May 19, 2010 2:29 PM

Sugababes may lose name

God bless The Sugababes. They keep people like me in a job with their constant falling out, rotating member system (that sounds rude and I didn't mean it to) and general surliness. Now, it appears that the girls have got a legal battle on their hands which could see them losing the name of the band. Oh dear, oh dear. It seems that hell hath no fury like an ex-band member scorned.

Earlier this year, it was reported that former band member Mutya Buena had applied to the European Trademarks Authority for ownership of the band's moniker.

The present lineup have now filed a notice of opposition to Buena's claim, along with their record label Island Records.

Current member Heidi Range has previously stated that the record company owns the name.

In a letter to the EU Trademarks Authority, Universal's Island Records wrote that the "similarity of the goods and services" provided by Buena would mean there would be "a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public".

If her application is successful, it would mean that she could use the Sugababes name on goods such as CDs, DVDs and books.

Sugababes currently consists of Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen (next week, the line up could well be Heidi, some old fella and a dog with wheels for back legs).

STAY TUNED!

Posted by mofgimmers on May 19, 2010 in Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 15, 2010 2:58 PM

Sugababes to split? Keisha for Strictly Come Dancing?

God bless the Sugababes. They don't really have to do anything but release records and fire as many members as possible and everyone points and them and speculates endlessly! Now, everyone thinks they're splitting up again. It's almost like the band is cursed like it was built on an ancient burial ground or something! Heidi Range has put rumours to rest on the future of the group, after rumours kicked off after they had been dropped from their US label. In a recent message posted on the group's official website stated: "We have never been 'signed' to Roc Nation for a scheduled album release in America."

Range, who is currently promoting a new fitness class with Virgin, has now confirmed the band will not split up.

She said: "That rumour has been flying around for the past nine years! If we were going to split up I'd just come out and say it but we're actually having a great time. We're off to India next week and then we're back in the studio to record some new tracks."

Hmmm.

Meanwhile, Ex-Sugababer Keisha Buchanan has reportedly been lined up for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

According to The Mirror, the 25-year-old popstar has been approached by the BBC about competing in the upcoming eighth run.

"Keisha was thrilled when asked to be part of the show. But she is a little apprehensive," said a source. "In the Sugababes, it was all about the singing. They never really danced. So the training would be really hard for her.

"Her pal Alesha Dixon saw her solo career really take off after Strictly and she's hoping that it could help her, too. She has so much on, it depends on whether she can fit it all in.

"But she is seriously keen. It's one of the only reality shows she would ever consider."

Posted by mofgimmers on April 15, 2010 in Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 10, 2010 2:26 PM

Sugababes for Eurovision

Sugababes have been confirmed to appear on the BBC's Eurovision - Your Country Needs You on March 12th. That's only a few weeks away, but by then, then could have had nine changes in line-up. The trio will perform their new single 'Wear My Kiss' on the live show just before the finalist is announced. Did you think they'd be our entrant? Silly billy!

Last year, band member Jade Ewen finished fifth in the Eurovision Song Contest with Andrew Lloyd Webber-penned 'It's My Time'. She replaced Keisha Buchanan in the group in September.

Eurovision - Your Country Needs You will decide which performer goes on to represent the UK at the competition in Oslo.

Sugababes recently launched their own 'Wear My Kiss' Facebook application, which allows fans to get and send a kiss from the girls.

'Wear My Kiss' is released on February 22. New album Sweet 7 follows on March 8.

Posted by mofgimmers on February 10, 2010 in Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 26, 2010 4:02 PM

Sugababe Amelle going off the rails?

Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah has hit out at the (persistent) rumours that she is partying too much. One of the tabloid newspapers reported that the 25-year-old's friends and management feared she was hitting the town too often and going "off the rails". Amelle (aka The Fit One) was recently pictured enjoying a night out with Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding... which of course, got everyone needlessly worried. She was also out on the town celebrating her new bandmate Jade Ewen's 22nd birthday at the weekend.

Writing on Twitter today, the singer commented: "Just read something in the papers about me saying that people were worried about me going out too much!

"I've been out twice in one week and the second night was Jade's birthday! Don't get why people say things like that. Just thought I'd let ya all know. Don't want people to think that of me."

Posted by mofgimmers on January 26, 2010 in Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 30, 2009 10:14 AM

Keisha axed from Sugababes through jealousy?

The story of the Sugababes has fast become one of the most interesting and weird stories in pop. Here, we have a group that contains precisely zero original members. Those that remain in the group, including Eurovision entrant Jade Ewan, have already started to receive hate-mail.

Now, Keisha Buchanan, the final head to roll, believes that her bandmates forced her out of the group because they were jealous.

Related: More Sugababes gossip
According to The Mirror, writers and producers who worked with the third lineup believed that Buchanan was more talented than her fellow singers Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah.

A source said: "The girls were jealous as Keisha would meet up with Kylie's writers, including Kathy Dennis, without them to create some of their biggest hits.

"When they had meetings with their management there was a perception Keisha would be credited as the only Sugababe worth dealing with. In some instances producers refused to start any work in the studio unless Keisha had arrived."

Range and Berrabah have stated that the group's lineup changed because they "couldn't work" with Keisha any longer.

The plot thickens.

Posted by mofgimmers on September 30, 2009 in Sugababes, Tabloid Tales | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 30, 2009 2:51 PM

Sugababes panned after comeback show

Sugababes' first live UK show in a year has been met with something of a kicking. The girl group forgot the lyrics songs during a 15-number set at Kent County Cricket Club over the weekend, prompting some fans to walk out. Singer Heidi, who stumbled over her lines in 'Too Lost In You', told fans: "This is what happens when we do it live."The apologies didn't stop there...

Keisha added: "We are so sorry. We haven't played live for a long time." The band also reportedly forgot lyrics during renditions of chart-toppers 'About You Now' and 'Hole In The Head'.

Writing on Twitter later, Keisha admitted that their first live UK date since last year's 'Change Tour' was far from perfect. "We made so many mistakes. We had to start songs again and everything. It really has been a while," she wrote. "For us, it [the show] wasn't that good because it's been ages and we messed up A LOT. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Oh dear. Not so funny if you've forked out for tickets...

Posted by mofgimmers on June 30, 2009 in Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 18, 2009 5:30 PM

Sugababes hit out at Girls Aloud spoof

Sugababes have lashed out at a spoof video depicting band member Keisha Buchanan having an argument with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole. The group posted a message on Twitter in response to the cartoon, which mocked their recent record Catfights And Spotlights as "the worse thing ever" and "an album for the deaf".

"We just wanted to give a BIG 2 fingers and a Kiss our Ass to the sad prat who made that YouTube video about Us against GA," they wrote. "Get the F**K over it. We like what they do. We Love what we do. We are a completely different band. Who gives a f**k if we've had 2 lineup changes... Even more reason to show us support & respect because we are still surviving!!! WE have had Nearly TEN yrs.

"There will only ever be ONE Sugababes and even though the last album wasn't A huge hit (lol) Who gives a s**t. We are not giving up. And we STILL remain (According to OVERALL SALES) THE BIGGEST GIRLBAND FROM THE UK!"

Yowzers!

Posted by mofgimmers on May 18, 2009 in Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 14, 2008 11:05 AM

School children name David Beckham their top role model

When you were a kid who did you look up to and admire? Chances are they were slightly more inspiring than the current crop of celebrities that British children claim are their top role models. A new poll conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) found that a whopping 53% of sprogs want to be David Beckham. With his footballing prowess, hoards of lusty female fans and impressive bank balance – Mr. Beckham is one of the more understandable and logical choices found on the list. Unlike other names…

David's Spice Girl wife Victoria was inexplicably voted the second choice with 30% of the vote. Yes, she too enjoys a life of celebrity luxury and was once a hard-working pop star – but a role model for young minds? Still, it could be worse – Paris Hilton made it to number six on the list.

Elsewhere, sporting stars such as Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Formula One rookie Lewis Hamilton proved popular as are actors such as David Tennant and Keira Knightley, with music being represented by the Sugababes, Leona Lewis and Nadine Coyle.

Being in double digits, the idea that these celebrities are worthy role models has me scratching my head in confusion (not cos I have nits – urgh!), however the general secretary of the ATL, Dr. Mary Bousted, is far less surprised.

"It reflects the current media obsession with celebrity and the effect of celebrity culture on society as a whole," she explained. "However, we are deeply concerned many pupils' believe celebrity status is available to everyone. They do not understand the hard work it takes to achieve such status and do not think it is important to be actively engaged in school work as education is not needed for a celebrity status.

"Celebrity culture can perpetuate the notion that celebrity status is the greatest achievement and reinforces the belief that other career options are not valuable."

And let's be honest – not every girl aspiring to be a WAG is going to be pretty enough to pull it off.

[via Contact Music and Heatworld]

Posted by Katie Button on March 14, 2008 in David Beckham, Film Stars, Girls Aloud, Keira Knightley, Musical Stars, Posh 'N Becks, Sport Stars, Sugababes, UK Stars, Victoria Beckham | Permalink | Comments (2)

September 4, 2007 11:19 AM

Sugababes to axe new girl Amelle Berrabah?

How many line-up changes can a pop group sustain and still be the same band? It looks like the Sugababes could be about to find out, with reports suggesting that recent new addition Amelle Berrabah could soon be shown the door making a possible fourth line-up in six years. Berrabah joined the charting-topping trio when founding member Mutya Buena quit to go solo and immediately caused problems. It seems that these troubles have now reached crisis point, with fellow Sugababes Keisha Buchanan and Heidi Range having held secret auditions to replace Berrabah at the weekend.

Firstly Berrabah’s ex boyfriend Freddie Fuller was questioned about the alleged rape of her younger sister and then she was arrested herself after a brawl at a pub. Now it seems that her personal life is proving such an exciting distraction that she failed to show for a gig in Aberdeen and has enjoyed a relaxed approach to attending recording sessions for the group’s new album.

A source has revealed the inside scoop on the pop princesses: “Keisha and Heidi are the ultimate professionals when it comes to their career. They have worked hard for everything they have achieved. Amelle doesn’t seem to take it as seriously. When the girls were recording their latest album, Amelle kept arriving late to the studio. They had blazing rows over timekeeping.

“The Sugababes were always known as being a bitchy group, but when Amelle joined they went out of their way to accept her into the group and gave her nothing but support over Freddie. But they feel that support has been thrown back in their face. She was handed a golden ticket and the chance to be in one of the UK’s most successful girl bands. But the girls feel she has let them down.”

It seems incredible in this age full of young wannabes desperate for the chance to perform on shows such as The X-Factor that someone granted entrance into an already established and successful pop group would throw it away so carelessly. We all know that going solo isn’t a credible option for Keisha and Heidi, as after the initial few singles, long-term success is rarely achieved by those accustomed to the safety of a group’s numbers. And with a single due out on September 24th, the girls need to achieve the look of unity even if things are falling apart behind closed doors.

Do you think there’ll replace Amelle? Do you think they can afford to, given their penchant for changing faces or do you think its time The Sugababes said farewell? Leave a comment and let us know.

[via The Sun]

Posted by Katie Button on September 4, 2007 in Musical Stars, Sugababes, UK Stars | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 21, 2007 12:08 PM

Celebrity's siblings up to no good

Bad news for the sister of Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah’s sister Zakiya Berrabah. Zakiya, who is a 33 year old healthcare assistant, has been charged with theft, and suspended from the hospital she works at after Zakiya apparently sole a ring off of a dead patient's finger. In the past, Zakiya has had her home raided by police after allegations that she stole from both colleagues and patients; now Zakiya has been arrested after a nurse at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford reported her credit card missing.

This isn't a good week for celebrity's siblings, as Mischa Barton's 19 year old sister Hania, has checked into rehab for her addiction to prescription drugs. Sad times. I just hope she checked into a different rehab than Britney, as she may have a bad influence on Hania. And we certainly don't Hania coming out of rehab bald and pregnant.

Posted by Cate on February 21, 2007 in Mischa Barton, Musical Stars, Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 5, 2007 12:30 PM

Girls Aloud and Sugababes video for "Walk This Way"

So, Girls Aloud and the Sugababes have teamed up for charity to record their cover of "Walk This Way". I'm not quite sure how many times we're going to have to deal with people butchering this song. It's over the top, it's filled with bad make-up and bad hair extensions...but it's for charity. That makes me almost forgive them for this video.

Posted by Cate on February 5, 2007 in Girls Aloud, Sugababes | Permalink | Comments (4)