Elmo Magalona and Lauren Young: Prom Royalty

Four letters conjure up one of the most exciting moments in a teenager’s life and one of the most important days of the whole high school experience: P-R-O-M! As exciting as it may sound, many are actually fearful of this day as so many things could possibly go wrong. No date? No dress? No tuxedo? The answer is, no worries! Prom, after all, is supposed to be fun. It seems that young people nowadays measure up this momentous occasion with the same trappings as a marriage proposal.

With prom season just around the corner we asked two up and comers, Elmo Magalona and Lauren Young, to shed light on the subject. Although they come from different networks, they both have the looks, the talent and the makings of a real life Prom King and Queen. It’s time we take prom in a fresh direction and remind the young folks to just enjoy the moment.

YOUNG STAR: So much has been said about prom. What was yours like?

ELMO MAGALONA: I prepared everything needed weeks before prom, like what I’m going to wear and the things I’ll bring with me. I had a hard time looking for a date though, and we weren’t allowed to go to prom without one. It was super last minute when I asked someone, and fortunately she was free that night. I thought prom was going to be boring, but it was actually a fun experience.

LAUREN YOUNG: The first prom I ever went to wasn’t so much fun since I wasn’t with my friends. I ended up ditching it. Most people think prom is about dressing up, being pretty and having a date, but it’s actually about having fun and being with your friends since you don’t know when you’re going to see them again after signing up to different colleges. My second prom was really fun! I really prepared, I borrowed a dress from a designer and my sister even helped me do my hair and makeup. I even won Most Glamorous Girl of the night, which was really great.

It’s a date! Elmo and Lauren land as Young Star’s golden couple for prom! On Elmo: Brass blazer from W by Rajo Laurel, Shirt by Randy Ortiz at Myth. On Lauren: Gold dress and bib from Joel Escober at Myth (Greenbelt 5)

What tips would you give someone who’s attending his or her first prom?

ELMO: Just have fun and relax, after all it’s just a fancy party!

LAUREN: Don’t think too much about it. Just have fun with it and don’t expect too much or plan everything out or else if things don’t go your way you’ll end up having a bad night.

What song would make your heart flutter while slow dancing with your date?

ELMO: Shut It Down by Drake and The Dream.

LAUREN: Oh, It Is Love by Hellogoodbye.

Artists such as Katy Perry have made surprise performances at high school proms. Who’s your dream performer at prom?

ELMO: John Legend.

LAUREN: Katy Perry and Passion Pit!

What’s the biggest “don’t” during prom?

ELMO: Don’t forget to make the night special for both you and your date.

PYT: “I love it when someone I like kisses my forehead.”

LAUREN: Don’t be afraid to have fun and look stupid with your friends. And don’t have super-light powder on your face or you’ll end up looking like a geisha in your prom pictures!

Is it empowering for a girl to ask a guy to prom or is it pathetic?

ELMO: It’s empowering. In this generation, I think most girls are capable of what guys can do as well. This happened to me already, a girl asked me to be her date for prom and I think it’s kind of flattering and cute.

LAUREN: I mean, if you like the guy, why not? There’s nothing wrong with it. Just ‘cause you’re a girl doesn’t mean you can’t do things that guys do.

What would you like your ideal date to wear to a formal event such as prom?

ELMO: For my date, I’d say something flashy because prom is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It’ll also be more memorable.

LAUREN: Simple and low key. I like simple guys. You don’t want your date looking better than you. (Laughs)

How would you seal the night to make it a memorable one for you and your date?

It’s a rap: “I’d probably do something creative, like take her home and sing her a song before I leave. Maybe a kiss would do too!” says Elmo.

ELMO: I’d probably do something creative, like take her home and sing her a song before I leave. Maybe a kiss would do too!

LAUREN: I love it when someone I like kisses my forehead. So that would be perfect! 

We proclaimed you as the new prom royalty. How was it working with each other?

ELMO: That was my first photo shoot with someone from another network and it was fun. She seemed quiet but very nice and pretty, too!

LAUREN: It’s kind of awkward at first cause you don’t know each other but then after a while the tension went away. It was nice working with Elmo because he’s not hard to get along with and he’s really easy to be around. He made the shoot fun and it was like we’ve known each other for so long.