Amidst anticipation of a long-awaited reunion, the iconic girl group Eternal has been plunged into turmoil over allegations that two of its members, Easther and Vernie Bennett, refused to participate in LGBTQ+ festivals and Pride events due to their objections to trans issues. Louise Redknapp and Kéllé Bryan, the other two original band members, decided to withdraw from the reunion in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
In a statement from Louise Redknapp’s publicist, Simon Jones, it was confirmed that the Bennett sisters declined to perform at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals, citing concerns about the perceived “hijacking” of the gay community by the trans community. Both Louise and Kéllé Bryan, strong allies of the LGBTQ+ community, made it clear that they could not collaborate with individuals holding such views, leading to the dissolution of the reunion as a quartet.
The dispute, initially reported by the Mirror, has sent shockwaves through the music industry. Louise Redknapp expressed her support for the LGBTQ+ community by sharing a picture of the Progress Pride flag on her social media, captioned “Always and Forever,” a reference to Eternal’s debut album.
Kéllé Bryan also affirmed her commitment to inclusion and equality, emphasizing the challenges of organizing the reunion tour as mothers. The quartet, formed in 1992, achieved remarkable success, with their album “Always and Forever” becoming the first by a girl group to sell over a million copies in the UK. This recent rift has dashed hopes of seeing the original line-up perform together for the first time in nearly three decades, leaving fans disheartened.
As Louise Redknapp reflects on her enduring bond with her former bandmates, it’s evident that the discord surrounding LGBTQ+ events has cast a shadow over what could have been a momentous reunion for Eternal and their dedicated fanbase.
Incredible Memories and Lingering Discontent
Despite the fallout, Louise Redknapp recently shared cherished memories and gratitude for her Eternal days, marking the 30th anniversary of their debut single, “Stay.” She reminisced about the journey from their first radio play to shooting music videos in America. However, the disappointment stemming from the LGBTQ+ event dispute remains a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the music industry.