Mari Wilson, the singer known for her towering beehive and 1980s hits, has released her first album of original material since 2008. The new record, Girl About Town, marks a return to pop after years spent in jazz and musical theatre.
Wilson, now 71 and once dubbed Neasden's Queen of Soul, said the album came out of lockdown. "There was no plan, but also no pressure, which is probably why it was so much fun - a joyful mix of pop, soul, and jazz," she said. "It's based on a lot of life experience. At my age, I knew I had stories to tell."
A path away from pop stardom
Wilson rose to fame with six hit singles, including her signature track Just What I Always Wanted. In 1986, she stepped away from pop, later reinventing herself in the jazz world, drawing inspiration from Peggy Lee and Judy Garland.
She explained her departure: "Fame was difficult. I was still living at home with my mum and dad. Pop stars were meant to be rich and live in a mansion. That wasn't me, yet my life was all very public." She described the pressure to maintain her beehive and the difficulty of ordinary tasks like going to the supermarket.
Early life and musical roots
Growing up in Neasden, London, Wilson was immersed in music. "My dad worked for London Transport, but there was always music in the house," she recalled. She and her siblings sang together, harmonising on Beatles songs, the Bee Gees and James Taylor.
By her mid-teens, she was determined to sing professionally, telling her headmistress she would appear on Top of the Pops. Her signature look was inspired by her sister, who used a false hairpiece and styled her eyes like Dusty Springfield. Wilson's first TV dress cost 20p and was blue Lurex.
Health and new beginnings
Wilson has Type 1 diabetes, diagnosed at age 23, and is celiac with thyroid issues. She said the diagnosis initially felt like a life sentence, but a doctor told her she might become healthier than her friends because she had to look after herself.
She now swims, does yoga and Zumba, and walks regularly. Reflecting on her younger self, she said: "If I could talk to her though, I'd tell her to trust her instinct more. 'Don't go along with something because you think others know more than you do - they're just more confident.'"
Girl About Town is out 4 September 2026.
