MTV News |
- Robyn's 'Dancing On My Own' Is MTV News' #6 Song Of 2010
- Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp Discuss 'Perverse' Humor
- Rihanna, Katy Perry, More Celebs Pick Their Top Songs Of 2010
- Drake's 'Fancy' Is MTV News' #7 Song Of 2010
- Hayley Williams Talks 'Glee' Set Visit, Hypes Cory Monteith's Band
- T.I. Says He'll 'Be A Better Man' In New Prison Letter
- Nicki Minaj Is 'Culmination Of All' Femcees, MC Lyte Says
- Exclusive: Mack Maine Reveals Lil Wayne's Next Single
- Flo Rida Talks Sampling Tupac On <i>Only One Flo</i>
- Elizabeth Edwards Dies At 61
- Jessica Simpson's Fashion Company Worth Nearly $1 Billion
- Michelle Williams Proud To Show Her Daughter 'Blue Valentine' Someday
- The Damned Things Aim To Bring '20-Foot Zombie George Washington' On Tour
- Demi Lovato And Backup Dancer Close To A Deal, Lawyer Says
- Q-Tip Explains His Issues With A Tribe Called Quest Documentary
- Angelina Jolie Wants To 'Explore' Cleopatra On The Big Screen
- Jack Black, Jason Segel Rock Out To 'Peace On Earth/ Little Drummer Boy'
- Will.I.Am Reveals He Has Tinnitus, Ringing In The Ears
- 'The Fighter' Premiere Is End Of A Journey For Mark Wahlberg
| Robyn's 'Dancing On My Own' Is MTV News' #6 Song Of 2010 Posted: 08 Dec 2010 03:52 AM PST The Swedish electro-pop diva's heartbreaking anthem lands on our Top 25 Songs of the year.
Last week, MTV News began counting down the Top 25 Songs of 2010, a list that's already included everyone from Rick Ross to Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Drake. Now, we're drawing the curtain back on our #6 pick: Robyn's "Dancing on My Own."
The Swedes may not have invented dance music, but over the past four decades, they've certainly perfected it. Perhaps it's a matter of necessity; after all, they needed something to do during those eternally long winters, when the sun never really rises and the mercury plunges. Or maybe there's just something in the water (or the Köttbulla). Whatever the case, starting with the early days of ABBA and carrying on through Roxette and Ace of Base, Sweden has become the world's leading purveyor of four-on-the-floor, downright joyous pump. And now, there's Robyn, the towheaded heir apparent to that shiny throne. For much of the 2000s, she assembled her résumé, ditching her pop roots (and major-label home) and heading off into the hinterlands, founding her own label and tinkering with a newfound, certifiably electronic sound. The early results — songs like "Who's That Girl?," "With Every Heartbeat" and "Konichiwa Bitches" — represent her gradual ascension to greatness, shimmery, mechanical (sometimes downright nasty) shards of electro pop. But in 2010, with the release of three excellent albums (the Body Talk trilogy), she moved to the head of the class ... and she doesn't show any signs of relinquishing that spot any time soon. Aiding Robyn in her reign is the fact that, finally, it appears the entire world is paying attention. One of the songs from the Body Talk series — "Hang With Me" — already showed up at #21 on our countdown, and now, rightfully, she's grabbed the #6 spot with "Dancing on My Own," a heartbreaking little anthem that not only united dance floors around the world, but even showed up during a crucial "hate sex" scene on "Gossip Girl" too. Small victories, people. The success of "Dancing on My Own" is due as much to its sound — a computerized kaleidoscope of chippy, chiming blips and piston-like drums — as it does its sentiment. This is, after all, a thoroughly sad song, primarily about Robyn losing her man to another woman (and being masochistic enough to watch the whole thing unfold from across the dance floor), but also about the notion of feeling alone in a crowded room, of being lost and unloved and having no other choice but to be OK with those things, no matter how hard you try. She's giving it more, but at the end of the night, she's not the girl you're taking home. That said — like all of her best songs — "Dancing" is also an ode to independence and strength. As she explained to MTV News last month: "I think dancing by yourself is a thing a lot of people do, whether it's at home in front of a mirror or just being in the club, surrounded by people but feeling very alone ... not even in a sad way, but liking the fact that you're experiencing the music by yourself. I mean, for me, of course it's a sad love song, but it's a strong song as well, or at least that's what I want people to feel when they listen to it." And while you can weigh its social context all you want, that's merely a side attraction. Because as soon as "Dancing" gets to that hair-raising build — a breathless rush of drums and adrenaline — you're no longer thinking about what Robyn's saying, really. No matter where you are or who you're with, you're dancing your ass off, and you're not going to stop any time soon. And that, more than anything else, is the secret to Robyn's rise: She's a phenomenally gifted artist, making the best music on the planet. And she doesn't show any signs of slowing down any time soon. All hail the Queen. Where would you place Robyn's "Dancing on My Own" among the top songs of 2010? Let us know in the comments! MTV News' Top 25 Songs of 2010 countdown continues. Make sure to keep checking back to see what song we've named #1, and don't forget to share your picks with us in the comments below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp Discuss 'Perverse' Humor Posted: 08 Dec 2010 03:52 AM PST Actress tells MTV News she agrees with 'Tourist' co-star's assessment.
Johnny Depp recently shared with Vanity Fair that his "The Tourist" co-star Angelina Jolie has a very specific sense of humor. He told the magazine that his lovely leading lady in the film, which opens Friday, has what he calls "a wonderfully kind of dark, perverse sense of humor."
Noting that she was very "normal," Depp likened Jolie's personality to that of a certain screen legend's, one that is a fitting choice, given that she's rumored to assume the role of Cleopatra: "I've had the honor and the pleasure and the gift of having known Elizabeth Taylor for a number of years," he says in the magazine. "You sit down with her, she slings hash, she sits there and cusses like a sailor, and she's hilarious. Angie's got the same kind of thing, you know, the same approach." When MTV News caught up with Depp, we tried to get him to clarify what he meant. He explained, "It can go in many directions. There's a degree of certainly sophomoric kind of humor, but that always leads up to some sort of, unfortunately, some degree of scatological kind of interpretation." While that didn't really clear up what exactly makes Jolie such a jokester, the actress admitted to MTV News that Depp's claim is valid: "It's true. I will agree." So, does Depp also have a perverse sense of humor? "Yes, he does," Jolie revealed, adding that figuring out which of them is more perverse "was a part of the question during the film, but I don't know if it was completely answered. That's a whole other interview." Check out everything we've got on "The Tourist." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Rihanna, Katy Perry, More Celebs Pick Their Top Songs Of 2010 Posted: 07 Dec 2010 03:17 AM PST Tracks by Drake, B.o.B, Willow Smith and more make the cut.
MTV News has been counting down our picks for the Top 25 Songs of 2010, and with everything from Lady Gaga's "Telephone" to Drake's "Fancy" making the list, it's pretty clear that we just wanted to party this year. So when MTV News caught up with some music megastars, we wanted to know what they were jamming to this year. Katy Perry showed her girl some love with her pick, choosing a seriously fun Rihanna track. "I love 'Only Girl (In the World).' Of course I gotta give it up to my girl!" she said. Rihanna returned the favor to Perry, saying, "My favorite song of the year has to be 'Teenage Dream,' Katy Perry."
Snooki gave a shout-out to Pauly D and his "Beat the Beat" remix, Far East Movement gave love to Bruno Mars' "incredible" songwriting on "Just the Way You Are," and Mike Posner and Keri Hilson both shouted out "F--- You" by Cee Lo Green as their pick. The Situation went with a non-"Jersey Shore" track: "Definitely Drake. ... Maybe 'Forever' or one of his songs. I'm a big fan of Drake." The guys from My Chemical Romance showed some rock camaraderie with their picks. "We got into Sleigh Bells and the new M.I.A. record," they shared, adding that they thought the Black Keys' Brothers was "phenomenal." Paramore leading lady Hayley Williams also flew her rock flag, saying, "I really love the Arcade Fire record. and I love the song 'Month of May.' " The fellas of Muse showed love to the Black Eyed Peas' track "I Gotta Feeling" and, on the other end of the spectrum, Phoenix's "1901." Crooner Michael Bublé gave some love to fellow adult-contemporary act Train and their song "Hey, Soul Sister." Christina Milian and Dane Cook both loved Willow Smith's instant smash "Whip My Hair." "It's the song that I put on the minute I wake up in the morning," Cook said. "I whip my hair back and forth." Hip-hop also got some love. "Community" star Joel McHale opted for Kanye West's "Runaway," Avril Lavigne went for B.o.B and Hayley Williams' "Airplanes," and TLC's Chilli loved another B.o.B track. " 'Beautiful Girls' — is that the name of the song though?" she laughed, referring to "Nothin' on You." "I love that song!" Other tracks that made the celebrity list included Rick Ross' "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)," thanks to songwriter Sean Garrett; Dwele went for Gucci Mane's "Wasted"; and Ray J made a case for "Right Above It" by Lil Wayne and Rihanna's "What's My Name?" Agree? Disagree? Share your favorites in the comments! MTV News' Top 25 Songs of 2010 countdown continues. Make sure to keep checking back to see what song we've named #1, and don't forget to share your picks with us in the comments below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Drake's 'Fancy' Is MTV News' #7 Song Of 2010 Posted: 07 Dec 2010 08:48 AM PST The ode to getting ready for a night out, featuring Swizz Beatz and T.I., is on our Top 25 of the year.
All it takes to break into the hip-hop game is one hot guest appearance or a buzzworthy mixtape track. The difficult thing, however, is maintaining that sort of energy and interest. Drake proved that he was up to that task in 2010, and the fact that "Fancy" — which comes in at #7 on MTV News' Top 25 Songs of the year — was not even a single and still managed to have the impact that it did is a testament to the 24-year-old Canadian's skill and prowess.
When he first became the man of the moment in hip-hop, it was uncertain whether or not Drake would manage to keep up the buzz after the surprise success of "Best I Ever Had." But Thank Me Later turned out to be one of those rare hip-hop albums that appealed to just about everybody. If you like sharp lyricism, you like Drake. If you like smooth R&B sounds, you like Drake. If you like gritty production, you like Drake. If you like dancing in a club, you like Drake. He's everything to everyone, and yet somehow still a unique talent as comfortable with crooning as he is with freestyling. Produced by Swizz Beatz and featuring guest vocals by Beatz and T.I., "Fancy" may just be the definitive Drake track. It takes a hypnotic, radio-friendly beat and crams in some killer couplets ("I've always liked my women book and street smart/ As long as they got a little class like half days," and "Time heals all but heels hurt to walk in/ But they go with the clutch that you carry your lip gloss in," for example), a catchy chorus (the line "Oh, you fancy, huh?" has become a catchphrase) and a little something for the ladies. "It's like preparation rap," explained MTV News hip-hop writer Jayson Rodriguez. "It's like when the girls are in the mirror and getting ready, and this is the soundtrack to that moment." The song is especially unique because it becomes almost a completely different song just before the three-minute mark. The beat slows down to a hazy crawl and Drake shifts into his disarmingly sweet baritone for some seductive crooning. By the end, all that's left is the hum of the keyboards and Drake's heartbreak. What begins as a triumphant club jam becomes something of a mournful dirge, and Drake manages to pull off both at the same time. "Fancy" had its big moment at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, where Drake channeled the Rat Pack and turned the stage at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles into the Copacabana for a few minutes. It zeroed in on Drake's main export: Sharp, undeniable cool. "Fancy" happens to be the clearest expression of everything great about Drake. "['Fancy'] encapsulates the Drake swagger that girls love so much," points out MTV News pop writer Jocelyn Vena. Swagger is something that a lot of rappers talk about, but few walk the walk as well as Drake. For a song called "Fancy," the message is pretty simple: Drake is unblinkingly cool. Where would you place Drake's "Fancy" among the top songs of 2010? Let us know in the comments! MTV News' Top 25 Songs of 2010 countdown continues. Make sure to keep checking back to see what song we've named #1, and don't forget to share your picks with us in the comments below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Hayley Williams Talks 'Glee' Set Visit, Hypes Cory Monteith's Band Posted: 07 Dec 2010 02:40 AM PST 'When Cory invited us to come and see the set I was stoked,' Paramore frontwoman tells MTV News.
On Monday, Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams visited — and apparently got lost on — the set of "Glee." We know this because Williams tweeted about it, which led us to wonder one thing: Why was she there? After all, it's no secret that both the band and the show have mutual admiration, so it was entirely possible that Paramore were filming a cameo on the show. Of course, given the friendship between Williams and "Glee" star Cory Monteith, it was equally as possible that the two were just hanging out. So we decided to get to the bottom of the matter. We e-mailed a rep for Paramore's labels, Atlantic/ Fueled by Ramen, and asked if Williams would be willing to talk about visiting the show. Turns out, she was — and though it might bum out fans of the band (or "Glee") to hear it, it seems her visit had nothing to do with business. " 'Glee' is an important show to me 'cause it's keeping music on television. It's even encouraging schools to not ditch their music programs," Williams wrote in an e-mail. "A few of the cast members had reached out to me over Twitter a while back. They all seemed really cool and down to earth, so when Cory invited us to come and see the set I was stoked. We don't do a whole lot of TV appearances and their world is a lot different than what we're used to. I just had a good time seeing everyone in their element." In a follow up e-mail, the label rep clarified that Paramore were not filming a cameo for the show, but that didn't mean that, while she was on set, Williams didn't take the opportunity to talk a little business with Monteith. Turns out, he's just joined a band, and Williams is stoked. "I also found out that Cory is a drummer! All this time I thought he was a singer," she wrote. "Apparently he's in a band that's just starting up so keep your eyes and ears open!" What do you think about Hayley's love for "Glee"? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| T.I. Says He'll 'Be A Better Man' In New Prison Letter Posted: 07 Dec 2010 01:22 AM PST Rapper reflects on incarceration, No Mercy album and teases next LP in latest missive.
At this time last year, T.I. was counting down the days to his release to a halfway house after winding down a prison term on gun possession charges. But another Christmas is about to pass and the King of the South (born Clifford Harris) will again celebrate from behind prison bars in an Arkansas lockup, where he's in the midst of an 11-month sentence for violating his probation. With his latest album, No Mercy, out on Tuesday (December 7), Tip released a letter (posted to his website the same day) updating fans on his state of mind and reflecting on where he's been, where he hopes to go and what he's thinking about. "So here it is...NO MERCY, the most honest and intimate installment of my life story as promised," he wrote of the album, recorded earlier this year as he was preparing to leave the halfway house and get back to his career after nine months behind bars. "Hope y'all enjoy it and it lives up to the very high standards I've set for myself or anyone who's to be considered one of the best. I must admit it takes a lot to go through as much as I have and still keep the love in your heart and in your art. But at the end of the day, if that's what it takes to produce the music that keeps the world of hip-hop evolving on it's axis....Then even the lowest of the lows of my life was all worth it. Thanks again for your prayers, your time and attention. And remember....It doesn't matter how long it'll be before the next time you see me. What matters is that I'll be a better man before that time comes. The longer I sit, the smarter I get." Last month, the Atlanta MC penned a note in which he admitted he was tired of being in and out of prison. In this one, T.I. thanked fans who've been writing to him and lifting his spirits every day; he assured them he reads all of their missives and cherishes their kind words. And while he admitted he could never write them all back (though, at the end of the post, he included a long list of people who'd sent him letters), he gave them a collective shout-out. "It's a relief to know that there still are people who see a man with a life and not just another headline in the news," he said. "Most of you sound very concerned and optimistic at the same time about my situation. Let me assure you all that I am definitely keeping my head up. I don't consider myself done by far. Also many of you are convinced as I am that God has a plan for me that he's preparing me for. How do you tell God Almighty that all you wanna do is LIVE LIFE ??? What if all you wanna do is be a father to your kids, a husband to your wife, and son to your mother while providing insightful motivation through music and lending a helping hand when possible to those who need it most. Well guys...That's the topic of discussion between me and the MOST HIGH at the moment. I'll keep you posted on how it turns out." He added that maybe he'd try to capture that dialogue between him and a higher power on his next album, putting those heavy internal discussions to music. In the meantime, Tip promised to reveal the title of the follow-up to No Mercy soon and encouraged his supporters to hang in there. What do you think of T.I.'s latest letter? Tell us in the comments. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Nicki Minaj Is 'Culmination Of All' Femcees, MC Lyte Says Posted: 07 Dec 2010 04:24 AM PST Veteran female rapper says instead of Lil' Kim, pop acts like Fergie, Gwen Stefani 'really need to be worried' about the Barbie.
Veteran female rapper MC Lyte stopped by this year's "VH1 Divas Salute the Troops," where Young Money star Nicki Minaj rocked the stage over the weekend. VH1 asked Lyte to weigh in on hip-hop's newest starlet from a historical perspective. "I look at her as a culmination of all of the female hip-hop MCs that are and were, with her spice all on top of it," Lyte said. "She's uniquely different for this time because she's totally equipped business-wise. She understands what it is to be different in your approach. I love it. When I listen to her I feel like I'm on a voyage, you never know exactly where she's going to end up." When asked who Nicki may have used as an example in crafting her style, Lyte mentioned a certain Virginia native. "When I think of style, I'd like to think of Missy because when I first heard Missy and all those little noises she would make, I'd be like, 'What the hell? Wow, I want to learn how to do that,' " Lyte said. "And now it feels like Nicki on steroids. She's thoroughly entertaining." Of course, no hip-hop interview would be complete without the inevitable Nicki vs. Lil' Kim question but Lyte had a surprising response. "I could easily say that it's unfortunate but I've had my dis wars and battles back in the days; I battled Antoinette," Lyte recalled. "I think, literally, the difference between us was I had a couple of records out before [Antoinette] and made a couple of fans before she did, that was the only thing that separated us in terms of who was going to win the battle. "With regards to Nicki and Kim, right now, there's room for everyone," she continued. "Those who really need to be worried by Nicki's record is Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado ... Nicki is coming out to win ... and she's not thinking of the block or the city so she's more able to handle what it takes right now to be an international star." Lyte said that there's no real reason for the war of words between Kim and Nicki other than the competitive spirit. "It's what an MC thrives on, and you cannot tell me that a female MC listening to them doesn't want to spit a verse themselves, because it's that competitive nature that hip-hop brings," Lyte smiled. "It's the art, people love to do it." What do think of MC Lyte's take on the Nicki vs. Kim debate? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Exclusive: Mack Maine Reveals Lil Wayne's Next Single Posted: 07 Dec 2010 01:05 AM PST 'We definitely dropping it before the end of the year,' Young Money boss tells MTV News about Tha Carter IV track '6'7".'
Lil Wayne may strike a diminutive figure physically, but on the microphone, the rapper is anything but small. It's fitting then that in a year when he was largely absent due to a prison sentence, the Cash Money Records superstar marks the end of 2010 with a track that speaks to his burgeoning heft: Two of his protégés, Drake and Nicki Minaj, became superstars this year, making Weezy that much bigger in stature.
According to Young Money boss Mack Maine, Wayne is set to release the first single from his forthcoming Tha Carter IV LP by the end of December, simply titled "6'7"." "We definitely dropping it before the end of the year," Mack revealed to MTV News. "We ready to go now; we getting it mixed." Lil Wayne insider DJ Scoob Doo compared the track to frenetic fan favorite "A Milli": "Just Think A 2010 Version Of A Milli...But On [Steroids]," he tweeted. Mack agreed with the comparison, adding, "Just make sure you all remember two words: Cory Gunz. Incredible." Cory Gunz, of course, is the latest addition to Young Money and the progeny of late-'90s rapper Peter Gunz. Mack hinted the young MC will appear on "6'7"." There's no official timetable for Tha Carter IV, however, Wayne is set to shoot a number of videos shortly for the album and in support of his most recent collection, I Am Not a Human Being. Tracks from I Am Not a Human Being were originally slated to appear on TCIV, but Wayne ordered the material to be released as a part of the earlier project, which was released while he was still behind bars. Now, he's finishing his new album, which will consist of material he wrote while imprisoned. Writing down his rhymes is a process the rapper abandoned a few years ago in favor of a free-flowing style. "[Wayne]'s talking bananas. Some of the rhymes were actually written in jail. First time you all are gonna hear Wayne write in a minute," Mack revealed. "He actually sat down and wrote this time. It's amazing." Are you excited to hear Weezy's new material? Tell us in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Flo Rida Talks Sampling Tupac On <i>Only One Flo</i> Posted: 07 Dec 2010 02:49 AM PST 'I'm a big fan of his,' Flo says of flipping 'Pac's 'Hail Mary' for his ladies' jam 'Come With Me.'
On the surface Flo Rida and Tupac may not appear to have much in common, but the chart-topping rappers both had an affinity for Las Vegas.
The late 'Pac spent considerable time there as part of Suge Knight's entourage and Flo relocated to Sin City before making it as an artist. Now, the pair are bound by music as Flo sampled Shakur's hit "Hail Mary" for his track "Come With Me." "That's a record that's on the romantic side, for the ladies," Flo Rida told MTV News of the track, which appears on his most recent release, Only One Flo, Part 1. "It's crazy to look at the credits and everything and have Tupac as one of the writers [on the album]. I'm a big fan of his and I was trying to take it up to the next level with this album." Shakur's "Hail Mary" was a taunting, slow-burning effort from his first posthumous offering, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, which was released under the alias Makaveli. For "Come With Me," Flo flips the haunting chorus into an upbeat chant about pursuing a young lady. "She wanna come with me," the hook begins. "Lil mama wanna run quick, see/ What do we have here now/ Now do you wanna ride or die tonight, la da da da, la da da da." "I never got to meet him or see him perform," Flo said of the homage. "I just been a big fan of him doing his thing and me purchasing his albums or going online and watching the crazy shows." What do you think of Flo sampling Tupac? Sound off in the comments! Related Artists |
| Posted: 07 Dec 2010 03:17 AM PST Wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards and best-selling author loses six-year battle with cancer.
Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former presidential candidate John Edwards, died at her home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after a six-year fight with cancer, according to multiple reports. A best-selling author and a driving force behind her husband's political career, Mrs. Edwards discovered she had breast cancer on Election Day in 2004, when Senator John Kerry and Mr. Edwards, his running mate, lost to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. She underwent extensive radiation and chemotherapy, sending her cancer into temporary remission, an ordeal she detailed in her 2006 memoir, "Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers." Using his wife's cancer as a driving force (the disease returned in 2007), heath care reform became a central platform for Mr. Edwards' second presidential bid. But shortly after his defeat in the Democratic primaries, Mr. Edwards admitted that he had carried on an extramarital affair with a campaign worker, though he insisted the relationship took place during his wife's remission. "Although John believes he should stand alone and take the consequences of his action now, when the door closes behind him, he has his family waiting for him," Mrs. Edwards said in a statement at the time. She'd go on to address the affair in a second memoir, "Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities." Mr. Edwards would later admit he fathered a child with the campaign worker, Rielle Hunter, and Mr. and Mrs. Edwards became legally separated in January. A graduate of the University of North Carolina Law School, Mrs. Edwards practiced law for many years and raised two children with her husband. In 1996, her 16-year-old son was killed in a car accident, a tragedy that spurred Mr. Edwards' decision to run for the Senate in 1998. When Mrs. Edwards' cancer returned in 2007, it was said to be malignant, to have spread to her bones, lungs and lymph nodes, and to be treatable but not curable. Just days ago, the Edwards family announced that the cancer had spread to her liver and that she had stopped all treatment. She was released from the hospital and returned home, where her family, including her husband, was said to be by her side. Share your thoughts for the Edwards family in the comments. |
| Jessica Simpson's Fashion Company Worth Nearly $1 Billion Posted: 07 Dec 2010 02:16 AM PST Ex-'Newlyweds' star's growing empire had retail sales of $750 million in 2010.
Jessica Simpson may be less active on the music scene these days, but the singer has been quietly building a fashion empire. Women's Wear Daily reports that Simpson is the face and boss of a nearly $1 billion business. According to the report, Simpson's lines — which include shoes, accessories, denim, swimwear, watches and fragrances — have seen a combined gross of $750 million in retail sales this year. So, what's the secret to her success? "People like her," Vince Camuto, founder and CEO of Camuto Group, the main licensee of her merchandise, said of the recently engaged star. "People look at her as a style icon." And Simpson shows no signs of slowing down. For fall 2011, the singer is launching a contemporary sportswear line that will include separates and dresses in the $39 to $129 price range; it will be available in more than 650 stores in the U.S. and Canada. The singer explained, "This new sportswear line reflects my evolving style, which combines comfort, femininity and flirty fun." While Simpson hasn't announced any plans to start designing bridal gowns, she's currently planning her wedding to ex-football player Eric Johnson. "We have not started planning," Simpson said recently. "I'm trying to get through all this promotion [for my Christmas album]. ... Who knows what will happen?" Describing the upcoming ceremony as "simple," Simpson added that she wanted to be married by Christmas 2011. "I personally have no idea. I have not set a date and I can't even think about putting together, like, table settings and all that," she said. "We're just going to enjoy the engagement and we'll get married the moment we feel like it." What do you think of Jessica's fashion empire? Do you swear by her products? Tell us in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Michelle Williams Proud To Show Her Daughter 'Blue Valentine' Someday Posted: 07 Dec 2010 01:34 AM PST 'I feel like I could stand behind it,' actress says of racy NC-17-rated film.
Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling have an NC-17-rated, rather-depressing love affair in their new, buzzy flick "Blue Valentine." The film follows a married couple over the course of their relationship and boasts some graphic sex scenes to help weave the tale. So, is Williams nervous about her daughter, Matilda, checking out the film one day?
"I've been thinking about that recently, the last couple days," she told MTV News at a junket for the film. "I thought, 'What would her reaction to that be?' "I feel proud of this movie, and I feel like I could stand behind it when she grows up and says, 'What were you doing for those two months in Pennsylvania?' I feel like I could say, 'This is what I made.' " The film, which opens on New Year's Eve, may be too dark for a child to see, but much of Williams' post-"Dawson's Creek" work has been thought-provoking, something she said she'll be proud to share with her daughter someday. "And I feel like that with most of my work now: I feel like I'm excited for the day when she's old enough to see it, because my aim is to make her proud that the time I spent away from her wasn't in vain," she explained. While any mother/daughter viewings of "Blue Valentine" are yet to be determined, right now the pair is happy watching more family-friendly fare. "She kind of lives in a Mary Poppins world," Williams said. " 'Singing in the Rain' is our current." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| The Damned Things Aim To Bring '20-Foot Zombie George Washington' On Tour Posted: 07 Dec 2010 02:05 AM PST Hard-rocking supergroup features members of Fall Out Boy, Anthrax and Every Time I Die.
Nearly three years ago, Joe Trohman and Scott Ian met up, drank a fair amount and started talking about — of all things — their mutual love for Thin Lizzy. That initial conversation was the de facto beginning of the Damned Things, their heavy-riffing, hard-strutting new band.
Of course, back then, both men were still busy with their day jobs — Trohman as the guitarist of Fall Out Boy and Ian as the epicenter of thrash legends Anthrax — so rather than pursuing the idea of forming a group together, they simply recorded a demo and kept the project under wraps, referring to it only with a super-secret (and sorta-awesome) code name: Methuselah. As you probably know by now, in the time since those initial sessions, things have changed, which means that, as 2010 comes to a close, Trohman and Ian now have a full band (joined by FOB drummer Andy Hurley, Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano and Every Time I Die yowler Keith Buckley) and a brand-new album, Ironiclast, due next week. About the only thing that's changed is the name of the project. Seems no matter how rad of a handle it might have been, Methuselah just wasn't going to cut it. "It was a really a good name; we couldn't use it for legality's sake," Trohman laughed. "There'd probably be some guy in a Florida trailer park that was like, 'I was in Methuselah in the '60s, and check out this band with these current dudes that I think are rich. That's my money!' " "There were a few bands called Methuselah," Ian added. "But nobody actually had it trademarked, so we could've used it, but the second we would've done anything, our lawyer was like, 'Expect to be sued,' so we didn't want to start this with a lawsuit." So instead, they settled on the Damned Things — "Keith thought of it, because he's a words guy," Trohman joked — and got to work, reshaping their older material into a lean, mean batch of songs that somehow manages to incorporate the best elements of each member's other bands (the speedy riffs of Slayer, the hooks of FOB and the growl of ETID) while still remaining, at its core, a very retro-leaning record, with the blue-collar heart of Thin Lizzy and the majestic fretwork of Led Zeppelin being two obvious touchstones. And, somewhat surprisingly — given, you know, the whole Fall Out Boy connection — they've managed to win over even the most die-hard of hard-rock fans. For the most part. "It's gratifying. I love the band and love the record, and everybody else in the band loves the band and loves the record, and that's, first and foremost, the most important thing to me," Trohman said. "And we all have made music in the past partly for ourselves and partly for other people, so it's nice to see people digging it whether they want to or not. ... I'm actually happy to see that there's people that really, really like it, or don't like it, because of the fact that we're able to invoke some sort of strong feeling. It's a good thing, I think." And despite the varying nature of their respective groups, Trohman and Ian say the Damned Things remain, for the foreseeable future at least, their main focus. That's sort of the whole point of the thing, really. "We've got tours lined up to the summer at this point — actually, options and opportunities to do stuff worldwide all the way through October. And that's obviously what we're hoping for. We were hoping we'd make a record that would stand on its own and not be about, like, 'Well, let's just book this band because it's these guys from this band and these guys from this band,' " Ian said. "It's really been about the record. The record's been the driving force. If anything, with the success of [first single] '[We've Got a] Situation [Here]' on the radio, it's been more about that than even who's in the band anymore, and that's kind of what we've been hoping for, and that's why we get to go on tour, and that's why we'll keep playing shows. ... Really, when it comes down to it, nobody really cares who's in the band if you make a crappy record." And to that end, they're already lining up plans for their upcoming shows (including a two-month run on the Jägermeister Tour alongside Buckcherry, All That Remains and Hellyeah), which may or may not include a cameo by the star of the Ironiclast album cover: a thoroughly zombified George Washington. Because, really, all great metal bands need a solid mascot. "That might happen," Ian laughed. "Because, you know what? If we're ever that big, where we could have a 20-foot zombie George Washington come onstage, we will." Will you check out the Damned Things on tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Demi Lovato And Backup Dancer Close To A Deal, Lawyer Says Posted: 07 Dec 2010 02:33 AM PST 'I'm fairly confident we will be able to resolve these issues,' Alex Welch's lawyer tells E! News.
After Alex Welch spoke out about her alleged altercation with Demi Lovato — noting that she had yet to receive an apology from the actress, who is seeking treatment for personal issues — comes news that both camps are close to a settlement to keep Welch from suing the Disney star. The dancer's lawyer, Don Karpel, told E! News, "I have engaged in discussions with Demi Lovato's attorney. I'm fairly confident we will be able to resolve these issues." A rep for the actress confirmed the report as well, noting that "they did speak" about the matter. The rep added: "Demi's attorneys have had an initial discussion with Mr. Karpel. They are exploring the possibility of an amicable resolution of this matter. We do not plan on making further public comments during this process." Karpel claims that Welch suffered emotional and physical repercussions after Lovato allegedly punched her as well as "lasting physical damage," which caused the dancer to consult with a plastic surgeon. E! reports that both camps began discussions Tuesday (December 7) after Welch, who was a dancer on the singer/actress' tour with the Jonas Brothers, gave an interview implying that she would seek legal damages against the singer. Lovato's camp reached out to Karpel after he shared that he would file a motion "in the next seven to 10 days" for alleged assault and battery. While it appears that the two are working to settle the situation, in an interview Monday, Welch explained she just wanted the "Sonny With a Chance" star to say she was sorry for the incident. "To this day, I haven't gotten an apology. I've heard nothing," Welch explained. "That's sad if you think that person is your friend." Related Photos Related Artists |
| Q-Tip Explains His Issues With A Tribe Called Quest Documentary Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:59 PM PST 'It's not only Tribe's story; it's all of ours,' MC says of his concerns.
Last week, Q-Tip stirred things up online when he tweeted that he was not in support of Michael Rapaport's A Tribe Called Quest documentary. The MC and the director remained silent on the matter, refusing interview requests from a number of outlets. On Tuesday (December 7), however, Q-Tip appeared on satellite-radio station Shade 45's morning show and explained his message. The veteran lyricist spoke with fill-in host Elliott Wilson of Rap Radar and said his opinion has nothing to do with his group being the focus of the doc, but with his role as a producer. "I'm a producer on this film; Tribe is a producer on this film," he said. "When I speak, I'm speaking for the whole group. A lot of people think I'm speaking individually, even though I addressed it as 'I'm not supporting' it. In reality, as producers, there's just different things that need to be done, edit-wise. The sentiment of the film is there. We feel like it's 80 percent there. It's just not there [all the way]." The Tribe MC said he and his groupmates have a final say over the project, per the agreement they made with Rapaport, an actor and first-time filmmaker. Although Tip wouldn't specify the exact nature of his discomfort with the project, he said because the project is the first of its kind — "an extensive cinematic documentary about a hip-hop group" — it's more than just a Tribe issue. "There's so much riding on this," he said. "It's not only Tribe's story; it's all of ours. So we got to make sure sh-- is done right." Will you check out the Tribe documentary? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists |
| Angelina Jolie Wants To 'Explore' Cleopatra On The Big Screen Posted: 07 Dec 2010 09:21 AM PST 'I hope to one day [play her], but we don't have it all together,' actress tells MTV News.
James Cameron may no longer be attached to a new big-screen adaptation of Cleopatra's life, but "The Tourist" star Angelina Jolie is still considering tackling the tale of the complex Egyptian ruler. While there hasn't been much progress on the news front for that film, Jolie expressed her excitement about the idea of taking on the role once famously played by Elizabeth Taylor.
"I hope to one day [play her], but we don't have it all together," she told MTV News at the New York premiere of "The Tourist," where she was joined by her co-stars Johnny Depp and Paul Bettany, as well as her beau, Brad Pitt. "All the pieces are not together." Jolie said that if everything does eventually fall into place (rumor has it real-life love Brad Pitt may play the part paralleling Richard Burton's role in the Taylor film), she thinks there will be a great story to tell. "I think there's a lot about her history that's not been explored and properly done," she added. Egyptian queen Cleopatra had a steamy love affair with Roman leader Mark Antony that ended with both committing suicide. Cameron also recently spoke of his excitement about Jolie potentially playing the part. "There's a Cleopatra project in the works, meaning that it's been in development at Sony," he explained about the Brian Helgeland-penned script. Helgeland won an Oscar for his adaptation of "L.A. Confidential." "And it's a subject that's always fascinated me. So yeah, I've been talking to them about it but no decisions have been made. But it sounds hot, doesn't it? I mean, Angelina Jolie and Cleopatra? To me, that's like a slam dunk. Whether I wind up doing it or not, I think it's going to be a great project," the "Avatar" director said. For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Jack Black, Jason Segel Rock Out To 'Peace On Earth/ Little Drummer Boy' Posted: 07 Dec 2010 01:45 AM PST 'This old chestnut was dying to be rockified,' Black says of Bing Crosby/ David Bowie classic, now set to an animated video.
It's a match made in cartoon heaven. "Gulliver's Travels" co-stars Jack Black and Jason Segel have just dropped a welcome addition to the canon of holiday staples with an animated video for their covers of "Peace on Earth" and "Little Drummer Boy." The two-pronged holiday classic is an homage to the 1977 hookup of David Bowie and Bing Crosby, and all proceeds from sales will go to benefit Blue Star Families, a nonprofit organization that aids military families. "Peace on Earth/ Little Drummer Boy 2010" was made available exclusively on iTunes beginning Tuesday (December 7), and the 2-D animated video can be seen on CollegeHumor.com. "This old chestnut was dying to be rockified ... enjoy," Black said in a statement about why he and Segel took on the holiday staple. And he's not kidding. Segel, who never misses a chance to show off his musical abilities in movies such as "I Love You, Man" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," hooks up with equally riff-crazy Tenacious D founder Black for a spirited take on the songs. In the old-school animated video, a glum-looking Segel comes over to visit Black at his house and laments that he's run out of ginger for the holiday gingerbread cookies he's baking. "Well, you've come to the right place," Black chuckles. "I've got a ginger bushel out back ... take a whole sprig!" Segel then spots a piano made out of pine logs in the corner of the living room that Black proudly proclaims to be a 100-year-old family heirloom built by his grandpa. After Segel asks if he can play, Black warns, "Tickle away ... that piano's been sprinkled with magic winter dust by Santa Claus himself. When one plays it during this joyous season, things can get pretty freakin' awesome." The song starts out innocently enough, with Segel gently playing the haunting melody and both men singing in harmony as the music builds to include a funky drum track and melodic countermelodies. Soon enough, though, rocking bass and guitar parts join the arrangement along with an angelic chorus, and the whole thing veers into Trans-Siberian Orchestra territory as White rips off on one of his patented metal wails. What do you think of Segel and Black's cover of the Christmas songs? Let us know in the comments! |
| Will.I.Am Reveals He Has Tinnitus, Ringing In The Ears Posted: 06 Dec 2010 11:18 PM PST Black Eyed Peas frontman tells British tabloid The Sun, 'Music is the only thing which eases my pain.'
Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am is the modern version of an old-school rock star: His group sells millions of albums, is prepping a stadium tour and, as such guitar-slinging icons as The Who have in the past, is about to rock halftime at the Super Bowl in February. According to an interview with the British tabloid The Sun, there's another thing Will has in common with The Who: like that group's legendary guitarist Pete Townshend, will.i.am says he suffers from the painful condition tinnitus. The malady, which is common among musicians who've been exposed to loud music for prolonged periods, includes such symptoms as a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears. "I can't be still. Work calms me down," Will, 35, says of the maddening noise in his ears, a malady that is especially cruel to a producer whose ability to mix and blend sounds is crucial to his career. "I can't be quiet, as that's when I notice the ringing in my ears," he describes. "There's always a beep there every day, all day. Like now. I don't know exactly how long I've had this, but it's gradually got worse." And while the ailment has slowed down Townshend and forced the famously aggressive guitarist to sometimes resort to strumming an acoustic during Who shows, Will says he's taken the diagnosis as a spur to make even more music. "I don't know what silence sounds like anymore. Music is the only thing which eases my pain," he explains. As proof of the severity of the illness, the paper describes the producer/rapper regularly working his finger into his ear and shaking his head during the interview to try to silence the noise in his head. The content of the interview wasn't confirmed to MTV News by a spokesperson for the group by press time. With a new BEP release, The Beginning, to promote and a world tour slated for 2011 — not to mention production duties on the next U2 album — Will has plenty of booming distractions to keep him busy over the next year. And he can take solace in the fact that he's certainly not alone in suffering. Among the other musicians who've shown symptoms of tinnitus over the years: film-score composer Danny Elfman; rock legends Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Paul Simon and Neil Young; electronic musician Moby; U2 singer Bono and Ludwig van Beethoven. Are you surprised by will.i.am's revelation that he has tinnitus? Tell us in the comments below. Related Artists |
| 'The Fighter' Premiere Is End Of A Journey For Mark Wahlberg Posted: 06 Dec 2010 10:54 PM PST 'It was a struggle and a fight the whole way, and it was well worth it,' star says.
"I never thought the movie would see the light of day," Mark Wahlberg said as the flashbulbs popped all around him outside the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. "It's incredible."
Well, not only has "The Fighter" seen the light of day, but it has established itself as a front-runner to nab a slew of Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor nod for Wahlberg. He struggled for years to get cameras rolling on this true story of boxing legend Micky Ward and his brother and trainer Dickie, cycling through directors like Darren Aronofsky and co-stars such as Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. The picture hit one roadblock after another, but Walhberg kept training, no matter how difficult it was. "Just getting up at 4 in the morning, not knowing if the movie was going to happen or not," Wahlberg told MTV News about the most challenging aspect of making the film. "Continuing to train when the movie fell apart, when one of my co-stars backed out." Christian Bale eventually replaced Damon as Dickie and David O. Russell hopped into the director's chair. But for Wahlberg, that fight to make the movie mirrored his character's real-life struggle to transform himself from underdog to championship contender. "It was a commitment I made to Micky and Dickie and the rest of the family and to myself that we were going to get this movie made, and it was well worth the fight," he explained. "The journey of making the movie was very much like Micky's journey. It was a struggle and a fight the whole way, and it was well worth it. The end result is fantastic." Check out everything we've got on "The Fighter." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Photos |
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