Bella-May

Bella May Hammond (born July 11th, 1991) — known professionally as Bella-May  —  is a Urapopstar award-winning American recording artist. Apart from being a singer, she is also a song-writer, television personality, porn star and model. Bella rose to fame in late 2010 with her debut single "Boom Boom Bang" and album, The Escort. Bella has so far released 9 singles, 4 of which were #1 in the UK, and 3 platinum selling albums.

Early Life
Bella was born in New York City to an American mother (Sally Jenkins) and a British father (Malcom Hammond). When Bella was eight years old, her father was tragically killed in a car accident. She attended school in New York City until the age of 14, and her and her mother moved to the UK to be with Bella's grandmother (her father's mother) who was ill at the time.

Bella was raised as an atheist by her parents. Initially, she did not intend to pursue a career as a pop-singer, but instead she wanted to be a model. It wasn't until she was asked to audition for a role in a musical, after the director heard her singing with her headphones in, that music became an interest to her.

Early Career
In early 2008, Bella was the winner of the National Lottery in the United Kingdom and won the big jackpot. She decided she would use the money to start her music career, after she cared for her mother who was dying of cancer. Bella began recording music with well-known producers, but found it hard to get a record deal as she was deemed "too controversial". Many major labels did not think her racy image was worth investing in.

In the spring of 2010, Bella decided she had had enough rejections and set up her own record label, Vampire Crypt Records, and began releasing her music independently, starting with her debut single "Boom Boom Bang".

The Escort era
To begin her career, Bella signed a deal with large UK supermarket chain, ASDA, who agreed to stock her CD singles and albums exclusively. Her debut single "Boom Boom Bang" was released in December 2010 and peaked at #9 on the UK singles charts. The single was slated by critics for being "too try hard", but eventually received a gold certification. A week after the release of the single, Bella released her debut album The Escort, which she had been working on since early 2009. The album received praise, especially the title track, and went on to receive a platinum certification for sales of over 400,000 copies. The second single to be taken from The Escort was the Xenomania produced track "Your Worst Nightmare". The album version of the track featured famous transsexual pop-singer Zara Dynamite. Dynamite was replaced by r'n'b singer Elle for the single release after it was revealed she had been abducted by pirates when holidaying in the Caribbean and was unable to help Bella promote the single. "Your Worst Nightmare" charted at #5 upon its release. In February 2011, it was announced that "The Escort", a fan and critic favourite, would be released alongside a newly recorded track, "Marble Cake", as the album's third single. This was Bella's first, and so far only, double a-side release. The single peaked at #5 on the UK singles charts. A fourth single was planned from the album, according to Bella, but plans were later scrapped when she began working on a sophomore record.

In April 2011, Bella officially closed down Vampire Crypt Records after her good friend Anna Jones, owner of Strawberry Records. offered her a record deal. Bella's second album would be released under Strawberry. In January 2010, Bella embarked on The ASDA Tour which visited 10 different ASDA stores across the UK and Ireland. The tour came about due to Bella's partnership with ASDA to stock her singles and album exclusively. Ruby and the Gems was the tour's special guest. Bella also supported duo Dresden & Bareilles on their 'ARES Tour' in April 2011. It was confirmed by Bella's PR in April 2011 that Bella had ended her partnership with ASDA, due to her record label move to Strawberry Records.

Bella-May era
Bella began working on her sophomore album from early 2011. In May 2011 the first single from the album, "The Orgy Song", was released. The track featured Kazimiera and Flaming SteffY and was Bella's first track to be released world-wide. The song was a #1 single in the UK, but due to lack of promotion, failed to make an impact internationally. The track, produced by Max Martin and Butterscotch, is hailed as one of Bella-May's signature tunes and is infamous for it's sample of the children's nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock". In the August of 2011, Bella released the album's second (and final) single, "Hooker On A Church Corner". The Fernando Garibay produced track was also another #1 single for Bella and has since been given a platinum certification. Released the same week as "Hooker On A Church Corner" was Bella's second album Bella-May. The album debuted at #1 and sold 415,916 in the United Kingdom. Bella then moved to the United States for 6 months for her role as a judge on America's Next Top Model. The show proved useful to Bella when it helped launch her music career in the USA, and she released a brand new track, "Dangerous", in the States to promote her US edition of her album Bella-May. "Dangerous" peaked at #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the album reached a peak of #20. Future plans for the album were swiftly cancelled when Bella was hospitalized for exhaustion after collapsing on the set of AMTM.

In August 2011, Bella toured her second album with a theater tour in the United Kingdom. The Hookertastic Show: Starring Bella-May! visited 17 different venues around the UK and Ireland and all dates were completely sold out. While on a short hiatus from music, Bella confirmed in a press release that she had switched labels to Fusion Records after Strawberry Records was shut down.

Sex Before Marriage Tour and Charity single/tour
Bella made a brief return to music from April - July 2012 with her Sex Before Marriage Tour. The tour visited small venues in the United States, and visited large arenas in the United Kingdom. The setlit for the US leg mainly contained songs from Bella's second album, while the UK shows featured songs from both her albums, and included a handful of tracks for her then-upcoming third album. The tour was released on DVD in November 2012 and contained lots of special features. The DVD reached #1 on the Music DVD charts in the UK.

In December 2012, Bella joined forces with best friend Ruby to release a joint single for charity. The Beat Bullying UK charity approached both artists on the possibility of a single release, with proceeds from sales being donated to the charity. Bella and Ruby agreed, as they are both passionate about anti-bullying, and even agreed to do an arena tour for the charity to raise even more money. Ruby and Bella went into the studio with Xenomania to record the feisty track "Girls Like Dynamite", although the song's lyrics have nothing to do with anti-bullying! The single was released on December 17th, Christmas week, 2012 and debuted at #1. The track has since become a roaring success for both Bella and Ruby. Beginning on December 15th, to coincide with the release of "Girls Like Dynamite", Ruby & Bella embarked on a joined tour, consisting of 5 arena dates in the UK and Ireland. The Lick My Gem Tour was a huge success, with every date being completely sold out.

Ready or Not era
Bella began recording for her third studio album as early as December 2011. The album was delayed a number of time for many different reasons and was ready to be released for September 2012. However, before the launch of the first single, Bella-May requested for more time to work on the album as she felt it wasn't strong enough. The final album was complete in May 2013 and was released on August 5th 2013 in Europe.

The first single, "Ain't Got Shit", was announced on February 13th 2013 via Bella-May's official website. The single was released in the UK using the On Air/On Sale method, on February 25th 2013, which proved unsuccessful. "Ain't Got Shit" received controversy in the UK, particularly for it's crude and offensive lyrics. Due to the lukewarm reception the single received, it was not released in the USA or Canada. On March 3rd 2013, the song charted at #8 on the UK singles chart, before climbing to it's peak of #5 a week later. Despite being considered by Bella herself as "a minor flop", the single was certified platinum for selling over 250,000 copies (this was before the requirement for a platinum for a single was changed to 300,000 copies sold).

Bella entered the studio yet again in April 2013 in search of a summer hit, described by the media as her "damage control song". In June 2013, it was announced that the second single taken from the album would be the David Guetta-penned summer anthem "Jägerbomb", released on August 5th, the same day as the album. Upon it's premiere, "Jägerbomb" received extremely positive reviews from critics and fans, although some did call the song "desperate" and "embarrassing". The single charted at #1 and was certified platunum.

Upon release of the album, "Outer Space" was announced as the third and final single from the album. It was released on November 4th 2013 and peaked at #7 in the UK and #3 in the USA. Currently, it holds the title for Bella's lowest-selling single release.

On August 11th 2013, Ready or Not debuted at #1 in the UK, selling over 120K in it's first week. The album was eventually certified platinum and is Bella's best selling album to date. The Ready or Not Tour commenced in Spring 2014, becoming Bella's highest grossing tour also.

Fourth Studio Album
Bella announced on March 22nd, during a performance in Madison Square Garden as part of the Ready or Not Tour that she had begun work on her fourth studio album, which she hopes to release before September 2014. According to the singer, the album will have a more "glittery" and "pop" sound and will be more cohesive than her previous efforts.

Television Career
In September 2011, it was confirmed that Bella-May would join the judging panel of American's Next Top Model for the All Stars cycle of the show. She then returned as a judge for the British Invasion cycle of the show and the College Edition cycle. She returned for her fourth consecutive stint as a judge for Cycle 20, the first cycle of the show to include male models, in 2013. She announced that Cycle 20 would be her final appearance on ANTM as she decided that it was time to "close that amazing chapter and try out other television ventures". The media began speculating that Bella and Tyra Banks had fallen out, but this was soon rubbished by both parties. Tyra said that Bella was "everying [I] asked for in a judge! She just thought it was time for her to move on. I wish her the best of luck and want her to know that her seat will always be here if she feels like returning."

In July 2013, it was confirmed that Bella and Jason would be starring as mentors on an MTV television show Reach the Top which follows ten party animals on their mission of becoming singers and models. Bella and Jason's full time role sees them act as bosses/mentors. Bella mentors the singers and helps them try and achieve their dreams, while Jason mentors the wannabe models. At the end of each season, Bella and Jason decide with each other which member of the group was not "up to scratch" throughout the season and they are sent home, replaced by a new member in the following season.

Philanthropy
Throughout her career, Bella has been involved with many charities. The main charity Bella supports is the Beat Bullying UK charity which aims to eliminate bullying of all kinds in the UK. Bella teamed up with Ruby and the Gems to release a single that's proceeds would be donated to the charity. Bella also supports Missing Kids, Women's Aid and Defenders of Wildlife.

Controversy
Throughout her entire career, Bella-May has proved to be an extremely controversial being. She is infamous for her extremely filthy song-lyrics and is known flashing her breasts to crowds when she performs. Many tabloids label her as a "filthy slut", while others praise her for her "feminist actions". Bella addressed this controversy in an interview with Ryan Seacrest in November 2011. She said that "if a man takes his top off while performing, it's considered sexy. If he sings dirty song lyrics, he's a stud! So nobody can f***ing tell me that I'm a filthy sl*t and get away with it. I'm doing absolutely nothing wrong".

Personal Life
Bella is an openly bisexual female and has had as many girlfriends as she has had boyfriends. When asked in an interview with Cosmopolitan in 2012 if she has a preference for either gender, she said her bisexuality is "50/50". Bella had a 6-month long relationship with Damien Jones, the brother of her friend Flaming SteffY in the summer of 2011. The relationship became strained when the pair were fed up of having their romance splashed all over newspapers and magazines and felt that they had no private life. Despite the termination of their romantic relationship, Bella and Damien insist that they are both still good friends. As of now, Bella is currently single.

Discography
Main article: Bella-May Discography Main article: List of songs by Bella-May

Albums

 * 2010 The Escort #4
 * 2011 Bella-May #1
 * 2013 Ready or Not #1

Singles

 * 2010 Boom Boom Bang #9
 * 2011 Your Worst Nightmare #5
 * 2011 The Escort / Marble Cake #5
 * 2011 The Orgy Song #1
 * 2011 Hooker On A Church Corner #1
 * 2012 Girls Like Dynamite #1
 * 2013 Ain't Got Shit #5
 * 2013 Jägerbomb #1
 * 2013 Outer Space #7

Other releases

 * 2012 Dangerous (US only)
 * 2012 Rainbow Cock (Digital download)

DVDs and live albums

 * 2012 Sex Before Marriage Tour - Live in Manchester