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    I won Eurovision – now I have a ‘normal job’ and even worked in Tesco after song contest fame

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    EUROVISION fans would expect that winning the competition sets you up as a singer for life, but the reality can be very different. One vocal legend who clinched a win for Ireland has since spoken about how she went on to live a normal life after the song contest, even working in her local grocery chain.Niamh Kavanagh won Eurovision in 1993Credit: ReutersShe has gone on to work regular jobs since the crowning momentCredit: PAHer winning song for Ireland was In Your EyesCredit: EPANiamh Kavanagh, 56, shared that Eurovision used to be branded ‘the kiss of death’ for singers.She won for her performance of In Your Eyes in 1993. While Niamh was delighted to represent her country in the competition, she has told of how she used to get quizzed about her lack of success afterwards.The singer shared: “I think sometimes we look back on Eurovision with rose coloured glasses because obviously we often talk about the glory years in the ’90s when we were winning, yet my first question from nearly every journalist at the time was ‘how do you feel about the kiss of death Eurovision is?read more in music”At one time, a journalist asked me about how I dealt with the lack of success in my career despite the fact that I have been very successful in my life, in my whole life.”And I went, really, is that just because I have Eurovision on my CV?”Niamh, who emphasized that she has ‘wonderful memories’ from that time in her life, stayed humble despite the big win.The champion even went to work at her local Tesco – at the same time as her son.Most read in MusicIn an exclusive interview with the Irish Sun, she joked: “My youngest boy and I got the same kind of job so we were in the same induction day in Tesco which was hilarious.”You know a 17-year-old and his 52-year-old mother, even if you think they’re great you’re sitting there thinking, ‘Oh god it’s so morto’.80s Eurovision icon Johnny Logan has ‘aged like a fine wine’ since competition win 44 years ago “It’s lucky because I’m known as Niamh Kavanagh and he’s known as Megahey, my married name.”For a little while, people didn’t know he was my son. He wasn’t for telling them.”Eurovision Song Contest entries 2024Here are all of the acts taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
    In 1999, a rule change allowed the United Kingdom, along with France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, to automatically qualify for the final, as they bring in the most revenue for the Song Contest.
    They are joined in an automatic place in the final by the 2023 winning country, Sweden.
    All the acts completing in Eurovision are:

    Albania – Besa – Zemrën N’dorë
    Armenia – LADANVIA – JakoAustralia
    Australia – Electric Fields – One Mikali (One Blood)
    Austria – Kaleen – We Will Rave
    Azerbaijan – FAHREE ft. Ilkin Dolatov – Özünlə Apar
    Belgium – Mustii – Before The Party’s Over
    Croatia – Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim
    Cyprus – Silia Kapsis – Liar
    Czech Republic – Aiko – Pedestal
    Denmark – SABA – Sand
    Estonia – 5miinust & Puuluup – (Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
    Finland – Windows95man – No Rules!
    France – Slimane – mon-amour
    Georgia – Nutsa Buzaladze – Firefighter
    Germany – Isaak – Always On The Run
    Greece – Marina Satti – ZARI
    Iceland – Hera Björk – Scared of Heights
    Ireland – Bambi Thug – Doomsday Blue
    Israel – Eden Golan – Hurricane
    Italy – Angelina Mango – La Noia
    Latvia – Dons – Hollow
    Lithuania – Sllvester Belt – Luktelk
    Luxembourg – TALI – Fighte
    Malta – Sarah Bonnici – Loop
    Moldova – Natalia Barbu – In The Middle
    Netherlands – Joost Klein – Europapa
    Norway – Gäte – Ulveham
    Poland – LUNA – The Tower
    Portugal – iolanda – Grito
    San Marino – Megara – 11:11
    Serbia – Teya Dora – RAMONDA
    Slovenia – Raiven – Veronika
    Spain – Nebulossa – ZORRA
    Sweden – Marcus & Martinus – Unforgettable
    Switzerland – Nemo – The Code
    Ukraine – Aloyna Aloyna & Jerry Heil – Teresa & Maria
    United Kingdom – Olly Alexander – Dizzy More

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      Inside Dua Lipa’s incredible rise to stardom from working as a waitress to Glastonbury headliner with £30m fortune

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      POP star Dua Lipa has the world at her feet.In less than a decade, she has gone from waitressing in London’s Soho to become one of the most in-demand stars on the planet — amassing a fortune of £30million and clocking up three Grammys and seven Brit Awards.Dua Lipa has gone from being a waitress in London’s Soho to one of the most in-demand stars on the planetCredit: GettyDua performed at this year’s Grammy’sCredit: GettyWith close friends including designer Donatella Versace, Sir Elton John and supermodel Gigi Hadid, the daughter of refugees from Kosovo has transformed herself into the ultimate global It Girl.And as befits a British superstar, she has an £8million mansion in affluent West Hampstead in North West London, boasting a swimming pool, home studio and ­cinema.Now she is on course to go to No1 this Friday with her third album Radical Optimism — her first since 2020’s Future Nostalgia, which turned her into a major superstar.The new record has already given Dua another three Top Ten singles in the form of Houdini, Training Season and Illusion, bringing her total to 16.READ MORE ON DUA LIPANot too shabby for someone who is still 15 months away from celebrating her 30th birthday.Its release has ushered in the biggest summer of her career, which will include a massive headline slot at Glastonbury Festival next month.The feat solidifies Dua’s spot in music history, as she follows in the footsteps of the Rolling Stones, Adele and BeyonceDua said of her milestone: “This is the pinnacle. For me, Glastonbury has always been the biggest dream.Most read in Celebrity“It’s been my barometer every time I go into the studio, when I write a song I love. It’s like, ‘How is this going to sound at Glastonbury? Is it going to work?‘Hurtful and humiliating’“It’s just always been on my dream board of something that I want to do. It’s the biggest show of my career.”How Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are set to be Hollywood’s hottest itemThe set, expected to be attended by 100,000 music fans, will come in stark contrast to the last time she ­performed at the famous festival.In 2017, she sang on the John Peel Stage — known for hosting up-and-coming artists — and was worried no one would even turn up.She recalled: “It was just as I was about to go on and there really wasn’t anyone there. And I was like, ‘Oh, f**k. No one’s going to come’.“But I just went, ‘Do you know what? It doesn’t matter — I’m going to get out and I’m just going to ­perform and I’m going to have fun’.“By the time I went out, the whole thing was full and I jumped out and had the best time.”At the weekend, Dua hosted and performed on one of US telly’s ­biggest shows, Saturday Night Live — becoming the first British star to do so since Harry Styles in 2019.Born in London in 1995 to Kosovo-Albanian parents Anesa and Dukagjin Lipa, Dua grew up in the capital before returning to her parents’ homeland when she was 11.Determined to follow her dream, Dua persuaded her mum and dad to let her return to the UK when she was just 15 years old.She said: “I wanted to do music. As much as I loved living in Kosovo, it was a very different experience. I was living with a roommate and my parents knew her parents. My parents put a lot of trust in me so I really tried to be as good as possible.”Dua worked a series of jobs in the UK, including as a guest list girl on the door of nightclubs, before finding a manager and landing a record deal.The star won the best new artist Grammy in 2019Credit: GettyDua even starred in 2023’s Barbie MovieCredit: Instagram/@dualipaBut before earning fame, fortune and accolades, she had a tough ride following the release of her self-titled debut album.She was criticised for her lacklustre dancing on stage and was mocked online with a comment that went viral, reading: “Go girl, give us nothing.”Speaking to a newspaper about the jibes, she said: “When people took that snippet of me dancing online and just turned it into a meme, and then when I won the Best New Artist Grammy and people were like, ‘She’s not deserving of it, she’s got no stage presence, she’s not going to stick around’. Those things were hurtful. It was humiliating.“I had to take myself off Twitter. The thing that made me the happiest — performing and writing songs — was also making me really upset because people were picking everything apart that I’d been ­working on, and I had to learn all that in front of everyone.“In the public eye, I was figuring out who I was as an artist, as a performer. All that was happening while I was 22, 23 years old and still ­growing up. You have to build tough skin. You have to be resilient.”However, she then underwent months of intensive dance rehearsals before her return in order to silence her critics, and she now pulls off complex choreography during her sold-out stage shows.At the 2019 Grammy Awards she won two gongs — Best Dance Recording for single Electricity and Best New Artist for explicit track IDGAF.Two years later, she returned to the US music industry ceremony to pick up her third accolade — Best Pop Vocal Album — for second album Future Nostalgia‘I was over the moon’With three wins and ten nominations to her name, Dua has more Grammys than pop icons Britney Spears (one win from eight nominations) and Kylie Minogue (two wins from six nominations).Even global music legend Cher has fewer, bagging just one from seven nominations. Meanwhile, back on home soil, Dua has won seven Brits.With such star power, it’s no ­wonder the great and the good started lining up to record with Dua.Miley Cyrus enlisted her for 2020 single Prisoner, while the following year Sir Elton John snapped her up to create chart mega-hit Cold Heart.Madonna, the Queen of Pop herself, even gave her royal seal of approval by appearing on a remix of Dua’s smash hit Levitating in 2020, alongside rapper Missy Elliott.Dua said of Madge’s involvement: “It was very much a manifestation thing. I was thinking out loud.“She was so down. I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe that she wanted to do this record with me. I’m such a fan. It was really exciting.”Dua Lipa as a childCredit: InstagramDua Lipa performing at Glastonbury Festival 2017Credit: GettyNot content in dominating the charts, Dua has turned herself into a global brand.She currently has deals with Porsche — said to be worth seven figures — and YSL Beauty.Dua has previously been snapped up by Jaguar, Evian, Mac Cosmetics and Versace, for whom she made her catwalk debut at Milan Fashion Week in September 2021.Last year she co-designed a collection for the Italian fashion house alongside industry powerhouse Donatella Versace.In a gushing statement at the time, Donatella said: “You are now both a Versace supermodel and a Versace super-designer.“We designed this collection with true friendship, love and joy at the heart of every piece.“Your passion and vision have inspired me throughout this creative journey.”The deals have boosted Dua’s net worth to more than £30million — which is set to jump even further in the coming 12 months thanks to a soon-to-be announced global tour.In her last live shows, Dua played to 1.3million fans around the globe over 91 dates — and the ten-month trek took just shy of £100million.Dua appears keen to make her mark on the big screen, too‘Proved them wrong’In 2023, she made a cameo in Oscar-winning film Barbie, playing a Mermaid Barbie alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, as well as topping the charts with Dance The Night from the soundtrack.Earlier this year, she starred alongside Henry Cavill in Apple TV’s spy thriller Argylle.But don’t expect her to call time on creating chart hits.She said at the Golden Globes: “At the moment, music is my priority. I love acting and it was fun — but music is first.”Her love life has also kept her in the news after relationships with model Anwar Hadid and French director Romain Gavras.But she is now in a British power couple with rising screen star Callum Turner, 34.With her album Radical Optimism on track to be another hit, Dua’s sights will now be set on her live shows.Next month she will kick off a series of mini outdoor gigs across Europe before her landmark Glastonbury set on June 26, and a prestigious show at the Royal Albert Hall in October.And she will be making sure there is no reason for people to criticise her performances.READ MORE SUN STORIESShe said: “Every time someone has doubted me, I’ve proved them wrong. And for me, I’m like, this is fuelling me.“This is pushing me to be better, to work hard. And I get a real kick out of proving people wrong.”The family of Dua Lipa, parents Dukagjin and Anesa Lipa and siblings Rina and Gjin attending the Brit Awards 2019Credit: PA:Empics EntertainmentDua Lipa was snapped with boyfriend Callum TurnerCredit: SplashAt the weekend, Dua hosted and performed on one of US telly’s ­biggest shows, Saturday Night LiveCredit: BackGridThis year the artist starred alongside Henry Cavill in Apple TV’s spy thriller Argylle More

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      Alesha Dixon ‘disappointed’ as wellness brand backed by BGT star goes out of business

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      ALESHA Dixon’s lunge towards becoming a wellness guru has proved to be a step too far, as her supplement brand has run out of steam.The Britain’s Got Talent judge launched vitamin brand NobleBlu back in 2020, but now it seems that the business had been quietly dissolved.Alesha had high hopes for her supplement brand, but it wasn’t to beCredit: Instagram/aleshaofficialLaunched in 2020, Alesha was hoping the supplements would help people find their rhythmCredit: Instagram/aleshaofficialThe 45 -year-old had high hopes to create a brand that would help people to find their “rhythm and flow.”But in the end, poor sales left the firm’s creditors with no choice but to wind it up.An insider told The Mirror: “Alesha was really passionate about NobleBlu and put a lot of work into it, although she wasn’t one of the firm’s official directors.Sadly, it just didn’t take off in the way she had hoped and it has now gone out of business.” read more aboutThe five supplements in the NobleBlu range promised to help boost immunity, beauty, balance, focus and energy.”The mother-of-two was is said to be “disappointed,” but is keen now to focus on other projects, including her music and her range of children’s books. The source adds: “Alesha’s disappointed, but thankfully has lots of other projects to focus on at the moment. “As well as BGT, she has some exciting things in the pipeline which she expects to announce later this year.”Nowadays it seems to be de rigeur for celebrities to launch wellness brands, after actress Gwyneth Paltrow pioneered the concept with her Goop company that is now worth around 200 million.Most read in ShowbizHolly Willoughby launched her Wyldemoon brand in 2021 and model Kate Moss’s Cossmoss company which specialises in body oils and natural beauty products was created in 2022.The 45-year-old rapper and mum, who was a member of garage, R&B girl band Mis-Teeq in the early 2000s, recently enjoyed a holiday in her father’s home country of Jamaica.The star shared social media footage of her partying and making music on the Caribbean Island, as she admitted that motherhood, hasn’t “clipped her wings.”Alesha who is mum to daughters, Azura, 10 and Anaya, 5 said recently: “I’m much more of a sensible Sally now, which is a surprise, because I’m a rebel at heart. It was crazy, because it was this instant thing where every decision and everything that I did, my children were suddenly at the forefront. I consider them in every scenario. It’s not just about me any more, so in a way I’ve become more responsible, more considerate, more thoughtful.”And Alesha who has been married to husband, the dancer and choreographer Azuka Ononye, since 2017 said:”There’s that age-old question of how do you juggle being a mum and having a career, but Azura and Anaya have motivated me and re-energised me to go for new things and push boundaries.”The star recently visited her father’s home country of JamaicaCredit: Instagram/aleshaofficialSince starring on BGT which she started in 2012, Alesha has become one of the UK’s biggest starsCredit: Rex More

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      Legendary 90s pop frontman looks unrecognisable 23 years after band split and quitting fame for normal job

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      AS one of half of rock band Savage Garden, he was one the poster boys of the 90s, travelling the world and selling more than 200 million records.But more than 20 years since he hung up the microphone, singer, songwriter and guitarist, Daniel Jones looks a shadow of the pretty boy rockstar who took the charts by storm.Daniel fell in love with wife Kathleen Leon Jones and wanted to live a normal lifeCredit: kathleendeleonjonesWith his bandmate Darren Hayes soon after they formed in 1997Credit: RexNow aged 50, the musician who is married to Kathleen de Leon Jones of the Aussie pop band Hi 5 fame, popped up on his wife’s Instagram account.The couple who married back in 2005 and have two children together, appeared to be more in love than ever, as they kissed for the cameras.Savage Garden which was made up of Daniel and his bandmate Darren Hayes, 50, formed in 1993 and put out a slew of hit songs including Truly Madly Deeply and To the Moon and Back.But at the height of their fame, when they had sold more than 23 million albums in 2001, Daniel decided to turn his back on the big time. The stress of travelling and all the press junkets had taken their toll and he decided that life in the spotlight was not for him.In an interview in 2015, hesaid: “The one thing I never wanted Darren to think was that it was personal against him. I never loved the lifestyle of the band or the existence of touring. I’ve never said anything other than that.”But Darren Hayes who was born for stardom, was said to have resented his bandmate for pulling the plug right at the peak of their fame.Most read in MusicWhen asked about the bands split in an interview, he said: “Let me clarify that – Daniel left Savage Garden. ‘I loved it, I would have been in that band forever.”When asked whether he and Daniel were friendly while in the band, Darren bluntly replied: ‘Uh, no. I was really supportive of him [but] he absolutely hated the experience of being famous.’ ‘He decided before the release of that second album that he didn’t want that life – which is totally his right.”He said: ‘His leaving was a huge rug pulled out from under me, and for contractual reasons we couldn’t really talk about it,’ After the break up of the band, Jones built his own recording studio, and started a record label, Meridien Musik. He then focused on his personal life, marrying former Aussie pop star, Kathleen De Leon.During this period, he launched a band named Aneiki: a duo that he formed, signed, wrote songs with and produced. Retreating to studio life was ideal for a man who had shunned the limelight. Aneiki’s single Pleased To Meet You was the most-played song on Australian radio in 2002, and for a while it appeared that Jones’ pop radio smarts were readily transferable. READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever the band fell apart after the first album and he moved to the US to focus on real estate.Then in 2023, he returned to the Gold Coast back in OZ with his wife and their two daughters.For Daniel, family life was more important than press junkets and travelling the worldCredit: kathleendeleonjonesBandmate Darren Hayes resented Daniel for abandoning him at the height of their fameCredit: Rex More

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      Amanda Holden, 53, looks incredible as she strips off to a bikini after landing huge Netflix dating show for cheaters

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      AMANDA Holden looked incredible as she stripped off to a bikini after landing a huge Netflix dating show for cheaters.The 53-year-old showed off her age-defying beauty in the red two piece swimwear to announce her exciting new job.Amanda Holden wowed in the red bikiniCredit: INSTAGRAMAmanda is a judge on Britain’s Got TalentCredit: GettyAmanda will be the presenter of Netflix’s new dating programme Cheaters: Unfinished Business. The Britain’s Got Talent judge wowed in the two piece as she posed next to a telephone box with the streaming service’s logo displayed on it.Speaking on Heart Radio this morning, Amanda said: “It’s an amazing new show. It is for Netflix. It’s called Cheaters: Unfinished Business.”It’s about whether people can get back together after they’ve cheated. Read more on Amanda Holden”So they might have thought that they’ve lost the love of their life and they just want one chance. “They will appear on the show and they will go through the process and they will listen to the other person’s side.”She added: “You can choose to walk away, to stay, and we’re filming it all in Spain in the sunshine. “That’ll be brilliant.”Most read in CelebrityThe Sun exclusively revealed the news yesterday, with Amanda admitting it’s her dream job.She said: “Sometimes dreams really do come true.Amanda Holden and Alan Carr finally sell home they renovated for just 85p on BBC show for eye-watering sum”All my career I always wanted to host a show about love and relationships – and this is it.”A series about second chances and unfinished business. I can’t wait to meet and help these couples work out whether they can forgive and forget. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of it.”Fans are over the moon and can’t wait to watch it on their TV screens.One said: “Will defo be watching this. Love Amanda. Good luck 🍾😘.”Another added: “❤️ looking forward to next project 😍.””♥️♥️ Good luck with it Amanda,” a third chimed in.Amanda is a current judge on Britain’s Got TalentCredit: Rex More

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      Who Is Lucian Grainge? Meet the Universal Music Chief connected to Drake and named the most powerful man in music

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      KNOWN as the most powerful person in the music industry, Lucian Grainge is one of the biggest names when it comes to the business. Here is everything you need to know about the music mogul and what is his connection to Drake and the hip-hop circuit. CEO of Universal Music Group Lucian Grainge was named the Executive of the Decade by Billboard magazineCredit: MegaWho is Lucian Grainge?Born on February 29, 1960, Sir Lucian Charles Grainge CBE is a British record executive and the current CEO of Universal Music Group – the biggest label in the business. Having been in the music industry for more than 45 years, Billboard magazine named him the most powerful person in the music business four times. He was also named as the publication’s first-ever Executive of the Decade in 2020. A native of north London, he became a knight after Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon him the honour in 2016 – on her 90th birthday.more on showbiz Having worked his entire career in the music industry, Grainge has signed and worked with some of the biggest names including Jay Z, Elton John, Queen, Rihanna and Amy Winehouse. The music mogul has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020. What is Lucian Grainge’s net worth?Grainge’s reported net worth is said to be north of $250million. The mogul draws an annual base salary of $5 million – and typically earns $10 million in bonuses.Most read in MusicIn April 2023, Lucian was rewarded with an equity pay package that could ultimately be worth $100 million, Celebrity Net Worth reports. What is Lucian Grainge’s connection to Drake?In 2022, the Universal Musical Group under Grainge’s leadership signed an unprecedented $400million multi-faceted deal with hip-hop star Drake. It included the rapper’s song recordings, publishing, merchandise, and visual media projects.The lucrative deal was described as “LeBron-sized” by an insider, according to Variety.What did Kanye West say about Drake and Lucian Grainge?Kanye West said that Lucian is Drake’s “rich baby daddy.”In an interview with Justin Laboy on The Download podcast he premiered a remix of Metro Boomin and Future’s Like That.One of Drake’s singles from his album, For All the Dogs, is called Rich Baby Daddy.”Drake has a rich baby daddy, named Lucian [Grainge] and Universal,” West said. “He’s like, ‘My daddy got it. My daddy control the spins. My daddy got the DSPs. Drake has a rich baby daddy named Lucian.” More

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      Kate Moss rakes in eye-watering sum after launching canny side hustle involving daughter Lila and Rita Ora

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      KATE MOSS has made a fortune as one of the world’s most successful fashion models – but it turns out she’s a canny entrepreneur too. New accounts show she has banked £4.3MILLION in profits by managing other models including her daughter Lila and singer Rita Ora.Kate Moss has banked £4.3MILLION in profits by managing models including her daughter LilaCredit: GettyRita Ora has also signed with the Kate Moss AgencyCredit: SplashKate also manages model Thomas Eblen, aka Blondey McCoyCredit: GettyFigures for Kate Moss Agency, which she set up in 2016, have soared.As well as looking after her own career, the talent agency represents Ella Richards — granddaughter of Rolling Stones’ Keith — and model Thomas Eblen, aka Blondey McCoy. Its profits to the year ending July 31, 2023, include £831,000 earned last year.The accounts were signed off by Kate last week and filed at Companies House.They show the firm held £5.9million in assets, including £2.6million in cash, and owed £1.5million in bills.read more on kate mossClever Kate, who is a director of the company, owed just £13 in bank loans and overdrafts.Its net assets have jumped from £3.5million in July 2022 to £4.31million.A source said: “Kate started the business at the time Lila was starting to model.“It was also at the time Kate herself was changing her lifestyle and stopping her renowned partying.Most read in Bizarre“So it has been a roaring success and she has other high-profile stars, like Rita, on the books. “Kate has so much experience in the industry and has been able to apply it to what she knows best — modelling.”Kate Moss, 50, wows with lookalike daughter Lila Grace, 21, as they pose for designer bag ad campaignCroydon-born Kate, who started modelling aged 14 in 1988, runs six private firms, including her agency and her wellness brand Cosmoss.On her daughter’s career, she previously said: “She understands she can say no, for one thing, which I never did, and she has the right people around her — I’ve made sure of that.“And let’s face it, she’s a lot more sensible than I was back then. “I mean . . . thank God.”These figures are worth raising a glass to, but reformed party animal Kate no longer drinks after overhauling her lifestyle. Perhaps a cuppa and a salad will have to make do when toasting her success.LOVE THE NEW LOOK, MAISIEMAISIE WILLIAMS looks a world away from her Game Of Thrones days in this structured tweed dress in New York.Sporting eyebrows that would make Cara Delevingne’s look thin, the English actress – who found fame as GoT’s Arya Stark – was at a Q&A for her Apple+ series The New Look.Maisie Williams posed in structured tweed dress in New YorkCredit: GettyMaisie found fame as GoT’s Arya StarkCredit: HBOOut now, it centres on the life of designer Christian Dior and is set in the 1940s.Maisie plays his sister Catherine and revealed she ditched her mates to concentrate on the role.She said: “I let go of a lot of my responsibilities in my own life in preparation. “I came away from all of my friends and my family and from my phone. “I don’t think I looked at my phone for a month.”A high-paying job where you don’t even have to check your emails sounds like a dream.SAB’S SINGLE
      SABRINA CARPENTER is giving Taylor Swift a run for her money in the charts with her single Espresso.
      It has gone from No5 to No1 in the midweek update and looks likely to knock Taylor and Post Malone’s collaboration Fortnight off the top spot after a week.
      But there are fewer than 1,000 copies separating the two, so it is all to play for.
      Taylor doesn’t have much to worry about, as her songs from album The Tortured Poets Department are still hugely popular.
      According to the sales figures, Fortnight is at No2, I Can Do It With A Broken Heart is at No7 and Down Bad is at No8.

      WHO COULD THIS BIE?HE has sold more 150million records in a career spanning 15 years – but I can’t blame you if you don’t recognise Justin Bieber here.The Canadian singer has grown a long, scraggly beard and showed off photos of his new facial hair on Instagram, as he continues a musical hiatus.Justin Bieber looks unrecognisable with a beardCredit: Instagram/Justin BieberHe quit his tour in 2022 citing health issues and has been having time out ever since, although he did pop up at Coachella earlier this month to perform with singer TEMS.Fingers crossed, new music is on the way. But shaving the beard might be a good idea before that.ZARA: GIVE ME MORE HATERSMOST singers surely want more fans – but not Zara Larsson.She claims you are only truly loved when you have got a load of people slating you as well.Zara Larsson claims you are only truly loved when you have got a load of people slating you as wellCredit: SplashThe So Good singer said: “I want more haters.“Just a few, because that truly means you also have a lot of lovers and the haters are really dedicated people. “If someone is indifferent to you, that’s actually worse.”Zara, whose third album Venus peaked at No15 in February, says she is no longer obsessing over numbers or chart places.On the podcast Great Company with Jamie Laing, she added: “I’m doing it because I love it.“And I’m doing it because I like to perform and I like to write songs and I like to sing.“Then everything that comes with it, it’s amazing and it’s beautiful and it’s fantastic . . .  but I can’t do it.” I have to agree. In the age of streaming, it’s so easy for artists to get bogged down in plays and views.First and foremost, it should be about the music.
      I ENJOYED a nostalgic trip to see Blue last week during their Greatest Hits tour.
      But before they even took to the stage, I was hooked.
      Vegas-born rising star Max Rae is opening for the boys, bringing with her an array of Glasto-worthy sequin catsuits.
      Max performed a cover of Spice Girls hit Wannabe as well as her latest single Keep You Waiting.
      She is one to watch.

      U2 ADAM MARRIAGE BREAK-UPU2’s Adam Clayton has split from his wife Mariana Teixeira de Carvalho after a decade of marriage.The bass player has a six-year-old daughter with the Brazilian human rights lawyer. U2’s Adam Clayton has split from his wife Mariana Teixeira de CarvalhoCredit: AlamyThey married in September 2013 but have now divorced. READ MORE SUN STORIESA spokesman for the couple, right, said: “Both will continue to be fully involved in the care of their daughter and they request that the family’s privacy be respected.”Adam, who previously dated Naomi Campbell, was living in Las Vegas from September until early March during U2’s concert residency in the city. More

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      With Vampire Weekend there’s no rules…we want to get out there & everyone go wild with us, says Ezra Koenig on UK tour

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      FOR Ezra Koenig, the critical response to Vampire Weekend’s new album has been more than satisfying.Their fifth album Only God Was Above Us has been met with heaps of praise.A dog, held by Ezra, gives Chris Baio a kiss and, right, Chris TomsonCredit: Michael SchmellingKoenig says: ‘I can’t deny it’s a good feeling to know people have connected with the music and they get it’ as the band’s album has been praisedCredit: Michael Schmelling“I don’t want it to be important to me. But I can’t deny it’s a good feeling to know people have connected with the music and they get it,” says frontman Koenig.It’s been five years since the band from New York put out Father Of The Bride, essentially a solo record by Koenig.“It doesn’t feel like five years,” he tells me via a video call from his home in LA.“Not at all. I was just doing an interview with Rick Rubin for his podcast and we went through our entire career, album by album.READ MORE IN SHOWBIZ“I remember how much pressure I felt to get Contra out within two years of the first album. Back then it felt like a long time but now, even though I’d like to release music more often, five years feels like nothing.”Only God Was Above Us is the first album Koenig has written since he became a dad. He and his wife, actress Rashida Jones (daughter of music legend Quincy), had Isaiah five years ago.“It’s always been important to me to come back to normal life as I don’t like to feel like a full-time musician,” says Koenig. “With these long breaks, you get a chance to go back into regular life and being a parent is the ultimate regular life.Most read in Music“You’re engaging in family life and responsibility. This will be an interesting year because I haven’t toured much since he was a baby.“But, even back in the day, if I got home from tour, I’d be back to the laundromat or the supermarket to feel like I was connecting with real life again. Taylor Swift’s new album takes aim at ex boyfriends”But even that’s not quite as real as waking up early the next morning to drive to school.“Our son is aware of what Mum and Dad do. My wife has done voices on some kids’ shows. There’s a cartoon of the Grinch where she does a voice and he got really obsessed with that for a while.“And part of the reason the album took a long time is there were long periods where I’d go with my family to London and Tokyo, because Rashida had work in those places.“I feel like I’ve really defeated my workaholism. Now, when I have time off, I really want to hang out with my family, and take long walks and read rather than lock myself in the studio.”I feel like I’ve really defeated my workaholismKoenig Sonically, the new album is “dark and light” and the “most aggressive record Vampire Weekend have made”.But Koenig says: “This album contains some of our most positive messages and my most optimistic worldview as a lyricist.”The contrast can be heard on album opener Ice Cream Piano which begins with a muttered “f*** the world” before it transitions into a galloping indie romp.The record finishes with the eight-minute epic Hope with its gentle message of acceptance and repeated refrain of “let it go” delivered with warming brass lines and a piano riff. It’s a heavenly album.Koenig says: “I love having the dark and light together not because I like to be a smart ass but because I believe that’s the real texture of life. That’s what being human really feels like.”The album is like a journey from a kind of uneasy attitude towards a type of acceptance and hope.As a staunch supporter of US leftwinger Bernie Sanders during both his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, how does Koenig feel about the possible return of Trump as President?‘Lot of admiration’He says: “It’s nothing but chaos but whatever happens it’s about accepting the things you cannot change.“I’ve never been in AA, but I know people who are and have a lot of admiration for it and I think whether you’re an alcoholic or not the Serenity Prayer can be very meaningful to all people.“So many people on this planet have been through so many things and we have thousands of years of human history to take inspiration from.”Father Of The Bride, Vampire Weekend’s 2019 album, was essentially a solo record by Koenig. But for this new release drummer Chris Tomson and bassist Chris Baio are back on board, again working with producer Ariel Rechtshaid.The singer tells me: “This album is the first time CT and I have a song, Gen-X Cops, we wrote together on it.This album contains some of our most positive messages and my most optimistic worldview as a lyricistKoenig “Over the course of the band, I’ve been lucky that I’ve received a huge vote of confidence from both Chrises. They trust me, as a songwriter and as a leader to take the band to good places.Vampire Weekend’s fifth album Only God Was Above UsCredit: Michael SchmellingKoenig and his wife, actress Rashida Jones (daughter of music legend Quincy), have a son togetherCredit: Getty“That stuff’s not always easy when you’re in your 20s. Famously, so many bands have personality conflicts, but I think we’ve reached a place where they have put their faith in me and I’ve put my faith in them.“Over the course of five albums, we’ve done it so many ways. “We’ve done four guys in a room; the singer and the producer hunched over a laptop, I did that with Rostam Batmanglij and I did it with Ariel.”Vampire Weekend is always going to be a community and it’s not just three of us. It’s the live members and the team we work with including producers.”The Surfer is another album standout that Koenig had originally worked on with former band multi-instrumentalist and producer Rostam.We have thousands of years of human history to take inspiration fromKoenig “Yes, that was one that Rostam and I started a long time ago and it was pretty different,” says Koenig. “The album version was more like Ariel and I working on new music.“I’d never quite found the right place for it on an album, but I found myself returning to the lyrics I’d written and it was suddenly darker and slower and took on a life of its own. That song was kind of reborn.”On the harmonious Prep School Gangsters — inspired by a New York magazine cover story from the 90s — Blood Orange aka Dev Hynes plays drums. Koenig is a huge fan.He says: “I’ve just always loved Dev, he’s a great person to talk to. Whenever we’re in the same city, we love to hang out and catch up.Psychedelic playfulness“This time, me and Ariel were working in New York and Dev stopped by. He’d just broken his arm playing football and had a cast on. So, he played on the album with his broken arm.”New single Mary Boone is another Vampire Weekend classic which celebrates the legendary New York art gallery owner with a psychedelic playfulness and shuffling percussion lifted by a sample of the drum loop from Soul II Soul’s Back To Life“That sample was Ariel’s idea,” explains Koenig. “And when it comes in, it’s 100 per cent worth it and we’re lucky we were able to clear it.“A big part of what Vampire Weekend does is push our music as far as it can, while having a sense of familiarity. That’s the frequency we’re trying to operate on.”Since making Only God Was Above Us, which comes from a New York Daily News headline on the album’s cover, Koenig says he’s only concentrating on Vampire Weekend.A big part of what Vampire Weekend does is push our music as far as it can, while having a sense of familiarityKoenig Past extracurricular activities have included creating an animated series for Netflix, Neo Yokio, and writing and producing songs for Beyonce, Liam Gallagher and — for the Peter Rabbit soundtrack — James Corden.But he says: “Lately, I feel mostly excited about continuing to work on my albums but I enjoy working and writing for others. “Liam was a great experience and I could listen to him talk forever. He’s such a funny guy.”After two years of not touring, Koenig has been enjoying getting back on stage and played a special show in Texas to celebrate the solar eclipse — also the day of his 40th birthday — plus a “last-minute addition” to the Coachella line-up where Paris Hilton joined them for the end of their set.“Playing a release show in Texas and then Coachella was a good week. It felt like our community coming together,” says Koenig.“Seven years ago, at the last total eclipse, I’d made a mental note that the next one was coming and it was my 40th birthday. “We’d booked the show and because it was a show in the day it meant I could enjoy myself with my family and friends. You don’t want to party at midnight when you’re 40!”Vampire Weekend will be in the UK touring in December but before that you can see them at Radio 1’s Big Weekend on Sunday, May 26, at Luton’s Stockwood Park.Koenig says: “We can’t wait. And it’s funny it’s in Luton, because I just went there for the first time in February — I went to see a Luton match.I feel mostly excited about continuing to work on my albums but I enjoy working and writing for otherKoenig “My manager is involved with the team so we got to meet some of the players and we had a great time. Harry Styles was also there.“We can’t wait to play London in December as well as we’re doing four different shows which also gives us a nice opportunity to switch things up. It’s been fun to rehearse the new album and breathe some more life into it and at the same time go back to some of the old songs.“With Vampire Weekend there’s no rules. We just want to get out there and everyone go wild with us.”READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Only God Was Above Us is out now. Vampire Weekend play Radio 1’s Big Weekend on Sunday, May 26.

      VAMPIRE WEEKENDOnly God Was Above Us★★★★★ More

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      Roman Kemp reveals first new job since quitting Capital Breakfast – and it’s with his famous dad

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      ROMAN Kemp is launching a podcast with his famous father.It’s his first new job since quitting Capital Breakfast last month.Martin Kemp with his son RomanCredit: RexThe 31-year-old bid an emotional farewell to his listeners as he left the radio station after ten years.Roman has since announced he’s hosting a new weekly podcast with his dad – 80s musician Martin Kemp.FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp launches on Wednesday, May 1.Roman said: “I did the podcast because people are always telling me that my dad being the celebrity that he is and the ‘legend’ that they say he is, I should always take as much advice off him as possible.READ MORE ON ROMAN KEMP”I always wanted to make sure that I knew everything about different subjects and advice that he would give me after he’s dead. “Because let’s be honest, we all die, and at some point, he thinks within the next 14 years, he’s gonna die. So why not write it all down? And also, given the title, I wanted to be able to say that it’s quite annoying having to get all this knowledge just because of who he is. So, it quite literally is ‘FFS’!”Martin is best known for being the bassist in Spandau Ballet, alongside younger brother and guitarist Gary Kemp.He was also a fan favourite on EastEnders when he played Steve Owen from 1998.Most read in CelebrityMartin added: “For so long people have asked me, ‘Why aren’t you and Roman doing a podcast?’ “Well here it is, from our living room sofa to the Gogglebox sofa to the erm.. the sofa! “When Roman first told me he had an idea, I should have guessed it wasn’t going to be your normal podcast! “We both cried with laughter making this, I hope you enjoy it just as much!”Roman revealed the real reason he quit Capital was because the programme was a constant reminder of his best friend and colleague Joe ‘Producer Joe’ Lyons, who took his own life in 2020.Roman, who has been open about his own battle with depression and mental health, said he got to a point where he decided he needed to “leave it behind”.On his final show, Roman tearfully thanked fans and listeners for “saving his life”.”I know that it started out as me being just Martin Kemp’s son”, said Roman.”I hope that now you can call me your friend.”He’s been replaced by BBC Radio 1 star Jordan North who is presenting alongside Sian Welby and Chris Stark.Roman was the first guest on the third series of The BRIT Awards with Mastercard’s official podcast The Red Carpet Treatment.He talks to host Jordan Stephens about embracing being a “nepo baby”, leaving The Capital Breakfast Show and the famous ‘shoey’ with Kylie Minogue at this year’s BRIT awards. He also delves into the topic of mental health and shares his experience of losing his best friend Joe Lyons. The pair talk about interview experiences with the likes of David Attenborough, Denzel Washington, Emma Thompson and Will Smith along with the infamous Will Smith slap and a BRITs after party with Kendall Jenner. Roman speaks about his famous dad Martin Kemp and explains how he’d now like to spend his future mornings coaching football.Speaking about his dad, Roman joked: “He has zero friends.”I said this to my dad the other day, when was the last time you hung out with someone that wasn’t immediate family? READ MORE SUN STORIES”Do you know what he said to me? 16 years ago and he thinks it was a paid gig. I said to him, who is your best friend? Do you know what he said? Me!”FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp launches on Wednesday, May 1. More