Latest news with #SoulIISoul
Perth Now
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Alexandra Burke wants two more children
Alexandra Burke would love two more children. The 36-year-old star already has two young children - whose names have not been made public - with her footballer fiancé Darren Randolph, and although she is not ready to add to her brood right now, she would love to have more babies in the future. Alexandra - who has been engaged to the sportsman since September 2024 - told The Mirror: "I'm going to do [the] London [Marathon] next year and, by the grace of God, New York. And then think about more children. I'm desperate for more – we'd love four – but we're good with whatever the universe gives us because we're very lucky to even have two. 'We'd love to try, but just not right now… we're fitness freaks at the minute. I'm loving work and enjoying just being a mum and an actress.' The former X Factor star's Soul II Soul singer mother, Melissa Bell, died from kidney failure, at the age of 53, in 2017. And, Alexandra says the most important thing is being "healthy and strong for my kids". She said: 'I've always been in the fitness mindset. As long as I can be healthy and strong for my kids, nothing else matters. I feel your health is your wealth and you've just got to take care of stuff as much as you can. We live in a world where you hear about so much negativity. If there's one thing we all can control, it's what we put in our bodies, how much we move our bodies, create great endorphins and just try and find happiness in every thing that we try and do.' As well as marathons, Alexandra is training to do the popular Hyrox endurance test - which is 50 per cent running - with her partner. She said: 'Darren's an athlete… know what I mean? I've got to keep up with him. He pushes me and goes, 'Alex, come on… you're the one that's always optimistic, positive. You're having a bit of a low day today, but we'll just go out for a run together'.' On the topic of weight-loss injections, she said: 'It's your body, your choice. But my choice is to make sure my a*** is in that gym and I'm running.'
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Alexandra Burke admits baby dream on hold as she sets sights on intense challenge
EXCLUSIVE: Mum-of-two Alexandra Burke shares future plans with footballer partner Darren Randolph, but the chart-topper has set out her priorities Singer Alexandra Burke knows what she wants out of life – it involves getting fit and expanding her family. The X Factor winner, who is already a mum of two, can't wait to have more kids with her fiancé, footballer Darren Randolph. But first, the 36-year-old wants to run two marathons. Alexandra says: 'I'm going to do London next year and, by the grace of God, New York. And then think about more children. I'm desperate for more – we'd love four – but we're good with whatever the universe gives us because we're very lucky to even have two. 'We'd love to try, but just not right now… we're fitness freaks at the minute. I'm loving work and enjoying just being a mum and an actress.' The former X Factor winner says her health came into focus eight years ago when she lost her mum, the Soul II Soul singer Melissa Bell at the age of 53. She was diabetic and suffered kidney failure. Alexandra says that taking care of herself became even more of a priority after the arrival of her children, aged three and two. She and Darren have never publicly shared their names or gender in a bid to help keep them out of the limelight. Alexandra says: 'I've always been in the fitness mindset. As long as I can be healthy and strong for my kids, nothing else matters. I feel your health is your wealth and you've just got to take care of stuff as much as you can. We live in a world where you hear about so much negativity. If there's one thing we all can control, it's what we put in our bodies, how much we move our bodies, create great endorphins and just try and find happiness in every thing that we try and do.' Having run the London Marathon this year, Alexandra caught the bug. 'Marathons come first now,' she says. 'Running gives me so much joy. I only ran 10k once in lockdown or would just do 5k on the treadmill. Now I do nine miles.' The star has also set herself another fitness goal – the notoriously tough Hyrox challenge, which tests endurance and strength. Alexandra will be doing it alongside Middlesbrough FC goalkeeper Darren, 38. She reckons that couples who train together really do stay together, revealing that their exercise sessions have further cemented their already strong relationship. Alexandra adds: 'Darren's an athlete… know what I mean? I've got to keep up with him. He pushes me and goes, 'Alex, come on… you're the one that's always optimistic, positive. You're having a bit of a low day today, but we'll just go out for a run together'.' Working out with Darren has transformed Alexandra's body shape – and she believes that for her, exercise is a much better weight-loss option than fat jabs. She says: 'It's your body, your choice. But my choice is to make sure my a*** is in that gym and I'm running.' Also keeping her blood pumping is her upcoming role as Morticia in The Addams Family musical tour, which begins this month. But a knee injury she sustained in rehearsals threatened to halt her star turn before it even began. At the Grand Prix Ball for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Alexandra said: 'I injured myself a few weeks ago with a suspected torn meniscus. The MRI came back and it wasn't torn… it would've been awful. I'm still able to do the show.' As well as her X Factor success in 2008, Alexandra finished as a runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 with her pro partner Gorka Marquez, had a No.1 album in 2009 and has starred in the West End stage shows The Bodyguard and Sister Act. The Londoner has also just made her on-screen acting debut in the new Paramount+ crime drama Curfew, alongside Cutting It star Sarah Parish. And as well as those marathons and babies, she has set her sights on Hollywood's bright lights. 'I'd love something in the Avengers, I'm not going to lie,' she admits. 'I want to be Wakanda! Nobody is hearing about Wakanda so I'm going to keep putting that in the universe. I'll even shave my head for it.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Everything you need to know ahead of Lazydays Festival in Southend next weekend
A popular music and craft drink festival is set to return to south Essex next weekend. Lazydays Festival will take place in Priory Park, Southend, from July 25 to 27 and promises a weekend of live music, independent drinks, and family-friendly entertainment. The festival features a packed programme of headline performances, including one of the UK's biggest dance music icons, Example. A spokesman for the event said: "One of the UK's biggest dance music icons Example will kickstart Lazydays 2025 with a bang. "With a legacy of chart-topping hit singles, career-defining festival sets, sold-out tours, and multiple platinum records, this is a show not to be missed." Embrace will headline the daytime session on Saturday, fresh from their 20th anniversary tour of their double-platinum, number one album Out of Nothing. Read more Inquest opened into tragic death of Leonna, 7, after Chalkwell Park tree fall Water firm warns hosepipe ban could still be introduced in Essex this summer Peter Doherty, frontman of The Libertines and Babyshambles, will headline Saturday night with a special solo set alongside his band. A spokesman added: "With a new album on the horizon, you can expect a set of new music and classics spanning his back catalogue." Closing out the weekend on Sunday will be double Grammy Award-winning, five-time Brit-nominated Soul II Soul. A spokesman said: "Bringing their full live show and 15-piece band to Southend's Priory Park, expect big soul sounds and R&B vibes from music icon Jazzie B and his musical collective. "They'll get everyone dancing with huge hits including Keep On Movin' and the UK number one single Back To Life (However Do You Want Me)." Lazydays is a fully independent festival focused on music, craft drinks, and community. The licensed maximum capacity of the event is 4,999, however, bosses expect around 3,500 attendees within Priory Park at any one time. Organisers say the best way to get to the event is travelling by train as there is no parking at Priory Park for Lazydays. Limited Blue Badge parking will be available. Priory Park is also well served by bus services. No, outside food and drinks are not permitted at the festival. Visitors may bring in one sealed water bottle or an empty refillable water container. For full details, visit
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
Burna Boy's 'No Sign of Weakness' fulfills his rock star dreams
NEW YORK -- While classmates dreamed of becoming teachers, doctors and professional athletes, Burna Boy was clear on his future aspirations. 'They would hand out the papers and the question would be, 'What you wanna be?' … I'd write 'rock star,'' said the Afrobeats giant. 'One of my teachers asked me, 'What do rock stars do?' I didn't really know what to say.' These days, the Grammy winner's music talks for him. Fresh off becoming the first African artist to sell out Paris' iconic Stade de France in April, Burna Boy has been on an incredible run, and hopes it continues with his new album out Friday. ''No Sign of Weakness' is really like a celebration of the fact that that I'm still here throughout all these years and all the trials and tribulations,' explained the Nigerian artist. 'I decided to intentionally make sure everyone on this project could comfortably and genuinely say they're a rock star.' Following 2023's Grammy-nominated 'I Told Them…,' this project includes blockbuster features, like legendary Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, country hitmaker Shaboozey and hip-hop heavyweight Travis Scott. Writing on all 16 tracks, Burna relied on his standard successful creation process: record constantly, choose some songs from his vault that fit his decided theme, and then craft the project around them. He's already dropped 'Bundle by Bundle,' 'Update,' which features an interpolation of Soul II Soul's classic 'Back To Life,' 'Sweet Love' and 'TaTaTa' featuring Scott. Music from Africa has exploded globally in recent years. Regions in Africa and the Middle East reached double-digit gains in music revenue last year, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. In 2023, the group reported that sub-Saharan Africa was the fastest-growing music industry, with artists like Burna, Davido and Wizkid leading the way, along with Tyla, who's spread South Africa's Amapino sound. 'I feel blessed. I also feel great responsibility … I'm blamed for everything, most especially, things I couldn't possibly be responsible for,' said Burna, alluding to demands in Nigeria. 'I don't vote, and I've never done it. But now, it's to the point where even that: if I don't vote, because I don't say I'll vote for this person or vote for that person, it's a problem.' But that weight of responsibility isn't felt on his eighth studio album. 'Dem Dey,' a tongue-in-cheek bop referencing his gossipy social media scandal with a Nigerian influencer which amused fans, is sure to crowd dance floors, while he and Jagger formed a dynamic duo on the Afrobeat-rock hybrid 'Empty Chairs.' 'That's how I see the future of our music … music that's supposed to last, music that you can perform forever,' said Burna, who collaborated with the 81-year-old by trading ideas through WhatsApp after being connected by supermodel Naomi Campbell. 'That's where I want to be when I'm that age.' For his country-infused 'Change Your Mind' with Shaboozey, the pair plead for second chances after souring relationships. 'Here's an Igbo boy from the eastern part of Nigeria who comes to America as a young guy,' said Burna of the 'A Bar Song (Tipsy)' singer. 'He's flourishing in the country world. If I'm not proud of that, then I don't think I can be proud of anything in life.' The Afrobeats superstar, currently featured on the soundtrack for the blockbuster 'F1" movie starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, hopes the genre continues to thrive and not become a fad. But while the female artists are united, the top men have experienced friction in the past. 'We need to figure how to make our diversities into an advantage instead of a disadvantage, and that goes across — not just for Nigeria," said Burna, whose grandfather managed Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti. "It goes for everything Black and African, because the only thing we always lack is strong organization.' While some artists have expressed ideas on unification, Burna Boy is cautious. 'When we're talking about uniting ... We're talking about people who actually can help matters,' he said. 'I don't want to discuss with people that it's just going to end up a discussion, and there's not going to be any action.' For the moment, he's pressing forward. The 'Last Last' artist launched his world tour this week with North American dates beginning in November. It features a circular stage, providing fans an equally enjoyable musical experience — although he's certain he'll enjoy it more. 'This is going to sound selfish as hell — but I definitely have more fun than everybody … when I die, I want to go to a stage in Heaven,' said Burna. 'Every time I watch myself perform, I see a big smile on my face that I never see anywhere else.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Discover the big names heading to Southend festivals this summer
MUSIC lovers in Southend are in for a treat this summer with a host of world-class performers bringing their signature sounds to the city's festival stages. Spanning three unmissable festivals at Southend's Priory Park, these big name bookings promise to delight fans of all genres. Talent - Pete Doherty is set to delight a Lazydays audience (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) We've rounded up some of the most exciting names headed for Southend this summer: We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. Reef – Sausage and Cider Festival (Saturday June 21) Get ready to let loose as Britrock legends Reef hit the stage at the Sausage and Cider Festival. Brining a catalogue of unmistakable anthems, raw energy, and feel-good vibes, attendees can expect a set packed with huge tunes like 'Place Your Hands' and more. One night in Nashville – Summer in Nashville (Sunday June 22) Get ready for a taste of Tennessee as One Night in Nashville brings the heart and soul of country music to this brand-new Southend festival. Serving an authentic Nashville sound, huge anthems, and a high-energy live show, they'll have you singing and dancing throughout the night. Example – Lazydays (Friday July 25) Possibly one of the UK's biggest dance music icons, Example, will kick-off Lazydays 2025. With a legacy of chart-smashing singles, legendary festival performances, sold-out tours, and multiple platinum albums under his belt, this is a show you won't want to miss. Pete Doherty – Lazydays (Saturday July 26) The one and only Pete Doherty — iconic frontman of The Libertines and Babyshambles — is Lazydays's Saturday night headliner. With a brand-new album on the way, attendees can expect a special solo set with his band, packed with fresh tracks and timeless classics from across his legendary back catalogue. Legacy - Jazzie B will lead Soul II Soul at Lazydays (Image: David Parry/PA Media Assignments)Soul II Soul – Lazydays (Sunday July 27) Rounding off Lazydays 2025 in true style are the double Grammy Award-winning, five-time Brit-nominated legends, Soul II Soul. Jazzie B and his full 15-piece band will be lighting up Priory Park with their signature soul sounds and R&B vibes.
