For those of you who wondered why Annie Leibovitz would lend her talents to the Disney Parks marketing campaign these last few years, we now know the answer -- she needed the money. Leibotivz had a $24 million loan that was due this week and her ability to repay it immediately was in question. It looks like whether she loses the rights to her work, she put that up as collateral for the loan, or is able to retain some or all through bankruptcy proceedings is now up to the courts.
Allen Salkin's July article has a few ideas on how this could have happened. In the meantime, stay tuned, we may shortly be seeing Leibovitz's famous works for sale as postcards, or worse.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Dear Michael...
Michael Jackson: My first love, my hero, the greatest entertainer of our time, Humanitarian, the King of Pop, Son, Brother, Father, and Friend. Rest in peace.
Regardless of all the crazy rumors, tabloid fodder, and absurd accusations, I loved Michael Jackson. He was an artist, a genius, and someone almost unreal. My one regret is that I never saw him in concert and I’ll never have a chance to. Michael Jackson was the end all be all for me - he had the looks, the voice, the moves, and a style all his own. Say what you want, he was very much a trendsetter.
Michael Jackson believed he was born to share his musical gift with the world. He achieved that and so much more. His music lifted my spirits and brought comfort to me when I was a little girl who didn't understand some of the things going on around her. So I'll try not to cry over the loss of such an amazing talent anymore but instead I will celebrate his life and legacy.
Rest in peace, Michael, you were the best that ever did it.
It has taken me two months to put some words together about Michael Jackson. Since his passing, I’ve cried and played ALL his music. I just wanted to hold onto the good times a little while longer.
On Thursday, June 25, 2009, I checked CNN as I always do and splashed across their home page were the words “Michael Jackson rushed to hospital. Suffered cardiac arrest.” My heart began to race, my hands became cold, and my nerves were officially on edge.
Luckily, I have a Blackberry so I can stay informed while on the go. Twitter was abuzz with varying messages; pedestrians were passing by texting and talking on their cell phones. I refused to believe anything unless it came from CNN or another reputable news source.
I was walking towards my apartment building, when I received a CNN text confirming what I did not want to believe; Michael Jackson has died. At that moment I could no longer hear anything, all the activity around me seemed to pause. I was in a state of complete shock and as I walked those last few feet to my building, I began to cry. Once inside my apartment, I collapsed on the sofa and cried my heart out. Yes. It was that serious for me.
Ever since I can remember, Michael Jackson has been in my life. My mother took me to see “The Wiz” when I was four-years old. The moment the Scarecrow appeared on the screen, I remember thinking “he’s cute” and I was mad the crows were teasing him. I was completely blown away when he sang “You Can’t Win”. There was just something about that Scarecrow.
Songs from Off The Wall were in heavy rotation when I was in kindergarten. I remember the deejay saying Michael Jackson’s name after certain songs so I committed his name to memory.
After seeing him on the cover of a Jet magazine, I was in love. When Thriller came out – I was an older and wiser nine-year-old girl who decided the year before that I wanted to be Michael Jackson's wife when I grew up.
I was beyond OBSESSED with all things Michael. At night I prayed, “Please God, when I grow up I just want to marry Michael Jackson.” In my mind, he was everything and we were getting married. His pictures covered my walls. My bedroom was a Michael Jackson shrine. I made scrapbooks dedicated to him, wrote him a ton of letters, and joined his fan club. If there was a contest to meet him or win concert tickets, I entered and enlisted the parentals to enter also. Looking back I know I drove my parents crazy but I was a little girl with a hardcore crush and I meant business.
His music was all I wanted to hear. My paltry allowance went towards the purchase of buttons, magazines, bags, and books. There wasn’t enough paraphernalia I could get my little hands on. Our fifteen-year age difference did not matter to me at all, had he knocked on my door, I would have grabbed my Cabbage Patch doll and followed him anywhere, lol. I knew every song on Thriller word for word. I had no clue what Human Nature was but I figured it involved being able to stay up late and be outside with Michael so I wanted to sign up!
Michael Jackson provided the soundtrack to my life. His videos were way ahead of the times we were living in during the 1980s. In one day, I watched the “Beat It” video ten times. I never missed any of his television performances. When he moonwalked for the first time during Motown's 25th Anniversary, I screamed and jumped up and down as if I was front row center.
The same reaction fans had seeing him in person were just the same I had watching him on television. I still get chills watching old footage of him. My devotion to him never wavered.
On Thursday, June 25, 2009, I checked CNN as I always do and splashed across their home page were the words “Michael Jackson rushed to hospital. Suffered cardiac arrest.” My heart began to race, my hands became cold, and my nerves were officially on edge.
Luckily, I have a Blackberry so I can stay informed while on the go. Twitter was abuzz with varying messages; pedestrians were passing by texting and talking on their cell phones. I refused to believe anything unless it came from CNN or another reputable news source.
I was walking towards my apartment building, when I received a CNN text confirming what I did not want to believe; Michael Jackson has died. At that moment I could no longer hear anything, all the activity around me seemed to pause. I was in a state of complete shock and as I walked those last few feet to my building, I began to cry. Once inside my apartment, I collapsed on the sofa and cried my heart out. Yes. It was that serious for me.
Ever since I can remember, Michael Jackson has been in my life. My mother took me to see “The Wiz” when I was four-years old. The moment the Scarecrow appeared on the screen, I remember thinking “he’s cute” and I was mad the crows were teasing him. I was completely blown away when he sang “You Can’t Win”. There was just something about that Scarecrow.
Songs from Off The Wall were in heavy rotation when I was in kindergarten. I remember the deejay saying Michael Jackson’s name after certain songs so I committed his name to memory.
After seeing him on the cover of a Jet magazine, I was in love. When Thriller came out – I was an older and wiser nine-year-old girl who decided the year before that I wanted to be Michael Jackson's wife when I grew up.
I was beyond OBSESSED with all things Michael. At night I prayed, “Please God, when I grow up I just want to marry Michael Jackson.” In my mind, he was everything and we were getting married. His pictures covered my walls. My bedroom was a Michael Jackson shrine. I made scrapbooks dedicated to him, wrote him a ton of letters, and joined his fan club. If there was a contest to meet him or win concert tickets, I entered and enlisted the parentals to enter also. Looking back I know I drove my parents crazy but I was a little girl with a hardcore crush and I meant business.
His music was all I wanted to hear. My paltry allowance went towards the purchase of buttons, magazines, bags, and books. There wasn’t enough paraphernalia I could get my little hands on. Our fifteen-year age difference did not matter to me at all, had he knocked on my door, I would have grabbed my Cabbage Patch doll and followed him anywhere, lol. I knew every song on Thriller word for word. I had no clue what Human Nature was but I figured it involved being able to stay up late and be outside with Michael so I wanted to sign up!
Michael Jackson provided the soundtrack to my life. His videos were way ahead of the times we were living in during the 1980s. In one day, I watched the “Beat It” video ten times. I never missed any of his television performances. When he moonwalked for the first time during Motown's 25th Anniversary, I screamed and jumped up and down as if I was front row center.
The same reaction fans had seeing him in person were just the same I had watching him on television. I still get chills watching old footage of him. My devotion to him never wavered.
Regardless of all the crazy rumors, tabloid fodder, and absurd accusations, I loved Michael Jackson. He was an artist, a genius, and someone almost unreal. My one regret is that I never saw him in concert and I’ll never have a chance to. Michael Jackson was the end all be all for me - he had the looks, the voice, the moves, and a style all his own. Say what you want, he was very much a trendsetter.
Michael Jackson believed he was born to share his musical gift with the world. He achieved that and so much more. His music lifted my spirits and brought comfort to me when I was a little girl who didn't understand some of the things going on around her. So I'll try not to cry over the loss of such an amazing talent anymore but instead I will celebrate his life and legacy.
Rest in peace, Michael, you were the best that ever did it.
I'm Baaaaack!!!!
*Walked into the room, let the sunlight in, looking around, hmmm...thinking I should set up shop right over there, just let me set this down...Gotta get my iPod, plug in my laptop, grab a stack of mags...then I'll be ready.*
Are you ready? Let's go...
I'm Back
The thrill of landing back on American soil was overwhelming! I am so happy to be home in the US, and sang "Proud To Be An American", in the line waiting to go through customs! You take so many little things for granted, and YES ex specially now with OBAMA as my president, I can honestly say, "I am proud to be an American"! I spent the day, just trying to keep my eyes open! I ran to Chipotle for my favorite big as hell chicken burrito! I sat and people watched, and tore through that sandwich. Then, I went to the cinema to watch the movie "September Issue"! Those who read my blog, know how obsessed I am with the fashion industry. The movie was everything I wanted it to be and more. Although I left the theater loving Grace, and to me, she was the movie. I spent the whole flick mesmerized by her eye for fashion and art. Lastly, to stay awake, (well, for fun too) I ended up with my friend Alex Ringler,(PLUG: follow his blog, he has alot to say to the world "Human Chameleon") at Musical Monday's, and bar's around the Chelsea New York area. We both in attempt to stay up, was so giddy, and had a blast. In the end, I made it through, and I'm excited to start my day! From being in Asia, I feel like I look at so many simple things differently! I admire the beauty of our country, and I respect so many little things. One of the things the Asian culture has taught me, and I definitely don't want to lose that!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Full Circle
I began this four week journey to Japan, with so much excitement, and just joy! The thrill of the unknown, and the passion I have to travel and see the world! I am blessed to have seen many places in my own country, and outside of it! Japan, was a place I never dreamed of seeing, and was never on my destination rador at all! Now, after have been here for a month, I wouldn't take anything back! I got here to Japan, and was a tourist, I got up at 8 am in the beginning, and saw many beautiful sites. Kamakura, Shibuya, Harajuku, Kyoto, War Museum, Hakone, Osaka, Monkey Mountain, Gion Corner, Tokyo Tower, Robataya, Asakusa, Shinjuku, and Universal Studios Japan! I conquered a quest of meeting a Geisha, I played with Monkeys, I saw a huge Buddha,I saw Mt. Fuji, I saw stinky small volcanic eruptions, I went on a pirate ship, I had some fun ice cream flavors, I had some great dining experiences, I danced in Shinjuku, I bonded with old friends, I just had a thrill of time! I even made new local friends in this big over populated country. I attempted to learn and respect this culture, that was so completely different than my own. I have never met a friendlier group of people in my life! What ever they do to raise children here, Americans can take a lesson or two! Such beautiful people and a stunning place to visit.
I ended my last week here, frustrated, hungry for some real food, hating the language barrier, hating on the earthquakes and typhoons, hating the gym experience, and sick of some cultural differences. I was yearning for the United States, and couldn't wait to get back home!
As the big day is here, and I have a 22 hour travel day, which includes, flying from Osaka back to Tokyo, and Tokyo to the states. My heart stops in sadness. I will miss the relationships I have cultivated in this town. I will miss the beautiful fans, that followed me into the mall for my autograph. I will miss the feeling of peace that you get in this country. I will miss, the spirituality and respect everyone here has for the smallest things! And more than anything, I will miss the natural beauty this country has everywhere surrounding me!
Japan for me, is a chapter of my life that I will never forget as a person! I had small dramas, but a wonderful experience all together. I have grown as an artist here, and most of all, as a person. I still continued to learn so much about myself, and feel like I am a little taller as a human! I have had a full circle moment, here, and yet I'm still ready to go home! I WILL MISS YOU JAPAN!!!! UNTIL NEXT TIME!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
I Feel The Music In Me
Yesterday, was a musical day for me, and I forgot how much I love music. I take for granted the fact that I sing as profession, and sometimes forget why I do what I do! Music has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old, sitting at a piano banging on the keys. Singing is how I got into this business, and is the start of my acting/dancing career. The voice came first and is always my first true love.
Yesterday, I sat back stage before the show, with my ipod blasting in my ears. Feeling the music, flow through my body, and feeling my soul, and heart get possessed. The feeling is indescribable, and genius if you can feel what I feel when I listen to music. I close my eyes, and see colors, my heart beats fast, then images of childhood or memories of the past come flipping in my head! Music, is the key to my heart and soul! After experiencing this wild pre-show lift. I decided to cut off all my lights at the hotel and listen to random play on my ipod! It was one of the most magical evenings I have had in a while! I sang, I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I yearned, and I prayed! For example, "Crush", by David Archuleta, (a cheesy pop song), took me to a whole other world. A friend played it for me, and it so happens to be the same friend, that I relate the lyrics too. Then the Pointer Sisters "I'm So Excited", entered on my ipod. All these memories of this song as a child came rushing through my head, and the lyrics took me to the excitement of seeing Manhattan again on Monday! Which, made me dance like Tom Cruise in my underwear and t-shirt all over my hotel room! Music, is so deep, magical, and very powerful. Finally when the classical music hit my ipod, WOW, forget about it! There is no lyrics, I make my own story in my head. Imagination runs wild, and my musical experience takes flight! I decided that I need to have a listening session, once or twice a week. I will give this gift to myself, because music truly makes me happy!
Yesterday, I sat back stage before the show, with my ipod blasting in my ears. Feeling the music, flow through my body, and feeling my soul, and heart get possessed. The feeling is indescribable, and genius if you can feel what I feel when I listen to music. I close my eyes, and see colors, my heart beats fast, then images of childhood or memories of the past come flipping in my head! Music, is the key to my heart and soul! After experiencing this wild pre-show lift. I decided to cut off all my lights at the hotel and listen to random play on my ipod! It was one of the most magical evenings I have had in a while! I sang, I cried, I laughed, I smiled, I yearned, and I prayed! For example, "Crush", by David Archuleta, (a cheesy pop song), took me to a whole other world. A friend played it for me, and it so happens to be the same friend, that I relate the lyrics too. Then the Pointer Sisters "I'm So Excited", entered on my ipod. All these memories of this song as a child came rushing through my head, and the lyrics took me to the excitement of seeing Manhattan again on Monday! Which, made me dance like Tom Cruise in my underwear and t-shirt all over my hotel room! Music, is so deep, magical, and very powerful. Finally when the classical music hit my ipod, WOW, forget about it! There is no lyrics, I make my own story in my head. Imagination runs wild, and my musical experience takes flight! I decided that I need to have a listening session, once or twice a week. I will give this gift to myself, because music truly makes me happy!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
This American Boy Heart is Beating!
The heart pounds so hard, and so many times a day! I am extra sensitive this week, as I think it is due, to the fact I'm ready to leave Japan. I find myself doing anything, that says I Am An American Boy on it! My heart raced as I walked into Universal Studios the other day! Heart pounded as everything was written in English, and all the rides/scenery looked just like L.A.! My heart was happy to have McDonald's for breakfast. Yesterday, my heart made me shop in Japan at all the American Stores in the Mall, such as Banana Republic. I rebel against the Japanese culture! My heart is beating for an American Bed, American Food, American Shopping, and Speaking English! I'm going to run straight to Chipotle, in Chelsea New York as soon as put my bags down! I can smell the steaming Burrito here in Japan! MMMMM, I can't wait, I am craving it so bad. My heart is beating for a place where I can show my tattoo, and have a great work out, and not be the biggest dude in the gym. I can't wait to go to an American Gym, and get back into shape! AHHHH bliss is right around the corner. I can't wait to have dinner, with my closes friends in the world. My heart beats hard for there voices, and great conversation. I have so much to catch up on! Oh I just can't wait to get off that plane, and turn the corner to my place in Chelsea New York City! To see all the beautiful people walking around the streets. My heart beats to flirt on the train, to flirt at a bar, to just be flirted with! To not be stared at because I'm different looking. To see so many Americans just going through everyday life. My heart is beating so fast right now, and I close my eyes and feel the American Soil so close to my future!
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