The first pic from Lady Gaga's highly anticipated "Alejandro" video was leaked two days ago on Tuesday, setting the blogosphere on fire. Everyone is buzzing about it, from MTV to New York Magazine.
New York Magazine blogged about it twice on their website, describing Gaga in one blog as "a Blonde Lady Elvis" and in another comparing her to The Simpson character Mr. Burns when he played a vampire on one episode. They both could be right, but one of them is definitely on the right track.
The blog comparing Gaga to Mr. Burns as a vampire is the most in line with the rumors about the "Alejandro" video having a vampire theme. Gaga's recent live performances of "Alejandro" also suggest vampirism, full of simulated biting into human flesh and fake blood smeared everywhere.
One of the most exciting things about the "Alejandro" video so far is that celebrated fashion photographer Steven Klein directed it. He's the man who made Brad Pitt a Goth in L'Uomo Vogue magazine and Madonna into a stuttering contortionist. Klein's work is freaky and thought-provoking. He has a fixation with bondage and sexuality. Many of his photographs feature men and women gagged and bound in only underwear or totally nude. The photographs are often sadistic and violent, yet beautiful.
Gaga's latest album The Fame Monster is heavily influenced by bondage. It is the thematic thread that connects the album's songs. From "Telephone" to "Teeth," she talks about being tied up and/or strangled by something, and her goal is to free herself from the bondage. "Alejandro" continues in that theme. Gaga has stated in interviews that "Alejandro" is about letting past loves and partners go. Now what does all that have to do with vampires, you ask? Well, I take it to represent that vampirish hunger people get when they think of their ex-lovers. It's tough when your ex's move on and you feel so hungry for their love that you feel like you could eat them up. You feel like if they would simply take you back and accept you, every problem in your life would be solved. It's why some people are afraid to be single.
Also, the vampire theme can be seen in Gaga's look in this pic from "Alejandro." Her pale skin and the pale skin of her male dancers (who sport bowl haircut wigs in the style of Moe from The Three Stooges and wear nothing but black-colored hot pants ) makes them all look like the same person. As for the Elvis Priestly likeness, Gaga's short platinum blond hair and lemon-yellow jumpsuit (with a cape) and red inverted crosses on it conjure up images of an early '70s Elvis in his trademark sparkly studded Las Vegas jumpsuits, except Gaga's jumpsuit (or rather a robe)has a matching telephone receiver and cradle attached to it. Get it? "don't call my name, don't call my name, Alejandro." At the same time, Gaga's short hair and makeup make her look like a spit-and-image of Annie Lennox.
Save for the pale skin and inverted crosses on her robe, there isn't anything else vampire-related, but then again this is only one image and the only image from the "Alejandro" video. This scene may not even make it into the final edit of the video. We shall all wait and see. One thing is for sure, the leaked photo is intriguing and it has piqued my interest even more.
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