MTV News |
- Linkin Park Call Red Square 'Transformers' Performance A 'Privilege'
- Lady Gaga, Pink, More React To New York Gay Marriage Bill
- Eminem Takes His Own Life In 'Space Bound' Video
- Justin Bieber 'Rooting For Drake' At BET Awards
- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Thought She Bombed 'Transformers' Audition
- Incubus Explore 'Stark Simplicity' In 'Promises, Promises' Video
- 'Cars 2': The Reviews Are In!
- Linkin Park Talk Next Album From Moscow's Red Square
- 'Twilight' Star Nikki Reed Is 'The One' For Paul McDonald
- Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce Ready To Rock BET Awards
- Rick Ross And Lil Wayne Hustle In '9 Piece' Video
- Rakim Calls His Longevity In Rap Game 'A Blessing'
- Alicia Keys: I Was 'Built' To Be A Mommy
- Michelle Obama Has 'Profound' Meeting With Nelson Mandela
- 'Bad Teacher': The Reviews Are In!
- Katy Perry Closing In On Michael Jackson's #1 Singles Record
- Selena Gomez Enters '80s Karaoke World For 'Love Song' Video
- Bruno Mars Fans Brave Rain For 'Today' Performance
| Linkin Park Call Red Square 'Transformers' Performance A 'Privilege' Posted: 24 Jun 2011 05:55 AM PDT LP perform 'Iridescent' from the 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' premiere in Moscow.
Linkin Park have taken their expansive rock show to seemingly every corner of the globe, but they've never played Moscow's Red Square (to be fair, very few acts ever have). But now, thanks to the power of Michael Bay and "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," they can finally cross it off their list.
On Friday, their performance of "Iridescent" — a song from their A Thousand Suns that's since been tapped as the first single off the new "Transformers" soundtrack — was broadcast across MTV's platform of networks. It was part of the blockbuster's world premiere at the Moscow International Film Fest, but to hear Linkin Park tell it, it was also a moment they'll remember for the rest of their lives. "To do a movie premiere is pretty cool — we've done some of them before — but to do a premiere in Moscow, and then perform in Red Square ... We were saying earlier, it's kind of one of those things where you think, 'How did they pull that off?' " LP's Chester Bennington told MTV News. "I mean, Red Square is not exactly a place they throw concerts every day. Not many bands have performed there, so ... this is really a very special and exceptional moment for us. We've had the privilege of playing a few other landmark locations that are very special, and this definitely tops that." Of course, it was a moment that couldn't have happened without the considerable clout of "Transformers" director Michael Bay ("There's, like, nothing he can't do," Bennington joked. "He may have actually shot the [film's] moon footage on the moon"), but when Linkin Park first joined forces with the franchise back in 2007, they never dreamed the collaboration would eventually lead them to Red Square. Basically, back then, they just signed on because they were huge fans of the toys. And needless to say, things have worked out pretty well ever since. "I have a special place in my heart for Soundwave and Starscream," Mike Shinoda laughed. "We loved playing with the toys as kids and conceptually, the idea of Transformers — these machines that are alive — it's always been a great story," Bennington added. "But realistically, the toys were amazing. They're still the coolest toys ever." 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 |
| Lady Gaga, Pink, More React To New York Gay Marriage Bill Posted: 25 Jun 2011 09:33 AM PDT 'Rejoice New York,' Lady Gaga tweeted. 'We did it!'
The Twitterverse was ablaze with every color of the rainbow Friday night as New York state became the sixth and most populous in the U.S. to allow gay marriage. With the bill, which passed 33 to 29 in the State Senate in Albany, the Empire State joins Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa and Washington D.C. in recognizing gay marriage in the United States. The timing was fortuitous as New Yorkers observe Pride Week, a celebration of the diversity of the LGBT community. Lady Gaga, whose LGBT advocacy has manifest well beyond her songwriting at speeches, rallies and appearances from San Francisco Pride in 2009 to the National Equality March in 2010, and the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, wasted no time making her pride known. "Rejoice New York, and propose. We did it!" she Tweeted. "The revolution is ours to fight for love, justice + equality." "CONGRATULATIONS!" Punk-pop provocateur Pink shouted. "ABOUT TIME!" Outspoken, plainclothes talk show hostess Ellen DeGeneres was thrilled about the news. "Every day we get a little closer," she Tweeted. "What an amazing feeling." "Progress!" Neil Patrick Harris said. "A historic night!" "Tonight we're all New Yorkers!" comedienne Kathy Griffin Tweeted. "Straight and gay alike, let's all celebrate marriage #equality." MTV's own "My Life As Liz" star, Liz Lee -- a recent Manhattan transplant -- weighed in, saying simply "Proud to be a resident of NYC!" "The rights u take for granted are only valid if u fight to give those same rights to others," Tweeted Russell Simmons "Happy that New York passed marriage equality tonight. A victory for human rights. Progress." wrote John Legend. "New York believes in EQUALITY!! Hopefully California and the rest of the U.S. will follow! Wish I was in NYC right now!" said Perez Hilton. Others couldn't wait to propose, taking to social media to state their love. "Wanna get married, @bravoandy?" 'NSYNC's Lance Bass asked Bravo's Andy Cohen. What's your reaction to New York's passage of marriage equality legislation? Sound off in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Eminem Takes His Own Life In 'Space Bound' Video Posted: 24 Jun 2011 02:33 AM PDT Em plays two versions of himself in eerie clip co-starring porn star Sasha Grey.
Just when we thought Eminem had fully escaped his demons following the release of his multiplatinum 2010 album Recovery, Marshall Mathers takes his own life with a single gunshot to the head in his new "Space Bound" video, which is now available on iTunes. The video is a gut-wrenching look into another of Eminem's tumultuous relationships, much like the one exhibited in the video for "Love the Way You Lie" — this time with deadly results. Filmed in Los Angeles in February, the Joseph Kahn-directed clip starts with our leading man walking down a foggy road in the middle of the night. Obviously perturbed, a sullen Em marches on, hands in his pockets, until a passing car picks him up. In the driver's seat is the Detroit rapper's love interest, played by porn star Sasha Grey. Things clearly aren't all peaches and cream. Eminem jumps in the front passenger seat, with a pensive look on his face, while another, more cynical version of Em rides in the back. The differences between the two Shadys are apparent. The front-seat version is calm, with his eyes darting back and forth between his girlfriend and the gun that sits in the glove compartment. The other Em is riled up, hurling insults at Grey, though she is unaware of his presence. As the couple pulls up to a pit stop, Grey exits the vehicle first with a gun in her back pocket, while Em follows her. They enter a diner, Grey first and the rapper a few steps behind. Here, the director splits the screen and the two Eminems go their separate ways, one to the counter and the other to the booth where his girlfriend sits, texting on her cell phone. Eminem grows suspicious of the texts and checks his girl's phone after she gets up to go to the bathroom. The rapper apparently finds what he has long suspected: His woman is cheating. Throughout the video, Eminem follows Grey like a lost puppy. It's when they check into a motel room that the drama unfolds. Closing the door behind him, Eminem begins to attack his girlfriend before realizing that she wasn't even there in the first place. Left at the end of his rope, Eminem pulls out the gun, puts it to his chin and fires a single shot through his own head. Blood splatters, and Shady falls to the floor. Simultaneously, the alternate Eminem, who is still seated at the counter, is struck by the bullet as well, falling back off of his bar stool before the clip rewinds back to the beginning of the 4:30 video, where we once again see our leading man walking down that foggy road in the middle of the night. Did Eminem imagine the entire ordeal? Or did his cheating girlfriend metaphorically kill the hopeless romantic, leaving only a distrustful version of himself? The image is jarring; the interpretation, however, is up to you. How did you interpret Eminem's "Space Bound" video? Tell us in the comments. Related Artists |
| Justin Bieber 'Rooting For Drake' At BET Awards Posted: 24 Jun 2011 08:50 AM PDT But pop star stays mum on what he has in store for fans during Sunday's show, airing live on BET at 8 p.m. ET.
Justin Bieber isn't nominated in any of the categories at this Sunday's 2011 BET Awards, but that isn't stopping the teen superstar from making an appearance. With so many of his pals up for prizes at the show, it's anyone's guess what the Biebs might do come awards day, and he's keeping it a surprise.
"You never know. I will never tell you, ever, even if there was a fire right now," the singer joked to MTV News on Thursday at a New York City event for his fragrance, Someday. "I wouldn't tell you. I can't tell you [or I'd] have to kill you." Usher, Chris Brown, Drake, former crush Beyoncé and Kanye West are among the performers nominated this year and they're also pals of Bieber's. And while he's excited for all of them, Justin said he's rooting hardest for his countryman. "I'm rooting for Drake," he said of his fellow Canadian. "Drake is my homey." Brown has six nods, Lil Wayne has five, and Kanye West, Drake and Rihanna each have four. The Video of the Year category has a surprising mix of contenders, including Willow Smith for "Whip My Hair," Marsha Ambrosius' "Far Away," B.o.B's "Airplanes," Brown's "Look at Me Now," Hilson's "Pretty Girl Rock" and West's "Runaway." In addition to the big-name nominees, among the A-list performers slated to take the stage at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium are Beyoncé, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne, Drake and Brown. Nicki Minaj and Bruno Mars have also been added to the show's lineup. The 2011 BET Awards, hosted by comedian Kevin Hart, air live on Sunday, June 26, at 8 p.m. ET on BET. What do you think Bieber will do at the awards show? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists |
| Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Thought She Bombed 'Transformers' Audition Posted: 24 Jun 2011 03:03 AM PDT 'Dark of the Moon' director Michael Bay called and said, 'You're the girl,' the first-time actress tells MTV News.
One of the many intriguing stories to emerge from the production and release of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" is the casting of new leading lady and first-time actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. In addition to making headlines for replacing Megan Fox as the new "Transformers" "It" girl, the fact that Whiteley comes to Hollywood from the equally glamorous world of modeling has only added to her appeal.
The Victoria's Secret model's acting abilities have already been touted and praised by her co-stars, Shia LaBeouf and Tyrese Gibson, but when MTV News caught up with the newbie, we asked her about the intensity of the audition process. "I went to the audition and really I knew nothing about the role," Whiteley said. "No one had said anything; it was just a role in 'Transformers,' so I kind of thought it would be an extra part or a cameo or something. I went in a bit blind and also, it was my first-ever audition. I went in completely not knowing what I was doing. I left feeling not confident." Whiteley didn't have long to wallow in her uncertainty, because a couple days after that audition, director Michael Bay phoned her directly. "He was like, 'Yeah, you're the girl,' " she recalled. Before landing the big-screen role, Whiteley had dabbled in some amateur acting via school plays and a short film for lingerie company Agent Provocateur, but "Dark of the Moon" was definitely her first real gig. So has she been bitten by the acting bug? "Yeah, I've been so lucky because doing this film, I got to try a little bit of everything," she said. "There's something for everyone in it: There's the romance, the comedy, the drama, the action, there's the special effects." But as to whether we'll see her back on the big screen soon, Whiteley wasn't so sure. "I'm really hoping to do another movie," she said. "I'm working toward that, although I very much hope to stay in the fashion industry; it's my first love. We'll see what happens. I've got no idea." 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 |
| Incubus Explore 'Stark Simplicity' In 'Promises, Promises' Video Posted: 24 Jun 2011 02:52 AM PDT Band's new clip is an artfully subtle affair, much like their new album, If Not Now, When?
Incubus' brand-new "Promises, Promises" video is a thing of beautiful simplicity — little more than the band performing in and around projected images, dancing lights and slowly undulating colors. To say it's a departure from the rocket-launcher guitars and skittering electro frippery of their past is a bit of an understatement; then again, pretty much everything about Incubus these days — especially their upcoming If Not Now, When? album — is a departure.
An intentional one, of course. Which is part of the reason they chose "Promises" as the proper first single from When?, which is due July 12. It represents everything they hoped to achieve with the new album. "It's about whittling down the process to really simple forms, finding real beauty in stark simplicity, allowing for space to be as big a part of the music as the notes," guitarist Mike Einziger told MTV News. "This album feels spacious to me, there's a lot air in the album. In our previous albums, we've tried to fit as many notes as humanly possible into the music and I think the idea of writing something that can stand on its own was a core theme of the album." And those ideals extended to frontman Brandon Boyd's lyrics too. In "Promises," he tells the story of a woman who shields herself from the world through barriers, both real and imagined. In the video, they're represented in the form of projections that envelop the band — but in the song itself, well, they're mostly alluded to. Which was Boyd's goal all along. "I realized that the greatest challenge was in saying more in less space, with less notes, less lyrics. Can you create a thought that can shatter something, or shake somebody up, without having to spell the whole thing out for them?" he said. "You introduce these ideas and then create gaps, so there's a lot of space on this record. And, this is just my humble opinion, but I think there is a grace to this album, that we've never really stumbled onto before, and I think I'm the most excited because of that." What do you think of the "Promises, Promises" video? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists |
| Posted: 24 Jun 2011 02:42 AM PDT Critics enjoy the visual ride but not much else about Pixar's latest.
Animated films, much like the big-screen work of Adam Sandler, are so often review-proof. "Hop" didn't give a hoot that critics eviscerated the Easter Bunny tale, opening to $37.5 million domestically on its way to a $176.8 million worldwide total. And hey, "Grown Ups" and "Just Go With It" were two of the most savagely critiqued comedies in recent memory, yet each one deposited a couple hundred million dollars in Sandler's already astonishing box-office pot of gold. So does it really matter that critics have flagged "Cars 2," Pixar's latest offering and its first sequel outside the "Toy Story" franchise, for a dizzying array of cinematic violations? Nope. The CGI flick is poised to race away with around $65 million this weekend. Kids, and the parents who hold their hands on the way to the theater, will be leading the charge. And they won't care at all that reviewers have harrumphed at the convoluted storytelling, because they'll be too busy gawking at what even critics admit are top-notch visuals.
But if you're old enough to read this, perhaps you might care. And thus we present a deep dive into the "Cars 2" reviews: The Story The Storytelling The Visuals The Missteps The Final Word Check out everything we've got on "Cars 2." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Linkin Park Talk Next Album From Moscow's Red Square Posted: 24 Jun 2011 12:43 AM PDT LP's performance of 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' single 'Iridescent' in historic landmark airs Friday at 8:55 p.m. on all MTV channels.
Linkin Park's voluminous A Thousand Suns was a departure, to say the very least. And, from the sound of things, they're getting ready to depart once again with a brand-new album that's already in its infancy.
At least that's what Linkin Park told MTV News in Moscow, where they'll perform the Suns song — and lead single from the "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" soundtrack — "Iridescent" on Friday from the iconic Red Square, in conjunction with the film's world premiere (a performance that will air on MTV, MTV2, mtvU, VH1 Classic and Palladia at 8:55 p.m. ET/PT). Turns out they've been working on new material for months now, and things are finally beginning to take shape. "We're always writing. It's hard to explain to people in simple terms what it means to us; the way we do it is a little weird and unique," LP's Mike Shinoda said. "We kind of write it and record it at the same time; we can do it on the road at all times. I mean, I was in my hotel room throwing something together at, like, 2 a.m. But what it takes to go from one of those demos to a finished song, I mean, we really obsess over it. It takes a while." And to that end, Linkin Park said there's still no firm release date for the new album (which will once again be produced by Rick Rubin), but they do know that it will see the light of day sooner rather than later, which, for them, would be yet another departure. "We do have a really great head start. We've got some great music, some good ideas. The creativity has continued to flow for us for the last few years, consistently," Chester Bennington said. "So, we do plan on having this record out much quicker than what we've turned out in the past — that was one of our goals — and I feel like we're in a really good place now." Of course, the next logical question would be: What does the new album sound like? And while LP weren't about to give up all the details ("Right now, it sounds like blips and bleeps and pieces," Bennington laughed), they're adamant that it will most certainly sound different than any of their previous efforts ... mostly because that's been the goal with every record they make. "The fans, what they always ask is, 'What's it going to sound like?' " Shinoda said. "And, for us, when we go into a record, from the beginning until now, the attitude has been 'We're going to challenge ourselves, and try to be better songwriters, try and come up with something that's original.' And we can't say, 'Oh, it's going to sound like one of our other records,' because the goal is actually not to do that." Linkin Park's Red Square performance will premiere Friday, June 24, at 8:55 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, MTV2, mtvU, VH1 Classic and Palladia. Related Artists |
| 'Twilight' Star Nikki Reed Is 'The One' For Paul McDonald Posted: 24 Jun 2011 02:20 AM PDT 'American Idol' finalist talks about his whirlwind romance and wedding plans.
Earlier this month, "American Idol" contestant Paul McDonald and "Twilight" star Nikki Reed used the MTV Movie Awards as the perfect opportunity to take their engagement public, only months after they began dating.
When MTV News caught up with McDonald at the "American Idol" season 10 tour press day in Los Angeles, the singer opened up about planning the big day. "Well, yeah, I'm not allowed to say too, too much about that stuff, but it's going good," he dished. "I love her to death." While outside observers may have felt that the two were rushing to the altar, McDonald says that they fell in love at first sight, which was even more surprising for him. "She's amazing. It's kind of one of those things you don't expect," he said. "Like, last year I never would have thought I'd be getting married. She's amazing. She's the perfect girl. We fit each other; when you know you know and she's the one." His gushing sentiments about the actress seem to mirror ones she's shared about him. Shortly after announcing their engagement, she reportedly told E! News, "He's the one. He's the one." For now, McDonald is on the road with his fellow Idols through September, giving him enough time to nail down who he wants to get to sing at his reception, whenever that should take place. "Oh, I told Jacob Lusk he's going to sing at my wedding and my funeral," he joked. "Who knows? Maybe we'll get the whole 'Idol' crew to be wedding singers. Maybe we'll get Adam Sandler." |
| Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce Ready To Rock BET Awards Posted: 24 Jun 2011 02:47 AM PDT
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| Rick Ross And Lil Wayne Hustle In '9 Piece' Video Posted: 24 Jun 2011 12:26 AM PDT DJ Khaled, Birdman, 8Ball & MJG and others make cameos in new clip.
There are plenty of legal ramifications to selling dope off your iPhone, but in their new video for "9 Piece," Rick Ross and Lil Wayne throw caution to the wind and put their devices to work. The video opens with Ross orchestrating a narcotics transaction from the driver's side of his car, negotiating prices while speaking on his cell phone. Not even nearby police officers can dissuade the Maybach Music Group CEO from his high-tech trafficking. The track, which first appeared on Rozay's 2010 Ashes to Ashes mixtape, originally featured T.I., but Ross added Weezy to a new version of the song this past April. As it stands now, the track is slated to appear on Ross' upcoming fifth solo album, God Forgives, I Don't.
On the "9 Piece" hook, the rotund Ross gives a nod to Memphis hip-hop veterans 8Ball & MJG, as he raps referencing cocaine measurements and the celebrated duo simultaneously: "Nine piece, straight eight balls, MJG, bitch, I got eight balls." The group makes a cameo in the clip, but it is Wayne who steals the show as he performs his verse from the inside of a nightclub while shooting pool. The eight ball on the pool table provides yet another not-so-subtle parallel to the drug measurement. Weezy raps into his phone as well, spitting, "It's Lil Tunech, what up, though?/ I'm talkin' white girl, Marilyn Monroe." The video then goes NSFW, as the next scene takes viewers into a strip club, where women dance topless for Ross and his crew. Cameos are in abundance: DJ Khaled, Birdman, French Montana, Gunplay and Torch from Ross' group Triple Cs all make appearances. As the video wraps, there is no grand finale or great reveal, just Ross and Wayne reaping the spoils of a drug dealer's lifestyle, minus the pitfalls. Have you seen Ross and Weezy's video? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists |
| Rakim Calls His Longevity In Rap Game 'A Blessing' Posted: 24 Jun 2011 01:05 AM PDT 'The MC's life span in the game is maybe seven years, 10 years, 12 years,' pioneering MC reflects to MTV News on 25th anniversary of Paid in Full.
In the 1980s, critics largely labeled hip-hop a passing fad, refusing to believe that the budding art form would grow into a respected genre. So for hip-hop pioneer Rakim, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his and DJ Eric B.'s 1987 debut album, Paid in Full, is rather humbling. "It's a blessing to be in the game this long and to have your work recognized after 25 years," Rakim told MTV News on Wednesday from his dressing room after performing the first of two shows with the Roots at legendary New York jazz club the Blue Note.
Even though the RIAA's website lists Paid in Full's original release date as July 9, Rakim Allah celebrated early with Philadelphia's (and "Late Nate With Jimmy Fallon" house band) the Roots. Together they ran through select cuts from the groundbreaking album. Fans were treated to spirited renditions of PIF classics like "Eric B. Is President" and "I Ain't No Joke," as well as other favorites like 1992's "Juice (Know the Ledge)." "It's a big thing," Rakim said of the occasion. "The MC's life span in the game is maybe seven years, 10 years, 12 years, so to be around and to get respect at this point is a blessing." Roots rapper Black Thought can still remember the impact of Paid in Full and how "The R" changed things in hip-hop, particularly by introducing the teachings of the Five-Percent Nation to rap. Five Percenters, as the Nation's followers are called, brought a heightened sense of spirituality to the music with their ideologies based on many Islamic principles. "Pre-Paid in Full, you didn't hear too many records — there were MCs out there, I used to hear some types with MCs rapping about having knowledge of self and dealing with that type of spirituality — but before Rakim, like, pre-Paid in Full, it wasn't out there like that. It was very much still a rarity," Thought said. Ra opened the door for Five-Percent MCs, most notably, the Wu-Tang Clan who based many of their songs on the Nation's teachings. But that wasn't all. With Paid in Full, Rakim is credited not only with introducing a more sophisticated vocabulary to hip-hop, but also more complex flows and rhythms and an interlaced rhyme structure. "I'm not saying lyrics or rap was simple or simplistic before that," Black Thought said, "but the complexity of it, the musicality of it changed after Rakim came out." Share your memories of Paid in Full in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Alicia Keys: I Was 'Built' To Be A Mommy Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:31 PM PDT 'I feel like I'm definitely more creative,' singer says of her music and motherhood.
If Alicia Keys was a little tired this week, it would be understandable. The wife of Swizz Beatz and new mommy to 8-month-old Egypt has been on a non-stop promo run to celebrate the 10th-anniversary re-release of her seminal, multi-Grammy-Award-winning debut, Songs in A Minor, that includes a transatlantic mini-tour, a live performance at this Sunday's 2011 BET Awards and a spate of sit-downs with outlets like MTV News.
But are you even surprised that the woman who penned a song called "Superwoman" wasn't the least bit tired when MTV News caught up with her on Wednesday? In fact, the resplendent Keys (sporting some sun-kissed tan lines when we saw her) said she's feeling "amazing." "I never was one to get a lot of sleep anyway, because of the nature of what I do and how much we fly and how much we work," Keys told us. "So honestly, I'll tell Egypt, 'That's all you got?! You only got waking up every three hours, that's it? C'mon!' " she joked about her unbreakable stamina. "I guess in a way, I was built for it," she added of motherhood. Because whereas new moms often lament the onset of "brain mush" brought about by relentless nighttime feedings and a dearth of zzz's, A.Keys said the changes in her life have only stirred up her creative juices. "The past year has been incredible; just so many blessings, being able to be a mommy, being able to be a wife and just really finding my center and my place of comfort. ... Being a mom is like, spectacular. It's the most fun I've ever had, period. I feel like I'm having more fun than I've ever had in my whole life," she said. "I feel like I'm definitely more creative. I'm more thoughtful about my plans and the things that I do, so overall everything is like a hundred times better." The Songs in A Minor 10th-anniversary edition is set to drop on June 28, and Keys' intimate, piano-only show hits New York's Beacon Theatre on June 30. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Michelle Obama Has 'Profound' Meeting With Nelson Mandela Posted: 24 Jun 2011 12:14 AM PDT We get an inside view of the first lady's meetings with South African leaders.
All this week, first lady Michelle Obama has been touring Africa with her mother and daughters as part of her ongoing work to engage and empower young people at home and abroad. Journalist Lola Ogunnaike has been covering the entire trip for BET as part of an upcoming special, "Impact on Africa: On a Mission With the First Lady." Ogunnaike called MTV News to share her insight and exclusive information about the experience. These are her words.
First lady Michelle Obama met with Graça Machel, Nelson Mandela's wife, at the Nelson Mandela Foundation earlier this week. It's clear to me the two of them enjoy a genuine rapport. Graça really seems to have an affinity for our first lady. She walked her around the museum, and the two of them looked at everything from old diaries to old itineraries to books to letters that he'd written. One of the facts that seemed to take Obama aback was that at one point while Mandela was incarcerated — because he was incarcerated for 27 years — he was allowed to write only one letter every six months. You could see her face recoil. Can you imagine being able to communicate with the outside world only once every six months? I think it was something she was amazed by and which moved her in a profound way. The first lady's mother and two daughters were there, and she joked with her daughters that they were going to be quizzed later on everything they'd learned. That got a cute laugh from the crowd. The first lady also met with Nelson Mandela. It was a private meeting, but when I spoke about it with her during our interview, she said it was like meeting with family. It was one of the most profound moments of the journey for her. It was clear to me that it was a moment she'll hold dearly in her heart forever. When she spoke about meeting him, her eyes lit up. She never thought she'd have the chance to meet him, let alone to have the opportunity to have her family meet him. To be sitting there with someone who was so instrumental in changing the direction of the world — and that's not an overstatement — was both a full-circle moment and a call to action for her. Related Videos |
| 'Bad Teacher': The Reviews Are In! Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:02 PM PDT Critics grade Cameron Diaz's irreverent flick as it enters a mixed bag of summer comedies.
As "Bad Teacher" opens this weekend, it joins a mixed bag of summer comedies. While we're still giggling over certain "Bridesmaids" moments and can't wait to take in a second viewing on DVD, "The Hangover Part II" left us reaching for a copy of the original film to remind us why we were so taken with that boozy cinematic bunch. But hey, the second "Hangover" has grossed almost $500 million worldwide, so what the heck do we know?
The Cameron Diaz-starring laugher, according to the critics, falls closer to the letdown that was the second "Hangover" than the revelatory "Bridesmaids." Reviewers have criticized the film for plot holes galore and poor character development, even as most have admitted it delivers a hefty helping of laughs. Read on for a deeper dive into the critics' take on "Bad Teacher." The Story The Performances The 'Bad' Comparisons The Missteps The Final Word 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 |
| Katy Perry Closing In On Michael Jackson's #1 Singles Record Posted: 23 Jun 2011 10:02 PM PDT If 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)' tops Hot 100, Perry's Teenage Dream will tie MJ's mark of five #1s from a single album.
Katy Perry's unstoppable Teenage Dream album continues to churn out hits ... and now, it might just make history too. If Dream's fifth single, the just-released "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)", continues its climb to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 (it currently sits at #4, jumping 27 spots from last week), Perry will not only become the first female artist to ever have five #1 songs off one album, she'll be the first artist of any gender to accomplish the feat since Michael Jackson had five chart-topping singles off his Bad album in 1987 and 1988. Perry's previous #1s from the Dream album are, of course, "California Gurls," "Teenage Dream," "Firework" and "E.T." Jackson's five #1s from the Bad album are "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Bad," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man in the Mirror" and "Dirty Diana." Perry has already shattered the Hot 100 record for most consecutive weeks with a single inside the Top 10 (48, a number previously held by Swedish popmeisters Ace of Base), then kept that momentum going by spending an entire year in the chart's upper echelon. More incredibly, that streak is still active, as two of Perry's singles — "T.G.I.F." and "E.T." — sit at numbers 4 and 5, respectively. What's more, "T.G.I.F" currently sits atop the Billboard Digital Songs chart, and may soon be her sixth single to pass the 4 million mark in digital sales, joining "E.T.," "California Gurls," "Firework," and from her One of the Boys album, "Hot N Cold" and "I Kissed a Girl." No other artist has even had four songs pass the 4 million download mark ... Perry's closest competitors in that regard are Lady Gaga and Rihanna, both of whom have had three 4 million-sellers. What do you think of Katy Perry's chart streak? Sound off in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Selena Gomez Enters '80s Karaoke World For 'Love Song' Video Posted: 24 Jun 2011 08:28 AM PDT For her new single, 'Love You Like a Love Song,' the pop star pays homage to cheesy '80s clips.
Selena Gomez may have been born in 1992, but that doesn't mean that the teen queen can't get a little nostalgic for the '80s. In the new music video for her very meta love ode, "Love You Like a Love Song," the 18-year-old pops into sets that recall that golden age of music videos. The clip takes place in a Japanese karaoke bar, where a dolled-up Gomez (big hair, golden disco-style dress) takes the stage to perform the track, off her forthcoming album When the Sun Goes Down. Soon, she's transported into the videos on the karaoke's TV set. And as anyone who's frequented such a bar knows, those often look like a mash-up of every cheesy '80s video, movie or TV show ever made. The pop star manages to appear in scenes that recall the B-52's, "Cry-Baby," "Amadeus," Belinda Carlisle and the Talking Heads, to name a few. With each new set comes a dazzling new outfit: On the beach, Gomez is hippie-chic in a flowing tie-dye gown. In the "Amadeus" set-up, she's in her finest powdered wig and gown. While driving in a convertible, she's wearing cat-eye tortoise-shell frames and a '50s-esque tailored halter top. And as she nods her head on the screen with her hair in a ponytail, bright silver lipstick, sunglasses and a white suit, she looks like a cross between computer-animated '80s TV personality Max Headroom and boyfriend Justin Bieber. Then, while hanging out in a field with a mariachi band, she sports a little dress with lots of sequins and tutu. The video closes with Gomez, back in the karaoke bar, her co-stars from all the other scenes filling the seats around the stage and giving her a round of applause. "The video is the craziest video I've ever done," she shared in a behind-the-scenes video about making the clip, directed by Geremy Jasper and Georgie Greville (Goldfrapp, Florence & The Machine). "Sometimes when you're in love, there are things you can't really explain and it doesn't make sense. That's how I feel when I'm in love." Related Artists |
| Bruno Mars Fans Brave Rain For 'Today' Performance Posted: 24 Jun 2011 09:06 AM PDT Mars performed 'Lazy Song,' 'Just the Way You Are' and more at 'Today' show performance in Rockefeller Center.
NEW YORK — Rainy, misty weather did not stop Bruno Mars "hooligans" from attending his concert at the Plaza at Rockefeller Center early Friday morning (June 24) for the "Today" show. Fans came from all around the country, some even camping out since 10 p.m. the previous night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Grammy Award winner. Mars didn't disappoint, performing his hits "The Lazy Song," "Runaway Baby" and "Just the Way You Are" off of his debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. "He's an amazing singer, performer. [His Grammy win] makes me like him even more," fan Kathy Ramos, who had been waiting since 1 a.m., said. Fans created hundreds of homemade signs hoping to catch Mars' eye. Megan Carroll and Kayla Dee, both 16, lined up late Thursday night and were excited to see Mars perform. "We love him. We saw him a month ago and we needed to go again. The rain's annoying, but it's definitely worth it," Carroll said. Munzath Ashraf and Sundus Arain, both 18, arrived around 4 a.m. for the show. "We love Bruno Mars and we want to make sure we get in," Ashraf said. More than 2,000 fans arrived early this morning, surprising local police and even host Ann Curry, who proclaimed this concert was the "biggest crowd of the year" for the "Today" show concert series. The line to get inside the barricades wrapped around at least three blocks. But the limited space and the massive crowd left many fans unable to see the show. Even fans who had waited for hours weren't able to get inside the barricade. Both Ashraf and Arain ended up leaving even before they saw Mars. "We are really disappointed. The stage was just too low to the ground and people were crying and trying to jump on our shoulders," Ashraf explained. Mars hit the stage sleekly dressed in a black Dolce & Gabbana suit with a hot pink shirt and black tie along with dark shades, but without his signature short-brimmed fedora hat. The singer started his set with "The Lazy Song," which really got the crowd amped. After his first song, Matt Lauer and Mars talked for a few minutes and commented on how much larger the crowd was today as compared to his last appearance on the show eight months ago. Mars, who continues to gain notoriety and success as a solo artist, told Lauer, "They're making signs for me. I'm just happy I'm here. I really got lucky." When asked if he plans to keep writing for other artists (Mars has previously written for Cee-Lo Green, B.o.B and Travie McCoy), Mars joked, "Absolutely not. I'm done," and then added "Of course." For his next song, Mars sang "Runaway Baby" and playfully danced along with his band. To close the set, Mars sang a jazzy rendition of "Just the Way You Are," with the whole crowd singing along. And as if on cue, the rain really started to come as soon as Mars ended his set. Related Artists |
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