Union J eye Iggy Azlea and Little Mix duets

Union J say they would love to get a couple of babes – and possibly a baby – on to one of their singles.

Proud dad JJ Hamblett, 26, said his six-month-old son Princeton could add vocals to a track in a similar way to how Mariah Carey’s three-year-old twins sang on her latest album.

‘He doesn’t speak at the moment so it would be a bit difficult, but maybe the next album. That would be cool,’ Hamblett told me.

He added that the band – which includes Josh Cuthbert, 21, Jaymi Hensley, 24 and 20-year-old George Shelley – would love to draft in some female vocalists as well.

‘We’d love to do a song with Little Mix,’ the former X Factor star said, adding that Australian rap babe Iggy Azalea was also a target.

‘Me and George are huge fans of Iggy. We said eight months ago when she released Work that we would love to collaborate with her. And she just collaborated with Ariana Grande. She is so cool,’ he gushed.

It could become possible because Union J and Azalea are set to take to the stage at the Capital Summertime Ball in London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

‘I’ve planned it already. I’m going to go backstage and put the idea out there. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know,’ he laughed.

Union J will perform their new single Tonight (We Live Forever), which is released in August, live on Saturday.

‘It’s about partying all night and being with your friends,’ Hamblett said of the song – adding that his young son with model girlfriend Caterina Lopez is not keeping him awake at night.

‘Do you know what? He sleeps all the way through. We are so lucky.’

[Originally published Metro, Guilty Pleasures, Thursday 19 June 2014]

Union J in Kick Ass 2: We're lovers not fighters

Union J are looking forward to being involved in the upcoming movie Kick Ass 2 but admit they are not the violent types.

The boys have recorded a new video for their top-3 hit Carry You as it has been included in the film’s soundtrack and the lads – Josh Cuthbert, 20; JJ Hamblett, 25; Jaymi Hensley, 23; and George Shelley, 19 – may even pop up in the film.

‘We never get into fights. We just love hugs. We’re not fighters, but I think Jaymi could kick ass,’ Josh told Guilty Pleasures in an exclusive chat ahead of performing at Big Gig in the Park in Jersey on Sunday.

‘He’s kind of the daddy of the group – he’s got the trousers. He keeps us all in check and makes sure we’ve always got our passports with us and our boarding passes. I think out of everyone, he’d be the one to kick ass, to say the least.’

The singer hinted that the group have a scene in the upcoming superhero film starring Aaron Johnson and Jim Carey, (“I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say”) and went on to explain he’d like to be able to avoid airports if he could have any real extrasensory strengths.

‘If I had a superpower I’d like to be able to teleport myself so you wouldn’t have to worry about flying anywhere,’ he said.

‘You could just press a button and be in Barbados, for example. That would be cool. No check-in or worrying about getting your bag.’

Indeed the boys had trouble after they touched down in Jersey for their Sunday gig as they – along with JLS, who also attended the show – lost their luggage for half an hour, sparking fears they would have to take to the stage without their performance outfits.

‘We did [think we’d have to be] a crazy eight-piece naked boyband singing acapella,’ he laughed, saying he was glad when the bags eventually turned up.

‘That would be awkward though, wouldn’t it? Looking into each other’s eyes when we’re all standing there butt naked. I’m not sure it’s the right look.’

[Originally published Metro Guilty Pleasures 22 July 2013]