Pussycat Dolls in talks to sign major new management deal after successful comeback
THEY may be having a cat-nap right now but I have good news for pop fans – The Pussycat Dolls reunion is far from over.
I can reveal Nicole Scherzinger and her bandmates are gearing up to pump fresh life into the group and are on the brink of signing a major new management deal to secure their long-term future.
The move means more new music from the girls is likely to arrive soon.
I’ve learned The Pussycat Dolls have got interest from Maverick — Madonna and Britney Spears’ management company in the US — following the success of their comeback hit React last year.
They also have plans to meet with other big firms in the States in the coming weeks, with Nicole, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta determined to make a success of their return to pop.
The news comes amid rumours Nicole was plotting to go solo once again, although I’m told she is entirely committed to the group.
A source said: “The pandemic has hampered plans for The Pussycat Dolls but as far as they are concerned, they’re all raring to get going as soon as it’s safe to do so.
“Nicole had considered doing some solo music last year and wrote a series of songs including a track about social distancing called Anti-Party Anthem.
“That one was a fun nod to lockdown life, which she wrote when the pandemic had just started but she decided not to put it out a short while later.
“The time has passed and she has no plans right now to do anything as a solo artist.
“All her focus is on The Pussycat Dolls at the moment.
“This new team is great news for them and they’ve got a handful of songs which they are plotting to release when they can all safely get together again.
“With half of the group in the UK and half in the US, it is tricky, but they are determined to release some singles in 2021.”
Nicole, who shared this photo while holidaying with boyfriend Thom Evans, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, has scored seven Top Ten singles as a solo artist but had more success with the DollsIn total, they sold 55million records and had two No1 tunes.
They first announced their reunion in The Sun in November 2019 after a decade apart, including a UK arena tour for the spring.
But that has now been postponed twice because of the pandemic and is currently scheduled to begin in May.
I’m not feeling entirely confident that will go ahead, but more music from the Dolls would certainly soften the blow for their fans.
George is a hit with the birds
AFTER splitting from his girlfriend last year, Goerge Ezra has been eyeing up other birds – the feathered type.
The singer says he has become a twitcher after his dad got him a book to identify different types, but his birds are being terrorised by a cheeky squirrel.
George – who we have mocked up as a birdwatcher, left – said: “I’ve got a feeder.
But once every hour or so the squirrels come in so I have to open the window, and give a whistle to scare them off.
“And someone told me if you grease your pole, they can’t get up. They keep sliding down and it not only prevents them from getting to the food but it’s funny.
“The issue is I found myself in the rain, cold, with margarine in my hand greasing my pole.”
Speaking to his musician pal Ollie Mn on their Phone A Friend podcast, he added: “I find it relaxing to sit and watch the birds come and go.”
George is doing his best not to sound like a pop star right now.
Ex Josh gives lie to Olivia
OLIVIA Rodrigo is set to go to No1 with her heartbreak single Drivers License, but the man it is believed to be about appears to have reacted to it with his own single.
In the viral hit she sings about an ex who “didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me”.
This is thought to refer to her former love interest Joshua Bassett, who has today put out his song Lie Lie Lie.
In lyrics that many fans will assume are about Olivia, he sings: “So they told me all the things that you said, running all over my name.
“And you’re acting all so innocent like I’m the only one to blame. You’ve been lying to yourself, lied to everyone else, only thinking about yourself.
“Darling what the hell?” Ouch.
Anne-Marie’s K.O. single
ANNE-MARIE is ready to deliver a knockout with her new single, judging by these behind-the-scenes pictures from the video.
She has teamed up with rapper KSI and producer Digital Farm Animals for the tune Don’t Play, which is accompanied by a video of the trio in a boxing ring.
KSI is no stranger to that setting, having had a short-lived boxing career which saw him fight YouTuber Logan Paul in 2018 – they drew – while Anne-Marie, is a karate black belt and was a world champion as a child.
Also out today is a new version of Ariana Grande’s 34+35, Chip’s new song Lumidee, US band Avenue Beat’s single Woman and Waiting On A War from Foo Fighters.
Zayn Malik has also picked today to drop his third album Nobody Is Listening.
I’m sure there will be a few people who are, Zayn.
Bring back the hero, Chris
CHRIS Evans is to bring Captain America back in another Marvel film, despite saying he wouldn’t.
Sources in the US last night claimed he had agreed to reprise the character, although it is unlikely to be for a standalone film about the superhero.
There were three Captain America movies but Chris had said 2019’s Avengers: Endgame was his last outing as the character.
Asked last May if his time in the role was over, he said: “Yes – I think it is.
“It was a great run and we went out on such a high note that it would be risky to revisit it in my opinion.”
Dua blasts trolls
DUA Lipa has spoken for the first time about the online criticism she received after attending Lizzo’s post-Grammys party at an LA strip club last year.
When asked about the trolling, Dua, told Rolling Stone mag: “It seems quite hypocritical – people picking and choosing as to how they want to support women and when it suits them.”
Gaga inaguration
WITH concerts off for the moment, Joe Biden’s inauguration is unexpectedly set to be one of the biggest events in music.
Lady Gaga will perform the national anthem at Wednesday’s event, with J-Lo, Demi Lovato and Justin Timberlake also performing.
Leigh is a class act
LEIGH-ANNE Pinnock says she has got the acting bug after completing her first film.
The Little Mix singer has spent the last month and a half working on the romcom called Boxing Day, due out in time for Christmas 2021.
She said: “And that’s a wrap. My first ever film and hopefully not my last! I think I’ve got the bug now.
“This has been a dream from start to finish, with the most incredible cast and team.”
Praising her on Instagram, director Aml Ameen said: “Thank you for gracing our film with your talent and presence.
“I cannot wait for the world to see the new canvas you’ve painted on…a true artist.”
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