Louise Redknapp made her first public appearance since being accused of trying to “cancel” her Eternal bandmates Easther and Vernie Bennett in a bitter trans rights row.
The 48-year-old singer spoke about the controversy alongside fellow star Kelle Bryan, also 48, on Wednesday’s “Loose Women.”
This week it was revealed that the pair had pulled out of an Eternal reunion tour because Vernie and her sister Easther refused to play one of the planned LBGTQ+ gigs, claiming the community was being dominated by the trans movement “hijacked”.
Shortly afterwards, Louise was accused of trying to get her former bandmates fired by “misrepresenting” their views.
But in a telling statement, Louise told Loose Women: “I would have always loved to have a reunion with the girls.” “I love what we did together and me and Kelle are still best friends.”
Speaking up: Louise Redknapp broke cover on Wednesday during a joint television appearance with Kelle Bryan to address the “trans rights dispute”.
Kelle stood by her friend and added of her time in the band: “It changed my life. “Obviously the music and the fans are so important.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Vernie broke her silence on the row and seemingly refuted the claims of Louise’s team when she released a statement saying she had been “fortunate to come into contact with so many different and wonderful people from all walks of life throughout my career.” come”. ‘
Denis Ingoldsby, Eternal’s original manager, angrily defended Easther and Vernie, who remain his clients, insisting they were “devastated” and accusing Louise’s team of misrepresenting details of a private email .
Vernie released a statement that read, “I am ‘forever’ grateful for the family, friends and amazing fans who have supported and continue to support our incredible journey and artistry.”
“I have been fortunate to come into contact with so many different and wonderful people from all walks of life throughout my career. You all have a piece of my heart.
“Although it is impossible and counterproductive to respond to the overwhelming number of statements and accusations made recently online, I leave this moment in God’s hands.”
“I truly appreciate everyone who continues to express love and support for my family and Eternal.”
Manager Denis told Sky News: “Louise and her team have alienated her and everyone is completely appalled by her bullying behavior, completely misrepresenting the situation to suit their own ideas.”
Series: It initially emerged that 48-year-old Louise had pulled out of the tour because Vernie and her sister Easther refused to play one of the LBGTQ+ gigs they had planned, claiming the community was being targeted by “hijacked” from the trans community.
Speak up: Eternal star Vernie finally broke her silence about an increasingly bitter dispute over trans rights
Shocking: Eternal’s original manager Denis Ingoldsby has furiously defended sisters Easther and Vernie and accused Louise’s team of misrepresenting details of a private email (LR Louise Redknapp, Kelle Bryan, Easther Bennett, Vernie Bennett)
“The girls sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they loved playing Pride and liked the ethos of the event.”
“The fact that their camp is going on record saying they are homophobic is absolutely outrageous.” “This is not about gay rights.”
Speaking to The Mirror, Denis also claimed that there are no confirmed or contracted dates for the reunion. Louise’s team denied this to the publication.
He claimed that the sisters sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they “loved” playing Pride and appreciated the “ethos of the event.”
Denis added that the dispute was “not about gay rights” and that the sisters had played “numerous LGBTQ+ gigs.”
He added: “Vernie said she had some concerns about the hijacking of the Pride movement – and she’s not the only one – but this has now been weaponized against her and Louise’s team is trying to get her canceled.”
Louise’s publicist Simon Jones has stated that they stand by their previous comments, telling the publication: “Denis Ingoldsby has not been involved in discussions regarding the Eternal reunion, including all four members, for the last two years.” Easther and Vernie may try embellish the whole thing as you wish.
“The fact remains that the duo said they would only go ahead with the Eternal reunion if there were no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals involved.”
“Louise obviously wouldn’t agree with excluding the LGBTQ+ community from her touring plans. “We as a team absolutely do not agree with dividing the LGBTQ+ community or excluding trans people.”
He added: “Absolutely nothing was misrepresented.”
“We simply explained the reason why the Eternal Reunion with Louise and Kelle is not taking place.”
“It is a fact that an email was sent saying that Vernie and Easther would only go ahead with the Eternal reunion if there were no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals in the plan.”
“Louise clearly did not agree with excluding the LGBTQ+ community from the band’s touring plans and therefore informed the duo that she would not be attending.”
Forever and Forever: On Monday, Louise expressed her decision to step away from the tour by sharing the Progress Pride flag on her Instagram Stories and writing: “Always and Forever”
On Monday, Louise responded to her decision to step away from the tour by sharing the Progress Pride flag on her Instagram Stories and writing, “Always and forever.”
The flag was designed by non-binary artist Daniel Quasar in 2018 and is largely based on the iconic 1978 rainbow flag.
The black and brown stripes represent marginalized LGBTIQ+ people of color and the triad of blue, pink and white comes from the trans flag.
Eternal, who rose to stardom in the ’90s, were planning a major reunion tour next year, highlights of which would include appearances at Pride and Mighty Hoopla.
Both festivals celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, but the tour dates apparently didn’t go down well with band members Easther and Vernie Bennett.
It was revealed that Louise and her team had received a message from Vernie and Easther stating that they would not be attending Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals.
Louise’s publicist Simon Jones said: “A message was sent to the team putting together the Eternal reunion stating that neither Vernie nor Easther would be performing at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals if it went ahead.”
“This was because the duo felt that the gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they did not support this.”
“Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and both she and Kelle told the duo that they would not work with anyone who represented these views and therefore the four-way reunion would not take place.”
“The team behind the planned Eternal reunion is gay, including management, PR and tour promoters, and neither I nor anyone on the team would work with artists who hold such views about the trans community.”
Easther and Vernie were contacted by Web for comment.
I’m out! Louise, who recently confirmed she is dating her new boyfriend Drew Michael, has performed at many Pride events as a solo artist over the years (Lousie is performing at Brighton Pride in August).
Louise, who recently confirmed she is dating her new boyfriend Drew Michael, has performed at many Pride events as a solo artist over the years.
Earlier this summer, she took the stage alone at Brighton Pride in August.
The Eternal tour was to be the first time the original line-up had performed together since Louise stopped pursuing a solo career in 1995.
They rose to stardom in the early 90s with hits like “Stay” and “I Wanna Be The Only One”.
Louise’s other former bandmate and Loose Women star Kelle Bryan has also reportedly pulled out of the reunion tour for the same reasons.
After Louise quit, the band stayed together for another five years before splitting up and reuniting without her on ITV’s The Big Reunion in 2014.
Earlier this week, Louise acknowledged her time with the band and marked their 30th anniversary on Instagram.
She wrote: “Where it all began… 30 years ago today ‘Stay’ was released. I still remember it like yesterday… Happy 30th anniversary to my forever girls.
“I remember like yesterday the first radio play was sitting at my mother’s kitchen table and missing the queue to press the record when it played, like I traveled to America to shoot the video, and so many more incredible memories.”
“Stay is such a timeless song, Easther, it slays the opening note the way it does and I’m so proud that this is where it all started for us!” I’m so happy that I picked this song myself for my Greatest this year Was allowed to record hits, and girls, I hope I made you proud.
“Happy 30th anniversary to my Eternal girls Kelle, Easther and Vernie and most of all THANK YOU to each and every one of you who was with us from day one, bought every record, came to every show and helped us in the has been so supportive over the last 30 years.’