Monday, November 25, 2024

Coachella 2025 has unveiled its full lineup with Post Malone, Green Day and Lady Gaga

Post Malone, Lady Gaga and Green Day are headlining Coachella 2025. The annual festival will take place on April...

Latest Posts

Eternal announce first UK headline show in more than a decade

Eternal have announced their first UK headline show in more than a decade. The R'n'B girl group - comprising...

Charli xcx to headline her own ‘party girl’ festival in London next year

Charli xcx is set to put on her own festival, party girl, in London next year. The hyperpop superstar...

Lana Del Rey to headline Wembley Stadium as part of 2025 tour

Lana Del Rey has announced a 2025 UK and Ireland stadium tour. The 39-year-old singer will play London's Wembley...

Gary Barlow announces 41-date 2025 solo tour

Gary Barlow is set to embark on 'The Songbook Tour' in 2025. The Take That star has announced the...

Cherylee Houston launches disabled artist initiative

‘Coronation Street’ stars Cherylee Houston and Melissa Johns have launched a new networking initiative for disabled performers.
The 43-year-old actress – who plays Izzy Armstrong in the ITV soap – has joined forces with her former co-star, who played Imogen Pascoe, to set up networking event Disabled Artist Network Community (DANC) to help change the way the industry "embraces" disabled artists and performers.
Cherylee said: "This industry can change the way we’re treated in society.
"So if we can change the way this industry embraces us … then people won’t have to face the blocks we faced."
Melissa added: "We can’t have a ‘them and us’ situation anymore. Because it’s not working.
"That’s why we created DANC, because we want this to be an integration of everyone knowing that it’s everyone’s responsibility.
"It can’t keep falling on us as artists with disabilities."
The pair are hoping to bring about change by opening up conversations with the likes of TV companies, filmmakers, arts venues and music producers.
Speaking to the BBC in a joint interview, Cherylee said: "The more of us stand together, the more of a difference we can make.
"It’s about that responsibility of putting back into your career for the people of the future for their careers, so people don’t have to keep facing the blocks we faced."
Melissa added: "You grow up not seeing people with disabilities on screen or on stages, and when you do say to somebody, ‘I want to be an actor’ or ‘I want to be a dancer’ or ‘I want to be something in this industry’ you do get funny looks.
"You do get funny looks anyway when you say you want to be in this industry, which is fair enough.
"When you have a disability, suddenly it’s like ‘Ooh,’ and you get this sympathetic look."
In March, Cherylee and Melissa teamed up to launch The Manchester Mental Health Choir to help people with mental health problems.

Latest Posts

Eternal announce first UK headline show in more than a decade

Eternal have announced their first UK headline show in more than a decade. The R'n'B girl group - comprising...

Charli xcx to headline her own ‘party girl’ festival in London next year

Charli xcx is set to put on her own festival, party girl, in London next year. The hyperpop superstar...

Lana Del Rey to headline Wembley Stadium as part of 2025 tour

Lana Del Rey has announced a 2025 UK and Ireland stadium tour. The 39-year-old singer will play London's Wembley...

Gary Barlow announces 41-date 2025 solo tour

Gary Barlow is set to embark on 'The Songbook Tour' in 2025. The Take That star has announced the...

Don't Miss

Cher confirms new album is in the pipeline

Cher has teased a new album is in the works. The 'Believe' hitmaker appeared on 'The Tonight Show Starring...

The Pogues announce first tour since Shane MacGowan’s death

The Pogues are set to embark on their first tour in more than a decade and since the death of frontman Shane...

Taylor Swift gave BLACKPINK star Rosé solo career advice

Taylor Swift offered her support to BLACKPINK star Rosé when she was "drowning a little” trying to establish her solo career.

Skrillex recalls meeting ‘absolute hero’ Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones once attended a Skrillex concert. The late music legend - who passed away on November 3, at...

Funeral For A Friend announce two special outdoor gigs for 2025

Funeral For A Friend have announced two huge outdoor gigs with an all Welsh lineup. The 'Streetcar' post-hardcore legends...

Stay in touch

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.