A lot of great art came to be in the entertainment world this year. The music industry especially saw some amazing projects across all genres. From pop/rock to indie, the albums that were produced in the year 2013 were spectacular, and have been on my Spotify playlist since the first week of their release. Here are 20 of the best albums created in 2013, along with my favorite song from each one:
1. “Santa Fe,” Andrew Belle, Black Bear Andrew Belle really blew me away with this album. His new dream pop sound is eargasmic, and I hope he sticks to it for a little while.
2. “International Smile,” Katy Perry,Prism Prism was a mixture of sentimental Katy and fun Katy, her wild side tamed to a bare minimum. The upbeat tracks on the album are a blast to listen to.
3. “Deja Vu,” Urban Cone, Our Youth
Thanks to the MTV VMAs, ever since “New York” played during the award show commercial break, Our Youth is one of my most played albums of the month. Their relaxed alternative vibe is definitely one to tune into.
4. “Fashion!,” Lady Gaga, ARTPOP
What would Lady Gaga be without her fashion?! ARTPOP is a giant koons ball of a treat for the Little Monsters.
5. “Rooting for My Baby,” Miley Cyrus, Bangerz
The most talked about celebrity of the year managed to blow up during the second half of 2013 with her VMA performance and raunchy music videos. Had a bad day at work? There’s a Miley song for that!
6. “Origami,” Capital Cities, In A Tidal Wave of Mystery
Capital Cities is one of 2014’s bands to watch. Their 80s electro-pop vibe is groovy like no other.
7. “Everlasting Arms,” Vampire Weekend, Modern Vampires of the City
Vampire Weekend has done it again, coming in at number one on Rolling Stones “Best Albums of the Year,” and rightfully so. Each track on MVOTC has its own unique story.
8. “Trying To Be Cool,” Phoenix, Bankrupt! The French invasion by band Phoenix proved to be a success with the fans in New York after an amazing night at Barclay’s Center this year. Wish I could have been there!
9. “Mountains,” Yuna, Nocturnal
Yuna’s combination of sweet songbird and vibrant melodic sass come together to create a beautiful array of island paradise on Nocturnal.
10. “Confident,” Justin Bieber, Complete My Journals
I can’t even handle how grown up Justin Beiber’s voice is on this album. It’s unreal how the little kid that once upon a time had a song called “One Time” on Radio Disney turned out to sound like this!
12. “When It Was Now,” Atlas Genius, When It Was Now
The smooth alternative rock of Australia’s Atlas Genius is “almost too much to be enough.” It really is.
13. “Save The Day,” Selena Gomez, Stars Dance
Even though Selena is planning to take a break from singing after this year, I have to admit, despite her inability to sing well live, Stars Dance is her best music project to date.
14. “Closer Than This,” St. Lucia, When The Night
How we all long to get closer to Jean-Phillippe Grobler. The old fashioned synth of St. Lucia is so addicting!
15. “A World Alone,” Lorde, Pure Heroine
I sometimes forget that this girl is only 17. She’s got such a bright future ahead of her. Just keep it coming with the bedroom confessionals, Lorde.
17. “Dear Boy,” Avicii, True
You can always count on Avicii to be true to his fans. This entire album is about dedication to the EDM fandom.
18. “Thunder,” Gold Fields, Black Sun
Without Empire of the Sun, Black Sun would not be on this list, because I only know of them due to the fact that Gold Fields opened for them earlier this year. “Thunder” is literally the first song I play on Spotify whenever it’s pouring rain outside.
19. “Great Escape,” Washed Out, Paracosm
Earnest Greene, can I live inside your head? Can I be in your paracosm, as a fairy perhaps?
20. “Rose Quartz,” Toro Y Moi, Anything in Return The sexual tension on this album is too much for words. “I feel weak. Uh huh.”
Here’s to a great year of music, and another opportunity for loads more in 2014!
Saturday, September 28th was a very exciting day at Hofstra University.
Even before the Fall 2013 semester began, there were rumors that Ke$ha would be performing at the Vibe Live concert on campus for homecoming.
I can imagine how happy Hofstra students were when Entertainment Unlimited finally released the full lineup.
As a commuter, of course the first thing that caught my eye that day was all of the cars parked in places that student cars don’t usually park. I was starting to worry that the shuttle wasn’t going to be able to let me exit at Hofstra USA to get my wristband.
Parade of Floats, Carnival, and Vibe Live
The day kicked off with the Parade of Floats, led by Kate and Willie Pride, the school mascots.
Following them were the lovely cheerleaders, the nominees for homecoming King and Queen, and the movie themed floats.
Later on during the festival, Justin Smith of Pennsylvania was crowned King and Rachel Elizabeth of Texas was crowned Queen.
Over on the intramural fields, the 2000 ride caught my eye. My friend Jessica was so determined to ride it as soon as we were allowed to enter at 2pm.
Jessica was the first to start screaming when the ride started to spin around in circles on a different axis after every 20 seconds or so. Chad and Mrs. Johnson were also screaming like mad, and I could not stop laughing.
After 2000, we went on the swings, hoping that we wouldn’t fly out and end up on the south side of campus.
On the Swings Front (l-r): Chad and Jessica Back (l-r): Me and Mrs. Johnson Photo Credit: Jessica Johnson
The Vibe Live concert began with cover band Bon Journey.
If you haven’t already figured it out, they sing covers of Bon Jovi and Journey songs.
The lead singer had some trouble hitting the high notes. At times it sounded as if he were screaming.
Their cover of “Don’t Stop Believing” was very well orchestrated.
Next up on the lineup: Sugar Ray.
Cue moment when everyone born circa 1990 realizes that they’ve probably heard these songs before somewhere.
“You see this ring?” he said right before the band performed “Fly.”
“This is the no fun ring,” he said, referring to the band on his third finger.
I mean, if that’s how you feel after being married to beautician Carin Kingsland for only a year then…
And to the people in the crowd next to Jessica dancing in circles around a folded sweater:
WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DRINKING? THIS IS NOT A FREAKING MOSH PIT!
After Sugar Ray, DJ Whatever tried very hard to stall until Ms. Kesha Rose Sebert decided she was ready to sing her little heart out for all of us Hofstrans.
The crowd danced to the “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO and the ancient folk song “Cotton-Eyed Joe,” circa Civil War.
I stopped the shenanigans when DJ Whatever decided to try to make us dance to “Gangnam Style.”
If you were on a blanket in the grass, I hope you danced. In the crowd, no. I’m not going to try riding an invisible horse when I have fourteen people breathing down my neck in desperation for Ke$ha.
Ke$ha at Hofstra Vibe Live 2013 Photo Credit: Jessica Johnson
Ke$ha opened her performance galactic style with “Warrior,” the song that she named her 2012 album after.
Ke$sha Performing “Warrior”
Other songs she performed included “Crazy Kids,” “Tik Tok,” “We R Who We R” and “Blow.”
Ke$ha Performing “Take it Off”
For “Blah, Blah, Blah,” Ke$ha brought two special dancers onto the stage.
“You know, I have a fetish,” she said before bringing two ginormous eyeballs out for the crowd.
Ke$ha Performing “Blah, Blah, Blah”
I can’t lie, Ms. Sebert, I like balls too.
She brought her mom onto the stage during the show, and even filmed some of her MTV documentary, My Crazy Beautiful Life.
Don’t even bother trying to find my face in the crowd when that airs. I’m way to short to be seen in that massive array of insanity.
After an encore, Ke$ha closed the Vibe Live concert with “Die Young.” The confetti cannons exploded everywhere.
When I got home that night, three pieces of the red confetti fell out of my shirt.
Way to go guys. I took your mess home with me.
After all the festivities and fireworks, it was time for some serious comedy with Aziz Ansari at the Mack Exhibition Complex.
Aziz Ansari, “Out Loud” Comedy Show, Dangerously Delicious Tour
Yes, the guy that plays Tom Haverford on Parks and Recreation. No, Amy Phoeler did not get up on stage with him.
This guy actually got one of the VIP floor seated members to let him read her text messages.
The bar at Dizzy’s better have paid for that advertisement. Now we all know she invited a guy to one of the three bars on the strip.
On a night when those “girls was loooooooooose!”
If there’s anything I’ll take from Aziz’s comedy show it was this: stop being so rude.
If you meet someone and they take your contact information, what are you going to do when they message or call you?
You can keep making excuses. You can lie to them. You can even get them to actually believe that read receipt you got at 8:49am was a Facebook glitch.
Or you can just be honest.
Fall Fest 2013 was a blast. And so was Aziz Ansari.
Summer is over, guys. As much as you want to hold on to your tank tops and surf boards, autumn is here. It’s time to bring out the rake for all those leaves.
Fall is characterized by rustling leaves and jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows and creepy mansions. Therefore, I present to you a fall playlist of 15 songs that will make you feel haunted.
1. Spotlight, Mutemath: Many of you might remember this song from the first Twilight movie when Bella notices everyone in the school parking lot is staring at her and Edward Cullen as they walk into the building. The melody created by the chorus of ‘ahs’ in this song will send chills up your spine. In a good way.
2. Meet My Friends, Gold Fields: This Aussie band will send you into a frenzy with the sinister guitar rifts featured in this song! The lyrics are very dark as well, as they sing, “I saw faces, I saw the fear.” Look away!
3. Entertainment, Phoenix: French band Phoenix uses some creepy sounding synth melodies for this track in order to entertain you. So, did they succeed?
4. I Belong to You, Muse: This song is also featured in a Twilight movie, New Moon to be exact. How comfortable are you with the notion of belonging to Muse?
5. Bones, MS MR: Pretty Little Liars fans might remember this song from the episode where the girls attend Detective Wilden’s funeral. Will you obey MS MR’s command to “Dig up her bones but leave the soul alone”?
6. Bittersweet World, Ashlee Simpson: Got some skeletons in your closet? Well maybe you should let them out so that they can dance to this song!
7. Not in Love, Crystal Castles ft. Olin and the Moon: The notoriously dark electronic band Crystal Castles teams up with Olin and the Moon for this anti-love track. The synth might actually relax you. Might.
8. One Life Stand, Hot Chip: The ever so clever Hot Chip creates a frightful track using a play on the concept of a “one night stand.” Now, the real question is, do you want to be Hot Chip’s one life stand?
9. Insomniatic, Aly and AJ (78Violet): Aly and AJ recorded and released this song before changing their name to 78Violet. I cannot be held responsible if this song keeps you up at night.
10. Howl, Florence and the Machine: The beautiful yet creepy violins in this song make this one of Florence’s masterpieces. So, be careful young, lovers.
11. Heavy Heart, Canon Blue: The discordant synth intro of this song is enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Enjoy!
12. Polish Girl, Neon Indian: I don’t know who she is but Neon Indian is taken by this Polish girl. How quickly can she take you?
13. Shoot the Water, Austra: Between the piano melody and the lyrics, I can’t decide which is creepier. I think the lyrics win, especially when she sings, “I want your blood, I want it in my hair.” Eww.
14. Bloody Mary, Lady Gaga: She won’t cry for you. She just won’t do it. Beware, the deep male ghost-like voices that sing “GAGA” in the bridge are quite alarming. And scary.
15. Are You Afraid?, Rooney: After all of this haunted stuff is said and done, are you afraid? Did I actually give you a scare? Rooney wants to know!
I’m still dreaming guys. I really am. If I could give you a minute by minute play by play I would, but I’m still dreaming.
I’m in limbo…
Ok, in all seriousness, here is what I wore. There are no pictures of my Gatsby style attire on my body because I was rushing to get out of the house. So here is the look in layout form.
That’s right. I wore my Fergie heels. So when DJ Cassidy played “The Time” by Black Eyed Peas, I couldn’t help but sing “I got freaky, freaky, baby…”
Yes. I was THAT girl in the pits. I knew the words to almost every song. I had so much room to dance!
However, I only think I had that much room because my other pit party members were afraid of me…
Sorry?
So I rush to the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), and there are a billion and one lines to get in for pit priority.
Lovely, we’re all being punked.
No, no, rest assured, a 1iota t-shirt wearing man told us all: “THIS IS NOT THE VMAS.”
I show them my ID and my priority ticket. They said my name wrong a few times, but that’s cool. I’m not Fergie Duhamel or anything so my reps won’t be on your case.
Blue priority wrist band is now on. Things are getting real.
This is the ceiling at BAM guys. Look at it.
So now 1iota is trying to get us over to Barclay’s safely.
But wait. This is the VMAS guys. So of course there’s a barricade with thousands of screaming fans at Fulton!
Mind you, I’m running across streets and trying not to die. IN HEELS.
Alright, I’m convinced. Fast forward through security and now, I get choked up and almost start to cry as I walk past the MTV equipment, and the lights, and, OMJ guys I don’t even know guys. It was so freaking amazing.
Now I’m standing in heels trying to help 1iota fix cameras and stuff. We were basically doing the electric slide for about 30 minutes.
Yeah. A whole bunch of young adults dancing the electric slide on a floor they can’t even believe they’re standing on. Sure.
Oh, and to the girl with the electronic cigarette in the pits during all this shenanigans:
Thank you for almost getting us all kicked out.
So the rest you all saw on television. Of course, I saw some completely different things but here are a few highlights.
Highlights: (IN SOMEWHAT PARTICULAR ORDER)
1. Lady Gaga’s performance: We all knew it would be awesome. Trust me, it was. Cue the “Applause.”
2. Bubble Butt was on stage with Miley Cyrus. What is life.
3. Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” performance. More on that later.
4. Kanye West. Those shadows? THE FANS IN THE PIT!!
5. Bruno Mars. Three gunshots and fire! Lovely! Trying to give me a heart-attack?!!
6. I had three Brits in my midst. Ellie Goulding sitting on Rita Ora’s lap, and Mister Ed Sheeran to their left. I’m still in limbo.
7. KATY PERRY. BROOKLYN BRIDGE. PRISM TRUCK. I think I saw her in my left eye wearing a lace white dress? Again, still fuzzy. “Roar.”
8. Justin Timberlake’s performance. 15 minutes. I danced like I’ve never danced before.
9. NSYNC REUNION.
10. Justin Timberlake sang to me the life of every young girl’s sloppy romance, and then has the nerve to say he doesn’t deserve Video Vanguard?!
SHUT. UP!!
My Favorite Performance:
“Blurred Lines”: Robin Thicke
He pulled blue gum out of that dancer’s mouth and ate it. SEXY.
Well played Mr. Business Man. Well played.
Here are some of the pics I took after the show. And a short video.
Award shows are the best. Celebrities get all dressed up and come together to celebrate their achievements in film, music, and other art forms. But the best part about the Teen Choice Awards is the fact that we get to choose who wins what—not The Academy, and not the Screenwriters Guild. The power lies in the hands of the millions of teens that vote for their favorites each year.
Teen Choice does things a little bit differently. Instead of having an actual trophy-like award, winners receive a Teen Choice surf board. They also break award show tradition by having a blue carpet instead of a red carpet.
I was very excited to find out that Lucy Hale and Darren Criss were hosting this years Teen Choice Awards.
Lucy Hale and Darren Criss
I love the two of them to pieces! It was so cute the way they walked down the stairs together holding hands.
They both did such a great job hosting the show!
Before the main event, Teen Choice live streamed from the blue carpet with hosts Tim Kash and Taryn Brooks. The Teen Choice Awards isn’t much of an upscale award show, so there really is no need to arrive in extremely fancy attire. However, that doesn’t mean you should wear whatever. Here are the attendees that got it right:
Drew Chadwick (second from left), Emblem3
Drew Chadwick made dressing up a bit more casual with an open waistcoat and a button up shirt with the first few buttons undone. Nothing says laid back better than a few undone dress shirt buttons.
Melissa Benoist, Glee
Melissa Benoist kept it simple with a floral strapless dress. I also love the braid in her hair. It’s a nice elegant touch.
Shay Mitchell, Pretty Little Liars
Shay Mitchell jazzed up the blue carpet with a sexy black and white pant suit. It really frames her body well.
Holland Roden, Teen Wolf
Holland Roden looked adorable in a bright yellow lace dress. I love the fact that the lace makes a small train at the back.
JWoww, Jersey Shore
JWoww looked super hot in a sparkly strapless dress with a train extension. Her curls looked fabulous as well.
Nick Jonas (third from left), Jonas Brothers
I love how Nick kept it super casual with black and white stripes and a leather jacket. In general, the Jonas Brothers have good fashion sense.
Lucy Hale, Pretty Little Liars and Darren Criss, Glee
Our hosts Lucy Hale and Darren Criss changed outfits multiple times, but this is my favorite outfit for the both of them. Lucy looks super cute in this little white dress and red heels. Darren looks extremely dapper in that suit! Yum!
Lily Collins, Mortal Instruments
Lastly, my favorite outfit of the night, Lily Collins’ palm tree train dress. Oh my God I want this! I love how she didn’t overdo the palm trees. She calmed down the tropical party with a solid black top, which I love. A+, Lily!
And now for the highlights of TCA 2013:
1. Rebel Wilson’s wetsuit.
Rebel thought it would be a good idea to wear a wetsuit to match the surf board award. She even realized how awkward it would be if she didn’t actually win her category during her acceptance speech.
2. When Darren Criss mentioned that Lucy Hale makes out with Ian Harding “on that show” sometimes. Super awkward!
3. Photobomber Adam Devine during Gabby Douglas and Logan Lerman’s acceptance speeches, and while Nina Dobrev and Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz, Big Bang Theory) announced an award.
4. When Lily Collins asked Max Schneider why he’s presenting an award for a category his show is in. Explanation: he didn’t think he had a chance of winning anyway.
5. Leah Michele’s acceptance speech:
6. (Christopher) Ashton Kutcher’s acceptance speech: He’s right when he says that smart is sexy.
7. Bruno Mars’ acceptance speech: I could not stop laughing at this!
8. Twerking. Nuff said.
Best Performance of the Night:
Paramore, “Still Into You”
As much as I hate Hayley Williams’ new haircut, the performance was still great. I love the ballerinas! They each had different colored hair, ranging from green to yellow.
Here is the list of the TCA 2013 winners:
Acuvue Inspire Award
WINNER: Nick Jonas
Ultimate Choice Award
Ashton Kutcher (16 lifetime Teen Choice Awards)
Choice Movie: Drama
WINNER: The Perks of Being a Wallflower »Argo »Les Misérables »The Great Gatsby »The Impossible
Choice Movie Actor: Drama
WINNER: Logan Lerman, The Perks of Being a Wallflower »Ben Affleck, Argo »Bradley Cooper, The Words »Leonardo DiCaprio, The Great Gatsby »Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables
Choice TV Show: Drama
WINNER: Pretty Little Liars »Gossip Girl »Nashville »Revenge »Switched At Birth
Choice TV Actor: Drama
WINNER: Ian Harding, Pretty Little Liars »Penn Badgley, Gossip Girl »Joshua Bowman, Revenge »Lucas Grabeel, Switched At Birth »Nick Wechsler, Revenge
Choice TV Actress: Drama
WINNER: Troian Bellisario, Pretty Little Liars »Blake Lively, Gossip Girl »Vanessa Marano, Switched At Birth »Hayden Panettiere, Nashville »Emily VanCamp, Revenge
Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-fi
WINNER: Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries »Jensen Ackles, Supernatural »Stephen Amell, Arrow »Jared Padalecki, Supernatural »Paul Wesley, The Vampire Diaries
Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-fi
WINNER: Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries »Katie Cassidy, Arrow »Ginnifer Goodwin, Once Upon a Time »Kat Graham, The Vampire Diaries »Kristin Kreuk, Beauty and The Beast
Choice TV Show: Comedy
WINNER: Glee »The Big Bang Theory »Modern Family »New Girl »Suburgatory
Choice TV Actor: Comedy
WINNER: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory »Chris Colfer, Glee »Jake Johnson, New Girl »Ashton Kutcher, Two And a Half Men »Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Choice TV Actress: Comedy
WINNER: Lea Michele, Glee »Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory »Zooey Deschanel, New Girl »Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project »Bridgit Mendler, Good Luck Charlie
Choice Female Artist
WINNER: Demi Lovato »Selena Gomez »Pink »Rihanna »Taylor Swift
Choice Music Group
WINNER: One Direction »Big Time Rush »fun. »Maroon 5 »The Wanted
Choice R&B Artist
WINNER: Bruno Mars »Beyoncé »Alicia Keys »Miguel »Trey Songz
Choice Rock Group
WINNER: Paramore »AWOLNATION »Imagine Dragons »Mumford & Sons »The Lumineers
Choice Female Hottie
WINNER: Selena Gomez »Miley Cyrus »Megan Fox »Mila Kunis »Demi Lovato
Choice Female Athlete
WINNER: Gabby Douglas »Missy Franklin »Alex Morgan »Danica Patrick »Lindsey Vonn »Serena Williams
Choice Movie Villain
WINNER: Adam DeVine, Pitch Perfect »Javier Bardem, Skyfall »Tom Hardy, The Dark Knight Rises »Ben Kingsley, Iron Man 3 »Melissa McCarthy, Identity Thief
Choice TV Villain
WINNER: Janel Parrish, Pretty Little Liars »Carly Chaikin, Suburgatory »Joseph Morgan, The Vampire Diaries »Lana Parrilla, Once Upon a Time »Becca Tobin, Glee
Choice TV Personality – Female
WINNER: Demi Lovato, The X Factor »Erin Andrews, Fox Sports »Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance »Carrie Ann Inaba, Dancing with the Stars »Heidi Klum, America’s Got Talent
Choice TV Male Scene Stealer
WINNER: Chord Overstreet, Glee »Max Greenfield, New Girl »Steven R. McQueen, The Vampire Diaries »Tahj Mowry, Baby Daddy »Rico Rodriguez, Modern Family
Choice TV Female Scene Stealer
WINNER: Miley Cyrus, Two And a Half Men »Candice Accola, The Vampire Diaries »Heather Morris, Glee »Eden Sher, The Middle »Ariel Winter, Modern Family
Choice TV Breakout Star
WINNER: Blake Jenner, Glee »Stephen Amell, Arrow »Melissa Benoist, Glee »AnnaSophia Robb, The Carrie Diaries »Derek Theler, Baby Daddy
Choice Single: Female Artist
WINNER: “Heart Attack” Demi Lovato »“Come & Get It” Selena Gomez »“Cups” (Pitch Perfect’s “When I’m Gone”) Anna Kendrick »“I Knew You Were Trouble” Taylor Swift »“We Can’t Stop” Miley Cyrus
Choice Single: Group
WINNER: “Live While We’re Young” One Direction »“Get Lucky” Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams »“I Love It” Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX »“Love Somebody” Maroon 5 »“Thrift Shop” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
Choice Love Song
WINNER: “Little Things” One Direction »“Just Give Me A Reason” P!nk featuring Nate Ruess »“Mirrors” Justin Timberlake »“Treasure” Bruno Mars »“The Way” Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller
Choice Break-up Song
WINNER: “Come and Get It” Selena Gomez »“DONE.” The Band Perry »“Stay” Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko »“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” Taylor Swift »“When I Was Your Man” Bruno Mars
Choice Music Breakout Artist
WINNER: Ed Sheeran »Candice Glover »Ariana Grande »Psy »Emeli Sandé
Choice Music Breakout Group
WINNER: Emblem3 »Icona Pop »Imagine Dragons »The Lumineers »Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Candie’s Choice Style Icon
WINNER: Miley Cyrus »Ariana Grande »Demi Lovato »Lea Michele »Emma Watson
Choice Summer Movie Star: Female
WINNER: Sandra Bullock, The Heat »Amy Adams, Man of Steel »Melissa McCarthy, The Heat »Michelle Rodriguez, Fast & Furious 6 »Zoe Saldana, Star Trek Into Darkness
Choice Movie: Chemistry
WINNER: Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, The Heat »Don Cheadle and Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man 3 »Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, The Lone Ranger »Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson and Paul Walker, Fast & Furious 6 »Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum, White House Down
Choice Summer TV Show
WINNER: Pretty Little Liars »Teen Wolf »So You Think You Can Dance »The Fosters »Under The Dome
Choice Summer TV Star: Male
WINNER: Keegan Allen, Pretty Little Liars »Jake T. Austin, The Fosters »Jean Luc Bilodeau, Baby Daddy »Avan Jogia, Twisted »Tyler Posey, Teen Wolf
Choice Summer TV Star: Female
WINNER: Lucy Hale, Pretty Little Liars »Maddie Hasson, Twisted »Chelsea Kane, Baby Daddy »Katie Leclerc, Switched at Birth »Maia Mitchell, The Fosters
Choice Summer Song
WINNER: “We Can’t Stop” Miley Cyrus »“Blurred Lines” Robin Thicke (feat. Pharrell Williams & T.I.) »“Cruise (REMIX)” Florida Georgia Line (feat. Nelly) »“Get Lucky” Daft Punk (feat. Pharrell Williams) »“Treasure” Bruno Mars
Choice Summer Music Star: Female
WINNER: Selena Gomez »Miley Cyrus »Ariana Grande »P!nk »Rihanna
Choice Summer Music Star: Male
WINNER: Bruno Mars »Jay-Z »Pitbull »Robin Thicke »Justin Timberlake
Choice Summer Tour
WINNER: One Direction, Take Me Home Tour »Beyoncé, The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour »Bruno Mars, The Moonshine Jungle Tour »Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake, Legends of the Summer Tour »Taylor Swift, Red Tour 2013
I hope you remember that at the end of the night, WEchose the winners!
I don’t think anyone would like that world very much.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Emma Watson discusses how some of the people in her life lead her to believe she shouldn’t continue acting after the Harry Potter franchise was over.
“For a while I kind of bought into the hype of, ‘Will they ever be able to play anything else?’ It gave me a sense of paralysis and stage fright for a while,” she said in the interview. “And then a professor told me that they didn’t think I should act, either. So I was really grappling with it and wasn’t feeling good about it. And then, I don’t know…it got so bad and people had put me in a box so much that it started pissing me off. I suddenly wanted to prove them wrong. It gave me fuel, in a way. I’m not sure why that shift happened.”
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, 2001-2011
After ten years in the Harry Potter film series, it became difficult for many to picture her playing any other role but Hermione Granger.
“I wanted to make a conscious adult decision that [acting] was what I wanted to pursue, because that decision was made for me as a nine-year-old. I had no idea what I wanted. I had no idea who I was really. So I wanted to step away and make sure this is what I wanted to pour my life and my energy and my blood, sweat, and tears into,” Watson said in the interview.
Emma Watson got back to acting in 2012. “I was really unsure, but then I read the script for The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and falling in love with that and then having such a great experience on that movie kind of sealed the deal for me.”
Although I’m not much of a Harry Potter fan, I really enjoyed seeing Emma Watson play Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I cried at the end of that movie. That’s how amazing the actors performed for that film.
Emma Watson as Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2012
I can’t fathom any other actress filling the role of Sam in that film. It wouldn’t have been the same if Sam were to be played by anyone other than Emma Watson.
Since then, Emma Watson has gone on to play Nicki Moore in The Bling Ring (2013) and a fictional version of herself in the film This is the End (2013).
Don’t ever stop doing what you do, Emma. You’re an amazing actress. Never let anyone let you believe otherwise.
This morning I was mindlessly scrolling through my Instagram feed when I stopped on a collage of photos from peoplemag. The photos were of Glee star Cory Monteith. I read the description to learn that they were posted in memory of him.
What? Cory Monteith is no longer with us? No. This can’t be happening, I said to myself.
I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was some sort of sick joke until I googled it. The reality started to sink in for sure when I saw #RIPCoryMonteith and #PrayforLea trending on Twitter. The top photos on the pray for Lea hashtag are tear inducing.
Lea Michele and Cory Monteith had been dating since early 2012.
I can only imagine the pain his parents and Lea Michele are experiencing at the time.
Monteith was found dead in a hotel room at Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel on Saturday, July 13th.
He was supposed to check out of the hotel yesterday. After staff noticed he hadn’t, they went to his room to check on him. By then it was too late. Paramedics pronounced him dead.
Reports state he was alone when he died. His autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
UPDATE: (7/16) Monteith died of a toxic mixture of heroin and alcohol, British Columbia Coroners Service says.
Cory Monteith was only 31 years old.
Incredibly sad. He still had so much ahead of him.
The Canadian actor struggled with drug abuse and had checked into rehab back in March of this year. He completed his treatments in April and was reunited with his costar and girlfriend Lea Michele soon after.
Couple both on and off screen: Cory Monteith and Lea Michele
Glee fans all over the world are grieving the loss of this awesome actor.
A statement was released early this morning on the Glee Facebook page:
Statement on behalf of: GLEE Executive Producers, 20th Century Fox Television and FOX Broadcasting Company.
We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person. He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.
Lea Michele’s rep asks that we give her some privacy during this time.
In midst of all this, we remember that Finn Hudson, Monteith’s character on Glee,never wanted us to stop believing.
It’s officially summer! Here comes the vacations, the parties and all the fun! But those summer activities wouldn’t be complete without a summer playlist now, would they?
Here are 14 fun, festive and relaxing summer songs to add to your summer playlist.
1. Summer’s Not Hot, Selena Gomez and the Scene: What else screams summer better than Selena Gomez literally screaming “It’s summer!” at the beginning of this track? The song is cute and fun, as she sings about the summer not being hot without her guy. Wink, wink.
2. So Many Details, Toro y Moi: This song is part of the chillwave genre, so it has a relaxing beat. The scenery in the video will make you want to take a relaxing vacation in The Carolinas.
3. Let the Groove Get In, Justin Timberlake: For those of you who know how to dance Samba, I envy you, because this song makes me want to dance the Samba. But I can’t do it properly because I don’t know how to. This song is perfect for an outdoor summer party with its festive beat.
4. Ride, Lana Del Rey: I’m not a big Lana fan but I heard this song for the first time during the Pretty Little Liars season 3 finale. It’s one of those songs you would listen to in your convertible with the top down letting the summer breeze take all your troubles away.
5. Move, CSS: Brazilian band CSS, acronym for Cansei de Ser Sexy (I’m Tired of Being Sexy), brings you a cool dance song that will get you moving at this summer’s backyard parties!
6. Trying to Be Cool, Phoenix: Because that’s all we’re trying to be this summer. Pop this French band’s tune on as you try to cool off in the air conditioning.
7. Fifteen (Oxford Remix), Goldroom ft. Chela: I love this song so much that it’s my alarm sound every morning. Chela sings in the first line “It’s been a long time, wondering why the summer smells like sin and wonder.” Indeed it does. And maybe we’ll never know why.
8. Hey Now, Candy Dulfer: What’s summer without a little bit of jazz? This song has the perfect balance of saxophone to make you wanna get groovy.
9. En la Obscuridad, Belinda: In English, the title would be “In the Darkness.” This song is so cute and the video is even cuter. We all know that one mysterious stranger we meet at a late night summer party that we want more from. This song will remind you of him.
10. I Need Your Love, Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding: This mellow electronic song coupled with Ellie Goulding’s fresh voice is the perfect dose of exactly what we need this summer.
11. She Wants to Go, Something like Kites ft. Patrick: Who doesn’t want to go this summer? Here’s another great party song for your party playlist. The awesome guitar chords in this song will make you definitely want to party it up!
12. Como Te Vas, Trails and Ways: This song is from another Brazilian band. The title in English would be “How’s it Going.” The song is sung in Spanish instead of Portuguese. It has a very relaxing summer vibe to it with its smooth guitar.
13. Scratch, BG5: I heard this song for the first time when they were featured on Keeping Up With the Kardashians because Kris Jenner manages the group. The beat of this song is a lot of fun, just the way summer should be.
14. Don’t Stop the Party, Pitbull: Because none of us want this party called summer to end, so enjoy it with Mr. Worldwide’s festive song!
A week ago, on May 14th, Maroon 5 released the fourth single off of their 2012 album Overexposed. Unfortunately, I only learned of this today.
“Love Somebody” is a song about longing to have a romantic partner. The beat of the song is very calm, with a soft fluttering guitar rift throughout and a medium paced tempo held by the bass drum.
In the chorus, Adam Levine sings,
“I really wanna love somebody I really wanna dance the night away I know we’re only half way there But you take me all the way, you take me all the way I really wanna touch somebody I think about you every single day I know we’re only half way there But you take me all the way, you take me all the way.”
It’s all very sweet and romantic.
The lyrics really capture what it feels like to be alone right from the beginning of the song, singing, “I know your insides are feeling so hollow. And it’s a hard pill for you to swallow.”
Hard pill to swallow indeed. Especially when your throat isn’t fully intact!
The video features the band, Adam Levine, and a mystery woman (actress Gemma Palombo), in all white, camouflaging with the white backdrop. As they touch themselves, or as someone touches them, a gray paint covers their body, revealing them little by little.
It’s creepy and sexual at the same time.
How did they come up with this idea? Is it because in the lyrics it says, “I know we’re only half way there but you can take me all the way”? Halfway as in half composed?!
I’ve loved this song ever since first hearing it during the summer of 2012. Never did I ever think the video would be like this.
I even sent the video to my friend this morning, an Adam Levine lover, and she responded:
“The f*** is this sh*t?!”
So I’m not the only one.
All you Adam Levine fangirls, watch out, because you’re gonna wish you were Gemma Palombo being touched by Adam Levine, especially when she pushes him onto that chair.
Jesus.
One thing I don’t really understand about the video is the fact that towards the end, Adam Levine and Gemma Palombo both work to erase the paint on her so she disappears.
Why would he want to erase her if he’s singing that he wants to love somebody?!
Perhaps its because “If [he] fall[s] for [her he’ll] never recover” and “never be the same”?
Or maybe he realizes that she doesn’t want to “stay, stay with [him] tonight”…
Either way, enjoy the video. Don’t let it creep you out too much.
Yesterday, for my 19th birthday, I went to see The Great Gatsby (2013) with my guy and my best friend.
Not having read the book in high school (due to my transferring between schools with two different English literature curricula, resulting in my having missed the reading of Gatsby by the time I had transferred), I read through the book at the beginning of May, finishing it about a week before yesterday.
Since this movie is based on the book, this review will have a bit of comparison between Fitzgerald’s novel and Luhrmann’s film.
The movie begins with Nick Carraway (Tobey McGuire) in a sanatorium looking at a long list of mental illnesses (supposedly the ones he is diagnosed with) including insomnia, anxiety, and depression to name a few. His doctor
tells him to write down his thoughts because it will put him at ease and help him better articulate his thoughts. Through Nick’s writing we learn the story of Jay Gatsby.
Nick takes a trip to visit Daisy Buchanan, his cousin, her husband, Tom Buchanan and Jordan Baker, a friend of theirs. Just as in the book, the two ladies are on the chairs, laying down, and the whole scene is embellished wonderfully by the white linen curtains flowing through the air in midst of the breeze coming from the screen doors.
I love the fact that they kept one of my favorite quotes from the novel, where Daisy says to Jordan and Nick, “I’ll sort of—oh—fling you together. You know—lock you up accidentally in linen closets and push you out to sea in a boat…”
And might I add that Jordan Baker (Elizabeth Debicki) is simply stunning in this film! She should be permanently brunette. How is this girl not more famous?!
When Tom and Nick go out together on the Long Island Railroad, and jump off the train to see Myrtle, Tom’s mistress that calls on the phone during supper the evening prior, things begin to get wild.
My favorite scene is where Myrtle, Tom, Nick and the rest of the people in that small room get completely wasted. Nick almost escaped the craziness, telling Tom that he didn’t feel comfortable being there while he was cheating on his cousin, but he gets coaxed into staying.
Oh my gosh. Feathers from pillows flew through the air, everyone begins to jump and hump around (I kid you not), Tom gives Nick liquor to drink in a vase, and Nick begins to see himself “within and without.”
Well then. I’ve never been drunk before, or been around people who were that drunk before, but according to my friend this is an accurate depiction of the college party scene.
After Nick gets an invitation to Gatsby’s, I got really excited, because this was the moment I was waiting for:
The little party that never killed anybody.
I wish I knew a Gatsby. Those parties look so much fun!
At the party, to which Nick is the only one invited because, as stated in the book and by Jordan Baker, “people were not invited—they went there”, Gatsby requests to see Jordan Baker privately. There he tells her about his plan to have Daisy go over to Nick’s for tea so that they can meet up again.
Nick is not told of any of this until he and Gatsby go out to lunch the next day.
At lunch, which is a private place entered through a hole in the wall of a barber shop, we meet Wolfsheim, played by Amitabh Bachchan, who indeed looks like a wolf with all that facial hair! Tom appears at this lunch date as well, causing Gatsby to make awkward facial expressions when he realizes this is Daisy’s husband—the only thing standing in the way between him and Daisy’s romance.
Nick agrees to arrange the tea date with Daisy and Gatsby. Myself and the other people in the theater found it hilarious when we saw what Gatsby ordered to have done to Nick’s lawn. He even brought a entire greenhouse worth of flowers into the room where they were to have tea! Jeez! In the book I was under the impression that it was just a little grass trimming and a couple of flowers in a few vases!
Nervous as ever, when Daisy arrives Gatsby runs outside, getting completely drenched in the rain, only to come inside looking like a wet dog. To top it off, he knocks over Nick’s clock and can’t seem to put it back together.
Poor guy.
I thought it was the cutest thing though!
If you’ve read the book, you know how it all ends up. I will say though, that the deaths in the movie were dramatized very well. As Myrtle’s body flew through the air, I couldn’t help but think how much this was all Daisy’s fault. Daisy killed Gatsby. Figuratively, of course. She was the last word on his lips. I was deeply moved as I watched Gatsby’s body float lifelessly in that lavish pool, realizing that not a single soul would attend that man’s funeral, except Nick.
The film overall was great. I love the way they did the scenery. I really wish West and East Egg were real. The towns looked so fantastical.
I was confused though, as to why they dyed Carey Mulligan’s hair blonde. In the book, Daisy is a brunette!
“he sat with Daisy in his arms for a long, silent time […] once he kissed her dark shining hair…”
I don’t know how the casting crew overlooked this little detail, or what would possess them to change it. Carey Mulligan is a natural brunette after all…
The costumes were so vibrant and shiny. Kudos to whoever designed them!
The music in the film was also really good. My only complaint about the music, however, is the number of times they used Lana del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful.” Two times is fine. But no. They used several instrumental versions, a jazzed up version for the party scene, and then the original. I’m sorry, but now the song has been played out in my head.
If you have not seen the film yet I suggest you do so!
A lot of great art came to be in the entertainment world this year. The music industry especially saw some amazing projects across all genres. From pop/rock to indie, the albums that were produced in the year 2013 were spectacular, and have been on my Spotify playlist since the first week of their release. Here are 20 of the best albums created in 2013, along with my favorite song from each one:
Mind you, I’m running across streets and trying not to die. IN HEELS.
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The Whisper Box 