Getting ‘Styl’D’ with Tara Ahmadi of the MTV Fashion Series

Do you often look at someone and think to yourself: Who dressed you?  And do you think that you could do a better job of it?  If you answered yes to both of these questions, you might, I said MIGHT, want to explore becoming a stylist.

Before you quit your job or do something else that might be considered equally as crazy, you might want to check out MTV’s new reality series, Styl’D (Sundays, 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific). On Styl’D, six junior stylists work with their senior counterparts at the famed Margaret Maldonado Agency (MMA) to create looks for celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Soulja Boy and Ashley Tisdale.  As a reward for their hard work and impeccable fashion sense, one member of the junior crew will be awarded a highly coveted contact with MMA.

Recently, I got a chance to chat with Tara Ahmadi, 23 of Mission Viejo, CA, a contestant on the new MTV series.  Since I am a walking cry for help, I looked forward to asking Tara questions about creating looks, misconceptions about the profession and her personal journey.

Tara Ahamdi of MTV's 'Styl'd' (photo: MTV)

Okay, first question: How do you work with a client to create a signature style?  According to Tara, it’s important not to throw someone out of  his/her comfort zone. “The goal is to elevate them to something more glamorous. Turn the volume up to 11.”

Are you a rapper in need of a style update?  Is the bling bling seeming a bit humdrum?  Tara has the answer. “I’d jazz [the look] up a little with perhaps a leather jacket and some Balenciaga shoes. Make it all little more rad. More hip hop cool.”

But what if this person, who shall remain nameless, (No it’s not a real person, so stop guessing), thinks his style is perfection, no changes necessary, but in reality, it’s so not hot. How does she lead them to the promised land of great fashion?  First thing  you don’t do, is knock their style, said Tara. “The best way is to show them something better…You say, ‘That’s good but why don’t you try something else.’”

Since a stylist’s job is to get his/her client ready for their close up and since that close up can happen in numerous places, do you dress someone differently for still camera versus the motion camera versus the red carpet?  Yes, said Tara. For editorial (still camera), you can “cheat”. You can do things like adjust the lighting. You are still mindful of how textures and fabrics appear on camera but with editorial you have the greatest latitude. Not so with a live motion/video camera.  Everything has to fit perfectly for you can see every bump and bulge. It’s completely unforgiving.  As for the red carpet, Tara said it’s best to stay away from white and prints –  anything that might not photograph well. “You don’t want to come across looking like an optical illusion.”

For those of us who are not stars (and I think that pretty much covers all of us) but still want to look good this Fall, I asked Tara for a must-have.  “I’m know I’m beating a dead horse, but it’s boots.  All different heights of boots — every shape and size. Thigh high boots are good for layering. Also, there is a rock and roll revival. Bring out your inner badass. Leather, studs. [The look is ] very Judas Priest.”

Junior Stylists: Tara, Cody, Brett, Janna, Gary of MTV's "Styl'd" (photo: MTV)

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, I do. You are saying to yourself, “This stylist stuff sounds like a piece of cake. I don’t get it.”.  And you’re right, you clearly don’t get it. One misconception about styling Tara said, is that it’s easy. Even she thought so at one point.  “I thought you sat around smoking cigarettes wearing fancy clothes, telling clients, ‘It looks fabulous dahling’.  And the looks just happened.”  Tara said that the business of dressing others is not a fabulous as one might think. “To get a glamorous result, you have to do a lot of unglamorous things.”

And you have to be tough. “You have to have a thick skin to be in the fashion industry.  Everyone has an opinion. You can’t be the least bit sensitive.”  When asked if the life a of junior stylist is anything like that of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe’s proteges Taylor and Brad, who in addition to going dressing A-List stars, get to drive Mercedes Benz’s when running errands. Tara said that Styl’D paints a more realistic view. Tara said she and her fellow interns/junior stylists make their own car payments often with no help from Mom and Dad and are more likely to drive Pintos than Mercedes.

MAIN L-R Eric, Jen, Julie, Tara, Cody, Gary, Janna, Brett of MTV's "Styl'd" (photo: MTV)

So are fashionistas born or made? I’d say in Tara’s case, she might have been born with the passion for fashion. (Sorry, I just had to say it; I couldn’t resist). Tara loved fashion for as long as she could remember.  At 12, or perhaps 13, Tara and her best friend starting making their own clothes. “We used to buy vintage dresses. We’d cut them up and sew them smaller because things that I liked weren’t in stores.  For $20, I’d get an outfit from the Salvation Army…All the stuff I made as a kid I still have and I love them.”

It was in high school that Tara discovered designers and fashion magazines such as Vogue.  For her, it was like “opening Pandora’s box”. “Every paycheck goes to saving up for new shoes,” said Tara.  So the breakdown goes like this: 25 percent goes to savings; 25 percent to food and 50 percent to shoes.

Before the visits to Salvation Armani and before the obsession with shoes, there was Barbie, Tara’s first unofficial client. “I begged my mom to buy me outfits for Barbie.”  Tara’s attempt to create looks for Barbie often ended in disaster — bad haircuts, eye or two poked out, and dresses that were way too short. Like I would suspect any budding fashionista would,  Tara always wanted a Bob Mackie special edition Barbie. But seeing what Tara did to the off-the-rack Barbie, her mom said, no way.

When asked if there was a defining moment in her life when she knew that she wanted to be a stylist and that nothing else would do, Tara said that there wasn’t one. Her decision to become a stylist came after the realization that she did not have the talent to become a designer but wanted to remain in the fashion industry. So she decided she would channel her interest in styling into a career. Tara interned with with designer Betsey Johnson but because she wanted to be a stylist, she knew should to seek an internship with one. So she decided to go for the”creme de la creme”, MMA.  She visited website, got called back for the intership and landed a spot on the shot.

And what should we expect from Tara on Styl’D?  Calling herself, “the voice of reason”, she said we will see her going through ups and downs due to the high tension, high stakes environment of styling coupled with the added pressure of having cameras following your every move. But she added, “I don’t know what you should expect. You just have to watch and find out.”

To follow Tara on Twitter, click here

MTV Movie ‘My Super Psycho Sweet 16′ Provides Crazy, Scary Fun

Well, it’s almost Halloween. Ah, Halloween, that precious time of year when people, normally in their right minds, dress up as their favorite characters — real and imagined.  And it’s the time of year when we actively seek to be frightened out of our minds.

Anticipating this need, MTV produced the original movie, it’s first stab at the horror genre, My Super Psycho Sweet 16, which premieres Friday, October 23 at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific.

I haven’t seen a horror movie in forever and a day. And I’m not into the whole vampire phenomenon. So, it’s been a while since I’ve seen the indiscriminate spilling of blood and guts.

I know you are nosey…I mean curious…about what goes on in the movie. First, I want to set the proper mood.

Come close to your computer or other device. Turn off the lights…Or should you turn off the lights first and then come close?…Oh, it doesn’t matter.

Here’s the story. This spoiled, mean girl Madison Penrose is planning a blow out, invitation only Sweet 16 bash. And where does Madison want to hold this extravaganza? At some rundown roller rink, The RollerDome, which has been closed for 10 years.

Of course The RollerDome has a creepy history. Flashback to happier times, teens skating. The place is alive and thriving. We see a precious, raven-haired young girl, Skye, and her dad, Charlie Rotter, who manages the place.

As a part of his duties, Charlie must dress up as “Lord of the Rink” (No I’m not making this up) for various events. On this fateful day, Charlie, in full “Lord of the Rink” regalia, must present a birthday cake to obnoxious teen Craig who proceeds to humiliate Charlie by knocking the cake out of his hands. The two get into it. Charlie ends up on the floor. And later, during an after hours visit to the rink, Craig and his girlfriend end up…well, you know.

We also discover that others have incurred Charlie’s wrath. He’s arrested, and in a strange twist of fate, may or may not have died in a fiery police vehicle accident in which several prisoners were burned beyond recognition.

Fast forward to present day. Charlie’s daughter, Skye, is still in town. Now, she’s the high school outcast who just happens to attract the attention of Brigg, Madison’s ex-boyfriend.  Madison and her mean girl cronies find out about this travesty and set about to make Skye’s life unbearable.

Back to Madison’s Sweet 16 party.

Meanie Madison hands out gold-covered invites to her faves including ex-beau, Briggs. Briggs, who was going to take Skye on their first date that day, chooses to attend the party instead. Skye and her buddy, what’s his name, decide to crash Madison’s soiree.

And after that, my dear friends, all hell breaks loose.

Well, that’s all you’re going to get out of me. The fun is in the surprise. (and in the blood and gore for you creepier types).

So did I like it?  Yeah, surprise, surprise, I did. Was it because of the superior acting and intricate storyline? No, but that’s not the point. The movie is supposed to be campy and over-the-top.  Juliana Guill, as Madison, an experienced scream queen having appeared in Friday the 13th, plays the devious, spoiled rich girl with mean-spirited delight. Lauren McKnight as Skye is another horror vet (House of Fear). We empathize with the witty, self-deprecating Skye for we remember the horror that was high school. And then there is Brigg (Chris Zylka of Cougartown). Typical high school jock. Nice guy.We like that he chooses the cool outcast over obnoxious popular girl.  Another fantasy.

And Charlie? He’s the typical slasher. Disgruntled man of few words who believes that violence is the solution to every problem. And revenge is always sweet.

What I did find interesting was that the movie seemed to have its Carrie moments. For those not versed in the horror genre, Carrie is the classic film directed by Brian DePalma, based on the Stephen King novel and starring a very young Sissy Spacek.  My Super Psycho Sweet 16 is no way nearly as dark. And no one gets doused in pig’s blood nor is there a hand reaching from beyond the grave. But there is that big moment that, let’s say, ruins the party for good and a turn of events, or rather a change of heart, we may not have anticipated.

That’s it. No more.

So, horror movies are supposed to make you scream out loud, cover your eyes and cringe with disgust. And the really great ones keep you awake at night, hiding under the covers and fearful of tall, thick foliage that could serve as perfect hiding place. I did scream aloud and cringed more than once. But as for keeping me awake at night, we’ll see about that…

If Bad Hair Days Were a Disease, They’d Have the Cure: A Q&A with ARROJO Studio

Do you spend many waking hours wondering what hairstyle to wear to a red carpet event?…Well, do you?…Just stop it. You know you don’t and neither do I. But hey, maybe it’s time for the both of us to redo our hairdos.

So what now?

To the rescue is Ellen Marth, PR/Marketing Manager for New York City’s ARROJO Studio, headed by Nick Arrojo, formerly of TLC’s What Not to Wear. Speaking on behalf of the award-winning salon that has fashioned looks for the red carpet and the runway, Ellen dispenses tips on how the rest of us can go from “meh” to marvelous.

The Ride:  Hey there!  Let’s get down to business. How important is having a great hairstyle to ones well being? For me, every day is a bad hair day. I’ve just given up. *cue tiniest violin*

Ellen: I think the importance of hair is so underrated in comparison to your overall look. Fashion is what typically rules the news of the day but remember –  you can change outfits, switch up makeup, but your hair is a constant that changes at a much slower pace than let’s say, the newest trend in boots.  A great hairstyle compliments you and pulls everything together, gives you a signature style. So of course, it is hugely important to your confidence and self-image. A bad hair day every day is intense though — maybe invest in hats? [laughs]

The Ride: Should we pay more attention to how our hair is done?

Ellen: I don’t know if its so much about paying more attention than it is just finding something that works for you on a daily basis so you don’t have to pay as much attention.  Having great hair shouldn’t take a lot of work.  At ARROJO we are supporters of the “wash and wear” aesthetic.  It all starts with a quality, well-executed hair cut (or color).  This is something that is easily styled, versatile and grows out well.  It’s also about embracing the reality of what your hair can and cannot do then sort of editing your expectations from there.

Photo: ARROJO Studio

The Ride: What are some of the very bad things we do to our hair and how should we avoid doing them?

Ellen: Unfortunately just about anything can be bad for your hair, right down to the products you use and the way you use them.  The worst offenses are chemical processes like straightening and bleaching, hot tool use and exposure to the elements.  First step is, lay off the heat styling as much as possible — if your hair is fried, a flat iron probably isn’t going help matters.  Getting a couple products that protect against heat and UV damage is also helpful; ARROJO has some awesome options, wink wink.  For color care, when you’re out in the sun, especially in the summer, wear a hat or scarf around your hair so your color doesn’t fade.  If you do a lot of pool/beach swimming, you should wet your hair down with clean water first –  that way it can’t absorb as much salt or chlorine (think of your hair as a sponge in that way).  Other than that, keeping hair conditioned and moisturized is the key.

Set and Style Spray by ARROJO

The Ride: I’ve had the same hairstyle forever. I want to change but I can’t seem to make myself take the first step. Why are we so resistant to changing our look when it comes to our hair?

Ellen: Everyone has been burned by a bad hairstyle and it’s tough to get over those experiences.  But not everyone is wired to take risks in life, and changing your hair is a part of that.  Your hair is extremely personal; it’s a part of you and an expression of who you are.  Some people just take it more seriously than others. The fear also comes from this idea that long hair equals beauty, that men prefer longer hair.  That is such a shame to me.  Beauty (for me) is about how something makes you feel, not how others perceive you. I wish every woman could experience a positive dramatic hair change at least once; it’s funny how quickly you then realize that IT’S JUST HAIR!

The Ride: Now, on to the fabulousness. Is there a difference between red carpet hair and every day hair?  Okay, let me explain. I watched the Emmys recently and was shocked at some of the not-so-great hair on display. Many stars wore their hair down and in no particular style. I took it as a personal offense. I wanted fabulous and they gave me “meh”.

Ellen: Obviously, we watch the red carpet events because we want to be wowed by the extraordinary, so I understand that “normal” hair can be a let down.  Most celebs have fairly “meh” hair, in my opinion.  Not saying its a bad thing, just the norm. People always ask us who the celeb trend setters are, and it’s like okay, which long layered style shall I choose from this time?  Sure they have gorgeous, healthy hair, but are the styles new and fresh? Not typically. You see someone like Rihanna, taking risks and that’s refreshing. Even if she doesn’t always hit the mark, she’s still evolving her style.  It comes down to a difference of fantasy versus reality and how fantasy hair can inspire everyday looks.  That’s a great way to look at celeb style, by saying – I love this hair, now how can I realistically make it work for me?

The Ride: How do you create a camera ready or red carpet ready look? What are some of the factors you take into consideration?

Ellen: Healthy hair is the most important factor.  If your hair is damaged, it’s going to be the first thing you see – dullness, split ends, frizz.  You also want to consider your styling. Does the hairstyle you want to achieve mesh with your outfit, make up and jewelry?  Your hair should be an equal compliment to those factors.  If you want to make a statement with your ‘do, go for understated styling.  The last thing to think about is how you feel about the look. If you aren’t into it, it will show through more than split ends!  Wear everything, even your hair, with confidence.

Hydro Mist from ARROJO

The Ride: What are some of the challenges of working with celebrities/musicians/artists?

Ellen: Word of mouth is huge in our industry and clients are walking billboards for stylists work, so having a recognizable client can make a career. The hard part is scheduling and short notice of availability, but we have such a large team it usually works out.  Other than that for me, there really isn’t a downside.  It’s a great feeling to build that relationship and help shape someone’s image.  Working with musicians is something we are particularly interested in  — the culture of our salon is so intertwined with music, it’s a great fit for us.  In fact, owner Nick Arrojo was a popular DJ in his hometown of Manchester, UK — so music is a part of all that we do.

The Ride: By the way, what are you thoughts about Bumpits? They seem like the hottest thing since the scruchie.

Ellen: Hilarious.  I mean, what else do you say about the bumpit?  At least the scrunchie is an actual thing, it’s a hair tie.  But like, a bumpit? It’s like one of some weird kitchen utensil that cuts down the time of a task that already didn’t take that long to begin with.

The Ride: What’s the in hairstyle for the Fall/Winter? And by the way, who determines what’s hot and what’s not?

Ellen: Inspirations for trends come from everywhere  but especially fashion, music, art and nature even.  Our stylists look at trend forecasts much like designers do and pull ideas from what’s new in fabrics, textiles, colors, shapes, etc.  Hair can translate so easily into those types of things.  We look at trends as an evolutionary process, taking aspects from last season and tweaking them and pushing them forward.  For instance, ARROJO master stylist Amanda Jenkins worked on a lot of asymmetry last season so to change it up for fall/winter she is doing heavy layers, lots of movement and natural texture.  The hair is a little longer, grown out perhaps, some cuts featuring heavy bangs.  The color inspirations, from ARROJO colorist Abbey Theis, are cool tones — woody and smoky colors, things like dried leaves, fire embers, etc.

Hair, like fashion, should be fun.  Don’t take it so seriously.  Find a stylist you love and ask them what look they think you should go for.  Remember, they are the professional (not you) and it’s their job to make you look amazing.  If you don’t love the outcome, speak up. As long as you communicate, you will not leave unhappy.  And remember, beauty is what you make it.  Go for what you feel good in and wear it well!

For more information about ARROJO Studio, click here.

Reality and Reality TV Converge on MTV’s ‘Gone Too Far’

Sometimes you have to do the difficult, that hard thing you would rather not do.  First, you have to look at it, face it head on, when deep down inside you’d rather ignore it.

On the MTV reality series, Gone Too Far (Mondays, 10 p.m.), young men and women, ages 20-25,  face the demon of addiction with the help of family, an interventionist, a drug treatment center and the late DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) as they attempt the difficult task of becoming and remaining sober.

The late DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) of MTV's 'Gone Too Far" (photo: MTV/Fanscape)

Shot before the sad, untimely and tragically ironic death of DJ AM from a possible drug overdose, the series has a strangely ominous feel. We watch DJ AM, a former addict, who was, at the time, 9 years sober, interact with the family and the user, who in the premiere episode is Amy,  a 23-year-old heroin addict from his native Philadelphia. He dispenses tough love tempered advice mined from personal experience. We see him in scene after scene. We hear the voice overs. Haunting to say the least. We know the end from the beginning . But this is not ABC’s FlashForward, the network’s new sci-fci series about people, who through some strange occurrence, get a sneak peek into the future. This is real life.

With that said, the series is really MTV’s version of A&E’s Intervention, the only difference being DJ AM’s role as host/mentor.

In the premiere episode, Amy’s brother, sister and mother talk to DJ AM about her history of drug abuse, which began after her father died of a heroin overdose. DJ AM shares with Amy that he started getting high in earnest, after his father, an addict himself, died of AIDS when Adam was 19. We also see graphic videos of Amy’s life as a drug addict.

Like in Intervention, Amy is confronted by her family who love her but are fed up with her using and stealing (her brother has resorted to installing a series of locks to protect his belongings). In the presence of DJ AM and with the help of interventionist, BJ Hickman, Amy is given an ultimatum, go immediately to a drug treatment facility in California for 90 days or leave her mother’s residence for good.

After much complaining and scoring one last high, (the logistics of which were arranged while Amy and the interventionist were at the airport) Amy takes off for California.

For the record, I don’t find the similarities to Intervention troubling, only the lives of these young addicts. Using a successful and well established format worked in MTV’s favor.

I could go on but I won’t. The bottom line is: Should you watch?  Answer: It will be painful. It will be difficult. But you should. You must.

To check out the trailer, click here.

You Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down: A Q&A with Chantal Claret of Morningwood

How many times in life have you’ve been told to “hang in there”?  And how many times have you actually done it?  What do you mean, you ask?  You know what I mean.  How many times when things have gotten hard, I mean really hard, that you’ve decided to stay the course, to stick it out no matter what?

Chantal Claret of the band Morningwood knows what it’s like to hang tough and navigate life’s rough patches. She and co-founding member bass player Pedro Yanowitz have survived record label drama, band bust ups, and even a 3000 mile separation.

Don’t cue the maudlin music. No need to shed tears darlings. You can file this one under: A set back is a set up for a hellava comeback.

And comeback Morningwood has. The band has been named VH1’s you oughta know artist for the month of October.  Previous artists so honored have included The Fray, Amy Winehouse, James Blunt and Adele. The band is also set to release their latest album, Diamonds & Studs on October 27 whose lead single, “Best of Me,” was the theme song for the VH1 reality show Daisy of Love.

Recently, The Ride chatted with Chantal about music, surviving, and her obsession with bingo.

The Ride: Hey Chantal. Love your music. I’m new to you and your sound. I’d describe it as in-your-face brassy, a bit snarky but still fun.  How would you describe it?

Chantal: I think you are pretty right on, this is the one question I have never really been able to answer, I really cannot narrow down our sound to a few words; I am horrible at it.  Our new record [Diamonds & Studs] mixes a lot of our tastes in music from rock, and pop to hip hop and taiko and opera. That is very exciting to us.

The Ride: How would you describe you?

Chantal: I would describe me pretty much the same way you described our music “in-your-face brassy, a bit snarky but still fun”.

Chantal Claret of Morningwood (photo: Transfer Media Group)

The Ride: How did you get to do the Daisy of Love theme song, “Best of Me”? Which came first the song or the phone call asking you to write the song?

Chantal: The song came first.

The Ride: Apparently, you have no problem having your songs used in commercials and other media. Do you put any restrictions on its use, like “no tampon commercials”?

Chantal: Actually I always joke about how I would love to have one of our songs used in a Tampax commercial because I totally endorse Tampax.  To me, it is an honor when a company that has so much invested in a product or a movie hears one of our songs to help sell their item.  It’s their vision and if our music accompanies that vision that is really cool to me.  The only time I wrestle with whether or not I would do something is when they try and brand me or the band with the product; that is where I am very protective, and I have to 1000000% believe in the product and love the product in order to do it.

Chantal Claret and Pedro Yanowitz of Morningwood (photo: Transfer Media Group)

The Ride: I read that Morningwood had undergone many incarnations. How did you keep going despite so many trials? What’s your motivation? Any mantras? Mine: “I’m not afraid..I was born to do this” – Joan of Arc

Chantal: We have had a lot of trials and tribulations. My motivation is that this is one of the few things I think I am good at; I would have to start from scratch at something else and figure out what I would be doing if I didn’t have this. Believe me, I think that will happen at some point, but I don’t think it is time for that just yet.  As long as other people still want to hear my sing and believe in me, I will keep going. I never want to be one of those musicians who is kicking a dead horse. And my mantra, which is more of a cautionary tale, is “Don’t count on anything happening until it has happened”. That is the one for sure rule I have learned in this business.

The Ride: Has being married changed your approach to music – the sound and/or process? (Hubby is Jimmy Urine of the band Mindless Self Indulgence) And did I read correctly that your husband’s last name is “Urine”? Is it pronounced the normal way or is there some fancy pronunciation?

Chantal: You know what at first I was going to say being married has not changed our sound or process at all, but to be honest I think it has. My husband’s music is so diverse it really gave me the confidence to want to try and put all of my influences into our music. I am very inspired by my husband and the way he works and the music he makes. He has an incredible work ethic and I hope some of that rubs off on me.  His last name is Euringer; Jimmy Urine is his stage name, no fancy pronunciation. It is a jokey sorta name, if you knew the music it would make sense.

The Ride: What does it mean to you to be selected to be VH1’s you oughta know artist for the month of October?

Chantal: It’s such a huge compliment to be a you oughta know artist. I mean only 36 artists a year get that kind of treatment from such a great institution such as VH1 and for them to love our music and believe in us and want to reintroduce us to the world is really wonderful. I am such a huge fan of their channel; it is really the best thing ever.

The Ride: I follow you on Twitter (@chantalclaret). Love reading your tweets. They are fun and real and really fun. Why did you decide to become part of the Twitterverse? How has the experience been?

Chantal: Thanks! I love Twitter. I have always been a computer dork and have always been very ALL ACCESS to fans and whoever wanted to talk to me. Finally, technology has caught up where it is so easy to do it.  This is not new to me, the format of Twitter itself is, but the idea isn’t.

The Ride:  Your Twitter profile says you are avid bingo player. I have a friend who loves bingo. What’s the appeal?

Chantal: Bingo is wonderful. Being a room with 300 old people and staring at sheets of numbers for 6 hours is really great mental exercise and also really relaxing if that makes any sense. I am not a gambler by any means, but this is the closest I get and can still feel okay about losing my money.

The Ride: Any words of wisdom?

Chantal: To quote T.S. Eliot “The only art worth talking about is the art one happens to like.” Oh yeah and buy our record please! Thank you!

The Ride: Thanks so very much Chantal. And I have to say this, “You Rock!”

Morningwood on MySpace, click here.  Chantal Claret on Twitter (@chantalclaret), click here.

Here’s the brand new video from Morningwood

MTV’s ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ Crowns Its First All-Female Crew Champions – We Are Heroes

On Sunday, September 27, 2009,  history was made on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC). Season Four contenders We Are Heroes defeated AfroBorike to become the first all-female crew to win the $100,000 grand prize and the title of America’s Best Dance Crew.

Dreams do come true — mine, and of course, theirs.

A few days prior to the announcement, The Ride spoke to We Are Heroes founder and leader Hiroe (“Hero”) Mcrae and crew member, Ali Ianucci.  Click here to read the post.

This is how it all started

What’s next for ABDC? Mario Lopez told the live television audience that season 5 will begin in January. Audition tapes are currently being accepted.

Who will make history during season 5?  Could we see an East Coast crew win the big prize, a show first?

Related Post

Will We Are Heroes Become She-Roes and Win Season 4 of MTV’s ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’? (The Ride)

Will We Are Heroes Become She-Roes and Win Season 4 of MTV’s ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’?

Yes, I play favorites. Shocking? Shouldn’t be. For the record, I want an all-female crew to win the big money, $100,000 in cold hard cash to be exact, the title of America’s Best Dance Crew and to receive well deserved respect and admiration as well as the all-important opportunities that extend beyond the money and the title. You can argue with me if you’d like but my mind is made up. Yes, girl power is in full effect.

I won’t have to wait very long to find out if my “dream” has come true.  On Sunday, September 27 at 9 p.m. Eastern/Pacific (Tape Delay), during the live season finale, the winner of season 4 of Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC) will be announced. This time, the ultimate battle is between Las Vegas-based sexy Latino crew AfroBorike and all girl crew We Are Heroes who hail from Los Angeles. Regardless of who ultimately emerges victorious, season four will mark the first time a woman will be a part of a winning crew…And it’s about time.

This isn’t the first time a all-female crew has made it to the final two. That honor belongs season 3 contenders Beat Freaks, a hard-driving b-girl crew. But unlike Beat Freaks, We Are Heroes are not uncomfortable with showing their softer, more feminine side.  The crew, which calls their style, “Glam Style” believes that they don’t have to be hard or look hard to go hard.

We Are Heroes - MTV's 'America's Best Dance Crew' - Season 4 (photo MTV/Poptower)

Go hard is exactly what We Are Heroes had to do throughout the season having been in the bottom two on three separate occasions.  Crew member Ali Ianucci, 25,  talked about weathering the trials and making it to the finale, “We are really excited. We didn’t know if we were going to get there. We were taking it week by week.”  For Ali and the other Heroes, being in the bottom two had it clear drawbacks and surprising “rewards”.  “It was a bad feeling being in the bottom two. [You think], ‘Wow I might be going home. This might be my last chance to dance.’ [And when you learn  you are safe], a fire is lit inside of you the following week. You are even more motivated to do your best.”

When asked if America is ready for an all-female crew to take the ABDC crown Ali said yes and of course expressed her desire for We are Heroes to receive that honor. Ali felt that Heroes, and their style, have been well-received. She believes that although they aren’t afraid to bring the sexy, because they “do things that the boys can do like flips, popping and locking and are good creatively,” they “get people’s respect.”

Ali, as well as fellow crew member Nichelle Thrower, 23, are new to We Are Heroes, joining the group, a couple of days before an audition at the request of crew founder and leader Hiroe (“Hero”) Mcrae 25, when two original crew members couldn’t get visas.  Ali had known Hiroe for a couple of years but did not know the other women –Riquel “Riqcliculous Licky” Olander, 22, Mami Kanemitsu, 26 and Nichelle. What might have been a disaster in the making worked out wonderfully according to Ali. “We completely clicked. I gained new friends, best friends. [Our being together] was kind of destiny.”

Should We Are Heroes win, Hiroe said she may go to back to her native Japan to visit her grandmother, who has been Hiroe’s biggest fan. She’s not sure what she will decide, but Hiroe is sure that she wants the girls to go on tour and to represent what We Are Heroes are all about and who they are — “true dancers”.

Showing You How It’s Done: We Are Heroes Signature Moves

Finale News

All of the Season 4 crews will return for the finale and will dance together for the Judges Choice performance. The following are the crews and their songs:

Shane Sparks’ group – Beat Ya Feet Kings, Massive Monkees, Southern Movement
“I Do (Represent)” Lil Jon ft. Swizz Beatz & Snoop Dogg

Lil Mama’s group – Artistry In Motion, Vogue Evolution, We Are Heroes
“Girls On The Dance Floor” Far East Movement

JC Chasez’s group – AfroBorike, Fr3sh, Rhythm City
“Fire Burning” Sean Kingston

Spoiler Alert

MTV’s ‘America’s Best Dance Crew’ Crowns Its First All-Female Crew Champions- We Are Heroes (The Ride)

When Too Many Becomes Too Much: Q&A with Professional Organizer Geralin Thomas of A&E’s ‘Hoarders’

Look around your home. If you can’t see the floor from the piles of stuff that rest there or if every possible inch of space seems to be occupied by some object that you just can’t live without no matter how trivial and regardless of the state of disrepair, you might be a hoarder — and a compulsive hoarder at that.

And you are not alone. According to widely cited statistics, there are over 3 million compulsive hoarders in the U.S. A&E has documented the plight of a few of these individuals in its new series Hoarders (Mondays, 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific). Over the course of the series, we have met a woman who hoards food, another cats and a young man who saves his dog’s hair. Most of these people faced eviction from their residences and one even faced the possibility of criminal prosecution.

On Hoarders, we learn how these men and women found themselves in this most desperate state and we watch as professional organizers help bring them back from the brink, gently helping them, both emotionally and physically, separate themselves from their items.

The Ride talked to one of the organizers, Cary, NC resident Geralin Thomas, founder of Metropolitan Organizing, LLC and a Certified Professional Organizer specializing in Chronic Disorganization (CPO-CD).

The Ride: Hey there. I am mesmerized by the show. Bless you for doing such difficult work. Rummaging through and throwing away people’s nasty mess looks like absolutely no fun. How did you become involved with compulsive hoarders?

Geralin: Well, it started with my interest in compulsive shopping. A few years ago, I had a client who was a compulsive shopper and since then, people’s acquiring patterns have fascinated me.  I’ve found that there are a lot of similarities between compulsive shopping and compulsive hoarding.   Plus, I like exploring the unknown and there isn’t much known about compulsive hoarding which makes it both exciting and rewarding when I can help people connect the dots between their belongings, actions and environment.

The Ride: How did you become involved with the show?

Geralin: I became involved with the show through a very “old-school” technique — they picked up the phone, called me and we chatted. [smiles]

The Ride: When faced with a specific hoarder and his/her challenges, how do you decide on a strategy to take to tackle what seems like an insurmountable problem?

Geralin: For each client I try to figure out what their goal is and what is going to keep them most motivated.  I usually start with a very small project and try to set a comfortable, sustainable pace.

Typically, I’ll begin with anything — a fish tank, a fridge or a bathroom depending on the size of the home and any relevant information the client has shared with me about their past challenges.  I observe them handling their things and note body language, breathing, a flush of color, perspiration or yawning. Some clients are gabby and some work silently.  Some ask my advice and some try to control the project. Each job is unique.

I prefer to work with a team of professional organizers to sort the contents of the home.  They work quietly in the background while the client and I focus on a few smaller projects.  In my experience, this helps keep the client focused and less overwhelmed.

The Ride: How do you measure success? Is it solving the immediate problem (e.g. eviction) or seeing a change in their behavior?

Geralin: I consider it a huge success when clients begin to get educated about this disorder and agree to collaborate with both a mental health professional and myself.  Besides that, every step towards the client’s goal is a cause for celebration. My goal is to make the organizing experience a pleasant one for them and have them realize that organizing is just the tip of the iceberg.

The Ride: Why do you think we watch? Personally, I find myself wanting to look away but I am fascinated for some reason. (I also have to confess that it makes me want to clean my apartment.)

Geralin: Reasons might include education, motivation, schadenfreude (delight in other people’s misfortune), even morbid curiosity.  And, Carla, you aren’t the only person who watches the show and then goes on a cleaning binge.  I’ve even had folks tell me that they find themselves buying a lot less because of the show.

The Ride: What should we take away from their stories?

Geralin: Here is what I hope viewers learn from watching:  Compulsive hoarding is a disease, not something people decide to do, or do because they are lazy and could stop if only they worked harder at it.  It may be due to distinct brain abnormalities, is often hereditary, and may be part of another mental health disorder such as Depression or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Knowing this will hopefully reduce the stigma attached to hoarding, and will help viewers realize this condition is treatable, if the hoarder gets sufficient support and has the resources (motivation, energy, time, money) to take advantage of it.

The Ride: Why are so many people affected by this disorder — compulsive hoarding? Three million. I would have never guessed.

Geralin: At this point, there is no clear answer to this question.  The study of compulsive hoarding is still quite new, and there is much we still have to learn about the disorder.

It’s possible that there have always been many hoarders in our midst and we just didn’t know about them:  because they don’t believe they have a problem and therefore don’t seek help, because they’re so ashamed of the hoarding that they keep it secret.

The Ride: Any advice for “pack rats” to help prevent them from becoming full blown hoarders?

Geralin: First, educate yourself about the condition.  Being a “pack rat” may be due to chronic disorganization, which is not the same as compulsive hoarding.  You can find more information on the A&E website and I’ve written about this issue on my blog, Metropolitan Organizing.

Second, seek support, whether from a mental health professional and/or qualified professional organizer who specializes in hoarding and chronic disorganization.  You can contact the NSGCD (National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization) for referrals.  You can also find support group resources at the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation website, www.ocfoundation.org.

The Ride: Thank you for your time and your dedication to helping people with this disorder.

Geralin: It is my pleasure, Carla.  Thank you for your interest.

Melody Angel of MTV’s ‘StarMaker’ Brings Her Folk-Rock-Soul Fusion from the Sidewalks to the Stage

What would you do to be heard?  Shout at the top of your lungs in the middle of a crowded, noisy room? Would you stand on a busy city sidewalk, guitar in hand, bucket out for donations, a stack of your CDs for sale, singing and playing for anyone who will listen?

Singing on a busy city sidewalk on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue is exactly what Melody Angel, a contestant on P. Diddy’s StarMaker (MTV, Sundays, 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific) did.  It was on those sidewalks where  Melody fine tuned her craft, playing for an “audience” who wasn’t really “audience” in the most traditional sense. At times, she took song requests from those passerbys. Some she knew well. Others she didn’t. Not wanting to disappoint her “audience,” Melody played what she knew, putting her own spin on the songs in the process.

What she did for survival developed into a unique style which she described to The Ride as “folky, with rock and funk mixed in.” Television audiences got their first taste of Melody’s style when she performed Pink’s “So What?” on the premiere episode of StarMaker. Record producer and judge Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins applauded her effort and hailed it as a new genre of rock laced with soul.

For her next performance, she took on the Kelly Clarkson hit, “Because of You.” This time Melody brought out her guitar and as well constructed a completely different arrangement of the song. The judges’ responses were mixed. In fact, it got a little heated at the judges’ table.  Rodney acknowledged that the  song was barely recognizable but liked Melody’s version nonetheless.Tamara Conniff, on the other hand, felt that Melody wasn’t showing proper respect to the original songwriter, arrogantly believing the she could create a better song. And LaurieAnn “Boom Kack” Gibson fiercely defended Melody’s right to do her own thing.

Melody Angel of MTV's 'P. Diddy's StarMaker' (photo: Transfer Media Group)

When asked about the judges’ reactions to her song arrangements, Melody said, “They took it as disrespect but that’s not what I’m trying to do. I picked the song because I like the artist and song. I just put my spin on it. I’m kind of surprised. It was just part of my goal — to show what kind of artist I would be after the show. “

She may not have always received positive reinforcement from the judges but she is receiving it from young girls who contact her asking about learning to play the guitar. Melody said, “It feel so good serving as a role model encouraging [young girls] to take up the guitar. “

Melody’s own musical influences include Tracy Chapman, India Arie, and Sade. “They inspired me with their [singing] voices in the lower register which is weird for female singers. I thought, ‘I know I can do it, if they can do it.’”

Her story of how she got started is as unique as her style. After securing her first job at age 15, Melody bought a guitar from $50 from a local pawn shop. (She also purchased a skateboard. But more on that later.) and began teaching herself how to play. Guitar in hand, she started singing on the aforementioned sidewalks of Chicago as well at open mic nights and performing with different bands.

So how did Melody go from Michigan Avenue to America’s living rooms?  “It’s weird. I didn’t know about the audition. A casting person at MTV emailed me through MySpace. I thought it was a joke [at first]…I was so surprised I got on the show.  It was the first “yes” I ever received.”

Ultimately, Melody would love to spend her days as singer/songwriter “putting out good music,” traveling the road touring with a “real rock and roll band” like one of her favorites, Kings of Leon (her other fave is the Foo Fighters) “I’ve loved [Kings of Leon] since ‘03. If I could be on tour with them, that would be awesome.”

Melody Angel is on MySpace (click here) And for Melody’s YouTube page, click here.

…Just in case you thought I was experiencing a memory slippage: As I had mentioned earlier, Melody bought her first skateboard at 15.  “Nobody in my neighborhood skateboarded. And my mother thought I would hurt myself.” Not only did she teach herself how to skateboard but went on to teach others as well.

UPDATE

Sadly, Melody did not win StarMaker; country singer Liz Davis took the grand prize, a contract with Bad Boy Records. Melody, grateful for the experience, continues to work on her music — writing and singing songs.

Related Post

Can Hip Hop and Country Share the Same Stage?:  Liz Davis of MTV’s ‘StarMaker’ Thinks So (The Ride)

Can Hip Hop and Country Share the Same Stage?: Liz Davis of MTV’s ‘StarMaker’ Thinks So (UPDATE)

When country meets hip hop, sparks can fly as demonstrated by Kanye West’s mic snatching, spotlight grabbing theatrics during the 2009 MTV’s Video Music Awards during teen country singer Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video.

Liz Davis of MTV's 'P. Diddy's StarMaker' (photo: MTV/Transfer Media Group)

Although I’ve only seen her on television and spoken to her once, I can’t imagine Kanye taking the mic from Liz Davis, a contestant on the talent show P. Diddy’s StarMaker (MTV, Sundays, 10 p.m.).  Fearless, open minded and determined to bring country music to new audiences, if Kanye tried to snatch the mic from Liz at her glory moment, tears might be shed but Liz wouldn’t be the one who would be crying.

I’m not saying that Liz is a brawler, but the fiesty Southern blond ain’t not punk either.

So, what’s a nice girl from Nashville, by way of Mississippi and Alabama, doing on a show produced by hip hop mogul P. Diddy?  Answer: Trying to break through and change the game.

After 2 1/2 years in the country music capital, playing in local bars and “going through all the wrong doors”, Liz heard about the show and how the producers were looking for singers from every genre.  She thought to herself, why not give it a try?  She knew she had an opportunity to make history as the first country singer on the Bad Boy label.

Is Bad Boy ready to sign its first country artist? Liz thinks so. “It’s so great about Diddy willing to sign a country artist…It tells a lot about Diddy willing make such a brave move,” said Liz.

Liz insists that despite what many may think about country music, the genre is not easily definable. Just as hip hop has many flavors and is a fusion of all its respective influences, so is country.  Country music can be folk, honky tonk as well as Delta blues. Growing up, Liz’s own influences ranged from the music of Muddy Waters, to Shania Twain to the queen of hip hop soul Mary J Blige — the first album she purchased. “I love music period,” said Liz. And she believes that soulful music is soulful music whether it’s country, hip hop, rock or R&B.

Liz loves sharing her soulful side with audiences. “It’s fun being on stage..engaging with the audience..When I’m on stage, I’m vulnerable. I’m telling a story. I’m trying to win them over with my performance. I love putting on a show. I loved being an entertainer ever since I was a child.”

As a 6th grader living in Hoover, AL, Liz took her karaoke machine to a soundproof room in her house and began working on her craft in earnest. When she felt she was ready to move her act from the room to the stage, Liz signed up for a talent show. The song she sang was”Blue” by LeAnn Rimes.  Liz had even taught herself to yodel exactly like Rimes. “I wasn’t coming out of that room until I perfected the song,” Liz laughed. She “blew everybody away”  including her mother and father who had no idea their daughter had such talent.  Her mom, who videotaped the performance on her camcorder, became Liz’s biggest fan. “She took me to talent shows everywhere..[I started singing] and I haven’t stopped.”

No stranger to the competitiveness of talent shows, Liz is comfortable being “under pressure” — loves it in fact –  which worked in her favor on StarMaker as she had to perform in front of the tough panel of judges: producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Tamara Conniff, and choreographer LaurieAnn Gibson as well as Diddy himself.

She described the judges as being “brutally honest” but yet was unfazed by their criticism. “I take criticism as good thing. I use the negative to work to my advantage.”  Liz understood their role in the process. “They have no time to waste. They have been entrusted with a responsibility. They tell it like it is and I can appreciate it. They are the best.”

The show is called StarMaker, so I asked Liz what she thought defined “star quality”. She said it’s being true to yourself, true to your fans. It’s engaging your audience. It’s the ability to handle the pressure and staying humble. It’s the ability to handle anything that comes your way. It’s charisma. It’s a “strength deep within that nobody can explain. You just know it.”

So what will the future look like for Liz? Although she enjoys both recording and writing new songs, her true passion is touring — “being out there interacting with people…going everywhere from Europe to honky tonks.”  She also wants to go on tour with Diddy and “to expose her sound to his audience,” to have them see and experience her in concert.

“I’m the kind of person that tells it like it is.  I’m just a country girl. I say what I feel because I’m so passionate about music and what I do,” said Liz. “I love proving people wrong. I’m hard-headed. I stay on my grind, that’s how I am… I’m here to make history.”

To follow Liz Davis on Twitter, click here.

UPDATE (Spoiler Alert)

Our sassy country gal has made history. Diddy chose Liz Davis as the winner of StarMaker. BadBoy Records has gone country. Can’t wait see Liz tear up the stage and the charts.

Related Post

Melody Angel of MTV’s ‘StarMaker’ Brings Her Folk-Soul-Rock Fusion from the Sidewalk to the Stage (The Ride)