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So Cyndi Lauper and Lady Gaga have teamed up with MAC cosmetics to promote HIV/AIDS awareness among young women. It's a great cause, of course, and we can't think of two representatives more fabulously suited to be its spokespersons. Just as exciting, however, was the two eccentric icons' declaration of their own mutual admiration for and friendship with each other during their recent Good Morning America appearance. That's right: Lauper and Gaga are totally BFFs. Which is pretty much the best thing we've ever heard EVER (no, really). This made-in-heaven star camaraderie got us thinking about pop's other BFFs: real, true friendships that extend beyond the occasional joint tour or publicity appearance. It's these kinds of relationships that make artists human for us -- and, if we're lucky, can result in some flat-out fabulous collaborations.
Eminem + Elton John=BFF
Eminem may or may not really be as homophobic as his lyrics can be, but one thing's for sure: he's no Elton-phobe. (And Elton's either the world's most understanding guy or just a sucker for good publicity. Probably a little of both.) Ever since the two shared a stage at the 2001 Grammy Awards, they've been locked in a tight bromance. Em even credits Elton with getting him into rehab.
Keith Richards + Gram Parsons=BFF
Speaking of friendships formed around some combination of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, these two classic-rock icons shared music (Parsons fed Richards a steady diet of country music, and the two would jam and listen to records for hours). Given both their proclivities, it's very possible that's not all they shared, but let's focus on the musical comradeship.
Missy Elliott + Aaliyah=BFF
Aaliyah's death at age 22 was tragic for so many reasons, not the least of which was the gaping hole it left in the hip-hop/R&B community, in which she had many friends. Among the hardest hit was her close friend and mentor Missy, who still mourns Aaliyah onstage and off.
Rihanna + Katy Perry=BFF
This seemingly unlikely friendship began last winter when Perry rushed to Rihanna's side after her altercation with Chris Brown. Club nights, mutual public admiration and bikini-clad trips to Barbados followed. We're going to skip over the possible "I Kissed a Girl" fantasies there and just focus on the fact that the sometimes annoyingly showy Perry seems to genuinely want to be there for RiRi.
The Jonas Brothers + Demi Lovato=BFF
They got close during Camp Rock, the Brothers worked on Demi's debut and, most importantly, she (unlike many of her peers) has never dated a Jonas. That seems to be the magic recipe for tween-pop BFF-dom. Miley, take note.
Jay-Z + Kanye=BFF
It might have once been technically more of a mentor/apprentice thing, but given Kanye's current status (and ego), we'd imagine he considers himself more Jay's friend and equal now. And it does seem to be mutual: after all, even HOVA says they "Run This Town."
Beyonce + Kelly Rowland=BFF
OK, for years there have been rumors that these two don't really get along, and it's hard to discount them when (a) Beyonce is so tight-lipped about her personal life (still not officially married, guys) and (b) so many of the relationships among Destiny's various and sundry former children were orchestrated/micromanaged by Matthew Knowles. In reality, the two seem more like sisters (Rowland was practically raised by the Knowleses during the girls' child-star years). And if you have a sister, you know what it's like to have a best friend and worst enemy in the same person.
Kellie Pickler + Carrie Underwood=BFF
The friendship that's blossomed between these two country-pop cuties is one of the sweeter post-Idol stories. Actually, that Kellie Pickler just seems like an all-around nice girl. Her Idol experience seemed to be way more about making friends (she was also a bridesmaid in Katharine McPhee's wedding) than sizing up competitors, a habit the country star (who has also befriended Taylor Swift) continued in Nashville.
Taylor Swift + Everyone=BFF (See also: Eric Clapton + Everyone, Sheryl Crow + Everyone)
Speaking of Taylor Swift, who isn't that girl BFF with? Well, Kanye for one. OK sorry -- that was a tired old joke (but for the record, we bet Taylor would totally hang out with him). Despite her musical (post-)teen angst protests to the contrary, Swift is way more homecoming queen than odd duck on the bleachers -- or perhaps more accurately, class president. Like previous nice guys Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow, she seems to be interested in befriending and working with everyone, from Miley and Kellie to Twitter buddy John Mayer to Paramore's Hayley Williams. (Just please, honey, keep your relationship with Stevie Nicks personal, rather than professional, OK? That duet at the Grammys hurt.)
David Bowie + Iggy Pop=BFF (or something)
Rumors about the nature of their relationship abound, but there are a few confirmed facts about Bowie + Iggy: 1. They were roommates once upon a time in Berlin. 2. They were definitely collaborators, working together on Iggy's "Sister Midnight" and a song that later became the foundation for Bowie's "China Girl," among others. 3. They were mutual admirers who often promoted each other's work.
Snoop Dogg + Dr. Dre=BFF
They may not be as tight as they once were (things went a bit sour after Dr. Dre didn't support Snoop at his murder trial). But once upon a time these two OGs (yes, they are now, people. Yes, we are all very old) were known to do all manner of things together: drink gin and juice, get it on with ladies in the living room, roll down the street smoking controlled substances. Oh yeah, and basically define entire genres of hip-hop.
Cyndi Lauper + Lady Gaga=BFF
And finally we arrive at the BFF piece de resistance. It's not very old (and frankly, it might actually be a publicity stunt, albeit one for a very good cause). But this one firmly belongs in the "how did this not happen sooner" category, although honestly, we see Cyndi more as Gaga's spiritual mother than a peer/friend. But nonetheless, almost nothing else gives us as much pleasure as seeing these two fabulous Unusual ladies sitting together, wearing fashion-forward/slightly weird outfits, sporting interesting blonde hairdos and, you know, talking about safe sex to George Stephanopoulos. NOTHING. Fingers super-duper crossed for a "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" duet! Puh-leeze, ladies?
Eminem may or may not really be as homophobic as his lyrics can be, but one thing's for sure: he's no Elton-phobe. (And Elton's either the world's most understanding guy or just a sucker for good publicity. Probably a little of both.) Ever since the two shared a stage at the 2001 Grammy Awards, they've been locked in a tight bromance. Em even credits Elton with getting him into rehab.
Keith Richards + Gram Parsons=BFF
Speaking of friendships formed around some combination of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, these two classic-rock icons shared music (Parsons fed Richards a steady diet of country music, and the two would jam and listen to records for hours). Given both their proclivities, it's very possible that's not all they shared, but let's focus on the musical comradeship.
Missy Elliott + Aaliyah=BFF
Aaliyah's death at age 22 was tragic for so many reasons, not the least of which was the gaping hole it left in the hip-hop/R&B community, in which she had many friends. Among the hardest hit was her close friend and mentor Missy, who still mourns Aaliyah onstage and off.
Rihanna + Katy Perry=BFF
This seemingly unlikely friendship began last winter when Perry rushed to Rihanna's side after her altercation with Chris Brown. Club nights, mutual public admiration and bikini-clad trips to Barbados followed. We're going to skip over the possible "I Kissed a Girl" fantasies there and just focus on the fact that the sometimes annoyingly showy Perry seems to genuinely want to be there for RiRi.
The Jonas Brothers + Demi Lovato=BFF
They got close during Camp Rock, the Brothers worked on Demi's debut and, most importantly, she (unlike many of her peers) has never dated a Jonas. That seems to be the magic recipe for tween-pop BFF-dom. Miley, take note.
Jay-Z + Kanye=BFF
It might have once been technically more of a mentor/apprentice thing, but given Kanye's current status (and ego), we'd imagine he considers himself more Jay's friend and equal now. And it does seem to be mutual: after all, even HOVA says they "Run This Town."
Beyonce + Kelly Rowland=BFF
OK, for years there have been rumors that these two don't really get along, and it's hard to discount them when (a) Beyonce is so tight-lipped about her personal life (still not officially married, guys) and (b) so many of the relationships among Destiny's various and sundry former children were orchestrated/micromanaged by Matthew Knowles. In reality, the two seem more like sisters (Rowland was practically raised by the Knowleses during the girls' child-star years). And if you have a sister, you know what it's like to have a best friend and worst enemy in the same person.
Kellie Pickler + Carrie Underwood=BFF
The friendship that's blossomed between these two country-pop cuties is one of the sweeter post-Idol stories. Actually, that Kellie Pickler just seems like an all-around nice girl. Her Idol experience seemed to be way more about making friends (she was also a bridesmaid in Katharine McPhee's wedding) than sizing up competitors, a habit the country star (who has also befriended Taylor Swift) continued in Nashville.
Taylor Swift + Everyone=BFF (See also: Eric Clapton + Everyone, Sheryl Crow + Everyone)
Speaking of Taylor Swift, who isn't that girl BFF with? Well, Kanye for one. OK sorry -- that was a tired old joke (but for the record, we bet Taylor would totally hang out with him). Despite her musical (post-)teen angst protests to the contrary, Swift is way more homecoming queen than odd duck on the bleachers -- or perhaps more accurately, class president. Like previous nice guys Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow, she seems to be interested in befriending and working with everyone, from Miley and Kellie to Twitter buddy John Mayer to Paramore's Hayley Williams. (Just please, honey, keep your relationship with Stevie Nicks personal, rather than professional, OK? That duet at the Grammys hurt.)
David Bowie + Iggy Pop=BFF (or something)
Rumors about the nature of their relationship abound, but there are a few confirmed facts about Bowie + Iggy: 1. They were roommates once upon a time in Berlin. 2. They were definitely collaborators, working together on Iggy's "Sister Midnight" and a song that later became the foundation for Bowie's "China Girl," among others. 3. They were mutual admirers who often promoted each other's work.
Snoop Dogg + Dr. Dre=BFF
They may not be as tight as they once were (things went a bit sour after Dr. Dre didn't support Snoop at his murder trial). But once upon a time these two OGs (yes, they are now, people. Yes, we are all very old) were known to do all manner of things together: drink gin and juice, get it on with ladies in the living room, roll down the street smoking controlled substances. Oh yeah, and basically define entire genres of hip-hop.
Cyndi Lauper + Lady Gaga=BFF
And finally we arrive at the BFF piece de resistance. It's not very old (and frankly, it might actually be a publicity stunt, albeit one for a very good cause). But this one firmly belongs in the "how did this not happen sooner" category, although honestly, we see Cyndi more as Gaga's spiritual mother than a peer/friend. But nonetheless, almost nothing else gives us as much pleasure as seeing these two fabulous Unusual ladies sitting together, wearing fashion-forward/slightly weird outfits, sporting interesting blonde hairdos and, you know, talking about safe sex to George Stephanopoulos. NOTHING. Fingers super-duper crossed for a "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" duet! Puh-leeze, ladies?
Portions of album content provided by All Music Guide © 2011 All Media Guide, LLC ® 1999-2011 Rhapsody International Inc.
Ya' know.... Bowie and Iggy have worked for years on songs and each other's records, not just 'China Girl' and 'Sister Midnight'. Their relationship goes back a long way.
The Jonas Brothers deserve credit for nothing, they're such wimps, they make the Osmond family look like the Osbourne family, they make Vanilla Ice look like Chuck D, they make Maroon 5 look like Slayer.
Hey people, I liked the good ol' days when Dre and Snoop did their thing. But they eventually got friends of their own. What about Dre and Eminem? And Snoop and Pharrell Williams?
Come to think about it Eminem and 50 cent are buddy buddy still. Are they?
Justin Timberlake and Timberland still hang don't they? And don't forget Nelly Furtado colabing with Timberland as well.
Eminem i liked