Amore Magazine

Editor's Letter- April 2009

Most of us keep lists for certain reasons. Most of mine tend to be for that of "getting things done." I add items to it as I go and as I get them done in order of priority I check them off. What we all have in common is the art of making and keeping lists. So you're probably wondering where I'm going with this? Glad you asked. When it comes to Hollywood, both men and women keeps lists. What kind of lists? Lists of our favorite celebrity crushes.

Ask any man who his favorite Hollywood actresses are and he will name you three to five off the top of his head. All of us who have our favorites are linked to these favorites for one reason or another. Maybe it's because of the movies or shows they were in. Maybe it's because of hair color or the way he or she carries himself or herself in interviews and at premieres. For some (myself included) they may not be exactly Hollywood types at all, but maybe just well know media types.

As I write this I'm pondering of my top five. What is it about them? Each is so different from the other but yet they are linked in my mind as my favorites. (The list does change- some are added for certain reasons while others might be dropped from the list... while some have the pleasure of never leaving the list.) If your a regular to Amore Magazine than you get hints from time to time about who they might be. Not all of them are blogged about here though.

So the magic of "The List." If your a girl and can get your boyfriend's actual "Top 10" from him not only are you making progress but you will learn a lot about him.

As I speak about the opposite sex, in the end 'a list' is just a fantasy. For all the actress/models on that list may not actually live up to us men's expectations, because all we know about them is what we see and read about.

Maybe that's the way it's suppose to be. A list of imaginary women, "our ideal types" in which it shows more about who you are as a person because of the types you crush after.

Much like my "getting stuff done" list. I don't actually finish the list. A vast majority are good intentions for a better me. A list of Hollywood crushes insinuates a child like behavior, a step away from reality where we can be a kid again dreaming of our favorite Hollywood crush.

Much like coffee, it's that that get's us through the day. Because there's a kid in all of us! And that kid has a crush on a few Hollywood hotties.

Laurent Gilbert, Jr

Editor's Letter- March 2009

Celebrities have embraced blogging, MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter as a new found form to attract fame. If Ashton Krutcher Tweets about Demi not wearing pants around the house, it seems everyone in American knows that second. If an NBA player is told to change his play by his coach at half time the world knows about it during the game. If it can cause celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer to break up, than it has to be powerful. This is the new world of fame, one in which every move is recorded and told. Most of it is driven by those who fascinate us the most. 

Companies are signing celebrities to blog deals like a record label signs a new band. Celebrities often cry for privacy, yet beg for the fame. If they wanted their private lives so private than they wouldn't be blogging and Tweeting for attention. They make us want more, more of what they are wearing, who they are hanging out with, and who they are dating (or breaking up with.) This is all information they offer about their own personal lives themselves.

We all want to share in a piece of the fame. So much of America turns to blogs and tweets daily for their celeb fix to see if their celebrity crush is in the news because if they aren't... well, that's just a let down and if not living vicariously through our crush... well, than how are we suppose to get through the day? Afterall, Starbucks has lost it's midday energy fix. That was so 2008.

Laurent Gilbert

Editor's Letter- February 2009

This past weekend I was able to see for the first time live the band The White Tie Affair. You might have heard the name before from our Amore Magazine podcast interview with guitarist Sean P. last summer.

Though these guys are still touring the county in a van and playing small clubs they are well on their way to selling out large arenas across the country.

The White Tie Affair (Epic Records) played last year's Pajama Party at the Playboy Mansion, and were featured in the fashion spread of the November 2008 issue of Playboy . They also guest starred on an episode of MTV's The Hills this past season in which Audrina Partiridge shared a a fling with Sean P.

After the show I was able to meet Chris Wallace (lead singer) and Sean P. who signed some autographs and took a few photos with me (see photos after the jump). Both guys are down to earth and have not let the success they currently have get to their heads. That is what music is all about. That's what makes The White Tie Affair great.

I know they may have pulled up at that show in a van but before long they will emerge from a bus a top the Billboard charts, and their love of music and adoration for their fans will remain the same.

The White Tie Affair will be on tour this spring with Lady GaGa and later this summer on the Vans' Warped Tour. If you have the chance I highly recommend you check them out. There debut album, "Walk This Way" is on sale at Best Buy and other fine retailers.

After the jump I included the new video for Candle (Sick and Tired) the second single from their album, "Walk This Way."

Laurent Gilbert

Editor's Letter- January 2009

We made it to 2009 and with the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama this year seems more special for anyone who hopes and dreams of a better tomorrow. This is the first time in my lifetime that I have seen such a bad economy and so many people losing their jobs. It's a tough world to live in right now and as President Barack Obama has stated before it will only get worse before it gets better.

Celebrities always seem to make it through the hard times. Movies will never fully stop production, your television won't go black, nor will the mansions in Los Angeles used for reality shows post a foreclosed sign on their front gate. Sure there might be less of it all, but in tough times celebrities never seem to be affected.

So I wondered what their recipe for success is. They always seem to stick together, help one another out. From pulling money together to buy a house for Ed McMahon- to Dr. Phil helping Britney Spears with her rehab.

Even though we love to talk about celebrities as some sort of fantasy world that they live in, maybe they have it right in, "sticking together."

I was able to attend the Inauguration of Barack Obama this month and what struck me the most is how so many people came together for one cause. From the poor and less fortunate who just wanted to be their, to Oparah, Denzel Washington, and Dustin Hoffman who had a pretty good spot in front. That day everyone was equal. Everyone was American.

Some reality isn't bad, but your dreams have to far out weigh it. That’s what life should be, especially in America where anything is possible.

That’s hope.

Laurent Gilbert

Editor's Letter- December 2008

As we enter the 2009 calender year it's hard to believe that Amore launched in it's original form back in 2003 as it doesn't seem all that long ago. Since that year when the Amore concept was born we have come a long way. As technology grew, we grew with it. I'm so proud of the improvements and our current state. We have so much more growth planned for the future of this site, the podcast, and the Amore brand as a whole.

It has been a great few years in which we have talked to several celebrities and players in the pop culture world and brought you their stories. We will continue to bring you the lifestyle brand that you desire.

We may not be the biggest or the best... YET, but we are well on our way. We thank you all for reading and listening. We encourage you to continue to give us your feedback on a daily basis.

Have a great holiday season and may all your dreams come true in the new year. Continue to live the good life! Is there really any other way to live?

Cheers!

Laurent Gilbert, Jr

Note: On the left bar you will notice the names of celebrities we blog about. This will create an improved reader experience to find gossip from a particular celebrity rather than the generic celebrities category we currently use.

We will be back in 2009 with all new podcast episodes as we have a great lineup of guests planned.

Editor's Letter- November 2008

This week I was able to catch up with a few old friends from high school. We all made our way back to the parent's house of one of them. This house, we would call home for many weekends while in high school as the game room made for an ideal hangout. I had not been back there since my senior year of high school and much to my surprise not much has changed besides a few photographic memories of his families life hanging on the wall. It was great to "step back in time," in which were great years for us all. Think back if you will of hanging out with high school friends in the same environment as you did when you were in high school. Reminds you, like me of some of the best days. Those days were filled with innocence where not much mattered in life besides school work, sports, girls, hanging out with friends, and dreaming of the college days ahead.

Well, all of us went on to college, most got degrees, some are married, some have kids. I on the other hand got the college degree but passed up the wife, two kids, dog, and white picket fence for a much simpler life.

Stepping back in time was great if even for a night. It keeps you well grounded no matter what successes might arise. It also gives you a chance to see the road you have taken to get where you are. Would I want to go back permanently? No. Every now and then? Of course. Memories of the past initiate actions that keep us young.

Unlike others, my ideals and dreams in life never really changed since high school. Yes, I'm older maybe just a bit wiser. In high school the world was big, it's still pretty big, and so should your dreams. That's what defined me then and still does today. One thing I have learned since then is that the closer you get to your dreams the smaller the world really gets.

Laurent Gilbert, Jr

Editor's Letter- October 2008

It has been a long-standing tradition that every Presidential election cycle certain celebrities get involved in everything from speaking out when it comes to who they support for a candidate, to getting out the vote of the youth in America.

All of the Hollywood types took different roads to fame. For some it was a short road- some it was a long road. Sure some were privileged since their youth but not all and most came from working class families in small town America.

Why in America are wealthy evangelical preachers able to get away talking about politics and what’s morally right or wrong? If celebrities do it they are written off as elite and out of touch. I do believe most celebrities that talk about politics are genuine in what they stand for and believe. Sure the vast majority of Hollywood is liberal but just like any other special interest group they have their own causes. They stand together much like a Union organizes to stand for particular causes.

Hollywood isn’t right on everything but they don’t discriminate among the less fortunate and they are inclusive of all people (race, sex, class, sexual orientation, etc.). Isn’t that what America is… or should be all about? Maybe Hollywood Boulevard isn’t so far off from the folks on Main St.

Laurent Gilbert, Jr

Editor's Letter- September 2008

Do you actually believe that there are certain restrictions in what kind of success you can achieve in life? Senator Barack Obama has this saying he’s been using on the campaign trail that, “ordinary people can do extraordinary things.” How true! Each and every elected official from a small town mayor to the President of the United States started somewhere. For some it was an easier road to success than others. What’s most important is that you never give up with any goal you set for yourself in life.

We are all products of our experiences and we will all make mistakes and learn lessons along the way.  Do not spend too much time worrying about that past and use those experiences for building a better future. Sure this may sound like a lot of political speak and it is, but there is also a lot of truth to it.

So what’s my point in all this? Simply, be the best person you can be. Don’t take “No” for an answer. Keep going, because some day somewhere when you least expect it you'll get a phone call asking you to be somebody you’ve always wanted to become.

Will you answer the call?

Laurent Gilbert, Jr

Editor's Letter- August 2008

Music is the soundtrack of our lives. A song can come on the radio and instantly we are drawn back to a memory and for those few short minutes we are caught in a time warp of what it was to live in that time period- weather it be before we were alive- our parents generation- when we were kids, high school, college, etc.- songs represent each of those times in our lives. 

Recently I caught an episode of Iconoclast on the Sundance Channel in which it featured Paul Simon and Lorne Michaels who created Saturday Night Live. Toward the end of the episode Lorne reflecting back on his life and career stated something to the effect of, “We never know what our best times will be in life. We are told it’s between 18-22, but that’s just not always true. It’s the surprise that keeps me going.

What we have here at Amore Magazine is the chance to influence a generation. We will continue to bring you bands that we feel speak for our time, they may not be the headliners you read about in Rolling Stone, but before long they just may. Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Sean P. of the band The White Tie Affair. The influence of like bands being featured on Amore Magazine with a spin off of other media talking about them is when you know you have succeeded not for yourself, but for the music fans who may never have heard of such great music had we not brought it to the for front. So this is our chance right now to possibly influence a generation. A generation that is reflective of our time in love, politics, and pop culture.

We plan on featuring more up and coming bands that will grow to unknown success. I ask that you give each one of these bands like The White Tie Affair a good listen and we bet you’ll be quite surprised as to how come you haven’t heard of them yet?

It’s pretty cool sitting on the inside looking out at the world. As big as it seems- it’s not really. Especially when a love of music unites us all.

Great bands of our past influenced a generation and like our lives we don’t know yet which bands will become the soundtrack to the best days yet to come. Like Lorne said, “It’s about the surprise.”

Laurent Gilbert, Jr

Editor's Letter- July 2008

Do Hollywood celebrities sell out? Of course they do. Once they gain success and how they keep it and make their value rise is based on that core principle. The more incidences of Britney ending up in rehab, or Lindsay making out with a girl the more press they get and money they make.

Then there’s a guy like Perez Hilton (Mario Lavandeira) who played and continues to play off peoples fame often times in a negative way for his own fame. Why is he famous? No reason in particular. He might have had the first right concept at the right time, but lets face it there are a multitude of other celebrity blogs that are better and continue to be better. He does nothing different then a lot in the blogging world do.

An example is Vera Sweeney, a stay at home mom who started ImNotObsessed.com. She and her team of writers report on Hollywood with class that it’s now in the Top 10 of celebrity blogs on the web. It’s a great daily read and I encourage you to check it out.

I could bore you with other examples but will spare you.

All the major entertainment shows from The Insider to Entertainment Tonight as well as most entertainment outlets like E! to the New York Post have jumped on board the celebrity blog bandwagon with their own washed of version. The New York Post with their PopWrap has to be the most boring read since Of Mice and Men was required in grade school.

We here at Amore Magazine want to give our readers something fun, unique and interesting. Not fill you with boring content, but bring you the best this crazy world has to offer in the world of love, pop culture, celebrities, and so many subjects of the like. We may not be the biggest yet, but as we grow we will always keep our same basic principles with us for the ride to the top. Thank you so much for coming on board now. You are of an elite readership to the blog world. You’ll always be a friend and not just another number to us.

Sure we here at Amore Magazine like to on occasion poke fun at celebrates and call them out, but we do it in good nature and often times they are easy targets for the jokes. We have no intention of earning the title like Perez and being “Hollywood’s Most Hated,” we would rather be “Hollywood’s Most Loved.” And just like a good brother or sister we will make fun of you when you deserve it Hollywood, but in the end we’ll both still love each other just like a good brother and sister should.

Laurent Gilbert, Jr