Posts tagged interview
Claudette Ortiz Responds to Robby’s Intervention “I just want him to move on with his life…”
Feb 2nd
A few weeks ago when Robby Pardlo, former member of R&B group City High, appeared on Intervention folks gasped at the revelation that one he had this serious alcohol addiction and additionally his depression/addiction was rooted in feelings of betrayal by fellow band mates Ryan & Claudette. Initially at the start of the group’s history Robby & Claudette were an item and eventually parted ways and Claudette went on to have children with and marry Ryan Toby. (DRAMA). In any event, Claudette decided after the negative attention from the A&E special she would set the record straight about her relationship with Robbie, the group’s demise and her future plans.
Thoughts on the A&E Intervention Episode featuring Robbie
I didn’t watch it when it came on but then all this stuff started popping up on the internet & when I decided that I was going to do this interview I had to watch it… I’m being used a scapegoat for his failure… he didn’t appreciate me, City High… I saw him on there talking about the red carpet… he didn’t appreciate the red carpet… I’m 18 years old living my dream, we were nominated for a Grammy & here is Robbie drunk… drunker than I’ve ever seen, I’m hoping we don’t win because I didn’t think he could control himself if we had to go on stage an accept the award. To be ridiculed for something you did is one thing, but for lies & non-sense? That’s not going to work…
Why She Decided To Speak Out
Initially I wasn’t going to say anything… & I think that stemmed from fear because of the relationship I had with Robbie… it was an abusive one. He portrayed it like it was a “lovely romance” & it wasn’t. I just want to move on & put things behind me. Other people may be in the same position I was in… & if you don’t eventually stand up for yourself it can carry on for the next 12 years… like in my case. It was time to tell the truth… the truth that he so conveniently left out in the intervention.
About her relationship with Robbie & how it ended
At first it started with me finding out about other girls… I stayed through that… I’m sure every woman can relate to believing a man lying to you about cheating, even when all the signs were right in my face… & that caused problems but it was the drunken fits that really scared me & made want to end our relationship…// We were working on the album & it was rare for him not to be drunk… My management asked me not break up with him (he knows this) but it just became too difficult for me. Going on the road, recording… it was terrible. We were in Hit Factory & I remember him walking past me & he said “so this it, we over?” & I said “yes“.
The group’s breakup & Who’s To Blame
[The biggest misconception is] that the group broke up because of me or my actions. After I had my first son & it was time to start recording the second album, I said to myself I couldn’t do it… I couldn’t be in this group with him anymore… that would mean spending time around him, my son would be around him… & I didn’t want that. So I spoke with my manager & Ryan… it was a hard decision to make but I prayed about it. I left the group in June 2003… he knows my reasons… he wanted to stay in the group… maybe that’s why he blames me. But if me leaving because I didn’t want to deal with the nightmare anymore is a bad thing, then I’ll take that. I’d been dealing with it since 1998 all the way through to 2003. I don’t know many solid women that can deal with that for so long… I even initially took the blame… I remember doing the Wendy Williams show & accepting all responsibility for the breakup because I didn’t want to talk about the truth… I don’t think he expected me to say anything… but I’m not that little girl anymore. I’m not weak, I’m a grown woman. I have children, got married, divorced… you have to stand up for yourself & that’s what I’m doing.
For the rest of the story, go to She Is…
In case you missed the A&E episode check it out here.
Sphere: Related ContentBeyonce on 60 Minutes
Feb 1st
Lady Gaga’s Interview + Performance on Oprah (VIDEO)
Jan 15th
Lady Gaga made her first appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” today. She talked about the message behind her music, outfits and how she came up with her name.
On Her Normal Day:
“I wake up in the morning and I get on my computer and I have lists of references and reference boards with all of my materials on them, and I basically call the House of Gaga all day and argue with them about what I want to do while they tell me, ‘You can’t do that,’” she says. “And I say, ‘Yes, I can bleed to death on domestic television if want to!’ So, for me, it’s all about being provocative, not just getting people’s attention. It’s about really saying something that affects people in a real way and a positive way.”
On Her Celebrity Friendships
“I don’t really have a tremendous connection to the celebrity world. My friendships are really with my fans, and that’s how I really communicate. My vision is through them and through music.”
On That Red Lace MTV Outfit
“That’s an Alexander McQueen, and I added the hat to it,” she says. “It was meant to be a continuation of the VMA performance. So after the princess had been murdered by the paparazzi, the red lace was meant to symbolize sort of my eternal martyrdom.”
On the Origins of ‘Lady Gaga”
Her moniker was inspired by “Radio Gaga,” the song by Queen. “It was just a nickname that my friends had for me in New York and my producer, and it kind of stuck with me,” she says. “It was nice having a space for myself where I could feel safe and not feel like such a freak all the time.”
Sphere: Related ContentToni Braxton on Soundcheck
Jan 8th
Toni Braxton will be performing exclusively for Soundcheck in what will be a dynamic performance of ‘Yesterday’. Peep the preview, the full performance will be web cast on Soundcheck on January 15.
Gabourey Sidibe on Jimmy Fallon
Jan 7th
Gabourey “Gabby” Sibide made an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to chat about a bunch of things and of course about her breakthrough performance in the movie Precious. I was glad that finally along with talking about the big names in the movie like Mariah Carey, Paula Patton and Mo’Nique Jimmy Fallon mentions “the other girl–Joanne.”
“The girl who I said I don’t know her name…[Xosha Roqumore] she plays the one girl in class and they ask her name and she goes ‘Heeeyyyyy!’ That really made me laugh. The movie has high points and low points that was such a comic relief I loved it!”
If you haven’t seen Precious yet go check it out!
Sphere: Related ContentTrey Songz Covers Honey Mag January Issue (Photos)
Dec 22nd
Trey Songz covers the January issue of Honey Magazine, and he talks about his future, R. Kelly, his show energy and twitter. He’s a taste of what Mr. Invented Sex had to say:
On His Future:
It’s all forward progression. It’s only forward for me. If forward is bigger, better records — most definitely that. But, within moving forward, I plan to further establish my non-profit organization, Songz For Peace and touch people more. Do something with what I’ve taken in with my popularity, with my celebrity, as well as make records that touch people. I’ve got everyone’s attention now. There’s more people watching now.
On His Show Energy:
How do you bring the energy?
I mean it’s through the passion I put into it — from when I step on stage, to the faces I make to get the notes out, to my band, to the way the crowd feels. It’s almost as if I am acting out on a lot of the records and I urge myself to get better at it. I am a showman and I hope to display better showmanship as I grow. Pressure to dance? No.
On Being Compared to R.Kelly:
That comes from me listening to so much R. Kelly. Before I was even thinking to pursue music I would only listen to R. Kelly. That comes from me studying his music. Sometimes our tones are similar and sometimes the inflections I make with my voice is something that he would do, just because it’s my subconscious. And that’s not something that I try to do, it’s just something that is just there. To be compared to who I feel is the King of R&B has never been an insult. I’ve been compared to R. Kelly since my first album.
Have you heard his latest one? What do you think of it?
I think it’s good. I don’t think it’s great. I don’t think it’s amazing. It’s better than the last few albums he’s put out. He has some great records on there. I know I like six off top that I know all the words to right now.
Would you do a collaboration with him?
Most definitely.
For the full interview, check out Honey Mag.
Sphere: Related ContentSnopp Dogg Performs on The Colbert Report
Dec 15th
Random ain’t it? Lately Mr. Snopp D-O-G-G has been landing major promo spots on late night shows and has been rocking out hard with diverse audiences. Last night (12/14) Snoop performed his latest single “I Wanna Rock” on The Colbert Report and also sat down for an interview with Stephen Colbert…very interesting placement. Get it Snoop.
Interview
Video via A3urban
Sphere: Related ContentKelis Talks About The Look of Black Industry Women & Being A Step Ahead of the Pack
Dec 11th
Kelis sat down with Popbytes.com to talk about her new album, her single Acapella, answers questions on if she felt Rihanna is ’swagger jacking’ her style from the ‘Kelis Was Here’ album, and gives her thoughts on Lady Gaga.
Popbytes.com interviews Kelis! from Popbytes on Vimeo.
Sphere: Related ContentOn Lady Gaga
“She’s a youngin. I appreciate it. It’s interesting actually. I appreciate her visually. I really appreciate her visually. I say this all the time, being pretty is exhausting and it’s boring. I think that when you are not afraid to not be pretty and just kind of go there… and I’m not saying that she’s not pretty but I’m saying that as far as the choices she makes fashion wise… That’s what’s fun.
She’s separate from it because she’s white. As a black female I always say, “Look at us”. The ones that they let in, we pretty much all look the same at the end of the day. WE are all the same complexion, same color hair, same build..it’s like “where’s the variation”. And its because what’s safe and what’s acceptable..and what’s pretty. Pretty is annoying and it’s boring. You don’t get any credit for being pretty because it’s what your parents did and what God did so if you can actually do something creative and do something that’s not always easy on the eye, I can appreciate it.
Geoffrey Canada on 60 Minutes Highlights The Harlem Children’s Zone Success
Dec 6th
If you’ve never heard of Harlem Children’s Zone, take 15minutes of your day to watch the 60 minutes highlight on Geoffrey Canada and his efforts to revolutionize education and the perception of students from urban areas.
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John Mayer Apologizes For Using the ‘N word’ in an Interview
Feb 10th
Posted by icannot in Culture
5 comments
John Mayer just apologized via Twitter for some of the comments he made during a recent Playboy interview, specifically his use of the ‘N word.’ He writes:
Okay…but what about everything ELSE he said??? But the N-word was just one part of the ignoramus comments made to Playboy. What about likening his penis to a anti-Semite who played a huge role in the KKK, and exploiting his sexual conquests? #imjustsaying.
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