MORE than a few stars have taken well-publicised career breaks for the sake of their mental health.
Shawn Mendes, Lewis Capaldi and Justin Bieber all had time out, and last week, Lola Young announced she was halting work for the foreseeable future after collapsing on stage.
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Now top DJ Joel Corry has spoken out about the increasing pressure on artists, and how it has become unmanageable in just a few short years.
Joel burst on to the music scene with his Top Ten single Sorry in 2019 and topped the charts with Head & Heart the following year.
But he said the pressure for artists to promote their songs on social media has meant the job is more stressful than ever.
In an exclusive chat, Joel, who has just released his latest banger, Phases with Abi Flynn, explained: “From when I had my first hit record, only six years ago, it has got a lot harder since then.
“The music industry’s changed and there’s so much more pressure on artists to make hits happen, and we have to bear more of the weight than we used to.
“Most music is driven through TikTok and social media, and the record labels don’t have as much influence as they used to.
‘Feeling pressure’
“It’s hard enough creating the music, but then you have to go into these full campaigns which are very social media-focused.
“Before, the record label could help you get on a playlist and on the radio, whereas those things don’t help as much any more.”
On describing how he and his peers are feeling, Joel added: “Everyone’s feeling it. When I speak to them, they’re like, ‘It’s so hard now’.”
He added that the demands being put on artists were too much, and that it is made worse by the fact that “the magic of TikTok” is making random songs popular, which means it is never as clear which songs will become big.
Love Island’s Coco Lodge and DJ boyfriend Joel Corry spark engagement rumours
Joel said: “I think this is affecting artists, because they’re feeling the pressure and feeling negative when things are not working, and the amount of work they have to put into it and not getting the result they wanted.
“Imagine that with everything else as well — the crazy tour schedule, the gigs. The last year or two have become really difficult, and it’s not just me.”
But Joel reckons his previous career as a fitness model, and his love of working out, have stood him in good stead.
He added: “What I had to physically and mentally go through to get ready to do competitions was so intense and so hard that nothing will ever be harder than that.”
“I think that gave me a mental resilience.”
Back with the Boyz
MIKEY GRAHAM has reunited with his Boyzone bandmates Ronan Keating, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy for the first time since 2019 as they prepare to return to the stage.
They announced last week that they are reuniting for a one-off concert at London’s Emirates Stadium next year, although Mikey was missing from their promo tour at the time.
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But he secretly met up with the lads at the stadium last week to pose for this snap, ahead of tickets going on sale this Friday.
Ed has one shot at Netflix hit
ED SHEERAN has landed his own Netflix special and has worked with the Emmy Award-winning director of Adolescence to shoot it all in one take – just like the gritty drama.
One Shot With Ed Sheeran was announced by the streamer last night and will follow the star in real-time on an afternoon in New York as he travels the streets performing his hits.
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Philip Barantini, who directed Adolescence, headed up the project, which will include the star singing on sidewalks and the subway as well as meeting fans.
Ed, above, who topped the charts with his latest album Play last month, will drop the film on November 21 so there’s not too long to wait.
He gushed: “This is the most proud I’ve been of something in my entire career. I’m so excited for you to see it.”
Shania has new check mate in Sabrina
SABRINA Carpenter had a surprise for her fans at her latest gig which impressed them very much, a duet with Shania Twain.
The Manchild singer headlined the Austin City Limits Festival in Texas at the weekend and was joined on stage by Canadian singer icon Shania to perform a night a huge 1999 hit That Don’t Impress Me Much.
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While Sabrina wore a yellow check shirt and matching bandanna with Daisy Duke shorts, Shania opted for a sexy black cowgirl outfit, complete with hat.
Referring to elder country stars Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, Shania took to Instagram afterwards: “it’s like Loretta and Dolly excepted Shania and Sabrina.”
Showing her appreciation Sabrina commented with a crying emoji and added: “Love you Shania!!!”
Charli gets Brat to it
SHE insisted she would be taking a break from music after the runaway success of her massive album Brat, which landed her five Brit Awards earlier this year.
But it seems like the hiatus was short-lived, because Charli XCX is already working on her seventh album.
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I’ve learned she has spent the last week holed up at the Rue Boyer Studios in Paris.
That could lead many to believe that Charli may offer a response to Taylor Swift’s song Actually Romantic, which is a diss track aimed at her, but I doubt she will take the bait.
British songwriter Finn Keane worked with Charli on Brat and revealed her new material will be “really different.”
He said: “The next Charli XCX album I think will be really exciting. We’ve been working on a few different things.
“We’re kind of deep in it now. I think it’s going to be amazing.
“I’m excited and inspired by the music we’re working on – it feels really different and fresh at the moment.”
As well as headlining a series of huge festivals this summer, Charli has spent time working on several films, recently got married and has also made the soundtrack to the upcoming Wuthering Heights remake starring Margot Robbie.
You can’t accuse her of being lazy.
Minted Keira is on a role
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY earned a whopping £2.5million in 12 months, despite only being seen in one acting role.
She starred in Netflix spy thriller Black Doves alongside Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire, but did not take any other screen jobs.
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However, new accounts for her TV firm KCK Boo show her earnings soared in the 12 months up to September 30, 2024, during which the firm paid £550,000 tax.
She now has assets of £11.3million in the company, which she set up in 2010.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean actress also raked in money for her brand deals with designer labels Chanel and Chloe.
And she is set for another bumper payday, as she stars in the Netflix film Woman In Cabin 10, out on Friday.
Joining her in the thriller are Guy Pearce and Hannah Waddingham.
With that latest role under her belt, it sounds like she will be done with acting for another year.
Sydney means business
SYDNEY SWEENEY proved she can make even officewear look chic.
She wore this cropped blue striped shirt over a grey dress as she headed out for a day in New York on Sunday.
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And it sounds like she means business in her love life – as well as with her wardrobe – because things are getting serious with new beau Scooter Braun.
I was surprised when I heard the Euphoria actress was dating the music mogul, who famously angered Taylor Swift when he bought the masters to her albums.
But sources in the US say they are going from strength to strength and are now a fully fledged couple.
She threw a space-themed birthday bash in Los Angeles just over a week ago and he turned up dressed as a Jedi knight.
To have pulled a beauty like Sydney, the force must really be with him.
How Dita lapped up Rob date
DITA VON TEESE has revealed she dated Robbie Williams in the Noughties – just after she split from Marilyn Manson.
Appearing on Alan Carr’s Life’s A Beach podcast yesterday, the burlesque star said: “I had actually gone on a date with Robbie Williams. I don’t know how we met.
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“We met like before I was getting married. Then afterwards, I met him somewhere and we went on a date.
“We went to this place called Hamburger Mary’s and they do bingo nights there, like drag bingo.
“So we went and first of all, he won twice in a row and did like victory laps. And I was like, ‘This guy is outrageous.’ I love him. He’s so great.”
