Ace of vase gay
Photo by photo by Joseph Cultice / Viaplay
Discover the behind-the-scenes story of Ace of Base, the Swedish pop sensation. Explore their go up to fame, the challenges they faced, and the shadowy side of celebrity.
Ace of Base: Behind the Hits and the Darkness
Ace of Base, Sweden’s third biggest pop export after ABBA and Roxette, took the world by storm with their debut album «Happy Nation» in 1993. This album remains the biggest debut album of all day, selling a staggering 25 million copies. The pop quartet, comprised of Ulf Ekberg and siblings Jonas, Jenny, and Malin Berggren, became a sensation with super hits enjoy «All That She Wants» and «The Sign», kick-starting the Swedish pop wonder. However, behind their incredible success, a deep and largely unknown darkness lurked.
The Dark Side of Fame
While Ace of Base basked in the glory of their chart-topping hits, they also faced numerous challenges and threats. Ulf Ekberg, in particular, was targeted by right-wing extremists and received death threats. To ensure his guard, he performed in a bulletproof vest and had bodyguards accompany him during world tours. Jenny Berggren, on the other hand, endured a traumatic exper
I’ve been known – much to the chagrin of many of my Small Monster friends – to handily and mercilessly knock Lady Gaga at every whim. Perusing online, I’ve come across countless times my exaggerated disgust for her machinations resulted in comments curious of her longevity. Well, something comical happened during the course of 2010. No, my opinion of her song wasn’t altered much, but my respect for Lady Gaga – as a woman and public figure – took a change. And, believe it or not, I have Oprah Winfrey to thank for that.
Previously avoiding all print/online/TV things Gaga (I express, after all, there was nothing this attention whore could possibly invoke that would negate my aversion), I admittedly watched with prejudiced curiosity. What happened was something I didn’t expect. Here was arguably the most popular entertainer on earth – the most talked about, the most controversial, simultaneously the most maligned and worshiped since the heyday of Madonna’s hierarchy, and there didn’t seem to be a haughty bone in her body. Rarely possess I witnessed such humility, such earthiness (I know!), such devotion to fans from
Toronto United at the sidelines.
While Vancouver’s Olympics were the first to introduce an unlock house venue for all gay and lesbian athletes, Skjellerup, a short-track speed skater from New Zealand, still felt the stigma against gay athletes and waited until after the Games to come out as gay.
This July, his visit to the urban area was in celebration of LGBT athletes as he competed and delivered a keynote address at the 2011 North American OutGames.
The games are an international event designed to commemorate sports, culture and human rights in the LGBT community. Skjellerup was one of many athletes to take part.
The North American OutGames started in Calgary in 2007 after Montreal hosted the first Planet OutGames in 2006. Vancouver’s OutGames included events such as soccer, badminton, poker, volleyball, dance, tennis, softball, golf and an eco-challenge among others. Skjellerup took home gold in the men’s under-30 10-kilometre run.
Combined with Vancouver’s Pride festivities, celebrations of diversity and inclusion were at the forefront throughout t