She’s the husky-voiced singer who became a huge star in the 1980s with hits such as Total Eclipse Of The Heart.
But Bonnie Tyler admits she was shocked to discover she had a very famous fan – superstar Mariah Carey.
The pair met on a flight from New York – first class, of course – and Mariah confessed the Welsh songstress was her “idol”.
Bonnie says: “We had champagne together. She was lovely. I’ve always been told she is a bit of a diva, but she was really nice and said: ‘Oh Bonnie – you were one of my idols.’
“I told her: ‘I can’t believe it’. She sat next to me for over an hour talking.
“She had an entourage of people with her and she asked me who I was with and where my crew was.
(Image: Getty Images for Nikki Beach)
“I said: ‘It’s just me, my husband and my manager,’ and she couldn’t understand why I didn’t have an entourage. I said: ‘I’m not like that. I do everything myself like my hair and my make-up.’”
Born Gaynor Hopkins in the village of Skewen, near Neath in south Wales, Bonnie’s most famous hits came in the 1980s, including power ballads Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, which featured on the Footloose soundtrack.
She also represented the UK at Eurovision in 2013, coming 19th with Believe In Me.
Bonnie has just released her 18th studio album The Best Is Yet To Come and has no plans to slow down – despite turning 70 in June.
“I’ve no intention of retiring and look at the wonderful Sir Tom Jones,” she says. “He’s got 10 years on me, his voice is awesome, and he’s still doing it. I like what I do.
“These days you don’t make records to make money because everybody is streaming, but I’m passionate about making new records because it keeps my live shows fresh and exciting.”
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The star has been in the Algarve in Portugal since the start of lockdown last March with husband of almost 50 years, former judo star Robert Sullivan, 71.
Earlier this year she revealed she has finally learned to swim after spending years scared of water.
“It’s only taken me 69 years,” laughs the singer.
“Robert and my friend Sue – who is a very good swimmer – taught me. Before lockdown she was giving me some tips and finally it locked into place and clicked with me. I had a whole year and I was swimming nearly all summer.
“At the moment, the weather is just about changing and getting better, so it won’t be long until we’re back in the pool again.
“I can do about 40 widths. It’s good exercise as well. I’m not in the shallow end, but I don’t go right down to the deep end – kind of three-quarters down the way of the pool.”
Bonnie’s fear stems from a horror accident when she was a young girl.
(Image: Getty Images)
“When I was nine I nearly drowned,” she says.
“My cousin pulled me out of the water by the long plaits of my hair. So it wasn’t very nice. My mother tried to teach me and took me to the swimming baths, but I never had the confidence – but now I can. I won’t be winning any competitions but it’s never too late to learn.”
Bonnie met fellow Welsh star Ruth Jones – who wrote Gavin & Stacey and plays Nessa in the show –when they performed a spoof version of Islands In The Stream with Rob Brydon for a charity night in Cardiff.
They became pals and kept in touch. Bonnie says: “She phoned me the other day and left me a message. She’s very nice, and so talented.”
And while Bonnie’s not sure if Ruth and co-star James Corden will pen another series, she’d love a cameo role if they do. She reckons it would be perfect for her as her Welsh accent is too strong to play other parts.
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Bonnie says: “We don’t know if there’s even going to be another series. But I wouldn’t mind a cameo at all.
“I thought that’s something we could do because of my Welsh accent. I can’t get rid of my Welsh accent so I wouldn’t be able to do anything else.
“I have been asked to do West End shows like Blood Brothers and Hairspray but I’ve turned them all down because I’m not an actress – I’m a singer.
“I’ve been asked to be a judge on The Voice in Ireland, and I turned it down – I’m not interested in that sort of thing. Music is what keeps me young and I can’t wait to get out on the road again.”
● Bonnie’s new album, The Best Is Yet to Come, is out now.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
