Back On Team Bey

I have been the biggest Beyoncé fan for almost 20 years now, from the second I heard 'Boy I know you want me, I can see it in your eyes' on the amazing single 'No No No' right through to 'Y'all haters corny with that illuminati mess' on the stand up and be counted anthem that is 'Formation'. She has had a very prominent position on my playlist for as long as I have been able to buy music. For me she is The Idol, as a non religious person she is probably as close I will get to having Jesus in my life. Through her professional and personal life she has taught me a lot, she has encouraged individuality, she speaks for those who can't get a word in and she has achieved a standard that can never be beaten - can you even imagine living in a world with a performer that rivals Beyoncé? No, me neither.

As hard as it would be to imagine a time my head hasn't been up her arse, there was. I am shocked aswell. It happened around the time of the self titled 'Beyoncé' album two years ago. Beyoncé kind of changed. We had glimpses of this change on 'Four', but she kind of flipped the script and introduced the world to Yoncé in 2014. Yoncé was much more of a free spirit, she cursed on her songs, she sang about sex and we lost the family friendly songs. A few years ago it would have been unimaginable to conceive Beyoncé 'on her knees' - as a lifelong fan it made me take a step back. I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination but it was just a little shocking for me to hear her this way. I may have given her the side eye and thought that she was trying too hard. However I don't think ever in music the genres have blended as much, or people have experimented the way they are now. I applaud Beyoncé for the growth in her music, but I just held on to the old days too much. Don't get me wrong I have some favourites on the album - special shout out to 'Heaven' (I will be seriously pissed if someone doesn't suggest this song to be played at my funeral), just as an overall it wasn't my favourite collection she has released.

One week ago the world was suddenly aware of 'Lemonade' in a way we have never experienced it before, what once was a sugary citrus beverage now had a whole other meaning. 'Lemonade' will forever be synonymous with Beyoncé. I FREAKING LOVE THIS ALBUM! Maybe I have grown into a more mature listener, but something about it ticks all the boxes for me. I need a depressing song - check. I need a sad song - check. I need an angry song - check. I need a happy song - check. I need a dance song - check. This album has it all for me. The range of genres on this album is phenomenal, I wouldn't be surprised if she was nominated for a country music award for the song 'Daddy Lessons'. She is playing with her voice more than ever, she even sounds like she is attempting to rap in 'Hold Up'. My favourite song has to be 'Freedom' which features Kendrick Lamar, and one could argue some of her other songs are inspired by Lamar's previous work. Favourite line has to be 'Imma keep  running, cus a winner don't quit on themselves' - put that on a t shirt and I will hand over my notes.

The short film that accompanied the album was just stunning, I had to watch it in two sittings because it was a bit overwhelming. There is a lot going on. I applaud Beyoncé for shining a light on women of colour, they don't get the attention and admiration they deserve in popular culture. It is an emotional experience, I do feel like I want to sit her down and ask her if everything is good. Did Jay Z cheat or is this a whole story concocted for the album. On one hand if it's true then she has harnessed the emotions into a positive outcome and we have been gifted an incredible album. If it isn't true then my days what a story teller Beyoncé is, she has fooled the world in to believing her through words and images.

Underappreciated - Until Now!

There are a hell of a lot of shows on the old tele these days that cater to everybody's needs, after all we are in a new 'Golden Age of Television', so it can be forgiven that some actors and actresses can get looked over once in a while. Well I am here to shine light on five TV stars that I feel don't get the recognition they deserve. I am always a supporter of the underdog or the underappreciated and I think it is time these people were celebrated for their craft.

 Aimee Carrero

She is one fifth of the main cast of the hugely underappreciated TV show 'Young and Hungry'. A comedy shown on Freeform in America, it stars the brilliant Emily Osment as a personal chef to a millionaire playboy in San Francisco. Aimee plays Sofia, who is Emily Osment's character's roommate. She makes me laugh in every scene she does, she is a master of comic timing and over the top reactions. My favourite thing she does is when she gets frustrated or angry and speaks in the third person using her extremely long name and beautiful spanish accent. She is also a great dramatic actress, there are times on the show where we see her vulnerable side that questions her life choices, I do get choked up sometimes. I think there will be big things for Aimee in the future - fyi she was already cast as the voice for the first hispanic Disney princess. 

Bellamy Young

I have said it before and will keep saying it until she gets all the awards she has well and truly earned. Bellamy is a gifted actress, I mean for one she has made me love and want to see more of a character that is actually repulsive at times. She stars as ex-first lady Melody "Mellie" Grant in 'Scandal' - a political drama set in Washington, shown on ABC. She executes this character to perfection, showing a strong woman who takes no bullshit, stands her ground and will not go down without the most brutal of fights. She is powerful when she is on the screen. I only hope I see more and more of Bellamy because she truly is a blessing to watch, she is so believable both in her funny scenes and serious, dark scenes. I love the character, dare I say it, more than I love the main character of the show - Olivia Pope. 

Chelsea Kane

It would be easy to typecast Chelsea as the traditional beautiful blonde woman in any show, but my days does she bring more to the table than that. She is a tremendous comedy actress, and I never use the word tremendous so you know she is something.  She is laugh out loud funny, great comedy timing and reactions. For me she is the star of the show, and this quite a feat because the entire cast is brilliant. I really hope she gets a lot of attention when this amazing comedy gets its untimely end. What I love about Chelsea's style of acting is that she can make me laugh one minute and then completely draw me in to whatever emotional turmoil she is experiencing, I am not so insecure to admit that I have cried with Chelsea's character a few times.

Max Greenfield

'New Girl' for me is one of the most underappreciated shows on TV today. It brings it every single episode, it makes me giggle like the little girl I am and cry like the woman I am becoming. I could have mentioned any actor/actress from this show for this shortlist but I had to give it to Max Greenfield. He is phenomenal as Schmidt, incase you are not aware Schmidt is the roommate to Jess, Nick and Winston and fiancé of Cece. It is hard to even describe the character Max portrays - you just have to watch it. The reason I believe Max should be celebrated is because of expertly he executes this role, it is hard to believe this character exists and then on the other hand it's hard to believe that it is acting. He commits so much to the role that it is incredibly hard to see Max and Schmidt as two different entities. He brings the most laughs to the show and it is high time that he gets the awards.

Troian Bellisario

'Pretty Little Liars' have done an expert job of casting for this suspenseful teen drama, all the main females are believable as their characters and bring so much to the roles that it is hard to separate character from actress. However, I have to tip my hat to one particular actress on this show - and this is of course Troian Bellisario (points to anyone who can tell me how to pronounce her name without being offensive). She plays Spencer, an intelligent, beautiful little liar, on the show. I get so drawn in to Troian's scenes because she is so talented, she can do dramatic, funny, sarcastic - well everything you need from an actress, but she does it with a style all of her own. Apparently the show only has one more season left, but I have heard Troian will be starring in the American version of the fantastic french horror film 'Martyrs' - which I am just chomping at the bit to see, she was perfectly casted and she will get a lot of long deserved attention for her craft.