She’s back! Lady Gaga is going full-on and is ready to unleash the fashionable fury that will be Artpop, her fourth Studio Disc. In addition to her brand new Single, Applause being released on Monday, August 19, 2013, the Disc will now be available early for pre-order on the same day. Monday, November 11, 2013 has been penciled-in as the release date for the Disc.
Check-out the brand new Artwork for Applause, shot by Inez & Vinoodh:
Lady Gaga will be performing at the MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, August 25, 2013. This marks her first-ever performance on the Awards Show.
Put those hands together and clap, Monsters!
(Photo credit: Universal Music Canada)
Our 2013 has been made. Pop Royalty Lady Gaga confirmed last night at an intimate Dinner in New York City, dates for new Music and ventures after an extended wait prolonged by her need for Hip Surgery in February.
Gaga‘s fourth Disc ArtPop, is slated for a November 11, 2013 release and will be available for pre-order on September 1, 2013. Accompanying the Album’s release is an App combining Music, Art, Fashion and Technology. Basically, Gaga is owning it and and we won’t even have a say about it.
The debut Single from Artpop will be released in approximately five weeks, on August 19, 2013.
Mark those calendars!
(Photo credit: Universal Music)
Just when I thought he’d disappeared completely from my memory, this weekend while out and about for the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards, I encountered a familiar face once again. Unfortunately it wasn’t one I have fond memories of.
As I noticed Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger being ushered in and out of their Hotel on their way to the Awards, I was quite shocked to see “Ed“, former Lady Gaga Bodyguard, among their Entourage. My most loyal Readers will remember him as being the Guy who roughed me up a couple years back, prompting me to write a letter to Gaga‘s Management, which was reviewed right away.
Surely, I can’t be the only Fan who had a bad experience with him and although we cannot confirm if his departure from Camp Gaga was voluntary or involuntary, it sure looks as though he hasn’t changed one bit. Although I’m a bit red-in-the-face to read that Piece again recalling my Run-in with him back in March 2011, here it is. The memories and emotions were real at the time and I’ll be the first to admit that it hurt.
Those who watched the MuchMusic Video Awards last night will notice Ed‘s graceless blunder as Lavigne’s SUV arrived on the Red Carpet, where they were greeted by Host T-RexXx. As is the case with all other Guests last night, the Host extended a warm welcome to all by opening their Car Doors for them. Of course, Ed gracelessly tried thwarting the perfectly harmless greeting before realizing his own overreaction, which was captured by Cameras. What was he thinking? The Guy had a MuchMusic Mic in his hand! I mean, I’m all for protecting the Talent and doing your job, but this is just beyond.
I could watch this on loop all day:
Finally! Although I’m sure many of us scoffed at the idea of a Sequel, Machete Kills, now I think I get why it was necessary after seeing this brand new Teaser Trailer for the Action-Thriller! Robert Rodrigez helms once again in this completely over-the-top, high-octane burst of adrenaline.
Jessica Alba, Lady Gaga (her acting debut!), Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Antonio Banderas, Vanessa Hudgens, Amber Heard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Charlie Sheen also star and of course Danny Trejo returns.
Watch the trailer below:
Machete Kills opens September 13, 2013 and VVS Films releases in Canada. TIFF 2013, maybe?
(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)
You children of the ’80s and early ’90s will absolutely love this. My Good Friend Raj Rudolph, Creator of popular Music Blog Electroqueer officially has branched into Artist Management over in the UK and this Collaboration Silent Morning merges the talents of his Artists Parralox and Ryan Adamés. Recalling that fun Freestyle Sound of the late, there is something familiar and highly-likeable about the Track which recalls sorta where Danish Pop Sensations Alphabeat were sorta heading a few years back. Love.
Listen to the Track in full below:
Even Martin Kierszenbaum (Cherry Cherry Boom Boom), President of Cherrytree Records, who’s produced for Lady Gaga, Far East Movement, Alexandra Burke and several more, was so inspired by the Track that he decided to remix it too! Hear it here.
Download Silent Morning here.
(Photo/video credit: EQ Music)
It’s been a while since I’ve had a good Chat with my Readers and Followers, so I reached-out to everyone on Facebook and Twitter for their most burning questions and replied with as much insight as possible. Enjoy and thank you for your continued loyalty and support, Wongsters!
xMr. Will
@Cindyandtheboys asks, “What was your motivation to get you started on what you do?”.
Hey Cindy! I’ve been a Stargazer for many years and my love for Film and Pop Music is unparalleled. I used to be the Kid who rushed to MuchMusic after class waiting by the window for Gwen Stefani to come out and sign an Autograph and I have been attending TIFF as long as my Bank Account permitted.
By 2009, I had amassed so many Photos of my Celebrity Adventures that I created my Blog as an Outlet to combine my passions for Photography, Film, Music and Writing together in one and kicked it off around TIFF. It would’ve been a severe waste having them sit dormant on my Computer or just on Facebook. From there, I developed a passion getting Photos with my personal Heroes and Heroines because it gives me something to immortalize the experience by and well, it’s fun!
Word-of-mouth spread locally fairly quickly about my Blog. Some loved the idea, calling it one of the few true Celebrity Blogs to come out of Canada and some thought it nothing special. Before I knew it, I was booking time off work to interview Bradley Cooper and Channing Tatum, and was on TV talking about Stars and even profiled on the National Post. Last year, CBC listed me as one of the three most key People in the City to follow during TIFF. So that’s that. I love what I do as tiring as it is juggling three or four things on-the-go constantly and have no plans to stop because most of the time it doesn’t feel like work.
@MRDISCO3 asks, “What do you top your burgers with?”.
Hey Paresh! Good question. I’ve been off meat for three months now. Pitching-in my part to reduce my own Carbon Footprint as a Citizen of the Earth. Meatless Mondays, People. Google it and do it!
But to answer your question, if I could create my own Veggie Burger it would have: Jalapeños, Lettuce, Tomato, Sriracha Hot Sauce, Honey Mustard, Avocado/Guacamole, Sautéed Mushrooms and some crumbled Blue Cheese. It would be like a foot tall, really. Maybe I’d throw a fried Egg on for added Protein too. Is that too decadent? Is it?!? I also recently accidentally discovered Salsa on Fries and it is incredible!
@CTRice asks, “What was the first screening you ever saw?”.
Hi Tristan (Scene Creek, everybody!!!), I could never forget my first Screening. It was back in April 1996, Jane Eyre at Alliance-Atlantis Cumberland 4. My Cousin Nancy had won passes and we were going to trek Downtown from Scarborough for a Movie and some amazing Ice Cream at Mövenpick (Richtree Markets) after.
I remember getting into a huge misunderstanding with my Dad that day right in front of my Cousin who came over for Dinner about something terribly mundane. My Dad offered to wash dishes so I could hurry to the Movie and I asked, “Really!?” maybe perhaps a little too excited, which he interpreted as sarcasm but really it wasn’t! I basically got a lashing verbally for no reason and remember sobbing all the way to the theatre because I was embarrassed and two, I was looking forward to my first Screening for days and felt my night was ruined. By the time I got home, things were fine again.
It wasn’t a v. exciting Adaptation of Jane Eyre to be honest and obviously I’ve been to many more enjoyable Screenings ever since. It’s a miracle I wasn’t scarred from wanting to go to the Movies ever again!
@Typo_eh and Kathi on Facebook ask, “Who was your worst Celebrity experience?”.
Hi Siobhán!! Hi Kathi!! Are you guys psychically-linked or something?! Well, other than being shouted at by Ashley Judd after asking her nice and civil for a Photo, which then spilled over into a debacle on Twitter, I’d say the worst experience ever was Lady Gaga. A couple years ago I was being harassed daily by someone over E-mail and on my Blog. I had Tracking Reports pulled and he would view the same page over and over 20-30 times some nights in the wee hours of the morning. This Reader thought he’d do himself a favour and entertain himself by emailing Lady Gaga‘s Management a slanderous E-mail with my Photo, claiming that I was violent and dangerous, essentially getting me blacklisted when she visited Toronto.
Not realizing this, being the huge Fan I was, I asked her for a Photo upon exiting her Hotel amidst the hoards of Fans and Autograph Seekers. I cannot say that I enjoyed being shoved against a Topiary by her Security Guard Ed and once I recovered, he forcefully shoved me a second time as several eye witnesses watched. Of course, nobody genuinely cared as they were there to see Lady Gaga, admiring their Photos with her and their Autographs. It was particularly heart-breaking because I love her Music so much and at that point I had gone to every single Toronto Show she ever had, owning all her Singles and CDs. I had T-Shirts and Posters. I was gaga for Gaga.
This Jerk who has been chasing Celebrities for years, tried the same tactic multiple times, including a Jessica & Ashlee Simpson appearance at The Bay, which I actually was invited to in order to snap Photos in the Pit for my Blog. I was escorted out by Security once they matched a sent Photo with my face. Of course, another Blogger who absolutely despises me, caught wind of this and went to town, spreading word quickly that I was ejected from the Venue. Hmm.
I knew this was really getting serious when the Head of Security at a major American Network in New York City called me to clue me onto an E-mail he received from him regarding two Actors from the Network who were filming a TV Movie in Toronto. Of course, he knew right away that this Person’s intentions were malicious from the E-mail and just wanted to give me a heads-up out of the goodness of his heart. Multiple Publicists also reached out to me around that time regarding similar type E-mails, which thankfully they knew better than to believe.
Eventually, I got one step ahead of the game when a certain British Boy Band came to town. Their Security Guard noticed me, pulling me aside to show me one of these slanderous E-mails on his Phone. Low and behold, the Jerk showed-up also, hoping to get a Photo and like an episode of Cheaters, I outed him in front of everybody including the Band, who chimed-in, giving me hi-fives and encouragement. He was a mess and left in tears.
The messed-up thing is that after that occurrence, I’d receive messages from this Jerk threatening to inflict harm on himself because of my actions and he’d gone about posting my Home Address on Twitter. Essentially, I was being stalked and didn’t even know it. I and others know well that this Person is not mentally stable, so I feel bad even writing about this and bringing it up, but at this point I really don’t care anymore. And such a Drama needs to be heard because I get so many Tweets and messages from others who wish they were me because apparently my life is so perfect!
He’s left me alone ever since, but the damage has been done and I’m sure someone who didn’t know me better might have a skewed perception of me from what they’ve heard. Looking back though, I don’t know why I didn’t do more about it. I’ve moved on and hopefully he has found some sense of balance.
@CTRice asks, “Has a Celebrity ever denied to take a photo with you?”.
Impossible! LOL Just kidding, of course! I’ve been turned down before and it’s inevitable it will happen and I respect that, but I’d say one of the harsher Declines came from Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Once I was one-on-one with him and he chuckled at me and walked off after I asked nicely for a Photo. Hence, when I hear stories from those who have had positive experiences with him and what a great Guy he is, my eyes just roll.
Or how about running into Claire Danes at the Grocery Store only for her to react as if I had SARS or something when asking her for a Snap? She quite literally jumped three feet back. I saw her in the neighbourhood a few times after that and didn’t bother her again. That was fun. Some are nice when the Cameras are on, some value their Privacy more than others.
Of course, it’s the few who got away that I remember most when in reality a vast majority of Celebrities I’ve met have been more than nice and accommodating. Once, Nicole Kidman came over to take a Snap with me during TIFF and then some super-annoying Girl got in the way, getting her Photo and then Nicole was pulled away by her Handler. That hurt. And do you believe the Girl eventually found my Blog and had the audacity to ask me to remove the Photo I snapped of her and Nicole? Go away.
Last year Penélope Cruz said “yes” to the Photo but then suddenly changed her mind when her Publicist said she had to go. That hurt equally bad on a Nicolean level. I also met Julia Roberts once candidly and although she said “no” to the Photo she was still nice to chat and be kind, offering to sign an Autograph instead which still was gracious. She wrote “TO WILL, PEACE, JULIA“. That was “pretty” epic.
@apluswagvantage asks, “You despised the Celebrity’s Album/Movie/TV Show/Persona. How are you gracious when interviewing him/her?”.
Hi Charles! I generally don’t approach a Celebrity for a Photo unless I have some admiration for their Work, so that takes care of the forced graciousness thing, I guess! 🙂 Autographs are something I used to love collecting, but now I do it more for my Readers and help them experience a part of the magic when they can’t physically be there with me. The Photo-with means much more to me.
I have however been a part of Press Tours where the Talent promoting the Film literally are in the Movie for like one scene and it’s like pulling teeth to concoct something profound and throught-provoking to ask. That horrific feeling that you’re going to say something foolish… your palms get sweaty and your throat gets dry. At that point, you just have to take the reins and broaden the scope and somehow find something to connect and relate to about the Film. That’s happened more than a couple times!
Sari on Facebook asks, “Who was the nicest Celeb that you have met?”.
So many, Sari! Adele, Katy Perry, Linda Hamilton, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Chastain, Nia Vardalos, Colin Farrell, Colin Firth, Michael Fassbender, Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Michael Bublé, Abbie Cornish all go beyond and above the Call of Duty and consistently do it time and again! I even brought a tear to Adele’s eye letting her know how much her Music meant to me once. So personable!
I understand that the scale of Celebrity “niceness” often depends on how their day’s going, but these named individuals consistently wow me every time and I’m sure there are several more I’m neglecting.
Terri on Facebook asks, “Seems to me that in recent months you have achieved some of your childhood dreams….What dreams of Celebs or Events have still eluded you and what bigger dreams Mr. Will are you hoping to reach for?”.
Hey Terri! There is so much to accomplish still. The end goal is to continue building a groundbreaking Fan-centric Website and go-to source for Celebrities and Entertainment in Toronto. I am continually trying to expand my scope further and build new Partnerships for my Readers, getting them a taste of all that good stuff first! I aspire to do this full-time and slowly am getting there. One day we’ll perhaps have a more national presence even!
I’d love to attend the Oscars and Grammys one day as basically I live for those two, and I am kinda obsessed with the Golden Globes too! I’ve still never visited L.A. One day. My dream Interviews would be Natalie Portman, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway or Kate Winslet. I’ve met Mariah Carey before, but would really want to reflect on her Career with her over some Champagne. That would be perfect.
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With up to 25 cm of Snow expected to fall in Toronto by this evening, the journey to this Winter’s first major Snowstorm was a long haul, teasing us occasionally with some mild Spring-like Weather. I was out and about snapping-up some of the delightful sights of the City as a little bit of Snowfall won’t stop me from enjoying a rare free Friday!
As is the case with Snow Storms, Commuters are smart to avoid the Traffic and slippery conditions. A normally bustling Yorkville was quiet today.
Some are taking today’s Storm into stride, making the best of it. See this cute little greeting for those entering Manulife Centre:
Billy of course always is happy to be outside – rain or shine – and although he struggled a bit navigating through some snow piles, wouldn’t you agree the little Snowstache suits him just well?
Lady Gaga, who’s in-town till tomorrow for her Born this Way Ball at Air Canada Centre, normally draws a big crowd outside her Hotel, but even her Monsters have enough sanity to put safety first. Many of them instead of have queued under the covered tunnel at Air Canada Centre‘s Bay Street entrance for days for a chance to get into her Fan Pit. Some will even be lucky enough to meet her tonight following the Show! Watch Video here at the Toronto Star.
In true Bi-Polar form surely enough, we’re expecting Rain and temperatures of up to 5°C on Monday. Only in Toronto.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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