Latest news with #WetherspoonsWhitney
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Becky Hill Brands Jack Whitehall a ‘Privately Educated Nepo Baby' After BRIT Awards Joke
Becky Hill has called out a joke made by Jack Whitehall at this year's BRIT Awards. At the ceremony earlier this month, host Whitehall called the singer 'Wetherspoons Whitney' – referring to the chain of affordable British pubs – on the assumption that she was less well-off because of her Midlands accent. 'It's an eclectic mix of nominees this year, from the soaring vocals of the Wetherspoons Whitney Becky Hill, to the atmospheric house of Top Jaw [in reference to the Instagram channel] with decks, Fred Again..,' said Whitehall, introducing the nominees for the dance act category. More from Billboard How Lady Gaga Managed to Conjure the Past & Look to the Future on 'Mayhem' Guns N' Roses Are Returning to India After 12 Years Ne-Yo Says Having Four Girlfriends Is a 'Beautiful Thing' Hill, who was born and raised in Bewdley, Worcestershire, called out the jibe via Instagram last night (Mar. 11). Posting to her stories, she shared a screenshot of a message pointing out the privileged backgrounds of various attendees at this year's BRITs. It was highlighted that Charli XCX – who scooped five awards that night – attended the £38,319-a-year ($50,206) Bishop's Stortford College, while producer of the year winner A.G. Cook went to the £27,747-a-year King Alfred's School ($37,472). Abigail Morris, lead singer of The Last Dinner Party, is an alumnus of Bedales, which costs £52,075 ($67,351) a year. The post also stated that Whitehall was educated at The Dragon School in Oxford, which has annual fees of £52,000 ($67,254). 'Imagine being called a 'Wetherspoons Whitney' by some privately-educated nepo baby who has a TV show with daddy the showbiz agent on national TV,' wrote Hill. 'My parents worked so hard to provide a middle class life for me, even tho [sic] they couldn't afford it, no one gave me a leg up, I wasn't near London so I couldn't go to the BRIT School. So if you associate a Midlands accent with a Wetherspoons that says more about the silver spoon in your mouth, jolly ol' boy.' In a subsequent post, she shared a selfie with a caption reading: 'Me and my working class attitude off to work today. Remember not to be out of touch today kids, even if ur [sic] daddy is rich. Shout out Jack Whitehall for the fuel to my fire.' Whitehall is yet to respond to her comments. Last week (Mar. 12), Billboard UK reported on the disparity in the music industry between those educated at state schools and those from private institutions, highlighting a 2024 report from the non-profit organisation The Sutton Trust. Their research indicates that best-selling musicians are six times more likely to have been privately educated than educated at a state school, and that the former take up more than half of enrollment at prestigious music conservatoires such as London's The Royal Academy of Music (60%) and Royal College of Music (56%). Hill, meanwhile, is scheduled to perform at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at the iconic Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire in July. She released her second studio album Believe Me Now? last year, which peaked at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Becky Hill hits back at Jack Whitehall for dubbing her 'Wetherspoons Whitney' at BRITs
Becky Hill has called out BRITs host Jack Whitehall for calling her a "Wetherspoons Whitney" during the awards show. The singer, who found fame on The Voice in 2012, took to her Instagram Stories to hit back at the host for seemingly joking about her working-class upbringing during the ceremony earlier this month. "Imagine being called a 'Wetherspoons Whitney' by some privately educated nepo baby who has a TV show with daddy the showbiz agent on national TV," Hill wrote. "My parents worked so hard to provide a middle class life for me, even tho they couldn't afford it, no one gave me a leg up, I wasn't close to London so I couldn't go to @brits school. So if you associate a Midlands accent with a Wetherspoons that's says more about the silver spoon in your mouth jolly ol' boy (sic)." The Remember singer made her scathing remarks alongside a graphic showing that Jack and BRIT Award winners Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and A.G. Cook attended expensive private schools. The 31-year-old, who hails from Worcestershire, was nominated for a BRIT for Best Dance Act, but she was beaten by Charli. In a follow-up post, she wrote alongside a selfie, "Me and my working class attitude off to WORK today. Remember not to be out of touch today kids, even if ur daddy is rich. Shout out Jack Whitehall for the fuel to my fire (sic)." Whitehall, who starred in Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father with his dad Michael, has yet to respond to her comments. His fifth BRITs hosting stunt was also criticised by Miquita Oliver recently. She told Lily Allen on their joint Miss Me? podcast that she didn't like his "condescending and somewhat glib attitude" and "dated" jokes. Oliver added that he wasn't "the right person" for the job because he "undermined" the musicians in the room with his tone.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Becky Hill hits back at ‘nepo baby' Jack Whitehall following Brit Awards jibe
Becky Hill has lashed out at Jack Whitehall after the comedian made a joke about the singer during this year's Brit Awards ceremony. The 2025 Brits took place on 2 March with Charli XCX, Sam Fender, JADE and Ezra Collective among the biggest winners on the night. Hill, 31, was nominated for Best Dance Act, which was won by Charli XCX. Although she didn't walk award with a prize the 'Remember' singer was mentioned by Whitehall when he made a gag about the 'eclectic mix' of nominees on offer. 'From the soaring vocals of the Wetherspoons Whitney Becky Hill, to the atmospheric house of top jaw with decks, Fred Again' said the 36-year-old. Hill, who is from Bewdley in Worcestershire, has since responded to the jibe by sharing a post on Instagram on Tuesday (11 March) which pointed out that many of the stars at the Brits, such as Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Whitehall himself, come from privately educated backgrounds. The post sarcastically said: 'Congratulations to [this year's Brits winners for] showing that people from ordinary backgrounds can reach the top in pop music, that most egalitarian of art forms. And all presented by Jack Whitehall.' Hill then added her own message: 'Imagine being called a 'Wetherspoons Whitney' by some privately-educated nepo baby who has a TV show with daddy, the showbiz agent, on national TV. 'My parents worked so hard to provide a middle class life for me, [even though] they couldn't afford it. No one gave me a leg up. I wasn't close to London so I couldn't go to Brits school. So, if you associate a Midlands accent with a Wetherspoons that says more about the silver spoon in your mouth, jolly ol' boy.' In another post, Hill added: 'Me and my working class attitude off to WORK today. Remember not to be out of touch today kids, even if your daddy is rich. Shout out Jack Whitehall for the fuel to my fire.' Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Hill is the first notable name to criticise Whitehall's hosting duties at the Brits. Miquita Oliver criticised the comedian for cheapening the music ceremony with '10 jokes about musicians taking cocaine'. TV presenter Oliver reflected on the ceremony while speaking on the podcast Miss Me?, which she co-hosts with singer Lily Allen, remarking that the appointment of Whitehall as this year's host was 'inappropriate'. 'I really don't wanna bring Jack Whitehall down,' Oliver said, before Allen urged her not to as she is friends with the comedy star. Oliver ignored Allen's request and continued: 'I felt like he brought a condescending and somewhat glib attitude to the proceedings.'
