Kia ora, TrueBliss, and happy birthday. Flash cars here. Someone's done well for themselves. Hands up if you have ever. Oh shit. So, let's do it, TrueBliss. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2019 OK, Google, tell me about TrueBliss. Do you remember TrueBliss? # Tonight's the night I make sweet love to you. # (CHUCKLES) PHONE: TrueBliss were an all-girl pop group formed as part of reality show Popstars, the forerunner to American Idol and all manner of spin-off shows. They had a number one album in New Zealand, and in 1999 were mobbed in shopping malls. They were huge. They were the shit. (GIRLS SCREAM) (GIGGLES) Up and over ` Go. ALL: Woman's Day! You can't have a shower now, you realise. We just signed so many autographs, and it was just so amazing. We never, ever expected it. Oh my God, that's 20 years ago. I reckon it's high time we got the band back together. I wonder what that skank Jo Cotton's up to these days. PHONE: Jo Cotton is a DJ and singer in The Mermaids. She lives on Auckland's North Shore. SINGS: Where did you come from, where did you go? Where did you come from Cotton-Eyed Joe? ON PHONE: You made it into the band. Are you for real? Yep. You're in. Oh my God. Jo! Hi! Hi, gorgeous. Aw, hello. SINGS: Your boobs are big. Just personally between us two, you were my favourite TrueBlisser. (CHUCKLES) I feel like you're going to say that to all of us. WHISPERS: I will Yeah. (LAUGHS) Take me back 20 years ago. Who were you then? Paint me a picture. I was super into music. I'd just finished studying ` doing like a music course. And then did you music at school. So, I was just super into that, and I was working in two bands. And it was my dad that forced me to audition for TrueBliss. He literally called up the production people and, like, badgered them, saying, 'Can you please just let her in in her lunch break?' How excited were you when you did get picked? Were you like, 'What, me? All of me?' Yeah. (LAUGHS) All of this? There was probably a bit of that. Part of me was like, 'This is amazing,' but I'm go` packing myself about it, so... So, 20 years on, who are you now and what are you doing? Oh God, so I just turned 40, so I'm like` Jesus. ....having that midlife crisis. I'm still singing for a living with` Well, you do the radio. You do` I do. Yeah, so I work as a radio presenter. So, the only two main things that I feel like I've ever been kind of naturally good at are singing and talking out of my arse. (GUFFAWS) Same. And I'm still making a living off those two things. So, yeah. That's amazing. # I wanna be true blue, baby. I love you. Aw. (CHUCKLES) Popstars was a world first. It was literally the template that started the whole thing off. How does that feel knowing that you were the guinea pig? (DOG BARKS) It's amazing to know that we were the first. When we were watching the Australian girls, and they were, like, getting given Minis and living in this beautiful apartment. Bardot? Yeah. And we were like, 'Man, I had to bus out to Manukau town every day,' like... (LAUGHS) Would you do it again? In a heartbeat. Yeah. I think I'd just be aware of what I was wearing, cos I look ridiculous. # Saving all my love. (LAUGHS) (CHEERS) Oh, I can't even fit your thing. (CHUCKLES) # Saving all my love. Sometimes when we drink together` Yeah. ...we'll get so drunk, that we'll put on the album and we'll try to remember our dance moves from tour. (LAUGHS) And it's the saddest thing you've ever seen. Aw, I can imagine that. When was the last time someone recognised you from TrueBliss? Probably daily. Wow. Yeah, it's always so, 'Oh my God, TrueBliss.' First question ` 'Do you still see the other girls?' What do you reckon my chances are of getting the band back together to celebrate the 20th? I think fairly good. You think so? Yeah. Yes! Let's get them back together. OK, Google, what's Erica Chik-o-picha-kaka-kaw-kakas up to these days? She's probably in LA, London, New York ` what a show-off. PHONE VOICE: She is approximately 5.2km away in Remuera. She has three children and one on the way. Oh, look at the flash cars here. Someone's done well for themselves. Probably married` married money. Erica! Where are you? Hi, Erica! Oh, way skinnier these days. Look. Look, you guys look like you were best friends. We were mates. So, take me back 20 years ago. Who were you then? What were you into? Paint me a picture. 20 years ago, I was` I lived in Wellington. I was singing in a girl group called The Beatgirls, and I'd been studying musical theatre. And I thought that was going to be my path, and then a friend said, 'I'm gonna go and audition for this thing. You should come too.' And I was like, (SCOFFS), and she's like, 'No, come, come. I need your company. Come along.' And then I went and auditioned. What song did you sing? I sang, (SINGS) 'So get ready, getting ready...' (IMITATES BUZZER) That's a no from me. See, I'd never make it on X Factor. I'm terrible. And they chose you. They chose me. So, 20 years on, who are you now and what are you doing? So, I'm mum and wife. CUTESY VOICE: A mummy. Mum to three beautiful kids. I presented Ready To Roll for TV2 for four years. I'd been working at Sony Music, our record label. (LAUGHS) I rang them up. I was like, 'Hey, we're not doing anything. Give me a job.' And they gave you a job? And so they gave me a job. Yes. Then I met my husband, and he was a stunt coordinator. And I wasn't really enjoying the job I was doing at the time. And he said, 'Why don't you come and work on a film with me?' So, I started working with him as his production assistant. And now I'm his department coordinator, so` So you've made something of yourself. I've got a career, yes, that I'm really happy with. I mean, we were just at Jo's house, and she's still on the booze, you know what I mean? (LAUGHS) Hey, mate, if I could be on the booze right now I would be too. So would I, if I'm honest. Rose weather right now. When was the last time someone recognised you as from` someone from TrueBliss? Oh, probably like last week, probably. So, all the time? All the time. You get it all the time. Mm-hm. One more question. What do you reckon my chances are of getting the band back together to celebrate the 20th? I'm in ` totally. I'm all in for stuff. OK, Google. Where's my homegirl Megan Alatini at? She's probably back in South Africa or something like that. PHONE VOICE: Megan is also in Remuera, but she's brown. That's weird. OK, Google, I'll do the jokes if you don't mind. Fuck sakes. Megan Cassie, 22, from Howick in Auckland. From now on, apparently, our lives will never be the same. (GASPS) Hi! Hello. SING-SONGY: Whoo-hoo, oh yay. # Oh yeah, uh-huh. # Yes, yes. # And here we go. # Hello. (CHEERS) So, take me back 20 years ago. Who were you then and what were you into? Paint me a picture. Oh, goodness. Grew up in South Auckland after living in South Africa in my earlier years. Prefect at school. Did everything right ` the eldest in my family. And then ` boom, met a boy. (DRAMATIC VOCALISATION) We did some things that you shouldn't really be doing at that age, and then I was a young preggie girl. (GASPS) And so if I fast-forward a few years to when the opportunity came up to now audition for this girl band, my family were like, 'Megs, you love to sing. You've entered every talent quest.' I'm like, 'I have no experience. I love to sing at home at the shower and obviously at school. '(GROANS) But I'm gonna go for it.' How excited were you when you got picked? Like, were you like, 'What the? What the? Wha` me?' Oh my gosh. Little old me? I made an absolute fool of myself. (CHUCKLES) What did you do? They tricked us, right? So they rung us to say, 'We're down to the final 10. You're one of the 10.' So, yes! 'So, we're gonna come to your home and interview you.' So they turn up with cameras quite like this, and they said, 'So, how would you feel if we told you you've made the band?' I was like (SCREAMS). So, girlfriend, this is where it goes. Did you fart? So, like an Oscar Award night, (STUPID MOAN), I'm like, (CRYING) 'I just wanna thank my family.' (LAUGHS) You're now part of our group. (SCREAMS, CRIES) Oh my gosh. I have to say thanks to my family as well for always supporting me. (CRIES) One of my questions was ` did you allow yourself to think that you'd become a big star, make a shitload of cash and marry an All Black? (INHALES DEEPLY) And you actually did one of those things. Pita made the All Blacks the same year TrueBliss was formed. That's right. So it was just unbelievable. We'd gone from eating 2 Minute Noodles to four minute noodles. Wait, so you were together when he made the All Blacks? No, no, no, no. We were together, set-up for a blind date for a school ball when we were fifth form. (GASPS) Aw, you've been together through this whole journey. Was the fame instant, and how intense did it get? You know, for about six weeks, we were just girls walking around Auckland City. And the moment episode one hit, it was like, 'Whoa!' Look at that! WHISPERS: (EXCLAIMS) That's us. (GIGGLES) It went from absolute nothing, zero, to a hundred like that. (SNAPS FINGERS) Wow. What do you reckon my chances are of getting the band back together to celebrate the 20th? Oh! Shall we do it? You know what? I think we should do it, because I think we've been waiting for this. We just don't want it to be us that comes up with the idea to` No, we did. So do you want us to do it? We'll do it. Aw. (BOTH GIGGLE) Yeah, sister. You're amazing. OK, Google, this is an easy one. Where's Keri from TrueBliss? You know, little Baby Spice. I've got a feeling she's probably dead from an overdose. PHONE VOICE: Keri lives in Taupo. No, too far. I'll probably need about 15 to 20 toilet stops. And by the way, Google, it's actually pronounced 'Taupo', not 'Tow-po'. You're racist. OK, so that leaves Carly Binding, and we're quite close friends, so this should be easy. Hi, Carly. It's Neeks here. (INDISTINCT VOICE ON PHONE) Anika. Anika Moa. Singer. Yeah, hey. Hey, I'm thinking of getting TrueBliss back to` (DIAL TONE) Hello? (GASPS) She hung up on me. So, we need to find someone who's a bit of a bitch but who's also a really good singer. (DING!) Yeah. You don't all look a day over 45. Hands up if you have ever. Oh shit. Let's do it. Let's do it, TrueBliss. * I'm vag-deep into my mission to get TrueBliss back together. It's been 20 years since they smashed into our living rooms on the groundbreaking reality show Popstars. Morning, ladies. Thank you. They were everywhere in 1999. But where are they in 2019? What's the goss? What's the dirt? I can't wait to find out. OK, one, two, three, four. Hey, are we missing someone? Oh, Baby Spice. (KNOCK AT WINDOW) Who's that? ALL: (EXCLAIM) Hey, Keri. Hello! Get in. Get in. (CHEERING. LAUGHTER) OK, let's go to the studio, OK? Yes. Because we've got a big day ahead of us. Yes. We've gotta rehearse. Yes. We've gotta get our notes. Have you got your notes? Do it now. (FINGERS SNAP) (ALL SING OUT OF TUNE) What have I got myself into? Front cover. Cool. We got on the cover. Get five. Next to Geri Halliwell ` see? DJ: Hey, hi. ALL: Hi. They're all sitting there reading themselves in the paper there. Did you see yourselves on TV last night? ALL: No. Oh, it was great. It was great. Who else have you slept with who's famous? What a scandal. Come on. Erica. Give me the` Yeah, Erica! No, I didn't sleep. (ALL LAUGH) Wait, who was it, Erica? No, I didn't. I didn't. Was it someone famous? It was, yeah. (GASPS) Robbie Williams. You had sexual intercourse wi` No, I did not. I had a really good chat with him, though. What, he just wanted to talk? This was his sober phase. Oh, OK. I did not have sex with Robbie Williams. (CHUCKLES) You've spent the night with Robbie Williams without sex. That's correct. What about` oh, no, you're married. I'm just` I'm boring. OK, cool. Yes, Keri. Oh, no, hang on a minute. Is she boring? Because why were we banned from that hotel in Dunedin? ALL: Oh. Oh, sister ` girl. Why was the guy fired from that hotel in Dunedin? Did you have sexual intercourse with someone` a concierge. No, I didn't. No, no, no. (LAUGHTER) Jo just keeps on doing this to me. (LAUGHTER) (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) Can you all believe it's been 20 years, and how does that make you feel? Old. Old. (ALL LAUGH) You don't all look a day over 45. ALL: Aw, thanks. Now, how close are you girls these days, and what's it like being in such an exclusive club? You're already crying. Aw, bub. Oh no. (LAUGHS) OK, guys. Darling. We like each other. We do. A lot. You love each other. We do love each other. See the love is emanating from all orifices. - All of them. - (ALL LAUGH) - It's beautiful. How would you describe Popstars to someone who's never heard of it, like a millennial? It was the first reality show that started Idol` everything. I had to explain it to my girls the other day. But I can't even show them the episodes cos they're all on videos and I don't have a video machine. That's the thing, trying to explain VHS to a millennial is like, 'Where do you start?' So, elephant-in-the-room time now. I feel offended. (LAUGHS) (ALL LAUGH) Where's Carly? I think the last time we invited her to be part of something, she kindly declined. And we said, 'OK, then.' To be fair, we've been a foursome for the longest time. And so when we now talk TrueBliss, we do it in this capacity. I know for me personally, if Carly was ever to ask to be included, I'd be cool with it. The door is open. And I think that's the thing is we've always extended the invitation to her whenever we've done something. But she has, as you said, politely declined. Can we go on tour? Absolutely. Cool. Absolutely. Can we change our name to TrueBro, though? (ALL LAUGH) We asked a bunch of people for their well-wishes and TrueBliss memories to mark 20 years of TrueBliss. Let's have a look. Tonight's the night I'll make love till the end of time? Is that how it went? That's some racy lyrics. (ALL CHUCKLE) How can it be 20 years since TrueBliss started? I mean, you guys you all look so good. (ALL LAUGH) 20 years? Yeah. So that means Jo Cotton was 9 years old when she was in TrueBliss? Aw. That's awesome. 20 years ago, so... (GASPS) I love her. What? Kia ora, TrueBliss, and happy birthday. You shaped a lot of teenagers' years and hopes and dreams. She's laughing. (ALL LAUGH) TrueBliss, congratulations on 20 years. Have a fantastic night. We love you. Aw, that is so awesome. Isn't that cute? ALL: Aw! That Prime Minister was slightly laughing. She was definitely laughing. (ALL LAUGH) Tell me about the day you did the big media launch at TVNZ. The first time ever in public ` TrueBliss. (CHEERING) (TRUEBLISS' TONIGHT PLAYS) # How afraid does one have to be to lose me? Do you know what I remember from that night? After we performed, our produced at the time, Anthony` Do you remember what he said to us? He goes, 'Yeah, I don't think you guys should dance and sing at the same time.' (ALL LAUGH) SINGS: Tonight's the night I make sweet love to you. Oh, please don't make me do that. So I was like, 'Oh, so it was that good was it?' (LAUGHTER) # I don't want your freedom. # Boy, all I want right now is you. (LAUGHS) That's how old you are. Any one else want a rep? (ALL LAUGH) I'm sorry for laughing. Can everyone hear themselves? Let's do it, TrueBliss. * If you could do it all over again with what you now know, how would you approach it all? You would probably step into a room just and say, 'I know what I'm doing. I know what my worth is now. 'I may not have then. But this is me, 'and I will have a lot more say into the direction that I or we take, 'because I'm bloody good at what I do.' Would you want to write your own songs? Totally. We did write` We did write our own song together. Yeah, 'A Minute of One Day.' Yeah. And we were capable of doing that. We just` the time frame that we had to actually record the album... Yeah. ...was a week. It was Popstar. There was no opportunity` And they were sneaky, because there were times that we'd go, 'Hang on a minute, how about we change this line?' Or I'd throw in a rap. (GIGGLES) It's like, 'No we can't`' (ALL LAUGH) No, no, no. We're good. We're good singing. (ALL LAUGH) Anyone else want to rap? I'm sorry for laughing. (ALL LAUGH) Tell you what, though` Aw, bless you, my child. ...during tour, (SCOFFS) was nobody gonna stop me from throwing in my rap. That came out. (LAUGHS) At the height of the fame and success ` when kids were mobbing you ` was that a dream come true or just weird? It was pretty weird. It was strange. Really surreal. I remember coming out of` I think it was Hamilton. And I remember just people knocking on the window. JOURNALIST: You think you're gonna sell all of those? Oh, yeah. It's gonna be huge. The kids are hammering for it. Here you go. Thank you. Hands up if you have ever` Oh shit. (ALL LAUGH) Just keep your hand up. (GUFFAWS) Ever done heavy petting, dry humping, poking or hard out rooting while TrueBliss music was playing. ALL: No. Ever seen a TrueBliss album in the discount bin for $1.99 or less? - (ALL LAUGH) - And on Trade Me. Ever had a dream with me in it? WHISPERS: Yes, yes, yes. Ever been done for speeding and been recognised by a cop? - BOTH: And got off. - (BOTH LAUGH) That's the end of the game. (ALL LAUGH) Now, as a special treat, we've actually tracked down your number-one fan. Aaron. Come in, Aaron. ALL: Oh. Aaron. Just jokes. He's not here. (ALL LAUGH) AARON: You know that you've really made it in the world when there's fake merchandise for you. So, there were a whole bunch of` He's wearing the T-shirt. And I think one of them actually has their name wrong. Called her Erica. It's actually Carly. I dunno why that happens. So, one of my prizes possessions. Was when they did the Burger King. Oh my God! My God, look at this. I may have yanked this out of a window of Burger King. (ALL LAUGH) Better yank something. Can't wait till we get those dates locked in for the tour. I'll be at every one of them. Aw. He will too. That's sweet. He's such a sweetheart. I have here the official TrueBliss book. In it, each of you answered questions back in 1999. Let's test your memory to see which of you has Alzheimer's. It will totally be me. It will be me. I already know. First up, Megan. In 1999, you were asked, 'What five things would you take to a desert island?' My family. A music box ` probably like a tape recorder. Toilet paper? You said, 'Toilet paper so I can wipe my bottom.' Yes! 'Stereo with batteries and CDs and tapes,' what you said. Yes! Now, Jo, it's your turn. Oh, shit. In 1999, you were asked, 'Describe your favourite place.' (LAUGHTER) My bedroom. (IMITATES BUZZER) It was 20 years ago! I don't remember yesterday! (LAUGHTER) I'll tell you. OK. READS: My best friend Jamie's deck. It makes me happy. Aw. That's still true, yeah. I remember reading that. Aw. Does his deck make you happy, does it? I have a picture of her deck. Oh, her. I have a picture of her deck. That sounded weird. That is all, Jo. (LAUGHTER) Keri. Oh no. Now, you're the youngest of the group, so your memory should be the best. Oh my gosh, it's so not. In 1999, you were asked, 'Do you still keep in touch with your old friends?' I think so, yes. You said, 'I try to. It's great having a cell phone that sends fax messages.' (ALL LAUGH) That's how old you are. That says it! Oh my gosh, and our phone bills used to be like 500, 600 dollars. Now, Erica. Hmm. In 1999 you were asked, 'What do you think you'll be doing in 2009?' Oh, probably married with children and singing ` something like that. It's exactly what you said. You said, 'Married, pregnant and still singing.' Well done! Yeah! Thank you. Well done. Thank you. Why would I say toilet paper? Use a leaf. (LAUGHS) Can everyone hear themselves? ALL: Yes. Cool. Shall we do it? # How afraid does one have to be # to lose me? # You keep on hurting me. # I lose my head. # Scared to face what I'm feeling. # I'm in love again. # Bless the night you made love to me. # Tonight you'll understand. # ALL: Tonight's the night # we make love till the end. # Tonight's the night I vow my love to you. # Look into my eyes. # I'll love you till the end of time. # I'm in love with you. # Tonight's the night. # Tonight's the night. I'm in love with you. # Tonight's the night. # Tonight's the night. OK, here I go. # Your loving arms. # Nothing can feel this good. # Whisper words of love to pull me through. # Say you'll stay # safe in the warmth of my love. # Look into my world. # You'll find us there. # There. # Tonight's the night we make love # till the end. # Oh, you forgot your rap. (ALL LAUGH) Do a rap now, actually. Oh. (BEATBOXES) # (RAPS) See, we're TrueBliss. # With Anika Moa. # We're gonna go on tour sometimes with Anika. # Moa. # Yeah! (ALL LAUGH) Awful. Awful. Whoo! We're so beautiful. I was a nerdy kid, I think. Go figure. No, no, no, I don't wanna touch you now. (LAUGHS) Stick to drag. (BOTH LAUGH) www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2019