AJ Tracey ‘grateful’ for his success but wishes he could see his mum more

AJ Tracey believes that wealth is more about making memories over making money as he doesn’t have time to see his family as much since blowing up.

These days the Flu Game star, 27, is poised to win Brit Awards and no longer has to fantasise about the flash cars in Ladbroke Grove, west London, where he grew up.

He shared: ‘It’s a beautiful place but if you take a left or right off the main roads you are right in the middle of the hood. We grew up having to look at all these affluent things, people with Rolexes, fast cars and in suits — we never had any of that. It’s a very stark contrast between the poverty and the affluence that is there.’

But now the wealth he strove for is less important. ‘When I was broke, I thought I needed money in order to be happy but now I realise what was making me happy is my mum, being around my family and my friends,’ AJ told Man About Town.

‘Now that I can’t see my mum as much, I’ve realised that a lot more. I’ve got all this money which is great but what do you even do with it on your own?

‘I’m grateful to have made it out the hood but I don’t think success is down to how much wealth you accumulate. It’s about making memories, creating moments and the impact you can have.’

He added his ‘growth’ also saw his music change, as freestyles he made while ‘broke and angry’ have lyrics he would now ‘look at in horror’.

Read the full interview in the new issue of Man About Town magazine.

Dua’s Lipa-ing for joy at ‘really crazy’ triple win

Dua Lipa says lockdown has been sofa-so-good for her career as she nailed a hat-trick at The Global Awards 2021 last night.

The Future Nostalgia star stormed to best British act, best female and most played song of 2020 for Don’t Start Now at the radio station awards.

Dressing up in hot pants and boots in her living room for the remote announcement, the 25-year-old shared: ‘I mean never in a million years did I think I would have to put an album out from my sofa. I definitely imagined things to go quite differently and to be touring at this time and to hear it outside in bars or in the club or something.’

But she was glad to take the spoils, adding: ‘I’m just so happy that the music has been there and has served as a form of escapism for me when I was writing it, to cut out anything that was going on in the world, so I’m happy that hopefully it did that for you too.’

And now the Grammy winner needs some new adjectives to keep up with her trophy cabinet. She said: ‘It’s just really crazy and I feel like it’s such an overused word for me, because I feel like every day of my life is like a pinch-me moment. But Don’t Start Now means a lot to me and I’m so happy you guys like it and you want to play it, and I’m so grateful that it’s found a home with you too.’

She was joined on the winners list by Harry Styles, who bagged best male, and Little Mix, awarded best group after a dramatic year that saw Jesy Nelson quit.

Head & Heart DJ Joel Corry was forced to celebrate his first award season from his back garden — missing out playing on what is normally one of the biggest nights in the showbiz calendar.

Showing off his rising star gong while sat outside, the 31-year-old vowed: ‘I’m going to keep those bangers coming for you.

‘Have an amazing summer and see you soon!’

Little Mix: None of us are too big

Little Mix have put their success down to no-one competing for the spotlight.

The girl group members — currently Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, after Jesy Nelson left last year — all have the ‘same vision’, insisted Jade.

She told US radio host Zach Sang: ‘Nobody wanted to outshine someone else. We have always been determined to remain equal people on our team, whoever else has suggested otherwise. And it has got us where we are now.’

Styles-ish Timothée ‘next Met host’

Timothée Chalamet could be following in Harry Styles’s fashionable footsteps amid speculation he will co-host this year’s Met Gala in September.

The Dune star is believed to be joining poet Amanda Gorman and fashion designer Tom Ford to present the fundraiser for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour reportedly chose the eccentric 25-year-old actor — known for his red carpet looks — for the role. Last year’s gala was axed due to the pandemic, with Styles hosting with Lady Gaga in 2019.

Rebel’s hopes amid fertility struggles

Rebel Wilson has revealed she received ‘bad news’ as she voiced support for those struggling with fertility.

The Pitch Perfect star, 41, who recently split with Jacob Busch, wrote on Instagram: ‘I got some bad news today. To all the women out there struggling with fertility, I feel ya. The universe works in mysterious ways and sometimes it all doesn’t make sense… but I hope there’s light about to shine through all the dark clouds.’

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