My Weekend with Haley Reinhart

It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de lovely, it’s Reinhart heaven! All Haliens in the metropolitan city of Jakarta, Indonesia were celebrating last weekend, as it was jam-packed with everything Haley Reinhart.

Not only the retrofabulous goddess had a special guest appearance on our local X Factor last Friday (April 26), but she also treated us to a double show, scrumptious dinner and an exclusive meet and greet session the following day (April 27) at the Gandaria City Mall, all for FREE. The Saturday event was sponsored by Indovision and Star World, the award-winning network where American Idol is regularly broadcasted. I, for one, am so lucky to have been one of those winners of the meet and greet contest, as it was limited to Indovision subscribers only.

Haley kicked off her afternoon concert at the Main Atrium section of the mall’s ground floor. She treated us to five spectacular tunes, including three from her Grammy-worthy Listen Up album:

• "Wasted Tears"
• "Hit the Ground Runnin’"
• "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Michael Jackson cover)
• "Oh My!"
• "Call Me" (Blondie cover) – featuring Indonesian Idol 4 winner Rini

Once the show was over, Haley was immediately escorted out by her bodyguards as the Haliens shopped around before getting back together to prep up for the evening meet and greet at around 6 PM at the Beerdy! Golf and Bar. Though the session didn’t start ‘til 7.30 PM, the wait was so worth it, as Queen Haley came back with another short set to entertain us. This time, she went acoustic with just a guitar player. As soon as she was done with "Wasted Tears" and "Hit the Ground Runnin’", she finally wrapped the show up with a slowed down version of "Free" by popular demand. 

There was a fun singing game where five chosen fans got to sing along with Miss Haley herself to Aerosmith's "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing", followed by a brief group photo session for all the fans. The night closed with a buffet-style dinner consisting of favorites like beef steak, mashed potatoes, tuna canapé and pudding. 

I did get to chat with Haley herself, though we all got timed so everything felt so rushed. I'm sure I'll see her again one fine day, though, maybe when I'm back in the States soon. We waited for our cars together so we got to bid each other farewell (score!). Reinhart dreamin’ all weekend long, baby! Shindig! :) 

Haley - "Bennie and the Jets" (X Factor Indonesia)

Haley - "Wasted Tears"

Haley Greets Jakarta Fans, Talks The Beatles and Says "I Love You" in Indonesian

Haley and Rini - "Call Me" (Blondie cover)

The Carrie Medley at the Grammys/Two Black Cadillacs

What's not to love about Carrie Underwood? Both fans and non-fans will agree there was grandeur in her performance at the 2013 Grammy Awards, where she delivered an out-of-this-world medley that features two of her hits from the Blown Away album - "Blown Away" and "Two Black Cadillacs". Very creative and innovative! Just like the category in which she won, Best Country Solo Performance, indeed!
 Even her electric dress helped establish her goddess-like persona.

Her cinematic, full-on mysterious and noir-ish video for "Two Black Cadillacs" is now out, so if you haven't already, this is definitely a must-see, especially if you appreciate artistic MVs.

Fire is Catching: First Look at "Catching Fire"

Congrats to The Hunger Games for dominating the People's Choice Awards with its multiple wins, particularly in the Favorite Movie and Franchise categories! All the Tributes really pulled through in giving it an even larger "global voice".

Just recently, the first look images of its upcoming sequel Catching Fire have been released by Entertainment Weekly. Fans of the new heartthrob Finnick Odair (who made his first appearance on Book 2 of the trilogy) can now see actor Sam Claflin in character as he and our tough heroine Katniss Everdeen share a seductive scene, as shown on this shot:

Having followed his earlier acting works (including Snow White and the Huntsman and Pirates of the Caribbean 4), I definitely approve :) He's the type of actor who actually has that rare combination of magnetic charm and soul that largely defines Finnick.

Fifth Harmony for the World: The Girlband Phenomenon is Back!

Simon Cowell is a total expert in managing groups. Now it's about time he brings back girl power with his recent signing - the all-girl band Fifth Harmony that placed 3rd on the new X Factor USA with whom he also mentored. Looks like the girlband phenomenon is ready to make another splash after the global success of Spice Girls and the Pussycat Dolls. I'm lovin' it. What about you?

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Dinah Jane Hansen, Normani Kordei, Ally Brooke, Lauren Jauregui and Camila Cabello!

#FifthHarmony

Relive their classic performances on the X Factor USA:

A Thousand Years

Anything Could Happen

 

Give Your Heart a Break  

(Duet with Demi Lovato)

  

It's a Carrie Bradshaw 2013!

A brand new year calls for a brand new Carrie Bradshaw. Tune in to the CW Network on January 14 as The Carrie Diaries make its debut.

With a retrofabulous cast of characters led by the multitalented AnnaSophia Robb as teenage Carrie and a dose of 80's flair, the show is bound to be unforgettable as it details Carrie's pre-Sex and the City life and her search for her own unique writer's voice long before she hits it big time in NYC.

If you haven't already, The Carrie Diaries books (also written by the original Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell) will make sumptuous reads and delight you as you await the show's premiere. Get a first taste of the Big Apple Carrie Bradshaw style :)