Suzanne Shaw has said it's been 'an emotional few months' as she reflected on Hear'Say's recently announced reunion, 25 years after the band was formed and won Popstars on ITV.
The competition was the first British series of the international Popstars franchise and was billed as a documentary on the formation of a pop group. Suzanne, Danny Foster, Myleene Klass, Kym Marsh and Noel Sullivan were chosen to front the group, becoming instant household names. They achieved number one success with 'Pure and Simple', topped the charts with 'The Way To Your Love', and their debut album 'Popstars' reached triple-Platinum status.
Reunion and tour details
Kym quit the band in February 2002, and Hear'Say officially split months later after less than two years together. It was recently announced they are reuniting a quarter of a century later for a string of new gigs.
They are teaming up with Liberty X for a joint arena tour - titled Popstars: The Originals - of the UK and Ireland, commemorating 25 years since both groups were formed on Popstars. Liberty X was formed with the show's five other finalists: Michelle Heaton, Jessica Taylor, Kelli Young, Tony Lundon and Kevin Simm. The tour will see the four original members of Hear'Say, excluding Myleene, take the stage alongside Liberty X, who also achieved chart success with Just A Little, Thinking It Over and Being Nobody.
Suzanne's emotional reflection
Having been out promoting the upcoming tour, Suzanne, from Bury, took to Instagram with an update as she reflected on reuniting with her former bandmates and fellow Popstars finalists. Sharing a string of behind-the-scenes pictures which included her son joining her at work, she said: "It's been a very emotional few months."
"To be back with the people I entered this industry with, who I shared some of the biggest career moments of my life with, but also some of the most emotionally impactful moments of my young adult life, has been overwhelming in the most beautiful way," she wrote. "During the promo shoot, Raffi (my youngest) got to spend a few days with us all. One evening, after a long day of filming, he said to me, 'I feel so grateful I get to experience Hearsay with you.' It completely melted my heart. But it also made me realise just how much this moment means to me."
She continued: "Getting into the band all those years ago was such a gift and changed the course of my life in ways I could never have imagined. And now, all these years later, I get to experience a little bit of that magic again. Only this time, I get to bring the younger generation of my family along on the journey with me. I don't think I ever imagined that would be possible and I can't quite put into words how special that feels."
Bandmates respond
"It's also been incredibly emotional and fulfilling being back with my bandmates. We went through so much together, at such a young age, and those experiences bonded us in a way that I don't think any of us fully understood at the time," she added. "Being back together has made me realise just how deep those bonds go. So much life has happened in between, we've all grown and changed, but there's something between us that has never really gone away."
Suzanne rounded off by saying: "I feel incredibly grateful that we get to share this moment again, not just with each other, but with the people we love and the people who have been on this journey with us. It might sound corny, but Hearsay forever really does say it all. HEAR we go again. 2027 tour: Link in bio."
Danny replied to the post: "Just beautiful. Love you (Love Raffi) and beyond grateful we get to share & witness these moments with each other again. Without a doubt - Hear'say Forever." Noel shared: "I Love this and I love you. What a beautiful post. After everything we've seen each other through…" Kym also gushed: "A gorgeous post darling. Says everything really! I'm so grateful and feel so lucky that we get to do this all over again with each other but better!!! Sharing with family has always been part of our journey and although some of them are sadly no longer with us, they will be there in spirit I know! And….. we now have extra family to bring along too! Love you girl always."
