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MARIAH’S GLITTER WILL SHINE SEPTEMBER 14 
Mariah Carey fans are closely looking out for Mariah’s next move. She’s currently gearing up for her first movie titled "All That Glitters." But don’t think Mariah is abandoning her music roots. The movie will also have a soundtrack who’s success if expected to be equivalent to that of Whitney Houston’s "The Bodyguard."
This project has been in the works for over four years and Mariah even abandoned her 1998 "Butterfly" World Tour when there was a chance that the movie may have actually began production. However, that production would be stretched out and delayed time and time again. In 1997 it was apparently at Disney, then the following year it got switched over to Universal Films, then Columbia Pictures took over. Now that it is with 20th Century Fox, production has finally begun. In fact, it began last July and capped in late October.
The release date seems to have changed just as many times as the film’s Production Company has. USA Daily reported early last year that the movie would hit theaters December 2000. That obviously never came to fruition. It was then announced that the movie would debut in March 2001, then April and finally just got categorized as "spring 2001." After that it was moved to a summer 2001-release slot and once again over to fall.
Now, the film finally has a release date. And no, it’s not October 5 as CountDown.com reported.
When Fox Studios was recently contacted in regards to the film, they proclaimed that ‘Glitters’ would be released to theaters Friday September 14, 2001. And when asked why it was delayed so much they noted that in addition to the various producers, companies and other mishaps they had to endure, Fox Studios liked "All That Glitters" so much that they are releasing at that particular date because most of the Oscar contending movies are released within that time frame.
(Taken From: Music News) FEBRUARY 28, 2001 BACKOFF BOYS?
Fans who get the chance to meet the Backstreet Boys at one of the question and answer sessions being staged during their current tour are being told they can't ask the boys for a kiss or a hug. One suitably self restrained fan said, 'We were told to form a single file line and only ask one question to each to one of the members.' The bouncers continued by making the strange statement; '...if one person gets a hug or kiss then everyone does and it ruins the whole thing for everybody.' How does that work exactly?
Talking of bouncers, Mariah Carey received a pleasant surprise from her Latin singer boyfriend Luis Miguel this week. In the highly romantic atmosphere of new movie Hannibal, Miguel hid a 38-carat diamond necklace into Mariah's box of popcorn. When Mariah got down to the bottom she found the surprise gift and was left speechless ... not, we assume, because she was choking on a set of earrings that went with it.
Wyclef Jean has confessed his carried a torch for several years for Madonna and actress Sharon Stone. He told Playboy magazine (who knew it had words?) that when he worked in a fast food restaurant, handling baps and unwrapping his meat, he used to dream about Madonna. He admitted, 'Madonna is my all-time favourite. When I was sitting in Burger King and Holiday came on I really felt like I was on a holiday.' Wyclef may be the only person to ever compare working in Burger King to a holiday.
(Taken From: World Pop) FEBRUARY 28, 2001 GREAT HAIRDO
Contrary to popular opinion, Mickey Bolton's proto-mullet is
actually very, very cool. And great hair is always important as the nights
draw in and fake snow is sprayed around the barbers' stripy pole; you want to
look your best for those Christmas parties, doncha?
This record, of course, is the ideal accompaniment to all those office
parties. Let's face it; no-one does a bland power ballad better than Mickey B
and 'This Is The Time...' is packed with the buggers. But this isn't just
your usual Bolton neck-tendon-pinging, oh no; these are traditional Christmas
songs ('Silent Night', 'Joy To The World') sung in a sugary pop-ballad
stylee. Apart, that is, from his poker-arse straight 'duet' (ie, recorded in
different rooms, different countries in fact) with Pieboy Domingo. Otherwise,
it's chestnuts roasting on an open fire with melted cheese all the way. Yum.
Unfortunately, Mickey can't quite manage to stick with the Christmas songs,
and ruins the baubly 'atmos' by bunging in two of his own songs. Sure,
they're ballads and yes, Mariah Carey 'arranged' them so they're suitably
insipid, but they're Paxo-lutely nothing to do with Christmas at all. What a
swizz. That's like telling all the little cherry-cheeked children of the
world they're going to get a Le Mans Scalextric with double chicanes and
giving them socks. It's one thing being a prematurely balding MOR plodder
with a limited vocal range, but robbing us of Christmas? You're evil, Bolton.
(Taken From: Reviews Online) (Courtesy: Tomas Tonguanariano) FEBRUARY 28, 2001 GOMEZ: THE FANNISH INQUISITION
Lopez. Iglesias. Ricky Martin. Gomez? Yes, it's true. You heard it here first: Gomez claim full responsibility for the 'Latin explosion'. Shall we kill them now or later? Ah, but wait a minute. Gomez may have written a song called 'Tijuana Lady' and played with maracas, but that's only one thread of the musical tapestry they throw at our feet on new LP 'Liquid Skin' - a record they claim encompasses everything from bluegrass to "Russian death metal".
So when we hunt them down to a north London rehearsal studio, armed to the hilt with intrusive questions from believers and sceptics both, we are surprised not to find them running around in sombreros or snorting tequila.
Bellowy vocalist Ben Ottewell is crouching quietly on the floor, huddled closely to compadres Ian Ball, Tom Gray, Paul Blackburn and Olly Peacock. They look almost inconceivably normal. Except for one thing: the sheer quantity of cigarette smoke they are expelling. "We smoke more than any other band in Britain," Ben announces. Thus situated, protectively swamped in their cloak of nicotine, they ready themselves for the inquisition.
Roll on the questions:
Do you think that the new album is better than 'Bring It On'? (Neil Aspinall, Liverpool)
Ian: "I think the album's pretty damn good. I think it's the record we wanted to make, and it's a lot better." Ben: "He's been taking lessons in political answers." Tom: "It certainly was a better experience recording it. Just creatively, because I think we're more in control and more confident now. I think it's definitely a better record, it's more experimental."
Do you know what 'the pies the pies' means on the bridge at the end of the M57? (Alan Whitfield, Cheshire)
Tom: "We don't actually know what 'the pies the pies' means. We've heard that it was graffiti from a band in the '70s called The Pies, and it's just been left up on the top of the bridge across the motorway for the last 20 years. And nobody wants to take it down because now it's become part of the motorway itself." Ben: "Either that or a tribute to the wonderful thing that is the pie!"
If you could bring back one famous dead person who would it be and why? (David Moran, Glasgow)
Ben: "Jesus. He sounds like a nice guy." Tom: "Yeah, then we could resolve that whole God problem once and for all." Ian: "And Jesus is the water-into-wine merchant, isn't he? Might as well bring back someone who's useful." Tom: "I just want to sort out the 'Is he the son of God?' question. Let's have him on Jerry Springer." Ben: "Apparently he's here anyway, but if we could have him standing here in his sandals..." Tom: "He'd always claim the Fifth Amendment, though, wouldn't he? He'd do the whole Messianic Secret thing with us." Ben: "Nah, I think he's a really chilled guy, a bit like Ken Kesey."
How did you come up with the title 'Liquid Skin'? (Lill Phillips, Birmingham) Tom: "Liquid Skin is the stuff that you put on your fingers when they get torn to pieces from playing too much guitar. It's like nail varnish for your fingers, you put it on the flesh and it's like a liquid plaster. But it's a solvent, so you can get high off of it. When you're in real pokey dressing rooms - not in your bedroom, or behind the bike shed in school or anything - you can get really high on it. It just became a thing - getting high on Liquid Skin and going onstage. Then when it came to naming the record, we wanted to use the word 'liquid', because it described the sound, and it was going to be called 'Liquid State'. But that's not as good as 'Liquid Skin'." Ben: "And we couldn't call it 'Legs Akimbo'." Ian: "No, no-one would let us call it that. And we never had any plans, ever, to call it 'Feed My Bongo'."
What do you think of Radio 1 playing your blinding new single less than that complete shite by Hepburn? (J Dragontree, Pompey)
Ian: "It's absolute startling bollocks." Ben: "Who are Hepburn?" Tom: "I'm not overwhelmingly surprised. It's like a 50-year-old man who decides what the kids want to hear. I don't know, maybe they would rather hear Hepburn."
Musically, who are your biggest influences? (Adam Priest, Upminster)
Ian: "Sade." Tom: "Kajagoogoo." Paul: "Wet Wet Wet." Ben: "Be serious." Tom: "He said Sade!" Ben: "Yeah, well, Sade is a serious thing." Olly: "Europe." Tom: "Early Bon Jovi. Before they cut their hair." Ian: "I don't think we really have any influences." Tom: "Yeah, we just listen to a lot of things. I don't think we have any direct influences. You can't really sit down and say, 'This song should sound like this song.' We don't think about it, really."
Jack Daniel's or tequila? (Carlos Tin, Liverpool)
Ben: "Good question." Ian: "If you're in Liverpool, I reckon it's Jack Daniel's." Tom: "If we were with Carlos in Liverpool, we'd definitely be drinking JD. There's no question. But if you're in Mexico with a guy called Carlos, you've got to drink tequila." Ben: "Or in Bolton with a guy called Jim." Ian: "Ultimately, though, we're definitely more of a Jack Daniel's band than a tequila band. You have to be really serious about drinking tequila, you've got to empty the bottle." Tom: "I've woken up actually beneath tables after drinking tequila. I had never been drunk under the table until then. I just sort of slid down my chair on to the floor and collapsed."
What do you think is the value of the Mercury Music Prize? (Mike Daly, Liverpool)
Ben: "For us, it led to a whole lot of exposure, which was good. But culturally, I have no idea." Tom: "We didn't have any ideas of ever being a big band. We were just going to release the album on a little label in Sheffield, but when we took it to the major labels they all went crazy. And then the Mercury Prize really put us on a different course. Now we're up there with all these big bands. In some ways it's a good thing, in some ways it's bad. I think only in ten years' time will I really be able to say how I felt about the Mercury Music Prize. I was really let down by the nominations this year, though. There were things - like the Super Furries - that should have been there. I mean, if they want to nominate the Manic Street Preachers, then let them - but they haven't got an ounce of innovation in their bodies." Ben: "They have to have the big bands in there to give the awards ceremony gravitas, to make it a media thing. So inevitably those bands will get in there." Tom: "The award would serve itself so much better if it didn't worry about that. It probably, economically, wouldn't work without sponsorship and stuff, but in a perfect world they really would go chasing around for the most innovative albums of the year."
At V99 Chelmsford you dedicated 'Rhythm & Blues Alibi' to Mariah Carey. Why? (Justin Day, Norfolk)Ben: "Because we all deeply respect her and her work." Tom: "When we played at Slane Castle with Robbie Williams, Ian dedicated that song to Gary Barlow - and thousands of people all booed. I had to butt in and say, 'No, actually, it's for Mariah Carey' - and they all cheered!" Ben: "Gary or Mariah? - that's the question." Tom: "That song is a bit of a go at R&B, so it's pretty funny." Ian: "I think the moral of the story is don't mention Gary Barlow in front of 100,000 Robbie Williams fans. I was hoping I'd get a more violent reaction, though. The booing was good, but I thought there might be some missiles."
Part two of Gomez: The Fannish Inquisition will be posted on nme.com tomorrow. Get tickets for Gomez's UK shows only now through the nme.com Virgin Cola Ticketshop. Or call the 24-Hour NME Virgin Cola Ticketline on 0870 1 663 663. Calls are charged at national standard rate.
(Taken From: NME.com) (Courtesy: Tomas Tonguanariano) FEBRUARY 28, 2001 "MCWNO" SITE NEWS
Today is your last day to sign up for MCWNO's Exclusive Mariah contest. For more information (including that on how to enter), go to: http://mc_la.tripod.com/contest.html. Starting March 1, 2001 - MCWNO will have a few new features. Nothing durastic but certainly somethings that all of you will enjoy. Stay tuned for that.
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MARIAH PUTS THE LAST TOUCHES ON HER NEW MOVIE
Mariah is putting the finishing touches on the soundtrack to "All That Glitters," her upcoming flick based on the 1980's. The disc will feature lots of Mariah's vocals and music based on the 80's. Other contributors on the CD include Rick James, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Da Brat as well as an expected duet between Carey and Benét.
(Taken From: Star Pulse) FEBRUARY 27, 2001 NEW PICTURES: ON THE SET OF 'GLITTERS'
In a new update, The Mariah Carey Archives have posted two brand new pictures of Mariah on the set of "Glitters". Derek, who sent originally sent in the pictures say Mariah looks great - and she does. Check out the pictures below. Click the thumbnails for a full-size view.
FEBRUARY 27, 2001 POPCORN AND A PRIZE FOR MOVIEGOER MARIAH
Nothing in "Hannibal" made Mariah Carey scream. But something else sure startled her during the movie.
The singer was with her boyfriend, Luis Miguel, at a recent showing of the hit thriller in Los Angeles when she began eating a bag of popcorn. Unbeknownst to her, Miguel had planted a belated Valentine's Day gift in the bottom of the bag and had to sit there silently until Carey finished enough popcorn to feel it.
I know what you're thinking. Didn't Mickey Rourke's character spring a popcorn surprise on an unsuspecting female in the Barry Levinson movie "Diner"? Yes, he did — but put that thought out of your mind. Miguel's surprise to Carey was a necklace containing a string of diamonds that added up to 38 carats.
Now that's something to scream about. But I'm told Carey was speechless — and thrilled — at being on the receiving end of her boyfriend's romantic gesture.
(Taken From: New York Daily News) FEBRUARY 27, 2001 CELINE GETS HER NAME BACK
Celine Dion has won back her domain name. She sued Jeff Burgar, who used her name to re-direct visitors automatically to Celebrity1000.com. Recently, Bruce Springsteen lost a simular case and that's why the Canadian singer and her record company Sony Music Entertainment this time brought the case before the The U.N. World Intellectual Property Organisation.
Arbitrator William Cornish said that Jeff "must demonstrate positively a legitimate interest in retaining them (the domain names), as for instance by providing an established fan club, or, for that matter, a site for criticism or satire. It is for him to show that the new use of the site is substantial and genuine." He was unable to demonstrate this and that's why the domain name was awarded to Celine.
Last year, Mariah Carey sued Jeff Burgar also before a federal court in Las Vegas. She won the case and Jeff and his partner Justin Lumsden, who operate and manage General Webgroup and Internet North, had to relinquish all rights they hold in the domain name MariahCarey.com. They had give the name back to Mariah and forbade them to use any domain names that bear "Mariah Carey" or intentional misspellings of the name "Mariah Carey". Now there is a flourishing website of Mariah herself on MariahCarey.com, which she uses to interact with her fans.
(ENews Online) (Courtesy: The Mariah Carey Archives) | ||
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"LOVERBOY" SET TO BE MARIAH'S NEW TUNE
Just like Mariah does, Da Brat leaves voice messages for her fans to hear on her Official Web Site. In her latest voice message she reveals that she has been working on a new Mariah track titled "LoverBoy," which is off Mariah's "Glitter" Soundtrack Album. A remix will also be recorded that features Lil Kim, in addition to Da Brat and Mariah. Brat also notes that 22 and Nate Dogg are guests on some of Mariah's tracks from the motion picture LP. MCWNO wishes to thank Regina Marmon who first informed us of this news, as placed on her website, "Mariah Daily". To here Da Brat's message, click here. A transcript can be found below, which was typed out by MCWNO's webmaster, Will Ward:
Yo, party people in the house. What the deal? This Da Brat-tat-tat. Right now I'm in Chicago. It's like 2:25. You know what I'm saying. Got the number 22 and I got my new artist coming out. Deuce deuce 22 straight from the West Side of Chitown. We ride from the same little city and town. You heard me? He on the album, you know what I'm saying?
I just got finished doing the joint with Mariah. "Lover Boy," that's the name of the joint. We about to do a remix with me and Lil’ Kim.
I got everything going on. I’m writing these ballads and R&B songs. If y’all trying to get down and get something fresh and special, holler at Da Brat-tat-tat. You need your hair braided – you dig, holler at Da Brat-tat-tat. Leave your name, your number and all that. And I’ll try my best to get right back at you, play boy and play girl. [Laugh]. Peace and out y’all.
Yo, I got a joint with Missy that I just did. I just did two joints for MC Lyte. Yo, we got it rolling. We got it going on, definitely. Plus, I'm on the remix with Lil' Kim. The one coming out. And 22 going to be on Mariah’s new joint. We got tracks from Damizza, Damenyon, from Power 106 in LA. We got Nate Dogg on the joint. You know Mariah gonna have the blazing and sizzling tracks, you heard me? Anyway, it’s off the heazy fo’sheazy my kneazy in my beegies. [Laugh]. Y’all don’t know nothing about that. Aight, holler back. Peace.
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BRITNEY PULLS A MARIAH CAREY NUMBER
Britney Spears’ latest release is "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know," a song penned by Shania Twain and her husband Mutt Lange. Of course, the track is going to be an instant smash hit among pop radio and the teenage angst of MTV’s Total Request Live. But perhaps the video is calling more attention to people than the song itself. Herb Ritts directed the video. Ritts is a popular photographer whose assured eye and imagination have helped translate dreams and desires into strong and memorable pictures. Herb is also worldly known for his sexy music videos, which often leave very little to the imagination and spawn huge hits. Perhaps that’s why such artists as Janet Jackson, Chris Isaac, Madonna and Mariah Carey have called upon Ritts’ services for their videos.
All the Herb Ritts videos seem to have a common theme: water, and more mainly: beaches. In fact, only a hand full of his many videos seem to not have an ocean scenario.
But his latest directorial seems to be a knock-off of a series of Mariah Carey videos. Of course, that directorial is Britney Spears’ "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know". The video begins with close ups of Britney lying in silence, which seem to only be interpretations of Mariah’s 1991 video "I Don’t Wanna Cry," which would later become her fourth consecutive number one tune. At this time, the video cuts to shots of Britney clad in a bikini top, frolicking in the ocean with her lover and splashing water. Now – where have we seen this? Perhaps from Carey’s 1997 chart topper, "Honey," whose video was filmed by the famed Paul Hunter? You got it.
As the video continues, Britney is shown embracing her man. Those embraces soon turn to a brief make-out session, which bares striking resemblance to what Mariah demonstrated in her ’98 video titled, "My All" (which was directed by Herb Ritts himself). After the hot tamale has cooled, Ms. Spears is shown in a tree looking despaired. This is the same act Mariah performed in the video for "Butterfly," the title track from her 1997 LP.
While on the tree, the camera shoots to close-ups of Britney’s abdominal area. (And to think that her New Year’s Resolution was not to expose her navel so much.) In addition to that, we get to see her lovely shorts. Nothing special you think? Well, not really. But if you look, you will notice the waistband is chopped off. This has become Mariah’s signature look, as she showed in her 1999 video, "Heartbreaker".
From here, the video seems to rewind itself. There are more embraces from the couple; some more fun in the water and the last few shots show Britney back in the dark again.
While Britney hopes to be "just like Madonna," this video obviously has "Mariah Carey" written all over it.
(Taken From: Music News) | ||
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THE WEDDING SINGER
Posh she ain't, but Lisa Verrico shares a musical passion with the Beckham family Poor Joe. The Alabama-born, R&B star has just seen his current single, Stutter, storm into the UK Top 10, yet all people want to ask him about is the Beckhams. Never mind his four Grammy Award nominations, his duets with Mariah Carey and Mystikal or the rerelease of his superb second album, My Name is Joe. Far more interesting, it seems, is the fact that the tacky twosome chose Joe’s All The Things (Your Man Won’t Do) for the first dance at their wedding. Personally, knowing that Becks is a devoted Joe fan might put me off. For heaven’s sake, the man married the worst singer in the Spice Girls and wears a scarf on his head.
Against the odds, however, Beckham has proved that not all footballers have terrible taste in music. A minor hit in 1997, All the Things was a romantic soul ballad — sexy, rather than sickly sweet. Its success in the States saw Joe compared to the likes of D’Angelo and sent his debut album, All That I Am, high into the Billboard charts. In Britain, it was largely ignored, as was last year’s two-million-selling follow-up, My Name is Joe. The success of Stutter — featured here in its original, Teddy Riley-produced version and its funky Timbaland-style remix — should change that though.
Admittedly, the album gets off to a dubious start. To the sound of heavy breathing, finger clicking and a bit of jazz-bar piano, on the obligatory intro, Joe whispers the line, “Caress my body like a melody, you scream my name just like a symphony”. Fortunately, it’s all uphill from thereon, with 14 classy R&B tracks featuring smart, sexy lyrics and Joe’s smouldering vocals. TLC producer She’kspere throws Spanish guitar into the upbeat Get Crunk Tonight, NSync and the New York String Section guest on I Believe in You and Mariah Carey avoids her usual vocal acrobatics on the terribly-titled Thank God I Found You, which also features a rap from Nas. If you get the image of the Beckhams’ wedding out of your head, this is ideal seduction music.
It’s a shame Debelah Morgan hasn’t duetted with Joe. Currently in the Top 10 with her distinctive, tango-inspired debut single, Dance With Me, the singer, songwriter and producer is being touted as a funky new hip hop babe. She can certainly dance, judging by her stunning video. But don’t be fooled. This is a case of nice single, shame about the album. Incredibly, there isn’t one other decent track on Dance With Me. When Morgan isn’t singing the sort of bland, synthetic, overproduced, uptempo nonsense women do aerobics to, she’s stepping into Mariah Carey’s vocal gymnastics class. Like Carey and Christina Aguilera, Morgan has a great voice and vocal range which should be put to better use. She squawks her way through Take The Rain Away, warbles the emotional but totally soulless What Would You Do and even treads on Whitney’s Eighties ballad territory on the woeful Close To You.
Thankfully, there are no unpleasant surprises on the Manchester dance duo Rae & Christian’s second album, Sleepwalking. The follow-up to the acclaimed Northern Sulphuric Soul does take the pair into new territory, however. Having toured the world for the past 18 months with a full band and remixed the likes of Moby and Eagle-Eye Cherry, Mark Rae and Steve Christian have clearly fallen for fine vocalists.
Sleepwalking starts with the band’s familiar, bouncy hip hop beats and DJ scratching — on the straightforward rap track Blazing the Crop — and includes the moody, soundtrack-style instrumental Ready to Roll. The other nine songs take a different tack, setting an impressive collection of male and female singers to a smooth mix of beats and old-school soul.
Cedric Myton from the reggae legends the Congos croons on Holds Us Down, the Pharcyde are back to their early glory days on Let It Go and It Ain’t Nothing Like (who else could rhyme lemon meringue with Monty Python?) and the Parisian singer Tania Maria and a 40-piece orchestra guest on the decidedly non-dancey Vai Viver A Vida. There are also appearances from Rae’s cousin Kate Rogers on Not Just Anybody and longtime R&C collaborator Siron on the downbeat, piano-backed album closer Salvation.
Rae & Christian’s biggest coup, however, was securing the services of Bobby Womack, who sings on the gorgeous Get A Life and Wake Up Everybody.
If Posh and Becks really want to be cool, Sleepwalking is what they’ll be smooching to this month.
FEBRUARY 24, 2001 MUSIC MIXED WITH DRAMA AT GRAMMYS
After rolling out six live performances in the first hour, the Grammys shifted into a slightly more relaxed pace for the second and third hours, with songs provided by Sheryl Crow, Moby, Macy Gray and Christina Aguilera, among others.
Armed with only an acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter Crow led into "The Difficult Kind," a track she originally recorded for her 1998 Grammy-winning The Globe Sessions. Crow was joined onstage by Shelby Lynne, the veteran Canadian singer/songwriter who was honored with the evening's Grammy for Best New Artist, even though she issued her first record in 1989.
Backed by a slide guitarist, Crow and Lynne delivered a heart-wrenching, torch song version of "The Difficult Kind," with Lynne providing the vocal harmonies that Sarah McLachlan sang on the version included on Crow's concert album, Sheryl Crow and Friends: Live in Central Park.
Arguably the most intriguing and involved performance of the evening was turned in by the combination of electronica whiz Moby, soul singer Jill Scott and performance art troupe the Blue Man Group, who collaborated on Moby's "Natural Blues."
Even though he wasn't decked out in blue facial make-up to mimic the Blue Man Group, Moby seemed comfortable enough to just pluck his bass guitar and let Scott tear into the gospel-rooted lead vocals.
Using their makeshift percussion assemblages to provide a thumping rhythm track to "Natural Blues," the Blue Man Group took the lead near the end of the production and the song evolved into a performance art piece that seemed more akin to an off-Broadway production of "Stomp."
During "I Try," Gray almost seemed lost among her more than 20-piece backing band and support singers, all of whom were dressed in neon pink wigs, color-coordinated with Gray's leather boots.
Channeling such venerable R&B singers as Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and Gladys Knight, Gray delivered an impassioned reading of "I Try," a song that later earned her a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Although Britney Spears wasn't in the house, teen singer Christina Aguilera more than carried the torch for both young divas and the Latin pop movement, performing "Pero Me Acuerdo de Ti" and "Falsas Esperanzas," a pair of songs off her Spanish-language Mi Reflejo.
Sporting a beaded-hair look reminiscent of Bo Derek in the 1979 movie "10," Aguilera descended onto the stage in a mechanical ball that seemed like a cross between an oversized Christmas ornament and the infamous lemon U2 used during the Pop tour.
The prop provided one of the evening's most suspenseful (albeit unintentional) moments when Aguilera almost fell 10 feet to the stage after nearly missing the platform she exited onto. After regaining her musical footing, Aguilera closed out her set by demonstrating her Mariah Carey-like vocal range through a series of high-pitched arpeggios.
(Taken From: Sonic Net) | ||
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MARIAH CHECKS IN
Yeah. Hi (Elongated octave). Hi. Yeah, I’m just calling to check in and tell you that I love you and I’m appreciative every single day of my life for every single one of you and know that. I don’t have anything particularly witty to say today because, yeah, I do believe I was up all night with some nonsense. [Laugh]. And when I say that I’m not trying to get sympathy or anything – that’s just. Hey, that’s just life. But, I don’t know. I’m about to go jogging or something of that, you know nature or sort or whatever you choose to pick. And I’m going to be finishing up recording and doing things of that nature. So, I’m just checking in as usual. And I hope you guys are enjoying the site. And there’s more things to come, I’ve just been real busy so I haven’t been able to get that created lately. So, please excuse that aspect of the site. And, I appreciate you and enjoy you. Bye bye.
FEBRUARY 23, 2001 THE AWFUL TRUTH
Mariah Carey, tossing her 'tude at the Bistro at Bacara, the posh Santa Barbara resort. Leisurely loungers couldn't not notice M.C., who sported shades indoors at night, perched low on her nose, as she yakked with a female friend. Meanwhile, an enormous, leather-clad goombah kept watch on the pair. Wonder if Mariah saw those hot hipsters grabbing their sunglasses and mocking the diva? Probably not, considering how she paraded out of the joint.
Quite unlike Sylvester Stallone, purchasing pricey and sugary provisions at Edelweiss, a fancy-schmancy chocolate boutique. Bev Hills. With two dudes who helped him select Valentine's Day confections. S.S. looked youthful in a rust suede jacket and black trousers. Not a smidge of snootiness. Sly patiently waited in a 20-person line, until the store's owner scooted over and whisked him away.
(Taken From: E! Online) FEBRUARY 23, 2001 TOP DOG IN PET CEMETERIES
Three women huddled against the biting January cold and wept as the gravedigger lowered the tiny coffin into the snow-covered earth. They whispered prayers and tossed some dirt into the grave. "I got her a pine casket because she's Jewish," Sandra Richner said of the deceased, her beloved Siamese cat, Tassie, who shared her Manhattan home for 18 years. Managing a smile, she wiped away tears as she added, "I was going to get a rabbi."
Tassie joined nearly 70,000 other animals interred over the last 105 years at the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery in Westchester, the oldest pet burial ground in the country. Animal friends of the rich and famous rest in Hartsdale Canine Cemetery. While the pet funeral industry has come under fire in the last decade following a fake-grave scandal at the Long Island Pet Cemetery in Middle Island, Hartsdale has maintained a sterling reputation among its loyal following of celebrities and regular folks.
"I can't tell you how many people come here kind of embarrassed and say, "If you had asked me 10 years ago if I would ever end up bringing my dog here, I'd have said no way,'" said Edward Martin, a retired Iona College accounting professor who owns the graveyard along with his boyhood friend, Pat Grosso. "I would never equate an animal to a human being, but a pet comes into your life and becomes a member of the family."
The cemetery saga began in 1896, when Dr. Samuel Johnson, a prominent Manhattan veterinarian, offered his rural Westchester apple orchard as a burial plot for a bereaved woman's dog. A reporter friend of Johnson's heard the tale and did a story in a local paper, which prompted a flood of similar requests from grief-stricken pet owners.
Some early plot holders spent thousands of dollars to inter their furry friends. In 1915, Mrs. M.F. Walsh paid $25,000 for an ornate granite mausoleum weighing more than 50 tons. The mausoleum holds five Walsh pets. At another grave, an imposing, 6-foot stone monument bears an image of a bulldog's face over the inscription, "Our Loved One GRUMPY, Aug. 4, 1913 to Sept. 20, 1926." A life-sized stone doghouse marks the final resting place of Buster, who died in 1942.
Celebrities and financiers flocked to the cemetery, and often gave their pets elaborate sendoffs. When Hungarian Princess Vilma Lwoff-Parlaghy's pet lion, Goldfleck, died, she held a formal wake at the Plaza Hotel and then buried the big cat in Hartsdale. His marble headstone reads, "Beneath This Stone Is Buried The Beautiful Young Lion Goldfleck, Whose Death is Sincerely Mourned by His Mistress Princess Lwoff-Parlaghy. New York 1912."
Infamous millionaire Hetty Green's dog, aptly named Money, is buried at Hartsdale, as is singer Kate Smith's pooch, Freckles, "My Devoted Pet for 15½ years." Mariah Carey, Diana Ross, Robert Merrill, Elizabeth Arden, former Mayor Jimmy Walker, band leader Xavier Cugat, and former Vice President James Sherman also have plots.
But regular folks, too, bury their loyal companions here under headstones labeled "My Best Pal" or "The Most Loving and Sincerest Friend I Ever Had." "The Rizzos" buried Toni, "A Sweet Little Dog Who Left Wonderful Memories." Another headstone reads, "Metzie, My One and Only Friend Lies Here." Fritzee Schwartz's headstone features a Star of David, while B.J. Ryan's has a Celtic cross. Pet owner Marion Robinson had her own ashes scattered over the grave of her German shepherd Chief, who died in 1925.
Between 850 and 1,000 pets are buried at Hartsdale each year, and about 8,000 more are cremated. For $75, pet owners can opt for group cremation; individual cremations start at $175. The average burial costs about $500 for a Chihuahua and $750 for a German shepherd, not including headstone, Martin said. Upkeep runs about $3 a year.
Tassie's burial tab came to $535. She was buried in a small plot alongside her best pal, Richner's Shih Tzu, Us Us, who died in 1991. "They used to wrestle all the time, my little girls," said Richner, a single real estate broker, who brought two friends to the service. "It makes you feel better, knowing that they're here. It's such a pretty little place."
(Taken From: New York Daily News) | ||
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MARIAH CAN’T TAKE DOWN THE GRAMMYS
Mariah Carey once again lost the Grammy for her latest nomination. "Thank God I Found You," a duet with pop group 98°and R&B singer Joe, was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals" category, but surprisingly, it didn’t win, although its obvious popularity helped make up for the loss. As a single, it sold more than a million copies. The number one track was up against Sheryl Crow & Sarah McLachlan’s "The Difficult Kind", Celine Dion & Frank Sinatra’s "All The Way", Lauryn Hill & Bob Marley’s "Turn Your Lights Down Low" and B.B. King & Doctor John’s "Is You Is, Or Is You Ain't (My Baby)," which won the award.
The loss isn’t very surprising to Mariah or anyone else. In fact, after eleven years in the business and almost forty nominations, Carey has only won two awards from the Grammy Association, both being in 1990 – the beginning of her career. Actually, Ms. Carey didn’t even attend the ceremony. She hasn’t appeared since 1996. That year, she performed her nominated tune "One Sweet Day" with Boyz II Men. After her performance, Mariah spent the rest of the evening in her seat, passed over time and again in every category in which she’d been nominated, as Joan Osborne and Alanis Morrissette walked away the big winners of the evening. "What can you do?" she would later say. "Let me put it this way. I will never be disappointed again. After sitting through that whole show and not winning once, I can handle anything. And I know everyone always says this—I wasn’t expecting to win."
But there’s little time to reflect on the disappointments. Mariah is currently gearing up for her first movie, tentatively titled "Glitter". Maybe the Golden Globes and Oscars will be a tad gentler to her than the Grammys have.
(Taken From: Music News) FEBRUARY 22, 2001 HOLLYWOOD MAKES A SCENE AGAIN
Hollywood. She has a wicked beauty. She writes her own history, creates her own stars, decides who's in and out and, frankly my dear, she doesn't give a damn what anyone else thinks.
And that's why she's in demand again. Any nightly eyewitness to the crazy Hollywood club scene can tell you its growth in recent months is staggering, the energy and excitement level unprecedented. Hollywood is on the brink of another great era, when the planets of money, celebrity and great live music all come into perfect alignment.
And all the participants know it. Hot rock bands such as Broken, Earshot and Jet 68 are hunkering down with label execs, quietly working out record contracts. New Yorkers are relocating in droves, all looking for a piece of the action. Club kids who came up through the late-night trenches are buying and renovating their own nightclubs.
"For how long did we have owners who were rich guys who didn't have a clue?" asks Brent Bolthouse, a 13-year veteran of Hollywood night life who also owns Coffee House on the Sunset Strip. "Then they'd have to hire guys like me to create scenes for them."
Bolthouse promotes Wednesdays at Las Palmas, star-studded nights of hedonistic fun that channel memories of his nights at the Roxbury at its peak. He's certainly one leader of this new school. As is Rick Calamaro, a longtime promoter who recently opened Fuel, a new bar at the old Bob's Frolic II.
"It's the natural evolution of things," says Calamaro. "As promoters, we know the night better than anyone else. It's time we owned a piece of it."
J.D. Terziu, a partner in Dragonfly and co-promoter of one of the club's sizzling rock nights, Wednesday's Pretty Ugly Club, says, "Dragonfly's gone from being a no-frills flannel-shirt music club to a [hard-core] rock club. We aggressively bring in bands who are working it with passion and conviction. Every week, you can come here and see the best bands L.A. has to offer."
And they come by the hundreds, rain or shine, to get an earful of the latest sounds or simply to be seen on the scene at the Dragonfly, one of the few older venues at the forefront of the new revolution.
In addition, newcomers Vynyl, the Sunset Room and Blue have worked out some freshman-year kinks and are settling in for good clubland runs. Vynyl scored the sizzling-hot dance club Cherry when its previous location the Play Room burned down. And now Bolthouse has taken on Friday at Blue, a dance club in the heart of Hollywood.
The opulent Garden of Eden and its neighbor the Ruby also hold some of the city's hottest dance nights. Such art-damaged mainstays as the Opium Den, Boardner's and Goldfingers still provide raucous rock and innovative dance promotions.
New hot spots such as the year-old Las Palmas, owned by handsome hipsters Chris Pike, Loyal Pennings and Sky Reiss--also vets of the Hollywood scene--will probably stay hot. They've all been around too long; they know the cycle and take nothing for granted.
"We're not exactly new kids on the block," says Pennings. NKOTB might not be in the house, but 'N Sync, the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears are. Not to mention Mariah Carey, Oscar de la Hoya, Slipknot and Crazy Town. Hefner has his own booth. (I know. I've been asked to vacate it.)
"Owners who stepped into or bought their way into ownership, they think it goes on forever and then they're real disappointed when it dries up," says Pennings, whose first club with Pike 10 years ago was an unremarkable failure. "We opened up a bar in San Luis Obispo in '91; as soon as the honeymoon was over, so was the business. We spent the next few years playing catch-up, and it was really scary."
(Taken From: Los Angeles Times) | ||
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QUICK HITS
Like ships passing in the night, Sony Music honcho Tommy Mottola just missed bumping into ex-wife Mariah Carey Sunday night in L.A. Mottola was at Mr. Chow's having dinner with his new wife, Mexican singer Thalia. Moments after they left, Carey came in for dinner with her boyfriend, Luis Miguel. I understand a lot of people there were breathing a sigh of relief.
(Taken From: New York Daily News) FEBRUARY 21, 2001 T-SHIRTS THAT MAKE A STATEMENT
Word Up! If you've got something to say, don't be afraid to let your clothes speak for you. Take a tip from these stars and wear a T-shirt that gets your message across. Wanna say something positive like Mariah Carey? Political like Johnny Depp (his tee supports the American Indian Movement) or sassy like Ananda? Be like these celebs -- and wear your words!
(Taken From: J-14) (Courtesy: Elin) | ||
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A BOUTIQUE FIT FOR MARIAH AND HER FRIENDS
Kirsten Dunst is a regular customer now. Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey (who also brought all her friends to the store), Britney Spears and Denise Richards have been customers. Andy Garcia and Robert Duvall have shopped for their spouses here.
"The funny thing about celebrities is they never buy one of anything," she says. "If they see something they like, they buy three of them.
"Sometimes, there are three celebrities in here at the same time. You get used to it. Or try to. I do tend to get a little star-struck."
(Taken From: Toronto National Post) FEBRUARY 20, 2001 GLOBAL 100 Here's a message MCWNO received from Uwe: In the mean time Mariah is down from # 3 to # 12 on the Global 100
Internetcharts (Female Stars). It would be nice to vote for Mariah on
the Global 100 here: http://www.global100.com/vote.asp?Chart=9&AddItem=81002
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PRIVATES ON PARADE
Before concerts or television interviews, Mariah Carey allegedly demands a roomful of puppies and kittens to cuddle, thus putting her in the mood for murdering any songs she gets her larynx round. This is nauseating enough, but does not even begin to compare with pictures of her and her fiancé frolicking in the Colorado mountains with "local orphans".
In Aspen, we are told, she invited several orphans to join her for some well-publicised snowball fights. How did she verbalise this wish? "Get me some orphans, puppies just don’t cut the mustard anymore"?
Yuck doesn’t even begin to do this scenario justice.
(Taken From: The Scotsman) FEBRUARY 19, 2001 THE MANY HITS IN LANI'S LIFE
Who would have thought a woman whose only brush with fame, as it were kept her hidden from her admiring public? Such was the irony Lani Misalucha lived through during her early days as that marvelous voice that "accompanied" the lesser singers in sing-along clubs who fancied themselves the Whitney Houstons, Mariah Careys and Celine Dions in these parts.
(Taken From: The Phillipine Star) | ||
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MARIAH TO COLLABORATE WITH LUDACRIS
According to Hot 97.5, pop diva Mariah Carey is rumored to be in the studio recording a brand new track with rapper Ludacris. That track is scheduled to appear on her upcoming soundtrack album, "Glitter," that will coincide with her debut movie of the same title. While the name of the song isn’t known, what is known is that this news came as an exclusive to the famed radio station. Hot 97.5 is based in Atlanta, which is where Ludacris, who’s real name is Chris Bridges, was born and raised. In fact, during his teenage years Ludacris was employed at the hip-hop station.
While in Atlanta, Bridges, who is famous for his chart topping single "What’s Your Fantasy," released several independent recordings. With those, he attracted the attention of many record labels. In the long run, he ended up signing with Def Jam South, and his album "Back For The First Time" is the first release for that new imprint.
"Glitter," whose screenplay was penned by Kate Lanier, tells the story of a young singer who grew up in the projects after her mother abandoned her. She gets her big break when a DJ hears her demo tape. From that, she becomes involved in a relationship with the DJ. The film takes place in the New York club scene of the early 1980's. While it sounds like the singer’s own actual life story, Carey insists that there are no intentional similarities.
The "Glitter" movie and soundtrack is slated for a fall 2001 release. We are also informed that Ms. Carey has dueted with Eric Benet and Da Brat on other tracks for the album. "Glitter" seems as though it will be melodically prosperous.
(Taken From: Music News) FEBRUARY 18, 2001 TERRENCE HOWARD IS A PLAYER
If I was white," says Terrence Howard, the best actor you've never heard of, "I would be huge. No question. But if you're black, you're going to struggle. It doesn't matter how much good work you do. You will struggle." Howard, who is calling from Philadelphia, where he lives near his estranged wife and three children, laughs softly. "I'm going to Prague in four days to do this movie with Bruce Willis and this other guy named Colin Ferrell. He's new. He's made only a couple of movies, and he's getting $2 million for this film. I'm still fighting to get half a million dollars after making a dozen movies. So I want to see what this kid's about. I'm like: Let's get in the ring and box. We'll see who wins."
Howard, who is 32, acts this last line. He intones it slowly, in a low voice, sounding both seductive and threatening. That's his style: rhythmic and sly with an undercurrent of something dark. Like Benicio Del Toro, who stars in "Traffic," and Jeffrey Wright, who plays Martin Luther King Jr. to Howard's Ralph Abernathy in "Boycott," which will be shown on HBO on Feb. 24, Howard acts in a simultaneously direct and complicated way. These actors possess a stealth-like quality; Del Toro, Wright and Howard all understand the cinematic power of a cool surface masking (only barely) a turbulent soul.
"Like everyone else, I first noticed Terrence in 'The Best Man,"' says Mariah Carey, who will star opposite Howard in the tentatively titled "All That Glitters," to be released this fall. "He was so subtle, but watching him, I also got a chill up my spine. It was kind of a standard part -- the friend who gets every girl -- but Terrence made it scary. Sexy and scary. That's what's so great about Terrence. He's never just one thing."
"The Best Man," which was released in 1999, introduced Howard to Hollywood, although he had been working steadily for a decade in TV ("The Jacksons," the usual "N.Y.P.D. Blue" guest spot, "The O.J. Simpson Story") and had consistently shone in supporting roles in movies like "Dead Presidents" and "Mr. Holland's Opus." "I got on 'The Cosby Show' on my second audition ever," Howard recalls. "I was 19 years old and had just moved to New York from Cleveland, where I was raised. I conned the casting lady to let me audition, and she gave me the part, but they cut me out of the show. I was angry. I banged on Cosby's dressing-room door, and amazingly, he answered. I told him, 'I'm a man just like you.' He didn't like it, and the casting agent never took my calls again." Howard laughs. "That's the mold for the rest of my professional life. I say the hell with it, and I suffer the consequences."
In 1995, Howard decided that his opportunities might improve in Los Angeles. "I moved out there, and I worked regularly," he says. "But right before I got 'The Best Man,' I was ready to quit the business. I was minutes away from suicide. My wife had left me. And she had good reason -- I was bad when it came to women. It's like Superman. He had all those superpowers, but he didn't do all good things with them."
In "The Best Man," Howard played a womanizer, but, as always, there was something relaxed (and therefore believable) about his character's pickup technique. As he has subsequently done in movies like last summer's insipid "Big Momma's House" and in "The Best Man," Howard elevated the quality of the entire film. "After the movie came out, studio executives started calling and saying, 'You're going to be the next Denzel,"' Howard recalls. "I said, 'I don't want to be Denzel.' But I did meet Denzel, and he gave me the best piece of advice. He said, 'Less is more.' I was trying to get seen every time I was on-screen, and I realized that to get seen, you get really quiet. That will draw the most attention."
Obsessed with winning back his wife, Howard decided to return to Philadelphia two years ago. "When I'm not working, I'm begging her," he explains. "That is the greatest task that has ever been put in front of me. My dad and my uncles were pimps, and I learned the gift of gab from them. They taught me to open women up, but I leave scars."
His distance from Hollywood seems to have increased his desirability. After "The Best Man," people said, "This is a new dance, and people want a new dance," Howard explains. "I've turned down 10 projects this year." He accepted "Boycott," a dramatization of the Alabama bus boycott that began in 1955, primarily for the chance to work with Jeffrey Wright, a Tony Award-winning actor best known for playing the title role in the movie "Basquiat." "Jeffrey is my idol," says Howard, who acknowledges similarities in their acting styles. "Just like Ralph Abernathy looked up to Martin Luther King, I look up to Jeffrey." Howard pauses. "On the set of 'Boycott,' Jeffrey and I were always playing chess. One day, he checkmated me. He dropped his queen down and said, 'You play chess like you play your career -- you refuse to get out of your own way.' I got offended. I was about to punch him. He said, 'You can do anything -- this part or that part -- but you are your own worst enemy.' I was really mad. But then I thought, That might be my magic. A straight path can be boring. And no one will ever accuse me of being boring."
(Taken From: New York Times) FEBRUARY 18, 2001 MARIAHILLUSIONS.COM
MariahIllusions.com is a fairly new Mariah fan site. Perhaps you have been to it, perhaps you haven't. But regardless, in my opinion you must visit it anyway. Please log on to MariahIllusions.com and check out this truly amazing new site.
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MARIAH GOES CLUBBING
Hi. It’s me again and I just realized that the reason that I called, which I’m like sitting here because there’s twenty million around me, and I’m totally overlooking the fact that you guys are amazing. And the letters you’ve been writing me are incredible and you’ve totally have gotten me out of the nice bad mood that I was in and making me happy. And I swear that I am reading the letters and I’m answering as many as I can. And you’re seriously the best in the entire land. So, thank you. And I am going to this club because I said "Hey, I ain’t gonna sit at home and be in a bad mood." Might as well. [Laugh]. If they got a little extra, might as well. Okay, love you much. Bye bye.
FEBRUARY 17, 2001 JAY-Z IS 'NOT GUILTY'
Jay-Z is headed to Los Angeles next month to shoot the video for his next single, "Not Guilty" featuring R. Kelly. The video will be directed by Paul Hunter, who has worked with Sean "Puffy" Combs, the Notorious B.I.G., and Mariah Carey. Jay-Z's latest album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000, has been certified double-platinum and is currently Number 41 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
Jay-Z is currently nominated for two Grammy Awards: best rap album for Vol. 3...The Life And Times Of S. Carter and best rap performance duo/group for "Big Pimpin'" featuring U.G.K.
In related news, Jay-Z will have to wait a couple of months for his day in court, as his lawyer Murray Richman is presently tied up defending rapper Jamal "Shyne" Barrow, who is facing attempted-murder charges. Jay-Z was originally scheduled to appear in court last Wednesday (February 14) to face charges of first- and second-degree assault, stemming from his alleged stabbing of Lance "Un" Rivera during a December 1, 1999, altercation at New York City's Kit Kat Club. A new hearing date has not been set.
(Taken From: Launch) | ||
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98 DEGREES ANNOUNCES TOUR DATES
98 Degrees has announced a string of tour dates in support of its latest album Revelation. The tour kicks off at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on March 22, with show openers the Baha Men, Dream, and Debelah Morgan joining the group on the outing.
Launch recently spoke with 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey about the group's current hit single, "My Everything," and he said, "This one kind of wrote itself. You know, for me it was inspired by my relationship with Jessica [Simpson], but we wanted it to be a song that necessarily wasn't a romantic one--it could be a spiritual relationship. We wanted it to be very general so that it could apply to anyone or anything, and I think that's kind of the direction that we went with."
98 Degrees performs on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno tonight (February 16) and on ABC's The Rosie O'Donnell Show on February 26. The quartet is currently nominated for a Grammy Award for best pop collaboration with vocals for "Thank God I Found You," which also features Mariah Carey and Joe.
98 Degrees tour dates (subject to change):(Taken From: Launch) | ||
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SHE MAKES THE FLOWERS GO HIP
Last Thursday, Saundra Parks was crossing the dance floor of a party named "Aerodynamic" at Club Cheetah. It was a V.I.P.'s only night, and as a soul singer wailed onstage, Ms. Parks paused to greet hip-hop luminaries like Jay-Z and Damon Dash, his Roc-a-Fella Records partner, comfortably ensconced in cheetah-skin-print booths with their Champagne buckets and platinum jewelry.
To an untrained eye, Ms. Parks might have seemed yet another youthful music executive chatting over Moët. Only they weren't swapping shoptalk about video shoots and chart position. Ms. Parks had all the macho hip-hop millionaires talking about azaleas and amaryllis.
"They're like works of art," the singer Toni Braxton said by phone from Atlanta. "Saundra's designs are sleek and sexy but simple."
Ms. Parks, an indefatigable networker and partygoer, has a lock on the black entertainment rose garden because she knows how to tend the tastes and egos involved. She can deliver the over-the-top opulence of high-rolling rappers (floral baskets with a magnum of Cristal Champagne and Tiffany flutes, which run $2,000) and meet the grande dame tastes of pop divas like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Ms. Braxton. In fact, Saundra's designs were the inspiration to Mariah Carey's "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)" single cover.
She can also be trusted by hip-hop lotharios to remember which supermodel gets the two dozen Black Magic roses, and which actress gets the gigantic basket of lavender- scented candles and spa products.
Ms. Parks operates the Daily Blossom from both a small retail boutique in the Equitable Center on Seventh Avenue and a large studio loft on West 27th Street, with flowers flown in daily, primarily from the Netherlands and France.
"I always tell people I'm not in the flower business — I'm in the emotions business," said Ms. Parks, the owner of the Daily Blossom, a New York-based floral-design company, which has become perhaps the top pick among African-American celebrities. She has gathered a roster of high-profile clients like Maya Angelou, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Eddie Murphy and Lauryn Hill. Her designs are neither avant-garde nor country-basket chic, but Ms. Parks's clients respond to her distinctive palette: deep, jewel tones that are masculine enough to make an NFL running back swoon and rich color bursts of petals that might have sprung from the pages of a Toni Morrison novel.
Everybody wants to say love differently," she said, describing a 15th anniversary gift that Shakim Compere, Queen Latifah's manager, presented to his wife. It included 15 arrangements, each with a message. "The first one was, `I love the way you look at me,' " she said. "The second was `I love your eyes,' and then `I love the way you treat our children.' "
If that sounds too, well, flowery, there is always the simpler Spike Lee Valentine's Day statement.
"Grapefruits," Ms. Parks said. "Spike always sends his grandmother a basket of grapefruits."
(Taken From: New York Times) FEBRUARY 15, 2001 OZZY'S BETTER HALF IS RECRUITING OTEP FOR OZZFEST
Sharon Osbourne's no joke. The hot rockin' mama, who joined such music industryheavies as John Kalodner, Andy Gould, Bob Cavallo and Dayle Gloria for Otep's opening slot at the Roxy on Monday, is already talking Ozzfest for the young L.A. band. If the group wasn't so good, even I'd think it was all just a dream. Speaking of dream sequences, was I imagining it or was I kicking it with Crazy Town and Slipknot at the Las Palmas last Wednesday?
Survey says: reality. And what a reality it was--me and the boyz nuzzling up to Mariah Carey, who was also in the hiz-ouse. I was slightly disappointed with the famed diva when her muscleman refused to let a fan snap a photo. When the fan turned out to be Ice-T's wife, Darlene Ortiz, said muscleman came running to offer apologies. Ortiz's collection of photos is legendary--from Mini-Me to Minnie Driver and Hugh Hefner in between.
Grapevine trippin': We hear bassist Eric Wilson of the Long Beach Dub-All Stars has a tres coolio side project with Trey Pangborn (Falling Idols). . . . Checked my head at the Pretty Ugly Club for a set by the Bullet Boys last week. At least, I think it was the Bullet Boys. No one in the audience seemed to know for sure. Man, when metal dudes cut their hair, things start getting really ill. Pass the Pepto por favor.
(Taken From: Los Angeles Times) FEBRUARY 15, 2001 CHIT-CHAT WITH MARIAH'S LAMBS Here's a message MCWNO received from Honey & Kate:
Hi everybody, we're Honey and Kate and we worked on this project for quite a long time now. We created a mc-chatpage, cause we never found an official one, so it would be very nice if you would post following thing on your site and come and baaah, too.
Chit Chat With MC's Lambz is a brandnew chatpage for every MC-fan, c'me on and baaaah there, lambz! The "welcome-chat" is going to take place on Friday, Febraury 16th, at 8pm EST... the url you have to visit is http://www.fly.to/chitchatmc We'd really appreciate every single lamb joining us... of course you can chat any other time, if you can't make it to the welcome-chat. The site also contains an E-greeting card section with especially designed cards for MC fans and other stuff, so take a look at that now! (m)c ya! BYE!
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LUIS CRIES AND BECOMES INTOXICATED OVER MARIAH
Luis has never been seen so in love and passionate for a woman. And even though it seems incredible, it's true, because just a short time ago, Luis Miguel and Mariah Carey had a fight. The American diva went on vacation with her friends to the Encanto Islands. Meanwhile, the Mexican star had his saddest and most miserable moment in life than ever before. He searched for relief of his broken heart in alcohol.
The two had never had such a big argument before. Both of them are hot and explosive tempered, and that's why troubles and reconciliation’s of Luis Miguel and Mariah Carey’s relationship are usual.
However, people close to the singers say that the fight they had days ago in the house that they share in New York, was the strongest ever. It's said that there were screams, curses, insults, tears and broken items thrown against the wall by Mariah. Mariah was angry and furious and locked herself in a room without wanting to know anything about her Mexican lover.
It seems that they separated, but since Mariah isn't one of those woman who locks herself in her misery and cries, she immediately phoned her best friends, packed her stuff and they traveled together to spend their holidays in Puerto Rico, to the Encanto Island. Meanwhile, Luis Miguel, who deeply saddened and miserable, found refuge in a New York bar. He drank many glasses of Cristal to find some relief for his love pains. This wasn't possible, because the more he cried and got drunk, the more he mentioned the cause of his pains: Mariah Carey.
But their misery didn’t last long. The couple traveled to Colorado, where the snow melted with their hot reconciliation. Even though close sources to the couple thought that, by the strength and scandal of this fight, the separation was going to be definitive or long, it wasn't. It is known that in Puerto Rico, Mariah treated to have as much fun as possible with her friends, but she couldn't do it. She was seen in many places looking very sad. And neither Luis Miguel could forget Mariah with alcohol, and so he sent her flowers. Soon after, his jet was set to go to the Encanto Island where he would persuade Mariah to come back to his arms immediately. And without even doubting it, Mariah Carey came back and the reconciliation began. To celebrate it, the couple traveled to Colorado. Cold snow seemed to melt away with their hot and passionate love.
The truth is that the causes of the whole troubles between Luis and Mariah it aren't exactly known, but there are rumors which say that Luis is a jealousy victim for Mariah Carey love. But it doesn't matter, because the most important thing is that they are together again and in love, and that the troubles and fights exist even in the most enamored couples.
(Taken From: Revista Fama) (Translation: Almu Akane & Will Ward) FEBRUARY 14, 2001 DANGERS OF DATING DIVAS
With Derek Jeter and Mariah Carey, Mariah thought she had her "Dreamlover", but "Honey", "Love Takes Time" that the Yankees shortstop didn't have. "Someday" I'm going to regret knowing all those references to her songs. Jeter has since moved on to dating Miss Universe - tough way to rebound, right?
(Taken From: The Sporting News) (Excerptional) | ||
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MARIAH’S NO AIRBRUSH QUEEN
Pop diva, Mariah Carey is known for her scantily clad outfits and barely-there tops, but as the saying goes, "if you got it, flaunt it." Mariah sure does flaunt it – and she sure does got it. While many people have speculated that her album covers and magazine photos were airbrushed, Mariah seems to have proven them wrong with just one photo. On Mariah’s new official website (MariahCarey.com), established by Maroon Entertainment in December 2000, a brand new candid photo of Mariah has been posted in which Mariah is wearing nothing more than String bikini.
The photo shows Mariah standing tall on the ridge side of a yacht in the middle of the Caribbean Sea wearing a florescent red top and a Peter Pan-esque bottom. Just like those controversial album covers, her legs are muscular, abs tight and arms firm. And as far as skin, yes – she does have that bronze tan we all linger for. Meanwhile, Mariah’s much lighter friend; Josephine is decked out on cushioned towels trying to catch some rays herself.
While Mariah’s weight does fluctuate like everyone else’s she is truly on top as far as this picture is concerned. And for those people whom, some how seem to think she is in some way fake, think again.
(Taken From: Music News) 
FEBRUARY 13, 2001 AOL MEMBER DISSES MARIAH
Here is a message MCWNO received from Priscilla:
All I gotta say is I can't believe AOL would put up such a comment but anyways I thought you'd like to know.
AOL Keyword: Music Survivor Who: Celine Dion
AOL Member Quote: "She is the best, she sings from her heart for herself and
her fans. She is real and doesn't care about stupid playa hating people like
Mariah Carey. Not only is she a great person and singer she will also be a
good mom. (By: AFreakyBabe4U)
FEBRUARY 13, 2001 ADIDAS SET TO LAUNCH MARKETING CONCEPT
Over the past few years adidas' business has declined impart due to the fact that the brand lost connection with the all-important urban teen. In response to this downward trend, adidas has initiated a long term "Cities" marketing concept targeting this core basketball consumer. "This savvy consumer has helped to blur the lines between sport and fashion. No longer is it enough for a shoe to simply perform its intended function, it also must make a statement about the wearer and their personal style," declared Jack Buckner, Director of Marketing, adidas America. "Only brands that fulfill both needs and who allow their products to live in the 'blurred' arena of sport and fashion will be successful in the future." adidas will kick-off 2001 with the launch of the Mad Handle campaign, the first in a series of consumer focused product campaigns directed towards this important male consumer.
The Mad Handle campaign will contain both a product initiative and an advertising component. The product initiative will feature the adidas Mad Handle. The Mad Handle is a 5/8 cut basketball shoe containing a nontraditional three-stripe branding, subtle logo placement, metal top eyelets and styling that communicates speed to the new school player. Set to launch the first of nine distinct colorways on February 1, 2001 ($75.00) the Mad Handle will be worn by a number of NBA athletes, but most notably NBA All-Star and Orlando Magic guard Tracy McGrady. Due to his target relevance McGrady will also be the featured adidas athlete in the advertising component.
The advertising component of the Mad Handle campaign is called "Poetry in Motion." "The campaign highlights how basketball transcends the court into lifestyle," stated Lucy Reynolds, Marketing Manager, adidas America. "The idea for the campaign 'Where would you be without handles?' originated straight from the consumer, referring to his game both on and off the court."
While the television spot is similar, the execution differs in poetic presentation of the question, hence the television campaign theme, "Poetry in Motion." In the television ad Tracy McGrady along with streetballers talk about where they would be without handles. "Handles refers to your personality and style, what makes you who you are," stated McGrady. "This campaign shows that if you have good handles, be it on or off the court, you will move with skill and smoothness as if it were poetry in motion." The television campaign launched on BET on Monday, January 22, 2001 and was followed by its debut on the NBA on NBC on Saturday, January 27, 2001; the campaign is scheduled to run through March 2001. The print executions will be seen in SLAM, Spike, The Source, Vibe and XXL beginning in March 2001 (on shelves February 15, 2001).
"Poetry in Motion" contains a distinct spot designed to express where young people would be without handles while playing basketball ("On Court").
"On Court," showcases Tracy in his new adidas Mad Handle basketball shoes playing pick-up ball with various playground ballers. The spot starts off with Tracy saying, "Without handles I would be without control." This leads into the other players talking about where they would be without handles. The commercial concludes with Tracy asking, "Where would I be without handles? Game Over."
The "Poetry in Motion" concept was created by the Burrell Communications Group, one of the nation's leading marketing communications agencies. The Mad Handle project was awarded to Burrell Communications Group as their segment specialties lay in the African-American consumer market.
"We felt that in order for the brand to reconnect successfully with this important consumer segment we needed a partner whose foundation is built around understanding him," explained Reynolds. "In addition to their understanding of the target, we chose Burrell for the Mad Handle project because of their ability to understand adidas' core brand values and how to evolve these values into a relevant dialogue with the urban consumer. Burrell fundamentally understands adidas is a sports performance brand that needs to utilize the brand's strengths when reconnecting with the urban target."
This campaign was directed by Diane Martel of HSI productions. Martel has directed two documentaries on Hip-Hop dance for PBS, numerous videos and worked with such artists as Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Bust Rhymes, Red Man, Method Man, Snoop Dog and D'Angelo. "Poetry in Motion" incorporates two of the cultures that I'm truly passionate about, stated Martel "This was exciting for me as a director, basketball fan and eternal teenager."
adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. The adidas mission is to be the best sports brand in the world. adidas America is a subsidiary of adidas Salomon Worldwide AG, a corporation that also includes sports brands Salomon, Taylor Made, Bonfire and Mavic. adidas uses a stable of advertising agencies to execute both global and regional campaigns. In 2000 the Clio Awards, the world's largest and most prestigious advertising awards competition, named adidas "Advertiser of the Year" in recognition of adidas' advertising worldwide over the last few years. The award, was for both print advertising and television.
(Taken From: Adidas Online) | ||
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MARIAH CAREY HAVING FUN IN PUERTO RICO
In the middle of the mystery that surrounds her relationship with Luis Miguel, singer Mariah Carey was on vacation for several days in Puerto Rico. People who saw her in the San Juan Clubs say she enjoyed herself greatly.
Carey stayed at a hotel in the capital city and was escorted constantly by her troop of bodyguards. However, she showed herself alone in the American Commercial Plaza Center, where she spent hours shopping.
Later, she was seen in several clubs in the San Juan area, having fun with her friend, rapper Da Brat. The pop diva was dressed in a black top that left very little to the imagination and a pair of hot pants.
When a reporter from the show "Exclusive" asked Mariah about her relationship with Luis Miguel, Carey told him that she doesn't want him to ask her about Luis. "He is in Mexico, we get along, we love each other but please don't ask me anymore about him." Were they having problems? Close sources of the couple say that Luis Miguel traveled to San Juan several days later to be with Mariah. From there, the couple paired together in Luis' yacht and sailed across the Caribbean Sea. But there are other sources that say that they have separated.
(Taken From: Mira) (Translation: Will Ward & Almu Akane) FEBRUARY 12, 2001 MARIAH CAREY & LUIS MIGUEL: HONEYMOON AGAIN
After some lonely nights in Puerto Rico, Mariah flew to the arms of Luis Miguel. With their kisses and hugs, they created a silence to the rumors surrounding their supposed beak up.
Super-hot nights of love allowed Luis Miguel and Mariah Carey to bear the intense cold weather of the Colorado Mountains, without winter clothes.
The famous couple surprised all rich and famous people who were skiing in one of Aspen's most exclusive resorts, where they enjoyed their holidays for a week, skiing in the day and having fun at night.
"They smiled a lot and hugged all the time. But what they called the most attention to was the fact that they seemed unbothered by the cold" some source revealed. Luis wore a black light jacket almost all the time and Mariah arrived to a party wearing only a white coat with a bikini bra underneath. It seems that Mariah was taken seriously about the bikini.
(Taken From: Mira) (Translation: Will Ward & Almu Akane) FEBRUARY 12, 2001 UNDER SURVEILLANCE
Mariah Carey along with rapper Jay-Z tucked into Santa Barbara's SoHo Club and Restaurant last Wednesday night. The two were part of a huge banquette that included the live music of the renowned acoustic group, The Tony Furtado Band. But don't come to conclusions. The two celebrities were not there on a date. Mariah was in town because her boyfriend, Latin superstar Luis Miguel is currently working on his new album in a studio located within California. Luis was scheduled to come along but he was anxious to complete work on a particular track that will be available on his forthcoming LP so he sent Mariah off without him. Insiders say that Mariah and Jay-Z didn't talk much, but just sat there sipping on glasses of Veuve Clicquot and enjoying the entertainment.
(Taken From: Music News) FEBRUARY 12, 2001 DON'T CALL HER TACKY KAKI
When the 26-foot United Van Lines moving trucks pulled up to Bill and Hillary Clinton's $1.7 million home in Chappaqua two weeks ago, the lady of the house was not there to greet them. The lady's decorator was.
Kaki Hockersmith, the Clintons' longtime friend and Arkansas designer - who had a hand in remodeling more than 30 rooms in the White House, as well as the former President's cottage at Camp David - has been pressed into service to do their five-bedroom Westchester home.
"Over the next few months, we will be making it a comfortable place for them to live," said Hockersmith, who also will work on the Clintons' Washington home and the planned presidential library in Arkansas. Designer - who had a hand in remodeling more than 30 rooms in the White House, as well as the former President's cottage at Camp David - has been pressed into service to do their five-bedroom Westchester home. "The Clintons are very easy to work with. They know what they like and make decisions quickly." The details, however, are being treated like a state secret. "Part of the reason my clients hire me is because I am very discreet," Hockersmith said.
Discretion is key - particularly now, as the Clintons attempt to douse a political firestorm over the President's last-minute pardon of fugitive Marc Rich and the $190,000 in gifts friends and supporters gave the couple last year.
The Clintons agreed Friday to pay for half the gifts. The same day, Hockersmith acknowledged that she helped steer Clinton friends toward specific gifts. "Friends of the Clintons, on occasion, asked me for advice on what they might like, because I do work with them as a decorator," Hockersmith told the Daily News.
Among the gifts were two end tables and chairs worth $7,375 from Denise Rich, the pardoned fugitive's ex-wife and the woman who once raised $1 million in one Manhattan lunch for Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton. Denise Rich's spokesman and lawyer said that "a Clinton decorator" showed her a list around March, after the decorator explained that the Clintons already owned something she had proposed giving. "I believe the phrase 'keeper of the list' is a misnomer," Hockersmith said. Her friend Meri Stevens, a New York decorator, described Hockersmith's efforts as almost mundane. "I know she was buying beds from Dial-A-Mattress for them, and recovering old sofas. It has not been a 'go out and buy all new things.' Curtains were made, not the most expensive. In some cases, people gave fabric."
"However it worked, Kaki's done a lot more good than bad," Stevens added. "She gave a lot of herself over eight years, without charging a penny. She did it as a friend and she did it for the country." Those who know Hockersmith say she is "very Southern," a gracious woman with a good sense of humor. "She is like the 'Steel Magnolia,' charming and beautifully put together," said one friend. "She is also smart. She knows everything she is doing is being watched." Hockersmith, 52, got her start in design at Dillard's department store. In 1980, she opened her own design studio and still operates an antiques and decorating business in Little Rock, Ark.
Her ties to the Clintons go back many years, when she and her husband, Max Mehlburger, a Little Rock lawyer, first became social acquaintances of the Clintons. In 1990, Hockersmith, who has two daughters, was hired to do some remodeling and decorating at the Arkansas governor's mansion. Two years later, in November 1992, Hockersmith was at Hillary Clinton's side for the ceremonial tea and tour with then-First Lady Barbara Bush, whom the Clintons were about to evict.
Hockersmith's mission, as she told it, was "in a short period of time to help President-elect Clinton define his tone and personality and capture that in the decor."
That meant bright blues, golds and reds. She designed a bold Oval Office rug - hand-tufted in royal blue with a giant presidential seal, red silk damask drapes and two high-backed armchairs with gold silk. (The rug was the first thing to be ripped out by George W. Bush's decorator on inauguration day.) Hockersmith has been criticized for going overboard in her elaborate quasi-Victorian schemes in the Lincoln Sitting Room and Treaty Room. A White House source, who requested anonymity at the time, said: "Kaki's taste is horrible: mixed metaphors in everything." Hockersmith said her friends, also felt wounded by the nickname she has been branded with - Tacky Kaki - by some of New York's designerati. But Hockersmith has her defenders.
"A lot of catty things have been said, since she is not part of the establishment here," said Stevens. Mario Buatta, a New York decorator whose clients have included Barbara Walters, Malcolm Forbes and Mariah Carey, agreed that Hockersmith has gotten a raw deal in the press.
Buatta said he met the Clinton decorator on a panel last year in North Carolina, where she showed photographs of the Clintons' private quarters for the first time. "I was very impressed," said Buatta. "It was very cozy, down-home. The Clintons were very comfortable with that. Unfortunately, people get a kick out of making fun of the newcomers."
(Taken From: New York Daily News) | ||
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ANN MAGNUSON TALKS ABOUT "ALL THAT GLITTERS"
A future Hall of Famer, the adorable Ann Magnuson, is in career high gear, having done everything from the very muscular The Vagina Monologues to a bunch of upcoming movies that have given her a pipeline to Hollywood. Ann's in The Caveman's Valentine as "the free-spirited bohemian sister of an artist suspected of murder," as she told me by phone from L.A.
"Samuel L. Jackson, who's great, plays a homeless schizophrenic who's a onetime piano prodigy schooled at Juilliard. There's a fair amount of suspension of disbelief here." And some suspension of trousers too. Explained Ann, "Samuel and I have a black-and-white rolling in the hay - literally in black and white. Roger Ebert calls it 'the most unexpected sex scene of the season.' " I guess he hasn't read about Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenberg.
Ann replaced Farrah Fawcett in an unexpected flick called Night at the Golden Eagle as "a skanky crack whore with a heart of gold." And in the Mariah Carey vehicle All That Glitters, "I play a crazed publicist. Is there any other kind? Mariah was fine. She's very committed to having a movie career, so she took it very seriously." So does Ann, though she's also finding time to workshop a one-woman show called Rave Mom - a midlife-crisis romp - at P.S. 122 in April.
"I had quite a wild ride in 1999," she told me. "I learned a lot about my serotonin level." She also learned that though she'd auditioned to play the MC in Cabaret, for once she didn't get the part. I always thought she should play the glitter ball anyway.
(Taken From: Village Voice) FEBRUARY 11, 2001 LUIS AND MARIAH’S LOVE MELTS THE SNOW
Mariah Carey finished filming what will be the first film of her life, "All That Glitters," next to Max Beesley, the British actor and fiancée of Spice Girl, Melanie B. Mariah found the time to meet with her boyfriend, the Latin star Luis Miguel, within his busy schedule. Then they did not think twice about it.
Luis Miguel and Mariah Carey’s vacations were taken lovingly and they were more enamored than ever. The two went away to play in the snow of Reel, Colorado. Between the talking, kissing and giggling, Luis and Mariah, day after day had snowball fights, long walks, ski trips and romantic dinners with candles in their exclusive rented home in Reel.
"I was very happy with my race in the music world, but there was something within me that wasn’t balancing well, a frustrating feeling. Finally, I realized that I always dreamed about acting, in fact," Mariah said. The production of "All That Glitters" marks the end to the fulfillment of one of her greatest dreams. The singer, and now also actress, was married with the CEO of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola. The two separated in 1998. "There were really nice things about my relationship with Tommy but they were few and far between," Mariah declared.
Luismi on the other hand seemed to be very relaxed and happy with Mariah, who was wearing a formal skirt. Luis, wearing a long over coat, had a fixed smile on his face, without loosening his hand from Mariah’s for a single moment.
(Taken From: Gente) (Translation: Will Ward) FEBRUARY 11, 2001 SURVERY SAYS SEASONED SIPPERS PREFER RED
You may want to treat your sweetie to a nice Cabernet Sauvignon instead of chocolate-covered cherries this Valentine's Day. Most Americans prefer to be wooed with wine, according to a recent survey conducted by SurveySite Research
Most of those surveyed (31 percent) say they'd like to cozy up with their sweetheart by a warm fireplace with a bottle of wine. For a little background music, female respondents preferred melodies by Harry Connick Jr. (13 percent), followed closely by Barry White (11 percent) and Garth Brooks (9 percent). Men put Shania Twain (13 percent), Celine Dion (12 percent) and Mariah Carey (9 percent) at the top of their lists.
(Taken From: Internet Wire) FEBRUARY 11, 2001 TOWER OF POWER PLAYERS
If Bill Clinton sets up shop in the swank W. 57th St. office he's eying, the former President will be moving in with neighbors who have almost as much star power as he does.
Next to the Russian Tea Room and overlooking Central Park, Carnegie Hall Tower attracts more than its share of big-timers. Movie producer Stanley Jaffe, Broadway producer Daryl Roth and Oscar-winning director Robert Benton have offices in the building.
Comedian Eddie Murphy used to be a tenant, and Jerry Seinfeld is negotiating for space on the floor below the proposed Clinton roost.
Former Viacom and HBO honcho Frank Biondi and USA Networks head Barry Diller have offices there, along with newly minted media mogul Steve Case of AOL Time Warner.
Music industry dealmaker Allen Grubman — whose client list has included Madonna, Billy Joel, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Sting, Bruce Springsteen and Mariah Carey — is also a tenant.
With all these media powerhouses holding court in the floors below the Clinton penthouse office, there will be so many dark glasses it could be hard to tell the Secret Service from the incognito celebrities.
(Taken From: New York Daily News) | ||
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HAS MARIAH GONE CRAZY?
Singer Mariah Carey has already done a lot of crazy things in her life. She recorded duets with Ol' Dirty Bastard and Westlife, wore revealing dresses at awards ceremonies and married a guy twice her age.
Now there's something new to add to the list. On her own website, MariahCarey.com, there are pictures of her unwrapping Christmas presents and having fun in the snow. Nothing special you think, but Mariah is only wearing a bikini. No wonder she complaints about having a cold in a recent voice message.
(Taken From: ENews Online) FEBRUARY 10, 2001 SHANIA TWAIN IS TOP CHOICE
Shania Twain has done it again. Well, Twain didn't do much this time, but her male fans did. The singer was the top pick for the second year in a row in a Valentine's Day survey. Conducted by SurveySite Research, the survey asked men what background music they would most like to hear while they cozy up with their sweethearts by a warm fireplace with a bottle of wine on Valentine's Day. Twain's music was the top choice, followed by the melodies of Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.
(Taken From: Info Beat) FEBRUARY 10, 2001 YANKS MAKE JETER THE $189 MILLION MAN
Superstar Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter reached agreement yesterday on a new, $189 million contract, the second-richest in sports history.
The spectacular 10-year deal keeps Jeter, one of the most popular Yankees of all time, from filing for free agency after the upcoming season. "It's a huge contract, a huge commitment," the hometown hero said. The contract is second only to the 10-year, $252 million contract signed by shortstop Alex Rodriguez with the Texas Rangers after last season. Rodriguez later said Jeter, 26, didn't have the statistics he had - and predicted he'd probably settle for a contract worth a mere $150 million to $180 million.
Jeter, who has four World Series rings to Rodriguez's none, said he was content with his $189 million. "I don't sit around and think I have this, but it's a lot of money," he said. Jeter, whose last contract was a $10 million deal for one year, had been negotiating with the Yankees for 13 months. The deal was completed before a salary-arbitration hearing was to begin in Phoenix yesterday.
Jeter was seeking a record $18.5 million in an arbitration award. The Yankees were offering $14.3 million. Yankee president Randy Levine described the bargaining that led to yesterday's deal as "arduous." "But everybody went at it with the best of good faith and understood the tremendous nature of compromise," he said. Jeter admitted he didn't want to try his chances with free agency, as Rodriguez had.
"I never intended to play elsewhere, and, to be honest with you, never intended to look elsewhere," the Pequannock, N.J., native said. "I really felt there was no reason to see if the grass was greener on the other side." Jeter led with Yankees with a .339 batting average last season and was the Most Valuable Player in both the All-Star Game and the World Series.
He hit four home runs and batted .317 in 16 post-season games. Team officials acknowledged the value of Jeter, who has helped win four World Series in the five years he's been in pinstripes. "Derek is a pureblood winner," general manager Brian Cashman said. "He fits perfectly with this organization. He's a thoroughbred that doesn't come along very often. "He's like a Secretariat."
The hunky, 6-foot-3 Jeter, who had been romantically linked with Mariah Carey, is also a favorite of female fans, who have created many of the more than 5,000 Web sites devoted to him.
The contract announced yesterday is comparable to a seven-year, $119 million deal the Yankees and Jeter were close to clinching last year. That would have made him the highest-paid player at the time.
But the deal fell through because of opposition from owner George Steinbrenner. Yesterday Jeter said he was "very happy Mr. Steinbrenner agreed to give me this kind of deal," adding that it was "fair to both sides." The deal calls for Jeter to receive a $16 million signing bonus spread over eight years, and salaries beginning at $11 million in 2001 and escalating to $21 million in 2010, the final year.
Jeter said the salary structure gives the Yankees flexibility to acquire players in the free agency market who will keep them on top. "It helps the team at the beginning of the contract," Jeter said. "In the early years, there is less [money] so we can get other players." The team also said Jeter got a binding, no-trade clause.
(Taken From: The New York Post Online) | ||
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NEW HOLIDAY PICTURES @ MARIAHCAREY.COM
MariahCarey.com has been updated more times this last week than Mariah's old Sony-sponsored site was updated in a year. Finally, Mariah has a site that is doing her some justice. In today's update, Holiday pictures of Mariah were posted in which she is harmonizing in front of a Christmas tree, frolicking in the snow, cuddling with her pets and opening presents. Those pictures can be found below. Click the thumbnails for a complete larger view.
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DOMAIN NAME LOSS FOR THE BOSS
Bruce Springsteen is famous for being "Born in the U.S.A.," but in cyberspace his name belongs to a Canadian.
The New Jersey rocker yesterday lost his bid for rights to the domain name Brucespringsteen.com, which is currently controlled by Jeff Burgar, an Internet consultant from Alberta, Canada. The case is bad news for celebrities who are anxious to maintain control of their online identities.
Springsteen failed to convince a United Nations arbitration panel that Burgar is using his name for profit or ill will, and Burgar demonstrated that he is using the star's name legitimately as a fan-club site. The decision was split 2-1.
Burgar's motives are questionable, and probably have little to do with being a starry-eyed fan of The Boss. He has registered 1,300 celebrity domain names, including variations on Carmen Electra, Mariah Carey, John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Melanie Griffith and the heavy metal band Guns N' Roses. The Canadian has also registered domain names corresponding with teams in the National Football League and National Basketball Association, as well as other sports franchises.
In a similar arbitration in April, Burgar was stripped of his rights to Hewlettpackard.com, despite his arguments that he registered the name for his daughter, who sells some of printing giant Hewlett-Packard's products at her bookstore. The argument was dismissed as "inherently incredible," as one arbitrator put it, by the three-person arbitration panel.
Potential cybersquatting cases--in which people register famous names on the Web and sell them for exorbitant prices--are examined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a U.N. agency that protects trademarks and patents. A three-person arbitration panel decides such cases, unless those involved take the matter to court.
Celebrities usually choose the arbitration route because it is quicker and cheaper than a court case. And until now, arbitration has usually been successful. Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Venus and Serena Williams and others have all won rights to domain names associated with their names.
Springsteen is only the second celebrity to lose such a case. British rocker Sting was denied possession of Sting.com last July. But Sting, whose name is a word in the dictionary and not the one he was born with, presumably had less claim to its ownership than Springsteen.
The Bruce Springsteen fan site looks like a sham, a "cybersquat" set up to hold on to a valuable name with minimum effort. The site has few features, and contains messages from fans begging Burgar to improve the site or turn the name over to Springsteen's label, Sony's Columbia Records. Postings include such aspersions as "This site is so pathetic," and "If you[r'e] such a great fan, why are you doing this to him?"
Burgar says he is not a cybersquatter.
"Cybersquatters exist, but too many who own a domain name are being wrongfully painted with that brush," he said. "This is a tremendous victory for freedom of expression."
Burgar likely won the case, Internet attorneys say, because his "unauthorized" site warns that it isn't endorsed by Springsteen himself. In such cases, the key issue is the likelihood of confusion over whether a Web site is sanctioned by the celebrity.
Celebrity domain name cases are a controversial and undecided area of Internet law, says Douglas Isenberg, an Atlanta, Ga., attorney and publisher of Gigalaw.com. "Domain name disputes have been going on for a half-dozen years, and we're still struggling to understand the law."
Another attorney agreed with the panel's decision not to give the Bruce Springsteen domain name to The Boss.
"It's the right decision," says attorney Marc E. Brown, a partner specializing in Internet law with Oppenheimer Wolff; Donnelly in Los Angeles. Brown points out that public figures often lose power over how their names are used--they are considered fair game, for instance, for members of the press. On the Web, Brown adds, it's often a case of "who registers first, wins."
(Taken From: Forbes) FEBRUARY 08, 2001 NOMINATE MARIAH AS SEXIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD
Here is a message MCWNO received from Raphael Terrenal:
Hi, it's me Raphael. "For Him Magazine" (FHM) is conducting their annual "100 Sexiest Women In the World 2001" poll. For the last two years Mariah Carey has been a very popular contender in this world wide popular men's magazine, ranking in the top 30 and top 20 respectively. Could you kindly please nominate Mariah Carey and post the link on your site. Fans from all over the globe (men and women of all ages) can participate and nominate Mariah Carey (in the number one position) to be a high contender in winning this annual and prestigious poll (previous winners include Jennifer Lopez & Sarah Michelle Geller). The link is: http://html.edentify.com.au/entryform3266730.html. Thank you once again.
(Thanks Raphael) FEBRUARY 08, 2001 DEBELAH MORGAN ON MARIAH
Here's a message MCWNO received from Dennis Dreyer:
Singer Debelah Morgan was recently invited to the show "Interactive" which is broadcasted almost daily on the German music channel VIVA. Debelah was asked who she considered as idol and she answered that she loved Mariah and that Mariah had been a big influence on her. By the way, Debelah Morgan is the only singer I know who, next to Mariah, is
capable of hitting these high notes. Also, On November 8 2001, the MTV European Music Awards will take place - this time, the show is going to be broadcasted from Frankfurt,
Germany. As I live in Germany, I really do hope that Mariah will be invited and maybe perform her new song from the "All That Glitters" soundtrack.
(Thanks Dennis) FEBRUARY 08, 2001 MARIAH MISTAKEN FOR MARTINA MCBRIDE
Here is a message MCWNO received from Tomas Tonyguanariam:
A girl was interviewed on Guam's newspaper and they asked her whats her
favorite valentine song and this is what she said: "My Valentine," by Mariah
Carey, because it brings back memories, and it's cool." LOL! Well,
dear, "My Valentine" is by country singer Martina McBride :-) I should email
them and let them know...LOL! LOL! LOL!
(Thanks Tomas) FEBRUARY 08, 2001 MARIAH COPIED?
Here is a message MCWNO received from Mina:
I was on GetMusic.com and read a list of their top Songs. You will never believe what the #5 song was - "All That Glitters" by Kristine W. Mariah was right, if she talks about something her ideas will be stolen. Well, maybe that's a coincidence. Also, Tina Turner's latest tour, wasn't that called "All That Glitters" as well? Anyway, the link to Kristine W.'s song was not working. Click here to view that page.
(Thanks Mina) | ||
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MARIAH CAREY TO 'GLITTER' IN FALL 2001
Mariah Carey's much-talked-about film, which has been condensed from "All That Glitters", to simply "Glitter", seems to now have a definite release date of October 5, 2001. Earlier this year Cinema.com reported that the movie would be opening March 2 - but it seems that "Glitter" was pushed back several months from the original March 2001 release slot, as part of a group of films that includes "From Hell" and The Dubbed Action Movie: Enter the Fist"
"Glitter" will be opening along side "The Queen of the Damned," which stars fellow diva, Aaliyah.
"Glitter" is a fast paced, cutting edge love story set in 1983 against a backdrop of the hip New York City club scene. Mariah Carey portrays Billie Frank whose drug and alcohol addicted mother loses custody of her at the age of ten. Billie grows up in a foster home in one of the roughest neighborhoods in New York with her two best friends Roxanne (Tia Texada) and Louise (Da Brat) who help inject a lot of humor and fun into what is a very difficult and wounded childhood for Billie. While struggling to make ends meet, she finds somewhat of a soul mate in the hot, influential DJ named Dice (Max Beesley) with whom she pursues her dreams of becoming a singer and in hopes to one day be reunited with her mother. Throughout the movie we watch this romance develop along with their dreams and we are carried along on Billie's journey to find her mother and come to terms with why she was abandoned.
Obviously, Ms. Carey will be providing the music for the film. A soundtrack will be release to accompany to soundtrack, and is slated for a September release. The music of "Glitters" has been carefully selected to reflect the time period as well as the emotional through-line of the film. It has been reported that Mariah worked on the soundtrack with authentic producers of the early 80's era such as Rick James, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Prince and others.
(Taken From: Music News) | ||
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MARIAH'S HOT SNOWMAN
Mariah Carey has found the man in her life. Luis Miguel is one of Latin-America's biggest singing stars.
The two of the them recently vacated in the snowy mountains of Aspen, Colorado, where Mariah was resting after having filmed her first movie, "All That Glitters". Mariah had to do a lot of double shifts, as she is also making the music for the movie. Her fiancé Luis Miguel, also needed a rest, as he spends 2/3 of the year on tour with his show. In South-America he is concidered to be the Mexican Elvis.
During their stay in Aspen, Mariah invited several orphan children to play and have fun in the snow, together with the two popstars. Mariah works tirelessly to help children with difficult backgrounds.
At night the couple cuddled up infront of the fireplace with hot chocolate and marshmallows. Because of their hectic working schedule, they rarely have time to spend alone together, and they were both very happy about this opportunity.
Mariah, who previously was married to the boss of Sony Music, Tommy Motolla, is happy that she finally has found true love.
"We had some nice times together, Tommy and I, but they were few and far between", she openly says.
Today she feels she's come where she always wanted to be, and that is also because she finally got the chance to try out as an actress.
"Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to act, but the people around me didn't believe in me. When I finally got the chance to study acting, it was a great breakthrough for me", Mariah Carey says.
The movie, "All That Glitters", is about a girl-group hunting for their big breakthrough sometime in 1981.
In the time ahead Mariah hopes to get more movie parts, as well as she's working on several new music projects.
(Taken From: Herog Nå) FEBRUARY 06, 2001 QUESTION & ANSWER WITH MARIAH
MariahCarey.com has been updated, once again, with the answers to frequently asked questions – straight from Mariah’s mouth. Mariah discusses many things, including the “All That Glitters” movie, soundtrack and possible tour, as well as the “Rainbow” Tour Video and possible collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Patricia Carey, Mariah’s mother. Mariah also give some brief advice. Check all this out – and more at: MariahCarey.com
FEBRUARY 06, 2001 MARIAH CAREY’S A WONDER WOMAN
Trotting happily down the well-worn path of singer-cum-actress, Mazza Carey has been busy. After wrapping up a new film “All That Glitters,” Mariah’s next big-screen role will reveal how wonderful she looks in the star-spangled satin famously donned by 70s TV superhero “Wonder Woman.” We can just picture the plot.
(Taken From: Gossip!) (Transcribed: Will Ward) (Courtesy: Regina Marmon) FEBRUARY 06, 2001 MARIAH CAREY CATCHES UP WITH THE ‘80S REVIVAL
Mariah Carey, has, like, gone totally '80s. Not only is the singer’s upcoming film All That Glitters set in the decade of Rubik's Cubes, big hair and acid-washed jeans, but the soundtrack will be dominated by the era's pop sound.
Though the film was originally expected as early as March, a representative for 20th Century Fox said Friday (February 2) that All That Glitters will not hit theaters until the second half of 2001. The picture, which co-stars Da Brat and Eric Benét, wrapped shooting in October. It was filmed in Toronto and New York.
Carey collaborated on the soundtrack with "Super Freak" singer Rick James and production team Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The record will also feature contributions by Da Brat and a duet between Carey and Benét.
"We tried to create the feel and the sonic landscape of the time, which was pretty easy for us to do, because in '81 we were in the Time and starting that whole Minneapolis sound," Jimmy Jam said. "We actually pulled out a lot of old keyboards and drum machines we used back then. [Carey] said it would be cool to do something like the S.O.S. Band, so we pulled out the drum machine that we used for the S.O.S. Band records in the '80s. It's amazing, you plug that stuff up, and you're really, like, back there."
Jimmy Jam said Carey is "the quickest and most creative" artist he and Lewis have collaborated with. "Usually when we're with her, we don't have a lot of time. She'll fly into town for six hours and say, 'We have to write three songs.' "
Carey told MTV News in October that the soundtrack will also include a few covers, but she would not disclose which songs she's revisiting.
All That Glitters marks the first starring film role for the songstress, who had a small part in 1999's The Bachelor. Carey, who plays and up-and-coming singer named Billie, is also producing the picture.
For a different take on the ‘80s, read Steffie Nelson’s column “2001: An ‘80s Odyssey”
(Taken From: VH1) | ||
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NEW MESSAGE @ MARIAHCAREY.COM
Okay, I'm reading. I'm scrolling through [laughs] I'm scrolling through this lovely artwork that you guys have prepared for me and for each other and it's a classic, I’m sorry but you're really, really making me laugh. Yeah, you brought a nice smile to my face. I'm nursing a cold right now, so I sound a complete mess but I'm sorry.
We’re just like scrolling through this and it's really funny. Anyway, I answered, I guess - I'm not sure how many, like twenty or so questions and I guess they're going to be up on the site Monday. And I hope that I did an okay job. I kind of felt like, I don't know, one of, like, one of those people that you write in and that you're like a columnist that's answering people's [questions]. But I'm not equipped for that, so I hope my answers are okay.
But anyway, you guys are the best. I love you much. And I thank you, thank you much. And I will talk to you soon. Bye.
This is what Mariah says in her latest voice message - left on her official site today, for all her fans to hear. You can listen to the message by logging on to Mariah's official site at: MariahCarey.com, or by directly downloading it below: | ||
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MARIAH DIGS FOR '80S GOLD ON 'ALL THAT GLITTERS'
Mariah Carey revisits the '80s, that decade of big hair, in her upcoming flick "All That Glitters."
Mariah, has, like, gone totally '80s — the singer is putting the finishing touches on the soundtrack to "All That Glitters," her upcoming flick based in the decade of Rubik's Cubes, big hair and acid-washed jeans.
The disc will be dominated by her vocals and music steeped in the sound of that era.
Though the film was originally expected as early as March, a representative for 20th Century Fox said Friday (February 2) that "All That Glitters" will not hit theaters until sometime in the second half of the year. The picture, which co-stars Da Brat and Eric Benét, wrapped shooting in October. It was filmed in Toronto and New York.
Carey collaborated with "Super Freak" singer Rick James and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige) on the soundtrack, which also is expected to feature contributions by Da Brat and a duet between Carey and Benét.
"We tried to create the feel and the sonic landscape of the time, which was pretty easy for us to do, because in '81 we were in the Time and kind of starting that whole Minneapolis sound," Jimmy Jam said. "We actually pulled out a lot of old keyboards and drum machines we used back then. [Carey] said it would be cool to do something like the S.O.S. Band, so we pulled out the drum machine that we used for the S.O.S. Band records in the '80s. It's amazing, you plug that stuff up, and you're really, like, back there."
Jimmy Jam said Carey is "the quickest and most creative" artist he and Lewis have collaborated with. "Usually when we're with her, we don't have a lot of time. She'll fly into town for six hours and say, 'We have to write three songs.' "
Carey told MTV News in October that the soundtrack will also include a few covers, but she would not disclose which songs she's revisiting.
"All That Glitters" marks the first starring film role for the songstress, who had a small part in 1999's "The Bachelor." Carey, who plays and up-and-coming singer named Billie, is also producing the picture.
(Taken From: MTV News Online) FEBRUARY 04, 2001 "WE LOVE MARIAH" CAMPAINGE
The Friends Of Mariah Messageboard is sponsoring the "We Love Mariah" Campainge. If you heard Mariah's latest message, you must have heard she's going through
some drama now. The goal of the "We Love Mariah" project is to be the biggest Mariah campaign ever. The goal is to make Mariah happy and to let her know that we care. If you
would like to participate, it won't take you more than two minutes.
All you have to do is email welovemc@yahoo.com and write your name, your location and a short comment about why you love Mariah so much. The messages will be edited for length and all the comments and names will be posted together to a big letter which will be sent to Mariah and hopefully be put on
her official site.
Please participate and let Mariah know you love her.
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MARIAH LEAVES NEW MESSAGE FOR FANS
Mariah has left a new voice message on her official website. To hear it, log on to: MariahCarey.com or take a listen below:Here is the exclusive transcript, typed out by MCWNO's webmaster, Will Ward: Mariah: Lambs. Hi. Yeah, I do believe I’m in the middle of a whole bunch of drama. But, what I’d like to say is if that’s going to make them happy – to keep me in the drama, I’m going to stay in the drama. [Laugh]. But no, seriously. I’m working hard. And I’m working hard to be able to, basically, just get on through the day – each and everyday, but that’s what we all do. And I do believe that your letters reflect that. And I wanted to say that I have been reading the letters. I know that you guys think that it’s like a complete long shot that I’m not – but I really, really have. Listen to this. [Papers rattle]. Those are some of the letters. And I’m writing my responses down so that you guys can get them and so know that I really do care. And it really means a lot to me what you say and the stories you tell me and what you’re asking me. And I’m trying to be correct as possible in answering these things. And as honest as I can in answering these things. And I’m still working on my soundtrack and the movie is coming along really well. And I’m so excited about the movie. Tatum-Tots is here. Say “hi”, Mary Ann. Mary Ann: Hello. Mariah: [Laughs] And Jillian is here. Jill: Hello. Mariah: And were just looking at the website. And I don’t understand why, I mean not that you guys are going to answer this for me, but why are the videos so blurry? I mean is that like a problem I need to deal with? Help me out. No, honestly. With all the jokes and all the nonsense I come up with [laugh], I know it’s hard for me because my way of dealing with when I’m in a kind of like, you know, bad place is turning it into a joke, which like gets me through it. But, honestly, what I wanted to say is that I appreciate you so much that looking at these letters just, yeah you bring a nice tear to my eye sometimes. That’s good because I kind of need to need to release that energy too, as well. So I love you, I appreciate you, I enjoy you and I revere you in the highest regard. And I need you to keep me alive. So hey, we are going to get through the struggle and we’re going to get through the dramas. And I’m going to see you. I think it’s going to be called “Glitter” now. So, you heard? [Laugh]. Holler back. [Laugh]. Dial her back. Bye. FEBRUARY 03, 2001 DOES HE OWN THE RIGHTS TO THAT ONE, TOO?
Michael Jackson, the self-proclaimed King of Pop, Rock and Soul is offering his services to Liam Neeson's Movie Action for Charity auction, to be held in March. Up for grabs will be the "Happy Birthday" song--crooned to the highest bidder by Jacko himself--on the telephone. Head over to iona.com to find out how you can bid.
Speaking of Michael, no one will confirm or deny the rumor there's a Mariah Carey-Jackson duet on the latter's years-in-the-works album. Word is said masterpiece will finally be released in April.
And still speaking of the Gloved One (but for the last time this week--I swear), spoon-bender extraordinaire Uri Geller has asked Jackson to be his best man come March. Jackson gets to hold the chupah, the ceremonial canopy of traditional Jewish weddings. "It is going to be a very quiet and spiritual event," said Uri. "Michael and I go back many years. We have done spiritual things together. We are very close." Hmmm. The wedding will be held at the zillion-dollar Geller abode. "I was looking for something extremely spiritual," said Geller, "but what concerned me most was Michael's security--and mine--in the open air." I'm sure Geller is plagued by hordes of annoying fans. The nuptials will be presided over by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who--accompanied by Jackson--will give a lecture to the Oxford Union next month, entitled "What Parents Can Learn from Their Children."
Next week, dolls.
(Taken From: E! Online) | ||
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS MARIAH
Mariah Carey World News Org., in association with "The Mariah 4", are giving you the chance to sound off to Mariah for her thirty-first birthday. It will be delivered right to her and you can say anything you want.
We all know Mariah has received tons of fan books within the last year - but this will be different. And no, it's not a video tape nor art collection. Just simply a collection of cards from you, the fans, to our Queen Chop, Mariah. Here are directions:
Go to your local card store, pick a card that tells Mariah Happy Birthday. Write in the card Happy Birthday and how much her music means to, how she inspires you, how you love the new website: MariahCarey.com, etc. If you can't fit it all in the card, insert a piece of paper. Then put the card into the envelope and decorate the outside for Mariah. Be Creative.
Next, insert the envelope into another envelope and ship it care of Regina Marmon. For the exact home address, send an e-mail to Regina. Your personal letts will not be opened. They will just be held until they are finally snt off to Mariah's management company, on March 15. It will be sent out on this earlier date to insure it's safe arrival before Mariah's birthday on March 27.
For more information, log on to: MariahDaily.com
FEBRUARY 02, 2001 PUBLIC LIVES
Most of us are fortunate enough not to be rich and famous. You disagree? You'd rather be in that category? Yes, of course it would be nice, at least with a cursory examination. But there's a heavy price to pay and I'm not sure a lot of us could handle it.
A couple of things we saw this weekend brought the discussion on this subject into focus. The first was George W. Bush. Needless to say, he has his fame and has cameras and microphones recording his every move and utterance. While at a speaking engagement, not noticing an open microphone at a nearby podium, he leaned over to Dick Cheney and pointing out into the mass of reporters, singled out a New York Times scribe and said, "He's a major league asshole." Oops. People heard it. It's now a big political news item. I have too many candid asides to make to have to think about being wired to the world. No thanks.
The second instance, we were watching the VH1 rerun of the Divas show. Before the singing portion was a countdown listing women who qualify to be in the top divadom spots. With each presentation there was some biographical, gossipy even, information the announcer gave us. When they were showcasing Mariah Carey, one of our favorites, they were really dishing. "And at such-and-such hotel the Diva requested pink toilet paper and..." At first thought you might think, what a demanding bitch!
We have seen Mariah interviewed many times and there's a certain truthfulness we see that cuts through all the bullshit questions she's asked. I thought, what an affront. She never personally requested any such pink toilet paper. As if someone with her time schedule can make all the arrangements for her tour herself, calling up hotels and making demands. It was obvious a staff person made the request, if at all. If it was, it might have been someone loyal to Mariah who knew she liked pink, and made the request of her own volition without consulting the star. But look how it was played off.
Being in the limelight whittles away at your integrity and there are always people out there, well-intentioned or otherwise, who are constantly presenting you through their own personal filter. It is bad enough to work for someone who sometimes puts you into a position of compromising yourself without having your staff, media hounds, and others stripping you bare daily.
We started thinking of the hundreds of famous people we've seen interviewed over the years and the most constant theme is how they have given up so much privacy once they became well-known. Of the constraints put on them. Of the protection people who shadow them night and day. Of the freedom lost. Of the social lives that don't exist because they can't go to public events.
So it's a dream of many people to become rich and famous. But for many of the ones who actually get there, they find it isn't a dream they stepped into, but a nightmare. They have paid a very high price.
Sometimes, when I go through my gargantuan mood swings, and wonder what went wrong, why I didn't become a star, why I am not rich, I think maybe there was some guardian angel watching out for me, making sure I didn't trade away something really valuable. I have privacy and freedom and the happiness of knowing that no one cares enough to follow me around and record my screw ups and personal quirks. Or maybe it wasn't a guardian angel. Maybe the screw ups and the personal quirks alone were enough to insure my station in life.
(Taken From: HumorOfTheDay.com) FEBRUARY 02, 2001 MOTTOLA'S BISHOP GETS PROMOTED DESPITE DONATION
The elevation of New York’s Archbishop Egan to Cardinal last week was not a complete slam-dunk.
In fact, my sources tell me that the incident involving the wedding of Sony Music’s Tommy Mottola caused more than a little consternation around St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Mottola, according to my sources, may have been responsible for a donation to the Church of something in the neighborhood of $500,000. This may or may not have been compensation for the church not minding that Mottola — born a Catholic, converted to Judaism and twice divorced — did not have an annulment from Mariah Carey when he walked down the aisle with Mexican soap star Thalia.
My source continues: "Tommy was over there at St. Patrick’s two months before the wedding working on Egan. He was definitely in there hanging with Egan listening to him play the piano." Egan considers himself a serious classical pianist.
When I asked church spokesman Joe Zwilling back in December if Mottola had made a donation to the church, he said, "I’m not going to talk about that, I can’t answer that."
But I am told there were those at St. Patrick’s who were "furious" about Egan’s actions. In the end, though, it didn’t matter — he was elevated to Cardinal on January 21 with several other archbishops. Egan, the Associated Press wrote, "... also developed a reputation as an effective fund-raiser. ..."
(Taken From: Fox News 411) FEBRUARY 02, 2001 MADONNA AND BRITNEY SPEARS DISCUSS COLLABORATION
It's fairly common for great divas to collaborate: Whitney and Mariah, Brandy and Monica ... Redman and Method Man.
It looks like Madonna and Britney Spears may be the latest addition to that list. A source familiar with the project told MTV News that Spears has put aside a couple of days in May to hit the studio with Madonna.
Managers for each of the artists said the two have been talking but that nothing is set in stone.
Spears' third album is slated to be released in late spring or early summer, which means fans might hear the results of the collaboration on the teen singer's new disc.
The two have been vocal in their affinity for one another and have been spotted wearing each other's T-shirts in public. Madonna came to Spears' defense in an interview published this month in Elle magazine. She told the publication, "I find it really irritating that everyone beats up on Britney. I want to do nothing but support her and praise her and wish her the best."
The feeling is mutual, as Spears has said that Madonna taught her a few lessons about self-expression. "She does what she likes and she doesn't care what anybody thinks," Spears said of Madonna. "She's like, 'This is me — you like me or you don't.' "
Despite the harmonious vibes, Madonna and Spears will compete with one another in the Best Female Pop Performance category at this year's Grammy Awards.
(Taken From: Sonic Net) | ||
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ARETHA FRANKLIN REVEALS DIVA SECRETS
Aretha Franklin, one of the most celebrated singers in pop history, made a sensation when she appeared with Mariah Carey and Celine Dion on the first VH1 Divas Live special in 1998. This time around, the Queen of Soul will command the spotlight.
Though the supporting cast has not been named for Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin, Franklin has her own ideas about who may join her at the April 10 live broadcast from New York's Radio City Music Hall.
"Billy Dee Williams," she says. "And I understand that he is confirmed. And Carlos Santana. And, who else? Mary J. Blige. I understand that they are speaking or going to be speaking with Mary J.'s people. I would love to see Arthur Mitchell and his medium-sized group or his large group. So, we're going to have a good time at the Radio City Music Hall. Do not miss it."
But when she takes the stage don't imagine that the ritzy glitter is part of the every day life of a diva.
"I get up and I watch the soaps — The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful," the 17-time Grammy winner explains. "And I scream at the TV for about a half an hour at what I don't like. And, then I get something on the stove, something cooking, a little clean-up, and kick back and relax if I don't have work to do."
Free time is rare these days, however, as she balances the coming Divas special with a planned gig at the Metropolitan Opera House, a coming tour in Florida, and a Feb. 14 benefit concert for Detroit's Music Hall Center.
Headlining shows, accepting constant praise, and still catching time for the soaps — is it the winning formula for a diva?
"Well, 'diva' conjures up all sorts of things," Franklin says. "If you go to page, I think it is, maybe about page 170 in my autobiography, it will tell you all about divas."
(Taken From: Wall Of Sound) FEBRUARY 01, 2001 "BACK TO ME" THE FIRST 'GLITTERING' RELEASE FROM MARIAH CAREY
While Mariah Carey fans wait patiently for the superstar diva to release her highly anticipated “All That Glitters” movie, with accompanying soundtrack album, they found some sigh of relief today.
DotMusic.com has announced release dates and track titles of future releases from such artists as Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Nelly, and Cher – as well as Mariah herself. While most of the album and single releases are categorized by their release dates, Mariah’s new single release, titled “Back To Me”, finds it’s way under a section titled “Future”, meaning the release date is not definite, but will be released within the next ten months. Also listed in the “Future” section is Ricky Martin’s “Load”, Gina G’s “Tease” and a yet-unnamed single from Brian McKnight.
(Taken From: Dot-Forums/Music News) | ||
