Eternal's comeback performance at the Parking Garage was reportedly canceled due to poor ticket sales.
On Monday, sisters Vernie and Easther Bennett introduced their new bandmate Christel Lakhdar after being ditched by former members Louise Redknapp and Kelle Bryan.
In September last year, Louise, 49, and Kelle, 48, canceled their Eternal reunion tour after Vernie and Easther refused to play one of the LBGTQ+ gigs they had planned, claiming the community was being targeted by the Trans movement “hijacked”. .
Nineties pop stars Vernie and Easther planned to push forward the band's reunion with the help of new singer Christel – with a reunion gig in a parking lot.
But it appears fans have abandoned the band as they struggled to sell tickets, which were on sale for £50 or more.
Eternal's comeback performance at the Parking Garage was reportedly canceled due to poor ticket sales (clockwise from top: Vernie Bennett, Easther Bennett and new member Christel Lakhdar).
Louise and Kelle pulled out of an Eternal meeting because Vernie and Easther refused to play any LBGTQ+ gigs, claiming the community was being “hijacked” by the trans movement (Louise, left, and Kelle, right, pictured in September last year)
Vernie, 52, and Easther, 51, planned to take the stage without the deceased members and with the help of new singer Christel.
An advertisement for the gig said: “This event takes place in our North 5 car park and the entire festival site is on concrete so no muddy boots.”
However, according to The Sun, a lack of interest means it will no longer go ahead.
Web has contacted Eternal representatives for comment.
This week they announced they had welcomed Christel and regrouped as a trio. The artist said it was a “dream come true” to join the group.
She told the Mirror: “I’ve been singing these songs ever since.” [I was] '
Vernie said: “Meeting Christel for the first time just felt right.” She is talented, successful and has an incredible personality. She is also vocally strong, so our harmonies are taken to the next level. I think our music fans will love them as much as we do.”
Easther said she's “really looking forward to getting back into a few festivals here and there.”
Nineties pop stars Vernie and Easther planned to promote the band's reunion with the help of new singer Christel – with a reunion gig in a parking lot (left to right: original members Kelle, Easther, Louise and Vernie, pictured in 1997)
Vernie, 52, and Easther, 51, planned to take to the stage without the departed members and with the help of new singer Christel (pictured).
It was recently reported that Vernie and Easther are planning a reunion performance – in a parking lot.
According to The Sun, they were due to perform at a pop-up stage in the car park of the NEC in Birmingham in May, with tickets costing £50.
An advertisement for the gig stated: “This event is taking place in our North 5 car park and the entire festival site is on concrete so no muddy boots”, but the gig has since been cancelled.
After Vernie and her sister Easther planned an Eternal reunion with all four members last year, they refused to play any of the planned LBGTQ+ gigs, claiming the community was being “hijacked” by the trans movement.
Shortly afterwards, Louise was accused of trying to get her former bandmates fired by “misrepresenting” their views.
But in a telling statement, Louise said: “I would always have loved to have a reunion with the girls.” “I love what we did together and me and Kelle are still best friends.”
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.”
Vernie broke her silence on the row and seemingly refuted the claims of Louise's team when she released a statement saying that she had been “fortunate to come into contact with so many different and wonderful people from all walks of life throughout my career.” get”.
The duo were due to perform at a pop-up stage in the car park of the NEC in Birmingham in May. Tickets cost £50 (Vernie pictured in 2022).
Singer Vernie released a statement saying, “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.”
Denis Ingoldsby, Eternal's original manager, had furiously defended Easther and Vernie, who remain his clients, previously insisting they were “devastated” and accusing Louise's team of misrepresenting details of a private email have.
He 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.”
“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.”
Louise (left) said last year: “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.
Last year, Louise responded to her decision to step away from the tour by sharing the Progress Pride Flag on her Instagram Stories, writing: “Always and forever”
Speaking to The Mirror, Denis also claimed that there were no confirmed or contracted reunion dates for the four original girls. Louise's team denied this to the publication.
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 that the Pride movement could be hijacked – and she's not the only one – but this has now been weaponized against her and Louise's team are 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.”
I'm out! Louise, who recently confirmed she is dating her new boyfriend Drew Michael, has appeared solo at many Pride events over the years (pictured at Brighton Pride in August).
“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.”
Louise responded to her decision to step away from the tour by sharing the Progress Pride Flag on her Instagram Stories, 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, are planning a major reunion tour this year, with highlights including 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.
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 said: “A message was sent to the team preparing the Eternal reunion stating that neither Vernie nor Easther would be performing at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals if it was to take place.”
“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.”
Louise has performed as a solo artist at many Pride events over the years.
Last 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.