EXCLUSIVE: Tameko Star, Voice of Club Anthem Livin’ Joy, Talks About Helping Define an Era of Club Classics and the Slide of the Spotlight
Tameka says “ignorance was bliss” as she reflects on the pressures of fame
She was the powerful voice behind one of the biggest dance songs of the 90s and now, decades later, Tameko star is still moving, still creating and still living up to the name that made her famous.
As the voice of Livin’ Joy, she helped define an era of euphoric club classics, and today she reflects on the whirlwind, the wisdom and what comes next. Catching up with us, she opens up about fame, freedom and why her best chapter is still ahead.
When you hear Don’t Stop Movin’ today, what memories immediately come back?
A total whirlwind: planes, trains, cars, hotels, press, shows and then more shows. I remember the lights, the scenes and the crowds smiling back at me and speaking every word.
The funny thing is, I literally didn’t stop moving. It was my dream in motion. It was everything I imagined and more. I lived pure joy. Yes, pun for sure.
Did you have any idea at the time how big Livin’ Joy would become?
I did that. As I wrote the last word of Don’t Stop Movin’, something shifted. It wasn’t just faith… it was a knowledge. I felt it before the world heard it.
The 90s were such a wild time for pop, what was the craziest moment you experienced in that era?
I had three shows in one night after already performing a huge show at the Royal Albert Hall earlier in the day. I was beyond exhausted. I fell asleep in the van…
Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, the door opens and someone grabs my hand and yells, “You’re on now!” No time to freshen up. My lashes were literally stuck to my face from the sweat from the last show. I’m rushed up the stairs, barely coherent…And then I hear “LEVIN’ JOY!”
Something just clicked. I instantly transformed, walked on stage, probably with smudged lipstick and eyeliner, and gave one of the best performances of my life.
And it wasn’t all work, there were a few fun moments too?
Oh, always. I opened for Peter Andre at one point and a local paper linked us and said he had a bit of a crush on me.
Not long after that, I started getting these cryptic messages popping up on my hotel TV, just “Hi, how are you?” without name attached. I remember thinking, was that you, Peter?
It was such a fun time. We were young, surrounded by energy and opportunity, but I remained focused. I had my mother on the trip, so I kept my feet on the ground.
Do you ever miss that level of fame or are you happier now?
Both parts are true. I miss the energy of that time, but I don’t think I fully understood what was happening to me. The fame, the access, the way people just wanted a moment with you, I didn’t quite get it.
What I understood was the influence I had. And today I still feel it, just in a deeper, more personal way.
Fame in the 90s was intense, how did you cope with the pressure?
Honestly, ignorance was bliss. Everything happened so quickly that I didn’t really have time to process the pressure. I just lived in the moment, trusted the process and counted my blessings.
Were there moments when you felt misunderstood?
There was a moment where a tabloid basically called me a whore. I remember thinking, do people even still use that word? But I knew that wasn’t true. And I believed that the way I carried myself would always speak louder than headlines. I think it did.
Looking back, would you change anything?
I would have taken the time to understand the business side more. There are things I’m learning now that I wish I’d known then, and it’s been a hard realization. But it has also made me stronger and wiser.
You look incredible. What is your secret?
Thanks. Honestly, I never stopped dancing, creating or dreaming. It’s more than lotions and creams. Doing what you love is self-care. Passion is the true fountain of youth, and peace of mind doesn’t hurt either.
Do you feel stronger today?
I do. Before, all my talent came naturally to me, I was not fully aware of my worth. Now I do. I am more self-aware, more grounded, and more protective of what I bring to the table. And I’ve learned that no is a complete sentence.
The Originals Live Tour hits the road this month, kicking off in Spain and ending with a headline performance at Gran Canaria’s Winter Pride in November. See www.originallive.co.uk/tickets.
