IT’S hard to believe, but Gloria Estefan is marking her 50th year in music.
In a stellar career, one of the most celebrated artists of all time has won eight Grammys, sold 100million records and been awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom.
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Gloria has recently released her album RaicesCredit: Supplied
The star with The Sun’s HowellCredit: Supplied
But after her musician daughter Emily performed with Cyndi Lauper at Glastonbury last year, Gloria, 68, now has one more bucket-list goal — to grab a major slot on the Pyramid Stage.
In an exclusive chat, she told Bizarre’s Howell: “It’s very exciting, big and complex from what I hear from Emily. Like, it was crazy. But that would be super exciting.
“If I’m still around, I’d love to do that. Now, Glastonbury likes all kinds of artists.”
With hits such as Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, Dr Beat and, of course, Conga, she would have plenty of songs to entertain Worthy Farm.
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And she may soon be wowing even more viewers, with a big-budget biopic on the cards.
‘Sexiest conga’
For the first time, she has confirmed Rachel Zegler, who shot to fame in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Disney’s Snow White and, recently, in Evita in the West End, is set to play her.
Gloria said: “I think she’s awesome, I think she’s incredible. I know she’s killed it in Evita.
“We’re still working on the green light because we’re figuring out where to do it, how to do it. This has been in the works for quite a few years now. And that’s how it is.
“You work, you work, you work, and then all of a sudden, boom, the trigger’s pulled and you’ve got to do it right away. But she’s lovely.”
Asked if she thinks Rachel will take the part, she continued: “I think she would. I just need to offer her an actual part. So we need to be greenlit completely and we’re almost there.
“I met her by Zoom. She’s got a beautiful singing voice and she’s a great actor.”
It was originally claimed that the film will be an adaptation of Gloria’s 2015 jukebox musical On Your Feet!, although that idea has changed.
The singer explained: “The movie’s not going to be the show. There’s a lot in there.”
Gloria was born in Cuba, but her family fled to the US during the Cuban Revolution.
She has now become one of Miami’s most famous residents, and is pals with David and Victoria Beckham, who have a home there and are now key to the area through Becks’s football team, Inter Miami CF.
But it’s clear they all move in the upper echelons when they are Stateside.
In a major name-drop while being quizzed on hanging out with the couple, Gloria said: “I’ve been at their home. It’s lovely. David is such a lovely man — and Victoria.
“We actually went to a dinner at their home. President Barack Obama was there, and the head of Reddit, and Jeff Bezos
“It was really cool. It was small, but only the most powerful people in that room. It was great.
“They’re very kind people. And he’s done amazing things for soccer, or football, as you call it here.”
Gloria pictured in 1989Credit: Alamy
Meanwhile, Dua Lipa has being doing it for the Brits in Miami by covering Gloria’s 1985 hit Conga when she performed there last month. “I was so sad that I wasn’t in town,” Gloria said.
“She had invited me to go and do that with her. And I love her. I’m a big fan of Dua Lipa. And that’s the sexiest conga you’re ever going to see, hands down.”
‘Romantic ballads’
After such an illustrious career, Gloria recently released her 30th album Raices, which is largely Spanish-language escapism and the perfect soundtrack for a soiree or relaxing evening in.
It was her husband of 47 years, producer Emilio, who made it happen.
Gloria, who was writing another musical at the time, explained how the salsa record poured out of him.
She said: “It’s got beautiful, romantic ballads.
“Emilio said, ‘I wrote you a love song’. I go, ‘Babe, you’re going to sing it?’. He goes, ‘No, you’re going to sing it for me’.”
Charming.
And as for retirement after five decades in the game? Don’t count on it.
She said with a giggle: “In ten years’ time, I hope to still be alive. That’s my first plan.
“Who knows? I only choose what I really, really want to give my time to.
“It’s just that I had all these amazing opportunities. And they have just converged this year.”
The singer has become pals with David and Victoria BeckhamCredit: Getty
Kristen chilled Water
Kristen Stewart showed off a stark fringe and bare legs as she left a screening of her new filmCredit: Splash
KRISTEN STEWART didn’t let the falling temperatures bother her as she headed out in this white mini-dress.
The Twilight actress showed off a stark fringe and bare legs as she left a screening of her new film The Chronology Of Water at the Curzon Mayfair on Thursday night.
It was part of the BFI London Film Festival and the movie, an adaptation of US writer Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir, is her directorial debut.
Lily ‘cheat’ pain
Singing star Lily Allen is about to make a return with her fifth albumCredit: Getty
LILY ALLEN has confirmed my story that she is about to make a return with her fifth album.
And on it, she seemingly accuses ex-husband David Harbour of cheating on her.
The Smile singer married the Stranger Things actor in 2020.
But things crumbled last year, with the relationship inspiring the latest record which is expected to be released imminently.
A new interview with Lily came out in Vogue magazine yesterday.
It features lyrics from two tracks that suggest David romanced other women while they were together and the pair then decided to “open” their marriage.
On one song, Sleepwalking, Lily sings: “You let me think it was me in my head, and nothing to do with them girls in your bed.”
On another, called Dallas Major, she reveals: “You know I used to be quite famous, that was way back in the day.
“I probably should explain how my marriage has been open since my husband went astray.”
And Lily didn’t hold back in her interview, either.
She told the magazine: “I’ve had real problems with my food over the past few years.
She added that during their break-up “it got really, really, really bad”.
Lily, who is sober, said: “The feelings of despair that I was experiencing were so strong.
“The last time I felt anything like that, drugs and alcohol were my way out, so it was excruciating to sit with those [feelings] and not use them.”
KYLIE JENNER says being a pop star is her lifelong dream – despite being mocked this week when she sang on Terror JR’s new song Fourth Strike.
Having just started singing under the name King Kylie, she said: “You know this is my dream. I’ve been talking about this since I came out of the womb… that like I wanted to be a pop star.
“I just never had the confidence or… I think turning 28 just does something to you. Like I’m going to be 30 soon and I don’t want to look back on life and have any regrets.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to try.”
JENNIFER LOPEZ is up for returning to the Super Bowl stage in February – six years after her stellar half-time show with Shakira.
The singer, whose parents are from Puerto Rico, waved the country’s flag during her performance and next year will see rapper Bad Bunny, who is from there, playing the show.
Quizzed on US TV whether they could do something together there, she said there had been “no talk” of a collaboration but that she would be open to it.
She said: “There’s no talk. I have not gotten any calls. So I just want to put the expectation down. But of course if he wanted me to do something, I would definitely do it.”
Crouchy Enter the Dragon
Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch have been filling their home with pets, pictured with their four childrenCredit: instagram
ABBEY CLANCY and Peter Crouch are slowly turning their home into a zoo – and the next animal they are adding is a bearded dragon.
The couple, who live in Surrey with their four children, already own two dogs, cats and a horse but now they are adding reptiles to the menagerie.
Crouchy says they are getting the reptile, which is native to Australia, because their son is desperate for one as a pet.
As well as the lizard, Abbey wants to also get lambs and chickens.
Peter said: “The more animals the better, apparently. Bearded dragons are next on the horizon. My little boy has wanted one for years. They’re actually all right. I thought it would be a nightmare, but I’ve been down the shop and held them.
“We’re actually going to get one. They grow to be quite big but they’re quite chilled.”
Michael makes big money
MICHAEL McINTYRE’s firm raked in more than £3.2million last year – making him one of the biggest earners on TV.
He had another stellar year presenting Saturday-night series Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and quiz The Wheel.
The comedian’s TV production firm Hungry McBear paid £805,000 in corporation tax in its last financial year up to December 31.
That rate suggests he made just over £3.2million.
Reserves in the company now stand at £1,718,407.
The firm is jointly controlled by Michael and TV producer Dan Baldwin, who is married to Holly Willoughby.
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It makes all of Michael’s shows, including Christmas and Easter one-offs and Michael McIntyre: Showman for Netflix.
But the cash doesn’t include earnings from his stand-up tour, so he will be raking in even more.
