Mariah Carey fans ‘disappointed’ as her support act involved in trans row
They've made their feelings clear.
Mariah Carey will be performing a summer concert at the Royal Sandringham Estate and is set to be joined by two guest acts – Nile Rodgers & Chic and Eternal.
The gig will be held on August 15 as part of the Heritage Live concerts, which also include evenings with Stereophonics and Michael Bublé.
Taking to Instagram Mariah, 55, said she was ‘excited’ about headlining the show and getting to see her ‘UK lambily’.
Although plenty of fans were excited about the news, others were critical due to Eternal’s inclusion. The band now consists of sisters Vernie and Easther Bennett and new member, Christel Lakhda, as original members Kéllé Bryan and Louise Redknapp decided to not partake in the reunion.
It was claimed by Louise’s publicist in 2023 that Easther and Vernie did not want the band to play Pride or other LGBTQ+ festivals. It was alleged that they believed the gay community was ‘being hijacked’ by the trans community.
‘Unhook Eternal please Mariah’ wrote Adam Robert on Mariah’s X announcement.
Eternal’s lineup has changed since when they first arrived on the music scene (Picture: Instagram / Eternal)Krisenner wrote that they are ‘disappointed’ that Eternal has been chosen as Mariah’s support act.
ThatAbsolutelyAnthony added on Instagram: ‘Eternal? Nope. Know your audience.’
There were similar comments on Neil’s posts about the upcoming concert.
Putasinghonit weighed in by saying ‘Eternal? No thank you!!!!!!’ and made clear their reasoning was due to the claims previously made about the Bennett sisters.
RichieChuff didn’t think Eternal should be involved either due to their alleged comments.
Mariah’s announcement received a mixed response (Picture: Instagram/Mariah Carey)In 2023, there were talks for the original band to reunite, but Louise, 50, and Kéllé, 49, eventually decided not to be involved.
‘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,’ Louise’s publicist, Simon Jones, said in a statement to BBC.
‘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.’
Louise posted a picture of the progressive pride flag on her Instagram with the caption ‘Always and forever’ following the claims from her publicist.
Fourth bandmate Kelle Bryan also shared her thoughts and wrote: ‘Opportunities to reunite for an Eternal reunion tour with the girls has been discussed many times over the years. As mothers, the right opportunity and timing for all of our schedules have been tricky to arrange.
‘The relationship with our fans and the joy of celebrating our success was, and still is, my motivation. My stance and allegiances have always been that I am an advocate for inclusion and equality for all.
‘Thank you for your continued support over three decades. God bless, Kelle.’
A reunion with all the original members did not happen (Picture: JM Enternational/REX/Shutterstock)Vernie, 53, also spoke to fans saying: ‘I am “Eternally” grateful for the family, friends, and amazing fans who have and continue to support our incredible journey and artistry.
‘I’ve been blessed to connect with so many diverse and wonderful people from all walks of life during my career. You all have a piece of my heart.
‘Though it is impossible and counterproductive to respond to the overwhelming number of statements and allegations made online recently, I place this moment in God’s hands.
‘I truly appreciate all who continue to express love and support for my family and Eternal.’
At the time, former manager Denis Ingoldsby, who now represents the Bennett sisters, called out Louise and said she had thrown the band ‘under the bus’.
He accused the media personality of ‘bullying behaviour’ saying she was trying to get them cancelled.
Louise’s publicist made the claims and she later posted the Pride flag on social media (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images for YRDS Agency)However, Louise’s representative disputed this and stood by their decision to address the issue publicly, telling Metro in a statement: ‘Denis Ingoldsby was not involved in the discussions about the Eternal reunion including all four members over the last two years.
‘The fact remains that the duo said they would only do the Eternal reunion if no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals were included.
‘Louise would obviously not agree to excluding the LGBTQ+ community from the band’s touring plans, and as such notified the duo that she would not be taking part.’
The girl group rose to fame in the 90s with hits like Just A Step From Heaven and Power Of A Woman, selling over 10 million records worldwide.
The R&B band officially split in 2000, before briefly reuniting in 2013 without Louise for the ITV show The Big Reunion. The new lineup of the group began performing together in 2024.
Mariah Carey is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. She has publicly advocated for their rights and performed at Pride events.
‘The LGBTQ+ community has always been a part of my life and has always been there for me, and I will always be there for them. They inspire me with their courage and resilience,’ she previously told Billboard.
Metro has contacted Mariah Carey and Eternal’s representatives for comment.
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