Tag Archives: Spice Girls

Geri Halliwell-Horner Releases New Novel “Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen”

Posted on by
Reply

Geri Halliwell-Horner is spreading girl power to a new generation…

The 51-year-old half-Spanish English singer, songwriter, author and actress has released her literary project Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen, which took the former Spice Girls member to a place she’d never been before: full-fledged, novel-length writing that blends her passions with her signature cheeky attitude.

Geri Halliwell-Horner“Writing is the one thing where you get to control and decide. So, I love it for that reason,” Halliwell-Horner tells InStyle.

Halliwell-Horner, who studied English literature and theater before becoming a Spice Girl, had previously penned a series of children’s books, Ugenia Lavender, in 2008, and a memoir back in 1999, If Only.

For the new novel, she names C.S. Lewis as inspiration for the novel, which she created with a very specific message in mind.

Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen blends Tudor history with myth and fantasy, all the while, introducing young readers to a different kind of hero. Consider it Girl Power 2.0.

“I’d already done younger children’s books before and I thought, You know what? Wouldn’t it be nice if the world had a new hero, someone that you can all identify with that was really fresh and ordinary and not perfect?”

Spice Girls fans looking for references to Ginger and her fellow Spice Girls may recognize the similarities between Frost and the author.

“I mean, obviously the hair color,” says Halliwell-Horner, laughing as she describes any not-so-accidental shared character traits. “But what I like about Rosie is I think she’s us. She’s the raw, vulnerable us that doesn’t know the way and then has to find the courage that she never knew she had. And we all feel like this at different times.”

Although writing is her focus at the moment, fans who’ve been longing for new music from Halliwell-Horner have even more reason to pick up the book. Copies of Rosie Frost include a special QR code that brings readers to two new tracks, the electro-pop “Ghost in the House” and the piano-forward ballad “Beautiful Life.”

“I bought this book for my son, he’s [6 years old], and there was a song in the back and I thought, That’s such a good idea,” Halliwell-Horner says of her inspiration. “I thought, Well, why don’t you just put some music on your book? So, there’s music on the book. I think you’ll really like it. It was a really nice sort of a sentimental song.”

Taiga Brava Named Season 2 Winner of Paramount+’s Drag Singing Competition “Queen of the Universe”

Posted on by
Reply

Taiga Brava is taking the reigns…

The 31-year-old Mexican drag performer has been named the season 2 winner of Paramount+’s drag singing competition Queen of the Universe.

Taiga BravaBrava was revealed the winner in royally surprising fashion.

Although the RuPaul-produced series — featuring Mel B, Trixie Mattel, Michelle Visage and Vanessa Williams on the judging panel — had only aired its fourth of eight total weekly episodes from its sophomore season last week, all remaining installments were released Thursday on the streaming service.

Following the unexpected drop, Brava was crowned the winner and the recipient of the program’s $250,000 prize, with Australia’s Trevor Ashley and Drag Race Italia competitor Aura Eternal joining Taiga among the top three finalists.

American Miss Continental pageant winner Jazell Barbie Royale — whose viral performance of CeCe Peniston‘s “He Loves Me 2” has made the rounds on social media — just missed out on the final episode, ultimately placing fourth.

“THERE IS A CROWN FOR MEXICO!” Taiga tweeted on Thursday, according to a Spanish-to-English translation on Twitter. “WE WIN QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSEEEE, F—! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. VIVA MÉXICO.”

After she was named the winner, Taiga spoke to the studio audience. “Thank you, everybody, for this opportunity,” she said as the judges stood to applaud her victory. “I’m very grateful right now and I just hope that I get to share this message of love and acceptance and tolerance all over the world and just f—ing be yourself!”

Queen of the Universe’s second season debuted on June 2, and welcomed contestants hailing from nine global nations — Italy, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States — to the cast of competitors.

Spice Girls member Mel B — who ruffled some feathers on social media for her sustained criticism of Jazell — joined the judging panel following the departure of season 1 judge Leona Lewis, with Williams, Mattel, and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Visage returning to their posts for season 2.

Also returning for season 2 was host Graham Norton, who helped crown Brazil’s Grag Queen as the first winner of the show in 2021, which also featured Drag Race legend Jujubee and American Idol star Ada Vox among its cast.

Taiga Brava to Compete on Season Two of Paramount+’s “Queen of the Universe”

Posted on by
Reply

Taiga Brava is hitting the global stage with a mission…

Queen of the Universe returns for a second season on Paramount+, with the Mexican drag performer set to compete for the coveted crown on the drag queen singing competition.

Taiga BravaTaiga Brava, who hails from Cancun, Mexico, is ready to make both her homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she’s confident she’s got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

But she isn’t the only Latina drag performer set to compete…

Chloe V, who hails from Rio de Janeiro, is hoping to be the second Brazilian drag performer to win the competition after Grag Queen claimed the inaugural title.

With a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, Chloe V is confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown.

Chloe VGraham Norton will serve as this season’s host.

The show is set to premiere on the streamer starting March 31 in the U.S. and Canada with the U.K., Latin America, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Australia seeing it on April 1.

Queen of the UniverseThe reality competition sees drag queens from around the world go head-to-head vying for a cash prize of $250,000. Former Spice Girls star Mel B joins the panel of judges that includes RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, Vanessa Williams and drag queen Trixie Mattel.

Here more on the drag queens of Queen of the Universe Season 2:

AURA ETERNAL (Palermo, Italy)
Having previously appeared on the second season of “Drag Race Italia” where she made it to the top three, Aura Eternal has already demonstrated sickening skills in her homeland. But now Aura’s ready to show the rest of the world she’s got vocal chops that equal her stunning looks and is ready to become the next singing drag queen global sensation!

CHLOE V (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
With Brazil having won last season’s QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, Chloe V knows she’s got big stilettos to fill. But with a powerhouse voice and gag-worthy looks that could turn a drag queen green with envy, she’s confident nobody in the competition can knock her down and steal that crown!

JAZELL ROYALE (Orlando, Fla., U.S.)
Jazell Royale is more than just a gorgeous face and an award-winning pageant queen, and the time is now for her star to shine. She may be known in the USA for her many titles and viral videos, but she hopes that the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage will allow her to be remembered for her biggest asset – her voice!

LOVE MASISI (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Having lived in several different countries throughout their adventurous life, Love Masisi is now proud to call the Netherlands home. After a previous appearance on “Drag Race Holland” season 2, they’re ready to showcase their passion for music and spread a message of hope and love all over the world.

MAXIE (Manila, Philippines)
Maxie may already be known in the Philippines as a top-tier performer and LGBTQ advocate, but now she’s ready to be known as a universal singing sensation! Although she’s appeared on TV several times beginning when she was just a kid, she’s never left her home country. Now she’s ready to step onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage for a shot at her dream.

MILITIA SCUNT (San Francisco, Calif., U.S.)
Known in California for her edgy drag looks and her soulful singing voice, Militia Scunt is ready to conquer the universe and become the next singing drag queen superstar. A triple threat with singing, dancing, and style skills, she’s confident she’s got the goods to smack down the competition and bring the crown to the USA – period!

MISS SISTRATA (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Miss Sistrata, reporting for beauty! This former soldier is ready to walk onto the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE stage like the true diva that she is. And with vocal abilities and looks that leave audiences gagged and begging for more, she’s ready to make her mark on the competition.

TAIGA BRAVA (Cancún, México)
Taiga Brava arrives to the main stage from the sunny shores of Cancun, ready to make both her homeland and family proud of her vocal skills and jaw-dropping drag looks. With her effervescent personality and unshakeable confidence, she’s confident she’s got what it takes to bring the crown home to Mexico.

TREVOR ASHLEY (Sydney, Australia)
Trevor Ashley is a seasoned theater queen who’s been part of the Australian drag community for over 20 years. Despite her many career successes (including winning the Aussie equivalent of the Tony Award) this is her first televised singing competition – and the diva from Down Under is ready to deliver!

VIOLA (Coventry, England, U.K.)
At only 19, Viola may be the youngest contender in the competition but don’t be deceived – she’s a talented musician who’s been working towards this opportunity her entire life. Having joined the drag community only a few years ago, this rising star is ready to show the universe just how bright she can shine.

Global drag icon and multi-Emmy Award winner RuPaul serves as an executive producer on the series, alongside MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, the producers of the Emmy Award-winning franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Ally Brooke is “Wannabe” Perfection on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”

Posted on by
Reply

Ally Brooke Hernandez is spicing things up on Dancing with the Stars…

The 26-year-old Mexican American singer and former Fifth Harmony member continues to slay on the ABC celebrity ballroom dancing competition, delivering a high-energy samba to the Spice Girls‘ “Wannabe” this week.

Ally Brooke Dancing with the Stars

Complete with a leopard ensemble and curly hair, Ally Brooke and her partner Sasha Farber executed the dance’s classic moves so flawlessly, it was hard to tell who the professional was. 

The performance earned Ally Brooke a perfect score from the judges, and Ally took to Twitter to share how “emotional” she felt about the love.   

Lopez to Appear as the First Guest on “The Meredith Vieira Show”

Posted on by
Reply

Jennifer Lopez is about to be Meredith Vieira’s first….

An exclusive interview with the45-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge will be featured on the first edition of The Meredith Vieira Show when it premieres on Monday, September 8 in national syndication.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez will talk “openly and candidly,” according to an announcement Wednesday, about her family, life and relationships.

Later, Vieira will speak with actor Seth Rogen and his actress wife Lauren Miller. They will talk about why Alzheimer’s awareness is a cause that is important to them.

On that Tuesday, British singer and former Spice Girls member Mel B, a judge on America’s Got Talent, will also be on the show “to dish on the other AGT judges,” according to the announcement. Vieira will also ask her how fearless Scary Spice is in a game called “What Scares Scary Spice?”

Later in the week, Vieira will be joined by actress Jessica Alba, who will talk about how her daughters were the driving force in building her business empire.

In the second half of her first week, Vieira also helps three brides-to-be who complain their father “is the worst dad on the dance floor.” Vieira enlists an expert to teach him how to dance in time for the weddings.

The new one-hour weekday show hosted by Vieira is being produced and syndicated by NBC Universal. Anchored on the NBC stations in the biggest U.S. cities, it is the highest profile new syndicated talk show of the fall season.

Hernandez & Cabello’s LYLAS Group Advances on “The X Factor”

Posted on by
Reply

There’s no denying Ally Brooke Hernandez and Camila Cabello could form part of the next Spice Girls or Pussycat Dolls, especially after advancing to the live shows on The X Factor.

Despite failing to make it to the Judges’ Houses round as individual artists on Fox’s reality singing competition, the 19-year-old San Antonio, Texas native and 15-year-old Miami native advanced to the next round after being partnered with Normani Hamilton, Dinah–Jane Hansen and Lauren Jauregui by Simon Cowell.

LYLAS on X Factor

During their audition for Cowell – this year’s group’s mentor – and his guest judge Marc Anthony, the manufactured all-girl group, called LYLAS, managed to steal the spotlight from the other acts with their rendition of Shontelle’s heart-wrenching ballad “Impossible.”

“We have worked so well together in these past few days,” said Brooke before the ladies met with Cowell to find out their fate. “And we have bonded as not only performers and artists, but as friends.”

During Tuesday night’s episode, Cowell left two of his manufactured groups for last with only one spot left: the LYLAS and the boy band Playback.

“I was very, very impressed with your vocals,” said Cowell to the girls. “But you do understand that when I put someone into the live shows, I have to have total, utter confidence that they can deliver under an awful lot of pressure.”

But in the end, Cowell picked the LYLAS to advance to the live shows, telling the girls, “I I was seriously blown away, as was Marc.”

After dropping to the ground and embracing each other, the ladies rushed to Cowell to give him a hug.

Nava Named One of EW’s Top Music-Video Directors

Posted on by
Reply

He’s the man behind some of the most memorable music videos in recent years, including Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”… And, now Jake Nava is getting some due-recognition for helming some of this year’s greatest clips.

Jake Nava

The British-born music video and film director has been named to Entertainment Weekly’s list of this year’s Top 10 Music-Video Directors.

Nava directed two clips that were miles apart from each other in terms of content, but were both truly inspired: the bracing, surprising and bold clip for Kanye West’s “Monster” and the oh-so-somber video for Adele’s “Someone Like You.”

Nava has also been responsible for some of the greatest videos in recent years, only adding to a impressive resume that dates back to the early ’90s, and includes work for everyone from System of a Down to the Spice Girls. While you may not know his name, you most certainly know his work with the likes of Britney Spears, Shakira and more.