- Title: MONACO: PRINCE ALBERT OF MONACO SEES REHEARSALS FOR THE WORLD MUSIC AWARDS
- Date: 4th March 2002
- Summary: MONTE CARLO, MONACO (MARCH 4-5, 2002) (REUTERS) GVS OF COTE D'AZUR BEACH (0.11) PAN OF MONACO (0.16) WIDE OF WORLD MUSIC AWARDS BANNER (0.19) EXTERIOR OF MONTE CARLO CASINO (0.22) SMV GLAMOROUS WOMAN TALKING ON MOBILE PHONE (0.25) GV FOUNTAIN WITH CASINO IN BACKGROUND (0.29)
- Embargoed: 19th March 2002 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MONTE CARLO, MONACO
- Country: Monaco
- Topics: Entertainment,General,Religion
- Reuters ID: LVAE8ORXCS0NZAP7W8ONIX3QEWXY
- Story Text: Monte Carlo, the jewel on the Cote d'Azur and home for many of the jet set is once again playing host to the World Music Awards. Stars from around the globe have been jetting in to attend what must be described as one of the most glamorous ceremonies in the music calendar.
Reuters caught up with some of the artists as they prepared for the grand soiree and spoke exclusively to the Patron of the awards, H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco.
Given the opportunity, it's hard to understand why any artist would turn down the offer of a trip to possibly the most glamorous location on the planet.
But some high profile celebrities have been forced to pull out due to work commitments and although organisers are disappointed that pop princesses Britney Spears and Destiny's Child are unlikely to attend, the evening will still offer a little something for everyone, they said.
The 14th World Music Awards are to be hosted by American actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mr Luvva Luvva a.k.a. Grammy Award winner Shaggy and lead singer of U.S. rock group, Sugar Ray. While the hosts have been rehearsing for the big night, stars of Wednesday's (March 6) show have been making the most of their stay.
And this year, the cocktail of celebrities and performers is as fruity as ever.
Leading international artists performing at this year's show include Kylie Minogue, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, O-Town, Ja Rule featuring Ashanti, Andrea Bocelli, Enya, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Bolton and Alizee. Guest presenters are set to include Dolce and Gabbana, Rachel Hunter, Sonique, Eriq LaSalle and Victoria Silvestedt.
Looking bleary-eyed, self-proclaimed party animal, Shaggy (who'd been dancing the night away with DJ Sonique on turntables at a private party on Monday March 5) told journalists that the reason why his music worked and sold well across the board was because of it's content, not the marketing machine behind the artist:
" I'm musically driven, you know people hear about Shaggy because the songs get popular not because there's this huge marketing machine behind me with people saying 'okay let's get him in designer clothes, let's have him take a picture with this one, let's start a rumour', they happen because of the actual songs themselves and I think that's what attracts this world-wide audience the fact that the music has a lot of depth to it, it has culture to it and people can really buy into the music or the culture where I'm coming from,' he said.
Relative newcomer to the international scene, Latin artist Shakira meanwhile spoke to Reuters about the success of her first single 'Whenever, Whatever' taken from her debut English language album 'Laundry Service'.
'It is quite surprising to see how well and fast people are reacting to this first song of the record it is fascinating and it is very exciting to me especially that now that I'm approaching new audiences and visiting new territories just to feel so much of a good response is so encouraging. It kind of makes me relax a bit more because I've been crossing fingers for too long, my fingers are already in pain. It's time to relax and enjoy,' she said.
Part of the appeal of Monaco is the party scene and when celebrities arrive in town for the World Music Awards, it's not only the show that's on offer.
As Patron of the awards, H.S.H PrinceAlbert of Monaco ensures that all guests are treated to an exclusive party fest with private parties at the hottest clubs in town, cocktail parties and dinners all attended by the Prince himself.
Reuters spoke exclusively to Prince Albert during rehearsals for the show, held at the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo: 'It's great, I mean the atmosphere that's created during the show here in past years has been tremendous and I think the response from the audience in the Sporting Club but also on the other end of the TV set has been very positive so that's great satisfaction,' he said of the awards show.
The show which honours the best selling recording artists from around the world, is broadcast in over 160 countries.
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