Since news broke that a Lady Gaga biopic may be in the works, I’ve fretted. The 25-year-old superstar is ripe for a big-screen toasting, but she’s only been a phenomenon since the latter half of 2008. Would you want to watch a Madonna biopic that stopped after the release of True Blue ? Of course not. Lady Gaga has a gnarly, couture-bedecked arc ahead of her, and I say if she’s destined to be a cineplex draw, why not adapt her eight-track mini-album The Fame Monster into a full-fledged film?
Mrs. Boomkack is back and proving that she settles for nothing but the best! The Urban Daily ‘s Jazzy F. recently caught up to the fierce and feisty Laurieann Gibson and did an interview. Ms. Gibson opened up about what she learned from working with Diddy, how it feels to have two different TV shows running on two different networks and why she doesn’t settle for BS. Check out a few excerpts from the interview below: How does it feel to have not one, but two TV shows (E!’s “Dance Scene” and BET’s “Born To Dance) of your own? It feels amazing! It feels victorious. I can now tell you: you can make it. I can look at people who were laughed at, people who were told they couldn’t make it, people that are being held down by other people who are manipulating their gift to benefit themselves and say, “Yes, you can stand in line to help someone, but once that season is over, that person needs to give back to you.” And if you are designed to help someone then that is amazing, but if you are designed to birth something that God has for you I understand. It feels like “I am free” and it feels like “My gift can operate the way God designed it to.” It’s only gonna get better and we are not giving up anytime soon.” You’re pretty feisty and you have that fire in you. What is it that makes Laurieann say, “I am not going to take anyone’s BS”? [People’s] BS is a projection. They want to crap all over you so you won’t do what you are called to do. I’m not letting that happen to me, my crew, or anybody. I am not letting them do it! What did you learn from Diddy after working so close with him for many years? My brother Diddy taught me about the business; he taught me without talking. He helped prepare me for the position that I am currently in. I often reflect on how I saw him operate. It wasn’t in a mean way or in an aggressive way, but in a way that he came from nothing. No one was going to take advantage of him. What I learned is: Don’t sacrifice your gift for anybody. Be willing to walk away or it jeopardizes your truth or creative instinct. Be willing to walk away because then you will get your respect; you will develop your own sense of greatness. But don’t ride the fence and don’t risk your instinct to have a job or belong, because then you push yourself further away from your goal. I must say that Laurieann seems to have really come full circle since her days on “In Living Color.” It’s always inspiring to see our black women doing major things in their careers. Hopefully she continues to live out her dreams and continue to inspire. Check out the Laurieann Gibson’s full interview here ! E! Star Laurieann Gibson Of “The Dance Scene” Wants You To Live Your Dreams [EXCLUSIVE] Laurieann Gibson Shows Off Dancer Body In YRB Mag [PHOTOS] Keri Hilson & Rick Ross “The Way You Love Me” [NEW MUSIC] Tupac Shooter Confesses To 1994 Crime Shaq Involved In Sex Tape Scandal! FACT OF THE DAY: Faith Evans Sang Back Up For Al B Sure!
Lady Gaga’s creative director tells MTV News why she agreed to do her own reality show. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Vanessa WhiteWolf Laurieann Gibson Photo: MTV News Laurieann Gibson debuted her new E! reality show, “The Dance Scene,” on Sunday night, and the premiere was an inside look at what it’s like to be one of the most sought-after choreographers in the game. Gibson — who is also Lady Gaga’s creative director — is seen working with A-listers Katy Perry and Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles as they prepare for VH1’s “Divas Live” in the first episode. Before her E! show, Gibson had made appearances on reality shows like “So You Think You Can Dance,” MTV’s “Making the Band” and “Skating With the Stars.” When MTV News caught up with her, Gibson said she was drawn to the idea of having her own reality show because she wanted fans to see that there’s still real artistry in pop music. “I think it’s the only reason why I did the show, was because after being in the music industry for so long and loving music and wanting real artists and real talent to take the forefront as opposed to a premeditated idea of what an artist is based on — a corporate mind-set or a person — that a piece of music or a piece of dance is birthed out of your belly,” she explained. “I want the music to get back into the hands of the people. I wanted them to know that if they watch the show and they see me doubt or fear or fight through adversity or some dream-slayer and they can watch and be inspired that they can make it,” Gibson added. “The music still matters, that the dance still matters, that the gift still matters.” The show goes deep into Gibson’s life and follows her crew of dancers and choreographers, all of whom work from her Boom Kack studios. The dance maven is known for her tough approach, and she thinks the show, which is executive-produced by Ryan Seacrest, will show another side of Gaga’s trusted right-hand lady. “I think they’re gonna be surprised to know the truth to how I’ve gotten where I’ve gotten and what I’ve been through,” Gibson told us. “Because I seem so tough and I am so tough [but] they’re going to see another side of me. I’m still a little girl.” What do you think of Laurieann’s new E! show? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lady Gaga Creative Director Laurieann Gibson
Now that the ‘spectacular’ album is done, tour plans are next, creative director Laurieann Gibson tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga Photo: Tom Briglia/ WireImage Over the weekend, Lady Gaga tweeted that her May release, Born This Way, was nearly complete. “In Nebraska, finishing up record today,” she wrote. “I’m so proud of the album: I keep dancing+drinking: metal/techno rock journey of a woman on the run.” Now, with eight weeks left until it officially drops, Gaga’s creative director, Laurieann Gibson, revealed that this album will have the Little Monsters going, well, gaga. “This new album is spectacular,” Gibson told MTV News. “And I got to tell you, you got to really stand by and take notice, ’cause the album is excellent. It’s of such excellence that I think that everyone’s going to be really impressed and affected.” The first single from the album, the title track, has sat at the top of the charts for weeks, and as Gaga readies the release of a second single, the RedOne-produced “Judas,” Gibson said it’s just the beginning. “The records are so visual and large and the concept of birthing has so many levels to it and the dance is never limited, that you’re just gonna keep seeing an extension of this story,” she explained. “And hopefully [we] get humanity to a place where we can effect change.” With the album basically done, plans for the tour are under way. “We did a theater in an arena and it worked [for the Moster Ball Tour]. … How do we take it to the next level?” Gibson teased of Gaga’s next outing. What are you expecting from Gaga’s album and tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lady Gaga Creative Director Laurieann Gibson Related Photos Lady Gaga’s Madison Square Garden Performance Related Artists Lady Gaga
Now that the ‘spectacular’ album is done, tour plans are next, creative director Laurieann Gibson tells MTV News. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga Photo: Tom Briglia/ WireImage Over the weekend, Lady Gaga tweeted that her May release, Born This Way, was nearly complete. “In Nebraska, finishing up record today,” she wrote. “I’m so proud of the album: I keep dancing+drinking: metal/techno rock journey of a woman on the run.” Now, with eight weeks left until it officially drops, Gaga’s creative director, Laurieann Gibson, revealed that this album will have the Little Monsters going, well, gaga. “This new album is spectacular,” Gibson told MTV News. “And I got to tell you, you got to really stand by and take notice, ’cause the album is excellent. It’s of such excellence that I think that everyone’s going to be really impressed and affected.” The first single from the album, the title track, has sat at the top of the charts for weeks, and as Gaga readies the release of a second single, the RedOne-produced “Judas,” Gibson said it’s just the beginning. “The records are so visual and large and the concept of birthing has so many levels to it and the dance is never limited, that you’re just gonna keep seeing an extension of this story,” she explained. “And hopefully [we] get humanity to a place where we can effect change.” With the album basically done, plans for the tour are under way. “We did a theater in an arena and it worked [for the Moster Ball Tour]. … How do we take it to the next level?” Gibson teased of Gaga’s next outing. What are you expecting from Gaga’s album and tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lady Gaga Creative Director Laurieann Gibson Related Photos Lady Gaga’s Madison Square Garden Performance Related Artists Lady Gaga
‘I’m so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal,’ Laurieann Gibson says. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage It’s an exciting time to be a Lady Gaga fan. This week, the pop star released her much-anticipated “Born This Way” video and walked the runway and previewed her track “Government Hooker” at a Thierry Mugler fashion show. And now there are a few more details about her next Born This Way single, “Judas,” and its video. “We’re already getting ready to go into rehearsal [for the video]. She’s like, ‘I’m all ready to start ‘Judas’!’ She’s ready,” Gaga’s creative director Laurieann Gibson told MTV News. “And ‘Judas’ is exciting for me because we had this amazing artistic approach to ‘BTW’ and I’m so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal. So, visually, the dance, the costuming, the idea of how big we’re trying to go, [it’s] going to be a roller-coaster ride.” “There is [a director in mind],” Gibson continued, adding that nothing about the video will be ordinary. “What is a traditional music video? Even if we go with a traditional music video, the directors that we love are not traditional, so the idea that they get to collaborate with us means they too want to live outside of what people expect a traditional music video to be.” As for the sound of the song, Fernando Garibay , one of the musical directors on the album, opened up about the RedOne-produced dance tune. “It’s a statement about, again I can’t speak for her, but what I gather is it’s about sometimes not choosing the right choice,” he explained. “But you can’t deny that the choice is not a part of you and who you are. ” ‘Judas’ is a dance song, definitely,” he continued. “I think ‘Judas’ is in the traditional RedOne/Gaga vein. It’s great because it’s a serious message, it’s a little playful, but still serious, but still somehow you wind up dancing to it. That’s what’s great about her music. You know, like, my favorite song of all time, dance song, ‘Billie Jean,’ is a story you wouldn’t think of singing, but then you wind up dancing and singing the lyrics. I think that’s the Holy Grail of music for me, which is dance.” Gaga shared lyrics from “Judas” last month, and Gaga’s pal and stylist Nicola Formichetti reposted those lyrics on Twitter late Thursday. “I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel, but I’m still in love with Judas, Baby,” he wrote, adding, “JUDAS FASHION. so excited i can’t sleep!” Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lady Gaga Creative Director Laurieann Gibson Related Photos The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga Related Artists Lady Gaga
‘BTW’ video creative director Laurieann Gibson says Gaga recruited director Nick Knight to push the envelope. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images If it wasn’t clear from watching Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” video, the singer intended for the over-the-top clip to be a visual spectacle. And that’s why she wanted fashion photographer Nick Knight onboard to direct. “Well, that was completely from the gate. She was like, ‘I want Nick Knight for this video, I want a visual,’ ” the video’s creative director, Laurieann Gibson, explained to MTV News. “She was always birthing something visual in her head. [Knight’s] prolific, but he’s so genius visually. He’s such an Englishman. He’s so particular and everything must be spot-on. [The video] was about a beautiful photograph and it was about pushing the bar; it is a viral message. Nick was flawless.” Many of the visuals in the video are tied to the dance , which Gibson choreographed for the splashy sci-fi-style video. “At first, when I thought about birthing a new race and adding the prosthetics, I thought that maybe they should have a certain way they should walk or maybe they move a certain way, but then I realized it is actually a race within our race; it’s a mindset,” Gibson recalled. “So they don’t have to walk funny,” she said of the figures in the video. Instead, Gibson focused on how she to interpret the song’s feel-good message in the moves. “So I just told the story of the record,” she said. “We birth ourselves out of the womb. There’s lots of pushing and birthing [in the video]. There’s lots of punching through the adversity, and then we go to church. So it’s very symbolic, it’s really based in modern dance: She’s doing [Martha] Graham. She’s doing [Lester] Horton. These are legitimate dance techniques.” What’s your favorite part of the “Born This Way” video? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Lady Gaga Creative Director Laurieann Gibson Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ Video Premieres Related Artists Lady Gaga
Laurieann Gibson’s E! show, tentatively titled ‘The Dance Scene,’ set for April 10 premiere. By Jocelyn Vena Laurieann Gibson Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images 2011 is bound to be a big year for Lady Gaga , and now it seems that her choreographer, Laurieann Gibson, is also poised for a big year. Gibson will star in her own E! reality show, tentatively titled “The Dance Scene,” set to premiere in April, EW reports . The show will follow Gibson as she trains assistant choreographers and dancers to work with celebrities. Ryan Seacrest, who will serve as the show’s producer, explains, “Dance is at the center of pop culture — today more than ever — and Laurieann is an amazing force accelerating this huge wave of creativity. This series gives audiences an insider’s view of how competitive the dance world is, the talent and ambition that a dancer needs to be successful in the Hollywood scene, and the drama that ensues along the way.” The eight episode docu-series will officially debut April 10. “The competitive world of the professional dancer is grueling creative work,” said Lisa Berger, executive vice president of programming at E!. “Watching Laurieann mentor these young artists, who will do anything to make it in the business, gives us a glimpse into a world where the pursuit of success and excellence outweighs all else.” Gibson most recently worked with Gaga, but has also worked with Diddy and Alicia Keys. She’s also tasted reality show life, having appeared on “Making the Band” and “Skating With the Stars.” This week, Gibson tweeted about filming her show, writing , “In London.. Shooting new show on E”!!! Its gonna be Epic.!!” She later tweeted a photo of her cameramen, adding, “Lookin’ good guys! Team BoomKack … shooting E show in London!!!” Will you watch Laurieann Gibson’s new reality show? Tell us in the comments below! Related Artists Lady Gaga
