Judging You

There are only a few reasons that we watch reality TV competitions. One being the talent, but lets face facts - we want to see someone get ripped apart by a mean judge. Yes, they are giving them a reality check and will thank them in the long run, but my days does it make good television. And we Brits do it best, just look at countless reality shows around the world and you will find a mean Brit on them. The X Factor has just reared its ugly head again here in the UK and with wide open arms we have welcomed Simon back, he is the man you want to destroy your hopes and dreams. I watch a lot of reality TV competitions from singing to modelling to cooking to SFX make up to tattoos. I have picked my favourite 10 that I feel every judge around the world should aspire to be.

Mary Berry - Great British Bake Off

With her signature phrases like 'soggy bottom' to her killer Zara bomber jackets she is the baking Queen. She is loveable and adorable but isn't afraid to pull a face and tell someone when their cake is too dense. She is everything I hope to be when I am a 79 year old woman.

Jessie J - The Voice UK

She will say until she is blue in the face that she is a mentor not a judge, however that big red button says different, she is judging someone's singing, but whatever I digress. What I love about her is honesty and her knowledge, this girl knows a thing or two about singing and she isn't afraid to let you know.

Mel B - The X Factor (UK and Australia) and America's Got Talent

As a life long Spice Girl's fan I am more than happy to still see Scary on my screen. She is a veteran of the music world so who better to judge up and comers. She is brutally honest to the point where she disregards people's feelings (they need to hear it). Also lets be honest with ourselves she is shitting all over Cheryl in this years X Factor.

Jay Alexander - America's Next Top Model
Why he was ever let go from this show I will never know or begin to understand. Thank the heavens above he is back for Cycle 21. He is the definition of fabulous and has legs that a show pony would kill for. He makes me laugh more than most and I live for his fashion and quips.

Kelly Cutrone - America's Next Top Model
Fist seen as the boss you don't want to mess with on The Hills she was quickly snapped up by Tyra to join ANTM. She was the perfect choice. Honest isn't the word for how she speaks, she has no time for people who aren't right for the job or willing to work. She made me laugh from the first episode this cycle, when asked if she was ready by Tyra she turned around and said 'I'm ready to crush some dreams' - bow down bitches.

Dannii Minogue - The X Factor (UK and Australia), Australia's Got Talent and Britain's Next Top Model
When she was revealed as a judge there were a lot of 'Why?', but she soon shut the doubters up. She is warm, loveable and bursting with personality. She is very honest and very loyal to who she supports. I fell in love with her, and if I had to pick my dream judging panel she would be rubbing shoulders with Simon again in a heartbeat.

Tyra Banks - America's Next Top Model
This show gets weirder and weirder by the cycle, but the constant that keeps this show brilliant is Miss Tyra Banks. She cares, gives great advice and isn't afraid to scream at a girl who won't shut up. It would be hard to top her yelling at Tiffany at judging to top any talent show moment for me.

Simon Cowell - The X Factor (UK and US), Pop Idol and Britain's Got Talent
Not the original but definitely the best. He is the approval I will be searching for for my entire life, even if he enjoyed a coffee I made for him I could die a happy man. I have the weirdest crush on him, his power, confidence and well pressed white shirts just do something to me.

Nicole Sherzinger - The X Factor (UK and US)
I love this woman and hate her for the exact same reasons. She is gorgeous, talented and has a loveable personality to boot - she is everything I aspire to be. When she was brought in to replace Cheryl as a judge on The X Factor US some of us may have been sceptical, however she was the perfect replacement. Love her.

Heidi Klum - Project Runway, Germany's Next Top Model and America's Got Talent
This German beauty has become the opinion on all types of talent and skill. She comes from a view of a normal person, she isn't pretending she knows the ins and outs of everything she is just giving her honest opinion and reaction - she is the model face and body of the view of the general viewing public really. Plus I love her accent, I want a kiss on the cheek with an 'Auf Wiedersehen'.

The Saturdays - My Finest Selection

Incase you haven't read my blog before I should let you in on something - I have a huge love for girlbands. There is something so amazing when a group of girls/women get together, belt out a tune, maybe pop a few moves and in some cases wear cohesive outfits. Arguably the biggest girlband in England today is The Saturdays. Una, Rochelle, Frankie, Mollie and Vanessa have been constant fixtures on the UK Top 40 for the last 6 years. Over this time they have amassed 19 top 40 singles, 5 top 10 albums and had 4 sellout tours. The Saturdays definitely have their own sound, there is no denying it is them when you hear one of their tunes, they are fun, exciting and gorgeous. So as I do I have created a short list as a favour from me to you of my top 10 favourite The Saturdays songs - lets go -

10. Missing You (Headlines!, 2010)
This was the first single released from their 3rd album, Headlines! A slower song then what we are used to but pushed along by the amazing vocals of Vanessa belting out those top notes and ad libs. It reached number 3.

9. Work (Chasing Lights, 2009)
The final release from their debut album, and in my opinion a seriously overlooked song. It is one of their worst performing songs only peaking at 22. This song gave Mollie a chance to shine as she had the first verse. It is such a power song and really was top 10 worthy.

8. Forever Is Over (Wordshaker, 2009)
This was the first single from the EP Wordshaker. After a disappointing chart position with 'Work' this rode high in the charts peaking at number 2. Una for me really dominates this song, her raspiness sells it - love the bridge aswell when they all take a line each. These girls can sing.

7. Issues (Chasing Lights, 2009)
Their first foray in to ballads - and they nailed it. This song spoke to a lot of us who were feeling mistreated and yet couldn't explain our feelings. This song is beautiful and an anthem for a lot of people 'Me and my heart we have issues'. Peaked at number 4.

6. All Fired Up (On Your Radar, 2011)
If there is one thing this group can do it is fill a dance floor. This song is one of many to get people up and knocking heels. A proper fist pumping, miming till you strain your mouth song. You can't help but feel energised when hearing this song, and England liked it aswell - it charted at number 3. Also fashion wise probably one of my favourite videos.

5. Ego (Wordshaker!, 2010)
This song just has so many killer lines that many of us want to shout at that one obnoxious person who needs to be put in their place. Plus the video is hella cool, who doesn't love 5 beautiful girls in superhero spandex? This song charted at number 9 - should have been a number 1 in my eyes.

4. Notorious (On Your Radar, 2011)
If I was a girl (some may argue I already am) this would definitely be my anthem. I would have it as my alarm, my running song, my getting ready song and my first request at the club. 'I'm a outlaw. I'm the big boss. I'm a gangster on the dancefloor. (N-n-notorious) I'm a outlaw. I'm the big boss. I'm a gangster on the dancefloor' I mean what girl doesn't wanna scream this!?

3. What About Us (Living For The Weekend, 2013)
THIER FIRST NUMBER 1!! And it was well passed due! They have had many a killer song but this is the one that got the attention, and I couldn't be more happy for them. It is pure pop perfection. Did it need Sean Paul? No, I don't think it did but I got why - it got the song a lot more heed. Still slays me how Rochelle sings 'suffocating', and if you say you sing it in your own accent then you are lying (fyi Jesus hates liars).

2. Up (Chasing Lights, 2008)
It was their second ever single and I fell in love instantly. I was once even told it was wrote in a genius way as it only uses 4 notes or something - I could be completely wrong but someone did say something (I have no music knowledge). This video still tried to use the whole one colour for each girl thing, and it is extremely cute. A very empowering song for the ladies of the world. Reached number 5.

Unfortunately for some reason YouTube won't let me put this video on the blog - so search for it, and thank me later

1. Here it is, my favourite Saturday's song. It came out in 2010. There are two versions of it, one with Flo Rida and then a better version without Flo Rida. It reached number 10 in the charts, we all agree it should have been number 1!! The video is shot on a fake New York street. It is from the album 'Headlines!'. You know which song I mean, it is of course

HIGHER

Una's voice kills me when she reaches the top note.

I always shout Vanessa's first line 'I'm doing nothing'.

All the girls get a solo line.

They all look gorgeous in the video, styling is on point.

There we have it, my top 10 (arguably the definitive top 10 if you will). The Saturdays have delighted our ears for a few years now and I sincerely hope this isn't the end of them. Sad to say a Greatest Hits album normally signals the beginning of the end. I myself can't wait to go see them live again and shake my ass off. Before I do however I just wanted to give one last shout out to another Saturday's song. It is an unreleased track, but I think it was possibly the best song on their first album. So check it out below, it's called 'Fall'.

Robin Williams - A Quick Thank You

Two days ago we lost a great man. I don't know how official the cause of his death is but as I believe it was suicide. Many people will struggle with the thought of how someone who appears to have everything could do this to themselves. In our society we view money, fame and face value as been the epitome of happiness. However these things are all fake. These aren't things that make us who we are, these are just things we have or can get. Robin Williams is proof of this. A man that has made millions of people laugh struggled everyday with depression, he made billions at the box office, sold out stand up show after stand up show and without a doubt will forever remind people of the happier moments of their childhood.

So the point of this post is to thank him. Whatever struggles he may have had in his life, it never stopped him. Yes, he had to work like the rest of us to make a living, but he could have done anything. He chose to give himself to the public as an entertainer. And what a hell of an entertainer he was. He made us laugh and cry for all the right reasons, when he wasn't playing a character he was still entertaining us with interviews and appearances. He will go down as one of the greats whether we remember him as an alien called Mork or a Father who dresses as a woman to see his kids and called himself Mrs Doubtfire. We all have a place in our heart for one his characters. Mr Williams was harmless, he never offended anyone publicly. He just beamed happiness and love.

It is absolutely heartbreaking that he wasn't actually happy. He struggled with an illness that is so hard to understand unless you are suffering or around someone suffering. One thing that people need to know is that depression is not a flaw in character, it is a flaw in chemistry. I find it so hard to get my head around the fact that his only choice was to end it all. He didn't see any other way to escape it. I got very emotional at the idea that someone, anyone could think this way.

Once again thank you. Thank you Mr Williams. We are forever in your debt for the years of entertainment, the childhood memories and for creating an escape for us all when we don't want be distracted by real life anymore. I only wish that you are finally at peace. Also even in your last act you are helping people. You have made a taboo subject a part of conversation all around the world. Maybe just maybe because of you, people will seek help and support.

I am gutted that we only have four movies left of his to experience for the first time. However we will always have the memories. Thank you Robin, I sincerely hope you are now at peace.

My Name is Craig and I am obsessed with Photoshop!

Some people enjoy fishing, working on cars or even horse riding, but not me. We all have our hobbies and we shouldn't be judged for them. My greatest time killer of late is Photoshop. I love it. I like to think of myself of as a creative person but stuff like painting, drawing and watercolours don't attract me - there is no undo button. I am not a perfectionist, I just make a lot of mistakes so an undo is a god send. Also its a lot less messy and a lot less materials are needed. 

My favourite things that I like to create are things for promotion. Album covers, advertisements and film posters are my forte. Let me give you a run down of what I have done above.

Fuck Love

Just a little fake movie I created starring Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence and Jennifer Aniston (a trio we all know we want to see). Yeah, its out on Valentines Day, don't read too much in to it.

Little Mix - 3

Little Mix have announced they are writing for their 3rd album. So stealing inspiration from the name of Beyonce's 4th album (4), I called it 3. I also went with a more grown up photo shoot and played around with sizes.

Neon Jungle - Welcome to the Jungle Tour

I tried to keep this one looking cool and effortless just like them. Inspired a little by the 'Braveheart' video with the colouring. 

Craig Magazine

I haven't created a magazine cover since AS Level Media Studies, so I thought I would have another crack at it. Taking a lot of inspiration from Company Magazine. I just love their aesthetic and there isn't anyone rivalling them in their layout and artwork in my opinion.

Olsen Hair Dye

When I created Craig Magazine I wanted to add some authenticity so I created some advertisements. I chose to use the Olsen twins as I have the biggest love for them, I changed their hair colour and added the tag line 'Be Your Own Kind Of Beautiful'. I really like this message as they are twins, but this doesn't mean they have to be the same.

Looking for Alaska
I chose to do this movie poster as it is one of my favourite John Green book's. This is also my dream cast for the film, and if you have read the book then you will agree it works.

Topshop
I created this advertisement for my own little magazine again. I chose quite a simple layout so it is the clothes you look at and not my skills on photoshop.

I have done a lot of work on Photoshop, a lot of it can be seen on the 'My Work' page. Link Here. Also below I will put bigger images of the 7 images above if you want a bigger look.

If you want to see more of work then just look at the images on every post on this blog. I created them all myself aswell.

Neon Jungle - New Love

I have a lot of love for this new girlband. They are fun, feisty and have an amazing style. Their songs range from club anthems, to dup step to heartbreaking ballads. Their album has it all, it would be hard to categorise them. I am literally telling anyone who will listen that they need to hear this album. I was shocked as I was expecting a lot of dub step - boy was I wrong. The selection of songs is like putting your entire iTunes playlist on shuffle - something for everyone. Also they do a couple of covers, random songs you wouldn't expect like Banks' 'Waiting' and Hozier's 'Take me to Church'. They are both exceptional, these aren't just pretty voices, these girls can siing!

However, the main point of this post is that I wanted to showcase something they do which more people need to see. They do a lot of covers of popular songs, they put their own twist on them and they become something else. From Britney to Miley it seems like they can sing anything if given the chance.

So as I do I have created a list, this is a list of my top 5 favourite Neon Jungle covers.

5. Britney Spears - Work Bitch

4. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

3. Jessie J Mash Up

2. Lorde - Royals

1. Hozier - Take Me To Church

I really could listen to these beauty's all day. They have a unique style about them, I particularly love Asami's voice, not to put anyone else down, but she is special.

RuPaul's Drag Race - My Allstars

So as all us Drag Race fans know there is a new Allstars season coming. There have been rumours a plenty about who will be in it. Some I have not been excited about and some I am balls to the wall ecstatic about. I have picked my top 14 who I would love to see compete again, yes some were in the first season of Allstars. I can't help but feel like Ru may have created the first season of Allstars to give Chad Michael a win. So as I do I have created a list of my top 14 girls who I all feel deserve another chance at the title. Call this the definitive list if you will. (No particular order)

1. Gia Gunn

Absolutely. One of the fishiest queens to grace the stage and a confession room gangster, not afraid to spill the T.

2. Manila Luzon

Amazing personality with amazing drag abilities. Still one of my favourite lip syncs.

3. MILK

She was eliminated way too soon. We will never know what she had to offer, and you know it would have been stellar as we already saw her bearded, pregnant, as Pinocchio  and the first Queen to ever walk down the runway as a man!

4. Raven

Forever coming second both in her season and the Allstars season. She needs all the recognition she can get for her flawless abilities.

5. Alyssa Edwards

Hands down a legend of the show, elimiated way too soon yet she has stayed in our memories. We need to see those back rolls one more time on the main stage.

6. Jiggly Caliente

A Queen with a difference and an edge. Not afraid to speak her mind, that snaggle tooth beauty needs to shine.

7. Joslyn Fox

The Queen with a heart of gold, what an absolute sweetheart. She may have been labelled a second rate Courtney Act, but she is a first rate Joslyn *waa waa*. Keep it foxy.

8. Latrice Royale
Latrice Mother Fucking Royale the large and in charge Queen. She beams professionalism, talent and uniqueness.

9. Willam
Still the baddest bitch on the block - still the only Queen who was disqualified and vomited on the stage. Love her YouTube shows, she needs redemption.

10. Alaska Thunderfuck
Compared throughout her season to Sharon Needles, she has now surpassed her in my eyes. Her body is the truth and her personality is beautiful.

11. Adore Delano
My Queen. I love her to bits. Her music is top notch. She is the Queen that speaks for all of us, a little rough around the edges but a star quality that shines brighter than the sun.

12. Jujubee
Another Queen who has done Allstars before, but she was robbed - she was my winner. She makes me laugh till it hurts, still the best reader on the show.

13. Detox iCunt
She is over it. Officially. Loved her in her season, was definitely final 3 material. Her lip synching is top notch, her style is faultless and she is a seasoned Queen. Bow down.

14. DiDa Ritz
She needs a second shot to shine, she was still a little bit new to the stage when she competed. A little rough around the edges. However her lip sync to 'This Will Be' will forever go down as the best lip sync of all time!

Other honourable mentions

Onjina

Shangela

Phi Phi O'Hara

Jade Jolie

Ivy Winters

April Carrión

BenDeLaCreme