The reason Tyra has been walking around with that stupid eye thing is because she is trying to hawk this piece of shit book she wrote, which basically is rip off of Harry Potter mixed with ANTM.
“No one gets in without being asked. And with her untamable hair, large forehead, and gawky body, Tookie De La Crème isn’t expecting an invitation. Modelland—the exclusive, mysterious place on top of the mountain—never dares to make an appearance in her dreams.
But someone has plans for Tookie. Before she can blink her mismatched eyes, Tookie finds herself in the very place every girl in the world obsesses about. And three unlikely girls have joined her.
Only seven extraordinary young women become Intoxibellas each year. Famous. Worshipped. Magical. What happens to those who don’t make it? Well, no one really speaks of that. Some things are better left unsaid.
Thrown into a world where she doesn’t seem to belong, Tookie glimpses a future that could be hers—if she survives the beastly Catwalk Corridor and terrifying Thigh-High Boot Camp. Or could it? Dark rumors like silken threads swirl around the question of why Tookie and her new friends were selected . . . and the shadows around Modelland hide sinister secrets.
Are you ready? Modelland is waiting for you. . . .” - from the publisher
WTF??
Intoxibellas? There is a full chapter here. I'm laughing too hard to read, but the reviews are GOLD!
I'm chilling out to this awesome new track from Gotye featuring Sarah's favourite Kibra, who is looking very hot in this video. Gotye has scary looking teeth.
First up is the new Beastie Boys new track Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win. Spike Jonze has reunited with the band to direct the video and true to form its has a MacGyver-style storyline filmed using action figures. Ok, this is not the most original execution ever (make sure you watch Todd Haynes’ Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story), but this video still manages to a lot of fun, even for a non-Beastie Boys fan like myself.
Spike really makes this his video distinctively his own through some very nice details. Its not every director who would give you such thoughtful sound editing or such awesome hand drawn supers, and there are some particularly lovely moments when we see a frost covered hand moving the figures in the snow.
I read there is an extended 11 minute version, but my interest won't last that long, besides I've never been a fan of long music videos - I appreciate the short format, why do you need to mess with it?.
... and Sarah, check out for the Santigold cameo - I’m sure this is what your Barbie would look like (when you one day have one!).
The next is Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night. Although I am aware that it was completely its intention, this video still makes me like Katy Perry. Normally I think she tries way too hard, but here its not so obvious and it works alongside all the cheese.
I just wish the irritating kid from Glee wasn’t in it. When will Glee’s reign of terror end?
And just because I got thinking about videos and the general lack of really great ones these days (wtf happened?) and how Mike Mills has to now beg to direct an Arcade Fire video (who are they anyway?), here is REM’s Imitation of Life, whose awesomeness I just remembered.
Ok, I am cringeing at myself as I type this, but I am still unashamed at my renewed love of Beyonce, thanks to her new self-promotional doco "Year Of 4".
I love a good semi-scripted, heavily edited, voyeuristic look into the life of a model or celebrity at the best of times (hello, my love of The Kardashians?!)so this video documenting the year that Beyonce took off to "rediscover herself" and do normal things like "pick up my nephew from school" (being followed by cameras with with Jay-Z - yep, heaps normal)tickles my fancy.
I must admit, I didn't get the Run The World video before I watched Year Of 4 - and no doubt, the Year of 4 is partly because of the confused response around the world to her first single and video.
Run The World felt so pedestrian and done when she released it. Everyone I spoke to about it was dissappointed with her efforts, and said it was more of the same, but not as good (Single Ladies was epic, and considering Crazy in Love was her first single - it's, impressively, still one of her best!).
BUT after seeing the concept & thought process behind it, and insights such as the fact that she flew in the Tofo Tofo dancers from Mozambique and then they starred in the clip - it all added heart and reason to it, and I now love it.
Beyonce, for me, is the super successful icon that I wish I had the dedication, passion and energy to emulate - to follow my dreams and sacrifice all normality to reach my goals. For me, The Year of 4 has brought her down a rung, and showed her as a workaholic who lives what she does so much that she needs to relearn how to enjoy the little things in the world. That appealed to me, and helped me to see her music and videos in a different light.
Yes, I respect her more as an artist now, because she is less "untouchable".
Begin the firing squad...
Pete: I love how Beyonce's year off involves standing in front of a mirror and posing. I wonder if she did that for the whole year. The problem with B for me is that she basically set the bar too high with Crazy in Love. The Run the World video is basically her posing in a whole lot of House of Diarreah clothes for 4 minutes.
Britney fansite Breatheheavy reported that Britney refused a hug to one of her fans (who paid $1000 for a meet and greet) at a show in Vancouver.
Forgetting the money, this is still sad and a bit disappointing.
The sad thing is if you google pics of Rhianna's meet and greets, she actually looks like she is putting in effort and actually likes her fans. Poor form Britney.
Here are photo's of Kate Moss' wedding over the weekend. Maybe it's just because I've always had a crush on Kate, but I think she looks fucking unbelievable - the right mix of sexy and pretty.
So much better than Kate Middleton and her wierd nipples – don't you agree?
Wow. Stumbled across this today – from the new single Crystalline.
There's some new music too (not as exciting but i'll grow to love it), not to mention a very cool iPad app idea (read here) that has convinced me to get an iPad.
The new Lady Gaga video is out and everyone is pretty much agreeing it sucks.
The story behind the video is believed to be that Joseph Kahn (who directed Toxic and Womanizer) had planned an elaborate video featuring an underwater mermaid sequence but this was cancelled at the last minute by Gaga after there was a fight involving Kahn and choreographer Laurieann Gibson (who has a awful looking reality show on E!). Another theory is that Kahn walked off set and this footage is all that was left.
Kahn sent this tweet: "I did NOT direct Lady Gaga's 'Edge of Glory' video. Lady Gaga did -- I don't co-direct. One canvas, one paintbrush. Respect the art. Very simple rule with me."
I personally like the result, even if it feels incomplete. I think it is different to what many people expected (which is why they don't like it) but and I appreciate that Lady Gaga is trying something she hasn't done before - a straight forward performance video. I think in many ways it could be iconic if people let it be.
What do you think?
Sarah: WOW. I hate this more than anything ever! Sorry, I couldn't even finish watching it. It is SO Madonna, and SO Cher but nowhere near as interesting, breakthrough or era-appropriate. It reminds me of Kesha in it's un-polishedness (not a word, I am aware. haha). We often have different views but I don't see the good in this at all. I also think the song is very, very weak. And I actually like Judas and Born This Way (I loved the Judas clip actually, did you?).
To be fair, I think this is Gaga's best album, best creative incarnation and best art direction for sure, but this clip is just not creative enough. She can't do pared back when her whole identity is about being so over the top. It's like buying an ice-cream to eat and discovering it's sorbet. It's not what I asked for. And I paid for it (you get my drift?). Basically, when you're as produced and carefully celebritised (another non-word, i'm on a roll here!) as Gaga I don't think anyone is interested in seeing you be "real".
Discuss.
First off let me state that I'm not the biggest Lady Gaga fan. I'm not really into her costuming or her general spectacle, and most of the time think she is a less exciting version of what we've already seen from Madonna, Bjork, Roisin Murphy .... and unlike those artists, her music is over hyped when it is often just generic (albeit well made) pop. Case in point – Just Dance. She reminds me of that typical talented Italian girl at school who is deep into musical theatre likes being avant garde. I can't work out how she basically sold America on this shtick that I was convinced would only work maybe in Europe.
Having said that, I give her credit for being actually talented and hard working and making some good music. I didn't expect to like the Born This Way album (I hate the song and think Judas is dreadful. Sorry Sarah but the video is boring), but it is really good – a big improvement on The Fame. I can see that this video is trying to be Open Your Heart-Madonna, but if you have bought into the overt religious imagery, the gay-baiting and the Steven Klein directed videos, why not this too?
Sarah: I think the thing I don't like about this is that she is she is being too personal. The longing gazes at the camera, the singing all the lyrics with heart, the slow movements - these are not things I want to see Lady Gaga doing. I like the crazy thatrics, the obvious plaguerism and the meat dress. I also like the catchy pop songs, the hooks and the ever-changing wardrobe (and malfunctions).
I admit she is nowhere near as creative or interesting as your Roisin Murphy's or Bjork's of the world, but she is different to them in that she is completely manufactured - and reeks of it - and they are genuine. I would love this kind of thing from them, but for Gaga, it just doesn't sit right with me. Having said all that, i'm not a real fan either, so in the scheme of Gaga insightedness (hehe) my opinion doesn't hold any weight. I only started liking her this year and I only have 2 of her songs (the two you hate!).
P.s. Your description of Italian musical theatre obsessives is spot on, I can already think of a few names coming back to me from High School. Love it!!
I thought you might like this? This is Sneaky Sound Systems new song "We Love". What do you think? Do you love Connie's new look? I think she could have made a bit more effort with the make-up in the film clip, she doesn't look nearly as polished as she has in the past. I like the song, I can see myself working out to it. It's repetitive, and her voice is good, but the film clip - what a shocker! being provocative for the sake of attention is such a B-Grade celebrity move, I really did expect more. I was bored halfway through! The concept is one that only worked in Austin Powers as far as i'm concerned!
Stranger indeed! I think this is a sex song, so the video makes sense, it just could be better. But Connie definitely looks busted up. And what happened to that blond dude in the band? The song is good, but I think Sneaky Sound need to really bring something better than this if they want to be big again.
My latest discovery is a series on MTV many of you, like myself, will have never knew existed.Paris Hilton’s My New Dubai BFF.
You heard right. Not only was there a Paris Hilton’s My New BFF (apparently there were 4), but it has spawned a Dubai version. (Seriously – Paris Hilton is now selling this shit to the middle east. They obviously must be the only ones still interested.)
Like most things to do with Paris Hilton, this show is super skeevy. Add to that the cheese factor of the Middle East and you have gold. The whole production is a low rent rip off of America’s Next Top Model which follows Paris Hilton as she searches Dubai for a new BFF (even though Hilton has never been to Dubai before??). Its a pretty standard format but what makes it so watchable are the contestants, a group of wannabe middle east socialites who all insist they want to be Paris’ best friend even though they haven’t spent more than a few minutes with her. And Paris herself.
First off, Paris appears to have a lot of trouble simply being herself, especially for someone who has built their career on being that said self and seeing this is the fifth installment of this franchise.
Anytime Paris enters into a room, she does the most awkward walk. I can only describe it as a swan on crack. The best part is that she looks as though she is really proud of it. You have to see it.
During the show, Paris makes a series of straight-to-camera commentaries where she reads an auto cue so awkwardly it comes across like she is trying to convince us she can read. For the rest of the show, she appears completely bored, especially during eliminations where she mouths platitudes like “this is really hard but someone has to go” while appearing to care less. She looks completely uninterested in participating in what essentially is her (last remaining) meal ticket. Maybe as this was not meant for American audiences she just doesn’t care.
What surprises me is how mean spirited the show can be. Paris encourages the girls to ‘talk smack’ about each other and last week a genuinely nice contestant who one minute was Paris’ ‘lucky star’, for no reason the next was stripped of the honour, escorted to the airport and told by a deformed giant (no kidding) that “Paris says TTYN. Talk To You Never.” The challenges are pretty shameless attempts to create conflict. One involved the girls handing out sashes to each other with nasty label on them such as ‘worst teeth’ that predictably ended in an argument. In another, after picking out a diamond ring for Paris, the winning team were “rewarded” with a three blocks of chocolate each and t-shirt.
This show is hilarious to watch, but I can’t wait for Tyra to bust in any second and smack Paris Hilton down.
Courtney says she bought eight pairs of the same $2,000 shoes! So that's what happened to all those royalties from Nevermind. Courtney also lets slip about getting pills from Winnona and Andy Dick.
I also agree with the article, why is Kelly on fashion Police? She's an obnoxious name dropper and half the time she looks worse than the people on that show. I'm also sick of hearing about how she's thin now. Get a life.
Man I love Courtney Love. After catching her episode of Behind the Music last week, I've decided she's awesome. I actually don't know any of her music but there's something really cool about her fantastically f-cked up style. And how she has way too much money.
Anyway here are some of my favourite pictures from her blog What Courtney Wore Today. Its totally narcissistic but in a refreshingly fun way. I love that she must actually buy all this stuff herself.
And here is a brilliant video she commissioned about her style evolution. WTF?? Watch it for the dancing Birkin alone.
(Also, is it just me or does she remind you of Cat?)
Sarah: Hahaha! What the shit was that video?! I can't decide if it was brilliant or if I want that 6 minutes of my life back...?
I love Courtney Love! I haven't seen her Behind The Music episode but I want to now. I remember listening to Hole in High School and realising that she isn't very talented but she is a bona-fide rock star (I don't care what any Kurt Cobain loving Courtney Love haters think!). Rock On Courtney - you're a Hot Mess!
Sarah, I'm sad to say I'm not feeling this new Diddy song. But I do love Coming Home and this Dirty Money collaboration. Diddy is definately the father of reinvention. Can't wait to hear the whole album - so far it looks better than his last one.
What, no love for new Kanye?? I have to say MBDTF is my favourite Kanye album so far. C'mon, how can you not love The Blame Game?!
Kanye is my f-cking hero.
I am even tempted to buy one of the limited edition scarves he designed in collaboration with M/M (Paris), except i don't think I could pull it off.
Here is Kanye on the cover of Vman with actual dollar bills stuffed in his mouth. I have this issue at home – the best cover I have seen in a long time. Brilliant.
Sarah: I love the cover. I still hate Kanye Fucking West.
1. It is incredibly catchy 2. P.Diddy (or whatever his name is now) is on the piano 3. His "Dirty Money" counterparts (Kalenna and Dawn Richard - Dawn is from Diddy's hand made Pop girl group "Danity Kane" circa 2005) are hot and can sing - with attitude to boot! 4. It made me listen and watch the rest of the songs from the album - and I love them all too 5. I then bought the album and was not dissappointed!
As much as it feels like a strange direction for Rappers and OG's to be moving into the pop/dance realm of music it works for Diddy - Dirty Money. It might be the collaborators (Chris Brown & Usher are at their best here), it might be way the album is listenable from start to finish - whatever it is it's working - in ways that it didn't work for poor old Kanye West and his crapola album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
I'll send you the album - it will be music to your ears.
While its unlikely, especially as the leaks are pretty shady, I have to say I am apathetic to the news Carine could be working on her own line. It may be selfish, but I'd much rather see her launch a fantastic new magazine or continue booking gigs like her upcoming one with Barneys.
Maybe I've just O.D.ed on celebrity fashion designers.
Sarah, your thoughts please?
Here is Carine photographed for the upcoming issue of Visionnaire which also features Lara Stone being crucified. Seriously, when will I be able to afford one of these (or at least expense it to work)?
Sarah: You know what Pete, i'll be very surprised if she does release her own fashion line. It is the height of tack - and she has creatively collaborated with so many greats over the years - why would be step down from her throne to design some clothes? It's beneath her.
I love that picture of her. She is amazing. Love. LOVE!
It has to be THIS from New York Magazine's investigation into what went wrong with Madonna's Malawi Foundation:
Madonna became close with [Kabala founders Philip and Karen Berg], and they with her; Karen has even noted that Madonna “keeps a kosher home, she observes Shabbat, she circumcised her son and had her [ex-] husband circumcised.” (Yes, you read the last part correctly.)
So disturbing (yet fascinating). But how do I burn that image from my brain!
Peter! It's been an age. Obviously things have been busy on both fronts, but I slowed down for a second to read a few blogs and saw a post on a fav blog of mine called Girl With A Satchel (http://girlwithasatchel.blogspot.com/ ) which had an article about this clip of Beyonce.
She has remade her song "Get Me Bodied" with new lyrics about being physical for your health (and new dance moves like "wave the American flag" which don't seem quite as attractive to me as the "Naomi Campbell walk" from the original song! haha). It's part of Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign which is a fight against child obesity and I absolutely LOVE IT. Just when I'm starting to forget Ol'B she comes back and does something super fab!
Happy Dancing! (I dare you to watch this and not dance!)
and the original...
Pete: The video is a big improvement on the original! Good on B. She looks great too.
Pete, do you like Nicki Minaj? I can't figure out if she is the kind of popette you would like?
I haven't been too interested in her before today - she collaborated with Will.I.Am (cardinal sin of making listenable music)and seemed to be a little too kooky without any discernable talent to back her up.
But i am backflipping on my decision. Yes, I am fickle - one week i'll hate something, and the next I'll be playing it non-stop at work, much to the dismay of my long suffering work colleague Jon.
I stumbled accross her single "Moment 4 Life" which I L.O.V.E. It features Drake (Like!), it has a cute film clip in which she plays and references many of her alter-ego's (Like!) and it sounds like an old school RnB song which someone like Tweet, Keyshia Cole or Aliyah would make (Like!).
Have you read about her alter-ego's? Apparently she had a rough childhood (after moving up in the world from Trinidad to Queens) and as a coping mechanism she created "characters" (reference: Sasha Fierce, Slim Shady, Lady Gaga) - one called Roman Zolanski (her "evil twin sister"), Martha Zolanski (Her "mother" who appears in the Moment 4 Life clip as her Fairy Godmother and who has a British Accent which sounds like it's been gleaned from watching too much AbFab)and Harajuku Barbie.
To me, Minaj could easily be the love child of Gwen Stefani and Lil' Kim (a creation whom I, for one, would welcome into the world!). Or, she could be seen as a less serious, more interesting and not as predicable Lady Gaga.
In any case, she has captured my imagination for the moment and I have listened to Moment 4 Life approximately 25 times today already.
Hope you LIKE!
Pete: Sarah, I love Moment 4 Life too. I wasn't convinced by her first single Your Love (which sampled Annie Lennox's No More I Love You's), but she has won me over. I'm also facinated in these alter egos – do they only come out in her videos? I think her look is interesting too - more polished than Lady Gaga. I remember reading she had a big beef with Lil Kim.
I have a serious girl crush on Kimbra right now - she's so smokin hot! (I feel like a slight failure as she is something like 7 years younger than me - but I am enjoying her music so much that the feeling is fleeting).
Pete: While I maintain you are a better singer (and cuter), I love Kimbra on Miami Horror's I look To You. You have introduced me to so much amazing music lately (The XX, Gypsy & the Cat), please don't stop!!
Take a listen to Wierd Al Yankovic's cover of Born This Way which Lady Gaga said no to. Frankly this is pretty tame and kinda flattering. What a boring kill joy.
Sarah: OOHHH EEEMM GEEE!!! That is so brilliant and hilarious!!!! That is possibly my fav Weird Al Yankovic song yet. My fav part is when he talks about how she starts new trends - and the next one will be to wrap her small intestine around her neck and set herself on fire on stage. HAHA!
This proves that Gaga takes herself too seriously, which is a damn shame because if all the attention seeking weirdness was light hearted she would probably have alot more fans!
Inspired choice. This actually makes me like Glee more (or I guess at all). I just hope they don't make it into a inspiring hip hop mash up - yuk. Keep it dark and moody.
Can this album be any better!
Here is a great interview from Nymag. I love how she says they made her watch the second Twilight film. She also lets slip that Alexander Skarsgard is in the new video for Sadness is a Blessing.
Sarah: I'm excited for her new film clip! But let it be known that I am physically allergic (in every sense of the word) to GLEE. I will not watch it. Sorry! *(And if history repeats they will probably murder I Follow Rivers! Noooooo!). p.s. I just listened to it on You Tube. They pretty much copied the song exactly - only difference is the singers voice (and the difference is a lack or real emotion.) Apart from that - nothing changed! Do you like it?
Sarah: Boo Hoo! The clip was taken down :( The song is called "Girls (who rule the world) and it's fierce! (well, what i've heard of it is!).
Love the dance audition clips on You Tube too...
I've decided this is very early-Destiny's Child. Did she write this herself? (Hahahaha)
Sarah: Wow, it's not as good as I thought it would be? Then again I totally hated Single Ladies the first 100 times I heard it, but I love it now.
I am feeling you on the "early DC" in this song. Kind of dissappointing? We all know the film clip is going to be kick arse tho - can't wait to see it (and learn the choreography, and perform the choreography upon request at parties). :)
Can you believe this is carine at 18 years old? Stunning! No wonder she looks so good at 56 years old (below). Yes, you read right - 56 years old! Amazing.
I loved the interview with Carine in 10 Magazine where shesaid that being Chic is something that cannot be learned - it's an attitude. So true. I also love those shoes. Julia and Carine - bringing the Double Fab to the front row
Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's "Library". Small, non?
This is Julia Restoin-Roitfelds Wardrobe - shoe section.
It's Friday! I'm feeling inspired and loving all things pleasing to the eye, so I have been scrolling through some of my favourite blogs - and have re-posted some of my fav images so far.
I also stumbled across a crazy fan blog - I Want To Be A Roitfeld. (http://www.iwantotbearoitfeld.com/ ) Have you ever seen it before? I'm mesmerized - and I love it! (Me? Stalker? Perhaps.)
Have a good one. x
Peter: I loved that article from 10 too, but i think your post is even more fascinating (if not voyeristic). It was a great read. What I loved were the many amazing insights. I kept nodding in agreement - the no clutter at home, the mixing of black with navy (which i do all the time), the hatred of Crocs. In fact, I used that exact quote in a Westfield style guide I wrote (long story!). Can't wait to see her new Barneys campaign - I think we will have to make a pilgramage to New York.
Sarah: WOW. That blows my mind. I am so inspired by crazy industry types who understand how to use modern culture to sell their product in the most creative (and cheap) way! Excellent post Pete!
W-O-W-Z-E-R! HELLO RHIANNA on the cover of the Rolling Stone! I can't actually remember how I stumbled across this picture but Hot Dang could the girl be any hotter?
I remember Rolling Stone being quite Rock n Roll and was lamenting to myself how, even though this cover is smokin' hot, Rolling Stone has sold out to Pop stars - and it all started with Britney and that damn telephone.
Then I did some research (which consisted of my typing "Hot Pop Cover of Rolling Stone" into google image search. Turns out Pop stars have been perverting Rolling Stone's Rock n Roll veneer for some time now (at best - Janet Jackson. At worst - Justin Beiber).
Here are some of my favourites :) (yes, I know Gaga is in there and I don't like her - but I do like that cover!)
