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COSMOPOLITAN EXCLUSIVE: Chantal HayesGirlSpice star speaks on ageism, sexism and returning to the pop scene for the group's tenth studio album.  How does it feel to be back with the girls, still doing this after so long?
It's always a lot of fun, it's great to sink my teeth into a new project. We've got so much history and the GirlSpice story has been continuing since 2007, that's 8 years and that's a long, long time for a girl group. I think that speaks volume on how dedicated we are and how much impact we've made.
How has being a mother changed life as a popstar?
It definitely slowed me down, I couldn't commit to the group as much as I used to, just like when Nadia and Sophia worked on their own little things. What you don't realise before the little person comes out of you, is that it really is hard work, harder than what you think it's going to be. But we all had other things taking up our time, so the group has had to be put to one side a lot over the past few years, but it's exciting to feel like a popstar again. It's not often I get to call myself that, when you make your child your job, it can feel rather unglamorous a lot of the time. It's nice to step back into some heels and a sexy outfit after so long.
Does Jackson know his mother is part of a world famous pop group?
Jackson turns 3 this year and he's a little ball of energy, always bossing me about, but he's still so young and oblivious to the world. It's adorable. He's never really been old enough to be in the middle of a GirlSpice campaign and realise what's going on, so this time will really be his first insight to that. He was on set of our photoshoot for the new single and he looked so confused, he asked me later that day, "Mama, why you take pictures?" and I had no idea how to explain it to a little boy of that age.
What's one thing you'd let an expecting woman know?
Be prepared to lose your life, or at least life as you know it. It's the biggest and best thing you'll ever do and you need to understand you're going to sacrifice a lot, a lot will change. I know I have, but that's okay, and I've grown so much as a person since. He's taught me a lot about myself.
Moving onto the music, which everyone's been waiting for, what can we expect from the new album?
I know a lot of our fans wanted to see more urban and R&B oriented stuff and we've definitely listened to their suggestions and experimented big time on this record. The first single is just a "hey, we're back" kinda thing, but the record as a whole is extremely different for us, we're excited. It's still very focused on the melody and the hooks, it's very catchy, but a lot more mellow than what people are used to from us, it's a nice summer record to dance, but also chill out to. We're really proud of it, it's by far our best and we've worked on it for so long now that we're really attached to it.
How did you react to Kimberly leaving GirlSpice?
It was very, very unexpected, it came out of nowhere and we were all extremely shocked and confused. But now looking back, we knew she had her own problems and personal demons, which I won't go into. That's her private life. So now I think, actually, it's not that surprising, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. But yes, it definitely threw a huge spanner in the works, we were in the middle of recording and beginning to plan for this huge world tour and we suddenly had to re-record a lot of the songs and figure out how our choreography would work without her. It was a lot to adjust to, but we got there.
As you're the only member without solo music now that Kimberly's left the group, do you feel some sort of pressure to put something out someday?
You know what? I was always so stubbornly against the idea, but I do feel pressure, especially with Kim leaving. I used to be able to find peace in the fact that I wasn't the only one, and now that I am, it's like... I need my own individual music identity. I'm at a stage now where I'd never say never, so many of the fans ask me for it and it's hard to keep saying no, bless them. Who knows? After having a child, I've learnt to never say never. I know the fans want it and the demand is there, it's more about me actually wanting to do it and finding time for that.
How much input have you all had with the new music and how important is that?
We worked on the whole record together and made the changes we needed without Kim together, so we made sure it still had our own identity and everything. At this stage, when you're protecting a brand, you need to take matters into your own hands. It's why this album is so special, because with all our efforts and talents combined, we've really been able to put together something truly incredible.
Do you think as a group that has two members in their thirties, you face a lot more challenges in the pop music industry than younger artists?
I think there's a lot of ageism associated with us, which I think is absolutely ridiculous considering we're what... Sophia is 30, Nadia is 30 and I'm 26? We're hardly Madonna, do you know what I mean? We're women, not prepubescent girls, we own our sexuality and because we're not 18 it makes it okay to shame us? It's a really messed up industry and I think it needs to be spoken about. I hope what we're doing as a group can help other groups like SYNCO, who are great by the way, so that when they get to our age, they can continue being themselves instead of being shamed for it. Sometimes you can't win when you're a female in the industry, SYNCO get shamed because they're apparently too young, we get shamed because we're apparently too old, it's absolutely ridiculous.
Do you think men have it easier in that respect?
Absolutely, they always have, I hope that'll change one day, but it's a slow process, because we live in such an idiotic world where everyone goes on about equality, but we're so far from it it's laughable. The amount of brainless guys that post shirtless selfies on Instagram seems to be on the rise and it's like... why? You don't even look good, you know? Put it away! If a woman were to post a revealing photo of herself and own her sexuality in a similar way, everyone would tear her apart. That's the world we live in, it's always been a priority in GirlSpice to focus on such issues and make sure we're never ashamed to be who we are.
What's the process behind choosing a single like "Strike Up the Band"?
That was the kinda song where we wrote it and we all read it back and thought, "Gosh, did we really just write that?" I think those are the best types of songs though. It's silly, it's fun, it's not meant to be Mozart level music, just a song you can dance to on a night out. We knew it was different and the kinda song only we could pull off as a group, so it was a no brainer. It's not meant to be an accurate representation of the record, so if you're wondering if the album follows that sound, it doesn't. It was just done and put out there for fun.
You've always been considered the outspoken, bold member of GirlSpice, is that really how you are in your day to day life?
Of course, I think it's important to be an honest person, because while being a quiet good girl would get me in a lot less trouble, it's completely fake and not who I am. I don't put on a front to try and appear interesting like Queen Alexis, I just do me. Sometimes it's fun to play up to the villain character, but it's just my sense of humour and a lot of people just don't get it. It's very dry, I guess. That's okay though, if you wanna hate me, I'll hate you right back.
What can fans look forward to for the upcoming tour?
It's going to be a complete extravaganza, a real feast for the eyes and we're all so excited for the fans to see how hard we've been working on the tour. We've got some incredidble opening acts that we're really excited to get to know along the way, and a great team working with us to put on the best show of the year. It'll be worth the wait, that's all I can say without giving too much away. I'd tell you to buy tickets, but they're sold out!
How long can you personally see GirlSpice going for?
I think it's a matter of how long do people want to see GirlSpice around? If no one took any notice of us years ago, obviously we wouldn't still be here, but we are and that's all down to our own hard work and the fans. We don't plan on being the Madonna's of the girl group world, but we will definitely keep doing what we're doing as long as people want us around.
"Strike Up the Band" is available now. |
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