Carly Rae Jepsen will headline Brighton Pride
They might not have the Red Arrows… but Brighton Pride has plenty of star power jetting in.
The Pride festival is one of the biggest in the UK, with thousands flocking to the seaside town for the annual celebration.
Earlier this week, the government cleared up an awkward mix-up after Defence minister Penny Mordant erroneously announced the Red Arrows would fly over the festival. The iconic aerial acrobatics team will actually fly over Pride in London, 50 miles away.
However, that doesn’t mean Brighton Pride will be wanting for icons: ‘Call Me Maybe’ singer Carly Rae Jepsen will be headlining.
A statement from Pride said: “A global superstar we always love to call, Carly Rae Jepsen is a chart-topping sensation, delivering timeless pop tunes that demand our attention.
“Her addictive worldwide hit Call Me Maybe became the best selling global record of 2012 and set the glorious tone for a career that has seen her albums Tug Of War, Emotion and the platinum selling Kiss span nations, capture fans hearts and deliver a soundtrack of sunshine-fuelled feel good tunes across the world.
“And so it is with great pleasure that Brighton Pride can announce that Carly Rae Jepsen will be performing at the Brighton Pride Festival at Preston Park on Saturday 6th August.
“Yes, Carly Rae Jepsen, the star with over 1 billion YouTube views, Number 1s in over 47 countries with over 18 million copies sold, 2 Grammy nominations and a coveted AMA’s Best New Artist Award is coming to celebrate with us at the UK’s biggest and best Pride Festival.
It continues: “We can’t wait to lip-sync with Carly! “It’s going to be E·MO·TION-al as the pop idol heads to the seaside for a Pride performance destined to ensure we have a good time with sunshine on our shoulders.
“After all, when a pop sensation like Carly Rae Jepsen sings they really like you, it’s only pertinent and fabulous that we join the lip-sync action and welcome her to our city with open arms – Brighton Pride style!”
Jepsen is a long-time supporter of LGBT rights, taking a stand in 2013 against the Boy Scouts of America‘s now-defunct ban on gay members.
After pulling out of a Scouts event, she said: “As an artist who believes in equality for all people, I will not be participating in the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree this summer. I always have and will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level and stay informed on the ever-changing landscape in the ongoing battle for gay rights in this country and across the globe.”
