Singer CMAT says ‘fake version' of Irish culture is being ‘built up' by English
Country singer CMAT has said a 'fake version' of Irish culture is being 'being built up by Americans and English people and claimed for themselves'.
The 29-year-old, whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, is part of a number of Irish acts to rise to popularity in recent years alongside the likes of indie rockers Fontaines DC and rap trio Kneecap, which has prompted a surge in interest in Irish culture in the UK and US.
Speaking to Glamour UK, the Crazymad For Me singer said of the situation: 'I didn't relate to any of it, like, why am I seeing Claddagh rings everywhere? The GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) jerseys? Why is everyone pretending we had this exact same childhood?
'There's this very romantic vision of Ireland but I grew up in a place where it's not very fun to grow up. This fake version of our identity was being built up by Americans and English people and claimed for themselves.'
The singer is due to release her third album Euro-Country later this year, and says the record features a song about a performance at Radio 1's Big Weekend – when the BBC had to switch the comments off due to people body-shaming her – called Take A Sexy Picture Of Me.
She told Glamour UK: 'That song is about getting fat-shamed on the internet all the time. I wanted to really dig into commercial attractiveness and how women are pruned into this marketable product until they turn about 27.
'I genuinely didn't care that people got so angry that I thought I was sexy, but it forced a lot of 15-year-old girls who love CMAT, who might even be bigger than me, to witness a level of vitriol against a woman's body against her will.'
The full interview with CMAT can be read in the May digital issue of Glamour UK which is online now.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lawmakers get theatrical at annual ‘Will on the Hill' show
Several lawmakers took a break from debating legislation on Capitol Hill to instead recite William Shakespeare at Harman Hall on Tuesday evening. The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) hosted its annual 'Will on the Hill,' welcoming members of Congress, journalists and students to perform popular Shakespeare scenes to fund its youth arts education programs, which reach nearly 20,000 students and teachers across the region. The more than 20-year long tradition also seeks to promote bipartisanship, bringing together lawmakers and political strategists from across the aisle to bolster support for theatre and the arts. Rep. Dina Titus's (D-Nev.) performance of the last scene of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' was the hit of the night. Her interpretation of old-English Shakespeare, which included a Southern accent, made the crowd roar in laughter. Another notable performance was the standoff between the Capulets and Montagues, two enemy families, in the opening scene of 'Romeo and Juliet.' As Atlantic journalist Steve Clemons, Republican political strategist Grover Norquist, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) and Fox News correspondent Rich Edson bit their thumbs at each other on stage, the producers noted that giving them foam swords was the safest amid a tense political climate. The crowd then commended Sen. Chris Coons's (D-Del.) impersonation of Brutus plotting the assassination of Julius Caesar in the Shakespeare play of the same name. With political tensions rattling the country, seeing lawmakers fumbling over their words and trying to remember their lines proved to be refreshing entertainment. The elected officials were accompanied on stage by Holly Twyford, a pillar of D.C. theatre, and Renea Brown, an award winning actor. The show also included a stage combat demonstration by STC students. An elementary school student brilliantly played King Oberon in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' and two high school students performed 'All's Well That Ends Well.' STC Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras praised the event as an opportunity for children to express themselves, highlighting the courage it takes to perform in front of an audience. This year's performance was presented by Michael Evans, former Democratic chief counsel and deputy staff director for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, who is an avid Shakespeare enthusiast. Samantha Wyer Bello, STC's senior director of learning, returned to direct her sixth production of 'Will on the Hill.' The STC also honored the memory of the late Democratic Reps. Gerry Connolly (Va.) and Charles Rangel (N.Y.) for their dedication to public service and their year-after-year support of 'Will on the Hill.' Other notable cast members included Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), D.C. Council chairman Phil Mendelson, DC councilmember Brooke Pinto, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities executive director Aaron Myers, Washington Post columnist James Hohmann and Politico journalist Olivia Beavers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Fun to Do: Summer concert series begins, psychic Theresa Caputo, Juneteenth and more
Looking for something to do during the next week? Here are just a few happenings in Hampton Roads. TGIF Summer Concert Series kicks off the season with music by Good Shot Judy. 6 p.m. Friday, with the band playing from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at Downtown Festival Park, 215 W. Washington St., Suffolk. The free series, which runs through Aug. 16, also includes performances at Bennett's Creek Park. For details, call 757-514-7250. Psychic medium Theresa Caputo brings her 'The Experience' tour live to the Oceanfront. 8 p.m. Saturday at The Dome, 400 20th St., Virginia Beach. Verified resale ticket options available. For options, visit For details on the show, visit Juneteenth in the Park, a festival of unity and freedom featuring live performances by national and local acts, food, activities and more. Noon to 10 p.m. with 9:30 p.m. fireworks Saturday at Town Point Park, Waterside Drive, Norfolk. Free. For details, visit English comedian Sarah Millican brings her 'Late Bloomer' tour to the Oceanfront. 8 p.m. Sunday at The Dome, 400 20th St., Virginia Beach. For ticket availability, visit Williamsburg Players continues with its production of 'Pippin,' winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival in 2013, through Sunday at 200 Hubbard Lane, Williamsburg. For information, including times and tickets, visit Celebrate Juneteenth across Hampton Roads with events, ceremonies and festivals Virginia Black Film Festival runs June 19-22, featuring more than 60 films in competition, speakers, and events including a business expo. Ticketed and free events planned. Proceeds will support historically Black colleges and universities. Various hours and locations including The American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton. For ticket information, visit For the schedule, including film screenings, visit Events may change. Check before attending. Want more information about what's happening around Hampton Roads? Sign up for our Weekend Scoop newsletter. Patty Jenkins,


Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Homeowner Rips Up Carpet During Renovation—What She Finds Stuns Viewers
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video of a homeowner making a "jackpot" discovery beneath a carpet during renovation works has gone viral on TikTok. The clip was shared by Seren and Rhys (@our_edwardian_reno) and has garnered 513,000 views since it was posted on June 9. The short clip shows a woman peeling a carpet off the floor to reveal what appears to be Victorian tiles underneath it, according to a hashtag shared in the caption. Each tile features a blue star shape against a white backdrop, overlaid with a patterned centerpiece. "Oh my god," the caption simply says. According to another video, the tiles were found on the day the poster was adding a new doorway to their hallway. The discovery in the viral post comes amid a broader trend of Americans investing in home renovations. According to a recent survey by Houzz, a home design website, the median renovation spending in the U.S. surged by 60 percent between 2020 and 2023, rising from $15,000 to $24,000. Seven out of 10 renovating homeowners were reported to have invested in interior room remodeling in 2023, according to the report. The viral video also comes as the global flooring market was estimated to be valued at $360.7 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.8 percent from 2025 to 2030, according to a report by Grandview Research, a market research firm headquartered in San Francisco. "Increasing demand for aesthetic, superior, and durable floor covering solutions and changing consumer trends in floor design have aided the growth of the flooring industry over the past few years," the report said. 'Dream Find' Viewers on TikTok were amazed by the incredible surprise finding beneath the carpet in the viral video. Claud said: "Holy shiz. dream find right there!" and MGW wrote: "Absolute perfection." Landstack noted: "You just hit the jackpot," and Eymer Creates said: "I would lose my life if i discovered that!" Bh_London 🇬🇧 noted: "I'd be beyond happy, just stunning." User samspam29 said: "Omg why would somebody cover that beauty up!" User Caravandays said: "What a find will look fabulous." User O'Neil noted: "ohhh so perfect, so many memories stepped over those tiles xx." Matthew Cobb called it an "amazing find," and silvia said it's an "unexpected it." Annette Whitehead wrote: "That's beautiful lucky you," and @nadine_x_13 said: "I'm so jealous." Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified. Stock image of a woman removing tape from the edge of a floor during a renovation. Stock image of a woman removing tape from the edge of a floor during a renovation. Getty Do you have a home renovation-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.