Here’s the Deal Behind Alicia Keys’ #NoMakeup Music Video Look

Last month, Alicia Keys released the video for her newest single “In Common” where she’s seen without any makeup on. Don’t get us wrong, she looks beautiful with and without makeup, but we wonder why she decided to go for that look.

In the latest issue of Lenny Letter, Alicia reveals that she’s been going for the au naturel look ever since she worked with photographer Paola Kudacki for her upcoming album. “It wasn’t until I walked into one of my first shoots for my new album recently that the issue was front and center again,” she writes. “I’d just come from the gym, had a scarf under my baseball cap, and the beautiful photographer Paola (never met a Paola I didn’t like) said, ‘I have to shoot you right now, like this! The music is raw and real, and these photos have to be too!'”

The photo Paola took is now the official cover art for her single, “In Common.”


Aside from her music video, Alicia has also fronted the latest issues of Vanity Fair and Fault Magazine without any makeup on. She adds on her column that she hopes this #nomakeup trend becomes a revolution among women.

“I felt powerful because my initial intentions realized themselves. My desire to listen to myself, to tear down the walls I built over all those years, to be full of purpose, and to be myself! The universe was listening to those things I’d promised myself, or maybe I was just finally listening to the universe, but however it goes, that’s how this whole #nomakeup thing began,” she writes. “I hope to God it’s a revolution. ‘Cause I don’t want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”

[The Cut]


Photo by Paola Kudacki

source: preen.inquirer.net

Prince diagnosed with AIDS before sudden death—reports

Medical examiners have yet to determine the actual cause of Prince’s untimely death last week, but multiple reports have surfaced that the ‘Purple Rain’ singer was already suffering from AIDS, six months prior to his passing.

The 57-year-old’s weight plummeted to just 80 lbs by the time of his death and “had been preparing to die for a while,”  according to an article from National Enquirer on Thursday.

The report said doctors had reportedly warned Prince that his blood count was unusually low in recent days, and his body temperature had dropped dangerously below the normal 98.6 degrees to 94 degrees—which were early signs of the disease.

“He was totally iron-deficient, very weak and often disoriented. He rarely ate and when he did, it all came right back up,” the report quoted an unnamed source as saying. “His face was yellowish, the skin on his neck was hanging off and the tips of fingers were a brownish-yellow”.

Earlier reports stated  his heart stopped while experiencing influenza—an illness which could prove fatal to an AIDS sufferer due to their weakened immune defenses.

However, the iconic artist reportedly refused treatment for his crippling condition and believed that God will cure him instead, the reports said.

Anonymous police reports also revealed that they found prescription painkillers on him and inside his Minnesota home.



Meanwhile, the music legend was publicly diagnosed with HIV in the mid-90’s, which reports say developed into AIDS at the tail-end of last year.

His wild sexual foray during the height of his career was no secret to the public, but his family said that he changed his ways as he grew older.

The dreaded disease is most commonly caught through unprotected sex, but can also be transmitted by sharing needles.

In the meantime, representatives for Prince have yet to respond to the bold allegations, as of this story’s writing. Khristian Ibarrola, INQUIRER.net

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Carly Rae Jepsen heads to Broadway next year

NEW YORK — “Call Me Maybe” singer Carly Rae Jepsen has had her calls returned by Broadway.

Producers of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” said Sunday that the Canadian singer-songwriter will take over the role of Cinderella starting Feb. 4 for 12 weeks. She’ll take over from Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes.

The Grammy Award nominee began performing in musical theater in high school. She starred in “Annie,” ”The Wiz” and “Grease” before attending the Canadian College of Performing Arts.

She’ll join the cast alongside Fran Drescher playing Cinderella’s stepmother. Drescher is an Emmy Award winner for “The Nanny” and takes over Harriet Harris’ role.

The Tony-nominated musical has been given a makeover by Douglas Carter Beane, who has turned the fairy tale into a charming, witty story updated for a new generation.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

All set for first solo concert

WHEN you’ve been doing something for so long, sometimes you forget the reason you’re doing it in the first place, said singer-songwriter Rico Blanco, who’s been playing professionally for close to 20 years now.

For a while after his 2008 debut solo album “Your Universe” had run its course, Rico felt he had come to a dead end. He knew that, to record a creatively satisfying new album, he had to do away with old habits and rediscover music.

The process was long, tedious, frustrating, Rico told a press con recently. But he’d rather be frustrated than bored. One day, the idea of fusing electronic and Pinoy tribal music struck him like a bolt of lightning. Soon after, Fiesto Bandido of “Galactik Fiestamatik” was born. Recorded in his home studio, “Galactik” is a festive album of electro-pop and tribal punk madness, an explosion of unlikely rock instruments like melodica and lyre, pots and pans.

Asked how he felt when he took the stage as his flashy, musical alter-ego for the first time last year, he replied, “Ang sarap, *!#*%!!”

Excerpts from our interview about his first solo full-length concert “Rico Blanco: Live!,” tomorrow at the Music Museum.

We can’t believe this is your first solo concert.

As a solo artist, I’ve done many out-of-town gigs. But this is my first solo concert.

What are you most excited about?

I get to set up the instruments, lights—everything—the way I want it.

How are you preparing?
Pretty much the same way I prepare for any other show: Six to 10 hours of practice twice a week; nagging 24/7; … a bit of cardio!

How do you decide on a set list?

I go for a balanced list that will keep the crowd engaged. It’s not about grouping—slow, fast, English or Filipino, high- or low-keys—it’s about telling a story.

How would you describe the production values?
Part concert, part club, part theater, part cheering. Very Pinoy, parang halo-halo.

What makes a great show?
Even if there were only three people watching, it could be great if the performers could create magic.

What do you enjoy most about performing?
Seeing my energy rub off on people.

How much longer will you perform as Fiesto Bandido?

I’m going to keep at it for a while.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net