måndag 28 februari 2011
Madonna & Daughter Lourdes Take Oscar Night Together
Julie Benz Shares 'No Ordinary' Teases
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Ke$ha Sued By Former Managers
DAS Communications' lawyer claims producer Dr. Luke convinced her to breach contract.
By Jocelyn Vena
Ke$ha
Photo: Fotonoticias/ Getty Images
Ke$ha is being sued by her former managers at DAS Communications for upwards of $14 million, Ken Freundlich, who is representing DAS in the case, confirmed to MTV News.
"DAS was Ke$ha's manager since the beginning of 2006, and there was a written agreement, and they worked closely, and sometime in September 2008 [producer] Dr. Luke, for his own personal gain, somehow induced her to breach that contract," Freundlich said. "And she unceremoniously terminated DAS without justification and then ended up with Luke, basically. So we sued Ke$ha for breach of contract and Luke for interference, and that was last year, and the defense's reaction was to try and delay us. They made motions.
"The judge denied all their motions, and now we're going forward. We're going to have our day in court," he continued. "And we're going to prove that Dr. Luke induced her to breach the contract. She had no right to do so, and we're gonna get damages from her."
Freundlich explained how he and his team came to the $14 million sum, explaining, "We don't know exactly how much, but we assume it's in that range. She's been quite successful. The case is set. It's gonna go on the rest of this year. We're gonna go straight to the trial if we have to."
Ke$ha has filed a suit in California against the management team, but Freundlich is confident nothing will come of her claim that they acted as an "illegal talent agent." "That's pending out in California. Even though that case is still pending, I don't think it has any merit," he said.
Calls to Ke$ha's legal team and rep were not returned to MTV News by press time.
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Showtime Renews Shameless!
Showtime has renewed both of their new comers this season for another!
Shameless, starring William H. Macy and the beau-t-ful Emmy Rossum, is enjoying quite the viewership and is well on its way to being the second highest watched show right behind the delightfully dark Dexter!
Also returning is Episodes, the new Matt Leblanc show, [...]
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Watch The Biebs & Selenita K-I-S-S-I-N-G!!!
Looks like Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez no longer have a problem with the world knowing they're dating. Not only did they arrive last night at Vanity Fair's post-Oscar bash arm-in-arm, but they left the same way - and made with the smooches! Ahhh!
Check out the video (above) to see [...]
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Justin Bieber Vintage Video: His First Meeting With Usher
Justin Timberlake also wanted to sign Bieber, 'Never Say Never' star said in 2009.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber
Photo: Brian Phares/MTV News
Just as the world was learning who Justin Bieber was, MTV News caught up with the shaggy-haired singer in September 2009. He was gearing up to release his debut album, My World, and plotting his pop-world domination. In the year and a half since that interview, Bieber has done the nearly impossible, launching himself into the pop mega-sphere.
In the chat, Bieber recalled how he and his manager, Scooter Braun, met and eventually got big names interested in signing the teen.
"My manager found me on YouTube. He flew me out to Atlanta for the first time — I'd never actually been on a plane before. He flew me to Atlanta where i was going to the studio to meet some people," he recalled.
"And Usher happened to roll up in his Range Rover. I ran up to him, and I was like, 'Usher, I love your songs. Want me to sing you one?' The politest possible way he could say no, he did. ... I took the hint. I didn't get to sing for him: He had to run into a studio session."
But later, Usher was beckoning the teen back to the ATL. "He actually watched my videos — after my manager got to talking to him — and was like, 'I should have let this kid sing,' and flew me back to Atlanta where I got to sing for him in a proper setting. A week later, I had a meeting with Justin Timberlake, who also wanted to sign me, so they both kind of wanted me."
As the story goes, Bieber went with Usher, and the two never looked back.
"As far as Usher being my mentor, he's definitely given me words of wisdom. I hear it from everybody, but definitely to hear it from Usher is great, just to stay humble and grounded is very important," he explained.
"There's a lot of people, especially young stars, that have gone down the wrong path, and I definitely plan to stay humble and stay grounded and keep my family first, because that stuff really is important in life."
On Friday, Justin Bieber's 3-D documentary, "Never Say Never," opens. The film takes a look at how the teen star worked to hit it big. MTV News has been chatting with him along the way, from the time he first burst on the scene in 2009 until now, as he embarks on a huge 2011 that will include a tour and more new music.
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Rihanna and Ciara Make Up After Twitter Fight
Some celebrity feuds may be invented by the tabloids (i.e. the one between Katy Perry and Britney Spears), but not the one between Rihanna and Ciara! This weekend, the claws came out when the two pop stars got into a nasty Twitter fight. As far as we know, the brawl started when Ciara was a guest on E!'s Fashion Police, hosted by Joan Rivers, and made some unfavorable comments about her last encounter with Rihanna. (Watch the clip below.)
"I ran into her recently at a party and she wasn't the nicest," said Ciara, 25, of the "Only Girl (In the World)" singer. "And it's crazy because I've always loved and respected what she's done with fashion, and I've run into her before -- but this time, it wasn't the most pleasant run-in."
Shortly after the show aired on E!, Rihanna, 23, snapped back over Twitter. "My bad Ci, did I 4get to tip u?" the singer tweeted on Friday. "How rude of me. U gangsta huh? Haa."
"Trust me Rhianna," Ciara responded, "U dont want to see me on or off the stage."
"Good luck with booking that stage u speak of," retorted Rihanna -- just in case anyone had forgotten that she's the bigger star!
Just minutes later, however, Rihanna regained her cool and extended an apology.
"Ciara baby, I love u girl!" she wrote. "U hurt my feelings real bad on TV! I'm heartbroken! That's y I retaliated this way! So sorry! Let's make up."
And the next morning, Ciara accepted her apology. "Rhi u know its always been love since day 1!" tweeted the "Ride" singer. "Doing shows/everything. you threw me off in that party! Apology accepted. Let's chat in person."
That's a lot of drama for just a few hours -- but at least they resolved it quickly! Here's a video of Rihanna and Ciara talking about snack food back in 2009, during happier times.
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Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Epic
- Director: Bill Dicicco
- Album: Dangerous
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Beyoncé - Halo
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Philip Andelman
- Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
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Gwyneth Paltrow, Florence Welch, Mandy Moore Sing Oscars Score
Randy Newman nabs Best Original Song for 'We Belong Together' from 'Toy Story 3.'
By Aly Semigran
Gwyneth Paltrow performs at the 2011 Oscars on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Sunday night (February 27) marked the 83rd annual Academy Awards, but there were some moments when the ceremony was more reminiscent of a Grammy stage.
Gwyneth Paltrow, who has gone from Oscar-winning actress to singing awards-show mainstay — having performed "Forget You" alongside Cee Lo Green and puppets at the Grammys — was one of the featured performers in the Best Original Song category.
Paltrow, who joked to MTV News on the red carpet that she'd calmed her pre-Oscar nerves with a beer, called the ceremony "so, like, freaking serious" as compared to her previous stints on both the Grammys and the Country Music Awards.
After being introduced by Jennifer Hudson, a calmer Paltrow (who Hudson described as "a singing sensation and country music's new star") donning a sleek, off-the-shoulder nude and bejeweled gown, sang some of "Coming Home" for the Kodak Theater and millions of Oscar viewers around the globe.
With a starry stage set-up behind her, Paltrow crooned the chorus, "After all of my running/ I'm finally coming home/ The world tried to break me/ I found a road to take me home."
But Paltrow wasn't the only familiar face to appear as a performer during the ceremony. Fellow singer/actress Mandy Moore, wearing a flowing blue gown, sang the nominated "I See the Light" from her hit animated film "Tangled" alongside her co-star Zachary Levi, with Alan Menken accompanying them on piano.
Later in the telecast, Florence Welch, frontwoman for 2010 breakout act Florence and the Machine, helped Oscar winner A.R. Rahman perform "If I Rise" from "127 Hours" while images from the Best Picture nominee appeared in the background.
Welch, who wore a striking burnt-sienna gown, showcased her beautiful, moody voice as she stepped in for Dido (who co-wrote the song, as well as sang on the film's original track).
However, those were the only moments those songs and their performers had any Oscar glory on Sunday, as perennial nominee Randy Newman walked away the winner in the Best Original Song category.
Newman, who had performed "We Belong Together" from "Toy Story 3" at the piano on the Oscar stage, won his second career Academy Award, besting the songs from "Country Strong," "Tangled" and "127 Hours."
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
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Anne Hathaway Sings, James Franco Makes Charlie Sheen Joke During Oscars
Hathaway belts out comical tune ribbing Hugh Jackman before Franco takes jab at Sheen.
By Jocelyn Vena
Anne Hathaway performs during the 2011 Oscars
Photo: AMPAS/ ABC
The Oscars broadcast went nearly one hour before anyone cracked a Charlie Sheen joke. It was James Franco who did the honors, but not before his fellow co-host, Anne Hathaway got the chance to poke fun at another well-known actor. Hathaway took to the stage solo clad in a tuxedo and belted out a tune to the melody of "On My Own" from "Les Miserables," a little jab at Hugh Jackman who she apparently wanted to do a duet with during the broadcast.
"There's a tradition of singing at the Oscars," she mused to the crowd. "One that I was lucky enough to take part in two years ago. And this year I wanted to do a duet again with a special guest, but he bailed on me at the last minute and I couldn't do it. But I'm not a quitter, so this is the best I could do under the circumstances."
She then got up and dazzled the crowd with her killer vocal abilities, singing these biting lines to one particular former Oscars host: "On my own/ 'Cause someone's a huge jackass/ I won't say who/ Thought Australians were our allies/ It turns out Down Under's kinda shady/ Not you, Nicole, or not any other Aussie but just one/ Who shall not be named," as the cameras panned to Hugh Jackman, who had performed with Hathaway at the 2009 Academy Awards during a celeb-filled musical number.
"He stuck his fake retractable claws/ Into my heart," she continued. "When he left me on my own."
But the bit didn't end there, as Franco walked onstage dressed in drag as Marilyn Monroe. "You got to wear a tuxedo," he joked to Hathaway. "So I wore this. Weird part is I just got a text message from Charlie Sheen." The two then played the joke off, welcoming to the stage Russell Brand and Helen Mirren, who presented the Best Foreign Language Film prize to "In a Better World" (Denmark).
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
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Ke$ha Says She's 'Disappointed' By Grammy Snub
'I plan on making a lot more records, and hopefully one of them will be Grammy-worthy,' singer tells Vanity Fair.
By James Dinh
Ke$ha
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images
Last year was full of breakout music stars, including Ke$ha, who ruled the scene with a string of dance-pop hits (and a massive overflow of glitter). But not everyone is a Ke$ha fan: The singer was snubbed when the 2011 Grammy nominees were announced in December.
The starlet recently spoke to Vanity Fair about the Grammy snub and said she's determined to score a nod sometime later in her career. And after calling the Recording Academy's award "not that big a deal," Ke$ha admitted that she was saddened by her lack of nominations.
"Of course I do," the singer said when asked if she wanted a Grammy. "I was disappointed that I didn't get nominated. But I've only been around for a year. I'm friends with the Black Keys, and they were nominated for the first time this year. And they've been around for a decade. That's like half my life, so I really can't be a brat about it."
Ke$ha isn't bitter about the situation either, telling the magazine, "I plan on making a lot more records, and hopefully one of them will be Grammy-worthy."
While she may not be gearing up for the big show on Sunday night, Ke$ha is prepping for the launch of her first North American headlining tour, the Get $leazy Tour. The country-wide trek is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday in Portland, Oregon, and continue through May.
Do you think Ke$ha deserved a Grammy nomination? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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söndag 27 februari 2011
Kate and Jon Gosselin: NOT Getting Back Together
In a recent interview, Kate Gosselin said she will never say a bad word publicly about her ex Jon, as he will always be the father of her children.
That doesn't mean she'll get back together with him, however.
A deluge of recent celebrity gossip reports have suggested Kate and Jon Gosselin, who have been on much better terms lately, might reconcile.
Not the case, says a source close to Kate.
"There is absolutely no chance of a reconciliation. They remain civil for the sake of the kids, but that's it," said the insider. "It's frustrating for Kate that people keep making stories up. Things are better but they have both moved on."
Jon has been dating Ellen Ross for the better part of a year and seems quite content living a normal life, working 9-to-5 installing solar panels.
As for Kate, she's single and has no qualms about it.
"Kate wants nothing more than to be seen in a completely different light than Jon is viewed," says the source. "Obviously he is the father of her children and that won't change, but she is feeling very happy about her decisions and situation."
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'American Idol' Top 24 Revealed!
Wednesday night's American Idol ended with a Jennifer Lopez meltdown, when fan favorite Chris Medina was sent home. But Thursday night, the diva put her game face on and, with the help of Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler, narrowed the remaining Idol contestants down to the top 24.
The 12 guys and 12 girls chosen to move on didn't get their good news from the judges until they'd endured a bit of suspense-building teasing. "You're mean," contestant Laina Alaina joked after she finally got the confirmation she was one of the 12 females whose Idol dreams were still intact.
In the night's biggest twist, 15-year-old fan fave Jacee Badeux was sent packing after a tense three-way showdown for the final spot in the guys' competition. Brett Loewenstern nabbed the coveted spot, while Colton Dixon joined Badeux for the long trip home.
Meanwhile, Jessica Cunningham, who has auditioned for the show seven times, was rejected on the night of her 25th birthday. She jokingly flipped off the camera after saying her goodbye, telling the judges: "I love ya, but you ruined my birthday."
Below is the complete list of the top 24 who will be vying for your votes next week!
THE GIRLS:
Ashthon Jones
Haley Reinhart
Julie Zorrilla
Karen Rodriguez
Kendra Chantelle
Lauren Alaina
Lauren Turner
Naima Adedapo
Pia Toscano
Rachel Zevita
Tatysnisa Wilson
Thia Megia
THE BOYS:
Brett Loewenstern
Casey Abrams
Clint Jun Gamboa
Jacob Lusk
James Durbin
Jordon Dorsey
Jovany Barreto
Paul McDonald
Robbie Rosen
Scotty McCreery
Stefano Langone
Tim Halperin
Coldplay, Led Zeppelin Album Covers Featured On New British Stamps
Album art from Pink Floyd, Blur and David Bowie also included.
By James Montgomery
Coldplay's new British stamps
Photo: Royal Mail
On Thursday (January 7), the U.K.'s Royal Mail unveiled a series of 10 new stamps, honoring the most iconic album covers of the past 40 years.
The albums featured in the new series are the Rolling Stones' Let It Bleed, Led Zeppelin's IV, David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells, The Clash's London Calling, New Order's Power, Corruption and Lies, Primal Scream's Screamadelica, Pink Floyd's The Division Bell, Blur's Parklife and — the most recent album on to make the cut — Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head.
Meant to honor "the most potent graphic images of modern times, many of which have provided a visual soundtrack to people's lives," the series is the end result of a lengthy research process by the Royal Mail, who looked through thousands of album covers by British artists before deciding on the final list. And, during a Wednesday night BBC Radio broadcast, it was revealed that the queen herself actually approved each design.
Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page — who helped design the cover for IV — was on hand to celebrate the release of the stamps and recalled the mysterious nature of the album's iconic imagery.
"Almost 40 years after the album came out, nobody knows the old man who featured on the cover, nor the artist who painted him," he said. "That sort of sums up what we wanted to achieve with the album cover, which has remained both anonymous and enigmatic at the same time."
Of course, any great honor is befitting of an equally great contest, so, on the same day the stamps were made available to the general public, Coldplay decided to give one of their Rush of Blood stamps away. In a message on their official site, the band held a contest to send one lucky fan "a letter using a Coldplay stamp, postmarked with today's issue date."
"We visited our local post office earlier today and bought some of the Coldplay stamps," the message read. "Very nice they are too."
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Usher - Moving Mountains
- Artist: Usher
- Label: LaFace Records/Zomba Label Group
- Director: The Brothers Strauss
- Album: Here I Stand
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Michael Jackson - Beat It
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Epic Records
- Director: Bob Giraldi
- Album: Thriller [Bonus Tracks]
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'Drive Angry': The Reviews Are In!
Should you hit the road with Nicolas Cage? See what the critics have to say.
By Eric Ditzian
David Morse and Nicolas Cage in "Drive Angry"
Photo: Summit Publicity
"Drive Angry" marks three-straight supernatural films for Nicolas Cage, though each could not be more different. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" was a Disney-driven tale of magical realism. "Season of the Witch" dove into the intersection of medieval black magic and campy B-movie wackiness. And "Drive Angry" literally begins with Cage driving a muscle car straight outta hell with the devil's henchman fast on his heels and doesn't slow down as it splashes blood and fire across the screen.
All three flicks share something else in common: below-average reviews. "Sorcerer's" and "Season" each went on to conjure up lukewarm box-office receipts. Can "Drive Angry" break the spell? Check out what the critics are saying and decide if the new 3-D film is the right choice for you this weekend.
The Story
"[It] may be a bit too slickly self-aware for its own good, but it's also rivetingly paced, outrageously funny and makes retina-scorching use of the new 3D technology. Nicolas Cage is on teeth-baring, eye-rolling form as John Milton (nice), the deceased felon who busts out of hell to track down the Southern death cult who kidnapped his baby granddaughter. Hooking up with mouthy muscle-car-driving white-trash waitress Piper (Amber Heard), Milton sets off in pursuit, all the while attempting to avoid the attentions of Satan's right-hand man, The Accountant (a majestically arch William Fichtner)." -- Tom Huddleston, Time Out
Crazy Nic Cage
"A little respect, if you please, for His Satanic Majesty Nicolas Cage. Nobody goes off the deep end like Nic. Nobody gives better value in bad movies than the sleepy-eyed Oscar winner with a gift for picking bad movies. 'Drive Angry' is a very entertaining B, C or D-movie, an over-the-top and in-your-face grindhouse gore, guns and 'Gun it' picture that's about epic shootouts, bone-snapping brawls, bare breasts and muscle cars. The gunplay is funny and the sex hilarious in this 'Ghost Rider is Gone in 60 Seconds' mashup." -- Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The 3-D
" 'Drive Angry' is intensely bloody, violent and carries quite a few payoffs that are well delivered. It's also a movie you'd actually want to see in 3-D, unlike so many frauds in the marketplace these days. In fact, Lussier, who directed 'My Bloody Valentine 3D,' shows his growth as a 3-dimensional director by taking 'Drive Angry' to new heights. Seeing it in Real D, the depth was astounding, and Lussier throws a few CGI tricks right in the viewer's face. Even more impressive was his flashback sequence that could easily become one of the most influential in the 3-D age (the way he layers three 'thoughts' at once is mind-blowing visually). In short, it's worth the extra few bucks." -- Brad Miska, Bloody Disgusting
Going Grindhouse
" 'Drive Angry' is loud and busy, and it's rarely boring. But it's also never really good. 'Drive Angry' comes at the tail end of the grindhouse revival trend, and while it's better made than films like 'Machete' or the scores of indie films that followed in Quentin Tarantino's wake, it succumbs to the same problem so many of those movies do: it's a movie about the things that the filmmakers think are cool, and that's never cool. 'Drive Angry' isn't about anything, it's just a series of ideas that struck Lussier and Farmer as awesome, strung together at feature length. There's a lot of balls in Drive Angry, and even some brains, but no heart." -- Devin Faraci, Badass Digest
The Final Word
" 'Drive Angry' is, in the end, a genre romp. It's not aiming any higher than that. But it is made with real skill and style, and there's such knowledge of genre in the way they have built the script and both embraced and avoided certain conventions that it makes me feel like we're just seeing Farmer and Lussier warm up. Hopefully they'll keep working with collaborators as game as their partners in this particular crime, because 'Drive Angry' is a white-knuckle ride worth taking." -- Drew McWeeny, HitFix
Check out everything we've got on "Drive Angry."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Lady Gaga's Fans Call Her A 'Source Of Inspiration'
Little monsters gush about pop star outside Madison Square Garden.
By MTV News Staff
Lady Gaga performs at Madison Square Garden on Monday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
On Tuesday night, Lady Gaga's little monsters filed into Madison Square Garden for her second of two nights at the storied New York venue. Her fans talked to MTV News about the impact Mother Monster has had on their lives, and many said she gives them the courage to be who they truly are.
"I think that Lady Gaga, for me, has given me a new source of inspiration. And she's so creative ... you have to have some sort of reaction to that," Frank said outside MSG. "And, for me, it's a positive one."
Donning an outrageous outfit, little monster Ricky joked that Gaga has recently done two things for him: "She made us broke, and she reminds us to be ourselves."
Kevin explained that in a world as vapid as pop can be, Gaga serves as a reminder that true art can be created. "As a music fan, I think it's fantastic that we finally have someone else now to be, like, all about a great message and great music," he said. "She writes her own music, which you don't get anymore."
"Lady Gaga's fantastic," Michael chimed in. "Again, as an artist, she's really proven that you can be who you want to be and do what you wanna do and really succeed with it."
Gaga's connection to her art is what seems to really stick with some fans. "I think Lady Gaga has affected everyone personally," Garrett explained, "because I think she's shown the whole artistry of it and making pop culture and art one and one again."
In between all the chatter about her devotion to her music and her craft, one fan noted that Lady Gaga just makes it fine to wear wacky wigs. "She totally made me buy this yellow wig," Gabriella said. "Without her, I never would have bought it. I'm not even lying."
Has Lady Gaga affected your life? Tell us how in the comments section below!
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The 'American Idol' Top 24, Twitterized
We break down the season 10 hopefuls, in 140 characters or less.
By James Montgomery
Contestants perform on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: FOX
On Thursday night, "American Idol" revealed the remainder of the season 10 Top 24, a collection of singer/songwriters, balladeers, scatters, divas, perky teens and belters that will compete to become the heir to Lee DeWyze's throne (perhaps he's not the best example, but let's move on).
Unlike previous seasons, this year's crop of contenders is long on talent, short on sob stories — Chris Medina's exit made sure of that. And while it's probably too early to say this, we could be looking at the most-gifted field of singers in "Idol" history (or at least since the epochal third season). So it would probably benefit you to get to know the field before the cruel cut-downs begin.
And since we know you're busy, we've decided to condense each contestant into a quick, 140-character bio, each ready to be cut-and-pasted into your very own Twitter feed. For your perusing pleasure, here's our take on the "American Idol" top 24 — Twitterized. Because how else can you tell your Brett Loewensterns from your Clint Jun Gamboas?
Ashthon Jones: Big hair, bigger voice. Bears uncanny resemblance to young Beyoncé. Likes roller skating. Creative spelling of first name.
Brett Loewenstern: Bigger hair, even bigger collection of accessories. Is vaguely New Age-y. Also vaguely reminds us of a camp counselor.
Casey Abrams: This year's token oddball. Makes goofy faces. Is actually pretty talented. Resembles Fozzie Bear, a ginger Screech, Mike D.
Clint Jun Gamboa: Twitchy karaoke champ with impressive arsenal of eyewear. Refuses to apologize for Jacee Badeaux dis. Rivers Cuomo-esque.
Haley Reinhart: Returning contestant who seems to have existed in some form on every "Idol" season ever. Raspy voiced. Preternaturally happy.
Jacob Lusk: Prodigiously piped gospel singer. Makes amazing faces while singing. Sort of resembles Mushmouth. Always wears ties. Is awesome.
James Durbin: Rocker who recalls Adam Lambert. Made bold choice to tackle Sam Cooke classic. In desperate need of a bandana intervention.
Jordan Dorsey: Catty, cutthroat alpha male who adheres to the "I'm just here to win" mantra, probably to his detriment. Not a good teammate.
Jovany Barreto: Bulgy, libidinous crooner with smoove voice. Wears much linen. Is here for the ladies. Has an amazing Twitter account.
Julie Zorilla: Poised, put-together pre-packaged entertainer. Wears many dresses. Early favorite of J.Lo. Recalls every Disney princess.
Karen Rodriguez: Primping diva-in-training. Vowed to be first Latina "Idol" champ. Possesses the talent to do so, yet is not a guy, so ...
Kendra Chantelle: Raspy-voiced powerhouse from Nashville. Despite talent, may be outshined by other female singers. Has two first names.
Lauren Alaina: Young, bubbly judges' favorite. Is strangely drawn to Steven Tyler. Dresses like she's attending a Quinceañera at Dollywood.
Lauren Turner: Likable everywoman/singing maid. Much like Kendra Chantelle, may have trouble grabbing the spotlight. Impressive hair.
Naima Adedapo: Bewitching nu-soul singer with tricky last name. Has large back tattoo, dreadlocks à la Crystal Bowersox. Is a real wild card.
Paul McDonald: Aptly named singer/songwriter who possesses very little flash, and yet, is a favorite. Might regret that rhinestone suit.
Pia Toscano: Talented singer whose name sounds like an Olive Garden entrée. Polished, performing-arts background, which explains a lot.
Rachel Zevita: Over-the-top stage baby with an attitude to match. Is an odd mix of Tatiana Del Toro and Siobhan Magnus, only so much more.
Robbie Rosen: Slightly gawky singer who somehow stole Billy Joel's hair, circa Glass Houses. Transforms into confident loverman when singing.
Scotty McCreery: Throwback country crooner who is eternally twanging "Baby Lock Them Doors." Would be super-famous in Nashville, 1985.
Stefano Langone: Booming singer who survived a near-fatal accident, and has the scars to prove it. Handsome, yet is sort of the Anti-Jovany.
TaTynisa Wilson: Big singer with creatively spelled first name. Eternally poised on the verge of greatness, has yet to reach those heights.
Thia Megia: Ultra-young singer with voice, presence beyond her years. Last female to make the cut, yet could be considered a dark horse fave.
Tim Halperin: Everydude with appropriately bland name. Despite that fact, is handsome, which could make him shoo-in to win the whole thing.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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lördag 26 februari 2011
Zoe Saldana Adds Sexiness to the 2011 Spirit Awards
Always looking fabulous on the red carpet, Zoe Saldana looked stunning as she arrived at the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday afternoon (February 26).
The "Avatar" actress turned heads in Dolce & Gabbana as she strutted her stuff at the Santa Monica beachfront venue while mingling with fellow guest Jane Lynch.
Along with taking in the Spirit Awards happenings, Miss Saldana will be taking the stage to dish out a trophy to one of the ceremony's lucky winners.
The 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards will air at 10:00 ET on IFC with Joel McHale handling the hosting duties.
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Lady Gaga Previews Born This Way Tracks
Rolling Stone heard four new songs, which seem to draw from the past while still pushing the envelope.
By MTV News Staff Report
Lady Gaga
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images
Hours before reviving her long-running Monster Ball Tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey, recently, Lady Gaga gave Rolling Stone magazine a sneak peek at four songs off her upcoming Born This Way album ... and from the sound of things, she's not only pushing the boundaries, she's borrowing from some of the best in the business.
For example, E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons, who lends his prodigious skronk to a pair of the songs — "Edge of Glory" and "Hair" — or Nine Inch Nails, circa Trent Reznor's Broken era (on "Hair," which also apparently draws inspiration from '80s singer Pat Benatar's "We Belong" and the inspirational, all-encompassing lyrics of LG's own "Born This Way"). Another song, "Judas," which is set to be the second single off Born This Way, is described by Rolling Stone writer Matthew Perpetua as "a classic Lady Gaga pop banger," with a "thumping, house music breakdown" and a vocal hook "that borrows a bit of Rihanna's distinctive cadence."
"Edge" is "a massive power ballad with heavy club beats" that also contains "an element of cheesiness" and an "Eighties stadium rock vibe." "Scheiée" — a remix of which Gaga actually debuted last month at a fashion show in Paris — contains flavors of '90s dance hits by the likes of C&C Music Factory, Snap! and RuPaul, and a chorus that "vaguely" recalls Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger." And "Hair" features LG proudly proclaiming "I am my hair!" for reasons unknown.
On Friday, Gaga's "Born This Way" officially became the fastest-selling song in iTunes history, having blown past the million-download mark in just five days. The song is also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and sits atop the charts in 23 different countries. The video is reportedly set to premiere this week.
Gaga's Born This Way album is due May 23.
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Justin Bieber - Eenie Meenie
- Artist: Justin Bieber
- Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
- Director: Ray Kay
- Album: My World 2.0
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Patrick Stump Says Truant Wave EP Isn't Take This To Your Grave, Part II
Erstwhile Fall Out Boy frontman's solo EP made iTunes debut Tuesday.
By James Montgomery
Patrick Stump
Photo: Michael Caulfield/WireImage
Late last year, when Patrick Stump told MTV News that his solo debut, Soul Punk, was tentatively due in February, there was much rejoicing from long-suffering Fall Out Boy fans, all of whom were clamoring for any bit of news surrounding their favorite group.
Of course, that rejoicing was tempered some when it was subsequently announced that Stump had pushed back Soul Punk in favor of a six-song EP called Truant Wave. And on Tuesday, with little lead-up and absolutely zero promotion, that EP premiered on iTunes. It not only provided FOB fans a preview of where Stump is headed, musically, but also served as a point of division among their ranks. Some loved the electronic-leaning, R&B-teasing jams, while others, well, they were probably hoping Stump would return to his pop-punk roots.
When he spoke to MTV News on Thursday, Stump addressed both sides of the issue, because, quite frankly, he understands why some would be upset by his new direction. In fact, that's part of the reason he put out Truant Wave in the first place: to soften the blow.
"I really want Soul Punk to have as much of a chance to have it be listened to discerningly," he laughed. "And if I'm going to disappoint people by not [making] Take This to Your Grave, Part II, I would rather do that before Soul Punk, because that record means something to me."
Of course, there were other reasons for rushing the EP out, most of which he learned the hard way during Fall Out Boy's final days.
"Remember when Fall Out boy was putting out Folie à Deux and were going to put it out on Election Day, and then, for all these various reasons, all signs pointed to 'Don't do this'? That was sort of the case here. The logistics just weren't lining up," he explained. "And I had way too much material. ... A lot of it didn't make sense on the record, but it still felt like something, so I made a little mini-record out of them, and it sort of became a concept record for me. So for all those reasons and more, I decided, 'Screw it, I'm going to put this out.' "
So, yes, Soul Punk is still coming, but in the meantime, Stump hopes fans will take the time to digest the tunes he's presenting on Truant Wave, a shiny menagerie of rubber-band funk, electro-pop and spacey, 23rd-century R&B that's also, as Stump explained, a bit of a concept record too.
"It's not as strict a concept album in that I don't have a narrator or epic space battles or anything like that. It's pretty bare-bones and it works as a pop record," he said. "Basically, I took this idealistic, naive little character, and at the beginning of the record, he has the best intentions, the highest hopes, and, as you get towards the middle of the record, he's just such an a--hole. And then the character gets really dark, and then, at the end, I envisioned him being really down and out in Hollywood, like drunk and telling someone, 'Look, kid, don't make the same mistakes I did.' ... It has a narrative, but it's not like I named the characters or know anything about these things."
So, for now, with his EP just out and a sold-out run of shows on the horizon, Stump is content to sit back and watch fans figure out his new direction. And, at the moment, he couldn't be happier with the results.
"I told people about this record a week ago, two weeks ago, there was no promo, no press, nothing, so, for it to do as well as it has, it's definitely gratifying," he said. "In the back of my head, there's always this little voice that's like, 'Just don't blow it,' and so far, so good, you know?"
Have you checked out Patrick Stump's EP yet? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Beyonce May Work With Diplo, Sleigh Bells On New Album
Producer says he was 'in NYC tryin' to make tracks' for B and Bells' songwriter/guitarist.
By James Montgomery
Beyonce
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ WireImage
Over the years, Diplo has worked with everyone from Thom Yorke to Spank Rock (and, of course, M.I.A.) so perhaps it should come as no surprise that, for his next collaboration, he's chosen to work with none other than Beyoncé. Oh, and electro-slammers Sleigh Bells, too. It all makes sense, in some bizarre way.
This is according to Dip himself, who posted a message — and a remix of the Sleigh Bells track "Tell 'Em" — on his blog, in which he let it be known that he, his production partner Switch and Sleigh Bells' songwriter/guitarist Derek Miller just wrapped sessions for Beyoncé's follow-up to I Am ... Sasha Fierce. He wasn't quite sure what would come of the tracks they created.
"Me and Switch was in [the] studio in NYC tryin' to make tracks with Derek and Beyoncé last week after we played her team [Sleigh Bells'] album," Diplo wrote. "Dunno if we gonna manage to finish, but [it] was good times."
At the very least, you know Bey's husband, indie-rock fan Jay-Z, is pumped by the news. Diplo is just the latest in an ever-growing list of top-flight producers who have worked with Beyoncé in recent months. There's still no release date or tentative title for her upcoming album, but she's logged studio time with the likes of S1 (he of "Power" fame), Ne-Yo, Sean Garrett and Jim Jonsin.
A spokesperson for Beyoncé did not respond to MTV News' request for comment on the Diplo tracks by press time.
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Lady Gaga Confirms There Are Two 'Born This Way' Videos
Proceeds from 'stripped-down' clip and song will go to 'anti-bully charity,' she tells Gayle King.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Lady Gaga sat down with Oprah Winfrey's bestie, Gayle King, to discuss her forthcoming Nick Knight-directed videos for her chart-topping single "Born This Way," from her May album of the same name.
"I do have some exciting news about the new single. I've been so excited about [the fans'] reaction and seeing the fans be so excited during the show every time we play 'Born This Way,' it's been really amazing," she told King. "I've made two music videos for the song."
Gaga then went on to confirm that portions of the proceeds from the sale of the "stripped-down" version of the song, which will get its own video (further details about that clip were not known at press time), will go to charity. "So there's one that's coming out on Monday," she explained. "But then I'm actually putting together another video, which is a more stripped-down version of the song that will be released on iTunes and also released as an audio file. A portion of the money raised selling the song is actually going to go towards an anti-bully charity."
Mum has been the word on what the videos will actually be like. Though Gaga, in a recent radio interview, noted that the visual is about "the birth of a new race within the race of humanity. The birth of a new race that doesn't bear any prejudices. I think the most important thing is that I continue to grow, and I knew when I put [out] 'BTW' it would be a transitional moment, because it doesn't sound like [my previous singles]."
What are you expecting from the "Born This Way" videos? Let us know in the comments!
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Gooden reportedly broke in to the star’s home earlier this month, and is making some pretty bizarre claims. [...]
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Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, & More News That Rules, In Metal File
'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.
By Chris Harris
Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast
On October 14, Dimmu Borgir — who just happen to be Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said.
"It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically."
Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with Moonspell, Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP.
"It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be."
Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring.
"I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation."
While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings.
"And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula."
Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake.
"We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that."
The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco.
The rest of the week's metal news:
Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ...
What the world really needs is another Led Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ...
Former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ...
The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ...
The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features Carcass frontman Jeff Walker and Napalm Death's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ... Demiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ...
Nearly three years after Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including Life of Agony's "River Runs Red," King Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," Type O Negative's "Black No. 1" and Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist." ...
According to Blabbermouth, Verrot, bassist for Swedish black-metal outfit Elimi, committed suicide on October 3. In a statement, the band said, "Verrot was a very good friend, brother, an excellent bass player/musician and an important part of Elimi; we respect his decision and hope he'll find his way with the dark gods of Chaos. Let your black flame be a part of what brings forth the day of wrath."
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fredag 25 februari 2011
Kelsey Grammer & Kayte Walsh Will Reportedly Get Married On Broadway Today
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Christina Applegate: My Daughter Will Not Be a Child Star!
Christina Applegate might have gotten her acting career started at a young age, but the new mom insists her baby will not be a child star. In an interview with E! Online, Applegate gave a definitive "No!" when asked whether her 1-month-old daughter Sadie Grace would be following in mom's footsteps.
"She's allowed to study, and if she wants to take acting or dance classes she's allowed to," the first-time mom said. "But I have a very strong 'no' when it comes to monetary exchange for your talents until she's 18."
At just 3 months old, Applegate made her TV debut opposite her mother, Nancy Lee Priddy, on the popular soap opera Days of Our Lives. The actress continued to work through childhood, taking her first movie role (in the awesomely named Jaws of Satan) at age 7, and tackling guest-starring roles in '80s sitcoms like Charles in Charge, Silver Spoons and Family Ties. At 16, Applegate got her big break, landing the role of ditzy Kelly Bundy on Married... With Children.
Today, the 39-year-old actress says that the birth of Sadie -- whose name is part of a growing trend of Granny-chic baby names -- "healed me" and "opened my whole soul." Applegate also credits Sadie with helping her move past the trauma of being diagnosed with breast cancer and having to get a double mastectomy.
When the glowing new mom was asked whether or not she's already making plans to expand her family, she quickly answered: "No! I'm a month in. This is all I can handle right now!"
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