Oh Omarosa.
The reality show veteran (and ordained pastor) stopped by Power 105.1’s ‘Breakfast Club’ recently and true to form did not hold back.
Watch below as the Celebrity Apprentice star sinks her claws into cast-mates Claudia Jordan and LaToya Jackson before hilariously ending the interview with a prayer.
That Grape Juice: Hello there Miss Alexis! Thanks so much for taking the time. How are you today?
Alexis Spight: Doing well! And, thank you for taking the time!
TGJ: Our pleasure. So, let’s get right to it as we’re excited to talk about your debut album ‘L.O.L.’ (which debuted at #3 on Billboard Gospel charts) last week. How does it feel to have that kind of reception?
AS: It feels amazing and I’m very grateful. I always say I know people have to work years to acquire something like this, so I know it’s nothing but the grace and favor of God. I’m really humbled by it.
TGJ: Why did you feel the song ‘Steady’ was the best choice to act as the album’s lead single?
AS: It’s a song I wrote two years ago after taking a close observation of the world with everything that’s going on. People are losing their houses, minds, jobs, etc. and my prayer was just that God would keep me grounded – or steady.
That prayer is something I’m learning to incorporate in my life as I go through this industry and am being exposed to different things. I pray that He continues to cover me. Even though I wrote it a couple of years ago, it’s still a very relevant concept today.
TGJ: That’s amazing! So, any thoughts on what the follow-up single will be?
AS: I have a couple of things in mind, but I don’t want to give them away quite yet.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrs1j9Ed5Do]
TGJ: Well, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for it. Speaking on the album as a whole, where did the inspiration for the title of the album come from?
AS: ‘L.O.L. (Living Out Loud)’ is just that…living out loud. Living what we sing about, preach about, and pray about.
TGJ: After listening to “L.O.L”, what should listeners expect? What do you want them to walk away with?
AS: Expect uplifting, different, and out of the box things. I’ve always been different, so I incorporate that into my music. I remember going onto the show [Sunday’s Best] and I recall having a conversation with a preacher. He told me, “There are a lot of people you aren’t going to reach because of how different you are with that bright red hair and weird, crazy fashion sense.” In so many words, he said churches wouldn’t embrace me because although times are changing, many churches are still moderately conservative.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpnsZufG9UI]
AS (continued): It bothered me a little bit because I love God like crazy, but I prayed and consulted God about it. I had to wonder about people who were just like me – different, unique, and don’t necessarily fit into a box of traditionalism that some churches try to enforce. I want to reach those people.
I came to the realization that God created me as unique as he did to catapult those souls toward the Kingdom.
TGJ: We know many new artists are not very involved in the creative aspect of their early albums. Were you?
AS: I was very involved with this album! I had a lot of creative control. I actually wrote two of the songs (‘Music’ and ‘Steady’). I also got the opportunity to choose what songs I wanted included on the album. I even was privileged to put my own spin on the demoes presented to me.
It’s really important because you are the artist. You always want to maintain originality in what you do. Better to be disliked for being yourself than liked for trying to be someone else.
TGJ: Now, as with many interviews, we have a segment called “Five From Fans” where we received five questions from our readers for you. Are you ready?
AS: Yes!
TGJ: #1 – Have you had trouble adjusting to the demands of being a “celebrity”?
AS: No. I definitely want to say it’s a learning experience. I’m definitely living my dreams and grateful for this platform [BET’s] ‘Sunday Best’ has given me.
TGJ: #2 – Any plans on experimenting with other genres, namely R&B?
AS: No, I’m always going to be a gospel artist. Even still, I don’t ever want my ministry to be exclusive to one type of audience or one genre [sonically]. I don’t want to conform or compromise my work, but I do want it to get rid of barriers and naturally flow into another markets like R&B or even country.
TGJ: #3 – Who are your vocal idols?
AS: So many! Kim Burrell, The Clark Sisters, John P. Kee, Lisa Knowles, and overall, just anything with a positive message. That’s not restricted to gospel though. I love India Arie and even Rascal Flatts! (laughs)
TGJ: #4 – Some people argue that singing competitions have really run their course and no longer produce “superstars”. Considering you’ve been [to varying degrees] on ‘American Idol’, ‘X Factor’, and ‘Sunday’s Best’, what are your thoughts?
AS: I don’t agree. I’m a believer in seizing opportunity and I believe that aside from anything else, those are major opportunities [for upcoming artists]. You never know what doors they can open, I’m living proof of that. I didn’t win the competition, but even so, God is still opening doors for me.
TGJ: #5 – With the new season of BET’s ‘Sunday Best’ coming soon, any advice for up-and-comers?
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/85655284″ params=”color=a319ad&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
TGJ: Thanks so much for that. Continuing on that same plane, now that you two aren’t going head-to-head every week on the show, is there any pressure to compete with ‘Sunday Best’ winner Joshua Rogers? Even if only in a friendly manner?
AS: No, I don’t. We’re so different and have our own styles, so we don’t compete. We never ever had that vibe, even when we were on the show. I thank God for our friendship.
TGJ: We’re sure a number of fans would actually like to see you two collab!
AS: Well, I don’t want to give away too much, but Joshua and I have some tricks up our sleeves. (laughs) Just say on the look out for that. My “uncle” John P. Kee and I have some tricks up our sleeves too.
TGJ: We are certainly looking forward to those. Any other collaborations we should be on the lookout for? Or even “dream” collabos?
AS: No, but I would love to work with Lisa Knowles. It would be an honor to work with the Clark Sisters, Mali Music, or The Walls Group. Even Kierra Sheard and other youthful artist. I believe this generation is about to take over!
TGJ: Last, but not least, where can fans find more about you?
AS: I’m everywhere! For booking, check out booking4lexi@gmail.com. Of course you know I’m on Twitter @lyrically_lexi and Facebook @Alexis Spight! And, for all you SocialCam users out there, see me on SocialCam.
******
Interview by: Quinno Rashad (That Grape Juice US)
******
Someone needs more rehearsal time.
Until the official launch of Beyonce‘s forthcoming ‘Mrs.Carter Show‘, the only stage show the world has found itself captivated by is Rihanna‘s ‘Diamonds World Tour’…but not for the right reasons.
As you’ll see below, her exhausted nature and dependency on pre-recorded vocals have seriously left us wondering how some still find ways to justify the mess that are live skills.
Watch her party her way through ‘We Found Love’ below…
‘American Idol’ alum Jessica Sanchez may have lost the season 11 crown during her stint on the show, but that hasn’t taken the powerhouse vocalist’s eyes off the prize.
Indeed, after wowing viewers with a performance on tonight’s episode of the reality talent competition, fans are introduced to “Tonight” – her first official single. Featuring singer/songwriter Ne-Yo, the song serves as the introductory offering from her Interscope Records debut ‘Me, You, and the Music’ (due April 30th).
Tuck in below for your first listen:
A new dawn is undoubtedly on the horizon for R&B veteran Dawn Robinson. The Connecticut-born beauty, who saw her claim to fame as one-fourth of R&B supergroup En Vogue, is now forging a solo path and turning the page on her already storied career.
With new music, books, and television in her sights, the Funky Diva dishes exclusively to That Grape Juice on her involvement with hit series ‘R&B Divas’ spinoff ‘R&B Divas: LA’ (alongside Kelly Price, Chantae Moore, and more), new solo music endeavors, and talks about her very public split with En Vogue.
As ever, Dawn doesn’t hold back. This is a must read:
Ever keen to broaden our musical scope, recent months have seen That Grape Juice venture into a number of new musical landscapes including, most recently, gospel.
Spearheaded by well-received interviews with gospel singers Joshua Rogers, Dorinda Clark Cole, Israel Houghton, and more, TGJ is now offering readers ‘The Overflow’ – a collection of the top gospel-themed news stories from the week.
Tuck in below for the latest news on gospel beaus Fred Hammond, Ricky Dillard, Earnest Pugh, and more…
If recent events are anything to go by, Lil Kim‘s comeback plans are far more serious than even her own fans could have imagined.
So serious, that in a bid to reignite the fire that once lit her brand, she has shared not one but two new videos today, the first being Tiffany Foxx‘s clip for the single ‘Twisted’.
The second, being the official video for her remix to Rihanna‘s rising smash ‘Pour It Up‘, featuring her boyfriend Mr. Papers.
While the video is a little ‘budget’, we’d be lying if we said weren’t looking forward to the album that will follow it, considering it is to be executive produced by Hip Hop life force Bangladesh.
Watch below…
Lil Kim took time out of her own come back campaign recently, to help launch the career of aspiring super star Tiffany Foxx.
Indeed, while she won’t be able to do much for her cause on a corporate front, Kim has gone a long way in pushing the Rap beauty to Urban audiences, stopping by at ‘Hot 97’ for an introductory interview with the ever comical, Peter Rosenberg.
Watch below…
Comedian Kevin Hart sure stays busy.
The Real Husbands of Hollywood star is gearing up for the theatrical release of ‘Let Me Explain’ – a movie based on his ten country comedy tour of the same name.
Having sold-out London’s O2 Arena and grossing upwards of $30 million in total, Hart looks poised to multiply his earnings with this big-screen run. More power to him.
‘Let Me Explain’ hits US theaters on July 3rd. Before then, check out the “banned from TV” trailer above. The infamous “deerbra” makes an appearance.
Funny man Kevin Hart is set to host Saturday Night Live this weekend!
The actor/comedian will front the hit NBC show in support of his BET series ‘The Real Husbands Of Hollywood’.
Check out his hilarious promo clip for the stint below…
Be sure to tune in to SNL at 11.30pm ET this Saturday on NBC.
Not in many years has there been as much hype for a project as there is for Justin Timberlake‘s comeback effort ‘The 20/20 Experience’.
Due in stores on March 19th, the set has already been supported by major promotional slots on the Grammy Awards and the UK’s BRITs. Yet that isn’t stopping the former NSync’er from pressing on with an aggressive push for maximum exposure, with his latest stop being prime-time German show ‘Wetten, Dass?’.
Watch below as the singer-actor rocks out to ‘Mirrors’….
It may be a New Year, but the same issues are plaguing some of our most anticipated releases.
Unfortunately, the dreaded “push back” has struck again with singer Fantasia its latest victim.
Originally slated for release next month, the star’s fourth studio album ‘The Side Effects Of You’ has been held back until an undetermined date. And while many anticipated this in the absence of a radio or video release for its lead single ‘Lose To Win’, the American Idol alum has explained why the move to delay the “rock soul” sounding set was a must.
Her words after the jump…
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