Stooshe: 'Diva Nicki Minaj barely spoke to us on tour'

NICKI Minaj lives up to her reputation as a diva, say girlband Stooshe.

The sassy Black Heart trio toured with the US rapper back in October and admit she "barely spoke" to them during their UK dates.

Singer Courtney, 20, explains: "I think we had one conversation. The rest of the time we couldn't get near her.

She adds: "The whole place went into lockdown when she due on stage and we couldn't even leave our dressing room!"

The London-based babes – whose new single Slip is out in a week - also supported Jennifer Lopez in the same month, with far more satisfactory results.

Karis, 23, says: "J-Lo was a totally different ballgame. She would turn up with her kids and chat about how much she was looking forward to Christmas.

Stars ... Stooshe have supported both Nicki Minaj and J-Lo on tour

"We hung out on her tour bus and she sent out shout-outs to us on stage.

"She was just lovely. It was a real reminder that you can get to the top and stay humble."

The top is just where the girls - Courtney, Karis and 23-year-old Alex - are heading thanks to a killer 2012.

Notching up two Top 5 singles and a MOBO nomination for Best Newcomer, they then powered into the New Year with a Brit nomination too.

It's no wonder the girls are still pinching themselves. Dark-haired Alex explains: "Getting nominated for Best British Single for Black Heart was just the biggest shock.

"We didn't realise how big or how good the song would be and to be up against artists like Adele was just incredible."

A soaring soul-pop number, the single peaked at No. 3 and put the girls firmly on the map.

Fun ... Stooshe say their music is about having a laugh

So who are Stooshe? “We’re about attitude and having fun,” says Brit School alum Karis.

“We love the Motown vibe of Diana Ross and the grooves of TLC and En Vogue so we bring all those elements to our music. I don’t think there’s anybody quite like us out there at the moment.”

The band might seem like an overnight success but the girls have been grafting since they were spotted and put together by writer/manager Jo Perry in 2010.

They even found time to turn down Simon Cowell - who was hoping to sign them to his record label, Syco.

But Courtney is quick to quash rumours of a rift. “Simon’s cool with us, man.

“He wasn’t offering us enough creative control so we didn’t sign with him but we get on just fine.

“He’s got a cheeky sense of humour and he calls us “trouble” when he sees us.”

New single ... Karis, Courtney and Alex pose for Slip

Karis interrupts: “Although we were a bit gutted when he put Little Mix together so soon after we turned him down.”

The girls confess they are huge X Factor fans – with Harry Styles a particular favourite – although they are critical of the system that throws youngsters into the spotlight too soon.

Courtney says: “We’ve worked hard and we care passionately about our music so I find it sad to see acts that are famous within a week off the back of X Factor.

“I don’t blame them – that’s their route to fame. But I feel like you should really graft first before the madness of fame and everything that brings.”

This is a typical Stooshe response. Happy to be outspoken on some subjects – they are cautious about wading in on other acts or seeming to slate anyone in the industry.

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