[Blind Gossip] Want to hear some stories about pop star divas? Of course you do!
There is a music agent in the U.K. named Melanie Blake who is telling some interesting stories about her interactions with famous pop stars.
While she is the author of a fictional novel about working with pop stars, The Thunder Girls, Blake has some interesting real life stories about her time working on the very popular TV show, Top of The Pops.
TOTP was the world’s longest running weekly music show and featured countdowns and live performances. The show ran on and off from 1964-2006. Simon Cowell has talked about buying the rights to the show and rebooting it.
Blake’s first story is about her interaction with Jennifer Lopez.
From The Daily Mail:
Prior to her appearance on TOTP, we were told by Jennifer Lopez’s team not to make eye contact, but after watching her rehearsal I couldn’t contain myself.
I walked up and said: ‘We’ve been told not to look at you, but I wanted to tell you that I think you’re amazing.’ She was totally bewildered — and furious. The next thing we knew, half her team had been dismissed.
Well, that’s not very Jenny From The Block of her!
Mariah Carey had to be much less of a diva to deal with, right?
Mariah Carey’s team instructed us to clap when we saw her. Surely, said the studio executive, that meant after her performance? No, came the reply: at her mere presence.
Let’s give Mimi a little something to make her happy!
That’s Prince William and Kate Middleton and their royal children all clapping for the National Health Service workers. But tell Mimi it’s for her.
And here’s some Australian royalty clapping:
What the hell is wrong with Nicole Kidman’s hands?!?
Anyway, Mariah wanted more than applause.
The executive soon put her manager straight — although Mariah didn’t disappoint on the diva front, as I discovered when one of her assistants was dispatched from her dressing room and told me the star needed some kittens to play with to alleviate her boredom.
Luckily there was a pet shop nearby where I could purchase four — promising the bewildered owner I would return them, buying enough time to keep Mariah busy until she had to perform.
That is a classic story. Here you go, Mimi:
Now, on to a blind item!
And don’t get me started on the soap stars turned pop stars, who were almost universally a nightmare. I would love to unmask the soap actress who turned her back on a charming genuine A-lister who had given her a wave as she arrived for her rehearsal.
It was unspoken code that rehearsals were the one ego-free zone — everyone, no matter how big a star, clapped everyone else’s performance — but our soap actress, back turned, just twiddled her hair extensions throughout.
We got our revenge. Her rehearsal performance was amazing but at the end she was greeted with stone cold silence from the crew.
Pop stars are such lovely people.
Don’t look at me!
Clap in my presence!
Bring me some kittens!
Don’t wave at me!
Similar: Not Exactly Heroic
Soap Star turned Pop Star:
Charming Genuine Pop Star she ignored:
[Optional] Would you rather hang out with Mariah Carey or Jennifer Lopez? Why?
bumblebee333 says
There is no way the soap star turned pop star is Kylie. I used to work in a shop on Kings Road & she would come in sometimes as she lived locally. She was SO nice I can’t believe she would be unpleasant like that when working.
I think Holly Valance.
MademoiselleRose says
@ItsBouquet – that happened to me as well. A coworker was entitled to move into a high profile job as she came second in the interviews and the person who did get the job left after a short time so second place was automatically entitled to the job. She had transferred so didn’t know the manouvering to do her out of the job. I casually mentioned to her X was leaving to warn her. She immediately got on the phone and abused the boss telling him I told her. Yeah, thanks for dropping me in it.
ItsBouquet says
I totally understand JLo’s fired team, I’ve been there and I still cringe. A few years ago, there was a new girl that I took under my wing and introduced to my girlfriends. I’d warned her to careful of Meg because Meg is crazy… or something like that. A few days later the brainless new girl said to Meg (with me in earshot): “I don’t know why Bouquet said you’re crazy, you’re really nice!” Needless to say Meg and I fell out. I’ve never tried to warn anyone in good faith again
DroneQueen05 says
Soap star is Holly Valance
A Lister is Kylie (widely known in the business for being genuinely nice)
Wait did J-lo fire her team because she was mad they issued that ridiculous demand thus making her look like a diva or because they were so brazen and it had obviously come from her?!
amagod121 says
No idea on the people in the blind.
Optnl: I’d choose Mariah Carey. I wouldn’t mind clapping for her the first time I saw her as she’s very talented and I have no problem with acknowledging that with some applause. Now if it was EVERY time I saw her, no. But she also likes to play with kittens, so I could maybe play with them with her. And listen to her unicorn and butterfly tales. And offer her (and myself) a spot of tea and a slice of coffeecake. SO much more fun than JLo!
MargieB says
Oooh, tough one. Jennifer Lopez seems slightly more down to earth, but Mariah Carey has kittens.
pigerella says
I’m going to take a wild guess: Natalie Imbruglia. I hope I’m wrong, I loved her when I was a teenager.
Optional; I’d rather hang out with the kittens! lol No, I’d say Mariah Carey would be more fun because she just seems so ridiculous. J Lo comes across as super boring.
chezgreen71 says
Soap Star: Holly Valance
Charming Pop Star? No idea
Hang out with JLo or Mariah??? Nah I’m good
Bubbalou says
Soap Star turned Pop Star: Kylie Minogue?
Charming Genuine Pop Star she ignored: No clue.
[Optional] JLo. She is into fun physical activities. Mariah just sits around like a beached whale.
Mills007 says
Is it just me, cause i like the fact that JLo did that,…. That is a jenny from the block move, it’s what i would do…
Cause if she did not instruct them to do so, it’s her reputation that will be bad without her knowing so…
I like her more for doing that…
Mariah is just,…..JAWN!…
sabrina325 says
Kylie Minogue
spellsnhoney says
Pop star from soap: Kylie minogue
musesx9 says
She fired those who had told people to not make eye contact….this much I know…
aaamissp says
Soap Star: Martine McCutcheon
Charming Star: Britney Spears
montebell says
No interest to hang out with either. I don’t think there’s a room big enough for their ego. Ridiculous behavior. At least Mariah has singing talent. The other one wishes she did.
Tuanie says
Danny Masterson
That 70’s show
Scientology
funster says
wouldn’t hang out with either – I have way better things to do with my time.
islandlife04 says
Kylie Minogue? only soap star I can think of that turned into a pop star and is popular in the UK
MaryQuiteContrary says
Soap Star turned Pop Star: Kylie Minougue
Charming Genuine Pop Star she ignored: Leona Lewis
hillyc says
Wow so I completely misread the Jlo recall. I thought it was her team making that crazy arrangement not that she fired them for outing her as a diva.
Hmm I’m drawing a blank at female soap stars turned singer, I know a few male.
caela94 says
Kylie Minogue
charlene2345 says
I’m thinking this has to be a UK soap actress turned pop star. Only one that comes to mind is Martine McCutcheon, who left Eastenders for a pop career.
No idea about the genuine pop star.
whatever says
Soap Star turned Pop Star: Kylie Minogue Charming Genuine Pop Star: no idea
Optional: Mariah all the way! Her request are friendlier lol
lahteb says
Given that this seems to be the aughts and the singer was still known as an actress, Holly Valance or Delta Goodrem
darnda says
Soap Star turned Pop Star: holly valance
Charming Genuine Pop Star she ignored: kylie
Would you rather hang out with Mariah Carey or Jennifer Lopez? Why? Honestly, I’d rather have a cup of tea alone but if I was forced to hang out I’d choose Mariah purely because I think I could wind her up into a frenzy, I’d love to give her a taste of her own medicine .
Gerseychick says
Wendy Williams told this story years ago when she was on radio…Jen Lopez came in to plug her music…Went to the ladies room…Used the toilet and walked out…She did not wash her hands…Gross…They both don’t like each other …Jen can dance… Without autotuned she would not have a career…….Mimi can sing but is a real pain in the *…