Interview: Get To Know Cheryl Ann From Skin Wars

Well the crazy ride that is Skin Wars season two has finally come to an end, but the craziness isn't over just yet. A lot of the contestants were itching for more, especially this season's "villain" Cheryl Ann. Well I was luck enough to get to know her and find out she's not as hard as she came off on screen. She's actually pretty nice. Check out my fun chat with her and get to know exactly who Cheryl Ann is as a person.You'll be glad you did.

Photograph by Kevin Lynch

Exclusive Interview - Angelo Garcia Bursts Back Into The Pop World

Angelo Garcia is not new to pop music at all, but what he is new to is doing it alone. After he left Menudo, he took some time off of music, and now that he's ready to do it again, he has to completely reinvent himself, which he did a great job of in his new video "Delusions of Grandeur". Recently I sat down to talk about the struggles of an indie artist and exactly what he's all about in his new musical adventure.

Exclusive Interview - Josephine "Banig" Roberto Brings Filipino Cultrue To American Music

For those of you who don't know her, Josephine Roberto, known internationally as Banig, was one of the youngest people to win the International Star Search 1989 when she was only ten years old. Throughout the following year she went on a tour of talk shows and concerts. Recently, she's been making a comeback with two full albums under her belt, and a new single and video out for the masses. Recently she sat down with me to talk about her career, and what the future holds.

Exclusive Interview - Bentley Jones On How To Defy Gravity [TRUTHSt4k34z Takeover Weekend]

Welcome to day two of TRUTHSt4k3rz Takeover Weekend here at Taking Over The Universe. The wait is finally over. Ben fans and newcomers alike can finally see for themselves what all it took to make Bentely's latest album, Defying Gravity, and maybe even what he has planned for the future. This was my favorite interview I'd done in a long time, and was something I've not only dreamed of for a long time, but something I was ecstatic to see become a reality. Without further ado, let's get it!

Exclusive Interview: Neon Hitch And The World's First Fan Label

Neon Hitch took the United States by storm back in 2011 and 2012 with her slew of singles that all became instant Billboard and club hits. We all waited and waited to see what would happen next with her, and yet, nothing did. Now, years later, she's back and major label free with a plan to get her music out there to her fans. Recently she sat down with me to explain the process, and give me a fun inside scoop as to what the future for her, and her new "fan label" concept holds.

 

Exclusive Interview: XELLE (Again!) [#TheReturn Finale]

They're back! XELLE is a New York based girl group that does crazy dance-pop like no other. I had already interviewed them once before (as a trio, actually), but they were invited to be a part of my event #TheReturn and they not only accepted, but were totally pumped for it! Let's take a moment and catch up with the beautiful ladies Ronny and JC that make up one of the shining stars of indie-pop, XELLE.

Exclusive Interview - Gear of Skin Wars [#TheReturn Day Five]

Skin Wars was definitely my favorite show for this summer. They had a lot of talent and just enough drama to keep the show going. One of the most crucial part to this season's success had to be Gear. Whether you thought he was crazy talented or crazy hot, there was no denying Gear was a star in his own right. Recently I was privileged enough to be able to sit down with Gear and discuss his career and his time on the show.

 

 

Exlcusive Interview: Nicole Hays of Skin Wars [#TheReturn Day Three]

Man I wish the site had been up during the run of the first season of Skin Wars. GSN struck gold with this show, having me hooked from the first second. The entire cast was wonderful and talented, but one did something you would never expect -- come out on national television. This isn't Logo, honey (even if RuPaul is a judge). She gave me a great insight into what it was like behind the scenes on the groundbreaking first season of a new franchise.

Exclusive Interview - Liz Primo [#TheReturn Day One]

We're back! After nearly a year in the dark, Taking Over The Universe has returned. I'm so sorry we've been gone, lovelies. I'll try and make sure it never happens again, ok? Anyway, for our big return, I thought that it would be best to do a week full of awesomeness, and that's what we are gonna do! For our first day, since we are so in love with indie-pop music here, I thought it would be rad if I interviewed Liz Primo AKA one of the hardest working indie artists out there. Let's see what she had to say about her body of work.

Interview: Dina Delicious Is Truly Outrageous

Yes, that is a Jem and the Holograms reference. Yes, I do understand that as a 21 year old male, I shouldn't even know what that show is, but get over it. No big deal. We are actually going to talk with Dina Delicious today. She's taking New York by storm in the nightlife and all over pride month. She got two hot singles and another to come. She is the definition of outrageous, and I can't get enough. Soon, you won't be able to, either.

Interview: Hyper Crush's Holly Valentine Tells All

It's not secret that every member of Hyper Crush is sexy as hell. Holly Valentine, the group's only lady, spins the whole "nerds are hot" bit back on women. Recently, she took time to speak with me about a few things including their major label experience, what it's like working with a panther as a costar, and she even reveals the names of some not-yet-announced material. That's right, bitches. They've got a new album coming our way.

Interview: Andrew W.K. Is Gonna Party In St. Louis

That's right. Andrew W.K. is coming to town. Well, he's coming to my town. And probably your's too! But more importantly he's coming to mine. So I hit shot him an email and wouldn't you know? He agreed to do an interview with me. Looks like Mr. W.K. knows a bit about my city, and he's ready to share some insightful moments with my readers and I. Are you ready to party?

Interview: Vivienne Pinay Gives The T

Last week, I had spoken with one of the most memorable queens from this season of RuPaul's Drag Race, Honey Mahogany. Now, in true TOTU style, I am flipping the table and speaking with the other half of the world's most shocking reality TV elimination, Vivienne Pinay. There was so much that the show didn't capture from her, but you bet your ass I got the story. Check it!

Interview: Honey Mahogany Is Sticky And Sweet

Honey Mahogany may have been booted from the ever growing in popularity RuPaul's Drag Race, but she certainly isn't letting that get her down. She still has extensive touring to do, music to write, and a little interview to give this blogger right here. Check out my chat with Honey, getting the deets on her music, TV experience, and of course, finding out what she meant by notorious San Francisco comment.

 

Interview: April Kae Keeps The Hits Coming

April Kae may still be new, but with one solid hit heating up the indie pop scene, and another one just released and ready to shine, she definitely is going nowhere but up. Recently she and I sat down and spoke about her budding career, including her status as a role model as well as the big start of her career -- her stint on American Idol.

Interview: Wendy Ho Brings The Ho-lidays To St. Louis

Her name is Wendy Ho and she's a ho. This comedienne is known far and wide for her classy tracks such as "Yes I'm A Ho", "Bitch I Stole Yo Purse" and "Poop Noodle" (my personal favorite), and now she's coming to a town near you! Well, that is, if you live in the greater St. Louis area. She will be making a live appearance at Just John in St. Louis's "The Grove" December 7th starting at 9:00 PM. Lucky for me I'm an attention hog and got her to answer a few questions for me. And for the first time ever, I got some fan questions sent in, with some pretty hilarious results!

Interview: Producer Jared Jones On Manila Luzon and Latrice Royale's "The Chop"

I keep telling myself that I won't overload my site with RuPaul's Drag Race posts, but how can I resist talking about Manila? Sure, she may have gone home, and yes, I have next to no reason to continue watching the season, but who the hell cares? She's released a new song! Thanks to my relentless social-media whoring, I've finally made a few connections, and what do you know -- My friend Jared Jones, the famed Drag Race Remix King, dropped by to give me the scoop on "The Chop".

Interview: Spinning With Kim Cameron of Side FX

Kim Cameron is an all around talented lady. She's can sing, write songs, and she has a knack for telling some amazing stories. She, along with her band Side FX, have been perfecting her newest album, "Spin Me Ever After", what can only be described as a musical experience. As always, I wasn't shy at getting right to the source to get all my questions answered -- and then some.

Interview: Electrovamp Is Back!

Remember Electrovamp? This British girl duo responsible for internet radio sensations such as "Drinks Taste Better When They're Free" and "I Don't Like The Vibe In The VIP" has been absent from the pop seen for a while, but you better not count them out. Back and ready to go with a brand new single and a video in the works, Tammy and Kally gave me all the details on their current music, as well as a glimpse into the near future.

Interview: Cupcake Boss Tone-Tone Goes To War

He goes by many names - Tony, Tone-Tone, The Pastryarch, but one thing is consistent throughout each alias -- he is an amazing culinary artist. Once again he has come back to the reality TV stage to demonstrate his talents, but this time in the form of a competition. He will be proving himself on this week's episode of Cupcake Wars, and of course I was right there to get the behind the scenes info.

(Note: Views expressed in this interview represent Tony Albanese and not necessarily those of myself. Yup, guys. This one gets a tad controversial!)