The Bodyguard, Memphis and more.
Talking of their chart chances, Beverley added: “People consuming TAYLOR SWIFT and SAM SMITH there’ll be a lot of streaming.
“People who buy the Leading Ladies will probably want a CD.
“So I reckon we’re in with a shot because it’s looking bloody good.”
They could even go on a tour like ALFIE BOE and MICHAEL BALL did earlier this year.
She said: “To do a whole hour and a half representing the album would be glorious.”
And at least all three of the Ladies are used to getting standing ovations.
SHANIA'S KID REGRET
SHANIA TWAIN has admitted she regrets not having more kids as she now feels too old.
The Canadian singer, who took a break from releasing music to raise her son Eja, now 16, is back with her fifth studio album, Now.
In an interview for ITV’s Lorraine, which you can watch on the show’s YouTube page now, Shania told me:
“I love being a mother. I wish I had more children.
“At 52, I don’t think I’m going to have any more children. I’m probably not capable.
“But I decided that, well, maybe I’m just going to stay where I’m at. I have a beautiful step-daughter and I have a beautiful son. I’m very happy.
“I just love being a parent and I would have loved to have had more kids.
“I really do love being a family person. I love cooking and packing lunches and making pancakes on Saturday mornings and all that sort of stuff.”
Her album Now will be released on September 29 and is filled with incredible songs including recent single Life’s About To Get Good.
With her comeback go-ing so well, Shania will have to make do with shop-bought pan-cakes on tour rather than flipping them herself
— LITTLE MIX have a big night out in the video for new single Reggaeton Lento and they like to do the same in real life too.
LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK wore these lace-up trousers to go to the launch party for JOURDAN DUNN’s Missguided fashion collection in London.
She later headed to Tape nightclub to party with her bandmate JESY NELSON.
They weren’t partying alone though, as Jesy’s new boyfriend, singer HARRY JAMES, joined them for their Saturday night out.
The girls catch their partying on tape in the Reggaeton Lento video, which will be released at midnight tonight and features Latin boyband CNCO.
The track is already at No7 but another of their amazing videos is sure to boost it even higher.
Their The Glory Days tour kicks off next month in Aberdeen, so they may have to cut down on partying.
Fergie ace in laces
FERGIE shows she is getting over her marriage split from JOSH DUHAMEL– by wearing this eye-catching outfit for her latest show.
The US singer looked white hot in this laced-up leotard and matching boots for a gig in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
She thanked fans for their support after announcing her split from Tranformers movie hunk Josh following eight years of marriage.
During a live stream on Instagram, Fergie said: “I want to thank all of you in your different ways.
“Whether it be helping online with all the naysayers or just helping me with the fashion or just sometimes being there for me when I need to read something that’s filled with love.”
Josh will be kicking himself when he sees Fergie on this form.
BIZ BIT
JOOLS HOLLAND is teaming up with Puerto Rican music icon JOSE FELICIANO for his new album, As You See Now, out on November 17. They will also perform together on a mammoth 35-date UK tour, which kicks off next month.
Em’s a silver server in LA
EMMA STONE bought some La La Land sparkle to the premiere of her latest movie Battle Of The Sexes.
The Oscar winner’s new film tells the true story of the 1973 one-off match between tennis legend BILLIE JEAN KING, then 29 and at the top of her game, and retired former men’s champ BOBBY RIGGS, who was 55.
Emma sported this silver blazer on the AstroTurf green carpet in LA. She was joined by Billie and movie co-star STEVE CARELL, who plays Riggs.
Billie has previously said she is over the moon at having Emma play her in the movie, announcing: “She is the No1 actor in the world.
“”She works hard but she’s also really smart and intelligent.
“It’s been quite amazing spending time with her. She’s amazing.”
She’s not wrong there.
BIZ BIT
THE FBI is investigating a multi-million extortion attempt on KEVIN HART. The US comic publicly apologised to pregnant wife Eniko and his two children on Saturday over what he described as a “bad error in judgment.”
— FROM gyrating on a pole dressed as a nun to her spectacular fall at the Brits – MADONNA has never shied away from putting on the best live performance possible.
But now 59, the Queen of Pop has revealed she will be hanging up her sequin leotards and cone bra for smaller-scale shows.
She told the BBC: I’ve done so many shows – world tours, stadiums, sports arenas – I feel like I have to reinvent that now too.
“I like doing intimate shows and being able to talk directly to the audience.
“This is something I’m exploring right now, the idea of doing a show that stays in one place and utilises not only humour and the music in a more intimate setting but other people’s music, as well, and other entertainment.
“Kind of a revolving door of amazing, gifted, unique talent – dancers, musicians, singers, comedians, me, humour.”
After seven huge world tours she has raised the bar for live shows with her talent, creativity and dedication.
She will wow fans with whatever she’s planning next.
BIZ BIT
MORRISSEY has joined Twitter – a year after saying fans follow THE SMITHS account “at your peril”. His page @officialmoz was set up yesterday and already has thousands of followers, despite him not posting any tweets.
— CLAUDIA SCHIFFER has helped create the Beauty Bot, which is JULIANNE MOORE’s henchman in Kingsman: The Golden Circle – as my exclusive photo shows.
The supermodel will be at the world premiere of the movie in London’s Leicester Square tonight alongside SIR ELTON JOHN and COLIN FIRTH, ahead of the general release on Wednesday.
SOFIA SMITTEN
SHE’S had flings with JUSTIN BIEBER and BROOKLYN BECKHAM– now SOFIA RICHIE has her sights set on an older man.
LIONEL’s daughter fuelled speculation she is dating SCOTT DISICK after they were seen together in New York at the weekend, and US sources say the teen is smitten with KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN’s ex.
Despite their touchy- feely displays, Sofia and Scott – 15 years her senior – have so far denied they are an item.
An insider said: “It’s so weird. Sofia had been a family friend for years and was close to KENDALL and KYLIE.”
— BEYONCE is the perfect adviser for anyone doing the Super Bowl half-time show, with two under her belt.
But husband JAY-Z won’t need any tips. Though heavily linked with next year’s show, he’s not taking part.
A source close to the rapper said: “Lots of people have been saying Jay will perform with JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE but it is simply not the case.
“He has enough songs to create an incredible performance but he really has no plans to do the half-time show.”
It is Amerca’s most-watched TV event, with COLDPLAY, BRUNO MARS, KATY PERRY and MADONNA having starred in recent years.
But NFL bosses are still searching for an act to follow LADY GAGA, who wowed 117.5million viewers at this year’s American football showpiece in Houston.
BIZ METER: DAN'S DIARY
TODAY: LONDON’s Porchester Hall will be filled with outrageous telly stars for the National Reality TV Awards. CHARLOTTE CROSBY, LAUREN GOODGER, PAUL DANAN, AMELIA LILY, BIANCAGASCOIGNE and STEPHENBEAR are among expected guests.
TOMORROW: AS part of the London Fashion Week celebrations, RIHANNA will be at the British launch of her make-up range. The party for Fenty Beauty is at department store Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, where her range is exclusively available.
WEDNESDAY: THE Sofar Sounds Give a Home For Human Rights concert series will see JESSIEWARE, RUDIMENTAL, JAMESMORRISON, GREGORYPORTER, EDSHEERAN and more perform at secret gigs around the world to show solidarity with refugees.
THURSDAY: AFTER cancelling a show in Rio, Brazil, last week due to “severe pain”, LADYGAGA is still scheduled to kick off the European leg of her Joanne World Tour in Barcelona. Her Netflix docu, Gaga: Five Foot Two is set to premiere on the streaming site on Friday.
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