MTV News |
- Justin Timberlake's Secret Dream Is To ... Teach Karate?
- 'Transformers' Stars Talk Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Vs. Megan Fox
- Eminem And Royce Weren't 'Focused' On Hitting #1 -- But They Did
- Britney Spears' 'I Wanna Go': A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet
- 'Jackass' Star Ryan Dunn Was Intoxicated When He Died
- Sean Kingston Released From Hospital
- Gym Class Heroes Get Shady In 'Stereo Hearts' Video
- 50 Cent's G-Unit Deal 'The Best Situation' For Shawty Lo
- Neil Gaiman Reflects On 'American Gods,' 10 Years Later
- Casey Veggies Graduates, Despite <i>Sleeping In Class</i>
- 'Transformers' Stars Joke That Stunts Hurt Their Guy Parts
- Ryan Dunn Was 'A Normal Dude,' Neighbors Say
- Trae Tha Truth 'Goes Way Back' With DJ Kool Herc
- Britney Spears Fights Cyborg Paparazzi In 'I Wanna Go' Video
- Jimmy Henchman Enters Not Guilty Plea
- Eminem, Royce Da 5'9" Debut Tops <i>Billboard</i> Chart
- Bam Margera Recalls Ryan Dunn As 'The Happiest Person'
- Sade Keeps It Supersmooth On NY Tour Stop
| Justin Timberlake's Secret Dream Is To ... Teach Karate? Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:53 AM PDT 'Bad Teacher' co-star Jason Segel, meanwhile, tells MTV News he knows 'more jujitsu.'
Justin Timberlake has spent nearly his entire life bouncing from one pop-culture-focused gig to another: a "Mickey Mouse Club" kid in the early '90s, a boy bander a few years later, a solo artist, an actor and easily one of the finest "Saturday Night Live" hosts in the history of the venerated show. Good stuff, all. But JT has harbored a secret dream all these years, one he's only now revealing as his upcoming comedy, "Bad Teacher," approaches theaters: He wants to be a martial-arts instructor.
"Karate!" he declared when we asked him what subject he'd love to teach. Co-star Jason Segel, who, like Timberlake in "Bad Teacher," plays a rather oddball educator, co-signed that real-life teaching aspiration. "We both love karate. We don't know it," Timberlake explained. "Actually I know karate, and other Asian-influenced words." "I know more jujitsu," Segel conceded. Secret dreams or not, our guess is these new careers aren't gonna happen. We're still waiting for JT to turn his attention back to the recording studio. Let's not hold out hope he ends up in a karate dojo too. Though if he or Segel ever do, we pray they don't take any teaching advice from their comedy. Cameron Diaz plays the titular crappy teach, a dope-smoking, F-bomb-throwing slacker of historic, though not singular, proportions. Because, as Segel sees it, there are plenty of teachers out there far worse than Diaz's dud. "I've had some teachers who were pretty rough, didn't really want to be there," he said. "I think that's the funniest thing about her character: She just doesn't want to be there at all, so it sort of gives her carte blanche to not give an eff." "She doesn't give an eff," Timberlake added. "Say or do whatever she effing wants." As students themselves, however, both stars said they received high marks. "I was a pretty good student," JT said. "I was just taught you obey your sensei," Segel said, going on to reference "Karate Kid." "I was part of Cobra Kai." Check out everything we've got on "Bad Teacher." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Transformers' Stars Talk Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Vs. Megan Fox Posted: 23 Jun 2011 03:53 AM PDT 'Rosie is going to surprise a lot of people,' 'Dark of the Moon' co-star Tyrese Gibson tells MTV News.
Much ado has been made about the upcoming "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." From casting to the story line to the 3-D, it seems nothing about the filmmaking process on the third installment of the franchise has gone unnoticed. Thankfully, with the film's June 29 release date quickly approaching, the castmembers have not only been out promoting the movie, but also dispelling some of the anxiety and nitpicking that has surfaced on the Interwebs.
Regarding the casting, specifically the addition of Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley after the departure of former "Transformers" "It" girl Megan Fox, the action flick's male stars expressed nothing but love and admiration for the first-time actress. "Rosie is going to surprise a lot of people," Tyrese Gibson told MTV News recently. "I have to go on record and say that she did not replace Megan Fox. She's a brand-new character; her name is Carly in the movie," he explained. "Her name is not Mikaela, it's Carly," he reiterated, referring to Fox's character in the previous installments. "She's going to surprise a lot of people with her focus and energy that she's bringing to the franchise. "She was very focused, very classy, very easy to work with," he continued. "I was really glad she came aboard." Shia LaBeouf said that while Megan Fox seemed a bit overwhelmed by all of the sudden attention she received post-"Transformers," Huntington-Whiteley, with her experience as a swimsuit and underwear model, came to the set fully prepared for what would be required of her in the summer blockbuster. "She completely owns her sexuality, which I think helps especially on a movie like this where it's a blanket summer movie and there are certain requirements of a woman in a summer movie," LaBeouf explained. "She owns her sexuality and she doesn't shy from it. I think it was a harder gap to cross, in terms of Megan going from complete obscurity to being the sexiest woman in the world in a movie. [It] is a greater leap and transition than to go from being a Victoria's Secret model to then being the hottest actress in the world," he added. "It's an easier transition because she already had that in her pocket when she came to set. She was able to be strong in her femininity as opposed to trying to shy away from it. "[That attitude] helps everything," he continued. "Especially with Mike [Bay] where conversations are blunt and they lack tact, and you're in the middle of a firefight so it's bare essentials. " Do you think Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was a good choice to succeed Megan Fox? Tell us in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Eminem And Royce Weren't 'Focused' On Hitting #1 -- But They Did Posted: 22 Jun 2011 05:47 AM PDT 'I knew it had the potential,' Royce Da 5'9" tells MTV News after Bad Meets Evil's Hell: The Sequel tops Billboard albums chart.
Eminem should be used to the #1 spot by now, but it's all new to partner-in-rhyme Royce Da 5'9". On Wednesday, Em and Royce's Bad Meets Evil EP, Hell: The Sequel, topped the Billboard albums chart, selling almost 171,000 copies in its first week, making it Nickel Nine's first time in the top spot.
"You know I ain't never sold no records," Royce said to MTV News, laughing. "I knew it had the potential. I just really was more focused on the whole 'critically acclaimed' thing, and I think we achieved that. I'm only hearing good things about how people feel about the album." From the onset, both Royce and Em stated that Hell: The Sequel wasn't made with commercial aspirations. Instead, the duo — who first released an independent single (featuring "Scary Movies," 'Nuthin' to Do" and "I'm King") in 1999 — looked to rekindle the lyrical chemistry that they harnessed 12 years ago. "I think it's great for an artist of Eminem's stature to do a project like this, especially with a dude like me," Royce reinforced. "And to only focus on lyrics and not worry about performance or radio or nothing like that. To go in there spitting, I think, is refreshing to hip-hop." Though radio wasn't the goal, Royce remains optimistic that the EP's next single, "Lighters," which features Bruno Mars, will ensure the continued success of Hell: The Sequel. "I definitely think that 'Lighters' is gonna be the record that is gonna carry the sales into something even bigger than what the first week was. Because of a record like 'Lighters' and what it's doing on radio right now, the first-week sales aren't even an indicator of where we're going to end up after we close up with this project," he said. Have you checked out Em and Royce's EP? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Britney Spears' 'I Wanna Go': A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet Posted: 22 Jun 2011 01:01 AM PDT From 'Crossroads' to seashells, here's a look at the references in Britney's latest video.
Britney Spears' new "I Wanna Go" video is, like some of her past clips, an all-out affront to the pesky paparazzi that follow her every move. But, unlike any video she's done previously, this one tackles the issue with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
See, "Go" is essentially one long dream sequence — instigated by the rote questions Spears is forced to endure by members of the media — and, as such, it's packed with pop-culture nods to film and television (and whistling dogs too). And that fact not only makes it pretty funny, but it sets it apart from most of Brit's other work. And though we've done pop-culture cheat sheets for her other videos, rarely have they been as much fun as they were this time out. So, without further ado, alphabetized and cross-referenced for your perusing pleasure, here's our "I Wanna Go" cheat sheet: "Crossroads": Epically bad 2002 coming-of-age flick starring Spears herself (written, interestingly enough, by "Grey's Anatomy" mastermind Shonda Rhimes). In a rare self-effacing moment, the supposed sequel — "Crossroads 2: Cross Harder" — is teased on a theater marquee in "I Wanna Go." E*Trade Baby: Lippy, fiscally savvy infant who stars in an ongoing series of commercials for the financial company. In "I Wanna Go," there's a baby too, and while he doesn't dispense any trading tips, he does whistle, using the same creepy, CGIed mouth effects the E*Trade ads do. "Half Baked": Cult 1998 stoner comedy starring Dave Chappelle as a weed-obsessed "master of the custodial arts" (and a weed-addled rapper named Sir Smoke-a-lot), who runs with an appropriately stony crew. Said crew includes actor Guillermo Diaz, who quits his crappy fast-food job in truly epic fashion. The scene is replayed verbatim at the beginning of "I Wanna Go," only with Britney delivering the "F--- you, f--- you, f--- you, you're cool and f--- you ... I'm out!" line. As an added bonus, Diaz also co-stars in the video. Truly the most inexplicably awesome part of the entire production. "Kill Bill": Ultra-gory 2003 revenge flick written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, it stars Uma Thurman as Beatrix Kiddo, a bride out to avenge her wedding-day massacre. She battles several baddies throughout, including Gogo Yubari, a sadistic 17-year-old who wields a meteor hammer. In "I Wanna Go," Britney uses a microphone in much the same fashion — namely, to bash those pesky paparazzi. "The Mickey Mouse Club": Oft-revived Disney variety show/ teen-sploitation factory that famously featured young stars like Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling (!) and, of course, Britney. She pays homage to her Mouseketeer days in "I Wanna Go" by wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a Mickey Mouse skull. Seashells: Hard, protective exoskeletons created by sea-dwelling creatures. In "I Wanna Go," Diaz's character gives Britney a handful of them, and since the majority of the clip takes place in her daydream, we're going to get deep here: In dreams, seashells represent security or protection. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day": The 1991 sci-fi blockbuster featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular Terminator, sent back in time to protect a young John Connor from the nefarious T-1000. Arnie suffers severe battle damage throughout, including one scene where half his face is blasted off, revealing a glowing cyborg eye beneath his skin. That same scene is shown in "I Wanna Go," though it's the paparazzi who are revealed to be robotic killing machines. "Thriller": Iconic 1984 Michael Jackson mini-movie that may very well be the greatest music video ever made. It concludes with a famous freeze frame (and subsequent zoom-in) of MJ with glowing eyes and Vincent Price's legendary cackle. Britney pays tribute to the scene at the ending of "I Wanna Go," though it's Diaz's eyes that are glowing. We're not sure who provides the cackle. Did we miss anything? Share the pop-culture tidbits you picked up in the comments below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'Jackass' Star Ryan Dunn Was Intoxicated When He Died Posted: 22 Jun 2011 12:52 AM PDT Police confirm to MTV News that Dunn's blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit in Pennsylvania.
At the time of his fatal car accident earlier this week, "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn was intoxicated, a West Chester, Pennsylvania, police official confirmed to MTV News. The skater and stuntman had a blood alcohol level of .196 when he got behind the wheel on Monday; the legal limit in Pennsylvania is .08. A police official also confirmed that Dunn had been driving his Porsche upward of 130 mph when he crashed and died, along with his passenger, Zachary D. Hartwell. No other substances were found in his body.
On Tuesday, police said the investigation into the crash that killed Dunn, 34, and Hartwell, 30, revealed that Dunn's Porsche may have jumped a guardrail and crashed into a ravine before bursting into flames after the two men left the bar Barnaby's of America in West Chester. A coroner's report revealed that both men died of blunt force trauma from the impact of the wreck and burns from the resulting fire. While toxicology results may prove otherwise, an employee of Barnaby's told MTV News earlier this week that, the night before the crash, Dunn "didn't seem intoxicated. He seemed like he was having a good time, hanging out with his friends." The Barnaby's worker further noted that Dunn "only had a couple beers here. As far as we're concerned, the biggest thing, our hearts go out to the family and friends, and his loss is a big loss to our community. The biggest thing we're worried about is his friends and family." Dunn's longtime pal Bam Margera tearfully spoke to a Fox affiliate in Pennsylvania near the scene of the accident, saying, "I've never lost anybody that I care about; he's my best friend. "He was the happiest person, the smartest guy with so much talent," Margera continued. "He had so many things going for him. ... It is not right. ... It was the worst phone call I ever got in my life." MTV News also traveled to Dunn had "truly kind eyes" and "a heart and a half." He was especially impressed by the well-known resident's memory, saying, "He remembered every time he met somebody." Share your memories of Ryan Dunn on our Facebook page or in the comments below. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Sean Kingston Released From Hospital Posted: 22 Jun 2011 07:07 AM PDT Three weeks after jet-ski accident, pop singer was discharged on Tuesday, rep confirms to MTV News.
Sean Kingston is well on his way to recovery. The pop singer has been released from Jackson Memorial Hospital, three weeks after he was admitted for injuries stemming from a jet-ski accident in Miami Beach over the Memorial Day weekend. A rep for Kingston confirmed to MTV News on Wednesday (June 22) that the 21-year old singer was released from the hospital on Tuesday. The "Beautiful Girls" was initially hospitalized in critical condition after the Sea-Doo jet-ski he was piloting along with friend/ passenger Cassandra Sanchez, crashed into the Palm Island Bridge, which connects Palm Island to the MacArthur Causeway. According to Sanchez, 23, Kingston lost control of the jet-ski (one he reportedly purchased just days prior to the accident) because he was going too fast. A passerby in a boat, who happened to be an off-duty Coast Guard employee, helped the two out of the water and to safety. Kingston (born Kisean Anderson) was admitted to the hospital on May 29, and moved to the ICU, a few days later, when his condition was downgraded to stable. (Sanchez was also admitted to the hospital but was discharged shortly thereafter with minimal injuries.) Although the singer is expected to make a full recovery, sources say he suffered a broken jaw, fractured wrist and water in his lungs. But the Miami native looked healthy, even slimmer, a few days ago when he tweeted a picture of himself, in the hospital, along with the message, "Feeling alot better! GOD IS GREAT! Thanks for all the prayers and support! Love you ALL!" The note to his well-wishers was his first tweet since the day of the accident. Share your get-well wishes for Sean Kingston in the comments. Related Artists |
| Gym Class Heroes Get Shady In 'Stereo Hearts' Video Posted: 22 Jun 2011 03:33 AM PDT First single from the group's The Papercut Chronicles II album features vocals by Maroon 5's Adam Levine.
Gym Class Heroes don't exactly have a lot to do in the video for "Stereo Hearts," the first single from their upcoming The Papercut Chronicles II. Instead, it's their shadows that handle most of the heavy lifting.
"The video basically plays on the idea that we're sort of just being casual, hanging out, being ourselves and our shadows get wild and get loose," drummer Matt McGinley told MTV News on the video set. "It's kind of fun. I've always felt like my shadow has been trying to kill me for 28 years." "That's just me," frontman Travie McCoy laughed, "creeping up on your ass." So while the GCH guys were content to crack jokes and let their shadows have the spotlight on the "Stereo" set, they're taking the opposite approach when it comes to their new album. Because not only is it a sequel to their beloved 2005 album, it's their return to prominence after McCoy's Lazarus solo trek and a break that was, by all accounts, too long. "We just played a show at the Nokia in L.A., and just to see how elated kids were that we were back together again, I almost cried, I'm not going to lie," McCoy said. "We've been away too long, and anyone who thought me putting out Lazarus was the end of Gym Class Heroes was definitely proven wrong with that show." And with "Stereo Hearts," they're officially getting back to business. Produced by Bennie Blanco and featuring Maroon 5's Adam Levine on the hook, it's a prime-time slab of genre-mashing, sweat-inducing pop, the kind of song that may very well push GCH to summertime superstardom. And, in working with Levine, they've learned about taking the next step too. "It's a fun love song at the end of the day, and it's definitely got a summertime vibe ... and having Adam bless us with his vocal stylings doesn't hurt much," McCoy said. "He just destroyed it. Watching that dude do [vocal] runs, and first he belts out the hook, and I'm like, 'OK!' then he does overdubs and he's like, 'Nah, I don't like that, I can do better.' Everything's just flawless and dude's so talented. Just getting into a song and pushing it, it was inspiring." Are you happy to have Gym Class Heroes back? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| 50 Cent's G-Unit Deal 'The Best Situation' For Shawty Lo Posted: 22 Jun 2011 03:13 AM PDT 'Another label could've offered me five times what 50 offered me,' Lo tells MTV News of his decision to sign with G-Unit.
50 Cent continues to make news. Last week, Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo confirmed to AllHipHop.com that he and his D4L record label are officially signed to G-Unit. And on Wednesday (June 22), Fif took to Twitter to expound on the details of the deal. Apparently, the partnership is a 50/50 spilt.
"Announcement: I have a vision for the music business I worked on this idea for some time now its called 50's new 50/50," Fif tweeted. "@thatsshawtylo Is the first to sign the deal. He is the head of his own label D4L record and is now being powered by G-unit. We provide a over head." Next, 50 wrote: "For @thatsshawtylo co. After recouping promo a recording cost which is fairly low he splits all income from records 50/50 no 360." Shawty Lo confirmed to MTV News early Wednesday (June 22) that the G-Unit General's tweets were all accurate. "That's basically right. He told you what it is," L-O said. Lo, who is most known for his 2008 single "Dey Know," released his debut solo album Units in the City with Asylum Records, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. When it was time to re-sign with the label, the rapper was fearful that he would end up with a dreaded 360 deal, where the label has financial stake in not only record sales, but touring and merchandising as well. "I'm just not a believer in a 360 deal. I feel like I can make my own money before I let a label come in a give me a 360 deal," he said. "You don't have to give me a whole lot of upfront money to do a 360. I don't need that." Instead, the trap rapper felt more comfortable doing business with someone he could relate to. "I just felt like 50 would be the best situation for me, man, because my life story came from where my life story came from: turning a negative into a positive," he explained. "It feels like it's familiar with 50's life. That's why I ran with him. Another label could've offered me five times what 50 offered me. I just feel like 50 was the perfect opportunity for me." Now, he is looking forward to building his D4L Records label, which first came to fame in 2005, when the group D4L (Down 4 Life) released the #1 single "Laffy Taffy." "My vision for the label is straight to the top," Shawty Lo said confidently. "I'm working very hard to get my label to where I need to be. To be a big label in the South, all I needed was somebody behind me who could believe in me, who could relate to what I done been through, and I think 50 is the person to do it." What do you think of 50 signing Lo? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Neil Gaiman Reflects On 'American Gods,' 10 Years Later Posted: 22 Jun 2011 03:18 AM PDT Author talks about his 2001 book as a 10th-anniversay edition is released and with a TV show on the way.
Neil Gaiman's award-winning novel "American Gods" first hit shelves back in 2001, sweeping up readers in a cross-country adventure that explored a world in which the gods of old struggled to remain relevant in modern American culture. Ten years later, "American Gods" is returning to shelves in a new form, celebrating its anniversary with an expanded, "author's preferred text" edition and the announcement of an upcoming television series based on the book. "The truth is, as an author, all you are is grateful if you turn around 10 years after you wrote something and it's still in print," Gaiman told MTV News of all the fanfare surrounding the novel's 10th anniversary. "It makes me ridiculously happy as an author, but mostly it makes me ridiculously happy that my book is being read."
For Gaiman, "American Gods" offered a way to put words to his own experience in moving to America from England and the difference between how people view America from the outside and the eccentricities you discover from the inside of American culture. "All of the things that I loved about America that just seemed weird went into 'American Gods,' " he laughed. "I was fascinated by the way people coming to America tried to become 'American.' The idea of using old gods as a way of talking about what people bring with them when they come to America was a really fun one." Gaiman recalled one particular discovery he made upon moving to the Midwest that was a prime example of the sort of local norms that informed "American Gods." "There were weird little things like people driving cars out onto the ice in the winter on frozen lakes and then taking bets on when they'd go through the ice when the snow melted," he explained. "Little things like that, where I would turn around and go, 'Does anyone else here think this is weird?' And everyone else would go, 'Nope, This is how it is.' "[When] I moved to America, I thought that I knew what America was," he said. "I'd been writing stories set in America for seven to eight years, I'd been coming to America for visits, and more importantly, I grew up watching American television and reading American books. And then I moved to America and found it was really weird, in ways that nobody had told me." Along with giving readers a chance to revisit — or encounter for the first time — all of that aforementioned weirdness, the 10th-anniversary edition of "American Gods" will also feature more than 10,000 words omitted from his initial draft of the novel. The extra material will consist of expanded chapters, essays and even a few interviews he chose to include. The audio counterpart to the new edition will also receive a full cast recording as opposed to a solo narrator — something he decided to do after participating in a podcast with filmmaker Kevin Smith. "About six months ago, my wife Amanda Palmer and I were being interviewed by Kevin Smith for his Smodcast, and Amanda did some songs, and I thought I should do something that's fun too," he said. "So I printed out a scene from 'American Gods,' and I narrated it and made Kevin and Amanda act. At the end of it, I walked away going, 'That was really good!' It was just meant to be this mad, goofy thing we did, but it was really good." And just in case the best-selling original version of the book, the new 10th-anniversary edition or both audio versions don't put "American Gods" back on the mainstream radar, there's also the upcoming HBO television series based on the novel. Gaiman is attached to write and executive-produce the series with Tom Hanks' Playtone production studio developing the adaptation. Renowned cinematographer Robert Richardson is attached to co-write the pilot with Gaiman. "The overall plan right now is that the first season would essentially be the first book, with a few interesting divergences," Gaiman said of the television series. "You don't want people who've read the book to be able to go, 'I know everything that's going to be happening here.' [They will] know a lot more than anybody who's starting from here, but we will do things that will surprise [them] too." With Gaiman indicating that the first season of the television series will encompass "the first book," it was only natural to ask about his plans for an "American Gods" sequel. "I've been [planning] to do a second 'American Gods' book since the first 'American Gods' book," he laughed. "What I basically have right now is a boxful of stuff. Things go into it. I always knew there was going to be more story. "The first book was very much about the grifters and the lowlifes, and you don't really get to see much of the new gods and you don't really get a sense of those gods who are doing incredibly well in America," he said. "In the second book, I definitely want to go into both of those things." |
| Casey Veggies Graduates, Despite <i>Sleeping In Class</i> Posted: 22 Jun 2011 03:25 AM PDT L.A. rapper made the honor roll while on the road, his mom and teacher share.
The last year has been a breakout one for Los Angeles MC Casey Veggies, who released his third mixtape, Sleeping in Class, in December and toured with fellow up-and-comer Mac Miller in January. What's more amazing is that while this was going on, he was still in school. And on June 16, Veggies (or, as his diploma says, Casey Jones) graduated from Inglewood High School on the honor roll. "On the first week of school, he gave me a link to a video of one of the songs that he has [on Sleeping in Class], so my first impression of him was good, but I was a little concerned, because of the lyrics to the song," Casey's senior-year English teacher Shannon Kirk told MTV News. "It's actually kind of ironic because [sleeping in class is] the last thing he would do in class. "Casey balances his work life and his school life better than I probably would have at his age," Kirk added of her student, who did independent study while he was on the road. "He's pretty mature for his age, and he was able to do pretty well. [He] was one of the top students in my class." Veggies realized that he could have quit school to pursue his dreams, but he never felt the need to. He knew he could handle it, so why not get school done? As for college, though his mother says he was accepted to four schools, he's postponing those plans while he sees where his rap career goes. "At the end of the day, I'm just dreaming right now," Casey said. "I'm going to stay in my dream and don't plan on waking up. If I do, maybe I'll grab a college degree, but right now, I'm in my own world." Kirk wouldn't tell us Casey's grades, but his mother, Cynthia Jones, was thrilled that her son made the honor roll. She said that education meant everything to her and her husband, and their goal was always for Casey and his older brother, Corey, to graduate high school and attend college as they had. Corey is currently a freshman at UC Riverside, but Casey had to convince her that he could take another route. "I had no idea that his music thing was going to come about the way it has," Jones said. "This is different to accept, but he's doing really well, so you have to let a person follow [their dreams]. You're only young once. "I'm excited, I'm happy for him," she continued, "and then I'm happy he doesn't have to juggle these two lives, because it has been a juggle for him, so now he can concentrate on one thing." |
| 'Transformers' Stars Joke That Stunts Hurt Their Guy Parts Posted: 22 Jun 2011 02:22 AM PDT 'I don't like the wires,' Shia LaBeouf says, breaking down the dangers of wearing a harness.
If there's one thing audiences can count on going into a Michael Bay-directed "Transformers" movie, it's that there will be action, action and ... more action. With each new installment, Bay has upped the ante, delivering crazier robot fights and more death-defying stunt work. And while those stunt sequences are fascinating to watch, they come with a certain amount of strain and stress for the actors who perform them.
Speaking specifically of the wire work required of his cast during filming of the third installment, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," Bay has previously joked that star Shia LaBeouf was a "grump" about working in harnesses. So we asked LaBeouf to address that point during a recent sit-down. His detailed explanation was both highly technical and hilarious. "Yeah, I don't like the wires," LaBeouf admitted to MTV News. "Really, you can ask any man, like if I were to ask you, sir," Labeouf said, gesturing to the gentleman manning the camera in the background. "Would you like me to take my shoelace off, tie it around your nuts and then hang it from a chandelier on the ceiling?" he deadpanned. "And then while you're up there hanging from your testicles, I need you to scream, 'Optimus!' which makes the testicle condense inside of the shoelace vise. Would you enjoy that, sir?" LaBeouf said with a smile. New leading lady Rosie Huntington-Whiteley also weighed in on the subject, insisting that harnesses aren't a picnic for the ladies either. "I don't think I was originally supposed to go up in the harness," Whiteley said of her fateful day suspended in the air. "I was on set watching my stunt double do her thing; she was sliding down this 100-foot [mobile set] that was at a 40-degree angle on what was basically a skateboard, headfirst. All of the sudden Michael [Bay] says, 'OK, get Rosie in the harness!' They thrust this man's harness at me," she recalled. "Which is placed to be in all the wrong places for a woman's body and is excruciatingly painful for three hours," she added. "All the things cut into the wrong places, put pressure on the wrong bits. Whatever it does to a man, it also does to a woman." LaBeouf and Whiteley's co-star Tyrese Gibson, however, said there's one surefire way to make wire work less painful: butt meat. "Thank God I have a bigger ass so when you put the harness on, the ass is able to help you stay away from the front part," he explained. "It kind of balances things out a little bit. When your ass is flat and you have to have it going over the front, it is a bad day in America," Gibson said. "It's really nothing any of us can do about that. We can, say, do lunges, get on the StairMaster that week, but it's not going to give you that real butt meat that you need to help you to get through the situation," he said. "So thank you, Mom, for passing on the booty meat to help me get through this." Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Dark of the Moon." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Ryan Dunn Was 'A Normal Dude,' Neighbors Say Posted: 22 Jun 2011 08:31 AM PDT 'Jackass' star killed in car crash stayed 'real,' say patrons of the Pennsylvania bar where he was last seen.
WEST CHESTER, Pennsylvania — In Ryan Dunn's adopted hometown, the "Jackass" star is remembered, not for his celebrity status, but rather for his ability to remain modest despite living in the limelight. When MTV News visited Barnaby's of America in West Chester's quaint downtown business district — the last place Dunn was seen before his fatal car crash early Monday morning — the bar's patrons praised the fallen daredevil for never letting fame go to his head.
As TVs showed a Phillies game and a guitarist strummed acoustic renditions of tunes ranging from Arcade Fire to Britney Spears, customers shared their memories of a neighbor who seemingly everyone in town had the chance to meet. "He was real," said Sam Ford, who was celebrating her 25th birthday at Barnaby's. With Dunn's accident in mind, Ford said she and her boyfriend, Brock Jackson, would be taking a cab home that night. (Police have yet to determine whether alcohol played a role in Dunn's death.) Jackson, 31, said he grew up playing Little League with Bam Margera and that Christopher Raab, (a.k.a. "Raab Himself") an original member of Bam's CKY stunt crew and the "Jackass" cast, was his best friend growing up. "I can't even tell you how crushed he is," Jackson said of Raab. Jackson said Dunn, who was 34, had "truly kind eyes" and "a heart and a half." He was especially impressed by the well-known resident's memory, saying, "He remembered every time he met somebody." Around 2:30 a.m. on Monday, Dunn's 2007 Porsche 911 GT3 flew through 40 yards of trees before hitting one and bursting into flames. West Goshen Police Chief Michael Carroll told Radar Online the Porsche was traveling at about 130 mph in a 55 mph zone when it collided with a guardrail. Jon Gurten, who grew up watching the "Jackass" crew's antics, drove about 35 miles from Philadelphia on Tuesday to visit the rural crash site. "Just being local, it was weird how it hit you," Gurten said of Dunn's death. "We don't know the guy, but he seemed like a normal dude doing good for himself." Seeing the "long distance of trees that was ripped apart," Gurten also witnessed a visit from Margera, who placed a candle near the already-replaced guardrail. Robert Moyer, 32, said at least 50 people were paying their respects when he stopped by the site Monday afternoon as police investigated amid the stench of burning wood and plastic. Moyer said Dunn shook his hand and "acted like a normal guy" when the two crossed paths at West Chester's T.G.I. Friday's. "He wasn't trying to throw his money down or act like a big shot. He didn't have a chip on his shoulder," Moyer recalled. "He said, 'Thanks for the support. Thanks for watching my movies.' " Hailing from the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania, West Chester University student Kait Sabo, 21, attested to the attention Dunn and his cohorts have brought to her new home. "When I say I go to West Chester, they associate it with 'Jackass,' and I'm from three hours away," she explained. "They cheated death a lot," Sabo said of the show's stars. "You have to stop pushing your limits and realize death is a possibility." Her friend, West Chester native Christy Colflesh, called Dunn a "down-to-earth, totally awesome guy" who never refused a request to pose for photographs with fans. She said at least 20 cars lined the street near the crash site on Tuesday afternoon, and some visitors collected bits of trees and whatever scraps they could find of the shattered Porsche. "So many people loved him," she said, referring to the plethora of Ryan Dunn memorial pages that have cropped up on Facebook in the past few days. "People stand up for him." The Chester County coroner's report lists blunt force trauma and thermal trauma as the official causes of death for Dunn and his passenger, 30-year-old Iraq vet Zachary Hartwell, who was credited as a production assistant on "Jackass Number Two." Hours before the crash, Dunn tweeted a photo of himself, Hartwell and another man at Barnaby's. Toxicology results, which might help determine whether alcohol was involved in the crash, will be released in four to six weeks, the coroner's office said. A Barnaby's employee told MTV News on Monday afternoon that Dunn "didn't seem intoxicated." Dunn appeared on the MTV shows "Jackass" and "Viva La Bam" and the three "Jackass" big-screen adaptations. He was the star of his own short-lived MTV show, "Homewrecker," and co-hosted the brand-new G4 show "Proving Ground," which has been pulled off the network's schedule. Share your memories of Ryan Dunn on our Facebook page or in the comments below. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Trae Tha Truth 'Goes Way Back' With DJ Kool Herc Posted: 22 Jun 2011 02:16 AM PDT Houston rapper reveals his connection to the hip-hop pioneer, in Mixtape Daily.
Celebrity Favorites: Trae Tha Truth
DJ Kool Herc is widely credited as hip-hop's originator, after using two turntables to elongate record breaks during his parties in the Bronx, New York, in the late 19070s. Herc surprised many this past Monday when he attended Trae's first headlining NYC show at SOBs in Manhattan, where he was promoting his upcoming album, Street King. "It was amazing, man. I came into SOBs not knowing what it was gonna be like, but it was packed front to back," Trae told Mixtape Daily. "I got a lot of support from just New York City as a whole with the fans and then Kool Herc came out, Jadakiss, Styles P, French Montana, Fred the Godson, Maino." While, some of NY's finest artists rolled out the red carpet, it was the rap pioneer's presence that stood out most for Trae. The Southern rap veteran clued us in on his relationship with Herc. "Little do they know that me and Kool Herc go back for years," the Houston rapper revealed. "I got old videos in vaults at home of just me, Kool Herc, MC Hammer and a gang of people onstage. So it goes way back with me and him." Though revered among hard-core hip-hop circles, Trae hasn't had an easy career path. After a shooting incident following his 2009 Trae Day charity event, the rapper was criticized by a local radio disc jock at Houston's KBXX 97.9 "The Box" for the incident. After Trae responded with a dis record, his music was banned from the station. It's incidents like that that makes Herc's support special to Trae. "He always accepted me, and plus he told me, 'Man, I don't care if they accept you in hip-hop or not, I accept you, so it is what it is, man. You're raw,' " Trae recalled. "That's my homey, man." For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines. Related Artists |
| Britney Spears Fights Cyborg Paparazzi In 'I Wanna Go' Video Posted: 22 Jun 2011 07:19 AM PDT Chris Marrs Piliero-directed clip features 'Weeds' actor Guillermo Diaz.
Britney Spears proved her comedic chops on the small screen in her cameo on "How I Met Your Mother," and now she's once again displaying her funny bone in the video for "I Wanna Go," which dropped Wednesday (June 22).
Like he did with Ke$ha before, director Chris Marrs Piliero makes off-kilter pop culture references and pokes fun at the idea of the sexy pop star. There's a number of Spears-related references, including a polka dot bikini top as an homage, perhaps, to Minnie Mouse, her skull-wearing Mickey Mouse ears T-shirt and a movie theater marquee that reads "Crossroads 2: Cross Harder." Spears has touched on her relationship with the media in the past, but perhaps not with this much humor or self-deprecation. The video opens with a press conference, where reporters ask the superstar crazy questions such as, "Is it true you banned junk food, smiles, candy, sunshine and laughter from your Femme Fatale Tour?" The answer: Yes, obviously. "Can you confirm reports that you're pregnant with Brad Pitt's love child?" The answer: "That is false: It's quintuplets." Eventually annoyed by the onslaught of increasingly dumb questions, Britney declares, "F--- you" to the reporters in the room. The only person who passes the test is "Weeds" and "Half Baked" star Guillermo Diaz, who is hanging out, wearing a hat that only the Burger King could love. She then dashes out onto the streets in her Avril Lavigne-worthy, pop-punk princess finest. It seems Britney has decided to live life on her own terms. She grabs the bum of an autograph-seeking fan. Then, she flashes a group of men, and as a cop tries to arrest her, she has her way with him right there on the street. Britney just doesn't care anymore, and why should she? She's finally having fun. Britney displays the sass and charm fans fell in love with a decade ago during performance shots, where she flirts with the camera, her eyes as big and wide as her smile. Fans are back with her as she makes her way around town and, of course, the paparazzi have found her. For one photographer, she gives an impromptu fashion shoot before smashing his camera. And when she finds herself surrounded by more of his cronies, she takes them out one by one with any singer's best weapon: her microphone. There's a surprising turn, however: As the mic slams itself against the photogs, pulling the skin off their bodies, it reveals that they are cyborgs, much to Brit's dismay. So, what's a girl to do? She's rescued by Guillermo, who drives her through the desert. She dances in the car, wearing only a bikini top and miniskirt. And just when she thinks she's safe, it's revealed that he too is a cyborg. Can't Brit ever catch a break? The video returns to the press conference, where the pop star awakes from a daydream and reveals, "Guillermo, I had the strangest dream." "I love dreams," he tells her. "And seashells," he says, placing several in her hand. "Come on, let's get out of here." But, is Britney truly safe with Guillermo? In an homage to the final frame of Michael Jackson's classic "Thriller" video, the clip closes with Diaz turning his head toward the camera to reveal his red, glowing robot eyes. Share your review of the "I Wanna Go" video in the comments below! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Jimmy Henchman Enters Not Guilty Plea Posted: 22 Jun 2011 12:00 AM PDT Hip-hop manager vows to fight federal drug charges after his arrest on Tuesday.
James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond is not backing down from the federal drug charges he's facing. After his arrest on Tuesday, the hip-hop manager, who once counted Game as a client, pleaded not guilty to witness tampering, obstruction of justice and intentionally conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, his lawyer confirmed for MTV News. The not guilty plea came as expected. In an interview with MTV News on Tuesday, Rosemond's attorney, Jeffery Lichtman, said his client was ready to take on the Feds. "These charges obviously aren't surprising, we've been anticipating them for years now," he said. "But they're built on the backs of people that have lied and cheated, have been threatened, have been bribed by the government. Anything to get Jimmy Rosemond, but all of this is going to be exposed. We've been waiting a long time for our day in court — we finally have it." Rosemond has been on the lam since warrants were issued for his arrest on May 17. On Tuesday afternoon, Henchman was arrested after he led US Marshals and DEA agents on a foot chase across several Manhattan blocks before he was apprehended on 21st Street and Park Avenue South. A complaint obtained by MTV News from the DEA revealed detailed accounts of a bi-coastal drug-trafficking operation that the government alleges Rosemond headed. The complaint was built with the help of incarcerated members of Rosemond's supposed drug-ring who are now cooperating with the government in hopes of receiving a reduced sentence. The complaint also suggests that Henchman ran the operation, shipping cocaine and cash through express mail couriers, using his company Czar Entertainment as a front. The document is filled with transcripts of recorded phone conversations, intercepted emails and informant accounts charging that Rosemond converted drug proceeds into postal money orders in an intricate scheme to legitimize the funds. Last week, Henchman's name came up in connection with two other crimes. Dexter Isaac, an inmate who is also believed to be cooperating with the government against Rosemond, admitted to his involvement in the 1994 Quad Studio robbery and shooting of Tupac Shakur. Isaac claims that he was paid $2,500 by Henchman to undertake the heist. As that news broke, the Smoking Gun reported that two men tied to Rosemond have been charged with the 2009 murder of known G-Unit associate Lowell "Lodi Mack" Fletcher. Through it all, Lichtman maintains his client's innocence, pointing out that much of the government's evidence is centered on the accounts of known criminals looking to get a break. "When you got witnesses like that against you, it can make anybody paranoid and believe that they won't be getting a fair trial," Lichtman said. "When the case starts, we'll be ready to go." Check back with MTV News for updates as this story continues to develop. |
| Eminem, Royce Da 5'9" Debut Tops <i>Billboard</i> Chart Posted: 22 Jun 2011 09:29 AM PDT Bad Meets Evil's Hell: The Sequel barely outsells Jackie Evancho.
Eminem just scored another #1 album. Almost a year to the day after his comeback smash Recovery crashed the charts with more than 741,000 in sales, the Detroit rapper's collaborative EP with pal Royce Da 5'9" as Bad Meets Evil, Hell: The Sequel, will hit the top of the charts as well, though it didn't post anywhere near the gaudy numbers of Slim Shady's solo effort.
The album moved a modest 171,000 copies in its first week, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan, just besting the latest album from 11-year-old "American's Got Talent" soprano opera singer Jackie Evancho, Dream With Me, which sold 161,000. The second release from one-man emo band Owl City, All Things Bright and Beautiful, debuts at #6 on next week's chart, with sales of 48,000, while classic crooner Barry Manilow makes it to #7 with 15 Minutes (36,000), his first album of all-original material in more than a decade. R&B singer Ledisi is just behind at #8 with Pieces of Me (36,000). The rest of the top 10: Adele, 21 (#3, 115,000); Lady Gaga, Born This Way (#4, 68,000); Jason Aldean, My Kinda Party (#5, 51,000); Brad Paisley, This is Country Music (#9, 35,000) and the cast recording of the Tony-winning Broadway show "The Book of Mormon"(#10, 34,000). Among the other chart debuts are makeup-wearing rockers Black Veil Brides with Set the World On Fire (#17, 23,000) and the debut EP from YouTube sensation Selena Gomez tourmate Christina Grimmie, Find Me (#35, 13,000). After finally opening on Broadway, following months of maligned previews and technical glitches, the soundtrack to the musical, featuring music performed by the cast as well as score writers Bono and the Edge of U2, hit the charts at #86 on soft sales just shy of 7,000. On the iTunes charts, Em and Royce ruled the album tally, followed by Adele, Owl City, Journey's Greatest Hits album — which led a parade of classics as part of a low-dough Father's Day digital special also including the Nothing But the Best Frank Sinatra comp (#5) and Bob Marley's Legend (#6) — as well as Grimmie (#7), Gaga, Mumford & Sons' Sigh No More and Evancho. On the iTunes singles chart, Katy Perry hit the top again with "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," besting LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem," Pitbull's "Give Me Everything," Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and Gaga's "The Edge of Glory." Rounding out the singles tally were Nicki Minaj with "Super Bass" (#6), Bad Meets Evil's "Lighters," Lil Wayne's "How to Love," Bruno Mars' "The Lazy Song" and Aldean's "Dirt Road Anthem." There could be a few new names in the top 10 next week, thanks to debuts from R&B singer Jill Scott, mellow folkie Bon Iver, LMFAO, Pitbull and comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Bam Margera Recalls Ryan Dunn As 'The Happiest Person' Posted: 22 Jun 2011 06:01 AM PDT 'I've never lost anybody that I care about; he's my best friend,' Margera says of late co-star.
Just a day after his close friend and "Jackass" co-star Ryan Dunn was killed in a fiery car crash, Bam Margera made his way back home to Pennsylvania on Tuesday and gave his first interview about the loss of his longtime cohort.
Bursting into tears as he remembered Dunn, Margera told a local Fox affiliate, "I've never lost anybody that I care about; he's my best friend." For photos of Dunn throughout his career, click here. On Tuesday, police said the investigation into the crash that killed Dunn, 34, and friend Zachary Hartwell, 30, revealed that Dunn's Porsche may have been traveling at speeds of up to 130 mph when it jumped a guardrail and crashed into a ravine before bursting into flames. A coroner's report revealed that both men died of blunt force trauma from the impact of the wreck and burns from the resulting fire. "I was in Arizona with some friends having the best time with friends," Margera said of when he heard the news about Dunn, who co-starred on MTV's "Jackass" series, its three spin-off movies and Margera's "Viva La Bam" and "Bam's Unholy Union." "He was the happiest person, the smartest guy with so much talent," Bam continued. "He had so many things going for him. ... It is not right. ... It was the worst phone call I ever got in my life." Asked how he is going to get through the loss of the man he considered to be his brother, a choked-up Margera said, "I can't ... I can't." Bam's parents, who first broke the news about Dunn's death on Monday and who considered him part of their family, spoke out about the tragedy as well. "He's gonna be really missed by everybody," April Margera told NBC News on Tuesday, noting that she had often spoken to Dunn about his tendency to drive too fast. "Oh yeah, I've yelled at him for lots of things," she said, adding that Dunn was not a big drinker. The coroner's office said on Tuesday that toxicology results for both men — which would help determine whether alcohol was involved in the crash — would be released in four to six weeks. In the hours before the crash, Dunn was photographed drinking at Barnaby's of America, a bar in West Chester, Pennsylvania, leading some to speculate that he was drunk before the accident occurred. But an employee of the bar told MTV News that he "didn't seem intoxicated." "He seemed like he was having a good time, hanging out with friends," the employee said. "[He] only had a couple beers here. As far as we're concerned, the biggest thing, our hearts go out to the family and friends, and his loss is a big loss to our community. The biggest thing we're worried about is his friends and family." April also speculated that drinking was not a factor in the crash. "He was always responsible [with drinking and driving], so I can't imagine that he would do that," she said. "[I'm] sick because it's a waste, sick because I loved him, sick because he was talented, sick because I can't believe he's gone." Related Videos Related Photos |
| Sade Keeps It Supersmooth On NY Tour Stop Posted: 22 Jun 2011 05:36 AM PDT 'Soldier of Love' singer performed classics and recent hits after John Legend warmed up the crowd.
UNIONDALE, New York — If the name Sade only conjures up a melancholy Diddy-Dirty Money lyric (from "Ass on the Floor"), then her reemergence on Tuesday night at Nassau Coliseum, a week into the North American leg of her 2011 world tour, might not seem significant. But it's been a decade since the iconic, often reclusive singer hit the road, and her presence onstage seemed to prove that pop still has its constants. Over the course of about 90 minutes, the Nigerian-born Brit waded through a discography that spans nearly 30 years and never seems to collect dust. In fact, her opener, "Soldier of Love," is a pounding battle hymn that shares little of the DNA of her '80s classics. Dressed in all-black and perched atop strappy stilettos, Sade whipped up the adoring crowd, marching on to the stage and punctuating the song's insistent drum line with kick steps. At 52, she is almost as willowy now — and still sporting the same slick ponytail, scarlet-stained lips and hoop earrings — as she is in those early MTV music videos for standards like "Smooth Operator," which proved to be a multigenerational crowd-pleaser on Tuesday. And her smoky alto had a vocal range deceptively broader than her records might suggest. Supported by her longtime band/collaborators, Sade shimmied and kept the pace in flux, going from introspective ballads, like "Kiss of Life" (from Love Deluxe) and "Pearls," to midtempo cuts, like the roots-tinged "Love Is Stronger Than Pride" and "Sweetest Taboo." This was notable because she's built a catalog lined with sleepy tunes seemingly designed to ease you through the stages of heartbreak. While the boomer contingent came to their feet whenever the star dipped back to her '85 Diamond Life debut (some even danced junior-prom style in the aisles), others were excited to hear her work from 2000's Lovers Rock. If Picasso had his Blue period, that album could be considered Sade's Red, Yellow and Green period: The songstress had fallen in love and settled in Jamaica's Montego Bay and seemed to absorb the culture, even sporting the signature Rasta colors on the album's cover. She joined her backup singers for the blissful "All About Our Love" and demonstrated why she's worn the crown for so long on "King of Sorrow." Before signing off with another Rock cut, "By Your Side," Sade recalled coming to NYC in her 20s, just another girl and her band trying to make it, and jokingly compared herself to Crocodile Dundee. It was probably only fitting that Maxwell was sitting just a few rows back from the stage on Tuesday night. The crooner is arguably one of the few who can even blink in Sade's direction. John Legend is another, and he showed why during his opening set, throwing himself into smashes like "Ordinary People" and a delicious new arrangement of his "Green Light." Have you seen Sade in concert? Tell us about it in the comments! Related Artists |
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