TEDDY SWIMS took to the Radio 1 Stage at Reading Festival for an electric performance yesterday after his viral hit Lose Control turned him into a household name.
And in an exclusive interview, the US singer outlined his aims, saying: “I would die to work with Adele one day.
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“That would be the coolest thing. And Stevie Wonder’s always been my hero. I recently got in touch with him, so that was really cool.
“He says he’s got a record, so I hope I get this opportunity with Stevie one day.”
Ahead of his festival performance, Teddy dropped by Reading Station to surprise commuters and gig-goers with an intimate set of hits.
The stunt, in collaboration with Rockstar Energy Drink, went down a storm and the US star’s powerful voice quickly stopped people in their tracks.
He told us: “We always try to do that, as much as we can. Just try to go sit and busk somewhere or sing a bag.
“It’s always fun and we’re starting to get a little more of a scene than we used to. It’s a little bit of a commotion now, it’s just really cool and meeting a whole bunch of people, it’s really beautiful. I love my job, man.”
Despite his growing fame, which includes 6.5million followers on Instagram, Teddy’s keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
His soulful, gravelly voice and distinctive tattoos might mark him out from the crowd, but he’s still the same guy he was when he was putting out cover songs on YouTube.
He says: “Well, I’m such a whirlwind of just going, and going, and going, and, you know, striking while the iron’s hot, you know, but, I just have to make sure that I’m staying grateful and I’m taking time to look around, and smell the roses, per se, without, you know, just being so go, go, go, go, go.”
The US star does his best to preserve his powerhouse vocals – even if he admits to partying a little too much.
He says: “I try to make sure I take as good care of it as possible. I mean, I probably drink a little much, man. I stay very hydrated all the time, and try to eat clean, no dairy, no gluten, you know, I just try to, try to do all the things that you need – the teas, and the honeys, and the bottle steam.
“I try to keep it the best I can, but I’m also very fortunate too. I’ve trained it for a long time and it tends to go, and go, and go, and I don’t really have lots of trouble with it.”
Teddy’s drink of choice is tequila, and there’s always plenty of it on his rider when he’s on the road – but he also has some surprising additions too.
He says: “We got our Rockstars on the rider, of course, but I like keeping sugar free if I can, you know, and we got some peanut butter and jelly, and some vegetables, and, you know, a lot of booze.”
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Teddy is now working on the follow-up to his 2023 debut album I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1), which features his smash singles Lose Control and The Door.
And it might not be long before fans can hear what he’s been working on.
“I think it’s already written,” he said. “I was even in a session yesterday, trying to get some vocals done on something. I think it’s there, I think it’s done, but we’ll see, we just got to get it kind of together.”
If he can get Stevie and our Adele on it too, it’ll be one hell of a record.
The Wanted 2.0
THE WANTED’S Max George and Siva Kan- Eswaran have announced a string of US dates using the boyband’s name, but Nathan Sykes and Jay McGuiness are not joining them.
The duo are calling themselves The Wanted 2.0 and I’m told they are also hoping to tour the UK as a pair.
Dasha gets Into The Groove at Reading
DASHA gave off Eighties Madonna vibes as she opened the main stage at Reading Festival yesterday.
Riding on the success of her country hit Austin, which has spent 20 weeks in the Top Ten, she wore a pink corset and mini skirt for her 30-minute set.
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Luckily, it went without a hitch – while storm damage delayed the sister event in Leeds, where Dasha is due to perform today.
I know how horrible it is to be at a festival in horrendous weather, so I hope today is bright and less breezy.
Murders’ Selina knocks ’em dead
SELENA GOMEZ shimmered in this little black dress as she celebrated the fourth series of TV mystery series Only Murders In The Building.
She wore the halter-neck frock and sparkly shoes at the premiere for the comedy drama’s latest run, which will hit screens next week.
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Selena was joined by co-stars Steve Martin, Meryl Streep and Martin Short at the event in LA, after sparking rumours she is about to tie the knot.
She seems to have been on cloud nine since December, after confirming she had secretly been dating US record producer Benny Blanco.
In Jamal’s memory
THE Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust is getting a major cash injection in Chelsea foundation and Chelsea FC.
Today the charity foundation announces it is giving £1 million to JESB, spread over five years.
DJ music entrepreneur Jamal, a blues fan, died in 2022 age 31.
The money will boost initiatives including helping young people at risk of becoming homeless, and the self belief community, based in West London.
Chelsea is also funding 31 apprenticeships over for five years.