MTV News |
- Robert Pattinson Marvels At 'Twilight' Merchandise In His #2 MTV Moment
- Lil Wayne Kicks Off I Am Music II Tour In Rhode Island
- Wiz Khalifa Wins Big, Odd Future Go Wild At 2011 mtvU Woodies
- 'American Idol' Top 12: Jacob Lusk Has Heart, Pia Toscano Picks It Up
- Nate Dogg Calls His Music 'The Truth' On 'Yo! MTV Raps'
- Casey Abrams Introduces Nirvana To 'American Idol'
- Nate Dogg Reportedly Died Of Complications From Strokes
- SXSW Turns 25, With Help From Kanye West, Foo Fighters And More
- Kat Dennings, Travie McCoy Talk Filming 'Renee'
- 'American Idol' Preview: Can Casey Abrams And Pia Toscano Stay On Top?
- Nate Dogg Remembered By Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Ludacris, More
- Tyler, The Creator Says He Kept Odd Future Secret From His Mom
- Lady Gaga Teams Up With Google For Fan Interview
- Sleigh Bells Promise 'Flying,' Unitards For Woodies Performance
- Simon Cowell Says He Won't 'Compare' 'X Factor' To 'American Idol'
- Britney Spears May Appear On 'Ellen DeGeneres'
- Above & Beyond's Tony McGuinness Turns Breakup Into 'Sun & Moon'
- Jennifer Hudson Says New 'American Idol' Judges Are A 'Good Fit'
- Megan Fox Reportedly Joining 'Knocked Up' Spin-Off
- 'Glee'-Cap: The Surprise Kiss We'd Been Waiting For
| Robert Pattinson Marvels At 'Twilight' Merchandise In His #2 MTV Moment Posted: 17 Mar 2011 03:52 AM PDT RPattz will debut exclusive 'Water for Elephants' clip and answer fan questions live Friday at 8:56 p.m. ET on MTV.com.
What else can we say about Robert Pattinson's #2 MTV moment other than "glitter lube"? All week, we've been ticking off our favorite RPattz moments as we count down the hours until "MTV First: Robert Pattinson," a 30-minute conversation in which the 24-year-old actor will be answering your Twitter questions, goes live Friday at 8:56 p.m. ET. We've touched on our initial visit to talk to him on set in 2008 and his first trip to the Oscars the next year. Momentous occasions, all. And now, here we are: glitter lube.
Allow us to explain: As "Twilight" shape-shifted from a wildly popular book series into a global box-office juggernaut, the franchise has branched out into all sorts of ancillary gear: clothing and jewelry lines, board games, bed sets, Halloween costumes, makeup, posters, dolls, lunch boxes and, well, the list goes on. And on. As in: Pillows? Really?! So when we caught up with Pattinson in the spring of 2010, while he was promoting "Eclipse," we wanted to know if there was a piece of merchandise that truly perplexed and entertained him. "I like the glitter lube stuff. I thought that was really funny," he said, laughing. "I was just like, 'I did not sign that! Where is the paper?' I think, yeah, I'm pretty sure it's glitter — I think it's lube." Ever the goofball, Rob didn't leave it there. "I've got a dispenser," he joked. "I just have it on my hands. 'Yeah, it's nice to meet you!' and it's like, 'Wow! It works!' " Don't miss "MTV First: Robert Pattinson" this Friday at 8:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com. Tune in to see RPattz introduce a new "Water for Elephants" clip, followed by a live 30-minute interview on MTV.com. Tweet questions using the hashtag #askrob to get in the conversation! Related Videos |
| Lil Wayne Kicks Off I Am Music II Tour In Rhode Island Posted: 16 Mar 2011 11:49 PM PDT Nicki Minaj, Travis Barker and Rick Ross join Weezy, who tells the crowd that performing post-prison is 'better than I could have imagined.'
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island -- Lil Wayne returned to the stage as a headliner for the first time in more than a year on Wednesday night (March 16), and the superstar MC let the Rhode Island concertgoers know just how grateful he was to be kicking off his I Am Music II Tour in their town. "I swear to God, I was in a place a few months ago, I couldn't imagine this sh--," Wayne told the sold-out crowd, referring to his time behind bars. "But now that I'm here, it's better than I could have imagined."
To say the feeling was mutual would be an understatement. The New England crowd cheered Weezy's every move, from his otherworldly rhyming to the array of guests he invited onstage, including Young Money members Shanell, Jae Millz, Mack Maine and Lil Twist. Sporting a white V-neck tee, jeans, bright Vans and a fitted cap and shades, Wayne looked trimmer than he did upon his release from prison in November. His dreadlocks appeared longer, and the rapper was lucid. As a result of an Arizona case, Wayne is forbidden from drinking alcohol or partaking in any activities involving drugs. The added clarity served him well. He was agile throughout his verses on "A Milli." "He's a beast, he's a dog, he's a motherf---ing problem," he rapped. "OK, you're a goon, but what's a goon to a goblin?/ Nothing, nothing, you ain't scaring nothing/ On some f---ing bullshit, call him Dennis Rodman." After running through "Look At Me Now," "I'm Going In" and "Got Money," Wayne revisited his standout mixtape, No Ceilings, before ceding the stage to Nicki Minaj. The Young Money empress was ready for combat. She entered to a blistering scene of "Gladiator" playing on the enormous LCD screen behind the stage. An unknown person in a monk's outfit walked to the front of the stage followed by Nicki's barbies in their pink bobs. Rising through a propelled entrance underneath the stage, the Pink Friday star rocketed onto the stage to "Roman's Revenge." Sporting a white-and-pink body-hugging one-piece suit and a Bride of Frankenstein-like wig, Nicki was flamboyant in her "Roman" persona. She took a football onstage and ran through a cadre of her dancers --clad in helmets, while Nicki wore shoulder pads -- en route to a touchdown and spike. The "Moment 4 Life" star was also flirtatious. She invited a man onstage with her (after another one tried to rush the stage before security escorted him off) for a lap dance. "There's three rules," she told the lucky participant. "Keep your legs open, hands behind your back and keep your mouth shut." Then, as Sean Kingston's "Letting Go," featuring the Queens lyricist, boomed on the speakers, she teased her guest with a dutty-whine thrust. Wayne returned to the stage after 30 minutes, and after a brief Rebirth set, the benevolent CEO invited Lil Twist out for their new collaboration "Love Affair." Mack Maine, Jae Millz and Nicki joined the boss for "Bed Rock." Young Money's latest signee, Cory Gunz, proved to be the most energetic of the crew when the Bronx upstart arrived next for a frenetic rendition of "6 Foot 7 Foot." Rick Ross and Travis Barker rounded out the bill. The Blink-182 drummer was joined by Beastie Boys DJ Mixmaster Mike for a heart-racing set. Barker performed his set inside an oversize Ghetto Blaster radio as he pounded on the brass for the title track of his solo debut, Can a Drummer Get Some. Miami Don Rick Ross was as breezy as a Florida sunset. His 30 minutes included his breakout hits "Hustlin' " and "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)." "I need a moment of silence," Ross told the audience. "Life is a beautiful thing. There's nothing more beautiful than life." Wayne was just as effusive about his circumstances toward the end of the show. "Make some noise for Tupac," he announced. "Make some noise for Biggie. Make some noise for my n---a Nate Dogg. Make some noise for Michael Jackson, y'all. "All the people I named taught me one thing," Wayne added. "And that's how to hustle." Will you check out Wayne's I Am Music II Tour? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Wiz Khalifa Wins Big, Odd Future Go Wild At 2011 mtvU Woodies Posted: 16 Mar 2011 11:12 PM PDT Two Door Cinema Club and Chiddy Bang also take home big prizes, alongside performances by Sleigh Bells and Foo Fighters.
Luminaries from all corners of the indie-rock world descended on Austin, Texas, on Wednesday night (March 16) not only to kick off the annual South by Southwest festival, but also to celebrate the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards. And though Wiz Khalifa and Two Door Cinema Club walked away with the biggest prizes of the evening, the night -- and perhaps the remainder of the year -- belonged to Odd Future. Foo Fighters got the festivities started on a loud note with a rugged run through their new single "Rope." While the multiplatinum Foos aren't technically indie, they certainly practice a lo-fi aesthetic (their entire new album, Wasting Light, was recorded on analog tape), and with their new three-guitar attack, they have become the modern-rock radio version of Neil Young and Crazy Horse (except with shorter solos and better haircuts).
Once Dave Grohl and company wrapped up a headbang-worthy extended breakdown at the end of "Rope," host Donald Glover (he of "Community" fame) took the stage to formally welcome the live audience and viewers at home to the show. "There's something I wanted to say: Stop asking your black friends to freestyle," he told the crowd. Still, that didn't stop Glover from dropping some rhymes once house DJ Skrillex dropped a beat. "It turns out we all can freestyle." Glover tossed to Skylar Grey and Yelawolf, who were charged with handing out the Best Video Woodie. In a tough category that included crossover stars Vampire Weekend and the Black Keys, Chiddy Bang grabbed the prize for their inventive clip for "Opposite of Adults." Zoe Kravitz came out and threw to Wiz Khalifa, who spit "Roll Up" (from his forthcoming album Rolling Papers) from the balcony of the theater surrounded by enthusiastic fans. Once Khalifa hit the stage, the gold light kicked in and the terrible towels started flying, which could only mean one thing: "Black and Yellow." Khalifa's pro-Pittsburgh anthem sounded like a massive pop hit -- which, coincidentally, is exactly what it was. Woodies veteran Pete Wentz was up next. He gave out the Left Field Woodie to Kanye West, though not before letting the world know that he was "all 'Free Earl,' but had love for Tyler." Weezy was not in Austin to accept his award, but Wentz accepted the prize on his behalf. In the middle of Wentz's speech, he was interrupted by fellow Left Field nominee Lil B, channeling West's drop-in on Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs. Meanwhile, Eliza Doolittle drank in the crowd and paid tribute to the late Nate Dogg before tossing to Two Door Cinema Club up on the stage. The jittery Irish trio crooned and jangled their way through their current single "What You Know," one of the highlights on their debut album, Tourist History. Glover then introduced "My Life as Liz" star Liz Lee, who was up in the balcony to introduce the college radio station that won the College Radio Woodie; the prize went to WVUM of Miami University. Dev and Lil B were up next, onstage to hand out the Best Performing Woodie. "This award is not about who brings the most money, but about who brings the most swag to the performance!" declared Lil B. Matt & Kim apparently have more swag than any of the other nominees, because they won the big block of wood. Matt teased a stage dive from the balcony but settled for high-fiving most of the first row right after encouraging everybody to donate to the relief effort in Japan. Woodies veterans Friendly Fires then introduced Sleigh Bells, one of the most hotly anticipated performers of the evening. The duo made their television debut with the jagged "Riot Rhythm." Clad in the denim jacket she picked out specifically for the occasion, singer Alexis Krauss shouted, swayed and cooed her way into the hearts of the crowd (though the special appearance by the marching band probably helped -- it certainly added to the cacophony). "That was sick!" Glover declared before handing the stage to Chiddy Bang. Chiddy broke out a freestyle before running down the nominees for Breaking Woodie (which included Dev, Sleigh Bells, Local Natives, Wavves and Two Door Cinema Club). Based on fan voting, the winners were Two Door Cinema Club (who announced that it was their first award in America). Last year's Best Video Woodie winners Matt & Kim took the stage again to give out the prize for Woodie of the Year. They announced that they would not be getting naked (like they did in their award-winning "Lessons Learned" clip), though they did do some slow-motion grinding. When the dust settled, Wiz Khalifa won Woodie of the Year for the crossover smash "Black and Yellow." The Pittsburgh native seemed genuinely moved by his victory and spent most of his acceptance speech chuckling live on the microphone. But though the last award had been given out, the climax was yet to come. Comedian Aziz Ansari showed up to introduce Odd Future, who used Tyler the Creator's "Yonkers" as a coming-out party. While the track played, a masked midget came out to impersonate Tyler before getting replaced by the real Tyler. Clad in a pink-and-blue hoodie and green ski mask, Tyler growled his way through "Sandwitches" while stalking the outer limits of the theater and violently stage-diving into the crowd. As the performance evolved, Tyler was joined by fellow MC Hodgy Beats and two furries in costumes. They were eventually dragged off the stage by security, leaving a permanent mark on the show -- and on culture at large. What did you think of the Woodies? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| 'American Idol' Top 12: Jacob Lusk Has Heart, Pia Toscano Picks It Up Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:32 AM PDT Lauren Alaina, Casey Abrams and Scotty McCreery also get great notes from the judges singing songs from their birth years.
It was an evening of surprises on "American Idol" Wednesday night (March 16). From the first song by grunge icons Nirvana to a show-closing gospel throw-down on a tune by Heart, leading contenders Pia Toscano, Jacob Lusk and Casey Abrams continued their winning ways, while teen Lauren Alaina appeared to get back in the groove after an off week. The theme this week was songs from the year you were born, and first up was Naima Adedapo, who worked up Tina Turner's comeback hit "What's Love Got to do With It." Slinking down the steps in one of her signature colorful getups, Adedapo struggled a bit to find the melody over the rocked-up, percussive track produced by Rodney Jerkins. The performance had plenty of attitude but failed to really show off Naima's range.
In his first attempt at live feedback, Steven Tyler blasted off, whooping it up and telling the singer she had a "sorcerer's grasp for melody." Jennifer Lopez admitted that she gave Naima a pass last week on her pitchiness, but said she was starting to worry it was not a one-time thing and encouraged Adedapo to kick it up a notch. Randy Jackson agreed, saying it was just kind of a mess and all over the place. Another 1984 baby, bearded rocker Paul McDonald, went with Elton John's subtle ballad "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues." Sounding even more hoarse than usual, McDonald tried to get the crowd behind him while he did his rag-doll dance and croaked his way through a bland version of the song, always seemingly half a beat behind the tempo. Lopez could sense Paul's struggle with a cold, but said his star quality overwhelmed it, though Randy was not as charitable, saying Paul was pitchy but still found a way to put his unique spin on the song. "But get the notes right!" Randy added, as Steven opined that McD defines "a cool dude in a loose mood." Thia Megia is one of the babies of the bunch, born in 1995, the same year the Disney movie "Pocahontas" was released, featuring "Colors of the Wind" by Vanessa Williams. Backed by a gently plucked acoustic guitar and a string quartet, Megia came off a bit pageanty with her long, golden dress as she sang the song's corny lyrics, but once again her vocals were incredibly clear and precise for someone her age. For Randy, the singing was just OK, but his real problem was the predictable, safe nature of her song choices from week to week. Though he praised her vocals, Steven wondered, "Is that song who you think you are?" Resident rocker James Durbin, born in 1989, went with Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There for You," not exactly the Jersey band's most notable hit. Doing his best Axl Rose-meets-Jon Bon snarl, Durbin worked the stage like an arena-rock veteran, swinging his mic stand, leaning in for some shoulder-to-shoulder with the guitar player, doling out audience high-fives and ending it all with a rock jump and what host Ryan Seacrest referred to as "JV pyro." You knew Tyler was gonna dig it. "I got leftover sandwiches under my bed older than that, how do you do that?" he marveled at Durbin's young talent, while warning him to avoid getting too poppy. Jennifer said a great performer makes you want to sing along with them, and she said JD is definitely one of those singers. Haley Reinhart was born in 1990 into a musical family, and she paid homage by getting back in her R&B groove with a swing at "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston. Producer Ron Fair's funked-up, new-wave arrangement seemed to throw her at first, but then Haley laid into a Christina Aguilera-like groove, growling and emoting her way through the song, which fit her style way better than last week's detour into country territory. In what is emerging as her signature sweet putdown, J.Lo told Haley she looked beautiful and has a beautiful voice but that she seems tense and unsure onstage. "Do what you feel, don't force anything, do what comes naturally," she counseled. Jackson said Haley's hopscotching from style to style is making it hard to pin her musical personality down. Stefano Langone (1989) was right in the pocket with Simply Red's soul-stirring "If You Don't Know Me by Now." He confidently sang the goopy ballad as if working the crowd at a wedding (or office karaoke party), showing off the range, emotion and vocal clarity that earned him a wild-card berth. "The best performance of the night so far!" Randy raved, handing out an Olympic-gymnastics-style 10-10-10 rating. Steven loved the phrasing, and Lopez said it was the perfect song choice that could win him the whole thing — as long as he locked eyes with her a bit more while he performed. After emerging as a potential winner a few weeks ago, Pia Toscano (1988) also knows what works, which is why she chose Houston's "Where Do Broken Hearts Go." Working her magic over the thumping disco-lite track, Toscano gave it her glitter-ball best, tossing up emotion and solid vocals but falling a bit short in the stagecraft department. "You are why this show is called 'American Idol,' " Tyler said, clearly impressed with Pia despite what he referred to as a "retro" arrangement. Jennifer was psyched to hear PT try out an uptempo song for once, and Randy put the other 11 singers on notice that Toscano is in it to win it. Bullfrog-voiced country crooner Scotty McCreery (1993) stayed firmly in his lane with Travis Tritt's "Can I Trust You With My Heart." He was, once again, spot-on, coming off as a seasoned country veteran with all the right shading and phrasing to deliver the song's emotion. But you have to wonder: How many weeks can he essentially do the same thing and still advance? It felt to Lopez like he pushed his vocal range out a bit more with this song, and the panel agreed that he'd shown enough growth to justify another week in the game. Born in 1989, Karen Rodriguez went diva with Taylor Dayne's other hit, "Love Will Lead You Back." Wearing a kind of "Austin Powers" silver space miniskirt, Rodriguez had passion and again threw in some Spanish lyrics, but in the words of ex-judge Simon Cowell, it all felt a bit louche hotel lounge. It started rough for Randy, who said it was better than last week but still not all that. Jennifer sensed some fear at first, but praised Rodriguez for sticking to her guns and attacking the song. "If you are nervous about certain notes, don't go there," she said. "As a professional, you never have to. Never expose your weaknesses; play to your strengths." After a second trip this season to the hospital, unlikely hirsute sex symbol Casey Abrams (1991) notched a couple of milestones on Wednesday night when he played electric bass while performing the first-ever song by grunge gods Nirvana on the show. He transformed the nearly untouchable "Smells Like Teen Spirit" into a dark-funk rave-up, busting out his best crazy eyes and screeching and screaming a bit more than usual, while putting lots of energy into the bizarre, horn-laden cover of the modern-rock classic. "You're so crazy and you're so talented," said Tyler, who knows of what he speaks. "That's the goop that great stuff is made of, and you got it." Randy said he appreciated Abrams' willingness to take risks and put art before commerce and always switch things up. The other 16-year-old finalist, Lauren Alaina (1994), was also battling the flu and a poor performance last week. She dug into "I'm the Only One" by Melissa Etheridge, putting some of her deep-voiced country sass on the tune and putting up some powerful, nuanced vocals, despite her illness. After singing along during the performance, Lopez gave Alaina props for sticking to the frame of the song while putting her own imprint on it, and Randy said if that's how she sounds with a cold, she should have one every week. The final slot of the night belonged to Jacob Lusk (1987), who went way off the path by choosing the ballad "Alone" by female rock duo Heart. After a tentative opening, he exploded into the chorus, throwing down his gospel power and vibrato into the tune, which got a bit frantic at times but definitely highlighted his intensity. Randy appreciated the attempt to step out of his comfort zone, even if the vocals went a bit wobbly in the middle and nodded to Jacob's decision to go subtle instead of bombastic at the end. The show opened with Tyler, Lopez and Jackson announcing that proceeds from the sale of the second weekly "Idol" download album would go to the Red Cross' efforts to help the people of Japan in the wake of last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami. Thursday night's results show will feature the return of last year's winner, Lee DeWyze, who will be on hand to sing his new single, "Beautiful Like You," along with the Black Eyed Peas, who will perform their latest, "Just Can't Get Enough." Who did you think killed it Wednesday night? Let us know in comments below! Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos |
| Nate Dogg Calls His Music 'The Truth' On 'Yo! MTV Raps' Posted: 16 Mar 2011 03:20 AM PDT 'If it got that Dogg Pound flavor, it's always going to be a tad more,' he tells Fab Five Freddy in 1995.
Nate Dogg's death Tuesday is still sending ripples through the hip-hop community, especially for his former Dogg Pound peers.
Nate, whose real name is Nathaniel Hale, is believed to have died from complications due to his two strokes — one suffered in 2007 and another the following year. His impact on West Coast hip-hop could not be overstated, as Nate helped pioneer the G-Funk sound with his deep, soulful voice on Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle and his breakthrough collaboration with Warren G, "Regulate." Nate was featured on a 1995 episode of "Yo! MTV Raps," when Fab Five Freddy paid a visit to Cali to speak with Tha Dogg Pound and their affiliates, including Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Sam Sneed and Lady of Rage. "You know Tha Dogg Pound got mad flavor, multiple flavors like Baskin-Robbins," Fab Five said. "And one of the interesting flavors in The Dogg Pound is my man, Nate Dogg." A reserved Nate stepped up to the microphone, detailing to Fab Five how he made a name for himself on Dre's and Snoop's projects. Nate cited Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson as his idols. When Fab Five asked how he makes his smooth, soulful sound work so well with the rest of Tha Dogg Pound's rough and raw delivery, he acknowledged the differences, but said they shared the same message. "It's something different, what we doing, but it's the truth [that] we are saying," Nate said. "If you can relate to it, it's always going to be the truth, and if it got that Dogg Pound flavor, it's always going to be a tad more." Send your well-wishes and condolences by leaving your comments below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Casey Abrams Introduces Nirvana To 'American Idol' Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:06 AM PDT His 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' got high praise from the judges, even if it didn't come close to matching Kurt Cobain's original.
"American Idol" has taken some bold musical risks already this season, with contestants performing songs by Judas Priest and Ryan Adams for the first time in the show's history. But on Wednesday's (March 16) episode, "Idol" truly went somewhere it had never gone before, when 20-year-old Casey Abrams took a trip back to Seattle, circa 1991, and tried Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on for size.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit," of course, was not conceived with "American Idol" in mind. The generation-defining anthem marked a sea change for the music industry in the fall of '91, ushering in a new era of rock music that was worlds away from the plasticity of the hair bands that dominated rock music in the late '80s. The song and accompanying video marked the birth of the Alternative Nation and turned Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain into the reluctant leader of a new musical movement. He was gone just three years later — before a handful of this season's contestants were even born — but it's doubtful, given his stance on the music-industry machine, that he would be a vocal supporter of an enterprise like "Idol." That didn't stop Abrams from taking on "Teen Spirit." He knew it was a risk, explaining in a pre-taped segment that he understood the weight of the song he was performing. "I don't care," he said. "I'm just, I'm gonna try it." Abrams — who, in past weeks, has done Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You" and Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help From My Friends" — played electric bass for the performance and put a kind-of demented, crazy-eyed spin on the song. The lighting in the "Idol" studio turned green and yellow, lending the proceedings an almost "Hulk"-like vibe, and Abrams played up the monster role by delivering his lyrics like a grunge version of Gollum. Cobain sang "Teen Spirit" with an indifference and disaffection that morphed into bitter rage by song's end; Abrams' take was more surface level, though he did enunciate the words far better than Cobain ever did. (Cobain's garbled delivery was parodied to great effect in "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Smells Like Nirvana" in 1992.) Meanwhile, the way Abrams shuffled his feet like Dave Matthews as he plucked his bass made for an odd mixing of '90s rock styles. The "Idol" backing band's decision to add in a wailing trumpet near the close of the song upped the ante for what was already a plenty weird performance. For their part, the judges appreciated Abrams' bold decision to tackle a classic. Steven Tyler called him crazy and talented, saying mixing those together is "the goop that great stuff is made from." Jennifer Lopez noted Abrams veered into "screamy-screechy" territory, noting Cobain had intensity "but he didn't scream," yet still wound up professing her love for Abrams. And Randy Jackson — after name-checking Radiohead, Lykke Li and Muse (whose frontman, Matthew Bellamy, was in the "Idol" audience with pregnant girlfriend Kate Hudson) — complimented Abrams for "putting art first" and making risky choices. "That's what we need! Fearlessness! Come on, break the mold!" Breaking the mold is definitely something "Idol" is doing this season, and it will be interesting to see what mountain the show decides to scale next. What did you think of Casey Abrams' performance? Let us know in the comments! Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos |
| Nate Dogg Reportedly Died Of Complications From Strokes Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:38 AM PDT G-Funk pioneer's manager says 41-year-old singer had '95 percent' from strokes in 2007, 2008.
Though a coroner has not yet determined the official cause of death in the case of G-Funk pioneer Nate Dogg (born Nathaniel Hale), the singer's friend and manager said that the "Regulate" star likely succumbed to complications stemming from a pair of strokes he suffered in 2007 and 2008.
Manager Rod McGrew told TMZ that the singer's family believes the complications were the cause of the unexpected passing on Tuesday at the age of 41. Nate was reportedly making "significant" progress in his recovery from the second stroke and was "95 percent recovered from the first stroke" he suffered in 2007, according to McGrew. No information was ever released about what had caused those previous health crises — and MTV News could not reach McGrew for comment at press time — but the manager said that second stroke had left the go-to West Coast hook-maker partially paralyzed and caused some memory loss. McGrew told TMZ that before his death, Dogg had "cognitively fully recovered" from the 2008 stroke, regaining his memory and feeling fully alert and aware until his final days. "We appreciate the enormous outpouring of response from all over the world," McGrew said in a statement released on behalf of himself and Nate's family. "We greatly appreciate that and thank everyone for their prayers and support. ... We know that Nate will be hanging out with his good friends 2Pac and Biggie." Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| SXSW Turns 25, With Help From Kanye West, Foo Fighters And More Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:22 AM PDT A look at the most imperfectly perfect musical festival in history, in Bigger Than the Sound.
The South by Southwest Music Festival turns 25 this year, and much like any other 25-year-old, it acts as if the world revolves around its every move. That's just part of its appeal.
And that's important to note, because while you can argue the relative merit of a fest like SXSW — especially in an era where "getting discovered" no longer entails bands slogging it out in Texas bars while industry execs get sloshed on Shiner Bock — you really can't debate its charms, of which "cloying self-importance" is just one. Simply put, SXSW is unlike anything else: a rite of passage for any music lover, on par with Glastonbury or Bonnaroo or selling promo CDs on Half.com, a whirlwind week (give or take) of bands and BBQ and brutal hangovers, a self-contained world of promoters and pamphlets, tattoos and tacos, and, perhaps most important of all, an absolute blast. In other words, it's the kind of thing you really need to experience at least once in your life. And sure, there's no shortage of complaints to be made about SXSW. The lines are too long, the badges are too expensive, the parties too innumerable, the bands too big. But to waste your time nitpicking the fest's foibles (and believe me, I nitpick a lot) is missing the point: South By Southwest isn't perfect, and it's never going to be. It just likes to think it is. Which is why folks come back year after year. There's a comforting sameness to the South By experience, after all. There will always be a band you see play 17 times (the first year I was here, it was the Go! Team; this year it appears to be Yuck), and a band playing a poorly attended afternoon showcase that you feel sorry for, and a band with a stupid name (Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., everybody!). You will most definitely eat at that crappy Mexican place across from Stubb's, only because the line outside Stubb's is too long. You will probably throw up at least once, either from booze or sunstroke or both. Sure, the can't-miss acts (Odd Future) and the headliners (Kanye West, the Foo Fighters, Bright Eyes, the Strokes, etc.) may change, and the parties may get further and further out of town, but at its very core, SXSW remains blissfully faithful to its imperfect roots. And most people wouldn't have it any other way. To wit, I complain about everything ... all the time. And yet, on a Tuesday night, I got to see the Foos play their new album in its entirety, watch a bunch of guys jam out on a street corner for no apparent reason and eat a hot dog. It is 1:25 in the morning and, as I sit in my hotel room writing this, there is still a metal band playing loudly, defiantly into the night. You would think I'd find something wrong with all of that, only, I don't. Because it's a sequence of events that can only happen at South by Southwest. It wasn't perfect, but it was close. Over the years, detractors have accused SXSW of being pointless (probably not true), corporate (veering slightly towards truthfulness) and inspiring too many tweets (100 percent true). They like to hearken back to the halcyon days when Kanye didn't perform at power factories and Perez didn't throw parties, and decree that they will never again attend the fest because "things have changed." And, sure, they have, at least on the surface. But deep down, South by Southwest's spirit remains unchanged. It still takes itself way too seriously. It is still a total clusterfrick. And it is still a music fan's ultimate paradise. So, if you don't mind putting up with imperfection, can operate on little-to-no sleep, and can exist solely on smoked meats, SXSW is your Valhalla. Deep down, it's mine too, no matter how many times I say I'm never coming back. Who knows? Maybe I'll see you here in 2012. Bring sunscreen. Related Artists |
| Kat Dennings, Travie McCoy Talk Filming 'Renee' Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:45 AM PDT 'We're gonna see Travie perform and a lot of people dancing,' Dennings tells MTV News about film based on struggling teen.
A story by Jamie Tworkowski about a teen named Renee Yohe who dealt with issues like drugs and depression is now the subject of the movie "Renee," with Kat Dennings set to play the lead role. Written in 2006, Tworkowski's story triggered the "To Write Love on Her Arms" campaign, helping to shed light and bring support to other young people struggling with similar issues. In addition to Dennings, Gym Class Heroes frontman Travie McCoy makes a cameo in the flick, which also stars Chad Michael Murray, Rupert Friend and Corbin Bleu.
When we visited the set of the movie, McCoy told MTV News that his experience on the annual Warped Tour helped him connect to the story at the heart of the film. "Anybody that's familiar with Warped Tour, they've seen the T-shirts that say 'To Write Love on Her Arms.' This movie is about Renee ... basically, the girl the charity is about," he explained. "When Renee puts her headphones on, it's this sense of escapism and she puts herself into this crazy world that music brings her to." Like McCoy, Dennings told us that the music in the film is a key part of telling the inner-monologue of Renee and her pals. Regarding one particular scene, Dennings explained it revolves around "when [Renee and her friends] get to school and they want to tune out the reality of what school is, 'cause it's pretty boring and upsetting. To escape it, they all listen to the same song, so we're gonna see Travie perform and a lot of people dancing, which I'm really excited [about]." McCoy, who provides the song for the scene, explained his role. "My song, 'A Kid Again,' is playing in this high school hallway as [Renee's] listening to her headphones and walking down the hallway," he said. "And I kind of pop out from the locker as a student and roll down the hallway, but I'm really not supposed to be there. It's just her imagination." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| 'American Idol' Preview: Can Casey Abrams And Pia Toscano Stay On Top? Posted: 15 Mar 2011 11:41 PM PDT Contestants will sing songs released in their birth years on Wednesday's show.
Two months into its 10th season, "American Idol" is finally about to begin. After scores of multi-city auditions, Hollywood Week and pre-taped shows at a Los Angeles soundstage, the reality competition is set, at long last, to unleash a live performance episode on Wednesday (March 16). This is the "Idol" we know (and sometimes love), and it'll be interesting to see how the reality of live TV affects the contestants as well as the judges. This week's 12 remaining hopefuls will be taking on songs from the years they were born — a theme last explored in 2009, when Adam Lambert wowed with Tears for Fears' "Mad World" and Scott MacIntyre got the boot for a schmaltzy version of Survivor's "The Search Is Over." Will Casey Abrams and Pia Toscano cement their status as front-runners? Can Karen Rodriguez and Haley Reinhart avoid another trip to the bottom three? Those are among the questions lingering as we head into the show. Casey Abrams Haley Reinhart Jacob Lusk James Durbin Karen Rodriguez Lauren Alaina Naima Adedapo Paul McDonald Pia Toscano Scotty McCreery Stefano Langone Thia Megia Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Nate Dogg Remembered By Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Ludacris, More Posted: 16 Mar 2011 02:08 AM PDT Snoop tweets that gangsta crooner who lent his smooth vocals to array of West and East Coast hits was 'a true legend' of hip-hop and R&B.
As the hip-hop nation mourns the death of Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale on Tuesday, the exact cause of death is still unknown, although Hale's family has noted his history of strokes. What is certain, however, is the indelible impact the singer/rapper's smooth baritone had on gangsta and G-Funk rap music.
Nate Dogg lent his vocal talents to a plethora of songs over the years, with his smooth but gangsta crooning serving as the cherry on top of many a hip-hop hit. The Long Beach, California, native collaborated with both up-and-coming acts and A-listers, including Dr. Dre, Eminem, Tupac and 50 Cent. A number of artists who knew and worked with Nate took to Twitter to express their condolences. And few rappers worked as extensively with Nate Dogg as did Snoop Dogg. The two, along with Warren G, were once part of a group called 213 that sparked Dr. Dre's initial interest in Snoop. "We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb," Snoop tweeted. "One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met." Rapper/actor Xzibit experienced a boost in his profile after appearing on Snoop Dogg's "B Please," which featured singing from Nate Dogg. "We lost a [soldier], a father, a legend, a homie," Xzibit wrote. "My condolences go out to Ms. Ruth and the entire family. Celebrate #NateDogg #FOREVER." Ludacris also benefitted from a catchy Nate Dogg hook on his 2001 song "Area Codes," which earned a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration category. "There is a certain void in hip hop's heart that can never be filled," Luda tweeted. "Glad we got to make history together. RT @SnoopDogg: RIP NATE DOGG." 50 Cent was traveling and heard about the news when he landed at his destination. "I just landed nate dog is dead damn," 50 tweeted. "GOD BLESS HIM R.I.P he meant a lot to west coast hiphop. Iv always been a fan of it." 50 also mentioned that although he wrote the hook Nate sings on "21 Questions," from his debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin', he "needed nate to sing it for me. He had a way of making everything feel hard." Other rappers expressed grief over Nate's death while also reminding fans of their collaborations. "R.I.P. TO MY HOMIE NATE DOGG!," Bay Area slang master E-40 tweeted, also providing a link to the video of his song "Nah, Nah," which featured Nate on its hook. "RIP my brother Nate Dogg," Cali lyricist Rass Kass wrote, while adding a link to his song "4 Much," featuring Bad Azz, Tash and Nate Dogg. Nate's talents spanned the entire hip-hop nation: East Coast, West Coast and everywhere in between, as reflected by the tweets from his many collaborators. "R.I.P. TO MY HOMEBOY NATE DOGG DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 LIFE," fellow Long Beach native Daz Dillinger tweeted. Daz befriended Nate while they were working on "Deeez Nuuuts," from Dr. Dre's seminal album, The Chronic. "R.I.P to the homie nate dogg, my condolences to his family," tweeted G-Unit's Lloyd Banks, who featured Nate on his songs "Warrior, Part 2" and "Til the End." "Dam RIP Big Homie nate dogg sleep well gangsta!!" Obie Trice tweeted. The Detroit rapper has a number of songs with Nate, including "Look in My Eyes" and "The Set Up." Send your well-wishes and condolences by leaving your comments below. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Tyler, The Creator Says He Kept Odd Future Secret From His Mom Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:40 AM PDT 'She found out through other people,' Tyler tells MTV News.
Odd Future's de facto leader, Tyler, the Creator, was blessed with a haunting, captivating voice, the perfect fit for his witty, yet often uncomfortable, lyrics. His voice will be on full display when he and his Odd Future groupmates take the stage to perform at the 2011 mtvU Woodies on Wednesday night (March 16). But what fans may not know is that Tyler is also a producer. Along with MellowHype's Left Brain, Tyler has produced a majority of Odd Future's rich but brief catalog. A photo recently surfaced of Left Brain and Tyler in the studio with Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes. Both Left Brain and Tyler's work is deeply influenced by the once-ubiquitous production duo, and Tyler has made no secret of their impact on his life, even tweeting about meeting with Pharrell.
"F---. I was with my idol yesterday and it just f---ing hit me," the sailor-tongued 19-year-old wrote. "To know he's a f---ing huge fan is f---ing crazy. My heart was beating so fast I almost passed out." When MTV News caught up with Tyler (and the rest of the crew from OF last month), he revealed that he's very protective of his work. Initially, he didn't even let his mother know that he was performing at shows and making videos, and he barely let her hear his music. "She found out through other people. Like two weeks ago at her job, two kids from UCLA came in there talking about us and [she] was like, 'Wait, what are you talking about?' And they found out that was my mom." Tyler only recently started making beats out in the open, and it took him the longest time to play them for other people. "I would put it on MySpace, but I would never play kids at school my sh--, because they didn't get it and that was my sh--. So when they attacked it, it was like they were attacking me. That's just my nature and the reason why I didn't play it for the kids at school is because they said they didn't like that sh--. I didn't f--- with them, and words would've been exchanged and n---as would've got into a fight [if they did criticize it]. So I just prevented myself from [situations] like that." What do you think of Tyler's music? Sound off in the comments! The 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards will air live on MTV, MTV2 and mtvU on Wednesday, March 16, at midnight (ET/PT) from the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. For more information — and to vote for the winner of the "Breaking Woodie" award — check out Woodies.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Lady Gaga Teams Up With Google For Fan Interview Posted: 16 Mar 2011 01:42 AM PDT Pop singer posts video message inviting fans to ask her questions.
Lady Gaga has always found creative ways to interact with her fans, and her latest idea is no exception. On Tuesday, the pop titan took to YouTube to post a video message inviting her Little Monsters to ask her questions in an upcoming Google interview. Standing against a brick wall, Gaga greets her fans in the beginning of the black-and-white video, saying, "Hello, Little Monsters. This is Lady Gaga on the road at the Monster Ball. I wanted to let you in on the news that I'll be doing an exclusive Google interview using one of their tools called the moderator, which allows you guys to ask me all the questions that you want. "Do you have something that you always wanted to know about me or maybe you have questions about my fashion love or even the kind of things I search for on Google. Well, now is your chance!" she continues in the clip. Fans can participate in the interview by heading to the singer's YouTube channel and submitting videos or written questions. While on the singer's page, they can also vote for the questions they want to hear the most. In addition to the video network, fans can tweet their questions using the hashtag #GoogleGoesGaga. Fans have until the end of the day Friday to submit their entries. "I'll post the video interview with all my questions next week, so stay tuned. I'll let you know when it goes up, and remember, you're all amazing and I love you so, so much. I'll see you soon. You were born this way," she concludes with her monster growl. As of Wednesday (March 16), some of the most popular submissions included everything from pre-fame bullies to backstage tour stories. "You said that in school a lot of people bullied you and didn't like you," one fan wrote. "Now that you are famous, have any of them tried to 'apologize' and become friends? If so, what did you say to them?" "What do you do with all the T-shirts, stuffed animals, letters, hats and other monster gifts you receive?" asked another fan. Have you asked Lady Gaga a question yet? Tell us in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Sleigh Bells Promise 'Flying,' Unitards For Woodies Performance Posted: 16 Mar 2011 09:34 AM PDT Band shares stage with Foo Fighters, Wiz Khalifa, others at 2011 mtvU Woodies, airing live at midnight Wednesday.
AUSTIN, Texas — With a list of performers that includes not only Wiz Khalifa and insane L.A. rap collective Odd Future but the freakin' Foo Fighters too, the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards are shaping up to be a can't-miss show. So much so that you've got to feel sorry for some of the other acts on the bill ... they've really got to step it up.
Luckily, one of those acts, Brooklyn bashers Sleigh Bells, are up to the task. Or at least they sound like they are. Because when MTV News caught up with the dynamic duo on Tuesday during Woodies rehearsals, they were more than willing to reveal the details of their big performance. "I'm coming down on wires," guitarist/producer Derek E. Miller laughed. "Yes, Derek is flying around, he's wearing a unitard," singer Alexis Krauss added. Of course, when we mentioned we had some doubts about the wire work (and the unitard), the Bells quickly recanted. But they weren't about to say what their performance would actually feature. "There's definitely some surprises," Krauss said, playing it coy. "We haven't said anything about it so I don't really want to say anything more than we've said ... if that made any sense." Not really, but hey ... If all goes according to plan, Krauss and Miller won't just be hitting the stage for their secretive performance, they might be making an acceptance speech too. They're nominated for the Breaking Woodie award — up against the likes of Local Natives, Wavves, Dev and Two Door Cinema Club — and win or lose, they're planning on making the night memorable. "Obviously it would feel good to win," Krauss said, diplomatically. "It would be fun, but if we don't, it's OK ..." "[If we lose,] then I'm just gonna burn the place down," Miller laughed. The 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards will air live on MTV, MTV2 and mtvU on Wednesday, March 16, at midnight (ET/PT) from the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. For more information — and to vote for the winner of the "Breaking Woodie" award — check out Woodies.MTV.com. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Simon Cowell Says He Won't 'Compare' 'X Factor' To 'American Idol' Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:19 AM PDT Cowell tells MTV News, 'The rules are off, basically,' when it comes to his new show.
Simon Cowell helped bring back America's love of a good reality-singing competition as one of the original judges on "American Idol." Now, he's preparing to bring another reality competition show, "X Factor," Stateside, and he says there's only one way to explain what it is.
On Monday, MTV News caught up with Cowell, who said his "X Factor" won't be like that other show. "Well, I would say that I'm not gonna compare it to 'Idol,' " Cowell said. "It's started from scratch. It's a show that, first of all, has to be relevant; it has to appeal to younger viewers as well as older viewers. It should be representative of what's happening on the charts at the moment, but in a nutshell you can be 12 years old, you can be 50 years old, you can be in a group and the rules are off, basically." With auditions set to take place beginning March 27 in Los Angeles, fans may be wondering how Simon will make the show appealing to American audiences. "I've gone into it, first of all, that it is an American show and whatever happened on the U.K. last year is gone," he said. "This is an American competition for American contestants. From a pride point of view, they want to make this the best show they've ever done." The judges, Cowell noted, will have a lot to do with the show's success. "I have to make sure we have a lot of Americans working on the show to begin with," he said. "I've got to have people on the panel with me who can judge American talent because I'm 51 years old, I'm British and we've got people as young as 14 entering this competition. So I've got to make sure I've got people sitting alongside me who genuinely know what they're talking about so that we don't lose somebody in the audition process." Are you eager to see what Simon does with "X Factor"? Tell us in the comments! |
| Britney Spears May Appear On 'Ellen DeGeneres' Posted: 16 Mar 2011 01:57 AM PDT Singer is rumored to be taping skits and a performance for shows at the end of March.
With less than two weeks until the release of Femme Fatale, it seems Britney Spears is amping up her promotion. After appearing on the covers of V and Out (she's also rumored to grace the June cover of Harper's Bazaar), now Spears is reportedly taping appearances for "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," according to MuuMuse.com. Spears last appeared on Ellen's show in December 2008 in a skit alongside the comedian. The ladies, both wearing Dickensian clothing, went caroling together. This time around, Spears would appear in more skits on the March 28 and 29 episodes with a performance airing March 30. A rep for the singer couldn't confirm the report, and a rep for the show never responded to MTV News' request for comment by press time. A rep for Harper's Bazaar also hadn't responded to MTV News about the reports she will grace the cover. "I think Femme Fatale speaks for itself," Spears told V. "I worked really hard on it and spent almost two years recording it. I think it's the best album I have ever made. There's nothing to say. I'll let the music speak for itself. ... It's definitely my edgiest and most mature sound yet. "It's a little bit of [an evolution and a revolution]," she continued. "There are songs on this album that don't sound like anything else and are completely revolutionary, but I also believe this album expresses where I am today as a woman and is an evolution of who I am." What song would you want Britney to perform on "Ellen"? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos Related Artists |
| Above & Beyond's Tony McGuinness Turns Breakup Into 'Sun & Moon' Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:32 AM PDT Trance group gears up for Miami music week with their newest single.
For Above & Beyond, and their loyal following, these are exciting times. With Miami's annual Anjunabeats party on the horizon (at the Ice Palace on March 24), and their highly anticipated second studio album, Group Therapy, out in June, 2011 is shaping up to be a massive year for the U.K. trance trio. The album's first single and video, "Sun & Moon," recently hit the Web, and MTV News had the chance to catch up with one third of the collaborative, Tony McGuinness who gave us a little insight into the story behind song.
"It was written about the same girl [Katy] that a lot of our early songs were written about," McGuinness told MTV News. "It was a contender for the OceanLab album [Sirens of the Sea], but for many reasons, it didn't make it on. It's gone through a number of incarnations, and I think the reason why we were really happy for it to be the first single is that the sound of it is very now. ... It is kind of classic Above & Beyond, a sad song — and that's sort of what we do. I think when we do it well, we do it as well as anybody. That's kind of our trademark, really." The video, directed by Ferry Gouw, stars Alex Childs and Steve Cato as a feuding couple who have entered that "one last try" phase of a failing relationship that ends in a breakup. Eventually, she leaves him, and he turns to music and dancing for comfort. "I think everybody that you spend time with in your life, you learn from and grow through that period, and certainly that was true with Katy," he explained. "So, she's in my past, she's a 'failed relationship,' but to me it was anything but a failure. And that's what this song's really trying to say, you know, whatever experiences you have, romantic or otherwise with people, there's always a part of that relationship that lives on in your memory, hence the line, 'You'll never get over me, I'll never get over you.' I think those things are important. We're still friends. I'm not sure how she feels about me writing about the darker parts of our relationship all the time, but, you know, I think that's part of the inspiration that you get from other people." McGuinness defines "Sun & Moon" as a sequel to the smash single "Alone Tonight", from 2006's Tri-State. "I really wanted to make sure that we represented the album, which I think 'Sun and Moon' does," McGuinness said. "[It's] smack back in the middle of what the album's about. So I think sonically and musically and lyrically, it's a very good advert for the album." Will you be checking out Above & Beyond at their annual Anjunabeats party at the Ice Palace in Miami on March 24? Come say hi to the MTV News crew and let us know what you think in the comments below! |
| Jennifer Hudson Says New 'American Idol' Judges Are A 'Good Fit' Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:44 AM PDT 'Idol' alum calls the show the 'perfect boot camp' for aspiring singers.
Back when Jennifer Hudson auditioned for "American Idol," she sang her heart out every week in front of the show's original three: Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. These days, only one of those judges stands (Jackson), and he's joined by two new faces: music superstars Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. How does Hudson feel about the new judges' panel?
"I haven't had the time to watch 'Idol,' but every once in a while, my Twitter fans will send me a clip of it, and I get to see here and there, and I've seen a few of the commercials," she told MTV News while promoting her new album, I Remember Me. "And I'm looking, checking out the judges like, 'OK, they seem like a good fit.' And it's been running for a long time, so I think that's a good transition for them." While Abdul hasn't been on the show in a few years, this season is the first one without Cowell. Hudson said there are good and bad aspects of a Simon-free show. "I guess it could be a little bittersweet for [the contestants]," she said of not facing Cowell's harsh criticism. "But at the end of the day, they still get the experience, and I just feel like they should take from that and use it for whatever they can. Just live in that moment they're living in and be a part of the show." Regardless of who is sitting there, the show is great practice for the real world of being a singer, Hudson said. "I feel like 'American Idol' is a perfect boot camp to prepare you for the industry that you're trying to get into," she said. "And it teaches you so much. It's a good tool." Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday on MTV.com, following the "American Idol" results show, for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Artists |
| Megan Fox Reportedly Joining 'Knocked Up' Spin-Off Posted: 16 Mar 2011 12:32 AM PDT Judd Apatow flick would be Fox's first studio film since leaving 'Transformers' last year.
In what would mark her return to studio filmmaking after departing the "Transformers" franchise last May, Megan Fox is reportedly in negotiations to join Judd Apatow's upcoming Universal comedy. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox is eyeing a co-starring role in the project, which is a spin-off of "Knocked Up" and will have Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprising their characters from the hit 2007 comedy. Her potential role, at this point, is being kept a secret. MTV News' request for comment from Fox's rep was not immediately returned. The production would be Fox's first studio flick after parting ways with Paramount and "Transformers" last year. At that point, she'd already wrapped "Jonah Hex," which went on to bomb at the box office, and "Passion Play," which never received a theatrical release. Since then, she's stepped in front of the camera for Jennifer Westfeldt's indie "Friends With Kids." At the Oscars last month, Apatow told us the as-yet-untitled comedy was currently in rehearsals and that the story will take place four or five years after the events of "Knocked Up" (though in the vein of "Get Him to the Greek" after "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," the new comedy won't be a sequel). "The rest is a secret because it doesn't come out until 2012 and if you already knew what it was about for a year and a half, you wouldn't even want to see it," he laughed. We can, however, expect that, as Apatow put it, "some familiar people" will show up in the new flick. Perhaps by now, "Knocked Up" star Seth Rogen has heard if his services will be needed, because when we asked the actor about it in January, he had no idea. "[Judd] mentioned it to me off-handedly a year ago, and then I just read about it just like everybody else. I was like, 'Oh man, it looks like it's really happening,' " Rogen explained. "So, I don't know," he added. "I'm going to call him today and see what the deal is." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| 'Glee'-Cap: The Surprise Kiss We'd Been Waiting For Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:21 AM PDT Kurt and Blaine's lip-lock overshadows Regionals and original songs.
It wasn't exactly the original songs, nor the Regionals victory that had "Glee" fans squee-ing on Tuesday night. Not after that long-awaited Kurt and Blaine kiss. Of course, we've got an original song of our own to share, and nary a fishhook in sight. Sing along!
New Directions try original songs, Although "Trouty Mouth" made me laugh out loud, Pavarotti died suddenly, Kurt calls Blaine out for being an attention whore. They kissed! They swapped spit! (It was worth it) (It was worth it) (It was worth it) (It was worth it) It was worth it |
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