90s pop group Eternal’s reunion implodes over gay row

A planned reunion from a top-selling 90s girl group has been cancelled over a deep division between the four founding members.

British singer Louise Redknapp has pulled out of an Eternal reunion after a fall out with some of her former bandmates over an LGBTQ festival.

The 90s girl group were due to perform at London’s Mighty Hoopla Festival, which is very popular with the gay community but Louise and fellow founding member Kelle Bryan called it quits after a row with the other two members of the group, sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett.

The Sunday Mirror claims that Louise and Kelle were stunned when Easther and Vernie refused to play the festival because of its ties to the trans community.

The UK R&B group sold millions in the 90s – but their reunion is in tatters over a feud between Louise and Kelle (centre) and the Bennett sisters (at left and right). Picture: Alamy

Vernie, in particular, is said to have been vocal on social media about her views on trans causes.

A source told the publication: “Louise, Kelle, Easther and Vernie had all signed up to perform a huge nationwide tour next year, culminating with a huge show at pop festival Mighty Hoopla, which is loved by the gay community.

“Then in June the girls received an email from Easther and Vernie who refused to play any gay festivals or Pride. They said they can’t support the LGBTQ community now it has an alliance with the trans community, a stance Vernie in particular has been public about on socials.

“Louise and Kelle were stunned and pulled out immediately – Louise’s fan base is 98 per cent gay men. She and Kelle believe everyone is welcome to their shows. It’s a real shame for their fans who have been waiting such a long time for this moment.”

Eternal continued as a trio for years after Louise left.

Louise went on to a successful solo career.

A spokesperson for Louise confirmed the story, saying: “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.

“Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and both herself and Kelle 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.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/0WuhMlGxmB

— Louise Redknapp (@LouiseRedknapp) September 24, 2023

They concluded: “The team behind the proposed Eternal reunion are gay including management, PR and tour promoter, and absolutely none of them would work with artists who held such views about the trans community.”

The Sun has reached out to Vernie and Easther for comment.

Eternal were famed for such smash hits as Stay and I Wanna Be The Only One, both top 10 hits in the UK and here in Australia.

They have sold more than 10 million records worldwide, and sold a million copies of their debut album Always and Forever.

Louise left the band after their first album in 1995 and started a solo career.

She enjoyed a string of UK hits including Naked and Let’s Go Round Again.

Kelle quit the band in 1998, but they briefly reformed as a trio for the UK TV show The Big Reunion in 2013.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as 90s pop group Eternal’s reunion implodes over gay row