AKON and Ne-Yo have been the soundtrack of our lives for the past two decades.
Between them, they have sold more than 55million records worldwide, thanks to a series of high-profile collaborations including Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Gewn Stefani and David Guetta.
In 2008, Akon teamed up with Michael Jackson to rework the King of Pop’s 1982 smash Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.
Now he tells Bizarre that he’s got his sights on teaming up with Princess of Pop Britney Spears.
Speaking to Bizarre’s Jack backstage at The O2 as he and Ne-Yo team up for a massive UK arena tour, Akon said: “Yeah, I would f***ing kill that record with Britney. I’m obsessed with her.
“I have some songs lined up, but I can’t even explain it. As for the sound, I think it needs to reflect where she’s at in her life.”
He added: “That thing is beyond Britney. I can’t think of anyone that I haven’t worked with.
“So this is why I do a lot of collaborations with new artists, because that is what inspires me now.”
The duo have played just about every big arena in the country, including multiple nights at Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena and four nights at London’s O2.
And fans there for their last night at the capital’s venue this Thursday are in for a treat as the show is nothing short of bonkers in the best way, with Akon crowd-surfing on a pimped-out table.
The hitmaker had kicked off the tour Zorbing over the crowd — but UK health and safety rules forced him to rethink his plans.
Akon said: “Yeah, the inflatable ball was my idea. I’ve been doing it at other places since about 2008, but the UK has got too many restrictions.”
Videos of Akon crowd-surfing have gone viral on social media, with overjoyed fans baffled and stunned at the singer’s daring display.
In one clip, the superstar can be heard telling security not to worry and to get out of the way, as his fans love him and won’t hurt him.
Admitting he has zero fears when it comes to entering the crowd, Akon said: “No, I’m not nervous about falling off at all.
“You have got to have balance, though.”
After we tell him we would need a vodka before hitting the stage, the teetotal star laughs: “That’s why you could never do it. You couldn’t balance on there.
“You would be wobbly the moment you get on top.”
In fact, the sober star says all he needs is a can of Coca-Cola and some jelly beans to get him pumped up for the two-and-a-half-hour show.
Akon said: “Back in the day I used to work out before a show, but now it comes so second nature, I just chill and relax until it’s time for me to get on. I literally have no rituals.
“I love jelly beans. I have them before my show every day. I like Coke as a nice refreshing drink, and I make fruit juices as well. Just the basic stuff — ginger and lemon teas.
“But for the show itself, it’s totally different. I turn into the Incredible Hulk. I just change when the lights come on. I turn into somebody totally different.
“I’m not exhausted by the end. I’m fully energised and ready to go again.”
While Akon is powered by jelly beans, it seems his co-headliner Ne-Yo gets his energy from Scampi Fries.
Bizarre are led through the rabbit warren of corridors in The O2, passing racks of diamond- encrusted clothes to meet the star ahead of the gig.
And when he emerges from his dressing room, he holds up two packs of the savoury snack, which can be found in most old boozers.
Clearly impressed and baffled by the quintessentially British treat, Ne-Yo says: “I’ve just discovered scampi snacks — I love them.”
Rather than bringing them with him on the road, bosses at The O2 have stocked his dressing room minibar with a plentiful supply.
We tell Ne-Yo that if he pops to the pub for a post-show pint, he will be able to ask for a bag of Scampi Fries alongside his Stella.
Ne-Yo, who has clocked up 20 UK Top 40 singles and five UK No1s, jokingly replies: “I’m going to invest in the company.”
Judging by their high-energy set, it seems jelly beans and Scampi Fries really are the way forward.
ZENDAYA: MY BALANCING ACT
THEY are two of the biggest showbiz names on the planet.
But despite regularly being seen out and about together, Tom Holland and Zendaya are notoriously private when it comes to their relationship.
Now the Dune actress has revealed why she holds things back from fans – describing how she is locked in a daily battle over how much of her private life to share.
Zendaya said: “It’s a complex thing. It’s a balance of how to figure out how much to give of yourself, because I wouldn’t be in this position without the people who support me, and I want to be able to show them how thankful I am for their support.
“But then on the flip side, it is important to pour into yourself as well and hold things sacred to yourself and to your loved ones – to have those moments too and create that little healthy boundary.”
Zendaya and Tom married in secret this year after meeting on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016.
She added: “At the end of the day, you have to fill your cup too.
“I try to find that balance. There’s really no blueprint. There’s no road map.
“We don’t know what we’re doing. We’re just figuring this out every day.”
A $570m JACKO THRILLER
THE MICHAEL JACKSON biopic, Michael, has only been out for three weeks but is already breaking records.
The film has surpassed $570million (£420m) at the global box office – making it the No1 music biopic of all time in North America.
It is only the second music biopic ever to earn more than $500million at the box office, following in the footsteps of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Released in 2018, that film saw Rami Malek play the late Freddie Mercury, while former EastEnders actor turned X-Men hunk Ben Hardy played drummer Roger Taylor.
Meanwhile, in Michael, the late King of Pop is played by his real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
Michael’s daughter, Paris Jackson, has distanced herself from the project, accusing bosses of creating a “fantasy” with “full-blown lies”.
ARIANA: NEW LIFE BUDS IN PETALS
ARIANA GRANDE has continued to tease her upcoming eighth album, Petal.
The We Can’t Be Friends singer has insisted the new collection isn’t like her X-rated 2021 record Positions – despite previously referring to it as “a bit feral”.
Asked if the records will be similar, Ari simply replied: “No, but I love her [Positions] . . . I just enjoy evolving.”
The album’s lead single, Hate That I Made You Love Me, drops in just over a fortnight, with Petal released on July 31.
Ari’s previous album, 2024’s Eternal Sunshine, was all about her split from Dalton Gomez after three years of marriage, and finding love once more with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.
Insisting Petal will be far more uplifting than her last offering, Ariana added: “Basically, it’s about something that is full of life growing through the cracks of something cold and hard and challenging.”
Doja’s frilled to hit town
LOOKS like less is more for Doja Cat.
The Paint The Town Red rapper clearly doesn’t feel the cold as she steps out in New York in this tiny outfit.
Looking ready to party into the night, Doja opted for a purple metallic crop-top and a tiny frilly brown skirt – which barely measures more than some of the belts I own.
Doja completed her look with an equally minuscule pink handbag, which looks like it would only be able to fit an iPhone and a single lighter.
She may be from Los Angeles, but Doja clearly has some northern grit in her.
HELLO JAMES – WHO’S THE LITTLE GUY ON YOUR KNEE?
I’VE posed for my fair share of unflattering pictures with stars over the years.
But James Martin may have just taken the crown when it comes to photographic oddities.
The TV chef shared this picture of himself with presenter Guy Martin after he appeared on James Martin’s Saturday Morning cookery show.
Due to the angle, James appears five times the size of Guy, who is perched next to him like a ventriloquist’s dummy.
The Instagram comments section was immediately filled with fans of the duo giving them a good old-fashioned ribbing.
One wrote: “Did you have him on a boil wash?” Another added: “Love Guy. I didn’t realise he was only 2ft tall though.”
A third teased: “Faith in the British sense of humour restored by reading this comment section.”
Seemingly oblivious to the epic fail, James gushed over his bromance with Guy, with the caption: “I’ve interviewed many people but Guy was a top one . . .fascinating man and a massive eater. Top show – hope you liked it.”
DANCEFLOOR legend Martin Garrix has confirmed my tale that his single with Ed Sheeran is just around the corner.
Over the weekend, a billboard with a message from Martin popped up in the Dominican Republic, where Shape Of You singer Ed has just played a show.
It read: “Hi Ed. Can we please release our song? Xx Marty.”
I told last month how the duo will be releasing Repeat It.
Show support
LEWIS CAPALDI has added some huge support acts to his BST Hyde Park shows in London.
The singer will be supported by a string of top names including The Vaccines for his July 11 gig and Alessi Rose for his July 12 date.
Before he reaches the capital, Lewis will also play the brand-new Roundhay Festival in Leeds on July 4.
Jessie Murph, Kerr Mercer and Nieve Ella have all been announced to support him at the show.
Going all out
WE can always count on Rita Ora to go all out when it comes to weird and wonderful outfit choices.
The singer and actress looks like she stepped straight off the runway in this quirky blue-striped co-ord on Sunday in London.
Rita was in high spirits as she headed to the Royal Albert Hall to rehearse for tonight’s special King’s Trust Celebration concert there.
Bizarre will be backstage to bring you all the gossip from the VIP-packed night.
THE WEEK IN BIZNESS
TODAY: Ant and Dec will be at the helm for the King’s Trust Awards, with sets from Rod Stewart, Rita Ora, Craig David, Ronnie Wood and Anne-Marie at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
TOMORROW: Bust out the bunting for the first Eurovision semi at 8pm on BBC One, followed by the second on Thursday and the
grand final on Saturday, all broadcast live from Vienna.
FRIDAY: Drake returns with Iceman, his first solo album in three years. The Canadian rapper will be hoping it becomes his seventh UK No1, although there will also be new releases from Maluma and The All-American Rejects.
SATURDAY: Harry Styles kicks off his Together Together tour in Amsterdam with special guest Robyn.