Yes, you read that correctly. What? Yes! No, I know. Stop crying. I can’t believe it either. Just–here, keep reading.

Illuminati Thug Life Tattoo-Having Navy Commander Princess Rihanna and Queen Ginge Nicola Fucking Roberts are launching a fashion talent search together for Sky Living HD in the UK.

RiRi, who is executive producing AND appearing in this production, has enlisted none other than Girls Aloud‘s Nicola to seek out up-and-coming fashion designers for a 10-week competition to find the next best British talent.

From Sky Living:

The show will celebrate the extraordinary talent and creativity in the British fashion scene. With Rihanna, a fashion icon herself, and Nicola, who created her own Dainty Doll make-up range, at the helm, the show will recognise the increasing influence popstars have on mainstream trends.

With her world-class reputation and passion for style, Rihanna is perfectly placed to find an aspiring designer worthy of the chance to break into the hugely competitive world of fashion. Tasking Nicola with fronting the search, Rihanna will be heavily responsible for casting and will be involved in editing post-production.

Rihanna – who has sold 20 million albums – will also be hands-on as the programme showcases Britain’s most promising fashion designers. Over ten weeks the unknown designers will be challenged by Rihanna and Nicola to create outfits for a string of musicians and celebrities.

The final challenge and ultimate task for the winner will be to design a unique stage outfit for Rihanna’s Wireless performance in Hyde Park in July 2012.

Honestly, this is kind of the greatest thing I’ve ever heard of in my entire life. Like…Project Runway gone RiRi? Will challenges include finding the right material for hip twerking and cake baking? Will Nicola Roberts beat her drum and toss Dainty Doll foundation at contestants as they’re booted off the show? WILL THEY BE PERFORMING TOGETHER?! I’m getting faint.

The show is now taking applications, so if you’re as good with a needle as you are with a bag of flour and some icing, click here for all the details.

This news makes me feel like…

STOP EVERYTHING IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

A few weeks ago, we learned that Queen Nicola Roberts, Holy Ruler of All Things Ginger And Free Of Flaw, was going to release “Yo-Yo” as the third single from her incredible debut, Cinderella’s Eyes, in January.

Normally, a new single from Queen Roberts would be something that’s already exciting enough as it is–but she just had to take it a step further: Roberts announced that she would also be releasing a solo version of one of Girls Aloud‘s best, most underrated cuts in their entire catalog as a B-side: “Memory Of You.” So then everybody was just sort of like…

Well, “Yo-Yo” dropped this week (which you can now order as a a signed physical edition, or via iTunes), as did Roberts’ rendition of “Memory Of You”–and although nothing could ever top the original, it’s all the pure icy disco deliciousness we had hoped and dreamed it would be.

Nicola Roberts – “Memory Of You”

When she’s not doing the whole brilliant/grating ’40′s warbly thing, Roberts possesses a wonderfully chilly vocal delivery style, making her take on the pulsing Girls Aloud B-side an utterly lush production.

I still don’t know why there are twenty-five electric angels dancing in the rain, I still don’t know why there’s ice cream shooting lasers in the sky, and I still don’t know if sheep count us when they can’t sleep at night. (Believe me, I’ve tried asking…they’ve all got bah-d attitudes.)

However, I do know that this is still one of the best things I’ve ever heard, ever.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get lost in Japan now.

BYE LESSERS!!!

“Yo-Yo” was released on January 8. (iTunes UK)

There’s no way around it: 2011 was an astoundingly good year in pop music.

Not since the 2007 reign of Kylie‘s X, Britney‘s Blackout, Rihanna‘s Good Girl Gone Bad and Girl’s Aloud‘s Tangled Up has there been such a strong showing in pop: We found love in the most hopeless of places, hung onto a moment and danced to the beat of our drums ’til the world ended (well, until next year anyway.)

As per usual, I’ve hemmed and hawed over a final ranking for my favorite records released over the past year. Although I wasn’t initially going to rank them numerically (YAY–everybody wins!), I ultimately realized that was just a cop-out.

Nonetheless, every album featured on this list deserves to be on included on everyone’s iPods and Spotify/iTunes libraries (or, dare I say it, in your CD players), because they’re all beautiful in their way.

Now, I present my Top 25 Albums of 2011. And if you’re not satisfied with the ranking? Please…don’t hold it against me.

Read More…

BRIEFLY CEASE YOUR BEING.

Flaw-Free Ginger Goddess Queen Legend Nicola Roberts is, as we’ve already determined with her debut solo record Cinderella’s Eyes, an amazing pop star. But now, she’s just gone and done something EVEN MORE AMAZING.

Her upcoming single, “Yo-Yo,” (watch the video which premiered earlier this week) is due out in the UK on January 8. And for fans who pre-order the EP on iTunes UK NOW, they’ll receive Roberts’ solo version of Girls Aloud‘s “Memory Of You.”

“Memory Of You,” for those not already aware, is one of Girls Aloud’s greatest songs of all time. (Note: Girls ALoud only make amazing songs, but this just so happens to be one of the most amazing-est.) It is a 100% Perfect, icy disco Xenomania gem, with literally no flaws to be found whatsoever.

What’s even more amazing is that you can already listen to 1:30 sample of Nicola’s solo version on iTunes UK! (US fans: Log into the iTunes, change the store to UK and search “Nicola Roberts Yo-Yo.”)

Now, the thing about Nicola’s version of the song is that it is COMPLETELY AMAZING AND ABSOLUTELY FUCKING EVERYTHING.

While we wait for the full version (time goes by…so slowly!), allow me to refresh your MEMORY FOR YOU.

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!

“Yo-Yo” will be released on January 8. (iTunes UK)

NO, BUT REALLY: STOP YOUR LIFE.

Nicola Roberts has just premiered the video for “Yo-Yo,” the third single off of her gorgeous debut album Cinderella’s Eyes, and it is a 100% flaw-free experience.

Playing like (Ginge) Barbie in the opening scenes, Queen Nicola puts on a haute-as-fuck fashion show for the lens while getting ready to go out for the night with her yo-yo of a (hunky) boyfriend. Effortlessly glam posing, Ms. Roberts! Aloud fans worldwide are beaming with pride.

Fast forward to the party, and we find the two now doing a bit of snuggle ‘n’ grind amidst the revelry. Cameras are flashing while they’re dirty dancing! But at the end of the night, is he really there for our girl? Watch and decide for yourself!

If the lighting and styling look familiar, that’s probably because the video was directed by photographer Freddie Helwig, who shot all of the brilliant album artwork for the Cinderella’s Eyes campaign. To make this shoot even more special, “Yo-Yo” is Helwig’s music video directorial debut.

Frankly, the video is the perfect companion to an already perfect song. Every shot is gorgeous, and Nicola looks absolutely stunning. By the time that crystalline middle eight comes creeping into the speakers and she begins agonizing and writhing up against the shower wall, it’s clear that Roberts has absolutely nailed it (again).

So, so proud! TEAM GINGE FOR LIFE.

“Yo-Yo” will be released on January 8. (iTunes UK)

Team Ginge–rejoice!

UK Pop Princess Nicola Roberts will return on January 2 with “Yo-Yo,” the third single from her debut record, Cinderella’s Eyes–and easily one of the best tracks off the album. (Read the MuuMuse review now!)

From the official press release:

The single was written by Nicola with Dimitri Tikovoi. ‘Yo-Yo’ marries classic pop lyrics (“don’t want to be the last to know, will it be a yes or a no?”) to a post-Dalston Ronettes vibe and a pulsing, demented electro breakdown.

“The song is about being in that position with a guy when you really don’t know whether you’re coming or going,” explains Nicola. “Being in that position can make you really vulnerable. It’s the dark, desperate and doubtful side of love.”

Fabulous news! With its gorgeous melodies and that oh-so-lush icy disco middle eight (“And I can’t let go-o-o!”), “Yo-Yo” is one Roberts’ finest solo moments yet. Let’s hope for big chart numbers to follow!

And now, let us all enjoy Nicola’s completely flaw-free performance of the song for MSN UK. Truly stunning!

Cinderella’s Eyes was released on September 23. (iTunes UK)

We’ve seen a lot regarding Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle ’round these parts lately. Now it’s time to give some shine to another member of the brilliant fivesome known as Girls Aloud: Kimberley Walsh.

Earlier today, Fabulous published an interview and rocker-chic photo shoot with the Aloud’s resident theater geek (remember that musical medley during the Chemistry Tour?) as she begins her run as Princess Fiona in the West End’s Shrek The Musical.

It’s a great read in full, but here’s some excerpts for ye of the lazier variety:

On having the least amount of drama out of all the Girls Aloud members:

Sometimes I do look at myself and think how it’s all been very easy. In a way, that makes me worry that it shouldn’t be such plain sailing and wonder when something bad will happen to me! But to be honest, I always felt that bit older than the other girls so I always felt I knew myself a bit more and had a bit more of the confidence you get in that way.

On being with her boyfriend of over 8 years, former Triple 8 member Justin Scott:

We still think of ourselves as really young, but actually we do need to get going! We’ve bought our first proper house together, which is a home rather than a place to live. I’m incredibly lucky to be financially secure and to be with the man I want to be with for the rest of my life. I’ve got no excuses, really – apart from that I need to get through this show and then we’re talking about the Girls Aloud reunion next year…

On being curvier than the average pop star:

I’m proud of my shape because I think it sends a better message to girls. And yes, there were definitely times in Girls Aloud where it could get difficult. All of those girls are so slim and there would be the moments where they’d say: ‘Let’s do hot pants in the next video,’ and I’d be thinking: ‘Oh no!’ But my attitude very quickly changed to: ‘What the hell!’ So I’d look curvier in the shorts – so what? That is me and I’d think: ‘I’m just standing up for all the curvy girls like me.’

On bandmate Cheryl being ‘heartbroken’ over the US X Factor snub:

People don’t really know Cheryl. Everybody talked about it like it was the most horrific thing, that it was this massive deal, but it wasn’t like that for her. She’s very much: ‘That’s life, some things don’t work out and let’s move on.’

On the girl group now rapidly growing popular in the UK, The Saturdays:

The Saturdays have done well, but people don’t know them individually,” says Kimberley. “People got to know us in Popstars: The Rivals. Then after we won, it may have looked easy but it was incredibly tough. That was when we bonded. We kept thinking we were going to lose it all, nothing was certain and it made us stick together. It made us fighters, it made us a real team, real friends.

God, I love me some Kimba: She’s got such an incredibly refreshing and positive outlook on life, she’s outspoken, and she’s completely proud of her legacy as an Aloud. Just some of the many reasons why the Girls Aloud roster remains unmatched!

You’ve got to love those constant references to a 2012 reunion as well. Let’s make it happen, ladies!

Nicola Roberts is a different kind of pop star.

There’s just no getting around it, really: Ever since her name was called as one-fifth of the band that went on to become Girls Aloud during the finale of the 2002 reality series Pop Stars: The Rivals, the Lincolnshire-born redhead with porcelain skin stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the pristine pop quintet. There was something special about Nicola, something different–dare say “alternative” about the then 17-year-old songstress.

Roberts made her mark in the Aloud as the quiet, quirky vocalist responsible for some of the band’s most memorable moments–the opening seconds of “Untouchable,” the second verse of “Whole Lotta History,” the show-stopping bridge of “Call The Shots.” More often than not, it was Roberts’ shaky, vulnerable vocals that placed an ice-coated cherry on top of some of the Aloud’s finest work.

But being “different” can often be problematic, and for Nicola, induction into the Almighty Aloud was nearly a curse: From the get go, Roberts was relentlessly teased and bullied in the British tabloids for her appearance, as well as an apparent bad attitude: “Ginger.” “Pale.” “Ugly.” In 2003, Busted‘s Matt Willis pronounced her a “rude ginger bitch,” a nickname that the press fondly appropriated for years. And despite the best efforts made by her fellow bandmates to protect her against seeing the stories, Roberts was still well aware of the continuous public mockery, leading to several years of excessive drinking and an unhealthy obsession with tanning.

Lest anyone be confused and think she simply stood there and dealt with the criticism however, it’s simply not true: Nicola Roberts has always found ways to fight back.

During a performance at G-A-Y in London in 2003 for instance, the quiet crooner took a cheeky stab at Matt Willis’ attack by donning a black skirt with the words “RUDE GINGER BITCH…BOTHERD?!” painted on the back. Later on in her career, as Roberts slowly grew confident in her natural appearance, she would tackle her tanorexia head-on in an eye-opening BBC special, Nicola Roberts: The Truth About Tanning.

Now, with the release of debut record out on September 26, Cinderella’s Eyes, Roberts has gone one step further and turned the tables on her detractors completely with one loud, defiant rallying call: “TEAM GINGE.”

Read more…