MTV News |
- 'Lady Gaga: Inside The Outside' Aimed To 'Peel Back The Surface'
- Lil Wayne Producer Was 'Shocked' MC Chose 'How To Love'
- Lee DeWyze Speaks Out About 'American Idol' Dis
- 'Hangover Part II' Stars Call Bangkok A 'Tropical Metropolis'
- Lady Gaga's Loyalty Applauded Following MTV's 'Inside The Outside'
- MTV Movie Awards Mania Kicks Off With Sneak Peek Week
- 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds: Scotty McCreery Wins It For The Kids
- Rick Ross Talks 'Great Relationship' With Lil Wayne, Cash Money
- 'Hangover Part II': The Reviews Are In!
- Judas Priest Call James Durbin 'Idol' Cover 'Dream Come True'
- MTV Movie Awards: A Peek Inside The Gift Bag
- 'Kung Fu Panda 2': The Reviews Are In!
- Scotty McCreery's 'American Idol' Win: Experts Weigh In
- Adam Lambert Making His 'Dream Album'
- Rick Ross Explains Why He Took Maybach Music To Warner Music Group
- Lady Gaga Says Fans 'Changed My Life' In MTV Special
- 'So You Think You Can Dance' Returns With Mary Murphy, Contortionists
- 'American Idol' Fans Divided Over Scotty McCreery Win
- 'Hangover Part II' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know
- 'American Idol' Finale Ratings Up 17 Percent Over Season Nine
| 'Lady Gaga: Inside The Outside' Aimed To 'Peel Back The Surface' Posted: 27 May 2011 03:53 AM PDT Director Davi Russo recalls Gaga's crucial wardrobe swap during MTV documentary taping.
When he was tapped to direct "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside," Davi Russo knew he was going to get an opportunity to do something all Little Monsters dream of: spend hours with Mother Monster and ask her practically anything. But he probably never thought he'd also be giving her wardrobe advice. Though, as soon as filming began, he quickly realized that would be part of his responsibilities too. Luckily, like Gaga, Russo is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Brooklyn, and he currently lives on the Lower East Side, the same place Gaga haunted during her formative years. And so, though he'd just met her, he felt like the two shared enough background for him to offer a few sartorial suggestions.
"She came out in this majestic, pink [outfit], high-heels, full-on gown, with a bow, about yay big," he laughed, holding his hands a foot apart above his head, during "Lady Gaga: The After-Show." "And when we wanted to frame the shot, we wanted to live inside with her, because we wanted to give this feeling of intimacy, and we said, 'Oh my God, she has this 12-inch bow on her head!' And I'm thinking, 'Oh, God, we have to reposition our cameras ... ' "So, just immediately, during the haze of stuff, I just got as close as I could, and I said, 'Hey, you know, I want to kind of talk to you about New York and where you're from and where I'm from,' " he continued. "And she said, 'You want to talk about the neighborhood?' And I said, 'Yeah,' and she said, 'Oh my God, I need five minutes, I need to go get changed!' And she gets up, exits, and 15 minutes later, she comes out in this amazing, punk-rock, black leather jacket. Very cool." And Gaga's ability to roll with the punches wasn't the only thing Russo learned during his time with the pop star. He came in reading all the same things we do, and he had no idea that, beneath all the glitter, she's really a DIY kind of girl. "Again, it's so easy just to see the surface of things, and I think that's maybe the biggest misconception that a lot of people who may not be fans [have of her, that she's artificial]," he said. "Myself included. I didn't know much about her going into it, [but] I try to always peel back the surface, to see the real person, and the interview gave us the opportunity to really see that. And she's just like me; she has red blood, breathes the same air, and everything else. She's human." What was the biggest thing you learned about Lady Gaga from "Inside the Outside"? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos |
| Lil Wayne Producer Was 'Shocked' MC Chose 'How To Love' Posted: 27 May 2011 03:53 AM PDT Detail talks to MTV News about brand-new Tha Carter IV ballad that finds the Young Money captain crooning.
Be it rap, rock or pop, Lil Wayne is on a mission to stretch the boundaries of his music. Just ask Detail, the producer behind Weezy's new Tha Carter IV single "How to Love." "Wayne is a rock star and he's up for any challenge in the world as long as it feels right," he told MTV News. "He don't ever really discriminate on talent and people; if it feels right, he's up for the challenge."
There was certainly no shying away from breaking new ground on "How to Love." The track features an acoustic guitar lick and a subdued drum pattern. Over it, Wayne sings about topics far sweeter than what his fans may be accustomed to hearing from him. Detail, who went to visit Wayne in Miami after the Young Money CEO was released from his eight-month prison bid, says that the song was recorded in MIA during a session last November. "We created it in a very organic way; he's a very organic person," said Detail, who also writes songs and performs. "Me and my production team created a couple of tunes that we could deliver to him. I was shocked on his response on that song. Once he responded to it, it wasn't nothing to it but to do it." The Detroit producer actually used Lil Wayne and Birdman's 2006 single "Leather So Soft" as inspiration for "How to Love." "The crazy part about it was I know Wayne plays guitar. If y'all ever seen the I Am Music Tour, he be playing the guitar. So we created something that was like 'Leather So Soft,' where he could rock out with the guitar. "We're visual with that type of stuff, so we just created a simple guitar riff that he can play on tour as well, over some 808s, a smooth ballad type of a beat," he explained. "It wasn't nothing special, it was just something that felt strong. That was the type of record that would rock in his iPod and rock in my iPod for days and days and days before the world got a chance to experience the pleasure of something with such organic-ness." What do you think of Wayne crooning on "How to Love"? Tell us in the comments! |
| Lee DeWyze Speaks Out About 'American Idol' Dis Posted: 27 May 2011 05:05 AM PDT Last year's champ says he wasn't asked to be involved in finale until the last minute.
The controversy over whether or not Lauren Alaina would be able to perform because of a torn vocal cord (manufactured drama? true curtain-time nail-biter?) wasn't the only one swirling around "American Idol" in the lead up to Wednesday's finale. Supporters of season-nine champ Lee DeWyze were up in arms that the singer wasn't asked to take part in the final show, as is usually the custom with past winners. Instead, he was reduced to standing meekly in the background, often just over Ryan Seacrest's shoulder as the host emceed the event. It was not a good look for a former "Idol" with lackluster album sales. Following the show, though, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe took to Twitter to make clear he had, in fact, asked DeWyze to join in the fun. "I was so upset Lee DeWyze wouldn't present the winner's trophy to Scotty," he wrote. "Especially as he'd been on the show this season. I guess he was shy." What Lythgoe failed to note, it seems, is the circumstances of that invitation. DeWyze himself hopped on Twitter to clear the air and set the record straight in one extended message. "Hey everyone, first off I want to say congrats to Scotty & Lauren, awesome job," Lee began. "Well done, Scotty! Secondly, just for the record... I was not asked to be involved in the finale. It wasn't until about 2 minutes before they announced that Nigel had approached me and asked if he could 'borrow' me for a second. "I didn't feel a last second jump onstage was appropriate," he continued. "It was Scotty's moment. I appreciate 'American Idol,' and the opportunity it has given me. And the people who have made that show possible. I am not angry, or bitter etc. It was an amazing finale, and I would have loved to be a part of it. I just wasn't asked." Staying above the fray and declining to take any shots at Lythgoe, DeWyze concluded his tweet, "Good luck to all the contestants and stay true to yourself. Thanks everyone for your support, tour coming up... Good times :) I'll talk to you all soon. Love ya!" Were you disappointed that Lee DeWyze didn't participate in the finale? Share your thoughts in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Hangover Part II' Stars Call Bangkok A 'Tropical Metropolis' Posted: 27 May 2011 03:53 AM PDT 'It's just so colorful and eclectic and stimulating and overwhelming,' Ed Helms tells MTV News.
For those getting ready to see "The Hangover Part II" this weekend, there are a few things we'd like you to know about the film before settling into your seat with your popcorn. First, check out our handy cheat sheet on the film. Next, we have a few fun details straight from the stars themselves — Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis — who have discussed Cooper's head-shaving skills and promised "a lot more comedy" in the second installment.
There is also the new-and-improved setting of Bangkok, Thailand. When we caught up with the actors recently, we asked them to describe filming on location in Bangkok. "Bangkok is a tropical metropolis," Helms said. "It is very hot and steamy, incredibly urban, [there are] huge skyscrapers mixed in with abject poverty right tucked around it. It's totally mind-blowing." "[It's a] Buddhist culture," Cooper jumped in. "Buddhist/Muslim." "It's just an unbelievably dense place," Helms continued. "And it's just so colorful and eclectic and stimulating and overwhelming that even as a tourist with nothing to do but have fun, it's overwhelming. When you're trying to work there, it's brutal." The boys then briefly debated how many people live in the city: 9 million, according to Helms, 12 million, according to Galifianakis (according to the U.N., it's 9.3 million). "It also sounds like a 13-year-old tourist named everything," Galifianakis added with a grin, before naming a few familiar Bangkok-ian colloquialisms. "Bangkok, ladyboy, pu pu platter," he listed, trailing off into a few giggles. Check out everything we've got on "The Hangover Part II." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Lady Gaga's Loyalty Applauded Following MTV's 'Inside The Outside' Posted: 26 May 2011 11:25 PM PDT 'As a friend and as a fan, she's so loyal to what she likes and who she loves,' Semi Precious Weapons' Justin Tranter tells MTV News.
Underneath the layers of over-the-top outfits and catchy dance tunes, Lady Gaga has always remained loyal to her friends, family and army of Little Monsters. That was just one of many points made in the MTV documentary "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside," which dove into Gaga's pre- and post-fame life. During "Lady Gaga: The After-Show," MTV News' James Montgomery chatted with many of the singer's confidants, including Semi Precious Weapons frontman Justin Tranter, Lady Starlight, documentary director Davi Russo and producer Fernando Garibay.
As the opening act for her worldwide Monster Ball Tour, Tranter knows more than anyone about the singer's devotion, calling her "the most loyal friend you could ever ask for." "We've been so desperately wanting to be a band for so long and busting our asses, and for Gaga to put her foot down as the biggest star in the world and insist that this really f---ing loud rock band fronted by a man in heels needs to open for her all over the world shows her character," Tranter said of the singer, who used to open for his band before she hit it big. "As a friend and as a fan, she's so loyal to what she likes and who she loves." Gaga's longtime friend and early performing partner Lady Starlight also chimed in on the pop star's devotion since before her fame years, praising the singer for always giving credit where it's due. "She's always ... talked about me and given me credit for anything we worked on together," Starlight told us via Skype. "And you don't see people coming out after, like, their first album, when they're trying to prove themselves, so willing to give exposure to the people who they care about and who influence them and who they work with. That's unprecedented." Russo echoed those sentiments about Gaga's bond to friends like Starlight and Tranter. "It's just refreshing and inspiring to know. ... It's like the people you really come up with are the people you still surround yourself with, regardless of what's happening," Russo said of the singer. "I can't say that about so many people, unfortunately." How does Lady Gaga show her loyalty to her Little Monsters? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| MTV Movie Awards Mania Kicks Off With Sneak Peek Week Posted: 26 May 2011 02:37 AM PDT Stars of 'Fright Night,' 'The Help' and more stop by next week for live interviews and exclusive clips.
Each year, we jam 12 months' worth of movie magic into just one day for the MTV Movie Awards. This time around, there's simply too much Golden Popcorn goodness to contain, so we're opening up things with a full five days of cinematic treats that we call MTV Movie Awards Sneak Peek Week. Starting on Monday, May 30, and running through Friday, June 3, we'll be bringing you exclusive looks at some of this summer's hottest films, including "Fright Night," "Horrible Bosses" and more. Each night at 11 p.m. ET, we'll welcome a film's cast onto MTV to present an exclusive clip. Then you can continue the live conversation with the stars online, as our own Josh Horowitz hosts an extended chat with the talent. As always, you'll have the chance to ask the stars your own questions; just tweet at @MTVNews using the hashtag #SPW. It's all building up to the Movie Awards themselves, which will be hosted by Jason Sudeikis and air live on Sunday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California. On Monday, we'll be sitting down with "Fright Night" star Christopher Mintz-Plasse and director Craig Gillespie for an early glimpse at this horror remake. Mintz-Plasse and Anton Yelchin play high school seniors who get pulled into their neighbor's creepy world, eventually finding out that the stranger (Colin Farrell) is a vampire preying on the town. The next night, the stars and director of "The Art of Getting By," a Sundance fave earlier this year, will be stopping by. Emma Roberts, Michael Angarano, Elizabeth Reaser and director Gavin Wiesen will introduce a clip, then stick around to discuss their indie about a lonely student (Freddie Highmore) and the unlikely friendship he strikes up with Roberts' charismatic and complicated teen girl. Wednesday brings us what's sure to be one of the funniest comedies of the summer. "Horrible Bosses" director Seth Gordon will present an exclusive clip before diving into a chat about how Jason Bateman and his onscreen cohorts hatch a plan to kill their nasty workplace superiors. Then on Thursday, Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard will jump into the action in support of "The Help." Based on the #1 New York Times best-seller, the film stars Stone as an unlikely civil-rights activist in '60s-era Mississippi. Finally on Friday, the folks behind action-comedy "30 Minutes or Less" will bring Sneak Peek Week to a close. Stars Aziz Ansari, Michael Peña and director Ruben Fleischer will be on hand for the festivities, and stars Jesse Eisenberg and Danny McBride will deliver a special message for fans. The flick follows Eisenberg's pizza delivery boy, who's kidnapped and forced to rob a small-town bank. After this week-long warm-up, the main event kicks off on Sunday, June 5. At this year's Movie Awards, "Eclipse" (eight nominations) will be facing off against "Inception" (seven noms) and "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1" (six noms). Voting in all the categories, from Best Kiss to Best Fight to Best Scared-as-S**t Performance and beyond, is currently under way over at MovieAwards.MTV.com. Voting is set to close on June 4. But voting for Best Movie will stay open through the show itself, meaning you have the chance to affect the night's biggest winner up until the very last minute. The 20th annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET. Related Videos |
| 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds: Scotty McCreery Wins It For The Kids Posted: 26 May 2011 08:26 AM PDT As the youngest top two in 'Idol' history awaited their fates, the guest-stars got a little dirty for the finale.
"American Idol" season 10 has drawn to a close, and while Scotty McCreery was still digesting all that confetti he ate on Wednesday night, we here at MTV News were working around the clock to bring you news from the big finale, including Thursday's "Idol Party Live" (streaming live right here on MTV.com at 12 p.m. ET) and "Idol" in 60 Seconds, the script of which you can peruse below while you watch the video:
On Tuesday night, Fox televised a Southern junior high school talent show. Yes, season 10 came down to Scotty McCreery and his smirk versus Lauren Alaina and her doctor. There were songs about teenage love, and moms, and the civil war and ... I'm so sorry, guys, I'm trying, but me and country music go together like Haley Reinhart and pants. On Wednesday, producers booked only the biggest, most contemporary pop stars for the big finish: Gaga, Beyoncé, Tony Bennett, Tom Jones ... Gaga, Beyoncé. And after every guest star from stage and screen and total f---ing catastrophe [shot of "Spider-man"] finished their cameo, Ryan Seacrest did this. [Montage of Seacrest plugging all the guest stars' projects.] Wow, if "Idol" did this good a job promoting their own artists, Lee DeWyze might be selling records. Unless you were a fan of James Durbin's armpits, the night was really all about the big winner, Scotty, and runner-up Lauren, the two youngest "Idol" finalists ever, so producers made this finale especially family-friendly. [Gaga gets busy with a dancer.] [J.Lo shakes her booty.] [Beyoncé sings, "Let's make love! Make love!"] Or not. But give "Idol" some credit for still trying to kickstart David Archuleta's puberty. Ding! Don't miss a special edition of "Idol Party Live" Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, finale red-carpet coverage and the last "Idol in 60 Seconds" of season 10. 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. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Rick Ross Talks 'Great Relationship' With Lil Wayne, Cash Money Posted: 26 May 2011 06:02 AM PDT 'It's really like me being at home with my brothers when it comes to Birdman and Lil Wayne,' Ross says.
Through the years, Rick Ross has developed a strong relationship with Cash Money and Lil Wayne. This year Ross toured with Wayne on the first leg of his I Am Still Music Tour, and he's already kicked around the idea of a joint album with Birdman and appeared on his fair share of songs with the YMCMB roster.
During this week's "RapFix Live," the Boss spoke to host Sway about his relationship with Wayne and his favorite memory from his I Am Still Music run. "The very first night the tour kicked off, just being backstage and me having a great relationship with Cash Money," he revealed. "So it's really like me being at home with my brothers when it comes to Birdman and Lil Wayne." Rozay and Weezy currently appear together on DJ Khaled's brand-new "I'm On One," Ross' "9 Piece (Remix)" and, of course, Wayne's Tha Carter IV street single "John." For "John," Wayne found inspiration in "I'm Not a Star," the opening track from Ross' 2010 Teflon Don. "When [Wayne] first came home [from jail] he was like, 'That '"I'm Not a Star," that's one of my favorite joints, let's do something in that vibe,' " Ross recalled. "I'm like, 'Easy.' He actually gave me the track and I was like, 'Wow, this is too easy.' " With Tha Carter IV scheduled to drop on June 21 and the Colin Tilley-directed "John" clip in rotation and video outlets, Ross is excited for the future. "Sitting in the studio at the Hit factory in Miami, I remember him just playing joints off his album and us constantly going back to that joint and I was just like, 'It's gonna be a hot summer.' " What's your favorite Ross and Weezy track? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'Hangover Part II': The Reviews Are In! Posted: 26 May 2011 03:06 AM PDT 'The stock dismissal 'more of the same' has rarely been more accurately applied to a sequel,' one reviewer writes.
By this point, if anyone is still doubting whether "The Hangover Part II" will be a massive worldwide hit, Wednesday's midnight screenings should quiet skeptics. Warner Bros. announced that the follow-up to 2009's record-smashing hit roped in $10.4 million in those early showings, setting a new midnight opening record for an R-rated film on its way to what many are predicting will become a $125 million opening over the five-day holiday weekend.
All this box-office talk gets even more impressive when you note reviews for the film have been decidedly mixed. While the first "Hangover" won over both critics and moviegoers, the sequel is currently languishing at just a 31 percent approval at the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator. Critics have pointed out how the second film follows the plot points of the original far too closely. They've also argued that the sequel simply isn't as funny as the first. Other reviews, however, are still getting a kick out of watching the Wolf Pack flail and fail all over again, similarities are not. Read on for a deep dive into the "Hangover Part II" reviews: The Story The Laughs The Performances The Comparison The Final Word Check out everything we've got on "The Hangover Part II." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Judas Priest Call James Durbin 'Idol' Cover 'Dream Come True' Posted: 26 May 2011 01:25 AM PDT 'He's got such an extraordinary voice,' frontman Rob Halford tells MTV News of JD's 'You've Got Another Thing Coming.'
"American Idol" contestants have been known to cover iconic songs by industry staples, and that was the case when finalist James Durbin rocked out to Judas Priest's classic "You've Got Another Thing Coming" earlier in season 10.
MTV News caught up with the heavy metal band on the red carpet for Wednesday's star-studded "Idol" finale, and the bandmates praised the young rocker for pushing the metal genre. "Because we've lived so long and done so much stuff in heavy metal and we've seen so many crazy things and heard so many crazy things, when we heard this we went, 'F---! That's incredible, man. Let's do it, you know? This is insane. That's just amazing,' " frontman Rob Halford explained of their reaction to getting "Idol" exposure. "So as it progressed from 'Another Thing Coming' till this point now, when we're on the carpet and we're about to do the show, it's just a dream come true for Priest, for metal and, mostly, for James Durbin." Asked if there was any trepidation about letting Durbin take on their 1982 hit, guitarist Glenn Tipton said, "None whatsoever, I mean, if you look at what James has done for heavy metal, you've got to say thank you, you know? It's just bringing metal to the front, making it, metal, accessible for people. It's a good thing." Since the "Idol" contestant's rendition of the Judas Priest tune, the acts have become quite friendly with each other, even exchanging personal stories over dinner earlier this week. As for whether the heavy metal world will ever see a collaboration between the fourth-place finalist and the British band, Halford was optimistic, saying,"Yeah, anything's possible." "We just wish him all the best," he added. "He's got such an extraordinary voice. He's got such a genuine and lovable personality. He's the real deal, James, and we wish him the best. Good for you, James!" Would you like to see James and Judas Priest work on a song together? Tell us in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| MTV Movie Awards: A Peek Inside The Gift Bag Posted: 26 May 2011 02:20 AM PDT 'Twilight' styling brushes will greet celebrities at June 5 show.
If it's not enough to know that all of your favorite stars will be attending, presenting or performing at this year's MTV Movie Awards — which they will be — MTV News will be all over the event: behind the scenes, front and center, everywhere, to bring you the most exclusive insider information. Here, we have a sneak peek at the official 2011 Movie Awards gift bag, which will be presented to celebrities at the show. This year's gift bag features a bevy of products from name-brand companies including Starbucks, Casio, Murad, Mattel, Ralph Lauren Fragrances and Lacoste. There are too many goodies to name, but a few of the highlights include a $50 Starbucks card, Ralph Lauren Fragrances' Big Pony Collection scents for men and the Romance & Summer Romance for women, a Kobo eReader loaded with 100 books, a Casio TRYX camera, and a two-night stay and specially designed bag from Andaz 5th Avenue. "Twilight" fans might be excited to learn that Pro Beauty Tools is gifting celebrities with a bunch of their professional hair-styling tools, the standout being the styling brush used on the set of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" leads the Golden Popcorn nominations this year with eight nods — including Best Movie, Best Fight and Best Kiss — narrowly besting the dream thieves of "Inception" (seven nods) and the wizards of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" (six nods). All three films have been nominated for Best Movie and will compete with "Black Swan" (four nods) and "The Social Network"(five nods) for the night's top prize. The list of presenters on the show keeps growing too, currently including Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Patrick Dempsey, Cameron Diaz, Jason Segel, Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride, Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester and Katie Cassidy, with more appearances and performers to be announced soon. The 2011 MTV Movie Awards will be hosted by actor/comedian Jason Sudeikis and will be broadcast live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on Sunday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET on MTV. Related Photos |
| 'Kung Fu Panda 2': The Reviews Are In! Posted: 26 May 2011 04:17 AM PDT One reviewer calls sequel 'both meditative and immensely entertaining.'
Over at MTV Movies Blog, we've already laid out the five reasons you need to see "Kung Fu Panda 2." From Jack Black's manically hilarious turn as Po to some wickedly creative fight scenes, this sequel is a ton of fun. But hey, don't just take our word for it. Reviewers are riding high on this animal adventure, a follow-up to DreamWorks' 2008 animated hit, celebrating the lush visuals and the top-notch voice performance Black delivers. Dissenters are few and far between, and their criticisms read more like nitpicking and fail to acknowledge that kids will undoubtedly get a kick out of this flick.
The Story The Performances The Visuals The Dissenters The Final Word Check out everything we've got on "Kung Fu Panda 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Scotty McCreery's 'American Idol' Win: Experts Weigh In Posted: 26 May 2011 01:25 AM PDT 'It was hard to derail that Scotty train,' TVLine.com's Michael Slezak tells MTV News.
Like much of America, TVLine.com "Idol" recapper Michael Slezak was none too surprised that Scotty McCreery took home the "American Idol" crown on Wednesday night.
"Scotty has looked like the winner of 'Idol' for the last six or seven weeks," Slezak said. "It was a strange season, because not since season five has the race been this wide open." Once the season 10 competition got down to the final four, Slezak said it felt like it could have been anyone's game, with James Durbin, Haley Reinhart or Lauren Alaina snatching the title from McCreery if they had put up that one magical performance. "If one of them had blown the doors off in the last few weeks, there was a chance to beat Scotty," he said. "But conventional wisdom won out. He was just so consistent and charming week in and out. It was hard to derail that Scotty train." As for whether the fourth male champion in a row is a good thing for "Idol" considering the diminishing returns that began with season-seven winner David Cook's respectable debut, followed by Kris Allen's less-impressive numbers and Lee DeWyze's outright bomb, Slezak said 17-year-old McCreery is actually right in the pocket for what is going on in music now. "Youth is where it's at in the music scene," he said. "Whether you like it or not, radio and media continue to gravitate toward younger and younger artists — Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift — so it won't hurt him being young." And while that theory would suggest that a 16-year-old Lauren Alaina would have been an even better choice given the success of tweens like Willow Smith, Slezak said Scotty was a better bet because of his maturity and self-assurance, something Alaina hasn't quite fully developed. "He also just seems like a nice kid when you watch him completely break down in tears during his hometown visit and again last night," Slezak said. "It humanized him. He's not a machine-like boy who picks off notes with robotic perfection." "Idol" blogger MJ Santilli said the combination of maturity and confidence should help McCreery put together a solid debut, especially in light of how consistently he stuck with his signature sound on the show. "Scotty seems to know, even at a young age, what kind of artist he is," Santilli said. "And he seems to be a real traditionalist when it comes to country music. I would expect more of an old-school vibe from Scotty when he finally releases an album — but with a contemporary twist. His people will need to help him develop his own sound. There were too many comparisons to other singers, like Josh Turner, during Scotty's run on the show. Now it's time for the young 'Idol' winner to define himself apart from the country pack." Slezak agreed, predicting that McCreery will do very well in his post-"Idol" career and possibly break the chain of lackluster returns from his male predecessors. In a year that saw the departure of lead judge Simon Cowell and uncertainty about how new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez would fit in, the franchise needed a huge winner this year, and McCreery seems like the likeliest one to have a big splash when he releases his debut later this year. "Haley was more of a wild card, but you know what Scotty will do, and the music industry loves to put people in a box," Slezak said. "If they get good songs — and with the team [Interscope boss Jimmy Iovine] has lined up, I can't see how they wouldn't — he should do fine." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Adam Lambert Making His 'Dream Album' Posted: 26 May 2011 01:25 AM PDT Ryan Tedder, Nikka Costa and Sia help create 'honest and real' follow-up to For Your Entertainment.
Adam Lambert's debut album, 2009's For Your Entertainment, was very much a product of his time on "American Idol" — written and produced by a hand-picked team of hitmakers, it was the kind of the thing the folks at 19 Entertainment wanted to hear. So it's somewhat understandable that, on his follow-up disc, Lambert is very much determined to make the kind of album he wants to hear.
"I think I've probably written about 18 to 20 songs. I've been spending the past two and a half months in the studio," Lambert told MTV News on the red carpet of Wednesday's "Idol" finale in Los Angeles. "I'm writing most of the material with people myself this time ... I'm really involved. It's really exciting because I think I'm making my dream album. I know that sounds a bit clichéd, but I'm making exactly what I want to listen to." That echoes the sentiments Lambert shared with us earlier this year, when he said he was taking his time to work on his new album, and that the goal was to "write the most personal songs, the most powerful songs. I really want it to be something that's really honest and real." Helping him achieve that goal are a variety of seasoned pros — Ryan Tedder, Nikka Costa and Sia, to name just a few — and while there's still no release date for the album, Lambert said he's in no rush. He's enjoying the writing process, and getting an education in songwriting in the process. "I'm learning so much from everybody, so that's probably the best part," he said. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Rick Ross Explains Why He Took Maybach Music To Warner Music Group Posted: 26 May 2011 09:56 AM PDT 'We needed a situation that understood that we could make music at a much quicker rate than a lot of people do,' Ross tells 'RapFix Live.'
They don't call Rick Ross the Boss for nothing! When it was time to secure distribution for his Maybach Music Group, instead of signing his label over at Def Jam, where he already has a solo artist deal, Rozay made an executive decision and took MMG over to Warner Music Group. "You know, as a boss you gotta make certain things happen and that's what I was able to do. Me, as a solo artist, we're still at Def Jam Records, I have another album or two. But me being an executive, me being a boss, Maybach Music, I had an opportunity to sow my royal oats," Ross told Sway on Wednesday's "RapFix Live."
Rozay weighed his options and in the end needed a distributor that could keep up with his musical output. "We needed a situation that understood that we could make music at a much quicker rate than a lot of people do. And I wanted to put out music at that same rate," he said. "I think it's obviously, since we closed the deal, maybe a little more than two months later, here we are today, Self Made in stores. "It's constant meetings and discussions and attorney hours. I got great relationships over at Def Jam, so I was pretty much getting my words across. It basically just came down to what was best for Maybach Music and Warner." With label offers from Cash Money and Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records, the Teflon Don decided to take his imprint over to WMG in February. After getting new signees Wale, Meek Mill and Pill in place, the Boss put the label's first compilation, Self Made, on the fast track. Ross wasn't able to bring his group Triple Cs over to WMG, however. Due to a previously signed contract, the three-man group consisting of Gunplay, Torch and Young Bleed will remain over at Def Jam but will still rep MMG. The MMG CEO finds inspiration in the speed in which he was able to secure the deal and release Self Made. He expects a busy future for Maybach Music and Warner. "Us executing this album the way we did and the way we have is a great example and something to build on as a company and something to look forward to," he said. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Says Fans 'Changed My Life' In MTV Special Posted: 26 May 2011 04:21 AM PDT The pop superstar describes her Little Monsters as 'a giant disco ball' in 'Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside,' airing tonight on MTV.
Lady Gaga is perhaps a bigger fan of her fans than they are of her. She never passes up a chance to thank her Little Monsters for helping her go from scrappy New York performer to legitimate pop superstar. That appreciation is expressed in the MTV documentary "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside," airing tonight at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
During the hour-long, exclusive chat, Gaga goes into great detail about her life in New York, her rise to fame, her love for her family and how she began to grow a fanbase on the Lower East Side of New York City thanks to her outlandish stage persona and the way people connected to it. While she's performing to bigger crowds these days, she remains grounded and her gratitude to the people who have bought her records and tickets to her shows seems undying. "The biggest surprise to me has been my relationship with my fans," she explains in the special. "They've changed my life. The fans are the thing that you can't learn; they were the instrument in the music that nobody taught me about." Mother Monster likens her fans to one of the key parts of her aesthetic. "They're a giant disco ball — thousands of tiny little mirrors," she says. "The commercial success that I've had has been mind-blowing. I'm the girl that everyone said 'no' and shook their head and said, 'I don't get it.' " Well, her fans got it and that love goes both ways. Earlier this week, MTV News caught up with some of Gaga's Little Monsters at a Born This Way album signing and they sang her praises as well. "Being a Little Monster is about letting out your inner freak," Jen Finnegan, an aspiring musician, explained to us about Gaga's influence. "[It's letting out] everything that you are and everything that you want to be through Lady Gaga and her music." Don't miss "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside" to hear Mother Monster herself open up about the creative forces behind her generation-defining career. Our exclusive documentary airs Thursday, May 26, at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, followed by a live stream on MTV.com hosted by MTV News' James Montgomery and featuring special guests Lady Starlight, Justin Tranter from Semi Precious Weapons, documentary director Davi Russo, producer Fernando Garibay and Gaga's biggest Little Monsters. Related Videos Related Artists |
| 'So You Think You Can Dance' Returns With Mary Murphy, Contortionists Posted: 25 May 2011 11:59 PM PDT Judge Nigel Lythgoe says season eight features 'more interesting' auditions and an emphasis on street dancers.
As has become custom for several years, the echoes of the "American Idol" finale are still ringing our ears as Fox rolls out the first episode of "So You Think You Can Dance" on Thursday night (May 26) at 8 p.m. ET. But before we feast our eyes upon season eight's auditions, MTV News managed to get executive producer/judge Nigel Lythgoe and judge Mary Murphy to give us a little hint about what to expect this year.
"It truly is a much more interesting auditioning process this year because the kids are bringing something so new," said Lythgoe, who's been juggling his "American Idol" exec-producing duties with "SYTYCD" and its U.K. version. "Lots of different styles: turfing, this contortionism that looks like they're going to be dancing in the movie 'The Exorcist.' It's terribly exciting. Made Mary sick, didn't it, a few times." Fortunately for fans of the loud, enthusiastic ballroom expert, Mary isn't actually sick anymore. After taking a season off to be treated for thyroid cancer, the hot tamale train is up and running again. "I'm completely cancer-free right now, I'm happy to report, and doing fantastic," she told us. "It wasn't easy sitting at home [last season], I can tell you, judging from my chair." Nigel said he actually missed Mary making his ears bleed with her excited comments on the judges' table. "And what's happened now with Mary's vocal cords is, she has gone from being the loudness of a jet engine to the loudness of a hairdryer, so it's eased a bit," he joked. Another mix of new and old this season will be the format. After hearing complaints about last year's format, which narrowed the contestants down to 11 before the live voting rounds (instead of 20) and paired the dancers with "all-stars" from past seasons instead of with each other, Lythgoe said they're changing things up again. "A lot of people were unhappy, unjustifiably to begin with, unhappy that we went to this all-star situation and [said], 'We want to see a top 20,' and 'We want to see them grow,' and 'We want to see the chemistry,' " he admitted, so they decided, "OK, let's try that this year. Let's do a top 20 and then introduce the all-stars into the top 10 and see if we can have the best of both worlds." "It'll be great with the two things together," Murphy agreed. "The people that like the old format, it's back. The people that like the all-stars, fantastic." After heading up a star-studded season of "American Idol," Lythgoe is spicing up "SYTYCD" with a few celebs too. "Will.i.am is going to come on and be a guest judge," he said. "I worked with him on 'Idol,' and he really has got so much knowledge about music and dance. [He] has got the eye for dance and rhythm and everything." And what about the dancers we'll see this season? Of course, they couldn't go into detail about the contestants, but Nigel did offer some hints. "We've invested a lot into street and hip-hop this year, more than contemporary," he said. "The contemporary kids are obviously formally trained and will find other styles a little easier. But if the street kids come through they're going to be very exciting." |
| 'American Idol' Fans Divided Over Scotty McCreery Win Posted: 26 May 2011 09:03 AM PDT 'Scotty is absolutely the break-out star of 'American Idol,' ' commenter Jenny Jinx writes.
We will never know the vote total, but it's safe to assume that Scotty McCreery won "American Idol" by a comfortable margin on Wednesday night, despite a late push from his teenage pal and competitor Lauren Alaina.
The Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles erupted in cheers and celebration when the news was revealed at the end of the two-hour star-studded broadcast, prompting 17-year-old McCreery to break down in tears as he took in the enormity of the moment. But it wasn't all confetti, streamers and bro hugs in MTV News' comments sections. While a number of comments praised the former grocery clerk's rise from obscurity in Garner, North Carolina, to the Hollywood spotlight, others weren't so sure what kind of career Scotty will have. "Country is huge, right songs, image and the rest is/can be gold," wrote Adamah M. on MTV's Facebook page, with Jennifer H. adding, "the country music community is pretty welcoming. I think he'll do great. Congratulations to him, his family, friends and fans." The love was also flowing on MTV's Twitter feed, where NishDubb offered, "Awww ... I'm glad Scotty won 'American Idol.' NC's got 2 winners now. Although I'm not a fan of country music, Scotty sang very well every week." The Facebook fans weren't all sunshine and joy though, with Shant B. predicting that Scotty would not "have a successful career," lamenting that Alaina or Haley Reinhart should have won, a sentiment echoed by a number of other commenters. A few said McCeery would just "fade away" and will not go far, or certainly not as far as Alaina might have. "He's not going to see much success beyond the country music genre/format," Tim J. wrote. "I can't really imagine his songs getting any pop/CHR radio airplay because he just sounds far too country. At least Lauren (and other girls from AI, such as Carrie Underwood or Kellie Pickler) had some degree of crossover appeal for the pop format." Given the lackluster returns for the past few "Idol" winners, Krissy S. feared that McCreery could go the way of such non-starters as last year's Lee DeWyze. "I can't stand his voice," she wrote. "And every time there is a new winner on 'American Idol' ... you never hear from them again." But Scotty would surely be interested in the multiple laudatory comments posted by one Jenny Jinx, who said confidently, "Scotty is absolutely the break-out star of 'American Idol.' There was no doubt in my mind that he would win! I knew he would because he is a natural and has a unique voice." Don't miss a special edition of "Idol Party Live" Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, finale red-carpet coverage and the last "Idol in 60 Seconds" of season 10. 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. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Hangover Part II' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Posted: 26 May 2011 09:03 AM PDT With the comedy sequel premiering on Thursday (May 26), we prepare you for what to expect when the 'Hangover' boys head to Bangkok.
" 'The Hangover' was lightning in a bottle," director Todd Phillips told us back in September of his $467 million-grossing comedy. "You can't judge other successes or other movies based on it."
Well, what if you just so happen to catch that lightning again? And what if, it turns out, you managed to bottle a whole lot more this time? Then can we do some comparing and contrasting with the original? Perhaps even Phillips wouldn't object at this point, with some industry insiders suggesting that "The Hangover Part II" could reel in more than $120 million domestically over the five-day Memorial Day holiday weekend. No R-rated film in history has opened to more than $100 million in box-office receipts. So how did Phillips & Co. reach this ultra-lucrative point? To understand that, we have to flash all the way back to before the June 2009 release of the original "Hangover," when the film was testing so well in early screenings that Warner Bros. started making plans for a sequel. Just after the flick opened to $45 million, another "Hangover" was officially a go. Where the filmmakers went from there is something you'll find out below in another MTV News cheat sheet: everything you need to know about "The Hangover Part II." Sobering Up "We were thinking of sequel ideas when we were shooting, which sounds cocky, but we were doing it more because it was just fun to talk about ideas while hanging out on the set," Phillips told us in June 2009. "Two weeks ago I was saying, 'Let's see how it works out.' Now that the movie has really connected, it's something we're doing for sure." The question was, would all four stars — Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha — return for a new adventure? And how would Phillips spin another "Hangover" story after a ridiculous, couldn't-possibly-happen-twice tale set in Las Vegas? By December of that year, Phillips seemed to have his answer — he just wasn't going to let the secret get out. "It doesn't take place in Vegas, but it's certainly the same characters," he revealed. Then Phillips and his team kept their heads down and worked on a script — one which, we found out nearly a year later, would take the Wolf Pack to Thailand for the wedding of Helms' character, Stu. True to Galifianakis' word, shooting kicked off in the fall of 2010. Glug, Glug, Glug Our first peek at the "Hangover Part II" production came in October 2010, with a shot of the boys in an airport (Ontario doubling for LAX) on their way to Southeast Asia. That same month, news broke that Mel Gibson had signed on for a brief cameo as a tattoo artist. But after cast protests reportedly cropped up, the controversial actor was dropped from the film and Liam Neeson was hired to take over the role. (Neeson, in turn, was eventually replaced by Nick Cassavetes). "We just had a long talk about it, I explained it," Phillips told us of his conversation with Gibson to let him know about the recasting. "He certainly understood, you know. He wasn't happy, but he certainly wasn't upset. I mean, it just was kind of a bummer because I think he understood the intention of the casting and the role." Production wrapped up on January 1 of this year, and a teaser trailer dropped the next month. "It's truly a teaser, so it might end up frustrating more than solving questions," Phillips told us shortly before the promo arrived. He wasn't kidding: We could tell that the pals were in Thailand, that things were not turning out very well for them and that Helms somehow got stamped with a Mike Tyson-style facial tattoo. But other than that, plot info was hard to come by. A full "Hangover Part II" trailer appeared in April, giving us more information about the storyline. The shenanigans get started after Stu's rehearsal dinner, when one beachside drink leads to the guys waking up in a shady hotel. Stu's soon-to-be brother-in-law is missing; Ken Jeong's hilarious gangster, Mr. Chow, is hanging out; and everyone has to get back to the resort before the wedding ceremony is set to begin. Helms told us. "Oh, and also hilarious. I forgot that ... Lots of craziness happened on set, and you'll see all of that in the movie." Cooper declared that he believes the second film is funnier than the first, which made any initial nervousness secondary to his enthusiasm. "I think it was more excitement once we got the second script, which was really wonderful — actually stronger than the first one," Cooper said. "It was just utter excitement to play these characters again and hopefully deliver a movie where fans will be excited to see what happened. We get to see where [Galifianakis'] Alan lives, we get to see Stu progress to two years, [my] Phil as well, so I think it was just exciting to hopefully provide a lot more comedy for people who liked the first one." That's exactly what Phillips is hoping too. "I think there are very few sequels that have been made that live up to or exceed their first film. 'The Godfather' is the first one," he told us. "We had always planned on calling it 'The Hangover 2,' and when we finished the script, I changed the cover page and wrote 'The Hangover Part II,' because I think the film lives up to or exceeds the first one. It was very much a nod to 'The Godfather.' " Check out everything we've got on "The Hangover Part II." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'American Idol' Finale Ratings Up 17 Percent Over Season Nine Posted: 25 May 2011 11:26 PM PDT Star-studded Scotty McCreery coronation drew 28.2 million viewers.
Scotty McCreery is just the shot of adrenaline "American Idol" needed. As if any more proof was needed that the show was in rebound mode after a lackluster season nine, the overnight ratings for the season 10 finale on Wednesday night provided more good news.
After rolling up a record-setting 122 million votes on Tuesday night following the Scotty vs. Lauren Alaina showdown, Wednesday night's two-hour finale was up 17 percent from the 2010 coronation, with a total viewership of 28.2 million, beating out last year's Lee DeWyze crowning by 4 million viewers. According to the Hollywood Reporter, those numbers — along with a 9 percent uptick in the all-important 18 to 49 demo — represent the first time "Idol" has experienced year-to-year ratings growth for a finale in that demo since 2006 and in total viewers since 2008. While the brass at the Fox network are surely grinning about the good ratings news, McCreery said he had plenty of reason to smile after winning the competition as well. "Carrie Underwood asked us when we met her, 'Your cheeks hurt yet?' " McCreery laughed to reporters backstage after the finale, recalling a conversation with a woman who knows a thing or two about being in his shoes. "I'll be smiling for a good while now, I promise that." He also said he might rope in his #2, runner-up Lauren Alaina, to guest on his debut album. "Me and Lauren have talked about it for a while," he said of a potential duet. "We'll see if that works out. It'd be really cool." What do you think of Scotty's "Idol" win? Tell us in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
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