Pop News Update...30th May 2001

Hi, and welcome to the third Pupiline Pop News Update! I hope you enjoy it. In case you hadn't guessed from the title, my job is to inform you on all the latest goings on in the pop music world.

A few weeks ago, I told you about the increasing number of pop stars going into acting. Well, now I can tell you about two actors going into pop! First of all, Sarah Michelle Gellar, who plays Buffy The Vampire Slayer, will launch her singing career by singing on a new Buffy soundtrack. Also Kerr Smith (Jack from Dawson's Creek) has admitted that he loves to make music and hopes to have one of his songs played on a future Dawson's Creek Episode. They could follow in the footsteps of Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue and Martine McCutcheon, and get to number one, or they could totally fail, like Adam Rickett or Tracy Shaw.

Others making a leap into a different area of entertainment are Atomic Kitten, who have parts in Mike Bassett: England Manager, a new football film starring Ricky Tomlinson. Also, Shaggy has been asked to record some songs for the soundtrack to the Ali G movie, Ali G In Da House.

Now the latest star style. Bradley S Club 7 says the only reason he's wearing a bandana is because he's growing his hair. It's at an in-between length at the moment and it looks a bit silly, so he decided to help out the trend of bandana-wearing, and he's seen quite a few people copying his style since! Meanwhile, Mel B's been going for a change of appearance. She's taken out her tongue stud! Mel says it's because the hole got too big, but I personally suspect it was to tame down her image to match with her lovely new slow single, Lullaby. Mel's trademark piercing will reappear soon, though - just as soon as this one heals up.

The war is on between boybands, A1 and Five. First J Brown from Five was nasty to A1, so A1's Mark Read called Five puppets, saying they don't deserve number ones because they don't write their own songs. Mark said he didn't want a fight, but he would challenge them to, "an unplugged gig, us versus them." Mark complained that so many pop stars were being nasty towards A1, so they decided it was time to stand up for themselves and take a more mature direction with their music. There will be no more dance routines or flying about on strings on tour. From now on they will play live with instruments and their next single will be more indie-rock than pop! If this carries on, I think A1 are seriously damaging their career. There will be no more loyal, screaming teenage fans, and I really don't think all the rock fans who have previously hated them will buy their album after all they've said! We'll just have to wait and see with this one.

Last fortnight, I told you about the Oxy Band 2001, and now I can tell you all about a new appeal for pop stars. The advert was placed in this weeks issue of Smash Hits and reads: "Wanna be the new pop-stars? Starview Enterprises Ltd are looking for all new faces to be part of two all new pop groups." You don't need any previous experience or to be able to sing or play instruments, just a lively personality and individual qualities, as well as being between the ages of 14 and 24 and ambitious, hard working and creative. It sounds to me like they don't want a band - just a novelty act! Still, if you are interested and want more info and an application form, write to Starview Enterprises Ltd,

International House,
Suite 501,
223 Regents Street,
London,
WIB 2QD

Good luck!

If you're missing pop stars, don't worry because Claire Freeland from the show is releasing her first single, Free, in July and Warren Jituboh has been snapped up by Sisqo's record company. I look forward to hearing those songs.

Pop Picks

Here are my pop picks for this fortnight.

Song: *NSync - Pop (Does anyone know where I can find an MP3 of this? It's great!)

New group: The Alice Band (Did you know that Audrey is Tim from Ash's girlfriend?)

TV Show: Survivor (It's so exciting, especially when people get voted off)

Website: www.lyricfind.com (Very useful for finding lyrics to pop songs)

I've got to go now, but I'll be back in a fortnight with more of the latest pop news. If you can't wait that long, check out my personal pop music website, http://website.lineone.net/~poptastic. Enjoy it!

Jessica :-p