Hilary’s Metamorphosis

There is always a new crop of wannabe pop stars waiting in the wings and the best come to surface every two or three years. These are former little girls experimenting with make-up and learning to walk in high heels while trying to out-diva everybody else with what their vocal chords can do. They come from everywhere and can be anyone. Pedigreed Whitney Houston, a teen fashion model who is the niece of Dionne Warwick or an unknown Mariah Carey, who handed Sony exec Tommy Motolla her demo tape as he was getting into his limo or lovely Janet Jackson taking her seat on the throne because she was born and bred to be a princess musical.

The list goes on. Britney, Christina, Jessica, Beyonce, Ashanti, Hilary. If you cannot fill in their family names, should they have one, then you must be woefully out of circulation as far as the female hitmakers of the moment are concerned. More so if the last name that enters your mind at the mention of Hilary is Clinton. As every girl, eight years old and above, already knows, the answer is Duff, Hilary Duff. She was the little witch Wendy in the TV movie Casper Meets Wendy. She was Lizzie McGuire on TV and in the movie. She has this new hit CD Metamorphosis. And she is the one they look up to as far as clothes, make-up and even nail polish colors are concerned.

Although Hilary did some songs in the Lizzie McGuire soundtrack, Metamorphosis is her first studio album. As expected, her singing sparkles and she is every bit as wholesome and perky as Lizzie should be. The music leans more towards pop rock than the R&B most teen divas favor these days. Given her prom queen looks and her kind of music, it can be said that she combines the best that Britney and Michelle Branch have to offer. Along with this comes her stature as a major film and TV star so it is no wonder that Metamorphosis shot up to number one when it came out two months ago and remains a huge seller.

The best of the album are So Yesterday, which sets the upbeat note for the entire package and the also optimistic bonus cut A Day in the Sun. Sure radio favorites are Workin’ It Out, Come Clean and Why Not, which was originally in the Lizzie McGuire soundtrack. The slow ballads Love is Just and Inner Strength show depth that will come in handy with more emotional materials for the older Hilary in the future. And for fans who like the more modern stuff, there is the Europop-influenced Little Voice.

I dread to think that in a year or so, I might find Hilary all tarted up with a wardrobe resembling Christina or the subject of talks regarding breast implants or losing her virginity like Britney. But things like that do happen and all that we can hope for is that she proves to be a worthy role model for all the girls who idolize her.

Do note down in your Christmas shopping list. Young girls will surely appreciate getting a copy of either the Metamorphosis CD or The Lizzie McGuire Movie video. Give both if you are in the mood to be generous.

American Music Award Winners

Meanwhile here are the winners at the American Music Awards, which Star World aired live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in the morning of Monday, Nov. 17. Topping the list is Eminem who was not present but won four trophies as favorite male artist and for favorite album, The Eminem Show in both the pop or rock and hip-hop/R&B categories. Here is the list:

Pop or Rock
• Favorite Male: Eminem
• Favorite Female: Sheryl Crow
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Creed
• Favorite Album: The Eminem Show by Eminem
• Favorite New Artist: Ashanti

Hip-Hop/R&B
• Favorite Male: Eminem
• Favorite Female: Mary J. Blige
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: OutKast
• Favorite Album: The Eminem Show by Eminem
• Favorite New Artist: Ashanti

Country
• Favorite Male: Tim McGraw
• Favorite Female: Martina McBride
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Dixie Chicks
• Favorite Album: Home by Dixie Chicks
• Favorite New Artist: Carolyn Dawn Johnson
• Favorite Artist, Alternative Music: Creed
• Favorite Artist, Adult Contemporary: Celine Dion
• Favorite Artist, Latin: Enrique Iglesias
• Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational: Avalon
• Favorite Soundtrack: Spider-Man
• Fan’s Choice Award: Nelly
• Coca-Cola New Music Award: Moe Loughran