GaGaGargantuan

The Origins of Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga has climbed her way to the top as a pop and fashion icon due to her outlandish and daring approach to the pop industry.

If you don’t know who Lady Gaga is- wait, of course you know who she is; everyone knows Lady Gaga. If you did not know who she was then one could argue that you probably don’t watch any television, never listen to the radio or pick up a magazine. Lady Gaga is everywhere- you can’t escape her.

Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, she first learned to play the piano at age four, wrote her first song at age 13 and started performing at open mic nights in New York at 14. Naturally, Gaga played the part of many lead roles in her high school plays. She describes her high school life as “dedicated, studious and disciplined, but also a bit insecure.” She says she did not fit in in high school and used to get made fun of for being either too provocative or too eccentric. "She had a core group of friends; she was a good student. She liked boys a lot, but singing was No. 1," recalled a former high school classmate.

Gaga received early admission to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts at the age of 17. She studied music and composed essays and analytical papers that focused on art, religion, social issues and politics. She thought that she was more creative than some of her fellow classmates and withdrew from the school by her second semester of sophomore year to pursue her music career. "I left my entire family, got the cheapest apartment I could find, and ate shit until somebody would listen," she said.

Thereafter she withdrew, she was signed with Interscope Records and began as a songwriter for label artists, including Britney Spears. She was then later acknowledged by Akon for her singing talent and signed to his own label; and the rest is history. Initially, she was signed with Def Jam Recordings at age 19, but was dropped after three months.

She says she has always been interested in art, theater and singing, so she wanted to blend all of those talents into one persona. She incorporates the art aspect in her fashion and the theater aspect in her performances.

Her music producer, Rob Fusari, helped her create the name Lady Gaga. “Gaga was in the process of trying to come up with a stage name when she received a text message from Fusari that read "Lady Gaga." He explained, "Every day, when Stef came to the studio, instead of saying hello, I would start singing 'Radio Ga Ga'. That was her entrance song. [Lady Gaga] was actually a glitch; I typed 'Radio Ga Ga' in a text and it did an autocorrect so somehow 'Radio' got changed to 'Lady'. She texted me back, "That's it." After that day, she was Lady Gaga. She’s like, ‘Don't ever call me Stefani again.’”

Gaga is inspired by glam rock artists such as David Bowie, Queen, Madonna and Michael Jackson.

The multi-talented hitmaker has come a long way over the past three years after she emerged from her debut single, Just Dance. She has been granted numerous awards, toured all over the world and has earned the respect and admiration of countless devout fans.

As a prodigious innovation in the pop industry, Gaga has broken the boundaries in the fashion milieu. In today’s society nothing is too outrageous due to her influence; she has made unconventional acceptable.

The sensational pop artist never fails to shock the public with her intrepid style; she is fearless. Her boldness inspires her fans; she never ceases to grab the attention of viewers.

Gaga has no limitations and disregards all boundaries; her style exudes extreme. Not even a dress made of raw meat is too outlandish for this Lady, which is what she wore to the 2010 VMAs.

An old picture of Gaga before the fame.

  Gaga in her video Telephone


(References from Wikipedia)

Top Five Holiday Movie Picks

Whether you are looking for a family, romance, horror, comedy or just a classic holiday film to get you in the holiday spirit, here are some suggestions for you...

1. Elf (2003)

Elf is a classic family comedy perfect for the holidays. The movie is about a human, Buddy (played by Will Ferrel), who was raised by elves in the North Pole. When Buddy is told that he is not really an elf and his real father is in NYC, he sets out to New York to find him. When he gets to NYC, he finds his real family, who thinks he is delusional because he believes he is a real elf. The comedic film follows Buddy through his journey as he tries to fit in with his real family, and all the chaos that he causes in the midst. I would personally rate this movie an 8 out of 10 because of its clever humor and constant hilarity.

2. Home Alone (1990)

Home Alone is one of my personal favorites when it comes to holiday films. This movie is another family comedy that revolves around an 8-year-old boy, Kevin, who gets left behind over Christmas when his family goes away on a family vacation for the holiday. After Kevin wakes up and realizes his family has left without him, it occurs to him that he has the entire house to himself and immediately takes advantage of his new-found freedom. In the movie, clever Kevin sets up multiple traps for burglars that discover that he is the only one watching over the house. Kevin gets into all sorts of ludicrousness throughout the movie while trying to hinder the crooks.

3. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)

This classic family genre starring Jim Carrey as The Grinch, based upon a children's book by Dr. Seuss, tells the classic story about the infamous Grinch who is known for sucking away the Christmas spirit. The movie revolves around the Who's and takes place in the magical land of Whoville. The unfriendly antagonist, The Grinch, hates Christmas and schemes to steal all the Christmas spirit from the Who's, who are all excited for Christmas. When a curious, friendly little girl, Cindy Lou, tries to acquaint with The Grinch, he realizes why he hates Christmas so much and finds that the holidays are not so bad if you have someone to spend it with.

4. Jack Frost (1996)

Now, if you are looking for something scary for the holidays, you may want to check out Jack Frost. I have actually never seen this movie. "The movie is about a serial killer who is mutated physically and genetically in car wreck on the way to his execution. After which, he becomes a murdering snowman hell-bent on revenge for the sheriff who caught him. Simple plot outline and an even simpler film." (IMDB)

5. Christmas With The Kranks (2004)

This is another one of my personal favorite holiday films. This movie revolves around a couple (Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen) whose daughter has recently gone in the peace corp. Realizing this is their first Christmas with just the two of them, they decide to skip out on the holiday and go on a cruise. The couple generally hosts an annual holiday party every year but end up canceling it after deciding to abandon Christmas. But when their daughter surprises them and comes home for the holidays, the couple ultimately has to change their plans and throw together a last-minute holiday party for the neighborhood.

Happy Birthday Pop Princess

I heard somewhere that only 20% of people can sing...

One of my good friends for about 7 years, Danielle O’keefe, is a pop singer living in LA and in the midst pursuing a career in the music industry. Today is her 22nd birthday.

I was very lucky that she put her busy schedule aside to grant me an online interview.

Rachel: What age did you discover you could sing? Do you remember how it happened?

Danielle: I discovered I could REALLY sing when I got the part of Annie in the play Annie in 5th grade at my elementary school.... All the other kids were like, "WOW YOUR VOICE IS GOOD!" I was like, "hmmm yea I guess it is!"

Danielle says that her inspiration comes from the “powerful woman singers” like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Christina Aguilera.

“Growing up my favorites were Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera cuz... who didn’t want to be a pop princess? I know I did. Now my biggest influences are Leona Lewis as far as vocals and Beyonce just as an all around performer and woman,” stated Danielle.

Danielle tells me she has never seen herself being anywhere besides the music industry. “I always knew I would be a singer.... if by some strange chance that didn't work out, I planned on being in the media somehow for music entertainment or teaching vocal lessons and become big doing that,” she expressed.

I got her opinion on Lady Gaga:

"I think Lady gaga is a genius in a couple different ways. Not only is she is a serious pianist and super talented singer, she also knows how to get what she wants in the music industry which is a feat within itself. Her and I study with the same voice coach in New York City (Don Lawrence) and a few years ago before Lady gaga was huge he would always say... One of my students, stefani she's going to be so huge soon... I remember going to Z100 jingleball 2008 after I won the canon contest and seeing her perform for the first time and all I thought was... Why is that chick wearing no pants? I never thought I'd see her again. But now I see that she is seriously brilliant because she has turned herself into this pop phenomenon and created such an insane character out of herself in order to be different and get to the top in this industry. Reading her quotes online always inspires me because before she became famous she literally would eat sleep and breathe wanting fame. You have to want it so bad. And she did."

Danielle has been heavily involved in singing since 5^th grade. “From the 5th grade play Annie, to every other play for the next 10 years, I always loved being in the spotlight,” she explained. In high school, she was the head of the choir program and also sang the national anthem at most school games and even sang on the morning announcements on occasion.

R: What is your biggest fear in life?

D: My biggest fear in life definitely has to do with my career. I'm so scared of the possibility of disappointing my family and myself and losing the belief and support from the people I love.

R: Has there been anything that has slowed you down in regards to reaching your dream?

D: The biggest thing that slows me down is other people. People talk a lot of nonsense in this industry. A lot of promises are made, a lot of hearsay, pretenders, wannabes, etc. I've learned over the years that talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. I've been slowed down by a lot of drowning industry nobodies. You can't let them pull you under too, you gotta just keep swimming. And you can only trust yourself. At the end of the day, I'm the only one I can trust to get things done for me.

R: What is your most exciting performance that you got to do?

D: My most exciting performance was either singing the national anthem at Shea Stadium before a Mets game or at Madison Square Garden before a Rangers game........... Shea Stadium was my first big performance ever so it was probably a little more nervous-excited whereas Madison Square Garden was more like surreal-excited because ever since I was young I told my parents I would sing there one day anytime we went into NYC to see a show or something.....So that was a really big moment for me.

Danielle says she does not get nervous to sing in front of a lot of people; she is actually more afraid to sing in front of her mom. “I'd rather sing in front of 10,000 random people I've never met than my mom. So weird right??? She's real and she knows how tough I am on myself and has heard me sing on my best days and my worst days. So she judges pretty hard,” she explains.

When asked to describe herself in three words, she responded, “in 5 words I would say I am outgoing, hard-working, strong, carefree, and ambitious. but if you gave me 10 i would add smart pretty specialicious hilarious and witty ;) bwahahaha”

If you want to check out more you can visit her youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/singingdanielle

http://www.facebook.com/daniokeefe

Danielle (middle) with her girl group Forever Heartbreak.

Unprotected Text

States Have Difficulty Enforcing the Law Against Texting while Driving

Over the past few years, texting and driving has obviously become a huge issue. The issue has provoked a considerable increase in accidents.

Texting and driving has been banned in 30 states, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association. Although texting may be illegal while driving, dialing a phone number or browsing the web  is not banned, which unfortunately makes it very difficult to enforce the law.

So, essentially, it is illegal to text while driving but not illegal to update your status on Facebook.

The question is: how can they pass a law that cannot be entirely enforced?

Also, it is also questioned whether the new law will have an impact on the number of accidents.

Drivers who are texting are 20 times more likely to get in an accident than drivers not texting, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association.

The law, in hopes, will influence people to make a conscious effort not to text while driving.

Kelly Osbourne slims down 50 pounds

The British Television personality, Kelly Osbuorne, has reportedly lost 50 pounds since 2007 and was recently featured on the cover of Shape magazine flaunting her new figure.

Osbourne says that she lost the weight with hard work. Through the duration of her appearance last year on Dancing With The Stars, she had lost 30 pounds, and has been continuing to shrink ever since.

The star says since the show her diet has completely changed. "A trick I've learned is to eat just a little bit of something that has no carbs and no sugar in before yougo to sleep because it keeps your metabolism going," Osbourne stated to U.S. magazine Life & Style.

Miss Osbourne recently strutted down the catwalk for Naomi Campbell's "Relief for Haiti" fashion show.On Friday, she tweeted, "I'm so nervous I am walking in nomi campbell's run way show for Haiti tonight ahhhhhh so excited!"

Osbourne has gone from a size 14 and is to a size two.

Happy Birthday Britney
Legendary pop sensation, Britney Spears, celebrates her 29th birthday today Dec. 2.

It has been 11 years since the pop leader's first smash single "...Baby One More Time" was released. Since 1999, fans across the globe have fallen in love with Spears. Over the past 11 years, the renowned artist has topped charts and released six top-hit albums, eight #1 worldwide hit singles and has won countless awards. Spears was also tributed in the second episode of the second season of the American television series Glee.

After overcoming a public breakdown in 2008, Spears has climbed her way back to the top and recently tweeted to her fans about her upcoming album in March 2011. "I'm almost done with my new album and it will be coming out this March. I AM IN L-O-V-E WITH IT!," tweeted Spears.

Brit has a romantic getaway planned this weekend for her birthday with her current boyfriend, Jason Trawick, according to a tweet off the star's Twitter: "Ok, off on a romantic weekend with Jason for my birthday. xoxo Brit."

Celebrities pronounced dead until $1 million is raised

"Lady Gaga is dead. I will sacrifice my digital life to fight HIV/AIDS. No more updates little monsters until we buy life," tweeted Gaga on Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Reportedly, one of my favorite celebrities, Lady Gaga, as well as many others, have consented to detach themselves from social media until 1 million dollars is raised for the children's charity called Keep a Child Alive.

Some other stars who are undergoing this social networking hiatus are Alicia Keys, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Seacrest, Elijah Wood, Jennifer Hudson and other supportive celebrities.

These stars have vowed that they will not update their Twitter or Facebook until $1 million is raised. We will be buying back their lives by donating to a cause for providing life-saving treatment for children and their families with HIV and AIDS

If you want to read more: http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/161-keep-a-child-alive#ixzz16yRpdUU

This is an article I wrote that may be submitted for an award. I write for my school newspaper.

Plastic Makes Perfect
Diving into America's Unhealthy Obsession With Plastic Surgery

The public at large is becoming more accepting of plastic surgery and the idea of surgically changing your body. The media portrays a prototype for beauty. We idolize and envy famous people of Hollywood, because they are pretty, talented and seemingly perfect.

If one does not know who Heidi Montag is, she was in a reality show called “The Hills” on MTV. She had ten cosmetic procedures in one day, due to her disapproval of how she looked. Clearly, the pressures of Hollywood, and her boyfriend, heavily influenced her into think she was imperfect.

“I think she’s crazy,” said Rachel Campbell, junior. “She was pretty beforehand and now she just looks plastic. I think it had a lot to do with pressure from her husband and Hollywood.”

America is fed the idea that one has to look a certain way to be beautiful. The media is largely to blame. They advertise plastic surgery everywhere; it is a huge business. Advertisers are offering services that scream “Cheap plastic surgery! Come get your cheap plastic surgery!”

“I personally would not get plastic surgery, but if it would make someone feel better about themselves, then they should do it,” said Heather Weiss, senior. “I do feel that someone should do it for themselves, not to please anyone else.”

Often, people get plastic surgery because they are insecure about a certain part of their body. Insecurities about one's body can cause severe unhappiness and lead to depression. People are willing to go to the extreme to feel and look “perfect.”

Sarah Stubins holds a strong opinion on the matter. “You can either live with something or you can fix it," stated Stubins. "It won’t necessarily fix your problems and make you a secure person, but it may help.”

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Americans between the ages of 18-24 are more likely to approve of cosmetic surgery than those in any other age group.

“Critics say that teenage girls, who tend to be both obsessed and dissatisfied with their looks, are too young and shortsighted to understand the implications of surgery,” cautioned Sandra G. Boodman in a Washington Post article.

Regardless of the recession, people are willing to invest their savings in bettering their physical attributes in order to feel better inside. People are paying for happiness.

It is clear that the media is tweaking society’s idea of beauty and what is valued as meaningful. They project that people in magazines, movies and models are perfect people because they are perfect looking.

If you were handed an opportunity to go “under the knife” to change your physical appearance, would you?