MTV News |
- 'American Idol' Hollywood Week: Lauren Alaina, More Survive Day One
- 'Jersey Shore' High Five: Ronnie Teaches Us How <i>Not</i> To Apologize
- Rihanna And Drake Set To Heat Up The Grammys
- Jacqueline Dunford And Nick Fink Split By 'American Idol' Hollywood Week
- Lady Gaga Says She's Mastered 'The Art Of Fame'
- Rihanna Agrees To Soften Chris Brown Restraining Order
- Brett Loewenstern Stands Up To Bullies During 'American Idol' Tryout
- Britney Spears Talks Lady Gaga, New Album During Twitter Chat
- 'X-Men: First Class' Trailer: Professor X And Magneto, The Way They Were
- Katy Perry Producer Sandy Vee Calls Grammy Nods 'Amazing'
- Marsha Ambrosius Is Glad 'Far Away' Video 'Got People Talking'
- 'Eagle' Star Jamie Bell Talks Channing Tatum, Horseplay
- Lindsay Lohan Police Report Emerges
- Eminem/Slaughterhouse Deal Was 'A Long Time Coming,' Joell Ortiz Says
- Kevin Smith Defends 'Red State' Road Show
- Justin Bieber Says He's Not Just Some Industry 'Packaged Thing'
- Lady Gaga Says 'Born This Way' Was 'An Immaculate Conception'
- Emma Watson Confirmed For 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower' Film
- Justin Bieber Vintage Video: 'I Love Twitter'
- Kobe Bryant Recalls Fast-Food Trips On 'When I Was 17'
| 'American Idol' Hollywood Week: Lauren Alaina, More Survive Day One Posted: 10 Feb 2011 06:45 AM PST In all, 168 make it to next week, including Chris Medina, Jacee Badeaux and James Durbin.
Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before. At the top of the first night of Hollywood Week on "American Idol" on Thursday (February 10), Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest assured us that without a doubt, for sure, guaranteed, the 327 singers who snagged their golden tickets at the outset of season 10 are the very best group of singers they've ever had. Ever. But by night's end, half of them were headed home as the biggest group to ever make it to Hollywood was cut down in a hurry. With lots of bodies to move, the judges got down to business right away, bringing out redheaded bullied Boca Raton, Florida, 16-year-old Brett Loewenstern for a soul-licked take on the Beatles' "Let it Be." As it would be for all the contestants, though, the painful wait to find out if he made the cut required Loewenstern to hang out until all 10 members of his group had sung without the benefit of any feedback from the judges. With newbie panelist Jennifer Lopez sweating the harsh task of making quick cuts — "God, this is awful," she moaned, her head in her hands — Loewenstern and a girl named (yes) Symphony learned they'd live to sing another day. Also making it through was brassy New Yorker Rachel Zevita, old soul Thia Megia and Taylor Hicks-alike blues belter Casey Abrams. The unbelievably perky Victoria Huggins, 17, brought her giant personality to Tinseltown, but her uneven cover of Julianne Hough's "My Hallelujah Song" just didn't cut it, and she was sent packing. Hollywood meant a lot more to Paris Tassin, 23, a mother of a special-needs daughter and James Durbin, the unemployed young dad we met on Wednesday night whose rock-star charisma wowed the judges. Tassin's "My Heart Will Go On" was just OK, but Durbin again brought his Adam Lambert-esque high-and-mighty wail to the Beatles' "Oh! Darling." They were joined by 15-year-old early favorite Lauren Alaina and former Miss Teen USA looker Stormi Henley, with the former showing some nerves during "Unchained Melody" and the latter washing out thanks to the weak vocals Lopez had pegged earlier. Durbin, Alaina and Tassin made the cut, putting some of the most buzzed-about contenders into the next round. Amid all the hard-luck stories this season, few pulled the heartstrings as much as Chris Medina, whose fiancée was seriously injured in a car crash. The 27-year-old barista did an uneven pass through Jason Mraz's "You and I Both," but it was good enough to put him through to the group competition. Preternaturally soulful Jacee Badeaux, 15, proved he earned his trip to Hollywood with some sweet falsetto goodness that got howls of approval from the other contestants, while 16-year-old jazzbo Robbie Rosen reached high up in the rafters and Texas belter Hollie Cavanaugh, 17, overcame her nerves to put up a solid second effort. All three made the cut. Next up was accountant Steve Beghun, 27, whose regular-guy persona and just OK singing weren't enough on second look. Also missing out were Sarah Sellers and Jacqueline Dupree as well as Los Angeles belly dancer Heidi Khzam. Unbelievably civil exes Rob Bolin and Chelsee Oaks made some beautiful music again, proving that they may not be getting back together, but they earned another shot. In a twist of cruel fate, "Idol" producers bunked them with the show's first power couple, Nick Fink and Jacqueline Dunford. Fink bit the dust thanks to a bizarre shiny silver jacket and cheesy lounge act, while Dunford's smoky slink through Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me" got her ticket punched, breaking up the adorable duo. Fink made the rookie mistake of making a cringe-worthy plea for another chance. "One shot. You gotta leave it all on the stage," Randy said sternly. "It didn't quite happen." Then Fink only made it worse by trying to pathetically sing one more time in the aisle as he slowly walked out of the auditorium. Country rumbler Scotty McCreery, 17, busted out the baritone again by reprising his low-rumbling cover of Josh Turner's "Your Man" and Milwaukee soul man Jerome Bell stuck with his towering take on Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On." The second time was a charm for both. The night's last line included the kid with the rough Bronx tale, Travis Orlando, 17, who struggled to find his groove on Maroon 5's "This Love," perhaps overshadowed by mega-diva Tiffany Rios, who promised to bring the thunder. "I'm gonna be honest," she said before singing. "I'm tired of seeing people try to do what I know I can." She then tore into Etta James' "All I Could Do Was Cry," belting it out with dramatic flair and some gospel fire that again impressed the judges. Also making it were Clint Gamboa, Julie Zorrilla, Naima Adedapo, the Gutierrez brothers, White House intern Molly DeWolf Swenson, quirky redhead Emily Anne Reed, weepy Ashley Sullivan and Stefano Langone. And so there you have it. The 327 were down to 168, with some early stars flaming out and other hopefuls living to sing again next Wednesday during the always-tense group rounds. Did your favorites make it? Let us know in comments below! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. |
| 'Jersey Shore' High Five: Ronnie Teaches Us How <i>Not</i> To Apologize Posted: 10 Feb 2011 07:11 AM PST Sammi and Ronnie's relationship dies a 30-minute-long death in latest episode.
Ever wish you could watch a snuff film about the death of a relationship? You're in luck. Check out the embedded video to catch my five favorite moments of this week's intense "Jersey Shore."
5. Boardwalking
Ok, OK, in Sammi's defense, Pauly D does look exactly like the sister from "Dinosaurs." 4. How Not to Apologize, Part I Sammi: "How could you sit there and look me in the face, watch me cry, lie to my face?" Ron: "I have enough respect and love for you to f---ing admit what i did was f---ing wrong and is shameful and disrespectful ... " Whoa, whoa, whoa. Did Ronnie just officially apologize? Ron: " ... You're so f---ing dumb and hardheaded that you can't even admit what you did to me in Atlantic City was wrong, what you did to me at Jersey Shore was wrong. Be a woman and man up for once. I had a reason to sh-- on you in Miami. Realize that." And that was how not to apologize, brought to you by RonRon Juice. "RonRon Juice: 'Roid rage in a bottle™." 3. The Fight Congratulations, Sharon Stone in the third hour of "Casino": You are no longer the most hysterical woman I've ever seen on my television! 2. How Not to Apologize, Part II And that brings us to yet another installment of "How Not to Apologize." Ron: "You f---ing disrespected me in front of my face. What i did in Miami, at least I had enough respect for you to do it to you while you're not around." Yes, Ronnie. Nothing says respect like three-way kissing two girls at a club behind your current girlfriend's back and then stumbling home and having sex with your girlfriend the same night. Oh. And reality-TV cameras are documenting all of it. That is the epitome of respect. 1. Sneaker Pimp Pauly D: "I'm over here trying to clean my sneakers. I can't concentrate! All this fighting! They're talking about relationships, my sneakers are dirty!" Pauly D, for making me laugh in the midst of one of the biggest, most upsetting blowups in reality-TV history, I salute you. And your bottle of 409. Don't miss "Jersey Shore," airing Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos |
| Rihanna And Drake Set To Heat Up The Grammys Posted: 10 Feb 2011 08:45 AM PST The hitmakers' first live awards-show performance together should be stylish, sexy affair.
Rihanna and Drake will team up to rock the Grammy stage on Sunday night, but while both have stayed mum about the show, if previous performances — and their obvious chemistry — are any indication, these two will likely bring some hip-hop and R&B-tinged heat. In 2010, Rihanna circled the world on her Last Girl on Earth Tour, vamping it up in sharp-shouldered, leg-baring bodysuits and straddling bubblegum-colored tanks. A Rihanna show, however, isn't always a mélange of militant moves and space-age sexpot grooves. The "S&M" songstress went tribal with a drum-heavy throwdown at the 2010 American Music Awards, gyrated under bright-red lights for a flirty rendition of "What's My Name?" on "Saturday Night Live" and played a flower-laden princess at the MTV Europe Music Awards. A restless chameleon when it comes to her aesthetic, the most consistent aspect of the superstar's stage turns is the flash of her famous legs. While high-concept set design and elaborate outfits typify Rihanna's stage shows, Drake gets concertgoers hyped with high-wattage cameos. When the Young Money hitmaker's Light Dreams and Nightmares Tour touched down in New York City in September, Drizzy trotted out Jay-Z, Fabolous, Trey Songz and others. Swizz Beatz and Mary J. Blige helped him out for a throwback-themed set at the MTV VMAs, fellow Canadian ladykiller Justin Bieber showed his precious mug at the Indiana State Fair and Lil Wayne chose the MC's Las Vegas date to hit the stage just days after he was released from prison. Drizzy's sets aren't just live posse cuts though, as the rapper has also said the Light Dreams trek was inspired by rock icon Jimi Hendrix's freewheeling stage style. Each artist has rocked bodies at the Recording Academy's annual trophy handout as well. Drizzy pulled off a performance of "Forever" alongside top-flight lyricists Eminem and Lil Wayne, with Travis Barker on the skins, at the 2010 awards show. Rihanna has entertained her industry peers at pre-Grammy bashes, but Sunday's show will allow the pop megastar to show off her skills after her 2009 performance was famously thwarted following an assault by then-boyfriend Chris Brown. So Rihanna is usually good for an outrageous costume and an eye-popping set, while Drizzy tends to have a famous face in the wings ready to kick up the star power. Yet their most high-profile onscreen collaboration is low on big-budget tricks, and is instead a portrait of the pair's close relationship. When they combined forces on the songstress' Loud hit "What's My Name?" — after being dogged by rumors of an undercover fling — they kept the video intimate and low-key, flirting in a bodega on New York's Lower East Side, sharing wine and Chinese food and cuddling on the couch. Come Sunday, the pair's collabo promises to be a big moment: It's the first time they have performed together live, and it will be Rihanna's chance to finally take over the Grammy stage. And since they're up for four awards each, it's possible their stage show will be a celebration after they've snatched Grammy gold. Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Jacqueline Dunford And Nick Fink Split By 'American Idol' Hollywood Week Posted: 10 Feb 2011 07:05 AM PST Dunford moves ahead while Fink begs for another chance after being cut.
Not even "American Idol" couple Jacqueline Dunford and Nick Fink's cheery love could salvage a shaky audition. Fink and Dunford, who were aiming to be " 'American Idol' 's first power couple," charmed audiences with their affectionate, googly-eyed banter ("I like to think of Nick being me in boy form," Dunford said at their Arizona audition) and won over the judges with their equally sweet voices. However, the power of love couldn't keep the wannabe "Idol" pair together in the competition after Fink turned in a weak second audition during day one of Hollywood Week. Holding hands as they waited to show off their pipes once again, Fink went in front of the judges first. Sporting a satin blazer and blue T-shirt, Fink sang Paolo Nutini's "New Shoes," but his paper-thin vocals lacked the refined smoothness of his Arizona audition. Jacqueline, however, rocked it, taking the stage in a jaunty flower hairpiece and gray cardigan and assuredly belting Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me." Their hands were entwined as they waited for Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler to divide hopefuls into two lines, but they had to separate when Fink was called up front and Dunford remained in the back. Then, to Fink's disappointment and Dunford's delight, the panel dismissed the front line and congratulated the back line. Although they tried to empathize with each other, Dunford was clearly suppressing her giddiness as she gazed at the dejected Fink. Fink didn't take the rejection well at all. As the auditioners headed off the stage, the 19-year-old crooner grabbed the mic and pleaded with the judges to give him another shot, saying he "wanted to continue with his baby. I'm so happy for her, but I just wish you guys would let me sing, like, a teeny bit more." Jackson dashed his hopes once again, insisting that everybody got just one chance, adding, "You gotta leave it all on the stage." Still, as Fink reluctantly filed down the aisle — Dunford had already quietly gone ahead — he tried once more to belt "Shoes," sounding no better than he had moments before. Eventually, Fink caught up with Dunford and hugged his lady. Chopping it up with Ryan Seacrest afterward, she explained that they didn't even entertain the idea they might be separated heading into the competition, while Fink asked Seacrest, "Are you hurt by this?" While Fink was clearly hurt, at least he still had his girlfriend. As Seacrest noted, it's time for Fink to cheer his lady on as she chases "Idol" fame alone. What did you think of Fink and Dunford being separated on "American Idol"? Let us know in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. |
| Lady Gaga Says She's Mastered 'The Art Of Fame' Posted: 10 Feb 2011 12:05 AM PST 'Everybody wants to see the decay of the superstar,' Gaga tells '60 Minutes' about staying in control of her image.
Lady Gaga is letting fans into her world now that she's prepping the release of her new album, Born This Way. This Sunday she's set to appear on "60 Minutes" for a revealing chat with Anderson Cooper. During the interview, Cooper asks Gaga about the 2009 VMA performance in which she "dies." "That's what everyone wants to know, right? What is she going to look like when she dies ... when she's overdosed on whatever they think I'm overdosing on?" Gaga said of the choice to get gory on stage (she frequently uses fake blood in her performances). "Everybody wants to see the decay of the superstar. ... They want to see me fail. They want to see me fall onstage. They want to see me vomiting out of a nightclub. ... Isn't that the age we live in? That we want to see people who have it all lose it all?" "It's a movie ... and yet, I am just not like that on my own time," she further explained. "I'm not a vomit in the club kind of girl." Gaga has been obsessed with fame in her music since the beginning and she admits that that may be the one thing she's best at. She explains, "One of my greatest artworks is the art of fame. I am a master of the art of fame." For the new issue of Vogue, Gaga discussed similar themes, including her place in the world of celebrity. "I see myself in [my fans]," she said. "I was this really bad, rebellious misfit of a person — I still am — sneaking out, going to clubs, drugs, alcohol, older men, younger men. You imagine it — I did it. I was just a bad kid. And I look at [my fans], and every show there's a little more eyeliner, a little more freedom, and a little more 'I don't give a f--- about the bullies at my school.' For some reason, the fans didn't become more top 40, they become even more of this cult following. It's very strange and exciting. Related Artists |
| Rihanna Agrees To Soften Chris Brown Restraining Order Posted: 10 Feb 2011 06:08 AM PST Singer's lawyer says she's requested the order to be dropped to level one, which would allow contact between the two.
Rihanna's lawyer told E! News that she has agreed to allow the current restraining order against ex Chris Brown to be relaxed. The "S&M" singer requested the order to be bumped down to a level one, which would mean that the two are allowed to contact each other as long as Brown doesn't harass or annoy his superstar ex. E! reports that Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, is aware of the request but needs to head to the court for a judge to officially change the original order. Judge Patricia Schnegg put the protective order into effect in August 2009 after Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend. The restriction mandated that the former couple were barred from communicating with each other and that they must maintain their distance if they were to attend the same event. Rihanna's request comes after a January 28 status hearing during which it was revealed that Brown's "stay away" order would likely be reduced to a "do not annoy" order. Brown completed a yearlong domestic-violence course in December and has been lavished with praise by Schnegg for his progress during his status hearings. "Of all probationers I've ever had, and I've had thousands of probationers, no one has ever done a better or more consistent job than you have," Schnegg said during a November hearing. "And I really want to commend you for taking responsibility, and for actually working diligently to complete all of the things the court has required of you." While the exes can be in contact now, a reunion on Grammy night — Brown's assault on Rihanna happened just before the Grammys in 2009 — remains unlikely. Rihanna will hit the stage, but while Brown is nominated, he is not scheduled to attend. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Brett Loewenstern Stands Up To Bullies During 'American Idol' Tryout Posted: 10 Feb 2011 06:34 AM PST 'I'm done with being a victim,' redheaded standout says after sailing to the next Hollywood Week round.
Even if the name Brett Loewenstern doesn't mean anything to you yet, his face certainly does: He's the 16-year-old red-haired singer viewers were first introduced to during the New Orleans "American Idol" auditions. You might as well go ahead and get used to him, because he's going to be around a bit longer: On Thursday's (February 10) episode of "Idol," Loewenstern made one more sizable leap toward achieving his dream, as the Boca Raton, Florida, native coasted through his Hollywood Week audition. His biggest obstacle was his own nerves: "I'm shaking in my pants right now, I'm not gonna lie," he told the judges as one of the first contestants to take the audition stage. Then those jitters melted away, as Loewenstern won the judges over with his passionate, restrained rendition of the Beatles' "Let It Be." "That boy's got the blues!" Jennifer Lopez said following his song. And he has reason to: Loewenstern again stressed the bullying and teasing he's faced in the past and looked at his "Idol" victory as the next step in overcoming those painful scars. "I would like to say to the people that tried to bring me down: Bully me, backstab me, whatever. No negativity anymore. I'm done with being a victim." Fanning himself as he stepped off the stage, he said he was appreciative of the opportunity in front of him and that he's going to use it to "shine." Do you think Loewenstern will make it all the way to the live shows? 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. |
| Britney Spears Talks Lady Gaga, New Album During Twitter Chat Posted: 10 Feb 2011 02:03 AM PST 'I love Lady Gaga. I think she's a really interesting artist,' Spears tells fans.
Britney Spears took to Twitter on Thursday (February 10) to chat with her devoted fans. The singer provided some revealing insights into her forthcoming album, Femme Fatale, during the open conversation. "I would describe it as moody, edgy pop with A LOT of energy. I co-wrote a couple of songs. I think it's some of the best work I have ever done. There are a few mid-tempos that could be considered ballads," Spears said. "I have a lot of history with #MaxMartin and @TheDoctorLuke so it's always fun to collaborate with them. They make such incredible music. I'm so excited and I can't wait for you guys to hear it. I think its some of the best work I have ever done! "Just want to say that I really love you guys and can't thank you enough for the support throughout my entire career," she added. When asked if she'll have any duets on the album, she teased, "You'll just have to wait and see." She also shared that she has plans to tour and meet with her fans and that further promotional plans were in the works. "I'm doing a lot of promo," she said. "There will be some major announcements in the next few days." She added, "I'm thinking about the tour right now and I would [love] to visit a lot of places I didn't get to go to on my last tour." Regarding rumors that Spears will attend the Grammys this weekend, she finally responded, saying, "I won't be there and was never planning on going." When one fan jokingly asked about her thoughts on Lady Gaga and global warming, she laughed it off. "Does anyone think global warming is a good thing?" she said. "I love Lady Gaga. I think she's a really interesting artist." Of course, Gaga wasn't the only blond pop star brought up during the chat — Britney also talked about ever-present comparisons to Madonna. "It's so flattering!" she wrote. "I really LOVE Madonna and she has been a huge inspiration for me." Don't miss Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me" video premiere February 17 at 9:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com before a new episode of "Jersey Shore"! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'X-Men: First Class' Trailer: Professor X And Magneto, The Way They Were Posted: 10 Feb 2011 04:00 AM PST First trailer also offers brief intros to Emma Frost, Beast, Mystique and more X-Men.
We all know where this is going: Professor X and Magneto will one day be the deepest enemies. How they get to that point is the story told in "X-Men: First Class," and if the first trailer is any indication, how they get there is going to be totally badass. This is an origin tale, after all, as the trailer makes clear. The footage begins with an appropriately edgy, slow-building score in the background, then a shot of Professor X's office, with his empty wheelchair in the foreground. The words "Before he was Professor X" appear over a shot of what looks like Patrick Stewart as X, hooked up to Cerebro, then, continuing the first phrase, the words "He was Charles" are shown over a shot of James McAvoy as our young Chuck Xavier. The next sequence opens with "Before he was Magneto" over shots from previous "X-Men" films and Ian McKellan wearing the famous helmet and cape, then "He was Erik" over a clip of serious/brooding Michael Fassbender as young Erik Lehnsherr. Cut to Marvel's recognizable movie insignia, the shuffling comic book pages with the logo, followed by McAvoy's Xavier and Fassbender's Lehnsherr walking together in a prison. The next clip shows the famous "School for the Gifted," with the words of JFK speaking to the Cuban Missile Crisis in the background and the rest of the cast/X-Men crowded around the television listening to Kennedy's televised address. Next up we get brief character intros, with JFK's words — "The cost of freedom is always high" — still echoing in voice-over as Emma Frost (January Jones), Angel Salvadore (Zoe Kravitz), Hank McCoy/Beast (Nicholas Hoult), Alex Summers/Havok (Lucas Till), Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) and saucy shape-shifter Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) all flash in succession onscreen. The last half of the 1:51 spot kicks up the action, with shots of fighter jets (Beast in the cockpit!), missiles launching, young mutants learning how to use their powers to fight and Lehnsherr taking hold of the famous helmet and stepping into the black-and-red suit of Magneto, followed by stern words from Xavier. "Listen to me very carefully, my friend," Xavier says to Lehnsherr/Magneto. "Killing will not bring you peace." "Peace was never an option," he responds, which is followed by quick teases of some of the big action scenes, including one where Lehnsherr is pulling a submarine out of the water and into the air. The last thing we see is a revamped and slightly imposing logo for "Xavier's School for the Gifted Youngsters," First Class, followed by the June 3 release date. Check out everything we've got on "X-Men: First Class." For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com. Related Photos |
| Katy Perry Producer Sandy Vee Calls Grammy Nods 'Amazing' Posted: 10 Feb 2011 05:28 AM PST Dance music producer/songwriter behind Grammy-nominated hits for Rihanna and Perry tells MTV News a Britney Spears collabo is in the works.
"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain." Sandy Vee should have a T-shirt imprinted with the "Wizard of Oz"-inspired line because the modest, French-born dance music producer/songwriter is behind some of the past year's biggest pop tunes, garnering Grammy nods for Katy Perry's "Firework" (Album of the Year), and Rihanna's trance-infused smash "Only Girl (In the World)" (Best Dance Recording).
Still riding high off of his Grammy accolades, Vee is also celebrating his work on Rihanna's latest, the controversial "S&M," which he co-produced with Norwegian electronic duo Stargate. "I speak for all European producers: When you're from Europe — [especially] when you're French — and you're in America, and you find out that you're nominated for a couple of Grammys? In the life of a producer, that's just amazing, that's, 'Wow, I worked so much,' and just wow!" he told MTV News. "I'm just really excited and I have a lot of fun in what I do, and this is important for me." Despite his work with high-profile artists, Vee said he prefers to remain behind the scenes and cherishes the sanctuary of the studio. "I love to be [in the] background, you know?" he said "My place is in the studio. ... I take everything and go produce in my studio and then I make magic happen. I try to get some type of signature by [using] some crazy type of treatment on a song to make it sound more warm, dynamic and large. It's a bit different, [but this is] the way I do this." Vee now regularly brushes shoulders with EDM's elite. After meeting fellow Frenchman David Guetta in 2009 at the nightclub Pacha in Ibiza, Vee became an integral part of the production team that helped create Guetta's latest album, the massively successful One Love. "Everything started with Guetta; we worked together and we did the song 'Sexy Bitch' with Akon, and it was the first big song jumping on top of the Billboard in America, so it changed a lot of things," Vee explained. "Then a lot of people wanted to get a more uptempo, dance-club sound. All these came naturally, after doing the song with David." Vee's production wizardry has made him sought after in pop-music circles, so much so that he's even drawn the attention of the Princess of Pop herself, Britney Spears, who's been making waves with her dub-step infused single "Hold It Against Me." "We've got a song with Britney. It's not official right now, but we've got a song and we're talking about it so we'll see!" In addition to the possible Spears pairing and more work with Rihanna, Perry and Guetta, Vee told us collaborations with Enrique Iglesias, Kylie Minogue and Mike Posner are all in the pipeline. Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond! Related Artists |
| Marsha Ambrosius Is Glad 'Far Away' Video 'Got People Talking' Posted: 10 Feb 2011 05:08 AM PST 'I'm glad it's got people talking,' songstress tells MTV News of same-sex romance in anti-bullying clip.
Marsha Ambrosius' video for "Far Away" portrays the ill-fated romance between two passionate lovers — a well-worn arc that has powered narratives from Shakespearean literature to sunny rom-coms. Yet Ambrosius' visual is distinctly of the moment because it touches on an array of hot-button topics, including bullying, suicide and gay rights.
In the clip, which premiered in January, Ambrosius hangs out with a handsome guy who can charm kids and grown men alike. But when the same guy openly holds hands in the park with his male lover, the kids' mom won't let her children go near him, and the once jovial fellas in the park advance on him. Ambrosius' formerly carefree and happy pal ends up swallowing a bottle of pills after the deluge of taunts. While Ambrosius readily puts the spotlight on headline-making issues, for her, the clip wasn't just about adding her voice to the public conversation, but also sharing the consequences of anti-gay bullying that she's witnessed firsthand. "The concept for 'Far Away' definitely wasn't unexpected for me as it was a personal experience that I'd had in writing the song. It came from a personal experience I was going through 'round about the time I wrote it, which is 2008, [when] a friend of mine attempted to commit suicide," she recently told MTV News. "Being a friend of someone that is in such a dark place, you can't be there for them as a friend because it's one of the most heart-wrenching things you can go through, not being able to help someone." For the former Floetry songstress, crafting "Far Away," from her forthcoming solo debut, Late Nights & Early Mornings, was a chance to empower people like her friend who are struggling with abusive situations related to their sexuality. "So a couple years later I get to do 'Far Away' for my album, and it felt only right to portray the story as it was in such an honest form. And I think many people that go through the same circumstance don't get to tell their story. And I think that's where, I guess, people are getting with the shock value; that I'm attacking a subject matter that's often shunned upon and overlooked. But it's happening to real people — it happened to a friend of mine — and I wanted to give that to those that don't have that voice," she said. Ambrosius' video also unambiguously features an affectionate, healthy same-sex relationship — including a loving lip-lock — which isn't a typical music-video story line. The songstress conceded that she's received a range of feedback (mostly positive) about the visual, but was more amped that her work has sparked a dialogue instead of just landing a blanket stamp of approval. "Overall, I'm glad it's got people talking, and the overwhelming positive response definitely outweighs anything negative that had been said. Anything negative is always summed up with, 'I still understand where you're coming from, but it's just not my thing.' But the overall message isn't overlooked, so overall ... it's opened a floor for people that weren't speaking before. It's getting people talking to one another that wouldn't have said 'Hello' in the street. So it's getting true feelings out there on the table as honest and open as you can be," she said. "So I'm kind of glad that regardless if you disagree or agree, I'm not here to change your mind, I'm here to show what's happening to real people." What do you think of Marsha Ambrosius' "Far Away" video? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related Artists |
| 'Eagle' Star Jamie Bell Talks Channing Tatum, Horseplay Posted: 10 Feb 2011 05:55 AM PST 'It was no contest,' Bell boasts to MTV News about besting co-star Tatum in horseback riding for the period flick.
Judging by posters and trailers for the upcoming swords-and-sandals flick "The Eagle" alone, it seems that one of the key factors that led stars Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell to sign up for the Roman warrior action adventure was the opportunity to play: from swinging swords to riding horses.
However, when MTV News spoke to Bell as he promoted "The Eagle," the actor revealed that there was actually a lot of work behind all that horseplay (pun intended!). "It was a very kind of challenging approach to a film," Bell said about learning to ride a horse and speak in a new language for his role as Briton slave Esca before production began. "There was a lot to be done before we even got to set. So, in that regard, all of the prep was actually the hardest thing," he explained. Bell added that although horseback riding was the most difficult, he grew to love his furry companion. "I was actually really sad to see the horse go, to be honest," Bell admitted. "I had the fastest horse as well, I want to point that out." He went on to say that he discovered his steed's speed on one of the very few occasions that he and Tatum were allowed to gallop with their horses. "At one occasion they were like, 'All right guys, you can go full pedal to the metal. It's flat ground. It's really good for the horses. You'll be fine; have at it.' It was no contest," Bell bragged. "I was just whoooshh! I was gone. Channing's horse was having a bit of trouble," he said with a smile. Check out everything we've got on "The Eagle." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Lindsay Lohan Police Report Emerges Posted: 10 Feb 2011 02:00 AM PST Actress allegedly said she'd return to the jewelry store the day after the necklace incident but didn't, leading the store owners to report a theft.
Even as Lindsay Lohan was pleading not guilty to a felony charge of grand theft on Wednesday afternoon in a Los Angeles courtroom, questions were being raised over whether the 24-year-old troubled starlet had really meant to pilfer the $2,500 necklace at the center of the case. On Thursday (February 10), TMZ posted details from the police report on the incident, which seems to shed light on how the "Mean Girls" star ended up with the gold and diamond trinket. According to the gossip site, the report details Lohan's every move while in the Venice, California, store she entered on January 22, just days after checking out of a rehab facility. Per the timeline in the report, Lohan walked into the store and removed the necklaces she was wearing, placed them on a counter and then proceeded to "try on numerous rings and three different necklaces including the missing yellow diamond necklace." As she shopped, the police report noted that she continued to wear the yellow necklace, but shortly after 6 p.m., the owner locked the doors and let Lohan and a friend continue to shop. The actress tried to haggle down the price of a $3,600 ring she had her eye on, but after she pulled out $3,000 in cash, the owner declined and Lohan said, "OK, we'll come back tomorrow." As she packed up to leave the store, Lohan reportedly put her necklaces back on, but didn't take off the store necklace, and walked out. The owner noticed a short time later that Lohan had left with the yellow necklace and, according to the police report, suspected that the actress had mistakenly worn it home and would return it the next day. But Lohan never did come back and the owners eventually filed a police report about the incident. That scenario begs the question of whether this case is about a mistake of fact versus a mistake of law, according to criminal defense attorney Jacob Glucksman, who has no firsthand knowledge of the facts in the case and is not involved in its litigation, but is representing one of the witnesses in the matter. "It matters how many other necklaces she had on. If she had a bunch on and left them on and forgot to take them off, you have to wonder if it's a mistake of fact rather than a mistake of law," he said. "If it's a mistake of law, there's no defense. If you said you didn't think it was against the law to take it, there's no defense. If she was mistaken that she still had the necklace on and made an attempt to return it as soon as she realized it, it could negate the element of the intent to steal. It could be that she had so many necklaces on that she didn't notice." As for whether Lohan made an attempt to return the necklace, Glucksman said he could not comment at this time. Based solely on the press accounts that he's seen, Glucksman said it does not appear to him that Lohan intended to visit the store, get a couple of pieces of jewelry, walk out and bring them back at her convenience. He did say, however, that there "seemed" to be a prior relationship between Lohan and the owners of the store and that they were acquainted with each other before this incident. "As far as what agreements were made to allow her, if any, to leave the store with that necklace, that's something that will develop over time as the case unfolds," he said. He noted that Hollywood stars often have agreements (usually in writing) in which they are allowed to borrow jewelry for major events such as the Academy Awards. But it's unclear at this time if Lohan had such an agreement with the Venice store. TMZ reported on Thursday that a police report it obtained appears to show that Lohan walked out of the same store with one diamond earring in her ear a few days before the incident at the center of her current case. She tried on the pair of 18 karat gold white diamond earrings, removed one and continued shopping while wearing a single earring. Before leaving, a clerk reminded her about the earring and Lohan admitted her mistake and returned it. That scenario could actually help Lohan if the case goes to court because it could show that the actress did not intend to commit a crime. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Eminem/Slaughterhouse Deal Was 'A Long Time Coming,' Joell Ortiz Says Posted: 10 Feb 2011 02:56 AM PST 'We're four solo artists first, so the deal took longer than we expected,' he tells MTV News.
According to Joell Ortiz, one-fourth of the Slaughterhouse crew, the collective took so long to close their deal with Eminem because he, Joe Budden, Royce Da 5'9" and Crooked I operate as solo artists.
"It's been a long time coming," Ortiz said of the Shady Records deal. "We're four solo artists first, so the deal took longer than we expected. We had to get contracts and things in order and things of that nature. But I believe it's been in the works for a little over a year, and it finally came to life a few weeks back, and everybody is excited, including Eminem. And we're looking forward to a powerhouse year in 2011." Last month, Slaughterhouse finally announced their signing, after news of the union had been in the air for over a year. The deal was made public via XXL. The four MCs graced the magazine's cover with solo upstart rapper Yelawolf, who also joined Team Shady. Em christened the signings as the start of a new regime. "Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, it's kinda phase two of Shady," Eminem explained in a statement. "It's the new generation of Shady Records, and as we're trying to rebuild our label, it's exciting for hip-hop, and with all of these forces coming together and with what everybody's capable of on the mic, it's gonna be fun." In a radio interview shortly after the news broke, Crooked I commented on his new deal with Slaughterhouse, saying the underground group gets a larger platform by affiliating with Eminem. "I look at it like, for hip-hop on a whole, to have four dudes come together and represent different regions and represent hip-hop to the fullest, and get a deal to where we could travel into the mainstream and take our music to a bigger stage, I think it's good for hip-hop," he said. What do you think of the Slaughterhouse/Shady deal? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Kevin Smith Defends 'Red State' Road Show Posted: 10 Feb 2011 02:42 AM PST While critics bemoan high ticket prices, director says his 'fanbase is already paying 60, 65 bucks to see me stand there by myself.'
People were pissed off. Kevin Smith had seemed to indicate that he was going to hold a one-of-a-kind auction at the Sundance Film Festival last month, selling the rights to "Red State" to the highest bidder. Instead, after the genre-bending, horror-meets-thriller-meets-buddy-comedy flick premiered, Smith announced he was bypassing the traditional distribution model and releasing the movie himself.
And people were even more pissed when they found out what that strategy would entail — namely, $60 or more to see "Red State" as Smith took it on a road show across the country. As the writer/director himself put it during a live-stream interview with MTV News, "I saw a lot of people saying online, '60 bucks to see a movie? F--- him!' " But those people, Smith argued, are missing the point. He and his producing pals are seeking a way to avoid getting sucked down the Hollywood marketing rabbit hole and instead bring the movie directly to their fans — building buzz along the way — before the film hit theaters nationwide in the fall. The 15-city tour will include both a screening of the film and a talk by Smith, akin to the shows he's long staged on college campuses and other venues. "Fanbase is already paying 60, 65 bucks to see me stand there by myself, sweating, fatty, go like, 'I got thrown off a plane once,' " Smith laughed, referencing the Southwest Airlines incident in which he was chucked from a plane for being overweight. Smith originally wanted to kick off the tour at Carnegie Hall, the same venue he sold out for a talk last year. But the venue was already booked, so they settled on another iconic New York theater: Radio City Music Hall. The venue holds almost 6,000 people, and while Smith doesn't expect to be able to fill all those seats, he'll be able to show off the film in a high-profile setting and start to pay back his investors. To all his detractors, who scoff at the idea of $60 for a movie and talk, Smith has one thing to say: "Wait till October and you'll see it for, like, 10 bucks in a multiplex." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos |
| Justin Bieber Says He's Not Just Some Industry 'Packaged Thing' Posted: 09 Feb 2011 10:16 PM PST 'I've been playing music ever since I was born and it's always been in me,' teen superstar tells MTV News.
Justin Bieber will have his loyal fans and even his harshest critics saying "Never Say Never" when his 3-D flick opens on Friday. The movie offers an inside look at Bieber's rise to stardom and the hard work and determination the teen star put in before hitting it big.
For those who may not realize that Bieber is more than just a record label puppet created to pander to throngs of teenage girls, the film also shows that the 16-year-old is a skilled musician. "People didn't really know," he explained to MTV News. "They didn't understand that I've been playing music ever since I was born and it's always been in me. And this movie is really going to show that I'm not just some packaged thing that some A&R put together. It was actually just me living my dream and just making music." He later joked that he also wasn't molded in manager Scooter Braun's basement. "Yeah, [he] just cut my hair like this [and made me what I am]!" At the New York screening for the film last week, Bieber spoke to us about what he hopes his fans will take away from the film. It is part concert film, part documentary, complete with interviews from some of the people closest to the teen phenom. It also features cameos by Miley Cyrus, Usher and Ludacris, to name a few, during concert performances filmed at Madison Square Garden last September, and interviews. In the film, Bieber is seen skillfully playing piano, drums and guitar. "Fans will be really excited to see that I'm just a regular 16-year-old having fun, just living my dream," he said. "And it's possible for anyone to live theirs." Hot on the heels of his movie's premiere, Bieber will be performing at Sunday's Grammy Awards, where he promises "some surprises." He's been nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album. Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Says 'Born This Way' Was 'An Immaculate Conception' Posted: 10 Feb 2011 08:42 AM PST Singer talks about new album and second single, 'Judas,' in March issue of Vogue.
Lady Gaga graces the March cover of Vogue in a baby pink wig, styled like late British fashion icon Isabella Blow, with her hands at her side and wearing a decidedly feminine Grecian gown. The accompanying article is an in-depth portrait of the pop star that also reveals some new details about her single, "Born This Way," set for release on Friday. "I wrote ['Born This Way'] in 10 f---ing minutes," she explains in the article. "And it is a completely magical message song. And after I wrote it, the gates just opened, and the songs kept coming. It was like an immaculate conception." Jonathan Van Meter, who wrote the article for the fashion magazine, heard the track and said that it "at first sounds suspiciously like a Madonna tune and then switches into something that feels a bit like a Bronski Beat hit and then finally transforms into its own thing: a Gaga original. Clearly an homage to the obscure underground disco record 'I Was Born This Way'; it is an unbelievably great dance song, destined to be the anthem of every gay-pride event for the next 100 years." In the chat, Gaga said that the album of the same name, out in May, will certainly be a Gaga record with something to say about life and her "little monsters." "Because as an artist and as a performer, the person that they look up to to create this space of freedom and escapism, I want to give my fans nothing less than the greatest album of the decade," she said. "I don't want to give them something trendy. I want to give them the future." Gaga also revealed the name of the album's next single, "Judas," which will blend pop and rock. "There's a Bruce Springsteen vibe, there's a Guns N' Roses moment. It's the anthemic nature of the melodies and the choruses," she said. "It is much more vocally up to par with what I've always been capable of. It's more electronic, but I have married a very theatrical vocal to it. It's like a giant musical-opus theater piece." Related Photos Related Artists |
| Emma Watson Confirmed For 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower' Film Posted: 10 Feb 2011 01:44 AM PST Actress will star opposite Logan Lerman in her first post-'Harry Potter' leading role.
It's been nine months since Variety first announced that Emma Watson might be starring in the upcoming adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," and now Watson's first post-"Harry Potter" leading role has been confirmed. Both she and Logan Lerman will headline the adaptation that Summit Entertainment recently picked up. Watson confirmed the casting on her Facebook page, saying, "Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that the rumours are true - I'm going to be playing Sam in 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' opposite Logan Lerman. Love Em xx." Chbosky will both write and direct the film, with John Malkovich executive-producing it. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" follows 15-year-old wallflower Charlie (Lerman) who writes a series of letters to an unknown person about his life, including his love for a girl named Sam (Watson), the suicide of his best friend and his struggle to find a group of friends in which he belongs. It is considered to be one of the best interpretations of adolescence in the 1990s out there. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" isn't the only film on Watson's slate. She's filmed a small but important role in the upcoming Michelle Williams-starring film "My Week With Marilyn" and is also a top contender to star opposite Taylor Lautner in the adaptation of the young-adult novel "Incarceron." There's also the last "Harry Potter" film, "Deathly Hallows: Part 2," which is scheduled to hit theaters July 15. For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Photos |
| Justin Bieber Vintage Video: 'I Love Twitter' Posted: 10 Feb 2011 01:19 AM PST 'My fans have made me a trending topic every day,' Bieber marvels to MTV News in April 2010.
In April 2010, Justin Bieber sat down with MTV News to dish about his devoted fanbase. His Beliebers, at the time, were keeping him at the top of the Twitter trends daily. Those fans were the ones who believed in him before he became the megastar he is today. When he sat down with us all those months ago, Bieber seemed grateful for their love and support.
"They make me a trending topic on Twitter every day," Bieber marveled. "It's pretty incredible. My fans have made me a trending topic every day. I don't think there's been a day in the past month that I haven't. So it's pretty incredible." The singer — who is still one of the most devout celeb users of the social-networking site — said he loved using the site to stay connected to his fans. "I love Twitter," Bieber said. "I use it for being able to interact with my fans as well as promote stuff." To this day, Bieber frequently tweets and retweets messages for his fans, noting that there's no science as to who he picks. "It just depends. It's kind of, like, it's random," he said. "It's not really anyone specifically. It's just kind of a random thing. "They're like, 'I never thought you were gonna respond!' " he added. "And I say, 'You thought wrong.' " On Friday, Justin Bieber's 3-D documentary, "Never Say Never," opens. The film takes a look at how the teen star worked to hit it big. MTV News has been chatting with him along the way, from the time he first burst on the scene in 2009 until now, as he embarks on a huge 2011 that will include a tour and more new music. For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Kobe Bryant Recalls Fast-Food Trips On 'When I Was 17' Posted: 09 Feb 2011 11:38 PM PST 'Cafeteria pizza ain't gonna cut it,' NBA great says on latest episode, premiering Saturday at 11 a.m. ET.
Sure, Kobe Bryant was already scoring acclaim for his basketball prowess as a high-schooler, but when he was off the court, he was just another teen tired of lame cafeteria food. On the latest episode of "When I Was 17," premiering Saturday at 11 a.m. ET, the NBA superstar recalls skipping class to stock up on some tasty eats.
"I had taken the bulk of my classes my first three years. So my senior year was a pretty easy year. Every day was senior cut day," he says. "We used to just talk in between breaks or in between periods. [We'd just say] 'You hungry?' 'Yeah, I'm hungry. Let's roll, let's go.' " His friend Jermaine explained that they weren't hooligans; they just spent their free time on the hunt for junk food. "We didn't have anything else on the agenda. When we left, we just went to get food," he says. Bryant added he and his crew would split immediately once the hunger pangs set in, saying, "They wouldn't see us no more." "I was starving. I mean, c'mon, I was a buck-20. I needed to eat something. Cafeteria pizza ain't gonna cut it. It's just, like, prison food," he says. "We used to go to McDonald's, Taco Bell." Jermaine adds, "When Kobe and I would skip school, you know, we were smooth." Besides chowing down on whatever Dollar Menu items their heart desired, ditching class had an additional allure: "Think of how cool you are that you're not at school and everybody else is," Bryant smiles. "That's pretty much it." "When I Was 17" — this week featuring Kobe Bryant, Brooklyn Decker and Candice Accola — premieres Saturday at 11 a.m. ET on MTV. Related Videos Related Photos |
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