Freak Occurrence
by Charleen Cullinane

[Charleen likes Anastacia. Here's why. -Ed.]

A Chicago-born, New York raised woman decided that the music business was where she wanted to be. She wasn't going to let anything take over and ruin her life. There wasn't anything that would be able to stop her or slow her down. She got a record deal with Epic Records and made her first album, 'Not That Kind'. And just like the Backstreet Boys and many before her, Anastacia went to Europe to promote herself. And promote herself she did.
 
Celebrities never really seem to be down to earth or human. With Anastacia, that is exactly what she is; human. Plus the fact that she was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at 13 years old had a hand in her determination. If she can take care of this disease as well as she does, she can do anything. She is a humble person who knows what is important in her life and will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
 
People, when they hear the word Freak, do not consider it to be a good thing. That is not the case with Anastacia. She is very proud to be a freak. Any fan would agree: being a freak is being yourself. Anastacia's second album's title 'Freak of Nature' represents that. With Anastacia herself, it represents the visual confusion of when you see and hear her. Her looks and voice do not go together. Her look is pure attitude; her voice is sexy and tough, and her style is all her own. Even Anastacia's mother considers her to be a 'Freak of Nature', and she is happy about that. People shouldn't be exactly the same as everybody else.
 
When you think of typical girl singers, you may think of Britney Spears, but Anastacia is 'not that kind of girl'. Britney Spears cannot compare with Anastacia's unusual attitude and sensuality. Anastacia's talent, also, makes her different from those teeny-bopper singers. (I can't stand those young girls who try to put out an image that isn't their own, like Britney Spears and her claims of being a virgin. Anastacia doesn't make up her image. With her, what you see is what you get.) She started out a dancer like Madonna. She writes her own music like Shania Twain, and she has the style of '80's pop star, Taylor Dayne. The top 10 in Europe can attest to her talent. They have honored her for it by making both her albums, 'Not That Kind' and 'Freak of Nature' double platinum. They, also, have given her several awards and nominations.
 
Anastacia is a woman with a powerful voice and extraordinary talent. She makes her fans feel safe and secure through her music, at least, she has with me. She has earned her place along side Celine Dion on VH1's Diva's Las Vegas. Her career has exploded, again, for the second time in two months on June 30th when she sang the song 'Boom' at the last game of the World Cup. Her disease has helped this twenty-six year old become the strong, aggressive person that she is. Thanks to Anastacia, I have come to accept that it is okay to be a freak.
 

 

©2002 Charleen Cullinane