Hagarthy

Just listened to OOTK. It's okay. Production is a huge letdown. Doesn't give it the thickness and excitement such a song needs. I think it was meant to be an album track so they didn't put too much effort into it. It's still easy to listen to over again, but a remix is definitely needed.. Leona would have probably left it off her album if it was her track, LOL. It just made me want to listen to Another Love Song, which is done much better.

That is one of my favorite Leona looks ever, Scene. This was during the Echo era, I think. The curls or pulled-back hair also works for me. I'm just not used to seeing Leona so skinny. The pic on her twitter with the gown and her dogs is perfection. That dress fit her like a doll :)

I see. It looks like she really enjoyed La La Land. The echo gets in the way of enjoying the cover, unless it's my earphones.

Couldn't post this on DS where there was a smallish discussion going-on about Leona's health update, so I'll leave it here. When Leona posted that letter about her tough times with Syco, I wrote a comment on her blog to the effect that she gets her thyroid checked. Reading through it, I got the sense that a malfunctioning thyroid might be to owe for a depressive feelings. Well, it turns out I was right, and I only want to add now, as she struggles with a side effect-free regiment, to really consider vitamin therapy. That Ayuverda thing can't be good if it causes so much weight loss, more so because the actual cause of her Hashimoto's might be something as simple as Vitamin D deficiency. No harm ensuring Vitamin D (or even B12) are not behind her illness.

I'm still worried about her weight. Sorry, it's just I've seen the way it can some times when people get on diets and become too sensitive about their weight (Marion Bartoli, for example). I really hope she feasts while in LA (a little fat and DEFINITELY some carbs) and then sticks to exercise (cycling or swimming) to remain toned. But the sunken cheeks things and smile lines, deadened expression...that's not Leona. She was perfect just two months ago, no idea while she decided to push herself further. I hope her inner circle are the kind to really level with her on things. I'm not too worried about new music and career moves at the moment. I just hope she finds the space, motivation and definitely right partners to help her pick things up again. That can take some time, some prayer for luck, and I'm more than happy to give it all another year before I shamelessly begin demanding for more music.

i

Wow, I hope this doesn't mean more weight loss. That tends to be the modeling world. She's back to her ideal weight and would be really misguided to shed some more. Also, I don't know if the headline is overblown or being misinterpreted. I feel as though there is a difference between signing 'with' and signing 'to' an agency. Wilhelmina is probably in to take care of a few promotional stuff - I really hope so, maybe a Bulgari ad (like Julianne Moore) or something else. She's not launching a full-scale modeling career, is she now? ETA: I guess there's no reason to fuss. Looked around at some campaigns, and there are A-Listers all around. This could be good!

I saw Leona posted on twitter today about how much she enjoyed La La Land, and I'm just wondering what would happen if she covered one of the numbers of the film. I would suggest 'Audition' because it is the most melodious I have heard and the fact that it would suit her singing perfectly. I know the movie only has moderate hype, but if she knocks that song out the park, isn't there a chance it goes viral?

I see it now, Soe. Thanks. I wish they would have added as much reverb as in the original. Would have really added to the atmosphere.

Surprised no one has posted about it so far. Looks like a 'straight' cover. It's very close to original, so don't be surprised if you don't hear too much Leona. I really love it. Now we are free - youtube link. Sorry, I forgot how to embed.

Yeah, I saw that. I hope it was a satisfying experience for her. As an aside, is she slimming down? Her face-definition looks sharper than I've seen in previous photos. I hope she doesn't overdo it, if at all she's trying to cut back some weight. Really love that new hairstyle. She looks great.

Yep. She sounded 17 to be honest when from 'touch me' onward. Like I said in an old post, her "X Factor'' voice is always there. Sometimes it comes out and others she's struggling with fatigue, environmental factors, etc. Family audiences are really going to dig the performance.

I just watched that GMA memory performance. Terrific, although, admittedly, Leona falls flat acting-wise in the middle part of the song. I'd chalk it up to the song getting more technical, and Leona abandoning the faux-operatic style she uses to open the song. Hard to really emote and also pay attention to the technicalities of a song, especially a big number like Memory. Best bet is cooling on full-on singing for a breathier, more staccato, falsetto singing-style. Or just a change of direction where she doesn't have to stay rooted on one spot or stare directly at the crowd. All the same, it still works brilliantly for an audience. Leona has a naturally emotional voice. I don't see how any walks out dissatisfied from her performance/the production.

True, tt. But with some creative endeavors, a performer just needs to be effective as opposed to a stand-out. What I gather from the critiques of her acting was that 1) she doesn't capture the woe of Grizabella in both appearance and performance and 2) the performance doesn't match up to Elaine Paige's. But does it hurt the production at all? Don't think so. The whole thing is comparable to a Marvel flick - all about the staging and nothing else. Wish I could see it for myself.

Just read the reviews. They seem positive in my opinion - critical, definitely, but all around just positive. Everyone agrees audiences are going to lap this up, and perhaps that was the overall intention of the production. Happy to hear Leona sound incredible. The Hollywood Reporter called her second performance 'spine-chilling'.

I think her management should approach The Queen of Katwe producers (or director) about shooting and releasing Thick Skin as the movie's official promotional song. Everyone's been doing promotional songs this year, JT for Trolls, Pink for Alice in Wonderland, Suicide Squad also just released a video. It would really fit today's movie-marketing trends. I'm just envisioning this video of Leona in African attire (those big headwraps and patterned dresses), singing with intermittent shots of Lupita and the rest of the cast acting out the theme of the movie one way or another. Simple video that could do wonders for the movie's release. Here's to wanting this to happen.

The video is a traditional PSA and not particularly a charity single. I think it is in the vein of ASPCA video from a while back. That one used Sarah McLachlan's Angel over its montage. A proper video would have been better for the campaign overall, but maybe they just wanted to make a PSA.

Just listened to it. Lovely song. Perfect for the campaign...but only if it is released with a proper video. I don't think that montage cuts it tbh, that just makes it look like another youtube video set to random songs. A black/white video with Leona just singing in a bare room (prison-like) alongside actual footage of dogs would work so much better...FOR THE CAMPAIGN. I hope it accomplishes its purpose though. According to wikipedia, the number of animals slaughtered has gone down to 15K to 1K in just a few short years. It really is a worthwhile campaign.

We never really got to know the details of her deal with Def Jam, to be honest. For all we know, they could merely have been distributor for I AM and nothing more. Doesn't make this a bad situation overall, just perhaps an opportunity to really shift gears. I'm optimistic, whatever the case.

Not disappointed, but I hope Leona takes some time to just breathe before she jumps forward with a decision. I think HOME, as much as it is a charity single, could do wonders for her profile if it is really promoted and she remains prominent in its video. Charity singles do well in the charts, and an artist can always be to credit. Now were this to be combined with a formal release (and Disney push) of Thick Skin ahead of Queen of Katwe, then she could have two bid/moderate hits before the year is out. Optimistic, but also very probable, IMO.

Is it the centerpiece of this year's Stop Yulin campaign or just one of multiple mediums? If it is the former, then it would make sense to release it at least five days earlier to begin to promote awareness. I wonder if they have multiple interviews scheduled with the spokespeople of the campaign. Looking around, it looks one of those really successful campaigns.

Huh, that Pitbull performance. Just okay, but makes me wonder whether OOTK is another risque number Leona would look totally out of place singing. So far to me, CATS looks like the main highlight for the rest of the year. The I AM era seems effectively over and now till the next album could just be a segue whatever happens. Will see what happens.

I'm laughing a little at all the concern about Leona's career trajectory. All I can say is, just because things worked one way for one artiste does not mean it will apply for everyone. What matters at the end of the day is how much anyone works towards THEIR personal objectives - not their fans, but only what they desire. The future is always unwritten. Alexandra may appear 'over' today to some but a sensation tomorrow with just one song. Cheers.

I just looked up Pitbull as I am only familiar with him through Dance on the Floor. Surprised how incredibly popular he is (22m twitter followers alone). If the song is in the vein of his collabo with Christina (i.e. not risque) and they go ahead and release, I think it would be wonderful. Don't like that song with Enrique at all. Overtly sexual.

That was nice. I love how the production balanced showing Leona and the dancers throughout the performances. They really treated her as a special guest even though the show is not a singing competition. I also suspect Dennis or her management to have had more to do with the slot than anyone else. So far, it doesn't look like it was part of some strategy, e.g. sending the song to radio. It would be lovely if she got a full-fledged performance on The Voice. Looking through itunes, it seems so many performed songs chart. It would be so lovely.