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Joss Stone, her adopted baby and how a plan for seven kids has brought her happiness: ANTONIA HOYLE reveals the incredible rebirth of star beloved by Royals who suffered kidnap ordeal secrets

BBG News

Reflecting upon Joss’s remarkable journey, I am nothing short of astounded by the resilience and determination she has shown throughout her life. From surviving an attempted assassination to finding love and starting a family, her story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to adapt, grow, and thrive in the face of adversity.

In the realm of music during the vibrant ’00s, I was the unsuspecting lass hailing from the serene West Country. At just 17, I transformed into an electrifying pop sensation, breaking records as the youngest British female vocalist to rule the UK albums chart. The royal family and countless others recognized my soulful melodies, my barefoot acts on stage, and my stylish boho flair, elevating me to a cherished icon of the era.

Few would have anticipated the events that followed. In June 2011, tragedy struck when Joss became the target of a chilling kidnapping scheme. Two individuals, Kevin Liverpool and Junior Bradshaw, were later convicted for plotting to assassinate the celebrity at her tranquil rural home in east Devon.

For nearly a whole decade, the multiple Brittish and Grammy-winning artist, known for her versatile roles in movies and TV series as well, lived a transient lifestyle. Behind her lofty career aspirations lay a strong yearning for motherhood.

2020 marked a pivotal shift for me. I found myself nestled in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, alongside my new partner, the courageous American Cody DaLuz – a man who once served our country as a US marine. To my delight, he showed no hesitation when I shared my dream of growing our family to seven beautiful souls.

The couple married in secret last year, Joss wearing a £70 dress from ASOS, bringing up their daughter Violet, three, and son, Shackleton, two, some 4,000 miles from the home where criminals planned to snatch her and where, she said recently, ‘I feel so much safer’.

She presented their latest member last week – her newly adopted son, Bear, who was also adopted since Cody was his father. (Paraphrased)

She expressed her deep affection in a post on Instagram, stating, ‘We have a tremendous love for him,’ referring to Cody. ‘Similarly, the existence of Cody is due to his birth mother’s selfless love, as she made an adoption plan for him, and the same applies to Bear.’

Joss, at the age of 37, has just revealed that due to her recent domestic bliss, she intends to move back to Devon by the time her daughter Violet (turning 4 next month) begins school there.

She expressed that she desires her children to experience a similar childhood as hers, filled with activities like horseback riding, tree-climbing, and spending quality time with family.

What mixed feelings might the singer experience upon their homecoming, and is it possible that Joss has found peace with the turmoil of her past?

15-year-old Joss was signed to her first record label after Steve Greenberg, a music executive, noticed her singing on the BBC Television talent show Star for a Night in London. Within a year of signing, she recorded her first hit single titled Fell in Love with a Boy. In her own words, the most challenging aspect of her early success was having to oversee a group of adults since she was the one paying them. This situation made her uncomfortable and added to her confusion.

Despite a possible decline in public interest for her music, particularly with her third album not reaching the same level of success as her first two, her friendship with the royal family remained strong. She impressed celebrities like Tom Cruise, who listened to her music in his car, and befriended Prince Harry after meeting at a Prince’s Trust fundraiser in 2005. This bond endured, as she was invited to attend Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in April 2011, an event she described as ‘wonderful’.

A little over a month ago, Liverpool and Bradshaw had departed from the shared apartment they occupied in Manchester, their worn-out Fiat Punto brimming with weaponry such as a samurai sword, knives, hammers, a large metal spike, balaclavas, a garden hose, and plastic bags. Their destination was Joss’ residence.

Additionally, they were found with personal scribblings detailing their plan to swipe a million pounds from the singer while secretly planning to dispose of her in a river.

People living nearby grew wary of the men’s actions, as it happened only 7 miles from her home while she herself was there, with the house doors left open, prompting them to contact the authorities.

Liverpool and Bradshaw displayed a photograph of the singer to a mail carrier, inquiring whether he recognized her residence.

In April 2013 they were found guilty of planning to rob and murder Joss at Exeter Crown Court.

During their investigation of a man’s apartment, the police uncovered illegible writings that hinted at plans to behead a famous singer. These notes raised questions about her connections with the royal family, implying that her potential ties to Prince William and Prince Harry could have served as a motive.

Initially, Bradshaw received an 18-year sentence while Liverpool got a life sentence. But in the following May, Bradshaw’s term was shortened to ten years, and the minimum sentence for Liverpool was decreased to six and a half years, which implies that both men now have a chance to be released from prison.

Joss publicly refused to be cowed, insisting it hadn’t put her off living in Devon: ‘I can go shopping and nobody bothers me.’

Two years on, Joss, who was 28 at the time, confessed that her long-standing apprehension of the dark had grown more challenging. “I’ve always been a bit jumpy at night,” she admitted. “I could tell myself to stop being so foolish, reminding myself there’s no one lurking under the bed or behind the door. But now, I can’t dismiss those thoughts as easily because, in all honesty, it might not be an empty house.

Despite spending significant periods of time both inside and outside America since her teenage years, living in New York and Los Angeles at various points, Joss never lost the affection she held for her home county. During trips back to Devon, she found herself surrounded by the aroma of wine in the kitchen, filled with cigarette smoke, and would often prepare a lasagna.

She mentioned that being unmarried and not having any kids were the primary factors leading her to settle in another state permanently, starting from approximately 2016.

In my formative years, I harbored a strong desire for a large family, yet I couldn’t find the ideal partner. By the time I turned 30, residing in picturesque Devon, I made a bold decision and told my mother, “I’m embarking on a journey to America, and I won’t return until I’ve found a husband and started a family.” Recognizing that a change was necessary, I took action.

In the year 2020, Joss encountered Cody at an airport in Belize as she was returning from a performance in Antarctica. Instead of her usual approach with strangers, which included mentioning her desire for seven children, she found that Cody had different plans. He expressed his wish to adopt a Beagle and a baby instead.

 ‘I was like, “My God, I love you.” I knew he was the one,’ she later recalled.

Despite working excessively with ambitions to visit every nation worldwide, she had been composing songs for her future children long before they met. She characterized Cody, aged 34 and a logistics manager at Amazon, as a ‘chivalrous’ individual who fulfills her ‘whimsical dreams’.

Seven months into her pregnancy with Violet, the couple decided to relocate to Nashville at the suggestion of record producer and ex-Eurythmics member Dave Stewart, with whom she was collaborating on an album and resided only a half-hour drive away. This move would facilitate more frequent songwriting sessions between them.

During her second pregnancy, Joss found herself prioritizing differently. “It’s more challenging this time,” she admitted while expecting Shackleton, who was born in October 2022. “I’m attempting to embody that ‘I am woman, hear me roar’ spirit, but all I seem to want is to relax and enjoy some cake.

In November, Joss shared with a reporter at a West End staging of The Time Traveller’s Wife (a production she helped compose music for) that she viewed nearly grabbing a tossed bouquet as a ‘sign’ – which led her to return home to Nashville and get married.

Regardless of her affluence, she wore a simple, previously-owned white summer dress from ASOS; one that only set her back £70 and arrived with a “bridal” label on it, as she explained.

Her attitude towards the attempt on her life seems to have shifted with motherhood.

She mentioned lately, “In 2011, something happened to me that made me start securing my home with locks and an alarm system, which I hadn’t done before. Cody is so laid-back; he says, ‘There’s no need for worry about that,’ but I respond, ‘You should remember, people can try to harm you sometimes.’

She expressed gratitude for both her new city (Nashville) and her husband, as she feels incredibly safe there since she knows the local men, unlike before. Having a partner like Cody, who works in security, adds an extra layer of reassurance because he’s always a comforting presence around.

Nowadays, her lifestyle is more relaxed as she travels by bus to allow the kids to rest. The extravagant behavior that was once characteristic of her (such as throwing TVs) has noticeably lessened: “We don’t engage in such destructive actions anymore – the children wouldn’t be pleased.

Previously, it was disclosed that she together with Cody had initiated the adoption procedure in the U.S. Now, that process is complete, as evidenced by Joss acknowledging baby Bear’s biological mother on Instagram: ‘She is a wonderful young woman who also cherishes him deeply.’

Prior to Bear, she found her life in rural Tennessee reminiscent of home. She delighted in taking their dog Maggie for strolls near a local lake and visits to an adventure playground. On the way, there were horses and cows – much like where she was from in England, which had a distinctly countryside feel with livestock such as cows, pigs, and sheep.

She’ll undoubtedly re-live that reality soon, as Joss purchased the house in the Devon village she was raised in, equipped with a church, community hall, and a pub. After her parents divorced, she expressed that home for her is the countryside where she grew up, with a forest nearby and an air so pure and invigorating.

It’s believed she continues to hold ownership of the five-bedroom house, which she previously rented out for approximately £1,325 per week and used as a backdrop for one of her social media cooking videos three years ago. The rustic elements like wooden beams, sunflowers, and stools in the video seem to hint at a peaceful countryside lifestyle. However, her radiant smile might have given away more about her feelings. This woman, who had explored various corners of the globe, appeared to have found solace in reconnecting with her roots.

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2024-12-12 06:49

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