JADE at Mighty Hoopla review: Already the stuff of main pop girl legend
'It's no Saturdays megamix…' quipped Jade Thirlwall onstage at London's Mighty Hoopla yesterday, after an energetic, top-tier Little Mix medley that sent Brockwell Park into meltdown. A stand-up comic couldn't have scripted a better, more perfectly contextualised joke: no shade to the Saturdays, whose back catalogue is near-unsurpassed in quality; it's just the world-conquering, 10-year-spanning oeuvre of Little Mix is simply unparalleled.
In less capable hands, this whistle-stop store of the band's best moments – 'Sweet Melody', 'Touch', 'Shout Out To My Ex'; she earlier performers fan favourite 'Wasabi' in its entirety – all reworked so as to sound fresher, but with the lightest of touches so as not to taint their essence, might have overshadowed the rest of the set. A plausible Little Mix reunion certainly would have done. Jade, however, is a straight A student of pop, and intentional in everything she does. Her cowgirl outfit was a nod to the Supremes' Diana Ross, for heaven's sake.
Thus, this was a statement of solo star power, and possibly the most exciting moment Hoopla has ever seen.
Exhaustive choreo, grand, futuristic production and Adele-level charisma between songs – we could listen to Jade say 'Houplah!' in Geordie twang all day long – this was a big, big swing, and in the end, more than the sum of its parts. It's hard to believe the nine-song set was so short, and that we were in a park in south London. It felt like we were in an arena with the roof blown off.
You could almost sense the collective support of girl band members gone solo before her – Destiny's Child, the Spice Girls, the Sugababes – propelling her forward. Although, unlike many of these women, Jade is going decidedly against the grain, and what she has to offer is all the more compelling for it. 'If I don't win, I'm in the bin, you say you never knew me, but when I pop off you sue me,' she sang on chaotic first single 'Angel of My Dreams', with an arch self-awareness suggesting that, actually, if she measures success on her own terms, she can't lose. And so, like that one daring member of many a girl band, she's charting a course that's miles left of centre. This zany, unpredictable set – club-ready visuals Charli XCX would approve of; dancers in tutus regardless of gender; walls of electronic sound flipping to a cappella moments – reflected that choice.
For all the bells and whistles, however, it's the technical prowess of Jade's voice – think Disney Princess gone rogue – that impresses most. She flaunts full-throated volume on 'FUFN' but sends an eerie hush across the 60,000-strong crowd with her operatic control on a soaring cover of Madonna's 'Frozen'. (Who else would dare?!) As for that complicated Sandie Shaw 'Puppet on a String' vocal run on 'Angel of My Dreams' – it's even better live. (Again, who else would dare?!)
She played one unreleased song, 'Plastic Box', but we were whipped into too much of a frenzy to make mental notes about it, except to say it slams. We really couldn't be more excited for Jade's upcoming album That's Showbiz Baby, for her music has an essentially queer sensibility: rather than trying to appeal to everyone, it appeals to a minority. A cool, intelligent, edgy, kind, ascended minority, if we do say so ourselves. And while the LGBTQ community is not solely that minority, we definitely make up a large swathe of it. We embrace her, she embraces us, and so last night the love-in brought Jade to tears. The energy was off the scale.
Her allyship remains unmatched: nothing could have prepared us for the moment when, while leading a chant to introduce the F-bomb-tastic 'FUFN', she called out JK Rowling. It was a rock star moment that made the hair on the back of the arms stand on end. The backbone and the grit of this woman, when so many of us are running scared and feeling the walls closing in on us, when so many of our allies are losing their nerve, is breathtaking.
It's superhero stuff in the vein of Judy Garland in the 70s and Madonna in the 80s and 90s, and won't be forgotten.
The post JADE at Mighty Hoopla review: Already the stuff of main pop girl legend appeared first on Attitude.
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Elle
a day ago
- Elle
Tina Knowles Says Rumi Begged To Join Beyoncé On Stage: 'Every Day She Said, "I Want To Go Out There!"'
As mother to Beyoncé, Solange - and as she notes in her book honorary daughters Kelly Rowland and Angie Beyince - Tina Knowles is surely unrivalled as a world-famous matriarch. These days, with social networks and parasocial relationships at their peak, it's more common than not for the family (and even social circles) surrounding a star to have a fame of their own. But in the late 90s, when Destiny's Child first broke onto the scene, that just wasn't the case. Still, even at that time, Ms Tina was known to fans, and her importance felt. Guiding the band, styling them, Ms Tina was always intricately entwined with her daughter's success. But while many may think they know her story, her New York Times best-selling book, Matriarch, is here to prove them wrong. Tracing her life from childhood, through her life as a young mother and entrepreneurial businesswoman, Ms Tina has her own fascinating story before her daughters' fame even begins. And sure, once that journey into mega-stardom does begin, the insight in the book is fascinating - but what comes across is the importance of Knowles' position as a mother and how the female experience - and the women around her - has always been integral. As she visited London this week, ELLE UK had the chance to sit down with Ms Tina to discuss her book - and incredible life. Why did you decide to write Matriarch? I started recording my story just for my grandchildren and my great grandchildren, because I wanted to leave that history for them. I wanted it to come straight from my mouth. And so I had a lot of recordings, and when they approached me a couple years ago about doing the book, it didn't start off as a memoir, but as I got into the story of it, it turned into that. So I was able to go back and pull all of those recordings and and use what I had already written. That the book actually had another ending, and then I got the breast cancer diagnosis, so I stopped. I didn't turn it in, and I went back and included that. I kind of struggled with it, because I didn't know if I wanted to put that out into the world, but because I missed a mammogram, and I felt like the breast cancer was stage one, but it could have been stage zero, if I would have gone on time. And so that was really important to put that out into the world, so that people would take care of themselves. That has been the best part of doing this book, because I have had so many people say 'I went and got my breast exam', 'I took my mom to get her breast exam,' and that warms my heart. Was it important to you to make sure you wrote down your younger life and what America was like then? Absolutely, for all the kids that are told that you don't belong. My biggest message was that you belong anywhere you choose to be, and I had to fight for that when I was a kid. And a lot of kids have to fight for that because they're told or shown that they don't belong. And so for me, that was a big, big deal. What was the biggest misconception about your family that you wanted to clear up with the book? Well, I think that people, when they don't know you, they speculate, and they come up with a lot of stories. And, you know, I've heard a lot of things about, 'Oh, well, you don't have to worry about money'. I have lived it all, and it was really important for people to relate to the fact that I grew up poor, I grew up Black, I grew up in the south with a lot of racism, and I had a lot of challenges and obstacles in my life. But still, I'm here today because I've fought through all of those things, and you can come out of all these things in your life - you're not going to get stuck there. And it it's a lot to do with your determination, your willing to sacrifice for what you want. And I think that it was good for people to see a success story of somebody who came from such a meagre background. For you, is being a matriarch about strength? Yes, it means being a leader. My niece talks at the beginning of the audio book about how in every family, there's that number that you call when it's really bad stuff or something that you need to work through, or it's something very good. So I'm that number, and my mom was that number, even though, you know, she did [it] in a completely different way. I always thought she was passive, but behind the scenes, she was working her magic. And so you're that person that everybody calls, yeah, you're it, absolutely. You and your daughters have become feminist icons, why is the female experience so key to you? I think because I come from a long line of strong women. You know, my great-grandmothers, on both sides, were both enslaved, but they managed to keep their families together at a time when I don't know how they did it. Like you can imagine the things that they had to go through to keep their kids with them. And that's what I'm from. That's the stock I'm from - really strong women who do what they have to do to keep their families together and that their families are first priority. My family is everything to me and if I lost everything I have today and I had my family, I know I would be fine. I would survive. Your daughter Beyoncé will also be in London soon - can we expect to see you on stage? On stage? No, not on stage. That was one time, because she wanted to honour me because of the book. You speak so much about your love for your grandchildren - now they are also known by so many people, how do you protect them and keep their lives normal? You know, their mother keeps their lives normal. And they are just normal kids. They love the stage - they've grown up around it. And, you know, Rumi, for the last tour, just every day, said, 'I want to go out there. I want to'. She wanted to experience it too. And so Beyoncé is allowing her to do it this time. And I'm really happy about it, because she has fun out there. She gets to be a kid, and when she gets off stage, she's right back to being Rumi, the little kid, you know, the little seven-year-old, adorable. You were on Meghan Markle's podcast this week, what made you decide to go on there? Was it the business focus? Oh, well, I love Meghan, and what she's doing and what she's done with her life, and so it was a joy to go on that podcast. Yeah, she's wonderful. Yeah. I mean, that was her [decision to talk about business], she could pick any topic, and that's the topic she chose, which I really was happy about, because a lot of times people aren't interested in that part of the book. So that was nice. What's your advice for matriarchs trying to juggle it all? I just think you have to have the balance, and you know, that's not an easy task. You give equal time to your work and your family, and then you somehow squeeze in a massage here, there and take care of yourself. It's a really difficult thing doing that, and sometimes I've done a lot better than others. I'm often all in where I'm just running around trying to take care of everybody, but I do know when it's enough, and I'm going to say, 'Okay, well, I need a vacation', or I need to go and have some me time. And that's not an easy thing. In the book, your daughters urge you not to go on social media, but I love that you defend your family on those platforms - what made you take that decision? Someone actually put me on Instagram, and I did a photo, and then I think maybe the third post that I had was something that was a cause. And I was like, 'Wow, look at how many people saw this cause and that they're talking about it.' And so I realised that it was a really powerful platform. I'm always posting other people and uplifting them, and that's my favorite part about it. And then when I need to get the word out, when enough is enough with the gossip and the crazy and the rumors, I get to vent. I mean, that's therapy. Free therapy. Meghan, like your daughters, has been subject to so much online abuse. Do you think Black women especially are targeted? I don't think that it's just Black women, it's everybody who is in the public eye. I had someone [ask me something] in an interview and I said, 'Why would you ask me something terrible like that? Like that's not even in a book'. And the person replied by saying, 'You are a public figure, so I could ask you anything, and you should be okay with it.' And I just think that that is so insensitive and so inhumane. You don't get to treat people any kind of way because they happen to be a celebrity, but I think that goes across the board with every race. And for women it does seem to be a whole different standard… It's amazing to me, that it is 2025 and people are still making such a huge difference [between men and women]. And men get away with murder, and we get away with nothing. We're just criticised and torn apart. You and your daughters are known for your style - why is it so important to you? We grew up so poor, but we were always the sharpest people in the room. Yvette, my publicist, said 'Fashion saved your life'. And I thought about that, and it's true, it saved my life, because it has always been such a part of it. My mom was a seamstress, and we always had this beautiful clothing, and when you looked good, you felt good. She found something that she could do with the little bit of money she had, that made us feel powerful in some ways. So I think it's a lot of power in looking your best and and fashion. It's been a recurring theme in my life that has been so, so positive. So I love fashion, and I love other people feeling beautiful too. And now with Cécred, you and Beyoncé have continued that journey with haircare too. Hair is a very, very important part of you - as my mom would always say, that's your crowning glory. So that's kind of like your crown. And to take care of it, to make it beautiful, to make it healthy, is something that, again, is sort of like fashion. If your hair looks great, you just feel differently, you move differently in the world. And I love the science of hair, I always have. When I had a hair salon, I mixed all my own conditioners and hot oil treatments and those things, because it's all self care, and it makes you feel worthy. And when you go into a salon and you're there with other women, it's camaraderie too. There's power in that and the sisterhood that goes on. It doesn't matter whether it's a Black salon, a white salon, or whatever it is, it's a coming together of women, and it's a place where you can be vulnerable and get that support and networking. So I just love the whole salon experience. You revealed your breast cancer diagnosis in the book - how has it changed your outlook? When you're told that you have cancer, it doesn't matter what stage it is, it's just that word that everybody dreads, and it makes you really look at your life. I said earlier that I feel freer than ever. I feel like it's so not important to me what people think of me, and I just put less limitations on my life than I did before, because I had a bucket list. I went out and did those things. It becomes more important to live your life and to live it freely, without judgment, so I just care much less about what people think of me. Motherhood can be tough - what would you say to any mother who is struggling today? I would say, for me, the best gift that I've ever had is to be a mother and to be able to help shape a life. There's nothing more important than that, and it's such a gift. I've had the same issues that every mother has with trying to balance [things]. And sometimes when kids don't understand what you're giving up, what you're sacrificing, and you kind of feel like, 'God, nobody appreciates me' - I've had those feelings like every other mother. But what outweighs it is when my when my kids say, 'You've done a good job', and when I see them with their kids and that they are really great mothers. It's the best feeling in the world. Matriarch by Tina Knowles, is out now and available to order ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
I'm an analyst by day and a fashion designer by night. A-listers like Zendaya have worn my clothes, but I'm not quitting my 9-5.
This as-told-to essay is based on an interview with Steven Goudeau, the 42-year-old head designer and CEO of Stephen Goudeau. It has been edited for length and clarity. For the past 17 years, I've had two jobs. I own my own fashion brand and work as a full-time analyst at AT&T. I don't think the average successful entrepreneur has just one income. I'll never have one job. I've loved fashion since I was young My parents were super stylish. One of my earliest memories is of my dad wearing a mesh tank top and gold MC Hammer pants standing next to a VW Beetle. As I got older, I also started to play with my look. I studied communications but kept creating clothes for local people in New Orleans, such as the pastor's wife. I didn't have any sewing skills, so I would visit a family friend who owned a local alterations shop, and she showed me how to cut patterns and sew. I got a job as a visual merchandiser at The Gap in Houston, which was my first real experience working two jobs. During the day, I worked for Chase Bank as a phone contractor, and then at night, after The Gap had closed, I decorated the store windows. I started my first fashion brand in 2006 My cousins helped me with my first brand, Studio Sixth Sense. I designed clothes for the professional woman who lives a luxury lifestyle. I did the designs while they handled marketing, model booking, and finance. A local seamstress would sew the clothes. I'd take individual commissions and participate in small fashion shows. I didn't seek funding to launch my brand. As luxury fabrics such as merino wool and crepe were not cheap, I needed a full-time second job to cover this outlay as I finished my contract with Chase. A friend referred me to AT&T A family friend told me about a well-paid tech support job at AT&T. It promised good benefits and a good salary. I interviewed, passed the test, and started working for AT&T in March 2008. At work, I'd keep a sketch pad with me so I could draw my designs during my downtime. It wasn't long before my designs started to get noticed. New York Fashion Week invited me after seeing my designs on social media I was approached by New York Fashion Week for its September 2012 show, as they'd spotted my designs on social media. I was ambitious but still a little raw. I participated in a show with a group of other designers and created a new collection called "Eat Cake" inspired by Marie Antoinette. It featured big shoulders, a lot of lace, and a lot of jewels. It caught the attention of celebrity stylist Law Roach. He started working with Zendaya in 2014 and shot her in my clothes. As time went on, other celebrities, such as Tyra Banks, Lil' Kim, Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child, and Emmy-winning actress Tabitha Brown were photographed in my pieces. When I started gaining traction, I changed the name I never wanted to put my name on the brand because I didn't think that people would accept a male of color in the luxury fashion industry. Then I started listening to people around me, and I agreed that Stephen Goudeau on a label inside a couture gown sounded so much better. It's spelled differently from my name, so I kept my own identity. I don't think I will ever have one job Being comfortable is an unhealthy way to live for me. I work 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. five days a week at AT&T. My average day involves getting out of bed and grabbing coffee, then catching the train or an Uber to take me to the office. For the next eight hours, I work as an analyst for AT&T. I won't design on my lunch hour because I'm too busy. Analysts watch the data all day, liaise with the techs, and work with the managers in the field. At Stephen Goudeau, I'm the head of the brand. When I go to AT&T, I can relax a little because somebody else is in charge. I can concentrate on my day-to-day role. AT&T knows that I have my own fashion company. Having a brand hasn't stopped me from progressing at AT&T. When I get home from my day job, I focus on my designs Even if I'm tired, it's not hard to get inspired. My apartment is full of mannequins. I may work until 1 a.m., but I only need three or four hours of sleep. In the evenings, I have calls with my fashion company and a team meeting on Monday nights. Having a solid team behind me ensures I don't get swamped. The upsides of having two jobs are, of course, the finances Working at AT&T has also taught me a lot about running a business. I get to work with a larger team and see different personalities and how different people work. I am sacrificing the time I get to spend with my family and friends, and I feel guilty sometimes, but they continue to be my biggest supporters. I stay on track through positive thoughts. As soon as I get out of bed every day, I put my feet on the ground and tell myself I'm going to have a good day because we have the power to predict how our day will go. In 2025, I plan to get into retail My goal is to have a showroom this year. I've started designing a lot of accessories because nobody wears couture every day. My family does worry about me getting burned out, but they see the bigger picture. They know that I want the Stephen Goudeau company to be known as a luxury household brand, but I don't plan to leave AT&T.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Kesha's Banana Controversy During Mighty Hoopla Explained
became the center of attention recently after her banana incident at the Mighty Hoopla Festival. The event took place in London on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Apart from Kesha, many other singers like Ciara, Loreen, Erika Jayne, and many more headlined the festival. Following her performance, many fans took to social media to call her out. So, here's everything to know about what happened with Kesha and how fans have reacted to the same. The 'TiK ToK' singer's fans recently took over social media to take a jibe at her for her recent performance at the Mighty Hoopla Pop Music Festival. As she headlined the show and took to the stage, she began performing her song, 'Boy Crazy.' It was recently released on May 16, 2025. However, what caught the attention of fans and sparked outrage was a banana moment during the performance. During the performance, Kesha chewed on a banana that was held by one of her male backup dancers. The singer crawled on her four limbs to reach the fruit and carry out the act. This caused an uproar on the internet, as even the 'Blah Blah Blah' singer's fans called her out for doing such a stunt in front of a massive crowd. Additionally, the clip of the R-rated use of the fruit immediately went viral across the internet. A fan conveyed their disappointment and wrote on X (formerly Twitter), 'I'm so disappointed in my fave why would she do this.' Another user stated, 'I literally threw up seeing this.' Meanwhile, a third user named @xcxsuspended3 commented, 'She is so gross.' Moreover, another user named @SamEdwa27753563 wrote, 'This was the only song I liked among the songs she released recently, and after watching this performance, I hate the song now. Wtf was she doing? A DULL performer.' Despite all the criticism of her performance at the Mighty Hoopla festival, Kesha has not yet made any statement on the same. The post Kesha's Banana Controversy During Mighty Hoopla Explained appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
