A few days ago I received an email about the Young Divas. The sender was a bog-standard yahoo email address and id so there was no way I could verify the information I was sent. But I thought it would be interesting to throw it out there for people to read, not because I'm taking it as factual – (which it may or may not be) but because it raises some interesting debate.
The email alleges that the contract set up for all of the girls in the Young Divas gives them no rights of any consequence. It alleges that they are NOT the owners of the name "Young Divas" (Sony/BMG own it) and are not contractually linked to it.
The email also states that the Young Divas group can exist with or without the current members. In fact, they could dump all of them from the group and insert any random good-looking chicky-babes with decent voices (or not!) to replace any or all of them at any time.
And finally, due to the natural conflict between Ricki Lee's recording company and Sony/BMG when it comes to rights over original material, the Young Divas can not release original material while Ricki Lee is involved in the group. This was something stipulated in the contract between Sony/BMG and Shock Records (Ricki Lees company) – apparently.
This means that they will not release original material and will continue to degrade their individual credibility by releasing nothing but covers. The author of the email alleged the Young Divas would NEVER release original material, but I'm not sure that would make sense if, in the future, the make-up of the group came exclusively from the Sony/BMG stable.
Anyway, I dont know if this is all true (AND I EMPHASISE THIS SITE IS NOT STATING ANY OF THIS IS TRUE) but if it was then in my opinion it would be an appalling situation for Paulini. It would be a contractual obligation that takes full advantage of Paulini and gives her very little in return, in fact it may be to her detriment. So I hope it's just an unfounded rumour.
It would be fantastic if someone from Sony/BMG would respond and either confirm or deny – or even clarify this information (come on, we know you're reading this 
)
It has been a bit of a revelation to see how easily they just slotted yet another Idol contestant, Lavina Williams, in to the group to take Ricki Lee's place for a couple of months. It's as if the management believe there is no difference between one female singer and another. That the girls are interchangeable with any other Idol contestant and have no individual value or uniqueness. To me the Young Divas without Ricki Lee (or any of the current members) are NOT the Young Divas (no disrespect to Lavina).
In any case, the email and it's allegations came as no real surprise to me as I have never been confident that the Young Divas concept is in any way working in favour of Paulini's solo career. I keep getting reassurances that it is, but as yet I havent seen any evidence of it. Her official website is still dead and outdated and there has been nothing happening in her solo career in months. As far as I can tell, the only member of the group who is clearly still working on her solo career is Ricki Lee, who is the only one NOT with Sony/BMG. Kudos to her company – Shock Records – for this obvious commitment to her as an artist!
Sadly, the above information would make sense of a lot of the goings on with the Divas lately.
I sound like a broken record I know, but OH HOW I WISH Paulini had signed with an independent label….
What are your thoughts?
Post them here
PS Thanks to Justina for supplying the recent official promo pic of the Young Divas.
‘who really cares about paulini what about Emilys solo album theyve been mentioning on caplice and sonys website. i totally agree with you about ricki lees departure etc… i just feel sorry for jessica… Lavina is smart i dont think she would have agreed to stay with the divas anyways during her short time with them,shes got more experience than any of these ladies in the music business and would have surely analysed contracts regarding cover songs and made adjustments to have freedom to work and or release originals in future. rumour has it while caplice and sony were working out who would be the best candidate for Ricki lees spot Disney’s Lion King approached lavina at the same time negotiated ($80-90,000 euros a year) and is probably laughing at what sony and caplice have done with the divas at this point of time. No disrespect to Paulini But lavina could have easily replaced her!!!!!! at the end of all this i would like to see maybe a collaboration of the two williams sisters and a Jessica album. Ricki lee and shock records were smart and made the right moves at the right time.
dear “guest”. You are on Paulini”s biggest fansite so it”s a little rude of you to diss her. But in the interests of free speech I am approving your comments. You start by asking “who really cares about Paulini” so I”ll end by pointing out that the 900 + members of this site care about her, the thousands of people in Australia and overseas who buy her music and see her live shows care about her, and YOU care enough about her to be in her fansite posting comments. Thanks for your participation though
‘so pulini how dose it feel how Jessica Mauboy in the group in stead of Ricki Lee’