Jumat, 01 April 2011

MTV News

MTV News

Katy Perry's 'E.T.' Video Previews Her Space Trip With Russell Brand

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 08:07 AM PDT

'Russell and I are interested in anything extraterrestrial,' she tells MTV News of upcoming Virgin Galactic adventure.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Sway Calloway


Katy Perry
Photo: MTV News

Late last year, Katy Perry made headlines when it was revealed that she had purchased then-fiancé Russell Brand a trip to outer space, aboard Virgin Galactic, the commercial space line owned by British billionaire Richard Branson.

The ticket — which reportedly cost an eye-opening $200,000 — has yet to be cashed in, as Virgin Galactic is still in the testing phases. But, in the time since those initial reports began circulating, it looks like Perry has bought a second ticket to space — this one for herself. And, as she told MTV News, that made her brand-new "E.T." video all the more important — because, in some way, it was sort of a dry run for her trip to the outer reaches.

"I'm so into extraterrestrial stuff. ... It's very difficult for me to look up into the sky in the middle of the night and not think that our planet is one of ... a bajillion. It's really, really small," she told MTV News' Sway during the "MTV First: Katy Perry's 'E.T.' " live stream. "And Russell and I are interested in anything extraterrestrial. I mean, we're going to space!

"We're really excited. ... There's a group of people that work with Richard Branson, and he does the Virgin flights, and for Russell's birthday, I got him a flight to space. Because I just thought, 'What else can I give this man? He's had every experience in the world, but not a trip to space!' " she continued. "And so he's also always searching for what is beyond this world, and we both kind of have this same vision and are always looking for more. It will be really exciting. It's like a half-a-day trip. I think there's a lot of people who are signed up for this experience."

Of course, Perry didn't actually go into orbit for the "E.T." video, but given the sheer amount of time she spent in makeup and wardrobe, the whole experience was sort of like preparing for extended deep-space travel.

"It was, like, five and six hours, each makeup look," Perry said. "It was hard for me! It was really a patience thing for me on this video. But, you know, it's like when you're doing a film. Sometimes you have to do prosthetics, and you have to get really old or turn into an animal or a monster — and that's kind of what this process was."

What did you think of the "E.T." video? Let us know in the comments!

Related Videos Related Artists

Rebecca Black Leads Us Through 'Friday,' Frame By Frame

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 03:52 AM PDT

Young singer explains why there was no bus at the bus stop, the infamous 'butt slap' scene and more!
By Kyle Anderson


Rebecca Black
Photo: MTV News

When Rebecca Black's "Friday" became the definitive viral hit of 2011, most people were drawn into the song's rapid-fire, slightly silly stream-of-consciousness lyrics. But the accompanying video — which so far has netted nearly 70 million views on YouTube — was a big part of the draw too, as it created a spectacularly colorful dream world that let Black play a bit.

But like any music video project (especially one that began so modestly), there were plenty of road blocks along the way. When Black sat down with MTV News to lead us through "Friday" frame by frame, she revealed that plenty of shifts had to be made. For example, in the scene where Black is at the bus stop, there was actually supposed to be a bus in the shot. "There wasn't enough money, so we got a car instead," she explained.

There is actually a lot of car-related action in "Friday" (which makes sense, considering the key lyric in the song finds Black wondering which seat in the vehicle she wants), and many of those scenes were actually the toughest to film. According to the singer, the sequence that finds her getting picked up at the bus stop was "scary" because the car was actually in motion, and the scene where Black and her friends are "driving down the highway" took quite a bit of time to execute. "We did that probably 50 times," she said. "It took probably over an hour to film just that part."

But if there was one thing that Black wanted to clear up, it's a scene that has become somewhat notorious. At one point, one of the male extras at the party scene walks up behind her and appears to give her a "butt slap." "People think he was slapping my butt, but he was patting me on the back!"

What do you think of Black's instant fame? Let us know in the comments!

Related Videos

My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Paramore, Disturbed Reach Final Four Of March Madness

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 04:56 AM PDT

One of these four bands will win the 2011 MMM title; vote now in the Newsroom blog!
By James Montgomery


My Chemical Romance's Mikey Way and Gerard Way
Photo: John Shearer/ WireImage

Three weeks ago, 64 bands embarked on the voyage that is MTV's Musical March Madness. Now, after millions of votes and nearly as many grueling matchups, only four remain. My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Paramore and Disturbed each punched their ticket for the Final Four late Thursday night, and one of them will hoist the MMM trophy next week.

Check out our MMM Bracket right here!

It wasn't easy for any of them. Much like the Sweet 16, voting in the Elite 8 broke records and went down to the wire. We wouldn't expect anything less, not when the bands still competing were this big, and the stakes this high. And they're about to get even higher. Because voting in our Final Four matchups — #9 Disturbed v. #3 Green Day and #5 Paramore v. #3 My Chemical Romance — is now under way over on the Newsroom blog, and it'll be up to you to determine the two bands that'll go head-to-head for the MMM championship.

Final Four voting has begun on the Newsroom blog!

While you consider just whom you'll be voting for — if you haven't made your mind up already — let's take a look back at each bands' journey to the Final Four.

Disturbed
The lowest-seeded band still standing, Disturbed entered MMM as a #9, but quickly served notice that they were a force to be reckoned with, knocking off #8 the Dave Matthews Band in the opening round, then shocking the world by slipping by the Midwest's top seed, the Foo Fighters, to reach the Sweet 16. Then, they handled Patrick Stump and, perhaps inspired by frontman David Draiman's now legendary "time to make a statement" speech took down defending MMM champs Coheed and Cambria in an air-tight battle. With more than 105,000 votes cast, Disturbed won by less than 500 to win the Midwest region and earn a spot in the Final Four.

Green Day
Last year, Green Day were sent packing in the opening round of the tournament, an exit that left them with a bitter taste in their mouths and a sizeble chip on their shoulders. So, in their 2011 march to the Final Four, they took no prisoners, absolutely dominating Adam Lambert in the first round, then going toe-to-toe with a pair of their fellow rock heavyweights — U2 and Blink-182 — and barely breaking a sweat. Their toughest challenge came in the Elite 8 against, ironically enough, Panic! at the Disco, the very band that sent them packing last year. Green Day got revenge, withstanding a late surge from the Panic! guys to take the West region title and head to the Final Four.

Paramore
Nearly two years ago, we wrote that Paramore were poised "to become the kings and queen of the South." Little did we know how right we'd be; after a string of impressive victories, Hayley Williams and the guys are, in fact, the rulers of the region, and they've certainly earned their crowns. No band faced a stiffer series of matchups throughout the tourney — Paramore drew No Doubt in the opening round, the Kings of Leon in the second and — and that was before they took on tournament vets Tokio Hotel in the Elite 8. Each time, they rose to the challenge, taking the South region title and, in the process, may very well have become the favorites to win it all.

My Chemical Romance
It was heartbreak city for MCR last year, as they rode a wave of fervent fan support all the way to the MMM championship game, only to be crushed by Coheed. They're the only band to climb the mountain once again, and they've done it with a frightening level of proficiency. Because, to this point, My Chemical Romance have yet to be really tested, rolling #14 Panda Bear in round one, #11 Rage Against The Machine in round two and #2 Radiohead in the Sweet 16. They ended 16th-seeded Sum 41's dream run in the Elite 8, wrapping up the East title and barely breaking a sweat. In the Final Four, they'll face off against Paramore, which might very well be the de facto 2011 championship game.

MTV's Musical March Madness has reached the Final Four. All winners are determined by your votes, so, if your favorite act is still standing, it's up to you to guide them to glory. You can rally the troops on Twitter using the hashtag #MMM — and you'd better; the MMM trophy is within reach!

Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists

Carrie Underwood Is 'Loving' New 'American Idol' Panel

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 03:52 AM PDT

'Steven and J.Lo are doing such an amazing job,' she tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner


Carrie Underwood
Photo: MTV News

Carrie Underwood has come a long way since she was the wide-eyed winner of "American Idol" back in 2005 — with a Grammy-winning country career under her belt — but she still takes the time to watch the show that made her a star.

When MTV News caught up with Underwood recently as she promoted her acting debut in the new film "Soul Surfer," we had to ask her thoughts on the changes to the new season, particularly the new faces added to the judges' panel.

"I am loving the judges," Underwood said. "I know Simon [Cowell] was always such a huge part of the show, but if I had just started watching now, I wouldn't miss it, you know what I mean? I think Steven [Tyler] and J.Lo are doing such an amazing job. I actually got the chance to talk to Steven Tyler, and I was like, 'I'm finding out that I like you more than I thought I did.' "

Underwood said she liked the Aerosmith frontman before he joined the show, but she's enjoying seeing a softer side of his rock-star persona.

"I've always liked Steven Tyler the artist, but as a person, he's really coming across [as] charming and warm and friendly and encouraging," she said. "Of course we always knew that J.Lo is sweet and beautiful, and she's just confirming all of our previous thoughts about her by being on the show. I'm really enjoying watching it."

So who are her favorite contestants? "I always have a few that I'm watching, but I never say who they are because I remember what it was like when I was on the show, and I never liked that [when past contestants picked favorites]."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Snoop Dogg Blesses YG's Take On <i>Chronic</i> Classic

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 03:52 AM PDT

Rap vet talks to Mixtape Daily about YG's Just Re'd Up Dr. Dre cover, featuring Nipsey Hussle and Tyga.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Steven Roberts


YG
Photo: MTV News

Cornerstone Credentials: Dr. Dre (by way of Snoop Dogg and YG)

Snoop Dogg once rapped, "It ain't no fun if the homeys can't have none," and now that he's achieved veteran status, he's more than willing to bless the younger set.

Newly minted XXL "Freshman 11" cover star YG recruited fellow Los Angeles upstarts Nipsey Hussle and Tyga for a remake of the Snoop-powered "Bitches Ain't Sh--" from Dr. Dre's classic offering The Chronic.

The song is set to appear on YG's forthcoming mixtape, Just Re'd Up, and Snoop gave the re-up of his and Dre's track a thumbs up.

"He let me hear it when we were onstage," Snoop told Mixtape Daily. "And I love the younger generation. They don't have to ask me or check in with me or none of that. If you want to use any of my music or any of my material or any of my lines — that goes for young, old, new, whoever — feel free. That's what hip-hop is about: spreading love and sharing love. I never been one to say, 'Well, he stole my lines; he took this from me.' It's all a part of hip-hop. It's a culture we all share and love. If you want to get something from me or taking something from me as my young homey, you got permission. This is Big Snoop Dogg, you know I love the hip-hop game. YG, you know what it do; do your thing."

YG said when he was growing up, he watched Snoop, Ice Cube and others on the Left Coast put on for their city, and it's something he wants to do being a part of the next generation.

"I want to do the same thing when we start poppin'," he explained. "So, I'll be like, 'Nip, you gotta mess with me. Tyga, you got to do some West Coast sh--.' And it gets done. I'm just bringing us all together. We all do our thing, but I make it to where we do our own stuff but we can get it poppin' together. So the city will know we're f---ing with each other, and it's all good. I'm really trying to bring back this whole West Coast on another level — some young fly sh--."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

Jake Gyllenhaal Recalls 'Debate' On 'Source Code' Set

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 03:52 AM PDT

'We thought all the time, and that's what made it so fun,' he tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner


Jake Gyllenhaal
Photo: MTV News

For the skeptical filmgoers out there who love to naysay Hollywood plot twists and turns, the stars and director of "Source Code" want you to know that they've already taken any questions and concerns you might have about the story into consideration.

The film revolves around Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) on a mission to solve the mystery behind a devastating bombing, via Source Code technology — venturing into the mind of one of the passengers on the train, eight minutes before his death.

While director Duncan Jones told MTV News recently that the film requires a "leap of faith," actor Jake Gyllenhaal promises that any questions you may have were already debated during production.

"The entire movie was a debate and the entire movie was also having to ask all the questions that the audience might be asking," Gyllenhaal revealed. "Which is why I find it so successful that when you watch the movie, you can ask whatever question and think you know the answer, and we've already asked it or answered it," he said, adding that the audience is constantly surprised. "Even if you've found out who the bomber is halfway through the movie, you don't really know what's going to happen."

Gyllenhaal went on to say that everything came together perfectly in order to execute the story in the most entertaining and interesting way possible.

"It's brilliantly written, it's very clearly and brilliantly directed, which is so hard with a sci-fi movie and also at the heart of it is a character [for whom] we created a backstory that we thought a lot about," he explained. "Each piece of his action is connected to what he does and why he does it and his own fate. I think, overall, we thought all the time, and that's what made it so fun."

Check out everything we've got on "Source Code."

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

Related Videos

Thia Megia And Naima Adedapo Eliminated From 'American Idol'

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 06:32 AM PDT

Paul McDonald joins them in a surprise bottom-three appearance.
By Gil Kaufman


Thia Megia and Naima Adedapo
Photo: FOX

At this point, it's anyone's guess what will happen from week to week on "American Idol." While the early elimination rounds are usually pretty easy to predict, "Idol" threw another curveball Thursday night (March 31) when one of the most praised and polished season 10 contenders, Paul McDonald, wound up in the bottom three.

He was brought to the brink of elimination after 55 million people texted or voted online, a new record at this point in the competition. But, in the end, it was teenager Thia Megia and reggae mama Naima Adedapo who were sent packing in an episode that radically altered the usual Thursday nail-biter — in a good way.

The traditional group sing-along was done away with, and instead, the show kicked off with a ready-for-radio country duet between Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina on Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood's "I Told You So" that sounded like the work of seasoned veterans. After nearly showing up Underwood and Travis' version of the song on last year's "Idol," both were waved over to the safe couch for another go at it next week.

The same could not be said for Jacob Lusk and Adedapo, who fell flat on Ashford & Simpson's "Solid," failing to show any chemistry and listlessly singing the tune over a Muzak-y arrangement. Naima's reggae-tinged "I'm Still Standing" punched her card to the bottom three, while Lusk will get another chance to find his "Jacob spot" next week.

In keeping with the welcome format change, Haley Reinhart, Pia Toscano and Megia served up some trio action on Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream," with Toscano cementing her status as one to watch, Reinhart doing her growly thing and Megia pitching in on backing vocals. Toscano skated to safety, along with suddenly resurgent Reinhart, while Megia joined Adedapo after her "Daniel" didn't win voters over.

McDonald, Casey Abrams, James Durbin and Stefano Langone apparently formed a garage band offstage a few weeks ago, and they made their broadcast debut Thursday with Wings' "Band on the Run." With all four playing instruments on a soft-rock version of the already light-as-air tune, McDonald gave it his feathery best, Abrams and Langone were in imperfect harmony, Casey did some more of his shouting and Stefano struggled on half a chorus, showing why he was doomed.

At least that's what the general consensus was. While Abrams was safe again, and Durbin was also good, in another shocker, Langone dodged a bullet and it was McDonald who rounded out the bottom three.

In the end, though, McDonald was ushered to safety as Adedapo and the show's youngest-ever contestant, Megia, bid their teary farewells until they join the rest of the top 11 for this summer's tour.

Wearing a glittering crimson jumpsuit with her hair swept up in a 1940s 'do, season-three winner Fantasia stopped by to sing her new throwback doo-wop single "Collard Greens and Cornbread." Also performing their Carnival-esque collaboration "Hot Wings," from the new animated feature "Rio," were Jamie Foxx and the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am.

Do you think America made the right choices? 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.

Related Photos

Britney Spears Says She'd Love To Tour With Usher

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 09:41 AM PDT

In her 'Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale' special, she calls the 'OMG' singer 'really hot right now.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway


Sway Calloway and Britney Spears
Photo: MTV News & Docs

What do Britney Spears and Usher have in common? Well, they are both global superstars with a back catalogue of tunes that have kept fans dancing for a really long time and they both recently hooked up with will.i.am for tracks on their latest releases (the Black Eyed Peas mastermind worked on the pop vixen's Femme Fatale tune "Big Fat Bass"). And, if Spears has her way, she and the "OMG" singer could be hitting the road together.

When Spears sat down to talk with Sway Calloway for her "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special — airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV — the singer revealed that Usher is first on her list of artists she'd like to join her on tour.

"Oh, I'm so excited. I'm really excited about going on tour, very," she explained about her forthcoming summer trek, which happens to have a spot open on the bill now that Enrique Iglesias has pulled out of the gig. "I think Usher's really great right now. I think he's really hot right now. That would be cool [to tour with him]."

The North American road trip is expected to kick off June 17 in Sacramento, California, and will run for 26 dates, winding up on August 13 in Toronto. More details will be announced soon.

The "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special is a mixture of behind-the-scenes footage of the singer as she wraps up production on her album, which dropped this week, as well as an inside look at her life and fans. In addition, those who couldn't make Spears' recent nightclub show in Las Vegas will get to see her as she takes the stage in her latest pop incarnation.

Don't miss "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale," airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.

Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists

Disturbed Will 'Give 110 Percent' In Musical March Madness Competition

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 09:08 AM PDT

Band faces a tough Elite 8 challenge against defending champs Coheed and Cambria.
By James Montgomery


Disturbed's David Draiman
Photo: C Brandon/ Redferns

When MTV tipped off our Musical March Madness tournament three weeks ago, 64 bands stood on the precipice of greatness ... though, to be honest, one of them seemed to face a tougher challenge than all the rest. Chicago shredders Disturbed, who were stuck with a #9 seed, were pitted against the heavily favored Dave Matthews Band in the opening round and basically left for dead.

But Disturbed refused to die. They knocked off DMB in convincing fashion, then, in one of the tournament's most eye-opening victories, ripped #1 seed Foo Fighters to reach the Sweet 16. That win served notice to the rest of the MMM bands that Disturbed were a force to be reckoned with, and they backed up that newfound clout with a thorough throttling of Patrick Stump to reach the Elite 8.

Check out our MMM bracket right here!

And though their tournament run has surprised many, no one has been as shocked as Disturbed frontman David Draiman, who, upon learning his band was pitted against the Foos in round two, basically started packing his bags.

"I was very surprised that we got past the Foo Fighters. I didn't think that would happen," he told MTV News. "But as has been classically the case with our band, you never see us coming ... yet we'll come by and smack you upside the head. The Disturbed fanbase is powerful ... when put to the test, they show up and make their voices heard."

And now, in the Elite 8, Disturbed face their toughest tournament challenge to date: defending MMM champs Coheed and Cambria, who have used a combination of utter dominance and last-second heroics to keep their repeat dreams alive. And with voting in their matchup already under way over on the Newsroom blog, we asked Draiman to give us his take on the band standing between him and a spot in the Final Four.

Elite 8 voting is now under way over on the Newsroom blog!

"I think they're very, very talented musicians ... I definitely think they're very stiff competition. They've got an unbelievably dedicated fanbase, they're a very powerful band ... they're going to be a very serious challenge for us," he said. "I mean, we're up against leviathans here, you know, whether it's Green Day or any of the rest of these guys, they're all huge bands, so we're just very, very honored to be in competition with them. And I know that we, and the Disturbed fanbase, will give 110 percent all the way."

And they're going to need every last decimal point of that 110 percent to knock off Coheed. Still, Disturbed have made it this far, and Draiman thinks they've got a legitimate shot at advancing. And they'd better, because the stakes are high. Not only would it be a victory for his band and their fans, but for the entire hard-rock genre, really.

"We definitely need to get everybody to rally together. We need to let everybody show their strengths and just give 110 percent all the way, and just make sure that their voices are heard," he said. "This is the time to make a statement. This is the time to strike a blow for the genre and let it be known that we're not going to go away quietly."

MTV's Musical March Madness has reached the Elite 8! Voting is now open and will continue until Thursday at midnight, when we'll roll on to the Final Four. All winners are determined by your votes, so if your favorite act is still standing, 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!

Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists

Katy Perry's 'E.T.' Video Premieres -- Watch It Now!

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 11:19 PM PDT

New clip with Kanye West is a big-budget spectacle that takes Perry to the next level.
By James Montgomery


Katy Perry in her "E.T." video
Photo: Capitol

We've seen Katy Perry camp it up in "California Gurls" and go glam in "Thinking of You" and "Teenage Dream," but we've never seen her get extraterrestrial — until now, of course.

Because in her new video for "E.T." — which premiered Thursday (March 31) on MTV.com — Perry plays the titular alien: a swirling, shifting, otherworldly being who crashes to earth to resurrect a long-dormant love and, in the process, perhaps reboot the human race (since, as is often the case with sci-fi exploits, planet Earth has undergone some sort of cataclysmic apocalypse and is now bereft of life). At least, I think that's the plot of the thing, though, really, it's not all that important if I'm wrong. Find out the full story tonight on "MTV First: Katy Perry's 'E.T.'," which bows on air at 7:53 p.m. ET before tossing to an MTV.com live stream, featuring MTV News correspondent Sway's exclusive chat with Perry, an interview with director Floria Sigismondi and reaction from Perry's fans.

"E.T." is a huge-looking, quick-moving blockbuster of a clip, overflowing with eye-catching special effects, opulent costumes and artfully applied makeup (and Kanye cameos), the kind of production where a plot is basically an afterthought. In other words, it's a Hollywood-level spectacle, a summer smash that just so happened to come out in the early days of spring. It's an event.

And really, with each #1 single she notches, it's the kind of clip Katy Perry has earned, one that puts her on par with other pop megastars like Britney and Gaga in the sheer scope of the production.

Working with acclaimed director Floria Sigismondi, Perry has created a video that certainly ranks among her very best and is unquestionably the biggest thing she's ever done, a production preceded by glossy teaser clips and online "abductions." The mind boggles at the cost of the wardrobe and hair extensions alone.

But, much like the plot, none of that really matters. "E.T." is less about the insignificant details and more about the larger picture — a video that not only moves Perry to the upper echelon, but looks and sounds great. It's a widescreen, THX-ian type of thing, meant to be marveled at. Whether or not you do, you can't deny that KP has earned the right to make it. She's finally arrived: fallen from the heavens to take her rightful place among the elite. Welcome our new alien overlord.

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

Don't miss the on-air premiere of Katy Perry's "E.T." video, featuring Kanye West, at 7:53 p.m. ET tonight on MTV, followed by our live "MTV First" interview with Katy Perry on MTV.com!

Related Videos Related Artists

Jamie Foxx And will.i.am Bring 'Hot Wings' To 'American Idol'

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 07:15 AM PDT

Drum line and colorfully dressed dancers bring 'Rio' song to life on 'Idol' stage.
By Adam Graham


Jamie Foxx and will.i.am on "American Idol"
Photo: FOX

Jamie Foxx and will.i.am brought their "Hot Wings" to "American Idol" on Thursday (March 31).

The pair teamed up to perform their new single from the soundtrack to "Rio," the computer-animated flight tale in which they both voice characters. And they didn't come alone: They performed with a 12-member drum line and a full team of colorfully dressed dancers, while footage from "Rio" played on the video screens behind them.

Neither Foxx nor will.i.am are strangers to "Idol." Foxx was a mentor to the contestants in seasons eight and nine and also performed on the show during season eight, while will did "Just Can't Get Enough" with the Black Eyed Peas on the show just two weeks ago and also performed on the "Idol" stage with the Peas in seasons eight and nine. They both clearly know their way around the place by now and were comfortable shouting out the judges ("I see you, Randy!") mid-song.

The song is built around the repeated refrain "I wanna party, I wanna samba" and finds Foxx and will.i.am trading verses, in character as their "Rio" likenesses (Foxx plays Nico, a canary, while will.i.am plays a cardinal named Pedro). They entered the stage together via the "Idol" staircase, and Foxx — dressed in a black suit and dark shades — opened the song. Mr. i.am — dressed in a white jacket, red shirt and porkpie hat — chimed in during the second verse, rapping about ghetto blasters and speedy dance moves. The album version of the song also features the pair's "Rio" co-star Anne Hathaway, though the Oscar host was not in the Idoldome for the taping.

The performance featured elaborate choreography among the dancers (captured by the "Idol" crew via overhead cameras) and staged fighting on the side stage. At the performance's close, Foxx plugged "Rio" as "fun for the whole family."

The film hits theaters April 15, and the soundtrack — which is already available for download on iTunes — is due in stores Tuesday.

What did you think of the "Hot Wings" performance? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Photos Related Artists

Katy Perry Says She Swiped 'E.T.' From Three 6 Mafia

Posted: 01 Apr 2011 09:50 AM PDT

Perry's latest single was actually meant for the Academy Award-winning rap group.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Sway Calloway


Katy Perry
Photo: MTV News

Katy Perry has already said that when she was writing songs for her Teenage Dream album, her goal was to "make a different 'movie' for each song." So it's ironic that her latest single, "E.T.," was actually meant for a group who knows a thing or two about movies ... and they've got the Academy Award to prove it.

"I'll tell you, it's funny ... this song, I remember writing with Max Martin and Dr. Luke, and there's this producer they wrote with, named Ammo as well, and they were just showing me different samples of songs or tracks or beats, and they accidentally pulled up this beat, and it was for Three 6 Mafia," Perry told MTV News. "I heard it and I always knew I wanted to write this futuristic, alienistic song, and they pulled it up and I was like, 'Wait, I can wrap my head around this. I know this seems like a long shot, but I think I have the perfect material to put on top of this sound.' And I did, and it really worked out perfectly."

So if you're one of those Katy fans who's a bit mystified by the abrupt change of pace of "E.T." — and its equally left-of-center video — well, then you can sort of understand why: Deep down, it's actually a Three 6 Mafia track.

"It's a whole different vibe for me. It's kind of a bit harder, it does have that urban feel underneath it. I think that's why Kanye added even another layer on top of it," Perry explained. "And it has ... amazing ... sonics — I mean, there's so much to it, there's a lot in the song if you really put your headphones on and sink into the song."

And that's just part of what drew Perry to the track in the first place. After all, on Teenage Dream, she set out to make movies ... and though it may confound some of her fans, "E.T." is perhaps the most wonderfully odd movie she's ever made. And she knows it.

"Even teasing people with different images from 'E.T.,' people are so perplexed," she laughed. "They're like, 'Katy Perry, you're supposed to be Betty Boop! You're supposed to be wearing pink!' It's exciting to be able to push my audience, to be like, 'There's always more, I've got all of this hidden up my sleeve that I've really longed to show people.'"

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

Related Videos Related Artists

Britney Spears Tour Will Have Post-Apocalyptic Vibe, Manager Says

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:46 AM PDT

' 'Till The World Ends' keeps becoming a theme for us,' Larry Rudolph says.
By Jocelyn Vena


Britney Spears
Photo: Araya Diaz/ WireImage

Though we still don't know who will join Britney Spears when she heads out on her Femme Fatale tour this summer, her longtime manager, Larry Rudolph, recently gave MTV News a few hints about what her shows will look like. According to him, her shows in Las Vegas and San Francisco last weekend gave a pretty good sense of the visual spectacle of the tour.

"This is exactly the direction we're moving in," he explained about the show's futuristic, post-apocalyptic vibe that fits with her second Femme Fatale single. " 'Till The World Ends' keeps becoming a theme for us."

The shows so far have been a combination of funky sets that play on the album's hard-partying theme with sparkly, sexy costumes and sassy dance moves.

"The way we come up with a concept for a show like this is we sit with Britney, she talks to us about what she's interested in and what excites her," Rudolph explained. "We start with the songs on the album; we start with coming up with general, broad concepts. She tells us what interests her and excites her, and from there, we have [the input of music tour director] Jamie King and [choreographer] Brian Friedman."

The tour is expected to kick off on June 17 in Sacramento and will run for 26 dates through North America, winding up on August 13 in Toronto. Britney's camp had no comment on Enrique Iglesias' recent withdrawal from the bill.

Don't miss "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale," airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.

Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists

Lady Gaga's Leaked 'Judas' Lyrics Aren't Quite Real

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:05 AM PDT

While some of the lines are legit, others are fabricated, MTV News has learned.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga
Photo: Tom Briglia/ WireImage

It looks like someone is trying to fool Little Monsters everywhere by posting incorrect lyrics online for Lady Gaga's "Judas." Various versions of lyrics reportedly from the track hit the Internet, and it appears that someone used Gaga's recent Google interview as inspiration.

So far, the only real lyrics from the song are: "When he comes to me, I am ready/ I'll wash his feet with my hair if he needs/ Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain/ Even after three times, he betrays me/ I'll bring him down, a king with no crown." Gaga previously shared an additional line from the song on Twitter, writing, "I'm just a Holy Fool, oh baby he's so cruel, but I'm still in love with Judas, baby."

From there, someone took all those real lyrics and crafted their own version of the song, which was co-produced by RedOne and the Mother Monster herself. For now, until "Judas" officially drops, fans at least have Gaga's confessions about the track.

"You have to look into what is haunting you and you need to look into forgiving yourself in order to move on," she said about the song, which will be the second single from Born This Way.. "And it's really fun to dance to and sounds like it could be a pop Priest record."

Gaga and her creative director, Laurieann Gibson, will co-direct the video, and Gibson seemed excited about the clip when she spoke to MTV News. " 'Judas' is exciting for me because we had this amazing artistic approach to 'Born This Way,' and I'm so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal," Gibson said. "So, visually, the dance, the costuming, the idea of how big we're trying to go, [it's] going to be a roller-coaster ride."

Related Artists

Nicki Minaj 'Super-Nervous' Giving Lil Wayne Lap Dance

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 12:05 AM PDT

Pink Friday star surprised by her boss at I Am Still Music Tour stop.
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Ade Mangum


Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj perform in Long Island, New York on Monday
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

A funny thing happened to Nicki Minaj on Sunday during the I Am Still Music Tour when she headed to give a lucky fan a lap dance: Her boss, Lil Wayne, ran from backstage at Long Island, New York's Nassau Coliseum and plopped down in the seat.

The Pink Friday star's showstopping move suddenly turned into a must-see moment.

"Well, I have to say, I been giving lap dances [during the tour], but I didn't know Wayne was gonna jump out and pop out the back," Nicki told MTV News. "I literally was up there trying to get a boy, then I turn around and I see this cute little dread in the chair with his legs dangling off. And I was like, 'What?' I was super nervous."

Wayne hammed it up and pulled his best Gene Simmons impersonation with his tongue darting out of his diamond-encrusted mouth as his protégé sauntered over in a pink and white catsuit. After a few quick pelvic thrusts in front of Weezy, she smiled, then returned to her dancers to resume their choreography.

The affair was one of the evening's highlights, but ultimately, it proved to be more nightclub than gentleman's club. "It's just the essence of a lap dance," Nicki said of her routine. "Now, the down and dirty? Uh uh, not yet."

During Wayne's tour opener in Rhode Island, a man raced to the stage to get up close and personal with Minaj, only to be removed by security.

Have you seen the I Am Still Music Tour? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists

Tyrese Recalls Ignoring His Earliest Critics On 'When I Was 17'

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:04 AM PDT

The 'Transformers' star describes getting 'gonged' on this week's show, airing Saturday at 11 a.m. ET.
By Sterling Wong


Tyrese on "When I Was 17"
Photo: MTV News

He may be a big-time Hollywood star now, with roles in upcoming blockbusters like "Fast Five" and "Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon," but it turns out model/actor/singer Tyrese's talents were not always appreciated.

In this week's "When I Was 17," Tyrese confesses that he was once "gonged" while performing on his high school stage.+

"My music teacher would do these 'gong' [talent] shows, and basically, if you got up [onstage] to sing and you were horrible, then somebody would run up and hit the bell," the star explains. "I remember I was in the middle of singing this Brian McKnight song, and somebody ran up and hit that sh-- loud and it went gong!"

Brandy, who's a good friend of Tyrese, jokes, "I think Tyrese's natural reaction was, 'Are you serious?!' "

His shocked reaction to the sound provoked much laughter from the audience. And even though the gong meant he was supposed to get off the stage, because of the support he received from the girls in the crowd (no surprises there!), he kept on going.

"I finally had a conversation with the girl who hit the gong. I was just like, 'Yo, man, why did you do that?' And she was like, 'Don't get mad at me! Everybody told me to hit the gong, so I ran up and did it!' " Tyrese recalls.

He was clearly not impressed with her answer. "I remember I gave her a dirty look, like, 'Don't you ever hit the gong again, OK?' And I walked off."

"When I Was 17" — this week featuring Tyrese, Lupe Fiasco and Jessie J — airs this Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV.

Related Videos

David Schwimmer Hopes Parents Take Kids To R-Rated 'Trust'

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:30 AM PDT

'The difficult scenes are all implied,' director tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner


David Schwimmer
Photo: MTV News

In this current day and age dominated by all things digital, and the speed with which people are able to quickly connect to one another via the Internet, smart phones, iPads, WiFi, etc., the importance of educating our youth about the dangers of communicating with strangers online is at an all-time high.

In the new film "Trust," directed and produced by David Schwimmer, starring Clive Owen, Catherine Keener and newcomer Liana Liberato, the issue is tackled head-on, via a story that revolves around a family torn apart after their daughter is victimized and sexually assaulted by a man she meets online.

When MTV News caught up with Schwimmer, we asked him whom he most wants to see the film, how he dealt with capturing such a difficult subject matter and the film's tricky rating.

"It's rated R, which makes it hard for a teenager to go by him or herself, so my hope is that parents do come with their kids," Schwimmer said. "There's no violence, there's no nudity. The difficult scenes are all implied, really. It's really the subject matter [that garnered the R rating]."

Schwimmer went on to say that he didn't want to compromise the intensity and integrity of the story by lightening the assault scenes or the profanity.

"I didn't want to lose the profanity, because I felt you'd lose credibility," he said. "When most parents find out that some guy has done this to their kid, they don't go, 'Oh darn, oh shucks, how did this happen?' They swear, and I think it's more believable and credible. I didn't want to alter that, and I realize it would make it more challenging for young adults to see it, but I'm hoping that parents bring their kids."

"Trust" opens Friday in New York, L.A., Chicago, Oklahoma City and Columbus, Ohio.

Check out everything we've got on "Trust."

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

'American Idol' Report Card: Haley Reinhart Comes Out Of Nowhere!

Posted: 30 Mar 2011 10:14 PM PDT

Elton John does wonders for Haley and Pia, but James and Stefano may have ruined their GPAs.
By Eric Ditzian


Haley Reinhart performs on Wednesday's "American Idol"
Photo: Michael Becker/ Fox

What a schizophrenic "American Idol" school year it has been, and our report cards have been correspondingly all over the place. One week Casey Abrams is up, a few later, he's collapsing into Ryan Seacrest's tender embrace after narrowly avoiding a trip home. Jacob Lusk and Stefano Langone have each taken their place at the head of the class, only to tumble to the low end of the grading curve.

What to make of all this GPA upheaval? Well, "Idol" is a damn hard class. Consistency from performance to performance is just as important as excellence on any given evening. And excellence we most certainly had on Wednesday, as the contestants took on Elton John's oeuvre. So too, of course, did we have singers who either didn't study hard enough or who just couldn't quite grasp the night's curriculum. Too bad. Our "Idol" report card suffers no fools. Let's get to it!

Excellent
Pia Toscano: As we explained in our preview, there was no way Pia was going to go with anything uptempo, despite everyone's pleas over the weeks. Hey, if Scotty McCreery doesn't have to ditch his country twang, should she be compelled to give up residency in Balladsville? That's a matter for debate, but during her take on "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," it was hard to complain about anything. What a voice. Seriously, what a voice!

Haley Reinhart: Let's put aside her rather amusing pre-performance reference to "hard-core bangage" and concentrate on what she accomplished during her time onstage. She killed it! As surprised as we were, she freaking killed it! She finally, fully embraced those wonderful bluesy tones and growled her way toward glory during "Bennie and the Jets." Our only fear is that it's too late for Haley to turn the tide and stick around for more than a few weeks.

Good
Scotty McCreery: We're not going to say we get it, but perhaps we're starting to enjoy it. To wit, we've ditched any notion Scotty has a desire to even shout in the direction of a country-free genre. Nor were we surprised to hear his song selection process involved nothing more than finding an Elton tune with "country" in the title. Thusly prepared, we were able to sit back and enjoy the country comfort he was selling. His fluency in the genre, at such a young age, is truly impressive. Whether or not he wins "Idol," Scotty is going to sell millions of records.

Paul McDonald: Paul learned his lesson well last week: Play the guitar, don't dance. Hooray! Sure, his "Rocket Man" started off a little slurry, and the guy has a tendency to come off creepy when he's trying to go smoldery, but we never tire of the tone of his voice. That being said, his voice simply didn't have the oomph to hit those notes that bring out goose bumps.

Lauren Alaina: We've been saying for a while Lauren is at her best when she's not racing through fast-paced tunes, attempting to keep up while jigging and jagging across the stage. In this sense, "Candle in the Wind" was a smart choice, and the arrangement gave the tune some country flavoring that washed away any residual, Princess Di-induced cheesiness. The slowed-down performance gave Lauren a chance to build, getting better as she went and finally finishing on a strong note.

Casey Abrams: Goodbye, bushy beard. Hello, reborn Casey. If there were one singer to nail the emotional aspects of Elton's music, it was Casey. Restrained, tender, satisfying. Coming off the judges' save, he followed Tom Hanks' advice in "Saving Private Ryan": "Earn this!" Earn it he did. Now keep it up, kid!

Satisfactory
Naima Adedapo: Her faux-Jamaican accent was the least of her problems. Jimmy Iovine gave the game away when he wondered if Naima could stay in tune: No, no she couldn't. The accent was a bold choice — bolder even than slapping some reggae swag on "I'm Still Standing." But while we felt the song sounded fine with its new arrangement, her accent smacked of gimmickry, a ploy to distract us. We don't think it'll work.

Thia Megia: The 16-year-old avoids a lower grade, if only because the judges have been deeply unfair to her for a few weeks in a row. Other bottom-of-the-barrel singers come in for wild praise no matter how dreadfully they perform. The judges, meanwhile, have absolutely no use for Thia; their condescension is painful to hear and unfair to air. OK, so her take on "Daniel" was pitchy as hell, with phrasing messier than a daycare playroom after snack time, and she couldn't swoop down to hit those low notes if her life depended on it. OK, so she's probably going home on Thursday. But if the judges truly don't like what she does, what the heck is she doing here in the first place?

Jacob Lusk: There's a difference between singing with emotion and singing whilst on the verge of tears — a difference Jacob doesn't seem to grasp. He's uncomfortable to watch, and not nearly pleasant enough to hear. We wanted to step slowly away from the television during his rendition of "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word." All that progress from last week, tossed out the window.

Unsatisfactory
Stefano Langone: The first thing Stefano had to contend with was a brutal intro package in which Jimmy all but announced the kid was going to bomb. The second thing he had to contend with was "Tiny Dancer"; the diminutive singer just didn't have the vocal power the tune demanded, or at least deserved. His phrasings were muddled, but at least his eyes were (mostly) open. Not that it matters much. Stefano's in trouble.

James Durbin: Not even a five-alarm fire can distract us from the fact that James' performance was fun and energetic, but useless as an example of his musical talents. He gets a freaking flaming piano? Someone's playing favorites with the contestants. Also, that reference to a Pepsi moment? Yikes! Thought shalt not speak ill of the deceased, especially not the King of Pop.

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Photos

'Harry Potter' DVD Premiere To Stream Live Monday On MTV.com!

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 05:58 AM PDT

Join us at 7 p.m. ET for interviews with your favorite 'Potter' castmembers live from the red carpet.
By Eric Ditzian


Bonnie Wright and Daniel Radcliffe in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1"
Photo: Warner Bros.

The last time MTV News hosted a "Harry Potter" live-stream event, Emma Watson offered to take off her dress and Daniel Radcliffe revealed that J.K. Rowling texted him to say she'd never write another book about the boy wizard.

Craziness! So you're not going to want to miss our next franchise live stream, which arrives Monday, April 4, as we celebrate the DVD release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1." Starting at 7 p.m. ET on MTV.com, host Josh Horowitz will be interviewing castmembers and super-fans on the red carpet, debuting exclusive footage from the film and taking a peek inside Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Discovery Times Square building in New York City.

The "Deathly Hallows" cast in attendance will include Sir Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), James Phelps (Weasley twins), Dohmnal Gleeson (Bill Weasley), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), Evanna Lynch (Luna), David Thewliss (Lupin) and Nat Tena (Tonks), plus producers David Heyman and David Baron and many more.

During the live stream, the stars will also be answering fan questions, which you can submit on MTV.com or via Twitter (using @MTVNews and the hashtag #askpotter). Before the theatrical release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" in July, this will be your chance to get up close and personal with your favorite castmembers.

So be sure to lock in on MTV.com this Monday, April 4, at 7 p.m. ET for our live-stream presentation of the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1" DVD premiere.

Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

Related Videos Related Photos

Wiz Khalifa Says Snoop Dogg Advises Him To 'Boss Up'

Posted: 31 Mar 2011 12:12 AM PDT

Rapper opens up about 'High School' collaborator on 'RapFix Live.'
By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway


Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Sohyung Kang / MTV News

Snoop Dogg always walked his own path as a youngin' in the game. And now that the veteran rapper has taken Wiz Khalifa under his wing, his advice to the upstart isn't very different from his own mantra.

According to the "Black and Yellow" star, Snoop told him to keep doing what he's been doing.

"He just always told me to stick to what I know, 'cause I know myself the best," Wiz said during his appearance on MTV News' "RapFix Live." "And [he told me to] boss up in every opportunity that I get. Those are mainly the two key points that stick out.

"Snoop is a big fan of what I do and, of course, he's a legend to me and it's just an honor for him to be talking about me, speaking so highly of me and sharing the same views. I witnessed his career, and there was a time when my dad wouldn't want me listening to Snoop. But as time went on and he got to see who Snoop was as a businessman and other avenues of life, then he really grew to respect him. I feel like, as long as I do me, like Dogg says, in time people will get it."

The two green-friendly rappers joined forces late last year for Wiz's "Black and Yellow" remix and later announced they would be shooting a movie together called "High School."

"We decided to go ahead and say, 'You know what? Let's do a movie and a soundtrack and just become, you know, bosom buddies and do what we do 'cause we love what we do and we love each other and at the same time, we know what the people want,' " Snoop explained. "The people want to see the two generations come together where hip-hop ain't about old school and new school. It's just about good music and making good moves and putting something out there that's classic where people can respect it and say, 'Yeah, so now, this was some gangsta sh-- that really made hip-hop gradually grow to another level.' "

Are you looking forward to seeing Wiz and Snoop join forces for "High School"? Tell us below!

Related Videos Related Artists
Diposting oleh computer game di 05.37

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

Langganan: Posting Komentar (Atom)