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Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Multimillion-record-selling artist is unrecognizable bargain hunting in LA... can you guess who she is?
A multimillion-record-selling artist was unrecognizable when she was glimpsed bargain hunting in Los Angeles this week. The R&B songstress, who was a childhood schoolmate of the future Marilyn Manson, shot to fame in 1999 with a smash hit single that also netted her a Grammy. She has earned a total of five Grammy nods and sold more than 25 million records, collaborating with artists ranging from Natalie Cole to Justin Timberlake. Although her onstage persona recalls the megawatt glamour of a past era, she was the image of the casual shopper on West Hollywood's Melrose Avenue on Thursday. In a comfy ensemble including cutoff sweats and a hoodie, the 57-year-old was glimpsed selecting clothes from the rack at an outdoor stall. Can you guess who she is? She is none other than Macy Gray, whose 1999 single I Try catapulted her to stardom and became a galloping international smash. Macy, who was born Natalie McIntyre in Ohio and picked her stage name off a mailbox she saw as a child, appeared in bright spirits when she was seen Thursday. Her outfit included a set of retro red Converse sneakers, plus a textured black cap and a pair of blue shades that gleamed in the sunshine. Macy's shopping excursion appeared to have been a success, as she was seen with several items slung over one of her arms at the clothes stall. Since becoming a celebrity at the turn of the century, Macy has released 10 solo studio albums and a number of hit singles like When I See You. She has worked with artists ranging from Jeff Beck to Ariana Grande, as well as Fatboy Slim, Erykah Badu, Fergie, and Dolly Parton, and she was even included on a remix of a song by the late Afropop legend Fela Kuti. Her music has been featured in projects as varied as the acclaimed movie 8 Mile and an episode of Ugly Betty, and she has acted in films like Training Day and the first instalment of the Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. Macy's career has not been without controversy, such as when she was booed for forgetting the lyrics to The Star-Spangled Banner while singing at an NFL game, or when she narrowly avoided arrest for swearing onstage in Barbados. Macy, who was born Natalie McIntyre in Ohio and picked her stage name off a mailbox she saw as a child, appeared in bright spirits when she was seen Thursday Her shopping excursion appeared to have been a success, as she was seen with several items slung over one of her forearms at the clothes stall About a decade ago, Macy appeared on a Where Are They Now? special hosted by Oprah Winfrey and laid bare her history of substance abuse. 'My drug use started as a result of being on tour,' she explained. 'My crew was from England. All they did was smoke hash all day, and they knew where to get the good ecstasy. So, you start playing with stuff, and then, suddenly, it's like a crutch.' Ultimately, she gave up her substance habits after looking in the mirror and seeing the effect her hard living was having on her looks, she shared. She appeared on The Masked Singer this year, and next Monday she will launch a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of her debut album On How Life Is. Macy recently revealed that she is preparing to release her first solo album in seven years, hinting she could make a surprise appearance at Glastonbury. 'We're probably going to drop a record when we're in the UK,' she explained to The Sun, noting she will be stopping in Britain on tour.
Metro
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Macy Gray remembers her debut album - and her Glastonbury streakers
It's been 25 years since Macy Gray's gravelly, one-of-a-kind voice first broke through the noise of pop music with her debut album On How Life Is. In 1999, her enormous hit track I Try was already glinting with the gold of an all-time classic, even as it continued to dominate charts all over the world and propel her album to number one. The 31-year-old single mother of three from Canton, Ohio, earned a Grammy for the song, and the sky seemed to be the limit from there. But in the following quarter-century, despite continued success with her second and third albums, Gray earned a complex reputation, once famously forgetting the words to the Star-Spangled Banner and other similar mishaps. It began to look like she was standing in her own way. Among journalists, her name became synonymous with diva tendencies and uncooperative interviews. As a result, the prospect of speaking with Gray as she prepares to celebrate the milestone anniversary of On How Life Is was more than a little daunting – especially given that she just this year stormed off reality show The Masked Singer, once again displaying a fiery temper to fans. But when Gray sits down with Metro to discuss her upcoming new album, the legacy of her debut, and her past regrets, she's unexpectedly softspoken and attentive – if not overly forthcoming at first. 'I was listening to it the other day,' Gray says of her breakout hit, I Try. 'That song is on autopilot in my brain. It's like walking and talking – you don't even think about it anymore.' While many artists grow weary of their most well-known work, Gray remains deeply connected to the record that changed her life: 'People ask me if I'm tired of it, or if I'm over it… but I'm just not. I love that album, it helped change my life, and I still love performing it.' For Gray, On How Life Is captures the essence of a transitional time, personally and universally. 'It was that moment everybody has where you're trying to grow up,' she recalls. 'You're in your twenties, your mom and society are pressuring you, but you're still figuring it out. You're supposed to be the sh*t, but you're not quite there yet.' That honesty, paired with Gray's signature voice and genre-bending style, has allowed the album to endure the test of time. Contrary to her reputation, she seems more than willing to acknowledge her past mistakes, and one can't help but wonder if her notoriety is entirely earned – or just the product of a sensitive, artistic spirit being thrust suddenly into a brutal spotlight. When asked what advice she'd give her younger self, she sighs and admits: 'I don't know what I would tell me, because I know I was at a point in my life where you could have given me the best advice ever, and I probably wouldn't have listened, you know?' As for regrets about the last 25 years, Gray says there are 'a million things' she'd go back and change, and, when prompted to expand, she admits: 'There's always somebody that got away. Of course, you want to do smarter things with your money. I probably would have moved. I don't think I would have stayed in Los Angeles. I probably… I had so many opportunities to live overseas and I blew them off. I probably would have moved, that's one thing, somewhere else.' She even seems willing to discuss her disastrous reality TV career, revealing light-heartedly that she turned down a stint on Celebrity Big Brother because: 'They told me they only had one bathroom. I didn't know if I could have made it through that.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But not one to dwell unnecessarily, Gray is quick to assure that 'her whole life has been a highlight,' and for now, she's looking towards the future. 'I want to make more good records. I want to be a better singer, better on stage. I'm just focused on getting better, really,' she says with real conviction. That dedication is the heart of the advice she'd pass on to rising artists: 'Keep practicing. Keep getting better. Don't forget how you got there.' Her upcoming album will feature new collaborations, though she's keeping names under wraps for now. She lights up at the mention of newer artists like Lola Young and Doechii, and it's evident that Gray remains as passionate about her craft as ever, even if she sometimes finds it challenging to navigate the public relations side of things. 'Doechii's awesome – refreshing. I hadn't thought about it, but yeah, I should reach out to her,' she says of a possible collaboration with the Anxiety hitmaker. 23 June: London, Union Chapel 24 June: Manchester, New Century Hall 27 June: Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket 28 June: Birmingham, Town Hall Buy tickets here. As she kicks off her UK anniversary tour, the 57-year-old is well aware that entertainment offers people vital relief in today's world. Or as she puts it, people are 'just dying for an excuse to party.' And she's prepared to give it to them. Her shows promise a full-throttle celebration: 'We got the best music, and we're gonna have fun—dancing, singing, screaming. It's a good night out, a great show.' The UK, Gray says, has always held a special place in her heart. 'Every country, every city has its own personality, but the UK… they're ready to celebrate. Almost on the edge of their seats, like just waiting for you to do something so they can just get up and go, you know?' Her Glastonbury performance is still one of her most vivid career memories, and she's quick to say she wouldn't rule out an eventual return to Worthy Farm. 'When we got to I Try, it was like this sea of people singing every word. You can't get that feeling anywhere else.' The traces of weary disinterest displayed through parts of the interview dissipate when she's reminded of the time a naked couple streaked across the stage at her Glastonbury performance. One can't help but think we're getting a brief glimpse of the real Macy as she belly laughs at the memory. 'So I was singing, and all of a sudden this – and they were older – like they were, like, skinny, you know, little bit wrinkly, and they just ran across the stage, butt naked, and they waved at me, and then they ran off,' she says animatedly through laughter. 'And that was it. I can see it, like, second by second. I don't remember what I did. I was so stuck on them, I don't remember if I stopped.' When Gray really gets talking, her famous voice, with all its quirks, is on full display. Unkindly described in the past as 'a cross between Minnie Mouse and Marge Simpson,' it's not surprising that it's been a source of insecurity for the singer, given how much the media commented on it at the beginning of her career. 'It's true I used to be really quiet in public because people would laugh or have comments,' she says of her voice. 'That's gone away a lot since I've gotten older, but sometimes I still kind of think twice before I say something.' Her perspective on fame has also evolved. She notes how different the industry is now, especially with the rise of platforms like TikTok. 'You can make a song and put it out the next day. That's new. It's great for the fans, but it's a different world. I'm adjusting.' More Trending Gray's soulful, timeless music remains as relevant today as ever, but many of her inspirations and mentors have passed away, leaving her to navigate her evolution as an artist on her own. 'I don't think I would be making the music that I make had I not listened to everything Prince put out, you know.' But the late legend was more than a source of musical inspiration to her: 'We used to talk, and he was always giving me really good advice, you know, he always answered the phone, which I thought was super cool. But there's a ton of influences. I'm a big Donna Summer fan. I got to spend some time with her, and I learned a lot from her.' Despite all the changes, Gray sees music and entertainment as a unifying force, even as the world grows more fractured. 'You go to a festival, and you're not thinking about who voted for who. Everybody's singing the same song, dancing together. Entertainment is essential right now.' At 25 years since her debut, Macy Gray isn't slowing down or apologising unnecessarily for the times she's stumbled. She's still experimenting, still growing, still trying her best to weather a harsh industry with a sensitive disposition and a wide-open heart. That may not always be pretty, but for Macy Gray, you can be certain that it will always be authentic. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Glastonbury headliner takes swipe at Elon Musk with savage lyrics in new song MORE: Spice Girls rumoured to reunite – but there's a major catch MORE: Oscar-winning actor confirmed for 2025 Capital Summertime Ball in most insane line-up
IOL News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Why Macy Gray is singing the blues over Ozempic and her spending spree
Macy Gray is "p***** off" that Ozempic didn't work for her and just made her "sick". Image: Bang Showbiz Macy Gray is "p***** off" that Ozempic didn't work for her. The "I Try" hitmaker tried the weight-loss drug, and while she's seen it transform friends' bodies, she had to stop using it because it made her ill. She told "The I Paper": "I'm the only person in the world who had a bad reaction to Ozempic. I'm so pissed off. All my friends are 30 pounds smaller, and I just got sick. But I'm doing well health-wise. I'm 57 and I haven't really started to feel anything going bad." Macy has never been "good with money", and her lavish spending over the years included custom-made shoes at $3,000 a pair and "half a million dollars" on her garden. She admitted: "At one point, I had five very expensive cars at the same time, and I didn't even drive them. I just ended up wrecking them. "I got a bit carried away with bespoke shoes. I used to get everything custom-made, and that got really expensive. Suddenly, I couldn't go to the store and buy normal shoes. I had to go to a cobbler. And that's $3,000 a pop. I had a lot of jewellery. "I did a lot of stupid s*** to my house too. I spent half a million dollars on landscaping. Trees and plants, basically. Was it worth it? No. They died. "I've never been good with money, and I'm not really any better with it now. I'm not good at saving or planning with it. "It's something you have to learn to be good at because, honestly, anybody can make money. You can win the lottery. You can be smart and make decisions. You can save. You can rob somebody. "There are all kinds of ways to get money, but keeping it is a whole other planet. You have to know what you're doing, or it will go away."
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Macy Gray 'got sick' on Ozempic
Macy Gray is "p***** off" that Ozempic didn't work for her. The 'I Try' hitmaker tried the weight-loss drug, and while she's seen it transform friends' bodies, she had to stop using it because it made her ill. She told the i newspaper: "I'm the only person in the world who had a bad reaction to Ozempic. I'm so pissed off. All my friends are 30 pounds smaller, and I just got sick. But I'm doing well health-wise. I'm 57 and I haven't really started to feel anything going bad." Macy has never been "good with money" and her lavish spending over the years included custom-made shoes at $3,000 a pair and "half a million dollars" on her garden. She admitted: "At one point, I had five very expensive cars at the same time, and I didn't even drive them. I just ended up wrecking them. "I got a bit carried away with bespoke shoes. I used to get everything custom made and that got really expensive. Suddenly I couldn't go to the store and buy normal shoes. I had to go to a cobbler. And that's $3,000 a pop. I had a lot of jewellery. "I did a lot of stupid s*** to my house too. I spent half a million dollars on landscaping. Trees and plants, basically. Was it worth it? No. They died. "I've never been good with money – and I'm not really any better with it now. I'm not good at saving or planning with it. "It's something you have to learn to be good at because, honestly, anybody can make money. You can win the lottery. You can be smart and make decisions. You can save. You can rob somebody. "There are all kind of ways to get money, but keeping it is a whole other planet. You have to know what you're doing, or it will go away." The 'Dutch' actress - who has three adult children with ex-husband Tracey Hinds - is currently single but is "excited" about the idea of falling in love again, though she isn't sure where to find a potential partner because she thinks it would be "awkward" to join a dating app, even one such as the exclusive platform Raya, which has been used by many famous faces. She said: "Love is different now because I see bulls*** a mile away. I'm not in love at the moment but I like being in love and I'm still very excited about it. "When you're younger, you meet somebody, and you don't know what you know. My radar for bad behaviour works better now and that kind of sucks. "I can't really go on dating apps. Three of my friends got married off of a dating app, so I'm like, 'Maybe I should go on a date now,' but that would be so awkward for everybody. "People talk about Raya but that's all bulls***. We'll see what happens."
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Macy Gray plans to release first album in seven years in September
Macy Gray has teased her first solo album in seven years. The 'I Try' hitmaker has revealed she is currently hard at work on a follow-up to 2018's 'Ruby' and aims to drop it in September. Speaking to The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column, she said: 'We're probably going to drop a record when we're in the UK. 'We're in the middle of it and we want to drop some songs to see what everybody thinks. 'Then I will probably be able to put out an album by September. 'I like raw music with less production to show my voice, so everything's kind of stripped down. It's really cool. I'm having fun.' The Grammy winner is bringing her 'On How Life Is 25th Anniversary Tour' - which launched in Australia and New Zealand in 2024 - to the UK, Europe and North America. The UK and Europe leg kicks off on May 5 in Cheltenham, followed by stops in London, Amsterdam, Milan, Paris and more, before wrapping in Zagreb, Croatia, on June 20. The Us leg begins on July 10 at House of Blues in Anaheim, California, with further dates in Portland, Vancouver, Denver, Chicago, Houston and more, before concluding on August 16 in Los Angeles. Macy, 57, rose to fame with her hit single 'I Try', from her multi-platinum debut album 'On How Life Is'. Away from music, she has appeared in the films 'Training Day' and 'Spider-Man', while the R'n'B-soul legend has appeared on several versions of 'The Masked Singer', including the UK, US, and Australian editions.
