News | Entertainment
21 Nov 2025 13:05
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Gary Kemp believes musicians who struggle with fame "shouldn't be in the business"

    The Spandau Ballet guitarist suggested the likes of Chappell Roan - who has repeatedly complained about the scrutiny she has faced and being "yelled at in public" by fans - should lead "anonymous" lives instead, though he acknowledged up-and-coming artists may not realise what life in the public eye is like until it is too late


    He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "I mean, really, you shouldn't be in the business If you really feel like that, should you? Maybe you should just go out anonymous and never put a video out or a photograph out... but maybe they don't know until it's happened to them and then it becomes tricky."

    Gary believes his brother, former bandmate Martin Kemp, is "more of a celebrity" than he is.

    He said: "He's more of a celebrity than me. Years and years ago, fame was something that could get you a table at a restaurant or get you nearer to the front of the queue."

    And the 65-year-old songwriter is uncomfortable with the modern idea of stars being more open about their lives, particularly through social media.

    He said: "I loved Bowie when he was full of mystique. I didn't really like him when he went on 'TFI [Friday]' and told dad jokes."

    Gary - who has Finlay, 34, with ex-wife Sadie Frost, and Milo, 20, Kit, 16, and 12-year-old Rex with wife Lauren Barber - doesn't think Spandau Ballet received the credit they deserved at the height of their fame in the 1980s because of their largely female fanbase.

    He said: "If you're a good-looking band, you'll tend to have a lot of girls following you... and if that was the case in the 1980s, you weren't worthy. Blokey bands that had more men following them would be seen to be better musicians, for some reason - I have no idea why that is other than sexism, because you know us and Duran [Duran], who did have a lot of female followers, all played our instruments really well.

    "All wrote pretty good songs, were all great singers, but for some reason, we were discredited by that, especially by a lot of the male music writers from the time."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     21 Nov: Hailey Bieber tries to style her son in "cute" but "not so overstated" outfits
     21 Nov: The five best fictional bands in film history
     21 Nov: King Charles is celebrating his 77th birthday with a visit to Wales
     21 Nov: Meghan Trainor has hit back at people who have "attacked" her over her recent weight loss
     21 Nov: Will Ferrell is taking a break from filming his Netflix golf comedy after he suffered an off-set injury
     21 Nov: Leo Woodall believes fame is "hard to navigate" because "being objectified can mess with your head"
     21 Nov: Cardi B has given birth to her fourth child
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Warriors star and former All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is looking less likely to join rugby's R360 competition More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Selwyn continues to lead New Zealand in economic growth, resilience and confidence More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Hailey Bieber tries to style her son in "cute" but "not so overstated" outfits 12:55

    Entertainment:
    The five best fictional bands in film history 12:37

    Motoring:
    Police investigating a double fatality crash on State Highway One north of Timaru yesterday, want the public's help 12:27

    National:
    Economic forecasts point to a Democrat win in the 2026 US midterm elections 12:27

    Law and Order:
    Waikato's Matamata-Piako District Council has been fined 105 thousand dollar for unlawfully discharging wastewater from its treatment plant in Waihou, near Te Aroha 12:27

    Entertainment:
    King Charles is celebrating his 77th birthday with a visit to Wales 12:25

    Rugby League:
    Warriors star and former All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is looking less likely to join rugby's R360 competition 12:17

    Cricket:
    The ‘Bazball’ game style has revolutionised English cricket. Australia should be nervous 12:17

    National:
    Ukraine and Europe’s weakness exposed as US and Russia again negotiate behind Kyiv’s back 12:07

    Entertainment:
    Meghan Trainor has hit back at people who have "attacked" her over her recent weight loss 11:55


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd