Rude, late and total divas… it’s clear to see why Camila Cabello couldn’t wait to quit Fifth Harmony
AFTER spending just one hour recording my new Bizarre Life podcast with FIFTH HARMONY, I can see why CAMILA CABELLO couldn’t wait to leave.
Ahead of the release of their new album, the remaining band members had agreed before the interview to open up for the first time about the circumstances behind the star’s departure.
But after turning up more than 90 minutes late in a foul mood, it soon became clear that the sweet young music group I backed from day one have turned into total divas.
Camila — widely regarded as the band’s biggest talent — and her ex-bandmates, ALLY BROOKE from left, , NORMANI KORDEI, DINAH JANE and LAUREN JAUREGUI were happy to let their very acrimonious split play out in public.
They unfollowed each other on social media and offered differing stories about the reasons behind the split, with Camila later saying she was uncomfortable with how the band would “sexualise” her for commercial reasons.
Bolshie Lauren was also caught on tape saying the band was being treated like “literal slaves”, weeks before they split with their management company and appeared to distance themselves from SIMON COWELL, who put them together on the US X Factor.
Lauren was also arrested for marijuana possession at a US airport and just this week the band were branded “slutty” by SARAH HARDING while she was in the Celeb Big Brother house.
You’d think the girl group — who insist they are in control of their own careers — would use my podcast interview to address all of these rumours as had been agreed beforehand.
But their disdain for departed Camila appears so strong they were unable to do that.
Initially, the group took offence at me saying the band was hitting a peak when she decided to leave.
Normani said: “We are at our peak now.”
I asked if they ever considered calling time on Fifth Harmony following the exit.
Dinah said: “I remember in my heart we were actually really nervous. We were scared and it was definitely a hard time, especially at the top of this year.
“We have each other and we knew that that wasn’t it for us.
“We had the conversation, we were debating and going back and forth and, actually, we all knew.
"We all knew in our hearts there was something greater than what we had created and, honestly, I feel as though we are at our peak right now. Like we have so many great things to be blessed for.”
Listen to the full interview
My no-bull translation: It’s an amazing thing Camila left!
When I asked about the war of words between the band over whether Camila was upfront and honest about her decision to move on, they dodged the question.
Dinah said: “Yeah, well right now we’re really focused on each other. We’re so excited and we have so much more to look forward to, so that’s kind of where we are at right now.”
What about the claim from Camila that she wasn’t happy with the sexual direction the band had taken her in?
Lauren said: “We know how hard we’ve worked, we know how our choreography makes us feel empowered. We have our voices, which are incredible and kind of surpass anything else.
“I’m pretty sure everyone in music touches upon sexual context one way or another.”
When I asked if 5H thought they could become friends with Camila again, things turned even more frosty.
Lauren responded: “Can we not talk about that? Like, what is this? Hello? It’s so shady.”
Some of my one-on-one chats weren’t any easier.
Lauren (again) wasn’t happy with my question about her drug scandal last December when she was arrested for possession of marijuana while travelling to Brazil from Washington Dulles Airport.
She said: “Um, can I not? I’ve moved on from it 1,000 per cent. But I mean, it was an accident, obviously. And I didn’t get arrested, though, clarification. I had a citation.”
When I asked if she believed the use of marijuana helped the creative process, the PR banned the question, as the bisexual singer sighed: “I’m sick of just, like, you know . . . ”
She also refused to discuss her widely reported romance with TY DOLLA SIGN, saying: “We’re just, you know what I mean — we’re just vibing. I don’t want to talk about that.”
GIRLS ALOUD’s Sarah this week branded 5H “those slutty ones” during her controversial stint on CBB.
Dinah responded by shading Sarah, saying: “Aw, well if she wants some lessons or anything.
“People always want to learn how to booty pop like Fifth Harmony, so that’s our signature. But shout out to her. I really don’t know who this is.”
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Referring to her defence of fellow girl band LITTLE MIX’s raunchy stage outfits, she added: “It’s a little frustrating to hear that our outfits give people this idea that we are sluts.
“What me and my girls are about is being confident in yourself.
“If you feel like going on stage dressing up the way you want then that’s all that matters, not what you think of me. I’m wearing this for myself.”
That’s a point I agree with.
It’s just a shame Fifth Harmony don’t have the confidence to take part in a perfectly respectable, uncensored interview.
I for one believe they have most definitely peaked . . .
- Listen to the full interview
Biz bit
CHARLOTTE CROSBY and STEPHEN BEAR are one seriously turbulent couple.
She announced their split on Twitter on Wednesday then said on Snapchat yesterday: “Me and Stephen aren’t actually separated or finished, we just had a bit of a row.”
Islanders have spin-off licked
IT’S good to see the romance is still alive for CHRIS HUGHES and OLIVIA ATTWOOD after Love Island ended.
The couple are in talks for their own reality series about living together.
That is, they’re in talks when their tongues aren’t otherwise engaged, as they were at the launch for Olivia’s clothing line with In The Style, called Olivia Loves, on Wednesday.
A TV source said of the villa’s on-off couple: “It’s no surprise that they’ve been quickly tapped up to do a follow-up.”
The launch bash at the Archer Street bar in London’s Soho was also attended by fellow Love Islander AMBER DAVIES.
Meanwhile, Olivia revealed: “There is something happening with Chris but I can’t talk about it.”
She’s too busy getting her face licked off.
Sexy pix-ie
PIXIE LOTT and OLIVER CHESHIRE already look like they’re on honeymoon – even though their wedding is not until next year.
The singer and her model fiancé were on a romantic break in Capri, Italy, this week, messing about in the water and on a boat.
And Pixie showed just how great she will look in her wedding dress, parading an enviable figure.
They make a great team.
Biz bit
JUSTIN BIEBER’s latest song has been released.
BLOODPOP features on Friends, which is about wanting to stay pals with an ex.
Justin sings: “Girl, you wondering why I’ve been calling? Like I’ve got ulterior motives.”
Is Ms GOMEZ listening?
Emma's song search
EMMA WILLIS is becoming TV’s most in-demand presenter, having already hosted The Voice, Celebrity Big Brother and the Brit Awards this year.
Now I can reveal SIMON COWELL has snapped her up to front a one-off show called Your Song, celebrating budding singers and songwriters.
From the makers of The X Factor and BGT, it will offer contestants the chance to win a money-can’t-buy surprise performance from their favourite musical artist.
Emma said: “This is such an amazing show to be part of. Imagine seeing somebody you love being surprised with the performance of a lifetime by their musical hero.”
The hour-long show will air this autumn on ITV in a primetime slot.
Biz meter: music
Tour 1
KATY PERRY has delayed the start of her Witness world tour by a fortnight due to her custom-built stage not being ready in time for rehearsals.
The North American leg will now kick off on September 19, with support from CARLY RAE JEPSEN, NOAH CYRUS and PURITY RING.
Tour 2
THE SCRIPT are being joined by rising British star TOM WALKER on their 13-date US tour next month.
The Just You And I singer, whose tunes regularly featured on Love Island, will open for the Irish group on what will be their first tour in two years, kicking off on September 28 in Connecticut.
Career move
EVEN as she prepares to retire from performing live, ARETHA FRANKLIN is showing no signs of slowing down.
The Respect singer said: “I’m interested in doing a small nightclub downtown. In my retirement plan, I’d like to have a small club here in Detroit.” Glow sticks at the ready, fans.
Duet
DOLLY PARTON has opened up about collaborating on a new version of her 1980 hit Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You with KESHA – whose singer-songwriter mum PEBE SEBERT penned the track.
Dolly said: “To get to sing as a duet with Kesha was a real special moment.”