The New Image Of Charlotte Church

Welsh rear-bit ... Charlotte's bot what it takes By MARK BOWNESS: ("Aria Of The Year", Courtesy of The Sun).

SHE is famous for having the voice of an angel – and now Charlotte Church’s body is pretty heavenly too. In the four years since she first found fame, the soprano superstar has gone from sweet schoolgirl to sexy 16-year-old. And yesterday her transformation was recognised when she became the youngest-ever winner of the Rear Of The Year award. At the ceremony in London, Charlotte joked that she hoped the title would help her attract a new fella after her split from DJ boyfriend Steve Johnson, 17. Charlotte aged nine with her mum Maria She said: “It’s official. I’ve got the best bum in the country and I hope it helps me get a new boyfriend. I’m looking for someone tall, dark, handsome and a bit mysterious.” She added: “I love my bum, it’s cheeky. It’s not a perfect, pert bum like Kylie Minogue’s but it’s wholesome. And when I dance I’m a real bottom wriggler.” Charlotte, who is busy studying for GCSE exams and working on a new album, hopes her 36-26-36 figure will be “an inspiration” to teenage girls. She said: “I’m not skinny but a healthy size. I love eating junk — pizza, chocolate and crisps — but I work out too. At the family home in Cardiff on the verge of fame and fortune Click pic to enlarge “I try to look after myself. I play squash and have a personal trainer but like any teenager I guess I eat far too much chocolate. “There is a lot of pressure on any 16-year-old to look good but especially when you’re in the public eye. “That’s why I am so flattered to win, because I don’t consciously try to be this sexy star, it’s just the way I am.” Multi-millionairess Charlotte continued: “I’m not sure what reaction I’ll be getting from fans now. Already a star at 13, Charlotte attends a London premiere Click pic to enlarge “I don’t think people will start seeing me as a sex symbol — I certainly don’t. “I’m just a normal kid who likes hanging out with her mates. “However if it does anything to boost my chances with Craig David then I’ll be really chuffed!” Speaking about her curvy new shape, Charlotte said: “I’m not consciously trying to look sexier but I can’t be expected to stay like the 12-year-old angel I once was. “My look has changed but that’s just down to me growing up rather than me trying to change my image. Looking the seasoned performer aged 14 at a Beverley Hills bash Click pic to enlarge “The 12-year-old angel is now 16 and let’s face it, I can’t carry on wearing white choral outfits or ballgowns for ever, can I?” Even so, Charlotte has turned down requests to pose for raunchy snaps for various men’s mags. She said: “I rarely show off any flesh and I am certainly not about to rush off and do any revealing photo shoots. I think 16 is too young — but perhaps when I’m 18, we’ll see.” Since she burst on to the music scene in 1998 the Cardiff youngster’s four albums have sold more than 10 million copies. A glamorous record company publicity shot - and still only 15 Click pic to enlarge In America she is ahead of Madonna and Janet Jackson in Billboard magazine’s top ten best-selling female vocalists. She is the youngest artist ever to have a No1 in the UK classical charts and has performed for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush, the Pope, the Queen and Prince Charles. Yet down-to-earth Charlotte insists she is still an ordinary girl at heart. She said: “When I’m not working I just prefer to put on a pair of jeans or baggy trousers. Butt of all right ... male Rear Of The Year winner Scott Wright of Corrie “I do most of my shopping at places like Topshop and I think I’m just like any other teenager.” In winning the Rear Of The Year award, sponsored by Slendertone Flex, Charlotte is following in the illustrious footsteps of such previous title holders as Claire Sweeney, Denise Van Outen and Melinda Messenger. And each year there is a male winner too — the 2002 award goes to Coronation Street hunk Scott Wright, who plays mechanic Sam Kingston in the ITV1 soap. Scott, 27, said he was delighted and excited as he received his award on the Corrie film set in Manchester — and jokingly asked if he could arrange a date with Charlotte. He said: “I am really excited, it is really funny, really tongue-in-cheek, but I feel really excited to be told that I have a mighty fine arse. “I would love to meet Charlotte Church — if anyone would give me her phone number.”

LONDON (Reuters):

- Teenage singing sensation Charlotte Church has performed for princes, presidents and popes. Now she has won the Rear of the Year award. "It is very strange," confessed the bemused 16-year-old on Wednesday as paparazzi, usually more obsessed with the pert posterior of Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue, battled for the best shot of the Welsh soprano's curves. The award offered the perfect transition for the "Voice of An Angel". Gone is the cherub-faced child star who has sold 10 million albums around the world. In comes the glamorous teenager acutely aware that image is a vital marketing tool. "I think it is quite sad that image is so absolutely fundamental," she told Reuters as she strode into a sun-kissed London park, admitting she felt faintly foolish wearing her "Rear of the Year" winner's sash for the obligatory photo-shoot. "But that's the way of the world, that is the way it is, nobody is going to change it. Therefore there is no point in complaining about it -- just embrace it." But she firmly rejected the wet t-shirt look that classical violinist Vanessa-Mae adopted for her best-selling album cover. "Definitely not. There is no need," Church said of the look that provoked a backlash from critics who accused classical music marketers of "dumbing down" the art in pursuit of profits. "I wouldn't say I have gone on a sexy angle," she said as photographers begged her to swivel round in her faded blue jeans and show just why she won her accolade. Flattered and honoured by the award, she had never thought her behind was her best asset. "I said this is a laugh. Please -- me? Rear of the year? I don't think so," she said. "When I was 15, it wouldn't have been allowed to give me 'Rear of the Year' as it would probably have been considered too crude. Now I am 16, it's allowed." The big occasion -- From the Hollywood Bowl to the Winter Olympics and Britain's Millennium Dome -- certainly does not faze Church. She is a fiercely committed professional whose personal worth has been put as high as 7 million pounds. And she boasts an impressive list of the great and good who have heard the golden voice of the girl from the Welsh valleys, first discovered on a British television talent show at the age of 11 and speedily signed by Sony a year later. Asked who topped the charisma stakes, she said: "I'd say Bill Clinton and also Tony Blair -- very, very charismatic and warm." But George W. Bush's geography knowledge -- not for the first time -- let him down badly: "He asked me what state Wales was in. I didn't really know how to answer that one, bless him." - Paul Majendie

(Courtesy of Ananova):

Charlotte Church has admitted she loves her bum after being named Rear Of The Year. The 16-year-old says she is very flattered, but thinks the award is very silly. The singer says her ideal bottom is that of Jennifer Lopez. She added she has been on a health drive, swimming and playing squash, to keep herself in shape. She said: "It's hard, and it hurts, but it's worth it. I'm not skinny. You get a lot of celebrities that are skinny and I think a lot of eating disorders and anorexia start from that. I'm kind of a healthy weight. "I do love my bum. It's not skinny, it's not flat but I can deal with that. I like it regardless of what anyone else thinks. "I just think that because I'm 16 I'm allowed to get awards like this now - when I was 15 it would have been seen as sick."

Health psychologist Dr David Lewis said that giving the award to a 16-year-old would send out a positive message to teenagers to look after their bodies and watch their weight. He said: "It's very important for young people to recognise the importance of a good shape and a good physique, not necessarily for sexual reasons but for reasons of good health." "I sometimes see seven and eight-year-olds who need therapy because they are overweight. I think if you get someone who is a hero or heroine for young people, it's a useful role model." Dr Lewis, who has undertaken research for award sponsors Slendertone, said body shapes were changing in young people due to a combination of fast food, more time spent sitting at computers or watching TV and the closure of sports fields around the UK.

(Courtesy of The Western Mail):

International singing sensation Charlotte Church and Coronation Street heart-throb Scott Wright were today named winners of the Slendertone Flex Rear of the Year award. Charlotte, at 16 the youngest winner of the award, admitted she had recently started working out. "I guess it must be having some effect," she said. "I'm so flattered and honoured but, to be honest, I have never thought my behind was my best asset." The singer from Cardiff with the multi-platinum catalogue and straight A report card follows the very latest fashions and fads while her personal musical tastes cover hip-hop through to Broadway musicals and on to rock. "I go with the flow. If there is something you really want to accomplish, you should give it a go. You only live once," she said. Described as the girl with the voice of an angel, Charlotte has racked up more than 10 million international record sales. The youngest artist to have a number one album in the UK classical charts, she was voted artist of the year at the first Classical Brit Awards two years ago. Scott Wright, who plays Sam Kingston the garage mechanic who becomes 'The Python' stripper in his spare time, originally joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2000 for four episodes - but stayed for two years. The 27-year-old 6ft blond is already used to women ripping his clothes off and pinching his backside, following his on-screen stripping in the northern soap. "I'll never forget the time I was out in Blackpool when I was set upon by a gang of women on a hen night," he said. "They ripped the shirt off my back and I had to be rescued by the police. I sincerely hope they won't start ripping off the strides now that I'm the male Rear of the Year." He leaves Coronation Street on June 7 and has been inundated with offers since his departure was announced. He is currently considering both musicals and TV shows. The awards are to be presented at the Carlton Tower Hotel in London's Knightsbridge and Granada TV Studios in Manchester. Brian Goold, marketing director of Slendertone Flex, sponsors of the award, which is now in its 20th year, said Charlotte and Scott were worthy winners. "Naturally, being in the bottom toning business ourselves, we recognise a well-toned rear and Charlotte and Scott have obviously put a lot of effort into looking good," he said. "Charlotte has a great rear and is already taking steps to keep it that way."

The New Image Of....

The Slendertone Rear Of The Year Award 2002