Haha, someone else who knows how I feel sometimes.

Last night on The CW network, they had an America's Next Top Model marathon. They were showing some episodes from Cycle 7. I saw part of two episodes and I had to turn it off. I was getting so disgusted! The show is flawed for various reasons. I won't get into that right now. The thing that got to me was several people on the show criticizing Anchal Joseph. They said she needed to lose weight. Not only did the other contestants say that but one of the guest stars did. I believe she was an agent from Elite Modeling Agency. (I forget which agency it was, but it was someone from a big modeling agency). 

I like Tyra Banks and all. But I just couldn't keep watching that crap. Even Tyra said on her talk show what is considered thin has gotten stricter than back when she started modeling. She said that if right now she was the same age as when she started modeling and tried to start doing it today, that she would be considered too curvy and therefore rejected. She said that she wouldn't have been asked to be a Victoria's Secret model normally but because she started in the 90s and already had built a huge name and fanbase for herself, they asked her. And I believe she's right. Look at all the younger models they have now.  


Here are some pictures of Anchal:
  
Seriously - this is considered fat?! I know modeling has different standards, but GOOD G-D! Why is she "fat"? Because she has breasts and hips?

Not only do I think her body is not fat, I think she has a gorgeous face. I wish I could find more photos of her. They showed her on an episode wearing this green eye shadow that looked beautiful against her skin tone. I would like to see more Indians and Indian-Americans represented in the media! But anyone who knows me realizes I wish there was more of a variety represented out there.

I'm sure people have talked about this when that season of ANTM came out in the fall of 2006. But I had to mention what happened to her because I really didn't like it.

Taken from: http://omg.yahoo.com/gwen-stefani-sues-forever-21-over-fashion-logo/news/1052

(CLICK HERE to view the lawsuit against Forever 21)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (July 17, 2007) -- It appears Gwen Stefani doesn't "Heart" Forever 21.

Gwen's Harajuku Lovers fashion line is suing popular retail outlet Forever 21 for trademark infringement, claiming the clothing chain allegedly stole designs from the Harajuku Lovers line, Access Hollywood has learned.

In papers filed in Los Angeles Federal Court, reps for Gwen's Harajuku Lovers claim Forever 21 is marketing, promoting and selling products featuring a design "virtually indistinguishable" from Harajuku's signature heart/box logo.

The lawsuit claims Forever 21 "changed a couple of words in the Heart/Box Trademark, which are inconspicuous and likely to go unnoticed by a consumer."

Specifically, the lawsuit claims Forever 21 used the design but changed the word "Harajuku" to "Forever" and the word "Lovers" to "Love."

As a result of the chain using a similar image, Harajuku has allegedly "suffered and continues to suffer damage to its business reputation."

Gwen launched the accessory line in 2005 to coincide with her Harajuku Lovers Tour.

 

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Here's what I think:
1). How about Asians and Asian-Americans sue Gwen for defamation of character? Those stereotypical, "Harajuku" girls are a disgrace, a minstrel show, and just plain horrible. She practically has them made up in Yellow Face. (Don't tell me "Well, they are getting paid well to do this". Prostitutes are also getting paid, but that doesn't make it right. Maybe if Asians had more fair opportunities in the entertainment industry, they wouldn't feel the need to do this). I could go on and on about this topic. But many others have done so far me already: 
Margaret Cho's Blog Entry 
Several entries about the this on Disgrasian (Disgrasian's Myspace profile lists her as the worst offender).
Salon.com article
The Gwen Stefani Rant! - Livejournal entry (Yes - Caucasians from Europe are upset about this, too!) 
Free The Gwenihana Four 
There are many other articles, blogs, and sites regarding this issue, but you get the point. 


2). Gwen is guilty of ripping off others, making this hypocritical. 
3). Almost every designer gets their ideas stolen.
Maybe if Gwen was ever an actual rude girl or punk in the first place, she would not only be more original, she would sell her clothing more affordably. Then again, she did grow up a rich, spoiled girl  from Orange County and only ever joined a band because her brother, Eric, started the band and wrote most of the lyrics before leaving the band.

 

Original entry: http://cherryteresa.greatestjournal.com/2007/04/12/

This past Friday I went to a great show at Ram's Head Live here in Baltimore. Peeping Tom, one of Mike Patton's bands (it seems like he's in 300 bands sometimes) was the headliner. Miho Hatori (formerly of Cibo Matto and one of the voices of Noodles from the Gorillaz) was one of the openers.

Ram's Head is a nice place that books great bands. It's hard to have a bad seat in the house. I'm only 5'5", so at a lot of shows that are crowded, it's harder for me to see. But the way Ram's Head is set up, it's a lot easier on the main floor because of how it's set up. Also, there's a second floor overlooking the whole thing, which is great. I don't like how they have bathroom attendants there. I have no problem tipping a waiter or food deliverer, but I'm not paying someone to hand me a paper towel. What also sucks is that it's near the Power Plant, so you pretty much have to spend the $13 to park in the garage. There is hardly any parking and even if you find a spot far away, it's on 24/7 meters that you have to fill up every hour or two. So you'd be missing the show to re-fill the meter. That's if you can even get that spot in the first place. At least the garage is right next to Ram's Head with the elevator taking you there. That's convenient, especially if you're going there on a cold night.

Miho Hatori's songs sounded similar to Cibo Matto but less funky. It was a mellower version. I do like Cibo Matto better, but I still enjoyed her set and was excited to catch her. It was the first of only four dates that she's playing with Peeping Tom on this tour and so I feel lucky. Back when Cibo Matto was around, the only one or two times they came to Baltimore after I moved here was either on a school night or an 18+ place and I was still in high school at the time, so I couldn't go. Back then, less clubs were all ages. Anyway, the crowd was surprisingly enthusiastic, maybe even too enthusiastic. It was funny. During her first song, she and her band had to start over because the sound in the monitors was all messed up. I can relate. That sucks when that happens. When she said she had to start the song over, the audience cheered! But that's better than someone audiences, who boo because they don't realize if you can't hear yourself or the other instruments, it's pretty difficult to perform well. Later in the set, she walked over toward her guitar to play some songs with guitar in it, and everyone cheered loudly just for that. I don't know if it was mocking or sincere because later people complained about her. After she played and before Peeping Tom, I walked around to socialize with people and said did pretty much what people did when I saw Mr. Bungle (one of Mike Patton's bands) back in 2000. Mr. Bungle was an opener and the majority of the crowd hated them. Not just disliked, but hated them. Then, after they were done and they heard "that's the singer from Faith No More", they suddenly changed their minds and said how great thet set was. People did that with Miho Hatori. "She does the 'get cool shoe shine song' in the Gorillaz? Oh my g-d, I like her now". Losers.

Then came Peeping Tom. My friends and I were wondering how Patton would pull this off live. The album has a lot of guest stars on it (some of whom, such as Nora Jones and Kool Keith, he has yet to meet face-to-face). The only one of those guest stars performing live with him was Dan the Automator. How was he going to perform without Rahzel? Well, he and his band did a great job! There was a total of eight members on the stage. Three of them were in a band the Dub Trio. There was an awesome female beatboxer, one of the best I've heard. The keyboardist had at least three keyboards if I remember correctly. Great energy and each of the member's performances were spot on. The songs sound like a hip-hoppish and somewhat poppish version of Mr. Bungle. Patton says that this is record is his pop album. Not necessarily pop that's on the radio, but his version of it. Mike Patton (along with Kathleen Hanna) is one of the few people that can really pull of being in bands of different genres. The music still "sounds like Matt Patton" but doesn't sound the same as each other. It's original and fresh and it's not like "Oh g-d, not another Patton project". I'm not one of these obsessive Matt Patton fans though like some of the weirdos who were at the show. But I like and respect the guy. Wish there were more signed artists like him in rock right now. Rock is in such a weird state right now, but that's a whole other topic.

Patton also wore a stocking cap on his head. He was able to pull that off with his personality. ;)

Original entry and comments: http://cherryteresa.greatestjournal.com/2007/03/28/

Based on all the "controversy" over Sanjaya, I decided to watch a few minutes of American Idol last night to see what all the fuss was about. This was the first time I'd seen part of an episode of AI besides the bad audition episodes. Sanjaya wasn't nearly as bad as I thought he would be based on people's negative comments about him. But I do agree, he is the weakest link out of all of them as far as vocal ability. Last night was the first time I ever called in and voted and it was for Sanjaya haha. After reading votefortheworst.com, I decided to join in on the fun. They have some actual valid reasons for putting that site up and telling people to vote for the "worst" ones.

I'd like to point out that Gwen Stefani was the guest last night. But of the contestants that covered "her" songs, they all did No Doubt songs. Not one person did a Gwen Stefani solo song. Ha!