Pop corner

AILBHE MALONEwonders if Cheryl will ever be struck by irony

TRACK OF THE WEEK: Hard to Love Somebody by Arlissa Vs Nas.

Soulful London lass meets Nas? The last time this happened was with Amy Winehouse, so Nas (with Arlissa, below) certainly knows how to pick them. Arlissa’s track jammily reached the ears of Kelis’s ex (he’s posing with her wedding dress on the cover of his new album!) and he liked it so much he flew her out to LA to re-record the vocals. Nice work if you can get it, eh?

Gwen Stefani’s finding out that life back in the pop world has its disadvantages.

Speaking to Elle, she explained: “Being a mom is hard, I think a lot of working moms feel that way. [They want] to have time to be themselves as well but it’s really hard, there’s a price to pay.

“Like today, I’m here talking to you and my son is at the beach. It would be super fun to watch his little four-year-old chunky legs running around, you know.” Hopefully the new No Doubt material will convince her that popstardom isn’t an entirely bad trade-off.

Our Chezza's been giving out loads in the past few weeks. Cheryl (right) told the Evening Standard that she was tired of people always assuming that she was romantically involved with Will.i.am. "Of course, that's the natural thing people go to. Heaven forbid you should have any other kind of relationship with someone from the opposite sex. I was still married then, too. I had always thought Will was quirky and out there and just ridiculously talented, and he is all those things. He's amazing and we just clicked straight away." Luckily, she's now got her own space to clear up any personal rumours, as she's written her autobiography – out in autumn. "I've had enough of other people's s**t and it's time to have my own say," she added.

“I was always happy to keep my mouth shut, but it’s, like, when a bully slaps someone and slaps someone and finally I’ve had enough. That story just tipped us (me) over the edge.

“I’m going to put it in my own words.”