#SPOTTED: ARIANA GRANDE IN TORONTO FOR SOUND ACADEMY SHOW AND NEW DISC “YOURS TRULY”

It was totally grande.  Singer/Actress Ariana Grande is one of several Teen Actresses in recent years to enter the Top 40 Realm, but what separates her contemporaries is that remarkable voice – all four octaves of it! We’ve all heard the evidence on debut Single The Way (ft. Mac Miller)!

Known best for her work on popular TV Series Victorious, she also reprises her signature role of Cat Valentine on Sam and Cat, seen in Canada on YTV. Unfortunately due to flight delays from New York City where she appeared at the MTV Video Music Awards last night, her Fans camped outside KISS 92.5 in Toronto were left disappointed on a grande scale. She is said however to reschedule an appearance tomorrow in advance of her Sound Academy Show.

We caught-up with Grande on her way to a secret TV taping and although a bit concerned due to delay, she still was awesome to make time for Fans! “One at a time please” she said, unsure which Camera to look at to be sure of the perfect Photo for her Fans. So thoughtful!

She was sweet enough to sign a Photo which will go to one lucky Reader! Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook! Share this Post with your Friends and double your chances! Good luck.

 

Check out her new Single Baby I below:

 

Grande also recorded Almost is Never Enough for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ OST featuring The Wanted‘s Nathan Sykes:

 

See our Snap below:

 

Grande‘s debut Disc Yours Truly gets a release via Universal Music Canada on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Pre-order here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Universal Music)

#EDITORSNOTE: MR. WILL RESPONDS TO READERS

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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2013 PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS: “THE HUNGER GAMES” LEADS THE WAY WITH 6 WINS

It was all about The Hunger Games, leading the way with a stellar six Wins at tonight’s People’s Choice Awards held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The Film won top honour of Favourite Movie, Favourite Movie Franchise, Favourite On-Screen Chemistry, Favourite Movie Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Favourite Face of Heroism (Jennifer Lawrence) and Favourite Action Movie. Timed perfectly, Entertainment Weekly will be releasing a Catching Fire Preview Issue Friday featuring Interviews and Photos from the second installment of the Suzanne Collins Trilogy!  See some Photos here.

The annual Awards Show honours the Public’s Favourites in Music, Television and Music, a bit of a Teaser leading-up-to this weekend’s Golden Globe Awards, tomorrow morning’s Oscar Nominees Announcements and next month’s GRAMMYs.

Ellen DeGeneres won her 13th People’s Choice Award tonight for Favourite Daytime TV Host (Jimmy Fallon won Late Night Host) and hilariously thanking the People on her “Team” figuratively, “Melissa Etheridge, Jane Lynch, Wanda Sykes…”, during her Acceptance Speech.

Meanwhile, Katy Perry and One Direction also were recognized with multiple Wins tonight – the former winning Favourite Music Following for her Fans (KatyCats), Favourite Pop Artist and Favourite Music Video (Part of Me).  The latter won Favourite Album (Up All Night) and Favourite Song (What Makes You Beautiful), although they were defeated in the voting by rival British Boy Band The Wanted for Favourite Breakout Artist.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower was awarded Favourite Dramatic Movie, while one of its Stars Emma Watson won Favourite Dramatic Actress.

Toronto also got  piece of the pie with locally-filmed Series Beauty and The Beast, winning Favourite New TV Series!

Click here for a complete list of Winners.

(Photo credit: CBS/Getty Images)

#SPOTTED: BRIDGIT MENDLER IN TORONTO FOR “THE BIG JINGLE”

Love this Girl!  Just having released her Universal Music Canada debut Disc, My Name Is last month, Bridgit Mendler makes her third visit to the City in three months, practically calling Toronto a second home now.  The multi-talented Actress/Singer flew-in late last night for an appearance today at MuchMusic‘s inaugural  The Big Jingle – think Toronto’s version of New York’s annual Z100 Jingle Ball.  The day-long Concert held at Air Canada Centre featured super-hot Talents like Carly Rae Jepsen, Cody Simpson, Austin Mahone and Headliners, The Wanted.  It is said that the latter caused quite a ruckus among Fans waiting at their Yorkville Hotel earlier this evening, according to Fan reports.

I spotted a more-Brunette-than-before Mendler having some low-key fun with Friends, playing Board Games with her Friends in the south-end of the City. Still donning her Stage Makeup, but relaxed in a Hoodie, she was super-sweet to stop and do a Snap before quickly tending back to her Friends who were breaking-out in a little Jam Session when I saw them.  Mendler soon will be taking a break from Music to begin her studies at the University of Southern California next Spring!

In case you missed The Big Jingle, catch Highlights of the Show right here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)