LADY GAGA COVERS SEPTEMBER 2012 ISSUE OF "VOGUE"

Lady Gaga on September 2012 Issue of Vogue

As that all-important September Issue of Vogue is set to hit newsstands soon, Lady Gaga gives us a taste of what glamour we can come to expect.  With Photos by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Gaga with the styling of Grace Coddington (Creative Director, Vogue U.S.), dons some creations by Marc Jacobs, Steven Jones and more.

On her Music, Gaga tells Vogue, "I don’t really make records for people to listen to and go, ‘Wow, she’s a genius. I’d really like you to order a drink, maybe kiss the person you came with that evening, or rediscover something about your past that makes you feel even more brave.".

This is Gaga's second Cover appearance on the Fashion Bible and although surely Editor Anna Wintour can't be pleased that she already is leaking Photos to Fans, Mother Monster has no apologies for it, Tweeting "Sorry Anna, but the underground kids deserve it. Bisous!".

Click here for more.

Rumours are this will be the biggest Issue of Vogue yet, with several guesses exceeding the 900-page mark!  The Issue hits newsstands August 14, 2012.

(Photo credit: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott/VOGUE)

LADY GAGA MAKES ACTING DEBUT IN "MACHETE KILLS" AS LADY CHAMELEÓN

Official Artwork for Machete Kills

Director Robert Rodriguez might only have had lukewarm success with 2010's Machete, but he's giving it another go with Machete Kills.  This Sequel from 20th Century Fox, sees Machete (Danny Trejo) on a mission to track down an Arms Dealer looking to launch a weapon into Space.

Although its Cast already is pretty exciting with Sofia Vergara, Amber Heard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Mel Gibson, Jessica Alba, Vanessa Hudgens and Charlie Sheen cast, Rodriguez dropped the biggest Surprise of all today that none other than Lady Gaga will be playing La Chameleón in the Action Flick.  Rodriguez says on Twitter, "I just finished working with @LadyGaga on @MacheteKills, she kicked SO MUCH ASS! Holy Smokes. Blown away!".  

No confirmation yet on release date, but our interest has just been piqued. The Film is expected to get a 2013 release.

 (Photo credit: 20th Century Fox)

MARIA ARAGON IN TORONTO FOR THE HERBIE FUND

Maria Aragon in Toronto - June 2012

Many of you might remember Maria Aragon, the 11-year-old Girl from Winnipeg who last year became a viral sensation with her Cover of Lady Gaga's Born this Way. Before she knew it, she would be invited to the stage at Air Canada Centre here in Toronto performing before thousands! And we were there!

Aragon made a rare visit to CityTV's Breakfast Television earlier, performing a couple Tunes in their newly-renovated Studio. Noticing hoards of Fans outside the Studio waving to her, Aragon together with her Mom, came outside for a quick greeting, signing Autographs and taking Photos with Fans. She's absolutely delightful and even Billy had to lean-in for a smooch!

Those of you who are free tomorrow during the day, can check her out at Dundas Square as she performs there tomorrow in support of SickKids Hospital's Herbie Fund.

Follow Maria Aragon on Twitter here.

UPDATE: Look who Re-Tweeted this Post!

TEXTS FROM HILLARY

Texts from Hillary

Confession: I only found out what the heck a Meme is in January!  But now I know better and what better way to celebrate this new-found knowledge than with Texts from Hillary, the "hill"arious viral sensations - some tasteful, some not so much - inspired from Photos by Diana Walker (Time Magazine) and Reuters Photographer Kevin Lamarque of Hillary Clinton texting away on her Cell Phone. 

Imaginary dialogues have been created with several notable Figures including Lady Gaga, Ryan Gosling, Meryl Streep and several more. 

Check them all out at Texts from Hillary!

(Photo credit: Diana Walker/Ginsburg/Spaly Inc.)

LADY GAGA TO LAUNCH "BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION" ONLINE

Lady Gaga in Toronto - June 2011

At long last, Lady Gaga will be launching her Born this Way Foundation today at Harvard University, Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 from 4:00-5:30pm EST. The Foundation aims to explore the best ways to reach youth and create a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment and the Launch to be attended by the likes of Deepak Chopra, Oprah Winfrey and The Mother Monster's Mother herself, Cynthia Germanotta, will be streamed live here.

RSVP for the Event here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

MADONNA INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS WITH CYNTHNIA MCFADDEN

Madonna & M.I.A.

Madonna's Interview with ABC's Cynthia McFadden has surfaced in chunks and here she is presenting some highlights of it on Good Morning America earlier today.  The Pop Icon talks about relationships, Lady Gaga, Cooking and her directorial debut W.E., among other pressing things.

On why she was so drawn to the story behind W.E., she reveals, "I wanted to know why King Edward gave up so much for her (Wallis Simpson) and what it must felt like to be loved so much.".  She admits to having been in relationships where the other was willing to sacrifice a lot for her in the past but also says, "I miss that feeling like being part of a Family unit and not having to make all the decisions on my own.".

McFadden asks Madonna why it is that she prefers younger Men and she answers, "I didn't choose to write it on a piece of paper 'I'm now going to have a relationship with a younger Man'", before stating the importance of being with someone her Children can look up to.

Madonna claims never to have cooked a full meal on her own, saying "I don't think I've ever cooked a meal entirely by myself... My Daughter likes to cook, my Son likes to cook.".  When questioned why this is the case by McFadden, she snaps back "Why do I have to do everything?".

Finally opening-up a bit more on the rumoured feud between herself and Lady Gaga, Madonna stated that the first time she heard Born this Way, her initial reaction was that "It feels reductive.". More will be revealed on tonight's airing of 20/20.

Watch the Highlights below:

BEST GIFT EVER.

Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson

OMG. Best gift ever.  My Idol and Friend Shinan at The National Post handed me this belated Christmas Gift earlier today and I am so giddy!  The 350-Photo Picture Book Lady Gaga x Terry Richardson, has famed Photographer Terry Richardson following Lady Gaga around the World on her The Monster Ball Tour - which I attended three times. I had a blast finding which shots were taken here in Toronto, including some inside the Bathroom of her Suite at The Hazelton Hotel.

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Richardson while he was accompanying Lady Gaga on-tour last March.  Read about it here.  

Thank you, Shinan!

xMRWILLW

BILLBOARD & NIELSEN REVEAL TOP-SELLING ALBUMS AND ARTISTS OF 2011

Adele in Toronto - March 2011

CNN reveals a bit of interesting news on Digital Music Sales versus Physical Music Sales based on a Billboard/Nielsen Report conducted recently.  For the first time ever, Digital Music is outselling actual Physical Music, with the former increasing 8.4% from the previous year and the latter declining 5%.  In fact, Digital Music accounts for 50.3% of all Music sold in the U.S.

Adele came out on-top in 2011 accounting for Best Selling Artist, Album and Digital Song by a landslide, besting Lady Gaga and Canada's own Michael Bublé who ranked in second despite his Album being released only in November.  Katy Perry however, beat Adele as Best Selling Digital Artist with 15.1 million units sold.

For those curious, these are your Top Ten Selling Albums of 2011:

VAN HALEN REUNITES FOR CLUB GIG IN NEW YORK CITY

David Lee Roth in New York City - January 2012

Celebs are coming out in full-force revealing their inner Rocker selves for Van Halen's Comeback Tour and just last night, they played an intimate show at Greenwich Village Hotspot Cafe Wha? in New York City with the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Patton Oswalt and Tennis Champ John McEnroe showing their support. Actor Patrick Wilson, who just joined Twitter, also is rather excited making the self-titled Van Halen Album his Profile Photo and also Tweeting right away, "Van Halen tour dates announced. Yeehaw!".

At the Gig, Frontman David Lee Roth revealed that he's actually a huge fan of Lady Gaga and "has gotta meet her".  In his downtime, he went to school to become an Emergency Medical Technician seven summers ago at the 47th Precinct in North Bronx.  He says the experience was "an eye into New York City which not many people have.".  "As an Artist, everyone you see, everyone you know winds up in your voice".  After rambling on for about five minutes, his Bandmates started cuing him to start singing!

Following the Show, a humbled Lee Roth signed some Autographs outside the Venue.  One Fan was nice enough to upload a series of Clips on YouTube.  

Check out this Clip of Lee Roth, Fallon and McEnroe arriving at Cafe Wha?

MR. WILL-W.:POP MAVEN'S 2011 BEST-OF LISTS

Although I was always under the mindset that 2011 wasn't really a standout year in terms of Music and Film, looking back I can appreciate that even though for me there were no clear-cut, definitive favourites, overall there were many bright and memorable moments.  I have selected my Top Ten Films and Top 20 Tracks of 2011.  Let's see where my choices compare to yours!

Still from The Artist

TOP TEN FILMS:
1. The Artist
2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3. Shame
4. Bridesmaids
5. The Help
6. The Muppets
7. War Horse
8. My Week with Marilyn
9. Drive
10. Warrior

One of my biggest regrets this year was not seeing The Artist at TIFF in September, but better late than never as the Film which touched and uplifted me most, actually is only a recent discovery.  The Silent Film about Era-star George Valentin is a triumph and a must-see for all.  Also, despite not loving the original Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, alas all that buzz did amount to something solid with David Fincher's Adaptation starring Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig being absolutely electrifying.  Michael Fassbender quickly has become one of my favourite Actors also with his riveting performance in Shame as a Sex Addict whose life is interrupted by the sudden arrival of his estranged Sister. Kristen Wiig's performance in Bridesmaids still sticks with me to this day as does Michelle Williams' work in My Week with Marilyn.

MADONNA INKS DEAL WITH INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Madonna in Toronto - October 2008

Although she's been snubbed thus far for any Awards for her directorial debut W.E., some good news was announced earlier today for Queen of Pop, Madonna. Back in 2007, she had signed ten-year $120 million deal with Events Promoter Live Nation Entertainment, which would include Touring, Ticketing, Merchandising, Digital Assets and a total three Albums. With the Promoter now ailing a bit financially, Madonna has just inked a deal with Interscope Records rumoured to be worth between $20 to $40 million for both Madonna and Live Nation.

Yes, this in effect makes Lady Gaga and Madonna Labelmates, opening a world of possibilities for the latter who of late has been v. keen on new Collaborations. Other Artists currently signed to Interscope Records include No Doubt, American Idol, Black Eyed Peas, La Roux, M.I.A., Eminem, Fergie, LMFAO, U2, Timbaland, 50 Cent and many more.

Next month will be an all-Media Blitz for the Madonna with her W.E. finally seeing a release after some date shifts, her much talked-about Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance and her debut Single on Interscope Records, Gimme All Your Luvin. Her twelfth Studio Disc is slated for the end of March.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

VIDEO PREMIERE: LADY GAGA - MARRY THE NIGHT

Still from Marry the Night

Hmm. Reviews have been mixed for Lady Gaga's err... how do you say... self-indulgent new Video for Single, Marry the Night. Clocking-in at 13:51, the Short Film/Music Video  directed by Gaga herself, documents her loathe of Reality; her cure being Fashion and her Art as she reflects back on painful moment in her life. And she pulls out all the stops including pouring Cheerios allover herself. Some are saying that she is recalling the feeling of her Dreams fading away as she was dropped by her first Record Label (Island/Def Jam).

Finally after much rambling (i.e. "Mint will be very big in Fashion next Spring"), the Video takes flight at the 8:00 mark and we see her writhing about nude in a Bath Tub and also amidst some flames atop a Car, inter-spliced with some high-impact Dancing.

Watch the Video in full below:

54TH GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Bruno Mars at 2011 GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!!

Congratulations to two of my Favourites Adele and Bruno Mars, who are both nominated for six GRAMMY Awards as announced at the GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! held earlier tonight at Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Foo Fighters also receives six nods this year. If you ask me, six is not enough for Adele who should sweep in some of the more major categories like Song, Record and Album of the Year.

Leading the Nominees this year is Kanye West for his work on Disc My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Jay-Z collaboration Watch the Throne, with seven nominations.  West's Solo Disc however, failed to garner a nomination for Album of the Year.

Lady Gaga surprisingly only received one nomination for Album of the Year with Born this Way and meanwhile Taylor Swift, a GRAMMY Darling, also only received two nominations with her Track Mean which is up for Country Song and Solo Performance.

The coveted Best New Artist category is an interesting one this year pitting commercially-successful Nicki Minaj against Bon Iver, The Band Perry, Skillrex and J. Cole.

The 54th GRAMMY Awards will take place on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Read more on this year's Nominees here.

(Photo credit: GRAMMY.COM)

LADY GAGA ON JANUARY 2012 ISSUE OF "VANITY FAIR"

Lady Gaga on January 2012 issue of Vanity Fair

It was only a matter of time before she just revealed it all! Lady Gaga appears on the January issue of Vanity Fair (clothing optional), chatting with Lisa Robinson about Love and Marriage.  How fitting considering her next Single is in fact (silent pause) ...Marry the Night.  Nothing is unplanned with Gaga who truly puts her Career first before Romance revealing, "When I fight with someone I’m in a relationship with, I think, What would my fans think if they knew this was happening? How would they feel about my work and about me as a female if they knew I was allowing this to go on? And then I get out.".

The lovely Nicola Formichetti - whom I got to chat with recently - styled the Shoot, which was captured by the outstanding Annie Leibovitz.  Although you can't see it here, the Issue also has that much-talked about nude Portrait Session Gaga did with Tony Bennett.  Bennett has praised Gaga as being "the most creative person I've ever met".

Click here to read more.  

(Photo credit: Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair)

NICOLA FORMICHETTI IN TORONTO FOR "MUGLER"

Nicola Formichetti in Toronto - November 2011

Any true Mons✝er would need little introduction to Nicola Formichetti. The Japanese-Italian Fashion Director gained international notoriety in early 2009 when he first began collaborating with Lady Gaga. Since her 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards Performance in Toronto, he has been responsible for styling what have been become her most famous performances in a quick and meteoric rise to the top of both the Pop Music and Fashion worlds.

During our 2:00 AM chat Formichetti asks me, "Where the hell am I?", to which I describe for him what glamorous Yorkville in Toronto is all about. "Last time I came to Canada I almost got arrested", he laughs. The diminutive and undeniably alluring Fashion Icon tells me about his ordeal passing though the Canada Border Services Agency with Gaga's famous Flaming Bra in his Suitcase, mistaken of course for a Bomb.

All is well though now with this new Creative Director for the MUGLER Fashion House being welcomed to Toronto with open arms. The Hudson Bay Company celebrated the introduction of the MUGLER Line by Formichetti at their Queen Street Store's The Room this evening.  Cocktails were served before an ultra-exclusive Dinner was held at Hotspot Campagnolo.  He later headed to a Gay Bar where he watched a couple performances from local Drag Queens, but was neither here nor there about it.

LADY GAGA & JUSTIN BIEBER TOP 2011 MTV EMAs

Katy Perry at 2011 MTV EMAs

Belfast's Odyssey Arena is where it was at last night for the 2011 MTV European Music Awards... and the Americans stole the show! Lady Gaga top home top honours winning Best Female. She also won awards for Best Song and Best Video with her track Born this Way, donning yet another interesting Headpiece from her Haus of Gaga Collection. Gaga also performed a stirring rendition of her new Single, Marry the Night.

Selena Gomez hosted the Event, also performing new Track Hit the Lights, while Boyfriend Justin Bieber even came out to do a festive Medley of Mistletoe and Never Say Never, himself being awarded Best Male.

Despite Gaga dominating, Katy Perry would not leave empty-handed, getting awarded Best Live by Jersey Shore Co-stars JWoww and Snooki.

Other highlights of the evening included Irish Actor David Monahan streaking across the stage naked as Hayden Panettiere introduced Lady Gaga for her performance.

Read more here.

See Gaga perform Marry the Night below:

TONY BENNETT - DUETS II REVIEW

Tony Bennett - Duets II

Mr. Tony Bennett's Epic Opus 2011, aka Duets II brings together some of the most unlikely collaborations - a true testament to the Crooner's influence on so many of the Vocalists who have sold out Arenas and won Grammys after him. At 85 years of age, Bennett recently became the oldest living Artist to have achieved the distinction of debuting atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart and he did it with some help from his Friends. Some really famous and talented Friends.

Jam-packed with 17 Classics, Duets II isn't necessarily about breaking new ground or necessarily about High Art. It's about celebrating an Icon and how Bennett's Voice and Music have inspired others and also connecting a new Audience who grew-up not having had Jazz Music on their radars. The phrasing, the range, the stylization - there is only one Tony Bennett and this Collection pays tribute to that front and center.

There are some fabulous moments on the Disc like the fun and flirtatious The Lady is a Tramp (ft. Lady Gaga), One for my Baby (ft. John Mayer), a perfect reunion in Blue Velvet (ft. k.d. lang), Don't Get Around Much Anymore (ft. Michael Bublé) ...obviously, Yesterday I Heard the Rain (ft. Alejandro Sanz) and perhaps a true showcase that he's (and she's) definitely still got it, How Do You Keep the Music Playing (ft. Aretha Franklin).

VIDEO PREMIERE: TONY BENNETT FT. LADY GAGA - THE LADY IS A TRAMP

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga

The full-length Video for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga's Collaboration The Lady is a Tramp has fully surfaced, just after his latest Disc Duets II reaches the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart with 179k copies sold.  This makes him the oldest living Artist to have achieved that honour ever at 85 years of age! I have a feeling that this will be the Soundtrack for many this Autumn as it just emanates warm and cozy.

Watch the cuteness below:

Order Duets II on iTunes here.


(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

LADY GAGA - YOÜ AND I VIDEO PREMIERE

Yoü and I Video Still

Despite it being yanked from YouTube/Vevo already, the new Lady Gaga Video for Yoü and I has leaked fully and Perez Hilton had his hands on it first. Gaga Tweeted earlier in three separate Tweets, "Fuck", "Thurs" and "Day" consecutively, originally planning to premiere the Video on Thursday.  By 3:00 PM EST, the Video resurfaced again on YouTube/Vevo.

Beautifully shot in Springfield, Nebraska, the Video sees her in a Mermaid outfit in a couple passionate moments, in Drag as her Alter-ego Jo Calderone, that Platinum wig she wore in her Vanity Fair shoot, lots of embracing and kissing and running around in greenery.  All strange, all good.

See it in full below:


(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

BRITNEY SPEARS TO BE HONOURED AT 2011 MTV VMAs

Britney Spears in 2011 MTV VMAs Promo

The 2011 MTV VMAs already will be honouring Britney Spears this year in a special Tribute. Has it already been that long?  Set to air live Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9:00 PM, Spears recently filmed Promo Clip for the Show.  Something tells me we might be seeing Lady Gaga join in on this after having appeared at her Atlantic City show last weekend?

Despite regional restrictions from MTV disabling Canadian viewers from seeing the Promo Clip, you can still see the Promo Clip here in full. You also can see some Photos from behind-the-scenes here.

For those of you going out to Spears' Femme Fatale Tour in Toronto this weekend, have fun!

(Photo credit: MTV)