How would I even do that? Macy Gray’s grope denial

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Macy Gray received a lot of criticism last year when she abruptly left the show The Masked Singer after being one of the first contestants eliminated. Now, the American soul singer, known for her distinctive, gravelly voice, is dealing with a new and different kind of public debate.

Singer Macy Gray, 58, is facing accusations that she sexually assaulted Grammy-winning producer Dallas Austin during a recording session for her album, The Trouble with Being Myself. Austin, 55, who has collaborated with major artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Gwen Stefani, claims Gray reached inside his underwear and squeezed him, saying “Ooh, nice,” leaving him feeling “violated.”

Speaking out for the first time, Gray strongly refutes the accusations, telling me, ‘I have no idea what Dallas is referring to; that doesn’t sound like something I would ever do.’

The singer, originally from Ohio, has released ten albums and sold over 25 million records. He dismisses the claims against him as not making sense, questioning, “How could I even do that? I can’t imagine getting close enough without someone noticing or stopping me, or even unbuckling their belt.”

The singer, who is divorced and has three grown children from her previous marriage to Tracey Hinds, says her family was deeply upset by recent allegations. She discussed the claims with her daughter, who was particularly bothered by them. The singer also mentioned that she occasionally sees Dallas, and he has never confronted her about any inappropriate behavior, specifically never mentioning an incident involving unwanted physical contact.

Although no legal steps have been taken, Gray is coping with the situation by focusing on her music. She’s finishing up her new album, which she intends to title ‘Love Songs for Big Hearts and Robots’.

She explained that she believes people are now equally influenced by technology and their natural selves. She used social media as an example, saying it’s become an automatic habit for many – the first thing we check in the morning. She also mentioned her upcoming album will feature a love song that everyone can relate to.

I have no idea how someone could do that. It’s hard to imagine getting close enough to someone without them noticing or objecting, or even figuring out how to unfasten their belt.

The singer, who is divorced and living in Los Angeles, says her three grown children were deeply upset by the allegations. She was previously married to Tracey Hinds, a mortgage broker.

I discussed this with my daughter because she was very bothered by it. I occasionally see Dallas, but he’s never mentioned the incident or accused me of anything inappropriate.

Although no legal action has been pursued, Gray is finding comfort in her music and finishing up her new album, tentatively titled ‘Love Songs for Big Hearts and Robots.’ She explained that she believes people are becoming increasingly reliant on technology, comparing our social media habits to robotic behavior – checking it first thing in the morning. She hopes the album will have something for everyone, with a love song for all listeners.

Gray remains a purist when it comes to her art and says she is against AI being used in music.

I believe AI poses a serious threat to the future of music. If record labels and radio stations keep promoting AI-generated content, they risk destroying the art form, as they’d be prioritizing technology over genuine creativity.

She points out that while AI might lower production costs, it won’t deliver the same level of artistic success. AI can’t replicate truly unique artists like Bruno Mars, Madonna, or Macy Gray. She believes the music industry has shrunk since technology took over, and we should have learned from that trend.

Macy isn’t sure if she wants to do reality TV again, having previously appeared on MTV’s The Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets in 2024. She explained that being filmed constantly is strange, and people don’t realize how much footage is gathered from everyday moments.

After becoming well-known on The Masked Singer in Australia, the USA, and the UK, Macy states she’ll only consider returning to the show if she’s asked to be a judge.

As Macy approaches, her sixties, she says she’s feeling more comfortable in her skin.

Getting older is inevitable – it’s something we all face. Since there’s nothing we can do to stop it, I’m focusing on aging as well as I can. I’m also quite scared of stomach surgery, having seen what it involves, so I’ve decided to accept my body as it is.

While things like creams and exercise can help, everyone eventually has to accept the fact that they will age.

 

I’m a shaman, says Bianca Jagger

Almost 50 years ago, Bianca Jagger famously rode a white horse into Studio 54 in New York City, becoming an instant icon. Even today, she still embodies that same free-spirited energy.

Eighty-year-old Bianca told fellow attendees at an environmental dinner held at Ce LA VI restaurant in west London that she is a shaman.

I’ve received messages from spirits warning about the serious dangers of our current destructive behavior and the huge problems it will cause.

 

Eugenie pal’s fertility battle

Poppy Jamie, a friend of Princess Eugenie, shared a story about secretly leaving a dinner party three years ago to give herself a fertility injection in the restroom.

As someone who follows wellness journeys closely, it’s heartbreaking to hear that the TV presenter, now 35, is still navigating the challenges of very low fertility, even four years after her initial diagnosis. It really highlights how complex and ongoing fertility struggles can be, and my heart goes out to her.

She shared online that she experienced two heartbreaking losses last year, each time losing a pregnancy around five months in. She described the experience as devastating and difficult to put into words.

 

Harry misses Loadsamoney

As a huge Harry Enfield fan, it really upsets me to hear him say he’s worried about the future of sketch comedy. He feels like TV is obsessed with period dramas right now, and it’s meaning there’s less and less money available for comedians like him to create new work. It’s a shame, because he’s a brilliant performer and I’d love to see more of his comedy on our screens!

It takes hours to get ready, with makeup and getting into character. Back in the day, productions had decent budgets for these things, but that’s just not the case anymore.

He points out that his budget is only about a third of what’s allocated for an hour of a typical drama—shows where the actors wear the same outfits and film in attractive locations.

 

Old Etonian father of baby killer quits UK

Following the conviction of his daughter, Constance, for the manslaughter of her baby, Victoria, last September – a crime for which she received a 14-year sentence – Napier Marten reacted calmly. He told a friend he wasn’t surprised by the verdict and noted that Constance hadn’t expressed any regret for her actions.

The 66-year-old, who was raised at the large Crichel House estate in Dorset – which included four villages and 150 homes – apparently believes he’ll only find true peace of mind by living abroad.

He has, I can disclose, taken up residence in Panama.

This experience might give him ideas for his next poetry book. His debut collection, Taplash Meditations, was a prize winner, earning the 2025 Poetry Book Award.

 

Most actors pride themselves on being able to memorize lines easily, but Sean Bean admits his memory isn’t as sharp as it once was. The 66-year-old actor from Sheffield explains that he used to quickly scan a script and feel confident he could learn all his lines. Now, he says, he reads a script and thinks, ‘If I don’t have too many lines, I can handle this!’

 

The naked truth about Bridgerton star

Okay, so you probably heard about Genevieve Chenneour – the woman who totally took down a phone thief last year? Seriously, she’s incredible! But what everyone doesn’t know is that she brings that same amazing energy and bravery to everything she does, especially when she’s filming. She’s just fearless, honestly. It’s inspiring to watch!

Oh my gosh, you guys, did you HEAR?! Phoebe Dynevor – yes, the Daphne Bridgerton – is going to be a leading lady in a Hollywood thriller called Asphyxia! I just found out, and I’m so excited for her! And honestly, she said in an interview she’s totally comfortable with any nude scenes the role might require, which, good for her! She’s just so amazing and confident, I can’t wait to see her absolutely kill it.

At a party at the Royal Albert Hall, Genevieve told me she wasn’t concerned about doing nude scenes.

Looking back at the start of my career, I remember filming a rather daring scene for the show Britannia back in 2021 – it involved a group encounter, and it was definitely a bold choice early on! It was a memorable experience, to say the least, and really pushed me as an actress.

The actress, originally from Yorkshire, feels comfortable with nudity and doesn’t view her body as something to be sexualized. She explained she approaches it more like they do in Europe – as a natural part of life.

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2026-02-20 04:20