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Clippings 2015

I Went SoulCycling with Demi Lovato

It is an extra warm autumn morning in Los Angeles: the mercury's hit 86 Fahrenheit and while a group of music enthusiasts are perched on bikes in a well conditioned room, we're about to get our collective sweat on—which will make it feel 100 degrees at least—as we prepare spin for our lives in the company of pop star Demi Lovato. The singer has chosen SoulCycle in Hollywood as the location for an exclusive playback of her fifth studio album, Confident, which finally drops this Friday. If you've never been to an album playback, let me explain: they're often incredibly awkward affairs. Usually you sit in a room with the star in question present and smiling sweetly. The new album is played and everyone sits there also smiling sweetly and head nodding and saying things like "This track is great!" even if it's the worst thing you've ever heard. If you're lucky this experience is accompanied by lukewarm wine and maybe an h'orderves or two. Ever the skeptic, I did wonder if Lovato had arranged a spin class as the venue for her playback so everyone would be too distracted to notice if the music sucked—assuming that the primary focus beyond peddling frantically was to remember to actually breath. But the truth is, the music plays such a major part of the class it's impossible to ignore. 

"Thank you guys so much for being here," says Lovato as she welcomes the 50-or-so in the class to her playback. We're poised, feet locked in, and she takes her position among us on a bike. "It was a year ago that I was in my record label and we were talking about doing this for my album release. A lot of times artists will throw out ideas and it doesn't happen, but we made this happen," she adds. This 23-year-old Disney Channel alum seems to know how to get what she wants. Well, she has been raised in this game since first finding fame way back as a teenager in 2008. But while Lovato's new album is titled Confident, she's far from arrogant. She could have popped on her bike and peddled away, without taking time to talk to anyone, she could've opted out of the sweat session altogether, but instead she introduces herself and takes a moment to help any self-conscious riders feel at ease.

"This isn't the time to feel embarrassed—the lights are going to be off and you can go at your own pace," she assures us, which is just as well. One third of the way through the class I notice Lovato is peddling twice as fast as anyone else and barely breaking a sweat, putting the rest of us music journos to shame. Promising the playback will be a "spiritual" experience that will connect us all "between you and your bike and the music" we're off. The pulsing sound of "Kingdom Come" blasts out over the studio. A power pop tune featuring the sharp end of Iggy Azalea's tongue, it isn't long before our heart rates are racing and perspiration is starting to drip. Class instructor Angela Davis spurs us on to peddle hard, but in truth the banging beats act as the prime motivator. As we change gears and rise up for a climb, title track "Confident" begins to play and it soon becomes apparent that this record was made to encourage the best from people. As the wheels spin and the rousing chorus plays, I'm suddenly wondering, "Hey, what's wrong with being confident?" The tune is a rousing clarion call: take control, be unashamedly sassy, and grab your dreams by the balls.

My thighs begin to burn by the time we're five tracks in. "Wildfire"—written by hitmakers Ryan Tedder and Stargate—slows down the pace which works surprising well as everyone is focused to "climb a hill' as the romantic ballad bursts through speakers. There's a collective scream of relief when we "reach the top" and "Cool For The Summer" kicks in. As we're told to peddle down the other side of the imaginary hill the class changes to part-spin class, part-dance class and no one can resist bouncing around in their seat, clapping along as the certified pop anthem plays out.

Elsewhere "Mr Hughes" sees Lovato's vocals take a husky turn sounding almost Amy Winehouse-esque as she sings about a past lover who left her floored. She's unafraid to bare it all with a fragility and stark honesty revealed in cool-down track "Father"—a heartfelt love letter to the singer's father who died of cancer in 2013 when the two were not on the best terms; Lovato's pining for a second chance.

"It brought tears to my eyes to be able to do this with people I love the most and people who have been the most supportive of me," Lovato tells her exhausted disciples as we dismount, legs threatening to buckle beneath us. She adds: "I know it is not the easiest thing in the world but I am so grateful. So thank you guys." As participants file out of the studio, I notice a SoulCycle sign with five words written in giant, bold lettering and each seem to sum up the singer in some way.

ATHLETE
As anyone who follows the singer on Instagram will know, she has a body that could compete with any Olympian and after seeing her peddle for an hour straight I can safely be said she has the focus of a true pro.

LEGEND
Still only a few baby steps into her 20s, Lovato has 15 hot 100 singles under her belt, 87 awards to her name (including a VMA, five People's Choice, and 13 Teen Choice) and over 31 million Twitter followers. It may feel her best is still yet to come, but it's tough argue that even at this tender age, her place in the pop annals is already inked.

WARRIOR
Lovato has had more than her fair share of personal struggles. Her battle with drug abuse, alcoholism, eating disorders, and depression have been well documented, but she's through the other side and her candor in discussing these issues has been extremely refreshing. She even scored Michelle Obama's seal of approval just this week when her track was selected by The First Lady for a girl empowering playlist on Spotify—handpicked by Mrs. O to inspire girls around the world to aim higher and achieve more. 

As if that were not enough, Demi also recently shed her clothes and make-up, shunning photoshop for a "spontaneous" Vanity Fair shoot to let everyone know how secure in her own skin she feels. 

RENEGADE
She could have easily been written off as a Disney child star with no future when she first started making music after working for the House of Mouse, but she's proved any detractors wrong by becoming an accomplished songwriter and, not to bring up the seemingly clichéd child-star-goes-wild past that her troubles would suggest, she's turned her back on the path many would assume she would take to become a multi-platinum selling pop machine.

ROCKSTAR
Have you seen Demi Lovato? She is badass. And she makes good music. While she might be "pop," this girl definitely rocks. It's a somewhat cheesy comparison to draw, but damn it if it isn't true.

As we all huddle together at the end of the class for a group photograph (everyone wants proof they managed to keep up with Demi in the spin class after all), the singer laughs and looks effortlessly composed as the photographer snaps away. I feel particularly sticky and gross standing near her, my own confidence dropping slightly as I take in her beauty. Perhaps the ultimate lesson about doing a spin class with a pop star is not to stand near them afterwards.

Originally published: Vice | Noisey 14 October 2015

Jack Black Shortlist Q&A

Paloma Faith: from BRITs to BAFTA? Eyeing major 'gritty' film role

She finally bagged a Brit, but Paloma Faith won’t stop there – she now has her eyes on an Oscar.

The singer, who scooped best female solo artist at last night’s ceremony, aims to step up her acting skills and thinks a role such as the battered wife played by Olivia Colemanin Paddy Considine’s film Tyrannosaur would be right up her street.

‘I’d be after something that challenges me to do something completely the opposite of what my public persona is. I would like to play a next door neighbour or something gritty,’ the Only Love Can Hurt Like This singer told Metro exclusively.

‘I am a big fan of Paddy Considine. If he does another film I would love to be in that,’ she continued, admitting she would love to be considered as an actress akin to Coleman.

‘I have started petitioning him! I direct messaged him on Twitter saying “If you do another film, please call me!” And he replied saying that in his house they were big fans of mine, him and his kids. Which was cute. I am sowing the seeds!’ she said.

However Faith – who played the girlfriend of the Devil in Terry Gilliam’s 2009 film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus – is not abandoning her music career yet as she hopes to have a new album out before the end of the year.

‘It’s an ambitious thing, but I’m hoping. That’s the idea. I’ve started writing but I haven’t been recording yet. It’s still very early days and I’ve just done a few days of writing so far,’ she teased.

[Printed Metro February 2015]

George Ezra almost decapitated by train

George Ezra may have lost out on all four of his nominated Brit award categories last night but he’s still a very lucky man after revealing he narrowly escaped being decapitated by a train.

The 21-year-old singer-songwriter almost lost his head in the near-miss last year, but says he was rescued by a guardian angel.

‘I was getting the train from Paddington to Bristol a few months ago and I couldn’t be happier to be getting out to the countryside,’ he recalled exclusively to Metro.

‘The sun was setting and after you go through the industrial areas and past Slough you are in the countryside and it’s beautiful. I had my head out the window and I had my eyes closed. And then I pulled my head in, for no apparent reason, and a train sped past the other way. I would have been fully decapitated. I turned white. I was like a ghost!’

Shuddering he says he learnt a valuable lesson: ‘We don’t put our heads out train windows, do we George?’

And Ezra – who topped the charts with his debut album Wanted On Voyage – says he is often left shaken by fans who tell him they make love listening to his music.

‘People have told me that,’ he confessed, before insisting he never listens to his own material when getting down to business himself.

‘Someone asked me if I listen to my album during sex and I just looked at him and said, “Are you f***ing serious? I do not put my album on before that!”’ he laughed.

[Printed Metro February 2015]

One Direction: The Totally Nuts Interview

One Direction’s latest autobiography Who We Are might be a perfect gift for Christmas, but at this most wonderful time of the year, we just want to know who in the band has been naughty and who has been nice. Guilty Pleasures caught up with the boys this week for some rapid questions.

It’s Christmas time boys, everyone wants to know who in the band has been naughty and who has been nice?
Niall: I have been great.
Harry: He helped an old lady across the street….but he actually left her half way. He wasn’t as nice as we originally thought.
Louis: Niall has been the naughtiest. He steals old ladies handbags.
Harry: That’s why he left her in the middle of the street.

What is your craziest story involving Sinitta?
Liam: Our craziest story is still from The X Factor when she came out with us dressed in leaves.
Harry: Niall slept with Sinitta. Wearing leaves.
Louis: That sounds like we’re joking but that did actually happen.
Niall: My favourite story about Sinitta is when she took a penalty on us in A League Of Their Own. She scored past Harry.

When did Simon Cowell last get cross with you?
Louis: Simon don’t really get angry though, does he, like? He don’t ever raise his voice.
Niall: Sometimes he will do that disappointed voice but he hasn’t done that in a while. I’ve never really seen him angry at all. Even with the people he works with. He just gets his point across in a relaxed manner.
Harry: He will be angry when he realises that Eric is Niall’s.
Liam: This interview is crazy.
Niall: I am going to have to do some serious apologising to Simon now!
Liam: I’ve not met the kid yet.

You’re on tour again next year – who is the worst for farting on the tour bus?
Liam: To be fair, Niall, you do just let rip at random occasions. And they are proud farts. They are not quiet ones. They are not smelly. But they are musical.
Zayn: The farts used to be worse, but now they are calmer.
Liam: Did you know that Niall can’t burp?
Niall: Yes. That’s something people don’t know about me. I had cholic as a child and didn’t have power over my muscles in my throat. The muscles moved down here [points to bum].

When was the last time one of you walked in on the other naked?
Louis: Someone just walked in on me having a wee, actually.
Liam: [To Louis] You walked past me having a wee the other day. The toilet in the hotel had a window and I was having a piss and then I turned round and he was looking at me.
Louis: A lot of hotels have windows in the bathroom.
Harry: The Standard in New York has windows where you wee. It’s ridiculous.

Harry – who would you rather be stuck in a lift with: Caroline Flack, Taylor Swift, or Kendall Jenner?
Harry: Erm… well I have had amicable relationships with all of them, so that’s a trick question.

All of them at the same time? Would that be fun?
Harry: I see what you are doing…I don’t know.

Would you give Caroline a shoulder to cry on now she’s single again or give her advice?
Harry: Erm… what a question!
[Publicist] Next Question!

Who did you last snog? With tongues? Zayn – we’re assuming Perrie?
Zayn: Yeah, my bird.
Liam: I love how Louis and I have girlfriends, but you’ve not asked like we are out snogging fans all the time.
Harry: Niall’s was Ariana Grande. And Caroline Flack at the same time. They were stuck in a lift.
Liam: That was Niall’s relationship advice for Caroline. And Sinitta was there as well. Wearing leaves.

[Printed Metro December 2014]

Ella Henderson talks marriage proposals, Adele and Bond theme ambitions

Chart topper Ella Henderson says she has been flooded with marriage proposals since unleashing her debut single earlier this year.

The 18-year-old former X Factor star says she is a little alarmed by her infatuated fans who demand her hand in marriage online.

‘It freaks me out when people I’ve never met are like, “marry me! Please!” I think the scary thing is I think they aren’t even sixteen yet,’ the singer laughed.

However Henderson is she’s already taken – having been dating fellow Grimsby local, Matt Harvey, since January this year.

‘I don’t tend to discuss too much about him. He’s so private and I respect him for that and that’s the way he wants it,’ she says of her own happy romance – although she admits she has to leave him behind when work takes her around the world.

‘He’s got a job! So he has to work,’ she sighs before changing topic to wishing she could meet fellow singer Adele who championed her when she competed on The X Factor back in 2012.

‘I would love to sing with her at some point. It would be really dark. Not gloomy, but imagine Rolling in the Deep mixed with Ghost! It would be really cool,’ she gushed.

Another ambition for Henderson is to mirror Skyfall singer Adele by penning her own 007 tune.

‘It is definitely on my bucket list to perform and write a song for a Bond theme one day,’ she reveals, but confessed she couldn’t imaging going one step further to become a Bond girl.

‘They always die! And it’s really upsetting. Whenever you engage with one and think “I really like that one!” she’s dead going down in a lift under water,’ she laughs.

Ariana Grande: I'd prefer a guy to cheat on me with another guy

Ariana Grande says she is convinced an ex-boyfriend cheated on her with another guy – but says it would be much worse if he had cheated on her with another girl.

The 21-year-old Problem singer says she is ready to be honest about her love woes and reveals all on a new track from her upcoming second album.

‘There is a song called Break Your Heart Right Back which is about a boy that cheats on a girl with another boy. It’s one of my favourites on the album and it’s really funny to me,’ the pop beauty told Guilty Pleasures in an exclusive chat.

‘I believe it has happened to me. I’m not going to say I’m 100 per cent positive, but I’m 99.9 per cent positive,’ she said, adding the heartache would be more traumatic if a guy left her for another woman.

‘I would rather he cheats on me with a guy than with a girl any day! Oh please! Oh my god. If I found out my boyfriend was gay, I would be like “Ok!” I’d be so relieved,’ Grande laughed.

‘It would be so much better than finding out he was cheating on me with a girl. Of course we would be friends! Absolutely,’ she added.

With her album, called My Everything, due for release on August 25, fans of the singer can expect to hear other tales from her love diary.

‘A lot of the album is about love. It’s definitely really fun to sing about,’ she said.

Grande also revealed she she won’t scrap her duet with former lover Nathan Sykes from her future live set lists – and might even call up her ex to join her on stage.

The American beauty recorded a track called Almost Is Never Enough with former The Wanted star Sykes when they dated last year but says the memory of what they had and lost won’t impact her performing their track.

‘I don’t think it would be awkward to perform with Nathan. That would be professional,’ Grande explained, adding she has no ill feelings following her four month romance with 21-year-old Sykes.

‘I wish him well. He’s a great person, it just wasn’t right. You know?’ she said of their past.

The singer explains that love is a frequent influence when it comes to penning her tracks and says it can be upsetting singing the songs once the love is no longer there.

‘It brings back the memories but I love it because it was real and I get to capture that in the song. It’s like a love-hate thing. That can be so emotional sometimes,’ she said.

Boys aside, Grande is thrilled to be featuring on new single Bang Bang alongside Nicki Minaj and Jessie J after the girls reworked the song she originally wrote.

‘All of a sudden [music manager] Monte Lipman sat me down in his office one day and played it for me with Jessie and Nicki on it and I had a heart attack! It was the best surprise ever!’ she gushed.

Pixie Lott talks duets, Selena, and meeting Justin Bieber

Pixie Lott reckons Justin Bieber still carries a flame for his ex Selena Gomez after they shared their appreciation for the fellow singer in Monaco earlier this year.

Lott hung out with the Biebs – who has had an on-off relationship with Gomez since 2010 – after she performed at the Grand Prix and they found themselves gushing over the American beauty.

‘When I was in the South of France I bumped into Justin Bieber and we were both talking about how elegant and beautiful she is,’ 23-year-old Lott revealed.

Hinting that she may have something of a girl-crush on 20-year-old Bieber’s ex, the Nasty singer continued: ‘I think she is so lovely and beautiful. She is really talented.’

She also said she would love to reunite with Gomez, 22, for a pop duet having sung with her on a track back in 2011.

‘Selena recorded a song I had written and she left my parts in on the middle eight so it ended up being Selena Gomez featuring Pixie Lott,’ Lott explained.

‘There are lots of boy-girl duets but there isn’t as many girl-girl ones. One of my favourite songs is The Boy Is Mine by Brandy and Monica. I’ve always said I’d love to team up with another girl for a girl power track,’ she said.

Lott is currently romping her way up the album charts with her self-titled third record which has entered the Top 10 in the mid-week charts.

‘It is really exciting that it is No. 8 at the moment as my last album was out at a tricky week and its position didn’t do as well as this one has done – so I’m really over the moon about that,’ she said at her album launch at London’s Langham hotel on Tuesday night.

Prides eye up Kylie at Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony

Stewart Brock of Glaswegian indie rockers Prides says he would be too intimidated to date Kylie Minogue after sharing the stage with her at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.

The 25-year-old frontman fears the media storm that would surround dating the Aussie beauty would overshadow any possible romance.

‘I’m not sure if I could date her. I mean, she is a babe, obviously, but I’m not sure I could do it. The pressure would be too much,’ the Messiah singer said.

Brock did add that he regretted not asking Minogue one question when he had the chance after they sang together at Hampden Park.

‘I wanted to ask her where she gets her hotpants. I feel that could be my new look,’ the singer joked.

Referencing 46-year-old Minogue’s famously pert derrière and youthful looks, Brock said he and bandmates Lewis Gardner and Callum Wiseman couldn’t believe the In To The Blue’s singer is now 46-years-old.

‘We were all looking up how old she is – that sounds terrible, doesn’t it? But we were trying to guess. She does look incredible. She must do her squats!’ he said.

However Minogue can rest easy as Brock explained he has his eye on another famous pop singer for a date.

‘I’m saving myself for Katy Perry. I wouldn’t want to scupper my chances. All her tunes are great and she is a total babe. What’s not to love?’ he asked.

Having wowed the crowds at the Glasgow Games ceremony – plus one billion viewers around the world – Brock revealed he took the ‘House Party’ theme of the closing ceremony literally and partied with mates the night before.

‘I was at a mild house party which was maybe not the best idea the night before the Closing Ceremony. But I recovered in time,’ he laughed.

[Elements of this article appeared in Metro, Guilty Pleasures, Monday 4 August 2014]

Emeli Sandé eyes Bond score, Olympic gold and fears X-rated Jaguar collaboration

Emeli Sandé says she doesn’t understand why people compare her to Adele and says she would rather score and entire Bond film than just sing its theme song.

The 27-year-old Scottish songstress may have emulated the Someone Like You singer in penning the biggest selling record of the year, but Sandé thinks their material is worlds apart.

‘I guess it’s because we are both quite soulful, we’re both British, we’re both girls… It’s lovely and I am a fan of hers, but I think there are other people that both of us can be compared to,’ she said.

Admitting she would love to win Grammy awards like her chart rival, the Clown singer says also fancies getting her teeth into a 007 soundtrack.

‘I’d love to do film scores. Bond would be cool, but I love classical music, so composing would be a big dream,’ she said.

‘I think visuals and music go together beautifully. I’d love to write a musical as well. I have ideas every day about musicals,’ she teased.

Despite being one of the biggest recording artists in the UK, Sandé says the industry she works in is too male dominated.

‘The music world is 100% male dominated,’ she warns.

‘I think when women start writing that’s where the real control is as you are giving a message out to people. But it’s a business and a lot of women just want to stay creative – which I respect. But I think it’s harder to get control if you are a woman.’

Meanwhile Sandé fears her next music offering could turn X-rated as she has been asked to write an exclusive track to promote the launch of the new Jaguar XE Sports Saloon.

The Next To Me hitmaker is asking fans to send inspiration for lyrics via social media using a unique hashtag to influence her FEEL XE Exhilaration track.

‘I’m asking fans for things that sound exhilarating and things that get their hearts going. I am going to sit and watch them all and see what song comes out,’ she explained.

But on realising her description could inspire some saucy suggestions, she laughed: ‘Maybe I will get more X-rated tweets and it could get really RnB.’

Away from her own music, the singer revealed she has also been working with Rihanna and Mary J Blige to help them create their own new records.

‘Mary has been with me this past week. Sitting next to a legend and listening to her sing your words is a real buzz,’ she gushed.

The petite star also revealed she has developed an ambition to compete in the next Olympic Games having performed at the 2012 London closing ceremony.

‘I just got a trampoline. I’m trying to learn some tricks although I’m a bit scared. Next Olympics I could be a trampoline gold medallist,’ she laughed.

And while it seems to have been all work, work, work (and trampolining) for the chart topper, Sandé says she knows how to party.

Spotted at Tinie Tempah’s 25th birthday party in London last November, the Scot was appeared to enjoy herself as bottle after bottle of sparkler adorned champagne arrived at her roped off table.

‘I guess because I spend so much time in the studio that when I go out I like to go for it. I have a wild side. I do,’ she giggled.

[Elements of this article appeared in Metro, Guilty Pleasures, Tuesday 29 July 2014]

Melissa Steel wants to sing at Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards wedding

Kisses For Breakfast singer Melissa Steel says she’d love to be a wedding singer for her old school mate Zayn Malik.

The 20-year-old has been friends with the 1D hunk for years and is willing to offer her services for his big day with Perrie Edwards.

‘I haven’t spoken to him about the wedding, but hopefully I can be singing there,’ the Bradford lass laughed.

‘We were at school together and in the same year and had classes together. He’s always been supportive of me and we’ve been supportive of each other. I am proud of him,’ she gushed.

Revealing Malik, 21, was a squeaky clean student, Steel admits she was a much more disruptive pupil in comparison.

‘I wouldn’t say I was a rebel, but if I had an argument with a teacher, the argument would last for the whole lesson,’ she said.

With her debut single out this week, the singer says she would love to get the 1D star involved as a guest vocalist for one of her album tracks.

‘We always used to talk about doing a YouTube video together but we never got round to it because obviously the One Direction thing took off. His voice is so RnB so if we did a song it would be amazing. I’d love to make that happen,’ she said.

Chris Pratt: My wife likes me fat

Chris Pratt says he loved getting in shape for his leading role in Guardians of the Galaxy, but explained his wife Anna Farris was less thrilled.

The 35-year-old TV actor graduates to big screen leading man in the action flick and got whipped in to shape for his role, but his 37-year-old wife prefers him with a bit of blubber.

'She likes abs, but she likes her fat husband better,' the funny man said at the film's European Premiere in London's Liecester Square.

'She's a feeder! She wants to keep me locked up in the bedroom all fat and eating Kentucky Fried Chicken,' he added.

Having shed the pounds and bulked up the muscle, Pratt also says he doesn't mind feeling objectified when he has to strip down for certain scenes in the film.

'Do I think I'm being objectified as a sexual object? It feels good!' he laughed, adding that getting in shape for the space adventure left him feeling in the best condition of his life.

'I became much healthier and I feel younger than when I started making this movie,' he said.

WIth the film filled with gags throughout, the former Parks and Recreation star says he had an easy way to keep a straight face when cameras were rolling.

'When every frame of film costs fifty thousand dollars, they get really pissed when you start blowing it by laughing in takes,' he warned.

Karen Gillan talks naked selfies and kicking ass in Guardians of the Galaxy

Karen Gillan wants to assure everyone that an apparent naked selfie that went viral online is not what it seems.

The 26-year-old red haired beauty can be seen covering her modesty in an online snap that is taken from her upcoming US TV show - also called Selfie.

'I didn't post the naked selfie. It's just a screen grab from the TV show so I want to get that straight so my mum can know that,' the Scottish star giggled at the European Premiere of her new film, Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Gillan says she relished letting out her bad side in the new movie as she plays intergalactic villain Nebula in the Marvel action adventure.

'It's really fun to indulge that side of things. I've never played a baddie before and she's just a total sadist and has men in headlocks. That is fun,' she said.

She also explained she followed the no pain no gain adage while training for the film, but doesn't mind suffering for her art.

'I was covered in bruses consistently the whole time. It was a challenge for me becasue I've never done anythihng so physical before so I had to work out four times a week and do martial arts training so I can throw a good punch.'

Dazzling on the red carpet in a Louis Vuitton outfit, Gillan also said she is more than happy to fight co-star Zoe Saldana on-screen, but says she can't compete with her when it comes to the style stakes.

'I'm not taking on Zoe Saldana in a frock off,' she laughed.

'She is amazing! She would always win.'

Zoe Saldana loves her Guardians of the Galaxy girl fight

Zoe Saldana says she is so bored of beating up men in her action flicks that it was a thrill to finally fight another girl in Guardians Of The Galaxy.

The 36-year-old American actress goes head to head with British beauty Karen Gillan in the latest Marvel comic book blockbuster and she thinks audiences are gagging for a bit of girl on girl action too.

'It's actually harder to beat up a woman or have a woman beat you up, than beat up a man. That's easy. I do that every day. I call it a Tuesday,' the Sci-Fi babe said on the red carpet for the film's European premiere.

'What I find very encouraging and thrilling for me is when you have more than one female character in a movie. Especially if they get to interact with each other and especially if they get to beat the crap out of each other. I just feel that is such an unconventional thing to see, so people love to see that more. Audiences are starving for it,' she said.

Dressed in an elegant Valentino gown outside the Empire cinema in Liecester Square for the event, Saldana teased that fans of the film will get even more of an eyefull when the flick is released on DVD.

'You know there is a deleted scene where we are fighting naked too. But that will have to wait for the DVD,' she winked.

Taking a more serious tone, the star - who has played leading roles in Avatar and Star Trek - fears there is a lack of strong female characters in the movie business.

'I think there has always been a lack of female presdence in the artof any sort. Art is meant to imitate life and and for some reason, women's beauty is exposed more than the interior of a woman and women have so many layers - just like beautiful men do,' she said.

Quickfire Q&A: James Gunn at Guardians of the Galaxy premiere

Guardians of the Galaxy is the vision of director James Gunn who finds an incredible balance between action and humour to create the summer's most impressive blockbuster.

With the film featuring a wide cast of actors - including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Benicio Del Toro, Glenn Close, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper and more - the skilled writer and director does the impossible: he made a film that doesn't feel overcrowded despite all the A-listers on screen.

Joined by a raccoon (named Oreo) on the red carpet of the European premiere in London's Leicester Square, the filmmaker took a few minutes to answer some quick questions.

Guardians of the Galaxy is an awesome action flick with a great balance of peril and rib cracking humour. Was it hard to prevent everyone laughing the‎ whole time when you made it?

We laughed a lot! We screwed up a lot - including me. I screwe‎d up a lot of takes. Chris Pratt screwed up a lot of takes. I think the only person who didn't screw up takes was my brother, Sean, who played Rocket on set and he was very professional.

There are a few CGI characters in the film (a CGI raccoon called Rocket and a living tree called Groot), but did you have actual people playing the roles so the other actors could have a focal point?

My brother, Sean, played Rocket and a lot of the facial expressions you see on that character were taken directly from my brother.

How does he feel about Bradley Cooper stealing all his credit?

He loves it! My brother actually also plays Kraglin in the movie so he had another role. Bradley has been the most generous ‎guy of all. Half of his interviews on the red carpet are about Sean because they worked in collaboration to create this character. We also worked in collaboration with a company called Framestore to develop this character with the CGI, so there are a lot of people who made this character come to life.

Why do you think it's the right time for the Guardians to enter the Marvel universe?

You‎ know, I think it is the right time for this movie in general. I think there are a lot of movies out there that are so brooding and so dark and sometimes there is this layer of darkness over a movie to make up for the fact that there is no character or story. Other movies are out there and it's an endless string of explosions and action sequences with no characters or love in between. This is a movie that is first and foremost about the characters and their relationships. It should work if it was an independent movie, but we added space battles and all the other stuff.

How did you craft the story when there are so many characters to juggle?

It really is about balance and making sure all the characters have a beginning a middle and an end and really taking care and loving each of them and making sure when you right the screenplay so that you can read the script and cross out the character's name and you can see how they are speaking and you know exactly who that character is just by the way they speak.

There are infinity stones in this film and Thanos as well - how heavily will Guardians of the Galaxy influence future instalments in the Marvel cinematic universe?

We have The Collector come out and tell you everything about the infinity stones. Hopefully The Collector is telling the truth, he's not the most trustworthy guy in the universe, but what the stuff that Benicio, the Collector, says is really important to the rest of the Marvel universe.

How do you think the Guardians will fit in to an Avengers film?

We will have to see. Maybe it will be a couple of Guardians that will meet up with them one day. Maybe more... I don't know. We will need to figure it out.

Will you direct Guardians 2?

If there is a sequel, I will come! I will direct the sequel if there is a sequel.

Charli XCX: Iggy Azalea and I are underdogs who won

Charli XCX says she and Iggy Azalea overcame racist jibes and underdog status to rule the American charts.

The 21-year-old British pop babe says it was not an easy ride to the top for either of them, but the pair are enjoying having the last laugh.

‘People give Iggy a hard time because she’s Australian and white and female and apparently that’s a weird thing, which I don’t get,’ she told Guilty Pleasures in an exclusive chat.

‘People also view me as an underdog so I think it’s cool that we came together and had this girl power moment and were No. 1 in the states for seven weeks. We really proved everyone wrong which I think was really cool.’

With her own synthpop track Boom Clap heading for British chart success this week, Charli said she is glad people are taking note of her solo work.

‘I would never change my style or my way of song-writing just to fit in with what other people think is cool or commercial.

‘It’s cool people now think my s*** is cool – but I won’t change if it becomes not cool either,’ she laughed.

Charli, aka Charlotte Aitchison, also revealed she is angling for a Coldplay duet after supporting Chris Martin and Co on tour back in 2012 and explained she was so overwhelmed by their recent album, Ghost Stories, that she was reduced to tears.

‘I actually listened to that record on a plane the other day and I cried! I think that album is so good,’ she gushed.

‘To collaborate definitely would be cool. I think Chris Martin is one of the best, top line writers around at the moment. I’ve always thought his melodies are incredible.’

And it is not just Coldplay Charli has her sights on – she also wants to work with Bill Murray.

She admitted she had more than a passing interest in the 63-year-old Lost In Translation actor.

‘I sometimes ask for a framed picture of Bill Murray on my rider just because I think he is really cool,’ she said.

‘There are a few I have collected and some of them have been in nice frames!’

‘I have a weird Bill Murray collection, I guess. Although it’s not some weird obsession.

‘It would be sick to have him in a music video.’

No stranger to music, Murray was once MC for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival.

[Originally published Metro, Guilty Pleasures, Thursday 24 July 2014]

Danny O'Donoghue jealous of The Script bandmate anonymity

Danny O’Donoghue says he is envious of the anonymity his fellow The Script bandmates enjoy as he can’t enjoy life’s temptations so freely.

The brooding 33-year-old Dubliner would be easy to spot on the streets after being placed in the spotlight thanks to his coaching position on mainstream TV show The Voice.

‘They can drink and smoke every night if they want but I can’t because I’m the f***ing lead singer. I’m totally missing out,’ O’Donoghue told Guilty Pleasures, comparing himself to guitarist Mark Sheehan, 38, and 34-year-old drummer Glen Power.

‘I can’t do that s*** every night. So I’m jealous for a lot of different reasons. The day the band finishes, I’m going to start another band and become the guitarist,’ he said mischievously.

Having left The Voice after series two last year, O’Donoghue says he is not worried about the band falling back into obscurity without a Primetime show to provide added exposure.

‘The show had an amazing reach and was an amazing platform but it wasn’t like I was on it every week saying “Buy The Script’s records” or singing our songs,’ he said.

‘We announced we were going to do a Google Hangout last week and we became the number one trend worldwide on Twitter, so I really don’t think we’ll have a problem getting the news out.’

[Originally published Metro, Guilty Pleasures, Tuesday 22 July 2014]

Pixie Lott guns for TV matchmaking show

Pixie Lott is impressed Cheryl Fernandez-Versini tied the knot after just a few months of dating – when marriage isn’t even on the cards for her and boyfriend of four years Oliver Cheshire.

The 23-year-old pop beauty reckons Chez Fe-Vez, 31, has her ideal picture of marriage set in her head after she got it wrong with Ashley Cole first time around.

‘Maybe she just knows that it’s right? Every situation is different for different people. Maybe she just wants to settle down and have babies,’ Lott told Guilty Pleasures.

However the Kiss The Stars singer admitted she wasn’t yet considering taking the plunge with her 26-year-old model beau but is quite a good matchmaker.

‘I set one of my best friends, Carla, up with my other friend Oss,’ she explained.

‘I had a song called Broken Arrow and Ossian is the boy in the video I do the dance partner work with. We were already friends at school but then we met up again through the video and we became good friends again.

‘Then it was Carla’s birthday so I told him to come down and they got on like a house on fire.

‘Two weeks after I was on tour and booked them both to be dancers so they were together every day on tour and now they’ve been together for four years.’

Lott, whose new single Lay Me Down is out a week on Sunday is so confident about her Cupid abilities she thinks she should be commissioned to bring love alive.

‘I should have a TV show. I could bring together on tour – it’s worked in the past. I could match-make people in the crowd,’ she laughed.

[Originally published Metro, Guilty Pleasures, Thursday 17 July 2014]