Avril Lavigne Profile: I'm Confused, Actually

Avril Lavigne was actually the artist of the year for 2002 for me. And how far down she's come since then!

Her debut year was impressive: Complicated, Skater Boi and I'm With You were all hits I really liked. Sadly the quality of her work became so inconsistent, and her image - let's not go there.

There was also this thing about her being the 'anti-Britney' - I believed that for a while, but then I was 15, and she hadn't shown her 'true colours' yet. She is anything but anti-Britney, I think.

The question I still have is: would the real Avril please stand up?

Original and Cover: La La La

The original: Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith


The cover: Megan Nicole and Jason Chen


Cover beats original in my opinion. What do you think?

Demi Lovato Profile: The Last One Standing

Of the rising young stars of the late 00s, Demi Lovato stood out the least for me. At that time, Miley Cyrus was probably the standout, and Selena Gomez had plenty of success too. Both Miley and Selena had their respective Disney shows, which I didn't watch because I was certainly too old for it, but their music did register well. Miranda Cosgrove also released a few great hits that made quite an impression, even though I was really WAY too old to appreciate iCarly. Demi, on the other hand, never really hit my radar in any way.

Fast forward five years. Amongst her peers, Demi is now the one I most respect. This is especially true after Selena did Springbreakers and the 'new Miley' happened. She's the 'last one standing' of the three from Disney, really. But that's not the whole story. She's come through a tough time in life, and is now using her experience to help others. She's speaking out about the reality of drug addiction, whilst the rest of Hollywood just pretends that there isn't an issue about that. She's doing some important work out there, in other words.

Beyonce Knowles Most Powerful Star?

The latest Forbes Celebrity 100 has named Beyonce Knowles the most powerful star in the world.

I have to say that I am a bit surprised. She certainly isn't 'powerful' in the circles that I move in. If anything, her 'power' seems to be on the decrease amongst my friends. Even Justin Bieber has more 'power'.

So who should be the most powerful star? Ellen Degeneres, I think, just from the top of my head. Or maybe it's actually Harry Styles, looking at it from another angle.

Three Questions: Iggy Azalea

If I ever get to interview Iggy, here are the three questions I would like to ask.

1. You have put emphasis on saying that you are 'real'. In fact, in your lyrics for Fancy, you say 'first things first, I'm the realest'. Why do you have to do that, though? I am not going to doubt that you are 'real' either way, you know. Of all the singers that I have listened to, I think Katie Melua would likely be the 'realest', yet I don't hear her going around saying that at all. What does 'I'm the realest' mean anyway?

2. You have a very special story. You know, living in rural Australia, then going to the US on your own, and finding your feet there. We want to know more, seriously. Will you write an autobiography someday?

3. Having lived in both Australia and different parts of the US, you are quite a mix of cultures, right? I have a similar experience and I think it makes me the unique person that I am. How would you say that the different cultures have shaped you?

Three Questions: Miley Cyrus

If I ever get to interview Miley, here are the three questions I would like to ask. I know that these are quite tough questions, but life is all about asking the tough questions, right?

1. You said that what we are seeing now is the real you, rather than what you were in the past few years. I have to say that I was a fan of the 'old' you. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that I was a fan of a fake persona all that time?

2. It's definitely all right that you want to live your life a certain way. However, if I was having lunch in a restaurant and the lady sitting at the table next to me suddenly took off their clothes and started licking the tables and chairs, I would feel quite offended. Not that I think people can't ever do these things if that's what they like, but there's a time and place for everything, and I think you would agree that actions like that would be suited more to a private audience, and I really shouldn't be forced to watch while I eat. Whilst I haven't had the misfortune of having that exact appearance, a few months back I had a very similar experience. You see, your Wrecking Ball video was on TV at a restaurant where I ate. Don't you think that was a bit, well, inappropriate?

3. You are very positive towards marijuana, I understand. However, there is some evidence that marijuana can be harmful for the brain. I do believe people should be able to live however they choose to, and therefore I believe in marijuana legalisation. But I also believe that people choosing a particular course of action should have all the information available to them. Don't you think that glorifying marijuana whilst not mentioning any of the potential cons to its use may not be the most responsible thing to do?

I 'Hate Iggy Azalea' Because I 'Hate Hip Hop'? Not really.

After my recent comments about my dislike of Iggy Azalea's current hit Fancy, some have apparently linked that to my previous comments a few years ago about my then negative views about hip hop. Well, firstly I have made it clear that I don't hate hip hop anymore, I was concerned about the racism, sexism and homophobia it sometimes displayed, but I think things are getting better there. Hip hop will never be my favourite genre, but I have nothing against it. I even promoted Macklemore's Same Love amongst my friends last year!

And I don't hate Iggy either. I don't hate people without good reason. I only hate people whose actions have negative consequences on others' lives - like Australia's current Prime Minister Tony Abbott (look it up if you want to know how bad he is). However, I have to honestly say that I dislike that song. I don't understand how anyone would like it either - all I can say is that I respect everyone's tastes in music.

In short: It was purely about dislike of a song, not a person, and definitely not a whole genre.

Miley "grotesque" and "disgusting"? I Think She Actually Needs Help

There have been rumours that one well known musician said that Miley Cyrus's recent VMA performance was "grotesque" and "disgusting", rumours that have since been reported to be false. (In the interest of not spreading false rumours, I will not name the said celebrity.) Even though we now know the story is untrue, some of my friends did say that they agreed that the performance would deserve those harsh words. One even said that everything Miley did in the past year would fit that description.

I myself have been quite harsh on Miley too, shocked by her sudden change. She was one of my favourite artists before, you know. But on further thinking, maybe I was a bit too tough. Honestly, I have to say that the VMA performance was horrible, as were most of the recent performances and music videos. But really, in Miley I still see someone in need of help rather than condemnation.

Surely I don't like her new music anymore. It doesn't mean I have no sympathy about her condition. I think she doesn't know how to 'grow up' and project a confident, interesting and unique persona. Surely, being controversial gets people talking. But I think one has to understand that there are better ways to be 'interesting'. I hope she learns one day. I also happen to think that this is a problem facing many young people today. I think it's something we all need to think about, collectively.

Iggy Azalea's Fancy: Most Annoying #1 Ever?

The latest Billboard Hot 100 #1 is not your average #1 hit. It's a rap hit by a white Australian woman, who however raps in a Southern accent. This alone has caused lots of controversy. I personally don't believe that just because someone is white or Australian they should not rap, but I do think her voice is so annoying! And her attitude is, frankly, off putting.

By the way, here she is:


What do you think? Do you agree with me?

Glee's Audience Keeps Tumbling Down: Is There Any Way Back Up?

A friend was talking to me the other day about Glee. Yes, that TV show that used to have 10 million plus audiences in the USA alone. That show where one of the most popular characters died a tragic death. Another season of that show ended just last week, and the closing episode apparently scored another new low in audience ratings. And after next season, it's been decided that it's all coming to an end.

Many people have written the show off entirely by now. But not me. You see, there's always a way back up.

I suggest that they look at returning some of the cast that stopped appearing in the middle of last season. In particular the character Marley (played by Melissa Benoist). It's the best character Glee has ever had, in my opinion. Unlike most others on the show, she's actually inspiring. That's probably because she isn't selfish, annoying, and sometimes borderline immoral like many other Glee characters. It's something you can actually identify with, I would say.

Not to mention how she has a great relationship with her mother. Great family relationships should always be celebrated as an important part of our culture, I believe!