ON AIR WITH RYAN SECREST - INTERVIEW
Good morning! It is bright and early On Ryan Secrest but I'm super, super excited right now for our guest here today! Sisanie and I both, because we are just huge fans personally. But without further or due...they all her queen Cookie...MANDY WILLIAMS is here in the studio!Hiiiiii Ryan! Hiii everyone. Soo excited to be here right now! *Smiles*
Good morning Mandy, how are you feeling? It's been a while! I'm feeling...just blessed really. Things have been going so well for me, I couldn't wish for anything more. I'm in a really good place right now and I am enjoying life, and enjoying making music. Been feeling great. Thank you for asking *smiles*
No problem at all Mandy. Now listeners, we've got a new single here by Mandy that we're prepping to premiere worldwide for the first time everywhere. Mandy... or "Queen cookie" as they say... how does that feel?Hehe Queen cookie. I love that name! buuuut about the single. Oh my god it's just so exciting! Everything has been coming along amazingly and to have the single here and ready to go, I'm just eager to get it out there for my cookies to hear it. They have been waiting for new music for some time now and they always tell me on twitter to hurry hurry hurry and release some more music and I always tell them "guys I promise its going to come when it's ready to go" hehe, they love new music and I love giving it to them so to be here about to do that and to talk to you and stuff is all really cool, so yeah.
I also always wanted to ask, where did the cookie moniker come from? Was it something you named yourself or your fans or did it just stick?Oh oh, this is actually so cute. So my fans know that my favorite thing in the world is cookies! All types of cookies. I just love cookies, and sugar hehe. So one day I just started calling my fans cookies because they are just so sweet and adorable and I could just eat them up and squeeze their cheeks. I love them soo much. I love my cookies that are fans and the actual baked cookies too of course! So ever since then I call them cookies and this was like yeaaaars ago. No matter what age. They're just my cookies. Uhm! They know it too.
I know you are going to hate me for this but I must ask, everyone knows you're an animal lover, but what the heck happened with the sloth! You alleged that you were attacked? Or something?Of course I won't hate you Ryan! Maybe a little! Because waaaah I try to forget that...so like yes, I love animals. I went to the zoo to go and pet and hold some animals and I saw the cutest and slowest little sloth on the tree. They said I could hold him so they took him down and gave him to me. He was like a little hairy baby version of big foot and I thought he was adorable and I held him and gave him a hug and and I just felt something poke me! I started screaming like immediately and didn't even look and they just escorted him away. I swear I'm STILL traumatized. *laughs* but I recently got a sugar glider and named him sugar and he's so cute and definitely not a naughty animal like that sloth! He just lays there and makes little squeaky noises and I feed him through a bottle wahhhh it's so cute.
Sure many here would say they don't blame that naughty sloth for doing so but yeah! The last time we spoke..wow..had to be about 3 years ago and I think you were promoting "Devil In Disguise" with Foxxxy. Hasn't your life changed since then? You've since become this world wide sensation. I mean my life has definitely changed since then. I think I've definitely grown as a person and a singer but when people say worldwide sensation and stuff like that, it makes me feel all weird hehe. It's so flattering and all but I like to think of myself as being "normal" in a way. I know that sounds a bit off and far fetched, but behind the glitz and glamour and the cameras..the music. I'm really just a normal, perky girl! So yeah, I really don't look at myself as this sensation or huge star. I'd like to think that I'm pretty normal hehe.
Yeah...normal. I actually find that inspiring considering a lot of celebrities go through a moment where I guess they are trying to grasp fame and we've seen it time and time again where young stars really go through a rough patch and it's all over the tabloids....but you Mandy...you've kept rather smooth. How have you managed to escape the stereotype, so to say? I definitely cannot say that I've escaped any stereotype because I've definitely had my share of ups and downs and hardships, I just dealt with them differently and in my own time. I think we all do because Ryan, it's a tough business. I empathize with any young star trying to find themselves in this business. Everything moves so fast and you literally have no time for 'you'. You have no time to grasp reality and find yourself and who you want to be because you're here, and you're there. Performing here, performing there. Flying here, flying there. There's many moments where there's no piece of mind and that can take a toll on you. When you have personal issues as we all do, everybody deals with them in different ways but with us, it happens in front of the tabloids. Luckily for me I've kept a very few, but positive and extremely trustworthy people to help me get through those times.
That's actually very true. I need your young spirit! So optimistic, but continuing on. I usually ask many of my guests this. You grew up in Orlando, Florida ...when did you first realize you were destined to be a pop star?I think I was destined to be a singer right from the time I popped out of my mama! *laughs* Rest in peace to her beautiful soul. But I think this was me from the moment I came out. I've always been a virtuoso! Hehe, I started writing when I was sooooo young. I had to be like 10, and even though my early writings sucked! From that moment it was always my dream to record music and be a singer. I love all that I do.
You've publicly spoken about this and you know if you don't feel comfortable speaking about it we can definitely move on, but you lost your mother at a very young age which I'm still incredibly sorry about and you've spoken about your fathers alcohol addiction. The question is, how does a girl your age put up with all of that?It's extremely tough. It's always been tough. I was eight years old when my mother passed away so I didn't have that mother figure there for me growing up. I didn't really have that motherly nurture that's so vital! And my father has always tried so hard to be the best man he could be, but he has his own personal demons that he has been putting up with for years. Still, I love him with everything in me and I'll be there in supporting him. We've gone through rough patches but he's still everything to me. How does a girl put up with all of that? Well, I had to grow up really, really and in a way take care of myself. I had support from other family members but my cousin Blake, yeah, we really had to be there for each other. I didn't have much of a support system...it was mainly Blake and then when Deneil came around, my life changed and I finally felt like I could seriously depend on someone.
Speaking of him! How is your...fiancee....Deneil Khan?! It's nice to see you two still going strong. Congratulations on that.Yes, Deneil is doing amazing! He should be listening right now so Deneil if you're listening... Babe...I love youuuu! Muah! But yeah, thank you Ryan. It's been more than 4 years now since we've been together, about 5 years if you count our little awkward moment before started dating. I don't speak publicly about my relationship really but I guess since we're on the topic...I met him when I was 17 years old and he's changed my life and has been such an amazing support system for me. He's seen me at my lowest and I owe so much to him. So yeah, definitely going strong after all these years. I love him to pieces. I love every molecule of Deneil Khan hehehe, okay enough with the mushiness *laughs*
Do you find it challenging dating someone in the public eye? How do you manage?I think it has it's ups and downs but we've really managed! We don't want to be looked at as those "celebrity couples" because then everyone's following you and it really takes away from the realness of your relationship because everything you virtually do hits the tabloids it can become tiring and can weigh on your relationship because you find yourself hiding. I think Deneil and I mastered it because our personal lives are rather boring...*laughs* just as we like it and we leave all the excitement for the music we make.
So let us in on something since you're a soon to be a Khan, are they as crazy as the media entails? No! Everything the media entails is over-exaggerated. They're actually pretty chilled out, specially Deneil. Billy can get a bit hyped and do as he pleases at times but when they say Khans are "crazy" I think people just like to pick on them and generalize them and they shouldn't! They are not your typical boys, they didn't have the typical upbringing and I think that's what makes them special because they aren't here to kiss anyones behind but everyone knows they are suppper cool, they're my family and I will beat someones butt for them!
*laughs*So...does that mean we'll be hearing wedding bells soon? Maaaaaybe hehehe.
Best of luck Mandy, to the both of you. Thank you Ryan
*smiles*Now onto the music! You've got a new single you're about to premiere right here for us on air entitled "Something About Us"! Before that, I want to speak about the past for a bit. It's been a while since your last album "The Teenage Years" which was a big success and you're no longer a teenager anymore! How is this new album coming along? How has the recording process of that been so far?It's been so much fun! I love the way everything is coming along, truthfully. I love like all the songs I've recorded for it. The recording process of this album itself has been so much more smooth and straightforward than The Teenage Years which experienced many push backs and an entire scrap before the actual release. When I was working on that album, I often was going back to the studio, listening to the songs and redoing everything over and then being un-pleased with the result and then starting over...all the while releasing singles. It was just a lot going on when it came to the early stages of that album all the way up to the actual release and I felt it was a bit...sloppy. I think I was biting off more than I can chew taking on creative control and I was happy with the album and I felt a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulder, my fans were so happy with the turn out and always give me compliments but this time around I feel like with this new album the recording process is a lot more in tact and straightforward. It feels so smooth, how everything came together. I sat for a while with my team and planned exactly where I wanted to go with the new project without rushing it and in the end it's turning out to be something I am so proud of!
What can you tell us about the new project that you've named Electrified? Release date on the horizon?Well I don't want to give too much away but what I can say is that the new album is so dynamic. It definitely shows a side of me now that I was once afraid to show to people because I was scared about what they may think. Now that I am older and more mature I think that reflects on the new album. There's this energy on the record that is just there and this prowess that ranges throughout the album that I feel my last album lacked. Not to say I didn't love my last album, but I feel I have grown a lot since then as a person and as a singer and I wanted that to show with this new project and it does. It really does. I worked with some really cool producers and experimented with different sounds that I haven't in the past and in the end, the album just feel so fresh and it breathes new light into who I am as a mature and confident being who grew to love herself and is no longer afraid! A lot of people don't know that I can be a bad ass when I want to, I just rarely show that side of me and for the first time now at 21, I am a woman and I want to be able sing about what I want and I've done with this album. I felt so free while recording the album and it really reflects that. It was so much fun, it really was. As for a release date, we have a few in mind but we don't want throw them out there yet. Hehe, my cookies will find really really soon! *laughs*
I love the title, I feel like I can walk around saying it all day. *laughs* Why did you decide to name the album that title?I feel like it Electrified is a reflection of the album as a whole and where I feel I am right now. I feel so great in my skin right now. So electrified... that it only works. I think it was the perfect title for the album so thanks soooo much Ryan!
You released "Electrified" the single back in the summer which burned up virtually every radio station but there's no mistake that it was a clear indication that you were no longer "young" Mandy anymore but a grown woman. Was it your decision to start growing things up? And will that reflect on the new album? It really does. To be honest, before I even started recording the album I was listening to loads and loads of Vanity and the way she just sung about whatever the hell she wanted to in her music really kind of inspired me to do the same, if that makes any sense? I knew Electrified the sing was going to be have people go what the heck but at the same time I am at the age where I want to be free to record what I want and I wanted to make people dance and enjoy the record. I was really happy with the reception of Electrified for the most part and I'm glad my rue cookies understand that I am no longer a little girl, I want to be able to explore with different content and not feel pigeon hold. I want to keep things exciting for my listeners and for me with trying new things. So yeah, in my ways maturity is a major influence for the album. Not the entire thing, but it definitely does explore more mature subjects.
Do you ever feel afraid that with maturity you will alienate some fans?Well you run the risk of alienating fans whenever you try something new. You've just got to be able to connect with with the music so it in turn connects with your core fans. You never want to go so far off that you turn your back on your core fanbase. I'm not afraid because being afraid when recording music so uncomfortable. I'm just going for it and having fun and my fans understand that and they're going to go on the journey with me as I continue to grow.
True, actually. Now we're onto "Something About Us", the new single. What can you tell us about it? YES! Omg my new single. It's my favorite song that I've EVER record! I really just get life whenever I listen to it because it's so mature and sultry and captivating. It's actually my most mature record to date. My vocals are a stand out here because the production is really minimal in a way and it just builds up and and pow! The chorus just hits you. There's so much I can say about this record but I'll leave that to the listeners. Can't wait for everyone to hear it!
Ooooo...we like sultry. Who did you work with on this new single?Yes! Definitely sultry hehe. I worked with two amazing producers Ilya Salmanzadeh and Johan Carlsson and I wrote the song with Erik Zullo who is just awesome! Along with Patrick Strickland and Darlene Reid. I thank them sooo much because they made my vision of the record come to life and helped me make this record into a reality.
What do you think your fan base can take away or absorb from the new single?I think they'll be able to listen to a record that I really love. They can absorb the lyrics and the feelings in the song that I let out. I really let everything out here on this record, I'm laying it out on the table and it lets them see this other side to me. A sensual side to who I am that I haven't really shown in the past. But through lyrics they can just get lost in it with compelling production.
Now before we go ahead and premiere the new single, what can we expect in the coming months from you, Mandy? Well in the coming months Electrified will be released!! Can't wait and then I'll be heading out on tour...which I am sooo excited about. I cannot to see my cookies all over the world! But yeah, the main focus right now is getting the album out to the public and like I said earlier...we're in the final stages right now so it shouldn't be long!
So without further or due, we know your fans are itching just as we are. Go ahead and premiere your new single right here On Air With Ryan Secrest Mandy!OMG SOOOO NERVOUS! OKAY....ITS MANDY WILLIAMS HERE AND YOU ARE ABOUT TO LISTEN TO THE WORLD PREMIERE OF MY BRAND NEW "SOMETHING ABOUT US" RIGHT HERE ON, ON AIR WITH RYAN SECREST! WOOOO!
SOMETHING ABOUT US - SINGLE PREMIERE 
Release Date: Marth 12th, 2016
Length: 3:50
Genre: Pop
Songwriters: Erik Zullo, Mandy Williams, Patrick Strickland, Darlene Reid
Producers: Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johan Carlsson
From The Album: Electrified (2016)
Something About Us is the second official single taken from Mandy Williams upcoming studio album "Electrified". Something About Us follows up Mandy's previous single "Electrified" which was released in the summer of 2016 where the record topped the charts in August. The newest single Something About Us is rumored to be the final single released before the release of Mandy Williams new album which will follow up Mandys previous album "The Teenage Years". Something About was produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh and Johan Carlsson and was penned by Mandy Williams along with Erik Zullo, Patrick Strickland and Darlene Reid. The song was recorded in September of 2016, shortly after the release of Electrified, which saw Mandy Williams grow up her image. After the success of the single, Mandy began penning the record along with her writers and remembered being sent a record by Ilya Salmanzadeh and so contacted him about recording the song with the lyrics. When they entered the studio, Ilya showed Mandy a new version of the record which featured a guitar driven bass line and acoustic styling along with a new bridge that was produced by Johan Carlsson, only picking up the captivating nature of the song.
The trio entered the studio in September of 2015 and it took about a week to finalize the recording. After the single was recorded, it was sent to be mixed and was officially done in December of 2015. Mandy waited until Electrified ran its course and decided that Something About Us would be the new single taken from the album. Mandy Williams appeared on the March 12th edition of On Air With Ryan Secrest to officially premiere the record.
Something About Us is a sultry yet captivating pop record with elements of R&B that has a woman confessing her deep sexual attraction to another being in the record, the lyrics are compelling and aren't your simple cookie cutter pop lyrics but exude sensuality and provocativeness in a way never seen or heard by Mandy. From the very start, Mandy brings her sexy yet light tinged vocals to murmur out borderline provocative lyrics over a guitar driven backbeat. Throughout the record Mandy's passionate, soaring vocals add a sense of texture and modernity that makes "Something About Us" feel powerful and moving. Production wise the verses seem quite calm compared to the chorus where Mandy brings her personality filled belts over an astonishingly big chorus that includes drums, synths and guitars that mix perfectly with Mandy's alto - soprano vocal range. Another stand out throughout the record would be its bridge where the beats simply slow down leaving the electric guitar to take control, giving the record a climatic feeling. Soon after, Mandy gives some us some of her best vocal runs in career as we are brought back to the double chorus where Mandy adds in harrowing belts and adlibs with soaring vocals to bring the song to the very end.
Forget about the old stuff
I really don't want to think
Just want to drink and make love to you
You're standing confused with a knife
It's a given that you're a dangerous man
But all I got is a mood for you
And I can always do what you want to do
Playing rough with the lights off
Violently letting ourselves go
Something about us
Something about us
We're bleeding and sucking whats left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Something about us
Rough, so rough
Something about us
Something about us
Rough, so rough
Trying to strike up a conversation
But it only ends with gasps of exasperations
Baby I can feel you losing control
With clenched fists tightly wrapped around me
How could I ever forget this?
You feel as if you found something new
Something real you could relate to
And the word is getting out among ourselves
Something about us
Something about us
We're bleeding and sucking whats left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Something about us
On the outside I pretend I don't wanna be this obscene
But you know what I'm feeling inside
All this love got me feeling electrified
Something about us
Something about us
You've tested my limits, now I'm so far gone
Holding on to the deep end, as we deepen
Something about us
Something about us
We're bleeding and sucking whats left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Something about us
Something about us
We're bleeding and sucking whats left of purity
I'm slipping away cannot recall any other day
I medicate you and break the promises we made
Cause now we love and let it flow from our mouths
Something about us
Rough, so rough
Something about us
Something about us
Rough, so rough
