Deborah Leigh Anderson (born 16 December 1970) is an English musician, photographer, and film director. Her early music work was as a vocalist on her father Jon Anderson's albums. Her 1995 single "Feel the Sunshine" was her first song that charted, hitting the UK Dance and European Hot 100. She has also contributed vocals to a number of collaborative works with other recording artists. Her 2009 debut album Silence accompanied her photography book Paperthin, a work featuring photos of actors and musicians.

Deborah Anderson
NationalityBritish
EducationRoedean School
Occupations
Years active1980–present
Notable workAroused
ParentJon Anderson
FamilyJade Anderson (sister)
WebsiteOfficial website

Her photography work was featured on albums by singer Pink, and in Cosmopolitan, Vogue and other magazines. Her second photo book, Room 23, featured her pictures of celebrities in a collaboration with Sanela Diana Jenkins. In 2013, Anderson made her directorial debut with Aroused, a documentary film following the lives of 16 adult film actresses. Aroused was generally well received by critics, who note the film for the vulnerability of its subjects and compared Anderson's stylistic presentation to Annie Leibovitz and Michael Moore.

Early life and family

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Deborah Anderson's early music included collaborations with her father Jon Anderson

Deborah Anderson is the daughter of singer Jon Anderson and Jennifer Anderson (née Baker), and sister to singer Jade Anderson.[1][2][3] On the 1983 Jon & Vangelis album, Private Collection, Jon wrote the lyrics and a song named after her titled "Deborah".[4] Deborah's earliest musical work was on projects with her father: including backing vocals on "Song of Seven" in 1980, and on Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (album) (1989), the 1993 Latin American Jon Anderson solo tour, Deseo (1994), Angels Embrace (1995) and Toltec (1996).[5] She was educated at Roedean School in Brighton.[6] She also worked in vintage fashion, owning her own store.[7]

Music

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1995 saw the release of "Feel the Sunshine" (Island Records) by Alex Reece featuring Deborah Anderson (included on Reece's 1996 album So Far). The drum & bass single made #2 in the UK Dance Singles Chart in 1995,[8] and #4 on the same chart the following year.[9] It made the Eurochart Hot 100 in 1996.[10] This led to Anderson signing to Mo' Wax and her debut solo single, "Lonely Without You", was released in 1997.[5]

She has worked as a vocalist on a number of projects, including work with DJ Krush ("Skin Against Skin" on 1997's Milight, released on Mo' Wax; later used on the TV series La Femme Nikita), Fallen Angels ("Blue Sky" on 1999's Part One), DJ Shadow, Zero 7, Le Tonne and Tipper (2000s "Dissolve (Out)" single, released on Fuel Records). She appeared and co-wrote three songs on Télépopmusik's album Angel Milk (EMI Music, 2005), including the single "Into Everything".[5]

Her debut solo album, Silence, was released in 2009.[11][12] The album accompanied Paperthin, a coffee table book of her photography.[11][12]

Photography and filmmaking

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She served as art director for The Gansevoort Hotel group.[13][14] Anderson contributed photography for Pink's albums: I'm Not Dead, Funhouse and The Truth About Love, and a marketing campaign for Bebe Stores.[5][15] Anderson has had her images published in magazines including Elle, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Architectural Digest, Hello, Harper's Bazaar, FHM, Playboy, Vogue and Vanity Fair.[16][15][17] Based on her first photographic exhibition, "Hollywood Erotique" (Los Angeles, 2004), Paperthin, published in 2008, is a book of her black-and-white photography based on 1930s erotica.[11][18][19] Models include Minnie Driver, Fergie, Pink, Natasha Henstridge, Sophie Dahl and Tilda Swinton.[19] The book accompanied her debut solo album Silence.[11] Anderson's second book of photography entitled Room 23, published in February 2009, featured Sharon Stone, George Clooney, Elton John, Minnie Driver, Dennis Hopper, Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, Norman Reedus, Gina Gershon, Sting, Lindsay Lohan, Larry King and others as models.[20][11][21] The book was organised in conjunction with Sanela Diana Jenkins to support the UCLA Sanela Diana Jenkins International Justice Clinic.[22][23] Anderson was described by the Los Angeles Times as "a photographer whose distinctive sensuality is located somewhere between classic French erotica and Helmut Newton".[11]

Anderson's first feature documentary film Aroused featured interviews with 16 female pornographic performers, and was released in cinemas in the U.S. in the summer of 2013 and internationally in January 2014.[24][6][25] Sixteen actresses were involved: Jesse Jane, Belladonna, Katsuni, Allie Haze, Kayden Kross, April O'Neil, Francesca Lé, Lisa Ann, Brooklyn Lee, Alexis Texas, Asphyxia Noir, Teagan Presley, Ash Hollywood, Tanya Tate, Lexi Belle and Misty Stone.[24][26][27] Aroused accompanied a photography book of the same name.[24] The New York Times compared the film's cinematic style to an advertisement for Victoria's Secret, and wrote it would have been better as a television series similar to a combination of Taxicab Confessions and Red Shoe Diaries.[24] Anderson was inspired to work on Aroused, after previously photographing an adult industry actress for a magazine shoot.[28] She wanted to draw attention to a double standard in society regarding consumption of pornography while simultaneously stigmatizing the actresses that perform in the adult industry.[29] She stated her attempt was to humanize and provide dignity to the actresses.[16] Anderson cast the actresses in the film in order to showcase, "the most successful women in the adult film industry".[30] Aroused was compared by the Chicago Tribune to the documentary After Porn Ends with a more optimistic feel to it.[31] Screen Daily and BroadwayWorld commented favorably on the vulnerability of the subjects.[32][30] Film critics compared the documentary's style to Michael Moore, Annie Leibovitz and the film Naked Ambition: An R Rated Look at an X Rated Industry.[33][34][35] A review of the film in the Los Angeles Times was critical, writing that it was only recommended for fans of Alexis Texas, Katsuni and Misty Stone.[36] The Village Voice found the subject more appropriate for a photography book.[37] The Hollywood Reporter and The Washington Post criticized Aroused for its lack of depth.[38][27] The New York Daily News criticized Anderson for self-promotion.[39] In 2015, Anderson was one of the first clients for a new photographers' agency launched by Rihanna called The Dog Ate My Homework.[40][41][42]

Her documentary film "Women of the White Buffalo" was released in 2022.[43]

Filmography

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Year Title
Director Writer Producer Notes
1995 Embrace of the Vampire No No No Musician, Performer, "You Make Me Want You".
2013 Aroused Yes No Yes Also released photography book, Aroused.
2014 Deborah Falconer: Lift Your Gaze Yes No No Director, music video.
2016 Walking Prayers Yes No Yes Also served as film editor.
2018 My Revolution Lives in This Body Yes No No Written by Eve Ensler.
2019 Jon Anderson: Makes Me Happy Yes No Yes Music video. Also served as film editor.
2020 Women of the White Buffalo Yes Yes Yes Feature-length documentary. Also served as film editor.
Raise the Vibration Yes No No Short film. Also served as film editor.

Discography

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  • Anderson, Deborah (2009), Silence (studio album; compact disc; 10 audio tracks), Somis Sound, OCLC 823750123, retrieved 31 October 2020

Publications

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Notes
2019 Red Nation Film Award of Excellence Best Documentary Women of the White Buffalo Won [44]
Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Award Best Director Documentary Feature Won [44]
2020 Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema Award (IIFC Award) Best Director Documentary Won [44]
Best Feature Documentary Won [44]
Golden Era Humanitarian Award Won [44]
Summerhawk Native American Award Won [44]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Yes' Jon Anderson contributes song to new documentary directed by his daughter", ABC News, 29 April 2020, archived from the original on 5 May 2020, retrieved 17 November 2020
  2. ^ Redmond, Paul (10 December 2008), "Deborah Anderson's Book Launch Party for 'Paperthin'", Getty Images, archived from the original on 18 November 2020, retrieved 17 November 2020
  3. ^ Lanham, Tom (10 August 2020), "Jon Anderson energized by singing with birds", San Francisco Examiner, archived from the original on 25 September 2020, retrieved 17 November 2020
  4. ^ Hill, Gary (2020), "Jon & Vangelis - Private Collection - Review", Allmusic, archived from the original on 2 June 2012, retrieved 17 November 2020
  5. ^ a b c d "Deborah Anderson - Credits", Allmusic, 2020, archived from the original on 18 November 2020, retrieved 17 November 2020
  6. ^ a b Wolf, Allison (22 June 2013), "Alison Wolf on power, politics and porn", The Spectator, archived from the original on 24 June 2013, retrieved 18 November 2020
  7. ^ Glickman, Elyse (10 May 2009), "Multi-talented Deborah Anderson doesn't just have a creative vision: she lives it", Lucire Living, archived from the original on 22 May 2009, retrieved 18 November 2020
  8. ^ "Official UK Dance Singles Chart (10 December 1995-16 December 1995)". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 05 May 1996 - 11 May 1996". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Daunt, Tina (17 February 2009), "Stars underdressed for a good purpose", Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 15 June 2015, retrieved 18 November 2020
  12. ^ a b Cohen, Jonathan (12 December 2008), "Billboard Bits: Mariah, Ringtones, Deborah Anderson", Billboard, archived from the original on 8 July 2017, retrieved 18 November 2020
  13. ^ Goergen, Stacey, "Inside Look: Hotel Art Collections", Gotham Magazine, archived from the original on 5 March 2013, retrieved 18 November 2020
  14. ^ "Reflecting on Culture & Identity", Photoville, 10 October 2020, archived from the original on 26 September 2020, retrieved 18 November 2020
  15. ^ a b Ramos, Estevan (25 May 2018), "Women of the White Buffalo", California Apparel News, TLM Publishing Corp, archived from the original on 20 July 2018, retrieved 18 November 2020
  16. ^ a b Hammer, Mike (3 May 2013), "Deborah Anderson's book and film 'Aroused' looks at the people behind the porn industry", New York Daily News, archived from the original on 6 May 2013, retrieved 1 November 2020
  17. ^ Collins, Nancy (December 2009), "Sir Elton John", Architectural Digest, archived from the original on 18 November 2020, retrieved 18 November 2020
  18. ^ Anderson, Deborah (2008), Paperthin, Los Angeles: Verlhac Editions, ISBN 978-2-916954-07-3
  19. ^ a b "Sensual Celeb Photos in New Fine Art Book". The Insider. 12 December 2008. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  20. ^ Anderson, Deborah; Jenkins, Diana (February 2009), Room 23, ISBN 978-3866541252, OCLC 299700663
  21. ^ Kendall, Paul (15 July 2009), "Room 23: celebrity portraits in a hotel suite", The Daily Telegraph, archived from the original on 19 July 2009, retrieved 18 November 2020
  22. ^ "Sweet suite", The Denver Post, 13 March 2009, archived from the original on 18 November 2020, retrieved 18 November 2020
  23. ^ "Diana Jenkins: Accidental Philanthropist", The Guardian, The Observer: Life and Style, 27 September 2009, archived from the original on 4 December 2013, retrieved 18 November 2020
  24. ^ a b c d Herrington, Nicole (3 May 2013), "'Aroused,' a documentary by Deborah Anderson - Movie Review - Sex Stars as People, With Dreams and Worries", The New York Times, p. C10, archived from the original on 4 March 2014, retrieved 1 November 2020
  25. ^ Dawson, James (26 April 2013), "Adult-Video Actresses Get Real in 'Aroused'", Front Row Features, archived from the original on 8 January 2014
  26. ^ "Aroused (2013)", Covering Media, Covering Media LLC, 3 May 2013, archived from the original on 22 June 2013, retrieved 1 November 2020
  27. ^ a b O'Sullivan, Michael (2 May 2013), "'Aroused' movie review", The Washington Post, archived from the original on 3 November 2013, retrieved 31 October 2020
  28. ^ Cohen, Sandy (3 May 2013), "Film and book track the real stories of female porn stars", Montreal Gazette, archived from the original on 1 November 2020, retrieved 1 November 2020
  29. ^ Martinez, A (9 May 2013), "In 'Aroused,' porn stars reveal the intimate details of their off-screen lives", Take Two, KPCC, archived from the original on 3 August 2020, retrieved 1 November 2020
  30. ^ a b Movie News Desk (28 May 2013), "Deborah Anderson-Directed Aroused Set for DVD Release on 6/4", BroadwayWorld, archived from the original on 1 November 2020, retrieved 1 November 2020
  31. ^ Pais, Matt (2 May 2013), "'Aroused' review: Mildly interesting questions for the people behind the porn", Chicago Tribune, archived from the original on 4 June 2017, retrieved 1 November 2020
  32. ^ Adams, Mark (1 May 2013), "Aroused - Reviews - Screen Daily - by Mark Adams, Chief film critic", Screen Daily, archived from the original on 1 November 2020, retrieved 1 November 2020
  33. ^ Steinberg, Randy (30 May 2013), "Aroused: DVD Review", Blast Magazine, archived from the original on 22 March 2015, retrieved 1 November 2020
  34. ^ Plath, James (5 June 2013), "Aroused - DVD Review", Movie Metropolis, archived from the original on 26 December 2013, retrieved 2 November 2020
  35. ^ Simon, Brent (30 May 2013), "Aroused", Shared Darkness, archived from the original on 20 July 2013, retrieved 2 November 2020
  36. ^ Linden, Sheri (1 May 2013), "Review: 'Aroused' rarely goes beyond surface in profiling porn stars", Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 1 November 2020, retrieved 1 November 2020
  37. ^ Kang, Inkoo (2 May 2013), "Porn Doc Aroused Is Deep as Tube of Lipstick", The Village Voice, archived from the original on 14 June 2013, retrieved 31 October 2020
  38. ^ Scheck, Frank (2 May 2013), "Aroused: Film Review", The Hollywood Reporter, archived from the original on 5 June 2013, retrieved 31 October 2020
  39. ^ Weitzman, Elizabeth (2 May 2013), "'Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's,' 'Aroused': Movie reviews", New York Daily News, archived from the original on 5 May 2013, retrieved 2 November 2020
  40. ^ Niland, Olivia (11 November 2015), "Rihanna launches company that will get you ready for the red carpet", Mashable, archived from the original on 15 November 2015
  41. ^ Ginsberg, Merle (11 November 2015), "Rihanna Launches New Styling, Hair and Makeup Agency", The Hollywood Reporter, archived from the original on 16 September 2020
  42. ^ Valenti, Lauren (11 November 2015), "Rihanna Is Starting Her Own Beauty Agency/Taking Over the Creative World As We Know It", Marie Claire, archived from the original on 5 April 2020, retrieved 18 November 2020
  43. ^ Simonpillai, Radheyan (12 April 2022). "'If given a chance to speak, we'll take it': Inside the lives of Native American women". The Guardian.
  44. ^ a b c d e f "Deborah Anderson Brings Native Voices to Life in Powerful Documentary - After suffering centuries of colonialism and genocide, the Native Lakota women of the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indian Reservations are now sharing their stories on screen.", White Feather Foundation, 14 April 2020, archived from the original on 30 October 2020, retrieved 30 October 2020
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