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'IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN'
US superstar admits playing Glastonbury is on their bucket list
The Fallin' star performed to over 123million people around the world at the Superbowl
SHE gave me chills while performing with Usher at the Super Bowl last month.
And now Alicia Keys has another major gig in her sights — after admitting a trip to Glastonbury is on her bucket list.
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Speaking following her performance at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, the Fallin’ singer said she was keen to make her mark on Worthy Farm after lighting up the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for her American football show-stopper which was beamed to more than 123million people around the world.
Alicia said: “With the Super Bowl, when you prepare for something like that your heart is racing.
“Even though I am not doing a dance, your voice can’t keep up with it because of the adrenalin.
“When you’re chilling in your room and then you are out there in front of 80,000 in the stadium it is ridiculous.
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“It has trained me on how to figure out my breath and to learn how to keep my voice calm when everything else is chaotic and full of energy.
“And Glastonbury? I think that needs to happen, don’t you?”
Emily Eavis, I hope you’re reading this.
With more than 90million record sales worldwide and nine Top Ten UK singles, Alicia is a self-made superstar — growing up in New York’s tough Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood before hitting the big time.
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Her journey, Alicia told me, saw her drawing comparisons to our very own British rising star Raye.
Alicia said: “I love Raye. Me and Raye singing together, that would be incredible.
Alicia Keys' husband Swizz Beatz takes sly dig at Usher after wife gets 'very cozy' with singer at Super Bowl
“I am so excited for the way women are taking over music.
"We have an organisation called She Is The Music and it is about really increasing the numbers of women on every side of the industry, from producers to engineers to lawyers and creatives and business entrepreneurs.
“You do see a lot of growth.
"We now have a seat at our own table to dictate the way things are going. You really do see women.
"There is so much creativity. We are totally unfathomable, so I am really excited for Raye.”
On her own inspirations, Alicia said: “I was raised by a single mother and she is a rock to me, unbelievable.
“I am so happy the way I was raised by an inspirational woman like her who was so fierce and so determined.
“She showed me about being a woman and about owning your power.
"You need to be tough and it taught me to be my version of strong.
As part of her performance at the F1, which was hosted by MDLBEAST, Alicia performed alongside acts including Pharrell Williams, Asap Rocky and Martin Garrix.
And Away from pop music, Alicia worked hard to get a new theatre show, Hell’s Kitchen off the ground.
The stage production mirrors Alicia’s story of reaching the spotlight and she now hopes to get it on to Broadway.
She added: “My eyes are definitely on that. It would be a dream come true.
“A lot of people will assume it is my life story but it is influenced by my experiences.
"Growing up in New York is a very specific experience, as you have all different sides that reflect the culture.
"Hell’s Kitchen is a unique world which I have not seen pieces on.
“New York is such a melting pot, as you get a diverse sense of styles, places and dress.
"There are no limits to the culture or the sounds you hear.
"The city represents our dreams and what we want to achieve.
"If you haven’t seen New York, if you see this piece you will feel it and a kindred spirit to the city. I am a kid with a dream. Aren’t we all?”
You said it, Alicia.
MDLBEAST is the premier Saudi-based music entertainment company that showcases established and rising local, regional and global talent and connects regional audiences with global artists through pioneering live entertainment experiences.
AJ TRUTH, the winner of MDLBEAST’s XPerform initiative, also wowed the crowd with a stellar performance, highlighting MDLBEAST's commitment to accelerating the careers of emerging talents in the region.
The XPerform initiative uncovers and promotes rising stars, providing them with a platform on the world stage. XPerform is one of many initiatives by XP Music Futures, a year round organisation under the MDLBEAST umbrella which is dedicated to accelerating the development of the music scene in the Middle East and North Africa region.
MDLBEAST's dedication to fostering regional talent was evident throughout the concert, emphasizing its role as a catalyst for the music industry in the Middle East and North Africa. The event served as a testament to the company's commitment to putting regional artists on the global stage.
LILY LOVES A HAIRY STRIKER
LILY ALLEN and I have more in common than I thought.
The singer turned actress says she’s got a thing for big men with beards.
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On her new podcast Miss Me?, with Miquita Oliver, Lily said: “I have daddy issues, don’t I?
"I just want a big, old, hairy daddy. It’s all I want.”
I’m sure her husband, Stranger Things actor David Harbour, will be thrilled.
Lily talked about David’s dress sense, admitting he wears “a lot Stone Island”, a brand popular with footie hooligans.
She added: “It’s strange seeing an American in something I associate with a very particular part of British culture.
“I love my husband dearly, but he doesn’t understand what he’s wearing.”
Lily needs to have a firm word.
I can’t wait to see this.
DEMAND for Usher’s UK gigs next year is so huge the Burn singer has added a tenth date at London’s O2 Arena.
The 180,000 tickets for his first nine shows were snapped up in minutes last month.
So he has added another on March 29, with tickets going on sale at 10am on Friday.
He is one of my favourite singers, and you lot seem to like him too.
LIV LOVER: WE’LL STAY LOW KEY
OLIVIA RODRIGO’s British actor boyfriend has broken his silence on dating the US singer – four months after we revealed they were a couple.
Louis Partridge did not to name the Good 4 U hitmaker but said they wanted to keep their relationship as low key as possible.
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He explained: “Dating probably shouldn’t be done in the public eye.
"She’s got tons and tons of eyes on her case.”
On how he blocks out online opinions, Louis told British Vogue mag: “If there’s a load of people nattering in a room about you, you can choose to put your ear to the door to hear what they say or not.
"You’re probably better off not letting curiosity get the better of you.”
DAVID GUETTA has become a dad for the third time.
The DJ and Baby Don’t Hurt me hitmaker, who has a son and a daughter with ex-wife Cathy Lobe, has had a baby boy with his girlfriend, Cuban actress Jessica Ledon.
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He shared their happy news on Instagram and said: “Love is in the air. Welcome Cyan.”
BLUD IS BUILDING FESTIVAL
FANS of Yungblud are in for a treat after he announced his very own festival.
The aptly named Bludfest will take place on August 11 at the Milton Keynes Bowl in Buckinghamshire.
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It will feature performances from the man himself.
Also playing will be rapper Lil Yachty, as well as singers Nessa Barrett and Lola Young.
Yungblud, real name Dominic Harrison, said: “Bludfest will blur the lines of genre and destroy the limitation of imagination.
“It will be a festival that cuts the corporate b*****ks and is all about the people.
“My plan is to take it worldwide but this summer is the first one and it’s gonna be something no one has ever seen before in the UK.”
He added: “Five years ago we imagined a world of our own.
“In Bludfest we have physically built one.
“It feels like the next logical step for me.
“I want to create a physical safe space where people can come and celebrate the ideologies of this community, where unity, individuality and love is the main focus.
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“We bring the world of Yungblud to fing life right before your eyes.”
I am expecting chaos. Brilliant, organised chaos.
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