RECAP (Pt.II): The QUEEN & the Princess

So, in less then a week, i've been within a few feet of Lady Gaga and witnessed Aretha Franklin slap her own damn ass in person. Not too shabby, huh?

This past weekend, Toronto saw to it that the Much Music Video Awards would be one of the biggest and brightest productions put on by the Canadian music scene this year. And with artists like Gaga, Bruno Mars, Bieber, Drake, and more, set to make an appearance, the MMVAs were the place to be. I was lucky enough to get accreditation for the event, so I was stationed in the media room, where the artists came and had their interviews. Needless to say, the entire experience was quite surreal and kind of amazing!

Rehearsals

Hello, there! 

Gaga at rehearsals

Press Pass!

My colour palette for the night! I thought it was appropriate for the event, no?

Media Tent

Media Room!

A very dapper looking Blake McGrath

Down With Webster 

Far East Movement

The *stunning* Kat Graham

Nina Dobrev

FeFe Dobson

David Guetta

Lady Gaga. Cue: Insanity & Pandemonium

*Note: This was also after an hour break. At this point, we were all a little bit restless and anxious, adding more fuel to the fire!

Sadly, a lot of the individuals that were scheduled to make an appearance in the media room skipped out. Not impressed. Of course, the one person that I wanted to ask a question for the magazine (Bruno Mars) wasn't able to make it. Being the gracious woman that she is, Gaga came in to greet the media, even after everyone else left, stating that the "media is my friend". AGREED. All in all, it was an amazing night!

In other news...
I love spontaneity. There's something about it that makes life seem so much more thrilling, exciting, and justified. It just so happened that Toronto's kickoff for it's annual Jazz festival was held this past friday, and what better a way to be spontaneous (we heard about this event literally hours before it was held) than to see the QUEEN.OF.SOUL herself, ARETHA FRANKLIN.

3 Words: Giant.Dance.Party.

Let me just tell you, if there were ever a time for me to turn into a willy little school girl, that was it. And wouldn't you know, that's precisely what I did. Being so close to Lady Gaga, undoubtedly the biggest superstar on our entire planet, didn't even come CLOSE to this experience. To be able to witness and hear a living legend perform songs, songs which are iconic and historic in their own right, LIVE?! Well. Let's just say, it was not my classiest moment. I may or may not have embarrassed myself in public (along with the other thousands of audience members) with my lack of emotional self-control. What can I say? When I Say A Little Prayer comes on, you don't just stand there bobbing your head. No. That would be a crime and pure blasphemy. You lose your shit. That's what you do!

We literally got goosebumps from how AMAZING that woman sounded (and looked!) And considering she was quite ill not too long ago, she was doing a fantastic job! Wouldn't you know it, Ms. Aretha Franklin is also quite the comedian. Some highlights from the night:

- At one point in the night, she told us a story about Muhammed Ali, asking us if we heard what happened to him. Of course, we all thought he died or something. On the contrary, he actually just got scolded by an airplane stewardess for not wearing his seatbelt. The way she told the story was nothing short of comedic, with all the sass and attitude she infused into her little story.

Stewardess: Would you please fasten your seatbelt, Mr. Ali?
Ali: Superman didn't need a seatbelt
Stewardness: Superman also didn't need no plane.

Baha.

- Aretha was also hobbling around with a cast on her foot, and told us how she had got it. She was walking around in her dressing room after a show and tripped over her Jimmy Choos, landing on a spike and seriously effing up her foot. But, she went on to say that "Choo is good to me", stating that he had heard of the incident and sent her a couple new pairs, instructing her to wear them and not land on them.

Baha.

- Also, in true diva form, she took an intermission in the middle of set. I kid you not, she came back out wearing some new shiny bling and some freshly primped hair. I expect no less from such a diva!

- Lastly, after she finished singing Natural Woman, she full on slapped.her.ass!!!!! I'm pretty sure the entire audience pretty much died. It was pure brilliance!

To have such good energy around you (think one massive dance party), enjoying music from an artist that has inspired so many... It was absolutely one of the most surreal, and content, nights of my life!

I want this.

Because it wasn't included in the set list, I feel like it's my duty to at least pay tribute to such a glorious song by posting it here. Enjoy responsibly.

And just for good measure...