Jumat, 25 Maret 2011

MTV News

MTV News


'Jersey Shore' Stars 'Can't Wait' To Shoot In Italy

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 03:52 AM PDT

Gondola rides, learning a new language, falling in love: Deena and Vinny tell MTV News their plans for next season and beyond.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Eric Ditzian and Ade Mangum


Vinny Guadagnino
Photo: MTV News

The third season of "Jersey Shore" wrapped on Thursday night, but Seaside's finest are already planning for the next installment of the show, which will take them to Italy. And that means the cast should probably brush up on their pregos and grazies before they land in the home of delicious spaghetti, fine leather goods and the Pope.

"Can't wait! I honestly can't wait to get there and see the place," Deena told MTV News this week. "For some reason, I really want to go on a gondola ride. Or I would like if we're in Rome, I would like to see the love fountain, so I'm thinking I'll steal a coin ... maybe I'll fall in love."

Meanwhile, her castmate Vinny told us he'd prepare for the next season of the hit reality series the same way he has for all of the past seasons.

"Preparing for Italy is pretty much preparing for any of the other seasons, trying to get in shape, trying to spend some time with my family, chill out, the quiet before the storm," he said. "I'm excited to be thrown right into the water with whatever language skills I have."

But the cast is also busier than ever with other projects and gigs.

Pauly D's ramping up for the debut of his own reality show, and fans can catch him spinning tunes at his DJ residency at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Vinny got a plum role on "The Hard Times of RJ Berger" and revealed he's got some musical abilities, saying, "I dabble in music and it's something I do for fun and if it's good, it's good." No word on whether he'll pursue that any further, but Vinny did add that he'd love to pursue more acting. "My future is very open. I like to do scripted types of things," he told us.

Snooki and JWoww have followed a somewhat similar path: Both are published authors, and both have appeared on wrestling-type programs. Now there's chatter the two ladies might get their own show, casting them as reality-TV version of "Laverne and Shirley."

The Situation, of course, is already a budding entrepreneur, with a book and fitness DVD in stores and other deals in the pipeline. Earlier this year, the former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant began working on YOBI.tv's "Random Talent" Web series with British comedian Ben Green.

What did you think of the season finale of "Jersey Shore"? Tell us in the comments!

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Wiz Khalifa Recalls Inking His Name On 'When I Was 17'

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 03:52 AM PDT

New episode with 'Black and Yellow' rapper airs Saturday at 11 a.m.
By Alvin Blanco


Wiz Khalifa on "When I Was 17"
Photo: MTV News

When Wiz Khalifa (born Cameron Thomaz) was 17 years old, hip-hop stardom was still only a pipe dream. But the kid was serious about his craft, and he displayed it by getting his rap moniker tattooed on his arm on his 17th birthday.

"The story behind my name is: I would always hang out with older guys, and I was good at everything I do, so they would be like, 'He's a young wiz,' so that's where that came from," the "Black and Yellow" rapper reveals on the next episode of MTV's "When I Was 17," airing Saturday at 11 a.m. "And 'Khalifa' is Arabic for 'successor' and 'leader,' and my granddad is Muslim, so he gave me that name; he felt like that's what I was doing with my music."

Of the now-thoroughly inked-up Wiz's early tattoo, Benjy Grinberg, CEO of Rostrum Records, said "That pretty much solidified his direction and was a symbol of his commitment to his craft."

It was Rostrum, the Pittsburgh-based label Wiz is still signed to, that released the hip-hop wunderkind's first official project, Show and Prove. "It was my first street album," Wiz says. "That album got me out there."

But Wiz didn't settle for just saying he had a record in stores. "When he was 17, he knew that he couldn't just make an album and that's it," Grinberg says. "You have to do more things, you have to help promote it, you have to help sell it, and he really took to it."

While Wiz currently hawks his music by appearing on the covers of magazines like Rolling Stone, XXL and Complex, and performances like his recent stop at the South by Southwest festival, as well as relentless airplay, back in high school, he was making his moves on a more grassroots level.

"It became a little craze around school," Wiz says of pushing Show and Prove. "I had flyers, and I had little T-shirts that I was wearing. The girls wanted T-shirts, and I used the girls to promote everything. I would bring, like, 25 to school, and I'd probably give five out to some girls."

The savvy marketing quickly paid off — literally. "I sold CDs in the hallways," Wiz remembers. "I sold them for 10 bucks. I was making, like, a good grand a week. It wasn't every week that I was making that, though. It was like, when it was hot, I made like a grand a week, for like, a week," he said, laughing.

With his major label debut, Rolling Papers, out Tuesday, Wiz is going to be laughing all the way to the bank.

"When I Was 17" airs Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.

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'Sucker Punch' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know

Posted: 25 Mar 2011 03:52 AM PDT

Before you check out Zack Snyder's action-packed flick, learn how it came to be.
By Kara Warner


Emily Browning in "Sucker Punch"
Photo: Warner Bros./ Legendary Pictures

Way back in October 2008, amid the buzz surrounding Zack Snyder's big-screen adaptation of "Watchmen," news broke about plans for his next project, an original screenplay penned by Snyder and Steve Shibuya called "Sucker Punch," billed simply as "Alice in Wonderland with machine guns." For Snyder's devoted fanbase, that descriptor was enough to set minds speculating and Internets buzzing for well over two years.

Naturally, MTV News has been following the project from conception to opening day Friday (March 25). Here's everything you need to know about "Sucker Punch":

First, in addition to the "Alice in Wonderland with machine guns" tease, the initial logline announced that the plot revolved around "a young girl institutionalized by her wicked stepfather. Retreating to an alternative reality as a coping strategy, she envisions a plan which will help her escape from the facility."

In March 2009, an all-female cast was announced, with several of Hollywood's most in-demand ingénues attached. Not too long after that, Amanda Seyfried, Emma Stone and Evan Rachel Wood bowed out and Emily Browning, Jamie Chung and Jena Malone stepped in.

From then on, the principal cast was set, with just a few additions to come (including Carla Gugino and Jon Hamm), and the film production was on its way.

There wasn't much news to report until early 2010 when, amid the post-"Avatar" 3-D craze, Warner Bros. announced that "Sucker Punch" would be converted to 3-D, which excited star Vanessa Hudgens at the time, until a few months later, Snyder spoke out about his reservations on the subject. It seems Snyder's concerns were heard, because the studio changed its mind.

Cut to San Diego Comic-Con 2010, when Snyder dazzled fans with a teaser trailer (which later debuted online, with tons of intense analysis) during the film's panel. Shortly thereafter, the lovely leading ladies stopped by the MTV News shooting suite to discuss their intense training for the film.

After the Comic-Con chaos, fans had to wait a few months to see more teasers, in the form of a second trailer (which MTV Movies Blog named one of the year's best) that dropped in November 2010 and a collection of character posters.

MTV Movies Blog kicked off the New Year with a preview piece in which we named "Sucker Punch" one of the most anticipated films of the year, and shortly after that, the promotional machine kicked into high gear.

Throughout the film's opening month, March 2011, we received news of an online animated movie intended as an offshoot or short companion piece to the film, called "The Trenches." Also over on Movies Blog, we rolled out "patient files" on all the lead characters: Amber, Rocket, Sweet Pea and Blondie.

MTV News also reconnected with everyone to discuss the cast's thoughts on their character's most outrageous moments and Snyder's explanation about where the idea for the movie came from.

Finally, our coverage capped off at the film's big premiere in Hollywood on Wednesday, where we learned what "Sucker Punch" really means.

Check out everything we've got on "Sucker Punch."

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

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Casey Abrams Saved On 'American Idol'

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 06:35 AM PDT

Stefano Langone, Thia Megia join seeming front-runner in bottom three.
By Gil Kaufman


Casey Abrams
Photo: FOX

The thing about being a front-runner on "American Idol" is you never know when America's voters are going to turn on you. Unlikely bearded sex symbol Casey Abrams learned that lesson the hard way on Thursday night (March 24) when he made a surprise visit to the bottom three.

Actually, he was not only in the bottom three, he was the lowest vote-getter and, in the biggest surprise so far of the season, he had to sing for his supper to keep from being eliminated in one of the most chaotic finishes to an "Idol" results show in history. He ended up being bailed out by this season's one and only judges' save, but the scare was hopefully enough to teach all the remaining top 10 that nobody is immune this season.

In fact, after two weeks of all-female bottom threes, on Thursday night's show, not only did a male contestant almost go home, but the two bottom vote-getters were both boys, reversing the gender tide that had been building.

In the end, it was Abrams on the chopping block. He began singing "I Don't Need No Doctor," the song that got him on the show in the audition round, but he had barely begun when Randy Jackson cut him off and asked for the musicians to stop. The tension filled the air as a confused Abrams looked around to see what he might have done wrong to anger the judges.

"We were wondering when we heard the results, 'Why is Casey at the bottom?' We don't know. You deserve to be here," Jennifer Lopez explained, telling Abrams that when the judges heard the results, they knew immediately that they would pull the ripcord on the save.

Casey, who has already taken two trips to the hospital to deal with a stomach ailment tied to stress, looked like he was going to be sick and was clearly overcome with confusion over the decision. "Are you kidding?" he said, visibly shaking as he went and embraced the judges, repeating the words, "I can't believe it!" He fell to his knees as host Ryan Seacrest embraced him then raced out to hug his mother as the rest of the contestants welled up with tears at the emotional moment.

"I thought that they ... I knew if there was someone that got cut tonight ... I thought they wouldn't use the save," Abrams stammered. "It's unreal ... I started singing and the fact that you cut it ... scared the stuff out of me."

Lopez said when the judges heard the results they were confused and they knew they had to act. "We just want you to get back to the musician that you are," she said. "No more antics ... you deserve to be here." Randy told Casey to cut out the growling and use his formidable skills and not lean on gimmicky tricks, such as his widely derided emo-funk take on Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" last week. What all the drama means is that two people will go home next week, but, as previously decided by producers, for the first time, 11 singers will go out on this summer's tour.

It was a wild cap to a night that never quite went the way many experts had predicted. Lauren Alaina, Pia Toscano and Scotty McCreery were the first trio brought out as Seacrest began building the bottom three early in the show. And, no surprise, all three made it into the top 10. The second group featured James Durbin and Paul McDonald, both of whom seemed like sure bets to make it through as well. And, of course, they were safe, though Durbin nearly had a heart attack when Seacrest called out the wrestling maniac's hero, Hulk Hogan, to deliver the good news, as well as a smackdown to Seacrest.

The third group was bound to feature at least one bottom-three dweller, but it was both Stefano Langone and teen Thia Megia who got the hook and headed to the cellar for the first time.

There was more bad news when Abrams, Haley Reinhart and Naima Adedapo stepped up. When Ryan said he was sending someone back to safety, Naima pointed at Casey, assuming he was the one escaping the bottom, but she was shocked to get the pass herself. And then things went way off-track when season-long favorite Abrams was sent to the naughty stools for the first time in the finals after seemingly nailing "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." the night before.

Megia was the first one sent back to safety, and after three weeks in which the judges have shown him endless love, suddenly Abrams did not have as self-satisfied a look on his face and seemed like he was feeling the pressure of potential elimination.

It was a roller coaster of a night, all right, one that began with the top 11 wearing contrasting black suits and white sparkly dresses for a group sing-along to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." But instead of the usual bland medley, none other than Motown legend Stevie Wonder came out to serenade them with his funky hit "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." Wonder then called out judge Steven Tyler and serenaded him with "Happy Birthday" on the rocker's 63rd birthday.

The show also featured a performance of the country-pop ditty "Stuck Like Glue" by twangtastic duo Sugarland and a visit from season three "Idol" finalist and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, who performed the first single from her second album, I Remember Me, the funky, dramatic ballad "Where You At?"

What do you think of the judges using their save on Casey? Did he deserve it? Let us know in comments below!

Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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'Jersey Shore' Stars Tease A 'Drama'-Filled Season Finale

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 02:29 AM PDT

'There are fights, but there are good times,' Deena says of the episode, which airs tonight at 10 p.m. ET on MTV.
By Eric Ditzian, with additional reporting by Ade Mangum


Deena Cortese
Photo: MTV News

How did this season of "Jersey Shore" go so fast? It seems like just yesterday we were embarking on a new journey in Seaside Heights, wondering if Sammi and Ronnie might actually get together, how Deena would fit in with her new roomies and whether the show's honorary castmember — the duck phone — would be defiantly quacking away on a daily basis.

And now, just like that, the season is coming to an end on Thursday (March 24) with a final, drama-filled episode. It's like we popped into a tanning bed for a little UV-base building and woke up looking like Fozzy Bear. Not cool! At least we've got a new, Italian-flavored "Shore" season coming down the line soon. Until then, it's time to get pumped for the season finale, and to that end, Deena and Vinny gave us a couple of teasers.

"It's very important to watch this episode, because it's like watching the first one: You have to put an end to things you started," Vinny told MTV News. "You're going to see your basic fighting and drama, like Deena — I got into a little fight with her. You're going to get the Ronnie and Sammi fighting. You're going to get a lot of comedic moments as well. There are a lot of cliffhangers that still aren't answered, and this last episode will put a button on everything."

It might be a little fight in Vinny's eyes, but Deena called that war of words — centering on the ongoing, friends-with-suspect-benefits relationship between Vin and Snooki — the single incident on the show she wished never happened.

"The least favorite moment was me fighting with Vin in the upcoming episode, just because Vin's one of my best guy friends in the house," she told us. "Even though I was trying to be a good friend to Snooks, it is what it is."

Oddly enough, Deena's favorite event of the season also involved a fight, albeit one of a much more lighthearted variety. "The moment that I loved the most was the water fights and the pranks, because that really shows how close our bond in the house really was," she said. "Although we fight sometimes, our bond will never break and we really do have a good time together."

And it's the roommates' togetherness, above and beyond their less glamorous moments of brawling and boozing, that the season ender ultimately highlights. "The finale is ... probably one of the best episodes. It shows drama, comedy — anything you want in an episode," Deena said. "There are fights, but there's also good times. The whole episode sums up our family."

Don't miss the "Jersey Shore" season finale tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

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Blake Lewis Worries Casey Abrams Is 'Scaring America' On 'Idol'

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 10:39 PM PDT

'He looks like he's going to punch a baby,' the season-six runner-up says on MTV News' 'Idol Party Live.'
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Jim Cantiello


Blake Lewis on "Idol Party Live" via Skype
Photo: MTV News

If you're an "American Idol" fan and haven't yet tuned in to MTV News' "Idol Party Live" with our own Jim Cantiello, you are missing out. In addition to the interactive platform that provides can't-miss post-game analysis, commentary, interviews and conspiracy theories, each installment features a VIP guest like "Jersey Shore" starlet Sammi Sweetheart and "My Life as Liz" leading lady Liz Lee.

This week, Cantiello and hilarious guest commentator Michael Buckley were joined (via Skype) by season-six runner-up Blake Lewis, who shared his thoughts on his favorite contestants and his continued love for Jennifer Lopez.

First up, Lewis' rapid-fire thoughts on the season 10 contestants. In the thumbs-up category, Lewis likes Jacob Lusk, Stefano Langone and Casey Abrams, the latter of whom he offered a few words of advice in order to avoid being sent to the bottom three or eliminated too early.

"I like Casey, [but] I think he's been scaring America," Lewis said. "He looks like he's going to punch a baby. I want him to smile. ... Each week he's been screaming."

Lewis was equally forthcoming with his opinions on the female contestants, and he was particularly surprised to learn that Haley Reinhart avoided elimination but did admit she has the chops to sing.

"I think she's a great vocalist, but she's unsure," he said.

Regarding early favorite Pia Toscano, Lewis joined the ranks of many "Idol" watchers with a plea for Toscano to sing something other than a ballad. "I want her to sing something uptempo," he said. "The producers need to arrange something groovy for her voice."

Speaking of love for the ladies, Lewis didn't miss an opportunity to praise the judging talents of Lopez, who was one of his celebrity mentors during the season six.

"I've been praising J.Lo, because she's just a queen and her comments are right on," Lewis said, adding that he "fell in love with her" when she made an appearance on the show during Latin Week.

"My love is so strong. She was the best mentor for our season," he said.

What do you think of Blake's "Idol" thoughts? Let us know in the comments!

Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Chris Brown Talks 'Naysayers' Before 'Good Morning America'

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 11:38 PM PDT

Embattled pop star visited MTV News offices days before F.A.M.E.'s release -- and 'GMA' outburst.
By Rebecca Thomas


Chris Brown
Photo: MTV News

Chris Brown glided into the MTV newsroom dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, his crown of kinky blond coils peeking out from underneath a navy-blue Billionaire Boys Club beanie. If not for the bodyguard, handlers and handful of pals trailing him, he might be indistinguishable from any other tatted 21-year-old fresh from sinking 3-pointers on the court.

It was an unseasonably warm (74 degrees in March!) Friday in New York City, and with fewer than five days to go until his fourth album, F.A.M.E., dropped, Brown had gone into a full-court promotional press for the disc, tweeting regular updates to his #TeamBreezy faithful and spreading his pre-album jubilation. After spending the last year largely self-propelling mixtape singles "Deuces" and "No BS" to stunning chart success, he again had the full support of his label and was eager to talk about the disc.

"A lot of the songs, people don't realize the mixtape songs, they're on [F.A.M.E.], but the mixtape songs were out almost a year before they actually went to radio. So it was a blessing for people to actually see those records a year later and kinda be like, 'Oh, I love that record,' " he told MTV News. "So it was great."

In fact, he seemed game to chat with us about just about anything, even offering a "winning" perspective on the NSFW photo of him that shook the Net. And although the mood was celebratory, and Chris was at turns goofy and playful, his history has a way of looming over the proceedings. We never mentioned her by name, but ex-girlfriend Rihanna and the 2009 assault that sent Brown's pop-star career spiraling remained a part of the interview subtext, if only because he seemed finally to have dulled the taint of that incident.

"The 'forgiving all my enemies' is basically for the naysayers," Brown told us, explaining the acronym of F.A.M.E. "The ones that maybe have looked past Chris Brown like, 'Oh, whatever.' And maybe this is the opportunity for them to maybe find a song off the album that inspires them ... so I think this album in itself is not just about me, it's about anybody who wants to be inspired by music or just be positive."

If Brown seemed to be singing a catchy new tune last Friday, by Tuesday morning, he was hitting all the wrong notes. During an appearance on "Good Morning America," questions about the Rihanna assault reportedly drove Brown into an offstage, chair-tossing fit. And like that, experts and fans were weighing in on whether the Virginia crooner could still make a comeback.

With the focus on what's perceived to be Brown's short fuse, the attention seems to be off his project, an eclectic collection that finds him further exploring electronic dance music territory, spitting with hip-hop titans and upstarts and even paying tribute to Michael Jackson with a song sampling his idol's classic "Human Nature."

Chris had so many songs, he revealed to us, that he and the label agreed, "depending on the progress of all my singles," that he would deliver another full-length disc in six months.

"On my mixtapes, I was putting 18 and 19 songs, so just imagine how many songs I was saving for my album; I had at least 70 to 80 records. I was like, 'How am I really gonna put this out?' So then I was talking about a double disc ... and then, you know, the label and everybody, they put their input in and they were like, 'Nooo, that's not gonna happen,' " he laughed. "I have so many records that I'm just waiting to put out. Just trying to look [to] the future and have it prepared."

The long-term fallout from the "GMA" episode remains unclear, but Brown is making one thing crystal: He wants the music front and center.

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Jennifer Hudson Asks 'Where You At?' On 'American Idol'

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 07:10 AM PDT

'It feels good to be home!' the 'Idol' alum exclaims after her performance.
By Kara Warner


Jennifer Hudson performs on "American Idol" Thursday
Photo: FOX

In the midst of the season's most surprising results episode, "American Idol" alum Jennifer Hudson returned to the stage to perform the new single from her just-released album I Remember Me.

After Ryan Seacrest proudly introduced J.Hud to the crowd, emphasizing the fact that the season-three contestant is the show's only Oscar winner, Hudson took the stage to perform the ballad "Where You At?"

Sporting a black dress with cut-outs at the shoulders accented with bits of gold, Hudson's look was fresh, elegant and sophisticated, much like her performance of the song, which is filled with heartbreak and words of love lost. At the end of "Where You At?," Hudson was warmly received by the enthusiastic audience.

"It feels good to be home!" she exclaimed.

One of the major highlights in Hudson's performance, in addition to the song itself, was the sight of her fellow season-three contestant George Huff singing backup. Huff, who was as smiley as always, received a hearty round of applause as soon as Seacrest pointed him out to the crowd.

Regarding Hudson's new album, as well as her transformation — both mentally and physically — over the last couple of years, she recently told MTV News that she feels like a new person.

"Oh my God! It's like a new me. It's like a new introduction of myself — for myself and to others as well — in every way, from image to music to everything," she said. "And it's like, in a way, for me, I'm rediscovering myself at the same time. I like the old me too ... if I could just marry the two together, then I feel like I'm in good shape."

What did you think of Hudson's new single? Let us know in the comments!

Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Rebecca Black Went From 'Normal Teenager' To 'Friday' Fame

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 03:04 AM PDT

'I still question myself: 'Is this real? When am I gonna wake up?' ' Internet sensation tells MTV News.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Matt Elias


Rebecca Black
Photo: MTV News

In the wildly popular music video for her catchy single "Friday," overnight sensation Rebecca Black enjoys the simple things in life: "Kicking in the front seat, riding in the back seat" and, of course, having a whole lot of "fun, fun, fun, fun."

But since the 13-year-old's Ark Music Factory-produced vid has gone viral — 43 million views and counting — her life has turned into anything but normal.

From entering the top 100 on iTunes to toppling Lady Gaga (who recently called her a "genius") to Conan O'Brien making his own Rebecca Black-inspired day-of-the-week tune, it's safe to say that things have changed rather rapidly for the young star.

"I still question myself: 'Is this real? When am I gonna wake up?' " Black told MTV News about her sudden fame. When asked what's been the biggest change since "Friday" — which started making the rounds on the Web around March 14 — become a cultural phenomenon, a tongue-tied Black eventually said, "How many more times I get recognized."

In fact, Black, who said she was simply a "normal teenager at school" who was busy "looking at the cute boys" before all this started, is already learning some of the perils of fame at 13.

In addition to those pesky Internet haters, the singer admitted "realized I'm not just a normal teenager that can go into the mall and be a goofball," adding that she has to "worry sometimes about other people that are there."

What do you think of Rebecca Black's rapid rise to Internet fame? Let us know in the comments!

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'Sucker Punch' Stars Take A Journey 'Into Zack Snyder's Mind'

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 05:33 AM PDT

Vanessa Hudgens, Jena Malone, Emily Browning, Jamie Chung and Abbie Cornish reveal their favorite scenes.
By Kara Warner


Vanessa Hudgens in "Sucker Punch"
Photo: Warner Bros.

After months and months of buzz, rumors and hype, Zack Snyder's "Sucker Punch" is finally about to drop in theaters. MTV News has been on this film's case from day one and recently had the opportunity to catch up with the cast and director for a few in-depth chats.

First up, the lovely leading ladies addressed the film's most outrageous moments.

"I think, for me, when we're on the B-25 bomber plane and we're being chased by a dragon and I'm shooting at it," said Vanessa Hudgens, who plays Blondie. "It's pretty intense."

"I got to do this really fun green-screen moment where I was being lowered upside down on a harness 40 feet in the air," Jena Malone, a.k.a. Rocket in the film, explained. "I had to clear out my mag on my UMP [Universal Machine Pistol] while I was shooting all these robots that I was doing a double-flip over in the middle of a bullet train."

Jamie Chung, who plays Amber, added that part of the fun of working with green screen, particularly a scene in Mecca, was being able to use your imagination. When asked what she pulled from or where she went to prepare for those moments, Chung said she looked to her director.

"Into Zack Snyder's mind," she said. "That was the place that I went."

Emily Browning (Baby Doll) and Abbie Cornish (Sweet Pea) also touted the fight or "dance" sequences as the most unbelievable.

"My favorite thing to watch with my character is probably the first fight scene in Samurai world," Browning said. "People have said to me, 'Oh, so were you just standing there and there was a green screen and they made you look like you were jumping?' I said, 'No, I was on wires the whole time' jumping up and doing crazy things. We did almost a month of wirework at the end of the film. That's pretty cool to see. It's almost like a character in a video game or something."

"I definitely do love a lot of the fighting stuff," Cornish said. "For me the process of filming 'World War I' [an action sequence in the film] was incredible, because we all had solo action pieces so we got to indulge in those action pieces."

Cornish pointed out Snyder's use of high-speed cameras that were used to slow certain movements and make them stand out more onscreen.

"I love the moments where you see Vanessa's character flip her tomahawk and then that awesome throw that she does," she said. "And when Jenna flips her gun in slow motion, I love that stuff."

"That's probably the coolest moment," Browning agreed.

Check out everything we've got on "Sucker Punch."

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

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Tokio Hotel Thank Fans For 'Incredible' Musical March Madness Support

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 10:25 PM PDT

Voting in band's second-round matchup against Adele is now live on the Newsroom blog.
By James Montgomery


Tokio Hotel's Bill Kaulitz
Photo: MTV News/ Henning Kaiser/AFP/Getty Images

In 2010, MTV News threw Tokio Hotel into our inaugural Musical March Madness tournament almost as an afterthought, sticking them with a #16 seed and putting them up against #1 Coldplay with the assumption that they'd probably lose.

Only they didn't.

In fact, thanks to the undying support of their fanbase, Tokio Hotel crushed Coldplay, and began a remarkable two-week run that saw them knock off heavily favored bands like Radiohead, Vampire Weekend and Owl City before losing to eventual champions Coheed and Cambria in a controversial Final Four matchup.

In short, we grossly underestimated TH, so when it came time to unveil our 2011 MMM bracket, we made sure that they made the cut ... this time as a #14 seed (when will the selection committee ever give them the respect they deserve?!?). And, picking up where they left off last year, they rolled over Crystal Bowersox in the opening round, and now are heavy favorites in their second-round matchup against Adele ... which just so happens to open for voting on Thursday (March 24).

Vote in the Tokio Hotel/Adele matchup — and other second-round battles — right now on the Newsroom blog!

So, with Adele on their schedule now, and a potential rematch against Coheed looming in the MMM Championship (it's April 4, just like the NCAA's!), we reached out to Tokio Hotel for comment on their tournament success. And though they're currently hard at work on the follow-up to their 2009 Humanoid album, the guys took the time to respond ... and thank their fans for their support.

"Thank you so much to our fans," frontman Bill Kaulitz said. "Although we locked ourselves in the studio and didn't release a new record for a long time, you guys are still supporting us in such a strong way, that's incredible! Thank you!"

Can Tokio Hotel finally hoist the MMM trophy? They certainly seem primed for a deep run in the 2011 tourney, but, ultimately, it'll be up to their fans to decide their fate ... voting is now open on the Newsroom blog, and you can help them finally realize their championship dreams. And hopefully get a little revenge against Coheed, too.

MTV's Musical March Madness has moved on to the second round! Voting is now open on the Newsroom blog and will continue until Sunday, when we'll reach the Sweet 16! All winners are determined by your votes, so if your favorite act is still alive, it's up to you to guide them to glory. You can rally the troops on Twitter using the hashtag #MMM — but get ready, things only get tougher from here on out!

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Ultra Music Festival: An Exclusive Tour Of The Grounds

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 05:09 AM PDT

2011 UMF will 'be like nothing that anyone has ever seen before,' festival president Russell Faibisch says.
By Adam Stewart


Photo: MTV News

To the estimated 150,000 fans who will be passing through the gates of the most anticipated dance festival in the U.S., the building anticipation for the Ultra Music Festival is sort of like that of a child's on Christmas Eve. Starting Friday night and running through Sunday, the Ultra Music Festival will be taking Miami by storm. As crews put the finishing touches on a behemoth two-week-long build, a camera-shy Russell Faibisch, president and executive producer of UMF, was gracious enough to give MTV News a tour of the festival grounds.

"Ultra Music Festival 2011 is something that's going to be like nothing that anyone has ever seen before, on any level," Faibisch said. "The production we're doing is gonna be unlike any other festival. The caliber of lineup we're talking about is second to none. Everybody's gonna walk away here trying to figure out what just happened!"

The now three-day event will again be held in downtown Miami's Bicentennial Park, which for this year will be arranged slightly differently than in years past due to a construction project that's going on in its traditional footprint.

"While we lost one corner to construction, we cleared out a lot of space on the other side of the park that wasn't usable before," Faibisch said. "When you add it all up, it about evens out, and the layout is actually much more functional for us this year."

Said shuffle has given birth to the insanely impressive Carl Cox and Friends arena, which will be home base for the man of the same name on Friday and Saturday. The arena will then be handed over to Dutch trance legend Armin Van Buuren, who will be broadcasting his "A State of Trance 500" show live via satellite to a worldwide audience estimated at 20 million.

"We're really proud of this thing. We brought it out from California — we've never had it out here in Florida before," Faibisch said of the arena, which boasts two floors and an estimated capacity of over 10,000 all on its own. "We have VIPs on the second level inside, and the production that's going on there is really going to be out of this world."

Adjacent to the mega-arena, several high-tech "domes" garnish the grounds, including the Tower of Ultra, which will play host exclusively to dubstep artists on Saturday and Sunday, all to a visual 3-D display that is sure to make Skrillex blush during his live set.

But the granddaddy of them all is, of course, the Ultra Main Stage, and with this year's immense superstructure graced by the presence of Tiësto, David Guetta, Afrojack and Kaskade, among others, the centerpiece of the festival is shaping up to be one of the most impressive to date.

"It is a monster," Faibisch said of the festival's central core. "It's about the same height as it was last year, but it's definitely wider, and the whole thing is just going to be covered in LED screens," not to mention the signature plumes of pyro and CO2 that make the Ultra Music Festival truly a sight to behold.

Oh, and just a word to the wise if you're planning on getting close to the stage: Earplugs are strongly suggested — this sound system is designed to blow you away!

Who are you looking forward to seeing most at Miami Music Week's biggest event? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow our MTV News Crew (@AdamMTVNews and @ASBhansali) for all of the action!

CyHi Da Prynce Says <i>Hard Way Musical</i> Will Be 'Heartfelt'

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 03:16 AM PDT

'But at the same time, it's hip-hop to the T,' the G.O.O.D. Music MC tells MTV News of his debut album.
By Jayson Rodriguez


CyHi Da Prince
Photo: MTV News

CyHi Da Prynce may carry himself like royalty, but the upstart MC's life hasn't been easy by any stretch.

Last year, he inked with Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label, but the Georgia product also suffered through personal tragedy with the passing of multiple family members and friends. So it's only fitting that the title of his debut album reflects those experiences.

"The album is called The Hard Way Musical," Cy told MTV News on Thursday (March 24). "We don't do things the Broadway — we do it the hard way. That's the slogan I'm using this year. My album is a lot of storytelling. It's heartfelt, but at the same time it's hip-hop to the T."

West and No ID will lend their production talents to Cy's debut effort, but the "So Appalled" rapper will also look to his Royal Flush producers for "Atlanta flavor."

Before The Hard Way Musical arrives, however, CyHi will drop Royal Flush 2 at the top of the summer with his Allies mixtape project following during the back-to-school rush. So far, he's making inroads on both projects, but he's also beginning to work on his proper debut, which he said he has "three to four records that are guaranteed to be on there."

"Royal Flush is more so the different parts of me, but my album is gonna be more the story of me," he said.

What do you think of CyHi's mixtape offerings? Tell us in the comments!

'Captain America' Trailer: Five Cool Moments

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 10:35 PM PDT

Take a closer look at the super-soldier as we break down the upcoming action movie's first full trailer.
By Eric Ditzian


Chris Evans and cast in the "Captain America: The First Avenger" trailer
Photo: Marvel

Before becoming the engineered superhero called Captain America, Steve Rogers attempts to join the Army five times in five cities, only to be rejected for being a pipsqueak with a ton of heart but not nearly big enough biceps. In a similar series of false starts, we've been treated to a slew of teasers for "Captain America: The First Avenger," from a 30-second Super Bowl spot to a bunch of seconds-long video snippets parceled out over the last few days.

Now, finally, we're getting a shot of cinematic super-serum with the Marvel adaptation's first full trailer. Here are our picks for the five coolest moments:

The Shield ... Kinda
Here we see Rogers (Chris Evans) in pre-conversion twerp mode. Chased into an alley, he attempts to defend himself with a trashcan lid — a none-too-subtle nod to the red-white-and-blue shield he'll soon wield as the Captain. Sure, he's a scrawny fellow, but he's brave. And as Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci) will tell Steve before transforming him into a superhero, "A weak man knows the value of strength, knows the value of power." In terms of historical context, this shot also gives us a glimpse of around when the story begins. A poster in the alley shows the date: May 29, 1943.

Meet Your Super-Serum
So it's that goopy blue stuff that transforms Rogers into a super-solider. We see Erskine in the laboratory, as well as Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), who just so happens to be the father of a certain iron-suited hero played in other Marvel movies by Robert Downey Jr. The serum doesn't look that pleasant going in, but what a difference it makes: Rogers goes from zero to world-saving hero.

Captain Action
Listen, it's hard out there for a super-solider. Even when an Army colonel (Tommy Lee Jones) is driving at top speed in a convertible and the Captain looks like he's about to jump out and whup some Nazi butt, he pauses for a little smooch from Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Pimp!

Army of the Damned
Check them out in all their blue-glowing glory: the HYDRA army controlled by Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), Hitler's head honcho of weaponry and general evilness. It's these soldiers who will face off against the Captain and his crew with the fate of the world in the balance.

The Boys
We'd sleep easier knowing this collection of dudes — Captain America and the much-hyped Howling Commandos — is protecting the nation. In addition to the Captain, you've got sidekick Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Union Jack (JJ Field) and Dum Dum Dungan (Neal McDonough). That's a hero shot if we've ever seen one. "It's an amazing costume," Evans told us last year of his look. "Given the fact that his costume is red, white and blue, and it's tight, and it could be kind of flash and over the top — and given the fact that the movie takes place in the '40s and '50s — they've done a really good job of making it look really cool."

What were your favorite moments? Share them in the comments below!

Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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'Sucker Punch' Stars Hope Action Flick 'Hits You In The Gut'

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 11:06 PM PDT

Vanessa Hudgens teases MTV News at the film's premiere, 'Sucker punch means you don't know what's coming.'
By Kara Warner


Emily Browning, Jamie Chung and Vanessa Hudgens at the L.A. premiere of "Sucker Punch"
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images

For those who've seen the trailers, TV spots and highly stylized posters, you're likely aware that "Sucker Punch" descends upon theaters on Friday. Zack Snyder's estrogen-fueled flick has been billed as a curious, complex, action-adventure-fantasy, but despite the promotional push, it's safe to say that plenty of people are still scratching their heads, wondering, "What the heck is 'Sucker Punch'?"

MTV News headed out to the film's star-studded, slightly rain-soaked premiere in Hollywood on Wednesday night to find out.

"Sucker punch means you don't know what's coming," Vanessa Hudgens said simply. "It's being knocked out by something unexpected," co-star Jena Malone added.

"Sucker punch is this idea of taking an unexpected blow," Abbie Cornish said, adding in a brief plot summary to her definition as well. "A lot of the girls are totally unprepared for what's about to happen to them. They've been living in this institution and Baby Doll [played by Emily Browning] comes along and changes their whole perception of freedom, of hope, of escapism," she explained. "And so their ways of life are challenged, they're sucker-punched with this whole idea of freedom."

Director Zack Snyder, who created the story along with co-writer Steve Shibuya, continued with the "expect the unexpected" theme.

"I think it means two things: If you have preconceived ideas about what these girls are capable of, you're going to get a sucker punch," he said. "And also too, there's actually a thing in the movie, a physical thing that supplies the sucker punch as well."

Carla Gugino said the title of the film and the idea itself are fun because there's a lot left up to interpretation or theories. She also echoed the sentiments of her co-stars.

"To me, a sucker punch is one of those things you least expect, that you're unprepared for, but that hits you in the gut," she said. "And I think that hopefully this movie is, and this movie embodies that."

Are you planning to go see "Sucker Punch"? Tell us in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Sucker Punch."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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Swedish House Mafia's 'Save The World' To Debut At Miami Music Week

Posted: 23 Mar 2011 11:27 PM PDT

'It's not the 'One' rip-off, it's not the 'Miami 2 Ibiza' rip-off, it's just something new,' Axwell says.
By Adam Stewart


Swedish House Mafia DJs Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell and Steve Angello
Photo: 2010 Denise Truscello

Fasten your seat belts. The Swedes are coming back to Miami, and if the past is any indicator of the future, we all know what that means. Coming off a monthlong studio session in Los Angeles, you can bet your bottom dollar that Swedish House Mafia's latest single will be nothing short of epic.

It's no secret that the stakes are high. Having been dubbed owners of the unofficial Winter Music Conference anthems the past two years running with "Leave the World Behind" and "One," respectively, Ax, Seb and Steve know that their massive following expects nothing short of another Miami monster. And according to Axwell, when the curtain falls at Saturday's "Masquerade Motel: One Night Stand," their new song "Save the World" will deliver just that.

"It's one of the songs that came out of the studio sessions we had over here in L.A. this year," Axwell told MTV News of the new indie-rock-infused track, which he promises is nothing like anything they've produced in the past.

"I think a good thing is always to leave what you did there and start fresh," he said. "Like with 'Save the World,' for example. It's not the 'One' rip-off, it's not the 'Miami 2 Ibiza' rip-off, it's just something new. It seems like it's what people want to hear."

That's not to say that the new single or their upcoming album won't have that iconic big-room house vibe.

"We'll have some duplication of the other [classic tracks]," Axwell explained, "[but] there's a lot of music coming out [that sounds] similar. It's nice to sort of break away from that a little bit, and we went completely the opposite way — like to indie dance, rock-inspired stuff. So, we just want to keep it fresh and interesting all the time."

With uplifting rock synths and an impossible-to-not-chant-along-with hook, "Save the World" has all the elements of a 2011 Miami anthem in the making, and will undoubtedly be one of the week's most buzzed-about tracks. Featuring the vocals of fellow Swede John Martin, "Save the World" flawlessly fits the mold as a crowd-pleaser that will undoubtedly appeal to the group's loyal fans.

"We found [John] during the winter. He has a fantastic voice, and the way things are looking now, he's going to be on that track and maybe one more," Axwell said. "There was a lot of speculation as to who it was, like even Chris Martin [of Coldplay]!

While no collaborations with Chris or any other rockers have been disclosed or even hinted as of late, the Swedes have again proved their versatility in the exploding and ever-morphing genre of electronic dance music.

Couldn't make it to Miami? Then check out everything Swedish House Mafia is up to at their blog, and be sure to stick with the MTV News crew for all of the latest action on the ground from Miami Music Week!

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YG Says L.A. Is 'Feeling' His New Single 'Patty Cake'

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 12:27 AM PDT

'It's a club banger, but it sounds different than 'Toot It and Boot It,' ' rookie rapper tells MTV News.
By Jayson Rodriguez


YG
Photo: MTV News

YG scored a big hit with "Toot It and Boot It" and found an even larger audience once 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg joined the Los Angeles native for the remix.

But the newly minted XXL cover star — he's joined by 10 other upstarts for the magazine's annual Freshman issue — intended to impress with much more than his breakout number. His track "Patty Cake" has been gaining air play.

"I got another song on the radio on [L.A.'s] Power 106. It's a club banger, but it sounds different than 'Toot It and Boot It,' " YG told MTV News. "I'm just waiting on the label to get behind it. Everybody in L.A. is feeling it.

"I got some songs. I got some hits," he added. "I just got to get my label behind me. I'm all the way on the West Coast. So they gotta feel it, they got to get the buzz. So I got to go through the same thing I did with 'Toot It and Boot It.' "

Currently, the inked-up rapper is working on his next mixtape, the forthcoming Just Re'd Up, featuring guest spots by Chris Brown, Tyga and Nipsey Hussle, among others, and hosted by DJ Ill Will and DJ Mustard.

Mustard doubles as YG's personal DJ and one of his producers; he helmed the boards for "Patty Cake."

With "Patty Cake," YG said he's trying to get the club cracking once again.

"To me, it's something the ladies and the dudes want to hear when they get in the club," he explained. " 'Cause it's gonna get the girls dancing. And that's what I like to see when I get in the club."

Are you excited for new music from YG? Let us know in the comments!

'American Idol' Report Card: Jacob Lusk Dominates Motown Night

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 09:55 AM PDT

While the gospel belter wows the judges, Casey Abrams' take on another Marvin Gaye classic fails to impress.
By Eric Ditzian


Jacob Lusk
Photo: FOX

Last week, we awarded a handful of gold stars to "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler for commentary filled with wacky maxims and wackier metaphors (seven days on, we still don't know what he meant by "ethnic what-it-is-ness"). This week, we're forced to dole out a demerit to Jennifer Lopez, because four weeks into the voting portion of the show, the new judge still hasn't learned that — in class as in reality competitions — you need to wait your turn to talk. Over and over on Wednesday night, J. Lo interrupted her fellow judges, talking over Randy Jackson and butting in as Tyler, once again, dipped the English language in LSD.

Listen, Jennifer — it's a long season and we dig your passion, but we're hoping for more from you as the "Idol" season pushes forward. That's exactly how we'd been feeling, in fact, about a bunch of promising contestants who'd disappointed us in recent weeks.

Thankfully, a bunch of them — Jacob Lusk in particular — roared back on Wednesday's show. Here's how everyone ended up on this week's "American Idol" report card.

Excellent

Jacob Lusk: In our "Idol" preview on Wednesday, we counseled Jacob to make restraint his key creative directive. Jimmy Iovine echoed that same advice, and the 23-year-old singer took it — and proceeded to deliver his finest performance of the season. While his rendition of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "You're All I Need to Get By" was not quite up to the level of Kelly Clarkson's so many years ago, it was still far and away the evening's best. The kid has got serious vocal range and each word drips with emotion. Add in that sequence of hugs from his grandma and a dozen lucky ladies, and it's no wonder Jacob dominated Motown night.

Good

Scotty McCreery: At times during his cover of Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life," Scotty tried to loosen up, tried to push his vocals outside his country comfort zone. But the truth is, the times he strayed from his twangy baritone were the times it became clear that he doesn't have the most powerful voice. Scotty really is at his best when he sticks with exactly what he knows. Let's stop fighting it. He is who he is, and is pretty darn good at it.

Pia Toscano: By now we have to admit that a slightly uptempo Whitney Houston tune is as fast-paced a performance as Pia will ever be comfortable giving. Wednesday's rendition of Stevie Wonder's "All in Love Is Fair" was big and beautiful and, yes, another ballad — and the judges admonished her for it. Next week she just might pick up the pace; we'll have to see if she's at ease doing it.

Paul McDonald: Paul's wisest move was to strap on that guitar, keeping him anchored in place rather than thrashing about like a sailboat in a tsunami. For the first time in weeks, we were finally able to concentrate on those unique vocals of his, which sound like he smoked a carton of Marlboro Reds, then guzzled a bucketful of locally grown honey. In short, Paul is back!

Satisfactory

Lauren Alaina: She started off excellently, with a sparse intro on the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On." The rest of the performance did not live up to that beginning, if only because the tempo and the backup singers didn't give her a chance to shine. Oh, and when this 16-year-old tries to play the seductress, it's just uncomfortable. Swagger's one thing; a teenager pretending to be a "Coyote Ugly" waitress is another.

Stefano Langone: After wowing viewers last week, Stefano badly stumbled with Lionel Richie's "Hello." That's not because he's missing an emotional connection to his songs any more than anyone on the show save for Jacob (though the judges certainly have embraced that talking point). The problem was that Stefano's vocals simply weren't up to the challenge. That doesn't happen often. We hope it doesn't happen again.

Haley Reinhart: The judges did their best to heap on the praise after Haley regained her bluesy form during a cover of the Miracles' "You've Really Got a Hold on Me." It was the best she's sounded in weeks. Alas, too little, too late. With the modest goal of simply avoiding the bottom three, she assured herself not only a trip to that sad group but quite possibly a one-way ticket back to Wheeling, Illinois.

Naima Adedapo: We love her unpredictability, and yet it might be her undoing. You never know what you're going to get with Naima, which is another way of saying she hasn't made any headway in the old "Idol" law about making clear what kind of artist you are. Her vocals during Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" were on-point, and we dig the risks she continues to take. But being such an erratic performer makes it difficult to attract a fanbase that will vote for Naima week after week. Once again, she's in trouble.

James Durbin: James lands in satisfactory territory because after a strong start, the performance utterly collapsed in a barrage of pitchy notes and enough-already squeals. He remains a fan favorite. What we haven't seen from him thus far is consistency from week to week.

Unsatisfactory

Casey Abrams: It wasn't that Casey's performance, when compared to those of the rest of his "Idol" compatriots, was that unsatisfactory. It was that, when contrasted against his earlier songs, his take on Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" was borderline unacceptable. We're starting to worry that, like Andrew Garcia before him, Abrams is a one-trick pony — all growls and too little greatness. Producer Kuk Harrell did give him some excellent advice about not overdoing those soulful groans, but reining them in only served to highlight his by-now-predictable artistry and that maniacal stare. Creepy!

Thia Megia: Thia, Thia, Thia — what are we going to do with you? Well, we have a feeling what voters are going to do or, we should say, not do with you. Kudos for at least going uptempo during a cover of Martha and the Vandellas' "Heat Wave," after so many sonorous ballads. Yet while the tempo was a risk, her vocals stayed in a very safe territory. In the harshest backhanded compliment of the season, Iovine said he was "pleasantly shocked" at Thia's performance. No one should be surprised, though, if Thia ends up in the bottom three on Thursday.

Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Rachel Zoe Gives Birth To Baby Boy

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 01:29 AM PDT

Stylist and husband Rodger Berman became proud parents to Skyler Morrison Berman on Thursday.
By Aly Semigran


Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman
Photo: Getty Images

This baby news is bananas! Celebrity stylist and reality star Rachel Zoe of "The Rachel Zoe Project" welcomed her first child, a son, with her husband and president of Rachel Zoe Inc. Rodger Berman. Their baby boy, Skyler Morrison Berman, weighed in at 6 lbs., 12 oz., and is 20 inches long.

On Thursday (March 24), Zoe and Berman, who have been together since they met in Washington, D.C., in the early 1990s, said in a joint statement released to People, "Mom and Dad 'LITERALLY' could not be happier or more in love with their son!"

Zoe also shared the happy news via Twitter, saying, "Thank you all so much for your love! @rbermanus and I couldn't be happier with little Skyler Morrison in our arms ... he is everything. XoRZ."

She, Berman and baby Skyler received plenty of warm wishes on the social networking site today, including one from fellow Bravo star Patti Stanger of "Millionaire Matchmaker," who tweeted, "Mazel tov @rzrachelzoe and @rbermanus ! I can't wait to see the first pics ... love the name. Love & light to the family. X0."

No doubt the tot of the 39-year-old stylist to the stars — her client list includes the likes of Nicole Richie, Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohan, and mom-to-be Kate Hudson — who remained fashionable throughout her pregnancy, will be wearing baby clothes to "die" for.

Leave your well-wishes for new parents Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman below in the comments.

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Simon Cowell Looking For 'Unusual People' At 'X Factor' Auditions

Posted: 24 Mar 2011 12:27 AM PDT

'I always say, you've got to embrace the madness,' Cowell says of contestants.
By Jocelyn Vena


Simon Cowell
Photo: Brian Ach/ WireImage

With only days until the first official "X Factor" audition kicks off, Simon Cowell recently dished to MTV News about what he's looking for in an "X Factor" contender. And he admits he doesn't mind if contestants are a bit freaky.

"I love unusual people. I always say, you've got to embrace the madness," Cowell laughed. "I like that we're going to be very open-minded. I think we're going to have good enough people on this panel that we're not gonna miss out on anyone who's got potential."

So far, that judging panel includes famed record executive L.A. Reid, with more names to be announced soon. Mariah Carey reportedly passed on a judging opportunity, and Enrique Iglesias has been rumored to be a potential host for the show.

Cowell says that with so much to gain as the winner of "X Factor," it's all about going big or going home.

"Well, you know, there's $5 million at stake on this show, we're guaranteeing a winner a recording contract ... so we're looking for somebody who's not just gonna be an artist who sells records in America," he explained about making sure that special someone has global appeal.

"We want someone who's gonna sell all over the world," he continued. "You look at what's happened over the last couple of years, I think originality is key and you've got to be different to what's out there already ... I would say on this show, we're much more open to people being 'out there' and anything goes, basically."

Audition dates for the show begin on Sunday, March 27, in Los Angeles, and continue on April 7 in Miami, April 14 in Newark, New Jersey, April 20 in Seattle, April 27 in Chicago, and May 26 in Dallas.

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