Jody Watley Interview V Magazine Summer Issue 2014

© 2014 Jody Watley - #selfie

© 2014 Jody Watley –  V Magazine #selfie

 

 

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Article:

THE IRREPRESSIBLE JODY WATLEY RETURNS WITH A BRAND NEW ALBUM THAT HARKS BACK TO HER FUNK SOUL ROOTS. HERE, THE SINGER REFLECTS ON HER RISE TO THE TOP, WORKING WITH THE WORLD’S GREATEST FASHION PHOTOGRAPHERS AND STAYING TRUE.

Jody Watley at Giorgio’s the exclusive, the exclusive Saturday party at The Standard in Hollywood, where Mick Jagger and Andre Harrell mix and David LaChapelle might be spotted with Daphne Guiness on his lap. Watley is the queen of the venue-she holds court almost every week just past DJ Adam XII’s booth with her friend and Decades cofounder Christos Garkinos. Tonight, the mother of two a self described basketball mom, carpool mom, fabulous mom..” wears all black save for a pair of crystal Jimmy Choo pumps. When she’s in the mood, she’ll fan herself on the dance floor-something she has done since beginning her career as a dancer on Soul Train as a teenager. “I always have my little fan action.” the icon says with a smile. “It’s so glamourous. Eat your heart out Karl Lagerfeld.” Watley shot the video for “Nightlife”, the clubby lead single off her new album “Paradise”, at Giorgio’s.  “I want to inspire people, because people get stuck in a rut.” she says of the music. “Oh, I’m not going out, Oh, the good ole’ days..” And it’s so frustrating. It’s like make new memories! Even if you had a great time ten, twenty, thirty years ago, be fabulous now! You’re alive, Hello!”

The daughter of a Chicago minister, Watley first performed onstage as a child with her godfather, the incredible crooner Jackie Wilson. After relocating to Los Angeles she succeeded in her mission to become a Soul Train regular. In 1977, Don Cornelius the show’s creator and host, selected her to become an original member of the disco super trio-Shalamar, which would record world-class dance-floor anthems like “The Second Time Around” and “A Night To Remember.” Watley left the group after six years, loved to London, and recorded “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” with Band Aid.

After returning to Los Angeles three years later, she signed with MCA Records and released her 1987 solo album “Jody Watley”, co-writing a handful of tracks. It contains some of her most enduring dance music, including the lead single “Looking For A New Love” (which features the popular pre Terminator 2 kiss-off “Hasta la vista baby!”). “Don’t You Want Me.” and “Some Kind of Lover.” She accepted her 1988 “Best New Artist” Grammy-winning over Breakfast Club, Cutting Crew, Swing Out Sister and Terence Trent D’Arby – in a vintage dress and biker jacket painted with her likeness.

‘When I signed to MCA, I didn’t see anybody like who I wanted to be.” she says. “I wanted to do that badass fashion chick that’s just different. And not everybody likes her. And not everybody liked me. “You don’t smile, you’re a black girl, you’re glamorous and you’ve got this cold as ice stare.” While in London she sought out designers like Azzedine Alaia, Claude Montana, Vivienne Westwood, and Jean Paul-Gaultier. “I bought one of the first cone bra’s, pre-Madonna. It’s on the single sleeve of “Don’t You Want Me”. I also bought the huge one that she ended up wearing, but the understated one was more me”, she says.

With her gorgeous mane, lean frame, stunning brows illegal cheekbones and ballsy attitude Watley was the perfect subject for fashion’s top photographers.”[When I first started] the label didn’t want to fly me to New York for my first layout for Harper’s Bazaar” she laughs. “So I flew myself out to shoot with Scavullo!” Steven Meisel photographed the cover of her 1989 follow-up album Larger Than Life. The video for ‘Real Love’ was directed by David Fincher and featured her ruling the runway in menswear paving the way for future acts like Aaliyah and TLC.

“I never wanted to be like anybody else” says Watley who, in the decades that followed never stopped recording, performing and changing up her style and sound. Now she’s writing a memoir, which she plans to finish this year.  “I can only be who I am. Because to me that’s what street is. Street is real.” – Mark Jacobs

 

My blog about the photo used in the piece: Here

 

Jody Watley In Summer Issue of V Magazine

I was really looking forward to this piece. Originally, I was to be photographed by Hedi Slimane of Saint Laurent back in January. Due to scheduling conflicts repeatedly and delays, V settled on photographer Mason Poole. I looked at his portfolio and approved the choice though disappointed about the change. In life, you have to roll with the changes, ups and downs. At times, though when situations seem rocky from the start it could be a sign to not do something. After seeing what was done to my face in the summer issue of V, where the article is about the forthcoming “Paradise” – my shock, disappointment and outrage as well as that of my publicist and others on my team sent us all in a tailspin for a few days. Making matters worse was the dismissive response “Sorry you all feel this way, but all of the editors love it.” Really? I guess so when it’s not their face distorted and looking nothing like themselves. The photographer must also be to blame which is too bad because I walked away feeling really good about the session. I figured they might morph my body into the standard Hollywood size 2, never in my wildest imagine with so many photo sessions and fashion layouts under my belt did I envision this – Jody Watley Cyborg Woman – Someone Else’s Face. Needless to say – this is something that I have to love with because it’s published and nothing can be done. In the scheme of life and the absurdity of it all – I have to laugh about it…counting blessings and not woes. That said, shame on V and Mason Poole for doing this to me.  I get a bit of photoshop and refinement done by experts who know what they are doing. Bad photoshop and misuse of the technology is the worst.  People should really learn their craft, not be allowed to make people look unrecognizable – editors are you listening?! Thank you to writer Mark Jacobs for his interview.

Jody Watley in Summer 2014 V Magazine

Jody Watley in Summer 2014 V Magazine – Who is that woman?

JodyWatley_V_Magazine_Collage_2014   Jody Watley Personal Candids from the V Magazine session – glad we took some snaps of our own!

© 2014 Jody Watley - #selfie

© 2014 Jody Watley – #selfie

Jody Watley V Magazine Candid - © 2014 Jody Watley Photo Taken By: Wallace Butts

Jody Watley V Magazine Candid – © 2014 Jody Watley  By: Wallace Butts

 

© 2014 Jody Watley by Wallace Butts V Magazine Candid

© 2014 Jody Watley by Wallace Butts V Magazine Candid

© 2014 Jody Watley by Wallace Butts V Magazine Session, Candid

© 2014 Jody Watley by Wallace Butts V Magazine Session, Candid

© 2014 Jody Watley Pictured with photographer Mason Poole V Magazine

© 2014 Jody Watley Pictured with photographer Mason Poole V Magazine after the session.

Coat: Salvatore Ferragamo Makeup: Billy B.

Jody Watley. Weekend Adventures. Nightlife and Friends.

Scenes from my weekend.

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Supporting my friend Christos Garkinos at the Los Angeles Trunk Show for his “Eureka by Christos Garkinos” line for HSN along with actress Garcelle Beauvais. We both have tops named after us and both wearing them! Photo Courtesy of © 2014 Christos Garkinos

With Christos Garkinos for Eureka Los Angeles launch. Photo Courtesy of Christos Garkinos

With Christos Garkinos for Eureka Los Angeles launch. Photo Courtesy of Christos Garkinos – I paired my  navy “Jody” top with Diesel jeans, Miu Miu pumps and Vivienne Westwood limited edition ‘Squiggle’ bag.

Fun Selfie - Eureka by Christos Garkinos Trunk Show Party © 2014 Jody Watley

Fun Selfie – Eureka by Christos Garkinos Trunk Show Party © 2014 Jody Watley

Jody Watley, Garcelle Beauvais attend "Eureka by Christos Garkinos" Los Angeles

Jody Watley, Garcelle Beauvais attend “Eureka by Christos Garkinos” Los Angeles

 

Bryan Rabin, Jody Watley, Kathy Jeung turn out for 'Eureka by Christos Garkinos" in Los Angeles © 2014 Jody Watley

Bryan Rabin, Jody Watley, Kathy Jeung turn out for ‘Eureka by Christos Garkinos” in Los Angeles © 2014 Jody Watley

 

Later that night  – time for Giorgio’s!

In the back of our town car on the way to Giorgio's - glammed up! Photo: © 2014 Jody Watley

In the back of our town car on the way to Giorgio’s – glammed up! Photo: © 2014 Jody Watley

It's all about the black tie theme birthday for John Eshaya pictured.

It’s all about the black tie theme birthday for John Eshaya pictured. Photo: Jody Watley

The journey of life is never long with the company of friends - willing to wear black tie and get done up for you! Pictured with birthday boy John Eshaya, Christos and friends of John's.  © 2014 Jody Watley

The journey of life is never long with the company of friends – willing to wear black tie and get done up for you! Pictured with birthday boy John Eshaya, Christos and friends of John’s. © 2014 Jody Watley

Christos Garkinos, John Eshaya, Jody Watley © 2014 Jody Watley

Christos Garkinos, John Eshaya, Jody Watley © 2014 Jody Watley

I love Giorgio's and a great hat! #selfie © 2014 Jody Watley

I love Giorgio’s and a great hat! #selfie © 2014 Jody Watley

John Eshaya always brings a sense of fun, intrigue and surprises with what he wears to Giorgio's - I adore him! John Eshaya of JET and Jody Watley. © 2014 Jody Watley

John Eshaya always brings a sense of fun, intrigue and surprises with what he wears to Giorgio’s – I adore him! John Eshaya of JET and Jody Watley.  I loved his black tie request – I love a well groomed man and there were tons of them in the house in their tux’s. © 2014 Jody Watley

Of course, I also filmed the video for “Nightlife” at my favorite place to get dressed up, hang with friends, dance and remember to have fun and enjoy life at Bryan Rabin and Adam XII Presents: Giorgio’s on The Sunset Strip a couple of months ago.  It’s In The Music!

Jody Watley Nightlife Video Comes to Ebony

“Leave it up to Jody Watley to spread some much-needed soul back onto the dance floor.” Read the full post and view the video: Ebony

Jody Watley Set To Premiere Nightlife Video

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©2013 Jody Watley Music

At last the much anticipated video for the hit single ‘Nightlife’ featuring Gerald Brown formerly of Shalamar set to the Dave Doyle Remix, directed by Steve Willis and edited by Ray Easmon will premiere more than likely on VIBE.com – stay tuned!

Update: 11am EST on Vibe.com Tuesday January 7, 2014

Nightlife Update – All Things Fabulous

“Nightlife” with it’s call to “be fabulous” forget your worries – get yourself together,  is really my way of encouraging a call to lift yourself up, to have fun. “It’s in the music” because it is about music where so much inspiration and energy lives as a great resource, let it use you – I do! When you’re releasing music independently, so much depends on not simply my efforts but others getting behind and supporting. There’s something to be said about that aspect in today’s commercial commerce driven marketplace – what a concept, focus on ‘the music’ and the hope to inspire others. We can change the world with one smile, one dance at a time – I know it sounds cliche but for me it’s truth.

The single moves up to #14 Pop in the UK in Music Week and #40 Hot Dance Club Play on Billboard. The single peaked at #5 Urban in the UK – which is still quite awesome. It’s not so much about charts and sales but I’m proud of this as an addition to my discography – it’s really always about moving forward and being proud the work; that’s really success. Thats said, I do love proving that a veteran woman artist, writer, producer and style diva can still hang without pandering and with a level of class and my signature authenticity. There’s a core group  people working with me, supporting me because they believe ‘in the music’ and not because of financial gain. We are connected by  a passion and love for the music, the arts and a time when it was really more focus on ‘music’. The work I continue to do and with the integrity I try to bring appears to inspire others which gives me confidence and hope for all of us out here still trying to do things the right way. It’s all very organic and I’m thankful to those working with me on this and of course you the ones helping to get the word out there through your actions, buying the single and sharing my posts. Thank you.

Fabulous! My daughter and son – who always encourage me as must as I encourage them and tell me I’m the best Mom in the world – which fuels me on my darkest days and always reminds me what’s most important.  Thank you Count De Money (Julien and Raphael Aletti- Aletti Brothers Music) Bill Coleman of Peace Bisquit, Gerald Brown, Juanita Stephens PR, Steve Ripley at Soulfood Music,  Music House UK, Craig Jones, Niven Govinden, Matt Waterhouse, Moto Blanco, Jodie Harsh, Dave Doyle, Soulpersona, Luminodisco, Claudia Cuesta of Maxi Promotion, Patrick L. Riley of ‘Life of Riley’ and Dave Higdon of Poptastic Confessions, (early blogging supporters of ‘Nightlife’) along with Okayplayer, Soulbounce, Soulculture UK, Centric TV who got behind the single early — Fabulous!! Thank you Rosero McCoy, John ‘Havic’ Gregory, Christos Garkinos of Decades Inc, Billy B.,  Albert Sanchez, Sandra Green,  Billy Johnson at Yahoo Music, Access Hollywood,  Uptown Magazine, Isoul Harris, Essence Magazine, Jet, Ebony, Soulbounce, Singersroom, Lee Bailey at Eurweb, Urbanbridgez, Wax Poetics, Wallace Butts, Van Roy, Shawn West, Brian Walmer, Vernon Sze,  Steve and Laura Hall at Future Disc Systems, Bryan Rabin and Adam Bravin aka Adam Xll of Giorgio’s, Steven Willis, Harwood Lee, Christina Grady and all DJ’s and outlets supporting this effort…and anyone I forgot to mention my apologies, it’s not intentional. My hardcore fans – I love you!

Vinyl arrived today – yaaay! Details on when they’ll be at my online boutique. I have to number and sign them – limited edition Ba-By! Excited to be filming the final footage for the “Nightlife video tomorrow at my favorite place to dance : Giorgio’s!

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BE Fabulous!