How Avril Lavigne stays youthful

Avril Lavigne. AFP file photo

Midway through Avril Lavigne’s music video for “Here’s to Never Growing Up”—from her latest, self-titled album—the pop-rock singer-songwriter is shown gliding down a school hall on a skateboard. She’s in a white tank top, wearing a loose black tie; her eyes are painted like a raccoon’s.

The scene could well be an outtake from the video of Avril’s hit “Complicated,” which catapulted the then-17-year-old from Napanee, Canada, to international stardom in 2002.

Though just a year shy of 30, Avril could still pass off as a teenager: She has retained the youthful looks, spunk and punchy vocals.

Avril will perform in the Philippines for the fourth time (the first was in 2005) in a concert mounted by Midas Productions, “Avril Live in Manila,” on Feb. 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The “punk-rock princess” is expected to dish out sprightly and catchy punk-pop anthems from “Avril Lavigne,” as well as from her previous four studio albums (“Let Go,” “Under My Skin,” “The Best Damn Thing” and “Goodbye Lullaby”).

Released in 2013, “Avril Lavigne,” includes a song called “Let Me Go,” which features her husband and Nickelback lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, and “Bad Girl,” a collaboration with the controversial musician Marilyn Manson.

To date, Avril has received eight Grammy Award nods, won seven Canadian Juno Awards and sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.

Avril granted the Inquirer a brief e-mail interview:

How would you describe your latest album?

My new album shows all sides of me. It’s emotional, deep and fun, with pop tunes.

You’re 29 but look very young. What’s your secret?

I drink lots of water and eat vegetables. Haha!

How has marriage changed your life, personally and professionally?

We started off as friends. Now that we’re together, it’s nice to have a partner who understands me and what I go through.

How did your collaboration with Marilyn Manson come about?

After I wrote “Bad Girl,” I was listening to it one day and thought that Manson would be perfect for the song. So I called him. He kicked ass.

Your eye makeup remains a trademark. Does it give you an extra boost of energy, perhaps?

It definitely gives me special powers!

(Tickets are available at all TicketNet outlets. Visit www.tickenet.com.ph or call 9115555.)

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