Movies

Sophie Ellis-Bextor, 46, admits to the ‘gloomy chapter’ of perimenopause and addresses narrative that women should become ‘quiet and invisible’

BBG News

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has disclosed that her latest album, “Perimenopop,” playfully challenges the idea that women ought to disappear or become unnoticeable as they grow older, tackling the less joyful phase of perimenopause.

At the age of 46, this artist had already reached stardom at only 21 years old when her debut single, “Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)” with Spiller, hit number one in 2000, eventually becoming known in every household.

25 years after her chart-topping success, she will soon unveil a new album, asserting in an interview with Good Housekeeping UK that it challenges the stereotype that pop music is only for young people. Instead, she playfully criticizes the notion that women experience a ‘grim’ phase in their later years.

Perimonpop is widely recognized as a lively expression of Sophie’s current phase in life, reflecting her self-awareness and acceptance, which in turn fosters her happiness and strength.

In conversation with a publication regarding her album’s motivation, Sophie expressed similar thoughts when she disclosed, “The notion persists that only youth create pop music. Once I decided on the album title, I felt liberated to truly express my individuality.

This album takes a humorous approach to this dismal phase and the storyline suggesting women should fade away… I certainly don’t identify with that sentiment.

Recently, Sophie’s career has experienced a notable revival, as her 2001 track “Murder On The Dancefloor” has regained popularity. This is due to filmmaker Emerald Fennell using it for the climactic, single-shot finale of her critically acclaimed 2023 film Saltburn.

In this unique sequence, a solitary camera follows actor Barry Keoghan as he performs a dance, bare and uninhibited, along the halls of his recently acquired grand mansion, which is set to iconic music. This striking scene resonated deeply with a younger audience, contributing significantly to Sophie’s resurgence in popularity. As a result, she secured her first top ten hit since 2007 and climbed back up the charts, landing at number two.

She mentioned about the track gaining popularity: “I was at home during Christmas when online events started picking up. It was truly magnificent. Not only did it benefit me personally, but also my entire team. After a hectic 2023, we were well-prepared, and we effortlessly accelerated.

Three years ago, when she began her renowned kitchen disco parties amid the COVID-19 lockdown, it was a stark contrast to what she had envisioned earlier. Sophie confessed that at the time of her first live broadcast, she felt it marked the ‘end of my career’.

The kitchen-hosted dance parties were immensely well-received, offering a peek into Sophie’s domestic life by showcasing her guitarist spouse Richard Jones and their five sons: Sonny (21), Kit (16), Ray (13), Jesse (9), and Mickey (6).

Following Sophie’s earlier disclosure this year, it was discovered that her kids have been victimized at school due to a deeply saddening cause.

She acknowledged that her youngest kids, who have red hair, are being targeted because they don’t match the hair color of their peers at school.

On her Salon Confidential podcast in April, she shared with Andreas Wild that they had indeed encountered bullying, a rather severe experience.

In my teenage years, I remember vividly how stepping into secondary school felt like entering a minefield – every quirk or unique trait of mine was swiftly turned into ammunition for jokes and ridicule by my peers.

At such a young age, it’s quite remarkable to see the urge to fit in, to belong to the group. This instinct is incredibly powerful.

Instead of allowing it to bring you low, let’s hope that by engaging in discussions, you can maintain a watchful eye over it and ensure it stays in a positive direction.

She noted: “As time passes, you find yourself saying, ‘Surprisingly, the aspects that make me unique are the ones I will allow room for, nurture, and delight in.’

My children sport various hues of red, and it’s simply stunning to behold. Plus, their unique colors make spotting them effortless in any play area.

Six weeks into their relationship, Sophie became pregnant with her firstborn son, Sonny, while dating musician husband Richard.

After their marriage in 2005, the pair continued to thrive, adding four more children to their family.

Their union grew stronger each day following their wedding in 2005, as they went on to have four additional kids.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping UK, she revealed the key to her 20-year long marriage: the wisdom passed on by her mother, Janet Ellis, who advised them always to prioritize each other—yes, even above their own children.

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2025-06-26 10:33

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