Gemma Collins forced to delay new music with producer Naughty Boy again – despite promising a summer banger
AFTER forming the unlikeliest of friendships at last year’s Brits, Gemma Collins and Beyonce’s super-producer Naughty Boy planned to storm the charts.
But yet more false starts have meant the summer banger Gemma hoped would put her at the top of the charts with Naughty, real name Shahid Khan, has been put on ice, again.
A music insider said: “Gemma and Shahid have been forced to cancel any plans to put out a song this summer.
“They were supposed to be working on a song that was going to be released last Christmas but their hectic schedules didn’t match up.
“And now it’s like deja vu as it’s happened all over again.
“Gemma had been so keen to see if they could get the song out this summer but it’s been a nightmare.
“She has been so busy filming her TV shows, and Shahid’s schedule is always packed.
“On top of that, coronavirus happened so any thoughts of getting together had to go in the bin.
“Some of Shahid’s advisers think he should try and distance himself quietly from Gemma now this has gone off the boil.
“He is a serious musician and they think it could tarnish his credentials as a producer.
Gemma Collins v Naughty Boy
GEMMA COLLINS:
CELEB PALS: Towie’s Bobby Norris and Saffron Lempriere
CATCHPHRASE: “You ain’t ever gonna get this candy”
MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: Falling through a trap door during the 2017 BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards
FAMOUS ROMANCES: On-off relationship with James “Arg” Argent
NAUGHTY BOY
CELEB PALS: A-listers Beyonce and Sam Smith
CATCHPHRASE: “La La La La La”
MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: Becoming Beyonce’s go-to producer
FAMOUS ROMANCES: Linked to Nicole Scherzinger
“But Shahid adores Gemma and can see how talented she is.
“Gemma has an incredible voice and a massive fan base, so if together they can hit the right note he knows it could have huge success.
“For now, though, it’s back to the drawing board and new music for Gemma in 2020 is looking seriously unlikely.”
The former Towie star told me in December how she had planned to put out a smash summer hit with Naughty, after she was snapped up by Universal in 2019 having impressed them with her voice.
She also revealed she had taken up tuition to improve her range.
Gemma said at the time: “I have been having singing lessons when I can fit them in.
“I’ve been doing it in the car, wherever I can fit it in I will and have been doing it a lot over the phone.
“It’s a new skill for me and I’ve been learning.
“We’ve got an amazing song in the bag — it’s just getting it out there.”
I know she’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but Gemma really can sing.
I hope it drops sooner rather than later.
READ ON FOR MORE OF SIMON BOYLE’S BIZARRE COLUMN
Arg to rebrand as The Wedding Singer
JAMES “Arg” Argent made many life changes during his recovery from addiction – even his job title.
The ex-Towie star, who told The Sun he was a cocaine addict, is having a rebrand.
In an exclusive interview, he said: “Instead of being James “Arg” Argent Reality TV Star, I want to be known as James “Arg” Argent The Celebrity Wedding Singer. I was really inspired after watching Bohemian Rhapsody.
“That’s the moment I knew I had to bring The Arg Band back together.
“We’ve had some big gigs before performing on This Morning, the Brentwood Festival and also opened up for Rick Astley at Paddy and Christine McGuinness’s charity night for autism.
“This is my passion now and I want to do some big concerts, whether it’s just me and backing tracks in Marbella or with the band in the UK.”
Arg says his new career move has been backed by stars including Robbie Williams, Jessie J and Pixie Lott, who saw his band’s virtual performance on Instagram last month.
Being a wedding singer certainly has a shelf life compared to Towie.
Strappy days for Gaga
IF you could see behind Lady Gaga’s face mask, you would see she was grinning from ear to ear.
The US superstar chose a bondage-style crop top and leggings for a stroll in Los Angeles with her boyfriend Michael Polansky.
And she is about to clear up with her latest album, Chromatica, over here and across the Pond.
The 16-track record is currently performing better than the rest of the midweek Top 20 combined – and will easily land the No1 album spot this Friday after already shifting 40,000 copies this week.
I’d put the champagne on ice now if I was Gaga.
bizbit
SYLVESTER Stallone is to narrate a documentary about the Rocky movies.
The show, 40 Years Of Rocky: The Birth Of A Classic, will feature unseen footage and tell the story of how the actor created the franchise in 1976.
Instaglam
LOTTIE Moss states the obvious while she catches rays in a low-cut top, telling her followers: ‘It was sunny’.
bizbit
BOYZLIFE are going out on a 2021 UK tour. The duo, Westlife’s Brian McFadden and Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, will kick off their 37-date tour on March 25 in Reading.
The pair said they couldn’t wait to get on the road.
Mel’s girl is turned off by mum’s music
HER mum has had seven UK solo singles, two top ten albums and is one fifth of the Spice Girls – but to Mel C’s daughter Scarlet it’s no big deal.
Mel, who dropped her new song Who I Am last month, has revealed the youngster would rather watch TikTok videos than see her performing.
The singer, who has been doing live DJ sets from their home, said: “We have been able to do some performances but to be honest, she is not getting that.
“She is up in her room watching TikTok – she’s so blasé.”
Mel also confirmed my story that she is in talks with the BBC to get her own show, and said the Spice Girls summer tour gave her the drive to do it.
She explained: “Being back on stage with the Spice Girls last year was the moment – and it made me really reflective.
“I thought about every aspect of myself.
“I got a new- found acceptance and it’s just given me the courage to go for it.”
Jade’s locked out of love
IT’S not easy for singletons during Covid, as Jade Thirlwall reveals.
The Little Mix singer said she’s been pining for blokes since going into lockdown with two pals.
She said: “Me and my friend Holly, when we go for our daily exercise, even walking past a guy and smelling aftershave . . . it is like we are on heat.”
Jade also confirmed my tale about her growing close to Rizzle Kicks star Jordan Stephens.
The pair went on a socially distanced date last month after she messaged him online.
Speaking to BBC podcast No Country For Young Women, out today, Jade added: “Me and my two friends, who I’m living with at the moment, were getting on the dating apps and my friend was like, ‘Go on, be brave, slide into a few DMs and see what happens.”
I think something pretty magical.
bizmeter
- Paul Dano, who will play The Riddler in new film The Batman, says Matt Reeves’ script is “really powerful”. He said: “I feel really good about it. I was really surprised by his script, which I think is potentially really powerful. Hopefully we’ll get to get back to it sometime soon. I’m not sure.’’
- Mum-of-three Kelly Clarkson is keeping busy in lockdown. In a chat with Ken Bruce for Radio 2 House Music, she revealed she is doing home-schooling on top of constant cleaning, cooking and her job on The Voice. She said: “It definitely presents its challenges.”
- Post Malone has revealed he took a break from social media for his mental health. An Instagram post said: “Over the past few months I have been trying to distance myself from social media for my mental health, and letting others have more control over posts on my pages.”
- Khloe Kardashian and associates at her fashion line Good American are being sued by LA designer Destiney Bleu Lewis for allegedly ripping off creations for bodysuits. Khloe is accused of borrowing items under the pretence of being for her own use, but using them for her company.
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