MTV News |
- 'American Idol' New Orleans Auditions Find Talent, Tearjerkers
- Jake Johnson Raves About 'No Strings Attached' Director Ivan Reitman
- 'American Idol' Exec Producer 'Pleased' With 15-Year-Old Contestants
- 'Jersey Shore' High Five: Double The Ronnie, Double The Fun
- Cam'ron Talks About Wrapping Up Beef With 50 Cent
- Steven Tyler's Best 'American Idol' Quotes From New Orleans
- Beyonce To Star In Clint Eastwood's 'A Star Is Born' Remake
- 'American Idol' Crooner Brett Loewenstern Scores Fiery New Orleans Audition
- Justin Bieber's Next Album To Capture Justin Timberlake's Magic
- MTV's New Awards Show Will Honor Digital Music, Media
- Diplomats Say, 'Together, We Can Always Do Better'
- Pink Gets Gritty In 'F****** Perfect' Video: Watch Now
- David Guetta 'Honored' To Have Rihanna On 'Who's That Chick'
- 'American Idol' Season 10 Premiere: Fans Sound Off!
- Channing Tatum And Tracy Morgan Square Off On 'Son Of No One' Set
- Lady Gaga <i>Born This Way</i> Director Talks About Short Film
- Kim Kardashian Says She Gives Up The Glam In Hype Williams Video
- 'No Strings Attached' Director Says 'Friends With Benefits' Can't Last
- Lady Gaga Premieres <i>Born This Way</i> Short Film
- 'Game Of Thrones' World Is 'Ruled By The Sword,' Peter Dinklage Says
| 'American Idol' New Orleans Auditions Find Talent, Tearjerkers Posted: 20 Jan 2011 06:46 AM PST Paris Tassin's emotional story and rich voice bring tears to Jennifer Lopez's eyes.
Night two of the first week of "American Idol" auditions brought the judges to New Orleans, where the city's legendary party attitude was in rich supply, along with some pretty impressive voices.
After Wednesday night's season 10 debut, which brought modest ratings but a breakout star in Aerosmith singer and judge Steven Tyler, the new panel seemed to settle into their roles: Tyler as the quick-witted jive turkey unafraid to tell it like it is while heaping praise when appropriate; Jennifer Lopez as a less loopy, warm-hearted Paula Abdul type; and sole returning judge Randy Jackson as the cheerleader who sometimes acts like a mean guy with his vicious putdowns. The night got off to a promising start with 21-year-old piano teacher Jordan Dorsey, who opened the dusty chestnut "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in a traditional fashion and then switched it up into a jazzy, finger-snapping soul swing that gave Jennifer Lopez goose bumps. Tyler, who knows a thing or two about luscious lips, was also impressed with Texas marketing analyst/ food blogger Sarah Sellers, 28, who put an R&B spin on Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love." The Aerosmith singer quipped, "You had me sold from the second you laid eyes on me," providing yet another one of his soon-to-be-signature jokey non-sequiturs. Some came to sing, some came to gawk at J.Lo and, in the case of ship builder Jovany Barreto, to croon a bit of Luis Miguel and make goo-goo eyes at Lopez. It must have worked, because he made it to Hollywood and proved his friends wrong by ripping off his shirt for the singer, getting some unexpected help from Tyler and Randy Jackson, who joined him in the skin show. "What the heck just happened in here?" said a confused Lopez. "You knew this was going to happen when you got people like us." There was plenty of talent in the Crescent City, including cosmetologist Jacquelyn Dupree, 24, who brought along pictures from Baton Rouge native Jackson's high school football coach and some serious smoky pipes for the Pretenders' "I'll Stand by You." Social outcast Brett "I Got This" Loewenstern, 16, spoke out against bullies after a lifetime of being picked on and was the first official rocker to take the stage in front of his idol Tyler. He went bold with Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and, frankly, he kind of killed it with some sweet soul and a falsetto that wowed the rocker. "You were fabulous," Tyler raved. But even a Mick Jagger-like mouth couldn't save 24-year-old dishwasher Gabriel Franks from the reject pile when he aggressively murdered the melody of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." That led to the predictable montage of dinosaur moaners, growlers, falsetto glass-crackers, spoken-word screamers and just-plain yellers. The judges were clearly not expecting what came out of 15-year-old Lafayette native Jaycee Badeaux, the stocky high-schooler who killed Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with some Justin Bieber-like falsetto sweetness. "You are so sweet and so cute! Your voice is really, really beautiful!" Lopez gushed. If the case is always solved in the last few minutes of "Law & Order," then "Idol" has its own version of finding the culprit via the tear-jerking final contestant. Thursday night's show ended with one of the most heartstring-pulling ones in recent memory. It wasn't by chance that 23-year-old Paris Tassin chose Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home," as its lyrics about being a struggling young mom hit home for the parent of a special-needs daughter. Her rich, deep tones, exotic good looks and emotional delivery brought tears to Lopez's eyes. "I do that for my daughter because I want to teach her, go for your dreams," Tassin said as the judges put her through to Hollywood and Lopez welled up again at Tassin's conviction and spunk. Who was your favorite from the New Orleans auditions? Let us know in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos |
| Jake Johnson Raves About 'No Strings Attached' Director Ivan Reitman Posted: 21 Jan 2011 03:52 AM PST 'I couldn't debate him on stuff,' actor says of legendary director/producer.
For rising comedic star Jake Johnson, who appears alongside Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman in the new romantic comedy "No Strings Attached," his personal highlight from working on the film (in addition to having the best lines in the trailer and many of the killer one-liners in the film as well) was working with legendary director/producer Ivan Reitman.
"For me, working with Ivan Reitman was crazy because of 'Ghostbusters,' " Johnson recently told MTV News of the man responsible for helping bring comedic classics like "Animal House," "Ghostbusters" and "Meatballs" to the screen. "We did a whole scene where, this was one of the coolest moments of the movie for me, the scene where we're in a fraternity house, partying and, you know, Ivan produced 'Animal House,' " Johnson added. "And we're all hanging out, setting up, and he goes to somebody he was standing next to, we were standing in a little circle, and he goes, 'Man, I'm having flashbacks of "Animal House" in here.' And he looked around and goes, 'This is exactly how it felt, but in a different era.' And I thought, 'That's awesome!' Like, this is actually that man. [He] was there and [John] Belushi and [Bill] Murray and all those guys were such inspirations for our kind of generation. So to see a man who was there, it made it very real." The actor, who you may recognize from his roles in "Get Him to the Greek" and "Paper Heart," said Reitman's legacy and résumé meant Johnson and the rest of the cast were happy to do whatever their director asked of them. "Ivan's a guy who we all kind of felt on set that we're all going to bat for him. Anything he says, we're trying," he said. "And it's different when you act with a director who's your age and in your group, because it is more of, you get to battle it out, talk influences, and say like, 'We're trying to do this, but it's more like that,' ... Well, Ivan is the influence!" Johnson enthused. "So I couldn't debate him on stuff. It would be like, 'Yes, sir! Yeah! Let's do that! It's quite right! Like the movie, you made.' " Check out everything we've got on "No Strings Attached." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more -- updated around the clock -- visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| 'American Idol' Exec Producer 'Pleased' With 15-Year-Old Contestants Posted: 21 Jan 2011 03:52 AM PST 'They were mature, sang brilliantly and were just grateful for the opportunity of being allowed in the room,' Nigel Lythgoe tells MTV News.
On Wednesday night's premiere of "American Idol" 's, 10th — and, some say, most important — season, viewers not only got their first glimpse of new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, but also some of the show's much-discussed new rules too.
Like, for example, the newly lowered age requirement, which, for the first time, allows 15-year-olds to audition. And on last night's show, it gave us hopefuls like the perky Kenzie Palmer, who made it through to Hollywood (thanks in no small part to Lopez). Of course, Palmer's success was what the "Idol" team probably had in mind when they instigated the change — but, as executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told MTV News, things haven't necessarily worked out according to plan. "I think that the one change that I'm most excited about is opening it up to 15-year-olds. And when I heard about it, I wasn't too happy about it, because I thought, 'We're going to get a bunch of immature kids come in and cry their eyes out when they're kicked out,' " he said. "And whereas I was partly right, the majority of the kids were absolutely fabulous, and you'd never guess they were 15. They were mature, sang brilliantly and were just grateful for the opportunity of being allowed in the room." And, much like Palmer, there's still plenty of those 15-year-olds who are making noise on the show. "[I'm] very pleased with them," he said, "and quite a few of them are still there." Are you excited or wary of the lowered age requirement? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos |
| 'Jersey Shore' High Five: Double The Ronnie, Double The Fun Posted: 20 Jan 2011 06:58 AM PST Plus: Snooki's colon-cleansing pre-date ritual and the softer side of JWoww.
There were so many discoveries on Thursday night's (January 20) episode of "Jersey Shore." Ronnie has a twin! JWoww has a soft side! And Snooki has an ... interesting pre-date ritual. Where to begin? Why not with my five favorite moments? (Watch the embedded video for the full High Five Recap.)
5. Snookin' for Love ... and Bronzer "This is the things that I think I'm addicted to: Bronzer, boys ... and alcohol," Snooki reflected. Oh, Snooks. Just like your dad, I am so disappointed in you. Why didn't you say, "Bronzer, boys and BOOZE?!" She missed a perfectly good opportunity for clever alliteration. 4. Ronnie (the Remix) "Yo, he dances like Ronnie too!" DJ Pauly D observed. Err, maybe, except fake Ronnie wasn't dancing like ... a drag queen. 3. When Fake Ronnie Met Real Ronnie Ron, in bed with girlfriend Sammi, woke up to find his doppelgänger standing over him. "Who is that? Dean?" Real Ronnie asked to the surprise and delight of the guys. Turns out the two Rons already knew each other. But wait, there was more. "His girlfriend's name is Sam too," "Jersey Shore" Ron revealed. So even lookalike Ronnie's a cheating bastard? Huh. I wonder if Fake Sammi lies in bed all the time and plays with her hair extensions too? 2. JWoww Wins at Life She taught us proper phone etiquette, was an amazing friend to Snooki in her time of need and then got all "Waiting to Exhale" on her no-good boyfriend. JWoww, I know you're now sort of seeing that Roger guy, and you do make a cute couple, but hear me out ... I would treat you so good, girl. For starters, I'll take you to any amusement park you want, and unlike your ex Tom, I won't interfere with your fashion line because, frankly, I don't take you seriously as a designer. But that's beside the point: JWoww, ditch the zero, and get with this ... 1-and-a-half? 1. Snooki's, uh, Baby And just like that, Snooki's drinking problem moved to the bottom of the list of "Things Snooki Should Be Really, Really Worried About." What was your favorite moment from this week's "Jersey Shore" episode? Share in the comments below! Don't miss "Jersey Shore," airing Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos |
| Cam'ron Talks About Wrapping Up Beef With 50 Cent Posted: 20 Jan 2011 05:11 AM PST 'We had our little discrepancy, and we moved on from it,' Killa says during 'RapFix Live' Dipset reunion interview.
It looks like all is well between Dipset and the G-Unit. Years ago, Harlem honcho Cam'ron had been going at it with 50 Cent, with the two taking turns lobbing disses at each other on records and in interviews. But when MTV News chopped it up with Killa on the "RapFix Live" couch Thursday (January 20), the uptown MC officially confirmed he has no ill will toward 50.
"I don't have no problem with 50. 50 cool with me," Cam said. The Crime Pays spitter said the drama was entertaining, but maintained he and 50 are over their differences. "It was good for hip-hop. We had our little hip-hop beef or whatever you wanna call it, but ain't no problem," he said, adding that Dipset members like Jim Jones and Juelz Santana often link up with Fif. "Jim and Juelz do stuff with 50 and they camp all the time. I don't have a problem with 50 at all. It is what it is. We had our little discrepancy, and we moved on from it." Squashing his differences with 50 appears to be part of a Cam'ron campaign to ameliorate certain strained relationships with his hip-hop brethren. Killa sat down with Jones and Freekey Zekey for a live Dipset reunion Thursday after years of feuding and infighting among the crew (Juelz was scheduled to stop by but skipped the interview at the last minute due to a medical problem). The trio were later joined by uptown upstart and Cam protégé Vado, who closed the show with a freestyle. The crew dropped their street single "Salute" last summer, and Cam spoke to MTV News at the time about how the MCs' first collaborative record in years came together. "Jim's got a good work ethic too. His work ethic is crazy," Cam explained. "He's in the studio all the time. I'm in the studio. The producer AraabMuzik is signed to DukeDaGod. Araab went and took Jim some beats. I already had the beat [for 'Salute']. Jim said, 'Let's do something to this.' We got it done. "It wasn't no big story behind it," Cam added. "He sent me the record, I did it. He went to Juelz's studio, I knocked it out. Jim comes by my crib where the studio at. We sit down for two, three hours, and we go in the basement and knock the songs out. I'm not gonna sit here and act like some spaceship landed or a boat docked. Jim comes by the house, we go in the basement, we smoke, do the song, that's it. We go back in another two, three days and do the same thing." What do you think about Cam'ron ending his beef with 50? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Steven Tyler's Best 'American Idol' Quotes From New Orleans Posted: 20 Jan 2011 06:21 AM PST 'From my melodic sensibility, it was really delicious,' new judge tells one contestant.
Night number two of "American Idol" season 10 was shorter than the first, but just as sweet, particularly if you are a fan of new judge Steven Tyler.
The unpredictability and wackiness of the Aerosmith frontman is quickly becoming one of the most entertaining aspects of the show. "Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe recently told MTV News that Tyler will be on a tape delay when the show goes live, but even though he is already bleeped out accordingly during these first few weeks of audition rounds, his unique commentary and compliments deserve a recap of their own. So without further ado, here are Thursday night's (January 20) top Tyler-isms: » "You know what they say about a little hat?" Tyler asked to camera, wearing a tiny black top hat. "Little [bleep]." (We have no idea what he said, but because it was bleeped out by Fox, it had to be good/dirty, right?) » "It's not cold; it was the warmth of his voice," Tyler said of the evening's first contestant to fellow judge Jennifer Lopez, who complained of getting goose bumps from the audition and the actual chill in the room. » "Where did you get those lips?" he asked one young lady, followed by, "You had me sold from the second you laid eyes on me. Wait ... " » "From my melodic sensibility, it was really delicious," he enthused after one performance. "I really liked your voice." » "Yes." (Responding to a query as to whether he was familiar Mick Jagger's mouth.) » "The sparkle in your eye is like, forget about it," Tyler said to a baby-face 15-year-old hopeful. "Looking at you, I'm closing my eyes and it's a work of art, a thing of beauty ... and I will finish that off with a double helping of ooh-yeah." What was your favorite Tyler-ism? Share it in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Beyonce To Star In Clint Eastwood's 'A Star Is Born' Remake Posted: 20 Jan 2011 04:40 AM PST Movie will be directed and produced by the Oscar winner.
Beyoncé Knowles is headed back to the big screen and into the familiar territory of playing an aspiring singer-turned-superstar. According to Deadline, Knowles will star in a remake of "A Star Is Born," to be directed and produced by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood for Warner Bros. The remake will be the fourth telling of the "A Star Is Born" tale, the most memorable in recent years being the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson as star-crossed lovers of sorts. It is also worth mentioning that the producers of that film, Billy Gerber and Jon Peters, are also attached to this new project. It is said to be a full-on musical with production set to begin sometime in the fall. Naturally, the plot details are under wraps, but the original story revolves around an aspiring singer who meets and falls in love with a troubled, failing former star who helps get the young ingénue her big break in the business. No announcements have been made with regard to the male lead, but the report mentioned that major names like Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Hamm have been floated around. It's definitely an interesting step for Knowles but not necessarily a surprise, given the fact that the majority of her film roles have been as singers ("Cadillac Records," "Dreamgirls," "The Fighting Temptations"). While many thought "Dreamgirls" would bring awards recognition for Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson's supporting role ended up garnering the most attention. With Oscar fave Eastwood at the helm of this new project, Knowles could be in line for some hardware yet. For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists |
| 'American Idol' Crooner Brett Loewenstern Scores Fiery New Orleans Audition Posted: 20 Jan 2011 06:36 AM PST Flame-haired 16-year-old victim of bullying impresses judges with soulful rendition of 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'
Another night of "American Idol, another teen overcomes adversity and shows off impressive vocal chops.
As the "Idol" train rolled in to New Orleans for season 10's second day of auditions, Brett Loewenstern made his mark on the judges with his smooth-as-silk voice and mop of red hair, handily winning over the panel despite his tough past. Sporting a striped T-shirt, skinny pants and those red spirals -- which he tames with baby oil -- the 16-year-old Boca Raton, Florida, native captivated Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson with his easy take on the epic Queen classic "Bohemian Rhapsody." Lopez said the performance reminded her of the vocal stylings of British group Simply Red, who boast flame-haired crooner Mick Hucknall as the soul outfit's velvety-voiced frontman. Loewenstern's family gleefully watched the audition via monitors alongside Ryan Seacrest, with the crooner's younger brother proudly pointing out his singing sibling. When the audition ended, Loewenstern happily burst out of the room and was enveloped in hugs by his waiting family. Although the audition ended on a triumphant note, the performance capped off years of struggling socially at school. Loewenstern recounted harsh years stemming from elementary school, during which he lacked friends and had to deal with unrelenting bullying. However, the teen singer eventually embraced the unique qualities that once drew taunts, dubbing himself "a red apple in a pile of green apples." "I had an epiphany at one point," he said. "I finally became happy in my own shell, and now it's like, [if] someone doesn't like me it's cool. 'Cause as long as I like me that's all that matters." The ginger-haired teen also had a message for everyone on both sides of the bully battle: "Be yourself, because there's only one life to live." What did you think of "American Idol" on Thursday? Let us know in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. |
| Justin Bieber's Next Album To Capture Justin Timberlake's Magic Posted: 20 Jan 2011 05:28 AM PST Songwriter Sean Garrett says former 'NSYNC star's success inspires Bieber's new project and also dishes on Beyoncé's album.
Justin Bieber may have declined the chance to join Justin Timberlake's label, but according to a songwriter in the know, the former 'NSYNC crooner is the inspiration for the teen sensation's upcoming album. Songwriter Sean "The Pen "Garrett, who has been working with Bieber on the follow-up to the chart-ruling My World 2.0., spoke with Billboard about the direction for the teen superstar's forthcoming album, saying the project will feature more grown-up fare. "What we're trying to do with Justin is to segue him into young adulthood," Garrett said of the project, which is also slated to feature production from hitmaker Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. "The one great thing about Justin Bieber is the fact that his fans are going to grow with him. So we want all the fans that started out with him to still be intrigued and excited about him, but we want to also stretch out a little bit and make the fans that are 22-23 years old love Justin as well. When Justin Timberlake went from the last album of *N Sync to his first solo album -- I want to say [we're aiming for] that level. That's the bar for the type of song, that level of 'Cry Me a River,' big records." Garrett, who has crafted records for stars like Chris Brown and Bieber's mentor Usher, also said he's hard at work on Beyoncé's next project. However, the songwriter didn't divulge too much information, only revealing that he's "been working with her extremely hard ... she's my favorite." While Garrett said the plan for his next outing is to angle Bieber toward a swiftly maturing audience, Bieber himself has refused to categorize his music, insisting to MTV News in December that he's just focused on creating quality records. "Whatever comes out of my mouth is just what you guys are going to hear," Bieber explained of his hits. "I don't know, it's not a specific type of music. Whatever music I write, I wouldn't say I'm pop or R&B or country or anything: I would just say it's just good music," What do you think Justin Bieber's new music is going to sound like? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| MTV's New Awards Show Will Honor Digital Music, Media Posted: 20 Jan 2011 01:45 AM PST 'Expect to see something that you wouldn't typically see,' MTV rep says.
When it comes to awards shows, MTV has spent the past three decades breaking the mold. Come spring, they'll try to invent a new mold altogether. On Wednesday, the network revealed it is planning an entirely new awards show, one aimed at honoring digital music and media. And unlike the long-running Video Music Awards and Movie Awards — which lampoon traditionally stodgy fetes like the Grammys and the Oscars — this time out, there's no pre-existing blueprint to go up against. This will be an entirely new undertaking. "I think the idea we're trying to convey is: We have the current heavyweight champions of music and movie awards shows, and we love them — they're a great place for celebrating music and movies — but we also think something new is going on," Dermot McCormack, head of digital for MTV Music and Logo Group, told MTV News on Thursday (January 20). "The industry has evolved into a digital medium, and fans have evolved right along with it. So we figured it was time to re-examine how we reward achievement in these new mediums." McCormack said the still-untitled show will premiere in the spring, and will air live on the Internet, on social media sites and mobile devices — but will not be broadcast. "This is a tent pole born from the digital medium, so the rules of television don't really apply here," he said. "We're a multi-screen company, and everything we do should take advantage of all our screens. This show may air, but it definitely will not be something live from 8 to 10 p.m. on MTV. One of the great opportunities with digital is that we remove constraints. And when we do, we think great creativity will show up." And while the awards categories are still being determined, McCormack said fans can expect to see their favorite music apps and blogs honored in a way that's befitting of MTV's awards-show legacy. "Expect to see something that you wouldn't typically see," he said. "The idea here is to create a response to this great renaissance that's happening, the activity and revolution in the music business. It's not only about where music is today, but where it's going too. We want to stake a claim in that while still dipping into our heritage. When the first VMAs happened [in 1984], you had Dan Aykroyd coming out smoking a cigarette. That's the same spirit we'd like to capture here." What ideas do you have for MTV's new digital awards show? Tell us in the comments below! |
| Diplomats Say, 'Together, We Can Always Do Better' Posted: 20 Jan 2011 04:50 AM PST Reunited Dipset show up for 'RapFix Live,' where Jim Jones says he's glad to have his 'brothers back.'
When it comes to the reunited Diplomats, the Harlem collective's spat was largely between frontman Cam'ron and capo Jim Jones.
Cam and Jim tossed barbs at each other during interviews, though they were civil enough to acknowledge their childhood friendship. And while Juelz Santana remained neutral for a long time (he eventually sided with Jones), it was Freekey Zekey who constantly urged the pair to put aside their differences. "Zeke never had a problem with anyone, so he was always trying to get everybody to talk," Cam'ron told host Sway during the Dipset's appearance on "RapFix Live" on Thursday (January 20). "I think everyone just needed to come to an understanding. We could all do great by ourselves, but if we all together, we can always do better. Like Snoop said, I can do whatever I want by myself but when I'm with Dr. Dre, it's breakthroughs, it's miracles, it's stars and it's all types of things in the air." The rift between Cam and Jones lasted roughly three years until last year when the two announced they'd reconciled; in April 2010 they revealed they were in negotiations for a new record deal. A month later, in Atlanta, the two made their most pronounced appearance together in years when they joined forces at a Converse-sponsored hoops tournament, where they took first place. Since then, the Harlem crew have been back to their old tricks — with an added wrinkle in new affiliate and Cam protégé Vado — taking shots at Kanye West, re-injecting humor and irreverence back into hip-hop and talking the talk they often do. In October, Jones spoke to MTV News about being in the studio with Dre, a precursor to their presumed new alliance with Interscope Records. Now, Jones and company are basking in the glow that their comeback has sparked. "It's a good feeling, above all," Jones said on "RapFix Live." "You got your brothers back. Me and Cam grew up since we were young. Me and Zeke since 2nd grade. We knew Juelz since he was a young teenager. It's a life-learning lesson. Above all, we kept the brotherhood; no one disrespected anyone. To know we all back, to know we all on the same playing field. The music is even better due to all the experience, walking in your own lane. And it feels good." What did you think of Dipset's appearance on our "RapFix Live" show? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Pink Gets Gritty In 'F****** Perfect' Video: Watch Now Posted: 20 Jan 2011 02:17 AM PST The clip, which premiered Thursday on MTV.com, unflinchingly tackles the issues of teen suicide and cutting.
Much like Katy Perry's "Firework" or even (to some extent) Ke$ha's "We R Who We R," Pink's brand-new "F****** Perfect" video is an outreach to the outcasts, an extended hand to those on the fringes of society, one that comes with an empowering — and all-too-often unheard — message of hope. But unlike either Perry or Ke$ha's glossy clips, Pink isn't afraid to get gritty. Or graphic. And therein lies its power.
In "Perfect," we follow the cycle of abuse that envelops a young girl (played by Tina Majorino) starting at an early age (she is bullied on a playground and acts out), then continues on through adolescence (her mother forces her to conform) and, of course, into high school, where the taunts get crueler and the emotions more palpable. This story is, sadly, nothing new, but it's where Pink and director David Meyers (who also did Perry's "Firework" vid) take it next that elevates the video to the next level. Overcome by feelings that are beyond her control (sadness, anger, loneliness), we see Majorino's character grab a razor blade and savagely — and gruesomely — begin cutting herself. As the blood begins to flow, it becomes apparent that she's carving the word "Perfect" into her flesh, and then, with the song hushing to a near whisper, it appears she has died. It's a tough scene to watch, one that Pink herself addressed on her website, writing that she hoped its inclusion would shine a light on the issues of cutting and teen suicide and let anyone who may be considering either know that "I'm aware. I have been there." Thankfully, Majorino's character doesn't die, but her experience does inspire her to re-evaluate things and realize that, no matter what anyone might say, she is special, unique and, most of all, deserving of love. And that's when her life begins to change. She becomes a painter, she finds a supportive boyfriend, and she has a daughter of her own, and by doing all that, she has effectively broken the cycle of abuse. She is free, for the first time, to live her life. It may be a simplistic message, but it's an incredibly important one too. No matter how dark things get, they can — and will — get better. It may not happen all at once, but it will happen. And Pink is living proof of that. Kudos to her for not only making a video like "F****** Perfect," but for having the guts to take it to places her contemporaries don't dare tread. What did you think of Pink's new video? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists |
| David Guetta 'Honored' To Have Rihanna On 'Who's That Chick' Posted: 20 Jan 2011 03:46 AM PST 'I saw her again and she was like, 'That record is stuck in my head!' ' producer tells MTV News about infectious club hit.
David Guetta has made himself at home on the U.S. charts, teaming up with a long list of heavyweight collaborating partners that includes the Black Eyed Peas, Madonna, Lil Wayne, Taio Cruz and Flo Rida. The electronic dance-music producer recently added Rihanna to that list, and he spoke to MTV News about their collabo, "Who's That Chick."
Guetta originally produced the track for Rihanna's return-to-pop/R&B album, Loud. But when it didn't make the final cut, Guetta decided to release "Who's That Chick" on his own, with the Barbados singer featuring. After just three weeks on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart, "Chick" is sitting at #3, and at #51 on the Hot 100. And given that the song almost didn't happen, it's an impressive feat. "Bu, which is Akon's brother, was doing the A&R on the new album for Rihanna [and] came to me and asked me for some tracks," Guetta recalled during a sit-down with MTV News on Wednesday. "And I was feeling terrible because I'm such a huge fan but I didn't have any beats that would fit. I just didn't have any ideas. Sometimes two artists wanna work together, but it doesn't mean it's gonna happen, because you have to find the right idea." Luckily, Guetta was able to overcome his temporary beatmakers' block. "I came up with the idea for the song for 'Who's That Chick,' and I said, 'That's it. It's perfect!' " Guetta continued. "I went to see her in London; she was having a concert. And just before the concert, I went to see her backstage and I played her the record and she was like, 'Yeah, I like it.' But I think she was doubting it a little bit. And then after the concert, I saw her again and she was like, 'That record is stuck in my head!' And I was like, 'OK, let's do it!' Finally, which is really amazing for me, we did it as 'David Guetta featuring Rihanna.' It's a great honor for me." Remixes of the club jam are now available digitally, including additional edits and mixes by Adam F, Afrojack and Guetta. Fans can also look forward to not one, but two music videos for Guetta's "Who's That Chick," which have been shot and will drop in the next few weeks. (Stick with MTV News as we serve up more details.) Meanwhile, Guetta's greatest hits album, One More Love, is due on Tuesday and includes the Rihanna-assisted banger. What do you think of the Guetta/Rihanna club jam? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'American Idol' Season 10 Premiere: Fans Sound Off! Posted: 19 Jan 2011 11:06 PM PST Fans review new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.
The morning after the debut episode of season 10 of "American Idol," fans are saying the long-running reality singing program has regained some of its lost luster. Considering that the early audition rounds are usually filled with the most "entertaining" singers, a lot of that praise had to do with the bang-up job of new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.
MTV News' comments sections and a special Twitter feed tied to our first-ever post-"Idol" were inundated with comments, rants and raves about Wednesday night's show, some positive, some negative and a few just plain angry. "I thought Steven Tyler was hilarious," Garrett wrote. "I personally loved him, and I can't wait to see more." Ted agreed, adding, "My expectations were low but I thought they did good. I will watch it again." Plipton approached the show with caution, fearing it would not be as good without beloved iconic "mean judge" Simon Cowell. "But I truly enjoyed it," Plipton said. "I thought Steven was hilarious and honest. I didn't expect much from him or Jennifer and I thought they did a great job. I think this season is going to be great. I loved their rawness and honesty. More than anything, I enjoyed Steven. He is a funny guy." Sarah, however, was not won over. She said she watched Wednesday night's show, but would probably bail until the Hollywood rounds. "I used to enjoy the auditions, mainly for the bad ones," she said, offering an early assessment of the audition rounds. "But this season has fallen flat. Sorry, the goofs are just more entertaining." DPB thought the show was just boring and suggested that none of the judges "know what they were talking about or doing," labeling Tyler's comments "superficial" and "obvious." Over on Twitter, we were swamped with comments at the #idolwithoutsimon hashtag we created for the live stream. Mrs_FiFi said, "Steven Tyler made me forget all about Simon last nite. Steven is fascinating, funny & he can SING." ArchuletaGirl begged to differ, though, tweeting, "Idol just isn't the same without Simon. These new judges keep getting suckered into putting bad people through." Others dubbed Tyler "kinda pervy," possibly for the legendary rock star's long, lusty looks at some of the contestants and comments about their skirt lengths. Adam Mersel had props for Lopez, opining that "J.Lo is poppin' on #A10. She knows what's up. And Steven Tyler is officially creepy. Oh Idol how I missed you." What did you think of the first night of "American Idol"? Sound off in the comments below! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Channing Tatum And Tracy Morgan Square Off On 'Son Of No One' Set Posted: 20 Jan 2011 03:22 AM PST 'Tracy Morgan is going to shock the world,' Tatum tells MTV News of funnyman's dramatic turn in Sundance movie.
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival is just getting under way, and MTV News will have you covered with all the latest and greatest news from Park City, Utah. Kicking off our coverage is a sneak peek at one of the fest's big premieres and this year's closing-night film, "The Son of No One."
Written and directed by Dito Montiel ("A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," "Fighting"), the film revolves around two men forced to relive two murders they committed as young boys. The film stars Channing Tatum, Al Pacino, Katie Holmes, Tracy Morgan, Ray Liotta and Juliette Binoche. MTV News was lucky enough to drop by the New York set of the film awhile back, on a night when Montiel and crew were filming a heated scene between Tatum and Morgan. "It's about two kids in 1986 that get away with murder," Montiel explained. "And how it can catch up with you in 2002 [the year in which the film is set], so we're never in reality." "There's a real bond between these guys," Morgan said of the lead characters. "One's life went in one direction, which is very successful, and the other friend, which is my character, went in a really messed-up direction." "Son of No One" marks Montiel and Tatum's third pairing together, which made us wonder if Montiel wrote the part with the "G.I. Joe" star in mind. "No, I never do. I keep ending up with him. I don't know why," he admitted. "That sounds like I'm being nice for MTV for whatever, but he's great and I love him and he's killing it." Tatum plays Jonathan White, nicknamed "Milk." "It's an intense movie," Tatum said. "I think Tracy Morgan is going to shock the world. Nobody has ever seen him do drama or anything like that." Speaking of which, Morgan said a large part of the draw for wanting to sign on to the film was to flex his dramatic acting muscles. "I feel it's an opportunity that I want to really take advantage of. I want to grow as an artist, as a person, and I understand my limitations," he said. "Comedy is a comfort zone for me and I don't mind coming out of my comfort zone." Check out everything we've got on "Son of No One." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Lady Gaga <i>Born This Way</i> Director Talks About Short Film Posted: 20 Jan 2011 02:40 AM PST Mariano Vivanco says, 'It's one of my favorite films I've done.'
Mere hours after completing the edit for the Lady Gaga/Mugler Born This Way collaboration that debuted in full Thursday (January 20), the short film's director, fashion photographer Mariano Vivanco, spoke to MTV News about the film, which not only debuts Nicola Formichetti as the line's creative director, but also gives fans a taste of a fresh Gaga song, remixed especially for Mugler. The finished version of the track will appear on Gaga's album, to be released in May. Vivanco explained that what was supposed to be a small-scale Formichetti/Vivanco fashion video to display Mugler's new looks became a full-scale music video-like shoot once they knew Gaga would be involved — even if they didn't have the actual song until after they did most of the work. "OK, I'll be 100 percent honest with you: We didn't get the music until after the video," Vivanco revealed. "Nicola hummed it to me and tried singing it to me. It was hilarious. And described it to me in a really articulate way. He said, 'It's techno meets Whitney Houston, in a really good way.' "When he described that to me, I thought the best treatment to that would be to film it in slow motion 'cause I think house music with slow-moving images works," he continued. "I filmed a lot of scenes that were in my heart and in my mind." It's hard to believe that Vivanco hadn't heard the song when he shot the eerie, moody scenes. But, he notes that a lot of the work to mesh the video and audio came in post-production. After having a few hours to digest the dark, black-and-white art-house music video, Vivanco admitted that he loves the clip and said it was made only more special with the addition of the Gaga track. "A short film for me is like a relationship: You have to love all the imperfections. Hell, I love the film. I think it's one of my favorite films I've done," he said. "Of course, words can't express the honor that [Gaga] would give us something so nice to work with. When I hear that song, and you hear it live like we did at the show, I'm like, 'She's done it again.' " So, how does Gaga feel about it? "She called Nicola, and she said she loved the video," Vivanco said. "She's the queen of our times." Have you seen the Born This Way short film? Give us your review in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Kim Kardashian Says She Gives Up The Glam In Hype Williams Video Posted: 20 Jan 2011 01:09 AM PST Reality starlet tells MTV News veteran video director focused on Kim 'the artist' for upcoming 'Turn It Up' clip.
Kim Kardashian is pretty clear about her music career: It's a one-song deal. Even so, the project is already high-profile, with everyone from Kanye West to The-Dream to music-video maven Hype Williams playing some role in the creation of Kim Kardashian, pop star. And with the song, "Turn It Up," gaining lots of buzz, fans of the reality starlet are eager to hear the full single and see how the video turns out. From the looks of things, her "one song" idea could wind up being bigger than she envisioned.
MTV News caught up with Kim on Wednesday and she revealed some details about the upcoming video. "Hype Williams directed the video. It is so crazy," she teased. "I mean his looks that he put me in [are crazy]. He really had say in what he wanted, I guess, [for what] Kim 'the artist' that I was playing in this role would look like, as opposed to the everyday glam Kim that you're used to seeing. So, it was really fun to play dress up and have all these other looks that I never really tried before." Big sis Kourtney was at Kim's side during the shoot, giving props to her "Kourtney & Kim Take New York" co-star. "Love it! And I was there with her throughout the whole process, which was fun," Kourtney told us. "Going to the studio and, you know, just everything we did. It was a really fun process." Kim has been reluctant to give up info about the song, but a source recently told MTV News that the song is a club joint. It's like "back-in-the-day Jennifer Lopez ... a little bit of a Jennifer Lopez feel. It's totally a dance song," the source explained. "It's good and it definitely sounds like [Kim] in my mind. You know it's her voice. She definitely can sing." Are you looking forward to Kim's first official music video release? Tell us in the comments! |
| 'No Strings Attached' Director Says 'Friends With Benefits' Can't Last Posted: 20 Jan 2011 03:04 AM PST 'It's very easy to have a sexual relationship that lasts for a short while,' Ivan Reitman tells MTV News.
Ivan Reitman is not only one of Hollywood's most notable and reputable producers of memorable comedies ("Animal House," "Old School"); he's also directed plenty of them ("Stripes," "Meatballs," "Ghostbusters"), including the upcoming romantic comedy "No Strings Attached," starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher.
The fact that Reitman is one of the most memorable players in the business makes him an intriguing, if slightly intimidating, interview subject. However, given Reitman's history with wacky and sometimes raunchy comedy, when MTV News caught up with him recently to discuss "No Strings Attached," we felt it entirely appropriate to ask his thoughts on the idea of "friends with benefits," particularly whether the mythological-sounding "agreement" that has become commonplace in pop culture these days can ever actually work. "Well, I think it's very easy to have a sexual relationship that lasts for a short while, where there's no kind of responsibility and there's no kind of real ties," Reitman said thoughtfully. "It's been my experience, as somebody who's been married for way more years than I believe, that you can't do that for any real length of time." Reitman went on to say that although it's a nice idea, we human beings can't help but fall in love at some point, "arrangement" or no. "It's really the subplot of this movie as well. I think it's as much of a fantasy that we'd all like to think it's possible," he said of the "friends with benefits" idea. "I think it's tough, because we do fall in love, and there's something about the human connection that makes us want to have deeper connections." Check out everything we've got on "No Strings Attached." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Lady Gaga Premieres <i>Born This Way</i> Short Film Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:55 PM PST Film, starring 'Zombie Boy,' features remixed song and footage from Thierry Mugler fashion show.
The world may at last have a first glimpse of what Gaga has up her sleeve for Born This Way, thanks to a short film made for designer Thierry Mugler. The film, directed by fashion photographer Mariano Vivanco, is set to the remixed song that Gaga debuted at the Mugler menswear show in Paris on Wednesday. The black-and-white video, which premiered on Stylist.com and Mugler.com on Thursday (January 20), features Canadian model Rick Genest, also known as Zombie Boy, whose body and face are tattooed to look like a skeleton. It opens with voiceover of Gaga saying, "I don't speak German, but I can if you like," as the camera focuses on Zombie Boy, rocking a studded helmet. Footage of Zombie Boy is edited together with models walking the catwalk in Mugler designs. Zombie Boy mugs for the camera wearing a leather jacket and pearls while Gaga sings in German, "I'm absolutely clear/ As long as I'm a monster/ I wish we all could be blind/ It would be easier out there." She repeats the phrase and the beat plays low under her anthem. There is very little pop in the dark, subversive club jam, reminiscent of a '90s club track. The vibe of the video is an extension of her equally fashionable clip for "Alejandro," which was styled by Nicola Formichetti, who happens to be the creative director of Thierry Mugler. Zombie Boy is later seen walking in a city, wearing street clothes, as Gaga sings in English, "I'll take you out tonight/ Say whatever you like," accompanied by a pulsing beat. The video closes with a model walking down the runway as the song fades out. Gaga remixed the song herself for the show. "I love him, my friend the genius, my collaborator, more more than any piece of clothing or closet I possess," she said of Formichetti in a statement about the show. "But don't tell him I said that, he'll die. He picked them all out." Related Artists |
| 'Game Of Thrones' World Is 'Ruled By The Sword,' Peter Dinklage Says Posted: 20 Jan 2011 02:47 AM PST But his character, Tyrion, 'uses his mind to equal other people's swords,' actor tells MTV News.
Any time a beloved book series is adapted from the page to the screen, readers inevitably find themselves hoping the adaptation will be faithful to the source material and anxious that it won't be. With regard to HBO's upcoming "Game of Thrones," which is based on George R.R. Martin's saga "A Song of Ice and Fire," fans have been quick to jump onboard in support of HBO's adaptation, particularly with the casting of Peter Dinklage in the pivotal and deeply complex role of Tyrion Lannister.
In a nutshell, Tyrion, a disfigured dwarf, is the third child of one of the most cold, cruel and calculating families in "Game of Thrones." Because of his appearance, paired with the fact that his mother died giving birth to him, he has been the victim of much cruelty from his family since he was born. MTV News recently had the opportunity to chat with Dinklage about taking on the role and how he came to love Tyrion as much as the fans do. "He comes from a very complicated family, and it really informs a lot of what he does," Dinklage said. "He's very intelligent, which is always a joy to play. In this sort of land where everything is ruled by the sword, he doesn't take that. He doesn't go through that door; he goes through door number two. He has a great facility with his mind, and he uses his mind to equal other people's swords," he explained. Given the actor's experience with the fantasy genre, we asked him to explain how "Game of Thrones" is different from something like his work in "The Chronicles of Narnia." "I wouldn't be quick to even use the word 'fantasy' with this," Dinklage said. "I know that's what's been used and maybe a lot of people would disagree with me, but I sort of don't see it as a fantasy, at least from the stuff I've done that was truly fantasy. You know, where water creatures are coming out of the ground and lions are talking. That, to me, is a bit more fantastical," he added. When pressed to categorize the show, Dinklage struggled to come up with one specific genre. "This is more of a human drama; human drama, that sounds a bit funny as well," he said. "It's hard to pinpoint what this show is, but that's the strength of it. There are things lurking in the shadows a bit, which lend a fantastical element to it, but it's more about humans, people, laughs, making each other's lives a bit more complex." "Game of Thrones" is set to premiere on HBO in April. Check out our other interviews with castmembers Sean Bean and Emilia Clarke. If you've read the book series, which genre would you put it in? Share your thoughts in the comments! |
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