Fergie ‘will always be a Pea’
Boom Boom Pow: Fergie is still a member of the Black Eyed Peas.
A representative for the singer told The Associated Press that the songstress has not left the group, even though a magazine reported Thursday that will.i.am said she was no longer in the group.
Fergie's representative said Friday that she is “concentrating on her new album and can't wait for fans to hear it.” Because of commitments, Fergie will not perform with the Black Eyed Peas at two events this weekend: Saturday's opening ceremony for the UEFA Champions League final in Cardiff, Wales, and Sunday's charity concert in Manchester, England, alongside Ariana Grande.
Will.i.am's interview with Ahlan magazine caused a frenzy online Thursday with the suggestion that Fergie was no longer a member of the pop group. A day later, will.i.am said in a statement: “Fergie is family and will always be a Pea. She is focused on her solo album which we fully support.”
In the interview, will.i.am said that “nobody is replacing Fergie,” and that the Black Eyed Peas are working on a new project. He said former Pussycat Doll leader Nicole Scherzinger, who was offered a spot in the Peas before Fergie, would be featured on the project but didn't say how much involvement she would have.
Fergie announced last week that she left Universal Music Group, the longtime label behind the Black Eyed Peas, to launch her own record label called Dutchess Music.