The ‘Empire State of Mind’ hitmaker – who has an eight-month-old son, Egypt, with husband Swizz Beatz – says becoming a mum has changed her life in a “fun” way.
She explained: “Motherhood is heaven. It’s so purposeful and such fun. I feel much wiser in the choices I make. I have a reason in life I never had before.”
Alicia’s new outlook on life is a far cry from when the 30-year-old singer first found success and she admitted her fame was “scary” to begin with.
She told the Daily Mail newspaper: “I suddenly found myself doing tours, TV shows and flying every day.
“Everyone wanted a piece of me and that was scary. Being from New York, I covered that up.”
Now with a successful career and a happy personal life, Alicia is looking to the future and first on the agenda is a collaboration with Kings of Leon.
She said: “For a while I’ve wanted to do something with Kings of Leon. I definitely want to do it – I’m just waiting for the right moment.”
Tennis Players and Celebrities celebrate the start of the 125th Wimbledon Championship at the WTA Pre Wimbledon party in association with Range Rover
Last night saw the best of women’s tennis come out to celebrate the start of Wimbledon Championships for 2011.
Celebrities including Eliza Doolittle, Holly Branson, Kimberly Wyatt, Naomi Harris, Holly Valance, Patsy Kensit, Lord Sugar and Tinie Tempah joined the players at the exclusive bash held at The Roof Gardens in Kensington. The venue was decorated with a Turkish theme to acknowledge Istanbul as the host of this year’s Championship.
The event, sponsored by Range Rover, in conjunction with the launch of the all new Evoque, saw fashion take centre stage with a historical collaboration between the British Fashion Council and the Women’s Tennis Association. To celebrate the rise of fashion within the sport, top designers including Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney created dresses for some of the top female players.
Rising British stars Heather Watson and Laura Robson were also dressed to impress ahead of their run in the tournament, wearing stunning dresses by Mulberry and Temperley respectively.
Elen Rivas graced the red carpet and showed no signs of upset over this week’s announcement of Lampard’s engagement. She did however manage to avoid answering any questions on the subject and instead was telling everyone about her plans to become a fashion stylist.
Sinitta turned up looking glamorous and refusing to comment on whether the rumours about her and Steve Jones were true.
Jared from Kings of Leon turned up towards the end of the evening without his fellow band mates to enjoy a much needed night off from their current hectic schedule.
George Lamb was a hit with the ladies, with a swarm following him around all night.
Range Rover added music and colour to the party with an interactive Evoque inspired wireframe art installation named ‘Sounds of the City’. Guests were able to create their own sound and light show by engaging with the installation throughout the evening.
England’s top tennis tournament, set to kick of on Monday 20th June, is celebrating its 125th year
Frost and MUZU’s music video experts have been busy researching William and Kate facts and debating song choices in order to come up with the ultimate street party playlist for the royal wedding on Friday.
We have selected songs that will most resonate with William and Kate, and which may even be among special requests given to Guy Pelly, Prince Harry’s close friend, who will be DJ-ing at the reception.
http://www.muzu.tv/wedding/. There is also a competition to win a £100 gig voucher. We’re inviting people to watch our first dance playlist and vote for the song they think will be Will and Kate’s first dance http://www.muzu.tv/wedding/1st-dance?channelId=818636).
Here’s our MUZU.TV royal wedding street party playlist:
1. Adele – Make You Feel My Love
This song was originally written by Bob Dylan, who has an honorary degree from St Andrews University, where William and Kate met – at breakfast. Adele made the song famous again with her debut album ‘19’.
2. Paul McCartney – Dance Tonight [Video ID 215641]
It’s widely reported that William and Kate have asked Macca to sing some Beatles classics at their wedding. Sir Paul does have a tradition of performing for royalty and was a highlight of the televised concert to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. There’s another connection: cakes. Fiona Cairns, who is making the royal wedding cake, also supplies Paul McCartney with a Christmas cake every year.
The team wanted to include at least one Abba song for Kate who loves the 80s Swedish band. She also looks a little bit like the young Frida Lyngstad (one of the two girls that made up the band).
4. Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling [Video ID 482065]
The Black Eyed Peas performed at the 2007 Diana Tribute Concert and it’s rumoured that they’re invited on Friday. Looking at their schedule they certainly don’t have any live performances booked…
5. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes – (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life [Video ID 54057]
…as featured in the classic 1987s films, Dirty Dancing, starring Patrick Swayze. William loves 80s dance music and the couple have been snapped smooching on dance floors in the past… perhaps he plans to surprise his bride-to-be with his own version of ‘the lift’ on Friday?
6. Dancing in the Street – David Bowie / Mick Jagger [Video ID 34355]
The British public voted this as their number on street party song for the Royal Wedding, according to a PRS for MUSIC. Also Mick Jagger serenaded William and Kate and a crowd of people at a party to celebrate the famous Basil’s Bar on the privately owned island of Mustique in 2008. Flamboyant owner Charles Basil is said to have been invited to the wedding.
The band met Harry backstage when they played London’s O2 last December and drummer Nathan Followhill thrashed him at table tennis that same night. Nathan has since said he’d be delighted to play for either brother’s weddings. We’re not sure he made it onto the guest list for Friday though.
8. Elton John – Candle in the Wind [Video ID 236869]
Three reasons for picking this song. First, Sir Elton John is a solid friend of the princes, and has been invited the wedding. Second, the song is closely associated with Princess Diana after he sung it at her funeral in 1997, also in Westminster Abbey (the single went on to sell more 33 million copies worldwide, and is the best selling single in history…) And third, it was voted top choice for the couple’s first dance by the British public according to PRS for MUSIC.
George was a close friend or Princess Diana’s but we’re told he didn’t get an invitation to the wedding. He has however recorded a cover of Stevie Wonder’s romantic 1972 track ‘You And I’ for the couple as a wedding gift! It has reportedly been given the royal seal approval from the Palace. The team chose the 80s classic Faith, in tribute to Williams love of 80s music – we’re sorry we didn’t have more space for Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Wham…
A great celebration track. Katy Perry says she plans to gatecrash the wedding, with Russell Brand dressed up as the Queen. We’re not sure they have our blessing…
11. Marili Harwood – Billy William & Kate’s Royal Wedding
The 36-year old singer made history this month when she became the first woman to secure a maternity clause in her contract with a record label – in her case, Island records. She won’t work more than 20 hours a week in the second trimester of her pregnancy and can stop work on 1 July (her baby is due in August).
James Blunt is taking a day off from his North American tour to be at Westminster Abbey April 29. Blunt and Will both served in the British army’s Household Cavalry, though not at the same time. Instead of the obvious ‘You’re Beautiful’ we chose one of Blunt’s new songs. The lyrics are pretty appropriate for the end of reception: “I hope you stay the night, the morning on its way, our friends all say good bye there’s no where else to go, I hope you stay the night…” We reckon she probably will, Will.
2010 was the year of the man band with Take That topping the charts as the most popular act of the past 12 months.
According to viagogo, Europe’s largest secondary ticket marketplace, 2010 was a year of testosterone-fuelled acts as the Kings of Leon and JLS complete the top three. There was just one woman in the top ten – Lady Gaga in fourth position.
The Libertines, in their intimate comeback gig at the HMV Kentish Town Forum, was the highest priced ticket of 2010.Tickets for Libertines reunion gig sold for well over the odds with the highest price ticket going for £223, £197 above face value.
Surprisingly, Cliff Richard’s recent 70’th anniversary gigs also pulled in the pennies with fans paying £136 – £76 over face value – to get a glimpse of the golden oldie.
Top 20 most popular acts of 2010
1. Take That
2. Kings of Leon
3. JLS
4. Lady Gaga
5. Michael Bublé
6. Roger Waters
7. Bon Jovi
8. Muse
9. Black Eyed Peas
10. Westlife
11. Usher
12. Katy Perry
13. Justin Bieber
14. Rhianna
15. Leona Lewis
16. Foo Fighters
17. Eric Clapton
18. Linkin Park
19. Tinie Tempah
20. Florence and the Machine
Top 10 most expensive gigs of 2010
1. The Libertines £223
2. Sade £144
3. Cliff Richard £136
4. Van Morrison £133
5. Eric Clapton £126
6. Elton John £125
7. Roxy Music £124
8. Michael Buble £122
9. Kylie Minogue £120
10. Barry Manilow £115
Ed Parkinson, director of viagogo UK said: “This year has been all about Take That with ticket sales breaking all records but other ‘man bands’ have benefitted from a year that’s been all about the boys including Kings of Leon and The reformed Libertines. The X Factor has also played a pivotal role in driving ticket demand for certain acts, with nine acts from the top 20 appearing live on the talent show this year.”
Top 10 most popular theatre shows of 2010
1. Glee Live!
2. Britain’s Got Talent
3. Flight of the Choncords
4. Lord of the Dance
5. Doctor Who Live
6. Love Never Dies
7. BBC Electric Proms
8. Strictly Come Dancing
9. Diversity
10. Les Miserbales
As for theatre, it’s TV that is driving us from our sofas to the stalls, with two
thirds (60 per cent) of shows in the top 10 most in demand theatre productions being based on the small screen
Top 10 most popular comedians of 2010
1. Michael McIntyre
2. Frankie Boyle
3. Peter Kay
4. Lee Evans
5. Ricky Gervais
6. Billy Connelly
7. John Bishop
8. Jimmy Carr
9. Dara O’Brien
10. Tim Minchin
TV dominates the most in demand comedians list as well with newly appointed Britain’s Got Talent judge Michael McIntyre topping the funnymen league, whilst Apprentice You’re Fired host Dara O’ Brien clinches ninth place. Panel show guests Frankie Boyle and Jimmy Carr are also cashing in on their TV fame, taking 2nd and 8th place in the most in demand comedians’ list.
Who was your favourite entertainers of 2010? Let us know.
