HONEYZ INTERVIEWS

HONEYZ ON UGLY PHIL 1 (TEXT OF RADIO INTERVIEW)

HONEYZ ON UGLY PHIL 2 (TEXT OF RADIO INTERVIEW)

H o n e y z S w e e t H a r m o n i e s

Joining Honeyz has been a dream come true for singer Mariama Goodman, as MIRANDA WOOD reports

Since the release of their debut hit single Finally Found eight months ago, Honeyz has established itself as one of the brightest R&B/pop bands.

Naima Belkhiati, 25, Mariama Goodman, 21, and Celena Cherry, 21, make up the soulful harmonies of Honeyz.

After two hit singles in Australia with Finally Found and End of the Line, the group released Love Of A Lifetime at the end of last month.

Its album Wonder No 8 has gone gold in the UK with more than 200,000 copies sold.

During their last trip down under, about three months ago, Belkhiati and Cherry were told that group member Heavenli had decided to quit for personal reasons.

Belkhiati said: "Of course it was a big shock, but we respect her decision and wish her a lot of luck in whatever she decides to do."

The gap left by Heavenli's departure opened a wonderful opportunity for former Solid Harmonie singer Goodman.

She took time off her busy schedule to tell us how excited she was to be a member of Honeyz.

Q. What has your life been like since becoming a Honey?

It's great. I get on well with the girls. I was in a group for about three years before Honeyz so I knew them through touring. I'm really excited about joining the group and it's perfect timing because we're promoting my favourite song from the album Love Of A Lifetime.

Q. Were you nervous about joining Honeyz?

It wasn't as nerve-racking because it's the same job I did before, just different people.

Q. Is this a dream come true for you?

Oh yes. I have been so lucky. I've been dancing since I was little and I did full-time ballet training. I had always wanted to sing but never had any training.

Q. What's next for Honeyz?

We're in the studio putting my vocals on the album to replace Heavenli and then we'll promote our latest single. With our busy schedule I do get homesick and miss my family and friends but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I get to come home a lot more since I joined Honeyz because we're based in London.

Q. Have you been to Australia?

Not yet, but I hope to go soon. The girls were there about three months ago, just before I joined the group and they loved it. They said they got a great welcome. I'm so jealous!