Natasha Khan

Compared to Björk and Kate Bush, Bat for Lashes singer Natasha Khan is an indie rock darling. She's been nominated for the Mercury and Brit awards multiple times. Kanye West is a fan. So is Rolling Stone Magazine and style.com. Radiohead and Coldplay both handpicked her to open on their tours. Part hippie spirit, part storyteller, she weaves fantastical, dream-like tales while costumed in Indian headdresses, braids, face paint and caftans.

My favorite song by Natasha: "What's a Girl to Do," an epic, sweeping ballad about heartbreak. A bit short, but its haunting sound resonates.

Bat for Lashes official site

Yu-na Kim (김연아 or 金姸兒)

“Kim Yuna is a champion for all time” - Philip Hersh, Los Angeles Times

She is the girl who has captured the hearts of the world and reenergized her home country. “Queen” Yu-na Kim (김연아 or 金姸兒) broke world records and skated two flawless programs to win Olympic gold at the 2010 games. She is the first female skater to win all the ISU international championships (ISU World Championships, ISU Grand Prix Final, and ISU Four Continents Championships).

“When you’re with [Kim] in Korea, it’s like you’re traveling with Princess Diana; Yu-na’s that famous there.” – Kim’s coach Brian Orser

Already extraordinarily popular in South Korea, with endorsement deals from companies such as Nike, Hyundai Motor Company and Kookmin Bank cashing in at $8 million in 2009, Kim is the sweetheart of the nation. Now, with the Olympic win, financial analysts and large corporations are attributing their projected economic revival on her.

"South Korea’s strong performance in the Olympics may cause people to view the economy’s performance in a more favorable light. Korea, the country, has the ability to outperform the world economy.” - Timothy Condon, ING Bank, Singapore, Chief Asia economist

Not just South Korea’s sweetheart, she has spurred the imagination and optimism of the world—all through the power of beauty. She is a rare combination of raw talent and ethereal grace. Elegant gestures, fluid transitions, there was no sign of struggle with her program. Kim singularly embodied the emotions and movements of the choreography. It is this perfection that memorizes then charms.

“She’s the whole package. Her jumps are soaring and they’re equal. You don’t have one big one followed by a little tiny jump. I think she’s grown choreographically. She’s very musical. The whole thing is very beautiful and athletic, but not too athletic. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything when I watch her.” – Dorothy Hamill, 1976 Olympic figure skating gold medalist

“One of the greatest women’s figure skaters of any era.” - Jeré Longman, New York Times

“Technically, she’s the greatest of all time. If she skates a little longer and does this over the next three or four years, she will be the greatest skater of all time.” - Ted Barton, someone who helped to devise the new points-based scoring system

"This is the best routine I've ever seen in an Olympic competition." - Sandra Bezic, NBC

“Stella Kim touched and gave happiness to all Koreans by … overcoming various difficulties and doing her best…. [I hope] lots of young people will gain confidence and hope through Kim’s achievement.” - Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk

"[Kim’s] passion and strong spirit brought great excitement and pleasure to the people." - South Korea President Lee Myung-Bak

“I think the whole nation is in front of the television. Kim Yu-na is the country’s special sister. Every athlete is important, but her medal is more important than the others. She is beautiful. She’s our pride. I think Koreans will have a lot of drinks.”- John Moon, Chief of Staff of the South Korean Olympic Committee

Hard working, modest, talented in figure skating and singing, I look forward to seeing how Yu-na Kim's story evolves.

"My dream doesn't end with the Olympics. I have a bigger future ahead of me. I'm not done yet."

Official Site

Yu-na Kim, a Singer and Figure Skater


Yu-na Kim's Free Skate Program for the Olympic Season
(not her actual Olympic performance)

Sources: popseoul.com, Korean Beacon, Korea Insider, Gabriel Bouys/Agence France-Presse

Zoë Kravitz

"Born to Rule," the slogan for Vera Wang Princess perfume, fits its spokesmodel Zoë Kravitz perfectly. She is one of those girls so beautiful that not even pixie boy hair and funny glasses will detract from her beauty. She has the sultriness and delicate features of her parents, 80s/90s Cosby star Lisa Bonet and rocker Lenny Kravitz. But looks were not their only gift: with acting chops director Joel Schumacher praises, and a voice that silences her critics, Zoë is poised to hit it big on her own.

Zoë's charm, however, lies in her down-to-earth, nice girl attitude. For the first eleven years of her childhood, she lived with her mother, out of the glare of the spotlight. It was only when "Fly Away" became a big hit that she realized her father was a star.

"My parents did a great job at keeping me down-to-earth and that's what I cherish about my childhood. They taught me to not judge, but love."

She is a hippie at heart, mixing rocker influences with boho headbands and maxidresses. Sometimes she is a bit more elegant, with fitted cocktail dresses, but she wears everything with the same laid back ease. Editors love her ireverent style. PR girls seat her in the front row of fashion shows. She is not afraid to experiment, styling her hair in ringlets one day, chopping it off another day.

"I’m kind of a vintage-y girl. I kind of just like what I like. I shop at flea markets."


"I don't like spending thousands on a T-shirt and I'm not really good with designer names."

While her style is relaxed, her work ethic is not. Not content with riding the waves of genetic blessings, Zoë aspires to be successful on her own merit.

"I think I should try harder.... I have a lot of connections. I want to deliver and have the respect as any other actress in the world."

With a new Vanity Fair article touting her as a star on the rise, and four films (Yelling to the Sky, Twelve, Beware the Gonzo, It's Kind of a Funny Story) coming out in 2010, Zoë is one to watch.

Interview on Nylon TV

Nneka

“What struck me most about Nneka’s music is that her story is so present in every song. The spirit and struggle of her roots in Africa, a sense of responsibility inherited from Fela, conflict and perspective gained living abroad in Germany. Her music is a contagious combination of genres and styles that just pulled me in right away. Artists who refuse to be confined to one genre are often considered crazy. Artists who follow their conscience are considered crazy. This is that brand of crazy." - hiphop producer J.Period

"10 Artists to Watch in 2010" - Spin

First and foremost, Nneka, is an activist. Like contemporaries such as Lauryn Hill, she uses music to deliver her message. She does not see herself as "a performer but as somebody who shares her heartfelt feelings with others" through music.

"It’s important that I do everything with my heart — that I stand on stage, that I do my music from the depth of my heart, for me to be able to transmit that message of love."

Born in Nigeria, Nneka moved to Germany at 19. She never planned to move, and life was tough. At one point she was scrubbing toilets. She describes, "When I left Nigeria for Germany, I was totally on my own without friends and family. My trip wasn’t really planned; I never wanted to step out of Nigeria. All I wanted was a better life ... I started school and started learning the German language but I was lonely and I needed something to hold onto and music was the only thing that gave me that solace and so it became my family.” She met hip-hop producer DJ Farhot, and, soon afterward, signed to independent label Yo Mama.

"I never knew [that I wanted to be a professional musician], even till today, I just love the feeling of having music, music would never betray you or hurt you, just like Bob [Marley] said, 'When it hits you, you feel no pain and there is God within it.'"

"Music gave me the opportunity to travel around the world and have experiences. Personally, music gave me even more courage and a healthy dose of self-esteem because before I left [Nigeria], I did not have any self-esteem.”

Influenced by Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Mobb Deep, Nneka developed an Afrobeat sound: soulful ballads, reggae-pop, and lively, borderline-aggressive chants. A star-in-the-making in Europe and the 2009 winner of the MOBO (South Africa's version of MTV) and Channel O Best African Act Award, she is now bringing her message to the US.

"Spurred on by poignant piano and crisp drum breaks, Nneka's voice (think a less spacey Erykah Badu) alternates between righteously bold and heartbreakingly fragile." -Spin

"Soul queen in the making.” - Blues & Soul

“Nneka” means “mother is supreme, mother is the best” in Igbo, a language spoken by a minority group living in Southern Nigeria. True to her namesake, she is both friendly and tough. Her lyrics are full of rage over injustices, but she has honed her artistic sensitivity to delivering an inspirational, positive message.

“I get inspired when I take a severe look at the things going on in our world today; especially in my country. How people live, suffer and endure pain, politics and religion, when I see all that man has evoked and created out of self-centeredness and devotion to material things."

"I know that there are many people out there who go through the same or similar problems, and this is my mission to give those people the courage, that no matter what, or whatsoever you're going through in life, as long as you want something and you believe in yourself and you believe there is a God, things can definitely change."

Her strategy is simple: influence by example. "Do not doubt yourself, as long as you do it in honesty and in truth, then it will be of an advantage to the people, it will make a positive impact on them."

"To be able to make a change in the world, you have to be part of that change. You have to be honest with yourself, because if you’re not honest with yourself, and if you’re not in touch with your spirit, then you’re not able to make any change at all."

Wise beyond her 27 years, with talent that comes straight from the heart, Nneka is going to have a breakthrough 2010.

More info: myspace, official page


"My music is very conscious, very political."

First US Single, "The Uncomfortable Truth"

Zhou Xun 周迅

Quickly becoming the darling of the fashion set in China and France, actress Zhou Xun 周迅 has graced the covers of Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Vogue China. She is also the spokesmodel for French luxury handbag line, Lancel.

“She can be sweet, charming, natural, straight, sexy and multi-faced. All these characteristics are what Lancel women have. We believe Zhou perfectly embodies Lancel.” – Marc Lelandais, CEO, Lancel

But her biggest fan seems to be Karl Lagerfeld. The elusive designer has invited her to sit front and center at Chanel couture twice—no other Chinese actress has had the honor. Although she is a super VIP, she still acts as a fan, bringing a sold out Karl teddy bear as her date and girlishly asking him to autograph.

“We can easily communicate without speaking, and she is talented and expressive." – David Sims, fashion photographer

Supertalented—she was one of the "Four Young Dan actresses" 四小花旦 and has won numerous awards, both for acting and singing. 2000’s “Suzhou River“ 蘇州河 garnered her international acclaim when she won Best Actress at the Paris Film Festival. Instead of concentrating on global superstardom like Zhang Ziyi, she focused on honing her craft.

"I think it's the same to be an actress anywhere because the profession is about attitudes towards events -- it is a process to try to understand life. I think this is the case for actors across the world. It all comes down to how you try to be a good person, and act responsibly."

Hardwork paid off when she won six Best Actress awards in 2005, including a Golden Horse臺北金馬影展 (the Asian “Oscars”) for “Perhaps Love” 如果, 愛. She won two Best Supporting Actress awards for following film, The Banquet 夜宴. Her song was also nominated for a Golden Horse Award, marking her place as a legitimate singer. In 2009 Forbes ranked her number 9 in the Top 100 Chinese celebrity list, and CineAsia named her “Star of the Year.”

Zhou Xun has that rare combination of talent and grace. Perhaps China’s worst kept secret: it is only a matter of time when she captures everyone’s hearts.

Emilie Simon

My love affair began with a song, "Desert." A hypnotic, eerie voice to match the large, innocent melancholy eyes. How can you not adore the girl who provided the lovelorn sound track to March of the Penguins (though unreleased in the US)? And recently released an English album that sounds like a younger Kate Bush, but still retains her Alice in Wonderland experimental style? Completely wise-beyond-her-years, and absolutely adorable.