Monday 26 August 2013

MTV VMAs 2013: The Best Bits

Last night played host to possibly the biggest anticipated night in music: The Video Music Awards which took place in Brooklyn, New York as massive stars from around the world turned out for the event. With Lady Gaga opening the show and performances from Robin Thicke, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and N'Sync made a comeback. For those of you who didn't watch the show, here are some of the best bits. 


Lady Gaga is well and truly back

I am a massive Gaga fan so I have been looking forward to this performance for a while, and it didn't disappoint! She began her performance showing off her stunning voice, and pulling some pretty powerful faces while manoeuvring what looked like a priest's cassock and a giant square on her head- classic Gaga. 
With five costume changes in total and three different wigs, she isn't anything to sniff at as she belted her heart out while delivering some stellar choreography.
            From media4.onsugar.com
Definitely my favourite performance of the night. There is only a handful of people who can pull off covering their precious parts with shells.  

She also apparently took a shine to One Direction's Zayn Malik. I can't see the two hanging out in the future though, can you? 
                       From images.sugarscape.com


Miley Cyrus as laughable

In general, I don't think I have laughed as much during a VMA performance. Three words: Gyrating, thrusting and twerking.
              From www.washingtonpost.com
As the Cyrus entered the stage last night, all traces of Hannah Montana were vanquished as she attempted to sing We Can't Stop before stripping down into nude underwear and grinding on Robin Thicke during a duet to Blurred Lines. Take a look if you don't believe me...  Is it just me, or did Mr Thicke look like a pervy Beetlejuice? 
                  From amokmagazine.files.wordpress.com


Taylor Swift's bitchiness. 

I think the fascination with the relationship country-come-pop singer Taylor Swift had with One Direction member Harry Styles will always be a hot topic, but last night the young lady really voiced her opinion on what she thought of him and the 1D lads- yay! 
She received the award for Best Female Video and when she collected her moonman, she said
"I also want to thank the person who inspired this song because he knows exactly who he is, because now I've got one of these" Back-handed compliment or what? meoww. 
She was also caught mouthing 'shut the f*** up' while the One Direction boys were up on stage, what a legend. It's kind of what we were all thinking. 


JT doing a Destiny's Child and Stealing the Show from N'Sync

Justin Timberlake, you thoroughly spoilt us last night. Beginning his performance with Sexy Back, then dipping into Like I Love You.
           From img2.timeinc.net

So much classic dancing before dipping into My Love. The fact that the whole audience were on their feet showed how amazing the performance was- I was blown away.


The Grillz were out in full force. 

Katy Perry and Rihanna donned their tooth bling last night and looked fabulously fierce. Both looked a thousand times better than Madonna who stepped out last week looking positively vile in her tooth jewellery. 
                     From i.huffpost.com
Above: Rihanna sports the subtle grill. 
                              From l1.yimg.com
Katy Perry= brace face. 

Audience cam was at it's best

I do love to watch celebrities in their natural habitat, and there is definitely nothing I enjoy more than seeing those famous faces interact with each other. Last night saw Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez dancing to Miley Cyrus, Ellie Goulding and Ed Sheeran cuddling up together and the Smith family's reaction to Cyrus' stripping, eeep! 
Hand on leg: Got something to tell us Ed?!

Harry Styles has a perve on his ex, Taylor Swift- cheeky. 




Katy Perry Roars onto the stage

LOVED her performance as a pretty dapper looking boxer. Still prefer Gaga though. 

All the winners: 
Video of the year: Justin Timberlake, "Mirrors"
Best female video: Taylor Swift, "I Knew You Were Trouble."
Best male video: Bruno Mars, "Locked Out of Heaven"
Best pop video: Selena Gomez, "Come & Get It"
Best hip-hop video: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton, "Can't Hold Us"
Best rock video: Thirty Seconds to Mars, "Up In the Air"
Best collaboration: Pink and Nate Ruess of fun., "Just Give Me a Reason"
Best video with a social message: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert, "Same Love"
Best song of the summer: One Direction, "Best Song Ever"
Artist to watch: Austin Mahone, "What About Love"
Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award: Justin Timberlake
Best direction: Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie" (director David Fincher)
Best visual effects: Capital Cities, "Safe and Sound"
Best choreography: Bruno Mars, "Treasure"
Best art direction: Janelle Monae featuring Erykah Badu, "Q.U.E.E.N."
Best cinematography: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton, "Can't Hold Us"
Best editing: Justin Timberlake, "Mirrors"

Monday 19 August 2013

Live Blog: Lady Gaga Premieres New Music Video 'Applause' on Good Morning America

Pop Princess Lady Gaga might have been accused of having her comeback over-shadowed by fellow songstress Katy Perry, but it was clear this morning that all of her 'little monsters' were out in full force at Times Square to catch a glimpse of her before her Good Morning America interview. 
                           From pbs.twimg.com
(above: Gaga arrives in Times Square to greet fans)
During her interview, she was asked about her broken hip, saying "I'm okay now.. I thought about nothing but my fans [during my rehab]"
                        From pbs.twimg.com
She also joked that she "rehearsed on [her] back" whilst injured. 
When asked about the creation of her Applause look she said she has an
 "obsession with transforming" and the make-up is an "ode to the jester who lives for applause"
She constantly referred to her fans during her talk, saying: "I live to make you happy"                    
Her new single 'Applause' was forced to be released early on August 12th after a number of leaks. The lyric video received a number of mixed reviews, most of which criticised it's rushed release. 
The influence of magic was clear in her new video as she is seen in her signature clown-esque make up and hair covering as well as seemingly appearing from a giant top hat.
 As with all of her videos, she takes on several appearances, one of my favourites was a no-doubt a more masculine, perhaps  mad hatter inspired outfit with greased back hair, duel coloured eyebrows and bubble wrap style attire. 
The most bizarre moment of the video is when she reveals herself as a black swan with a human head (below) 
'Applause'  is full of flamboyant looks and fast paced dancing, exactly like Gaga fans would have imagined it.  
Watch the video here: 

Tuesday 13 August 2013

Lady Gaga vs. Katy Perry: Who is the REAL Queen of Pop?

The illustrious title of Queen of Pop is something which countless female artists have yearned to be crowned. Two particular ladies who have been plotting  their comebacks for a while are the kooky meat dress-wearing Lady Gaga and cotton candy-laced Katy Perry, both of whom are  planning to burst back on the scene at similar points this year. But who will come out on top? 
Miss Katy Perry hasn't been seen previewing a new album since California Gurls back in 2010 followed by the sickly sweet Teenage Dream, her squeaky clean image being cemented in electric blue and pink hair, pin up curls and fruit-print tea dresses. 
        From i33.tinypic.com
Her comeback album has the hipster-inspired title Prism (set for release on 22nd October) and in her teaser videos for her up-coming single Roar she is seen burning her blue wig, instead opting for a darker, more sophisticated look. Roar  was set for release on August 12th, but was rapidly leaked in the early hours of August 10th.
          From i1.cdnds.net
The lyric video was posted on Youtube on Monday, inspired by phone emoji and the song itself packs a punch.  The no-nonsense Perry depicts a new strength as she says "You held me down, but I got up", " I let you push me past the breaking point"- an inspiring feel-good song that will no doubt roar into the charts with unsurprising success. 
Listen here: 
Lady Gaga was last seen back in 2011 with the release of her second studio album Born This Way, a follow up to the hugely successful The Fame, which this year was named in the top 100 debut albums of all time by Rolling Stone. Whilst on tour last year, the star was forced to cancel a large number of gigs after she broke her hip and was forced to use a wheelchair. 
Gaga's image has changed several times, from the blonde wigs and leotards,to Pepsi cans in her hair, to almost nothing at all- she is a truly irreplaceable persona. 
Gaga is set to make her comeback with her new album ARTPOP  being released on November 11th, just a couple of weeks after Perry's. Like the latter, leaked versions of her first single Applause were spread across the internet forcing the star to release her official audio track yesterday after tweeting "a pop emergency is underway". 
             From candidonline.com
Set to be a club hit, Applause emphasises the singer's love for performing. It has an incredibly addictive beat, and for me, tops Perry's 'Roar'. 
Listen to Applause here. The official video will be released on August 19th. 
Both ladies will be performing their new singles live for the first time at the MTV Video Music Awards on August 25th.
Who is your Queen of Pop?! are you part of the #littlemonsters or #Katyscats ?