The Making of 'Lady Marmalade'

June 23, 2001

Video is a Cabaret for
Christina, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink

Christina, Lil' Kim, Mya, and Pink have teamed up to bring their collaboration on the '70s disco hit 'Lady Marmalade' to life in a cabaret-style video.

The clip for the song, which was originally recorded by '70s group LaBelle - who took 'Lady Marmalade' to #1 in 1975 - was shot in Los Angeles with director Paul Hunter (Jennifer Lopez, Christina's 'Come On Over Baby').

'The video's going to be dope,' Christina said. 'We're going to have cabaret costumes. It's something you've never seen from us before. So, it's going to be fun.' Pink predicted the clip will be like a 'circus on acid.' Mya said the video 'has to be crazy' to match up with the Baz Luhrmann-directed movie 'Moulin Rouge,' which is set in Paris in 1899. The song is the lead single from the film's soundtrack.

The art direction will merge a modern hip-hop sensibility with a historic French cabaret setting - thanks to some props and costumes actually used in the movie, according to Hunter's office. Tina Landon (Christina, Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez) will choreograph the dance-oriented clip.

Missy Elliott, who produced the song, will also make an appearance. Missy called it 'very fun,' and says 'Pink went in and did her part, Christina went in and did her part and all of them got to sit there and listen to each person. I believe it became, not competitive, but more motivating because you had great singers and everybody wanted to make sure that their vocals were 100 per cent so they gave 100 per cent. Christina is one of the best vocalists. Somewhere between Whitney and Mariah. She's a tiny, smart, soft and smooth girl.'

The vocals on the track were produced by 'the fabulous Mr. Ron Fair' (as Christina would say).

Christina said she embraced the idea of working with Elliott, Pink, Mya and Lil' Kim on the track as soon as it was pitched to her. 'I'm a fan of all of theirs, and just to be in the same song doing something with them - collaborating, which I love to do, is a really big thing for me,' she said. 'And it's cool to be out with a new song before my next album comes out, too. It makes me happy that it turned out so well and that everyone likes it. It is fun to sing covers sometimes and see what new slants you can put on them. It is always nice to work with other girls your age who do what you do. We swapped stories.'

Christina, who made a splash by turning up in a frizzy wig to the Blockbuster Awards in LA, got turned on to wearing costumes while filming the video for 'Lady Marmalade'. Christina was voted Favorite Female Artist at the awards.

In the video for the song the stars get into the spirit of the 19th century Parisian nightclub scene by wearing suitable attire. 'I loved dressing up in the fishnets and high heels. It gave me a real buzz. It was fun wearing the costumes,' explains Christina. 'They were like outrageous showgirl clothes with over-the-top jewels so it was fun. We had a great time together. We supported each other 100 per cent. I really enjoy all their music. It was a blast to be a part of it and to be working with all of them.'

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