Rabu, 26 Mei 2010

MTV News

MTV News

'American Idol' Finale: Crystal Bowersox And Lee DeWyze Face Off

Posted: 25 May 2010 07:06 AM PDT

While both got positive comments, Crystal appeared to outshine Lee.
By Gil Kaufman


Lee Dewyze, Ryan Seacrest And Crystal Bowersox on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: Michael Becker/ Fox

After more than 40 shows, hundreds of contenders, almost as many broken hearts and one of the tamest set of finalists in the show's history, "American Idol" season nine came down to a pair of 24-year-olds, each vying to be the first Midwesterner to hold the crown.

Two days after the buzzed-about "Lost" finale, the second meanest man on TV this side of John "Smokey" Locke — departing original judge and the heart of the panel, Simon Cowell — went out not with his usual snarling put-downs, but with mostly kind remarks as Crystal Bowersox re-asserted her season-long status as the woman to beat with a pair of powerful performances that might have beaten back the late-season surge from rocker Lee DeWyze.

After Bowersox won last week's coin toss, Mt. Prospect, Illinois, paint clerk DeWyze went first, reprising his cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer," putting a bit more emotion into the ballad, raising his voice through the midpoint of the verses as he went into his signature rock-radio rasp.

Randy Jackson said it was "nice" but not quite energetic enough, while Ellen DeGeneres confused everyone by stating, "I couldn't be prouder if I birthed you myself," complimenting Lee for performing the song even better the second time. Reminding DeWyze that he was on the big stage at the Nokia Theatre, Cowell said he expected more passion, calling it a "kiss on the cheek when I want a kiss on the lips— not from you, you know what I'm saying."

Bowersox was firmly in her wheelhouse with a reprise of Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee," strumming out the rock chestnut on her acoustic guitar and inspiring a group clap-along. The song again showed off her soul-mama bona fides as the wordless chorus gave her a chance to work through her powerful, bluesy range.

Ellen said Crystal drew the whole crowd in, and Kara DioGuardi said, "I loved it when you first did it, and I loved it tonight. You told us so much about you as an artist, and you have fire in your belly tonight!" For Cowell, after a few tepid weeks, the performance brought back the Crystal the judges fell in love with, and Randy praised her for picking up the pace midway through and said it was exactly the kind of record Bowersox should make.

Lee's second song was chosen by executive producer Simon Fuller, who went with R.E.M.'s iconic ballad "Everybody Hurts." Lee turned it into an acoustic campfire ballad, swamping up the arrangement and snarling a bit of a rock edge into the alt-rock classic while highlighting the expressiveness of his voice as a gospel choir backed him up and brought a majestic feel to the tune.

"What makes you great as a performer is that you're emotionally accessible," Kara said. "I can feel every word you're saying, and you're telling a story." Cowell called it a "brilliant" choice of song, even if he went a bit off melody and Lee was clearly nervous. "You've got another song to come, and I think you've got to really understand what this night can do in terms of changing your life," he warned. "And when you come out for your last performance I want a 10-out-of-10."

Fuller went with Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet" for Bowersox, a song that has a long "Idol" history and seemed custom-made for Crystal's gutbucket growl. She seemed a bit uncomfortable walking down the steps in her, yes, black-velvet dress and heels, but Crystal matched the squealing guitar licks with throaty growls and a loud, cat-scratch note at the end.

DioGuardi said Bowersox proved she wanted it and really gave it her all, while Cowell groused about how sick he is of hearing the tune in countless horrible auditions. "But I've got to tell you, you took that song and you absolutely nailed it," he enthused. "MamaSox is in it to win it!" Randy yelled, while DeGeneres simply gave her a standing ovation.

And then it was down to the coronation song, typically a trip to Cheesy Town, but DeWyze dodged a bullet by snagging U2's uplifting "Beautiful Day" instead of a mewly original. The synth-pop orchestral arrangement was a bit lightweight, and Lee seemed to get lost in it at times as he drifted off-key at points. Wearing a black leather jacket over a black hoodie, he eventually found his footing, gripped the microphone and leaned into the soaring chorus, showing a bit of his rock-star potential, opening his mouth and howling out the refrain with all his might.

Cowell said he made the most of it and gave it more effort than the other two songs and then took a moment to say what amounts to his farewell to "Idol." "This is my final time I'm ever going to judge this show," Cowell said. "I just want to say about you, is that this is what this competition was designed for, which is somebody who needs a break ... having a normal job working in a paint shop. You've worked hard, you've remained a really, really nice person throughout, and I genuinely wish the best for you. You're a great guy."

"Watching you grow to where you are right now, standing on this stage making it this far," DeGeneres said, "I was watching your eyes, you were fully present for that song, taking in every bit of these people's energy, and I love that you were able to get to that place to do that." First, the good news: DioGuardi said he has grown the most on the show this season and has the most commercial voice of the season and deserves to be in the finals. But she felt he got swallowed up by the arrangement.

"This whole thing has been amazing, from the very beginning to right now," DeWyze said. "I want to be doing this for a long time. ... I will be doing this for the rest of my life, one way or another."

Crystal's coronation song was Patty Griffin's Martin Luther King tribute "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)," which Bowersox sang while strumming her beat-up acoustic, dipping and swaying through her broad range and owning the song as if she wrote it. (The song wasn't new to the "Idol" stage: Kelly Clarkson performed it with Jeff Beck during 2007's "Idol Gives Back" show.) Hitting a sustained, powerful note and putting her busker's passion into the emotional lyrics like her next meal depended on it, MamaSox ended the show with a powerful display of why she's been this season's front-runner since she first stepped on the stage with the top 12.

"An amazing song by an amazing singer," Jackson roared, saying it was one of the best performances in the show's history. "I cannot compare you to one person. ... You are in a league of your own. You have a beautiful voice," Ellen added, unable to resist yet another food metaphor. "If you make an album, I'm gonna buy it. If you go on tour, I go on tour and watch you. If you make a salad, I'll eat it."

After a season in which she sometimes had a hard time connecting with Crystal and felt she had her guard up, Kara said the singer from hardscrabble Elliston, Ohio, finally let her guard down and seemed fully emotionally invested in the song.

Before Simon made his final comments on the show, Crystal addressed him and expressed her gratitude. "You've been amazing this season," she said. "Thank you for all the critique and criticism and help. ... Good luck on your future endeavors."

"Since it's becoming a bit of a lovefest tonight," the typically hard-hearted judge replied, "I thought that was by far the best performance and the song of the night. And since this is going to be the final critique I'm ever going to give, I would just like to say that was outstanding."

After Tuesday's (May 25) vote, the season's winner will be announced during Wednesday night's two-hour finale, which will feature a performance from Christina Aguilera.

Who do you think won the battle Tuesday? Who are you going to vote for? Leave your comments below!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Photos

T.I. Says Eminem Reached Out To Him In Prison

Posted: 26 May 2010 03:52 AM PDT

Tip says Em gave him 'incredibly helpful' words of support during tough times.
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Tim Kash


T.I.
Photo: Sam Hendrick

When T.I. first ventured out to get an Eminem verse on "Touchdown" for 2007's T.I. vs. T.I.P., the King of the South thought the best-case scenario would be that he'd get 16 bars of fire and a hit record. The ATL native gained much more than that while working with Marshall Mathers: a friendship.

"I reached out to Em," Tip explained to MTV News. "My management reached out to his management, just in hopes of getting him on a record. Em personally reached out to me, and we been speaking ever since, especially since I went through my situation [with having to go to prison]. [He would] just kinda remind me that 'I've been through dark period in my life too. You're gonna make it. You're one of the ones we need, so you're gonna make it. Stand tall and walk the walk.' He just made it a point to always reassure me of the spot that I hold in this thing that we got called hip-hop. It was incredibly helpful. It was incredibly noble of him, in my eyes, to even take the time out to reach out to me."

Tip says while he being prosecuted and sentenced for illegally attempting to purchase firearms, Eminem would call him once every two weeks.

"We continue to stay in touch," Tip said. "He wrote me since I was in the joint. We've spoken several time since I've been back home. We maintain a healthy relationship."

Just like Tip has overcome severe circumstances with his conviction, Eminem overcame a drug addiction that almost resulted in a fatal overdose.

"Adversity brings strength," T.I. said. "No matter where the adversity comes from, you become a better person if you are able to channel that strength in a positive way. If you are able to take that experience and learn from it, and you're willing to grow from it, accept the part you've played in it and move forward, I think you're a better person. That's something that I can see he's experienced that I've experienced, that we both share in common."

T.I. and Eminem have agreed to record a song for Tip's August 17 LP King Uncaged.

Which of T.I.'s collaborations are you most looking forward to hearing? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Related Videos

Drake Says He Could Never 'Hold It Down' For Lil Wayne

Posted: 26 May 2010 03:52 AM PDT

'I can never hold down Young Money because I'm not Lil Wayne,' Drake tells Mixtape Daily.
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Sway Calloway


Drake and Lil Wayne
Photo: MTV News

Celebrity Favorites: Drake

From a Jamaican Gully Town to Jamaica, Queens, Young Money's Drake and Lil Wayne have the mixtape circuit in a tizzy right now. Drake's Wayne-featured "Miss Me" — which we told you about months ago — is a must-have for mixtape DJs right now. It may be the biggest new song to hit the circuit in weeks.

Despite all the anticipation Drizzy has for his upcoming Thank Me Later LP (due June 15), the 23 year-old Canadian knows that he is not in any way filling Wayne's shoes. Drake will correct you if you say he's "holding it down" for Weezy during the New Orleans fireman's time in jail.

"You know what, man? I rap and I rap very confident. But in my actually head, I can never hold down Young Money because I'm not Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne is who we look up to. He's our mentor. I will definitely do everything to keep the brand going, keep Young Money on people's minds. But Lil Wayne is the only one — he's the epicenter of that all. I definitely don't wanna take on that responsibility. I just wanna put out this album, give the people this great music and have the people understand it's coming from Young Money. If you do enjoy it, then please, give all the credit to Young Money because that's who I represent. But as far as me being able to 'hold it down,' that's not even a conversation. Lil Wayne is Lil Wayne. He's my hero, my mentor and he's the reason I'm here. I do it in honor of him as opposed to filling the void."

"Miss Me" has appeared on the mixtape circuit in a variety of forms. First it was just a Drake verse and an alternate chorus, then it was the Drake verse, alternate chorus and a snippet of Wayne's verse. Finally, the mastered and complete version landed on the Internet and mixtapes this week.

"It's a pretty straightforward [song]," Drake told us when his Away From Home Tour kicked off several weeks ago. "It's a song about being away from what you love and hoping that when you're gone, doing you, somebody out there misses you. It goes for Wayne in his situation and it goes for me in my situation, 'cause I'm on the road for I don't how long right now."

Drake also talks about marrying Nicki Minaj on the track, while Weezy bounces off the walls on a myriad of subjects.

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc.

Related Videos

Lil Wayne And Nicki Minaj's 'Knockout' Video -- Check Out A Preview!

Posted: 26 May 2010 03:52 AM PDT

That clip, plus three other brand-new ones, will premiere during MTV Jams' Lil Tunechi Weekend.
By Shaheem Reid


Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne
Photo: Young Money

Lil Tunechi Weekend: 'Knockout' (Featuring Nicki Minaj)

White backdrop, green screen, a guitar and a very sexy co-star — Lil Wayne's "Knockout" video is perfect for Memorial Day weekend, when that clip and three others from Weezy's Rebirth will debut on MTV Jams. On Tuesday, we brought you a sneak peek of the "Da Da Da" video; now, we have a preview of "Knockout," featuring Nicki Minaj.

"Knockout" is audacious and sexy with Wayne and Nicki playing off each other. The duo meet in a pink locker room as Wayne — toting his guitar — sings to the Young Money leading lady: "Hey, Barbie! Are you into black men?/ Hey, Barbie! I can be your black Ken/ Wow! 'Cause once you go black, you never go back/ She wore her hair black, with curls in the back."

Nicki wears her hair half blond, half blue and sings the chorus: "Baby 1, 2, 3/ Tell 'em get the referee/ 'Cause he can get the knockout/ If the telephone rings/ It's emergency/ 'Cause he can get the knockout."

"Knockout" is one of nine videos Wayne shot during Super Bowl weekend in Miami in anticipation of his current yearlong prison sentence, which started in March. Minaj said Weezy's work ethic is amazing and should be emulated.

"To not have him here, it's like a life lesson for all of us — always work as if we have no one else to depend on — and that's what he teaches us," Nicki said during the mtvU Spring Break festivities. "He did, like, 1,000 videos before he went in, knowing that he had to go to jail. A lot of us wouldn't do that. A lot of us would be curled up on a ball like, 'Oh my God, my life is about to be over.' So shout-out to Lil Wayne. We're honored that he chose each and every one of us, handpicked us. And we love him."

"Knockout" features a cameo from the Birdman and was directed by Jeffrey Panzer and Wayne himself. This weekend, MTV Jams will also be debuting "Runnin' " (featuring Shannell), "Get a Life" and "Da Da Da."

Which of the four new Wayne videos are you most excited to see this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

Related Videos

Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro': The Summer Jam Of 2010?

Posted: 26 May 2010 03:52 AM PDT

Song came out last fall, but video is on the way -- and who would bet against Gaga?
By James Montgomery


Lady Gaga
Photo: Interscope Records

Sure, it's from an album that came out last year, but that doesn't mean you should bet against Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" in the Summer Jam Sweepstakes. After all, there are about a million compelling reasons why it could very well be the biggest song on the beaches, chief among them this one: At this point, why bet against her?

Yes, in her meteoric rise to the top of the pop world, there's not much Gaga hasn't accomplished, though a surefire summertime smash may be one of them. "Paparazzi" started picking up steam in the summer of 2009, but due mostly to scheduling, LG has yet to release a single during tanning season. Until now, that is.

Because "Alejandro" is primed and ready as the third single from her massive Fame Monster album, and thanks to a high-profile (and slightly controversial) performance of the tune on "American Idol" and sure-to-be discussed video in the works (it's due next month), it wouldn't surprise us to see Gaga topping the charts this summer, which, by proxy, would all but cement the song as the official soundtrack to the bikini months.

There's plenty to love about the song, too: From the sparkling, slightly Spanish production work of frequent collaborator RedOne to the goofy accent Gaga adopts for the tune, it's very much an over-the-top delight, and we'd be remiss if we didn't point out just how much it reminds us of Madonna's easy, breezy "La Isla Bonita," which was a hit way back in the summer of '87. And let's face it: If there's one song that will serve as the score to your summer-long fling with a dreamy-yet-slightly-distant exchange student ("I know that we are young, and I know that you may love me/ But I just can't be with you like this anymore, Alejandro"), well, this is probably it.

So while it faces some stiff competition — from the likes of Katy Perry's "California Gurls" and the B.o.B/ Hayley Williams team-up "Airplanes" to name just two — "Alejandro" feels like a strong contender to become the song of summer 2010. And if/when it does, it'll only further illustrate the fact that Lady Gaga can basically do anything. Like we said, why would you bet against her?

Vote for the summer jam of 2010 in the MTV Newsroom now, and stay tuned all week for more on the hottest songs of the season.

Related Videos

What's The All-Time Best 'Sex And The City' Episode? Stars Make Their Picks!

Posted: 26 May 2010 03:52 AM PDT

'The City' co-stars Whitney Port and Roxy Olin, 'Hills' star Stephanie Pratt and more weigh in.
By Jocelyn Vena


Whitney Port
Photo: MTV News

With the highly anticipated "Sex and the City 2" about to hit theaters on Thursday, MTV News asked some of the show's biggest celebrity fans to dish on their favorite episodes from the TV series, which aired from 1998 to 2004 before spinning off into the films.

There were a lot of fabulous episodes to choose from, but Roxy Olin, who stars in "The City," another show single women living in Manhattan, said "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" from season two was a standout for her. In that story line, Carrie discovers the perfect way to get over one of her many breakups with Mr. Big.

"At the Yankee game, when she goes and gets with the Yankee ... I just remember that so clearly," Olin told MTV News. "And she was drunk or something at the game. There's so many moments in 'Sex and the City,' I can go on and on and on."

"Twilight" star Elizabeth Reaser went with season-three episode "What Comes Around, Goes Around," which finds Carrie involuntarily parting from one of her most prized possessions.

"Love the moment where she gets robbed," Reaser laughed. "I think she gets mugged for her shoes."

"The Post-It Always Sticks Twice," which aired during season 6, still tops the list for many "SATC" fans, including "The Hills" star Stephanie Pratt and "Hills" alumna Whitney Port. In the episode, Carrie's writer beau Berger breaks up with her via the sticky paper.

"When Carrie gets broken up with on the Post-it note, and they go to the downtown bar," Pratt recalled of the shaken Carrie and her pals.

"Maybe when she gets broken up with on the Post-It?" said "The City" star Port of the same episode. "That's so sad!"

At the "Sex and the City 2" premiere in New York City on Monday, Port revealed that of the four ladies, she connected most to the Manolo Blahnik-loving Carrie.

"I think I relate to Carrie probably the most," she said. "Because I think careerwise, [my path is] like the path that she took."

What's your favorite "SATC" episode? Tell us in the comments!

It's "Sex and The City 2" Week at MTV News! Check out everything we've got on the film!

Related Videos Related Photos

Kris Allen Recalls Dumping His Now-Wife On 'When I Was 17'

Posted: 26 May 2010 03:52 AM PDT

'She was awesome, but I was a jerk,' he says on the show, which airs Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV.
By Eric Ditzian


Kris Allen
Photo: MTV News

Listen up, all you heartbroken souls! Just because you broke up with your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn't mean you won't someday get back together. And get married. And see your spouse go on to win "American Idol."

That's the takeaway from Kris Allen's romance with his high school sweetheart, as the singer explains in the upcoming episode of "When I Was 17," airing Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV. "When I was 17, I broke up with my future wife," he admitted.

Arkansas native Allen and future wife Katie had been dating for about a year when their final year of high school rolled around and Kris decided he needed space to rock out like a true senior.

"She was awesome, but I was a jerk. I was like, 'Aw, it's my senior year. I've got to be free like a bird. Can't have this ball and chain on me,' " he explained.

He probably should've realized it before, but Allen was not exactly the type of guy who could move on from one girl and embrace countless others. "I had no game with the ladies, but with her, it was really easy to go up and talk to her, and everything just always clicked," he said. "Everyone was like, 'Oh, they're going to end up together forever.' "

Nonetheless, they split, first for a two-week break and then for what both thought would be a permanent separation. "She had a hard time dealing with it," Allen said. "Actually, our lockers were right next to each other, so that was pretty tough."

But eventually they got back together and ended up getting hitched shortly before Allen debuted on the eighth season of "American Idol," which he went on to win. But the guy still feels bad about how he treated his sweetheart back in the day.

"I was more worried about my senior year and having fun than being a boyfriend," he said. "I'm sorry, Katie. I was being a jerk!"

"When I Was 17" — this week featuring Allen, Kourtney Kardashian and Travie McCoy — airs Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV.

Related Photos Related Artists

Diddy Reveals His Oscar Influence On 'Inside The Actor's Studio'

Posted: 25 May 2010 06:12 AM PDT

'I'm gonna help you win an Oscar,' producer/actor recalls telling 'Monster's Ball' co-star Halle Berry.
By Jayson Rodriguez


Diddy appears on "Inside The Actor's Studio" on Tuesday
Photo: Bravo

It turns out Diddy's Midas touch extends beyond music.

The hip-hop mogul told "Inside the Actor's Studio" host James Lipton, during his pre-taped appearance that aired Tuesday night (May 25), that he predicted Halle Berry would win an Academy Award for "Monster's Ball" — with his aid.

"I knocked on Halle's door at a hotel," Diddy recalled, after his acting coach urged him to jet across the country to claim his role in the movie. "And she was like, 'What are you doing here?' I was like, 'Give me five minutes. Do you remember when people just looked at you as a pretty face? Remember in "Strictly Business" and no one would give you chance? I know you may think that I'm gonna be polarizing, that I'm gonna take your shot to win a Oscar.' But I said, 'I'm gonna help you win an Oscar. I'm gonna be believable.' I said, 'Give me a chance.' "

Berry, of course, did go on to earn an Oscar for her portrayal of Leticia Torres, an embattled wife whose husband was executed by her new lover, a fact she learned after their hookup. Diddy joked that with Berry's win and later Phylicia Rashad's Tony win for "A Raisin in the Sun," he has a recruiting pitch for his future co-stars. "You'll always win," he said.

Throughout his conversation with Lipton, Diddy was engaging, jovial and displayed a restrained charisma. The producer/rapper-turned-actor had the support of his mother, Janice Combs, and his son, Justin Combs, who were seated in the audience, along with a number of aspiring actors, writers and directors. Diddy took questions from the crowd and told the students to never take no for an answer, citing the encouragement from his acting coach, Susan Batson.

Diddy appeared on the show to help promote his latest film, "Get Him to the Greek." In the movie, Diddy plays an over-the-top record executive — he told Lipton his character, Sergio, was only mildly similar to himself — that has been earning rave reviews from his co-stars, including Jonah Hill.

"I think Diddy's going to really shock people," Hill told MTV News earlier this year. "We were saying Diddy's kind of the McLovin of 'Get Him to the Greek.' You don't know what he's going to do. Every time he breathes in the movie, it garners a huge laugh."

What did you think about Diddy's "Inside the Actor's Studio" appearance? Let us know in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Get Him to the Greek."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Related Artists

Inside 'American Idol' Finale, Fans Urge Simon Cowell: 'Don't Go!'

Posted: 25 May 2010 07:42 AM PDT

'Idol' alumni Michael Lynche, Megan Joy and Justin Guarini show up for judge's penultimate show.
By Kelley L. Carter


Crystal Bowersox performs on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: Michael Becker/ Fox

LOS ANGELES — The party got started long before the final "American Idol" performance show kicked off. "Idol" contestants from seasons past were right at home and accepted cheers and catcalling from the 7,000 fans inside the Nokia Theatre.

About an hour before the show started, season-one runner-up Justin Guarini held court. The curly-haired singer was outside near the talent check-in, taking cell phone shots with fans, shaking hands and laughing with friends he called out to.

Scott MacIntyre, the blind piano-playing contestant from season eight, was taken aback when the crowd whistled and applauded his arrival. Megan Joy — who got rid of the long, lush locks we remember from the same season — ran her fingers through her cropped blond 'do and smiled when a fan complimented her on the new look as she tried to scurry to her seat before the lights went up and the show began. Oh, and she was barefoot!

An ear-busting scream went out when Simon Cowell was introduced, especially when the crowd was reminded that this was his second-to-last day as an "Idol" judge. "You getting emotional already?" the warm-up comic asked a fan who was bawling during a commercial break. "It's not even the results show!"

Over another break, Michael "Big Mike" Lynche was razzed by the warm-up guy, who claimed the personal trainer/ singer was an over-exuberant Justin Bieber fan. "You had the Bieber fever," he joked with Lynche. "You couldn't sleep the night before he performed here. OK, I need to be careful. You might crush me."

Host Ryan Seacrest cruised the aisles before the finalists' second songs of the night, slapping high-fives with fans and holding hands with a show producer as they ran back down toward the stage.

While the crowd's signs are typically meant to cheer on the contestants, most of Tuesday night's (May 25) posters were aimed at Cowell. "Please don't go, Simon!" one sign read.

Who are you rooting for to win this season of "American Idol": Crystal or Lee? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Photos

'Dancing With The Stars' Finale: Nicole Scherzinger Wins It All

Posted: 26 May 2010 09:01 AM PDT

Evan Lysacek and Erin Andrews settle for second and third, respectively, during action-packed finale.
By Kara Warner


Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough win "Dancing with the Stars" season 10
Photo: ABC

Ten weeks of fierce competition, a diverse cast of headline-making celebrities and countless can't-believe-they-stayed-on costumes all boiled down to Tuesday night's (May 25) "Dancing With the Stars" season finale. And after two hours and a slew of great performances, the coveted mirror-ball trophy was bestowed, as many predicted, upon Nicole Scherzinger and her partner, Derek Hough.

The season-10 favorites beat out second-place finishers Olympian Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya and third-place duo Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. The winners kicked off the evening's "favorite dance" round with the first of a trio of fiery Argentine tangos (all three dancing couples performed the Argentine tango for that round), which garnered rave reviews from the judges and sealed their place in the final two. But it was their final, high-energy jive to Ike & Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" that clinched the win.

Their performance prompted veteran ballroom judge Len Goodman to call the competition 20 minutes prior to the winner being announced — and before Lysacek and Trebunskaya had taken the floor. "There is only one winner of 'Dancing With the Stars' — it should be you," he boldly stated.

The always effusive Bruno Tonioli agreed: "This has been the best season of 'Dancing With the Stars' ever! You two have produced the most inventive, stunning dances I've ever seen! This [dance] was the crowning glory of an amazing season."

Carrie Ann Inaba said simply, "You set this place on fire."

As for Scherzinger and Hough, they were over the moon. "I'm just so flippin' happy right now!" the Pussycat Dolls frontwoman declared.

The show's other highlights, in addition to great performances by Lysacek and Andrews and a few teary goodbyes, included Buzz Aldrin's brief return to the dance floor in a sparkly jumpsuit and Niecy Nash and Pamela Anderson's "who's the sexiest?" showstopper. The cheesiest moment was easily when "The Bachelor" couple Jake Pavelka and Vienna danced to their season's theme song, "On the Wings of Love." And Kate Gosselin's number was exactly as host Tom Bergeron described it: an "over-the-top production."

Do you think Nicole and Derek deserved the mirror-ball trophy? Sound off in the comments!

Related Photos Related Artists

Crystal Bowersox's 'Up To The Mountain': Behind The 'American Idol' Cover

Posted: 25 May 2010 07:15 AM PDT

Simon Cowell calls Patty Griffin cover 'the best performance and the song of the night.'
By Eric Ditzian


Crystal Bowersox Performs On "American Idol" May 25
Photo: FOX

On Tuesday night (May 25), "American Idol" fans got their first true taste of what kind of recording artist Crystal Bowersox might be, as she performed the single she'll release if she ends up winning the competition.

The song is called "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)," originally written by Patty Griffin, and MamaSox absolutely killed it. Sitting on a stool with her guitar, the song started slowly and, from the first note, perfectly fit the singer's style. Her raw vocal power was on full display, a soul- and gospel- and folk-tinged vibe that establishes her as a sort of combination of Janis Joplin and Tracy Chapman for the 21st century. Her connection to the lyrics — inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic 1968 "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech — was unmistakable as she sang, "Sometimes I feel like I've been nothing but tired/ And I'll be working till the day I expire."

This wasn't the first time the song was performed on the "Idol" stage. Back in 2007, Kelly Clarkson and Jeff Beck busted out the tune during the "Idol Gives Back" charity effort. Susan Boyle also recorded the song for her debut album, I Dreamed a Dream. And after Bowersox's take on the track, the judges had a hard time avoiding a sort of coronation moment.

"You are in a league of your own," said Ellen DeGeneres.

Randy Jackson echoed that sentiment. "This is what this show is about," he said. "An amazing song by an amazing singer. I'm telling you what, I'm so proud of you, man. This is one of the greatest performances and one of your best moments at the perfect time on this show."

And then it was time for Simon Cowell's final critique of his "Idol" career, as he's leaving the show after this season to jumpstart a new talent show on Fox called "The X Factor." He did not hold back.

"I thought that was by far the best performance and the song of the night," he said. "And since this is going to be the final critique I'm ever going to give, I would just like to say that was outstanding."

What did you think of Crystal's "Up to the Mountain"? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Photos

Slash Is 'Flattered' That Rihanna Channels Him In 'Rockstar 101'

Posted: 25 May 2010 04:21 AM PDT

'It brings an element of sexuality to it that I probably wouldn't have been capable of,' Gun N' Roses axman tells MTV News.
By Kyle Anderson


Rihanna in her "Rockstar 101" video
Photo: Def Jam

Rihanna can always be counted on to deliver killer hooks and sexy looks in the eye-popping videos that accompany her chart-owning singles. The just-premiered clip for "Rockstar 101," off her smash '09 album, Rated R, is no exception. The visual casts Rihanna as the frontwoman for a rock band whose members include Blink-182 drummer (and friend-of-everyone) Travis Barker.

Perhaps the most striking image comes during the song's breakdown, when Rihanna appears dressed as none other than iconic guitarist Slash. And it's a fitting homage, as the former Guns N' Roses axman provided the track's signature riffage. But the original concept didn't have Rihanna putting on a gender-bending performance.

"I was supposed to actually be in that video," Slash told MTV News. "I played on the song, and they called me up to ask me to play in the video, but my record was just coming out, and I was sort of worn thin," he explained. "She was really sweet. She sent me this pleading text to come do the video, but I couldn't make it work. I told her that me not being in the video wasn't going to make or break it."

So what does Slash think of Rihanna's pantomime-like depiction of him in the clip?

"The video is way better with her being me than with me being me," he said. "All things considered, it brings an element of sexuality to it that I probably wouldn't have been capable of. I think it's hot, and I sent her a text this morning telling her it was definitely hotter with her doing it than with me doing it. Everything works out the way it's supposed to."

Slash admitted that he hadn't heard back from her yet, but their easy relationship is one of mutual admiration: Rihanna is a huge fan of Guns N' Roses, the singer told him, and Slash was way into "Umbrella." "I don't come from that side of the fence, but I particularly liked [Good Girl Gone Bad]," he said.

Although he couldn't make the clip's shoot, Slash told us he feels pretty good about the outcome.

"I'm way more flattered that she played me in the video than her asking me to be in it," he said. "All things considered, she's pretty cool."

Did you think Rihanna's "Rockstar" take on Slash was spot-on? Or does she need to work on it? Let us know in the comments!

Related Artists

Lee DeWyze's 'Everybody Hurts': Behind The 'American Idol' Cover

Posted: 25 May 2010 06:29 AM PDT

Simon Cowell calls the R.E.M. tune 'a brilliant choice of song' for DeWyze.
By Eric Ditzian


Lee DeWyze performs on "Idol" on May 25
Photo: Fox

After a tepid opening performance that left the "American Idol" judges less than impressed, Lee DeWyze bounced back with an inspired take on R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" during Tuesday night's (May 25) performance finale.

It seemed like an odd, potentially sleep-inducing choice when Ryan Seacrest introduced the tune, but the 24-year-old stepped up to the mic with his guitar and immediately made clear that this performance would be different, and far better, than his first one (a second stab at Simon & Garfunkel's "The Boxer" from "Idol Gives Back" week). There was genuine emotion on his face and in his voice as he sang, "Everybody cries/ And everybody hurts."

The track is from R.E.M.'s 1992 effort, Automatic for the People, which reached as high as #2 on the Billboard albums chart. The melancholy song is perhaps best remembered for the band's music video, directed by Jake Scott. Filmed on a San Antonio freeway, the video shows the band driving along until they come to a standstill in a massive traffic jam alongside other drivers. Their thoughts begin to flash across the screen as subtitles. "Nobody can see me," thinks one woman. "They're going to miss me," thinks a young boy.

It's depressing stuff, no doubt, but DeWyze's rendition was an altogether more uplifting take. And the judges dug it, despite the singer's occasional pitch problems.

"What makes you great as a performer is that you're emotionally accessible and that I can feel every word that you're saying and that you're telling a story," Kara DioGuardi declared.

Simon Cowell agreed, albeit with a not insignificant caveat. "I thought that was a brilliant choice of song for you," he said. "You went a little bit off melody at parts. What I'm feeling from you tonight, Lee, and I understand this, is you're nervous. You've got another song to come, and I think you've really got to understand the importance of what this night can do in terms of changing your life."

What did you think of Lee's "Everybody Hurts"? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Photos

Kanye West 'Took Over' NYC Nightclub To Preview Songs

Posted: 25 May 2010 05:14 AM PDT

'Kanye leaned over and said, 'Play track three.' They all went nuts,' DJ Scram Jones says of partiers at CV.
By Jayson Rodriguez


Kanye West (file)
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Kanye West has largely shunned the spotlight since his stage-crashing rant at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in September. Save for a few appearances — joining Beyoncé onstage at a London concert and joining a host of celebrities for the "We Are the World" remake — West has, for the most part, spoken only intermittently through blog posts and a guest turn on Fox's animated series"The Cleveland Show."

Last week, however, West popped up at Manhattan hot spot CV with entourage in tow -- Plain Pat, Consequence, Kid Cudi -- for a rare public appearance since he first vowed to take time off following his VMA stunt. (West admitted at the time in a televised interview with Jay Leno that he was still dealing with the emotional complexities of his mother's death.)

The unsuspecting crowd at CV partying to the tunes of DJ/ hip-hop producer Scram Jones got a first listen as Kanye premiered a handful of songs from his forthcoming album.

"Kanye came through. There's a table right by the DJ booth, so they posted up right in front of the booth, and basically, after they hung out for a little while, 45 minutes later, Pat came in the booth and said he wanted to play some new stuff. He had a CD, and we put it in," Jones explained to MTV News on Tuesday (May 25).

"Kanye leaned over and said, 'Play track three.' They all went nuts, Kid Cudi was dancing on the table, and then we cut it off at about a minute-and-a-half. We went to another record, and that got everybody excited, and Kanye said, 'Play number seven.' That's how it kept happening. By the end of the process, we played four records," the DJ added.

According to Jones, there was no microphone announcement made by West — he just asked for the records to be played and "kind of took over the spot." Jones wasn't able to identify the titles of the tracks he spun but described them as "real hip-hop," sans Auto-Tune, singing, or even West's trademark soul samples.

His cursory review comes on the heels of similar oness made by some of the album's contributors, including producers Q-Tip, Pete Rock and the RZA, who all have said West's next project will be more in line with his work pre-808s & Heartbreak. As of press time, it's unclear when West's album will arrive, though rumors suggest it will see a late-2010 release.

Up next for Jones, the producer is working on a compilation project for Nature Sounds Records that will showcase both his production and rap skills; a number of Jones' productions are also set to see the light of day soon, among them numbers by Maino (featuring T.I.), Styles P. and C-N-N.

Are you excited to hear new music from Kanye? Let us know in the comments!

Related Artists

Slipknot Call Bassist Paul Gray 'The Best Of Us'

Posted: 25 May 2010 06:08 AM PDT

'Paul Gray was the essence of the band Slipknot,' percussionist Shawn 'Clown' Crahan says at Iowa press conference.
By James Montgomery


Slipknot's Corey Taylor attends a press conference in Iowa Tuesday
Photo: Charlie Neibergall/ AP

In an emotional press conference held in Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday evening (May 25), members of Slipknot remembered bassist Paul Gray, who was found dead in an Iowa hotel room Monday morning.

The eight remaining members of the group — all appearing unmasked — spoke at length about their friend and bandmate, recalling a man who went above and beyond the call of duty for both Slipknot and their fanatic fanbase.

"He was everything that was wonderful about this band and about this group of people," frontman Corey Taylor said. "The only way I can sum up Paul Gray is 'love.' Everything he did, he did for everyone around him whether he knew you or not ... and that's what he's left behind for us: absolute love. I will miss him with every fiber of my heart, as will everybody at this table and everyone who knew him. He was the best of us."

"It's very important that everybody on the outside of us understands that Paul Gray was the essence of the band Slipknot. ... Paul was there from the very, very beginning, and none of us would be on the path that we're on now in life or have the sorts of life that we have without him," percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan added. "Paul loved the fans. He was kind of the person in the band that really wanted everybody in the band to always get along and just concentrate on the band. He was a really great friend and a really great person. He's going to be sadly missed, and the world is going to be a different place without him."

Slipknot did not take any questions from the media and allowed Gray's wife, Brenna, to speak last about her late husband.

"Paul was my husband, an amazing person, and I want people to remember him for that," she said, fighting back tears. "And his daughter will remember him for the way he was."

The couple were expecting their first child, reportedly due in September.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Des Moines Register reported that an autopsy of Gray's body revealed no cause of death and that the Polk County medical examiner is awaiting results of toxicology testing — which could take up to six weeks to complete — before ruling on a cause of death in the case.

Share your memories of Paul Gray and Slipknot in the comments below.

Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists

Crystal Bowersox Fans On 'American Idol' Chances: 'She's Got This'

Posted: 25 May 2010 04:31 AM PDT

'If she happens not to be the number one, she's number one to us,' one hometown supporter tells MTV News.
By Gil Kaufman


Crystal Bowersox
Photo: FOX

Crystal Bowersox's run on "American Idol" has done a lot of things for her hometown of Toledo, Ohio. It's given people in the economically hard-hit area reason to hope, it's lifted the onetime street busker from anonymity to the biggest forum on television, and it's set the stage for the first Northern "Idol" winner, as well as the first female champ since 2006's Jordin Sparks.

It's also made her friends and mentors incredibly proud and excited at the prospect of seeing the teenage musical prodigy on the cusp of winning a major-label contract and attendant economic windfall that could dramatically impact the rest of her and her son Tony's lives.

Guitarist Ron Rasberry gave Crystal one of her first shots, letting her play during his set breaks when she was just 13 years old. Though he was never an "Idol" watcher before, he knew she could go far on the show. "I didn't know the politics, I didn't know the demographics of who votes," he said while seated on a stool at Toledo's gritty Papa's Tavern, where Crystal got her start more than a decade ago. "As far as against everybody else I heard sing and play on there, hands down, right from the start, I thought, 'She's got this.' What you see is what you get. Crystal is the real deal. She's not pretentious. She'll walk into that door with a guitar, and if there's a kid sitting there at the bar ... she'll just hand the kid a tambourine and break out the guitar and start playing. She's just a great person."

Rasberry was confident she would and should win, as was another of her musical godfathers, his good friend Bob May, a local musical stalwart whose son, Frankie, was Bowersox's bass player for several years. "I think she is [going to win]," he predicted before Bowersox had even made the top three. "I really do. And nothing against the other contestants, because they all are nice people and they're good too, but they are not, not in my ears, they're not as good as Crystal."

Even at Oak Harbor Middle School, there was something special about the quiet, well-behaved Bowersox that caught the eye of secretary/ guidance counselor Candy Bensch. She would watch the student voted "most likely to someday be a famous artist" in her junior high yearbook sit quietly in study hall and perform at Christmas and spring pageants and sense that Crystal was going places.

"When she was here, I don't think a lot of people were aware at first that she sang until we had the talent show, and then everybody just wanted her to sing another one and another one," Bensch said of the now-famous seventh-grade talent show where Crystal blew away the audience with a cover of a Jewel song. "So yeah, we all knew she was very talented. ... Of course we think she's going to win. And if she happens not to be the number one, she's number one to us."

It should come as no surprise that Bowersox's grandma, Alice, is feeling pretty confident about Crystal's chances to win it all. "We knew she was going somewhere," Alice said at a viewing party at the church across from the singer's childhood Elliston, Ohio, home several weeks ago. "I mean, we really knew she had a lot of talent. And now the rest of the world is finding it out. ... She's always been independent, from the time that she was that high [bends down and hold hand three feet off the ground]."

Is she going to win? "Oh sure, of course," Grandma smiled.

Do you think Crystal is going to win "Idol"? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Videos Related Photos

'Eclipse' Star Tinsel Korey Talks Favorite Scenes, 2010 MTV Movie Awards

Posted: 25 May 2010 05:48 AM PDT

'He's always thinking about the fuller picture with all the fight scenes,' actress says of 'Eclipse' director David Slade.
By Kara Warner


Photo: MTV News

As Twi-Hards know, the actors, directors and assorted crew associated with "Twilight" are typically under strict orders to stay mum about most details related to the films. So although castmember Tinsel Korey — she plays wolf pack den mother Emily Young — couldn't reveal too much about the upcoming "Eclipse" when MTV News caught up with her, she did open up about the vampire franchise's latest director.

David Slade ("30 Days of Night") helmed "Eclipse," due June 30, and Korey had nothing but kind words for him.

"He's great. He's a really different director from Chris Weitz," Korey told MTV News, comparing Slade to the man who led "New Moon." "Chris Weitz is an actor's director, where you focus on all the emotion, whereas David Slade is more technical, so there's a distance because he's always thinking about the fuller picture with all the fight scenes."

Just back from the Cannes Film Festival, where she promoted her independent feature "Stained," Korey also talked about the scene she's most excited to see onscreen. While she hasn't seen the finished third installment, the "wolf pack" creation story, she said, is a "beautiful moment" of storytelling.

With the 2010 MTV Movie Awards set to air June 6, we asked what she thought the chances were that "New Moon" would claim Best Movie over "Avatar" and "The Hangover." Not surprisingly, Korey said she had no doubt her movie would take the golden popcorn — for one reason in particular.

"Because I'm in it," she joked. "Just kidding! I prefer it over the CGI stuff. I think 'Avatar' was a beautiful movie but I love the love story in 'Twilight'. "

Do you think "New Moon" should win in the Best Movie category? Tell us in the comments!

Related Videos Related Photos

Slipknot Bassist Paul Gray's Death Still Under Investigation: Police

Posted: 25 May 2010 02:47 AM PDT

Medical examiner is awaiting results of toxicology testing, which could take four to six weeks.
By MTV News staff


Slipknot's Paul Gray
Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage

An autopsy of Slipknot bassist Paul Gray, who was found dead in a hotel room on Monday, has revealed no cause of death, police in Urbandale, Illinois, told the Des Moines Register on Tuesday (May 25).

The cause of death is still under investigation, and the Polk County medical examiner is awaiting the results of toxicology testing, the paper reported. Dr. Gregory Schmunk said it could be four to six weeks before the test results are complete and the cause of death can be determined, according to police.

According to the paper, the autopsy did indicate that the body showed no evidence of foul play or trauma and that Gray had been dead for several hours before his body was discovered.

Gray, 38, was better known as #2 or "The Pig" because of the mask he wore while performing with Slipknot, and helped form the group in 1995, along with current members Shawn "Clown" Crahan and Joey Jordison. Though the band's lineup shifted over the years — with members departing or switching instruments — Gray's position within the group remained constant: He was the only bass player Slipknot ever had.

In the hours since his death, tributes to Gray have poured in from fans and fellow musicians alike. Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, whom Gray was to replace in the supergroup/ cover band Hail!, said in a statement: "I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Paul Gray's passing. I considered him an incredible songwriter, inventive bassist, but more importantly, a kind and warm friend. As a fellow musician, I was excited that he would be playing in Hail! this coming month, as I knew it would be a fun experience for him. I'm sad that the European audiences will not get to see him play those shows."

Share your memories of Paul Gray and Slipknot in the comments below.

Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists

'American Idol' Expert Jim Cantiello Live-Blogged The Finale!

Posted: 25 May 2010 05:01 AM PDT


Photo: FOX

Jackson Rathbone Says Making 'Breaking Dawn' Will Be 'Amazing Experience'

Posted: 25 May 2010 05:37 AM PDT

'I find myself working with people I've dreamed of working with,' actor says of director Bill Condon.
By Kara Warner


Jackson Rathbone
Photo: MTV News

"Twilight" star Jackson Rathbone can't believe his luck: Not only is he part of a hugely popular franchise, but he's been able to work with some of his favorite directors. When MTV caught up with Rathbone, who is in two big summer movies — "Eclipse" and M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender" — he revealed he can't wait to start work on "Breaking Dawn" with Oscar-winner Bill Condon at the helm.

"I have not yet had a chance to meet Bill Condon, but I think it's going to be an amazing experience to work with an Academy Award-winning director of his caliber," he said. "Getting to work with these incredible directors that I've admired, ever since filming "The Last Airbender" with M. Night, even the first "Twilight" with Catherine Hardwicke. I really loved her directorial debut, [which] I think was 'Thirteen.' I thought that was incredible, and she co-wrote it with Nikki Reed, who's a good friend of mine now."

Rathbone said he's still trying to wrap his mind around it all and just wants to bask in the glow.

"I find myself working with people I've dreamed of working with. It's an amazing position to be in," he said. "It's a privilege, not a right. ... I'm basking in it, loving it, because as an artist, you get those moments, you live 'em up."

As for "Breaking Dawn," the musician/actor said he knows just as much as we do. Which is not a lot.

"They're keeping 'Breaking Dawn' under wraps," he said. We're all waiting on a script right now. It's all up in the air — we don't even know when we're going to film."

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and "The Last Airbender."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Diposting oleh computer game di 05.26

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

Langganan: Posting Komentar (Atom)