Louise and Kéllé Bryan have backed out of Eternal’s first original line-up reunion in almost 30 years over their bandmates’ refusal to perform at LGBTQ+ events.
According to the Daily Mirror, the band – also starring sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett – had signed up for a UK tour next year to mark their 30th anniversary, but the plans were thrown into chaos when the siblings apparently refused to play at the festivals.
Louise and Kéllé subsequently pulled out in June, leaving the sisters to tour together as Eternal.
“Louise, Kéllé, Easther and Vernie had all signed up to perform a huge nationwide tour next year, culminating with a huge show at pop festival Mighty Hoopla, which is loved by the gay community,” sources said.
“Then in June the girls received an email from Easther and Vernie who refused to play any gay festivals or Pride. They said they can’t support the LGBTQ community now it has an alliance with the trans community, a stance Vernie in particular has been public about on socials.
“Louise and Kelle were stunned and pulled out immediately – Louise’s fan base is 98 percent gay men. She and Kelle believe everyone is welcome to their shows. It’s a real shame for their fans who have been waiting such a long time for this moment.”
After the news broke, Louise took to social media, sharing the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag with the message “Always & Forever” – the title of Eternal’s debut album, while Kéllé issued a statement, writing: “Opportunities to reunite for an Eternal union tour with the girls has been discussed many times over the year.
“As mothers, the right opportunity and timing for all of our schedules have been tricky to arrange. The relationship with our fans and the joy of celebrating our success was, and still is my motivation. My stance and allegiances have always been that I am an advocate for inclusion and equality for all.”
Subsequently, the group’s original manager, Denis Ingoldsby, who now manages the sisters, said the duo have been left “devastated” by the saga, sharing: “Louise and her team have thrown them under the bus and everyone is totally appalled at their bullying behaviour by totally misrepresenting the situation to suit their own agenda.
“The girls sent an email to Louise’s camp saying they loved playing Pride, and they loved the ethos of the event. For her camp to go on the record suggesting they are homophobic is utterly outrageous. This is nothing about gay rights. The girls have played numerous LGBTQI venues their entire careers and have been inspired by the love and acceptance they have received.
“This is about the debate about the trans lobby and the erosion of the rights of women and children. Vernie said she had some concerns about the Pride movement being hijacked – and she is not alone – but this has now been weaponised against her, with Louise’s team trying to get her cancelled.
“The fact that the public statements by Louise’s team conveniently failed to acknowledge these concerns…once again shows how women are being excluded from the conversation.”
But representatives for Louise issued a response, stating: “Denis Ingoldsby was not involved in the discussions about the Eternal reunion including all four members over the last two years. Easther and Vernie can try and dress this up however they wish. The fact remains that the duo said they would only do the Eternal reunion if no Pride or LGBTQ+ festivals were included.
“Louise would obviously not agree to excluding the LGBTQ+ community from their touring plans. We as a team absolutely do not agree with dividing the LGBTQ+ community or excluding trans people.”
