Noughties pop icon reveals he’s releasing secret new album as he co-hosts C4 show with Claudia Winkleman
MIKA tells me he’s found time to make a new record amid his busy TV commitments.
He is on the hunt for the UK’s best amateur pianist with Claudia Winkleman for Channel 4 show The Piano.
But the Grace Kelly singer, whose last album was released in France in 2023, said: “I do have new music coming this year.
“It’s a record that I’ve written completely on my own. I don’t know why I felt like I needed to do that. I haven’t since my first album.
“So I’ve composed the entire thing at the piano, which I then sent over to people who kinda make psychedelic Ibiza music, and then finished it off after that.
“What I ended up with was something that is completely euphoric and joyful and colourful and full of melodies.”
Mika also revealed he’s been inspired by the rising stars on the The Piano, which starts on Sunday at 9pm.
He said: “I was like, ‘Actually, all you need is a piano and some ideas and then the rest, it’ll just explode’.”
LIZZO: MY DARK TIME
LIZZO became “scared of people” after being accused of sexual, religious and racial harassment and assault by three former dancers.
The singer was hit with the allegations in August 2023 and although denies any wrongdoing, spoke about the toll it has taken on her.
Of making her new album Love In Real Life, she told Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast: “I knew I was going to have to do my biggest one.
“I had this feeling that everybody hates me for something that isn’t true. But at the end of the day, because of the position I’m in, everybody hates me.
“I’ve been in a state of depression because I didn’t know how to fix it. I was dark and I was scared of people. I was like, you can’t trust anyone, you can’t love anyone, I don’t want to talk to nobody.”
About the impact it’s had on her record, she said: “I have some songs that are very dark.”
MARCUS A WRITE PAIN FOR WIFE
MARCUS MUMFORD’s wife Carey Mulligan kicked him out of the house while he was writing Mumford & Sons’ new No1 album Rushmere.
He struggled so much for more than a year with the lyrics to the title track that she forced him to go away on his own.
Marcus told the Zach Sang Show podcast: “My wife kicked me out of the house.
“She was like, ‘You are driving yourself and me, by the way, insane. You have got to go somewhere and be away from home to be an artist for a few days’.
“So I went to Istanbul and I sat in a cafe for three days and drank coffee, smoked cigars and wrote poetry like a p***k.
“I allowed myself to go away and be an artist for a few days and then the Rushmere lyrics came.”
DRAKE’S WAIT FOR JUST REPLY
DRAKE has been ghosted by Justin Bieber, who blanked him after the rapper asked to make music.
Justin shared a post on Sunday with the caption: “DM me if u wanna make music together.”
Admitting he had sent the Baby singer a message, Drake said: “I DM’d but no reply.”
Awkward.
Last month, Bastille’s Dan Smith told me he is keen to get in the studio with Justin, so I hope he’s sent him a note.
CLUELESS, The Musical is extending its run on the West End stage due to phenomenal demand.
The show, which stars Emma Flynn as Cher Horowitz, opened at London’s Trafalgar Theatre last month and will now play until March 28 next year.
It has received rave reviews since it started – and I can confirm it’s a brilliant night out.
ALBUM BY BOWIE’S GIRL LEXI
DAVID BOWIE’s daughter is following in his footsteps by launching a music career.
Lexi Jones, whose mum is supermodel Iman, has dropped a 12-track album called Xandri.
She released the project with little fanfare but devotees of her late father have picked up on the project.
She sings on all of the tracks, with titles including Through All The Time, Moving On and Standing Alone.
And in an impressive feat, she has also produced the songs.
The title comes from the Greek name meaning “defender of the people”.
Lexi has also self-released the project, with no record label involved, although I’m sure if anyone had known about her musical ambitions, then they would have snapped her up straight away.
Pete’s gone courting at the basketball
THINGS are going from strength to strength for Pete Davidson and his girlfriend, model Elsie Hewitt, after going public last month.
They were spotted hand-in-hand arriving at a basketball game in New York on Sunday evening, following recent getaways to Scotland and Florida together.
The comedian has quite the track record when it comes to ladies, dating Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, Phoebe Dynevor, Kate Beckinsale and Emily Ratajkowski.
Here’s hoping this one goes the distance.
Aimee White on form
WHILE we’re all still reeling from those shocking incest scenes in White Lotus, the cast got on the booze at a big party to celebrate the last episode.
My standout star, Aimee Lou Wood, who plays hippy dippy Chelsea in the Sky Atlantic drama, looked like she was having a ball as she mucked about on the red carpet with co-stars including Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola.
If, like most people, you had to wait to watch the final episode last night, I think you may be picking your jaw up off the ground this morning.
And if you’ve not seen it yet, you’re in for a treat.
CALUM ARENA TOUR NERVES
MOST acts on Britain’s Got Talent are lucky to even enjoy five minutes of fame.
But ten years on from auditioning for Simon Cowell, singer Calum Scott is set to embark on his first arena tour.
He will play Manchester’s AO Arena and London’s OVO Arena Wembley in November, in support of his third album Avenoir, which is out in September.
The former call centre worker, right, said: “An arena tour still feels surreal for me, it’s not quite sunk in.
“I feel like I have defeated impostor syndrome to a certain extent. But seeing Wembley Arena and other arenas across the UK and Europe you go, ‘Oh wow, impostor syndrome is back’.
“It is a level up for me, for sure.
“Every big milestone, you have to just keep believing in yourself. I think I will always be pinching myself. It does keep you on your toes. Of course I still get nervous. I am nervous as hell as I want to do the best job I can.”
Calum, whose new single God Knows is out now, also admitted he has to dash to the loo before shows as the nerves get to him.
He added: “With arenas, you have to put on a bigger show.
“I will be singing my heart out but there has got to be elements that are more creative and new and exciting. Nothing gimmicky, but something that adds to it.
“I love a statement suit on stage. I’m not sure I could pull off Elton John levels, but think of it that way.”
Nic a good Bett
NICOLE SCHERZINGER got into character as she headed to the premiere of Boop! in New York.
The Pussycat Dolls singer copied Betty the cartoon character the Broadway show is based on, by putting on bright red lipstick and a fitted black and white dress.
Nicole, who is starring in Sunset Boulevard in New York, chatted with American Idol singer Katharine McPhee, whose husband David Foster wrote the music for the play, on the red carpet at The Broadhurst Theatre.