‘WHAM’ on Netflix charts the development of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley from close friends in their youth to world-renowned musicians. We are also introduced to other people who impacted George and Andrew on their musical journey because the show uses old footage and interviews to explain how WHAM rose to prominence. The programme also discusses backing vocalists Helen “Pepsi” DeMacque, Dee C Lee, and Shirlie Holliman, who first met WHAM. Now that readers are interested in learning more, let’s find out where Shirlie, Pepsi, and Dee are at the moment.
Who Are Shirlie Holliman, Dee C Lee, and Helen “Pepsi” DeMacque?
In the 1980s, Shirlie Holliman, Dee C Lee, and Helen “Pepsi” DeMacque were three of the most in-demand background singers in the UK. Shirlie, Dee, and Pepsi were introduced to WHAM when they sang background vocals for some of the band’s 1982 successes, such as “WHAM Rap,” “Young Guns,” and “Club Tropicana,” before Pepsi joined them. Dee made the decision to leave the band after “Club Tropicana” in order to join the British band The Style Council. Shirlie and Pepsi then took over as the main support vocalists, lending their voices to a number of international songs, including “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” “Freedom,” and “Last Christmas.” Additionally, they grew close to George and Andrew, and according to stories, Shirlie dated Andrew Ridgeley for a considerable amount of time. Shirlie was also in the room when George came out as gay to Andrew, as Andrew recounted in the documentary about their relationship.
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However, by 1985, George Michael had already begun to fantasise about starting a solo career and had even stated that he wanted to write songs for a more adult audience. WHAM therefore called it quits in 1986 after performing one last time at Wembley Stadium. The backup vocalists reemerged as the pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie shortly after WHAM’s breakup and started pursuing their own musical endeavours. They even had quite a few chart-topping singles as a duo and were regarded as being quite successful. Dee, on the other hand, debuted as a solo artist in 1984 with the publication of “Selena Wow Wow,” but she didn’t really come into her own until the following year, when “See The Day” became the number-one song in the UK and Australia. She also released her debut record, “Shrine,” in 1986. In 1991, she formed the duo Slam Slam with guitarist Robert Howard. Before putting out two more albums in the 1990s, she has since worked as a backup and secondary vocalist on a number of well-received singles.
Where Are Shirlie Holliman, Dee C Lee, and Helen “Pepsi” DeMacque Now?
Dee C Lee fell in love with singer Paul Weller after leaving WHAM to become a vocalist with The Style Council, and they eventually got married in 1987. At first glance, Paul and Dee seemed to be quite content with each other, and the latter even urged his wife to pursue a career in music. Plus, they were proud parents of Leah Weller, a current well-known musician, who made them proud. The happy days would not last, though, as their marriage soon had problems, and in 1998 they made the decision to divorce. Since that time, Dee has opted to remain anonymous, despite the fact that she has tried her hand at acting and even joined Level 42 for a concert in London in 2009. Despite the fact that she presently resides in the UK, Dee has an incredibly close link with her kid and even keeps in touch with her other WHAM friends, such as Pepsi, Shirlie, and Andrew.
In contrast, Pepsi went on to wed James Crockett. She later reconnected with Shirlie for a number of performances in and around the UK in 2000 and 2011, but according to accounts, the singer had previously called Norwich, England, and later New Zealand home. She currently resides in Saint Lucia, an island nation, though, where she and her husband own a charter sailing company. Martin Kemp, a former bassist for Spandau Ballet, and Shirlie allegedly started dating after Shirlie fell in love with him. George Michael is credited with facilitating their relationship. Following a lovely wedding ceremony in St. Lucia, the couple got hitched in 1988. They are now the proud parents of Harley Moon Kemp and Roman Kemp. Shirlie has also been spotted on a few reality TV programmes, such as “Celebrity Gogglebox,” but despite this, she and Pepsi have kept an incredible friendship with Andrew Ridgley and continue to pay tribute to George Michael to this day.
