Culture
25 Sep 23

Louise Redknapp pulls out of Eternal reunion after two members refuse to perform at LGBTQ+ events

The singer shared a photo of a trans-inclusive Pride flag on Twitter/X with a caption reading: “Always and forever.”

Bandmates Louise Redknapp and Kéllé Bryan have dropped out of the Eternal reunion tour after a row with bandmates about LGBTQ+ rights.

The ’90s pop group were set to reunite for a series of tour dates in 2024, but members Easther and Vernie Bennett allegedly refused to play a number of Pride events and LGBTQ+ festivals as part of the tour. This resulted in the departure of Redknapp and Bryan.

Addressing the situation, Louise took to X/Twitter to share a photo of a trans-inclusive Pride flag, with caption: “Always and forever.”

Confirming Redknapp and Bryan’s departure from the tour, Louise’s publicist told the BBC: “A message was sent to the team putting together the Eternal reunion stating that if it was to go ahead, neither Vernie nor Easther would perform at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals. This was because the duo felt that the gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they do not support this."

The statement added: “Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and both herself and Kéllé told the duo they would not work with anyone who held these views, and as such the reunion as a four would not be going ahead.

“The team behind the proposed Eternal reunion are gay including management, PR and tour promoter, and neither myself nor any of the team would work with artists who held such views about the trans community.”

See the tweet of LGBTQ+ support from Redknapp, below.