Kylee's AUX is a 12-month project that consists of 12 photoshoots, one for each month of 2023. These shoots are inspired by music: songs, album covers, and music videos. Music is one of the most powerful ways to tell a story. Music can gasp emotions. Music can alter your perspective. Music can inspire. For this project, I will take the stories told by 12 musical artists and visually tell these stories through photos. My name is Kylee Chua; I am a photographer and a visual storyteller. And this is Kylee’s AUX.
"PRICE OF FAME"
A photoshoot inspired by WASTELAND -BRENT FAIYAZ
Welcome to the second track of Kylee’s Aux. February’s collection is inspired by Brent Faiyaz's album, WASTELAND. Faiyaz has created an unapologetically toxic soundtrack. He sings about the glitz and glam of fame, but also the not-so-pretty parts of life in the spotlight.
This photoshoot tells a newfound celebrity's story in two scenes: THE RISE and THE FALL. The two scenes present the stages/emotions the Star experiences as he discovers the true price of fame.
THE RISE
"Don't act like I'm average" - from "GRAVITY"
Meet Desmond, he is a musician from Nashville who is playing the role of the Star. THE RISE is all about the highs of fame. Confidence and conceitedness. The Star feels as if he has a clear identity and purpose in life. He is on top of the world, or perhaps, that the world revolves around him.
We used very direct poses. Whether he is looking straight at the camera, or forward with his head held high. I told Desmond to feel prideful and that it's all about him.
When you are famous, why do anything yourself? The glass of wine is being served to the Star, and he doesn't even acknowledge the service. I wanted to show ignorance to those below him. In WASTELAND, the term "egomaniac" is used. An egomaniac is a person who is obsessively egotistical or self-centered, and that is exactly who the Star is.
I told Desmond to act rudely. Be mean. Have a god complex.
Above is one of my favorite shots from the shoot. When I think of the everyday life of a celebrity, I think of all the paparazzi. Cameras and flashing lights are all directed at him, but he loves it. This is the Star's peak.
He believes this is all he has ever wanted. Why would he ever want a lifestyle less than the one he is now living?
"My life is gold and I love the rush" - from "GHETTO GATSBY"
A lot of inspiration came from the well-known star, Kanye West. His personality is everything I wanted the Star to portray--all of the good and all the bad. Ye seemed to have it all; he was on the top of the list as one of the most successful music artists. He had the money, the fans, and the perfect family. And now, it seems that he has fallen.
THE FALL
"I look in the mirror
And I see the worst in parts of me"
- from "ANGEL"
"I swear it isn't everything
Glitz and glam
It isn't everything
People screamin' your name
I swear it isn't everything
The demands
It isn't everything"
- from "PRICE OF FAME"
WASTELAND is an album that tells a story of a newfound star who begins to lose touch with his lover, the world, and even himself. He begins to experience his life falling apart.
The album includes three skits that are conversations between the Star and his pregnant significant other. The two's relationship has taken a wrong turn. The Star is caught up in his fame and his lover expresses how she feels alone during the pregnancy; she calls out the false promises the Star has made. The Star continues to brush it off and invalidate her feelings. In the end, she takes her own life while on the phone with the Star.
THE FALL is about loneliness. Uncertainty. Exhaustion. Depression.
Was the fame worth it?
There is a huge change in Desmond's body language and poses.
He holds his head low or is using his hands to cover his face.
I told him to pretend to be scared of the camera and he can't even hold direct eye contact with me.
Earlier, you saw a shot of all the paparazzi surrounding the Star and he embraced the moment. Now, the Star is drained. Everything is about the media; the cameras and flashing lights are too much. He's sick of it all.
I wanted the photo above to show that there is no escape. The camera is right in front of his face, whether he likes it or not.
I love the empty space and the huge shadow. I wanted to make Desmond look small. Because now, the Star feels small.
He is tired, lost, and disconnected.
While creating the story for the shoot, I read a lot of articles by psychologist about the effects of stardom. Mental illnesses are common in many celebrities. Often, fame contributes to unhealthy mental states.
The Star is ruined by fame.
The glass of wine is to symbolize the Star. It seems perfect. No cracks or broken pieces, but with just a fall, it can all shatter.
The Star
Desmond "iNTRO" McAdoo | IG @intrxovert
I want to say thank you to Desmond. I found Desmond's account on Instagram and knew he would perfectly play the role of the Star. I DMed him, and he was down with the idea.
Desmond is also a music artist. Check out his music:
Thank you, Desmond! It was awesome working with you; you KILLED it. Thank you for bringing my idea to life.
Even more "thank-yous"
I want to say thank you to my awesome crew that came to help make this shoot happen.
Jaylan and Jordan: They are amazing photographers who specialize in sports photography. They gave me many creative ideas and were so fun to shoot with.
IG: @notthemedia_
Kam'Ron and Dawson: Some of my absolute best friends. Thank you for coming and helping. Thank you for supporting me since day one.
IG: @kamrongyoung, @dawsonjmcspadden
RIGGS: My boyfriend. When things were going south, you helped calm me and work through it. Thank you for always being by my side. I love you.
IG:@iamriggsabner
So much love for each of y'all. Thank you.
Look out for Track 3 in March; I got some fun stuff planned.
Check out my Instagram, @kyleewithacamera, for more of my work.
Below are more photos from "PRICE OF FAME"
