MTV News |
- Jay-Z Joins T.I., Fat Joe, Fabolous As A Hip-Hop Dad
- Madonna Made 'Magic' With William Orbit On <i>M.D.N.A.</i>
- Vanessa Hudgens, Shailene Woodley, More Reveal Red Carpet <i>Don't</i>s
- 'American Idol' Introduces Shelby Tweten And ... Magic Cyclops
- Bow Wow 'Needed To Live Life' To Make <i>Underrated</i>
- Lindsay Lohan Sued After Car Crash With Nanny
- The Wanted Get 'Massive Buzz' From American Fans
- Ne-Yo Aims To Revitalize Motown To Its 'Original Glory'
- Demi Moore's Hospitalization: More Details Emerge
- Justin Bieber Makes 'Huge Impact' On Organ Donor Registrations
- Sundance 2012: The Five Most Buzzed-About Movies
- Russell Brand Sets First Public Appearance Since Katy Perry Split
- 'SpongeBob' Cameo Gives Johnny Knoxville 'Street Cred'
- Adele's <I>21</I> Ties Another #1 <I>Billboard</I> Record
- Joe Jonas, Jennifer Love Hewitt Cozy Up In 'Cleveland'
- Demi Moore Hospitalization Caps Rough Patch For Actress
- The Shins Change, Stay The Same On <i>Port Of Morrow</i>
- Katherine Heigl Has 'Thought A Lot' About Return To 'Grey's Anatomy'
- Demi Lovato <i>Not</i> In Rehab For Substance Abuse
- State Of The Union Draws Mixed Reactions From Junior Statesmen
| Jay-Z Joins T.I., Fat Joe, Fabolous As A Hip-Hop Dad Posted: 26 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST 'It's serious being a hip-hop rapper and being a father in the real world,' Fat Joe tells MTV News.
Jay-Z isn't the first rapper to become a dad, not by a long shot. But now that he and wife Beyoncé welcomed Blue Ivy Carter into the world on January 8, there has been much speculation over what kind of parents they will be.
So how will Jay balance his street-bred rap persona with his new fatherly responsibilities? It's a balancing act that MCs like T.I., Fat Joe and Fabolous have been juggling for some time now. Before rap, Fat Joe had quite the reputation on the streets of the Bronx, and over the course of his 19-year career, his music has reflected just that. His teenage son, Ryan, sometimes feels the pressure to live up to his dad's rep, but Joey Crack works hard to guide him right. " 'Everywhere he goes people tell him, 'I remember when your father was this, this and that,' so he's tryin' to live up to that," Joe told MTV News. "But I'm tryin' to tell him, 'Yo, we live in a mansion, B, like you know that's done.' " Ja Rule, who is currently serving a two-year sentence on a gun charge, talked to MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway about how his life decisions ultimately affect his kids when he appeared on "RapFix Live" in April. "She needs her father," Rule said of his teenage girl, Brittany. "My boys, they need me right now too, as well as my wife. They need Daddy, and Daddy f---ed up." Nick Cannon was recently hospitalized for kidney failure and spoke to MTV News about maintaining a healthier lifestyle to be there for his and wife Mariah Carey's children."There was a second I was thinking like, 'Damn, what if I'm not able to instill the things that I want to instill into my children?' " he said of his time in the hospital earlier this month. "It just makes you think, 'Yo, I need to give them everything I can possibly give them right now,' and obviously it starts with love." Being a hip-hop father definitely changes things. Before he became a dad, Fabolous rarely rhymed about his personal life, but in 2009 he opened up about his son Johan on "Stay," a track from his Loso's Way album. On his upcoming Loso's Way 2, Fab figures he will open up even more. "[Children] change the way you look at things and do things and I think the music will reflect that too," he said.
T.I. has been balancing rap and family life for almost his entire career. He and wife Tameka "Tiny" Harris now star in the VH1 reality series "T.I. and Tiny: The Family Hustle," where cameras follow the couple and their six children around. On the show, Tip's kids exhibit a star quality similar to their famous dad; his son Domani is even starting a rap career of his own. "I'm not going to encourage him," T.I. said about his son following in his footsteps. "However, I will support him if I see that he's sincerely passionate." There's a lot to consider when being a hip-hop dad, so Hov has his work cut out for him. "It's serious being a hip-hop rapper and being a father in the real world," Fat Joe said. Share your advice for Jay-Z in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Madonna Made 'Magic' With William Orbit On <i>M.D.N.A.</i> Posted: 26 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST Singer told MTV News she and her Ray of Light producer 'finish each other's sentences.'
Madonna is readying the release of her album M.D.N.A., and for it she headed back into the studio with a familiar face. She hooked up once again with producer William Orbit, who worked on a number of tracks on the album, including her Golden Globe Award-winning "Masterpiece."
The relationship between Madonna and Orbit has been a fruitful one. He produced most of the songs on 1998's Ray of Light, including "Ray of Light," "Nothing Really Matters," "Frozen" and "The Power of Good-bye." The album later won several Grammy Awards and VMAs. Their work together didn't end there. One year later, they produced Madge's "Austin Powers" soundtrack song, "Beautiful Stranger," which nabbed a Grammy Award in 2000. In the years since, she worked with Orbit on several unreleased tracks. So, when it came to their latest collaboration, words weren't needed. "With William, I didn't really have a discussion," she told MTV News at the New York premiere of "W.E." "We've worked on stuff for so many years that we kind of finish each other's sentences. He knows my taste and what I like."
With "Masterpiece" serving as a tease, the singer later added, "Magic happens when we get into a recording studio together." As fans prep for the release of her studio album, they can look forward to her halftime Super Bowl performance and her video for the Martin Solveig-produced "Gimme All Your Luvin" (which also features Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.). Are you excited for M.D.N.A.? Leave your comments below! Related Artists |
| Vanessa Hudgens, Shailene Woodley, More Reveal Red Carpet <i>Don't</i>s Posted: 26 Jan 2012 03:53 AM PST 'Absolutely do not be drunk or high on anything,' Dame Helen Mirren advises MTV News in latest edition of Don't Do That.
With awards season is in full swing — Oscar nominations were announced on Tuesday, the Screen Actors Guild Awards are set for Sunday — the stars have been stepping up their fashion game in hopes of taking home one of the most important honors: Best Dressed. But a lot of work goes into making that coveted list. MTV News asked some of the biggest actresses in the business for advice on what not to do on a red carpet.
"Don't wear something that's uncomfortable," said "Descendents" star Shailene Woodley when asked about how to leave a lasting impression. "Wear something that's super comfortable." Hudgens had some unusual advice for what not to do on the red carpet. "A cartwheel ... in a dress," she said. Comfort may not have been at the top of the list for Reese Witherspoon and Charlize Theron, who wowed at the 2012 Golden Globes, but they were certainly dazzling. Similarly, young starlets like Demi Lovato and Vanessa Hudgens made daring fashion choices at the People's Choice Awards and came out winners. "The Help" star Jessica Chastain — who just got her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress — seemed to agree with Woodley. "You should never wear something that makes you uncomfortable because then you look uncomfortable," Chastain said. "We've all done that, right? We've all been talked into something we didn't love, by our grandmothers, our aunts, my great aunt." Chastain's fellow Oscar nominee and "Help" co-star, Viola Davis, has a busy red-carpet season ahead of her, but don't expect her to strike a pose. "My big thing, I never do over-the-shoulder shots," Davis told us. "I just don't. I think they're cheesy. "I think absolutely you should be who you are, it has a huge calming effect as opposed to adding anxiety to yourself and trying to channel another persona; it really doesn't work," the Best Actress nominee continued. "Can you imagine the over-the-shoulder, hair-flip kinda pose for myself?" Of course, it's not just about the dress or the most flattering pose — viewers keep an eye on carpet etiquette, too. According to Dame Helen Mirren, a star should always be on their best behavior. "Don't be drunk, absolutely do not be drunk or high on anything," Mirren said. "Don't be nervous and do enjoy it. Think [to yourself], 'This is crazy, this is ridiculous, it's absurd, it has absolutely no place in the modern world. I'm just gonna love it.' " Share your favorite red-carpet looks of the season so far in the comments! Stay with MTV Style during awards-show season, and every day! Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'American Idol' Introduces Shelby Tweten And ... Magic Cyclops Posted: 25 Jan 2012 07:00 AM PST Haley Smith, Angie Zeiderman and Jairon Jackson also stand out during Aspen, Colorado, auditions.
The change in direction in this year's "American Idol" — focusing on actual contestants rather than the humiliating auditions that result in YouTube infamy — has, thus far, deprived viewers of any great-bad moments. That changed Wednesday (January 25) during the "Idol" auditions from Aspen, Colorado, when viewers were introduced to "professional air guitarist" Magic Cyclops, who showed up in front of Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson in an American-flag T-shirt, a red-white-and-blue bandana and a faux-British accent he said he picked up in Davenport, Iowa, from watching the BBC.
The long-haired, facial-hair-sporting Cyclops refused to give his age — "it's not polite to ask a lady her age," he told Jackson — and claimed to be the proud owner of 11,000 air guitars. "I know there's a guy in Belgium that has, I think, five more than me," he said. When it came time to sing, Cyclops offered the judges their choice between Neil Diamond's "Cracklin' Rosie" and Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" and ended up singing them both in a kind of metalhead growl. Jackson was already on his way out of the room when Cyclops hit his grand finale — a burst of confetti shooting out of a cannon he had tucked into the back of his pants — but by that time, season 11 had finally given us someone to include alongside William Hung, Renaldo Lapuz and others in the "Idol" Bad Audition Hall of Fame. Cyclops aside, Aspen had a solid crop of talent to offer, with 31 singers earning Golden Tickets to Hollywood. Perhaps the most unique contestant was 25-year-old Angie Zeiderman of Delray Beach, Florida, a would-be Lady Gaga in a floral-print minidress, pearls and a purple hairdo who rolled around the audition stage while performing "When You've Got It, Flaunt It" from "The Producers." She followed it with a measured take on Roy Orbison's "Blue Bayou," leading Jackson to tell her, "You're in your own little world." Lopez complimented her strong voice and her tone, while Tyler told her she had a "great little voice." Zeiderman herself told the cameras, "It is time for a vintage glitter queen on 'American Idol,' " and it seems as though she's right, as she sailed through to the next round of auditions. Viewers were also told the story of Shelby Tweten, 17, of North Mankato, Minnesota, who was diagnosed bipolar last year but who said "American Idol" keeps her balanced and gives her a reason to stay on her medication. Her version of Carrie Underwood's "Temporary Home" brought a tear to Lopez's eye and inspired Jackson to give her a "big, huge yes!" to Hollywood. Haley Smith, meanwhile, doesn't have just one job she has to leave to head to Hollywood, but three. The hardworking 18-year-old from Orem, Utah, brought a little flower power to Wednesday's show, as her throwback hippie vibe gave Steven Tyler flashbacks. "I love your voice so much. You're right out of my era, and I'm honored to be here listening to your voice," he told the Janis Joplin-like Smith, following her earthy version of Rufus and Chaka Kahn's "Tell Me Something Good." Then there was 19-year-old Jairon Jackson of Denver, Colorado, whose original song "So Hard" inspired Lopez to exclaim, "That kid is a real artist!" and also provided enough of a tie-in for producers to play will.i.am.'s Lopez-assisted "T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)." Cross-promotion is key, kids. Other singers ushered through to Hollywood on Wednesday's episode included elementary school teacher Jenni Schick, 24, of Sterling, Virginia, who managed to steal a kiss on the lips from Tyler before leaving the judge's room; Curtis Gray, 28, of Spring Hill, Florida, who was called a "major talent" after his version of Boyz II Men's "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday"; Scotty McCreery sound-alike Richie Law, 19, of Centennial, Colorado; Devan Jones, 26, of Aurora, Colorado, a hotel clerk who moved the judges with his version of the Script's "The Man Who Can't Be Moved"; and 25-year-old Mathenee Reco of Centennial, Colorado, a dance instructor who gave an animated version of the Beatles' "Hey Jude." On Thursday, "Idol" is off to Galveston, Texas, to find out if everything really is bigger in Texas. What did you think of Magic Cyclops and the rest of Wednesday's "Idol" contestants? Let us know in the comments! Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. |
| Bow Wow 'Needed To Live Life' To Make <i>Underrated</i> Posted: 25 Jan 2012 07:40 AM PST 'I had to go through a lot of things for me to be able to write the type of things I'm writing now,' Bow tells 'RapFix Live.'
Bow Wow has grown up in hip-hop, but in order to deliver his upcoming seventh album, Underrated, the Cash Money MC had to go through some real-life experiences. "I feel like with this album, it's so different, because I had to live life to make this album," the 24-year old rapper told Sway when he visited "RapFix Live" on Wednesday.
"I had to go through a lot of things for me to be able to write the type of things I'm writing now, to understand my fans, to be on the ground level. Not above my people, but right there with my people," he continued. "I would probably need another three years to live before I can create another one. Just so I could go through different things." As far as the album title, Bow used it as motivation. "The more and more I kept sayin' the word 'underrated,' I realized how many others of millions of people out there probably tuning in right now who probably feel like they're underrated," he said. "I'm sure there is an underground rapper out there who can rap hard and he want his break." Despite all his platinum plaques and sold-out tours, Bow Wow still feels like he doesn't get his just due. He hopes that will change once the album drops. Bow recently debuted the first video from the album, for "Sweat" with Lil Wayne, and he has already clocked in collaborations with Lloyd Banks. Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Jadakiss and Meek Mill and still plans to record with Wiz Khalifa. Though there isn't a concrete release date in place, Bow Wow estimates Underrated will drop in April. What are you expecting from Bow Wow's latest album? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lindsay Lohan Sued After Car Crash With Nanny Posted: 25 Jan 2012 06:24 AM PST Actress allegedly hit Nubia Del Carmen Preza back in 2010 when the nanny was pushing a stroller across the road.
Lindsay Lohan can't stay out of the headlines for more than a few weeks. The problem-plagued actress has been sued by a woman claiming Lohan hit her with her car. According to TMZ, the accident occurred way back in September 2010, when Lohan was reportedly seen running a red light in West Hollywood, California, and hit a nanny, Nubia Del Carmen Preza, who was pushing a stroller across the intersection. A witness, Brayan Jaime — who was an aspiring paparazzi photographer at the time of the hit-and-run — told the website the accident was a "major hit." He claims he saw the bumper of Lohan's sports car hit Preza in the leg and lift three of the stroller's four wheels into the air on impact. Jaime also said he heard crying but that the child didn't appear to have been injured; he didn't comment on Preza's condition. When asked why he didn't immediately call the police after witnessing the crash, Jaime said he didn't have a good reason. "I should have. I'm not sure," he told TMZ. "I didn't want to get involved." There was talk that Jaime and another fellow paparazzo managed to capture video of the incident, but nothing has surfaced yet. Perhaps the filing of the lawsuit will change that. Preza has reportedly filed for unspecified damages in her suit. There is no word on whether Preza sustained any lasting injuries from the crash or why she didn't immediately file the lawsuit or police charges against Lohan at the time. |
| The Wanted Get 'Massive Buzz' From American Fans Posted: 25 Jan 2012 07:52 AM PST British boy band talks to MTV News about 'amazing' U.S. tour.
As British boy band the Wanted embark on a U.S. tour, the five guys are eating up all the love they've been receiving Stateside. In fact, they kind of can't get enough of all the American fans they have met since kicking off their tour last week. "Unbelievable, like we never expected it," Max George told MTV News about the shows, which have included sold-out dates. "The States is one territory in the world we always wanted to crack, and that's like the ultimate. It's been amazing."
The Wanted — made up of George, Tom Parker, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes — formed in 2009 and quickly became popular enough in the U.K. to snag touring dates with Justin Bieber. Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, has since taken them under his managerial wing, accelerating their rise to American popularity. In fact, they even opened for Britney Spears for a date on her Femme Fatale Tour. They are currently out promoting their single "Glad You Came." Parker said he's overwhelmed by the response the guys have been getting city after city since coming over, which includes a performance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." "It's all been really quick, actually, and we've only been over here for a week and we've seen it grow massively in just a week," he said of the group's popularity. "Well that's the power of the Internet; social networking crosses over into so many different territories that for us it's been crucial." Kaneswaran added that the guys have also been connecting to audiences and fans thanks to "the power of music, music defines an act." As the guys continue to weave spells over American audiences, they weighed in on what makes U.S. fans different from the ones back home. "The American fans are so optimistic, very intense," George said. "They're just really enthusiastic. I get a massive buzz off American people. I think it's really refreshing." With several weeks left on their trek around America, McGuiness teased future audiences of what they should expect at one of their shows. "I think just don't go expecting the perfect, polished, most beautiful set of things ever," he said. "Basically it's five guys and this absolutely rocking band. Our band is badass and we sing our heads off and it gets sweaty." The guys are here promoting their album Battleground. Their U.S. tour will wrap up on February 8 in Los Angeles before they kick off an arena tour on February 15 in their native England. "We were always hopeful it would go as good as it started off to be," McGuiness added. "But you never know how a new territory is going to react. I feel like there is an element of luck involved." Are you planning on seeing the Wanted live? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Ne-Yo Aims To Revitalize Motown To Its 'Original Glory' Posted: 25 Jan 2012 05:06 AM PST 'I was just flattered that they thought me worthy of such a responsibility,' Ne-Yo tells MTV News of his new SVP role.
Ne-Yo never sought to be a music executive, but when Motown approached him to become the senior vice president of A&R, he couldn't say no. "Sometimes the music that feeds your soul isn't necessarily the music that feeds your family. So I never envied those cats who had to make those types of decisions," Ne-Yo told MTV News.
On Tuesday, news broke that Ne-Yo made a move from Def Jam, where he started his career, to Motown, where he will now record and help to develop new talent. The Grammy Award-winning singer explained to MTV News that he still has close ties to Def Jam, which like Motown falls under the Universal umbrella. It was Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown chairman/CEO Barry Weiss and senior vice president of Motown Ethiopia Habtemariam who were instrumental in bringing Ne-Yo over in an effort to re-brand the storied label that Berry Gordy started back in 1959. "They sat me down and talked to me about the whole revitalization of Motown, bringing Motown back to its original glory," Ne-Yo said. "I gotta say, beyond anything else, I was just flattered that they thought me worthy of such a responsibility." Music legends like Diana Ross, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson all at one time recorded for Motown. "It's great big shoes to fill. I was told at one point the title that I now hold is the title that Smokey Robinson held when he was there," he said. Yes, he's been named an executive, but the "So Sick" singer has not lost his passion for music. His upcoming fifth album, which was originally titled The Cracks in Mr. Perfect, has now taken a new turn. Though fully confident in his new material, Ne-Yo said he's undecided on a title. For now, he is just creating. "As I'm writing and recording records, the project would take on a whole new personality within itself. That's just the creative process," he said. "So as of right now, there is no title for the album. I'm still working on that ... the running title was The Cracks in Mr. Perfect, but I'm in a whole 'nother head space now." Related Artists |
| Demi Moore's Hospitalization: More Details Emerge Posted: 25 Jan 2012 03:27 AM PST TMZ reports that whip-its were behind actress' health scare, while People says friends have been worried about Moore for a while.
While the many reported reasons for Demi Moore's recent hospitalization have varied from exhaustion to substance abuse, TMZ is now saying nitrous oxide was behind the health scare. According to the website, friends who were on the scene the night of the hospitalization told EMTs the actress was inhaling nitrous oxide from aerosol cans — also known as whip-its — before 911 was called. TMZ's sources said the actress was exhibiting seizure-like symptoms after inhaling the nitrous. Demi's hospitalization caps a rough patch for the actress. People magazine also talked to sources close to Moore, who said they've been worried about their friend for quite some time. "Really, it was over the last year her friends saw a change," one source said about her split from husband Ashton Kutcher. "She wasn't sleeping as well, didn't seem to be eating and looked really gaunt." Another source told the mag that Moore's recent prescription-drug abuse was a factor in the end of her marriage. "It was a sticking point for Ashton," the source said. "He wanted her to take care of herself and get a hold of things, and she wouldn't." Check out photos of Demi and Ashton from happier times. Moore endured a very public and emotional split from Kutcher back in November, publicly announcing the breakup with "sadness and a heavy heart" after months of not-so-quiet rumblings that her husband had been unfaithful. While it was announced earlier this month that Moore would star as feminist icon Gloria Steinem in the upcoming film "Lovelace," her rep said the setback in her health would prevent her from working on the project. Related Photos |
| Justin Bieber Makes 'Huge Impact' On Organ Donor Registrations Posted: 25 Jan 2012 01:42 AM PST Registration at Ontario bank surges after singer tweets about one fan's need for a lung transplant.
Justin Bieber is a charitable guy. So when a fan of his reached out to him on Twitter to help spread the word about organ and blood donation, one particular bank quickly saw more and more people in the giving spirit. Belieber Helene Campbell, 20, tweeted the teen star last week about her own struggles (including how she herself needs a lung transplant). Bieber then began tweeting to her and about her, shedding more light on the cause than the fan could have ever anticipated. In the days since the online correspondence, the Ontario-based Trillium Gift of Life Network has seen donations skyrocket to more than 1,200 people, four times the amount the network usually receives. In part it had a lot to do with Bieber, but also the campaign started by Campbell, who suffers from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. "Helene has done an incredible job inspiring and motivating Ontarians to register their consent to organ and tissue donation. On an average day we would expect about 50 new online registrations," President and CEO Ronnie Gavsie said in a statement on Wednesday (January 25). "Since Helene's campaign began last Thursday, the average has been closer to 200 per day! There are over 1,500 people in Ontario waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, on behalf of all them and Trillium Gift of Life Network, thank you Helene and thank you Justin Bieber!" Shortly after his initial tweet, she shared with him, "@justinbieber you have made a huge impact, not only on my life, but for many others in need of the gift of life now and in the future!" His response: "@alungstory glad to be able to help. best part of what i do." Bieber's other charity work includes his Believe Charity Drive as well as his participation with the Pencils of Promise foundation. Related Artists |
| Sundance 2012: The Five Most Buzzed-About Movies Posted: 25 Jan 2012 03:42 AM PST From teen comedy 'The First Time' to horror flick 'V/H/S,' MTV News wraps up the most talked-about premieres.
For those of us not lucky enough to be in Park City, Utah, right now, the biggest stories coming out of the Sundance Film Festival detail the standing ovations and the distribution deals that filmmakers sign for millions of dollars. With so many films making their premieres at Sundance, it can be difficult to keep track of which ones you need to be paying attention to and looking out for later this year. To help you out, we've rounded up the five films that are coming out of Park City with the biggest buzz. Here is our list of the five most talked-about Sundance films.
"The Surrogate" "Beasts of the Southern Wild" "V/H/S" "The First Time" "Celeste and Jesse Forever" Which of these five films are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos |
| Russell Brand Sets First Public Appearance Since Katy Perry Split Posted: 25 Jan 2012 12:05 AM PST Brand will join Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, Jon Stewart at Amnesty International benefit.
Russell Brand is set to make his first public appearance since filing for divorce from Katy Perry when he takes the stage at New York's Radio City Music Hall as part of an Amnesty International benefit. Brand will perform alongside Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Reggie Watts and others at Amnesty International's Secret Policeman's Ball, a long-running celebration of free speech and comedy, set for March 4 at the venerable NYC venue. The event marks the first time the ball has been held in the U.S. and also is Brand's first scheduled appearance since he and Perry split in December; the "California Gurls" hitmaker has already made a pair of public appearances, first filming an Adidas commercial earlier this month and then returning to the stage for a concert in Jakarta, Indonesia. Check out photos of Russell and Katy from happier times. In a video promoting a then-upcoming comedy tour of American colleges — which was shot in mid-November, before the couple announced their split — Brand was seen jokingly removing his wedding ring. To date, he's yet to announce any additional appearances. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a crowd of some 6,000 is expected for the Secret Policeman's Ball, which will help mark Amnesty International's 50th anniversary. First launched in 1976, the ball has helped champion free speech and human-rights causes around the globe. Tickets for the event will reportedly go on sale later this month. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'SpongeBob' Cameo Gives Johnny Knoxville 'Street Cred' Posted: 25 Jan 2012 01:24 AM PST 'Jackass' star lends his voice to 'very handsome' extreme athlete Johnny Krill on upcoming episode.
You would think Johnny Knoxville is a pretty big deal around the offices of Dickhouse Productions, but, apparently, you'd be wrong. It seems no one paid much attention to him until late last year, when he let it be known he'd be appearing on an upcoming episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants." Then everything changed.
"It was a real attention-getter. Everyone around the office was immediately psyched. Lots of street cred around the office," the "Jackass" star laughed. "It went over huge. Everyone's big fans of 'SpongeBob' around here. It's a tough office to get a reaction in, but this got it." In the upcoming episode, Knoxville plays Johnny Krill ("some extreme sports, motorcycle guy," as he put it), the leader of the high-octane Drastic Radicals sports team, which SpongeBob and his pal Patrick are dying to join. And while we suspect he's kidding about the cred thing, Knoxville was dead serious when he said lending his voice to an upcoming episode of the long-running Nickelodeon cartoon was not only a total thrill, but an automatic no-brainer — for reasons other than just office acceptance. "It took me two seconds to say 'yes,' " Knoxville said. "I know my 16-year-old daughter was very happy, and my other two kids, one's 2 and the other's three months, so one day, hopefully they'll be proud of pop. "I also need to add that Johnny Krill is very handsome and very well hung, so, you know, it's really suspending belief," he continued. "And that's also probably why it took me two seconds to say 'yes.' " And the benefits didn't stop there: "They loaded me up with a bunch of schwag! Every toy they ever made — skateboards, wristbands, all kinds of great stuff. They just don't quit with the perks. Then I got to do a photo shoot with SpongeBob. They let me do my own stunts for this episode. It was amazing." The Knoxville episode of "SpongeBob SquarePants" — called "Extreme Spots" — is set to air this summer on Nickelodeon. |
| Adele's <I>21</I> Ties Another #1 <I>Billboard</I> Record Posted: 25 Jan 2012 08:38 AM PST Unstoppable LP will notch 17th non-consecutive week on top of the albums chart [to avoid repeating Billboard], tying Billy Ray Cyrus' 1992 release.
Adele's 21 gives a whole new meaning to "Achy Breaky Heart." And since the singer's unstoppable album will notch its 17th non-consecutive week at #1 next week on the Billboard albums chart, she now shares that honor with Billy Ray Cyrus' breakthrough, Some Gave All, which did the same in 1992.
After blowing past the 1997 "Titanic" soundtrack last week, Adele sold another 95,000 copies of 21 to keep the top spot, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan. That was more than enough to lock out the 21st edition of the Kidz Bop series, which will debut at #2 on sales of 59,000. The only other new face in the top 10 is gospel act James Fortune & FIYA's Identity, which moved 18,000 units. The rest of the top 10: Black Keys' El Camino (#3, 29,000), Drake's Take Care (#4, 29,000), Rihanna's Talk That Talk (#5, 20,000), Young Jeezy's TM 103: Hustlerz Ambition (#6, 19,000), Toby Keith's Clancy's Tavern (#8, 17,000), Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto (#9, 17,000) and Nickelback's Here and Now (#10, 17,000). Otherwise, it was pretty quiet, with punk band Attack Attack! sliding into the #11 spot with their new one, This Means War (17,000), and the soundtrack to the Dolly Parton/Queen Latifah feel-good movie "Joyful Noise" jumping up nine spots in its second week to #12 (just under 17,000). Down at #26 was protest folkie Ani DiFranco with Which Side Are You On? (11,000) and, at #33, soft rockers Snow Patrol, whose Fallen Empires tumbled 28 spots in its second week on the charts. Adele might be safe for another week if the latest from country star Tim McGraw doesn't push her out of the top spot. Other new releases include albums from Lamb of God, Kellie Pickler and Amnesty International's four-disc Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan compilation. Related Artists |
| Joe Jonas, Jennifer Love Hewitt Cozy Up In 'Cleveland' Posted: 24 Jan 2012 11:55 PM PST On the JoBro's latest episode of 'Hot in Cleveland,' premiering Wednesday night on TV Land, his and Hewitt's characters get engaged.
Jet-setting actor/musician Joe Jonas has once again made time in his busy schedule for a little stop through Cleveland — "Hot in Cleveland," that is, the popular show on TV Land starring Valerie Bertinelli, Betty White, Wendie Malick and Jane Leeves.
Jonas has a guest-starring role on the sitcom as the wayward son of Bertinelli's character. MTV News was lucky enough to visit the set of "Cleveland" on the day Jonas filmed his second guest spot, which premieres Wednesday night (January 25) at 10 p.m. ET. When we caught up with him for a few minutes between scenes, he shared some details about his return to the show. "Being back on the show, [my character Will is] engaged, and I have to be engaged to Jennifer Love Hewitt, which is really nice," he said. "We're both sons and daughters of characters on the show, and we show up and surprise everybody. They don't expect us to be engaged." Jonas said that while it was fun to work with Hewitt, their characters' engagement doesn't exactly last for long. "Both of our characters are really different. I think I'm a little bit blinded by the fact that she may not be the perfect person for me. I think we last probably less than Kim Kardashian in this," he joked. Long engagements or no, Jonas said he loves his time on the show and would be happy to come back any time. "I would love to be able to return again. The first episode when I left, people were like, 'Are you going to be back soon?' and I said, 'I think so.' I don't think my character passed away, so I think we're good. I don't die in this episode either," he added. "So I'm still around, so I could definitely come back if they'd like me to. I have a fun time being on the set and I love the cast; it's kind of like a family." Are you excited to see Joe in "Cleveland" again? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Demi Moore Hospitalization Caps Rough Patch For Actress Posted: 24 Jan 2012 10:05 PM PST Moore's separation from Ashton Kutcher, thin appearance had fans concerned even before Tuesday health scare.
Demi Moore made headlines on Tuesday when she was hospitalized for "exhaustion." The news of the health scare may not have been too surprising to celebrity watchers who have been closely keeping an eye on the actress in the wake of her split from Ashton Kutcher. In 2011, Moore's personal life became heavily scrutinized when "Two and a Half Men" star Kutcher faced allegations that he was cheating on Moore. The actress has been lying low of late — she appeared in several smaller films in the past year, including "Margin Call" and "Another Happy Day." Last fall, shortly before she announced her split from Kutcher, Moore had many fans worried about her health after she appeared thinner than usual at several red-carpet appearances to promote "Margin Call." But she kept up a brave face in the wake of all the rumors regarding her appearance and her marriage. Check out photos of Demi and Ashton from happier times. It all came to a head in November when Moore and Kutcher confirmed that they were separating. In a statement, Moore said, "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. "As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life," the statement continued. "This is a trying time for me and my family, and so I would ask for the same compassion and privacy that you would give to anyone going through a similar situation." In the months since the announcement, Moore has kept a low profile, but in early January she was cast as feminist icon Gloria Steinem in the "Lovelace" biopic currently shooting in Los Angeles. Since her hospitalization, Moore has dropped out of "Lovelace." Her next film release is "LOL," starring Miley Cyrus and Ashley Greene, due out later this year. "I really loved the movie; I loved working with [Cyrus] and the director. They just put it on pause because they had another film they were focusing on. It's a tough thing when you have a movie you're looking forward to coming out," she said of the flick. Related Photos |
| The Shins Change, Stay The Same On <i>Port Of Morrow</i> Posted: 24 Jan 2012 11:19 PM PST Band may have changed labels — and members — but mastermind James Mercer insists to MTV News, 'It is still a band.'
Nearly two years ago, when James Mercer was doing press for Broken Bells, his collaboration with producer Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton told MTV News that he had no intention of abandoning his day job as frontman/songwriter for the Shins.
The problem was, Broken Bells ended up being bigger than either man could have expected, and that long-awaited fourth Shins album kept getting pushed back further and further. Though through it all, Mercer maintains he was always working on the record; he was just never quite sure when he was going to be able to finish it. "It's been five years [since the Shins' Wincing the Night Away], but the Broken Bells kind of takes a two-year chunk out of that, and I've got two kids now, so it's really only been six months," he laughed. "The songs started to build up, so during times when I wasn't down working with Brian or doing other things, I was home, fiddling with the guitar like I always do, and the songs just sort of kept coming, and I realized I was definitely going to want to do another Shins record." On March 20, that record, Port of Morrow, will finally see the light of day. But to say the Shins are the same band would be incorrect, to put it mildly. They've lost longtime members Marty Crandall and Jesse Sandoval and left Sub Pop and signed with Columbia, which will release the album through Mercer's own Aural Apothecary label. But to Mercer, really, nothing has changed — and the Shins are still very much the Shins. "In theory, I could have named the first Shins record 'The James Mercer Record,' but I just don't like the sound of that. There was a time when I was wondering, 'Should I just start a new band?' and I pretty quickly realized that I've always had — especially in the recording process — people coming in and helping out, or sometimes I would do a whole lot of it myself," he explained. "And although that might be a difficult transition for people to make, out there listening, that's nevertheless the reality of it, so I need to do what will keep me going, and so wanting to work with new people and wanting to stay engaged in the whole exploration of music is sort of what I'm doing now." The new incarnation of the band will be augmented (live at least) by Richard Swift on piano and organ, Jessica Dobson on lead guitar, Yuuki Matthews on bass and Joe Plummer on drums, and fans have already been given a taste of what to expect on Morrow in the form of first single "Simple Song," which, interestingly enough, isn't actually all that new. "I wrote the majority of it in 10 to 15 minutes, sitting on the living-room floor with my wife, and then it sat like that. That was during Wincing the Night Away's production," Mercer said. "But I knew it was going to be something that was fun to get into. And, to be honest, the night before we let go of that song, I was really nervous about it. ... I was really anxious and wanted people to like it." So far, the consensus seems to be that people do. Though it's been a long time coming, Mercer said he's been inspired by the response so far, and he can't wait for fans to hear the rest of Morrow. And while he's taken on the lion's share of the responsibilities this time out, he's not feeling any pressure to validate whether the Shins are still the band folks have celebrated — because no matter who's playing with him, the Shins are always going to be the Shins. "Some don't [understand how this band works], but that's because I wanted it to be a band, the aesthetic of that, and when I'm working in the studio, people are helping me do this," he said. "So it is still a band; it's just not like 'We all met in grammar school and came up together.' But, like, Neutral Milk Hotel is not that, but they're allowed to do that, so I'm figuring, 'Why can't I?' " What are you expecting from new Shins music? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists |
| Katherine Heigl Has 'Thought A Lot' About Return To 'Grey's Anatomy' Posted: 24 Jan 2012 10:09 PM PST 'There's nothing about [Izzie] I didn't like,' Heigl tells MTV News at 'One for the Money' premiere.
NEW YORK — It's been more than two years since Katherine Heigl left her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on the hit show "Grey's Anatomy." Rumors swirled that Heigl had behaved like a diva on the set, and after five seasons she left to focus on her movie career and being a mom to her adopted daughter.
Yet it seems she's had a change of heart. At the New York premiere of her new flick "One for the Money," which hits theaters on Friday, Heigl told MTV News she would love to return to "Grey's Anatomy" to find out what happened to her beloved character. "There was something about her that I really loved. I thought she was such an interesting character and her backstory, the fact that she was raised in a trailer park and had to give a child up for adoption, put herself through med school and was standing there actually doing the work and going for it, so smart, sort of strong-willed," Heigl said. "I thought she was kind of a great character — there's nothing about her I didn't like." Back in October 2010 Heigl told MTV News that she was certain she would not return to Seattle Grace since she didn't want to feel her plotline was forced. "I can't think of any way that she could come back gracefully that wouldn't just feel manipulative," the actress explained. "And it's hard, because I really wonder what she's doing and where she is and what happened, but that is over for me now." Yet Heigl now seems ready to reconsider and already has an idea of what could happen to Izzie. "I've thought about this a lot, actually. I would love it if Izzie came back actually having really just sort of gotten to the next level," Heigl said. "She was always sort of one step behind and struggling with her career, and then she went though all these awful things, the death of her friend, the death of her fiancé, her own near death and then the dissolving of her own marriage. I just want the girl to win, just once. So I want her to come back and have really succeeded at whatever hospital she went to work at with her tail between her legs and maybe they've made her head of surgery or she's invented some surgical method; that would be awesome."
With all the ups and downs she experienced on "Grey's Anatomy," there is one thing she wish she could change: her acting. "I think there's a lot of scenes where I wish I had performed them better," Heigl said. "You're always like, 'Oh, I wish I could take that back.' " Would you be excited if Katherine Heigl returned to "Grey's Anatomy"? Let us know in the comments! |
| Demi Lovato <i>Not</i> In Rehab For Substance Abuse Posted: 25 Jan 2012 09:07 AM PST Reps for the singer/actress deny rumors that she recently checked into a Malibu treatment center.
After a report surfaced that Demi Lovato had entered treatment again, her camp has confirmed to MTV News that the story is anything but true.
A gossip website reported on January 19 that the singer/actress had checked into a Malibu treatment center to deal with substance-abuse issues. However, the Blind Gossip report didn't pick up steam until this week. When MTV News reached out to her reps for comment on Wednesday (January 25), they said, "Demi's team confirmed it's untrue." Earlier this week, Lovato did have some news for her fans when she announced she was taking a break from Twitter. "Twitter break. It's for the best actually. Who allows me to have this thing anyways?!!! I just get myself in trouble! Haha. Anyway... BYE!" she tweeted on Saturday. It's not the first time Lovato has left the social networking site. She quit tweeting in October 2010, shortly before she entered a treatment facility to deal with personal issues including eating disorders and cutting. Lovato joined Twitter again in May 2011, months after she left the center. Since returning to the spotlight, she has focused on her music career, including her 2011 album, Unbroken, which launched her empowering hit single "Skyscraper." She is currently working on the video for her next single, "Give Your Heart a Break." Lovato has become a voice for young people struggling with personal issues. In December, she visited and spoke to patients at the Timberline Knolls Center, where she had received treatment. "To be able to share my story and let them know that it gets easier ... Life is beautiful ... you are worthy of it," Lovato said. "Please say a prayer for all of those struggling with eating disorders, self-harm, mood disorders and substance abuse." Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| State Of The Union Draws Mixed Reactions From Junior Statesmen Posted: 24 Jan 2012 10:25 PM PST High school students focus heavily on President Obama's stance on education reform.
One of the most important lessons high school-age members of the Junior State of America learn is the value of vigorous yet civil debates about the state of government and foreign affairs. That's why a handful of JSA members contacted by MTV News on Wednesday (January 25) had widely divergent but measured reactions to President Obama's State of the Union address. "The most significant part of his speech for me was his take on education," said Saaye Arumugam, a 17-year-old high school senior in Miamisburg, Ohio. "During the Bush administration with No Child Left Behind, the federal government perpetuated this idea that standardized education was the only route to gauge success. Obama addressed that critical thinking should outweigh this idea of standardized thinking and teaching to the test." Obama called for states to require students to stay in school until age 18 and to replace teachers who are ineffective. The portion about lowering college interest rates also piqued the interest of home-schooled senior Chris Boyajian of Lumberton, New Jersey. "When he talked about college tuition and getting interest rates down on loans and getting tuition lower, that was important to me," said Boyajian, 17. "[But] I didn't agree when he said that college is for everyone. I think it's not. There are some people who wouldn't fit in college, but I did like what he said about getting interest rates down so we're not paying two or three times the loan." One reason Boyajian was so focused on the cost of college was because he's planning to go to law school. "I'm trying very hard not to take out loans [for college] ... I'm trying to pay with my family's savings or merit-based scholarships." Because their organization is based on civil discourse, a number of the JSA members said they were disappointed by the gridlock in Washington and not particularly optimistic about the president's chances of getting his initiatives passed, especially during an election year. Englewood, California, senior Michael Escobar, 17, was hopeful that at least one would get pushed through: Obama's call for a return of manufacturing to the U.S. "It's essential for prosperity, and it rewards companies with tax breaks," he said. "I will go to college soon and hopefully in the future there will be a job opening ready for me ... A lot of students are investing a lot of money in bachelor's and master's, and there's no guarantee of a job." Escobar also paid close attention to the president's plans to reform education, since he said he's seen firsthand the effect of the cuts in education at his school and worries that the gridlock in Congress could stall Obama's initiatives. "We have a lot of low-income families at my school, and it's really frustrating," he said about budget cuts to education. As a member of student council with access to budget and attendance information, Escobar said that since funding for advanced placement exams at his school dried up, some of the low-income families have to pay nearly $300 for AP classes out of their own pockets. "Colleges are asking for those most difficult courses, but there's not enough funding for education to cover it." Austin, Texas, high school senior Nick Goulding said he found himself getting increasingly irritated as the speech went on. "President Obama was saying the same things he's been saying for three years ago now," said Goulding, 18. "He's trying to make people feel bad about being successful in America. When he was talking about millionaires and trying ... to alienate them about their success. I don't know why you'd want that in a president." As an example, he mentioned his father, who came from a poor family and worked his way up to founding a very successful landscaping company. "Increasing taxes on those who are successful is counterproductive to what should occur in a free country." And while Goulding was not enthused about the president's call for a "Buffett tax" on millionaires and billionaires, he did appreciate how respectful Obama was when talking about the armed forces. "One of the few things I do attribute to the president as far as successes is killing Osama bin Laden and ending the wars," he said. As a high school junior at the Orange County High School of the Arts, Julianna Ross, 16, also paid close attention to the bits about education reform, but she was focused on Obama's plea for bipartisanship in Washington. "He basically said under our current system we can't progress and we won't make advancement on these issues," she said, echoing her colleagues' concerns. "One of the things we talk about at Junior Statesmen is fostering civil discourse ... which has taught me to understand the opposing side ... and learn how to compromise. That's something that really needs to be implemented in the real world of politics." Share your thoughts on the president's State of the Union address in the comments below. Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary races and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season. |
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