MTV News |
- Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz Marry On The Mediterranean
- Drake Performs At The 'OVO Festival'
- Rick Ross Rocks Surprise Set At NYC J. Cole, Wale Show
- Lady Gaga Urges Fans To Protest Immigration Law At Arizona Show
- Chelsea Clinton And Marc Mezvinsky Marry
- T.I. And Tiny Marry In Three Cities
- Kanye West Says New Album Born Of 'Excitement'
- 'American Idol' Runner-Up Crystal Bowersox Calls Ellen DeGeneres 'Amazing'
- Dwyane Wade, Good Charlotte, And Holly Madison Get Awkward On 'When I Was 17'
- Wiz Khalifa Was Working On Atlantic Deal 'For A Minute'
- Deadmau5 Collapses Onstage, Cancels Tour Dates
- Ellen DeGeneres On 'American Idol': A Look Back
- Joss Whedon Is The 'Right Thing' For 'Avengers,' Marvel Boss Says
- 'Jersey Shore' Fans React To Angelina's Return At Her Season-Two Premiere Party
- Wiz Khalifa Announces He's Signing To Atlantic Records On 'RapFix Live'
- Celebrities React To Ellen DeGeneres' 'American Idol' Exit
- Heidi Montag Files For Divorce From Spencer Pratt
- Chace Crawford Talks About Working With 50 Cent On 'Twelve'
- 'Jersey Shore' Star Snooki Arrested In Seaside Heights
- Ellen's Departure Doesn't Surprise 'American Idol' Experts
| Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz Marry On The Mediterranean Posted: 01 Aug 2010 02:26 AM PDT Deepak Chopra presides over the musical duo's ceremony on Saturday (July 31).
Another hip-hop and R&B couple have embarked on a major collaboration: Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were married Saturday (July 31) on the Mediterranean Sea. A rep for the couple confirms to MTV News that the ceremony, which was held in a private home, was presided over by Dr. Deepak Chopra. Keys said "I Do" in a Vera Wang gown and held a bouquet of calla lilies while Beatz wore a Tom Ford tux. The duo announced in May that they were engaged and expecting their first child together but remained mum about an exact wedding date. Speculation about when the couple would take the plunge reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, with rumors swirling that Keys and Beatz would make it official on a yacht -- reports that the producer and MC brushed off. "People are very creative [with gossip], but it's cool. We have fun with this stuff," Swizz told People magazine in July. "[The rumors are that] we're taking a boat to do this, and we're like, 'Man, who's paying for that?' " Swizz said. The marriage is Keys' first while Swizz was once married to R&B singer Mashonda and has two sons from previous relationships. A few weeks after the pair announced their engagement, Swizz gushed to MTV News about working with his lady the studio. "Me and AK, we just love music," Swizzy said. "When we in the studio, we work on a lot of things that ain't planned. We was just in the studio vibing on some stuff for her album, vibing on some stuff for my album. We might use it, we might not use it. Anytime we in the studio, it's just musical genius, minds connecting on another level, which is always cool." In addition to working with his wife, Swizz plans to release his next solo album later this year. Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Coldplay, John Legend, Drake and fellow hip-hop newlywed T.I. are expected to make appearances on the album. Leave well-wishes for the couple in the comments below! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Drake Performs At The 'OVO Festival' Posted: 01 Aug 2010 05:20 AM PDT Drake closes his tour in his Toronoto hometown.
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| Rick Ross Rocks Surprise Set At NYC J. Cole, Wale Show Posted: 01 Aug 2010 02:00 AM PDT The Miami MC performs a surprise set in Manhattan with J. Cole and Wale.
With a moniker like Teflon Don, you'd expect Rick Ross to be smooth. On Saturday (July 31), the Miami MC proved how slick he could be by surprising a room full of unsuspecting fans at an NYC show after rising rappers J. Cole and Wale hit the stage. Ross pulled the sneak attack at the NYC stop of the Heineken Inspire tour - a show which only advertised Cole, Wale and DJ D-Nice on the bill. The crowd of hip-hop heads erupted when the Bawse rolled onstage at Manhattan's St. John's Center and spit his street record "Blowin' Money Fast (B.M.F.)." Casually cool in a simple black T-shirt, ropes of gold chains and his ever-present dark shades, Ross also ripped Teflon Don tracks "MC Hammer" and "Aston Martin Music." The Bawse didn't let the solo set stop him from dropping his electric verses from remixes such as Diddy-Dirty Money's "Hello Good Morning" and Waka Flocka Flame's "O Let's Do It." The hip-hop heavyweight also took it back with his debut hit, "Hustlin,'" and the crowd rhymed the lyrics along with the MC as he closed with a reprise of "B.M.F." J. Cole fans rolled deep and throngs of the Fayetteville rapper's acolytes knew the words to many of the up-and-coming MC's songs, including "Who Dat," his guest verse on Jay-Z's "A Star Is Born" and "All I Want Is You," his soulful collaboration with R&B singer Miguel. Cole also performed "Premeditated Murder," a track that has been floating around the Web and is rumored to make the rapper's upcoming album. Sporting green and white Nike kicks, DC MC Wale performed a medley of his tracks such as the Lady Gaga-assisted "Chillin'" and the Jazmine Sullivan collabo "World Tour." The star also got the crowd involved, briefly passing his mic to an audience member to spit some of the MC's lines. Ultimately, Folarin did most of the heavy lifting in the rhyming department and showed off his mic skills with a few a capella bars. Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Urges Fans To Protest Immigration Law At Arizona Show Posted: 31 Jul 2010 10:32 PM PDT 'I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will protest this state,' Gaga tells concertgoers on Saturday (July 31).
Lady Gaga has often used her mega-fame to draw attention to hot-button issues such as gay rights and now Mother Monster is using her headline-grabbing powers to spotlight the ongoing immigration debate. Artists such as Cypress Hill, Shakira and Rage Against the Machine have blasted Arizona's controversial SB 1070 bill, which critics say hinges on racial profiling and discrimination to curb the flow of illegal immigrants into the state. According to The Arizona Republic, the pop supernova voiced her concerns about the law during her show on Saturday night (July 31). "We have to be active. We have to actively protest," Gaga told the crowd of over 14,000. "I will not cancel my show. I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will protest this state," said Gaga, who had the slogan "Stop SB 1070" scrawled on her forearm. Several stars have canceled shows in Arizona in protest of SB 1070, however, Gaga said she decided to use her tour date to address the controversy and rally fans over the issue. "I got a call from some big rappers and big rockers. They said, 'We'd like you to boycott Arizona because of SB 1070,'" Gaga said. The singer side-stepped the boycott strategy: "I told them, 'Do you really think that us ... pop stars are going to shut down the state?'" Gaga also described a recent encounter with an Arizona boy who was personally affected by the law. "I met a boy today who is suffering. . . . He told me his house was raided because of a parking ticket or something," Gaga recounted. "They took his brother, and now he is in Mexico ... It's really (unfair), and it's really disgusting. I think it's important that people understand that it's a state of emergency for this place and this state," said Gaga, before dedicating her song "You and I" to the boy. The singer also addressed the issue yesterday on her Twitter page: "Tonight we will continue to actively protest social and political injustices in Arizona," Gaga tweeted. "We will sing, we will stand up, + we will be heard." What do you think of Lady Gaga's stance on SB 1070? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Chelsea Clinton And Marc Mezvinsky Marry Posted: 01 Aug 2010 08:50 AM PDT Parents Bill and Hillary Clinton call the wedding 'perfect.'
Chelsea Clinton is officially off the market. The former first daughter and only child of political power couple, ex-President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, married her longtime boyfriend, Marc Mezvinsky, on Saturday evening (July 31). The high-profile wedding, which pushed the town of Rhinebeck, New York into the national spotlight, was attended by 400 guests, including actor Ted Danson and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Chelsea donned a gown by designer Vera Wang, who was also in attendance. However, rumored big-name guests, Oprah Winfrey and current President Barack Obama, were not present at the weekend nuptials. "Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends," Bill and Hillary said in a statement released Saturday. "We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day." Despite the outsize media and fan attention surrounding the event, it appears the big day went off smoothly. Perhaps the couple benefitted from the advice domestic diva, Martha Stewart, recently offered about putting together a memorable wedding day. "Just read Martha Stewart Weddings, the preeminent magazine for weddings," Stewart said about setting the stage for any bride-to-be's ceremony. "You know it! It's the bible! That is the place you go for any advice and it's fantastic." Last week, MTV News also hit up the masses about the political progeny's wedding and culled a range of wedding gift ideas for the new couple in Manhattan's Times Square. "New married couples, the thing that they need is something to channel their anger and frustration towards, so maybe a parrot or some kind of animal," said Seth Schellenberg. "Something that they can, you know, cuss at ... I think it's healthy!" Antinous Aloe Aquila would have gifted the newlyweds with an opportunity to indulge in some rest and relaxation. "I would give her a plane ticket and [find her] a really good location in some nude beaches in Hawaii," said Aquila. "Get away from all the [wedding] drama, and have a massage on the beach!" Leave well-wishes for the couple in the comments below! Related Photos |
| T.I. And Tiny Marry In Three Cities Posted: 31 Jul 2010 01:22 AM PDT The superstar MC weds his longtime girlfriend in a wedding celebration that spans Miami, Atlanta and Las Vegas.
Hip-hop's king officially has his queen. Superstar rapper T.I. wed longtime girlfriend Tameka "Tiny" Cottle on Saturday (July 31). A representative for Tiny confirms to MTV News that the duo married in front of friends and family in Miami. The couple has planned to celebrate their love in a manner fit for hip-hop royalty by spreading the ceremony over three cities. Following their Miami nuptials, the pair is expected to continue their "I Do" tour with stops in Atlanta and Las Vegas. The rep also denied rumors that the pair made it legal in another far-flung locale: "A lot of people initially heard they were doing it in Hawaii. They are not," Tiny's rep, Prince Kennedy, said. According to TMZ, T.I. and Tiny's wedding weekend kicked off in a Miami courthouse on Friday, though Kennedy was not able to confirm or deny the report. UsMagazine.com reports that the duo's Saturday ceremony took place on Star Island, and that the bride swapped vows in a Valentino gown and the groom donned a Prada suit. T.I. and Tiny have reportedly been dating since 2001 and even weathered the ATL MC's recent jail bid. Tip made his first public appearance after his prison sentence earlier this year with Tiny by his side when he attended Cottle's Alzheimer's fundraiser in Atlanta. The lyricist recently honored his lady love in the video for "Got Your Back," which portrays a couple working to stay together while separated by a prison stint. Tiny, who shot to fame as a member of the '90s girl group Xscape, even makes a cameo at the end of clip, standing proudly by her man's side. Although it appears they've marked their nuptials with a major party, Tiny said earlier this year that she wanted a "private" wedding and was waiting for the right time to make it official. "We living, we're happy, we're in love. I mean, it's no doubt in my mind that he doesn't love every piece of me and vice versa, so we're just doing what's comfortable and what works for us. Tiny and T.I.: Not for the world," Tiny told Vibe magazine. "When we get ready to make a move, we will make it. We just can't do it for everybody." Leave well-wishes for the couple in the comments below! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Kanye West Says New Album Born Of 'Excitement' Posted: 31 Jul 2010 04:20 AM PDT 'Everyone says all great art comes from pain but I think my greatest art comes from excitement and joy,' West says.
Kanye West is roaring back into the spotlight with a series of much-publicized, surprise visits to technology and media companies from Facebook and Twitter to XXL magazine. At Friday's (July 30) visit to Rolling Stone's headquarters, the lyricist broke down the inspiration behind his forthcoming effort. "Everyone says all great art comes from pain but I think my greatest art comes from excitement and joy. It's a completely different perspective about being extremely excited about stuff that is only cool to me," West enthused in a The Louis Vuitton Don also discussed some of the things that get him amped. "Like, when I tweeted, 'What's your credenza game?' I was very excited about that credenza," West smiled. Although the outspoken star entered the game as a rapper, West has toyed with the boundaries of hip-hop in his recent music, most notably with his vocally-driven, Auto-Tuned, 2008 effort, 808's and Heartbreak. The lyricist revealed during his Stone visit that he sought to widen the scope of his work beyond hip-hop. "It was important to not be limited by the art form of rap but to have rap bring it to another level," West said. "Is it rap or is it poetry? Is it spoken word? Is it [a] speech?" West also spit some of his favorite bars from his untitled fifth studio album which juxtaposes a range of contradictions. "You're heaven, you're my angel/You're my heaven, you're my hell/You're my now, you're my forever/You're my freedom, you're my jail/You're my lies, you're my truth/You're my war, you're my truce/You're my questions, you're my proof/You're my stress and you're my masseuse," 'Ye rhymed. West reflected on his role as an artist and said he feels an obligation to open the eyes of his fans. "There's people throughout history that their responsibility is to be conveyors of truth onto [the] next generations," West said. "I feel like I'm that type of person that has to carry on the truth and tell the story not history." In addition to looking out for the next generation, West lamented his perceived lack of swagger in the game and called for artists to reach for the "greatness of rock 'n roll." "They're all scared. All the people that could be real rock stars just get scared," West said. "It takes so much for a me or an Eminem to come back and embrace and say, 'You know what? We have to deliver this on a major level to make a difference.'" West's album is expected to be released in September. What are you expecting from Kanye West's upcoming album? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists |
| 'American Idol' Runner-Up Crystal Bowersox Calls Ellen DeGeneres 'Amazing' Posted: 30 Jul 2010 10:24 PM PDT 'I respect her and her decision to leave,' the season-nine runner-up says of the talk show host's 'Idol' exit.
"American Idol" contender Crystal Bowersox responds to the news that funnywoman Ellen DeGeneres has left her gig as an "Idol" judge after one season. Bowersox, who scored the runner-up slot on the show's ninth season, took feedback from the talk show host during her brief stint on the Fox hit and wished the comedienne well in the wake of DeGeneres' recent departure. "Ellen is an amazing and kind human being, and I respect her and her decision to leave 'American Idol'," Bowersox said in a statement to MTV News. "She brought a smile to the show and so much more, and I am very happy to have been a part of her time there. I wish nothing but the best for her, and also to 'American Idol'." With DeGeneres gone from the show, speculation regarding how the judging panel will shape up for the next season of "Idol" has spiked. Reports have suggested that singer, dancer and actress Jennifer Lopez has been locked in as a new judge. When contacted by MTV News regarding whether J.Lo would take a seat on the judges' panel, a Fox representative had no comment. The fate of the remaining "Idol" judges, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, has come under scrutiny as well. Songwriter DioGuardi has been reportedly ousted from her post and, according to TMZ, the show's producers are overhauling the entire panel and Jackson may be the only judge to survive the revamp. Before Ellen's departure, the talent showcase had already been mulling replacements for longtime "Idol" critic Simon Cowell who announced earlier this year that he would be moving on after the star-making competition's ninth season. Several celebrities have been tossed around as possible replacements, including Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, country-pop diva Jessica Simpson and crooners Chris Isaak and Harry Connick Jr. What do you think of Ellen DeGeneres leaving "American Idol" and who do you think would be a good replacement for her and Simon Cowell? Sound off in the comments below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Dwyane Wade, Good Charlotte, And Holly Madison Get Awkward On 'When I Was 17' Posted: 01 Aug 2010 06:00 AM PDT The NBA star, the Madden brothers, and the Playmate recall the trials of their teenage years.
On the newest episode of MTV's "When I Was 17," we learned that — just like pretty much everybody — the most famous athletes, musicians and models were basically complete nerds in their high school days.
Miami Heat megastar Dwyane Wade copped to , and to being a self-described "shy" kid when he wasn't on the basketball court. Of course, thanks to a senior-year growth spurt, he was transformed, in more ways than one. "It was around the time when i started getting good at basketball, so my confidence was growing a bit at 17," he said. "[On the court] they saw me angry, fierce and very competitive ... I was viewed as two different people when I was 17." Good Charlotte's Joel and Benji Madden dealt with their own insecurities — most of which stemmed from their inability to grow facial hair and an overbearing mom who shot down any attempts at scoring with girls — so, not surprisingly, they hated their time in school, and even considered dropping out. And for once, it was a good thing that their mom was around to help them change their minds. "I didn't like school, I didn't understand it, I never was good at schoolwork ... so we were going to drop out," Joel Madden said. "I didn't have enough credits and I was tired of teachers, and my mom was like, 'If you guys stay in school and graduate I have these two plane tickets to California.' She said she'd give them to us. So we went to night school — like a night school program for pregnant chicks, and we got the extra credits we needed and we graduated, so she gave us these plane tickets. It was a big deal, we'd never been anywhere, never been on a plane. It was huge for us." And when she was 17, Holly Madison was far from the blonde bombshell we know her as today. She dumped her cheating boyfriend on prom night and wanted more than anything to get out of her sleepy Oregon hometown. Especially since she had the kind of dreams that the locals tended to frown upon. "I wanted to be a famous Playmate just like Jenny McCarthy. When I saw her on MTV's 'Singled Out,' I thought she was the prettiest girl ever ... I wanted to be just like her," she laughed. "However, when you're from a small town like I was, people were really conservative, so when I told people what I wanted to do it was always 'I want to go to California and be an actress.' It was never 'I want to be a Playmate' ... it was kind of inappropriate for the cheer captain." Related Videos Related Photos |
| Wiz Khalifa Was Working On Atlantic Deal 'For A Minute' Posted: 30 Jul 2010 07:34 AM PDT Khalifa tells 'RapFix Live' that although he won't sign to Rick Ross' Maybach Music, there's 'gonna be work done' with the Miami MC.
Last year, Wiz Khalifa parted ways with Warner Bros. and hit the independent scene hard. This year, after selling out shows and boosting his Taylor Gang following with the standout mixtape Kush & OJ, the "Hottest Breakthough MC of 2010" has kept the hip-hop scene buzzing about whether he's ready to call another major label home. During his "RapFix Live" interview with MTV News' Sway on Friday (July 30), the upstart rapper put all of the rumors to rest and confirmed that he is inking a deal with Atlantic Records.
"Yeah, I'm signing to Atlantic," Khalifa said. "We've been working on it for a minute. I wanted to make sure that I had records that I was comfortable with before I went to any label or any situation. I wanted to make sure I had my direction so when I take it to them it's like, 'Let's go.' " Although Khalifa languished on the shelf during his last stint as a major-label artist, the MC assured fans that he's ready to tackle any setbacks that may delay his music this time around. "I'm pretty sure all those kinks are worked out and I don't think I'm [going to have] any problem with working out any kinks that could present themselves," Khalifa said. "Since I was younger I've been making the best out of nothing." The lyricist revealed that while he's already got some songs in the can, he and his label are still hammering out which track will be the first single. "We got like two or three records that [we're] tossing around. It's just the order of it," Khalifa said. "Right now there's one ["Black and Yellow"] that's gonna be real big for Pittsburgh. That's gonna be the Steelers anthem," Khalifa said confidently. Hip-hop fans have also been buzzing about a possible matchup between Khalifa and Rick Ross. The Miami Bawse handpicked the rising star, along with his sometime partner-in-rhyme Curren$y, to jump on a remix of his track "Super High" and even propositioned Wiz about joining the Maybach Music family. When Ross stopped by the MTV Newsroom for his "RapFix Live" broadcast on July 23, Ricky Rozay asked Khalifa about coming to his label in a "Pass the Mic" segment. "What would it take for us to close the deal, Wiz Khalifa, Maybach Music?" Ross asked via video. After checking out the tape, Khalifa appeared floored by Ross' offer but nimbly skirted the question. "It's a huge honor for him to even extend a hand like that. [It's] crazy for him to even look out like that. Me and Ross is always gonna be working, I think," Khalifa said. "He sees my vision. I think he gets what I'm trying to do. Even if it ain't no paperwork between me and Ross, it's gonna be work done between me and Ross." Regardless of how any potential business partnership pans out, Khalifa applauded Ross' progressive approach to the next wave of hip-hop artists and said the Bawse's Wiz co-sign puts him ahead of the game. "There's a lot of people, I think, who had a chance to be like, 'Wiz is my man. I'm messing with Wiz.' I think a lot of people had that opportunity to really capitalize off of the newer generation and the younger audience and that whole influence and Ross sees that," Khalifa said. "[He's] like, 'I'm [going to] rock with Wiz' so [I'm] like, 'I rock with Ross.' " What do you think about Wiz Khalifa signing with Atlantic Records? Should he collaborate with Ross? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos |
| Deadmau5 Collapses Onstage, Cancels Tour Dates Posted: 31 Jul 2010 06:00 AM PDT The dance music DJ is hospitalized after 'suffering exhaustion and vomiting.'
Dance music DJ Deadmau5 has been forced to cancel several upcoming shows after the producer collapsed onstage during a performance on Friday (July 30). A statement posted on Deadmau5's website explained that the beatsmith, who regularly rocks events sporting a giant, tricked-out mouse head, suffered "exhaustion and vomiting" after performing at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC. The DJ was rushed to the hospital and placed under medical supervision and the incident has caused the house music star to nix several live appearances. "Deadmau5 is sad to advise his fans that on the strict advice of the doctors, he now has no choice but to cancel the next [nine] shows of his [summer] tour schedule to allow for his recovery," read the statement on his website. Upcoming shows in Canada, Japan, Italy and Spain, among other dates, have been scrapped. However, according to his website, the DJ plans to reschedule the dates and "thanks all his fans for their understanding and support." The Grammy-nominated producer has become a fixture in the international dance music scene, known for speaker-rattling tracks such as "Ghosts N Stuff" and "Strobe." Earlier this year, the DJ explained the origin of his singular name to MTV News as a headliner at this year's Winter Music Conference in Miami. "Long story short, a mouse went into my computer and died, and I found him in there when I was changing my video card," he said. After news of the incident lit up chat rooms and blogs, "everyone just started calling me 'that dead mouse guy' because of he story, and it just stuck. And the 5 was because I couldn't spell out D-E-A-D-M-O-U-S-E because it was too long to have as a name in the chat room, so I had to trim a character, so I was just like, whatever, and I put a 5 in there and it stuck." Leave your get well wishes for Deadmau5 below. Related Artists |
| Ellen DeGeneres On 'American Idol': A Look Back Posted: 29 Jul 2010 11:07 PM PDT Comedian was right when she said judging role wasn't 'right fit.'
In the end, Ellen DeGeneres' run behind the "American Idol" judges' table lasted just 10 months. After signing onto the reality competition last September and delivering an underwhelming debut during the show's ninth season, the comedian announced Thursday that she's parting ways with the show.
After saying the show wasn't the "right fit" for her, she added, "I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings," she announced in a statement on her website. Perhaps the most surprising thing about Ellen's exit is that neither she nor "Idol" producers realized, until recently, that it was never the right fit. A woman who's made a career out of being nice to people simply was out of place on a show dedicated to critiquing people, often harshly and without mercy. Last fall, though, all involved had a rather different perspective on matters. "Getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote," DeGeneres said a month after Paula Abdul abruptly left the show. Fox reality-TV chief Mike Darnell had actually approached DeGeneres' reps with the idea, even though producers also entertained the notion of returning to a three-judge format (as had been the case before Kara DioGuardi came aboard in season eight). Ellen was reportedly ecstatic about joining "Idol," and a deal was quickly hashed out. Yet before she could even make her debut, Simon Cowell announced he was leaving the show he helped make a pop culture institution. A sense of impending and unwelcome change — and, some might say, doom — enveloped the program as Ellen made her debut. And it really was quite a debut: She was funny but still took the job seriously and was adept at sprinkling her criticism with I-want-you-to-succeed compassion. "You're hiding inside and just scared to death," she told one contestant. "You gotta let go of that, because those nerves are gonna kill you." We started to wonder if in fact Ellen was what the "Idol" family needed all along. Things changed, however, once the live shows began in late February. She was nervous and struggled to compress her comments into TV-friendly bites, which was strange considering all her on-camera experience. If we hoped Ellen would provide some competition to Simon's must-hear commentary, we were most certainly wrong. As the show pushed forward, Ellen didn't seem to improve much. Far too many of her comments began with, "I agree with ...," rather than original insight. She seemed almost apologetic as she foisted criticism on contestants clearly on the skids. All too often she'd pop off a joke rather than delivering an enlightening take on a performance. By the final rounds, it really did seem as if Ellen, much like Simon, had mentally checked-out of her judging duties. And so it comes as no great shock that Ellen has decided to call it quits after just one season. Her talents are far better suited for talk-show work than reality-competition evisceration. Ellen made the right call, and she did so with class and wit. As she tweeted Thursday night, "Dim the lights ... I've voted myself off 'American Idol.' " What do you think of Ellen DeGeneres leaving "American Idol," and who do you think would be a good replacement for her and Simon Cowell? Sound off in the comments below! Related Videos Related Photos |
| Joss Whedon Is The 'Right Thing' For 'Avengers,' Marvel Boss Says Posted: 30 Jul 2010 08:07 AM PDT 'We hire directors who have the potential to do great things,' Kevin Feige tells MTV News.
For comic book fans, and those who love comic book movies in general, Marvel Studio's major "Avengers" announcement and cast unveiling at last week's San Diego Comic-Con still has heads reeling. From the unveiling of Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye to seeing director Joss Whedon smiling with his star-studded cast — there was a lot to take in.
When MTV News caught up with Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige during our Comic-Con live stream, no one was more excited to talk about the highly anticipated film and, specifically, the qualifications of fan-favorite director Joss Whedon. We asked him how they made the decision to hire Joss despite his having only directed one feature film (2005's "Serenity"). "I've known Joss for many years. We were looking for the right thing and he came in and met on it," Feige explained. "As you've already heard him say on his panels, he's incredibly intelligent, he's got great things to say about it, and if you look at the directors we've worked with, we hire directors who have the potential to do great things and we want our film to be that great thing." Feige cited "Thor" helmer Kenneth Branagh and "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau as perfect examples of Marvel's hiring decisions. "Whether it's Branagh who of course has done some great things, whether it's Favreau, who did some fun movies prior to 'Iron Man,' we want to find a director that's on the verge of doing something great, as we think Joss is." "The Avengers," starring Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner is slated for release in 2012. What do you think of Joss in the "Avengers" driver's seat? Tell us in the comments! For breaking comic book movie news, columns and more — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. |
| 'Jersey Shore' Fans React To Angelina's Return At Her Season-Two Premiere Party Posted: 29 Jul 2010 10:51 PM PDT 'I was so happy that she's back,' pal tells MTV News at Angelina's 'Jersey Shore' viewing party.
Angelina came back to the "Jersey Shore" this season, and drama followed. But her supporters — including her friends, family and fans who showed at the Fushimi Japanese Cuisine & Lounge in Staten Island, New York, where Angelina was holding a premiere viewing party — think that it was the perfect time for their girl to make her return to the show.
"I was so happy that she's back on the show and that she went to Miami and that she had fun," pal Gina Landano told MTV News. "I spoke to her every once in awhile while she was there, and she told me she was having fun with all the guys there." Angelina's mom, Ann Marie Pivarnick, excitedly reacted to her daughter's second season on the hit reality show. "I'm very proud of her, that she went back," she said. "And she was trying her best to get along with the cast." Another one of her pals, Johnny Donovan, teased what he thinks will happen as season two gets under way. "What I expect to happen this season is a lot of crazy drama, a lot of situations, a lot of fist-pumping down in Jersey," he said. "A lot of crazy, jam-packed action in Miami Beach like you'd never expect." Drama seemed to be the overarching theme of fan expectations at the party. "I mean, you can tell there's a lot of drama, that's what the show is based on, but it's just exciting to see exactly what goes on there in Miami," Shimon said. "You never know what's going to happen down there." Heck, Angelina gave some hints as to what fans can expect from her as the season rolls on. "This season you can expect, basically, me to show my emotions more," she said. "I'm trying to show that I have a good side too. I want people out there to know that I do have a sweet side." "Jersey Shore" airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there! Were you excited that Angelina came back? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos |
| Wiz Khalifa Announces He's Signing To Atlantic Records On 'RapFix Live' Posted: 30 Jul 2010 08:35 AM PDT Pittsburgh MC admits Rick Ross' own label offer was 'a huge honor' and opens up about Twitter, tattoos and more on our live stream sit-down.
Wiz Khalifa was voted by fans as MTV's "Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010" and he opened up to his Taylor Gang following during the "RapFive Live" broadcast on Friday (July 30). The Pittsburgh MC addressed everything from his relationship with Rick Ross to his new major-label deal to living at home with moms.
Sporting a gray-and-white tank and showing hometown love in a Pittsburgh Kings cap, the MC kicked off the live stream by accepting the actual trophy for his "Hottest Breakthrough" win and shouted out his fans saying, "Y'all did this." Khalifa then broke down the Taylor Gang movement and urged other rising rappers to utilize social media to build a hard-core fanbase. Wiz even gave some social media tips to Twitter newbie Kanye West. "Just totally be yourself, 'Ye. Don't hold nothin' back," Khalifa said. "Be careful but just be a character. Have fun — people love that." Khalifa fielded questions via Twitter and video uploads throughout the show and broke down his favorite ink to one fan: a wrist tattoo in the shape of a stamp imprinted with the words "self made" which he said represents how he built his career from humble beginnings. "There's neighborhoods that look like third-world countries," Khalifa said of growing up in Pittsburgh. "We didn't have a lot but my mom made sure that we didn't worry about all that stuff. We was rich in love and I had my music and everything that I wanted. Of course, we didn't have food in the house, we had to make stuff out of other things. I had two pairs of pants to wear to school. To me, it was bigger than that and I think that's where I'm at now, because I took those times and I made the best out of it." Even though he's selling out tours, turning heads in the industry and cultivating a rabid fanbase, the MC revealed that he lives with his mother in his hometown in a spot the rapper dubs "The Bakery." "That's where the goods are stashed," Khalifa smiled. "You come through and smell the aroma from down the street." The MC also revealed that he doesn't hide his weed use from his mother, who has apparently influenced the Kush-toking star in several ways. "She knows about the bakery and she's a master chef herself," Khalifa grinned. "I had to get my recipes from somewhere." However, Wiz insisted he picked up his habit on his own. "She never forced baking on me," Khalifa said. His penchant for marijuana is a major theme in his music but the artist quickly squashed any notions that he would pick up and move just to have legal access to his favored herb. "I love the fact that kush is legal in Cali but if I move out there it won't just be to [smoke] weed," Khalifa said. "It'll be for work and business and that'll be a perk." Work has been on the uptick since the MC struck out on his own in 2009 after a deal with Warner Bros. failed to result in a major-label release. The rapper described a nonstop hustle that includes everything from grinding in the studio to editing his YouTube videos. To his dedicated Taylor Gang, Khalifa has been owning the indie hip-hop scene and the lyricist said he has witnessed amped-up fans jump out of cars, tail him across town and even kiss his hand. But Wiz admitted that he's surprised by all of the attention. "If I go to a show ...I'm just expecting it to be a couple hundred. Then they're like, 'It's sold out. There's people passed out in the street crying with their knees bleeding because they can't get in. I'm like, 'What?' " Khalifa said. "There's ambulances at every one of my shows before I get there. For what, I don't know." In a move that probably frustrated many of his female followers, Khalifa sidestepped a fan question about his romantic life. "As far as ladies, go, I keep my options open. I keep my business to myself, though, so if ... I was with someone nobody would know," Khalifa said. "For me, as young as I am, I gotta stay single. I gotta stay focused, I gotta stay working. I gotta look available because chicks like you to look available." Wiz was much more forthcoming about his favorite rappers and called out Rick Ross and frequent collaborator Curren$y as artists he's really into. Khalifa also talked about how he first hooked up with Curren$y. "I hit him on MySpace ... I'm like, 'Yo, I see what you doing, let's link up.' It was when I was working on Flight School I think ... and he was working on This Ain't No Mixtape," Khalifa said. "With me and Spitta, it was like, he had his brain and I had my brain. With the Jets, he had his thing, and I got my thing with the Taylors so it was like, 'Let's combine or at least just do a song and see how people like it.' I flew down to New Orleans and we ended up being the same dude, smoking and rapping about the same stuff." On the subject of possibly inking a deal with his other favorite rapper and fellow "RapFix Live" alum, Rick Ross, the P-Town MC was flattered that the Miami Bawse had considered bringing him into the Maybach Music fold. "It's a huge honor for him to even extend a hand like that," Wiz said after seeing a video of Ross asking what it would take for Khalifa to sign to his label. "Even if it ain't no paperwork between me and Ross, it's gonna be work done between me and Ross." Khalifa did have news about his record label home and confirmed that he is signing a deal with Atlantic Records. "I wanted to make sure that I had records that I was comfortable with before I went to any label or any situation." What was your favorite part of Wiz's "RapFix Live" appearance? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Celebrities React To Ellen DeGeneres' 'American Idol' Exit Posted: 30 Jul 2010 02:38 AM PDT 'The show will be fine,' season nine winner Lee DeWyze tweeted.
Reaction to Ellen DeGeneres' announcement that she was departing "American Idol" was swift, with fans and bloggers eager to express their thoughts as soon as the news became public on Thursday (July 29). The talk show host's former "Idol" colleagues, Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest, weighed in as well.
Other celebrities have also joined the conversation, voicing reactions and well wishes. "Idol" season-six third-place finisher Melinda Doolittle was shocked by the news. "I feel like I was tweeting this exact thing around this time last year," she tweeted. "DUDE! Ellen?!?! DUDE!!!!!" Doolittle later chimed in with her thoughts on rumored replacements Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. "Randy=my dawg, J.Lo=the best mentor on season 6, & Steven Tyler=my favorite band EVER! If these really are the AI judges, what do you think?" she tweeted to her followers, followed by her number one pick for the judges panel: "PS-I'm not saying these are my choices for judges. I just happen to love all of them. I'm kinda still holding out for Harry Connick, Jr. :-)" Last season's champ, Lee DeWyze, also took to Twitter to offer a few words on how DeGeneres' departure may affect the show. "The show will be fine," he tweeted in reply to a fan. Fellow talk show host Conan O'Brien weighed in as well. "Ellen has walked away from a television institution after one year, but I'm sure it's the right decision," O'Brien tweeted about the news, perhaps slyly referencing his own highly-publicized departure from "The Tonight Show" last year. "Now, back to my model rocketry," he wrote. And finally, Paris Hilton showed Perez Hilton some Twitter love with a support of his dogged personal campaign to join the judges' table. "You would be Perfect on American Idol with your witty humor and music sense," she tweeted to Perez. "I'd definitely watch! Loves it! #PerezForIdol" Who do you think should join the "American Idol" judges' table? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos |
| Heidi Montag Files For Divorce From Spencer Pratt Posted: 30 Jul 2010 01:30 AM PDT 'Both parties are amicable,' Heidi's rep says of split.
In June, Heidi Montag filed for legal separation from her husband of over a year, Spencer Pratt. On Friday (July 30), Montag's attorney Jodeane Farrell released a statement noting that her client had filed for divorce from Pratt. The two were married in April 2009. "Heidi has amended her petition for separation and today has filed a petition for dissolution of marriage from Spencer Pratt," her lawyer told People. "The couple has agreed they would like their divorce to be finalized in a timely manner in an out of court settlement. Both parties are amicable with each other and over the possibility of finalizing their divorce."
According to People, the divorce petition, which was filed in Santa Monica, Calif., cites irreconcilable differences. While Pratt has been busy tweeting and working on several websites since the separation was announced earlier this summer, Montag has maintained a relatively low profile. Pratt recently spoke about the separation, saying that Heidi "doesn't want to be Speidi anymore. She wants to be Heidi Montag: the sex symbol." "We love each other, but I'm a famewhore and I'll never grow out of it," Pratt said. "[Heidi] knows that and doesn't want that. I want every kind of press. She believes in bad press. There's no way my love for fame and her love for puppies will ever work out successfully. She just wants to hike and hang out and be calmer." On Thursday night, Pratt was busy tweeting about the premiere of "Jersey Shore," while Montag posted about working on music. "In the studio recording my first song of my new album," she said. "I am putting my heart and soul in it." Related Videos Related Photos |
| Chace Crawford Talks About Working With 50 Cent On 'Twelve' Posted: 30 Jul 2010 03:24 AM PDT 'He's a bear. He's good. He's an interesting guy,' Crawford says of his co-star.
Chace Crawford and 50 Cent are teaming up. No, the "Gossip Girl" star isn't kickstarting his hip-hop career by collaborating with the rapper. Rather, the MC is continuing his Hollywood takeover in Crawford's latest film, the gritty New York drug drama "Twelve."
"Twelve," which also stars Kiefer Sutherland, Emma Roberts and Ellen Barkin, is based on Nick McDonell's 2002 debut novel. The book is about a high school dropout named White Mike (Crawford) who deals pot and an ecstasy-like upper called "Twelve" to Manhattan's young and rich. Mike avoids touching the stuff, preferring instead to observe his privileged customers. But his easy profits go sour when his dealer's cousin is brutally murdered and his best friend is arrested for the crime. The characters played by 50 and Crawford bond over illegal activities in the flick, which opens August 6. But in real life, Crawford says, the pair bonded over their shared love of acting in between takes. "I got to work with him a bit," Crawford told MTV News at the premiere. "He's a bear. He's good. He's an interesting guy." What surprised Crawford most about 50 — or, as he's known in Hollywood circles, Curtis Jackson — was his devotion to the acting game. "I thought he might have some sort of persona he was trying to project, but he's easygoing," Crawford said of his co-star. "He's not trying to create some character. He wants to be a serious actor. I respect it. He was getting his tattoos lasered off while we were shooting and we had some good talks. I mean, he's cool. He lives in Connecticut and he's a super nice guy. Very intellectual." Last May, 50 revealed that he had watched an episode or two of Crawford's TV show, and said that he really enjoyed the shooting "Twelve" in New York. "It's cool just to be in the presence of talented artists," said 50. Are you excited to see Chace Crawford in such a gritty movie? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| 'Jersey Shore' Star Snooki Arrested In Seaside Heights Posted: 30 Jul 2010 02:19 AM PDT MTV News confirms that Snooki is currently in police custody.
Just one day after the premiere of the drama-filled second-season premiere of "Jersey Shore," one of the show's biggest stars, Snooki, was arrested in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, where the show is currently filming, MTV News confirmed. Police officials confirmed to MTV News that Snooki, whose given name is Nicole Polizzi, was in police custody at press time. No further details regarding the arrest or why she was arrested were available, but TMZ reports that she was arrested for disorderly conduct.
The gossip website further reports that Snooki was seen near the beach at Seaside drinking what was believed to be Coca-Cola from a beer funnel. Additionally, she was earlier spotted doing shots at a local bar. A rep for MTV had no comment on the matter. In photos reportedly taken around the time of the arrest, Snooki is seen walking on the boardwalk along with her pals Vinny and Ronnie from the show. Snooki is dressed in a hot-pink tiger-print T-shirt that says "I Heart Snooki," a baseball cap, sunglasses, a miniskirt and hot green slippers. She was photographed being approached by officers and handcuffed, with co-star and friend JWoww by her side. It is unclear from photos what incident prompted the arrest. |
| Ellen's Departure Doesn't Surprise 'American Idol' Experts Posted: 29 Jul 2010 10:43 PM PDT Close watchers of the show say they saw this 'difficult decision' coming.
Ellen DeGeneres was the first to admit that her first, and as it turns out, last, season on "American Idol" was not smooth sailing. In the statement announcing her departure from the show, the daytime talk queen and veteran comedienne copped to feeling uncomfortable criticizing young singers. "It was a difficult decision to make," DeGeneres said, "but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings." MTV News reached out to its panel of "Idol" experts for reaction on Friday (July 30), and each member said they were not shocked that DeGeneres pulled the ripcord on her three-year contract. "I've been hearing the rumor for a long time, so I wasn't surprised," said Entertainment Weekly senior writer Jessica Shaw. "She started off very strong and was critical and fun and was some much needed new energy on the show. But as the season progressed, she got more and more stale. I think people thought she wouldn't add that much to next season." Whether DeGeneres jumped or was pushed, Shaw said she left the show in a very classy way that just enhances her image as the daytime queen of nice. MJ Santilli, who runs the "Idol" fansite MJ's Big Blog, admitted that she initially expected DeGeneres to be back for a second season, but after going back and watching season nine she can see why Ellen opted out. "She just always seemed like the outcast that didn't fit in and didn't seem comfortable giving critiques," said Santilli, who was pulling for DeGeneres after having initial misgivings. "I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt when [her hiring] was first announced, because she was such a likable person. During Hollywood week they edited her very well and she seemed funny, but during the live shows it got worse and worse. What she said was often of little value, her jokes were stale and the more I looked back on it the more uncomfortable it was. I could understand why she'd be ready to bail by the end of the season." Santilli's low point was when DeGeneres broke the show's etiquette and rushed on stage to give Teflon singer Tim Urban a hug after one of his many mediocre performances, a move that likely saved Urban and pushed out more beloved singer Alex Lambert. "That was the epitome of why she sucked as a judge," said Santilli. Throughout the season, Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University and longtime "Idol" watcher, was pulling for DeGeneres. But he was left wondering why someone with more than two decades of performing experience could not seem to get it together. "She's a gifted comic actress, but when she got into the judge's seat none of her talents came out and she didn't belong there," said Thompson, who thought it was best for the show that DeGeneres bowed out. "Her presence on the panel was not working at all." The trick now, he said, is to find that elusive chemistry that will work in the absence of both DeGeneres and departed lead judge Simon Cowell — as well as the possible absence of Kara DioGuardi, who has reportedly been let go. Rumors that singer Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler are in line to join the panel have surfaced, but Thompson noted that finding the right mix of judges will be tricky. "Ellen's the perfect example," he said. "She's someone you thought would be good because she's so good on her talk show, but she was uncomfortable. So it's not only how they perform, but also the chemistry of all of them together. You don't know how two chemicals will react until you put them in a beaker and see if they explode." Related Videos Related Photos |
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