Who You Don't See

In the final episode of the season, we're joined by Nick Huggett a music manager responsible for signing some of the biggest names in pop; Adele, Dizzee Rascal, MIA and Rizzle Kicks. It's his job to scout and nurture artists to become the megastars they are. In our chat we speak about tough talks with artists, why audition performances can be awkward and the artists that got away.

We couldn't do a 90's special without talking about the Spice Girls, so it's only right we speak to their musical director Simon Ellis. Simon was the guy responsible for re-writing the music for all their tours and blames having 'too much fun' for his hazy memories of the time. 

He did the same role with Britney Spears and tells us about working with her both before and during the conservatorship. 

Outside of MD'ing, Simon's a songwriter with many Top 10 tracks in his catalogue. If you like S Club 7, you owe Simon a big thanks because he wrote  "Don't Stop Movin'" and "Never Had a Dream Come True". 

This week we're joined by choreographer - Teresa Barcelo - or “Toogie” as she's often known. She's danced with a whole host of stars including Sean Paul, Dua Lipa and Harry Styles, where she quite literally instructed a whole load of dancers to 'shove melon in Harry's mouth'. Toogie started out as a backing dancer working alongside Sean Paul, and Sean Kingston. Since then she's gone onto choreograph Dua Lipa, Miguel and Alicia Keys - working towards music videos, world tours and award show performances. In the chat we discuss her approach to choreography, an approach that saw her named as one of Billboards most influential choreographers, as well as the work she did with Dua to own the quote un-quote, lazy dance.

Since picking up a camera 22 years ago, Randall has captured Hollywood’s finest. As an aspiring actor himself, he started doing headshots for fellow up and coming actors that went onto become household names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando bloom and Reese Witherspoon. Headshots aside, in recent years he’s become known for his work at 90's house parties, in a pre-instagram world, it was Randall who documented Hollywood nights out. In our chat, we talk about social media being the demise of wild Hollywood parties. How he was intimated when shooting Bill Clinton, and how we’re ditching extreme airbrushing for something more 'authentic'…

Think about the stars of the 00's and Amy Winehouse immediately comes to mind. This week, we interview Naomi Parry, Amy's fashion stylist. Naomi was in her late teens when her mate Amy asked if she’d be interested in styling her. That was 2006, the year Amy released Back to Black. 

The next 6 years were a whirlwind of world tours, festivals and music videos. Naomi was there for the good times; and the times of turmoil too. In the pod, we chat about the outfits Naomi designed for Amy, and tragically never got to wear. We also speak Amy’s style; a style that in many ways still influences what we wear now, as well as hear all about the mad backstage moments that often meant Amy was late to stage. 

This week we’re chatting to Danilo Dixon, a hairdresser to the stars. He’s been in the game for twenty years and in that time worked alongside celebrities like Selena Gomez, Lily James and Katy Perry. 

His most regular client is the one and only Gwen Stefani, who pays him a visit several times a week. In their twenty years of working together, he’s delivered many space buns, slick ponies and always maintained that iconic platinum blonde.

Ray Winkler is an entertainment architect. Yep, if you're not familiar… he’s the guy who designs stages for huge world tours. He started designing in the 90’s working with bands like the Rolling Stones and U2, since then he’s gone onto conquer the world of pop designing sets for Britney, Beyonce's Coachella stage and most recently for Adele at Hyde Park. 

Our guest this week is the incredible Julianne Kaye. Cast your minds back to 1999, when a little known pop star called Britney Spears was starting her career. Behind her was Julianne, 24 at the time and tasked with doing Britney’s hair and make up on a world tour. Spoiler, it went well. Remember that iconic double denim red carpet moment for Britney and Justin? That was Jules’ doing, and it took just twenty minutes. Make up aside, we talk about Britney’s conservatorship and chat about the whole host of other celebrities she’s done glam for, including Beyonce, Mariah and the Hadid’s. Enjoy.

Hello! Welcome back to Season Three of Who You Don't See. The podcast celebrating the people behind the stars.

This time we're zooming back to the 00's and 90's, a time of low rise jeans, frosted lip gloss and Von Dutch Caps.

We have a whole range of exciting guests lined up, including Britney Spears' make up artist, Gwen Stefani's hair stylist and the 'entertainment architect' who made Britney's iconic Slave For You snake moment.

We launch next week, and you can make sure you don't miss a single episode by subscribing to Who You Don't See wherever you get your podcasts.

Thanks and see you very, very soon.

I’ll openly admit I had no idea what Callum’s job entailed before chatting to him - but he’s a musical wizard and taught me all about building songs for the stage, in comparison to the studio.

Whilst we were all baking banana bread in lockdown, Callum was working on Dua Lipa’s studio 2054 live stream concert.

When non-lockdown life allows, he also tours with Zara Larson, and played a role in Ed Sheeran’s world tour, the highest grossing tour ever.

In our chat we speak about long days on set, keeping calm in intense moments and learn which artist has the tastiest catering. Enjoy.
 
If you want to keep up with Callum's tours, he’s right here: @callum.lw

And to keep up with the latest podcast episodes, I’m over at: @meg_lawton

Thank you’s: 

Podcast artwork: Worth Mentioning

Head shot photography: Hannah Domney

Music: Jay Lewn