BEBE REXHA has been let go by Warner Records after more than a decade with the label.
The parting of ways has come following a series of spats.
Bebe — who had a 2022 No1 with David Guetta on I’m Good (Blue) — signed to Warner in 2013 and has released three albums with them, although relations have grown increasingly tense in recent years.
Now I’m told that things have come to a head and Warner has cut ties with her — though she is seeing it as a positive.
A music industry insider said: “Bebe has become really frustrated about her career so when things reached an impasse with Warner and they said it was best to stop working together, she decided not to fight it.
“She has told friends that she wants a fresh start and didn’t feel like she could do it there anyway.”
Things have already been signed and sealed, so Bebe has been removed from the music giant’s website and it has unfollowed her on Instagram — which she reciprocated.
And she has recently hired a new management team to steer the next stage of her career.
In the UK, her 2018 debut Expectations is her only album to chart although it only reached a disappointing No33.
But she has had major success with several collaborations, including Meant To Be with Florida Georgia Line, which has sold more than ten million copies in the US and holds the record for the most streamed country song of all-time on Spotify.
Her most recent singles in the UK struggled to repeat the same fortune.
In 2023, One In A Million featuring David Guetta reached No 79, and her song with British DJ Nathan Dawe, Heart Still Beating, hit No74.
Last summer Bebe ranted on X, where she wrote: “I could bring down a BIG chunk of this industry.
“I AM frustrated. I Have been UNDERMINED.”
Over to you, Bebe — here’s your chance to prove yourself.
Nad’s Special night
STRICTLY beauty Nadiya Bychkova ditched the sparkles as she enjoyed a low-key night on the town.
The pro dancer opted for a classic black dress and camel coat to attend Fake Bake’s Blue Monday party in West London, ahead of the start of her A Special Evening With Nadiya tour next month.
Gushing over her plans, she said: “It’s spread out, which is nice as it allows me to do other things at the same time. It’s different from what I’ve done before.
“It allows me to take control and be creative with something I’m proud of.
“This year, I want to try to find new ways to showcase what I love to do on stage. It’s interesting to be in those footsteps of directing the show – and that’s what I want to do more.”
Jack’s canned
JACK GREALISH can raise a glass again – after scoring yet another commercial deal.
The hunky Man City ace has teamed up with Pepsi and Real Madrid’s Vini JR to front their Football Always Wins campaign.
In return for what I can only assume is millions of pounds, Jack has taken part in a series of online I’m A Celeb-style trials, all while keeping hydrated with a can of Pepsi.
Jack said: “Those who know me know how much I love game shows. So, when Pepsi revealed I’d be taking on a series of jungle-inspired challenges for its latest campaign, I couldn’t wait to get involved!”
Call me a cynic, but I think it has more to do with the pay cheque than his “love of game shows”.
It wasn’t long ago that Jack was waxing lyrical about his love of mayonnaise after becoming the face of Hellmann’s.
He’s also had deals with Puma, Kinetica, Bose, Airwayz and boohoo MAN.
I can’t blame him, though. I’d probably put my name to anything for a fair few quid, too.
Paloma’s mad about podcast
PALOMA FAITH is the latest star to launch a podcast series.
But unlike some celebs jumping on the bandwagon, the Brit Award winner has a host of A-list pals as guests on her Mad, Sad And Bad series.
Spice Girls singer Mel B and actor Rupert Everett are appearing on the podcast, while comedian Alan Carr will kick things off on the first episode next Tuesday.
Explaining the name, Paloma said: “Mad. Sad. Bad. I’ve been called all those things.
“But instead of letting it define me, I decided to own it and make a podcast where I’ll be talking to my favourite actors, thinkers, comics and musicians about how they’ve handled pivotal moments of emotion.
“Mad, Sad And Bad is about the highs, the lows, and the glorious mess in-between.”
Kanye’s inspired by North
KANYE WEST has revealed his eldest daughter North has helped him fall in love with music again, as he is producing her debut album.
In a post on Instagram about his girl, Kanye also teased the release of his upcoming 11th album, Bully.
He wrote: “This little girl made me love music again. She asked me to make beats for her, so I got back on the ASR [sampling keyboard].
“I chopped up beats for her album, and I chopped every beat with my bare hand for BULLY.”
Getting leathered Twigs?
FKA TWIGS looked ready to get leathered in this outfit as she hit the town for a late birthday celebration.
The British singer-songwriter wore a striking outfit with laced-up legs in New York ahead of the release of her new album this Friday.
It is called Eusexua and sounds like a kooky record.
Twigs said: “For me, Eusexua is creating purely and unabashedly, it’s feeling more comfortable in my body sexually, it’s being more present and being able to be at that pinnacle of human experience as much as I possibly can.”
And she said it was practically a matter of life or death when it came to making the project.
Speaking on Spotify’s Countdown To podcast, Twigs explained: “Before Eusexua I was hanging on by an eyelash. Eusexua, for me, I had no choice but to make this album. It feels like a matter of survival.”
Just Insta riddle
THEY have been plagued by split rumours for months, so it looked like the writing was on the wall when Justin Bieber unfollowed his wife Hailey on Instagram yesterday.
The move sent fans into a near-meltdown desperate to know what was happening, particularly as the couple, right, only recently became parents to their son Jack Blues last summer.
But all was not as it seemed.
Hours after the news broke, Justin took to Instagram to claim that a hacker was responsible.
He wrote: “Someone went on my account and unfollowed my wife. S**t is getting suss out here.”
It did seem like a strange move – and I wasn’t convinced it indicated a split – given they were seen together in Aspen, Colorado, at the weekend.
And even more so because while they were there, he posted an Instagram Story referring to her as “the greatest woman I have and will ever know”.
I’ve got to give it to Justin and Hailey, though. I was sceptical when they got engaged after four weeks and wed two months later during a whirlwind romance in 2018.
But seven years on, they’re still going strong, despite other people’s meddling.
Nora is spying on films
SINCE launching her single Snake in Bizarre last Friday, the song – with Jason Derulo – has racked up a massive 38million views.
But Bollywood superstar Nora Fatehi has her eye on conquering another field.
Speaking about her career and a potential move into Hollywood movies, Toronto-born Nora said: “I had to learn Hindi and assimilate to get into films.
“It’s been a journey and I’m grateful for what Bollywood’s given me and what the audience has given to me. But if I get an opportunity in Hollywood, why not?
“I could play anything at this point.”
Asked about her dream role, she added: “I think I’d be such a great spy, like a double agent, and I could use dance as a way to confuse people.”
Glasto leg-up
GLASTONBURY’S Emerging Talent competition opens next week to give a fledgling star the chance to perform at this year’s festival and win a £5,000 development prize.
Any UK or Ireland-based acts can enter between January 27 and February 3, through Glasto’s website.
Festival boss Emily Eavis said: “I can’t wait to hear the entries. And it’s free to enter.”
Ozzy gets Brum deal
THE original members of Black Sabbath are to be given the freedom of the city of Birmingham.
The four Brummies are being formally recommended for the honour next week after a campaign was launched for frontman Ozzy Osbourne to receive it.
But city chiefs have decided to give it to Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Terence ‘Geezer’ Butler as well.
Ozzy said: “I’m honoured and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation.
“I’m a proud Brummie from Aston through and through. I’m still amazed that no one outside of Birmingham can understand a word I say.”
Guitarist Tony added: “What a great honour to be a City Freeman. I’m aware that very few are given out.”