September 12, 2022 - Music Observer

Rosa Cesareo and Pursuing a Music Career Based on a Natural Love for Music

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

Turning passion into a career is something that happens every now and then, and many notable people have built names for themselves by turning their passion into profit and, ultimately, careers. Rosa Cesareo’s journey into music began at the age of four, as she would sing and dance to her favorite songs by Amy Winehouse, Brittney Spears and Gwen Stefani. From that point, she would eventually decide to take music up as a career.

The Las Vegas-based 21-year-old musician with an Italian father and Iranian mother has dazzled at different venues and convinced diverse groups of people of her talents and artistry. She had a rich and distinct tone at a very young age and was always eager to show off her skills at karaoke bars. Getting ingrained into music was largely influenced by her parents, who often played music from different cultures in the house. So, she developed a global taste in the craft and created her unique sound from the myriad of sounds she spent time listening to.

While it has been mostly self-developed, Rosa Cesareo’s career had the support of the important people in her life. In middle school, when she decided to learn the piano, her father bought her first piano from consignment as a gift, which went a long way in helping her become the artist she is today. So, from performing music from other artists she enjoyed as a child to self-learning how to play the piano through YouTube, Rosa has come full circle as an intentional artist passionate about the craft.

She wrote her first song at age 15 to express herself and tell stories about what she was going through at the time, a turbulent period in her life. After releasing her songs on SoundCloud for a while, she decided she wanted to study music for her higher education. She proceeded to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she is studying Production & Sound Design in her final year.

Rosa Cesareo has fully immersed herself into her element as a musician and has been taking opportunities that allow her to perform her original songs. She has performed at solo, duo and band gigs in Boston and Las Vegas. Her latest single, “Pretty Eyes,” was released on September 7, 2022, alongside remixes by Grammy-nominated Producer StoneBridge, and mixes from MaxVangeli, The Fifth Guys, Going Deeper and Invisible.

With the new song streaming on all digital platforms, Rosa Cesareo has further enmeshed herself in the music industry as she pursues success and acceptance. She sees herself becoming a globally recognized artist over the next few years. “Music is my life, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else” Rosa said, “This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Andor Creator Tony Gilroy Reveals What the Show’s Storyline was Based on

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

Although his show may have occurred long ago in a galaxy very far away, the creator of Andor, Tony Gilroy, looked forward to a more accessible and down-to-earth Rogue One prequel.

After finding out what Lucasfilm originally planned for the forthcoming Disney+ series, Gilroy – who was not yet involved in the project during that time – states that he happily brainstormed a “long, forensic manifesto” to the studio containing an imaginative storyline.

In an interview with Variety, he said that his idea was “so radical, so out there” that he had simply written it only for entertainment.

However, merely a year after, that exact missive would be what the show’s storyline is based on, per EW.

In its initial version, the show was supposed to be “in the vein of Cassian, and K-2[SO] are like Butch and Sundance, and they’re gonna storm the Citadel,” said Gilroy in an interview with Variety.

Despite it working out, the producer stated that he thought the proposition would be “very hard to sustain over a long haul.”

Gilroy wanted a story that circulated on grounded, everyday individuals living daily lives despite galactic chaos rather than something that depended on the franchise’s existing prominent characters.

“They’ve made all this IP about the royal family, in essence. It’s been great. But there’s a billion, billion, billion other beings in the galaxy,” he elaborated.

“There’s plumbers and cosmeticians. Journalists! What are their lives like? The revolution is affecting them just as much as anybody else. Why not use the Star Wars canon as a host organism for absolutely realistic, passionate, dramatic storytelling?”

Gilroy Wanted a Film that Doesn’t Rely on Other Movies

The series, which happened five years prior to the Rogue One events, stars Diego Luna returning for his role as the titular hero. Alongside him is Genevieve O’Reilly, who will portray the character of Mon Mothma, Alex ferns, and Adria Arjona, among others.

The final output is something Gilroy guesses everyone can enjoy – despite not seeing the original movies or Disney+ show.

“You should be able to watch the show and not give a s— about Star Wars ever, or [have ever] seen any Star Wars,” he stated. “This show should work on its own.”

But Gilroy claims Andor will provide a lot of thrills.

“We are an adventure story,” he stated.

“The hope, the dream, is that the really hardcore Star Wars community will embrace the show in a new way – that they’ll be thrilled to have someone come in and completely uncynically get down molecularly in their world and treat it like a real thing.”

Kathy Hilton Mixes Lizzo Up with ‘Precious’

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

Kathy Hilton, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills actress, has no clue who Lizzo is, and that became obvious at an awkward juncture in this week’s episode of Watch What Happens Live!

During a game called “Will Kathy Know Them?” where Hilton was pumped to identify numerous prominent personalities, the reality TV actress showed she didn’t quite know them.

Hilton, 63, could not correctly identify images of Ryan Reynolds or Justin Timberlake. And previously, in an episode on Wednesday, she did not know who Melissa Etheridge was.

Later on in the game, an image of Lizzo showed up. “I feel like I do [know her],” Hilton stated ahead of saying, “Precious?” She was pointing out to Precious movie actor Gabourey Sidibe, who is obviously not Lizzo.

The room was filled with cackles from the audience, crew, host Andy Cohen, who put his cue cards in front of his face, and guest Crystal Kung Minkoff, who is among Hilton’s co-actors in Real Housewives.

Hilton got a few gazes from the people in the back behind the bar, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliot Cooper, who are Mathis Family Matters stars and are also Black.

39-year-old Minkoff attempted to cover up the reply.

“She is precious, though. Lizzo is precious,” she stated.

“That’s what I call her! Her nickname is Precious, to me,” Hilton responded.

Hilton Received Backlash from Celebs

The video footage was not officially delivered by Bravo – and we know why – however, viewers at home have been capturing and reposting the clip on social media.

Meanwhile, Hilton was not aware of the identities of the celebs virtually. But she received backlash for her mistake in identifying the Black women.

Nina Parker, host of E!, took to Twitter to tell her two cents on the matter: “Black women are not here to be the butt of your jokes. TF is this?”

Other celebs have spoken up about the matter, including Kalen Allen, an internet personality.

“When Precious came out, a lot of people used the character’s name as a derogatory label to fuel their fatphobia and to bully. So no, I don’t think that it’s funny that Lizzo, home minding her own business, had to watch herself be called Precious in front of millions on live tv,” he said.

Lizzo and Sidibe have not released any statement regarding the matter.

Laverne Cox Finds Humor in Beyonce Mix-Up

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

Laverne Cox is more than good with the way that the web has confused her with Beyoncé at the US Open.

The Orange is the New Black star shared a video to Twitter on Monday showing a split-second shot of Cox cheering for Serena Williams during a match at the famous tennis tournament. The tweet was captioned: “Beyoncé at the US Open.”

The Twitter handle retracted the claim after a netizen corrected it to be Cox, not Beyoncé. Fortunately, Cox herself seemed to enjoy the moment and found humor in being mixed up with the superstar.

“Not me getting mistaken for @Beyonce at the #USOpen tonight then trending on Twitter as the internet cackles over the mistaken identity,” she said in her Instagram post.

“These tweets are funny as hell. Enjoy!!!

Go @serenewilliams #GOAT #SerenaWilliams #Beyonce.”

Cox’s voice also matched a tweet saying the comparison was a “career highlight,” responding “Absolutely!”

Cox Were Supported by Friends

Cox was not the only person who enjoyed the hilarious moment. Cox’s friends all left a comment in her post to celebrate her mistaken identity and to be Queen B’s doppelgänger for the day.

“You both do look alike! It was bound to happen,” said Quei Tann, a Dear White People star, in the comments.

Meanwhile, Superstore actress Franchesca Ramsey commented, “You DESERVE! You had [the] queen’s essence radiating from behind the mask.”

And although a member of Beyhive may have been momentarily confused, others instantly recognized Cox when they laid eyes on her in the crowd.

“Funny, as soon as I scrolled to this, I was like, ‘that looks like Laverne,’” said Angelica Ross, who stars in Pose.

Cox posted several photos of Williams with a video of herself at the sporting event on her Instagram story. In the video, the star is wearing a black mesh top, tan latex pants, and heels. She accessorized the fit with hoop earrings, a black Dior bag, and a black face mask.

“Arriving at the #USOpen earlier,” Cox captioned the clip.

House of the Dragon’s Emily Carey Discusses Her Character

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

Anyone familiar with George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood knows that there’s one key plot point not shown in HBO’s House of the Dragons.

The series follows the Targaryens as they face civil war within their lineage after King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) declares his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock), heir to the Iron Throne.

After the death of Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke), Viserys remarries and has a son named Aegon II (Tom Glyn Carney), who eventually splits the kingdom in two due to succession issues.

That was revealed a lot before the premiere. But another big thing kept secret is the detail that Rhaenyra’s best friend Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) is the one who marries Viserys and bears Aegon.

“I’m so glad I can talk about this now. This is a big one,” Carey, who prefers to be referred to as she/they, said in an interview with EW on the West of Westeros podcast following the revelation in the second episode of House of the Dragon.

“It changes one of the branches of the show, if that makes sense. It pushes things in a different direction. And for my character, it’s, of course, a massive turn.”

Carey asked House of the Dragon co-producer Miguel Sapochnik (alongside Ryan Condal) about the matter.

“He just went, ‘Yes. That!'” she recounts. “I was like, ‘What?’ And he was like, ‘All of it. That’s what we want.'”

She then proceeded to play into the bewilderment.

“I was confused as an actor in not knowing what Alicent should be feeling, and then I also realized that’s exactly how she’s feeling, ‘I should be happy. This should be what I want, but is it actually what I want?” Carey elaborates.

Fans might then mark Alicent as a villain. But Carrie wants to understand and consider the character’s situation, mentioning the “huge pressures that should not be placed on 14-year-old girls.”

Alicent’s case was on his father as he orchestrated her engagement to Viserys.

Carey Bonds with Cast Members

Carey also confessed that she was nervous initially reading the House of the Dragon script. At 17, when she started the show, she would have to portray a young girl in a romantic tie with a fully grown man. (Carey is currently 19, while Considine is 48.)

But Considine and the producers made Carey feel safe and at ease. She bonded with Considine through RuPaul’s Drag Race.

“Paddy is a massive Drag Race fan, and so am I,” Carey said. “So, I’d come into the set and be like, ‘Hey, Paddy, did you watch the new episode of All Stars?’ He’d be like, ‘Oh my God, yes! Let’s talk about it.’ And so that’s how we’d start every morning.”

She recounts one point while shooting the premiere episode. Everyone was feeling a tad bit ecstatic after a long day of filming.

“It felt like a weird school trip or a family day out with all of us there at one time,” Carey states.

“The stunt guys would line up to joust at the other end. There’d be these big sweeping wide shots. They couldn’t really hear what we were saying. So, the horses would whinny or whatever, and then you’d hear from behind us, ‘Two jousters stand before me. Are you ready to joust? For. Your. Life?!”

That would be courtesy of Considine. “It was so funny. He was really getting into it.”

Land & Ammo Is Set to Revolutionize Folk Music With Its Upcoming Debut Release

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

While there are a lot of great acts in the music industry today, not all of them have what it takes to branch out into various genres. After all, exploring different musical styles may not always translate positively or even backfire. However, the versatile Rob Bailey is fearlessly forging a new path alongside Jake Hill through their innovative group—Land & Ammo.

The emerging band aims to put a brand new spin on the beloved American folk music. With Rob Bailey’s extensive experience and propensity for going outside the box, the duo is already making a buzz in the music scene.

When asked what makes Land & Ammo unique, the brilliant man insightfully shared, “I think what really separates us from our competition is the fresh look we bring to the genre. And I believe we are making music for everyone. I think the gang vocals and the acoustic guitar and our two voices fare extremely well together and, although they are aggressive, will be easily digestible to the general public.”

He went on to say, “I think that a normal person that may not be interested in folk music traditionally may be interested in this. So we really spent some time navigating through what we think it is to be American without taking it too far down a political path.”

Creating one-of-a-kind music is nothing new for Rob Bailey, who possesses a highly diverse discography. He had a stellar solo career with the heavy-hitting album, The Difference. On top of that, his former group, Rob Bailey & The Hustle Standard, is known for revolutionizing electronic workout music by carving out their own unique sound within the electronic genre.

Because of this, the band previously quickly gained fame and produced popular songs such as “Hungry” and “Hold Strong.” Its hit track “Beast” was even remixed by none other than Busta Rhymes and was featured in the short film South Pole.

This time, the gifted artist showcases his unrivaled musical prowess in folk music. The visionary explained, “Although we are telling an ominous tale, the song still feels upbeat like a battle cry. It is a song that truly gets in the listener and encourages them to chant along. I think when I picture American folk music, it seems to lack energy. We bring that energy.”

Land & Ammo is undoubtedly a highly promising act with a fresh sound that will surely captivate audiences and listeners worldwide. Fans and music enthusiasts should keep an eye out as Land & Ammo prepares for its debut release. The eponymous single will be available for streaming on all digital platforms on May 1st. In addition, the band will also drop the Youtube Premiere of its music video on the same day.

Justin Bieber Announces Cancelation of Justice World Tour Over Health Concerns

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

Justin Bieber has now halted his remaining dates for his world tour on the side of last year’s Justice, which had been booked to go through March 2023.

“I need to make health the priority now,” he said in a statement on Instagram about the new decision.

Bieber has not revealed whether the tour dates will be postponed or overall canceled.

In early June, Bieber canceled several dates on the Justice Tour’s North American leg due to facial nerve paralysis caused by Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

After the release of Justice last March, Bieber released six current tracks on an EP titled Freedom.

He has since guest starred on Omar Ray’s “Attention” and asked Don Toliver to join him on his new single “Honest.”

Bieber’s Announcement on Justice Break:

“Earlier this year, I went public about my battle with Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, where my face was partly paralyzed. As a result of this illness, I was not able to complete the North America leg of the Justice tour,” he said.

“After resting and consulting with my doctors, family, and team, I went to Europe in an effort to continue with the tour. I performed six live shows, but it took a real toll on me. This past weekend, I performed at Rock in Rio, and I gave everything I have to the people in Brazil.”

He added that he was drained after the show and grasped that he had to take care of his health.

“After getting off stage, the exhaustion overtook me, and I realized that I needed to make my health the priority right now. So, I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being. I’m going to be ok, but I need some time to rest and get better,” he continued.

“I’ve been so proud to bring this show and our message of Justice to the world. Thank you for your prayers and support throughout all of this! I love you all passionately!”

Barbarian Startles in $10 Million on Its Debut Weekend

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

This weekend, another mysterious horror film was buzzed by viewers. Zach Cregger’s Barbarian had a big box office preview.

The actor’s directorial debut opened atop $10 million, according to Comscore’s report.

In the horror film, Georgina Campbell plays Tess, a young woman who discovers that the rental house she has booked is already occupied by a stranger, Keith (Bill Skarsgård). Reluctantly, Tess stays the night and later discovers there is more to fear than an unexpected guest.

Barbarian, which garnered great critical acclaim and earned a 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating for its twists, also includes Justin Long, Matthew Patrick Davis, and Jaymes Butler.

“It was so engaging, so scary,” Long, who plays an embattled actor with his own connections to the house of horror rentals, said in an interview with EW at the Comic-Con this year. “I mean, scary and unexpected.”

He added: “I’ve read a lot of horror scripts, and I’ve done a few of those movies, so it’s very rare to find something that breaks the convention and is that unique and original.”

Cregger’s First Horror: Barbarian

Recently, Cregger revealed that he received advice from director and friend Jordan Peele, who also took the same path as a comedian turned horror film director.

“He spent a lot of time with me before I went to Bulgaria to shoot the movie,” Cregger said in an interview with Variety. “He gave me a crash course on how to handle the inevitable challenges, and that was so valuable.”

He continued, “I don’t think horror and comedy are too dissimilar. The anatomy of a scare is very similar to the anatomy of a laugh. It’s all about timing and tone and zigging when the audience expects you to zag. I feel like my time in sketch comedy had equipped me to play in this pool.”

Barbarian is not the only new film that saw a huge box office success this weekend. Brahmastra Part 1: Shiva, an Indian Hindi-language fantasy adventure directed by Ayan Mukerji, opened just behind Barbarian at No. 2 with $4.4 million.

Julia Roberts Felt Lonely During the ‘Ticket to Paradise’ Shoot, The Clooneys Were There

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

In case you have to form a pandemic circle, there are worse people to put up with than the Clooney family.

After a professional history (co-starring in films like Ocean’s Eleven and Money Monster), George Clooney and Julia Roberts reunite for the new romantic comedy Ticket to Paradise.

The two play bitterly divorced exes who eventually team up to stop their daughter’s (Kaitlyn Dever) marriage in Bali.

Speaking to the New York Times, the pair talked about portraying exes and being stuck together while filming in quarantine in Australia.

Clooney explained that during filming he rented a house with his wife Amal and their twin children. On the other hand, Roberts was staying in another house nearby, but her husband and three of her children were in the United States.

“We started in Hamilton Island, with all these wild birds, and Julia had the house down just below Amal and me and the kids,” Clooney stated.

“I would come out in the early mornings and be like, ‘Caa-caa,’ and Julia would come out and be like, ‘Caa-caa.’ And then we’d bring her down a cup of coffee. She was Aunt Juju to my kids.”

“The Clooneys saved me from complete loneliness and despair,” Roberts said. “We were in a bubble, and it’s the longest I’ve ever been away from my family. I don’t think I’ve spent that much time by myself since I was 25.”

Roberts and Clooney Have Been Longtime Friends

Clooney and Roberts have been friends and collaborators for a long time. However, Ticket to Paradise marks their first romantic comedy film together. The film is directed by Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’s Ol Parker.

Clooney claims that the film was “clearly written for Julia and I.” He explains that in the original script, their characters’ names were “Georgia and Julian.”

While the pair clearly have chemistry, Clooney and Roberts quip that it took “80 takes” for them to shoot one kissing scene without laughing in each other faces.

“It took 79 takes of us laughing and then the on take of us kissing,” Roberts said.

Ticket to Paradise, which also features Billie Lourd, Lucas Bravo, and Maxime Bouttier, premieres on October 21.

Call Me By Your Name Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino Wants to Make a Sequel with Timothée Chalamet

Music Observer Staff on September 12, 2022

Call me by your name, but don’t refer to it as a sequel.

Call Me By Your Name (2017) director Luca Guadagnino, who worked with Timothée Chalamet, desires a follow-up to the Oscar-winning movie – but don’t call it a sequel.

“A sequel is an American concept,” the director said in an interview with IndieWire at the Telluride Film Festival. “It’s more like the chronicles of Elio, the chronicles of this young boy becoming a man. It is something I want to do.”

The original movie chronicled Elio (Chalamet), an Italian teen in the 1980s who encounters a summer of heady romance with his father’s research assistant, Oliver (portrayed by Armie Hammer, whose career collapsed after sexual assault allegations).

The romantic drama received critical acclaim and awards, bagging an Oscar for James Ivory’s adapted screenplay. Furthermore, it was nominated for three other Academy Awards, which include Best Picture and Best Actor for Chalamet.

Guadagnino has since hinted about his interest in creating another movie after Chalamet’s character if it all works out.

“The truth of the matter is, my heart is still there, but I’m working on this movie [Bones and All] now, and I’m hopefully going to do Scarface soon, and I have many projects and so will focus on this side of the Atlantic and the movies I want to make,” the filmmaker said in an interview with Deadline last year.

Guadagnino Hinted on Sequel with Chalamet

Before that, Guadagnino told an Italian publication called Gay. It! that he plans to collaborate with a writer he loves “very much” about making a sequel following Ivory’s statement that he won’t return.

However, the pandemic happened, and like the rest of us, he could not travel.

Luckily, Guadagnino and Chalamet reunited in Bones and All, a film about a budding cannibal romance recently launched at the Venice Film Festival in Italy, where it had been given a massive nod.

Guadagnino revealed to IndieWire that he had always considered Chalamet for a future team-up.

“It’s not as if I left Timothée at the height of his booming success, and then I found him four years later,” Guadagnino said. “We kept close. I knew that there was not much time to wait until we worked together, but only for the right project.”

Bones and All premieres on November 23.