Precious

Introduction

Precious was a British girl group formed in 1998, best known for representing the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. The five members – Louise Rose, Jenny Frost, Anya Lahiri, Kalli Clark-Sternberg, and Sophie McDonnell – performed the song “Say It Again” as the UK’s entry at Eurovision 1999. They finished in 12th place at the contest, which was the country’s lowest placement in over a decade. However, the exposure helped Precious score a hit at home: “Say It Again” reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and also charted in Sweden and Belgium. The group went on to release one album and a handful of singles, enjoying moderate pop success before disbanding in late 2000.

Formation and Eurovision 1999

Friends Sophie McDonnell and Jenny Frost founded Precious in late 1998 and recruited the other members through auditions. Remarkably, the new group was selected by British viewers to represent the UK at the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest in Jerusalem even before releasing any single. They competed with the pop song “Say It Again,” written by Paul Varney, in front of an international audience. Although the upbeat track did not win (the group placed 12th out of 23 entries), it gave Precious broad exposure. The Eurovision result was disappointing for the UK, but the song itself became a domestic chart success. “Say It Again” entered the UK charts at No. 6 in May 1999, and it also made an appearance on charts in Belgium and Sweden. This strong debut turned the Eurovision single into a springboard for the group’s music career.

Album and Chart Success

After Eurovision, Precious signed with EMI and began work on a debut album, collaborating with high-profile songwriters like Diane Warren. In early 2000 they released the R&B-flavored single “Rewind,” which reached No. 11 on the UK chart. Meanwhile, their subsequent singles saw diminishing returns: that summer “It’s Gonna Be My Way” peaked at No. 27, and their final single “New Beginning” barely cracked the Top 50 at No. 50. The group’s self-titled album Precious came out in November 2000, but it failed commercially. It was reportedly selling fewer than 600 copies in the UK. As a result, EMI dropped the band soon after, and the members decided to part ways by the end of 2000. Thus, Precious’s chart journey was brief: one Top 10 hit and a few modest follow-ups, all within the span of about a year. After disbanding, each member of Precious went on to pursue individual careers in entertainment and other fields.

Louise Rose

Louise Rose was the lead vocalist of Precious. After the group’s breakup, she continued working in music and also moved into acting. Rose lent her vocals to projects by other artists. For example, she featured on D’Influence’s song “32 Flavours” in 2002 and on Italian act DB Boulevard’s dance hit “Believe,” which reached No. 8 in Spain and No. 12 in Italy. She has also built an acting résumé; her credits include roles in various TV shows and the 2008 mini-series Diamonds. Moreover, Louise Rose has maintained a presence in the creative arts to this day, continuing to be involved in music and occasional acting projects.

Jenny Frost

Jenny Frost gained the most high-profile post-Precious career. In 2001 she joined the established girl group Atomic Kitten, replacing Kerry Katona. With Frost as a member, Atomic Kitten achieved major success. The group scored three UK No. 1 singles (including the hits “Whole Again” and “Eternal Flame”) and two No. 1 albums. In addition, Frost became a television presenter and model. She hosted the BBC Three makeover show Snog Marry Avoid? from 2008 to 2011 and later co-presented OK! TV on Channel 5. She also did modeling work, serving as the face of a skincare line in 2011 and appearing in fashion campaigns. In her personal life, Jenny Frost married Spanish entrepreneur Vicente Juan Spiteri in 2011 and has three children. Her son was born in 2007 and twin daughters born in 2013. Now living largely outside the limelight, she occasionally reunites with Atomic Kitten for special projects and continues to focus on her family.

Anya Lahiri

Anya Lahiri shifted away from pop music and forged a multifaceted career after Precious. She returned to academia, earning a degree in humanities from the University of London. She also resumed her modeling activities in the early 2000s. Lahiri appeared on magazine covers (such as Company and More) and took on campaigns for brands like ASDA and ASOS. She was even one of FHM’s “Pit Girls” in 2003. At the same time, she pursued acting, landing roles in independent films and TV productions. Later, Anya Lahiri found a new calling in the fitness industry. She became a trainer at Barry’s Bootcamp and emerged as one of the gym’s notable instructors, splitting her time between teaching fitness classes and occasional modeling or acting engagements. On the personal front, Lahiri married James Macaskill, and the couple has a son together.

Sophie McDonnell

Sophie McDonnell transitioned into television and radio presenting after the group’s dissolution. She became a familiar face on children’s TV as a host on the BBC’s CBBC channel in the early 2000s. McDonnell presented in-between programs on CBBC up until 2006, engaging a young audience with her friendly demeanor. Additionally, she moved into radio, hosting The Big Toe Radio Show on BBC 7 from 2006 to 2009. Alongside presenting, Sophie McDonnell explored acting; she had a guest role on the British soap opera Emmerdale in 2000, and in 2007 she starred in a stage pantomime production of Snow White at the Kings Theatre in Southsea. After her stint in children’s broadcasting, McDonnell continued working in the media industry. She has kept a lower profile in recent years, but her career as a presenter and occasional actress has cemented her status as a versatile media personality.

Kalli Clark-Sternberg

Kalli Clark-Sternberg took a more behind-the-scenes route following her time in Precious. Early on, she attempted acting. She is credited with a small role in the late-1990s football drama Dream Team. However, her acting career did not become widely known. Subsequently, Kalli focused on music in a different capacity. She became a session singer, lending her voice to studio projects and songwriting sessions rather than pursuing fame as a solo artist. By the mid-2000s, Clark-Sternberg had stepped out of the public eye. It has been reported that she later moved into music management, working behind the scenes for a record company. Unlike her bandmates, Kalli has kept a very low profile and does not frequently appear in media, yet she continues to contribute to the music industry offstage through her expertise and industry roles.