Beautiful

Donna Summer dies at 63

LEGENDARY SINGER AND QUEEN OF DISCO DONNA SUMMER HAS DIED. SHE PASSED AWAY EARLY MORNING, SURROUNDED BY FAMILY, AT HER HOME IN KEY WEST, FLORIDA. DONNA SUMMER DIED OF BREAST AND LUNG CANCER AT THE EARLY AGE OF 63 YEARS.

Donna Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on December 31, 1948 in Boston. Inspired by Mahalia Jackson, Donna began singing in church at young age. Always having felt an outsider in Boston, she dropped out of school in the late 1960’s, convinced music was her destiny. Donna issued her first album, Lady of the Night in 1974 with European label Groovy Records. The album was not released in the USA but found success with the single The Hostage in Europe. Her real break through came with the suggestive song Love To Love You, Baby in 1975 in Europe, followed by the US in 1976.

Donna Summer dancer her way through the 1970’s with extraordinary success. First with the release of the concept albums I Remember Yesterday, that brought forth the hit single I Feel Love, and the modern-day Cinderella album Once Upon a Time and later with a life album that featured her cover of Jimmy Web’s MacArthur Park. In 1979 she released her album Bad Girls that produced hit singles such as Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, Dim All the Lights and the duet with Barbra Streisand, No More Tears (Enough is Enough). Songs that provided the soundtrack for the disco era. It was this album that crowned her the undisputable Queen of Disco.

After parting with her recording company Donna Summer branched out into new musical directions in the 1980’s, starting with The Wanderer and eventually leading to another legendary album release which was simply named Donna Summer, but brought hits such as Love Is In Control (Finger on the Trigger) and State of Independence. In the mid 1980’s Donna Summer was embroiled in a controversy due to anti-gay remarks she had made regarding the then-relatively new disease AIDS. It resulted in a significant drop of popularity and negative impact on her career. In 1989 Donna Summer publically apologized for any remarks and comments she had made on the subject, but only after thousands of her records were returned and dance clubs boycotted her music. After this, her career never fully recovered from the fall she had made.

During the 1990’s Donna Summer released several compilation albums that included her cooperation with hit producers Stock Aitken Waterman. All through the 90’s and 200’s she continued scoring occasional top ten hits, but real success was left out. In 2008 she recorder Crayons which peaked at #17 on the US Top 200 Album Chart, which was her highest since 1983. Although she often announced new exciting projects, Crayons would be her last recorded album.

Donna Summer’s life was marked by highs and lows and even at the height of her success she once took steps towards suicide. Over the past years Donna Summer has fought breast and lung cancer which eventually lead to her premature death early this morning. –BM-

DONNA SUMMER | BEAUTIFULMAG

BeautifulMag Exclusive: Victor Po | Shake It

VICTOR PO STARTED OUT IN MODELING A FEW YEARS BACK AND HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PIN UP MALE MODELS. YOU ALL KNOW HIM FROM SUCH STRIKING ARTICLES AS “PONY BOY” AND “ROOM SERVICE”, SHOT BY JUSTIN MONROE. NOW VICTOR IS VENTURING INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY WITH HIS FIRST SELF PRODUCED SINGLE “SHAKE IT”. WE SAT DOWN WITH HIM AND GOT THE LOWDOWN ON THIS NEW CHAPTER IN HIS LIFE AND SHOWCASE FOR THE FIRST TIME EXCLUSIVELY TO BEAUTIFULMAG THE COVER OF THE SINGLE AND SOME IMAGES FROM THE SHOOT WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHER JOHANN MARX.

Hi Victor. We know you as the feature model in some of our more successful cover stories. But what can you tell us about yourself?
Victor: Well I’m a very down to earth guy, originally from a small town in Argentina, grew up just like everyone with a dream and now I’m living that dream and more. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am and I love to share my story and give hope to those who have lost it. Never give up on your dreams because here I am, proof that they do come true. I started out modeling a few years back after a friend started a modeling profile for me. The rest is history as they say and I’ve been blessed to have worked with so many wonderful and talented photographers. Justin Monroe, Mark Henderson and Murray Grondin etc to name a few.

So how did the music come about?
Victor: Music is a huge part of my life. I need my music, whether modeling or at the gym, music is always present. I express my emotions and draw energy out of it. Now I can express myself even more by doing my own music and sharing my life with the people who look up to me.
 
Has this always been a part of your dream to sing?
Victor: Yes, ever since I was a small boy music was there. Same as modelling. I remember when I was about 2 years old and one of my aunts came to visit, I could barely speak a word, but I got out “aunty aunty look” and I had a towel around me and the music was playing, I dropped it and the show began. So you see from a young age it came natural to me to be naked and express myself with my body and now I get to add my voice to that. It’s wonderful.

 

So when did you start doing music?
Victor: I recently started working on my first album with “Shake It” being the first single release. I’ve written and produced it myself.
 
Why this kind of music and what can we look forward to in future?
Victor: I love to dance and at present I’m working on getting the album completed, which will be a mix of dance/electronic inspired by my Latin roots. –BM-
 
Victor Po’s “Shake It” is available as May 14 2012 at most major digital outlets like iTunes, Amazon.com etc.
Follow Victor at his official blog Victor Po.
Image (c) Johann Marx. Unauthorised use strictly forbidden

VICTOR PO | BEAUTIFULMAG

Madonna MDNA

EARLY ONE MORNING THE SUN WAS SHINING AND SHE WAS LYING IN BED, WONDERING WHY HE HAD HER CASH AND IF HER HAIR WAS STILL RED. AN IDEA FOR A SONG BUBBLED, AND SHE WASN’T SURE IF THIS ONE SHOULD BE ABOUT HEARTBREAK, REVENGE OR THE OLD GET-INTO-THE-GROOVE THING. AND THEN – LIGHT BULB! – WHY NOT MULTITASK IT? THAT WAS HER THERAPY, AFTER ALL. FAILURE? NOT AN OPTION. RESISTANCE TO HER WILL? FUTILE. THE HUSBAND WHO WAS NO LONGER THERE? WELL, IT WAS NICE SOMETIMES TO IMAGINE HIS HEAD POPPING LIKE A MELON. TILL DEATH AND ALL THAT. NOW – WHERE DID SHE PUT HER PHONE?  -JOE LEVY, ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE –

Many have asked the question if she still has it. If in an era that is lead by R&B stars such as Rihanna and Beyonce or a cycle that is colored by extremity in the person of Lady Gaga, Madonna could still swing her sceptre and claim her throne. After all it has already been 4 years since she released her Hard Candy album and since then has not done that much. Let me correct that. She has done a lot. She made a movie, adopted children and got a divorce. But there was very little music.

Madonna has made albums that were revolutionary and extremely successful, such as Like a Prayer, Ray of Light and Confessions on a Dancefloor, and than she made a couple that were good tries. American Life and Music come to mind. Her music and her performances – yes, her personality and amazing ability to adapt herself and stay on top for more then 20 years already – have raised the bar of expectations when Madonna announced her 12th studio album. And now, one week after releasing MDNA, we can safely say the lady has delivered once again.

Madonna has never shied away from confrontations and revealing herself has always been a part of her art, and MDNA is hardly Madonna’s first album that is dark, messy and conflicted. So what makes MDNA so different from her earlier work. The answer is pretty clear. Just listen to the lyrics. Yes, MDNA is Madonna’s divorce album. Madonna has always been outspoken and personal, but for the first time she is explicit with her feelings. The result is a collection of 18 songs that have a certain raw edge to it and make MDNA Madonna’s most explicit album to date. Never before was she so detailed. Never before did she crow-wire exposure with pain.

It is not all heartache and bitterness. There are 7 songs that are clearly addressing her break up from Guy Richie and a few that have a nice hint to the divorce ("Wake up, ex-wife/This is your life." "I tried to be your wife/Diminished myself, I swallowed my light."), but there are also sweet lyrics referring to new love and of course no Madonna album can go without at least some sexual implications (“I want a diamond/Don't give me a fake/I'll let you lick the frosting off my cake”). And all that on hypnotizing beats signed off by William orbit (yes, the man responsible for Ray of Light) and newcomer Martin Solveig. Now let’s not make a mistake here. Madonna is still the Material Girl and this album is as commercial as it can be. But there is something remarkable about the fact she decided to open her heart and share her pain as she once shared her pleasures. It is an album about loss and sadness and that makes Madonna really one of us, doesn’t it. With MDNA Madonna doesn’t only straighten her crown and swings her sceptre, she also yields her sword and cuts her tieds with a painful period in her life. It wouldn’t be right to say she is back on top. She never really left, did she now? –BM-

MADONNA MDNA | BEAUTIFULMAG

W.E.

ON DECEMBER 11 1936 KING EDWARD VIII, MONARCH OF ENGLAND SINCE LESS THEN A YEAR, ANNOUNCES HIS DECISION TO MARRY THE AMERICAN MRS. WALLACE SIMPSON. A DECISION THAT FORCED HIM TO ABDICATE HIS THRONE. A DECISION THAT SHOCKED HIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD. A DECISION THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY.
 
In 1998 lonely New Yorker Wally Winthrop is obsessed by what she perceives as the ultimate love story: King Edward VIII’s abdication of the British throne for the woman he loved, American multiple divorce Wallis Simpson. Wally, trapped in a loveless marriage herself, starts investigating the life of the woman who as storm clouds of war gathered over Europe, fell in love with the British king and triggered his abdication. And while doing so she finds herself falling in love with a security guard whom she meets at the famous 1998 Sotheby’s auction of the Windsor’s belongings. Moving back and forth in history and present, Wally starts to unravel the story behind the dramatic romance. And she asks herself, what did Mrs. Simpson give up for the man who sacrificed everything to be with her?

Madonna gave an excellent performance as Evita Peron back in 1996, although critics do not necessarily share that opinion. One might wonder if Madonna will ever be able to convince her adversaries of her talent and vision. Probably not. But that has never stopped her, and hopefully it never will. True, W.E. doesn’t give the most accurate review of the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The fact Edward and Mrs. Simpson were sympathetic towards Hitler and his Nazi regime is sadly overlooked. Or should we say dismissed as a desperation for peace. True, the production made a few unfortunate historical mistakes, but then again if there have been 6 King Georges it is easy to make a miscalculation. All together, no major issues to discard W.E. as being useless and vacant. Let’s face it, it isn’t an easy thing to give a true historical recollection when it comes to people who played such a sensitive role in our history. I’m sure Clint Eastwood knows all about it. His story about J. Edgar Hoover only slightly touched the truth, but somehow no one is complaining about that.

W.E. might not be the successful first real motion picture Madonna directed, it certainly isn’t the total disaster as many seem to believe it is. W.E. is definitely worth seeing, if only for the attention to detail in 1930’s London, with exceptional set designs and beautiful costumes. W.E. directed and co-written by Madonna and Alek Keshishian, starring Andrea Riseborough, Abbie Cornish, James d’Arcy and Oscar Isaac is currently playing in theaters all over the world. –BM-

W.E. | BEAUTIFULMAG

European Gay Ski Week 2012 | Don't Miss it

LAST YEARS EUROPEAN GAY SKI WEEK WAS THE BEST ONE EVER. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN TIGNES, EGSW SETTLED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALPE D’HUEZ AND THE WELCOME WAS OVERWHELMING. AND SO THE ORGANIZATION OF THIS LARGEST, LOUDEST AND MOST FABULOUS GAY AND LESBIAN WINTER SPORTS EVENT HAS DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE WONDERFUL RESORT OF ALPE D’HUEZ FOR YET ANOTHER EVENT THAT PROMISES TO OUTSHINE THE PREVIOUS ONE.

From March 24 to March 31 2012, the Euopean Gay Ski Week event will once again move to Alpe d’Huez and turn this resort in the gayest village ever in Europe. Whether you already joined last year in this resort, or if you are new to join, EGSW guarantees in 2012 you are in for a treat. Moving away from the blocks and bunkers from les Bergers, EGSW will settle in the heart of Alpe d’Huez and has found superb accommodations all centered around the cosy Avenue de Jeux. Meaning everyone will be within as close proximity to each other as you'd like resulting in the closest thing to a gay village that any ski resort has ever seen. EGSW guarantees for the last week of March 2012 in Alpe d'Huez you will never be lost or alone.

The EGSW is for all levels of snowmanship. Whether you're a slalom medallist, an absolute beginner or a frostie frolicker - or even if you're just coming for the fun and parties - there is plenty to keep you occupied. Let’s start with the real purpose of the trip: snow sports. No matter what level you are, there are ski and board possibilities for all, varying from free guiding services for the more adventurous to numerous classes dedicated to different levels of experience and pedestrian passes for non-skiers. And if you decide to give it a rest for a day, there is also the possibility to spend some quality time in Alpe d’Huez’ fabulous outdoor pool, jaccuzzi and sauna, free accessible for EGSW members and an absolute treat, considering the village has an average of 300 days of sunshine by year. And if you follow the printed program, you can still take a lift up the mountain to join one of the spectacular après-ski parties.

Skiing and snowboarding is fun, but the best part is, when you – tired but satisfied – arrive at the point of destination and are able to jump right into one of the fantastic après-ski events organized by EGSW. Like last year, EGSW famous après-ski events promise to put any tea dance to shame. It is here, more then anywhere else, where you meet your fellow European Gay Ski Week participants. It is here where you make new friendships or renew old acquaintances, and it is here where you… oh well, you can figure that one out yourself, can’t you?

1 resort, 1 week and about 1,200 gay men and women. 250km of pistes, 50 events and 30 DJ’s. Gyms, spas, saunas and pools. Cabaret nights, the unrivaled EGSW Pool Party, film nights and the unique EGSW après-ski events. Raclette, fondue and fine dining opportunities. Whether you prefer to exhaust yourself on the slopes, the sauna or the dancefloor, you’ll find it all at EGSW 2012. There simply is no reason not to join this most festive gay ski event of all. –BM-

EGSW 2012 takes place from March 24 to March 31 2012. Find out more about EGSW 2012, the events, the location and accommodations, prices and how to subscribe at EuropeanGaySkiWeek.com. To subscribe click on the banner on the right hand side of our home page.

EGSW 2012 | BEAUTIFULMAG

Snow White / Snow White

IN A WORLD DOMINATED BY TENSION, THREATS, CRUELTY AND ECONOMICAL MALAISE, IT IS NOT SO STRANGE WE ARE ONCE AGAIN LOOKING FOR MAGIC AND HAPPY ENDINGS. A MOMENT TO HIDE FROM REALITY AND INDULGE IN FAIRY TALE STORIES THAT CAN MAKE US DREAM AND ESCAPE. IN OTHER WORDS, IN A WORLD THAT HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE GRIM, WE NEED MORE GRIMM.

We have seen an revival of many super heroes over the past years, but it has become abundantly clear that men in tide spandex suits and black capes are no longer the answer to our needs. What we need now is magic. And apparently Hollywood intends to give it to us. As much as we can possibly deal with. Inspired by Grimm fairytales, NBC already launched the TV series Grimm and ABC has introduced us to a very modern take on the Snow White story. But there is more to come. Much more.

There are several ways we can bring fairy tales to life. There is the humoristic way, as we have seen with Shrek and Puss in Boots. And there is the more serious, darker direction, Red Riding Hood being a perfect example. No matter what you prefer, they all have a little magic inside and they all guarantee a perfect happily ever after moment. The one thing all these movies have in common though is that the story is never exactly what you expect it to be. Either it is a different take on the original, red Riding Hood once again being the perfect case, or a sequel to the classic tale, such as Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. If you like one of these genres, or better even, both, you are in for a treat. Not only with TV shows, but also on the big screen we will see another revival of fairytales. Upcoming are Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters with Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner, which brings us 15 years after the traumatic ginger house incident, and Bryan Singers Jack the Giant Killer, a modern day fairytale about men, giants and a kidnapped princess. 2013 introduces us to another take on the Wizard of Ozz with Disney’s Oz: The Great and Powerful, the same story but this time told from the Wizards point of view. But what we are all looking forward to is of course the most classic tale of all: Snow White. And we won’t be disappointed because 2012 will see not one, but two Snow White films.
 
Mirror Mirror is the first one to (re)introduce us in the magical world of evil queens, beautiful maidens, charming princes and poisoned fruit. If you expect a real time version of the classic Disney cartoon, think again. Mirror Mirror stands for a most original take on the old tale and can only be seen as an Alice in Wonderland meets Shrek kind of movie. The century old story of the beautiful princess whose existence is being threatened by her envious stepmother and evil queen has been given a lighthearted tone of voice in a movie directed by Tarsem Singh. Colourful, joyful and full of humor, Mirror Mirror stands guarantee for an evening or afternoon of enjoyment and good laughs. Not in the least by the excellent Julia Roberts in the role of the Evil Queen. Mirror Mirror, starring next to Julia Roberts Armie Hammer, Sean Bean, Nathan Lane and Lily Collins as Snow White, will open in theaters a of March 16, 2012.

Snow White and the Huntsman presents us a completely different take on the well-known fairytale. Written by Hossein Amini, Evan Daugherty and Evan Spiliotopoulos, Snow White and the Huntsman gives a small twist to the original with the Huntsman being ordered to take Snow White to the woods to be killed and winding up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen. Full of stunning special effects that makes the magic more real than ever, Snow White and the Huntsman is a movie in look closer to Red Riding Hood and might very well be as epic as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. Snow White and the Huntsman, directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Chris -Hemsworth ans the Huntsman, Sam Claflin as Prince Willima and Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen Ravenne will open in theaters on June 01, 2012.
 
If you ask us, there is no reason to see either one or the other Snow White film. They are so different in style and content, they both guarantee for a qualitative cinema visit. No matter what genre you prefer, there is enough magic in both of them. –BM-

MIRROR MIRROR | BEAUTIFULMAG
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN | BEAUTIFULMAG

European Gay Ski Week 2012 | Don't Miss It

LAST YEARS EUROPEAN GAY SKI WEEK WAS THE BEST ONE EVER. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS IN TIGNES, EGSW SETTLED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALPE D’HUEZ AND THE WELCOME WAS OVERWHELMING. AND SO THE ORGANIZATION OF THIS LARGEST, LOUDEST AND MOST FABULOUS GAY AND LESBIAN WINTER SPORTS EVENT HAS DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE WONDERFUL RESORT OF ALPE D’HUEZ FOR YET ANOTHER EVENT THAT PROMISES TO OUTSHINE THE PREVIOUS ONE.
 
From March 24 to March 31 2012, the Euopean Gay Ski Week event will once again move to Alpe d’Huez and turn this resort in the gayest village ever in Europe. Whether you already joined last year in this resort, or if you are new to join, EGSW guarantees in 2012 you are in for a treat. Moving away from the blocks and bunkers from les Bergers, EGSW will settle in the heart of Alpe d’Huez and has found superb accommodations all centered around the cosy Avenue de Jeux. Meaning everyone will be within as close proximity to each other as you'd like resulting in the closest thing to a gay village that any ski resort has ever seen. EGSW guarantees for the last week of March 2012 in Alpe d'Huez you will never be lost or alone.

The EGSW is for all levels of snowmanship. Whether you're a slalom medallist, an absolute beginner or a frostie frolicker - or even if you're just coming for the fun and parties - there is plenty to keep you occupied. Let’s start with the real purpose of the trip: snow sports. No matter what level you are, there are ski and board possibilities for all, varying from free guiding services for the more adventurous to numerous classes dedicated to different levels of experience and pedestrian passes for non-skiers. And if you decide to give it a rest for a day, there is also the possibility to spend some quality time in Alpe d’Huez’ fabulous outdoor pool, jaccuzzi and sauna, free accessible for EGSW members and an absolute treat, considering the village has an average of 300 days of sunshine by year. And if you follow the printed program, you can still take a lift up the mountain to join one of the spectacular après-ski parties.

Skiing and snowboarding is fun, but the best part is, when you – tired but satisfied – arrive at the point of destination and are able to jump right into one of the fantastic après-ski events organized by EGSW. Like last year, EGSW famous après-ski events promise to put any tea dance to shame. It is here, more then anywhere else, where you meet your fellow European Gay Ski Week participants. It is here where you make new friendships or renew old acquaintances, and it is here where you… oh well, you can figure that one out yourself, can’t you?

1 resort, 1 week and about 1,200 gay men and women. 250km of pistes, 50 events and 30 DJ’s. Gyms, spas, saunas and pools. Cabaret nights, the unrivaled EGSW Pool Party, film nights and the unique EGSW après-ski events. Raclette, fondue and fine dining opportunities. Whether you prefer to exhaust yourself on the slopes, the sauna or the dancefloor, you’ll find it all at EGSW 2012. There simply is no reason not to join this most festive gay ski event of all. –BM-

EGSW 2012 takes place from March 24 to March 31 2012. Find out more about EGSW 2012, the events, the location and accommodations, prices and how to subscribe at EuropeanGaySkiWeek.com. To subscribe click on the banner on the right hand side of our home page.

EGSW 2012 | BEAUTIFULMAG