SHE is the woman who put Rita Ora on the path to global fame, having signed her in 2009.
Sarah Stennett has also helped make stars including Sugababes, Ellie Goulding and Jessie J.
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But now the Hot Right Now singer has parted ways with Sarah, the ultimate female music boss, who runs management company First Access Entertainment.
This week it was revealed that Hot Right Now singer Rita had quietly signed with Range Media Partners — who described her as a “multi-hyphenate talent”.
It’s a posh way of saying the British singer can turn her skills to everything and anything.
And those in the know told me the singer’s decision to try to conquer all, rather than focusing on the voice that made her famous, led to the decision for her and Sarah to call it quits.
A source said: “Rita and Sarah stopped working together about a year ago.
“There is only love and respect between them but it became clear, as time went on, that their paths were moving in different directions.
“Sarah has quietly steered Rita’s career for the past 17 years. She made her the star she is today.
“But her focus has always been on breaking and making huge British music acts. Rita has been moving further and further away from music — and their stars stopped aligning.”
I’ve always hugely admired Sarah from afar, and those in the music industry who know her regard her as one of the best managers in the business.
Which leads me to beg the question, why would any artist, who has not had a Top Ten chart song since 2018, walk away from the safest pair of hands when it comes to her music?
This summer, Rita said she had earmarked last month to lay down her fourth album — her first without Sarah by her side.
But with her role on the judging panel of The Masked Singer in the US keeping her busier than ever, as well as a part alongside Jack O’Connell in new film He Bled Neon, I’m not sure how easy it will be to find the time.
Maybe a fresh start is the best for all concerned . . .
SAOIRSE SETS SIGHTS ON STAGE
NEWLYWED Saoirse Ronan struts her stuff in a blue minidress as she reveals plans to work with her husband.
She tied the knot to Dunkirk actor Jack Lowden in July and together they have produced her new drama The Outrun.
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But they hope to become a movie power couple like Margot Robbie and her producer husband Tom Ackerley.
Lady Bird actor Saoirse and her husband are keen to make movies set in Scotland, where Jack grew up.
Saoirse said: “Jack is a lot calmer than I am. He’s my voice of reason.
“But as a duo, we’ve both been on film sets our whole lives, so we have an appreciation of what we’re asking actors to do. We always want them to feel safe.”
We might soon see them acting together, too.
She told the USA Today newspaper: “Jack didn’t want to for a long time, but I’ve now convinced him that’s a great idea. I’d really like to do something together on stage.”
LUKE HAS EYES ON 007 PRIZE
DANIEL CRAIG’s last James Bond movie No Time To Die could have had a very different theme tune.
Billie Eilish’s title song went on to win an Oscar, but The Struts’ frontman Luke Spiller revealed he wrote and recorded a 007 theme with late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.
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In an exclusive chat Bristolian Luke said: “I’ve always been obsessed with a lot of the Bond songs. I had a crack at it, but got beaten by Billie.
“It’s a fantastic song. I called Taylor and we cut the drums in his home studio.”
But Luke, who is on tour with The Struts, is confident he’ll get another shot.
He added: “Hopefully the people making the next Bond film can listen to my record and appreciate the potential I have to create an incredible Bond song.
“I’ve got another up my sleeve.
“I’m waiting for the call because I know it’s going to happen.”
PINK FLOYD’s David Gilmour has been trying to persuade Kate Bush to return to the stage – a decade on from her London residency.
Of the reclusive star, whose career he helped launch, David said: “Kate Bush is the only person who can get Kate Bush back on stage. I’ve tried persuading her recently. Gently.”
GRAMMY HATE’S SAD FOR SAB
SABRINA CARPENTER has been getting flack since insiders revealed she will be on the ballot for Best New Artist at The Grammys.
Fans of up-and-coming stars like Tate McRae have branded the nomination – which is set to be announced on Friday, November 8 – as “fraudulence”.
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But it absolutely isn’t.
When deciding who gets a nod for it, the Grammys board looks for artists who have broken into the public’s ether.
So even though the Taste singer has had six studio albums and is not a new artist, nearly all my mates had never heard of her until her runaway single Espresso.
I get why people are getting worked up – new should mean new. But it doesn’t when it comes to the Grammys.
So firing off sh***y messages to Sabrina is just daft.
SPICE ADVICE FOR JADE
JADE THIRLWALL has Mel C to thank for giving her the kick up the backside to write her hit single Angel Of My Dreams.
The former Little Mix singer posed in this red outfit and quirky hat for Vogue Arabia, where she revealed the Spice Girl told her: “Do what feels right for you.”
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Jade, who makes her live solo TV debut on Later . . . With Jools Holland in a fortnight, said: “I knew I was taking a bit of a risk with this song. I wasn’t chasing a radio-friendly hit, I was pushing myself creatively.”
NOEL GETS TICK-ED OFF
NOEL GALLAGHER’s patience is clearly running out when it comes to people asking him for Oasis tickets.
He appeared on stage at the Abbey Road Music Photography Awards in London on Thursday night to praise the winner of the Icon Award, Jill Furmanovsky.
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But when host Edith Bowman asked for some tickets for the band’s 2025 reunion tour, he didn’t seem best pleased.
He said: “I’m afraid they have sold the f**k out.” Fair enough.
TIKTOK is to launch gongs in the UK and Ireland to celebrate creators who have entertained us.
The TikTok Awards, in partnership with Sky, will offer prizes such as Creator, Video and Breakthrough Artist Of The Year.
Nominees will be revealed in November, with voting then open to users on the app.
GRANDE JOB, CHARLI
CHARLI XCX has had a stellar year with her hit album Brat.
But she is stepping things up a notch next week, by teaming up for a collaboration with superstar Ariana Grande.
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The pair hit it off earlier this year and they have now worked together on a song that will be on Charli’s remix album – as teased on a billboard in Ari’s native Florida yesterday.
The collection, called Brat And It’s Completely Different But Also Still Brat, will also feature The 1975, Bon Iver, Lorde, Robyn, Troye Sivan and Billie Eilish.
So Ariana certainly won’t be the only star on board.
My music insider said: “Ariana loves Brat and everything Charli stands for in the industry – she has been keeping a keen eye on her.
“They share a manager and when it was mentioned to her that Charli would like her to be on the album, she jumped at the chance.
“Charli has been a fan of hers for years, so she can’t quite believe her luck that they are going to have a song together.”
The album will feature new versions of the tracks from her hit album, but with special guests on each one.
That includes her remix of Guess featuring Billie, which went to No1 in August.
Charli is all set to kick off her first UK arena tour in November and if she has any of her latest collaborators as surprise guests on the bill, it is sure to be an absolute treat.
SHAKIRA SHOWS UPLIFTING ATTITUDE
SHAKIRA is showing us all the best way to ditch a rubbish partner.
A spot of visual trickery helped the singer look as if she was carrying her footballer ex Gerard Pique out to the bins in this new snap to announce her seventh concert tour.
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She launches her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour with a US leg next month, and the pic is certainly one way to make a point – and to show that we women are definitely the stronger sex.
In her new song Soltera, Shakira sings: “I have the right to misbehave, to have a good time.
“I’m loose and now I can do what I want. I’m having a good time single.”
More power to you, Shakira.
