If you caught Nickelodeon’s mini-movie School Gyrls on Sunday, then you got a proper glimpse of the teenage pop tart trio who were front and center in the Nick Cannon-directed feature. (Mariah’s husband co-wrote and exec-produced, as well.) And rest assured, these young women plan to keep on earning plenty of extra credit once the final bell rings in their movie. In addition to School Gyrls’ dance-jam single “Something Like A Party” (on iTunes now), there is a full album from Island Def Jam on the way, as well as both an Archie Comics series and a set of teen novels based on the group.
After the jump: Jacque, Mandy and Monica give us the low-down on Justin Bieber—who made a cameo in School Gyrls—as well as their upcoming album.
First of all, let’s meet the girls behind School Gyrls:
MANDY MOSELEY (aka Mandy Rain): After a chance meeting with Justin Timberlake backstage at an N Sync conert, Mandy (then age seven) and her family moved to Los Angeles, where she was enrolled in jazz and hip hop dance classes. Nick Cannon first spotted Mandy during the filming of the 2007 Nickelodeon Series Star Camp. And as for her nickname Mandy Rain, Moseley tells Idolator, “Nick gave it to me when I was very young. I was in Star Camp and he was giving us all names and I told him my mom almost named me Rain. So he said, ‘Mandy Rain—that’s fresh!’”
MONICA PARALES (aka Mo Money): Trained in music and dance, the 17-year-old California native was spotted by an agent when she was nine. She soon began dancing with the Team Millennia Juniors from the Team Millennia dance studio, which landed her work with Missy Elliott, Eminem and Mase.
Here’s Monica dancing with the Team Millennia Juniors in 2009:
JACQUE PYLES (aka Jacque Nimble): Fifteen-year-old Jacque began training in jazz and ballet at the age of five before moving on to hip hop dance classes. With acting and dancing on her mind as a career path, Jacque admits she never thought of pursuing singing until she joined School Gyrls. “Since I’ve been in the group, I think I am a lot more comfortable when I have to sing,” she says. “I have (more…)
Like much else in modern entertainment, a new “movie” premiering Sunday on Nickelodeon, is an element in a cross-platform marketing plan. (It is a movie in the sense that it is a stand-alone talking picture, not that it is any longer than your average hour of commercial-filled television.) That’s fine: I have no problem with being marketed to across platforms, as long as it’s done with verve and personality, and that’s the case here. It’s not as if show business has been ever an exercise in altruism.
Directed and co-written with visual and verbal wit by Nick Cannon, himself a product of the Nickelodeon star-making machinery and now the host of a New York City radio show, “America’s Got Talent,” and chairman of Teen Nick — an executive, not an honorary title — “School Gyrls” will also come at you as an eponymous urban-bubble gum group, a novel and a comic book. A single is already available for download from the usual places. Corporate pop constitutes a tradition now, and though the songs here may be calculated to a sonic millimeter, that doesn’t mean they aren’t also authentic.
The story is so thin as to be nearly invisible and peremptorily collapses into a weak ending — notwithstanding the inevitable Battle of the Good and Evil Dance Teams and an appearance by tween idol Justin Bieber, whose charm, to paraphrase an old blues line, the men don’t know but the girls 9-14 understand. And even by the standards of these things, there is a marked lack of interest in character development or emotional depth.
But all that really matters here are sass, sisterhood and not letting the cheerleaders grind you down. With its endorsement of flamboyant individualism and a cartoon cast of obstacles standing in the way of its expression, including a headmistress (Angie Stone) whose ever-present twin daughters speak in unison, the whole thing is closer in spirit to “Rock & Roll High School” than it is to “High School Musical.”
The School Gyrls themselves are fresh and appealing; I especially liked Mandy Moseley, reminiscent of a Nick heroine from the golden age of Clarissa explaining it all for you. “Look around, why doncha?” she says of her new school, a place that “specializes in turning out a bunch of cookie-cutter Martha Stewarts” (little Marthas suddenly appear) whose “idea of creativity is writing in cursive.”
She and fellow Gyrls Jacque Pyles and Monica Parales are cut from more colorful cloth. They customize their uniforms, dance in corridors and library stacks, sing into hairbrushes, paint a rainbow in their room, and do a lot of detention.
Is there a contradiction in stimulating young people’s rebellious independence even as you are manipulating them into buying your products? Possibly. But it’s better than merely manipulating them into buying a product, since in the deal you may help them grow up to be the sort of person you can’t manipulate into buying anything at all.
It might not have made sense to some people when Nick Cannon added New York morning radio host to his résumé last month — the actor/comedian/rapper/television producer/“America’s Got Talent” host/Mariah Carey-husband seems to have enough slashes to his name — but it makes perfect sense to the 29-year-old entrepreneur.
“It’s a media I’ve always admired,” said Cannon, who sported a Sinatra-like fedora, tie and vest to his deejay appearance at The Underground (56 W. Illinois St.) Saturday. “And I get up early anyway — I might as well do work. I don’t ever sleep.”
Besides his new gig with 92.3 NOW (WXRK-FM) in New York, Cannon, in town for Carey’s two shows at the Chicago Theatre, is promoting RydazNrtist, an R&B group signed to his Ncredible Entertainment label. He also wrote and directed “School Gyrls,” a “High School Musical”-esque film which premieres Feb. 21 on Nickelodeon.
When asked about his next film role, Cannon said, “It’s a musical – that’s all I can say about that.” The “Drumline” star claimed he’s a little more careful when picking movie roles these days because he doesn’t want to make the same mistakes he made in the past.
“Before I was doing movies for money,” Cannon said. “I just wanted to get paid and pay my parents bills. The reason I do movies now is for the love of it.”
As for the follow-up to his 2003 self-titled debut rap album, which featured the underrated “Gigolo,” Cannon said nothing is in the works.
Still, he did admit to writing a few rap songs about Carey’s nemesis, Eminem, who has taken numerous swipes at Mrs. Nick Cannon.
“I wrote a bunch of dis records but never put them out,” said Cannon before jokingly bragging, “I killed him.”
Now that he’s TeenNick’s new chairman, Nick Cannon is calling the shots. First order of biz? His directorial debut—a peppy,pop-filled TV-movie about a girl group (which he also produces) of prep-school spitfires. We dialed up the multihyphenate impresario to discuss his many gigs…and, of course, the missus.
So how do you like being an exec? I’m loving it. I’m taking this network to many different levels. ow that I can get it out there, more people [finding] it. It’s really cool.
Where did the idea for this movie come from? From writing the School Gyrls album. We were thinking of video concepts for the song “Dentention,” and I thought there was something movielike about the song. Then I said, “Yo, why don’t we make one of those teen movies?”
You cast Justin Bieber, Soulja Boy and Kristina DeBarge in Gyrls…but not wife Mariah Carey? You know, she’s all thrugh it! Mariah actually helped me write the script…and wrote a couple of the songs. If you listen closely, she also sings backup in the last song.
And how is married life? it’s amazing, I wake up everyday and think, “OK, the dream is gonna end at some point.” [Laughs] We’re also developing a lot of stuff together, mostly for MTV. Children’s books, things like that.
Developing anything…lullaby related? We will get to that as soon as everything calms down. But trust me, it is in the forefront of our minds!
Nick Cannon firmly believes in the power of positive thinking. Ask the 29-year-old how is various achievements came about—successful stand-up-comic at 15 years old, staff writer for Nickelodeon’s All That and Kenan & Kel at 17, CEO of his own production company NCredible, chairman of the TeenNick cable network, host of NBC’s America’s Got Talent and a daily radio show, and loving husband to one of the most famous women in the world—and he’ll tell you he willed them to happen by telling the Universe what he wanted.
“I truly believe in speaking things into existence,” says Cannon. “Not to get all Tony Robbins, but you speak it, and it can definitely happen to you.” It may sound like so much New Age hokum, but it seems to be working. After garnering fame on Nickelodeon, Cannon landed a breakout role in 2002’s sleeper-hit Drumline. He was labeled the next Will Smith, but his follow-up films (2003’s Love Don’t Cost a Thing, 2005’s Underclassman) flopped. Rather than falling into straight-to-DVD obscurity, however, the former It boy has embarked on one of the more surprising second acts in entertainment industry. /meet Nick Canon: mini-mogul. “He could almost be a combo of Jay-Z, Dick Clark, and David Geffen,” says MTV’s President of Programming Tony DiSanto. Adding to his public profile, of course, his marriage to Mariah Carey, whom Cannon calls an “angel”. Says Carey, “He is probably the only person I know that matches me in drive and ambition.” And Cannon couldn’t be happier with phase 2 of his career. “‘I’m past my stage of wanting to be a star,” he admits, sitting behind his desk at TeenNick’s Times Square offices. “To be honest, I’ve always made more money behind the scenes.” (more…)
IN all my years of travelling to New York to work with some of the biggest music artists in the world, can you believe I had never seen a gig at the world famous venue Madison Square Garden (MSG)? I had been there for MTV-related stuff but never to see a gig.
Well, to kick start 2010 that was all changed because Mariah was performing there. So on a cold and snowy day, we were picked up at 4pm to make our way to the venue in a giant SUV convoy.
We were there early for sound check and the streets around the venue were pandemonium with police locking off roads in preparation for the thousands that were set to gather. MSG corridors were full of excited dancers, singers and celebs. As I walked through the backstage dressing room corridors and spotted framed superstar live photos on the walls, I was in awe at the venue’s history. It’s not called the world’s most famous arena for nothing!
Mariah’s dressing room was large and airy but they’d made it seem lovely and cosy with white silk drapery and scented candles. Luckily, it was nice and warm as Mrs C was having her outfits fitted and resting her voice before she hit the stage.
The legendary director/ choreographer Debbie Allen – who had choreographed the show – was busily getting everyone together; the fantastic vocalists – Maryann Tatum, Trey Lorenz and Sherry Tatum Frederick – were warming up their vocals; the dancers were stretching; techs were running around – there was a lot going on!
I always stop to check out artist merchandise to see how creative it is, and whilst doing so, my eyes were drawn to a great keepsake – the official tour programme, priced at $25. I decided to buy two, and as I flicked through the pages, my eyes froze over a certain page where I was looking back at myself! There amongst Mrs C’s fun photos were two pictures of me, MC and Da Brat on one of our vacation escapades a few years ago! MC always looks amazing, Brat looked cute, and I was a freakin’ mess! I wasn’t mad though. I was honoured to be included in such a superstar’s programme, but I had to laugh at the fact that on that day, I had thrown on something at the last minute that didn’t match, AND my hair was an ocean-dried mess! I was rocking gold Adidas runners, denim shorts with the words “bad gal” on them, a gold American apparel swimsuit and a Rocawear red, black and white tracksuit top – what a mess! My maturity must have kicked in though, cos I soon realised I didn’t care how I looked in the picture. In fact, I even called my mum excitedly to tell her – she, however told me to focus on my own stuff and snapped me straight back to reality!
Kicking off the show was Nick Cannon’s new male vocal group RydazNRtists who were really good and the arena loved them. They’re signed to the music arm of Nick’s company, NCredible. I think they’ll go far. (more…)
After stints as an actor, rapper and celebrity club DJ, Nick Cannon can now add “radio host” to his extensive résumé. Mariah Carey’s hottie husband manned the mic at 92.3 NOW (WXRK-FM) in New York for the first day on January 19, and will continue to host “Rollin’ with Nick Cannon” weekdays from 6-10 a.m. ET. Nick seemed excited to hit the airwaves as he spoke with In Touch after a DJ gig at Shrine Nightclub at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Connecticut on January 15. “I’ll just be bringing the fun, bringing the jokes, and good music!” he said of starting his new show, adding that he’s still searching for a co-host. After a successful first day, Nick ended with DJ Sammy’s romantic club hit, “Heaven” — perhaps an ode to his beautiful wife?
92.3 NOW’s newest morning host, Nick Cannon, flashes his pearly whites for the cameras during today’s debut of “Rollin’ With Nick Cannon” in New York City. The show can be heard live weekdays from 6:00-10:00AM ET on-air, online at http://923now.com and through mobile devices, and features a mix of music, interviews and entertainment. To find out more about Nick’s first day, including videos, check out the “Rollin’ With Nick Cannon” blog at http://nickcannon.com/ and his 92.3 NOW page http://923now.com/nick-cannon-mornings/.
It seems as if we aren’t aware that Nick Cannon will soon be taking over every facet of entertainment known to man.
And that’s the way I think he likes it.
It’s rare that you’ll find Mr. Cannon without an immaculately-tailored suit on his trim, six-foot frame these days, as he spends a majority of his time as chairman of the television network, TeenNick. And it was a homecoming of sorts for Cannon, as he started his career with Nickelodeon as a teen comic sensation, eventually working his way around the boardrooms to establish his name as a sure-fire brand for quality entertainment. His successful MTV show, “Wild’n Out,” re-invented the sketch comedy genre and gave it a millennial twist with a hip-hop braggadocio. Bottom line, Cannon’s success with creating material for Viacom, one of the world’s largest media corporations, has made him a true force in today’s media circles.
Thankfully, Cannon’s business acumen hasn’t taken away from his passion for acting. With the ability to switch gears from his comfortable terrain of comedy (“Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Underclassmen”) to the dramatic (“Bobby,” “American Son”), the thespian’s talents are truly endless. But all of the young mogul’s accomplishments were the vehicle for the creation of one of the most unique combination of teenage ambition and goodwill that has been screened for television. The HALO (Helping And Leading Others) Awards recognizes extraordinary young people using their specific gifts to change the circumstances of the people and the world that surrounds them. The HALO Awards ceremony aired last month on TeenNick, but Cannon wants the movement to go beyond an annual event and become an experience that inspires everyone to contribute to the idea of empowerment.
With his marriage to the beautiful singer Mariah Carey being an obsession for noisy tabloid sites, and the creation of his corporation, Ncredible Entertainment, becoming an entity in the new world of media, Nick Cannon still remains a humble pioneer who has seen countless things in his 30 years of life. But even though he’s humble, you still have to respect his conglomerate.
The School Gyrls are the real thing when it comes to sweet high school students. Composed of Mandy a.k.a. Mandy Rain (15), Jacque, pronounced “Jackie,” a.k.a. Jacque Nimble (15) and Monica a.k.a. Mo’ Money (16), these three pint sized pop stars pack major charisma and talent into an adorable adolescent package. Though barely old enough to drive, these young ladies are seasoned professionals, with over twenty years of acting, singing and dancing experience combined.
All professionally trained triple threats, the group officially formed in November 2008 and have been hard at work ever since. Their debut album under the Island Def Jam imprint is due out this year and a self titled, full length feature film, written and directed by Nick Cannon, recently wrapped and centers entirely around the three teen stars. Among the film’s feature cameos include Reverend Run, Justin Bieber, Kristina DeBarge, Soulja Boy, Angie Stone and others. The School Gyrls movie is slated to air on Nickelodeon in February 2010.
In the following interview, CH finds out at the end of their huge resume are still sass teenage girls who share a love for shopping, fashion and roller coasters.
CH: How did the name School Gyrls come about?(more…)
After news broke about Nick Cannon’s new media company, NCredible, VIBE caught up with the actor/rapper/businessman minutes before his taking off for the holidays to get the details of what his new endeavor meant and the inspiration behind the name.
“[Incredible is an] adjective I use everyday. I want to make everything in my life incredible. I’ve always wanted to name my company that, so I did–plus the capital NC is a nice touch,” says Cannon alluding to his initials. Mr. NCredible will serve as CEO of the new company that will centralize all of his current business ventures.
Some of the projects on Cannon’s slate include Son of Gun: A True Tale, a docudrama centered around Bronx emcee Cory Gunz–son of Bronx emcee Peter Gunz and godson of Shaquille O’Neil. ”I met Cory when he was like fourteen at a mix show summit and knew he would be doing big things then.” Cory was originally signed by Jay-Z, but is now on Cannon’s music label.
Also set for the small screen is School Gyrls, a project he created after signing the pop trio of the same name. “I basically just put the girls real personalities on paper and it came together.” School Gyrls will mark Nick’s directorial debut.
When asked to describe his new untitled hip-hop puppet show on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, Cannon replies, “This is the project I’m most excited about right now. It’s about a one-hit wonder rap group living in Atlanta partying and going to strip clubs, but still making it to church on Sunday.”
Before jumping off the phone to prepare for take off Cannon had these parting words: “Old folks need to take time to teach and give new lessons about life to the young ones and the young ones need to take the time to stop, listen, and learn those lessons about life.”
92.3 NOW’s newest morning host, Nick Cannon, flashes his pearly whites for the cameras during today’s debut of “Rollin’ With Nick Cannon” in New York City. The show can be heard live weekdays from 6:00-10:00AM ET on-air, online at 
