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| 'Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love In Trouble' Looks For Answers Posted: 16 Feb 2009 05:08 AM PST Experts and fans discuss the possible causes and effects of the alleged assault.
Chris Brown and Rihanna have dominated headlines for the past week, ever since Brown turned himself in to authorities for allegedly assaulting the Barbadian singer following a pre-Grammy event in Los Angeles on February 7. And though Brown finally broke his silence on Sunday with a statement saying he is "sorry and saddened" about the incident, many questions still remain about what went down. How will this affect these superstars' careers? What will Brown do next to help himself if the allegations are true? And will Rihanna emerge as a victim or a symbol of strength to her many fans? On Monday (February 16), MTV News' special, "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble" went to music-industry experts, relationship experts and fans for the answers.
"They were like Beyoncé and Jay-Z for the junior set," Us Weekly's Ian Drew explained, capturing the image of the two singers that most previously held. The Associated Press' Alicia Quarles said the pair were once "music's new royalty," but Brown will have a tougher time overcoming the incident because the alleged victim is a celebrity in her own right. "Maybe the public could forgive him if we didn't know who [the victim] was," she told MTV News. But Quarles predicted that, to many of Brown's fans, the act will be seen as "unforgivable." All week, a number of fans on message boards battled over who was to blame for the incident. And in the fan forum held by MTV for "Love in Trouble," Chandra Bonner, 19, from New York, said Rihanna would be "stupid" to return to Brown. "He can go to counseling by himself," she said. "It's ridiculously hard to deal with this in the public eye, because people have to deal with it in the court of law — Rihanna and Chris have to deal with it in the court of law — and they have to deal with the court of public opinion," PR expert Howard Bragman told MTV News. The Fader magazine's Julianne Shepherd expressed sympathy for the difficult path Rihanna will have to take to resurface from seclusion. "I think it must be incredibly humiliating, that kind of experience," she said. "So it might take her a while to get back in the public eye. Especially to have your domestic problems out there on this level — everyone in the world knows them, is following every detail. It's going to be really hard for her." Brown is due back in court next month to be arraigned. His biological father spoke to People magazine and said his son is remorseful over what happened and wants to know that Rihanna is doing "okay." Rihanna's father also spoke to People and suggested that his daughter "move on" from the relationship. Dr. Michelle Callahan, who spoke to the audience during "Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love in Trouble," said that teens in relationships on rocky paths should pay attention to the warning signs. She explained identifying the behavior often happens when it's too late. Violence doesn't have to be the telltale sign, she said. Abuse is "any time there's fighting, restraining a person, jealousy, or control issues," she said. "A lot of stuff passes that we think is OK until a punch gets thrown, but it's not." Go here for domestic violence resources, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Kanye West Explains 'Jockin' Jay-Z' Sample, Drops Exclusive Freestyle, More In <i>Mixtape Monday</i> Posted: 17 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Plus: Jeezy on Bill O'Reilly jabs; Jamie Foxx on myriad 'Blame It' freestyles.
411: We told you months ago we were going to flip it up every now and again. Don't get comfortable (Shout-out to Lil Wayne — another guy who keeps 'em on their toes). This week, instead of the traditional mixtape pick of the week, we wanted to bring you an event — Kanye West came back last week. During Grammy weekend, West was a special guest of Sway and King Tech during their "Wake Up Show." Back in the day, 'Ye was one of the plethora of MCs such as Eminem, Wu-Tang Clan and even Coolio that came up to the legendary radio show to prove their rap skills. It took a few years, but a few million album sales later, the lyrically improved and fan-approved Louis Vuitton Don returned. West engaged in no fewer than three freestyle ciphers and waxed poetic about a series of issues, from backlash about his clothing tastes to his new album and his haircut. In honor of his new book, "Feelings Are the Only Fact," in which he states his opinions on various topics, we gave "Joints to Check For" a rest this week. Instead, we'll give you "Points to Check For," where 'Ye explained a few things about what's on his mind. "Points" to Check For Kanye on Wearing Tight Jeans: "I see a lot of people wearing the exact same uniform and there's nothing wrong with that. But at what point did hip-hop get so many rules? Hip-hop was about breaking rules. I'm one of the most hip-hop people on earth because I say and do exactly what the f--- I wanna do and say, regardless of what type of backlash I get. The backlash I get right now — for dressing the way I dress or saying what I say or making music I do — that's the same backlash I got in high school for being hip-hop. I was always two steps ahead and I thought that was what hip-hop was. The whole baggy jeans versus tight jeans thing — Run DMC, Fat Boys, they wore tight jeans with gyms shoes and that was hip-hop. Then people started wearing big jeans and that was supposed to be hip-hop. When I first did big jeans, people said that was 'skater.' Now you think 'skater' and that's super tight jeans. ... They keep trying to label me but the labels won't stick." Kanye on the Sample of Run's "Jockin' Jay-Z": "[Run] says, 'I see you jockin' J.C.' But it sounds like 'Jay-Z.' And I had the idea from the last album. I was like, man, I just need to make a beat 'cause it just messes with people's heads. Psychologically, they're like, 'How could he have said "jockin' Jay-Z" 20 years ago? Jay-Z was not out.' I love stuff that messes with people's heads when it happens." Kanye on MCs Throwing Jabs at Him: "I was hooping the other day and was like, 'Why do all rappers come at me?' 'Cause we were playing 21. And I was like, 'Oh, rappers come at me 'cause I got 19.' When you got 19 and you playing 21, everybody rushes for you and you gotta come with extra types of lay-ups and stuff. Basically I'm playing the game with 19." Don't Sleep: Other Notable Selections This Week » Jadakiss and DJ Green Lantern's Kiss My Ass: The Champ Is Here, Part 2 » Charles Hamilton's Well Isn't This Awkward » Drake's So Far Gone » DJ Woogie's Streets On Beats 20 » Superstar Jay's I Am Mixtapes 15 (Hosted By 50 Cent) » DJ Kool Kid And Gravy's Notorious Gravy 'Hood's Heavy Rotation: Bubbling Below The Radar » Rick Ross - "Cigar Music" » Red Café - "Hottest in Da Hood" » Joe Budden and Young Chris - freestyle » Jadakiss - "Child Abuse" » Soulja Boy (featuring Lil Wayne) - "Turn On My Swag" remix The Streets Is Talking: News And Notes From The Underground His lambo's blue, his president is black and so is his crib. Young Jeezy and his Corporate Thugz Entertainment (CTE) family are putting together a compilation street CD. "I'm working on the mixtape right now," Young told homie Sway at the Grammy Awards. "The Black House: Thug Mansion. The streets called me, the 'hood looking for me. I gotta bounce back, baby." Young also said he'd welcome Bill O'Reilly and Dennis Miller to come to his environment and discuss the claims made on "The O'Reilly Factor" that he and Jay-Z were racist based on lyrics in the song "My President." "Uppercuts — they missed though," Jeezy shrugged off about the jabs Miller and O'Reilly threw at them. "Bob and weave, I was like Bush. I got white friends. It's nothing like that. I'm a taxpayer, I got a right to voice my opinion at any point in time. I don't think he really understands my struggle." Besides The Black House, another mixtape to look for from CTE is a joint coming from Blood Raw. ... Jamie Foxx digs the myriad of freestyles over his "Blame It (On the Alcohol)," beat. But the Oscar winner says it's time to do an official remix. "I'mma tell you, I love 'em all. I love them cats," he said last Saturday in Los Angeles. "I'm gonna get them all together. But what we gonna do is flip the track though, so they can really get off. The track gotta flip and then let them come on it. But I love all them cats, it's a testimony to how big the record is." N.O.R.E., Young Jeezy and Freeway all have "Blame It" verses. Foxx says Busta Rhymes is his favorite though. "You know, Busta I love. That's my cat," Foxx complimented. "Lil Wayne, my cat. Juelz Santana laced one. But you know what's crazy? Trey Songz! Yo. But the original, that's the one." Related Videos |
| Christian Siriano, <i>Elle</i> Editor On Who'll Be Best-Dressed At This Year's Oscars Posted: 17 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Fashion experts predict hot looks for Penélope Cruz, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet.
With the Oscars just around the corner, many of us are wondering what the nominees will be wearing to the show. It's not about who is going to win a statue, it's about who is going to look hot and who's going to look wack. Fashion designer and season-four "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano kind of hopes that someone shows up looking like a "hot tranny mess" (his words, not ours) because then at least there'll be something interesting to talk about. "I think it's going to be totally hit-or-miss," he told MTV News. "It's going to be fabulous or not, and I think stylists are kind of bored and want some excitement. It's like, who cares if you are on the worst-dressed list?" Oscar nominee Angelina Jolie is leaving the critics scratching their heads about just how hit-or-miss she is going to look on the red carpet come Sunday night. Elle magazine's Susan Cermak feels that Jolie's look is classic. "Her fashion is very sophisticated, very confident. She doesn't feel the need to be very showy, funky and bedazzled. She is well established and her clothing reflects that." Siriano disagreed, saying that Jolie's style needs a revamp. "I'm really hoping that Angelina pulls something a little more fabulous, um, 'cause I'm over her muumuus," he said. "I mean, she's gorgeous." Other Oscar nominees that Cermak thinks will dazzle include Penélope Cruz, Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway and Kate Winslet. "I think Anne Hathaway is really going to blow us away with something amazing," she said. "I think Kate Winslet will look regal and gorgeous." Guys who are sure to set the carpet on fire include nominees Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, but one guy in particular will have everyone talking come Monday morning: Mickey Rourke. "He has a good chance of being the Björk of this year's Oscars," Cermak said. "I would love to see him going all out and do a purple velvet tux and really just kind of work his Mickey Rourke-ness to its fullest." Regardless of who rocks it and who knocks it, Siriano has one key piece of fashion advice for all the nominees: "I need some drama! Who cares if you look like a big bush? Just wear something crazy!" MTV News will be all over the Oscars all week! Be sure to keep an eye out for our coverage in the coming days, and we'll have a team on the red carpet and in the arena on the night of the big show Sunday! Related Videos |
| Domestic Violence Victims: Here's How To Get Help Posted: 16 Feb 2009 04:06 AM PST The alleged altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna might seem familiar to many.
The recent alleged altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna has opened up a new dialogue about relationship abuse for teens and twentysomethings. We all know speaking up is critical to getting help, but for many victims of violence, it's not easier said than done. If you think you're a victim of domestic violence, it's important to know how to spot it, what to do when it happens and whom to reach out to in such an event. Fortunately, there are number of non-profit outlets offering help to young people dealing with abuse.
In light of the Brown/Rihanna incident, National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy spoke out about teen dating abuse and how often times victims fail to report the matter. "Everyone is talking about this case because it involves two popular recording artists, but the sad reality is that domestic violence and dating violence happen every day, even among young teens, and the impact is both far-reaching and under-reported," she said in a prepared statement released to the press. In addition to long-running organizations, some college kids have created their own networks to help their peers deal with the pain of relationship abuse. It's Abuse, for example, is a campaign that was created in Columbus, Ohio, to bring awareness to and help break the silence about relationship abuse. The site features a number of quizzes designed to educate readers on what is and isn't healthy in a relationship. It also has videos to help young people identify between a number of different types of abuse. The number of teenagers who endure abuse throughout the country is shocking, to say the least. Information from a study commissioned by Liz Claiborne Inc. and conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited in February 2005 shows that one in three teenagers reportedly knows a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner. In addition, 13 percent of teenage girls who said they have been in a relationship report being physically hurt or hit. The figure that's most alarming, however, is that 73 percent of teens surveyed in the study said they would turn to a friend for help, but only 33 percent of those who have been in or known about an abusive relationship said they have told anyone. In situations of abuse or leading up to it when the signs are recognized, it's best to talk to family or local community leaders. If you're afraid, confused or embarrassed to speak to them, there are alternative places to turn that can help you: National Domestic Violence Hotline: NDVH.org, or 800-799-SAFE National Teen Dating Violence Helpline: LoveIsRespect.org, or 866-331-9474 Safe Horizon: SafeHorizon.org, or 800-621-HOPE It's Abuse: ItsAbuse.com Related Videos |
| 'Gossip Girl' Co-Star Dishes On Dorota's Future Posted: 17 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Actress Zuzanna Szadkowski reveals the quiet maid's secret wish for 'Miss Blair.'
Zuzanna Szadkowski plays Blair Waldorf's loyal maid, Dorota, on "Gossip Girl." But despite her silly uniform, her character has become so much more than a servant. As Leighton Meester's Blair relies on her as a sounding board, accomplice and shoulder to cry on, Dorota has evolved into the cult heroine of a show about spoiled, rich teenagers. Like Dorota, Szadkowski said she only wants the best for Blair and her steamy, on-again, off-again relationship with the show's resident cad, Chuck Bass. "I would love to see Miss Blair happy in the Blair and Chuck relationship," she told MTV News. "That's the most important thing to Dorota. Chuck has his charms and he also has a few lessons to learn in life, so hopefully the two of them keep having the sparks."
Also like her character Dorota, Szadkowski is Polish. The actress was born there and moved to America when she was 3, so she doesn't actually speak with the same politely stilted accent. "I was born in Poland, so I am able to identify with her in that way. Certainly the accent is modeled after people in my own family, so hopefully I am doing it justice," she said. "My family loves it and I know that in Poland 'Gossip Girl' has a lot of fans. We have Poland represented on the Upper East Side!" Dorota's always at Blair's beck and call, so we wondered how Dorota would deal with all the drama of being the Queen Bee of Constance School for Girls if she were in her employer's fancy shoes. "Everything that Dorota knows she learned from Miss Blair," Szadkowski demurred, "so we probably would have a similar attack." As much as her role has grown this season, Szadkowski is almost certain that the show won't be giving her a love interest anytime soon. "I imagine that's not so likely," she said. "But Dorota is surrounded by so many good-looking fellas, and none of them available, so ..." |
| Ozzy Osbourne To Be Honored At Golden Gods Awards, Airing On MTV2 In April Posted: 17 Feb 2009 05:00 AM PST Former Black Sabbath frontman will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the heavy-metal award show.
Ozzy Osbourne will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award at Epiphone's Revolver Golden Gods Awards, the country's first-ever hard-rock and heavy-metal awards show. The Golden Gods, presented by metal mag Revolver, will be handed out Tuesday, April 7 at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles. MTV2 and "Headbangers Ball" will offer exclusive coverage of the awards, both on air and online. Hosted by stand-up comedian and avowed metalhead Brian Posehn, the awards will honor Osbourne's contributions to hard rock (something the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame forgot to do until 2006, when he got in as a member of Black Sabbath), and will feature performances by Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Suicide Silence and a special guest to be announced shortly. Icons like Glenn Danzig and Tool's Maynard James Keenan are also scheduled to appear, along with Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson of Testament, Protest The Hero, Marta Peterson from Bleeding Through, Isis, Brendon Small from Dethklok, WWE Wrestler CM Punk, plus many more. Starting on the week of April 20, fans will be able to check out behind-the-scenes info on the awards at the Headbangers Ball blog and MTV2.com. On April 25, MTV2 will air a one-hour Revolver Golden Gods Awards nominee special and on Saturday, May 2, the channel will broadcast the ceremony. For more information on the awards — including nominees and how you can score tickets to the show at Club Nokia — check out GoldenGodsAwards.com. |
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