Sunday, September 28, 2014

Dylan O'Brien

The very well known (and extremely attractive) Dylan O'Brien has been on the rise lately. His amazing performances on and off screen have grown him an incredible fan base that continues to rise, and his recently released movie The Maze Runner has made him the talk of many. Others though, such as myself, have been hooked since his first appearance in Teen Wolf. However, either way, Dylan O'Brien has made himself a great reputation that will last him a lifetime as we all, and many more to come, continue to watch his grace, poise, kindness, and intelligence throughout his career.

"Dylan O'Brien was born in New York City, to Lisa  Rhodes, a former actress who also ran an acting school, and Patrick O'Brien, a camera operator" IMDB says. His birthdate is August 26th 1991, making him 23 years  old this year. Although he grew up in Springfield Township, New Jersey, at the age of twelve he moved to Hermosa Beach, California where his career would take off. At fourteen, he began posing original videos onto his YouTube channel. "With the videos developing, a local producer/director approached him about doing work for a web series of hers" (Wikipedia). As he pursued working on the web series O'Brien  met an actor who connected him with a manager. He went through multiple auditions before getting the main role on MTV's Teen Wolf. However, after reading the script he decided he wanted to audition for the role of Stiles instead. After four auditions he was cast. It was then in 2011 that he began playing the role of Stiles in Teen Wolf.  In 2013 he co-starred in the comedy film The Internship with Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, which eventually lead him to his lead role of The Maze Runner in 2014.

In addition to his outstanding career accomplishments O'Brien has won several awards. He won the Giffoni Experience Award at the Giffoni International Film Festival in 2014. The same year he also won the Teen Choice award for best TV villain at, you guessed it, the Teen Choice Awards. Yahoo! Movies recently named O'Brien as one of the 15 Breakout Stars to watch for in 2014. As for his last award, also won in 2014, O'Brien won the Young Hollywood Award for Breakthough Actor at, yes once again the very obvious, Young Hollywood Awards.

Many are entranced and ecstatic to continue to watch his amazing career and life unfold as not only an incredible actor, but and inspiring person as well.


Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Ariana Grande

Obviously my rant of obsessions I have endured over the years has seemed to take over my blog as of lately. However, I would find it improper to switch subjects without mentioning my final (I promise) artist obsession, Ariana Grande.  Hooked since her premiere on the television Victorious Grande has continued to inspire me through her music, artistry, but most of all, her attitude.

Ariana Grande-Butera was born on June 26th 1993 in Boca Raton, Florida. Her mom is Joan Grande, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Hose-McCann Communications,a telephone and alarm system company. Her father is Edward Butera, who owns a graphic design firm in Boca Raton. In addition she has an elder half-brother, Frankie Grande (born in 1983), who is also an actor, dancer and producer, as well as a contestant on season sixteen of Big Brother. Ariana's mother moved with her father from New York to Florida when she was pregnant with her, and later revealed that her parents split up when she was 8 or 9. As a child, she described herself as being "a very weird little girl" because "I always wanted to have skeleton face paint on or be wearing a Freddy Krueger mask" and that in addition her fifth-birthday party had a Jaws theme (Wikipedia). By age 13 she became serious about pursuing her musical career, while still concentrating on theater.  When she first arrived in Los Angeles to meet with her managers, she expressed a desire to record an R&B album when she was 14 "I was like, 'I want to make an R&B album,' They were like 'Um, that’s a helluva goal! Who is going to buy a 14-year-old’s R&B album?!" (Wikipedia).  In 2008 she auditioned and scored her first casting playing the supporting role of cheerleader Charlotte in the kiddie musical 13 on Broadway, and she won a National Youth Theatre Association Award. When she joined the musical she left her high school, North Broward Preparatory School, but continued to be enrolled. However, the school sent materials to her so she could study with tutors.She also sang various times at the New York City Jazz club Birdland.

 Later in life, Ariana successfully landed the role of Cat Valentine on the Nickelodeon television series Victorious in 2009, earning the hearts of anyone and everyone who enjoyed watching her innocent and bubbly character come to life.  "After the show ended she rose to prominence as a teen idol on her own spinoff, Sam & Cat, along with iCarly actress Jennette McCurdy" (Wikipedia). With the base of her career taking a big leap in popularity, Ariana started making music and landed a record deal with Republic Records. Since then she has continued her career by writing amazing music that her fans not only relate too, but fall continuously in love with.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Christina Aguilera

As mentioned previously in my last blog post, I have grown a likeliness for Christina Aguilera for many years now. While she (much like Leonardo) hasn't been on any major headlines lately, my eager twitch to write about her can't stand much more. Throughout the years Christina has become more than just one of my favorite artists to watch, she's become my inspiration. From watching her flawless performances on stage, to learning the background of her painful past she's been more than someone I look up to, but someone I can relate to as well.

Christina María Aguilera was born December 18, 1980 in Staten Island, New York. For most of her childhood she was raised in Rochester and Wexford Pennsylvania. Starting her career off the right way, she appeared in television series Star Searched and The Mickey Mouse Club. Christina rose to prominence as a bubblegum pop singer in the 1990s, and her self debut album (1999) debuted at number one on the U.S billboard 200 and was also featured on the Billboards number one single "Genie in a Bottle", making her a tripple threat actress, songwriter, and singer. From there she experienced moderate success worldwide, and earned heer fourth number one single in the United States with a cover version of  "Lady Marmalade" in 2001." Displeased with her lack of input in her image and music, Aguilera assumed creative control for her fourth studio album, Stripped (2002), which draws influences from many genres including soul, hip hop, Latin, and rock" Wikipedia says.. The album spawned multiple top-ten singles, includng "Dirrty" and "Beautiful", and was one of the best-selling albums of that year.

Christina entered a more mature part of her life when she got engaged to music marketing executive Jordan Bratman in February 2005, after dating for three years. The couple got married on November 19, 2005 at an estate in Napa County, California. However, after the release of her album Back to Basics, and her tremendous work in the movie Burlesque her marriage soon took a turn for the worse. Having finally separated in September 2010, she filed for divorce from Bratman in October 2010, requesting joint legal and physical custody of their son Max. "After reaching a private settlement and custody deal, their divorce was finalized on April 15, 2011" Wikipedia says.In late 2010, Aguilera started dating with Matthew Rutler, whom she met on the set of Burlesque. They are now happily married, and since Christina has come through with even more amazing new songs and singles making her a legendary music icon, including her new recently produced album Bionic.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Leonardo DiCaprio

As of lately my twitch for Leonardo DiCaprio movies has been on a major high. Spending my Saturday night last weekend bawling my eyes out to the Titanic, I have managed to temporarily replace my obsessions of Christina Aguilera and Ariana Grande with the talented, beautiful, and amazing actor. I considered writing a blog on Leonardo and thought it not to be appropriate considering it pertains to nothing under the category of "Latest news", but the sole fact of The Great Gatsby being my favorite movie of all time made me decide that there was no way I would pass up the opportunity.

Leonardo Wilhelm DeCaprio was born on Novermber 11, 1974 in Los Angeles California. His mother, Irmelin is a former legal secretary. Born in Germany, she moved with her familt from Ruhr to the United states during the 1950s. His father, George DiCaprio, is an underground comic artist and is also a distruibuter of comic books. DiCaprio's parents met while attending college and subsequently moved to Los Angeles after." He was named Leonardo because his pregnant mother was looking at a Leonardo da Vinci painting in a museum in Italy when DiCaprio first kicked" says Wikipedia. However, his parents divorced when he was a year old and he lived mostly with his mother.

During Dicaprio's early career he participated in several commercials and educational films. After being removed from the children's television series Romper Room for being disruptive, he followed his older stepbrother Adam Farrar into television commercials. Shortly after, to no ones suprise, he landed an ad for Matchbox cars at age 14. It was in 1990 when he got his break on television when he was cast in the short-lived series based on the movie Parenthood. His involvment in  Parenthood (and countless other hit tv shows after), earned him a nomination for the Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor.

DiCaprio's debut film role was in the comedic sci-fi horror film Critters 3, in which he played the stepson of an evil landlord, a role that he described as "your average, no depth, standard kid with blonde hair". Well, from there I think we all know what happened next. His career took off with countless other movie hits, making women all around the world fall in love with him a little more each day (me definatley being up there on that list). Today he is most known for his roles in the Titanic, The Great Gatsby, and putting smiles on women's faces everywhere whenever he appears on the screen.

Friday, September 19, 2014

The Secret Ceremony

We have watched sparks fly between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt since they first appeared in the movie "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" in 2005. Ever since they have had an amazing relationship adopting 3 children along with having 3 of their own and keeping the chemistry they both have possessed back in 2005. Recently however talk has been of the "Secret Ceremony" the couple had, officially making them newly weds and husband and wife for life.

Angelina's dress was not what many of us would expect to see, to say the least. the beautiful Donatella Versace gown was made simple and incredibly stunning (as everything put on Angelina is) but there was one touch that would make it a dress that no one will forget any time soon. The designer “sewed dozens of designs from her children’s drawings into the dress and veil,” “People” said in its cover story. That's right, the kids (ranging from age 6-13) all had their drawings featured on the beautiful brides veil. In addition, Angelina had also lost her mother Marcheline Bertrand to ovarian cancer in 2007, so to honor her, the bride wore "a little flower ring that was hers", she said. Her brother James also "wore an angel pin from her jewelry box", and Brad also engraved a dedication to Bertrand in the chapel where they were wed. Taking a second to realize how brilliant and bitter sweet that moment must have been, we continue on to the actual ceremony.

At the small ceremony in the Chateau Miraval in France, the breathtaking couple made memories that were sure to last a life time. Each child was given the opportunity to choose what they wanted to do to participate in the wedding.The eldest sons Maddox, 13, and Pax, 10, walked their mom down the aisle. The flower girls were Zahara, 9, and Vivienne, 6, who tossed pedals from the garden as they progressed down the isle, and Shiloh, 8, and Knox, 6, served as ring bearers. The kids also helped their parents read their vows and Pax baked the cake. Just more to add to the bitter sweet moments of the ceremony.

The wedding started with Angelina Jolie walked down the aisle to the sounds of Brad, the children, and the 20 guests humming to Here Comes The Bride. As the wedding progressed and it was time to share the vows the children proceeded to stand by their parents, and help them read their vows and "promises" to each other. In the end of the ceremony the couple left the chapel as the Wedding March was played, with nothing but smiles and happiness on their faces.

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sam Smith on the Rise

Sam Smith (full name Samuel Frederick) has recently been on a quickly trending rise in music, and has definitely made his mark in the industry of music so far.

Smith was born on May 19th 1992 in London England. He was apart of the Youth Music Theater in UK as a child and stared in their 2007 production of "Oh Carol!". For many years Smith spent his time studying, singing, and songwriting jazz music. He attended St Mary's Catholic School in Bishop's Stortford, was a member of the Bishop's Stortford Junior Operatics (now Bishops Stortford Musical Theater Society), and was also apart of the successful Cantate Youth Choir.

Smith later rose to fame in countless countries as a British soul singer-songwriter in October of 2012 when he was featured on Disclosure's breakthrough single "Latch". The song later peaked at number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. His subsequent feature on Naughty Boy's "La La La"earned him his first number 1 single in May of 2013.

In December of 2013 Smith was nominated for the 2014 BRIT Critics' Choice Award and the BBC's Sound of 2014 poll, and won both. Shortly after in May of 2014 he released his debut album In the Lonely Hour on Capitol records. His lead single "Lay Me Down" was released prior to "La La La", and was followed by his second single "Money on My Mind"."The album's third single "Stay with Me" was an international success, peaking atop both the UK Singles chart and the U.S. Billboard Pop Songs chart along with the Adult Contemporary, Adult Pop Songs and Radio Songs charts (Wikipedia)". In addition it also reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Smith was awarded best song and best video (La La La), and was also nominated for single of the year and best newcomer at the MOBO Awards. At the BRIT Awards Smith was awarded Critics' choice and was nominated (again) for the single of the year. He continued a strong streak at the VMA'a being nominated for artist to watch, best male video, and song of the summer (Stay with Me). At the latest awards ceremony Smith has attended, Young Hollywood Awards, Smith won Breakout artist and in addition was nominated for hottest music artist and (again) song of the summer.

Since Smiths rise in fame he has appeared on the cover of The Fader, Saturday Night Live, preformed at the 2014 VMA's, and has had countless other incredible opportunities in his career.

Carrie Underwood and Husband Mike Fisher are Expecting!

Recently Carrie Underwood posted a picture of her and her dogs (wearing the "I am a big brother" and "I am a big sister" shirts) on Instagram, officially announcing her pregnancy.

Carrie Underwood and her husband Mike fisher met at one of her concerts in late 2008 and got engaged December 22nd 2009. "Underwood and Fisher appeared together publicly for the first time in January 2010, at the Bell Sens Soiree, an annual fundraiser in Gatineau for the Ottawa Senators' official charity" (Wikipedia). However, after appearing at the CMT awards in January of 2010 Underwood told reporters that Fisher was planning a surprise honeymoon for the two of them after their wedding in the summer.

 Shortly after in June of 2010 Underwood and Fisher got married at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge with over 250 people attending, "We could not feel more blessed to have found each other and to have shared this day with our friends and family that mean so much to us!” The ceremony featured classical music and readings of the bride and groom to be's favorite bible verses. Amongst the crowd where National Hockey League players, as well as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, American Idol contestants, and judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. For their first dance Underwood surprised Fisher with one of their favorite artists, Brandon Heath, singing his song "Love Never Fails".

"On February 11, 2011, an Ottawa radio station, 105.3 CISS-FM, banned the playing of Underwood's music because her husband, Mike Fisher, was traded to the Nashville Predators the day before" (Wikipedia). However, due to countless fan threats on Facebook stating that they would never again tune to the specific radio station again the station modified their statement. They apologized for their actions, staying that their statements were only to be meant as a joke  as they do not play Underwood's songs anyway, and it was just their  way of wishing Fisher the best of luck in Nashville. "Fisher later criticized the station saying "obviously Carrie had nothing to do with the move or the trade or anything so to imply something like that was just wrong", and noting that both he and Underwood were disappointed in the negativity that was created by the radio station" (Wikipedia).
Shortly after in 2012 Underwood was selected by The Hockey News on it's annual list of the 100 People of Power and Influence in Ice Hockey, she was ranked as number 85.

In September of 2014 Underwood and Fisher then announced that they are expecting their first child, due in spring of 2015. Fans have since then been raving about their new soon to be family.