HOLLYWOOD—Lady Gaga emerged from a giant egg at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, on February 13, performing her newly-released single, “Born This Way.” Moments after her performance, “Twitter” had a field day comparing her new release to Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” First of all, pop music is all similar. Lady Gaga didn’t copy, you just get reminded of it; the lyrics are different. If that was the case, usually similar-sounding songs are caught by attorneys representing the artist or record company. It’s like comparing Barbra Streisand’s “Woman in Love” with Britney Spears’s “Oops I Did It Again,” on amphetamines.
The show started brilliantly with a tribute to ailing Aretha Franklin, which featured Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Yolanda Adams and Christina Aguilera. Aguilera managed to remember the lyrics but somehow fell at the end of her performance. It’s almost like she’s jinxed. The intense production had a little something for everyone with performances from Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Justin Bieber.
The red carpet was a shocker with beautiful Katy Perry attaching wings to her gown. Perry brought her grandmother along for the show; it was very sweet. Nicki Minaj wore a leopard Q-tip look. Jennifer Lopez wore a mini-disco ball dress that seemed blinding and a bit inappropriate for anyone over 40. The dress would have looked great on Miley Cyrus instead. Miley wore a zebra-sequined print by Roberto Cavalli that was gorgeous. Selena Gomez was all glam wearing a metallic-champagne flowing gown by J. Mendel. Rihanna wore an eye-opening, very-revealing white gown by Jean Paul Gaultier. The highlight of the red carpet has to go to Lady Gaga who was carried on the shoulders of her entourage like Cleopatra. The only difference was she was inside an egg-like vessel. Everyone was on the red carpet from Justin Bieber to “Jersey Shore” star Snooki.
Speaking of “Jersey Shore,” we bumped into Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola at Mandee on February 11. Sammi lived up to her name. She was sweet and personable unlike her character on the cast. Sammi took the time from her busy schedule to make an appearance to benefit “Soles4Souls,” an organization with a mission to procure shoes to those in need. The organization was founded by Wayne Elsey in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia. Millions of shoes are donated and subsequently given to victims in devastated countries who desperately need footwear.
Everyone is helping these days from Sammi to the newly crowned Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, who stopped by at the American Signature Furniture store on February 12 to host a food drive for local pantries. Canyon News had the pleasure of interviewing the beautiful 18-year-old Miss America in a quick meet and greet:
CN: Any other charity work that you’re involved with?
TS: “I’m also making appearances at schools to talk about eating disorders, so that our future children will be healthy.”
CN: What’s next?
TS: “I’m planning on going to Germany sometime this year, to visit military hospitals. It’s been just a few weeks only since I’ve been crowned Miss America but I’ve been doing a lot of appearances.”
Miss America is absolutely gorgeous, and she is a genuine person who truly cares about people and is mature beyond her age. Teresa wasn’t wearing the crown; instead it was placed next to her on a stand. Miss America makes us all proud.
Rose’s Scoop: Justin Bieber’s fans were so upset the tween idol didn’t win the Grammy for Best New Artist. In retaliation, the crazed fans attacked winner Esperanza Spalding’s Wikipedia page.
