Monday, April 27, 2009

Meouch!

Looks like the Pussycat Dolls may be having some problems with ego's lately.  But to be honest, anyone who follows this pop group could have seen this coming long ago.   Just think Spice Girls part two and you have all the makings of a catty girl fight.

Singer Melody Thornton didn't help those pesky band break-up rumors during a recent concert in Phoeix this past weekend after pointedly calling attention to frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger's  "featured" status on the group's latest singles.

The Pussycat Dolls version of " Jai Ho" and "Hush Hush" have been released under the name "Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger" instead of the usual "Pussycat Dolls."

"Thank you so much for supporting me - even if I'm not featured, you know what I'm saying?" Thornton shouted in front of a packed audience.

The singer even sounded a little choked up as she added, "You can do anything you want to do. Don't give up on your dreams and don't let anyone stop you - ever!"

Scherzinger reportedly shot Thornton a nasty look after the remarks.

The group's label has kept mum on why Scherzinger has received special attention, leading some to think she may be leaving the Dolls to pursue a solo career.

For those of you who have been following my blog you know how we've weighed in about "looks" being a central part of the entertainment industry so does it come as any surprise that Nicole is the lead in this Josie & The Pussycats type band?  But can you really hate the girl for having better management and marketing behind her?  She's got looks and a decent voice so why not use it while you can.  In this business you're hot today and gone tomorrow and this cat seems to be leaving the litter behind!


Disney’s First African American Princess



The Princess and the Frog is an upcoming animated musical feature film currently being produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and based upon the classic fairy tale The Frog Princess. It will be the first traditionally animated (2-D) feature film in Disney’s animated features canon since 2004’s Home on the Range.  The story is a fairy tale centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana who lives in New Orleans’ French Quarter during the Jazz Age.  With American's first African-American president in the White House, Disney is counting on an African-American princess to be a big hit in Hollywood.

When finished, it will take its place as the 48th animated film by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It is being directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, directors of The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, with songs and score composed by Randy Newman and starring the voice talents of Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, John Goodman, Jenifer Lewis, Angela Bassett and Peter Bartlett. Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose is providing the voice for the lead character, Tian.

I would applaud Disney had it not taken them so long to create such a character.  It seems like for years they have tip-toed on the fringes (Pocahontas & Jasmine in Aladdin) of introducing us to an African American character  of some kind of worth but have instead chose to create every other race but.   Why didn't they release such a project like this oh let say right before or after Aladdin?  Could it be that Disney is only looking to capitalize on the recent Obama euphoria?    Yes, "change" is a good thing but if you ask me, Disney should have been ushering in such "change" long ago.  But it seems that Disney may be in for more controversy still.  Although the black princess’s love interest in the new animated musical is called Prince Naveen of Maldonia and is voiced by a Brazilian actor, he looks more white (gasp!)than black in photographs from the film that Disney have released.


Well being a bi-racial child I don't nor have I ever seen anything wrong with two persons who love each other falling in love and living happily ever after.   But I'm sure that this will create debate on both sides of the coin.  So tell me what do you think?