Thursday, September 30, 2010
Ke$ha: VMA Noms Are 'Blowing My Mind'
'I'm getting more and more nervous,' 'Tik Tok' singer says of finding out whether she'll take home a Moonman.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Jayson Rodriguez
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
Ke$ha is ready to storm the VMAs on Sunday to see if she can turn any of her three nominations into Moonmen. The "Tik Tok" singer — who is up for Best Female Video, Best New Artist and Best Pop Video — is not only feeling some pre-show jitters, she's still floored by the fact that she's up for any awards at all.
"I'm getting more and more nervous," she told MTV News on Saturday in Los Angeles, where she performed at the 2010 MTV VMA Concert to Benefit Lifebeat. "To be nominated at all has been just crazy. It's still kind of blowing my mind."
And there's a bit of fear in there as well. "I'm a little terrified about it still," she continued. "It's amazing really to be recognized for things I've written, really just being honest. And now I'm being nominated for three VMAs for that."
While she faces stiff competition across the board, she admits that her toughest rival might be Justin Bieber, who's also nominated for Best New Artist. "It's gonna be hard taking the Biebs down," she explained. "It's gonna be hard, but my fans — we can do it!"
Ke$ha may have a wild rep, but she only has nice things to say about the ladies she's facing in the Best Female Video category. "Gaga and Beyoncé and Taylor Swift — everybody in there I respect, so it's kind of like I have no disses to throw," she said. "That's a tough category."
Tune in tonight for the 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards, broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles! The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET/PT. You can still vote for Best New Artist at VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if you're a Verizon subscriber).
Related Videos Related Photos- VMA 2010: Rehearsals
- Behind The Scenes At The 2010 VMAs
- 2010 Video Music Awards Performers And Presenters
Veronica Kay Veronika Vaeková Victoria Beckham Victoria Pratt
More Shady Producers Claim That They Want To Cast Lindsanity!
We're calling bullshit on this one!
Despite Lindsanity blowing any chance at getting her career back and being completely un-hirable, some 'producer' named Nathan Folks claims that he's interested in casting the hard-pAArtying wacktress as a Salt-esque former CIA agent in a new project, called Escaping the Game.
He claims:
?From the title alone you can only imagine [...]
Despite Lindsanity blowing any chance at getting her career back and being completely un-hirable, some 'producer' named Nathan Folks claims that he's interested in casting the hard-pAArtying wacktress as a Salt-esque former CIA agent in a new project, called Escaping the Game.
He claims:
?From the title alone you can only imagine [...]
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Britney Spears Is 'Magical' On 'Glee,' Stars Say
'It's going to be Spearstacular,' says Heather Morris.
By Jocelyn Vena
Heather Morris and Britney Spears on the set of "Glee"
Photo: Facebook
Britney Spears' long-anticipated "Glee" episode debuts on Tuesday night (September 28). And the cast of the Fox hit promises that the show will live up to its high expectations.
"People that love this show or even like this show, they're going to love this episode," John Stamos teased in an interview posted online. "I don't feel like Britney stole my thunder ... maybe a little. Well, it's her show. [The episode is] called 'Britney/Brittany.' "
Stamos plays a key role in the episode. His character, Dr. Carl Howell, gives Brittany (Heather Morris) and Santana (Naya Rivera) the anesthesia that prompts their trippy ride through the singer's hit-filled catalog. Morris noted that Britney and Brittany will also throw down on the dance floor: "They're going to dance together," she said of her character and the pop star.
"When I was younger she was, like, my idol," Morris continued. " '[I'm a] Slave [4 U]' is, like, the best video ever. I am, like, literally an inch away from Britney Spears, who I used to watch on television and, like, learn dance moves to. ... It's going to be Spearstacular."
Like Morris, Rivera has warm memories of growing up a Spears fan. "I love Britney Spears. I mean, who doesn't? We all grew up with her," she said. "The first music purchase I ever made was ' ... Baby One More Time' on cassette. [It was like], Britney Spears is going to be in my mitts, what do I do? [And I was like], 'Hi Britney!' And then she was like, 'Hey!' She was awesome and beautiful. She was, like, magical."
Corey Monteith teased that his performance will be worth watching. "I am very excited about performing the 'Toxic' number. It's going to be very cool," he dished. "It's going to be an interpretation of the song you would not see coming."
The cast will also cover Spears classics like "Stronger" and "Me Against the Music."
Which song are you most looking forward to on the Britney episode? Let us know in the comments!
Related ArtistsBeyonce Could Release New Single In Next Few Weeks
'Listening to New B record Dream wrote ... Y'all C in 3 weeks!' producer Los Da Mystro tweeted Wednesday.
By Jocelyn Vena
Beyoncé
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images
Fans are slowly but surely getting more and more details about Beyoncé's next album. And the latest word is that the singer could release her first single from the album within the next three weeks. While the name of the song is still unknown, it appears that Lady B is well on her way to releasing new music off her follow-up disc to 2008's I Am ... Sasha Fierce.
"Listening to New B record Dream wrote ... F---INg INSANE! WOw!! She About to Kill the game again! Had to Listen again!! Y'all C in 3 weeks!" producer Los Da Mystro, a frequent collaborator of The-Dream, who worked with Tricky Stewart on Beyoncé's hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," tweeted. "Thats what they sayn now.. But it is the music Business. could b sooner r lata."
MTV News hadn't received comment by Beyoncé's label by press time.
However, the producers and songwriters she's been working with on the album have been dropping hints about what fans might expect on Beyoncé's fourth studio album. So far Ne-Yo, Jim Jonsin and Sean Garrett have all opened up about penning tracks for the album. And with the tweet from Los Da Mystro, it's evident that she's once again working with The-Dream and Stewart.
B's last album spawned the hits "Single Ladies," "If I Were a Boy," her Gaga-collabo "Video Phone" and "Halo." And while it is unknown what direction this next album will take, Ne-Yo has pointed out that Beyoncé has an "agenda" all her own.
"She's an artist that knows exactly what she wants to do," he told MTV News. "She's going to give you directions [like], 'Here's where I'm going, so here's where I need you to be.' And, you know, I'm a person that follows direction well. [And she'll be like], 'So this is the sound, this is the vibe; make it happen.' And I write and she likes it or she doesn't. And in this case she did, and there you have it."
Since she killed off her alter-ego Sasha Fierce for her next album, this record will be all Beyoncé. Producer Jim Jonsin recently noted that while he wants to go even more '80s than the pair did on "Sweet Dreams," he's also looking to try out some other genres with the singer. "Even some sexy mid-tempos, see if she likes that and I'll try that too," Jonsin said.
Whatever the album ends up sounding like, Garrett promised that it won't be a rehash of previous material. He explained, "We're working on some really incredible music. We're going to stretch a little bit — take it to a whole new level, if Beyoncé can go to a whole new level. ... It's going to be her biggest album ever. We're going to take it to a whole other level."
Related ArtistsLeonardo DiCaprio Calls Gloria Stuart 'A Force'
Actor says he was 'honored' to have worked with the late actress on 'Titanic.'
By Jocelyn Vena
Leonardo DiCaprio
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Although they never actually appeared onscreen together in "Titanic," Leonardo DiCaprio has fond memories of Gloria Stuart, his co-star from the 1997 blockbuster who passed away at age 100 over the weekend.
"Gloria Stuart was a force both on and off screen," the actor said in a statement about the actress, who was diagnosed with lung cancer five years ago and died in her home in Los Angeles. "An amazingly sweet person, a fantastic actress, and someone who always fought for what she believed in."
DiCaprio added that he felt privileged to have worked with Stuart, who began her career in the 1930s. "She was one of the last great actresses from the Golden era of Hollywood," he continued. "I was honored to have worked alongside her. She will be missed."
In the '30s, Stuart was under contract with Universal and 20th Century Fox and acted alongside big names of the time like Claude Rains, James Cagney and Shirley Temple. But in 1939 her contract with 20th Century Fox was not renewed, and she spent a few years struggling to find work before retiring from film in 1946.
Cameron resurrected Stuart's career in 1997 when he cast her as the elder version of Kate Winslet's character Rose Calvert in "Titanic." Stuart nabbed a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod for the role; she was 87 at the time, making her the oldest actress to receive an Academy Award nomination. Though "Titanic" won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture, Stuart lost out to "L.A. Confidential" star Kim Basinger. Stuart's "Titanic" scene was later immortalized by Britney Spears in her hit song, "Oops ... I Did It Again."
Stuart was born on July 4, 1910, in Santa Monica, California. She is survived by a daughter, four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. "When I graduated from Santa Monica High in 1927, I was voted the girl most likely to succeed," she wrote in her 1999 memoir, according to The Washington Post. "I didn't realize it would take so long."
Judas Priest Frontman Avoids Killing Producer On Halford IV
Rob Halford recalls how a medical emergency turned into comedy while recording Made of Metal.
By Jon Wiederhorn
Rob Halford
Photo: Angela Weiss/ Getty Images
Last spring, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford was in the studio working on material for his new album Halford IV — Made of Metal (in stores this week) when things almost went very wrong.
Halford had noticed his guitarist, co-writer and producer Roy Z was chugging coffee like Gatorade to stay awake after a late night. "Two hours later, we're working on a track and he turns to me and goes, 'Whoa, I have to stop and take a break. My heart's racing. I'm really freaking out here,' " Halford recalled.
Fearing he was having a heart attack, Roy called 911 and an ambulance screeched into the studio parking lot, lights flashing.
"They took Roy out of the room and I sat alone in there for a little bit," Halford said. "Then this paramedic comes in and says, 'We want to take Roy to the hospital just to check him out and put him on an EKG.' "
In such instances, medical professionals are usually in a hurry. However, before taking the producer to the hospital, the EMT turned to Halford and said, "Hang on, you're the Metal God!" Then, he left the room and returned with a half-dozen other paramedics.
"They took pictures I signed autographs while Roy was just waiting," Halford said. "Then when they were done, they rolled Roy away and I'm just sitting there thinking, 'God, I can't believe this. My producer's going to die on me.' "
The experience inspired Halford to write the song "Heartless," a reflective, stomping love song with a rousing chorus.
Other than the pre-"Heartless" incident, the creation of Made in Metal was pretty free of drama. Moreover, it was one of the easiest and most enjoyable albums Halford has worked on in years. The singer decided to start working on the follow-up to last year's Christmas album, Halford III: Winter Songs after Judas Priest got off the road and began a year-long hiatus. But the real jumpstart came when the Halford band was invited to play on the 2010 Ozzfest.
"I thought, 'Oh, God, wouldn't it be great if the Halford band could get together and play some brand new material?' " he said. "It's kind of like buying a new pair of shoes. You want to get out and go, 'Hey, check these out.' It's the same with the music. I was excited about showing off some new songs on the tour."
Seven of the albums 14 tracks were entirely written by Halford, the first time he has taken the musical reins on a project since the 1993 Fight album War of Words.
"As a musician, you can't control these things when they happen to you," Halford explained. "The ideas just take over your body and it can be pretty scary. You've got to get them down quickly. It feels like there's a spark you have to grab, like lightning in a bottle, and if you don't get it down, there's a chance it's going to escape. So, for two weeks, these things kept flooding through my brain. And then suddenly, they stopped and that's when I got together with Roy, [guitarist] Metal Mike Chlasciak, [bassist] Mike Davis, and [drummer] Bobby Jarzombek and came up with the other songs."
Like many of Judas Priest's best tunes, Made of Metal is raw and immediate, simple in structure, but crafty in design. "For me, music has always been about riffs and melody," Halford said. "These songs — bang! — they get right into your head and they sink in right away. It's like 'She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah.' That's the type of music I was brought up on as a kid. This is just a little bit louder."
Related ArtistsTuesday, September 28, 2010
Britney Spears Sued For Sexual Harassment
Former bodyguard says pop singer 'made repeated unwanted sexual advances' toward him.
By Kyle Anderson
Britney Spears
Photo: Chris Polk/FilmMagic
Britney Spears is no stranger to dressing provocatively and using sexuality to her advantage, but it's possible that doing so has gotten her into some hot water. On Wednesday (September 8), a former bodyguard of Spears' filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the singer, claiming she repeatedly made unwanted sexual advances toward him.
The bodyguard in question, Fernando Flores, was hired by Spears in February 2010 to work at her home in Calabasas, California. According to the suit (which was posted to TMZ), Flores claims Spears "made repeated unwanted sexual advances, summoning Plaintiff to her room at her residence for no other purpose or reason than to expose her naked or near naked body to Plaintiff."
The suit also accuses Spears of engaging in "numerous sexual acts in front of Plaintiff, including but not limited to having sexual intercourse" and also says he was regularly mocked whenever he complained about the singer's actions.
Perhaps the most damning material in the suit accuses Spears of child abuse. Flores alleges that Spears had sex and engaged in violent arguments in front of her two young children, both of whom were often watched by Flores. The suit wraps up with a description of an incident wherein Spears berated Flores because a drink she wanted at a movie theater was not available.
Though a dollar amount isn't named in the suit, Flores is seeking damages based around the sexual harassment incidents and for "intentional infliction of emotional distress."
According to Billboard, Spears' lawyer declined to comment on the lawsuit. Sources told TMZ that Flores' previous accusations of child abuse (including an incident where Spears allegedly whipped one of her sons with a belt) were declared without merit by the Department of Children and Family Services.
Related Photos Related Artists
Absolute Favorite Celebrity Actor
One thing about my absolute favorite actor, Harrison Ford, is that he acted in two of my favorite movies series:
Star Wars
Indiana Jones
Of course he acted in a bunch of others, but those are two of my favorites of his. I do believe he got his start acting in movies in American Graffiti, back in the 70s.
Amazing that he still could do the latest Indiana Jones movie just a few years ago.
Star Wars
Indiana Jones
Of course he acted in a bunch of others, but those are two of my favorites of his. I do believe he got his start acting in movies in American Graffiti, back in the 70s.
Amazing that he still could do the latest Indiana Jones movie just a few years ago.
Lady Gaga, Eminem Top VMA Nominations
The pop queen vies for a record 13 nods at the show, airing September 12.
By Jocelyn Vena
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards will feature yet another epic battle: Lady Gaga leading the nominations, with 13, followed close behind by Eminem, who has eight nods. And on September 12 at at 9 p.m ET, the pop diva and the Detroit MC will go head to head for the coveted Video of the Year Moonman.
Gaga will certainly be a dominant presence at the show, thanks to her nods in categories like Best Pop Video, Best Female Video and Best Dance Music Video for "Bad Romance." Gaga is the first female artist to be nominated for Video of the Year twice, for "Bad Romance," as well as her collaboration with Beyoncé, "Telephone."
"I'm so honored for all the little monsters and self-professed freaks of the universe, to have more VMA nominations in a single year than any artist in MTV history. Ironically, I'm even more proud it's an unlucky number: 13," Lady Gaga said. "A long time ago, the world told me and my little monsters we would never be heard. Together we changed the rules. God put me on Earth for three reasons: to make loud music, gay videos and cause a damn raucous. Thank you, MTV!"
Eminem, whose "Not Afraid" video is up for Video of the Year, will try to fend off his competition in categories like Best Male Video and Best Hip-Hop Video. Plus, he's nominated alongside Drake in Best Hip-Hop Video for his contribution to the MC's cameo-filled "Forever."
"Apparently, MTV doesn't care that I have two massive stadium shows on the other side of the country the day after the VMAs. F me, right?!?!" Eminem joked. "I mean, I'll be there, but don't expect me to be nice about it."
Also nominated for Video of the Year are Florence and the Machine ("Dog Days Are Over"), 30 Seconds to Mars ("Kings and Queens") and B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams ("Airplanes").
Katy Perry's ode to her home state "California Gurls," featuring Snoop Dogg, is up for Best Female Video, along with Ke$ha's "Tik Tok"; "Video Phone" with Gaga and Beyoncé; Taylor Swift's "Fifteen" and Gaga's "Bad Romance."
In Best Male Video, Usher's epic "OMG" lands a nod, as well as Jason Derulo's "In My Head," Drake's "Find Your Love," Em's "Not Afraid" and B.o.B's "Airplanes."
Many of the pop world's recent favorites will face off in the Best New Artist category. Justin Bieber ("Baby"), Ke$ha ("Tik Tok"), Jason Derulo ("In My Head"), Nicki Minaj (for her Sean Garrett collabo "Massive Attack") and indie supergroup Broken Bells ("The Ghost Inside") will see who can dominate as this year's reigning newbie.
Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for the winners in general categories, including Best New Artist, from Tuesday (August 3) through September 12.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsPortia de Rossi Rachael Leigh Cook Rachel Bilson Rachel Blanchard
Selenita Can't Stop Talking About Chezza!
So cute!
Selena Gomez has made her admiration for Cheryl Tweedy no secret, and once again opened up about how big a fan she is of the UK pop star!
She says:
"I have listened to Girls Aloud but I fell in love through Cheryl, her music and her solo album [3 Words]. When I came [...]
Selena Gomez has made her admiration for Cheryl Tweedy no secret, and once again opened up about how big a fan she is of the UK pop star!
She says:
"I have listened to Girls Aloud but I fell in love through Cheryl, her music and her solo album [3 Words]. When I came [...]
New Led Zeppelin On The Way? Jason Bonham Hints At 'Jam' Sessions With Jimmy Page -- But Not Robert Plant
Drummer admits he doesn't know what will come of 'new material.'
By Chris Harris
Jason Bonham
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images
On Friday morning, mere hours before he was due to take the stage with classic rockers Foreigner at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center, drummer Jason Bonham — the son of late Led Zeppelin kitman John Bonham — told Jim Johnson and Lynne Woodison of local rock station 94.7 WCSX that he'd be an ex-member of Foreigner as of September 1. But that's not the only thing he said.
Much to the delight of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere, Bonham revealed that he's been meeting up with Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones in recent months and that they've been "trying to do some new material and writing."
It was the first time since Led Zeppelin announced they would re-form for a single performance (which happened late last year at London's O2 Arena, in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegün, who signed the band to Atlantic Records in 1969) that anyone connected to the band has confirmed publicly that new music could be on the horizon for the iconic rockers. While the bandmembers have stopped short of definitively ruling out such a reunion, singer Robert Plant insisted in the wake of last year's show that he intended to focus on promoting and touring behind his critically lauded album with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.
Not that Bonham knows what — if anything — will happen with the new material he's been working on with Page (who collaborated with pop singer Leona Lewis on an uneven version of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Beijing on Sunday night) and Jones. He said he just shows up and takes his seat behind the kit.
"I've been over [to England] a couple of times," Bonham said. "I've been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do ... some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something. At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material. When I get there, I never ask any questions. If I get a phone call to go and play, I enjoy every moment of it. Whatever it ends up as, to ever get a chance to jam with two people like that, it is a phenomenal thing for me. It's my life. It's what I've dreamed about doing."
He said it's still too early to tell what will become of these "jam" sessions, but admitted that the "possibility of doing something is in the cards. I really felt it was in the cards from the moment we walked offstage at the O2." Bonham also explained that, before there could be a Led Zep LP, "lots of politics [would need to] get ironed out," but added that recording with Zep is "something I've always wanted to do."
Bonham noticeably didn't mention frontman Plant's name during the discussion. A spokesperson for Page's management had no comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Jones' management could not be reached by press time.
Related ArtistsSamaire Armstrong Samantha Mathis Samantha Morton Samantha Mumba
Monday, September 27, 2010
Usher Comes Back For His Crown: A VMA Cheat Sheet
The 'OMG' singer overcame personal drama and proved his staying power on the charts over the past year.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Usher
Photo: Brad Barket/ Getty Images
Usher has reigned as Pop & B royalty since he hit the scene as a teen crooner in the '90s. Back when his 16-year-old protégé, Justin Bieber, was still a toddler, the ATL singer was making the ladies faint with hits like "You Make Me Wanna" and "Nice & Slow." But his early success was just a prelude to the music-world domination he's achieved with club bangers and deeply personal slow jams in the years since.
Usher's divorce from Tameka Foster was the latest personal development to fueled his 2010 chart-topping album Raymond v. Raymond. Now the singer is set to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards, and his smash "OMG" will battle it out for a Moonman in three categories: Best Male Video, Best Dance Video and Best Choreography. Here's a look at how the singer's recent success has steered him toward VMA accolades:
Following the release of the divorce-themed "Papers," his more upbeat video "Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)" premiered in January 2010. The clip followed the romantic superstar as he tried to juggle the demands of his professional and personal life.
In March, Usher talked to MTV News about incorporating that balance into Raymond Vs. Raymond. "I think this is the one time where I'm able to put it all in, emotionally and the good times — super-freaky and then also super-emotional."
So, it wasn't a big surprise that when Raymond Vs. Raymond finally landed on shelves after several delays, it landed at #1 on the Billboard 200 with over 300,000 scans during its first week.
He went from romantic to racy, busting out his signature, fluid, hip-swiveling moves in the video for "Lil Freak," featuring Nicki Minaj. The star didn't hold back in the visuals or the lyrics, which both detail a freaky rendezvous with some very game ladies. Usher revealed that this track, like many of his other hits, was inspired by real-life experiences.
The club anthem "OMG" featured Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am and revealed the R&B kingpin's more club-friendly side. The accompanying video showcased Usher's easy swagger and ever-sharp dance skills.
Raymond was such a hit that in August the singer released Versus, an extension of the smash album featuring songs like the Jay-Z collabo "Hot Tottie."
Usher, who has a history of tearing up the VMA stage, will return to the main event this year. He recently reminded his fans that live television paired with his onstage wizardry can result in some seriously unforgettable moments. "You never know what's gonna happen on an MTV VMA stage," he said. "I look forward to making it a night to remember."
The star has also made one of the most savvy moves in recent pop music history by signing teen phenom Bieber, who has gone on to induce global tween hysteria and set YouTube records.
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12. The party starts with MTV News' VMA Pre-Show at 8 p.m., followed by the main event at 9 p.m. ET. Fans can go to VMA.MTV.com (or text VMA to 97979 if they are Verizon subscribers) to vote for Best New Artist from now through September 12.
Related ArtistsThursday, September 23, 2010
Usher - Trading Places
- Artist: Usher
- Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
- Director: Chris Robinson
- Album: Here I Stand
Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
- Director: Jake Nava
- Album: Circus
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Celeb Info and Gossip I like
One of the things that I really like about celebrity information and gossip is that there seems to be no lack of it, nor are there no lack of versions of it.
Are they together, married, split, seperated, or just simply just on a break.
Endless endless info to choose from.
For me, my favorite celebrities are:
Harrison Ford
Arnold Schwarzeneger
Robert Kiyosaki
The cast of Lord of the Rings
Of course there are countless other, but what do you think?
Are they together, married, split, seperated, or just simply just on a break.
Endless endless info to choose from.
For me, my favorite celebrities are:
Harrison Ford
Arnold Schwarzeneger
Robert Kiyosaki
The cast of Lord of the Rings
Of course there are countless other, but what do you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)