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Vernie Bennett
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Key Information

Vernett "Vernie" Bennett (born 17 May 1971) is an English singer.[1] She is a founding member of R&B girl group Eternal, with her sister Easther Bennett also a member. The original line up included Kéllé Bryan and Louise Nurding.[2][3]

Eternal were formed in 1992 and originally consisted of the Bennett sisters, Kéllé Bryan, and Louise Nurding (now known as Louise Redknapp). They became a trio in 1995 when Nurding quit the group to start a solo career, and a duo in 1998 when Bryan was controversially dismissed. The group eventually disbanded in 2000 after selling 10 million records worldwide.[4] After the split, Vernie went back to university to complete her law degree and has since settled down to family life with her husband and two children. She has occasionally appeared on British television shows, both as a presenter and as a guest.[3][1]

Life and career

[edit]

Born in 1971, she was brought up in Croydon, South London. As a child, she sang in a gospel choir with her sister, Easther.[2]

Eternal

[edit]

The band was formed in 1991[citation needed] and released their first single "Stay" in 1993 which achieved their first top ten hit in the UK and their first top 20 hit on the American Billboard Hot 100 chart.[5]

Nominated for four Brit Awards, the band performed on the soundtrack for Disney's m The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and had several hit songs. They sang for the Pope in the Vatican, took part in the anti-apartheid movement by performing at one of Johannesburg's largest outdoor concert with Midnight Oil, Sting and other well-known artists in South Africa[6] and featured on a Pepsi campaign. The band sold over 10 million records and achieved their first number one in 1997.[7]

A total number of five albums were released throughout the band's career: Always and Forever, Power of a Woman, Before the Rain, Greatest Hits, and Eternal. In 1998,[citation needed] Kéllé Bryan was dismissed by the Bennett sisters' solicitor,[4] and the latter self-entitled album and its lead single "What'cha Gonna Do" only included Vernie and her sister, before the group disbanded altogether. In December 2013, it was announced that Eternal would be reforming for the second series of the ITV2 reality-documentary The Big Reunion.[8] The reunion on ITV2 led to the group performing a number of select gigs in 2014. In September 2023, Louise Redknapp and her team reported that Easther and Vernie had refused to perform at a number of LGBTQ+ Pride events as part of an Eternal reunion tour.[9] Denis Ingoldsby stated the Bennett sisters have supported the LGBT community and played many events.[10] Ingoldsby went on to state Louise has "thrown the girls under the bus" and "is trying to get the sisters cancelled".[11] Vernie stated that she had concerns about trans activists and ideology and its impact on women and children.[12] In 2024 Christel Lakhdar joined the group. In an interview on BBC London radio with Jacqueline Shepherd, the sisters talked about their new member and how excited they are to be playing festival gigs in Summer 2024.[13] 2024 has seen the return of Eternal with a new band member.[14] A number of dates were planned for 2025.[15]

Podcast

[edit]

Vernie launched a podcast Big Chat Small Talk on all major audio platforms including Apple Podcasts with friend and co-host Louise Anderson.[16] The podcast launched in June 2024 and within the first week of launching, secured a top ten position in the UK at the end of the week.[17]

Television

[edit]

Vernie was voted one of the top 50 sexiest women in FHM, and in 1998 featured on the front cover of Pride Magazine.[18] She was a TV presenter for Songs of Praise, Gala Bingo and at the MTV Music Awards.[3]

On 25 November 2015, Bennett appeared with her husband Bryan on ITV's game show All Star Mr & Mrs and raised a further £30,000 for charity, which she donated to Cancer Research UK and CMV Action UK.[19][1]

During the 2015/2016 Christmas season, she took her debut acting role on stage in Jack and the Beanstalk as the 'Spirit of the Beans',[20] and continues to be a supporter of the charity known as CMV Action UK.

In 2018, she was a guest on the ITV game show Big Star's Little Star.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

After the split, Vernie went back to university to finish studying law and has since become a practising lawyer. In 2006, she gave birth to her first child. In August 2010, she signed with ASM Artist Management. She lives in London with her husband and their two children.[21][3]

References

[edit]
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Vernie Bennett

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Vernett "Vernie" Bennett (born 17 May 1971) is an English , , and best known as a founding member of the R&B Eternal. Formed in 1992 with her sister Easther Bennett, , and , Eternal achieved commercial success in the 1990s, releasing multiple albums and securing 15 top 20 singles in the UK, including hits from their quadruple platinum debut Always & Forever, which sold over one million copies domestically. The group sold approximately 10 million records worldwide, earning a MOBO Award for Best Single in 1997 and four Brit Award nominations, positioning them as one of the UK's leading female R&B acts of the era. After Eternal disbanded in 2000, Bennett returned to to complete a , passed the bar exams, and qualified as a practicing , marking a significant career pivot from to law. She has since maintained a lower public profile while raising two children with her husband Bryan and engaging in occasional media work, including presenting for and Gala Bingo events. Bennett also co-hosts the podcast Big Chat Small Talk and shares updates on her songwriting and family life via platforms.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family background

Vernie Bennett was born in 1971 and raised in , . She grew up in a devout Christian household centered around the church her mother pastored, which provided a strong foundation in faith and community. From an early age, Bennett participated in the church's gospel choir alongside her younger sister, Easther Bennett, born on December 11, 1972, fostering their shared interest in music within a religious context. The family's pastoral environment emphasized high moral values, with Bennett crediting her mother's influence for instilling key life principles during her formative years.

Early musical influences and gospel beginnings

Vernie Bennett, born on May 17, 1971, in and raised in , , developed her initial interest in music through her family's deep involvement in the church. Her mother, Matilda Bennett, served as a , fostering an environment steeped in and community worship. As children, Bennett and her younger sister Easther began singing together in a local choir, where they honed their vocal harmonies and stage presence amid Pentecostal influences prevalent in their upbringing. This early exposure to , characterized by its emotive delivery and spiritual themes, formed the foundational elements of their singing style, emphasizing soulful expression over secular pop conventions of the era. Bennett's gospel roots extended beyond casual participation; the church choir provided rigorous practice in group dynamics and , skills that later distinguished her contributions to Eternal's recordings, particularly on tracks drawing from gospel traditions. Despite their mother's skepticism toward secular pursuits when the sisters pursued professional opportunities in the early , the Bennett family's background instilled a commitment to aligned with and inspirational values.

Musical career

Formation and role in Eternal

Vernie Bennett, alongside her younger sister Easther, joined forces with and Louise Nurding to form the British R&B girl group Eternal in 1992, under the management of Denis Ingoldsby of First Avenue Records. Ingoldsby, seeking to create a counterpart to American R&B acts like , first recruited Nurding before discovering the Bennett sisters through their performances and adding Bryan to round out the quartet. The sisters' prior experience singing in a gospel choir provided a foundation in harmonious vocals that shaped the group's sound from inception. As a founding member, Bennett primarily handled backing vocals, which complemented Easther's lead singing and contributed to Eternal's signature layered harmonies. She was instrumental behind the scenes in arranging these harmonies, ensuring the group's tight vocal blend that defined hits like their 1993 debut single "Stay," which peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. Bennett also took occasional lead parts, including the opening of "Free To Live," significant portions of "Absent From You," and verses on "Melody" from the self-titled debut album released in 1994. Her contributions extended to pre-Eternal session work, such as backing vocals on Dina Carroll's "This Time" alongside Easther in 1993. The original lineup's chemistry, bolstered by Bennett's supportive vocal role and the sisters' shared Christian background—which influenced their avoidance of explicit lyrics—propelled Eternal to sell over 15 million records worldwide by the mid-1990s. Bennett's focus on harmonies rather than leads aligned with the group's dynamic, where individual spotlights were secondary to collective R&B-pop fusion.

Key achievements and group dynamics

Eternal's debut single "Stay," released in October 1993, peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and became a global hit, marking the group's breakthrough. Their follow-up album Always & Forever (1993) reached number two on the and achieved four-times platinum certification for sales exceeding 1.2 million copies in the alone. The group amassed 12 top-ten singles, including the number-one hit "I Wanna Be the Only One" in 1997, which secured the MOBO Award for Best Single that year. Overall, Eternal sold around 10 million records worldwide during their active years. As a founding member, Vernie Bennett provided key vocal harmonies and contributed to songwriting efforts, helping establish the group's signature R&B sound influenced by American acts like . The original lineup featured sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett alongside Kéllé Bryan and Louise Nurding (later Redknapp), with the Bennetts forming the stable core amid shifts driven by solo ambitions. Nurding exited in 1995 prior to the second album Power of a Woman to launch her individual career, reducing the group to a trio. Bryan departed in 1998 amid reported creative differences, leaving the Bennett sisters to record as a duo before the full disbandment in 2000. Tensions occasionally surfaced from balancing group commitments with personal pursuits, but the Bennetts' familial bond sustained operations longer than other configurations. In 2023, a proposed full reunion tour collapsed when the Bennett sisters refused performances at Pride and other LGBTQ+ events, citing irreconcilable views on transgender rights and biological sex distinctions rooted in their Christian faith; Louise Redknapp and Kéllé Bryan opted out, framing the dispute publicly while Vernie Bennett accused media portrayals of exaggeration. This incident highlighted persistent ideological divides, with outlets like The Guardian emphasizing the rights clash in ways that aligned with prevailing progressive narratives despite the Bennetts' emphasis on faith-based boundaries.

Professional endeavors beyond music

Following the disbandment of Eternal in 2000, Bennett returned to university to complete her . She subsequently qualified as a after passing the . Bennett was called to the Bar in 2003 and has practiced law professionally since then, largely out of the public eye. No specific details on her areas of practice or affiliations with law firms have been publicly disclosed in available reports.

Television appearances and presenting

Bennett has presented segments on the BBC religious program , including introducing a Good Friday Gospel concert featuring singer Andrae Crouch on 10 April 1998. She has also hosted presenting roles for promotions and at the MTV Music Awards. In addition to presenting, Bennett has made guest appearances on various British television shows. On 25 November 2015, she competed alongside her husband Bryan on ITV's All Star Mr & Mrs, an episode that also featured motorcyclist and presenter . She participated as a contestant with her sister Easther on the music-themed episode of BBC One's Pointless Celebrities in series 8, alongside , Jaymi Hensley, , and others.

Podcast hosting

Vernie Bennett co-hosts the podcast Big Chat Small Talk alongside Louise Anderson, which launched in May 2024. The show targets audiences interested in debating contemporary issues such as challenges, systems, and social media's effects on youth, emphasizing personal insights from the hosts' experiences as mothers. Bennett, drawing from her background in music and law, positions herself on the podcast as a relatable figure engaging topics through the lens of family life and practical wisdom. Episodes cover diverse subjects, including the risks of for children—such as and online predation—and comparisons between private and state schooling, noting that only 7% of the population attends independent schools despite debates on their value. A special installment addresses raising Black boys, highlighting their and resilience amid societal pressures. Another explores relationship dynamics, framed around the adage against marrying one's "outlaws" (), encouraging listeners to reflect on compatibility in ties. The podcast is distributed across platforms including , , , and , with Bennett promoting it via her profiles.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Vernie Bennett married her husband, Bryan, in 2003. The couple marked their 20th anniversary in 2025, with Bennett describing Bryan as her "best mate" and an "amazing dad" who provides unwavering support. They appeared together on the ITV All Star Mr & Mrs on November 25, 2015, where they raised £30,000 for charity. Bennett and Bryan have two children, both daughters, and reside in . She maintains a low public profile regarding her family, referring to her daughters as "two beauties" in her social media biography while avoiding detailed disclosures. This privacy aligns with her post-music career focus on professional endeavors and family life following Eternal's split.

Philanthropy and public engagements

Bennett has supported CMV Action UK, a charity dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for families affected by congenital (CMV), a common viral infection that can cause and other disabilities in children. In August 2018, she appeared with her daughter Avery on ITV's , an event promoted by the charity to boost visibility and fundraising efforts. This involvement aligns with familial connections, as her sister Easther Bennett's daughter has been impacted by CMV-related hearing impairment, motivating ongoing advocacy. In terms of public engagements, Bennett has maintained visibility through performances and community events. On , 2025, she performed with Eternal founding members Easther Bennett and Christel Lakhdar at London's Scala venue, marking a return to live shows amid the group's reformed lineup. Earlier, on November 18, 2024, she joined bandmates for the Christmas lights switch-on in , a public ceremony that attracted local attendance but also drew criticism from an LGBTQ+ advocacy group over the band's prior statements on issues and festival bookings. These appearances underscore her continued public presence beyond music and media, often tied to group activities rather than solo initiatives.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0072106/
  2. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/25599758/eternal-vernie-band-lawyer/
  3. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/4020
  4. https://activetalentagency.com/roster/eternal/
  5. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/eternal-now-top-lawyer-flamingo-24471591
  6. https://www.instagram.com/verniebennett/
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2000/feb/12/weekend7.weekend2
  8. https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Eternal_The_British_RB_group_with_a_millionselling_debut/40273/p1/
  9. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12561699/louise-redknapp-eternal-trans-row-easther-vernie-bennett.html
  10. https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Eternal_The_Croydon_girl_group_feeling_blessed/40416/p1/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0071730/bio/
  12. https://evkl.net/articles/touch_feb.96.html
  13. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/eternal-louise-redknapp-vernie-easther-bennett-feud/
  14. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002vsn4/episodes/guide?page=29
  15. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-19-ca-47827-story.html
  16. https://evkl.net/biography/vernie.html
  17. https://evkl.net/info/FAQ.html
  18. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/eternal-stay/
  19. https://www.industryliveagency.com/eternal
  20. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/sep/25/eternal-90s-stars-cancel-full-band-reunion-over-reported-trans-rights-clash
  21. https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/eternal-vernie-bennett-louise-redknapp-trans-row-b1109855.html
  22. https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_one_london/1998-04-10
  23. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/20132710/where-queens-90s-pop-are-now-bewitched-edele-lynch/
  24. https://www.facebook.com/AllStarMrandMrs/photos/our-next-couple-is-eternal-singer-vernie-bennett-and-her-husband-bryan-allstarmr/10153291885697058/
  25. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06mysxq
  26. https://open.spotify.com/show/0fsq5MZmOQFxSKXVWASSi3
  27. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/004-private-v-state/id1749041288?i=1000658412296
  28. https://open.spotify.com/episode/70h8j0pMHdMDMzOWiHNKow
  29. https://x.com/verniebennett
  30. https://www.instagram.com/verniebennett
  31. https://www.instagram.com/p/BIpq68khTT8/
  32. https://www.instagram.com/p/DM8BAYYNExh/
  33. https://kids.kiddle.co/Vernie_Bennett
  34. https://www.facebook.com/groups/783327905145360/posts/3832135443597909/
  35. https://x.com/verniebennett?lang=en
  36. https://twitter.com/cmvactionuk/status/1033217448403718144
  37. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/entertainment/2025/04/24/eternal-are-offcially-back-on-song/
  38. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3m7zl5nzxo
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