{{Short description|2014 single by Alexandra Stan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox song | name = Vanilla Chocolat | cover = VanillaChocolatcover.jpg | alt = The cover shows Alexandra Stan's skin being colored in a vanilla-like skin tone; she has chocolate chips over her entire face and shoulders. | border = yes | type = single | artist = Alexandra Stan featuring Connect-R | album = Unlocked | released = 24 December 2014 | recorded = 2014 | studio = Fonogram<br>(Bucharest, Romania) | genre = Dance-pop | length = 3:18 | label = *Fonogram *Blanco y Negro *Yeni Dünya *Magic | writer = *Sava Constantin *Alexandru Cotoi *Stefan Mihalache *Mika Moupondo *Alexandra Stan | producer = Alexandru Cotoi | chronology = Alexandra Stan | prev_title = Give Me Your Everything | prev_year = 2014 | next_title = We Wanna | next_year = 2015 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = Connect-R | type = single | prev_title = Tren de Noapte | prev_year = 2014 | title = Vanilla Chocolat | year = 2014 | next_title = Rece ca Decembrie | next_year = 2014 }} {{External music video|{{YouTube|rb8VVANmAec|"Vanilla Chocolat"}}}} }}

"'''Vanilla Chocolat'''" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Alexandra Stan for her second studio album, ''Unlocked'' (2014). It features guest vocals provided by Romanian rapper Connect-R. The track was made available for digital download on 24 December 2014 as the album's fifth single. "Vanilla Chocolat" was written by Stan, Connect-R, Sava Constantin, Alexandru Cotoi and Mika Moupondo, while production was handled by Cotoi. A selfie music video for the song was directed by Stan and The Architect, and debuted on Stan's YouTube channel on 18 December 2014. After its release, music critics praised "Vanilla Chocolat" for Connect-R's "catchy rap" and French bits, while others pointed out the "easy-to-sing", but at the same time "nonsense" lyrics of the track. The song was performed during Stan's "Unlocked Tour" (2014), and together with "Cherry Pop" on Romanian show ''Vocea României''.

==Background and recording== {{Listen|pos=left|filename=Vanilla Chocolat (Sample).ogg|title="Vanilla Chocolat"|description= A 26-second sample of the song, showcasing the refrain of the track which was compared to Bollywood music by critics.<ref name="vanillahocolstan"/> |format =Ogg}}"Vanilla Chocolat" was written by Stan, Sava Constantin, Alexandru Cotoi, Stefan Mihalache and Mika Moupondo, while production was handled by Cotoi.<ref name="creditsvanilla chocolat"/> The track was recorded at Fonogram Studios in Bucharest, Romania,<ref name="fonogram">{{cite news|url=http://traiestemuzica.ro/artisti-romani/alexandra-stan-a-lansat-alaturi-de-connect-r-un-selfie-video-pentru-piesa-vanilla-chocolat/|title=Alexandra Stan a lansat, alături de Connect-R, un selfie video pentru piesa "Vanilla chocolat"|access-date=6 September 2015|publisher=Traieste Muzica|author=Ioncea, Iulian|language=ro|date=18 December 2014|trans-title=Alexandra Stan has launched a selfie video together with Connect-R for the song "Vanilla chocolat"}}</ref> and features lyrics written in both English and French. "Vanilla Chocolat" was composed during the song-writing Fonocamp-camp in Azuga, Romania, where the singer worked on new songs along with fellow Romanian and international artists.<ref name="azuga234">{{cite news|url=http://www.wowbiz.ro/smiley--delia--mohombi-si-alexandra-stan-au-fost-impreuna-in-tabara--vezi-cine-sunt-cei-care-au-reusit-sa-ii-scoata-din-tabieturi-lor-si-sa-ii-puna-sa_76060.html|title=Smiley, Delia, Mohombi si Alexandra Stan au fost impreuna in tabara. Vezi cine sunt cei care au reusit sa ii scoata din tabieturi lor si sa ii puna sa munceasca impreuna|access-date=4 September 2015|publisher=Wowbiz|language=ro|date=3 November 2013|trans-title=Smiley, Delia, Mohombi and Alexandra Stan were together at the writing camp. See who convinced them to work together.}}</ref> Particularly, Stan felt that she was very "pleased with the collaboration, because [she] really wanted to work with Romanian artists, not just with Romanian producers like on [her] second studio album."<ref name="Adevarul">{{cite news|url=http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/muzica/alexandra-stan-despre-noua-viata-adevrul-live-ora-1200-1_54880be3448e03c0fd9f89d9/index.html|title=Alexandra Stan: "Nu am primit niciodată nimic gratis"|trans-title=Alexandra Stan: "No one gave me something for free"|date=10 December 2014|author=Moisa, Raluca|newspaper=Adevărul|language=ro|access-date=16 June 2015}}</ref> She talked about the choosing of Connect-R as the guest vocalist for "Vanilla Chocolat":<blockquote>"I chose Connect-R because it seems that he can "deal" with every music genre, because he is flexible and he can continue even with every unexpected change or sound combination. Connect-R can also sing in every language without any problems, because he believes in his own work. We met at the Fonogram Studios, and we started 'half seriously and jokingly' to work on the song, along with Alex Cotoi. The result is 'sweet and fragrant'.<ref name="vanillahocolsta">{{cite news|url=http://euforia.tv/lifestyle/alexandra-stan-lanseaza-un-videoselfie-pentru-piesa-vanilla-chocolat-id34329.html|title=Alexandra Stan lanseaza un video-selfie pentru piesa "Vanilla Chocolat"|trans-title=Alexandra Stan launches a selfie-video for her single "Vanilla Chocolat|date=19 December 2014|publisher=Euforia TV|language=ro|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref></blockquote>

==Critical reception== The recording received generally positive reviews from music critics upon release. Pop Shock reviewed Stan's second studio album, ''Unlocked'', in late 2014, where they commended that "Vanilla Chocolat" was one of the best songs of the album. They felt that "everything about this track is pure pop perfection – from the playful French bits, to the Bollywood-inspired chorus. It also sounds completely different to everything else in the charts right now."<ref name="vanillahocolstan"/> Pop Shock were initially disappointed by the video being "Selfie cam", but they went on to say that "it holds up to multiple viewings and suits the joyous nature of the song".<ref name="vanillahocolstan">{{cite news|url=http://thepopshock.com/music/alexandra-stan-vanilla-chocolat-feat-connect-r/|title=Alexandra Stan – "Vanilla Chocolat (feat. Connect-R)"|date=19 December 2014|publisher=The Pop Shock|author=Zasin, Dijei|access-date=29 May 2015|archive-date=18 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918030018/http://www.thepopshock.com/music/alexandra-stan-vanilla-chocolat-feat-connect-r/|url-status=dead}}</ref> German website Hitfire reported the video premiere of "Vanilla Chocolat" on 1 January 2015, where they praised the catchy dance-pop beat incorporated in the refrain of the song and its "easy-to-sing", but at the same time "nonsense" lyrics". They concluded, "It's very unlikely to become a worldwide hit, because it is too mediocre."<ref name="vanillahocolstangh">{{cite news|url=http://www.hitfire.eu/blog/news/533/videopremiere-alexandra-stan-feat-connectr-mit-vanilla-chocolat/|title=Videopremiere: Alexandra Stan feat. Connect-R mit "Vanilla Chocolat"|trans-title=Video premiere: Alexandra Stan feat. Connect-R with "Vanilla Chocolat"|date=1 January 2015|publisher=Hitfire|access-date=29 May 2015|language=de}}</ref>

==Music video== {{Quote box|width=34%|align=left|quote=I thought that it would be very nice to film a selfie video for our song. I thought to make a video in which my fans could find myself in very natural, but at the same time in artistic poses. They couldn't discover me in the bath or going shopping, but going to shows and interacting with journalists and radio people. It is a burst of energy.|source=—Stan talking about the selfie video for "Vanilla Chocolat".<ref name="Adevarul"/>}}thumb|right|Stan performing at "Neata cu Razvan si Dani" in the selfie video for "Vanilla Chocolat"<ref name="vanillavideo2">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS-l6AZldMQ|title=Alexandra Stan feat. Connect-R – "Vanilla chocolat"|publisher=YouTube|date=1 December 2014|access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> A selfie video, which also served as the official video for "Vanilla Chocolat", premiered on 18 December 2014 on Alexandra Stan's official YouTube channel.<ref name="vanillavideo">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb8VVANmAec|title=Alexandra Stan (feat. Connect-R) – Vanilla Chocolat (Selfie Video)|publisher=YouTube|date=18 December 2014|access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> It was directed by Stan during one single week.<ref name="vanillahocolstanghgh">{{cite news|url=http://www.eva.ro/traieste-muzica/artisti-romani/alexandra-stan-si-connect-r-au-lansat-un-selfie-video-pentru-piesa-vanilla-chocolat/|title=Alexandra Stan şi Connect-R au lansat un video-selfie pentru piesa "Vanilla chocolat"|trans-title=Alexandra Stan and Connect-R have launched a selfie-video for the single "Vanilla chocolat"|date=19 December 2015|publisher=Eva.ro|author=Ioncea, Iulian|language=ro|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> She filmed herself on different TV shows, where she was invited to perform the track, including "Neata cu Razvan si Dani" and "La Maruță".<ref name="vanillahocolstanghgh"/> Stan additionally directed at the Fonogram Studios, Roton Studios, the rehearsal room of Emil Rengle and her own house, describing the video as being "full of energy" for featuring many public figures such as Mihai Morar, Răzvan și Dani or Adelina Pestrițu.<ref name="vanillahocolstanghgh"/> Few scenes of the video were not filmed by the singer alone, for which The Architect served as the cameraman.<ref name="creditsvideo chocolat"/> Particularly, Dinu and Deea Maxer compared the selfie video for "Vanilla Chocolat" with their clip for "Selfie en Paris".<ref name="plagiat1">{{cite news|url=http://www.romaniatv.net/scandal-de-proportii-intre-dinu-maxer-alexandra-stan-si-connnect-r-toti-se-acuza-de-plagiat_191198.html|title=Scandal de proportii între Dinu Maxer, Alexandra Stan şi Connect-R| date=20 December 2014|publisher=Romania TV|access-date=14 September 2015|trans-title=Scandal between Dinu Maxer, Alexandra Stan and Connect-R|language=ro}}</ref><ref name="plagiat2">{{cite news|url=http://www.wowbiz.ro/dinu-maxer-ii-acuza-de-plagiat-pe-connect-r-si-pe-alexandra-stan--sunt-extrem-de-fericit-ca-sunt-sursa-de-inspiratie-pentru-artistii-nostri-de-prima-c_133217.html|title=Dinu Maxer: "Sunt extrem de fericit ca sunt sursa de inspiratie pentru artistii nostri de prima clasa!"|trans-title=Dinu Maxer: "I'm very happy to be a source of inspiration for such big artists!"|date=20 December 2014|publisher=Wowbiz|access-date=14 September 2015|language=ro}}</ref>

==Live performances== Stan's first live performance of "Vanilla Chocolat" was on 1 December 2014 on ''Neatza cu Razvan si Dani'', which was followed by her lip-synced performance of the song on ''Wowbiz'', to film some scenes for the single's accompanying selfie video.<ref name="vanillavideo2"/><ref name="vanillavideo4">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz0M9NcGSos|title=Alexandra Stan la Wowbiz "Dorian Popa a fost primul meu iubit la 16 ani"|date=2 December 2014|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=YouTube|trans-title=Alexandra Stan on Wowbiz "Dorian Popa was my first lover when I was sixteen}}</ref> Following the release of the clip, Stan performed a stripped-down version of "Vanilla Chocolat" on the Romanian radio station Pro FM on 2 December 2014, where she also sang Romania's national anthem backed with instruments played by Andrei Gheorghe, Greeg (Grigore Șerban) and Alexandru Cotoi.<ref name="anthem">{{cite news|url=http://www.urban.ro/muzica/alexandra-stan-canta-imnul-romaniei/|title=Alexandra Stan canta imnul Romaniei live!|date=2 December 2014|access-date=7 September 2015|publisher=Urban.ro|language=ro|trans-title=Alexandra Stan sings Romania's anthem live!|author=Scris de Edi}}</ref><ref name="vanillavideo3">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZOTSDJIuFg|title=Alexandra Stan – Vanilla chocolat|date=2 December 2014|access-date=7 September 2015|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Stan was subsequently invited to perform on the Romanian version of ''The Voice'' on 12 December 2014.<ref name="thevoice1">{{cite news|url=http://vocearomaniei.protv.ro/stiri/vocea-romaniei-promite-o-semifinala-de-exceptie-100-voce-100-munca-100-show-vineri-de-la-20-30-la-protv.html|title=Vocea Romaniei promite o semifinala de exceptie: 100% voce, 100% munca, 100% show|access-date=7 September 2015|publisher=Pro TV|language=ro|trans-title=The Voice of Romania promises an exceptional semifinal: 100% voice, 100% work, 100% show|archive-date=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124223324/http://vocearomaniei.protv.ro/stiri/vocea-romaniei-promite-o-semifinala-de-exceptie-100-voce-100-munca-100-show-vineri-de-la-20-30-la-protv.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> There, she lip-synced both "Cherry Pop" and "Vanilla Chocolat". Shortly after her act, juror Tudor Chirila expressed how he was very "disappointed" of Stan's appearance, as she didn't provide live vocals.<ref name="thevoice2"/> In an interview with ''Cancan'', Stan confessed that "[her] conditions of appearance on ''Vocea României'' were already discussed with the show's producers, so no one should have been surprised about [her] playback-performance".<ref name="thevoice2">{{cite news|url=http://www.agentiadepresamondena.com/cum-raspunde-alexandra-stan-la-acuzatiile-ca-facut-playback-la-vocea-romaniei/|title=Cum raspunde Alexandra Stan la acuzatiile ca a facut playback la Vocea Romaniei|access-date=7 September 2015|publisher=Agentia de Presa Mondena|language=ro|trans-title=How does Alexandra Stan respond at the accusations that she sang playback at ''Vocea României''|date=15 December 2014|author=Manea, Alexandru}}</ref>

==Credits and personnel== Credits adapted from the liner notes of ''Unlocked'' and ''The Collection''<ref name="creditsvanilla chocolat">{{cite AV media notes |title=Unlocked |title-link=Unlocked (Alexandra Stan album) |others=Alexandra Stan |year=2014 |type=Liner notes |publisher=Roton (Barcode: 8693644012601) |location=Bucharest, Romania}}</ref><ref name="creditsvideo chocolat">{{cite AV media notes |title=The Collection|others=Alexandra Stan |year=2015 |type=Liner notes |publisher=Victor Entertainment (Barcode: 4988002698196) |location=Tokyo, Japan}}</ref>

{{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;Recording *Recorded at Fonogram Studios in Bucharest, Romania. *Produced for Fonogram Music Productions in Bucharest, Romania.

;Technical and songwriting credits *Alexandra Stan – songwriting *Stefan Mihalache – songwriting *Alexandru Cotoi – songwriting, producing *Sava Constantin – songwriting *Mika Moupondo – songwriting

{{col-2}} ;Visual credits *The Architect – cameraman *Emil Rengle – choreography *Alexandra Stan – camera

;Vocal credits *Alexandra Stan – lead vocals *Connect-R – featured artist {{col-2}} {{col-end}}

==Track listings== *'''Spanish digital remix EP'''<ref name="ituneses1">{{cite news|url=https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/vanilla-chocolat-remixes-feat./id994158617|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529113447/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/vanilla-chocolat-remixes-feat./id994158617|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2015|title=iTunes – Música – Vanilla Chocolat (Remixes) [featuring Connect-R] – EP de Alexandra Stan |date=22 May 2015|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> #"Vanilla Chocolat" (DJ Valdi Remix)&nbsp;– 3:22 #"Vanilla Chocolat" (DJ Valdi Remix Edit)&nbsp;– 4:20 #"Vanilla Chocolat" (CryDuom Remix)&nbsp;– 3:06 #"Vanilla Chocolat" (CryDuom Remix Edit)&nbsp;– 3:52 *'''Japanese digital download'''<ref name="iTunes.jp"/> #"Vanilla Chocolat" (feat. Connect-R) &nbsp;– 3:18 *'''Spanish / Turkish / Polish digital download'''<ref name="iTunes.es2"/><ref name="iTunes.tr"/><ref name="iTunes.pl"/> #"Vanilla Chocolat" (feat. Connect-R) &nbsp;– 3:17

==Release history== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders unsortable" !Country !Date !Format !Label |- !scope="row" rowspan="1"|Japan |rowspan="1"|24 December 2014<ref name="iTunes.jp">{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/vanilla-chocolat-feat-connect-r-single/948518657|title=iTunes – Vanilla Chocolat feat. Connect-R – Single アレクサンドラ・スタン|date=24 December 2014|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=29 May 2014}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Digital single |rowspan="1"|Fonogram |- !scope="row" rowspan="2"|Spain |rowspan="1"|24 February 2015<ref name="iTunes.es2">{{cite news|url=https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/vanilla-chocolat-feat.-connect/id966036910|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402195030/https://itunes.apple.com/es/album/vanilla-chocolat-feat.-connect/id966036910|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2015|title=iTunes – Música – Vanilla Chocolat (feat. Connect-R) – Single de Alexandra Stan |date=24 February 2015|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Blanco y Negro |- |rowspan="1"|22 May 2015<ref name="ituneses1" /> |rowspan="1"|Digital remix EP |- !scope="row"|Turkey |rowspan="1"|6 April 2015<ref name="iTunes.tr">{{cite news|url=https://itunes.apple.com/tr/album/vanilla-chocolat-feat.-connect/id983281899|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701223425/https://itunes.apple.com/tr/album/vanilla-chocolat-feat.-connect/id983281899|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2015|title=iTunes – Music – Vanilla Chocolat (feat. Connect-R) – Single by Alexandra Stan|date=6 April 2015|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=10 June 2015}}</ref> |rowspan="2"|Digital single |rowspan="1"|Yeni Dünya |- !scope="row"|Poland |19 May 2015<ref name="iTunes.pl">{{cite news|url=https://music.apple.com/pl/album/vanilla-chocolat-feat-connect/997345588|title=iTunes – Music – Vanilla Chocolat (feat. Connect-R) – Single by Alexandra Stan|date=19 May 2015|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref> |Magic |}

==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Alexandra Stan}} {{Good article}}

Category:2014 songs Category:English-language Romanian songs Category:Alexandra Stan songs Category:Songs written by Alexandra Stan Category:Songs written by Mohombi Category:Songs written by Alexandru Cotoi Category:Music videos shot in Romania