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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Jonathan Demme and Kim Cattrall to Headline Aruba Film Festival
Jay A. Fernandez "Meet Monica Velour" will open the second annual Aruba International Film Festival June 10. Director Jonathan Demme will also be on hand for the fest's ?In Conversation With...? series June 11, when he will screen his film "The Agronomist" and participate in a Q&A. read more
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Beyonc� - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia/Music World Music
Director: Jake Nava
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
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Ke$ha - My First Kiss
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Artist: Ke$ha
Label: Photo Finish Records
Director: Isaac Ravishankara
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Monday, May 30, 2011
Seth Meyers to Host Nantucket Film Fest's All-Star Comedy Roundtable
Jay A. Fernandez Ben Stiller will present the annual event, which also includes Aziz Ansari, "Glee's" Mike O'Malley and Anne Meara.read more
Dimmu Borgir Release Live DVD; Plus Led Zeppelin, Brujeria, & More News That Rules, In Metal File
'It shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums,' guitarist says.By Chris Harris
Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast
On October 14, Dimmu Borgir — who just happen to be Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said.
"It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically."
Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with
Moonspell, Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP.
"It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be."
Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring.
"I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation."
While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings.
"And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula."
Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake.
"We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that."
The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco.
The rest of the week's metal news:
Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ...
What the world really needs is another
Led Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ...
Former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ...
The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ...
The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features Carcass frontman Jeff Walker and Napalm Death's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ...
Demiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ...
Nearly three years after Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including Life of Agony's "River Runs Red," King Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," Type O Negative's "Black No. 1" and Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist." ...
According to Blabbermouth, Verrot, bassist for Swedish black-metal outfit Elimi, committed suicide on October 3. In a statement, the band said, "Verrot was a very good friend, brother, an excellent bass player/musician and an important part of Elimi; we respect his decision and hope he'll find his way with the dark gods of Chaos. Let your black flame be a part of what brings forth the day of wrath."
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Dimmu Borgir's Silenoz
Photo: Nuclear Blast
On October 14, Dimmu Borgir — who just happen to be Demi Lovato's favorite black-metal band — will release a a three-disc DVD/CD set called "The Invaluable Darkness," the band's first visual offering since 2002's "World Misanthropy." Boasting live footage shot last year, during gigs in Norway, Germany and England, "The Invaluable Darkness" demonstrates the unbridled furor of seeing Dimmu live, guitarist Silenoz said.
"It shows the honest rawness and atmospheric darkness of our concerts," the Norwegian told Metal File last week, after dismissing recent online rumors that his band's next LP would be coming out through Roadrunner Records. "Basically, it shows the intense live side of the band, as opposed to the perfection and the cleanness of how we sound on our albums. It's just a different side to the band, basically."
Dimmu Borgir began thinking about "The Invaluable Darkness" two years ago, but didn't start capturing footage until last summer, Silenoz explained, adding that the band will use its current stint on the Blackest of the Black Tour — which got underway Thursday night in Miami Beach, Florida, and also features the tour's founder, Danzig, along with
Moonspell, Winds of Plague and Skeletonwitch — to promote the DVD. Dimmu Borgir will not, however, use the tour to write material for their next LP.
"It's our first time on Blackest, but Glenn [Danzig] had wanted to bring us out before [on the tour], but we weren't available until now," Silenoz said. "We've done Ozzfest before, but we're looking forward to this tour more. We did the main stage on Ozzfest, playing in f--_ing broad daylight. This tour will let us play in bigger places, but at the same time showcase more of what the band's about, visually. We are going to concentrate on the tour for now. Some years ago, we tried putting [material] together on the road, but once we got home, we listened back to it, and were like, 'What the f--- is this?' So, we just scrapped it all. We find it's so much better to totally focus on one thing at a time, and then, when that's over, you move on to the next [thing]. We don't really feel like we need to rush things, anyway, so we'll just take our time, and it's going to be what it's going to be."
Dimmu Borgir hope to reconvene in late December to begin writing the follow-up to 2007's diabolically titled In Sorte Diaboli. "We have some ideas floating around already, but we haven't arranged any material yet," he said. "We'll start doing that once the touring for this DVD is over." The band's frontman, Shagrath, is also due to marry soon — he's engaged to actor Nicolas Cage's ex-girlfriend, Christina Fulton, so that may have an effect on when Dimmu finish their next album, which Silenoz said could be out this coming spring.
"I'm sure [Shagrath] won't let anything get in the way [of] the band — I think, I hope," the guitarist said. "We don't need a Yoko [Ono] situation."
While Dimmu have been at it going on 15 years now, Silenoz said he doesn't think their forthcoming material will be much of a departure from their previous black-metal offerings.
"And we have always been about more than just that term, 'black metal,' " he said. "Luckily for us, the older you get, the less concerned you get with the categorization and putting labels on your music. Things start getting more and more limitless with us, and we know that we operate within certain frames. But we try not to analyze things too much, because it's just going to be working against you in the end. When we write new stuff, we don't think about what we should write — we just get together, and put material together, and if we like it, we keep it. That's the formula, if we even have a formula."
Dimmu Borgir are definitely getting older — guitarist Galder will be missing Blackest because of a recent addition to his family, and Susperia's Cyrus will be filling in for him; while former Vader drummer Dariusz Brzozowski takes over for Hellhammer, who had to leave the band in 2007 after sustaining a neck injury that's now limited the use of his right arm. As Dimmu has gotten on in years, Silenoz admits they have failed to keep pace with some of the more extreme black-metal acts that have followed in their wake.
"We helped open doors for the more extreme bands out there," Silenoz said. "I'm sure we helped open doors for bands like Watain, [insomuch as] people that had maybe started listening to us first then went on to the more extreme stuff. Let's face it — we're not as extreme as Watain and other bands like that, but we're fine with that."
The Blackest of the Black Tour continues through November 10 in San Francisco.
The rest of the week's metal news:
Dimmu's tourmates on Blackest, Winds of Plague, have announced ex-Azusa drummer Art Cruz has joined their ranks — he replaced Jeff Tenney. According to the band's blog, "Art has already added a new spark to the band and has provided us with a solid backbone that will allow us to continue our rampage stronger than ever." ...
What the world really needs is another
Led Zeppelin box set, so, on November 4, Rhino Records will issue the Led Zeppelin Definitive Collection Mini LP Replica CD box set. For just $200, you'll get 1969's Led Zeppelin, 1969's Led Zeppelin II, 1970's Led Zeppelin III, 1971's Led Zeppelin IV, 1973's Houses of the Holy, 1975's Physical Graffiti, 1976's Presence, 1976's The Song Remains the Same, 1979's In Through the Out Door and 1982's Coda, as mini-LP replicas, with artwork from the original U.K. LP sleeves. Now, you know what you can get your dad for Christmas. ...
Former Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach and current Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz have teamed up for a new project they're calling Times of Grace, and they've already started working on material for their debut album. According to Leach, "We have two songs to go and we will be finished with all of the vocals. Adam has taken lead vocals in three songs as of yet and he is doing a great job. We also worked on a track yesterday that is so epic — we trade vocals and do two different melodies at the same time. This album went from a melodic metal album to an epic mix of metal/rock/pop/shoegaze and punk. So all of your metal expectations will be incorrect — we are pushing genre boundaries." To quote "Meet the Parents," we'll look forward to that, Greg. ...
The Funeral Pyre and Early Graves will be hitting the road together next month, starting November 7 in South Lake Tahoe, California. Dates are booked through November 21 in Hollywood. ...
The latest incarnation of Brujeria, which features Carcass frontman Jeff Walker and Napalm Death's Shane Embury, have lined up several U.S. dates for this winter. The band will begin its brief trek November 28 in Denver, and wrap things up in Dallas on December 7. ...
Demiricous will be touring with the Gates of Slumber starting November 9 in Denver, for a jaunt that's scheduled to run through December 6 in Indianapolis. ...
Nearly three years after Roadrunner Records' Roadrunner United concert, which took over the Nokia Theater in New York's Times Square, the label is now releasing footage from that special night as "Roadrunner United: The Concert." The DVD, which hits stores December 9, will boast two discs and 24 live tracks, including Life of Agony's "River Runs Red," King Diamond's "Abigail," Killswitch's "My Last Serenade," Type O Negative's "Black No. 1" and Sepultura's "Refuse/Resist." ...
According to Blabbermouth, Verrot, bassist for Swedish black-metal outfit Elimi, committed suicide on October 3. In a statement, the band said, "Verrot was a very good friend, brother, an excellent bass player/musician and an important part of Elimi; we respect his decision and hope he'll find his way with the dark gods of Chaos. Let your black flame be a part of what brings forth the day of wrath."
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Beyonce Dons Her Diva Crown On 'American Idol' Finale
'Idol' finalists joined the pop diva for an all-girl medley of B smash hits.By Adam Graham
Beyoncé performs on the "American Idol" finale
Photo: Getty Images
Who run the world? Girls!
The ladies of "American Idol" proved it during Wednesday's (May 25) season-closer when they performed a medley of Beyoncé hits, and were joined at the finish by Beyoncé herself.
The girls — Pia Toscano, Karen Rodriguez, Naima Adedapo, Ashthon Jones, Thia Megia and Haley Reinhart — hit the stage in various red-and-black ensembles and shared the stage during B's #1 smash "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." Adedapo opened the song and threw some sass on it before passing the mic to Jones, the season's 13th-place finisher, who was eliminated during the first week of semifinals competition. The girls took their turns with the vocals and aped the familiar moves from the single's iconic video, which one rapper sort-of semi-famously referred to once as one of the greatest music videos of all time.
Megia and the frequently bilingual Rodriguez took center stage and duetted on "Irreplaceable," another #1 hit for Beyoncé, while the rest of the group chimed in on the "you must not know 'bout me" chorus. That transitioned into "Get Me Bodied," with each singer working the stage with maximum 'tude. "If I Were a Boy" was next, with the contestants sitting down on the side of the stage and Reinhart tackling the chorus with her big, growly vocals. Jones was also allowed to flex her muscles on the song, and Toscano soon took center stage as the song segued into "Déjà Vu." Toscano, frequently criticized during her "Idol" run for only attempting big, old-fashioned ballads, came off well during the uptempo song.
But then the Queen B herself hit the riser at the top of the stairs and showed the ladies a thing or two about being a diva. The big horns from "Crazy in Love," her first solo hit, signaled her arrival, and she hit the stage with an abundance of style and authority. She danced in a long line with the "Idol" ladies (and a few backup dancers to boot) and ran through a verse of the song, strutting across the stage and whipping her hair like a true star. The performance ended with the "Idol" gals wrapping their arms around Beyoncé in a big group hug, and without even performing her new single, Beyoncé showed that girls run the world, or at least the "Idol" stage.
Later in the show, Beyoncé returned to debut her new song, "One Plus One." She introduced the dramatic piano-led ballad as her "favorite" song, and sang it on a sparse, smoke-filled stage, dropping to her knees at one point and shaking hands with the fans gathered in front of her.
What did you think of the Beyoncé medley? Let us know in the comments!
Don't miss a special edition of "Idol Party Live" Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, finale red-carpet coverage and the last "Idol in 60 Seconds" of season 10. Get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Beyoncé performs on the "American Idol" finale
Photo: Getty Images
Who run the world? Girls!
The ladies of "American Idol" proved it during Wednesday's (May 25) season-closer when they performed a medley of Beyoncé hits, and were joined at the finish by Beyoncé herself.
The girls — Pia Toscano, Karen Rodriguez, Naima Adedapo, Ashthon Jones, Thia Megia and Haley Reinhart — hit the stage in various red-and-black ensembles and shared the stage during B's #1 smash "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." Adedapo opened the song and threw some sass on it before passing the mic to Jones, the season's 13th-place finisher, who was eliminated during the first week of semifinals competition. The girls took their turns with the vocals and aped the familiar moves from the single's iconic video, which one rapper sort-of semi-famously referred to once as one of the greatest music videos of all time.
Megia and the frequently bilingual Rodriguez took center stage and duetted on "Irreplaceable," another #1 hit for Beyoncé, while the rest of the group chimed in on the "you must not know 'bout me" chorus. That transitioned into "Get Me Bodied," with each singer working the stage with maximum 'tude. "If I Were a Boy" was next, with the contestants sitting down on the side of the stage and Reinhart tackling the chorus with her big, growly vocals. Jones was also allowed to flex her muscles on the song, and Toscano soon took center stage as the song segued into "Déjà Vu." Toscano, frequently criticized during her "Idol" run for only attempting big, old-fashioned ballads, came off well during the uptempo song.
But then the Queen B herself hit the riser at the top of the stairs and showed the ladies a thing or two about being a diva. The big horns from "Crazy in Love," her first solo hit, signaled her arrival, and she hit the stage with an abundance of style and authority. She danced in a long line with the "Idol" ladies (and a few backup dancers to boot) and ran through a verse of the song, strutting across the stage and whipping her hair like a true star. The performance ended with the "Idol" gals wrapping their arms around Beyoncé in a big group hug, and without even performing her new single, Beyoncé showed that girls run the world, or at least the "Idol" stage.
Later in the show, Beyoncé returned to debut her new song, "One Plus One." She introduced the dramatic piano-led ballad as her "favorite" song, and sang it on a sparse, smoke-filled stage, dropping to her knees at one point and shaking hands with the fans gathered in front of her.
What did you think of the Beyoncé medley? Let us know in the comments!
Don't miss a special edition of "Idol Party Live" Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, finale red-carpet coverage and the last "Idol in 60 Seconds" of season 10. Get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
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Photos | Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez And Many More At Wango Tango 2011
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
'Harry Potter' Cast Sums Up Their Experience In One Word, Plus Two New 'Deathly Hallows' Posters
As the "Harry Potter" finale continues on towards the "Deathly Hallows" conclusion this summer, we've seen more and more cast and crew members come out of the woodwork to say goodbye to the much adored wizarding world.
Today, Empire continues its "Harry Potter" farewell tour with an interview that features Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma [...]
Today, Empire continues its "Harry Potter" farewell tour with an interview that features Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma [...]
Photos | Ke$ha Gets Electro At Casio's Shock The World Event 2010
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Photos | The 2010 Soul Train Awards Nominees
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Exciting News
I have all but abandoned this blog and, for that, I am sorry. I am, however, going to get back to it because... wait for it, wait for it... I'm moving to LA for six months starting in June and I'm going to share every dirty detail with you!
You see, Mark and my good friend Patty are executive producers of a new television show that will be taping in New York from June to November. Instead of him getting his own apartment here, we thought it would be more fun to trade places. It's going to be like The Holiday and I get to be Kate Winslet. I'M GOING TO HAVE A CAR AND EVERYTHING. (Watch. Out.)
I'm looking forward to a change of scenery and have other friends out there besides him. Also, the movie is being released at the end of September, so it will be fun to be out there for that.
So anyway, that's what I've been up to—planning all this and getting ready for my (temporary) move. Stay tuned!
You see, Mark and my good friend Patty are executive producers of a new television show that will be taping in New York from June to November. Instead of him getting his own apartment here, we thought it would be more fun to trade places. It's going to be like The Holiday and I get to be Kate Winslet. I'M GOING TO HAVE A CAR AND EVERYTHING. (Watch. Out.)
I'm looking forward to a change of scenery and have other friends out there besides him. Also, the movie is being released at the end of September, so it will be fun to be out there for that.
So anyway, that's what I've been up to—planning all this and getting ready for my (temporary) move. Stay tuned!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Photos | Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez And Many More At Wango Tango 2011
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Usher, Ke$ha And More Help Dance Music Go Pop In 2010
But is it here to stay? Our music-industry experts weigh in.By Akshay Bhansali
Ke$ha
Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images
In 2010, pop princesses, R&B icons and chart-dominating newcomers all danced to the same beat. Not only did dance music go pop, but pop music caught the club-music bug.
Between Katy Perry's "Firework," Ke$ha's "We R Who We R," Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)," Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It," Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and "OMG" and countless other singles, established artists definitely looked to dance beats for surefire hits. And two of this year's biggest success stories in music were Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz; could there be a soul left in this country who hasn't heard "Dynamite" or "In My Head"?
The love went both ways, with dance music's biggest stars finding mainstream success this year. Dance-music maestro deadmau5 took up house-artist duties at this year's VMAs, and Swedish House Mafia and Usher teamed up for a medley of their gems at the American Music Awards.
So how did this happen? We caught up with some music-industry experts to get their takes.
"You definitely saw tempos go up this year," Jon Caramanica of The New York Times told MTV News. "And I think what you had are a lot of producers who are really familiar with nightclub stuff. They are familiar with Europe. Things are happening on a more global scale now."
"I think everything from Europe, and sometimes even Asia, it comes to America, and we just adopt things a little bit slower," said Jared Eng of JustJared.com. "I think it was just a change. People like different types of music at different times. And dance was of this moment."
Noah Callahan of Complex magazine added: "I think 2010 saw the merging of the pop and dance genres. Pop artists realized that there were best practices that could be borrowed from dance music. And, ultimately, [all] pop music that has been made in the past 20 years had ended up being remixed for the club by dance artists. I think they basically just cut out the middleman and went straight there."
Dance music being introduced into the hip-hop and R&B realms was particularly notable this year.
"I think David Guetta kind of at the end of last year and the beginning of this year spearheaded it," said freelance writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd. "He produced a lot of tracks. I think as trends go, people revile 'unst-unst.' But it's just coming back around. Big-room techno was a way for people to get decadent in a year that no one could get decadent."
"You have someone like will.i.am, who's like, 'Well, I spent all this time in Ibiza, and this is what they are doing,' and he wants to find a way to bring that into his music," Caramanica said of the Black Eyed Peas mastermind. "R&B especially became dance music. And especially with your Jason Derülos, Taio Cruzes. Guys like that would have literally been blocked at the border two years ago. That would not have made it through customs. And now all of a sudden they have #1 songs. I think will.i.am had a lot to do with that last year."
Elliott Wilson of RapRadar.com added: "It's actually even affected hip-hop. I was talking to Q-Tip, and his next record, I feel like that's gonna kind of go in that vein. I know that was also Jay-Z's thought process with Blueprint 3 at first, that he wanted to make a little bit more of a world music [vibe], a little more dancey. I think the kids today want to go to the clubs. They wanna have a good time. They wanna dance. So I think the artists of today are trying to kind of feed that audience."
"I think it's caught on this year because the people who've done it have been successful," offered Clover Hope of Vibe magazine. "Like 'OMG,' with usher, he didn't have success until he made a dance record. He had 'There Goes My Baby' and these really, like, adult-contemporary records that didn't really catch on. And then once you see that everybody is doing it and that people are liking it, they are like, 'OK, let me just try this out.' It's like Auto-Tune. Like, 'Let me see what I sound like on a record by David Guetta.' They end up liking it and doing more of it."
So does the club-music trend have staying power. According to our tastemakers, not so much.
"I do think it's a blip," Caramanica said. "I don't think that's gonna be something that lasts in America. I think this is gonna be a moment we'll all look back on and go, 'Wasn't that weird when Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz had #1 records?"
"At some point, these R&B artists will get kind of sick of it and be like, 'Let me go back to my soul background,' " Hope said. "When you actually have to say something, dance doesn't really lend itself to substance. And I think that R&B artists, they really want to talk about love and in a deep way, and to do that, you need to do, like, a soul or a traditional R&B record. I want to say that it's kind of a fad."
"I think music is very cyclical," Eng offered. "So I think dance music might be here for a little bit, but I'm sure it will phase out at some point."
Wilson called dance music "the sound of today. I think that people want more aggressive, faster beats, and I think that that probably has legs until at least next summer."
What do you think? Is dance music here to stay? Let us know in the comments!
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Ke$ha
Ke$ha
Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images
In 2010, pop princesses, R&B icons and chart-dominating newcomers all danced to the same beat. Not only did dance music go pop, but pop music caught the club-music bug.
Between Katy Perry's "Firework," Ke$ha's "We R Who We R," Rihanna's "Only Girl (In the World)," Enrique Iglesias' "I Like It," Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" and "OMG" and countless other singles, established artists definitely looked to dance beats for surefire hits. And two of this year's biggest success stories in music were Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz; could there be a soul left in this country who hasn't heard "Dynamite" or "In My Head"?
The love went both ways, with dance music's biggest stars finding mainstream success this year. Dance-music maestro deadmau5 took up house-artist duties at this year's VMAs, and Swedish House Mafia and Usher teamed up for a medley of their gems at the American Music Awards.
So how did this happen? We caught up with some music-industry experts to get their takes.
"You definitely saw tempos go up this year," Jon Caramanica of The New York Times told MTV News. "And I think what you had are a lot of producers who are really familiar with nightclub stuff. They are familiar with Europe. Things are happening on a more global scale now."
"I think everything from Europe, and sometimes even Asia, it comes to America, and we just adopt things a little bit slower," said Jared Eng of JustJared.com. "I think it was just a change. People like different types of music at different times. And dance was of this moment."
Noah Callahan of Complex magazine added: "I think 2010 saw the merging of the pop and dance genres. Pop artists realized that there were best practices that could be borrowed from dance music. And, ultimately, [all] pop music that has been made in the past 20 years had ended up being remixed for the club by dance artists. I think they basically just cut out the middleman and went straight there."
Dance music being introduced into the hip-hop and R&B realms was particularly notable this year.
"I think David Guetta kind of at the end of last year and the beginning of this year spearheaded it," said freelance writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd. "He produced a lot of tracks. I think as trends go, people revile 'unst-unst.' But it's just coming back around. Big-room techno was a way for people to get decadent in a year that no one could get decadent."
"You have someone like will.i.am, who's like, 'Well, I spent all this time in Ibiza, and this is what they are doing,' and he wants to find a way to bring that into his music," Caramanica said of the Black Eyed Peas mastermind. "R&B especially became dance music. And especially with your Jason Derülos, Taio Cruzes. Guys like that would have literally been blocked at the border two years ago. That would not have made it through customs. And now all of a sudden they have #1 songs. I think will.i.am had a lot to do with that last year."
Elliott Wilson of RapRadar.com added: "It's actually even affected hip-hop. I was talking to Q-Tip, and his next record, I feel like that's gonna kind of go in that vein. I know that was also Jay-Z's thought process with Blueprint 3 at first, that he wanted to make a little bit more of a world music [vibe], a little more dancey. I think the kids today want to go to the clubs. They wanna have a good time. They wanna dance. So I think the artists of today are trying to kind of feed that audience."
"I think it's caught on this year because the people who've done it have been successful," offered Clover Hope of Vibe magazine. "Like 'OMG,' with usher, he didn't have success until he made a dance record. He had 'There Goes My Baby' and these really, like, adult-contemporary records that didn't really catch on. And then once you see that everybody is doing it and that people are liking it, they are like, 'OK, let me just try this out.' It's like Auto-Tune. Like, 'Let me see what I sound like on a record by David Guetta.' They end up liking it and doing more of it."
So does the club-music trend have staying power. According to our tastemakers, not so much.
"I do think it's a blip," Caramanica said. "I don't think that's gonna be something that lasts in America. I think this is gonna be a moment we'll all look back on and go, 'Wasn't that weird when Jason Derülo and Taio Cruz had #1 records?"
"At some point, these R&B artists will get kind of sick of it and be like, 'Let me go back to my soul background,' " Hope said. "When you actually have to say something, dance doesn't really lend itself to substance. And I think that R&B artists, they really want to talk about love and in a deep way, and to do that, you need to do, like, a soul or a traditional R&B record. I want to say that it's kind of a fad."
"I think music is very cyclical," Eng offered. "So I think dance music might be here for a little bit, but I'm sure it will phase out at some point."
Wilson called dance music "the sound of today. I think that people want more aggressive, faster beats, and I think that that probably has legs until at least next summer."
What do you think? Is dance music here to stay? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos
Stories Of 2010
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Ke$ha
Friday, May 27, 2011
Justin Bieber - Eenie Meenie
Eenie Meenie
Artist: Justin Bieber
Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
Director: Ray Kay
Album: My World 2.0
Artist: Justin Bieber
Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
Director: Ray Kay
Album: My World 2.0
Ke$ha - Blah Blah Blah
Blah Blah Blah
Artist: Ke$ha
Label: RCA
Director: Brendan Malloy
Album: Animal [Clean]
Artist: Ke$ha
Label: RCA
Director: Brendan Malloy
Album: Animal [Clean]
Ernie Halter Talks 'Ridiculously Awesome' Justin Bieber Surprise
'I still can't wrap my brain around it,' singer/songwriter tells MTV News about being joined onstage by the Biebs.By Jocelyn Vena
Ernie Halter
Photo: Ernie Halter
Justin Bieber joined Ernie Halter onstage to perform Halter's "Come Home to Me" (off his album Franklin & Vermont) on Thursday night in Costa Mesa, California. When Halter got on the phone with MTV News bright and early Friday (May 20) morning, he was still reeling from the experience.
"I still can't wrap my brain around it. It's bizarre," he told us. "I was really impressed with how humble and very sweet him and Selena [Gomez] were to me. They're both incredibly nice people. It's pretty crazy."
He then described how Bieber ended up taking the stage with him. "Well, I mean, him coming to the show, I don't know why I didn't see that coming. I just didn't. I guess I'm slow, but I had no idea until I actually saw him and Selena. I went probably mentally not there for a minute or two.
"I was at the gig last night, which is not close to L.A. at all. He really wanted to go and then I'm talking to someone and out of the corner of my eye I look over and that really looks a lot like Selena Gomez," he continued. "I looked to see who she was with and I went speechless for a couple minutes. I asked him [to perform with me] and he said yes. It was a little bit of a surprise because I didn't think he would do it."
With Bieber's blessing hitting Twitter, the Internet is quickly following and Halter's Internet stock is rising. "I have a tweet deck on my computer and it flashes every second [now] and there's no way I would have been able to envision that," he said. "It's ridiculous. It's ridiculously awesome."
While Bieber has made it clear he's a fan of Halter, is Halter a fan of Bieber?
"Entirely [I get it]. I've been a fan and I really believe he's extremely talented," he said, explaining that his 3-year-old son got him into the Biebs. "The type of reach that he has worldwide is really iconic, on a level that we haven't really seen. I think he's very, very talented."
Related Artists
Ernie Halter
Justin Bieber
Ernie Halter
Photo: Ernie Halter
Justin Bieber joined Ernie Halter onstage to perform Halter's "Come Home to Me" (off his album Franklin & Vermont) on Thursday night in Costa Mesa, California. When Halter got on the phone with MTV News bright and early Friday (May 20) morning, he was still reeling from the experience.
"I still can't wrap my brain around it. It's bizarre," he told us. "I was really impressed with how humble and very sweet him and Selena [Gomez] were to me. They're both incredibly nice people. It's pretty crazy."
He then described how Bieber ended up taking the stage with him. "Well, I mean, him coming to the show, I don't know why I didn't see that coming. I just didn't. I guess I'm slow, but I had no idea until I actually saw him and Selena. I went probably mentally not there for a minute or two.
"I was at the gig last night, which is not close to L.A. at all. He really wanted to go and then I'm talking to someone and out of the corner of my eye I look over and that really looks a lot like Selena Gomez," he continued. "I looked to see who she was with and I went speechless for a couple minutes. I asked him [to perform with me] and he said yes. It was a little bit of a surprise because I didn't think he would do it."
With Bieber's blessing hitting Twitter, the Internet is quickly following and Halter's Internet stock is rising. "I have a tweet deck on my computer and it flashes every second [now] and there's no way I would have been able to envision that," he said. "It's ridiculous. It's ridiculously awesome."
While Bieber has made it clear he's a fan of Halter, is Halter a fan of Bieber?
"Entirely [I get it]. I've been a fan and I really believe he's extremely talented," he said, explaining that his 3-year-old son got him into the Biebs. "The type of reach that he has worldwide is really iconic, on a level that we haven't really seen. I think he's very, very talented."
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Justin Bieber
?Jem And The Holograms? Returns To TV
Earlier today we learned that the 90′s music video show Pop-Up Video is returning to VH1 this Summer but right now I want to take you back a little further. The Hub is bringing back the 80′s animated TV series Jem and the Holograms this weekend with a marathon airing of the show’s first 6 [...]
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Photos | 2011 Billboard Music Awards
2011 Billboard Music Awards
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Rihanna
Nicki Minaj
Ke$ha
Beyoncé
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Oscilloscope, Showtime Acquire Rights to 'The Other F Word' Documentary
Jay A. Fernandez The film from Andrea Blaugrund Nevins features Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 and Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers.read more
Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash Light Up Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show
Foursome is joined by special guests and tons of lights for smash-hit medley. By Mawuse Ziegbe
Black Eyed Peas perform during the Super Bowl XLV halftime show
Photo: Getty Images
The Black Eyed Peas promised a party at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 6), and the pop supernovas definitely delivered, with a performance teeming with lights, dancers and surprise appearances from celebrity pals.
Following a Chatter.com commercial that showed animated versions of the Peas showing off their social-media skills, the group kicked things off with their 2009 smash "I Gotta Feeling," descending from the ceiling on illuminated platforms onto a stage surrounded by a cluster of dancers clad in white bodysuits. The foursome led the team of fist-pumping troops in "Tron"-like getups, with Taboo sporting an outfit covered in flashing lights, will.i.am rocking a shiny hairpiece, Apl.de.ap wearing huge bright studs and Fergie vamping it up in bling-laden shoulder pads.
When the speaker-busting bass of "Boom Boom Pow" dropped, the dancers dispersed across the field to create arrow-shaped formations as the glow-in-the-dark lights on their suits illuminated the stadium. Then rumored surprise guest Slash of Guns N' Roses rose from below the stage for a "Sweet Child O' Mine" duet with Fergie. The GNR great rocked a finger-searing solo in a studded version of his signature black top hat as more angular platforms and dancers moved across the gridiron. The platforms were bearing scores of marching-band musicians who blasted their horns and pounded away on their drums as the Peas went into "Pump It" and blue lights splashed across the production.
Quick streams of fog heralded the arrival of the Peas' second surprise guest, Usher, who swooped in on a long chain to bust out his will.i.am-assisted joint "OMG." Rocking a sparkly collar on an otherwise all-white ensemble, the R&B hitmaker cranked out several counts of energetic choreography, enlivening moves from his "OMG" video and at one point jumping over Will and landing in a split.
A spray of pyro ushered in the collective's breakout 2003 hit "Where Is the Love?" as the oddly shaped platforms spelled out the word "Love" in bright-red letters. The team of dancers, which appeared to have multiplied to over 100, formed hearts across the field as will updated the lyrics of the smash with lines like, "Obama, let's get these educated."
Then the group jumped ahead to their most recent single, 2010's "The Time (Dirty Bit)," as several back up hoofers rocking cubed helmets joined the Peas onstage and dancers lined up along the gridiron to simultaneously bust out the Running Man, a move which drew cheers from the crowd.
The platinum-selling Peas wrapped up the performance with a reprise of "I Gotta Feeling," as the quartet triumphantly signed off amid of blitz of fog, firepower and flashing lights.
Ripping the halftime show was clearly a touching moment for will, who tweeted beforehand, "Me and apl started the peas when we were 16 yesterday we were dreamin now were livin it. Wow. I'm not crying out of sadness or nervousness its joy and pride and memories and the journey."
And once the crew left the stage, the frontman was not only proud, but pumped. "That was so freakin sick," he wrote. "Wow...!!!"
What did you think of the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl performance? Let us know in the comments!
Related Photos
Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash Perform During Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show
Related Artists
Black Eyed Peas
Usher
Black Eyed Peas perform during the Super Bowl XLV halftime show
Photo: Getty Images
The Black Eyed Peas promised a party at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 6), and the pop supernovas definitely delivered, with a performance teeming with lights, dancers and surprise appearances from celebrity pals.
Following a Chatter.com commercial that showed animated versions of the Peas showing off their social-media skills, the group kicked things off with their 2009 smash "I Gotta Feeling," descending from the ceiling on illuminated platforms onto a stage surrounded by a cluster of dancers clad in white bodysuits. The foursome led the team of fist-pumping troops in "Tron"-like getups, with Taboo sporting an outfit covered in flashing lights, will.i.am rocking a shiny hairpiece, Apl.de.ap wearing huge bright studs and Fergie vamping it up in bling-laden shoulder pads.
When the speaker-busting bass of "Boom Boom Pow" dropped, the dancers dispersed across the field to create arrow-shaped formations as the glow-in-the-dark lights on their suits illuminated the stadium. Then rumored surprise guest Slash of Guns N' Roses rose from below the stage for a "Sweet Child O' Mine" duet with Fergie. The GNR great rocked a finger-searing solo in a studded version of his signature black top hat as more angular platforms and dancers moved across the gridiron. The platforms were bearing scores of marching-band musicians who blasted their horns and pounded away on their drums as the Peas went into "Pump It" and blue lights splashed across the production.
Quick streams of fog heralded the arrival of the Peas' second surprise guest, Usher, who swooped in on a long chain to bust out his will.i.am-assisted joint "OMG." Rocking a sparkly collar on an otherwise all-white ensemble, the R&B hitmaker cranked out several counts of energetic choreography, enlivening moves from his "OMG" video and at one point jumping over Will and landing in a split.
A spray of pyro ushered in the collective's breakout 2003 hit "Where Is the Love?" as the oddly shaped platforms spelled out the word "Love" in bright-red letters. The team of dancers, which appeared to have multiplied to over 100, formed hearts across the field as will updated the lyrics of the smash with lines like, "Obama, let's get these educated."
Then the group jumped ahead to their most recent single, 2010's "The Time (Dirty Bit)," as several back up hoofers rocking cubed helmets joined the Peas onstage and dancers lined up along the gridiron to simultaneously bust out the Running Man, a move which drew cheers from the crowd.
The platinum-selling Peas wrapped up the performance with a reprise of "I Gotta Feeling," as the quartet triumphantly signed off amid of blitz of fog, firepower and flashing lights.
Ripping the halftime show was clearly a touching moment for will, who tweeted beforehand, "Me and apl started the peas when we were 16 yesterday we were dreamin now were livin it. Wow. I'm not crying out of sadness or nervousness its joy and pride and memories and the journey."
And once the crew left the stage, the frontman was not only proud, but pumped. "That was so freakin sick," he wrote. "Wow...!!!"
What did you think of the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl performance? Let us know in the comments!
Related Photos
Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Slash Perform During Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show
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Piper Perabo Poppy Montgomery Portia de Rossi Rachael Leigh Cook
'Hunger Games' Casts Lenny Kravitz As Cinna
'When I saw Lenny's work in 'Precious,' I was just knocked out,' director Gary Ross says.By Kara Warner
Lenny Kravitz
Photo: Jo Hale/ Getty Images
The buzzworthy big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' dystopian best-seller "The Hunger Games" has added yet another highly anticipated cast member: Lenny Kravitz will play creative, kindhearted stylist Cinna.
Director Gary Ross said of the casting decision, "When I saw Lenny's work in 'Precious,' I was just knocked out. It was quiet and strong and understated and openhearted; all qualities which define this character. I'm really looking forward to this ride."
Cinna is the stylist for District 12 tributes Katniss and Peeta. Hunger Games stylists are responsible for presenting their tributes in complex costumes and ensembles that reflect characteristics of the tributes' native districts, as well as the personalities of the young men and women to which the stylist is assigned. Cinna is one of the few calming presences in Katniss' life, as well as one of the few people she can trust.
Naturally, Kravitz is best known for his music career — he won the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Grammy four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category and most consecutive wins in one category — with tracks like "Are You Gonna Go My Way," "Fly Away," "American Woman," and "Again." Over the last few years, however, Kravitz has dipped his multitalented toe into the world of acting, his breakout role being that of compassionate and encouraging Nurse John in "Precious."
Kravitz joins a long list of high-profile stars, including Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinkett and Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane.
Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Photos
'Hunger Games' Cast Additions
Meet Katniss From 'Hunger Games': Jennifer Lawrence
Imagining 'The Hunger Games' Cast Signature Looks
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Lenny Kravitz
Photo: Jo Hale/ Getty Images
The buzzworthy big-screen adaptation of Suzanne Collins' dystopian best-seller "The Hunger Games" has added yet another highly anticipated cast member: Lenny Kravitz will play creative, kindhearted stylist Cinna.
Director Gary Ross said of the casting decision, "When I saw Lenny's work in 'Precious,' I was just knocked out. It was quiet and strong and understated and openhearted; all qualities which define this character. I'm really looking forward to this ride."
Cinna is the stylist for District 12 tributes Katniss and Peeta. Hunger Games stylists are responsible for presenting their tributes in complex costumes and ensembles that reflect characteristics of the tributes' native districts, as well as the personalities of the young men and women to which the stylist is assigned. Cinna is one of the few calming presences in Katniss' life, as well as one of the few people she can trust.
Naturally, Kravitz is best known for his music career — he won the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Grammy four years in a row from 1999 to 2002, breaking the record for most wins in that category and most consecutive wins in one category — with tracks like "Are You Gonna Go My Way," "Fly Away," "American Woman," and "Again." Over the last few years, however, Kravitz has dipped his multitalented toe into the world of acting, his breakout role being that of compassionate and encouraging Nurse John in "Precious."
Kravitz joins a long list of high-profile stars, including Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinkett and Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane.
Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Photos
'Hunger Games' Cast Additions
Meet Katniss From 'Hunger Games': Jennifer Lawrence
Imagining 'The Hunger Games' Cast Signature Looks
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Britney Spears - Piece of Me
Piece of Me
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
Album: Blackout
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
Album: Blackout
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Lady Gaga Wanted To Go 'Full Mexicano' On 'Americano'
Born This Way producer Fernando Garibay says song was inspired by Proposition 8 ruling.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kara Warner
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Lady Gaga dabbled in Latin-sounding music on Fame Monster with "Alejandro," but for Born This Way, Gaga took that sound to a whole new level on "Americano," a charging, no-holds-barred statement about love of all kinds, played up against the chugging backdrop of Spanish guitar, horns and a disco-ready beat.
"The song was directly inspired by events that happened that day. It was in August, in the middle of summer, last year, and it was when Prop 8 was overturned in California," producer Fernando Garibay told MTV News of the controversial ruling that banned gay marriage in the state. "And there was a lot happening with immigration and the border issues and she pushed, she said she wanted to make this song really Mexican, with the struggle the Mexican people have gone through for freedom, for a better life, and so those ideas are directly implemented in the song."
Gaga, a Proposition 8 opponent, tweeted shortly after the ruling that she was inspired to write music. "At the moments notice of PROP 8 DEATH I instantly began to write music," she wrote in August. "REJOICE and CELEBRATE gay communities and straight all over the world. Our voices are being heard! Loud! SCREAM LOUD AMERICANOS!" The "Americano" lyrics directly address that momentous occasion. On the song, Gaga sings, "If you love me, we can marry on the West Coast/ On a Wednesday, en el verano, en agosto."
Garibay explained that while she might shed light on gay rights lyrically, she's hoping to bring attention to immigration laws in the United States sonically.
"I remember her saying, 'Yes, I want mariachi, I want Latin percussions. I want to go big.' I'm so used to people in the industry saying, 'Latin: It's a little bit cheesy,' " he said. "But she was like, 'F that! Let's go full Mexicano.' We started with me on guitar and her on piano, kind of wrote the lyric on the spot, and she sang it all the way through, and that's how the song was born."
Share your thoughts on "Americano" in the comments below!
Don't miss MTV News' hour-long exclusive interview, "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside," airing Thursday, May 26, at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
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Preview 'Lady Gaga: Inside The Outside'
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Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Lady Gaga dabbled in Latin-sounding music on Fame Monster with "Alejandro," but for Born This Way, Gaga took that sound to a whole new level on "Americano," a charging, no-holds-barred statement about love of all kinds, played up against the chugging backdrop of Spanish guitar, horns and a disco-ready beat.
"The song was directly inspired by events that happened that day. It was in August, in the middle of summer, last year, and it was when Prop 8 was overturned in California," producer Fernando Garibay told MTV News of the controversial ruling that banned gay marriage in the state. "And there was a lot happening with immigration and the border issues and she pushed, she said she wanted to make this song really Mexican, with the struggle the Mexican people have gone through for freedom, for a better life, and so those ideas are directly implemented in the song."
Gaga, a Proposition 8 opponent, tweeted shortly after the ruling that she was inspired to write music. "At the moments notice of PROP 8 DEATH I instantly began to write music," she wrote in August. "REJOICE and CELEBRATE gay communities and straight all over the world. Our voices are being heard! Loud! SCREAM LOUD AMERICANOS!" The "Americano" lyrics directly address that momentous occasion. On the song, Gaga sings, "If you love me, we can marry on the West Coast/ On a Wednesday, en el verano, en agosto."
Garibay explained that while she might shed light on gay rights lyrically, she's hoping to bring attention to immigration laws in the United States sonically.
"I remember her saying, 'Yes, I want mariachi, I want Latin percussions. I want to go big.' I'm so used to people in the industry saying, 'Latin: It's a little bit cheesy,' " he said. "But she was like, 'F that! Let's go full Mexicano.' We started with me on guitar and her on piano, kind of wrote the lyric on the spot, and she sang it all the way through, and that's how the song was born."
Share your thoughts on "Americano" in the comments below!
Don't miss MTV News' hour-long exclusive interview, "Lady Gaga: Inside the Outside," airing Thursday, May 26, at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
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Track By Track: Lady Gaga's Born This Way
Preview 'Lady Gaga: Inside The Outside'
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Usher - Lil Freak
Lil Freak
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond
Katharine McPhee Katharine Towne Katherine Heigl Katie Cassidy
Matthew McConaughey, Tobey Maguire, Sofia Vergara, Zac Efron to Star in 'The Paperboy' (Cannes)
Jay A. Fernandez Pedro Almodovar developed the sexual thriller, which Lee Daniels is set to direct.read more
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Watch: The Cast Of ?Glee? Performs ?I Love New York?/'New York, New York? On The Season Finale
Tonight is the season 2 finale of Glee and in the ep the cast performs a really fun, very inspired mash-up of the Madonna song I Love New York and the Leonard Bernstein classic song New York, New York … and right now, you can watch that mash-up performance in FULL as you count down [...]
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Top chefs to the rescue with Soul of Tohoku
A group of
Japan?s top chefs is calling on cooks around the country to support Tohoku by doing
what they do best -- cooking.
Called the Soul
of Tohoku, the initiative was started by a team of 40 chefs who represented
Japan at the prestigious Worlds of Flavor conference in the United States last
October.
The majority
of the chefs will join forces once again on Tuesday, May 31, to prepare a grand
spread for their fundraising benefit dinner at the ANA InterContinental Hotel.
All the
proceeds will go toward the group?s Kitchen Caravan Cooking Relay project,
which will send chefs in kitchen-equipped vehicles to various locations in
Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate prefectures.
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Japan?s top chefs is calling on cooks around the country to support Tohoku by doing
what they do best -- cooking.
Called the Soul
of Tohoku, the initiative was started by a team of 40 chefs who represented
Japan at the prestigious Worlds of Flavor conference in the United States last
October.
The majority
of the chefs will join forces once again on Tuesday, May 31, to prepare a grand
spread for their fundraising benefit dinner at the ANA InterContinental Hotel.
All the
proceeds will go toward the group?s Kitchen Caravan Cooking Relay project,
which will send chefs in kitchen-equipped vehicles to various locations in
Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate prefectures.
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Maggie Gyllenhaal Majandra Delfino Malia Jones Malin Akerman
Pet Tags
Man, I'm so irritated.
I just received four pets tags that I ordered for Bev and Mary Margaret (two for Brooklyn and two for LA) and they're all messed up. Not only did they leave off the "Margaret" on Mary Margaret's tags, but the text isn't centered correctly and runs off the right side on all four of them. (The last letter of the address is cut in half.) The tags themselves are also ugly. The edges aren't smoothed out... they look like someone just cut them from a piece of sheet metal and called it a day.
So anyway, I got them this morning on my way to Starbucks (yesterday's mail), so while I was there, I started drafting a strongly-worded letter in my head, like what I was going to say to these people when I sent them back.
And then I saw it.
In tiny print on the bottom of the invoice it said, "Our handicapped employees appreciate your order."
So now I can't send them back. If I did I'd be a total asshole.
I'm just going to order new ones from someplace else. Any recommendations?
I just received four pets tags that I ordered for Bev and Mary Margaret (two for Brooklyn and two for LA) and they're all messed up. Not only did they leave off the "Margaret" on Mary Margaret's tags, but the text isn't centered correctly and runs off the right side on all four of them. (The last letter of the address is cut in half.) The tags themselves are also ugly. The edges aren't smoothed out... they look like someone just cut them from a piece of sheet metal and called it a day.
So anyway, I got them this morning on my way to Starbucks (yesterday's mail), so while I was there, I started drafting a strongly-worded letter in my head, like what I was going to say to these people when I sent them back.
And then I saw it.
In tiny print on the bottom of the invoice it said, "Our handicapped employees appreciate your order."
So now I can't send them back. If I did I'd be a total asshole.
I'm just going to order new ones from someplace else. Any recommendations?
Britney Spears - 2008 Video Of The Year: Britney Spears "Piece of Me
2008 Video Of The Year: Britney Spears "Piece of Me
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
Album: Blackout
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
Album: Blackout
Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Muse Added To Grammy Show
Usher, Jaden Smith, B.o.B, Janelle Monae and Lady Antebellum will also perform on February 13.By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber and Usher
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
While Willow Smith is the one who made music headlines with "Whip My Hair" last year, it's her brother, "Karate Kid" actor Jaden Smith, who will take the stage at the upcoming 53rd Grammy Awards in a special performance alongside Usher and Justin Bieber, with whom he collaborated on the song "Never Say Never" last summer.
The trio joins a list of new performers added to the show on Thursday (January 20) that will also include another power trifecta made up of B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe, according to a press release from the Recording Academy announcing the additions to the February 13 telecast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Also taking the stage next month will be nominees Muse and Lady Antebellum. They will join a roster of previously announced performers that includes Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green and Miranda Lambert. It will be the first time on the Grammy performance stage for Bieber, B.o.B, Lambert, Mars, Monáe, Muse and Smith. Eminem, Green, Gaga, Perry, Usher and Lady Antebellum will be making return visits for the occasion.
While 11-time Grammy winner Eminem leads the pack in nominations this year (with 10 nods), Mars has seven nominations, and Gaga and Lady Antebellum are not far behind with six nods each. B.o.B has notched five, Perry and Green are each up for four, and Arcade Fire and Lambert are vying for three awards. Bieber, Muse, Usher and Monáe are each nominated for two Grammys.
No details of the collaborative performances were released, but the Grammy announcement promised a rare, never-before-seen event for the Mars, B.o.B and Monáe segment.
With the addition of Antebellum, all five Album of the Year nominees (Eminem, Arcade Fire, Gaga, Perry) are now scheduled to perform on the show. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.
Which Grammy performance are you most looking forward to? Talk about it in the comments!
Related Photos
2011 Grammy Performers
Related Artists
Usher
Janelle Monae
B.o.B
Justin Bieber
Muse
Justin Bieber and Usher
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
While Willow Smith is the one who made music headlines with "Whip My Hair" last year, it's her brother, "Karate Kid" actor Jaden Smith, who will take the stage at the upcoming 53rd Grammy Awards in a special performance alongside Usher and Justin Bieber, with whom he collaborated on the song "Never Say Never" last summer.
The trio joins a list of new performers added to the show on Thursday (January 20) that will also include another power trifecta made up of B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe, according to a press release from the Recording Academy announcing the additions to the February 13 telecast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Also taking the stage next month will be nominees Muse and Lady Antebellum. They will join a roster of previously announced performers that includes Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green and Miranda Lambert. It will be the first time on the Grammy performance stage for Bieber, B.o.B, Lambert, Mars, Monáe, Muse and Smith. Eminem, Green, Gaga, Perry, Usher and Lady Antebellum will be making return visits for the occasion.
While 11-time Grammy winner Eminem leads the pack in nominations this year (with 10 nods), Mars has seven nominations, and Gaga and Lady Antebellum are not far behind with six nods each. B.o.B has notched five, Perry and Green are each up for four, and Arcade Fire and Lambert are vying for three awards. Bieber, Muse, Usher and Monáe are each nominated for two Grammys.
No details of the collaborative performances were released, but the Grammy announcement promised a rare, never-before-seen event for the Mars, B.o.B and Monáe segment.
With the addition of Antebellum, all five Album of the Year nominees (Eminem, Arcade Fire, Gaga, Perry) are now scheduled to perform on the show. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.
Which Grammy performance are you most looking forward to? Talk about it in the comments!
Related Photos
2011 Grammy Performers
Related Artists
Usher
Janelle Monae
B.o.B
Justin Bieber
Muse
Britney Spears Says She'd Love To Tour With Usher
In her 'Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale' special, she calls the 'OMG' singer 'really hot right now.'By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Sway Calloway and Britney Spears
Photo: MTV News & Docs
What do Britney Spears and Usher have in common? Well, they are both global superstars with a back catalogue of tunes that have kept fans dancing for a really long time and they both recently hooked up with will.i.am for tracks on their latest releases (the Black Eyed Peas mastermind worked on the pop vixen's Femme Fatale tune "Big Fat Bass"). And, if Spears has her way, she and the "OMG" singer could be hitting the road together.
When Spears sat down to talk with Sway Calloway for her "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special — airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV — the singer revealed that Usher is first on her list of artists she'd like to join her on tour.
"Oh, I'm so excited. I'm really excited about going on tour, very," she explained about her forthcoming summer trek, which happens to have a spot open on the bill now that Enrique Iglesias has pulled out of the gig. "I think Usher's really great right now. I think he's really hot right now. That would be cool [to tour with him]."
The North American road trip is expected to kick off June 17 in Sacramento, California, and will run for 26 dates, winding up on August 13 in Toronto. More details will be announced soon.
The "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special is a mixture of behind-the-scenes footage of the singer as she wraps up production on her album, which dropped this week, as well as an inside look at her life and fans. In addition, those who couldn't make Spears' recent nightclub show in Las Vegas will get to see her as she takes the stage in her latest pop incarnation.
Don't miss "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale," airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.
Related Videos
Exclusive Preview Clips Of 'Britney Spears: I Am The Femme Fatale'
Related Photos
Britney Spears Brings Down The House In Las Vegas
Related Artists
Britney Spears
Usher
Sway Calloway and Britney Spears
Photo: MTV News & Docs
What do Britney Spears and Usher have in common? Well, they are both global superstars with a back catalogue of tunes that have kept fans dancing for a really long time and they both recently hooked up with will.i.am for tracks on their latest releases (the Black Eyed Peas mastermind worked on the pop vixen's Femme Fatale tune "Big Fat Bass"). And, if Spears has her way, she and the "OMG" singer could be hitting the road together.
When Spears sat down to talk with Sway Calloway for her "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special — airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV — the singer revealed that Usher is first on her list of artists she'd like to join her on tour.
"Oh, I'm so excited. I'm really excited about going on tour, very," she explained about her forthcoming summer trek, which happens to have a spot open on the bill now that Enrique Iglesias has pulled out of the gig. "I think Usher's really great right now. I think he's really hot right now. That would be cool [to tour with him]."
The North American road trip is expected to kick off June 17 in Sacramento, California, and will run for 26 dates, winding up on August 13 in Toronto. More details will be announced soon.
The "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special is a mixture of behind-the-scenes footage of the singer as she wraps up production on her album, which dropped this week, as well as an inside look at her life and fans. In addition, those who couldn't make Spears' recent nightclub show in Las Vegas will get to see her as she takes the stage in her latest pop incarnation.
Don't miss "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale," airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.
Related Videos
Exclusive Preview Clips Of 'Britney Spears: I Am The Femme Fatale'
Related Photos
Britney Spears Brings Down The House In Las Vegas
Related Artists
Britney Spears
Usher
Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell
Photos | Celebs Bid Farewell To Oprah Winfrey At Her Final Show Tapings
Celebs Bid Farewell To Oprah Winfrey At Her Final Show Tapings
Related Artists
Usher
Beyoncé
Related Artists
Usher
Beyoncé
Monday, May 23, 2011
Links for 2008-10-29 [del.icio.us]
Tracy Morgan Credits Alec Baldwin For Helping Kick His Alcohol Problem (Pics)
he's still a drunk
he's still a drunk
First Look: Disney Movie 'Tangled'
Here's the first look at Disney's new movie, 'Tangled.' It's the story of Princess Rapunzel who falls in love with a bandit. Mandy Moore is the voice for Rapunzel while 'Chuck' star Zachary Levi is the voice of Flynn Ryder.
Looks like a good movie to take the kids to :)
Looks like a good movie to take the kids to :)
Michael Jackson Wrongful Death Suit Vs. AEG Can Proceed, Judge Rules
Katherine Jackson and family are pursuing a claim against concert promoter.By Gil Kaufman
Michael Jackson
When he was alive, Michael Jackson was forever embroiled in a series of complex and expensive-sounding lawsuits. But even in death, the late King of Pop is the subject of major legal action. None could potentially be bigger than the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the pop icon's mother, Katherine Jackson, against concert promotion giant AEG Live.
Reuters reported that a Los Angeles judge ruled on Wednesday that the civil lawsuit can go forward. It will proceed in parallel with the criminal case against Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's June 2009 death from an overdose of the powerful surgical anesthetic propofol. Murray is the only person charged in Jackson's death and he is currently awaiting trial in that matter.
Katherine Jackson's lawsuit — filed in September on behalf of her and Jackson's three young children — accuses AEG of being responsible for the medical decisions made by Murray, whose salary was paid by the touring company behind Jackson's attempted "This Is It" comeback shows in London. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos denied a motion on Wednesday by AEG to dismiss Katherine Jackson's suit, but warned Jackson's attorneys that they would need to show evidence of "fraud, negligent infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy" in order to win the case.
The judge has already said she doubts they can prove the latter charge, because the suit does not detail any agreement between Murray and AEG to break the law in providing medical care to Jackson.
"If the object was to get him to rehearsals, I don't see that as a wrongful or illegal act," the judge said. A lawyer for AEG told the judge that the company could not have predicted beforehand that Murray's medical decisions would result in Jackson's death. Court papers also show that AEG "did not choose to hire Murray" and had only participated in negotiations to bring him on as an independent contractor. Michael, who had previously been treated by Murray in Las Vegas, was reportedly the one who suggested the cardiologist serve as his personal, on-call physician during the "This Is It" rehearsals and shows.
Katherine Jackson's attorney recently dropped choreographer Kenny Ortega from the lawsuit based on new information they received about his actions. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 22, just six days before Murray is due back in court for his trial. Jackson's father, Joseph, has twice attempted to file a wrongful death suit in the matter, though his is focused on Murray and the Las Vegas pharmacy that supplied the propofol, not AEG Live.
Related Photos
Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
Related Artists
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
When he was alive, Michael Jackson was forever embroiled in a series of complex and expensive-sounding lawsuits. But even in death, the late King of Pop is the subject of major legal action. None could potentially be bigger than the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the pop icon's mother, Katherine Jackson, against concert promotion giant AEG Live.
Reuters reported that a Los Angeles judge ruled on Wednesday that the civil lawsuit can go forward. It will proceed in parallel with the criminal case against Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's June 2009 death from an overdose of the powerful surgical anesthetic propofol. Murray is the only person charged in Jackson's death and he is currently awaiting trial in that matter.
Katherine Jackson's lawsuit — filed in September on behalf of her and Jackson's three young children — accuses AEG of being responsible for the medical decisions made by Murray, whose salary was paid by the touring company behind Jackson's attempted "This Is It" comeback shows in London. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos denied a motion on Wednesday by AEG to dismiss Katherine Jackson's suit, but warned Jackson's attorneys that they would need to show evidence of "fraud, negligent infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy" in order to win the case.
The judge has already said she doubts they can prove the latter charge, because the suit does not detail any agreement between Murray and AEG to break the law in providing medical care to Jackson.
"If the object was to get him to rehearsals, I don't see that as a wrongful or illegal act," the judge said. A lawyer for AEG told the judge that the company could not have predicted beforehand that Murray's medical decisions would result in Jackson's death. Court papers also show that AEG "did not choose to hire Murray" and had only participated in negotiations to bring him on as an independent contractor. Michael, who had previously been treated by Murray in Las Vegas, was reportedly the one who suggested the cardiologist serve as his personal, on-call physician during the "This Is It" rehearsals and shows.
Katherine Jackson's attorney recently dropped choreographer Kenny Ortega from the lawsuit based on new information they received about his actions. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 22, just six days before Murray is due back in court for his trial. Jackson's father, Joseph, has twice attempted to file a wrongful death suit in the matter, though his is focused on Murray and the Las Vegas pharmacy that supplied the propofol, not AEG Live.
Related Photos
Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos
Related Artists
Michael Jackson
Giuliana DePandi Giulianna Ramirez Grace Park Gretha Cavazzoni
Footage released of SpaceShipTwo's first 'feathered flight'
Virgin Galactic has released a video of SpaceShipTwo, the world?s first commercial spaceship, dropping nearly vertically from its mother ship in a test flight that took place earlier this month.
The test flight, which deploys a "feather" configuration to ease the craft's re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, brings Virgin Galactic a step closer to taking tourists into outer space. It took place over the Mojave Desert on May 4.
One of the most dangerous aspects of space flight is figuring out a safe way to re-enter the dense atmosphere of Earth from the vacuum of space.
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The test flight, which deploys a "feather" configuration to ease the craft's re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, brings Virgin Galactic a step closer to taking tourists into outer space. It took place over the Mojave Desert on May 4.
One of the most dangerous aspects of space flight is figuring out a safe way to re-enter the dense atmosphere of Earth from the vacuum of space.
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Sunday, May 22, 2011
Will 'Twilight Saga' Star Jamie Campbell Bower Join 'Mortal Instruments'?
Bower, 'Eragon' actor Ed Speleers and newcomer Leebo Freeman reportedly are in the running for the role of Jace Wayland.By Eric Ditzian
Jamie Campbell Bower
Photo: Elisabetta A. Villa/ WireImage
Last week when Lily Collins stopped by the MTV Newsroom, the 22-year-old "Mortal Instruments" star apologized to fans that the casting of her onscreen love interest — the strong-headed Jace Wayland — had stretched on so long and promised that they'd eventually find the right guy.
According to a new report from TheWrap, the fight to become that "right guy" is now down to three actors: Jamie Campbell Bower (of the "Twilight Saga" films), Ed Speleers ("Eragon") and newcomer Leebo Freeman. All three hopefuls reportedly tested with Collins late last week on the Sony Pictures lot.
A rep for Screen Gems, the studio behind the project, told MTV News, "We have no comment other than we are actively casting." Our requests for comments from the actors' reps were not immediately returned.
Back in January, Alex Pettyfer ("I Am Number Four") appeared to be the front-runner for the role of Jace, with reports even suggesting that he'd been offered the part. But nothing solid was nailed down, and now some new names have entered the mix.
"It's been a long process," Collins admitted to us last week. "In the process of casting something like this, where the characters are so pivotal and people are so enthusiastic, we don't want to do it wrong. If you rush it, people aren't as happy. Or you take the time and really seek out the right person to play the role.
"I totally understand everyone wanting to know right away, and I do too — I'm as excited as everyone else," she added. "I'm an avid fan and reader. But there's no way to speed up a process when we want to do it right."
Do you think Bower is a good choice for the Jace role? Share your opinions in the comments.
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Jamie Campbell Bower
Photo: Elisabetta A. Villa/ WireImage
Last week when Lily Collins stopped by the MTV Newsroom, the 22-year-old "Mortal Instruments" star apologized to fans that the casting of her onscreen love interest — the strong-headed Jace Wayland — had stretched on so long and promised that they'd eventually find the right guy.
According to a new report from TheWrap, the fight to become that "right guy" is now down to three actors: Jamie Campbell Bower (of the "Twilight Saga" films), Ed Speleers ("Eragon") and newcomer Leebo Freeman. All three hopefuls reportedly tested with Collins late last week on the Sony Pictures lot.
A rep for Screen Gems, the studio behind the project, told MTV News, "We have no comment other than we are actively casting." Our requests for comments from the actors' reps were not immediately returned.
Back in January, Alex Pettyfer ("I Am Number Four") appeared to be the front-runner for the role of Jace, with reports even suggesting that he'd been offered the part. But nothing solid was nailed down, and now some new names have entered the mix.
"It's been a long process," Collins admitted to us last week. "In the process of casting something like this, where the characters are so pivotal and people are so enthusiastic, we don't want to do it wrong. If you rush it, people aren't as happy. Or you take the time and really seek out the right person to play the role.
"I totally understand everyone wanting to know right away, and I do too — I'm as excited as everyone else," she added. "I'm an avid fan and reader. But there's no way to speed up a process when we want to do it right."
Do you think Bower is a good choice for the Jace role? Share your opinions in the comments.
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Exciting News
I have all but abandoned this blog and, for that, I am sorry. I am, however, going to get back to it because... wait for it, wait for it... I'm moving to LA for six months starting in June and I'm going to share every dirty detail with you!
You see, Mark and my good friend Patty are executive producers of a new television show that will be taping in New York from June to November. Instead of him getting his own apartment here, we thought it would be more fun to trade places. It's going to be like The Holiday and I get to be Kate Winslet. I'M GOING TO HAVE A CAR AND EVERYTHING. (Watch. Out.)
I'm looking forward to a change of scenery and have other friends out there besides him. Also, the movie is being released at the end of September, so it will be fun to be out there for that.
So anyway, that's what I've been up to—planning all this and getting ready for my (temporary) move. Stay tuned!
You see, Mark and my good friend Patty are executive producers of a new television show that will be taping in New York from June to November. Instead of him getting his own apartment here, we thought it would be more fun to trade places. It's going to be like The Holiday and I get to be Kate Winslet. I'M GOING TO HAVE A CAR AND EVERYTHING. (Watch. Out.)
I'm looking forward to a change of scenery and have other friends out there besides him. Also, the movie is being released at the end of September, so it will be fun to be out there for that.
So anyway, that's what I've been up to—planning all this and getting ready for my (temporary) move. Stay tuned!
Usher - Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
Artist: Usher
Label: JLG
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
Artist: Usher
Label: JLG
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
Jeff Garlin, Mary Lynn Rajskub Join 'Safety Not Guaranteed'
Jay A. Fernandez Lynn Shelton, Karan Soni and Jenica Bergere also new to Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly's ensemble comedy.read more
Les News, 052111
The most patient cat in the world. PETA is also angry at Selena Gomez and her pink horse. No Batnipples for Batman Live! JT + Gaga = SNL finale. Utah outlaws acting sexy? Click HERE to hear a new Beyonc� song titled Till the End of Time. Abercrombie & Fitch Paris is now open for [...]
Rachael Leigh Cook Rachel Bilson Rachel Blanchard Rachel Hunter
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Rebecca Gayheart Is Out With Baby Billie
I think this is the first time I've seen Billie! Adorable! Don't you want to pinch those cheeks? Rebecca Gayheart was spotted out with the baby yesterday afternoon. They went to a private residence.
Can you make out Billie's personalized booties (click through the pictures below for a better look)? Too cute :) It looks like Rebecca is focused on being a full-time mom while Eric Dane is still busy with 'Grey's Anatomy.' As you other stay-at-home moms know, getting out is so important!
I hope they had a good time :)
Photos by FAME
Can you make out Billie's personalized booties (click through the pictures below for a better look)? Too cute :) It looks like Rebecca is focused on being a full-time mom while Eric Dane is still busy with 'Grey's Anatomy.' As you other stay-at-home moms know, getting out is so important!
I hope they had a good time :)
Photos by FAME
Paris Hilton Accepts Plea Deal
Paris Hilton does it again. E! News reports that the celebutante has accepted a plea deal that includes pleading guilty to misdemeanor drug possession and obstructing an officer.
In return, she avoids being charged with felony cocaine possession and gets two consecutive six-month jail sentences suspended. Translation: Paris won't have to spend a night in jail.
"We fashioned a resolution which would give us complete control over her future," Clark County District Attorney David Roger told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "If she does not toe the line and stay out of trouble, she will do one year in the Clark County Detention Center."
Paris reportedly will enter her plea on Monday. She will be on probation for one year, have to complete a drug abuse program, pay a fine of $2000, and complete 200 hours of community service (brace yourself for those pictures- LOL).
Does this sound fair to you or do you want to see Paris serve some time? Honestly, I think you could stick Paris in jail for five years, and it wouldn't change a thing.
Photos by FAME
In return, she avoids being charged with felony cocaine possession and gets two consecutive six-month jail sentences suspended. Translation: Paris won't have to spend a night in jail.
"We fashioned a resolution which would give us complete control over her future," Clark County District Attorney David Roger told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "If she does not toe the line and stay out of trouble, she will do one year in the Clark County Detention Center."
Paris reportedly will enter her plea on Monday. She will be on probation for one year, have to complete a drug abuse program, pay a fine of $2000, and complete 200 hours of community service (brace yourself for those pictures- LOL).
Does this sound fair to you or do you want to see Paris serve some time? Honestly, I think you could stick Paris in jail for five years, and it wouldn't change a thing.
Photos by FAME
Jennifer Jennifer Scholle Jennifer Sky Jenny McCarthy Jessica Alba
'Glee' Season Finale Exclusive: Listen To 'Yeah!' Here
An a cappella girl group covers Usher's hit for Nationals in next week's episode.By Aly Semigran
Usher
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
During this week's episode of "Glee", the gang from New Directions took a big risk when they decided they would compete in Nationals by singing their own original songs. Well, the stakes just got a little higher.
MTV News has an exclusive first listen to one of the rival groups who will go up against the McKinley High glee club in New York City during next Tuesday's (May 24) big season two finale. In the upcoming episode, an all-female a cappella group sings Usher's 2004 club and radio smash "Yeah!," which may have the Nationals judges saying just that.
Singers replace synthesizers for the four-note melody that repeats throughout the song, and lead vocalists RaVaughn Brown and Missi Hale match the high energy that Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris brought to the track.
Granted, a few things have been tweaked in the version for the tween-friendly show, including the length (the original is over four minutes long, while the "Glee" version comes in at three and a half minutes) and the tune's instructions to "Take that and rewind it back ... got the rhythm make ya booty go."
Also, instead of Ludacris' verse, "We want a lady in the street/ And a freak in the bed," one girl sings, "You know you want a kiss on the lips, old red." The line, "Ludacris fill cups like double D's" has also been cut from the song.
But, it's not all PG. At one point in the girls' rendition of the track, they page homage to Lil Jon's crunk hit "Get Low," singing, "From the windows to the walls" and even Mystikal's booty-happy single "Shake Ya Ass," when they urge, "Show me whatcha' workin' with."
At the 2005 Grammy Awards, the power trio of Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris won the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah!" But, will the song bring the same sort of fortune to this girl group at Nationals? Or will the glory all belong to New Directions this time? Gleeks will still have to wait a few more days to find out.
The "Glee" season finale airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Fox, while "Glee": The Music, Volume 6, including the three new original songs "Light Up the World," "Pretending" and "As Long as You're There," will be available on Monday.
What do you think of this a cappella group's version of "Yeah!"? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Usher
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
During this week's episode of "Glee", the gang from New Directions took a big risk when they decided they would compete in Nationals by singing their own original songs. Well, the stakes just got a little higher.
MTV News has an exclusive first listen to one of the rival groups who will go up against the McKinley High glee club in New York City during next Tuesday's (May 24) big season two finale. In the upcoming episode, an all-female a cappella group sings Usher's 2004 club and radio smash "Yeah!," which may have the Nationals judges saying just that.
Singers replace synthesizers for the four-note melody that repeats throughout the song, and lead vocalists RaVaughn Brown and Missi Hale match the high energy that Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris brought to the track.
Granted, a few things have been tweaked in the version for the tween-friendly show, including the length (the original is over four minutes long, while the "Glee" version comes in at three and a half minutes) and the tune's instructions to "Take that and rewind it back ... got the rhythm make ya booty go."
Also, instead of Ludacris' verse, "We want a lady in the street/ And a freak in the bed," one girl sings, "You know you want a kiss on the lips, old red." The line, "Ludacris fill cups like double D's" has also been cut from the song.
But, it's not all PG. At one point in the girls' rendition of the track, they page homage to Lil Jon's crunk hit "Get Low," singing, "From the windows to the walls" and even Mystikal's booty-happy single "Shake Ya Ass," when they urge, "Show me whatcha' workin' with."
At the 2005 Grammy Awards, the power trio of Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris won the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah!" But, will the song bring the same sort of fortune to this girl group at Nationals? Or will the glory all belong to New Directions this time? Gleeks will still have to wait a few more days to find out.
The "Glee" season finale airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Fox, while "Glee": The Music, Volume 6, including the three new original songs "Light Up the World," "Pretending" and "As Long as You're There," will be available on Monday.
What do you think of this a cappella group's version of "Yeah!"? Let us know in the comments section below!
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Korn Guitarist James Shaffer ?Munky? Engaged!
Korn Guitarist James Shaffer “Munky” Engaged! Korn star James Shaffer is engaged to beautiful actress Evis Xheneti! The rocker, who is known by fans as “Munky”, proposed to Evis Xheneti on May 11 in Paris. “He proposed in Paris at the top of the Eiffel Tower at dusk,” Xheneti, 31, revealed. “The sun was setting and it was super romantic.” [...]Korn Guitarist James Shaffer “Munky” Engaged! Stupid Celebrities GossipStupid Celebrities Gossip News
Justin Timberlake & Andy Samberg Film A Digital Short For ?Saturday Night Live?
On Wednesday we got to see the promo videos for this weekend’s ep of Saturday Night Live, which will feature guest host Justin Timberlake. I guessed that we might be seeing a new Digital Short of JT with his SNL BFF Andy Samberg and today we learn the pair did film a short together in [...]
Michelle Behennah Michelle Branch Michelle Malkin Michelle Obama
Les News, 051911
After-apocalypse wear. Jennifer Aniston says she is not dating Justin Theroux. Coffee combats cancer? Jeff Conway (Grease, Taxi, Celebrity Rehab) is in a coma following a drug overdose. Partying with the Jersey Shore cast can get you kicked out of school. Darren Criss does GQ magazine. �Hola, Elle Men Mexico! Actions speak louder than words, [...]
Rachel Blanchard Rachel Hunter Rachel McAdams Rachel Nichols
Friday, May 20, 2011
Photos | Lady Gaga Is A Three-Headed Monster In V Magazine
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Justin Bieber - Eenie Meenie
Eenie Meenie
Artist: Justin Bieber
Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
Director: Ray Kay
Album: My World 2.0
Artist: Justin Bieber
Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
Director: Ray Kay
Album: My World 2.0
Usher - Trading Places
Trading Places
Artist: Usher
Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Here I Stand
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Album: Here I Stand
AGENCY SIGNINGS ROUND-UP: Michael Nyqvist to WME, 'The Governator' Writer Steven Banks to CAA, More
Daniel Miller The week's worth of agency signings.read more
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Photos | "Michael Jackson's This Is It"
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Britney Spears Says Femme Fatale Tour Will Be 'Spectacular'
Singer also hopes her choreographers create the 'most outrageous things.'By James Dinh
Britney Spears
Photo: Jive
Britney Spears is known for delivering an over-the-top stage show, and she promises that her forthcoming Femme Fatale Tour alongside Nicki Minaj will be no different.
In a new video interview posted on her website, the pop princess opens up about her 26-date summer venture, which is set to kick off June 16 in Sacramento and make its way across North America, before concluding August 13 in Toronto.
"The Femme Fatale Tour will hopefully just be outrageously spectacular," Spears said when asked about the trek. "I'm just hoping that the choreographers will come up with just the most outrageous things, and I'm really excited."
While it's been just over a month since the release of Femme Fatale, Brit gushed about the outing, saying, "This is one of the most excited I've been about a project in a really long time, so I can't wait."
While a set list has yet to surface, it would make sense that some of Spears' personal favorite Femme Fatale cuts will be performed throughout her concert, which she revealed as "He About to Lose Me," "Criminal" and "Till the World Ends."
Fans caught an early glimpse at the forthcoming tour last week when video footage of the pop star rehearsing the Bloodshy & Avant-produced "How I Roll" surfaced online. Wearing a baby-blue sports bra and sweatpants, a smiling Spears showed off some playful dance moves surrounded by a group of dancers.
Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, told MTV News back in March that the tour is expected to have a postapocalyptic theme in tune with her latest single, "Till the World Ends." "This is exactly the direction we're moving in," he said. " 'Till the World Ends' keeps becoming a theme for us. ... The way we come up with a concept for a show like this is we sit with Britney, she talks to us about what she's interested in and what excites her."
Have you purchased tickets to Spears' tour yet? Let us know in the comments!
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Britney Spears
Photo: Jive
Britney Spears is known for delivering an over-the-top stage show, and she promises that her forthcoming Femme Fatale Tour alongside Nicki Minaj will be no different.
In a new video interview posted on her website, the pop princess opens up about her 26-date summer venture, which is set to kick off June 16 in Sacramento and make its way across North America, before concluding August 13 in Toronto.
"The Femme Fatale Tour will hopefully just be outrageously spectacular," Spears said when asked about the trek. "I'm just hoping that the choreographers will come up with just the most outrageous things, and I'm really excited."
While it's been just over a month since the release of Femme Fatale, Brit gushed about the outing, saying, "This is one of the most excited I've been about a project in a really long time, so I can't wait."
While a set list has yet to surface, it would make sense that some of Spears' personal favorite Femme Fatale cuts will be performed throughout her concert, which she revealed as "He About to Lose Me," "Criminal" and "Till the World Ends."
Fans caught an early glimpse at the forthcoming tour last week when video footage of the pop star rehearsing the Bloodshy & Avant-produced "How I Roll" surfaced online. Wearing a baby-blue sports bra and sweatpants, a smiling Spears showed off some playful dance moves surrounded by a group of dancers.
Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, told MTV News back in March that the tour is expected to have a postapocalyptic theme in tune with her latest single, "Till the World Ends." "This is exactly the direction we're moving in," he said. " 'Till the World Ends' keeps becoming a theme for us. ... The way we come up with a concept for a show like this is we sit with Britney, she talks to us about what she's interested in and what excites her."
Have you purchased tickets to Spears' tour yet? Let us know in the comments!
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I Told You So
In case I wasn't clear in my video... more proof that cab drivers don't like to go to Brooklyn.
'American Idol' Top Three Make Emotional Hometown Visits
Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhart visited and performed in their hometowns on Saturday.By Gil Kaufman
Haley Reinhart
Photo: FOX
For the top three on "American Idol," winning is everything. Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart have their eyes on the prize. But over the weekend, taking the top spot next week was probably second best to just going home and seeing their adoring hometown fans in the flesh for the first time.
According to a Billboard report, 17-year-old McCreery's reception in Garner, North Carolina, was thunderous, as the leading contender to take the competition was greeted by more than 30,000 fans. The city splashed out more than $60,000 on Scotty's big day, with police blocking off the singer's neighborhood after excited admirers crushed around the McCreery homestead to get a look at the house where Scotty grew up.
McCreery dropped in at his old employer, Lowes Foods, bagged a few groceries for old time's sake and joked that his man...
Haley Reinhart
Photo: FOX
For the top three on "American Idol," winning is everything. Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart have their eyes on the prize. But over the weekend, taking the top spot next week was probably second best to just going home and seeing their adoring hometown fans in the flesh for the first time.
According to a Billboard report, 17-year-old McCreery's reception in Garner, North Carolina, was thunderous, as the leading contender to take the competition was greeted by more than 30,000 fans. The city splashed out more than $60,000 on Scotty's big day, with police blocking off the singer's neighborhood after excited admirers crushed around the McCreery homestead to get a look at the house where Scotty grew up.
McCreery dropped in at his old employer, Lowes Foods, bagged a few groceries for old time's sake and joked that his man...
Victoria Beckham Victoria Pratt Victoria Silvstedt Vinessa Shaw
Usher - Lil Freak
Lil Freak
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond
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Mark Wahlberg And Will Ferrell Kick Off 'Turkey Bowl,' Michelle Williams Goes To 'Oz' In Today's Casting Call
Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell started off as unlikely allies in "The Other Guys." But that shaky partnership has blossomed into something beautiful. Hilariously beautiful, but beautiful all the same.
Deadline reports that the two actors are joining forces for "Turkey Bowl," a new comedy about two guys from rival football-obsessed towns who lead their teams [...]
Deadline reports that the two actors are joining forces for "Turkey Bowl," a new comedy about two guys from rival football-obsessed towns who lead their teams [...]
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Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Judd Apatow Hopes 'Bridesmaids' Leads To More Films 'Starring Funny Women'
'People appreciate the fact that it is crazy funny, but is also a very sweet story about female friendship,' producer tells MTV News.By Eric Ditzian
Judd Apatow
Photo: Getty Images
In the run-up to the debut of "Bridesmaids" this past weekend, with theaters jammed with popcorn action flicks like "Thor" and "Fast Five," industry insiders were predicting a box-office gross of around $15 million to $17 million. But stellar reviews, strong word of mouth and, most importantly, a staggeringly funny film combined to thrust "Bridesmaids" to a $26.2 million opening.
Yet while the rest of Hollywood might have been surprised that the movie, starring "Saturday Night Live" star Kristen Wiig and a slew of hilarious supporting women, did so well, producer Judd Apatow had a feeling the comedy would connect with a previously untapped slice of the movie-going public.
"I always hoped that there was this huge neglected audience out there hoping someone would start making movies for them," Apatow said in an email to MTV News on Monday (May 16). "I am so excited I was not imagining things. Hopefully this will lead to a lot more movies being made starring funny women."
The larger-than-expected opening has led industry observers to wrack their brains, trying to figure out just how "Bridesmaids" performed above expectations. Was it the way Universal's marketing campaign capitalized on a buzzy premiere at the South by Southwest film festival? Did a social-media effort — mass emails sent from female entertainment veterans and stories, like one in Salon, that suggested that seeing the movie "is a social responsibility" — drive ticket sales? Or maybe simply being attached to the Apatow brand was enough? The filmmaker himself, though, prefers a much simpler explanation.
"I think people appreciate the fact that it is crazy funny, but is also a very sweet story about female friendship," he said. "And it is always fun to see new hilarious comedy stars. People like it like they like discovering a new band."
He's hoping that once these up-and-coming actresses — like Ellie Kemper and Melissa McCarthy — have been discovered by a wide audience, they'll follow in the footsteps of actors like Jason Segel and Jonah Hill, who played supporting roles in Apatow films such as "Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" before going on to anchor their own comedies.
"I think they all deserve to star in their own movies," Apatow said. "It is usually a dearth of scripts which hold great actresses back. Hopefully the studios will develop more movies for them. As will I."
Movies like "Knocked Up" and "Virgin," of course, kicked off a new era in Hollywood, as studios raced to green-light films attempting to mimic the intangible comedic ingredients that made those films so great. On the (high) heels of "Bridesmaids," are we now in for a slew of female-driven imitators — a second wave of the Apatow effect? On this topic, at least, the writer/director is staying out of the fray.
"The only thing we like to do is come up with emotional stories we like, then try to figure out how to make them funny," Apatow said. "I think when you start with the comedic idea and try to jam emotion in there it usually comes out weird and forced."
Check out everything we've got on "Bridesmaids."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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MTV Rough Cut: 'Bridesmaids'
Judd Apatow
Photo: Getty Images
In the run-up to the debut of "Bridesmaids" this past weekend, with theaters jammed with popcorn action flicks like "Thor" and "Fast Five," industry insiders were predicting a box-office gross of around $15 million to $17 million. But stellar reviews, strong word of mouth and, most importantly, a staggeringly funny film combined to thrust "Bridesmaids" to a $26.2 million opening.
Yet while the rest of Hollywood might have been surprised that the movie, starring "Saturday Night Live" star Kristen Wiig and a slew of hilarious supporting women, did so well, producer Judd Apatow had a feeling the comedy would connect with a previously untapped slice of the movie-going public.
"I always hoped that there was this huge neglected audience out there hoping someone would start making movies for them," Apatow said in an email to MTV News on Monday (May 16). "I am so excited I was not imagining things. Hopefully this will lead to a lot more movies being made starring funny women."
The larger-than-expected opening has led industry observers to wrack their brains, trying to figure out just how "Bridesmaids" performed above expectations. Was it the way Universal's marketing campaign capitalized on a buzzy premiere at the South by Southwest film festival? Did a social-media effort — mass emails sent from female entertainment veterans and stories, like one in Salon, that suggested that seeing the movie "is a social responsibility" — drive ticket sales? Or maybe simply being attached to the Apatow brand was enough? The filmmaker himself, though, prefers a much simpler explanation.
"I think people appreciate the fact that it is crazy funny, but is also a very sweet story about female friendship," he said. "And it is always fun to see new hilarious comedy stars. People like it like they like discovering a new band."
He's hoping that once these up-and-coming actresses — like Ellie Kemper and Melissa McCarthy — have been discovered by a wide audience, they'll follow in the footsteps of actors like Jason Segel and Jonah Hill, who played supporting roles in Apatow films such as "Knocked Up" and "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" before going on to anchor their own comedies.
"I think they all deserve to star in their own movies," Apatow said. "It is usually a dearth of scripts which hold great actresses back. Hopefully the studios will develop more movies for them. As will I."
Movies like "Knocked Up" and "Virgin," of course, kicked off a new era in Hollywood, as studios raced to green-light films attempting to mimic the intangible comedic ingredients that made those films so great. On the (high) heels of "Bridesmaids," are we now in for a slew of female-driven imitators — a second wave of the Apatow effect? On this topic, at least, the writer/director is staying out of the fray.
"The only thing we like to do is come up with emotional stories we like, then try to figure out how to make them funny," Apatow said. "I think when you start with the comedic idea and try to jam emotion in there it usually comes out weird and forced."
Check out everything we've got on "Bridesmaids."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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MTV Rough Cut: 'Bridesmaids'
Photos | Britney Spears Brings Down The House In Las Vegas
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Arnold Schwarzenegger Confesses To Love Child
"I am truly sorry," the ex-governor said of fathering an illegitimate child with a member of his family's household staff.By Gil Kaufman
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/ Getty Images
Less than a week after Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he was separating from Maria Shriver, his wife of 25 years, the former California governor and "Terminator" actor Arnold Schwarzenegger told the Los Angeles Times on Monday that he had fathered a child more than a decade ago with a longtime member of the couple's household staff.
His estranged wife moved out of the family's Brentwood, California, mansion earlier this year after Schwarzenegger admitted paternity of the child he fathered before his first run for governor.
"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger revealed in a statement to the paper on Monday. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry ... I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time. While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."
Shriver did not comment on the revelation and the couple did not announce a reason for their separation last week. The paper did not reveal the name of the child or the housekeeper, who retired earlier this year. During an interview on Monday before Schwarzenegger released his statement, the former staffer claimed that her then-husband had fathered the child. She said she left Schwarzenegger and Shriver's service on good terms earlier this year as part of a pre-planned retirement. The woman did not respond to requests for comment on Schwarzenegger's statement.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the 63-year-old actor took financial responsibility for the child from the beginning and continued to provide support over the years. At the time of the separation announcement, Schwarzenegger made it sound as if the split was temporary and that the couple were working toward reconciliation, but the newspaper reported that Shriver's confidants said it was unlikely and that she had been unhappy in the marriage for years.
When Schwarzenegger first ran for governor in 2003, he was dogged by allegations from more than a dozen women who claimed that the actor had groped them over the years. He denied the stories at first, but then later apologized for his conduct, with Shriver standing by his side and vouching for his integrity. The couple has four children ranging from ages 13 to 21.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/ Getty Images
Less than a week after Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he was separating from Maria Shriver, his wife of 25 years, the former California governor and "Terminator" actor Arnold Schwarzenegger told the Los Angeles Times on Monday that he had fathered a child more than a decade ago with a longtime member of the couple's household staff.
His estranged wife moved out of the family's Brentwood, California, mansion earlier this year after Schwarzenegger admitted paternity of the child he fathered before his first run for governor.
"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger revealed in a statement to the paper on Monday. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry ... I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time. While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."
Shriver did not comment on the revelation and the couple did not announce a reason for their separation last week. The paper did not reveal the name of the child or the housekeeper, who retired earlier this year. During an interview on Monday before Schwarzenegger released his statement, the former staffer claimed that her then-husband had fathered the child. She said she left Schwarzenegger and Shriver's service on good terms earlier this year as part of a pre-planned retirement. The woman did not respond to requests for comment on Schwarzenegger's statement.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the 63-year-old actor took financial responsibility for the child from the beginning and continued to provide support over the years. At the time of the separation announcement, Schwarzenegger made it sound as if the split was temporary and that the couple were working toward reconciliation, but the newspaper reported that Shriver's confidants said it was unlikely and that she had been unhappy in the marriage for years.
When Schwarzenegger first ran for governor in 2003, he was dogged by allegations from more than a dozen women who claimed that the actor had groped them over the years. He denied the stories at first, but then later apologized for his conduct, with Shriver standing by his side and vouching for his integrity. The couple has four children ranging from ages 13 to 21.
Usher - Trading Places
Trading Places
Artist: Usher
Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Here I Stand
Artist: Usher
Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Here I Stand
First Look: Disney Movie 'Tangled'
Here's the first look at Disney's new movie, 'Tangled.' It's the story of Princess Rapunzel who falls in love with a bandit. Mandy Moore is the voice for Rapunzel while 'Chuck' star Zachary Levi is the voice of Flynn Ryder.
Looks like a good movie to take the kids to :)
Looks like a good movie to take the kids to :)
Selena Gomez Producer Weighs In On Britney Spears Songwriting Rumors
Kevin Rudolf says the work he's doing on Gomez's new album 'has nothing to do with Britney.'By Jocelyn Vena
Selena Gomez
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
Last week, "Round and Round" producer Kevin Rudolf was quoted as praising not one but three tracks Britney Spears reportedly penned for Selena Gomez's new album. But when MTV News spoke to Rudolf recently, he denied knowing anything about the tracks Britney wrote for Gomez.
"I honestly don't know anything about it," he said. "I never said that ... I don't know. I didn't hear anything about it. I'm doing some stuff for it [Gomez's album], but it has nothing to do with Britney," he said.
Well, with that rumor cleared up, he went on to describe what he and Gomez are actually up to in the studio, which includes writing "a great song. As far as the new stuff goes, it's about trying to write a great song and hope it's something she connects with, really. It's not that deep. It's really hard to guess where people are in their lives, and I don't try to do that. If I'm writing for someone, I get a sense of what they're about and then I do what I would do," he explained. "I think it's gonna honestly be more straight, not straight dance, but straight pop; hopefully really great songs."
Once Rudolf wraps up work with Gomez, he has some other big projects up his sleeve. "I'm working on a lot of new stuff. I'm really excited about another album of my own that I'm working on. I think I get typecast outside of the producer world as rock/rap, the Cash Money thing or with Wayne on the track. It's really not what I'm about at all. It's one side of me that came out in the beginning," he said. "I really want to use this album to transform people's visions of myself ... more organic, more heartfelt."
Rudolf also teased about helping out Wayne on his forthcoming Tha Carter IV album. "I mean it's awesome [that Wayne's back]. The thing about Wayne is he's been the most supportive person at Cash Money. He's really on my side and he's just really backed me up since day one. And I really appreciate him for that," he said. "Obviously, Baby and Slim found me there and they kind of, I guess, discovered me, but Wayne always wanted to get on the tracks and always wants me to bring him stuff. ... We're working on some stuff for Tha Carter IV and it's all good stuff."
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Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
Last week, "Round and Round" producer Kevin Rudolf was quoted as praising not one but three tracks Britney Spears reportedly penned for Selena Gomez's new album. But when MTV News spoke to Rudolf recently, he denied knowing anything about the tracks Britney wrote for Gomez.
"I honestly don't know anything about it," he said. "I never said that ... I don't know. I didn't hear anything about it. I'm doing some stuff for it [Gomez's album], but it has nothing to do with Britney," he said.
Well, with that rumor cleared up, he went on to describe what he and Gomez are actually up to in the studio, which includes writing "a great song. As far as the new stuff goes, it's about trying to write a great song and hope it's something she connects with, really. It's not that deep. It's really hard to guess where people are in their lives, and I don't try to do that. If I'm writing for someone, I get a sense of what they're about and then I do what I would do," he explained. "I think it's gonna honestly be more straight, not straight dance, but straight pop; hopefully really great songs."
Once Rudolf wraps up work with Gomez, he has some other big projects up his sleeve. "I'm working on a lot of new stuff. I'm really excited about another album of my own that I'm working on. I think I get typecast outside of the producer world as rock/rap, the Cash Money thing or with Wayne on the track. It's really not what I'm about at all. It's one side of me that came out in the beginning," he said. "I really want to use this album to transform people's visions of myself ... more organic, more heartfelt."
Rudolf also teased about helping out Wayne on his forthcoming Tha Carter IV album. "I mean it's awesome [that Wayne's back]. The thing about Wayne is he's been the most supportive person at Cash Money. He's really on my side and he's just really backed me up since day one. And I really appreciate him for that," he said. "Obviously, Baby and Slim found me there and they kind of, I guess, discovered me, but Wayne always wanted to get on the tracks and always wants me to bring him stuff. ... We're working on some stuff for Tha Carter IV and it's all good stuff."
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Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year
Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.By James Montgomery with MTV News staff
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."
He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.
You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.
Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.
And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.
And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.
To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.
"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."
Related Videos
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Led Zeppelin
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."
He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.
You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.
Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.
And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.
And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.
To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.
"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."
Related Videos
Grammy Awards 2009: Hottest Moments
Related Artists
Robert Plant
Alison Krauss
Led Zeppelin
Monday, May 16, 2011
Beyonc� - Ego (Remix)
Ego (Remix)
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson
Samaire Armstrong Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton Samantha Mumba
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1. ????? ??? Musha Cay
Musha Cay??????????? ??????????????????? 2006 ?? Blockbuster Video ????? John Melk ????????????????? 5,600 ???? ???????? Oprah Winfrey ? Bill Gates ?????????? 2007 ? Google ??? Sergey Brin ??????????
Musha Cay ?? 60 ???????????????????? 25 ???? ?????????????
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? Musha Cay ????????????????????????? $37,500 ???
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