Gorgeous Star PR's First Year Anniversary

It's hard to believe that tomorrow- April, 1st, 2011 will be the first year anniversary of Gorgeous Star PR.! When I look back at our first year in business, there have been so may highlights. We have been really fortunate to meet and work with some amazing people and inspiring businesses.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to my team, everyone we have worked with and all the other contacts and friends who have supported us along the way.

If you have a moment, you might want to take a look at our video highlights!

I can't wait for all the exciting things as a company we have coming up in year two!

Alexis Jordan finds Happiness at Lifehouse!

I am a big fan of Alexis Jordan, I couldn't get her first single, 'Happiness' out of my head, it even became my ring tone! Alexis's second single 'Good Girl,' is just as catchy,and with Jay-Z, as her manager, she is set to become an international singing superstar, having already been compared to Rhianna.

When Alexis needed a break from her busy schedule, which currently sees her travelling around the world to promote her debut album, she took a well desevered break with one of my top clients, Lifehouse Spa in Essex.

I can not speak highly enough of Lifehouse, the new destination spa complex offers an out of this world spa experience and is a place I know all my celebrity clients will love as much as me! To find out more about Alexis's visit please read the full story below......

The future looks very bright for teenage singing sensation, Alexis Jordan, who shot to fame after rapper and American mega star, Jay-Z, flew her to New York after hearing her sing on You Tube. Alexis was swiftly signed to Jay-Z’s record label, Star Roc /Roc Nation and shortly after began working with Stargate, the production team who have composed hits for superstars including, Beyonce, Shakira and Rhianna.

Now only 18 years old, Alexis has been singing since she first learned to talk and writing songs since the age of 8. After appearing on America’s got talent, Alexis began posting videos of herself singing on You Tube, which soon generated millions of hits and caught the attention of Jay-Z. Since signing her record deal, Alexis has produced two hugely successful singles, ‘Happiness’ and ‘Good Girl,’ and her debut album ‘Alexis Jordan,’ is released in the UK this week. Alexis is influenced by music artists with powerful and soulful voices, including Mariah Carey, Christina Aguleria and Billie Holiday, but describes herself as a pop-dance artist, with a little soulful flair.

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, stunning Alexis, has a rich cultural background, that includes her father’s Puerto Rican heritage and her mother’s African American, native American and European ancestry. Alexis, wants to be a positive role model for young people and hopes that her music will inspire others.

It is a particularly busy time at the moment for the young singer-songwriter who is currently travelling around the world to promote the release of her debut album. Whilst visiting the UK, Alexis took some well deserved time out to visit Lifehouse spa in Thorpe-Le-Soken, Essex, which is fast becoming the relaxation destination of choice for celebrities.

Alexis describes her experience at Lifehouse; ‘It has been so relaxing, I loved everything about my stay here, especially the food! There were so many new things for me to try that I have never tasted before, I didn’t know where to start. This is the perfect place to take time out when you have a busy schedule. I would have to say this is the top spa I have ever been to. Nowhere else has had so many different lounge areas to relax in, and the huge Jacuzzi is so amazing. My room was lovely and so spacious and I couldn’t believe how big the tub was!’

With such a gruelling schedule, Alexis firmly believes that every now and then you have to take time out to relax and look after yourself. ’ To keep fit, I like to run, but when it is time to chill, I love the spa or watching comedy.’ Next time I am in the UK, I would love to bring my mum and sister with me to Lifehouse, we would have a great time here together as a family, we would have so much fun.’

With her album launched in the UK this week, Alexis is feeling excited, ‘The feedback from my first two singles, ‘Happiness,’ and ‘Good Girl,’ has been overwhelming, but I can’t wait for everyone to hear my album as I have worked so hard, it is like my baby!

Whilst promoting her album in the UK, Alexis has also attended The Brit Awards and watched some shows at London Fashion week, ‘I love British fashion! I wear D&G and Channel, but I also love River Island and Top Shop.’

After finishing her trip to the UK with a revitalising spa experience at Lifehouse, Alexis is off to Australia to meet more of her fans from around the world and to continue to promote her album. However, it won’t be too long before we can welcome Alexis back again to British soil, ‘ I will definitely be coming back to the UK soon, I want to go on tour here, spend more time in Topshop and of course come back to Lifehouse with my family.’

An Appearance on The Vanessa Show

I was really excited to be invited as a guest on The Vanessa Show on channel five, with my good friend and business associate, Rachel Ducker from Apparition Marketing and Design.

Rachel and I were on the sofa to discuss the topics of the day, which happened to be affairs and manners. Luckily for us, the guest of the day was the well-loved actor, Larry Lamb, who is such a lovely man. Larry has just written his autobiograpghy, which sounds like a fantastic read.

Vanessa Feltz and her husband Ben Ofoedu (TV presenter and singer) were both really welcoming and made us feel right at home in their lovely studio.

Filming went so well, the producers have invited us back next month and are looking at having us take part in the show on a regular basis to discuss topics featured around business.

We would both like to say a huge thank you to Princess Productions, Vanessa, Ben and the rest of their team.

We can't wait to go back again in April!

If you missed the show, follow click on the link to catch up....

Watch the show!

Wonderland Life & Style Interview

MEET FIVE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WITH FIVE VERY BEAUTIFUL VOICES, SET TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING IN MUSIC. MANAGED BY MUSIC MONGAL, LOUIS WALSH, AND WESTLIFE MEMEBER KIAN EGAN, HOT NEW GIRLBAND WONDERLAND ARE ABOUT TO TAKE THE CHARTS BY STORM! I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO INTERVIEW THE GIRLS FOR LIFE & STYLE MAGAZINE....read the full interview below

When X-Factor judge Louis Walsh, and Kian Egan from the phenomenally successful pop group, Westlife, joined forces in the search to create a new girl band, over 3,000 hopefuls turned out to audition. In 2008 the final line up was finalised with band members, Sharon Condon, Corrina Durran, Jodi Albert, Kasey Smith and Leigh Learmont; Wonderland was born. The last two years have been a whirlwind for the band having featured in an ITV2 documentary, appeared on primetime TV shows and have played to stadium audiences of nearly 85,000 whilst touring with Westlife. All this before their first single has even been released! Wonderland have been working with some of the best names in music creating songs for their new album and their debut single, ‘Not a love song,’ is set for release on 7^th March Hayley Sparkes catches up with the girls to find out how it feels to be part of such an exciting new band!

Over 3,000 girls applied to audition for Wonderland, how did you all feel to have made it into the final line up?

Corrina, “It was so surreal. It was definitely the moment that changed my life. I felt so lucky to be picked as all the girls at the auditions were so talented it’s incredible to be part of this band. “

Leigh- “It was the most incredible feeling in the world! Singing and being in a band is what I had wanted since a little girl, so the fact that we were given this amazing opportunity was just so surreal. I had no idea at the time that these four girls would literally be my best friends and my family.

How has life changed since joining the band?

Jodi- “Everything is very exciting.. I feel like I have been given four sisters that I love so much. I just feel very lucky.”

Kasey- “Life has changed dramatically; I am getting to do what I love with four other amazing girls. Recording songs and going on tour it’s a big change from being at home and going to school.”

Sharon- “My life has changed in ways I could never even imagine. I can’t even explain all the emotions. But the Big change is that I am now living my dream.”

What has been your highlight so far?

Corrina-“Signing our record deal was such a highlight, it didn’t feel real. I wanted that my whole life and it actually came true.”

Jodi- “ALL OF IT! Ha ha! Going on tour is pretty amazing. Performing and singing live gives us such a buzz, so anytime we were in an arena, wow it was mind blowing!”

Sharon- “My highlight so far has to been watching our first music video back. Every time I watch it my eyes well up, I am such a big baby.”

What do you enjoy most about performing?

Corrina-“I like telling a story through our music and getting lost in the emotion of the song. I also love just having fun and looking beside me to see my girls at my side.”

Jodi- “Seeing people and trying to connect with them. Music is something the whole world has in common, so trying to reach out to someone just by singing a song that we love to sing is a special feeling.”

Leigh-: “I actually love everything about performing. The adrenaline rush before you go on, the audience reaction. I just enjoy singing our songs as we are extremely proud of them and we just want people to like them!”

Is there anything you don’t like about being in a band?

Kasey- “There are lots of early mornings, but once I have had a latte I am in flying form!”

Sharon- “There nothing that I dislike about being in the band, the only thing I find hard is being away from home so much.”

You have been together for two years now, you must be exciting that your first single is about to be released?

Corrina-“It’s so exciting. We are so proud of this song and have worked really hard on our album for the past two years so we can’t wait for people to finally hear what Wonderland is all about. We still can’t believe we have a first single to release...it’s crazy!”

Jodi- “It's a surreal feeling. We all can't really believe it's finally here. We have worked so hard and are all very attached to the song and the band in general.”

Kealey- “Oh my god we can’t believe it’s so close to releasing our single we are counting down the days.”

Who are your musical influences and idols?

Jodi- “Celine Dion,. Guns n roses. Rhianna, Beyonce. En vogue, the list is endless!”

Leigh- “Well I love so many different bands and singers but I would say The Beatles, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli peppers are my favourite. I also love John Mayer he's so talented! But a good song is a good song!”

Wonderland are managed by both Louis Walsh and Kian Egan, what is the best piece of advice they have given you?

Corrina-“They always just tell us to work hard and stay focused. They say "you get out what you put in" and it’s so true ...if u work hard you get good results”

Leigh- “To work hard and always be honest with each other, and we are! I think honesty is the best policy.”

Sharon-“To enjoy every moment and stay grounded.”

How would you describe the Wonderland sound?

Jodi- “Fleetwood Mac/bangles/Dixie chicks, The Corr...Wonderland!”

Leigh- “Well it's hard to categorise, but from who we have been compared to, I would say it's pop with a country / rock element.”

Sharon- “It is quite hard to describe your own sound, but we have been told we are like The Corrs, Bangles, and few others, all great compliments.”

What would you most like to achieve as a band?

Corrina-“We would love a successful, long lasting band. We would love to tour and sing all over the world! We would just love people to enjoy our music, that’s really important to us.

Kasey, “We would love to be touring around arenas everywhere and be going for the next 25 years or more maybe ha!”

You all have a great look, where do you like to shop?

Jodi- “I like to mix it up, high street and nice shoes.”

Leigh- “Why thank you!! Well my favourite shops are All Saints and Topshop, I love them, but I'm not too fussy, I just wear what I like and feel comfortable in.”

Kasey- “We like to shop in all types of shops anywhere we see anything we like, Zara, River Island and vintage shops are also great for unique pieces.

How do you keep in such great shape?

Jodi- “I don't know really... I'm a woman so I go though phases of being healthy and be naughty.”

Corrina- “ I just try and eat healthily and if I get a chance I love going for nice long walks, and the gym on the rare occasion.”

Sharon- “I try do the gym when I can but we are so busy it is hard to find the time to fit it in. I try to eat healthy and drink lots of water.”

Your schedule keeps you busy, but how do you relax in your spare time?

Kasey- “Oh I am the worst for relaxing on the couch watching movies. I also like to read a good book, I am reading one by Danielle Steel right now.”

Sharon- “Relaxing has to be a nice pedicure or a movie night with the girls. When I am back at home I like to just relax with my boyfriend and family. Very simple really.”

Jodi- “I love to just snuggle up on the couch, watch a good movie with my hubby and my doggie prince.”

Can you share with us some of your beauty secrets?

Corrina- “Never go to bed with your make up on. Use Vaseline on your eye-lids for a nice glow and never use foundation that is too dark for you.”

Leigh –“I like to exfoliate a few times a week, it keeps your skin really soft. I also believe that ‘less is more’.”

Sharon- “To be honest I just use loads of moisturiser, try get plenty of sleep when I can. Plus once your hair is styled everything else falls into place.”

If you weren’t singing, what do you think you would be doing?

Jodi- “My dream outside of this dream is to have loads of rescue animals and take care of them...make them happy.”

Kasey- “God I can’t imagine not being in wonderland. I’ve actually never actually thought of anything else but singing.”

What have you got planned for 2011?

Corrina-“To take over the world!”

Leigh-“To work realllllllllly hard with Wonderland. Hopefully bag a number one single and maybe do a parachute jump! I've always wanted to.”

Kasey- “To have a ball with my girls touring around the UK and Ireland with Westlife and Boyzone. Let the wonderland journey begin.”

To find out more about Wonderland, please visit www.wonderlandofficial.com