TEDDY SWIMS says he is glad he was 30 years old before achieving global success – otherwise he could have gone off the rails.
The US star, whose single Lose Control sent his profile rocketing in 2023, said he doesn’t understand how younger stars like Benson Boone have coped with their early fame.
Teddy explained: “He’s crushing it at, like, 23. If they would have gave me that at 23, I would have sent that straight up my nose.
“Thank God it happened to me at the time it did and I’m capable of understanding this and taking it seriously.
“I’d have probably been so terrible about it. I’d have spun out immediately if I’d been given that at such a young age.”
Since then though, Teddy’s had further hits with The Door and Bad Dreams, but doesn’t let success get to his head.
He said: “I try not to hang up my diamond or platinum records in my house, because I feel like I’ll just be looking at them and be like, ‘My best days are behind me,’ or something.
“So I try just to keep my head down and keep rocking.”
Asked if they’re in storage, he confessed: “A lot of them I’ve given to my family on Christmas. It saves me a little money there too.
“You know, my aunt’s got The Door gold record from a year ago.”
A real beauty spot, Maya
MAYA JAMA is clearly feline fine as she turns up the heat in a skimpy leopard-print mini dress.
The Love Island host sizzled as she fronted the dating show’s ITV2 spin-off Aftersun in the slinky number.
Maya, who previously dated grime star Stormzy, split from her Manchester City footballer boyfriend Ruben Dias in April after 18 months together.
But she clearly isn’t moping around, and has been on holiday in Ibiza, where she flaunted her curves in a tiny bikini.
Maya said of the break-up: “I’m an all-or-nothing girl, I don’t casually date, so yes, I will love loudly or not at all – and if it ends, it ends. I decided a long time ago not to base my life decisions on public opinions.”
Sounds like she’s got the dating game sussed.
JACK WHITEHALL has apologised to Becky Hill for calling her a “Wetherspoons Whitney”, claiming the pair “had a chuckle” about his dig – despite her writing diss track Daddy’s Range Rover about him.
I revealed last month how Becky has penned the song all about him making her the butt of a joke while he hosted the 2024 Brits.
Jack says: “I think my biggest surprise is it’s taken so long for some- one to write a diss track about me. I apologised when I saw her.”
Becky doesn’t sound like she sees the funny side, however – blasting the “privately educated nepo baby”.
Jesy’s hol of a look
LITTLE MIX singer Jesy Nelson celebrated her 35th birthday pondering what is coming next for her.
Holidaying with friends, she mused: “Whatever will chapter 35 bring?”
Well, it is unlikely to bring a reunion with her estranged former bandmates.
Jesy was not a guest at Perrie Edwards’ wedding to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Portugal over the weekend, after Perrie said Jesy made her “blood boil” by claiming she felt unsupported during a mental health crisis.
Whatever comes next, it’s going to be a page-turner.
LEAH LETS LOOSE IN IBIZA
ENGLAND women’s football captain Leah Williamson made the most of her break from the game by enjoying a wild girls’ trip to Ibiza.
I’m told the Arsenal player let her hair down at the White Isle’s most legendary club Pikes last week.
Then on Friday night she let loose at Calvin Harris’ residency at superclub Ushuaia, where she partied with pals and her model girlfriend Elle Smith.
One onlooker told me: “Leah was having a great time doing shots with her mates – she was really living her best life.”
A calf injury meant she was ruled out of the last Lionesses squad, and it sounds like she is still feeling the effects as Leah wasn’t dancing as much as her mates.
But I reckon a blow-out in Ibiza might be just what she needs before getting her head back in the game.
FRESH off a collaboration with Ed Sheeran, Martin Garrix has teamed up with Madonna.
The Dutch DJ debuted Bizarre, one of the tracks from Madge’s highly anticipated Confessions II album, during a New York party.
From the clip I’ve heard, it sounds like an absolute beast.
ASTON: MY BOY’S READY TO HAVE BITE AT POP STARDOM
JLS star Aston Merrygold reckons he could have the next Justin Bieber on his hands in the form of his talented eldest son.
He revealed that eight-year-old Grayson Jax is already showing serious star potential.
The Beat Again singer said: “My oldest is full-on – he’s ready, he wants to do everything. He’s so much better than I ever was. Little Justin Bieber on the way.”
While fans wait to see if another Merrygold is about to hit the charts, Aston is juggling life as a musician with being a hands-on dad to his three children and setting a good example.
The singer has teamed up with Bupa Dental Care to launch the kids’ story and audiobook The Dentist’s Apprentice, aimed at helping youngsters overcome fears over check-ups on their teeth.
Aston said: “The whole premise is about trying to get rid of dental anxiety that young people have.
“Having all that pent-up anxious energy is not healthy for anyone. The dentist is about check-ups, it’s about prevention.”
Aston will soon be back on the road with JLS for their UK tour.
They are playing eight more shows, ending in Derby on August 29.