KARMIN IN TORONTO | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Karmin in Toronto - August 2012

Los Angeles-based Pop Duo Karmin at long last made their Canadian debut at KISS 92.5's Wham Bam, held at Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre Thursday night. First gaining popularity on YouTube with their Cover Versions of Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown's Hits, but they now are a bona fide Success Story of their own with undeniably-good first Single Brokenhearted having cracked the Top 20 of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. What makes Karmin unique is their brand of rap-sung Electronic Pop, having left an impression on us with high-profile appearances on America's Got Talent, Good Morning America and Saturday Night Live.

The Husband and Wife Duo of Nick Noonan and Amy Heidemann whom actually are born just two days apart from one another, are absolutely charming and in addition to wowing Toronto the other night at Wham Bam, they also made an appearance on MuchMusic's New.Music.Live yesterday.  Afterward, they appeared at a Live Chat/Showcase organized by Andpop at Gibson Guitar Artist Showroom in Liberty Village last night. Some lucky Fans even got to hang with Nick and Amy at the Canadian National Exhibition afterward!

Heading to Boston this morning bright and early, I caught-up with Karmin. Admiring her signature Suicide Roll - a Hairstyle she made popular by curling her bangs back at great height - Amy tells me I'd look good with one too as many of her male Fans have tried the Look with success.  She admits to being fond of Tiny Tom Donuts and is happy that she and Nick actually got time to enjoy the City in their brief two-day stay. Their curiosity was piqued by the CNE's Chocolate-covered Bacon and perhaps they could be persuaded into trying the Red Velvet Pulled Pork Sandwich too! "We'll be back soon", says Amy. "We don't have a date penciled-in yet, but soon".

Karmin were extremely kind to sign a Photo for my Readers. To win it, simply click "like" on this Post at Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven on Facebook before September 20, 2012. All are welcome to enter.  Good luck!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

ADAM LAMBERT IN TORONTO FOR "TRESPASSING"

Adam Lambert in Toronto - May 2012

Riding the wave of his success both north and south of the Border with U.S. and Canadian number one-selling Disc Trespassing, former American Idol First-Runner-Up Adam Lambert made a welcomed visit back to Toronto today, his first here since headlining 2010's KISS 92.5 Wham Bam. 

After an appearance in Washington, D.C. yesterday at the 94.7 Fresh FM Festival,  Lambert flew-in to Toronto earlier this afternoon for a busy day of Work, which saw him co-hosting MuchMusic's New.Music.Live and later meeting 200 Fans at HMV Queen Street for an Autograph Signing.  Lambert has the distinction of becoming the first-ever openly Gay Male Artist to achieve a number one-selling Billboard Album.

I caught-up with Lambert as he exit KISS 92.5 Studios, staying for just-under an hour pre-taping an Interview for CHFI 98.1 and also CityTV.  Although he was in a rush and unable to sign Autographs for a handful of Fans who waited patiently for him in the blistering heat, he did roll-down his window quickly to apologize, "Sorry, I've got to go!", simultaneously throwing a handwave.

Lambert is Montreal-bound next for another round of Press, including a Visit to Musique Plus.  Trespassing now is in-stores via Sony Music Canada. Download it here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DID MADONNA MISTREAT TIFF VOLUNTEERS?

Madonna at TIFF 2011 W.E. Premiere

You've all been patient and here they are finally! Photos of Madonna from the Red Carpet of W.E. at Roy Thomson Hall courtesy of Photographer Saul Porto.

Despite all this current hoo-ha about Madonna being an absolute Diva in allegedly mistreating TIFF volunteers, one hired member of Madonna's Toronto Security Team had spoken to me yesterday to clarify ,"She is a wonderful person. I had no problems with her whatsoever and would be skeptical of reports otherwise without any corroborative stories. I was with her the whole day. We had no issue.".

What you need to check out is my good Friend Maurie's interview with Madge herself on the Red Carpet with his signature Headcam. Maurie - I know how much this meant to you and I'm so happy it happened!

GREYSON CHANCE MEETS FANS AT MUCHMUSIC IN TORONTO | POSTER GIVEAWAY

Greyson Chance in Toronto - August 2011

Many of us have seen that Viral YouTube Clip of him performing Lady Gaga's Paparazzi, but who would've known that the stars would align so quickly for that 12 year-old Boy from Edmond, Oregon? With the click of a "send" button and another and then another, the Video now has amassed over 48 million views worldwide since surfacing online. Chance, now 14 years-old, is signed Recording Artist under our beloved Ellen DeGeneres' eleveneleven label, distributed by Universal Music.

Released early August, Chance's debut Disc, Hold On 'til the Night debuted at number 29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 200 Chart, which actually is impressive considering much of his promotion has been online only. The porcelain-complexioned Singer/Songwriter now officially is embarking on a Promotional Tour for the Disc, including a Toronto stop-off which has seen him perform at a free Concert at the Canadian National Exhibition for Cambio Connect, CTV's Canada AM, MuchMusic's New.Music.Live and various other Radio outlets like KISS 92.5, where Chance got to meet my Good Friend @PlanetMaurie, who jokingly took a survey online of who was taller - Chance or himself. See the fun Photo here. Of course, Chance is taller!

TYRESE IN TORONTO FOR "TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON"

Tyrese & Mr. Will-W.

Model/Singer/Actor Tyrese Gibson, known better as just Tyrese, has been quieter on the Music front after showing considerable promise with his debut in the late '90s.  His Acting career however, is thriving having been cast in two mega-Blockbusters back-to-back and he is in-town today promoting Transformers: Dark of the Moon.  He was seen most recently in Universal Pictures' massive hit Fast Five, which just surpassed the $600 million mark worldwide at the Box Office. Toronto is the first of nine cities which comprise this Promotional Tour and he will be visiting New York City next and going as far away as Russia.

Tyrese starred in two prior installments of the Transformers franchise and will be reprising his role as Sargent Robert Epps once again.  In addition to this, he also just released an inspirational Memoir titled How to Get out of Your Own Way this past April which has won the praise of the likes of Deepak Chopra.

I caught the well-built Actor dressed in a black Adidas Tracksuit, traveling with a Bodyguard and Publicist on his way out of a Radio appearance on KISS 92.5's The Roz & Mocha Show, flagging his attention for a "fast five second" Photo together.  Silent for most of the time, he nodded "yes" to the request and then gave a second nod before he head off to his next stop.  Before heading off, he posed for a couple Photos getting into his SUV for a Station Photographer.

 Transformers: Dark of the Moon hits theatres June 29, 2011 via Paramount Pictures.

Follow Tyrese on Twitter here.