90s girl band Eternal unveil new line-up as new singer replaces Louise Redknapp
Nineties girl band Eternal show off their new line-up as they gear up for a sensational comeback – without Louise Redknapp.
Sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett have welcomed singer Christel Lakhdar, who said it was a “dream come true” to join the group.
The new-look band – which also does not feature former member Kelle Bryan – comes after a bitter row over transgender issues in which Louise’s camp was accused of breaching the confidence of the founding members by leaking and misrepresenting the content of a private email. A source close to the band said: “That’s very much all in the past and the girls just cannot wait to get back on stage. They are eternally grateful for all the support they’ve received.”
Vernie has not commented on the controversy and said the new line-up will take the group to the “next level”. She said: “Meeting Christel for the first time just felt right. She’s talented, accomplished and has such an amazing personality. She’s also strong vocally, so our harmonies will be taken to the next level. I think our music followers will love her just as much as we do.”
Easther said she was “really looking forward to dipping my toes in again with a few festivals here and there”, adding: “This new era is all about enjoying the moment.”
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The band enjoyed big hits in the 1990s (Sunday Mirror)And new arrival Christel said of joining the sisters: “I’ve been singing these songs since [I was] a young age and feel like pinching myself as I’m taking it all in.”
The new-look three-piece has already lined up several dates – with the girls picking up lucrative fees for each one.
The band, which is being looked after by original manager Denis Ingoldsby, enjoyed incredible success after bursting onto the scene in 1993. Debut album Always & Forever, released in the November of that year, peaked at No 2 on the UK chart. It sold more than a million copies here and 10 million worldwide.
The girls reached No 1 on the singles chart alongside BeBe Winans with I Wanna Be the Only One in 1997 and had 15 UK Top 20 hits between 1993 and 1999, including Stay and Just a Step from Heaven. Louise has not been a member of the group since 1995, when she embarked on a solo career.
(From left) Kelle, Louise, Easther and Vernie in 1994 (Getty Images)From meeting the Pope and Nelson Mandela to performing on the same stage as Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, Eternal’s music inspired many new artists. Although Louise’s spokesman claimed the band were set to reunite as a four-piece this year, this was not confirmed by any of the girls and Denis, 64, has said nothing was ever agreed.
Earlier this year, Louise’s team was blasted for claiming a full reunion broke down as a result of the Bennett sisters refusing to play LGBTQ+ venues because the trans lobby had “hijacked” the gay community.
Denis said at the time: “Louise and her team have thrown them under the bus. Everyone is appalled at their behaviour by misrepresenting the situation. The girls sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they loved playing Pride and loved [its] ethos.
“For Louise’s camp and Kelle to go on the record suggesting they are homophobic is outrageous. The girls have played numerous LGBTQ+ venues. This debate is about the trans lobby and the erosion of the rights of women and children.
“Vernie said she had concerns about the Pride movement being hijacked and she is not alone.”
Denis added: “The girls are looking forward to seeing all their fans and to reconnecting with so many diverse and wonderful people from all walks of life.”
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