Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia/Music World Music
Director: Jake Nava
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Trailer Frames
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Britney Spears - Till the World Ends
Till the World Ends
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive
Director: Ray Kay
Album: Femme Fatale [Deluxe Edition]
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive
Director: Ray Kay
Album: Femme Fatale [Deluxe Edition]
Royal wedding snub: Duchess Fergie went to Thailand instead
Leave it to Oprah to ask Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson the question that?s been on every royal wedding gossip hound?s mind for weeks: "Were you invited or were you not?" She wasn't. And it turns out she was actually in Thailand. "I was not invited, and I chose to go and be in Thailand in a place called Camelia and ... the jungle embraced me," Fergie, 51, said in the interview taped Friday and set to air on Wednesday's "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
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Samaire Armstrong Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton Samantha Mumba
Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Premieres Around The World
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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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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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Photos | Lady Gaga Knows How To Make An Entrance
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
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.
Christina Perri Strives To Be Lovestrong On Debut Album
'Lovestrong is something that I'm unbelievably proud of putting out into the world,' 'Jar of Hearts' singer says of album, which drops Tuesday (May 10).By Vaughn Schoonmaker
Christina Perri
Photo: MTV News
"I've wanted to be a musician my whole life," Christina Perri, whose debut album Lovestrong is out Tuesday (May 10), told us during her recent stop in New York City as the opening act for English singer/songwriter James Blunt's tour. "I sang for people in churches, I sang for people at my parents' barber shop — whether they wanted to hear me or not — and I really haven't stopped since then."
Despite her astounding vocal and instrumental talents (she plays piano and guitar), the 24-year-old rising star may not have been sharing a stage with James Blunt this spring if it hadn't been for her song "Jar of Hearts" becoming an overnight sensation.
"My song aired June 30, 2010, on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' and from that moment, my whole life changed," Christina recounted. "I was a waitress before, and the 10 years before that, and then the next day I wasn't a waitress anymore. I flew to New York City, I met every record label [and] I signed with Atlantic."
Having made her round of televised appearances, including "Conan," as well as countless radio show visits all across the country, her tour with James Blunt marks her first official road outing.
"I'm so honored that he picked me and we instantly clicked," Christina smiled. "He made me feel really comfortable. He'd come over and be like, 'Are you guys okay? Do you have a tech? Do you have everything you need?' "
As it turns out, many James Blunt fans already happened to be Christina fans as well. Christina recalled the amazing moment when she realized how well she had been matched with Blunt during her first performance on the tour. "The reaction that they gave me, and singing the words to my songs — I didn't know how perfect of a fit it was until I actually walked onstage."
Naturally, fans expect a lot from the quickly rising star. Perri explained how that pressure taught her how to put on a full 45-minute show. "I've had to wrap my head around a show, like I have a beginning, a middle and an end, and I've thought about how I want to take the audience and what kind of journey I want to have."
The next step of Christina's journey begins Tuesday with the release of her debut album Lovestrong.
"Lovestrong is something that I'm unbelievably proud of putting out into the world," Christina remarked. "I thought very long and hard about which songs I wanted to put on there. I mean, I wrote every song on the album. All the songs are about love because that is what inspires me, and all the songs have this element of strength."
Fans can get excited for her first headlining tour this summer. "I'm going to go around the country to the littlest places and get super-intimate with people," she said with a slight smile, suggesting the rapid success is still new and settling in for her.
"Lovestrong, to me, the word is what I strive to be and it's what I hope to be and it's what I hope for all the listeners to be too."
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Christina Perri
Photo: MTV News
"I've wanted to be a musician my whole life," Christina Perri, whose debut album Lovestrong is out Tuesday (May 10), told us during her recent stop in New York City as the opening act for English singer/songwriter James Blunt's tour. "I sang for people in churches, I sang for people at my parents' barber shop — whether they wanted to hear me or not — and I really haven't stopped since then."
Despite her astounding vocal and instrumental talents (she plays piano and guitar), the 24-year-old rising star may not have been sharing a stage with James Blunt this spring if it hadn't been for her song "Jar of Hearts" becoming an overnight sensation.
"My song aired June 30, 2010, on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' and from that moment, my whole life changed," Christina recounted. "I was a waitress before, and the 10 years before that, and then the next day I wasn't a waitress anymore. I flew to New York City, I met every record label [and] I signed with Atlantic."
Having made her round of televised appearances, including "Conan," as well as countless radio show visits all across the country, her tour with James Blunt marks her first official road outing.
"I'm so honored that he picked me and we instantly clicked," Christina smiled. "He made me feel really comfortable. He'd come over and be like, 'Are you guys okay? Do you have a tech? Do you have everything you need?' "
As it turns out, many James Blunt fans already happened to be Christina fans as well. Christina recalled the amazing moment when she realized how well she had been matched with Blunt during her first performance on the tour. "The reaction that they gave me, and singing the words to my songs — I didn't know how perfect of a fit it was until I actually walked onstage."
Naturally, fans expect a lot from the quickly rising star. Perri explained how that pressure taught her how to put on a full 45-minute show. "I've had to wrap my head around a show, like I have a beginning, a middle and an end, and I've thought about how I want to take the audience and what kind of journey I want to have."
The next step of Christina's journey begins Tuesday with the release of her debut album Lovestrong.
"Lovestrong is something that I'm unbelievably proud of putting out into the world," Christina remarked. "I thought very long and hard about which songs I wanted to put on there. I mean, I wrote every song on the album. All the songs are about love because that is what inspires me, and all the songs have this element of strength."
Fans can get excited for her first headlining tour this summer. "I'm going to go around the country to the littlest places and get super-intimate with people," she said with a slight smile, suggesting the rapid success is still new and settling in for her.
"Lovestrong, to me, the word is what I strive to be and it's what I hope to be and it's what I hope for all the listeners to be too."
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Death Cab For Cutie Premiere New 'Home Is A Fire' Clip
The video, set in Los Angeles and co-directed by artist Shepard Fairey, tackles alienation, both at home and away.By James Montgomery
Scene from Death Cab for a Cutie's "Home is a Fire" video
Photo: Atlantic
Death Cab for Cutie's "You Are a Tourist" video was very much a temporary thing ... in theory, it existed only once, shot and broadcast live, in one continuous take, to the Internet, where it now lives in a state of eternal repetition.
So, you can sort of understand why, when it came time to shoot the second clip off their upcoming Codes and Keys album, they were looking for something a bit more permanent. Which is why they turned to artist Shepard Fairey for help. With his large-scale, very-public murals (chances are, you've seen his "Obey" work adorning the wall of a metropolis near you), a sort of forced permanence seems to be part of his master plan.
And on Monday, Death Cab unveiled the result of their collaboration with Fairey, a video for "Home Is a Fire." Directed by the artist and DCFC bassist Nick Harmer, it takes the viewer on a visual trip through (and, ultimately, above) the grittier sections of Los Angeles, from the cracks in the pavement to the hills of Hollywood. But the clip is not just a wayward tour. We quickly see that the lyrics to the song have been stenciled and pasted all across the city — courtesy of Fairey — a sly way for the band to add their lasting touch to the landscape.
And in a sense, those lyrics take on a whole new meaning when paired with Los Angeles itself, especially lines like "Cars on the freeway/ tempting a clean break/ There's nowhere left to go" and "Plates they will shift/ Houses will shake/ Fences will drift," which seem to speak to the city's eternal traffic (and its residents' yearning to escape it) and, of course, the constant fear of tectonic catastrophe.
But you don't have to live in L.A. to get the message. At its heart, "Home Is a Fire" speaks to weighty concepts we all struggle with: the promise of home, the confinement of open spaces, the alienation we feel in even the most familiar of locations. As Harmer put it in a lengthy statement on Death Cab's official site:
"There are many narratives here or there are none, it either makes sense or it doesn't. But regardless of whether or not this 'means' anything to you, I hope there is a mood and atmosphere in the music and images that makes you think about your familiar spaces and how you define them."
And really, whether we're at home or on the road, that struggle to define ourselves and our spaces is one that's been with us for a long time, and it's only growing as we pull further and further away from our centers, be they our physical homes or the comfort of genuine social interaction. It's a constant battle; nearly permanent, for lack of a better word.
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Scene from Death Cab for a Cutie's "Home is a Fire" video
Photo: Atlantic
Death Cab for Cutie's "You Are a Tourist" video was very much a temporary thing ... in theory, it existed only once, shot and broadcast live, in one continuous take, to the Internet, where it now lives in a state of eternal repetition.
So, you can sort of understand why, when it came time to shoot the second clip off their upcoming Codes and Keys album, they were looking for something a bit more permanent. Which is why they turned to artist Shepard Fairey for help. With his large-scale, very-public murals (chances are, you've seen his "Obey" work adorning the wall of a metropolis near you), a sort of forced permanence seems to be part of his master plan.
And on Monday, Death Cab unveiled the result of their collaboration with Fairey, a video for "Home Is a Fire." Directed by the artist and DCFC bassist Nick Harmer, it takes the viewer on a visual trip through (and, ultimately, above) the grittier sections of Los Angeles, from the cracks in the pavement to the hills of Hollywood. But the clip is not just a wayward tour. We quickly see that the lyrics to the song have been stenciled and pasted all across the city — courtesy of Fairey — a sly way for the band to add their lasting touch to the landscape.
And in a sense, those lyrics take on a whole new meaning when paired with Los Angeles itself, especially lines like "Cars on the freeway/ tempting a clean break/ There's nowhere left to go" and "Plates they will shift/ Houses will shake/ Fences will drift," which seem to speak to the city's eternal traffic (and its residents' yearning to escape it) and, of course, the constant fear of tectonic catastrophe.
But you don't have to live in L.A. to get the message. At its heart, "Home Is a Fire" speaks to weighty concepts we all struggle with: the promise of home, the confinement of open spaces, the alienation we feel in even the most familiar of locations. As Harmer put it in a lengthy statement on Death Cab's official site:
"There are many narratives here or there are none, it either makes sense or it doesn't. But regardless of whether or not this 'means' anything to you, I hope there is a mood and atmosphere in the music and images that makes you think about your familiar spaces and how you define them."
And really, whether we're at home or on the road, that struggle to define ourselves and our spaces is one that's been with us for a long time, and it's only growing as we pull further and further away from our centers, be they our physical homes or the comfort of genuine social interaction. It's a constant battle; nearly permanent, for lack of a better word.
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Lindsay Lohan Admits To Failing Drug Test
And THIS is why early discharges from rehab are generally a bad idea {sigh}. Lindsay Lohan confessed on twitter that she had, indeed, failed a drug test.
Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result.
TMZ is now reporting that Lindsay actually failed two drug tests. In addition to landing her in jail, this setback could also further derail Lindsay's career, according to TMZ.
Lindsay is now relying on Judge Elden Fox to allow her to leave California to shoot "Inferno" in Louisiana and possibly fly to New York City for "Saturday Night Live."
Here's the problem. Sources connected with the case have been telling TMZ ... if Lindsay were to fail a drug test the judge would probably pull the plug on out-of-state-travel -- a privilege for Lindsay, not a right.
...But all bets are off now that Lindsay has flunked two tests.
And sources close to Lindsay somehow already know the big wigs on "Inferno" are pissed that she may have screwed up again, so flying to Louisiana may be a moot question.
You can't really blame the 'Inferno' producers for being upset. It looks like the best thing for Lindsay at this point is a long-term stay in an inpatient facility that focuses solely on drug abuse (not drug problems and psychiatric problems, which is what the UCLA program did).
This is really just TOO sad.
Photos by FAME
Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result.
TMZ is now reporting that Lindsay actually failed two drug tests. In addition to landing her in jail, this setback could also further derail Lindsay's career, according to TMZ.
Lindsay is now relying on Judge Elden Fox to allow her to leave California to shoot "Inferno" in Louisiana and possibly fly to New York City for "Saturday Night Live."
Here's the problem. Sources connected with the case have been telling TMZ ... if Lindsay were to fail a drug test the judge would probably pull the plug on out-of-state-travel -- a privilege for Lindsay, not a right.
...But all bets are off now that Lindsay has flunked two tests.
And sources close to Lindsay somehow already know the big wigs on "Inferno" are pissed that she may have screwed up again, so flying to Louisiana may be a moot question.
You can't really blame the 'Inferno' producers for being upset. It looks like the best thing for Lindsay at this point is a long-term stay in an inpatient facility that focuses solely on drug abuse (not drug problems and psychiatric problems, which is what the UCLA program did).
This is really just TOO sad.
Photos by FAME
iPad 2 goes on sale in China
Finally, China isn?t the forgotten stepchild of the electronics world anymore. The iPad 2 went on sale here today -- and the crowds were lining up to greet the first shipments from well before dawn.
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Katharine McPhee Katharine Towne Katherine Heigl Katie Cassidy
Monday, May 9, 2011
ENTER TO WIN: MockingJay Book PLUS iPod Touch
MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins. Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she?s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she?s still not safe. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what?s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss?s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins?s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. Suzanne Collins was also recently named to the 2010 TIME 100 list.
One (1) lucky INO reader will receive:
* A *Limited Edition* Engraved iPod Touch (with Mockingjay emblem)
* A copy of Mockingjay
How do I enter? You have a few options:
Click here to leave your email address on my contest entry form.
Tweet this message: "Hope I win the MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins giveaway from http://imnotobsessed.com @imnotobsessed. RT to Enter #ino"
Become a fan of I'm Not Obsessed's Facebook Page.Then leave a comment on the wall saying why you love MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins.
One (1) lucky INO reader will receive:
* A *Limited Edition* Engraved iPod Touch (with Mockingjay emblem)
* A copy of Mockingjay
How do I enter? You have a few options:
Click here to leave your email address on my contest entry form.
Tweet this message: "Hope I win the MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins giveaway from http://imnotobsessed.com @imnotobsessed. RT to Enter #ino"
Become a fan of I'm Not Obsessed's Facebook Page.Then leave a comment on the wall saying why you love MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins.
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
Vipassana: Surviving 10 days of meditation
In my mind?s eye, I stare at my throbbing kneecap. Above
the knee, three strands of muscle are stretched to their limit, and the tendon
below the knee is pulsing under pressure. I continue to move down my leg,
scanning for sensations, still unsure whether I am succeeding or simply
delusional in my efforts to observe my pain objectively.
When people speak of Vipassana, the meditation technique of the
Buddha, they talk about rules. For 10 days, this means no talking, no reading,
no writing, no music or singing, no eye contact; no killing, including
mosquitoes; two light meals per day; and a daily 4 a.m. wake-up bell. For me,
these rules were as carefree as a romantic Bollywood dance number, in contrast
to the challenge of the meditation.
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the knee, three strands of muscle are stretched to their limit, and the tendon
below the knee is pulsing under pressure. I continue to move down my leg,
scanning for sensations, still unsure whether I am succeeding or simply
delusional in my efforts to observe my pain objectively.
When people speak of Vipassana, the meditation technique of the
Buddha, they talk about rules. For 10 days, this means no talking, no reading,
no writing, no music or singing, no eye contact; no killing, including
mosquitoes; two light meals per day; and a daily 4 a.m. wake-up bell. For me,
these rules were as carefree as a romantic Bollywood dance number, in contrast
to the challenge of the meditation.
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Adele Says Beyonce Helped Her Overcome Anxiety
British songstress talks stage fright and body image in Rolling Stone cover story.By Gil Kaufman
Adele
Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty Images
While she was besting Britney Spears on the American album charts and helping to lead a new British invasion, U.K. soul pop diva Adele also landed the cover of the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
And though the cover marks yet another milestone of her rising fame, Adele isn't immune to some of the same fears as the rest of us, say, stage fright. Despite her calm assurance in the studio and apparent ease at coping with her sudden success, the Grammy winner told the magazine that she still has nervous nights.
"I'm scared of audiences," she said. "One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of times. Once in Brussels, I projectile vomited on someone. I just gotta bear it. But I don't like touring. I have anxiety attacks a lot."
And it's not just audiences that freak her out, it's other celebrities. But the singer revealed that she has drawn some strength from an unlikely source: Beyoncé. "I was about to meet Beyoncé and I had a full-blown anxiety attack," Adele said. "Then she popped in looking gorgeous, and said, 'You're amazing! When I listen to you I feel like I'm listening to God.' "
When she later found herself on a balcony, crying hysterically, Adele asked herself, " 'What would [Beyoncé's alter ego] Sasha Fierce do?' That's when Sasha Carter was born." The composite of Sasha Fierce and late country icon June Carter is pulled out whenever Adele needs to give herself a shot of confidence.
The 22-year-old also said that in a world of size 0-2 pop divas, she has no problem being a bit more voluptuous than her peers. "My life is full of drama, and I won't have time to worry about something as petty as what I look like," she said. "I don't like going to the gym. I like eating fine foods and drinking nice wine."
That said, Adele noted that while she's not likely to do any nude photo shoots anytime soon, she can totally appreciate the sight of her fellow female pop stars' naughty bits.
"Even if I had a really good figure, I don't think I'd get my t--- and a-- out for no one," she said. "I love seeing Lady Gaga's boobs and bum. I love seeing Katy Perry's boobs and bum. Love it. But that's not what my music is about. I don't make music for eyes. I make music for ears."
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Adele
Photo: Larry Busacca/ Getty Images
While she was besting Britney Spears on the American album charts and helping to lead a new British invasion, U.K. soul pop diva Adele also landed the cover of the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
And though the cover marks yet another milestone of her rising fame, Adele isn't immune to some of the same fears as the rest of us, say, stage fright. Despite her calm assurance in the studio and apparent ease at coping with her sudden success, the Grammy winner told the magazine that she still has nervous nights.
"I'm scared of audiences," she said. "One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of times. Once in Brussels, I projectile vomited on someone. I just gotta bear it. But I don't like touring. I have anxiety attacks a lot."
And it's not just audiences that freak her out, it's other celebrities. But the singer revealed that she has drawn some strength from an unlikely source: Beyoncé. "I was about to meet Beyoncé and I had a full-blown anxiety attack," Adele said. "Then she popped in looking gorgeous, and said, 'You're amazing! When I listen to you I feel like I'm listening to God.' "
When she later found herself on a balcony, crying hysterically, Adele asked herself, " 'What would [Beyoncé's alter ego] Sasha Fierce do?' That's when Sasha Carter was born." The composite of Sasha Fierce and late country icon June Carter is pulled out whenever Adele needs to give herself a shot of confidence.
The 22-year-old also said that in a world of size 0-2 pop divas, she has no problem being a bit more voluptuous than her peers. "My life is full of drama, and I won't have time to worry about something as petty as what I look like," she said. "I don't like going to the gym. I like eating fine foods and drinking nice wine."
That said, Adele noted that while she's not likely to do any nude photo shoots anytime soon, she can totally appreciate the sight of her fellow female pop stars' naughty bits.
"Even if I had a really good figure, I don't think I'd get my t--- and a-- out for no one," she said. "I love seeing Lady Gaga's boobs and bum. I love seeing Katy Perry's boobs and bum. Love it. But that's not what my music is about. I don't make music for eyes. I make music for ears."
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Sunday, May 8, 2011
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."
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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."
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Michael Jackson Doctor's Trial Delayed
Judge pushes start of Conrad Murray's trial back to May.By Gil Kaufman
Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Though Conrad Murray's lawyers had been pressing for a speedy trial, a judge in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor ruled on Wednesday to delay opening statements in the proceedings until May.
The Associated Press reported that Murray's attorneys consented to the postponement after they discussed the matter with prosecutors and both agreed they could be ready for trial by May 9.
According to a transcript from the closed-door session, though opening statements will not begin for several months, Murray told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor that he did not want to forfeit his right to a quick trial, but agreed to the delay if screening of prospective jurors begins as scheduled on March 24.
"It is only acceptable to me if this is not strung along over a long period of time," Murray told the justice. "I don't want to lose my constitutional right to speedy trial." Murray — who has pleaded not guilty to the charges — reportedly has been in favor of having the proceedings begin as soon as possible because he is facing financial troubles, but he said he understands that the delay is necessary to allow both sides to prepare for the trial.
Pastor consented because he said he didn't want to lose a jury pool, and believed a month-long delay might let potential jurors shuffle their schedules for the case, which could take up to two months to decide. The judge has reportedly clashed with Murray's defense team in recent weeks, pressing them for answers about why they had not turned over more witness notes and other potential evidence to prosecutors in the run-up to the trial.
Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician while the King of Pop prepared for his planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided the then-50-year-old Jackson with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.
Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died, that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing and that, if the anesthetic was to blame, the pop superstar may have given himself the fatal dose by drinking the drug in a panic.
A status hearing in the case has been set for this Wednesday.
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Photo: AFP/ Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — Though Conrad Murray's lawyers had been pressing for a speedy trial, a judge in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor ruled on Wednesday to delay opening statements in the proceedings until May.
The Associated Press reported that Murray's attorneys consented to the postponement after they discussed the matter with prosecutors and both agreed they could be ready for trial by May 9.
According to a transcript from the closed-door session, though opening statements will not begin for several months, Murray told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor that he did not want to forfeit his right to a quick trial, but agreed to the delay if screening of prospective jurors begins as scheduled on March 24.
"It is only acceptable to me if this is not strung along over a long period of time," Murray told the justice. "I don't want to lose my constitutional right to speedy trial." Murray — who has pleaded not guilty to the charges — reportedly has been in favor of having the proceedings begin as soon as possible because he is facing financial troubles, but he said he understands that the delay is necessary to allow both sides to prepare for the trial.
Pastor consented because he said he didn't want to lose a jury pool, and believed a month-long delay might let potential jurors shuffle their schedules for the case, which could take up to two months to decide. The judge has reportedly clashed with Murray's defense team in recent weeks, pressing them for answers about why they had not turned over more witness notes and other potential evidence to prosecutors in the run-up to the trial.
Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician while the King of Pop prepared for his planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided the then-50-year-old Jackson with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.
Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died, that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing and that, if the anesthetic was to blame, the pop superstar may have given himself the fatal dose by drinking the drug in a panic.
A status hearing in the case has been set for this Wednesday.
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Saturday, May 7, 2011
Beyonc� - Diva
Diva
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Melina
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyoncé
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'The Beaver' Director Jodie Foster Talks Mel Gibson, Puppet Co-Star
Foster says 'it was interesting to see how people changed' when Gibson talked to them while controlling the beaver hand puppet.By Kara Warner
Mel Gibson in "The Beaver"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
For those of us who grew up on kid-friendly, puppet-centric shows like "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show," our association with the fuzzy, frequently funny creatures is mostly a positive one. Therefore, anytime a puppet is featured in a commercial or film, we're sort of trained to expect them to be lovable.
In "The Beaver," the new film starring Mel Gibson, Anton Yelchin and Jodie Foster (who also directed the flick), one of the supporting players is a beaver hand puppet that Gibson's character uses as a therapeutic tool to help him recover from a crippling case of depression. This particular puppet isn't entirely warm and fuzzy all the time, although it did make for a unique filmmaking experience for cast and crew, including chief puppeteer Gibson.
When MTV News caught up with Yelchin and Foster during a recent press day for the movie, we asked them to explain how different a puppet the Beaver is, and how filming with a puppet affected them.
"I think there is that sort of comic aspect to puppets, and you tend to sort of react to them as though it's sort of a toy or a plaything or whatever," Yelchin explained. "The script, at first, it just seems kind of funny, you know, and just seems kind of silly. And then you do really realize how delusional this man is, and how it's not a joke and it's not just something that's sort of a gimmick to appear funny in the film. It's a really sick man. So I think that transition is very powerful in the script and in the film."
Foster, meanwhile, spoke about the effect the puppet had on everyone when Gibson was controlling it — both off camera and off set.
"When he drags the puppet around and talks through it, you know, it really changes how people approach him and his connection with them," she said. "You can't help but snicker and you can't help but feel uplifted and kind of joyful and full of life. So, he did a little bit of that at the dry cleaner and at the prop truck and it was interesting to see how people changed."
"The Beaver" opens in a limited number of theaters on Friday, and will receive a wide release on May 20.
Check out everything we've got on "The Beaver."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Mel Gibson in "The Beaver"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
For those of us who grew up on kid-friendly, puppet-centric shows like "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show," our association with the fuzzy, frequently funny creatures is mostly a positive one. Therefore, anytime a puppet is featured in a commercial or film, we're sort of trained to expect them to be lovable.
In "The Beaver," the new film starring Mel Gibson, Anton Yelchin and Jodie Foster (who also directed the flick), one of the supporting players is a beaver hand puppet that Gibson's character uses as a therapeutic tool to help him recover from a crippling case of depression. This particular puppet isn't entirely warm and fuzzy all the time, although it did make for a unique filmmaking experience for cast and crew, including chief puppeteer Gibson.
When MTV News caught up with Yelchin and Foster during a recent press day for the movie, we asked them to explain how different a puppet the Beaver is, and how filming with a puppet affected them.
"I think there is that sort of comic aspect to puppets, and you tend to sort of react to them as though it's sort of a toy or a plaything or whatever," Yelchin explained. "The script, at first, it just seems kind of funny, you know, and just seems kind of silly. And then you do really realize how delusional this man is, and how it's not a joke and it's not just something that's sort of a gimmick to appear funny in the film. It's a really sick man. So I think that transition is very powerful in the script and in the film."
Foster, meanwhile, spoke about the effect the puppet had on everyone when Gibson was controlling it — both off camera and off set.
"When he drags the puppet around and talks through it, you know, it really changes how people approach him and his connection with them," she said. "You can't help but snicker and you can't help but feel uplifted and kind of joyful and full of life. So, he did a little bit of that at the dry cleaner and at the prop truck and it was interesting to see how people changed."
"The Beaver" opens in a limited number of theaters on Friday, and will receive a wide release on May 20.
Check out everything we've got on "The Beaver."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Lady Gaga's 'Judas' Video Hits The Net
The clip, set to premiere tonight on E!, leaked early ... and, as Gaga put it, it's 'a celebration of faith.'By James Montgomery
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Well, it's here ... eight hours ahead of schedule. On Thursday morning (May 5), Lady Gaga's hotly anticipated "Judas" video premiered, though probably not in the way that Mother Monster (and the folks at E!) had hoped it would: It leaked.
Originally set to be unveiled on the network during prime time on Thursday (and then again at 11:30 p.m.), "Judas" got a bit of an advance screening, quickly making the rounds on the Internet while the Little Monsters squealed with delight (or, alternately, expressed their outrage at its leaking). And despite pretty much everything Gaga had said about the video — that it was "a motorcycle Fellini film," that it portrayed "a betrayal of a prophecy fulfilled" — it is very much a pure pop clip, albeit one that looks great and is sure to earn the ire of a few folks on the religious right.
An arty reimagining of the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot, the video sees Gaga as Mary Magdalene, riding along with Christ and his apostles, who are decked out in studded leathers and set atop roaring motorcycles. They cruise through — as Gaga put it — "a modern-day Jerusalem," with Judas tellingly racing ahead of the pack. At one point, they stop at an "Electric Chapel," where Gaga attempts to warn Christ — who, with his cornrows and golden crown of thorns, is far from traditional — of his apostle's impending betrayal. Whether or not he chooses to listen is largely up to the viewer, as the clip then segues into an extended sequence rife with religious iconography ... and, of course, dance.
And though it remains to be seen if the highly touted "uncut" version of "Judas" — which will still premiere tonight on E! at 7 p.m. ET — contains more controversial material, it's difficult to see why some people would have a problem with the video: Sure, Jesus looks different, and Gaga is playing Magdalene (certainly one of the most controversial figures in the Bible), but its imagery isn't nearly as sacred/profane as that of the "Alejandro" clip (Gaga does not, to the best of our knowledge, ingest rosary beads here), and in fact, with its artistic interpretations of foot washing and Boticelli's "The Birth of Venus," it's almost more of a tribute to the pop sensation's Catholic upbringing ... a fact she hit on when she said the video "[is] meant more to celebrate faith than it is to challenge it."
Leave it to Gaga to push the boundaries while remaining faithful to the source material. "Judas" is, at its sacred heart, an artistic explosion contained within the confines of a traditional pop clip. And if it's meant to be a celebration, well, you should probably start celebrating ... before the clip gets pulled, of course.
Have you seen Gaga's leaked "Judas" video and, if so, what do you think? Share your opinions in the comments.
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Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Well, it's here ... eight hours ahead of schedule. On Thursday morning (May 5), Lady Gaga's hotly anticipated "Judas" video premiered, though probably not in the way that Mother Monster (and the folks at E!) had hoped it would: It leaked.
Originally set to be unveiled on the network during prime time on Thursday (and then again at 11:30 p.m.), "Judas" got a bit of an advance screening, quickly making the rounds on the Internet while the Little Monsters squealed with delight (or, alternately, expressed their outrage at its leaking). And despite pretty much everything Gaga had said about the video — that it was "a motorcycle Fellini film," that it portrayed "a betrayal of a prophecy fulfilled" — it is very much a pure pop clip, albeit one that looks great and is sure to earn the ire of a few folks on the religious right.
An arty reimagining of the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot, the video sees Gaga as Mary Magdalene, riding along with Christ and his apostles, who are decked out in studded leathers and set atop roaring motorcycles. They cruise through — as Gaga put it — "a modern-day Jerusalem," with Judas tellingly racing ahead of the pack. At one point, they stop at an "Electric Chapel," where Gaga attempts to warn Christ — who, with his cornrows and golden crown of thorns, is far from traditional — of his apostle's impending betrayal. Whether or not he chooses to listen is largely up to the viewer, as the clip then segues into an extended sequence rife with religious iconography ... and, of course, dance.
And though it remains to be seen if the highly touted "uncut" version of "Judas" — which will still premiere tonight on E! at 7 p.m. ET — contains more controversial material, it's difficult to see why some people would have a problem with the video: Sure, Jesus looks different, and Gaga is playing Magdalene (certainly one of the most controversial figures in the Bible), but its imagery isn't nearly as sacred/profane as that of the "Alejandro" clip (Gaga does not, to the best of our knowledge, ingest rosary beads here), and in fact, with its artistic interpretations of foot washing and Boticelli's "The Birth of Venus," it's almost more of a tribute to the pop sensation's Catholic upbringing ... a fact she hit on when she said the video "[is] meant more to celebrate faith than it is to challenge it."
Leave it to Gaga to push the boundaries while remaining faithful to the source material. "Judas" is, at its sacred heart, an artistic explosion contained within the confines of a traditional pop clip. And if it's meant to be a celebration, well, you should probably start celebrating ... before the clip gets pulled, of course.
Have you seen Gaga's leaked "Judas" video and, if so, what do you think? Share your opinions in the comments.
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'Thor' Stars Tease Possible DVD Deleted Scenes
'They shot so much of us in rehearsal in stunt practice, getting hit in the face and being idiots,' Jaimie Alexander says of a potential blooper reel.By Kara Warner
"Thor"
Photo: Marvel
Although it's not quite summer yet, the summer movie season is already off to a fine start with souped-up car flick "Fast Five" dominating the box office. This week, the mighty "Thor" bows into theaters, the first of several superhero movies headed into cineplexes in 2011.
MTV News has been on the case of this film since the beginning, and thanks to a series of recent interviews with the cast, we have even more material to present, like character introductions, "Avengers" teases and now, a couple of hints at what you won't see in the theatrical version, but on the Blu-ray/DVD.
In addition to what director Kenneth Branagh said about the special features, we asked Tom Hiddleston, who plays Thor's brother and god of mischief Loki, what deleted scenes we might see on the DVD.
"There was a fun scene with myself and Chris before he gets crowned king where we were two brothers waiting in the wings in a way, which I quite enjoyed, but I can see exactly why Kenneth hasn't kept it in the film," he said of one of his favorite scenes to shoot that didn't make the final cut.
Jaimie Alexander, who plays Thor's childhood friend and fellow warrior Lady Sif, said she's worried there might be a lot of blooper footage.
"Oh man, they shot so much of us in rehearsal in stunt practice, getting hit in the face and being idiots," she revealed. "So I'm sure you'll see a lot of that, especially from me. There are a lot of extra battle sequences that they didn't put in the film. Extended Jotunheim battle and extended destroyer battle, which I'm sure they'll put on the DVD extras."
Check out everything we've got on "Thor."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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"Thor"
Photo: Marvel
Although it's not quite summer yet, the summer movie season is already off to a fine start with souped-up car flick "Fast Five" dominating the box office. This week, the mighty "Thor" bows into theaters, the first of several superhero movies headed into cineplexes in 2011.
MTV News has been on the case of this film since the beginning, and thanks to a series of recent interviews with the cast, we have even more material to present, like character introductions, "Avengers" teases and now, a couple of hints at what you won't see in the theatrical version, but on the Blu-ray/DVD.
In addition to what director Kenneth Branagh said about the special features, we asked Tom Hiddleston, who plays Thor's brother and god of mischief Loki, what deleted scenes we might see on the DVD.
"There was a fun scene with myself and Chris before he gets crowned king where we were two brothers waiting in the wings in a way, which I quite enjoyed, but I can see exactly why Kenneth hasn't kept it in the film," he said of one of his favorite scenes to shoot that didn't make the final cut.
Jaimie Alexander, who plays Thor's childhood friend and fellow warrior Lady Sif, said she's worried there might be a lot of blooper footage.
"Oh man, they shot so much of us in rehearsal in stunt practice, getting hit in the face and being idiots," she revealed. "So I'm sure you'll see a lot of that, especially from me. There are a lot of extra battle sequences that they didn't put in the film. Extended Jotunheim battle and extended destroyer battle, which I'm sure they'll put on the DVD extras."
Check out everything we've got on "Thor."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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Justin Bieber, Amy Poehler Breakout Stars At Time 100 Gala
'Parks and Recreation' co-star Aziz Ansari calls Poehler 'tremendously talented and really a leader in her field.'By Jocelyn Vena
Amy Poehler attends the <i>Time</i> 100 Gala event on April 26, 2011
Photo: Getty Images
Although names like Bruno Mars and Oprah Winfrey made the final cut on this year's Time 100 list of the world's most-influential people, among the celebs MTV News spoke to at the ritzy black-tie gala in New York on Tuesday night, all the talk was about Justin Bieber and "Parks and Recreation" funny lady Amy Poehler.
La La Vazquez, with hubby Carmelo Anthony, by her side, said, "Justin Bieber actually loves 'Melo. They're still waiting to have a one-on-one basketball competition so maybe we can make that happen this summer." She continued, "I think it's an honor to be included in such an elite group and be invited to come celebrate. When I heard we got invited, I was like, 'Oh yes, we are going to this event tonight.' "
The Roots' drummer, Questlove, said he totally understands why the Biebs made the list. "I'm excited to see everybody tonight," he said. "I'm very humble to be here. It's too many to mention. I drummed with Bieber before. I think that there might have been a question to why he was included, but it's obvious this is a person that went from YouTube sensation to viral sensation to international superstar — that's gonna be the next level of celebrity."
Leave it to Poehler's "Parks and Rec" co-star Aziz Ansari to write in his own candidate. Asked whether he prefers Bieber or South Korean pop star turned actor Rain, who also made the list, Ansari joked, "I don't know who either of those people are." Adding, "The most influential person to me is probably Waka Flocka Flame. He's on the list, right? I'm pretty sure he was on there."
All jokes aside, Ansari had only love for Poehler. calling her a "very inspirational person; tremendously talented and really a leader in her field."
Poehler's former "Saturday Night Live" co-star Seth Meyers also had tons of love for her. "For me personally, Amy Poehler's the most influential on the list," he said. "I certainly wouldn't be invited to this without Amy Poehler, so that's a big step. Mostly just like providing coattails for me to ride on for years," he joked. "That's pretty key; that influenced me a lot."
About Bieber, Meyers later added: "I quote him a lot. I say 'Baby, baby, baby' a lot more than I used to. I work in a maternity ward in my off-time."
Who are your favorites on the Time 100 list? Sound off below!
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Amy Poehler attends the <i>Time</i> 100 Gala event on April 26, 2011
Photo: Getty Images
Although names like Bruno Mars and Oprah Winfrey made the final cut on this year's Time 100 list of the world's most-influential people, among the celebs MTV News spoke to at the ritzy black-tie gala in New York on Tuesday night, all the talk was about Justin Bieber and "Parks and Recreation" funny lady Amy Poehler.
La La Vazquez, with hubby Carmelo Anthony, by her side, said, "Justin Bieber actually loves 'Melo. They're still waiting to have a one-on-one basketball competition so maybe we can make that happen this summer." She continued, "I think it's an honor to be included in such an elite group and be invited to come celebrate. When I heard we got invited, I was like, 'Oh yes, we are going to this event tonight.' "
The Roots' drummer, Questlove, said he totally understands why the Biebs made the list. "I'm excited to see everybody tonight," he said. "I'm very humble to be here. It's too many to mention. I drummed with Bieber before. I think that there might have been a question to why he was included, but it's obvious this is a person that went from YouTube sensation to viral sensation to international superstar — that's gonna be the next level of celebrity."
Leave it to Poehler's "Parks and Rec" co-star Aziz Ansari to write in his own candidate. Asked whether he prefers Bieber or South Korean pop star turned actor Rain, who also made the list, Ansari joked, "I don't know who either of those people are." Adding, "The most influential person to me is probably Waka Flocka Flame. He's on the list, right? I'm pretty sure he was on there."
All jokes aside, Ansari had only love for Poehler. calling her a "very inspirational person; tremendously talented and really a leader in her field."
Poehler's former "Saturday Night Live" co-star Seth Meyers also had tons of love for her. "For me personally, Amy Poehler's the most influential on the list," he said. "I certainly wouldn't be invited to this without Amy Poehler, so that's a big step. Mostly just like providing coattails for me to ride on for years," he joked. "That's pretty key; that influenced me a lot."
About Bieber, Meyers later added: "I quote him a lot. I say 'Baby, baby, baby' a lot more than I used to. I work in a maternity ward in my off-time."
Who are your favorites on the Time 100 list? Sound off below!
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Watch: Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull Perform ?On The Floor? On ?American Idol?
New American Idol judge Jennifer Lopez, who just released her new album Love? this past Tuesday, got the party started on the competitive reality TV show American Idol last night with a surprisingly vigorous performance of her single On the Floor. J. Lo was joined by rapper Pitbull (who guests on the track) for last [...]
Friday, May 6, 2011
The snake man of Bangladesh
Bare hands, a level head and hope for the future help the king of the snake catchers keep body and soul together
Matthew Bennett
Mohammad Shafikul Islam is no ordinary Bangladeshi villager. He's the king of the snake catchers.
For centuries his family and the members of his clan, of which he is the official leader, have been catching snakes in homes in nearby villages and cities using just their bare hands.
Now, 46-year-old Mohammad is using his skills to stage shows at top hotels for tourists and officials, and rents his snakes out to film studios and theater groups.
King cobras cost around US$10 and the smaller snakes around US$5 each. He charges up to US$500 for his snake-charming shows.
Renowned as a master of his craft, he?s in high demand.
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Matthew Bennett
Mohammad Shafikul Islam is no ordinary Bangladeshi villager. He's the king of the snake catchers.
For centuries his family and the members of his clan, of which he is the official leader, have been catching snakes in homes in nearby villages and cities using just their bare hands.
Now, 46-year-old Mohammad is using his skills to stage shows at top hotels for tourists and officials, and rents his snakes out to film studios and theater groups.
King cobras cost around US$10 and the smaller snakes around US$5 each. He charges up to US$500 for his snake-charming shows.
Renowned as a master of his craft, he?s in high demand.
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Poppy Montgomery Portia de Rossi Rachael Leigh Cook Rachel Bilson
'The Beaver' Director Jodie Foster Talks Mel Gibson, Puppet Co-Star
Foster says 'it was interesting to see how people changed' when Gibson talked to them while controlling the beaver hand puppet.By Kara Warner
Mel Gibson in "The Beaver"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
For those of us who grew up on kid-friendly, puppet-centric shows like "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show," our association with the fuzzy, frequently funny creatures is mostly a positive one. Therefore, anytime a puppet is featured in a commercial or film, we're sort of trained to expect them to be lovable.
In "The Beaver," the new film starring Mel Gibson, Anton Yelchin and Jodie Foster (who also directed the flick), one of the supporting players is a beaver hand puppet that Gibson's character uses as a therapeutic tool to help him recover from a crippling case of depression. This particular puppet isn't entirely warm and fuzzy all the time, although it did make for a unique filmmaking experience for cast and crew, including chief puppeteer Gibson.
When MTV News caught up with Yelchin and Foster during a recent press day for the movie, we asked them to explain how different a puppet the Beaver is, and how filming with a puppet affected them.
"I think there is that sort of comic aspect to puppets, and you tend to sort of react to them as though it's sort of a toy or a plaything or whatever," Yelchin explained. "The script, at first, it just seems kind of funny, you know, and just seems kind of silly. And then you do really realize how delusional this man is, and how it's not a joke and it's not just something that's sort of a gimmick to appear funny in the film. It's a really sick man. So I think that transition is very powerful in the script and in the film."
Foster, meanwhile, spoke about the effect the puppet had on everyone when Gibson was controlling it — both off camera and off set.
"When he drags the puppet around and talks through it, you know, it really changes how people approach him and his connection with them," she said. "You can't help but snicker and you can't help but feel uplifted and kind of joyful and full of life. So, he did a little bit of that at the dry cleaner and at the prop truck and it was interesting to see how people changed."
"The Beaver" opens in a limited number of theaters on Friday, and will receive a wide release on May 20.
Check out everything we've got on "The Beaver."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Mel Gibson in "The Beaver"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
For those of us who grew up on kid-friendly, puppet-centric shows like "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show," our association with the fuzzy, frequently funny creatures is mostly a positive one. Therefore, anytime a puppet is featured in a commercial or film, we're sort of trained to expect them to be lovable.
In "The Beaver," the new film starring Mel Gibson, Anton Yelchin and Jodie Foster (who also directed the flick), one of the supporting players is a beaver hand puppet that Gibson's character uses as a therapeutic tool to help him recover from a crippling case of depression. This particular puppet isn't entirely warm and fuzzy all the time, although it did make for a unique filmmaking experience for cast and crew, including chief puppeteer Gibson.
When MTV News caught up with Yelchin and Foster during a recent press day for the movie, we asked them to explain how different a puppet the Beaver is, and how filming with a puppet affected them.
"I think there is that sort of comic aspect to puppets, and you tend to sort of react to them as though it's sort of a toy or a plaything or whatever," Yelchin explained. "The script, at first, it just seems kind of funny, you know, and just seems kind of silly. And then you do really realize how delusional this man is, and how it's not a joke and it's not just something that's sort of a gimmick to appear funny in the film. It's a really sick man. So I think that transition is very powerful in the script and in the film."
Foster, meanwhile, spoke about the effect the puppet had on everyone when Gibson was controlling it — both off camera and off set.
"When he drags the puppet around and talks through it, you know, it really changes how people approach him and his connection with them," she said. "You can't help but snicker and you can't help but feel uplifted and kind of joyful and full of life. So, he did a little bit of that at the dry cleaner and at the prop truck and it was interesting to see how people changed."
"The Beaver" opens in a limited number of theaters on Friday, and will receive a wide release on May 20.
Check out everything we've got on "The Beaver."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos
Mel Gibson's 'The Beaver' Clips
Ke$ha - My First Kiss
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Double life of a North Korean Japanese filmmaker
It's one of the strangest facts about Japan: nobody knows exactly how many Japanese are of North Korean descent. Many Japanese/North Koreans aren't willing to own up to their roots. They assume Japanese names, attend the Japanese school system and gain employment in Japanese companies, living out their lives as Japanese citizens.
Many "pure" Japanese families still run clandestine investigations on their childrens' prospective marriage partners.
Corporate discrimination against Korean Japanese remain an ugly, festering problem and relations between Japan and North Korea aren't likely to turn even remotely friendly any time soon.
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Many "pure" Japanese families still run clandestine investigations on their childrens' prospective marriage partners.
Corporate discrimination against Korean Japanese remain an ugly, festering problem and relations between Japan and North Korea aren't likely to turn even remotely friendly any time soon.
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Photos | Justin Bieber's AMA Night
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Why 'Fast Five' Dominates Box Office A Decade After Franchise Debut
Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, IMAX tickets and a dearth of action flicks helped it race to the top.By Eric Ditzian
Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in "Fast Five"
Photo: Universal Pictures
As observers of both Hollywood and United States national security have noted, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been enjoying a pretty incredible last few days. He apparently learned about Osama bin Laden's death hours before the rest of us and hinted about the news on Twitter ("Just got word that will shock the world," he wrote). Monday is his 39th birthday. Oh, and his new action flick, "Fast Five," opened to $83.6 million in ticket sales — not the biggest debut of the year but Universal's largest opening since "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" in 1997.
As remarkable as Johnson's national security sources are, perhaps even more impressive is how well "Fast Five" performed at the box office a decade after "The Fast and the Furious" first hit the multiplex. Franchises tend to max out their public good will after two or three installments, but with this new picture, there can be little doubt that the "Fast and Furious" series has joined the likes of "Die Hard" in the pop-culture establishment. Much of the credit goes to Vin Diesel, industry insiders point out.
"Like Sly Stallone as Rambo, Bruce Willis as John McClane and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, Diesel embodies the role of Dom Toretto, fusing his public persona with his fictional character, and in doing so making him an action icon," said Jeff Bock, box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations. "Simply put, in the pantheon of action studs, Diesel is now immortalized as Dom."
But even one iconic character can't fully explain such a mega-debut. After all, the latest "Rambo" opened to just $18.2 million in 2008, while "Live Free or Die Hard" grossed $33.4 million in 2007. Universal reinvigorated the "Fast and Furious" franchise in 2009 by bringing back not only Diesel but Paul Walker, leading to a $71 million opening (then an April record). "Fast Five," in turn, became something of a franchise all-star flick, not only with those two guys but with faces from previous installments, like Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris, plus the introduction of an action stalwart like the Rock.
What's more, box-office experts also noted a wide-open market place for a high-energy blockbuster in a year thus far largely devoid of them. "2011 got off to a very slow start, and that caused a lot of 'people aren't going to the movies anymore' talk," said Phil Contrino, editor of BoxOffice.com. "That's nonsense. Moviegoers were just hungry for reliable entertainment, and that's exactly what they got with 'Fast Five.' A movie like this needs to be seen in theaters. It doesn't deliver the same rush in your living room."
The result, Gitesh Pandya of Box Office Guru pointed out, was a PG-13 film that averaged $22,950 in 3,644 theaters, "including a record 243 IMAX sites where tickets cost as much as $19 each." That translated to an impressive 54 percent market share over the weekend.
Next weekend, the summer movie season officially kicks off with the debut of "Thor." The question for that superhero flick is how its debut will be affected by "Fast Five." Contrino notes that even though "Fast Five" will inevitably see a steep drop-off in ticket sales, "it'll still eat into a portion of 'Thor' 's business."
Or, as Bock put it, " 'Fast Five' already stole 'Thor' 's thunder." He added, "It's going to have a very difficult time matching the debut of 'Fast Five.' Dom has already dropped the hammer on the summer box office."
Check out everything we've got on "Fast Five."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in "Fast Five"
Photo: Universal Pictures
As observers of both Hollywood and United States national security have noted, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been enjoying a pretty incredible last few days. He apparently learned about Osama bin Laden's death hours before the rest of us and hinted about the news on Twitter ("Just got word that will shock the world," he wrote). Monday is his 39th birthday. Oh, and his new action flick, "Fast Five," opened to $83.6 million in ticket sales — not the biggest debut of the year but Universal's largest opening since "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" in 1997.
As remarkable as Johnson's national security sources are, perhaps even more impressive is how well "Fast Five" performed at the box office a decade after "The Fast and the Furious" first hit the multiplex. Franchises tend to max out their public good will after two or three installments, but with this new picture, there can be little doubt that the "Fast and Furious" series has joined the likes of "Die Hard" in the pop-culture establishment. Much of the credit goes to Vin Diesel, industry insiders point out.
"Like Sly Stallone as Rambo, Bruce Willis as John McClane and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, Diesel embodies the role of Dom Toretto, fusing his public persona with his fictional character, and in doing so making him an action icon," said Jeff Bock, box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations. "Simply put, in the pantheon of action studs, Diesel is now immortalized as Dom."
But even one iconic character can't fully explain such a mega-debut. After all, the latest "Rambo" opened to just $18.2 million in 2008, while "Live Free or Die Hard" grossed $33.4 million in 2007. Universal reinvigorated the "Fast and Furious" franchise in 2009 by bringing back not only Diesel but Paul Walker, leading to a $71 million opening (then an April record). "Fast Five," in turn, became something of a franchise all-star flick, not only with those two guys but with faces from previous installments, like Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris, plus the introduction of an action stalwart like the Rock.
What's more, box-office experts also noted a wide-open market place for a high-energy blockbuster in a year thus far largely devoid of them. "2011 got off to a very slow start, and that caused a lot of 'people aren't going to the movies anymore' talk," said Phil Contrino, editor of BoxOffice.com. "That's nonsense. Moviegoers were just hungry for reliable entertainment, and that's exactly what they got with 'Fast Five.' A movie like this needs to be seen in theaters. It doesn't deliver the same rush in your living room."
The result, Gitesh Pandya of Box Office Guru pointed out, was a PG-13 film that averaged $22,950 in 3,644 theaters, "including a record 243 IMAX sites where tickets cost as much as $19 each." That translated to an impressive 54 percent market share over the weekend.
Next weekend, the summer movie season officially kicks off with the debut of "Thor." The question for that superhero flick is how its debut will be affected by "Fast Five." Contrino notes that even though "Fast Five" will inevitably see a steep drop-off in ticket sales, "it'll still eat into a portion of 'Thor' 's business."
Or, as Bock put it, " 'Fast Five' already stole 'Thor' 's thunder." He added, "It's going to have a very difficult time matching the debut of 'Fast Five.' Dom has already dropped the hammer on the summer box office."
Check out everything we've got on "Fast Five."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Thursday, May 5, 2011
Rebecca Black's 'Friday' Beats Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga On YouTube
'Friday' has had 100 million views to date, with Black currently working on her second single, 'LOL.'By Gil Kaufman
Rebecca Black in her video for "Friday"
Photo: Ark Music Factory
There was a minute there when Rebecca Black's "Friday" video was, almost literally, inescapable. Whether the success of the viral hit was being covered on such unlikely outlets as CNN or NPR, getting parodied on late-night television, or just bouncing around from Twitter accounts to e-mail in-boxes and music blogs, the tune by the previously unknown 13-year-old had the kind of white-hot media buzz usually reserved for a Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.
Well, guess what? The little $2,000 pay-to-play ditty-that-could can now claim to have surpassed such major label juggernauts as Bieber and Gaga. According to a Reuters report, the no-budget clip for Black's song has been viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube since it was released on February 10, surpassing the totals for Gaga's "Born This Way" and Bieber's "Pray" videos, based on numbers provided by Visible Measures, a company that tracks the performance of Web videos.
Scratch that. If you count spoofs, other versions and home-brewed takes on the song, it's actually been seen more than 200 million times. Crunching the same numbers for "Born This Way," it has generated 180 million online views, while "Pray" has racked up 65 million.
It doesn't seem as though Gaga minds the competition from the Ark Music Factory product, as she reportedly referred to "Friday" as "genius" recently. Black told us she "freaked out" when she heard the compliment from Mother Monster. "I'm 13 and I never thought Lady Gaga would even know my name. I'm the kind of girl that dances to Lady Gaga with a hairbrush in her room at night," Black told MTV News in late March before she notched her YouTube record.
Black is reportedly at work on her second single, "LOL," though a release date for that song has not yet been announced.
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Rebecca Black in her video for "Friday"
Photo: Ark Music Factory
There was a minute there when Rebecca Black's "Friday" video was, almost literally, inescapable. Whether the success of the viral hit was being covered on such unlikely outlets as CNN or NPR, getting parodied on late-night television, or just bouncing around from Twitter accounts to e-mail in-boxes and music blogs, the tune by the previously unknown 13-year-old had the kind of white-hot media buzz usually reserved for a Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber.
Well, guess what? The little $2,000 pay-to-play ditty-that-could can now claim to have surpassed such major label juggernauts as Bieber and Gaga. According to a Reuters report, the no-budget clip for Black's song has been viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube since it was released on February 10, surpassing the totals for Gaga's "Born This Way" and Bieber's "Pray" videos, based on numbers provided by Visible Measures, a company that tracks the performance of Web videos.
Scratch that. If you count spoofs, other versions and home-brewed takes on the song, it's actually been seen more than 200 million times. Crunching the same numbers for "Born This Way," it has generated 180 million online views, while "Pray" has racked up 65 million.
It doesn't seem as though Gaga minds the competition from the Ark Music Factory product, as she reportedly referred to "Friday" as "genius" recently. Black told us she "freaked out" when she heard the compliment from Mother Monster. "I'm 13 and I never thought Lady Gaga would even know my name. I'm the kind of girl that dances to Lady Gaga with a hairbrush in her room at night," Black told MTV News in late March before she notched her YouTube record.
Black is reportedly at work on her second single, "LOL," though a release date for that song has not yet been announced.
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Watch: Miley Cyrus Performs ?Smells Like Teen Spirit? By Nirvana
Um … first, I feel I must apologize for what I’m about to do to you. You must believe me when I say that I do NOT mean to harm you in any way and I truly hope none of you will suffer from what I’m about to share with you. During a concert performance [...]
Usher - Spotlight
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Photos | Ke$ha Exclusive Photos | MTV Style
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Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Photos | Lilith Fair 2010 Lineup
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Beastie Boys' Hot Sauce History: Tossing Out The First Batch In 2009
With Hot Sauce Committee, Part Two just out, we look back to when the first batch was overdone.By Gil Kaufman
Beastie Boys in 2009
Photo: MTV News
The last time the Beastie Boys were contemplating the release of a new batch of their lyrical and funktastic goodness, they were anticipating the inauguration of President Obama and searching for inspiration in those four crucial letters: H-O-P-E.
"I'd say indirectly he has inspired us," a bundled-up Ad-Rock told MTV News back on January 9, 2009, 11 days before Obama took the oath of office. "You know, with hope brings a sort of sense of fun and some type of pleasure and I feel like we have had a pleasurable amount of fun recording our new record."
And while they didn't quite have their political moves down — Ad-Rock's answer to former President Clinton's signature emphatic thumbs-up was a kind of Howie Mandel-esque "come give daddy a hug" gesture — MCA predicted at the time that the then-untitled work would hit in May of that year.
That plan was thrown out, though, when MCA (born Adam Yauch) announced that he was battling cancer in his salivary glands and would be undergoing surgery. In addition to pushing back the album as he healed, the group canceled all their summer 2009 tour dates and announced tentative plans to release Hot Sauce Committee in fall 2010. That, of course, also didn't happen and somewhere along the way, as these things are wont to do in the world of Beastie, Part One morphed into Part Two.
But let's get back to 2009. At the time, there was, of course, the usual multiple dead-end comedic roads the Boys led us down in discussing the then in-the-works first version of the album. They included MCA seemingly announcing that "his" CD was gonna drop around May 5, which led Ad-Rock and Mike D to wonder what this solo album was that they were not aware of.
"Yo, my album gonna drop ... " MCA started in a mock tone.
"You have a solo album?," a hurt Mike D asked.
"You guys didn't know about that?" MCA countered.
"Is that coming out at the same time as the jewelry and perfume line?" D wondered.
"No, Justin Timberlake and I are working on the jewelry thing on the side," MCA explained. "Actually, a ladies' watch that he and I are designing, a beautiful ladies' watch crusted with diamonds."
And, in keeping with their legendary lyrical and vocal interplay, Ad-Rock had to chuckle at that description, sniggering, "crusted" like a live-action, long-lost cousin of "Beavis and Butt-head."
At the time, when asked about reported guests on the album, they confirmed spots by M.I.A., Young Jeezy and Snoop Dogg, as well as Jarvis Cocker from 1990s Britpop band Pulp. Oh, and "Barbara." Wait, who?
"Barbara ... Barbara's my neighbor," Ad-Rock said to a confused Mike D.
"I thought you were talking about Barbara Bush," MCA threw in, with all the boys laughing at the mention of the name.
"We actually don't have any of those people on the record, it's just a rumor," Ad-Rock clarified. "So far, it's us, though," he smiled, trying out his arms-wide-open, not-yet-signature political move one more time.
It's still unclear which songs from the unreleased Part One made it onto the sequel, but what we do know is that Nas and Santigold figure on a pair of songs and that the first single, "Make Some Noise," had a seriously classic coming-out party in the "Fight for Your Right Revisited" short film.
Have you checked out the Beasties' new album? Share your reviews in the comments!
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Beastie Boys in 2009
Photo: MTV News
The last time the Beastie Boys were contemplating the release of a new batch of their lyrical and funktastic goodness, they were anticipating the inauguration of President Obama and searching for inspiration in those four crucial letters: H-O-P-E.
"I'd say indirectly he has inspired us," a bundled-up Ad-Rock told MTV News back on January 9, 2009, 11 days before Obama took the oath of office. "You know, with hope brings a sort of sense of fun and some type of pleasure and I feel like we have had a pleasurable amount of fun recording our new record."
And while they didn't quite have their political moves down — Ad-Rock's answer to former President Clinton's signature emphatic thumbs-up was a kind of Howie Mandel-esque "come give daddy a hug" gesture — MCA predicted at the time that the then-untitled work would hit in May of that year.
That plan was thrown out, though, when MCA (born Adam Yauch) announced that he was battling cancer in his salivary glands and would be undergoing surgery. In addition to pushing back the album as he healed, the group canceled all their summer 2009 tour dates and announced tentative plans to release Hot Sauce Committee in fall 2010. That, of course, also didn't happen and somewhere along the way, as these things are wont to do in the world of Beastie, Part One morphed into Part Two.
But let's get back to 2009. At the time, there was, of course, the usual multiple dead-end comedic roads the Boys led us down in discussing the then in-the-works first version of the album. They included MCA seemingly announcing that "his" CD was gonna drop around May 5, which led Ad-Rock and Mike D to wonder what this solo album was that they were not aware of.
"Yo, my album gonna drop ... " MCA started in a mock tone.
"You have a solo album?," a hurt Mike D asked.
"You guys didn't know about that?" MCA countered.
"Is that coming out at the same time as the jewelry and perfume line?" D wondered.
"No, Justin Timberlake and I are working on the jewelry thing on the side," MCA explained. "Actually, a ladies' watch that he and I are designing, a beautiful ladies' watch crusted with diamonds."
And, in keeping with their legendary lyrical and vocal interplay, Ad-Rock had to chuckle at that description, sniggering, "crusted" like a live-action, long-lost cousin of "Beavis and Butt-head."
At the time, when asked about reported guests on the album, they confirmed spots by M.I.A., Young Jeezy and Snoop Dogg, as well as Jarvis Cocker from 1990s Britpop band Pulp. Oh, and "Barbara." Wait, who?
"Barbara ... Barbara's my neighbor," Ad-Rock said to a confused Mike D.
"I thought you were talking about Barbara Bush," MCA threw in, with all the boys laughing at the mention of the name.
"We actually don't have any of those people on the record, it's just a rumor," Ad-Rock clarified. "So far, it's us, though," he smiled, trying out his arms-wide-open, not-yet-signature political move one more time.
It's still unclear which songs from the unreleased Part One made it onto the sequel, but what we do know is that Nas and Santigold figure on a pair of songs and that the first single, "Make Some Noise," had a seriously classic coming-out party in the "Fight for Your Right Revisited" short film.
Have you checked out the Beasties' new album? Share your reviews in the comments!
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Photos | Lady Gaga Lights Up Atlantic City
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Jeremy Renner Forms Production Company, Developing Steve McQueen Biopic (Exclusive)
Jay A. Fernandez,
Borys Kit James Gray is writing the McQueen script, with video director Ivan Zacharias attached to make his directorial debut on the project.read more
Borys Kit James Gray is writing the McQueen script, with video director Ivan Zacharias attached to make his directorial debut on the project.read more
KCRW Backs Elvis Mitchell, But for How Long?
Matthew Belloni The Southern California public radio station is sticking behind the controversial film critic, who was ousted from Movieline earlier this week.read more
Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis Jennifer Garner
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
'Moulin Rouge' Could Have Starred Heath Ledger, Baz Luhrmann Reveals
Jake Gyllenhaal and Courtney Love also auditioned for the musical before Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor landed the roles.By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Baz Luhrmann
Photo: MTV News
"Moulin Rouge At 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" on Monday (May 2) brought out the best of the best via a live-stream chat with director Baz Luhrmann, actor John Leguizamo and Catherine Martin, who won the Oscar for costume design and art direction, not to mention a Skype interview with star Ewan McGregor.
And although we can't imagine a "Moulin Rouge" without stars Nicole Kidman and McGregor, one of the interesting tidbits that came out of the discussion was the fact that there were several high-profile actors in contention for those roles, including Heath Ledger, Courtney Love and Jake Gyllenhaal.
"I saw everyone," Luhrmann said of his lengthy audition process. "I have audition material of people you wouldn't believe. I know who can really sing, people who've got amazing voices, from that process.
"Dear Heath Ledger, [he had] incredible scenes with Nicole," Luhrmann revealed. "Because at one stage, Christian [the role that went to McGregor] was very young, he was a younger guy, and then I was aware of Ewan but I didn't know if he could sing."
Another familiar face up for the role of Christian was Jake Gyllenhaal.
"Jake should do a musical," Luhrmann said. "He's a wonderful actor, but [he has a] great voice, tremendous voice. He sang some [Stephen] Sondheim for me, complicated singing, great voice. When is he going to guest on 'Glee?' "
Luhrmann went on to talk about Courtney Love's involvement with the film, as a potential actress and as the widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.
"Courtney had two parts to the process," he revealed. "I worked with Courtney. She was fascinating, she was beguiling. Also, without Courtney's approval, we would never have [Nirvana's] 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' in 'Moulin Rouge,' and I had to go and show her the whole piece," he said. "She's absolutely fantastic. I adore her spirit. She's wild and unpredictable and a great performer."
Check out everything we've got on "Moulin Rouge."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos
'Moulin Rouge' At 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event
Baz Luhrmann
Photo: MTV News
"Moulin Rouge At 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" on Monday (May 2) brought out the best of the best via a live-stream chat with director Baz Luhrmann, actor John Leguizamo and Catherine Martin, who won the Oscar for costume design and art direction, not to mention a Skype interview with star Ewan McGregor.
And although we can't imagine a "Moulin Rouge" without stars Nicole Kidman and McGregor, one of the interesting tidbits that came out of the discussion was the fact that there were several high-profile actors in contention for those roles, including Heath Ledger, Courtney Love and Jake Gyllenhaal.
"I saw everyone," Luhrmann said of his lengthy audition process. "I have audition material of people you wouldn't believe. I know who can really sing, people who've got amazing voices, from that process.
"Dear Heath Ledger, [he had] incredible scenes with Nicole," Luhrmann revealed. "Because at one stage, Christian [the role that went to McGregor] was very young, he was a younger guy, and then I was aware of Ewan but I didn't know if he could sing."
Another familiar face up for the role of Christian was Jake Gyllenhaal.
"Jake should do a musical," Luhrmann said. "He's a wonderful actor, but [he has a] great voice, tremendous voice. He sang some [Stephen] Sondheim for me, complicated singing, great voice. When is he going to guest on 'Glee?' "
Luhrmann went on to talk about Courtney Love's involvement with the film, as a potential actress and as the widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain.
"Courtney had two parts to the process," he revealed. "I worked with Courtney. She was fascinating, she was beguiling. Also, without Courtney's approval, we would never have [Nirvana's] 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' in 'Moulin Rouge,' and I had to go and show her the whole piece," he said. "She's absolutely fantastic. I adore her spirit. She's wild and unpredictable and a great performer."
Check out everything we've got on "Moulin Rouge."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos
'Moulin Rouge' At 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event
Happy Valentine's Day
(Bev wanted to take this photo wearing these candy nipple tassels but I said no.
Melissa Joan Hart Melissa Rycroft Melissa Sagemiller Mena Suvari
MIDI Festival fever hits Shanghai
For the first time in its 11-year history, MIDI, China?s oldest and best-established music festival brand, is heading to Shanghai. Its arrival marks an end to a three-and-a-half year drought that saw a complete absence of any multi-day, multi-stage rock festival in China?s most populous city.
After several years of misfires and false starts, Shanghai MIDI has finally confirmed its maiden foray for the first weekend in May. Local rock fans and musos are both ecstatic and optimistic about the potential of the festival, which will be headlined by 1980s pop-metal supergroup Mr. Big and feature some 25 bands and 23 DJs on two stages.
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After several years of misfires and false starts, Shanghai MIDI has finally confirmed its maiden foray for the first weekend in May. Local rock fans and musos are both ecstatic and optimistic about the potential of the festival, which will be headlined by 1980s pop-metal supergroup Mr. Big and feature some 25 bands and 23 DJs on two stages.
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Adam Lambert Calls 'Moulin Rouge' 'Groundbreaking'
Singer recalls 'loving' film before today's 'Moulin Rouge at 10' live stream.By Jocelyn Vena
Adam Lambert
Photo: Getty/ Jason LaVeris
"Moulin Rouge" truly was a "spectacular spectacular" when it dropped in 2001. That's why on Monday (May 2) MTV News is remembering the film a decade later with "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event." Director Baz Luhrmann will be on hand to recall making the over-the-top film, which resurrected pop culture's love of musicals. And adding to the many celebrity fans who've described the film's influence on them, Adam Lambert spoke to MTV News about his love for "Moulin Rouge."
"I remember just loving it. I thought it was novel. First of all, movie musicals were just starting to come back and I thought it was really interesting to have a movie musical using already existing pop music," he explained. "That's kind of an amazing collaboration. Usually it's all original music or it's based on a Broadway musical, but this was using songs that we all know and tying them into the story. I thought it was really groundbreaking."
Other celebs who have recalled their fond feelings for the flick and its director include Joe Jonas, Vanessa Hudgens and Blake Lively.
MTV News will reunite Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor today at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com. The director and actors will be joined by co-star John Leguizamo, who played artist Toulouse-Lautrec, and Catherine Martin, who won the Oscar for costume design and art direction. Hosted by MTV News' Josh Horowitz, the live stream will include special appearances and live interviews while looking back at how the film came to be and how its legacy continues to grow.
Don't miss "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" today at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com! Get in the conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #AskMoulin.
Adam Lambert
Photo: Getty/ Jason LaVeris
"Moulin Rouge" truly was a "spectacular spectacular" when it dropped in 2001. That's why on Monday (May 2) MTV News is remembering the film a decade later with "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event." Director Baz Luhrmann will be on hand to recall making the over-the-top film, which resurrected pop culture's love of musicals. And adding to the many celebrity fans who've described the film's influence on them, Adam Lambert spoke to MTV News about his love for "Moulin Rouge."
"I remember just loving it. I thought it was novel. First of all, movie musicals were just starting to come back and I thought it was really interesting to have a movie musical using already existing pop music," he explained. "That's kind of an amazing collaboration. Usually it's all original music or it's based on a Broadway musical, but this was using songs that we all know and tying them into the story. I thought it was really groundbreaking."
Other celebs who have recalled their fond feelings for the flick and its director include Joe Jonas, Vanessa Hudgens and Blake Lively.
MTV News will reunite Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor today at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com. The director and actors will be joined by co-star John Leguizamo, who played artist Toulouse-Lautrec, and Catherine Martin, who won the Oscar for costume design and art direction. Hosted by MTV News' Josh Horowitz, the live stream will include special appearances and live interviews while looking back at how the film came to be and how its legacy continues to grow.
Don't miss "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" today at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com! Get in the conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #AskMoulin.
Osama Bin Laden's Death A 'Poignant Moment For America,' Students Say
New York and Pennsylvania student journalists tell MTV News where they were when Obama addressed the nation.By Gil Kaufman
Students celebrate at Ground Zero on May 2
Photo: Getty Images
Every generation has signature moments that will never be forgotten. For the current crop of students at New York University, the killing of al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden by U.S. special forces presented a bookmark to the first event that shaped their lives, the September 11 terror attacks.
"I think that 50 years from now, I will remember that I was in the NYU newsroom when that news broke," Katie Thompson, 19, deputy managing editor of the Washington Square News, said about where she was when she saw President Obama announce that the terror leader had been killed.
"When I was listening to President Obama's speech, I personally teared up a little bit. I think it was a very poignant moment for America. We've had this baggage of 9/11 for so long. This is a big step forward for us in the war on terror. This will be a seminal moment in American history following those attacks and President Obama's election."
As soon as President Obama finished addressing the nation Sunday night, Massachusetts native Thompson knew she would have to rip up the front page she had planned for Monday morning and hit the streets to get reaction. She first went to New York's Union Square around midnight, where she found a split reaction to the news, and then to Ground Zero, where there was also some joy mixed with trepidation.
"We found from the students we talked to at both locations that there was a bit of a mixed reaction," the journalism major said. "There were a lot of students who were ... I would say jubilant was the overall mood at Ground Zero. There was a lot of American pride, people chanting ... people who thought that Osama bin Laden deserved to die for what he did and happy that America had finally taken care of him."
But there were also students who were concerned that the types of celebrations that were taking place at Ground Zero and the celebratory mood were not appropriate and might perpetuate the cycle of violence. "That taking the life of this one man didn't necessarily make up for the lives that were lost in the wars in the Middle East and the September 11 attacks," she said of the response. "Especially for NYU students who know people who were affected or have loved ones who were either wounded or passed away in the attacks that us killing bin Laden is never going to bring those loved ones back. And that was a big concern for some students."
The excitement at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia was similar, but with finals looming, it provided not just an excellent reason to take a study break, but a major tension reliever for a campus that goes into virtual hibernation when the end of studies approach.
Lauren Plotnick, 20, executive editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian, happened to be in the paper's offices on Sunday night studying when a friend told her about a Twitter alert in advance of the president's speech. Though the paper has ceased its print edition for the year already, the enormity of the moment quickly dawned on Plotnick and she scrambled to coordinate coverage.
"People are deep in finals and it's difficult to get them covering stuff when we're no longer publishing a print edition," said Plotnick, an econ major from Maryland. She sent out an email to the entire staff and asked to them to start gathering student reaction and send in whatever they got: videos, interviews or tweets.
"The social-media presence just ignited," she said. "We were using Twitter and Facebook to fan out the preliminary reactions ... people were saying how exciting it was for America and how exciting it was they were finding out more through social media than through television."
Even with finals looming, Plotnick said work stopped at the on-campus libraries, students gathered around televisions and laptops and started cheering, and for a little while, it seemed as if everyone in every house and public gathering spot stopped what they were doing to watch the news unfolding.
"On this campus, to see everyone reacting in such an excited way was really remarkable for us," she said. "It really unified the campus and got everyone excited." While she called it one of the most thrilling moments she can remember in her 20 years, she noted that one student who was interviewed said their father is an architect working on the plans for the Freedom Tower in New York and they were scared about him going to work on Monday.
Similarly, living and studying just a few subway stops from Ground Zero in New York, Thompson said a number of students expressed fear of retaliation and concern the city might be a target again. But, in the scheme of news she's covered and experienced in her life, Thompson put Sunday night's events up there with the night of Obama's inauguration as one of the seminal news moments for this generation. She also described how everything in the paper's newsroom stopped the moment it was announced that the president would address the nation.
"We all just gathered around a laptop. ... We didn't know what he was going to address the nation about, and then the news started leaking. ... We knew our whole front page was going to be scrapped and this was that moment," she said.
Plotnick said many of the students who offered their responses also called this one of those moments in life where you will always remember where you were. "For me, it has a whole other dimension. The idea of being in the newsroom and working for a newspaper when events like this occur and having the responsibility to the student body ... it's so special and it transcends time," she said, noting the paper's 126-year history of covering everything from WWI and WWII to the Kennedy assassination and 9/11. "It was really exciting to be in the newsroom and be part of that experience. It felt like a continuation of the role of newspapers and of modern media."
How did the news of Osama bin Laden's death affect you? Let us know in the comments.
Related Videos
Young People React To Osama Bin Laden's Death
Students celebrate at Ground Zero on May 2
Photo: Getty Images
Every generation has signature moments that will never be forgotten. For the current crop of students at New York University, the killing of al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden by U.S. special forces presented a bookmark to the first event that shaped their lives, the September 11 terror attacks.
"I think that 50 years from now, I will remember that I was in the NYU newsroom when that news broke," Katie Thompson, 19, deputy managing editor of the Washington Square News, said about where she was when she saw President Obama announce that the terror leader had been killed.
"When I was listening to President Obama's speech, I personally teared up a little bit. I think it was a very poignant moment for America. We've had this baggage of 9/11 for so long. This is a big step forward for us in the war on terror. This will be a seminal moment in American history following those attacks and President Obama's election."
As soon as President Obama finished addressing the nation Sunday night, Massachusetts native Thompson knew she would have to rip up the front page she had planned for Monday morning and hit the streets to get reaction. She first went to New York's Union Square around midnight, where she found a split reaction to the news, and then to Ground Zero, where there was also some joy mixed with trepidation.
"We found from the students we talked to at both locations that there was a bit of a mixed reaction," the journalism major said. "There were a lot of students who were ... I would say jubilant was the overall mood at Ground Zero. There was a lot of American pride, people chanting ... people who thought that Osama bin Laden deserved to die for what he did and happy that America had finally taken care of him."
But there were also students who were concerned that the types of celebrations that were taking place at Ground Zero and the celebratory mood were not appropriate and might perpetuate the cycle of violence. "That taking the life of this one man didn't necessarily make up for the lives that were lost in the wars in the Middle East and the September 11 attacks," she said of the response. "Especially for NYU students who know people who were affected or have loved ones who were either wounded or passed away in the attacks that us killing bin Laden is never going to bring those loved ones back. And that was a big concern for some students."
The excitement at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia was similar, but with finals looming, it provided not just an excellent reason to take a study break, but a major tension reliever for a campus that goes into virtual hibernation when the end of studies approach.
Lauren Plotnick, 20, executive editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian, happened to be in the paper's offices on Sunday night studying when a friend told her about a Twitter alert in advance of the president's speech. Though the paper has ceased its print edition for the year already, the enormity of the moment quickly dawned on Plotnick and she scrambled to coordinate coverage.
"People are deep in finals and it's difficult to get them covering stuff when we're no longer publishing a print edition," said Plotnick, an econ major from Maryland. She sent out an email to the entire staff and asked to them to start gathering student reaction and send in whatever they got: videos, interviews or tweets.
"The social-media presence just ignited," she said. "We were using Twitter and Facebook to fan out the preliminary reactions ... people were saying how exciting it was for America and how exciting it was they were finding out more through social media than through television."
Even with finals looming, Plotnick said work stopped at the on-campus libraries, students gathered around televisions and laptops and started cheering, and for a little while, it seemed as if everyone in every house and public gathering spot stopped what they were doing to watch the news unfolding.
"On this campus, to see everyone reacting in such an excited way was really remarkable for us," she said. "It really unified the campus and got everyone excited." While she called it one of the most thrilling moments she can remember in her 20 years, she noted that one student who was interviewed said their father is an architect working on the plans for the Freedom Tower in New York and they were scared about him going to work on Monday.
Similarly, living and studying just a few subway stops from Ground Zero in New York, Thompson said a number of students expressed fear of retaliation and concern the city might be a target again. But, in the scheme of news she's covered and experienced in her life, Thompson put Sunday night's events up there with the night of Obama's inauguration as one of the seminal news moments for this generation. She also described how everything in the paper's newsroom stopped the moment it was announced that the president would address the nation.
"We all just gathered around a laptop. ... We didn't know what he was going to address the nation about, and then the news started leaking. ... We knew our whole front page was going to be scrapped and this was that moment," she said.
Plotnick said many of the students who offered their responses also called this one of those moments in life where you will always remember where you were. "For me, it has a whole other dimension. The idea of being in the newsroom and working for a newspaper when events like this occur and having the responsibility to the student body ... it's so special and it transcends time," she said, noting the paper's 126-year history of covering everything from WWI and WWII to the Kennedy assassination and 9/11. "It was really exciting to be in the newsroom and be part of that experience. It felt like a continuation of the role of newspapers and of modern media."
How did the news of Osama bin Laden's death affect you? Let us know in the comments.
Related Videos
Young People React To Osama Bin Laden's Death
Natalie Imbruglia Natalie Portman Natalie Zea Natasha Bedingfield
Monday, May 2, 2011
Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner Grab Coffee Together
As all of you married couples out there know, once kids come along, you have to grab couple time together whenever you can! Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were spotted having coffee together yesterday morning.
I hope they make some time to go out and celebrate this evening: Ben's new movie, 'The Town,' is projected to be the #1 movie this weekend! It was expected to come in #2 behind the teen movie 'Easy A,' but unless the teens turn out in force tonight, 'The Town' is expected to win the weekend.
After all his ups and downs, I'm sure Ben is a happy guy today :)
Photos by FAME
I hope they make some time to go out and celebrate this evening: Ben's new movie, 'The Town,' is projected to be the #1 movie this weekend! It was expected to come in #2 behind the teen movie 'Easy A,' but unless the teens turn out in force tonight, 'The Town' is expected to win the weekend.
After all his ups and downs, I'm sure Ben is a happy guy today :)
Photos by FAME
Jessica Simpson & Eric Johnson Ride A Bicycle Built For Two
Soon-to-be married couple Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson spent part of their weekend here in SoCal chillin’ out together in Venice, CA with a couple of their friends. The couples went for a bike ride together and raced along the boardwalk on Venice Beach having the time of their lives. Check out the very fun [...]
Travie McCoy Says Gym Class Heroes Revisting 'Rawness'
Band begins production on The Papercut Chronicles II.By James Montgomery, with reporting by Steven Roberts
Gym Class Heroes' Travie McCoy
Photo: MTV News
By now, you're probably aware that Gym Class Heroes are heading into the home stretch on their long-awaited The Papercut Chronicles II album (and if you're not, here's Travie McCoy talking about it in December 2009 and again in March 2011), but you might be wondering just why, after pushing boundaries with 2008's The Quilt, the band is headed back to their beginnings this time out.
Well, as McCoy explained to MTV News during this past weekend's Bamboozle Festival, they're doing it not to reconnect with fans who might have been mystified by the hip-hop leanings on The Quilt or to score another radio hit a la "Cupid's Chokehold," but to rediscover the reasons they started the band in the first place.
Gym Class Heroes' Travie McCoy
Photo: MTV News
By now, you're probably aware that Gym Class Heroes are heading into the home stretch on their long-awaited The Papercut Chronicles II album (and if you're not, here's Travie McCoy talking about it in December 2009 and again in March 2011), but you might be wondering just why, after pushing boundaries with 2008's The Quilt, the band is headed back to their beginnings this time out.
Well, as McCoy explained to MTV News during this past weekend's Bamboozle Festival, they're doing it not to reconnect with fans who might have been mystified by the hip-hop leanings on The Quilt or to score another radio hit a la "Cupid's Chokehold," but to rediscover the reasons they started the band in the first place.
Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville Gina Carano Gina Gershon
Links for 2008-03-21 [del.icio.us]
Chloe Marshall Sweet 16 headed to Miss England 2008
Chloe Marshall of the UK has just won the Miss Surrey 2008 beauty pageant. She is now advancing towards the Miss England contest, which is opened to females ages 17-24. If Chloe Marshall can win the Miss England 2008 pageant, she will advance to the Miss
Chloe Marshall of the UK has just won the Miss Surrey 2008 beauty pageant. She is now advancing towards the Miss England contest, which is opened to females ages 17-24. If Chloe Marshall can win the Miss England 2008 pageant, she will advance to the Miss
Ke$ha Says Her Own Britney-Style All-Girl Tour Will Be All Guys
'Blow' singer is psyched for the summer leg of her Get $leazy Tour with Spank Rock, LMFAO.By Gil Kaufman
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
There's certainly something to be said for girl power. Ke$ha felt it when she hit the road with Rihanna last year, when the two apparently engaged in a variety of high jinks, including some alleged backstage pillow fights.
But when MTV News caught up with the glitter-soaked party girl on Wednesday just hours before her show at New York's Roseland Ballroom and asked her who she might bring along if she were able to put together a Britney Spears-style all-girl tour, Ke$ha didn't hesitate to name her posse.
Sitting cross-legged on a couch in black tights, black cowboy boots, black leather gloves and sleeveless black rocker T-shirt, Ke$ha told us that her all-girl lineup would actually be, well, all guys. "All-girl fantasy tour?" she said, staring up at the ceiling for a moment and contemplating the idea. "I mean, I play nice with chicks. I actually put together my personal fantasy tour and I just announced the second leg of my Get $leazy Tour and that's gonna be: me and LMFAO and Spank Rock."
And while the upcoming outing will be light on the estrogen — much like the first leg of her $leazy tour, on which she is sharing the stage with party-rap dude Beardo — Ke$ha insisted that it still will offer what her fans have come to expect from her shows. "It's not an all-girls tour, but it's gonna be f---ing sleazy," she maintained.
That macho vibe has been on display during to the winding-down first leg of the $leazy fest, which Ke$ha has nicknamed the "I Can Do Whatever We Want Tour." So, what kind of perks come with being a first-time headliner? "Blasting glitter violently at people, even if they don't want it," said Ke$ha. "It's like they don't even have a choice. It is a little volatile, but I do it anyways. I feel like people know me for my glitter and I don't want to disappoint."
Are you planning to see Ke$ha on the next leg of her Get Sleazy tour? Tell us in the comments.
Related Videos
MTV News Extended Play: Ke$ha
Related Artists
Ke$ha
Britney Spears
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
There's certainly something to be said for girl power. Ke$ha felt it when she hit the road with Rihanna last year, when the two apparently engaged in a variety of high jinks, including some alleged backstage pillow fights.
But when MTV News caught up with the glitter-soaked party girl on Wednesday just hours before her show at New York's Roseland Ballroom and asked her who she might bring along if she were able to put together a Britney Spears-style all-girl tour, Ke$ha didn't hesitate to name her posse.
Sitting cross-legged on a couch in black tights, black cowboy boots, black leather gloves and sleeveless black rocker T-shirt, Ke$ha told us that her all-girl lineup would actually be, well, all guys. "All-girl fantasy tour?" she said, staring up at the ceiling for a moment and contemplating the idea. "I mean, I play nice with chicks. I actually put together my personal fantasy tour and I just announced the second leg of my Get $leazy Tour and that's gonna be: me and LMFAO and Spank Rock."
And while the upcoming outing will be light on the estrogen — much like the first leg of her $leazy tour, on which she is sharing the stage with party-rap dude Beardo — Ke$ha insisted that it still will offer what her fans have come to expect from her shows. "It's not an all-girls tour, but it's gonna be f---ing sleazy," she maintained.
That macho vibe has been on display during to the winding-down first leg of the $leazy fest, which Ke$ha has nicknamed the "I Can Do Whatever We Want Tour." So, what kind of perks come with being a first-time headliner? "Blasting glitter violently at people, even if they don't want it," said Ke$ha. "It's like they don't even have a choice. It is a little volatile, but I do it anyways. I feel like people know me for my glitter and I don't want to disappoint."
Are you planning to see Ke$ha on the next leg of her Get Sleazy tour? Tell us in the comments.
Related Videos
MTV News Extended Play: Ke$ha
Related Artists
Ke$ha
Britney Spears
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers
'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll
Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News
You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.
In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.
But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.
"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."
Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.
"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.
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Mary J. Blige
Led Zeppelin
Travis Barker
Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News
You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.
In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.
But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.
"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."
Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.
"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.
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Led Zeppelin
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Ke$ha Says Her Own Britney-Style All-Girl Tour Will Be All Guys
'Blow' singer is psyched for the summer leg of her Get $leazy Tour with Spank Rock, LMFAO.By Gil Kaufman
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
There's certainly something to be said for girl power. Ke$ha felt it when she hit the road with Rihanna last year, when the two apparently engaged in a variety of high jinks, including some alleged backstage pillow fights.
But when MTV News caught up with the glitter-soaked party girl on Wednesday just hours before her show at New York's Roseland Ballroom and asked her who she might bring along if she were able to put together a Britney Spears-style all-girl tour, Ke$ha didn't hesitate to name her posse.
Sitting cross-legged on a couch in black tights, black cowboy boots, black leather gloves and sleeveless black rocker T-shirt, Ke$ha told us that her all-girl lineup would actually be, well, all guys. "All-girl fantasy tour?" she said, staring up at the ceiling for a moment and contemplating the idea. "I mean, I play nice with chicks. I actually put together my personal fantasy tour and I just announced the second leg of my Get $leazy Tour and that's gonna be: me and LMFAO and Spank Rock."
And while the upcoming outing will be light on the estrogen — much like the first leg of her $leazy tour, on which she is sharing the stage with party-rap dude Beardo — Ke$ha insisted that it still will offer what her fans have come to expect from her shows. "It's not an all-girls tour, but it's gonna be f---ing sleazy," she maintained.
That macho vibe has been on display during to the winding-down first leg of the $leazy fest, which Ke$ha has nicknamed the "I Can Do Whatever We Want Tour." So, what kind of perks come with being a first-time headliner? "Blasting glitter violently at people, even if they don't want it," said Ke$ha. "It's like they don't even have a choice. It is a little volatile, but I do it anyways. I feel like people know me for my glitter and I don't want to disappoint."
Are you planning to see Ke$ha on the next leg of her Get Sleazy tour? Tell us in the comments.
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Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
There's certainly something to be said for girl power. Ke$ha felt it when she hit the road with Rihanna last year, when the two apparently engaged in a variety of high jinks, including some alleged backstage pillow fights.
But when MTV News caught up with the glitter-soaked party girl on Wednesday just hours before her show at New York's Roseland Ballroom and asked her who she might bring along if she were able to put together a Britney Spears-style all-girl tour, Ke$ha didn't hesitate to name her posse.
Sitting cross-legged on a couch in black tights, black cowboy boots, black leather gloves and sleeveless black rocker T-shirt, Ke$ha told us that her all-girl lineup would actually be, well, all guys. "All-girl fantasy tour?" she said, staring up at the ceiling for a moment and contemplating the idea. "I mean, I play nice with chicks. I actually put together my personal fantasy tour and I just announced the second leg of my Get $leazy Tour and that's gonna be: me and LMFAO and Spank Rock."
And while the upcoming outing will be light on the estrogen — much like the first leg of her $leazy tour, on which she is sharing the stage with party-rap dude Beardo — Ke$ha insisted that it still will offer what her fans have come to expect from her shows. "It's not an all-girls tour, but it's gonna be f---ing sleazy," she maintained.
That macho vibe has been on display during to the winding-down first leg of the $leazy fest, which Ke$ha has nicknamed the "I Can Do Whatever We Want Tour." So, what kind of perks come with being a first-time headliner? "Blasting glitter violently at people, even if they don't want it," said Ke$ha. "It's like they don't even have a choice. It is a little volatile, but I do it anyways. I feel like people know me for my glitter and I don't want to disappoint."
Are you planning to see Ke$ha on the next leg of her Get Sleazy tour? Tell us in the comments.
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MTV News Extended Play: Ke$ha
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Paul Walker Says Brazilian People Were 'Excited' To Host 'Fast Five'
'I love to travel, and that's one of those places that, on my own, I would have never have ventured,' he tells MTV News.By Kara Warner
Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in "Fast Five"
Photo: Universal Pictures
For those heading to the theaters this weekend to see the action-packed, souped-up-car-gasmic "Fast Five," there are only a few things you should know going in: The cast is teeming with members from all four previous films (Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris are all back) and the movie was filmed all over the world, including in Puerto Rico, Arizona, Georgia and California, but mainly in and around the illustrious city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — including the storied and dangerous favela districts.
When MTV News caught up with Walker, we asked him how the crew managed to get clearance to film in such tough areas.
"That's the best part about the job, is we have a VIP card," Walker said of the production's exempt status. "For most people, especially the tourists, the favela is off limits, but we got permission basically from the drug lords to come up there and film," he revealed. "We got cops with us, but everyone knows the reason we're there isn't because the cops said, 'Go ahead and come up and in'; it's the cooperation with the drug lords."
Walker said he hung out with people from the area, as did the film crew, and everyone had a great time during the shoot.
"That's one of the best aspects of my job. I'm up there hanging out, and the people are friendly and I don't have anything to worry about. People are just excited we're there," he said. "I love to travel, and that's one of those places that, on my own, I would have never have ventured, but because we're here doing this, it made it all possible."
Check out everything we've got on "Fast Five."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Photos
'Fast Five'
Paul Walker and Vin Diesel in "Fast Five"
Photo: Universal Pictures
For those heading to the theaters this weekend to see the action-packed, souped-up-car-gasmic "Fast Five," there are only a few things you should know going in: The cast is teeming with members from all four previous films (Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris are all back) and the movie was filmed all over the world, including in Puerto Rico, Arizona, Georgia and California, but mainly in and around the illustrious city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — including the storied and dangerous favela districts.
When MTV News caught up with Walker, we asked him how the crew managed to get clearance to film in such tough areas.
"That's the best part about the job, is we have a VIP card," Walker said of the production's exempt status. "For most people, especially the tourists, the favela is off limits, but we got permission basically from the drug lords to come up there and film," he revealed. "We got cops with us, but everyone knows the reason we're there isn't because the cops said, 'Go ahead and come up and in'; it's the cooperation with the drug lords."
Walker said he hung out with people from the area, as did the film crew, and everyone had a great time during the shoot.
"That's one of the best aspects of my job. I'm up there hanging out, and the people are friendly and I don't have anything to worry about. People are just excited we're there," he said. "I love to travel, and that's one of those places that, on my own, I would have never have ventured, but because we're here doing this, it made it all possible."
Check out everything we've got on "Fast Five."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Photos
'Fast Five'
Photos | MTV News' 2009 Women Of The Year: #4 Beyonce
MTV News' 2009 Women Of The Year: #4 Beyonce
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Beyoncé
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