Latest news with #BritSchool
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lola Young opens up on her sexuality with X-rated comment
Lola Young has opened up about her sexuality after she responded to a comment on her recent TikTok video. The Messy hitmaker, 24, who wowed fans with her performance at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Liverpool on Sunday, took to social media later that day and fans went wild for the post. Dancing and lip syncing to CMAT's track Take A Sexy Picture Of Me, viewers headed straight to the comments to share their love for the star. While one fan joked: 'no man deserves this' Lola unexpectedly replied as she confirmed she does not identify as straight writing: 'i like p***y as well u kno' [sic]. CMAT also loved the tribute to her song as she replied with a series of crying emojis and penned: 'i love u so much this is the best day of my life. ur so fit'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The lyrics of CMAT's new song go 'I did the butcher, I did the baker / I did the home and the family maker / I did schoolgirl fantasies / Oh, I did leg things and hand stuff / And single woman banter / Now tell me, what was in it for me?'. Lola, who is a Brit School alum, has soared to stardom this year after she went viral with her hit song Messy and was even nominated for two BRIT Awards. And earlier this month the star took to social media to promote her ADHD medicine, Concerta, because it makes her 'see mess now and clean things up'. Lola highlighted that there was an 'over glamorisation' of the hyperactivity disorder which has broken out among Gen Z with many 'jumping on the bandwagon'. But, she argued, the glorification of ADHD in recent years has also helped break down the stigma and made sure 'people are aware of what it's doing to your brain'. The Croydon-born pop singer said: 'Six months ago I started taking Concerta and it has genuinely changed my life, my thought processing and it's changed how I see mess and I can clear up, I feel genuinely a lot happier. 'My experience on Concerta has been incredible, and I would highly recommend it. I think it's super important to break down the stigma of taking medication for mental health because, right now, if you had a heart condition, you may take some. 'So we should make sure physical health and mental health are viewed on par.' CMAT also loved the tribute to her song as she replied with a series of crying emojis and penned: 'i love u so much this is the best day of my life. ur so fit' Lola also emphasised the importance of getting a diagnosis of ADHD can 'change your life'. She said: 'Getting a diagnosis can help you understand, but I would also recommend getting the medication I am on, which is Concerta.' Concerta is a drug that increases attention and decreases impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD. People taking the drug will feel a sense of euphoria, a higher energy level and better focus and concentration. It is estimated 230,000 people in the UK are taking the medication for ADHD. Lola revealed she wrote the hit single, Messy, in her bedroom and said: 'It's been speculated that it's about my parents. 'It's massively about some close family but it's a combination. 'It's more about myself, I am too messy. I've never held a broom in my life, everything in my life is a mess so it's a very fitting track.'
The Guardian
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Lola Young, breakthrough hitmaker with Messy, tops Ivor Novello songwriting nominations
Singer-songwriter Lola Young tops the nominations for the 2025 Ivor Novello awards, which recognise the best in British and Irish songwriting and composition for the screen. She receives three nominations in her first year of recognition by the Ivors Academy: best album for This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway, best song musically and lyrically for Messy, and the rising star award. The Brit School alumna released Messy in May 2024, but after going viral on TikTok it eventually reached No 1 in January, spending four weeks at the top. Messy also topped charts in Australia, Ireland and beyond and peaked at number 14 in the US. It has been streamed more than 500m times on Spotify, with listeners drawn to Young's frank assessment of her own failings, and her compelling (and quite sweary) tale of a toxic relationship: 'And I'm too perfect 'til I show you that I'm not / A thousand people I could be for you and you hate the fucking lot,' the chorus concludes. Despite the east Londoner's seemingly overnight success, she has been in the UK music scene for years, performing gigs around the capital since around 2018. Her soulful sound caught the attention of Nick Shymansky, Amy Winehouse's former manager, and Nick Huggett, who first signed Adele – the two became her managers. Her cover of Together in Electric Dreams was featured in the 2021 John Lewis Christmas advert, and she also featured on Tyler, The Creator's 2024 Chromakopia album. Young's collaborator Conor Dickinson earns two nominations for his contributions to her work. Also nominated for best song musically and lyrically is Orla Gartland with her first nomination at the awards (for Mine), Laura Marling (Child of Mine), Fontaines DC (In the Modern World) and Raye, last year's winner of songwriter of the year (Genesis). Up for best album this year alongside Young is Charli xcx for her cultural phenomenon album Brat, which reached No 1 in the UK, Australia and Ireland and No 3 in the US. It dominated summer 2024, leading to the trend of 'Brat Summer' and a viral dance craze to its song Apple. Other best album nominees are Berwyn (for Who Am I), Jordan Rakei (The Loop) and Ghetts (On Purpose, With Purpose), the latter also nominated in the best contemporary song category for that album's Sampha collaboration, Double Standards. Rap is well represented in that category, with Pa Salieu and Bashy joining Ghetts, plus singer-songwriter Sans Soucis and pop star Jade, who won the Brit award for pop act at 2025's awards. Nominees for most performed work, acknowledging commercial success, are Harry Styles (As It Was, which won two years ago and is in its third year of nomination), Dua Lipa (Houdini), Cassö, Raye & D-Block Europe (Prada), Myles Smith (Stargazing) and Wham! (Last Christmas) – 21 years after George Michael was last nominated in that category. Music from The Substance, Kneecap, Rivals and The Casting of Frank Stone has been acknowledged in the film, TV and video game categories. The awards are celebrating their 70th year on 22 May at Grosvenor House in London. Best albumCharli xcx – Brat (written by Charli xcx, AG Cook and Finn Keane) Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose (written by Ghetts and TenBillion Dreams) Jordan Rakei – The Loop (written by Jordan Rakei) Lola Young – This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway (written by William Brown, Conor Dickinson, Jared Solomon and Lola Young) Berwyn – Who Am I (written by Berwyn) Best contemporary songPa Salieu – Allergy (written by Felix Joseph, Alastair O'Donnell and Pa Salieu) Jade – Angel of My Dreams (written by Pablo Bowman, Jade, Steph Jones and Mike Sabath) Sans Soucis – Circumnavigating Georgia (written by Sans Soucis) Ghetts – Double Standards (ft Sampha) (written by Ghetts, Emil, Sampha Sisay and R-Kay) Bashy – How Black Men Lose Their Smile, written by Bashy, Toddla T and Linton Kwesi Johnson Best song musically and lyricallyLaura Marling – Child of Mine (written by Laura Marling) Raye – Genesis (written by Rodney Jerkins, Raye and Toneworld) Fontaines DC – In the Modern World (written by Grian Chatten, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan, Thomas Coll and Carlos O'Connell) Lola Young – Messy (written by Conor Dickinson and Lola Young) Orla Gartland – Mine (written by Orla Gartland) Most performed workHarry Styles: As It Was (written by Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson and Harry Styles) Dua Lipa – Houdini (written by Caroline Ailin, Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jnr, Dua Lipa and Kevin Parker) Wham! – Last Christmas (written by George Michael) Cassö, Raye and D-Block Europe – Prada (written by D-Block Europe, Obi Ebele, Uche Ebele, Jahmori 'Jaymo' Simmons and Raye) Myles Smith: Stargazing (written by Peter Fenn, Jesse Fink and Myles Smith) Rising star awardBea and Her Business Liang Lawrence Lola Young Lulu. Nia Smith Best original film scoreFly Me to the Moon – Daniel Pemberton Hard Truths – Gary Yershon Kneecap – Michael 'Mickey J' Asante The Substance – Raffertie The Zone of Interest – Mica Levi Best original video game scoreEmpire of Ants – Mathieu Alvado and Mark Choi Farewell North – John Konsolakis Flock – Eli Rainsberry Senua's Saga: Hellblade II – David Garcia Diaz The Casting of Frank Stone – Boxed Ape Best television soundtrackBlack Doves – Martin Phipps Mary & George – Oliver Coates Rivals – Jack Halama and Natalie Holt True Detective: Night Country – Vince Pope Until I Kill You – Carly Paradis
BBC News
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Rachel Chinouriri's success has been a slow burn. She prefers it that way
When Rachel Chinouriri played London's O2 Arena last month, she new wave indie songwriter was there as the support act for Sabrina Carpenter, just a week after her first Brit Awards, where she was nominated for artist of the years after her debut single, those milestones felt like a validation. No wonder she shed a tear."A lot of it was stress relief," says the 26-year-old, "but I also felt strangely at home. "I was just like, 'Wow, is this my life'."Chinouriri was booked for the tour after Carpenter fell in love with her song All I Ever Asked and started playing it as her walk-on music in the speak on the 14th date, as she prepares to play Assago, Italy. By this point, she's having a blast – bounding across the catwalk every night, and dropping to her knees between songs to talk to the audience at eye she admits the first couple of shows were "slightly rough"."I filmed Graham Norton for the first time on Friday, then it was the Brit Awards on Saturday. The tour started in Dublin on Monday, and I had to film a music video on my day off.""I was having a lot of first time experiences and trying to figure out what I was comfortable with on the road," she says."I'd say from show five, I was starting to enjoy myself."If there were nerves, they didn't singer's infectious energy and knotty pop-rock songs have been picking up new fans in every city. One reviewer called her set "the perfect sweet treat before the main feast". At the end of March, she surpassed 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time. Adele sent her a bouquet of Chinouriri is officially having a moment - but it hasn't come quickly. A former Brit School student, she released her first single, So My Darling, in 2018, and spent the next few years honing her sound. The 2019 EP Mama's Boy was a mellow blend of soulful pop, while 2021's Four° In Winter was full of atmospheric electronic it all, though, Chinouriri was an indie kid. Raised in Croydon by strict Zimbabwean parents, she'd only been allowed to listen to Christian music at home. When they went out, the singer and her siblings would blast out hits by Coldplay, MIA, Lily Allen and she incorporated those sounds to her music, Chinouriri's career took off. All I Ever Asked – a chirpy rock anthem that disguises a desperately sad story about being undervalued – won her support slots with Lewis Capaldi and Louis Pugh declared herself a fan, and ended up starring in the video for Never Need Me, a killer kiss-off to a boyfriend who left her a musician who'd suffered crippling anxiety as a teenager ("I was pulling my hair out, and having panic attacks") the success was entirely unexpected."British culture is quite self-deprecating," she says, "so when I was younger, I just didn't believe I could do these things."Even the fact I can say I'm a two-time Brit nominee is still quite surreal. Then I'm like, Why is it surreal? "I do deserve it because I've been making music since I was 16, and I haven't stopped'." Chinouriri's debut album, the noughties-flavoured What A Devastating Turn Of Events, was finally released last charting at number 17, it has continued to sell steadily, thanks to the continued popularity of All I Ever Asked on TiKTok, as well as Chinouriri's scene-stealing festival on her rise, she says there is a "privilege to having a slow-paced career"."I've seen what happens when you skyrocket or go viral. If I'd a massive hit song when I was 21, I wouldn't have been ready in any way, shape or form – mentally or professionally. I'd be panicking."So now that things are skyrocketing, I just need to remember that what I'm good at is writing how I feel and turning those feelings into music."And even though there's more opinions about what I'm doing now, I need to trust my gut." Unexpected love affair What A Devastating Turn Of Events was a huge emotional purge. Among the topics she discussed: Racism, school bullying, self-harm, alcoholism, alienation and toxic relationships.A recurring theme was men who take more from a relationship than they put back in."I'm quite a caregiver by nature, and that attracts boys who need a lot of help, or are very insecure," the singer reflects."I tend to be the person's 'mother', which isn't fun, because I have to be the strong one and there's no room for my emotions."But the days of heartbreak are over. Last year, the singer unexpectedly found herself in a new kind of relationship, one where her needs are as important as her partner' written all over her new EP, Little House. "Kissing me under the indigo / I begged for the morning sun not to rise / Oh, what a beautiful starry night," she sings, totally besotted, on the ballad lead single, Can We Talk About Isaac, even uses her new partner's real name. His photo is on the artwork."It's quite a brave move," she laughs, "but I'm a hopeless romantic, and I don't want to lose being able to document my life in song."It's a risk that whoever wants to date me was going to have to take!" The title track documents their chance meeting at a pub: "With two pints in his hands, he came over and said, 'Nice to meet you'.""He's very sweet, he's got a very simple friendship group, he likes going to the pub – but he does so much for me. It's the first experience I've ever had of being taken care of."He's changed my life, no matter what happens between us. We're both just really in love with each other and having a having a blast."At the moment, though, the couple have been forced apart. The Sabrina Carpenter tour lasts five weeks, after which Chinouriri sets off for her first headline tour of North comes six months after the singer had to pull out of a US support slot with alt-pop star Remi Wolf. She says the dates would have left her penniless, even with financial support from her record label."As much as I would have loved that tour, I wouldn't have been able to pay my rent, which was very, very scary," she says."My fans were like, 'Let's help out. Let's do a GoFundMe for 10 grand', but it was far beyond 10 grand. "It was like, who's going to pay for visas, where's your band going to sleep, what are people going to eat? "It was a big wake up call. It made me reassess; do I need to be styled all the time? Do I need to travel this way all the time?"So now, I'm able to go back now in full force and upgrade my venues and sell out almost the entire tour, which is mental." The cancellation taught her to slow down instead of grabbing every opportunity she's offered. It's a sign that Chinouriri is finally shedding the self-doubt that clouded her early success of the Sabrina Carpenter tour is a prime example."There's always a risk as an opener, that people might be completely uninterested, but this has been the complete opposite," she says."Having the entire arena sing songs with you is such a blessed feeling to have."It won't be long before she's selling out those arenas on her own.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who is in Interior Design Masters season 6?
Alan Carr's Interior Design Masters is back on BBC with a whole collection of new designers hoping to impress the notoriously tough judge Michelle Ogundehin. From a farmer's daughter to a sexual health charity development manager and a teacher born with a limb difference, there are 10 new faces to get to know on Interior Design Masters over the coming weeks. Former travel adviser Roisin Quinn was crowned the Interior Design Master winner, beating Matt Smith-Wood to the title in the final last year. This year the novice designers are competing for the winner's enviable prize — to team up with John Lewis for their very own collection of homewares. The first episode of Interior Design Masters sees the contestants head to Lake District to show off their skills. Now it's time to meet the designers! Who is on Interior Design Masters 2025? (BBC) Age: 33 Location: Brighton Occupation: Interior Design Student and model Style: Fresh romantic A fresh interiors graduate, Ayisha is just starting out as a professional designer. But she has been a model from the age of three years old. The designer has walked catwalks all over the world from London to Milan and New York City. She has set her heart on having her own design studio working on commercial spaces for clients in the UK and internationally. At home she lives in Brighton with her husband and her two children. Age: 25 Location: Liverpool Occupation: Social media executive Style: Colourful playful At 25 years old, Bradley is the youngest taking part in Interior Design Masters this year. Still living at home with his parents, the social media executive uses their home as an interior design canvas. He has redecorated a bedroom for Mother's Day and completed a freshly painted mural on the living room wall, often sharing his designs on social media. Bradley has also helped out on projects for his friends. The designer has set his hopes on launching his own design studio. Age: 36 Location: Surrey Occupation: Homewears retailer Style: Earthy organic Briony already has an interiors and lifestyle brand with her partner, who she met at the Brit School, and they opened a few shops. She is in charge of the creative elements of the business including visual merchandising. The lifestyle guru has fallen in love with the idea of becoming an interior designer after her friend suggested she redecorate her bedroom. The dream would complement her life perfectly as she wants to be at home more with her two young sons and the business with her partner has moved online. Age: 58 Occupation: Giftware designer Style: Retro vintage Craig first started his career as a chef in London but now he wants to serve up interior designs. His career took a turn into the creative industry when he went to art college where he studied Fine Art and went onto become a freelance display prop maker for high end department stores. Now he owns his own kitsch homewares shop in Clapham, plus he works as the head designer for a gift and homewares importer. Craig has a great sense of fun. On New Year's Eve he throws a fabulous Cabaret inspired party and transforms into his drag queen alter ego Coco Canal. Age: 53 Location: North Wales Occupation: Art and textiles teacher Design style: Bougie Boho Emma was born with limb difference but growing up her dad taught her to believe that she could achieve anything she wanted. After studying textiles at university, the mum-of-three went onto become an arts and textiles teacher. Making the most of her skills, Emma has transformed the school staff room and designed her own home as well as those of her closest friends. Age: 27 Location: Glasgow Occupation: Development manager at a sexual health charity Style: Nature and organic inspired Ese works in strategy and promotion for a sexual health charity in Glasgow after completing a masters in Public Health. Thanks to UK design shows, the contestant has rediscovered his passion of interior design and was inspired to apply. Ese has always had a love of fashion design and ran a clothing business on the side when he lived in Nigeria, where he was born. Moving to the UK, he was able to follow his design dreams as he has a Diploma in Interior Design and has enrolled at university to study for an Interior Design degree. Age: 26 Location: Salford Occupation: Fabric designer Style: 70s beach house Holly is a small business owner with an eye for sixties and seventies interior designs. She drives a 1969 Sprite Alpine C caravan which she has named Flea after the Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist. The surfer has designed the interior of her caravan and now she's in the process of completely renovating her home. In the future, Holly would love to design caravans and take her fabric designs to the next level as a career. Age: 46 Location: Stockport Occupation: DT Teacher Style: Graphic bohemian John retrained as a Design & Technology teacher when he started a family with his wife in Stockport. His DIY skills and interior passion came in handy when renovating their Victorian doer upper. Of course, his DIY skills will make him a formidable contestant on the BBC show. The teacher is on Interior Design Masters to follow his dreams of becoming a professional interior designer. His love of design goes back to his childhood when he would watch Changing Rooms with his mum and then help her redecorate their house. Age: 42 Location: Lancaster Occupation: Visual merchandising consultant Design style: Rustic textural On the side of her job as a artist and illustrator, Rita runs female empowerment art workshops and advises women on their wardrobe. She spent her childhood moving between Iraq, Cyprus and Lebanon before finally coming to the UK in 2006, where she lives on a farm outside Lancaster. The countryside is something that can always be found in Rita's designs. Already she has redesigned several rooms in a Lake District B&B and transformed a house into a pub. The designer can often be found in her local antique shop looking for her next treasure. Age: 31 Location: Glasgow Occupation: Project director Style: Contemporary luxe Victoria may be a farmer's daughter but she has a love of living in the city in Glasgow. Growing up she worked on a dairy farm with animals, tractors and spending her summer milking cows. Her love of interiors was ignited by her mum who redesigned their family farmhouse. She has become affectionately known as the arty farty one in the family and has competed nationally in Young Farmers handicraft competitions.
The Guardian
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Five new Brit School artists you need to know about
The Brit School is renowned for producing world-class creative talent, but who are the next generation of graduates tipped for musical success? Discover the melodic vocals and blasting riffs of Lia Rye; the versatile drumming of Edi Idiong; Leona Rue's poetic lyrics; Ioana Garleanu's emotive songs; and the coming-of-age power pop of Ellie Evans. You can find out more about them on Instagram: @ @ @leonaruemusic; @Ioanagmusic; @ellieeeevans Mastercard is proud to sponsor The BRIT Awards and support The BRIT School. Discover more at
