Janes Blog: February 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Justin Bieber Should 'Stay Strong,' Usher Says

'All of this comes with the territory,' Ush tells MTV News of paternity-suit drama.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber and Usher
Photo: Ben Rose/ WireImage

<a href="/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> might not have known how big <a href="/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> would become when he discovered him a few years back, but he was pretty sure he had found something special. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:712878" width="240" height="211"></div> Since Bieber burst on the scene with his My World EP back in 2009, the 17-year-old has grown up with the world watching. He's gone from up-and-comer to full-fledged pop sensation, racking up chart-topping albums and a box-office hit and becoming an all-around mega-heartthrob — all in two years. Of course, with the good does come negative attention as well. Recently, Bieber was hit with a <a href="/news/articles/1674509/justin-bieber-paternity-suit-dropped-2.jhtml">paternity lawsuit, which has since been dropped</a>. Usher, no stranger to his own controversies, had these words for the Biebs: "Stay strong. And know that all of this comes with the territory." Aside from the drama, Usher is especially proud of Bieber's charitable side. His mentor said he "absolutely" knew the kid from Stratford, Ontario, had a big heart from the start. "To write a check is only half of it, but when you truly take on a responsibility to be a philanthropist, you accept an effort, and I really think that Pencils of Promise is something that has a very bright future," <a href="/news/articles/1674628/justin-bieber-new-york-city.jhtml">Usher told MTV News at an event for the charity</a>, noting that Bieber is a only a small part of it. Usher — who appears on Bieber's new Christmas album, <a href="/news/articles/1673032/justin-bieber-usher-christmas-song.jhtml">Under the Mistletoe</a> — gives credit to the folks surrounding the teen superstar, including manager Scooter Braun. "Just judging from the determination and the will power of the entire team around Justin, I see a very, very promising [future] for him as a philanthropist," Usher said.

Gina Philips Gisele Bündchen Giuliana DePandi

Photos | 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties

2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties

America Ferrera Amerie Amy Cobb

Britney Spears Hosts As Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, More Bring Wango Tango To L.A.

Pitbull, Matthew Morrison, Selena Gomez, Far East Movement and others filled the Staples Center on Saturday night.
By Matt Elias

britney Spears hosts KIIS FM's Wango Tango 2011 on Saturday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — <a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> makes headlines at concerts, even when she's not performing. That's probably why Los Angeles radio station KIIS FM tapped the pop princess to guest-host their annual Wango Tango music festival along with Ryan Seacrest on Saturday night at the Staples Center. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:652696" width="240" height="211"></div> The bill was a balance of pop and hip-hop, with acts like Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Selena Gomez, "Glee" 's Matthew Morrison, Lupe Fiasco, T-Pain, Jason Derülo, Far East Movement, New Boyz, Cobra Starship and newcomer Cody Simpson. Backstage, the media room went into a frenzy when Spears arrived in a red, geometric-print dress and a beaming smile. Owning her "femme fatale" moniker, Spears worked the carpet for a few moments while all of the cameras in the room were pointing at her. It was the second red carpet appearance by Brit this week, after her Beverly Hills benefit on Wednesday night for <a href="/news/articles/1663732/britney-spears-st-bernard-project.jhtml">the St. Bernard Project</a>. <a href="/photos/keha-britney-spears-selena-gomez-and-many-more-at-wango-tango-2011/1663910/6129255/photo.jhtml">Check out photos from Wango Tango 2011.</a> Spears' Femme Fatale collaborator <a href="/news/articles/1639312/justin-bieber-usher-ignite-crowd-at-kiis-fms-wango-tango.jhtml">Ke$ha, who was returning to the festival</a> for the second time, said that an onstage collab between to the two would have to require one thing. "That would have to include me finding her and attacking her," Ke$ha told MTV News, with the best intentions. "I'm planning on pouncing her." While that never happened, at least not onstage, Ke$ha delivered on her promise of a set heavy on her glitter gun. And she assured us she knew the dos and don'ts of handling that kind of firepower. "Do not spray yourself in the face with it," she said. "Do spray everybody else with it. That's pretty much it." While Joe Jonas wasn't performing at the show, he took a break from recording his solo debut to catch up with almost everyone backstage. "I didn't see Britney backstage, just said 'hello' to a couple of my friends," Jonas said. "Backstage is always [full of] people, especially having it at the Staples Center this time, I think compared to all the way out in the desert, it changes everything." Also happy to have Wango Tango in Los Angeles were locals Far East Movement. "Man, we grew up literally a few blocks away from here, and you can only imagine basketball games being played here," Kev Nish said. "So to come in here as performers, to be able to do our songs in this arena is a little crazy. We used to pass out CDs a few blocks [away], so we're very thankful. And the lineup is nuts, so we're extremely excited to be a part of this lineup." Were you at Wango Tango? Share your experience in the comments below!

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Hilary Duff Hilary Swank Isla Fisher

Britney Spears' Engagement Ring: How Does It Stack Up?

From Kim and Kris' monster-size rock to Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 18-carat mega-sparkler, we dish on the diamonds.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in Las Vegas. Inset: her Neil Lane enagement ring.
Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

After <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> confirmed her <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">engagement to longtime beau Jason Trawick</a> last Friday, fans wanted to know everything about the ring, a four-carat diamond designed by Neil Lane. Trawick — Brit's former agent — popped the question after working with famed jeweler Lane on the design, according to <a href="http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2011/12/18/jason-trawick-britney-spears-engagement-ring" target="_blank">People.com</a>. The site also reported that Trawick wanted a crown-like band. In addition to the mega-sparkler at the center of the tiara-style setting, the hubby-to-be also had 90 small round diamonds added around the band. Spears debuted the ring during a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend to celebrate her fiancé's birthday. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div> "Jason is a romantic and when I asked him to tell me about Britney and what the ring would represent to them so I could find inspiration, his response was always the same — she is his princess!" Lane told the website. "Jason didn't want an over-the-top ring with a giant stone." Minya Oh, the author of "Bling Bling: Hip Hop's Crown Jewels," told MTV News she was pleasantly surprised by how understated the rock is. "The ring is so damn classy! It's [four] carats, which by Hollywood standards these days is practically microscopic," Oh said. "The setting is a tiny crown but both that and the thin diamond-studded band are done so delicately, from afar the focus is still on that bright white center stone. Nothing about the ring overwhelms her hand, and nothing screams, 'Please believe my relationship is real!' " She added, "This is the kind of ring a pop icon has when they're ready for something that means more than just the ring." This is hardly Spears' first engagement ring, however. When her <a href="/news/articles/1676192/britney-spears-engaged-k-fed-comments.jhtml">ex Kevin Federline</a> popped the question back in 2004, the former back-up dancer gave the pop princess a five-carat diamond <a href="http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150527,00.html" target="_blank">ring</a>. All this talk about rocks got us thinking about some other celebrity proposals, so we decided to spotlight a few memorable engagement rings. <big>Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries</big> When it comes to size, Spears' ring from Trawick is small compared to <a href="/news/articles/1664525/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-engagement.jhtml">Kim Kardashian's monster-size rock</a>. When Kris Humphries popped the question earlier this year, he gave her a 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond. Of course, the size of the ring didn't guarantee lasting marital bliss: the couple <a href="/news/articles/1673465/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-divorce-statement.jhtml">split after 72 days</a> of marriage. <big> Beyoncé & Jay-Z</big> Like Humpdash, Jay-Z, who is expecting his first <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">child with wife Beyoncé</a>, also went the Lorraine Schwartz route. He gave his pop-star lady love an 18-carat ring back in 2007. The couple kept their wedding ceremony under wraps. <big>Kristin Cavallari & Jay Cutler</big> While it has been a bumpy engagement for former "Hills" star <a href="/news/articles/1675147/kristin-cavallari-jay-cutler-engaged-again.jhtml">Kristin Cavallari and her football player</a> fiancé Jay Cutler, the couple announced they were engaged again last month. Cutler opted to use the same 5.2-carat ring he'd given the MTV reality star back in April when he first decided to put a ring on it. <big> Hilary Duff & Mike Comrie </big> Before Mike Comrie asked <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/02/24/hilary-duffs-giant-engagement-ring-details-emerge">mama-to-be Hilary Duff</a> to be his blushing bride last year, he reportedly spent $1 million for the sparkler, said to be about 12 to 13 carats. <big>Katy Perry & Russell Brand</big> <a href="/news/articles/1629130/katy-perry-engaged-to-russell-brand-rep-confirms.jhtml">Russell Brand also gifted Katy Perry</a> with a ring of about 12 to 13 carats when he proposed last year to <a href="/news/articles/1676073/best-artists-of-2011-katy-perry.jhtml">MTV's 2011 Artist of the Year</a>. The comedian asked the pop star to marry him while the two were in India. The couple would later re-create that magic when they also married in the country in October 2010. Share your well-wishes for Britney and Jason in the comments!

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Photos | Family & Friends Say Goodbye To Michael Jackson

Family & Friends Say Goodbye To Michael Jackson

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/family-amp-friends-say-goodbye-to-michael-jackson/1620796/4232626/photo.jhtml

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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Justin Bieber's Top 18 Moments Kicks Off!

Oh, Baby! Before Bieber celebrates his 18th birthday on Thursday, we're counting down his best moments so far starting with #18 to #14.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber arrives at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: FilmMagic

As <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> gears up for his 18th birthday this week, we at MTV News decided we'd help our guy celebrate the milestone by looking back on 18 of his greatest moments so far. Whether he's dazzling us with killer performances, topping the box office and the Billboard charts or just dropping yet another memorable music video, the Biebs has kept us talking since he first rose to super fame way back in 2009. Of course, actually narrowing down all of those moments was no easy task. Our list had to include career successes as well as personal achievements, and the pop star has had no shortage of either. But we put our heads together for the Beliebers. We'll celebrate every day leading up to the final reveal on Justin's big day, Thursday, March 1. What will be the #1 moment? You'll have to keep it locked at MTVNews.com! <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:743868.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div> <big>18. The 2012 Oscars</big> No, "Never Say Never" wasn't nominated for an Oscar, but Justin still managed to snag a few headlines at this year's show. Bieber popped up in the show's <a href="/news/articles/1679954/oscars-2012-justin-bieber-opening.jhtml">opener with host Billy Crystal</a> in a sketch that paid homage to Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris." Dressed up in formal wear, Bieber shared what seemed to be longing glances with Crystal. The singer also showed his flair for comedy, giving more proof that he's a true triple threat. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:626820.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div> <big>17. Bieber's Love Life</big> Teen superstar <a href="/news/articles/1679812/oscar-couples-justin-bieber-selena-gomez.jhtml">Bieber dating Disney princess Selena Gomez</a> has sparked lots of headlines. Whether they're walking arm-in-arm down a red carpet or sharing some alone time at, yes, the <a href="/news/articles/1671535/justin-bieber-selena-gomez-staples-center-date.jhtml">Staples Center for a "Titanic"</a> screening, this twosome is pretty adorable. Selena has always been the mature one in this relationship — she turns 20 in July — so it might take some pressure off having Justin join in her adulthood. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:496216.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div> <big>16. Bieber's Bowling Party</big> Just as he was getting ready to drop his 2010 album My World 2.0, Nick Cannon <a href="/news/articles/1634559/justin-bieber-beats-nick-cannon-at-bowling-during-my-world-20-party.jhtml">challenged Justin to a bowling match</a>. MTV News was on hand at Lucky Strike in New York City as the Biebs tried to beat Cannon. Tons of adoring fans also showed up to cheer on the floppy-haired star. In the end, despite Nick's big pre-game talk, it was Bieber who won. And Beliebers can probably take credit for helping him to victory! <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:685409.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div> <big>15. Justin and his Johnson Hit 2011 VMAs</big> When <a href="/news/articles/1669881/vmas-justin-bieber-selena-gomez.jhtml">Bieber walked the VMA red carpet</a> last year, he brought along a very special date. No, not Selena, who was MTV's red-carpet co-host, but his pet snake, Johnson. (The metaphor was not lost on anyone.) Justin actually seemed to creep out his lady when he unveiled the creepy crawler, and we couldn't stop talking about it. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:667570.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div> <big>14. Someday Perfume Launch</big> Nobody launches a fragrance like Bieber: The Canadian singer took over Macy's Herald Square in NYC last June to debut his <a href="/news/articles/1666360/justin-bieber-someday-perfume.jhtml">first perfume, Someday</a>. The iconic department store was filled mostly with female fans hoping to get spritzed by the star, and we found out he cares a lot about how they smell. "I just think that what we decided to do — making the fragrance for females, not getting a cologne for males — I said it before and I'll say it again, I'm more concerned about how girls smell 'cause I'm a guy," Justin explained to MTV News. "And I know what smells good and I know what I like, so girls should know if [I like] it, then other guys are going to like it." Share your birthday wishes for Justin and weigh in on the top 18 moments on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mtvnews" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page! Stick with MTV News all week as we count down <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a>'s 18 greatest moments leading up to his 18th birthday. On Thursday, March 1 — the teen star's official big day — we will reveal the #1 greatest moment in his career so far. Plus, stay tuned for even more Bieber as we celebrate the milestone!

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http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1680092/justin-bieber-birthday-top-moments.jhtml

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Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: How Our Favorite Pop Stars Celebrated New Year's

MTV Buzzworthy Blog: How Our Favorite Pop Stars Celebrated New Year's

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PHOTOS: Bethenny Frankel Takes Her Daughter to the Pool

Bethenny Frankel and her daughter Bryn cool off in Miami Beach! Plus, see more photos of celebs spending time with their loved ones!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/star-snapshots-celebrity-kids-and-family-photos/1-b-84707?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Astar-snapshots-celebrity-kids-and-family-photos-84707

Eva Mendes Evangeline Lilly Eve

Ke$ha Calls Bob Dylan Cover 'An Emotional Purging'

Pop singer sings 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right' for Amnesty International anniversary album.
By Jocelyn Vena

Ke$ha
Photo: Getty Images

It's hard to associate <a href="/music/artist/_kesha_/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a> with songs about anything other than hot guys, body glitter and partying. But she's defying her usual topics of interest for human rights organization Amnesty International. The singer is one of the many musicians on the org's Chimes of Freedom compilation of Bob Dylan's music, out January 24. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720838" width="240" height="211"></div> When MTV News spoke with K-Dollar Sign last week about her <a href="/news/articles/1676172/kesha-sleazy-remix.jhtml">all-star remix of "Sleazy,"</a> she also opened up about switching gears vocally and emotionally for her version of Dylan's classic "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." "I mean, I think it's pretty well known that he's one of, if not my most, favorite artists of all time and ... one of the most amazing lyricists as well — the original storyteller," she explained. "So I love Bob Dylan and this was just, like, a dream. When they asked me to do a cover, I was just, like, salivating and going through all my records. It was so fun. It was the best homework assignment you could possibly have." K's version of Dylan's song is a slow-burning, heartbreaking ode to the already heartbreaking classic, where she channels Dylan through lyrics like "Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say/ To try and make me change my mind and stay/ We never did too much talkin' anyway/ So don't think twice, it's all right." <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:642810" width="240" height="211"></div> Ke$ha had originally intended to record another Dylan track, but when she heard that someone else had their sights set on it, she settled on "Don't Think Twice," prompting a catharsis she could never have imagined. "This song was kind of an accident. I sat down and this is the first take that I ever sang," she recalled. "I just sat down on my bed for the first time after months of being on tour and I just started crying, and it was kind of like an emotional purging, and you can hear it on the record." In addition to Ke$ha and her contribution, the album will feature 75 other Dylan classics recorded by nearly 80 artists including Adele, Miley Cyrus, "Glee" star Darren Criss, My Chemical Romance, Evan Rachel Wood and Sugarland. The album pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International.

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Source:
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Celebrity Birthdays of the Week: Feb. 27-March 4

From Jessica Biel to Justin Bieber, see what the stars born between Feb. 27-Mar. 4 can tell you about the sign of Pisces.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/celebrity-birthdays-february-27-march-4/1-b-430830?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Acelebrity-birthdays-february-27-march-4-430830

Beyoncé Bianca Kajlich

Monday, February 27, 2012

Simon Cowell Squashes Beyonce, Mariah Carey 'X Factor' Rumors

Judge also takes shot at 'The Voice,' asking, 'How many artists have they discovered?'
By John Mitchell

Simon Cowell
Photo: FOX

Simon Cowell is finally opening up about the cast shakeups on "The X Factor" as well as about rumors that two very famous divas are in talks to join Fox's reality singing competition. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:698604.id:1672066" width="240" height="211"></div> Late last month, it was announced that judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones had been <a href="/news/articles/1678191/paula-abdul-exits-x-factor.jhtml">fired from "X Factor"</a> and would be replaced in its second season. The announcement came as a shock to fans, but Cowell tells <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simon-cowell-x-factor-firings-voice-287806" target="_blank">"Extra"</a> in an interview airing Wednesday (February 8) that the decision was a long time coming and was ultimately made "at the beginning of the year — and we were told it had to happen straight away." While her dismissal came as a surprise, Cowell says Abdul "was very gracious" about it. "She understands it's business," Cowell said of his real-life friend. "It's never personal." Scherzinger, according to Cowell, was "disappointed" with the producers' decision to replace her. But the former Pussycat Doll insisted in a new <a href="http://www.accesshollywood.com/nicole-scherzinger-talks-x-factor-departure-i-have-no-regrets_article_60184" target="_blank">"Access Hollywood"</a> interview that she "had a wonderful experience on the show." "What happened? Well, all I know is that I gave 110 percent to that show," she said. "I know everybody's talking about it, they're saying good, bad, they love me or hate me, but the one thing you can't say is that I didn't give it my all." Cowell also used his time with "Extra" to squash rumors that Beyoncé or Mariah Carey might be joining the "X Factor" team when it returns to Fox later this year. He seemed particularly amused by <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/08/idUS114237084820120208" target="_blank">talk</a> that the show was offering Beyoncé a nine-figure contract to join the judges' table. "The budget for the show is $100 million. That would never ever happen. It's absolute nonsense," he told "Extra." "No one is going to pay $100 million for someone. I genuinely haven't had a conversation with her about it. Not at all." The same can be said for Carey, who Cowell said he likes very much and would be a fine addition to the show but is an impractical choice because of the long hours involved. "I adore her, love her," he said. "But you can't expect someone who has just had two kids [and] has a record career to make the kind of commitment we would need on this show." "X Factor" did not perform as strongly as expected in the ratings last fall, which many feel precipitated the planned revamp, though the ever-cool Cowell is not sweating the competition. In this latest interview, Cowell took on "The Voice," which returned to NBC after the Super Bowl and delivered big ratings, saying the makeup of his judging panel is what sets "X Factor" apart. "I would ask how many records have they made, how many artists have they discovered?" Cowell asked of "The Voice" mentors Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. "That's where we have to be different on the judging panel. It's very important that you have people on the panel that have actually signed and made artists successful all over the world, not just have made hit records yourself."

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Justin Bieber And Esperanza Spalding: One Year Since Their Grammy Showdown

MTV News looks at what the artists have been up to since Spalding beat out Bieber for Best New Artist at the 2011 Grammys.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber performs at the 2011 Grammy Awards
Photo: Lester Cohen/ WireImage

Last year, <a href="/news/articles/1657863/esperanza-spalding-best-new-artist.jhtml">Esperanza Spalding beat out</a> sure bets like Justin Bieber, Florence and the Machine and Drake when she won the Best New Artist prize at the 2011 <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys/">Grammy Awards</a>. The loss was particularly <a href="/news/articles/1657888/justin-bieber-esperanza-spalding.jhtml">hard on Bieber</a>, who spoke to MTV News shortly after the loss. "I had no clue what was going to happen; I worked really hard these past few years, and you know, I'm not going to lie — I was disappointed," <a href="/news/articles/1657878/justin-bieber-grammy-loss.jhtml">Bieber told MTV News</a> at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. "But, you know, I'm gonna come back [next year] and we'll take a few home. ... I'm inspired to work harder than I did last year. It's going to be hard, but I'm going to try." <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:622224.id:1657881" width="240" height="211"></div> <a href="/news/articles/1657892/esperanza-spalding-grammys-best-new-artist.jhtml">Spalding was nearly as floored</a> by the win as Bieber. "I really didn't think it was going to be me," she told MTV News backstage. "I was one of those [surprised] people. ... It was so unexpected, that's the truth. I'm grateful to all my people in my big musical family that have given me so much support and help over the years. I don't really think this is for me; it's for all of us. And I wish they could all be here to put one finger on this with me." In the 12 months since last year's Grammy show, <a href="/news/articles/1676395/justin-bieber-2011-news.jhtml">Bieber has been everywhere</a> and has certainly lived up to his promise to work hard. He's released new music as well as lots of splashy music videos, gone on an arena-filling world tour, dropped a box-office-busting 3-D concert film, hit the studio for his upcoming album Believe and kept teen girls screaming with an onslaught of various new hairstyles and photo ops. Spalding, on the other hand, has managed to fly under the radar in the time since she took home Grammy gold. However, this March she plans to get back on the scene and release her new album, Radio Music Society, her follow-up to Chamber Music Society, the 2010 album that helped bring national attention to her at the Grammys last year. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:622257.id:1657881" width="240" height="211"></div> "Originally I thought it would be fun to release a double album," she said in a statement about the soon-to-be released album. "One disc with an intimate, subtle exploration of chamber works and a second one in which jazz musicians explore song forms and melodies that are formatted more along the lines of what we would categorize as pop songs. Those are the two things that really interest me, and it intrigues me to think about different presentation approaches while writing each kind of song." As she sets out to celebrate the anniversary of her win, Spalding dropped a new track, "Black Gold," to radio, and earlier this month she premiered the video for it. She'll also hit the road for a tour that kicks off in April and wraps up in June. Interestingly enough, <a href="/news/articles/1678841/justin-bieber-drake-collab-believe.jhtml">Bieber is also set</a> to drop his new album later this year, for which he's enlisted Drake, will.i.am, Pharrell and Lil Wayne. Could it mean there will be another Bieber/Spalding showdown at the 2013 Grammy Awards? Only time will tell. Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our <a href="/news/articles/1678706/grammy-awards-red-carpet-live-stream.jhtml">Grammy red-carpet live stream</a> this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the <a href="http://style.mtv.com/category/awards-shows/">Grammy red-carpet fashion</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1678701/grammy-winners-list.jhtml">Grammy winners</a> and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

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'Silent House' Exclusive Photo: Two Weeks Of Horror Begins Now!

Is "Silent House" the scariest movie of 2012? That depends on you: perhaps your arm hairs are triggered by something unconventional, like arctic wolves or Katherine Heigl in a wedding dress. But we're going to guess that based on its unnerving visual style, "Silent House" will be the most singular horror film you see this [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/02/27/silent-house-exclusive-photo-elizabeth-olsen/

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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

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 <a href="/news/articles/1631297/mary-j-blige-records-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven.jhtml">Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven,"</a> 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. <div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float:left;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:491065" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D491065" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div> 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.

Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee

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

Photo: MTV News

Elisha Cuthbert Eliza Dushku

Sunday, February 26, 2012

'The Artist' Earns Michel Hazanavicius Best Director Oscar

'I am the happiest director in the world right now,' he says onstage at the 2012 Academy Awards.
By Tami Katzoff

Michel Hazanavicius wins at the 84th Annual Academy Awards
Photo: Robyn Beck/ AFP/ Getty Images

First-time Academy Award nominee Michel Hazanavicius began his Best Director acceptance speech Sunday night (February 26) with three somewhat incredulous words: "I have an Oscar!" Indeed, Hazanavicius beat out four of Hollywood's most experienced and respected filmmakers to win the award for directing "The Artist."

"I am the happiest director in the world right now," he said.

Included in a total of 10 Oscar nominations for "The Artist" were two more for Hazanavicius (for Original Screenplay and Editing), a Best Actor nomination for (winner) Jean Dujardin, a Best Supporting Actress nomination for Bérénice Bejo (Hazanavicius' wife), a nomination for Best Original Score (won by Ludovic Bource) and a Best Picture nomination (won by producer Thomas Langmann). All this for a little black-and-white French film with almost no dialogue.

In the film, Dujardin plays George Valentin, a fading silent-film star unwilling to embrace the changes occurring in Hollywood during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Bejo plays Peppy Miller, whose star is on the rise. "The Artist" also stars John Goodman, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller and Uggie the dog, whom Hazanavicius did not fail to thank in his speech.

"The Artist" has been racking up awards since it charmed audiences and judges at the Cannes Film Festival last year. Hazanavicius had already won a BAFTA, a DGA Award and an Independent Spirit Award leading up to Oscar night.

Hazanavicius bested Alexander Payne ("The Descendants"), Martin Scorsese ("Hugo"), Woody Allen ("Midnight in Paris") and Terrence Malick ("The Tree of Life") to win his Oscar for directing. "Sometimes life is wonderful," he said during his speech, "and today is one of these days."

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night's big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

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Reader Reviews

The movie tie-in edition of "20 Times a Lady"—now called "What's Your Number?"—is now available wherever fine books are sold!

To celebrate its publication, a few of my favorite readers came up with these great reviews...

"What's Your Number? is like Harry Potter minus the wizards, wands, and Lord Voldemort." —Michelle Bell

"‎What's Your Number? is like Gone With the Wind except with less hoop skirts and poverty and more beaus..." —Karen Meyer

‎"What's Your Number? is like To Kill a Mockingbird without all the racism and children." —Julie Stone

Thanks ladies!

Please add your review in the comments!

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/9/7/reader-reviews.html

Jaime King Jaime Pressly Jamie Chung

'Dark Shadows' Trailer: Where Is It, Tim Burton?

With just 77 days until the film's release, we're still waiting for even a taste of the campy Johnny Depp feature.
By John Mitchell

Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer in "Dark Shadows"
Photo: Warner Bros.

Today is February 24. Tim Burton's anticipated summer blockbuster adaptation of the vampire soap opera "Dark Shadows" is set to hit theaters on May 11. There are 77 days between now and the release of the film. And we still don't have a trailer — not even a teaser.

Special-effects-heavy blockbusters opening much later in the summer, including July's "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "The Dark Knight Rises," have already debuted multiple trailers to satisfy the bloodlust of fans hungry for just a taste of the movies they are counting down the days for. But we "Shadows" devotees have been kept waiting in the dark too long, not unlike Barnabas (Johnny Depp) locked up in a coffin and hidden away in the Collins family mausoleum.

But lo, what's that in the distance I hear? Buzz that consumer surveying of two potential trailers, a shorter teaser and longer full trailer, took place earlier this week. To be fair to all involved, by "buzz" we really mean "Internet gossip," but it's pretty much in line with what we've been able to pull together about the film from interviews with Burton and Helena Bonham Carter from late last year — namely that the director is injecting the film with an undercurrent of dark comedy.

The GIF warriors over at Oh No They Didn't got word on Tuesday from a variety of tipsters that testing on varied trailers was underway. And the buzz is ... good? We've long been hopeful that the film would be "vintage Burton." By that we mean dark, weird and kind of funny, and from what the ONTD tipsters are saying, that's exactly what we may be getting. At his best, the director was capable of a balancing act few others would dare attempt. He made us care about a very odd man who had scissors for hands, after all, and laugh at the strange and colorful suburban world around him.

Much of the comedy in the film appears to stem from Barnabas' trouble acclimating to the modern world (well, 1972) when he is aroused from his centuries-long slumber by Willie Loomis (Jackie Earle Haley). According to tipster Ross2287, Depp's delivery is spot on when he hears a car for the first time and calls out, "Show yourself Satan!" Later, during a fight with Eva Green's evil witch Angelique, Depp earned laughs from the audience when he requested she "strategically place your wonderful lips upon my posterior and kiss it repeatedly."

More choice one-liners arise when Barnabas is introduced to his descendants. Based on these accounts of the alleged in-the-works trailers, it's looking like the always lovable Chloe Moretz (who plays Caroline Collins) may well be a scene stealer. When Depp's Barnabas is introduced to her and finds out she is 15, he can't help but warn, "And no husband? You must put those birthing hips to good use at once lest your womb shrivel up and die."

Later, in what is said to be the full-length trailer, Depp sees television for the first time and is astounded, asking, "What sorcery is this?" before he rips the back panel off and yells, "Reveal yourself, tiny songstress!" Moretz then looks to her 200-year-old vampire cousin and says, "Are you stoned or something?"

Is any of this even true? Looks like we'll have to wait and see, though we decided to run with it because it's all we have. Do you hear that, Tim Burton? It's all we have. When it comes to this trailer, we can't help but repeat one of Depp's lines from the alleged mystery trailer: "Show yourself!"

Do you think the ONTD tipsters have it right? Is Tim Burton readying a dark comedy with his "Dark Shadows" adaptation? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @JohnMitchell83 with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!

Check out everything we've got on "Dark Shadows."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679911/dark-shadows-trailer-tim-burton.jhtml

Amanda Righetti Amanda Swisten Amber Arbucci

Britney Spears - Circus

Circus

Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive
Director:

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=322811

Genelle Frenoy Georgianna Robertson Georgina Grenville

Jon Hamm Asks Jennifer Aniston And Paul Rudd How They 'Do It'

"How do you do it? How do you do it?" That is the one question Jon Hamm had for "Wanderlust" stars Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd during Wednesday's MTV First. But the real question is what exactly did Hamm -- who had recorded the question in a video while he was in London to present [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/02/24/jon-hamm-jennifer-aniston-paul-rudd-wanderlust/

Jamie Gunns Jamie Lynn Sigler

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Beyonce's Baby, Britney's Betrothal And More: 2012 Predictions

We forecast the year that will be for your favorite stars, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery

Beyonce on the 2011 VMA black carpet
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Welcome to 2012, the year that will either bring us <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon" target="_blank">the end of civilization</a> as we know it or perhaps flying cars (finally!) Of course, between those two events, there's also going to be a presidential election, the London Olympics and that last "Twilight" movie (finally x 100!), not to mention a whole lot of activity within the lives of your favorite stars, too: Babies, weddings, honorary doctorates in nanotechnology; this is the year it'll all happen. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:722495.id:1672369" width="240" height="211"></div> Which is why, with the new year upon us, I've decided to get my <a href="http://www.amazingkreskin.com/" target="_blank">Kreskin</a> on with these predictions for 2012. Don't ask me to gaze deep into my crystal ball and try to foresee who'll win the White House or the World Series, because, seriously, if I knew that, don't you think I'd be wagering right now? Instead, I'm tackling the important topics. Here's my 2012 forecast for the Beyoncés and Britneys of the world ... partly cloudy, with a zero-percent chance of accuracy. » <a href="/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> and <a href="/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a> will welcome a daughter, who, upon her, uh, release, will also release her debut single, "Run the World (Me)." » <a href="/music/artist/adele/artist.jhtml">Adele</a> will win every single Grammy, including a stunning upset of Eres Un Farsante in the Best Regional Mexican Or Tejano Album category. » <a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> and Jason Trawick will tie the knot in an elaborate, multi-denominational ceremony held — eh, I don't even care enough to finish this one. » <a href="/music/artist/perry_katy/artist.jhtml">Katy Perry</a>, having finally run out of singles to release off Teenage Dream, will spend the entirety of 2012 shooting videos for objects around her house. Her hits will include "Toaster," "KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer" and "This Towel Set Someone Gave Russell and I for Our Wedding That We Keep in the Guest Bathroom." » <a href="/music/artist/dr_dre/artist.jhtml">Dr. Dre</a> will indefinitely scrap Detox and instead drop a more age-appropriate album called The Chronic Arthritis. » <a href="/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> will wear a crazy hat or something. » <a href="/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a> will release six albums in 2012, each more raunchy than the last. Titles include Speculum, [Censored] [Censored] On My [Censored], and Songs About F---ing, which, oddly, will be a note-for-note remake of Big Black's Songs About F---ing. » Dave Grohl is sure to do something awesome. » <a href="/music/artist/drake/artist.jhtml">Drake</a>'s sweater game will become so advanced that he will surpass Bill Cosby as the world's foremost expert on multi-hued knitwear. On a related note, he will also release a comedy album called To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With. » <a href="/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a> will stun the fashionistas when she appears at the annual Met Ball wearing a nice pantsuit she bought at Bealls. » <a href="/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> will finally get that bike without the training wheels, since he's a big boy now. » <a href="/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">The Black Keys</a>, buoyed by the success of their <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-black-keys/706819/lonely-boy.jhtml">"Lonely Boy" video</a>, will shoot another dance-only clip for "Gold on the Ceiling," this one set at Gallagher's 2000 and featuring nothing but topless women. Surprisingly, it will become the most-viewed music video in the history of everything. » <a href="/music/artist/lil_wayne/artist.jhtml">Lil Wayne</a> will come full circle, get a tattoo of his face on his face. » <a href="/music/artist/guns_n_roses/artist.jhtml">Guns N' Roses</a> will reunite at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in April, only with that dude who plays a guitar shaped like a foot filling in for Slash and Tommy Stinson replacing Duff on bass. So, actually, it won't be Guns N' Roses at all. » <a href="/music/artist/coldplay/artist.jhtml">Coldplay</a>'s Chris Martin is just going to be fingerpainting everything. » <a href="/music/artist/ross__rick__rap_/artist.jhtml">Rick Ross</a> will be named the Memphis Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year for his tremendous achievements in <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/05/rick-ross-wingstop">Wingstop-ery.</a> » <a href="/music/artist/west_kanye/artist.jhtml">Kanye West</a> will literally explode. » Fans of <a href="/music/artist/skrillex/artist.jhtml">Skrillex</a> will stop and realize that, in 1997, EDM was poised take over America too, and we ended up with Limp Bizkit as a result.

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Justin Bieber 'Too Humble' To Give The Wanted Advice

U.K. boy band wrapped their first-ever U.S. tour Wednesday night in L.A.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber
Photo: Getty Images

<a href="/news/articles/1677891/the-wanted-band-american-tour.jhtml">The Wanted landed on U.S. shores</a> last month for their first-ever tour here in America, and what ensued was Beatlemania-like fandom. On Wednesday night, the U.K. boy band wrapped up the trek in L.A., and fans (including the Beckham family) came out in full force when they took the stage at the El Rey. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:732653" width="240" height="211"></div> The five Brits couldn't believe the enthusiasm felt by the crowd, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/thewantedmusic" target="_blank">tweeting</a> that the excitement for them was "unbelievable." Even though the tour is over, the interest in the guys has hardly waned. Their song "Glad You Came" (from their 2011 album Battleground) will be <a href="/news/articles/1678650/glee-the-wanted-glad-you-came.jhtml">featured on "Glee"</a> this season and continues to climb the charts and gain radio play. The guys are prepared for all the attention: Touring with Justin Bieber has shown them what it's like to become an international pop sensation. So what kind of advice has the Biebs given them? "I think he's too humble for that, in that way. ... He's not someone that really gives advice, because I think he just appreciates what happens to him rather than thinks he's God," Max George told MTV News. "And so, I mean, we don't really talk music. When we speak to him, it's more we talk about football or basketball." Bandmate Jay McGuiness added: "I think he knows that we know how to do what we want to do in the same way that we could never tell him how to do what he does, 'cause he does it a lot better than we ever could." The Wanted will head back home to their native U.K. to kick off an arena tour that will run through March. They are also up for Best British Single at the Brit Awards this month for "Glad." Have you been following the Wanted's burgeoning career? Let us know in the comments!

Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi Ali Larter

Oscars Red Carpet: Who Should Show Up In Character?

Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Dictator' stunt has us wishing we could see Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Johnny Depp in costume.
By Gil Kaufman

Johnny Depp in "Dark Shadows"
Photo: Warner Bros

"The Dictator" has spoken. After a flap erupted over Sacha Baron Cohen's plans to walk the red carpet at Sunday's Oscars in the character of Admiral Gen. Shabazz Aladeen, the leader of the fictional Republic of Wadiya, the comedian responded by issuing a stern warning to the "Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Zionists."

And while the fake war of words is all in good fun (and publicity), it got us thinking: What if some of Hollywood's other biggest stars decided to ride Cohen's medal-bedecked coattails and use movie's biggest night to drum up a bit of hype for their projects?

And so, we give you our wish list of other characters we hope to see come to life once the flashbulbs start popping on Sunday afternoon.

Brad Pitt: We haven't seen any glimpses of what the "Moneyball" star looks like in his potentially franchise-spawning zombie flick "World War Z," but how refreshing would it be to see Hollywood's prettiest face (sorry Angelina, we meant second prettiest) take a stroll with his best gal with flesh dripping off his mug?

Jonah Hill: Speaking of Pitt, his "Moneyball" co-star Hill could leave the tux at home and totally break convention by donning a white T-shirt, fake braces, bleach-blond wig, backpack and baggy jeans to promote his upcoming upcoming turn in "21 Jump Street." Or he could just wear that short-shorts cop getup. Hot!

Angelina Jolie: As long as Brad's doing it, Angie might as well get her evil princess "Maleficent" on. Or better yet, get the buzz machine going again for that by donning full regalia and being carried in by a procession of armor-wearing footmen.

Johnny Depp: We're not saying the cowboy suit and mask from "The Lone Ranger" wouldn't be amazing, but can you imagine the long fingernails, pasty makeup and badass green trench coat/ purple fedora look from "Dark Shadows"?

Lindsay Lohan: She turns heads either way, but Lohan emerging from a limo dressed as Oscar royalty Elizabeth Taylor would slay.

Owen Wilson: Nothing could get the buzz going for the long-rumored "Zoolander 2" reboot than "Midnight in Paris" star Wilson slipping into the Hansel duds and Ben Stiller pulling out some Blue Steel as his date.

And it's not just upcoming movies that these actors could use as hooks to play dress-up. Since many of them get back-end and maybe even DVD cash, why not toss in one more plug for the current movies as well? That might result in famed motion-capture star Andy Serkis putting on the mo-cap suit from "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," Rooney Mara spiking up her hair and slipping into something bondage-y to reprise her "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" character Lisbeth Salander or the cast of "Bridesmaids" taking one more trip down the aisle in those awful pink dresses.

Hell, George Clooney is notorious for pranks, so if he appeared in flip-flops, baggy chinos and a Hawaiian shirt to give a plug to "The Descendants," nobody would bat an eyelash. And can you imagine the cast of "The Artist" painting themselves up in all monochromatic black and white to throw off the HD cameras? Classic.

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Stick with us for everything you need to know leading up to the awards show, and on Sunday, February 26, tune into MTV.com at 5 p.m. ET for our two-and-a-half-hour red-carpet live stream and updates on the night's big winners. To join the live conversation, tweet @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679840/oscars-2012-red-carpet-costumes.jhtml

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Friday, February 24, 2012

Shirley MacLaine Dishes About Joining 'Downton Abbey'

Shirley MacLaine is adding a bit of American aristocracy to the third season of Downtown Abbey, and the legendary actress is already sending dispatches about her experience via Twitter.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/shirley-maclaine-joining-downton-abbey-cast/1-a-431506?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Ashirley-maclaine-joining-downton-abbey-cast-431506

Chyler Leigh Ciara Cindy Crawford

Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: The Most WTF Photos From EMA 2011

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Dita Von Teese Dominique Swain Donna Feldman

MTV Movies Is Hiring!

Are you longing for "The Hunger Games" to begin? Have you already planned your "Unexpected Journey" with "The Hobbit" this winter? Can you understand a single thing that Bane says in the "Dark Knight Rises" trailer? If so, we just might be looking for you! MTV Movies is looking for an editorial assistant with an [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/02/24/mtv-movies-is-hiring/

Heidi Klum Heidi Montag Hilarie Burton