VIBE Summer 2014 Cover Story: Jhené Aiko

June 25, 2014 by admin
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Jhené Aiko’s sullen soundtracks to life have become blueprints—and status updates—for every emo millennial. With her mellow, free-spirited aura, she’s their modern-day Sade. But RB’s miniature sex bomb also has a dark side

STORY: Adelle Platon | PHOTO: Steve Erle

If Jhené Aiko had her way, she’d be walking around barefoot. Even in the desert on a 96 degree day. In turquoise denim short shorts, a floral midriff-baring top and a camel-colored floppy hat that screams J. Lo, this hippie chick peaks at just above 5’2. A soft sheen glistens over her sandy complexion. It’s two days before her second performance at California’s Coachella Arts Music Festival. For lunch, she suggests Nature’s Health Food Café, a Palm Springs oasis where slim, beachwear-clad customers sip bright juices. The eatery provides comfort for the 26-year-old singer who used to work minimum wage as a waitress at a vegan restaurant.

The inside feels like a bohemian haven, with electric fans as the primary cooling system and the smell of earth and veggies. After placing her order and depositing a total of $20 in the tip box, Jhené sits at a wobbly table and bites, not nibbles, at her food—a towering plate of Greek salad and soy chicken tacos. “I don’t think anything about me is loud,” she says. “I’m not going to walk into a room with crazy accessories, high heels and red lipstick. I blend in.”

Jhené is a modern-day hippy. Her moody melodies about all things tender (love, sex) and taboo (abortion, suicidal thoughts) have made her an unfiltered voice for 20-something rebels—and heartbroken millennials consider her debut project, 2011’s sailing soul(s), to be an emo manifesto. If Drake is the king of feelings, a rapper whose exes get prime real estate, then Jhené is the woman’s side of the story. But it’s more than just male-bashing anthems. “Drake’s a conversation with a woman on a level of honesty,” says producer No I.D., who signed Jhené to his Def Jam imprint, Artium, in 2011. “Jhené represents the woman who talks to herself and deals with the good, the bad, the happy, the sad, the spiritual and the ghetto.”

Her breathy medium-range vocals initially had fans connecting the dots between her and the late Aaliyah (see also: Cassie). Jhené addressed the comparisons in a Kanye-style Tumblr rant in 2012, writing: “I AM NOT YOUR NEXT BEYONCE, I AM NOT YOUR NEXT AALIYAH. I AM NOT CASSIE’S COMPETITION, NOR AM I RIHANNAH’S [sic].” But her subtly seductive aura better qualifies her as this generation’s Sade, a musical and visual minimalist. While serving as Drake’s plus-1 on last year’s Would You Like A Tour?—a byproduct of their duet, “From Time”—Jhené performed barefoot in a teeny bra-like top and a flower-child skirt. Besides going shoeless, she also studies Buddhism.

“When she was doing her mixtape [sailing soul(s)], she was describing the sound she was going for,” says her older sister Miyoko. “I remember saying, ‘Oh, you wanna be like a hip-hop Sade.’ And she was like, ‘Exactly.’” Jhené welcomes the title where it fits. “That’s great if people think that because she’s amazing,” says Jhené. “That’s someone I’d love to be in the same lane as.”

The ultra personal approach has enticed a cult following; her Sail Out EP has sold 216,000 units, and its lead single “The Worst” topped Billboard’s Hip-Hop/RB charts. Coupled with an alluring yet down-to-earth image, the mainstream appeal is strong. Jhené’s petite, tatted frame (she’s racially mixed, of Japanese, African-American and Native American descent) brings out heart-eye emojis in women and men. Drake has playfully cozied up to her on stage, and Childish Gambino professed his love on record (she denies dating either of them).

What adds depth to the pretty face—and distinguishes her from Sade–is Jhené’s exploration of her dark side. In the music video for “The Worst,” she murders an ex-lover, wearing only lingerie, before cops haul her away. And “Comfort Inn Ending (Freestyle)” shows her keying a Porsche and burning a pile of Jordans as she ticks off a laundry list of men who did her dirty. These are fantasies, of course. “I’ve never killed a guy, and I’ve never went to jail, but those are the things I have to get out of my head some way,” she says. “It’s writing a song and then turning my crazy thoughts into those moments where I’m like, I could really do that, but I’m not going to.”

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The gym is clearly working! Imogen Thomas shows her VERY flat stomach as …

June 25, 2014 by admin
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By
Daily Mail Reporter

Published:
12:28 EST, 24 June 2014

|
Updated:
15:07 EST, 24 June 2014

She may be a busy mother of one, but Imogen Thomas is clearly finding time to exercise.

The brunette, who rose to prominence after an allegation of relations with footballer Ryan Giggs, cut a lithe figure when she emerged from a gym session on Tuesday.

The slim-line figure is testament to her new, improved eating habit.

Imogen Thomas shows off her very taut tummy in a black cropped top as she leaves the gym after her morning workout

Wearing a loose-fitting pair of trousers and a black crop-top, she boasted a very toned figure.

Accessorising for the warm weather with a pair of flat sandals, she also carried a Louis Vuitton bag.

Having clearly endured a demanding fitness session, she fortified herself with a fruit smoothie.

Toned: Wearing a loose-fitting pair of trousers and a black crop-top, she boasted a very toned figure

She was spotted drinking ‘Everything But The Cow’, a new soya protein shake made with real fruit that’s perfect for post work-out repair

Confident! The former friend of Ryan Giggs was happy to show off her body outside the gym

Imogen gave birth to daughter Ariana in February 2013 and has worked hard to regain her figure after becoming a mum.

She recently revealed she is back to her former size 10 after having her baby with her Australian boyfriend Adam Horsley.

She told
MailOnline that it was hard to drop a dress size, saying: ‘I was
snacking on Ariana’s food when we ate out. She would have two chips and
I’d eat the rest.’

The gym is clearly working! Imogen Thomas cut a svelte figure as she emerged from her workout

‘As all new mothers will know, it’s so hard to lose weight, especially that stubborn part of your stomach.’

Last week, Imogen tweeted that she had been suffering from a debilitating stomach bug which was making the pounds fall off her.

She wrote:
‘I cannot believe how I feel. I still have this sickness bug! Lost so
much weight as I can’t eat properly. Docs first thing tomorrow.’

As
well as focusing on her new health regime, Imogen says she’s put work
projects on hold to have some ‘me time’, hang out with her family and
focus on redecorating their house.

She
revealed: ‘I used to be desperate for magazine shoots, I was really
enjoying it and while I’ve always got offers coming in, now I’m 31, it’s
time to hang up the lingerie.’