Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell Carla Gugino
It looks like Meredith Vieira will be making an early exit from the Today show. In recent weeks there has been much speculation that the morning show host would vacate her seat next to Matt Lauer when her contract was up in September. But now The Hollywood Reporter says that Vieira will definitely say goodbye to the show in June.
An official announcement has still yet to be made, but rumor has it that Ann Curry will be promoted to cohost, while correspondent Natalie Morales will take Curry's place at Today's news desk.
Vieira, 57, took over for Katie Couric in 2006, when Couric left to anchor the CBS Evening News. Couric announced this week that she'll be making a move as well, and will be leaving her post to pursue other endeavors.
Vieira's decision to leave Today is said to be personal. She has been taking care of her husband Richard Cohen, who continues to struggle with multiple sclerosis.
But a network source tells People.com that her family may not be the main reason for her departure.
"Meredith has decided she simply does not want to continue with the grind of a daily morning news show," the source says. "This isn't about leaving to tend to her family -- it's about being done with the phase of her career that requires this sort of a daily, on-air commitment. This didn't come out of the blue and is something she's talked about for some time."
An NBC News spokesperson declined comment.
A day removed from their fairytale nuptials, Prince William and the newly-titled Duchess Catherine have made their official wedding portraits available for public viewing.
Certainly quite the elegant couple, Will and Kate posed for the trio of photos - with the lovely pair surrounded by their flower girls and young ushers in one adorable shot.
The bride and groom also stood tall for a couple's portrait at the Buckingham Palace locale while flanked by the royal family in the third regal offering.
Dressed in their ceremony garb, Miss Middleton confirmed speculation while dressed in a Sarah Burton designed gown while William donned a Royal Navy Number One Dress uniform.
'We were shocked to see this,' read the Jacksons' message; Durbin tweeted an apology on Thursday.
By Gil Kaufman
James Durbin performs on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Michael Becker/ Fox
Some people might argue that it's patently unfair to take rank amateurs, put them on the biggest show on TV and then expose them to potential worldwide ridicule every week. Because it's one thing to tune in to "American Idol" from your living room or play shows at the local wings joint, it's another thing entirely when you get up on that stage and open your mouth with tens of millions watching and listening.
James Durbin learned this lesson the hard way this week when he made what he thought was an innocent crack about not setting himself on fire during his pyro-tastic cover of Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" on Wednesday night.
Asked by host Ryan Seacrest if he was worried about dancing around among the flames shooting up from the piano onstage, Durbin joked, "I have a lot of hairspray in my hair to keep it from jumping around — so much so, the one thing I was worried about was having a 'Pepsi moment.' "
The seemingly innocent crack was a reference to the 1984 on-set accident in which late pop icon Michael Jackson was badly burned during the shooting of a Pepsi commercial by some wayward pyro effects. The serious burns he suffered in the incident allegedly led to his longtime addiction to pain medication and prescription drugs.
The Jackson family was not amused by the quip and sent a statement to TMZ on Thursday.
"We were shocked to see this. It's nothing to make light of and everybody should be focusing on who was responsible for Michael's death," read the statement. Family patriarch Joseph Jackson also was reportedly miffed that "Idol" producers did not cut the comment from the West Coast feed of the show.
Durbin defended his slip-up in a tweet, which has since been scrubbed from the singer's official "Idol" Twitter feed, that explained, "For anyone talkin ... I said pepsi NOT MJ! I have no disrespect for Michael. I grew up singing his art. I guess youll take it how you want it." He later added, "Talkin about MJs passing is too soon. Making a reference to an incident 25 years ago..not too soon. The stab was at pepsi people."
It's worth noting that Pepsi's bitter rival, Coca-Cola, is the main "Idol" sponsor, a fact that Seacrest reminded Durbin of in an awkward moment after the comment on the show.
What did you think of James Durbin's "Pepsi" quip? Tell us in the comments.
Related Artists
In London for the royal wedding? Need some advice on the best places to eat, see and do some of the coolest things? Lucky for you, Gwyneth Paltrow, who lives in London with her family during the school year, has compiled her suggestions for such a trip in her newest GOOP newsletter.
Here are some of her recommendations, which -- even if you're not headed to London anytime soon -- are fun to look at. Because hey, a commoner marrying royalty is like a fairytale, and we all can dream can't we?
Best places to stake out a picnic spot to watch the royal wedding on big screens: St. James Park, Green Park and Hyde Park.
Best places to pick up picnic foods: Nonna's, an Italian deli connected to Gordon Ramsay's York & Albany, for picnic nibbles, pizza, salads and treats; Daylesford Organics, for breads, cheeses and organic produce; The Natural Kitchen for bread, organic groceries, butcher, cheeses, salads and chicken sausages; and Albion at Boundary for fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, toad in the hole, sandwiches, bread, artisan jams and spreads, and "the best brownies (hard on the outside, fudgy on the inside) going around."
Best places to stay: St. John Hotel, The Zetter Townhouse and Boundary.
Best restaurants: Trullo for small plates of "delicious, super-seasonal Italian food"; Caravan for coffee, big brunches, salads and meals; and Koya, for authentic Japanese noodles in broth that is "the perfect hearty comfort food."
Best drinks: 69 Colebrooke Row, where "resident mixologist, Tony Conigliaro literally concocts his recipes in a science lab above the bar. So you’ll definitely be enjoying flavors you’ve never encountered before"; Nightjar, which is "like a true jazz-age bar with some stiff, old-fashioned drinks."
Best shopping: Present, for men's sneakers, jeans and plaid button-downs shirts; Lucy in Disguise for vintage finds from around the globe.
Have fun, and don't forget an umbrella!
Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell
'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.
Related ArtistsReworked tune features an opening verse by Minaj as Ke$ha sings atop Spears' vocals throughout the song.
By James Dinh
Britney Spears' "Til The World Ends"
Photo: Jive
Britney Spears isn't the only pop titan dancing until the world ends: Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha have joined forces to add a new spin on an all-female remix of Femme Fatale's second single, "Till the World Ends."
The reworked dance anthem, which leaked online Friday (April 22), appears to have surfaced earlier than expected as noted by a series of countdowns on all three of the stars' websites.
Mixing the dance tune's original sonic swirls with heavier bass, Britney tourmate Minaj starts off the remix by throwing down an aggressive verse, in which she calls out a female hater: "A-A-A-A-A-AYE!/ Chimpanzees is hatin', but I take it all in stride/ Put her in a jungle with bananas on the side/ Told you they'd revive your career, but somebody lied/ I ain't talkin' poultry when I say this chicken's fried."
After Minaj spits a few introductory bars, Spears delivers the song's first verse before an introduction for the all-star trio. "It's Britney, bitch. I'm Nicki Minaj and that's Ke$ha!" the Young Money MC proclaims.
Ke$ha, who originally wrote the track for the pop princess, takes part in singing the club-ready track's chorus. Spears soon takes back control of the song as Ke$ha shadows the singer's lines toward the end of the second verse and bridge. Unlike the original version, the "Till the World Ends" remix also features a stuttering dubstep dance break.
News of a star-studded collaboration was hinted earlier this week when producer Dr. Luke tweeted, "@NICKIMINAJ killed it tonight!!!! thanks!!!"
Have you heard the all-star "Till The World Ends" remix? Share your reviews in the comments!
Related ArtistsBonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears Brittany Daniel
Singer tells MTV News about gay fan inspired by her song 'Animal.'
By Gil Kaufman
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
Ke$ha knows all about the perks of being a headliner. On her Get $leazy Tour, the singer gets to call all the shots, blast her fans in the face with tons of glitter and handpick which dudes she wants to party and share the stage with.
But it's not all backstage shenanigans and groupie love. When MTV News sat down with the "Blow" singer in New York earlier this week before her gig at Roseland Ballroom, Ke$ha said that amid the nightly onstage parties there have also been some poignant moments on her first headlining outing.
"Best moment? There are so many. Every night's amazing. I have kids outside right now chanting my name and it's awesome," she said of the first leg of the tour. "There was one night a fan came onstage, I invited him onstage, and he had a tattoo of the dollar sign. I was like, 'Oh, that's awesome! Badass. You're part of the cult, man.' "
And then, she said, he began to cry and explained that he was able to come out of the closet to his friends and family thanks to her song "Animal."
"And I'm standing onstage about to sing a song about growing back a pair of testicles ["Grow a Pear"] and I had tears rolling down my face and chills all over my body," she said. "Because that's really the reason I do music, to inspire people to be themselves."
Ke$ha has been a vocal supporter of the "It Gets Better" video project, which aims to help gay, bisexual and transgender youth find hope in the face of teasing and bullying.
The "Get $leazy" juggernaut continues on Saturday night with a show at Clarion University in Clarion, Pennsylvania.
Are you planning to see Ke$ha on her Get $leazy Tour? Tell us in the comments.
Related Videos Related ArtistsSinger covered songs ranging from classic 'Pleasure Principle' to 2008's 'Feedback' at New York show.
By Vaughn Schoonmaker
Janet Jackson (file)
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
NEW YORK — Often imitated, never duplicated, Janet Jackson's outbursts of meticulous choreography, sassy exclamations and smoldering gazes into the audience kept them on their feet for the entire two-hour set of her greatest hits at Radio City Music Hall. Monday night marked the last of three sold-out shows at the historic venue on her monumental Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour.
Up-and-coming boy band Mindless Behavior opened the show with songs including "#1 Girl," "Future" and their debut single, "My Girl." With their Usher-esque dance moves and shouts like "Where the ladies at?" the boys brought the tween girls out of hiding, judging by the shrill screams escaping various corner of the music hall.
At 9:00 sharp, the lights went down and Janet's fans were on the edge of their seats, watching music videos for "The Best Things in Life Are Free" and "Rhythm Nation" projected on big screens across the venue. A small shadow drifted toward center stage, and when the colorful lights came up, Jackson, wrapped in a shoulder-padded catsuit, complete with slick short hair, blasted into "The Pleasure Principle," dancing as hard and intensely choreographed as she did when the song first came out in the 1980s.
With barely a spare second between songs, Janet dazzled her way through her biggest hits, including "Miss You Much," "All for You" and "Nasty," and more recent hits like 2008's "Feedback."
Videos displayed during Jackson's costume changes included vintage clips from "Diff'rent Strokes," a funny scene from "Poetic Justice" where Jackson slyly rejects the advances of Tupac Shakur's character, and a rather heavy scene, as Jackson's character in "Why Did I Get Married" destroys her husband's house with a golf club, screaming hysterically.
Considering the tough couple of years the Jackson family has faced, the dark moments in the video seemed fitting, and everyone was beside themselves with bittersweet joy when Michael Jackson's face popped up on the big screen and she performed their hit single "Scream."
Janet emerged for her encore in a tight white one-piece disco suit, and performed "Diamonds," "Make Me" and "Together Again," which appeared to be the biggest hit of the evening. As Jackson graciously bowed out, her straight face transitioned into a smirk, suggesting that despite the hard times she has experienced recently, we can expect to see this singing and dancing pop legend shine far into the future.
"Its amazing!" Janet fan Elena Mercantini gleamed afterward. "It's like she's still 20 years old!"
"She's hot, she's amazing and she's still got it after all these years" added Alison Klinger of Long Island. "Best concert I've ever been to!"
Related Photos Related ArtistsFed Up (featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross)
Tessie Santiago ThalÃa Thandie Newton The Avatars of Second Life
Before MTV News' 'Moulin Rouge' live stream Monday at 3 p.m. ET, Jonas recalls working with director Baz Luhrmann on Broadway's 'La Boheme.'
By Jocelyn Vena
Joe Jonas
Photo: MTV News
As we gear up for our "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" on Monday, we are remembering why the movie is so memorable a decade later.
Joe Jonas had the pleasure of working with the flick's director Baz Luhrmann back in 2003 as a member of the children's chorus in Luhrmann's Broadway production of Puccini's classic opera "La Boheme," and he has only the fondest memories of the experience.
"It was amazing," he told MTV News. "Funny story for you: I was in 'La Boheme,' [and] I remember being onstage and I didn't know what stage left or stage right was, and I was really confused, and he told me from the audience, he was like, 'All right, take a little bit to the stage left.'
"And I was really confused, and I was really embarrassed," he continued. "I didn't know what he was talking about. He literally walked up onstage and he acted like he was talking to me, and he whispered in my ear, like, 'Go a little bit to the left.' So, for me, the fact that a director would be so cool with me like that, from then on, I was so blown away that he was so cool."
Jonas, who has since gone on to superstardom and even starred in two successful TV musicals ("Camp Rock" and "Camp Rock 2") credits Luhrmann's forward-thinking vision in "Moulin Rouge" for pop culture's current obsession with the genre.
"I think he's an amazing director, and his credits are unbelievable," he said. " 'Moulin Rouge' is one of the best movies of all time, and there's no doubt in that. And I think it really has started a generation of music into TV [and] movies so openly."
MTV News will reunite Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor to celebrate "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" on Monday, May 2, at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com. The director and stars 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.
To get in on the fun, fans can submit questions for the "Moulin Rouge" director and talent via the @MTVNews Twitter handle with the hashtag #AskMoulin.
Don't miss "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" on Monday at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com! Get in the conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #AskMoulin.
Emma Stone Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier
A pesar de lo dicho ayer, Peter Mensch, manager del guitarrista Jimmy Page, se retractó totalmente en eso que la banda buscaría un reemplazo al ultragenial Robert Plant para seguir rockeando y toureándola por el mundo tras su show de 2007 en el O2 Arena de Londres por el poder de la música más sexual de la historia. No habrá más Led Zeppelin, no hay planes de que lo haya.
Mensch comentó: "Led Zeppelin se acabó. Si no los vieron en el 2007, se los perdieron. Probaron reemplazantes a Robert Plant, pero nada funcionó. Se acabó. No hay planes para continuar. Francamente, ojalá todos dejaran de hablar al respecto."
Los fans no están nada contentos, especialmente los británicos, considerando los precios delirantes de las entradas del show reunión.
¿Y a ti? ¿Qué te parece todo esto?
Related ArtistsFoursome is joined by special guests and tons of lights for smash-hit medley.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Black Eyed Peas perform during the Super Bowl XLV halftime show
Photo: Getty Images
The Black Eyed Peas promised a party at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 6), and the pop supernovas definitely delivered, with a performance teeming with lights, dancers and surprise appearances from celebrity pals.
Following a Chatter.com commercial that showed animated versions of the Peas showing off their social-media skills, the group kicked things off with their 2009 smash "I Gotta Feeling," descending from the ceiling on illuminated platforms onto a stage surrounded by a cluster of dancers clad in white bodysuits. The foursome led the team of fist-pumping troops in "Tron"-like getups, with Taboo sporting an outfit covered in flashing lights, will.i.am rocking a shiny hairpiece, Apl.de.ap wearing huge bright studs and Fergie vamping it up in bling-laden shoulder pads.
When the speaker-busting bass of "Boom Boom Pow" dropped, the dancers dispersed across the field to create arrow-shaped formations as the glow-in-the-dark lights on their suits illuminated the stadium. Then rumored surprise guest Slash of Guns N' Roses rose from below the stage for a "Sweet Child O' Mine" duet with Fergie. The GNR great rocked a finger-searing solo in a studded version of his signature black top hat as more angular platforms and dancers moved across the gridiron. The platforms were bearing scores of marching-band musicians who blasted their horns and pounded away on their drums as the Peas went into "Pump It" and blue lights splashed across the production.
Quick streams of fog heralded the arrival of the Peas' second surprise guest, Usher, who swooped in on a long chain to bust out his will.i.am-assisted joint "OMG." Rocking a sparkly collar on an otherwise all-white ensemble, the R&B hitmaker cranked out several counts of energetic choreography, enlivening moves from his "OMG" video and at one point jumping over Will and landing in a split.
A spray of pyro ushered in the collective's breakout 2003 hit "Where Is the Love?" as the oddly shaped platforms spelled out the word "Love" in bright-red letters. The team of dancers, which appeared to have multiplied to over 100, formed hearts across the field as will updated the lyrics of the smash with lines like, "Obama, let's get these educated."
Then the group jumped ahead to their most recent single, 2010's "The Time (Dirty Bit)," as several back up hoofers rocking cubed helmets joined the Peas onstage and dancers lined up along the gridiron to simultaneously bust out the Running Man, a move which drew cheers from the crowd.
The platinum-selling Peas wrapped up the performance with a reprise of "I Gotta Feeling," as the quartet triumphantly signed off amid of blitz of fog, firepower and flashing lights.
Ripping the halftime show was clearly a touching moment for will, who tweeted beforehand, "Me and apl started the peas when we were 16 yesterday we were dreamin now were livin it. Wow. I'm not crying out of sadness or nervousness its joy and pride and memories and the journey."
And once the crew left the stage, the frontman was not only proud, but pumped. "That was so freakin sick," he wrote. "Wow...!!!"
What did you think of the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl performance? Let us know in the comments!
Related Photos Related ArtistsElisabeth Röhm Elisha Cuthbert Eliza Dushku Emilie de Ravin
Rapper plans to pay his outstanding fine and then 'negotiate' with the DA's office, Marianne E. Bertuna tells MTV News.
By Alvin Blanco
Jim Jones
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images
Jim Jones is not copping any pleas. The Harlem rapper was arraigned Tuesday (April 26) in a New York County Criminal Courthouse for charges of driving with a suspended license. MTV News spoke to Jones' attorney Marianne E. Bertuna, who refuted reports that her client had passed on a plea deal.
"Everyone refers to it as a plea deal, but ... the District Attorney's office [offered] him what's called a plea to the charge," Bertuna told MTV News. "The charge is a misdemeanor. If they had made him an offer of, let's say, a traffic infraction or a violation, then that would be a plea deal, because that's a lower charge. They said, 'Well, he could plea guilty to the misdemeanor,' but that was just our first appearance."
Tuesday's court visit stems from Jones' arrest March 30 in New York's SoHo neighborhood. Jones was spotted by cops driving a Bentley in a bus lane and was arrested when authorities discovered that the rapper's license had been suspended over an unpaid parking ticket.
Bertuna said Jones was unaware of the outstanding fines that led to the suspension of his driver's license. Jones did not enter a plea and plans to settle any outstanding fees with the New York DMV before his next scheduled court date on June 15.
"He's been made aware that there's an outstanding fine that needs to be paid. It's really not anything excessive, and he'll pay it," Bertuna said. "Hopefully, when he does that, we will be able to negotiate with the DA's office to make him a lower offer, meaning a traffic infraction, which would not be a crime."
Last year, Jones pleaded guilty to an assault charge from a previous incident when he allegedly attacked another driver and was sentenced to anger-management classes. Also, a pair of Houston women who claim they were unwittingly filmed topless for Jones' "Summer Time" video are currently suing the rapper.
The "We Fly High" MC recently reunited with the Diplomats (Cam'ron, Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey). The group is finalizing a new record deal with Interscope Records and plans to release an EP called Independence Day this summer.
Related Artists'I've only parted ways with my father on a business level,' singer says.
By Gil Kaufman
Mathew Knowles and Beyonce
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
Artists cut ties with managers all the time. But when your shot-caller is your dad and he's helped you climb the ladder of fame to the very top, things can be a bit trickier.
After years of rumors, Beyoncé confirmed on Monday that she is parting ways with the man who helped make her an international pop diva: dad Mathew Knowles. According to CNN, the split was amicable and both sides said it was a mutual decision. "I've only parted ways with my father on a business level," Beyoncé, 29, said in a statement released on Monday. "He is my father for life and I love my dad dearly. I am grateful for everything he has taught me ... I grew up watching both he and my mother manage and own their own businesses. They were hardworking entrepreneurs and I will continue to follow in their footsteps."
Mathew Knowles began managing Beyoncé's career when she was a teenager and shepherded her through her mega-success with Destiny's Child in the late 1990s and into her even bigger career as a solo artist, which has garnered her 16 Grammy Awards and millions in sales for her three post-DC albums. Her mother, Tina, is Beyoncé's stylist and is heavily involved in their clothing line, House of Dereon.
"The decision for Beyoncé and Music World Entertainment to part was mutual," Mathew Knowles said in a separate statement also released on Monday. "We did great things together, and I know that she will continue to conquer new territories in music and entertainment."
It was not announced who would take over management duties for Beyoncé, but Knowles said his record label would instead focus on gospel and inspirational artists. "Business is business and family is family," Knowles continued. "I love my daughter and am very proud of who she is and all that she has achieved. I look forward to her continued great success."
Among the artists who are listed on the Music World Entertainment site are Juanita Bynum, From Above, Pastor Rudy, the Bamaz, Beyoncé's younger sister, Solange, and Trin-I-Tee 5:7. Knowles also used to manage former Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, but they parted ways with him, respectively, in 2009 and 2010.
Mathew and Tina Knowles divorced in 2009 after 29 years of marriage. Beyoncé is reportedly close to finishing work on the follow-up to 2008's I Am ... Sasha Fierce, which could include contributions from Sia and Sleigh Bells, along with Ne-Yo, S1, Jim Jonsin, Sean "The Pen" Garrett, The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.
Related Artists'I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson,' the 'Lord of the Rings' alum tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Orlando Bloom
Photo: MTV News
With a movie as big and highly anticipated as Peter Jackson's two-picture take on "The Hobbit," virtually every word uttered about the project in public is newsworthy in some shape or form. It has been an exciting couple of months for the Jackson and Tolkien-obsessed, with production finally in full swing, the announcement of additional cast members and updates from Jackson sent directly to fans via his Facebook page and video blogs.
On Monday (April 25), we learned of the possibility of yet another new cast member, one Orlando Bloom, who you may know from his time spent in a long, white-blonde wig and pointy ears as Legolas in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
When MTV News caught up with Bloom as he did press for his upcoming film "Sympathy for Delicious," we asked if we could bet on him joining his "LOTR" castmates Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett in the production.
"I'm going to bet on it," he said. "But I can't really talk too much about it because it's still sort of in the ether. But I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson. It would be an honor."
When asked if he's ready to get back into that famous wig and those prosthetic ears, Bloom said he's happy to put on anything and everything Jackson requires. "I'll do anything for him," he told us.
And what about that script? Is Bloom one of the privileged few who've read it?
"It's wonderful," he said with a knowing smile.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Project that turns iPhone and Wii remote into any instrument beats out other ingenious inventions.
By Gil Kaufman
Tim Soo
Photo: Tim Soo
One of the beauties of the first-ever O Music Awards is that it's one of the only shows that gives out hardware not just to the artists who make the music we love, but to the fans at home who take their awesome creations and make them, well, even more awesome.
That's the idea behind the Best Music Hack category, in which the six nominees came up with amazing ways to make the music listening, and creating, experience easier, more interesting and enjoyable. From helping you map your next road trip based on where your favorite bands are playing to turning your phone into a sousaphone or transforming your blog into a singing telegram, these hackers put some serious thought into their music geek creations.
The winner, Tim Soo, developed Invisible Instruments, a handy tool that allows you to re-create the sounds of any instrument you can imagine using just an iPhone and a Wii remote. He's made the tool work for himself, but he's in the process of raising money to create a version ready for use by everyone from children to music professionals.
Among the nominees was Mike Novack, who came up with Gigbeat, an application that searches for concerts featuring the artists in your library, then let's you create favorite lists based on those searches and share them with friends, while alerting you to when those acts are coming to town.
The nominees were all incredibly creative in their efforts to take existing technology and rework it to their own devices, including Gaurav Mehta's SoundBump, which allows SoundCloud users to interact with one another by just, yes, bumping their Android devices together by using the SoundGarage Android app for SoundCloud.
The team of Gomez, Garcia and Akkermans came up with Sing'Em All, which takes boring old blogs and Facebook pages and allows you to put them to music. Why just blog when you can sing your updates?
Ever hit the road for a long trip and kick yourself for not figuring out if your favorite band is playing along the way? Daughter/father team Jennie and Paul Lamere have the answer for you: Jennie's Ultimate Road Trip, which allows you to punch in your starting and ending points and the names of a few choice bands and then gives you a killer music-focused itinerary.
Marshall Jones' entry, Highlight to Listen, was a Google Chrome extension that allows you to search for information and music for any artist by simply highlighting text on a page.
Stay tuned all this week for more award announcements.
The inaugural O Music Awards will stream live from Las Vegas on Thursday at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on OMusicAwards.com. Tune in to see who will reign supreme in categories like Most Viral Dance, Funniest Music Short and NSFW Music Video!
Related PhotosSinger cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman
Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage
Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.
"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."
According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.
On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.
The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."
Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.
"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."
Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.
What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.
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Teen superstar tweets frustration, leading to two Twitter trends.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber (file)
Photo: Prince Williams/FilmMagic
Justin Bieber has never been shy about his feelings for the paparazzi. In March, while celebrating his 17th birthday in Los Angeles, the teen sensation gave the paps who tried to snap a photo of him and lady love Selena Gomez the middle finger — although the Biebs soon apologized for it. Well, now that he's abroad taking his My World tour international, he's still finding himself pestered by the photographers' prying lenses.
On Tuesday, he took to Twitter to call out the paparazzi for trying to snap photos of him while he was in Israel taking in the sights. "Staying in the hotel for the rest of the week u happy?" he wrote. "People wait their whole lives for opportunities like this, why would they want to take that experience away from someone. They should be ashamed of themselves. Take pictures of me eating but not in a place of prayer, ridiculous."
Bieber was particularly upset that photographers didn't leave him alone while he visited sites of spiritual significance. "You would think paparazzi would have some respect in holy places," he lamented. "All I wanted was the chance to walk where Jesus did here in Israel."
Just one day before, Bieber tweeted about his excitement over being in Israel. "Just amazing place...not a bad day. just wish got a little more space and privacy from the paps to enjoy this time with my family. Thanks," he wrote. "I'm in the holy land and i am grateful for that. I just want to have the same personal experience that others have here."
Bieber's post then helped initiate his latest Twitter trend, #papsleavebiebsalone. As of press time it was one of the highest-rated trends, right behind the promoted #PlayBookHaiku. Other Bieber-related trends included #cheerupjustin and Holy Land.
What do you think about the paparazzi bothering Bieber while he's in Israel? Share your opinions in the comments.
Related Photos Related Artists'I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson,' the 'Lord of the Rings' alum tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Orlando Bloom
Photo: MTV News
With a movie as big and highly anticipated as Peter Jackson's two-picture take on "The Hobbit," virtually every word uttered about the project in public is newsworthy in some shape or form. It has been an exciting couple of months for the Jackson and Tolkien-obsessed, with production finally in full swing, the announcement of additional cast members and updates from Jackson sent directly to fans via his Facebook page and video blogs.
On Monday (April 25), we learned of the possibility of yet another new cast member, one Orlando Bloom, who you may know from his time spent in a long, white-blonde wig and pointy ears as Legolas in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
When MTV News caught up with Bloom as he did press for his upcoming film "Sympathy for Delicious," we asked if we could bet on him joining his "LOTR" castmates Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett in the production.
"I'm going to bet on it," he said. "But I can't really talk too much about it because it's still sort of in the ether. But I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson. It would be an honor."
When asked if he's ready to get back into that famous wig and those prosthetic ears, Bloom said he's happy to put on anything and everything Jackson requires. "I'll do anything for him," he told us.
And what about that script? Is Bloom one of the privileged few who've read it?
"It's wonderful," he said with a knowing smile.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Ice-T & Wife Coco’s Big Ole Booty Land Reality Show
Rapper and actor Ice-T and his wife Nicole “Coco” Austin have signed on for a reality television show. Ice-T, the Law & Order: Special [...]
Ice-T & Wife Coco’s Big Ole Booty Land Reality Show Stupid Celebrities Gossip
Mariah OBrien Marika Dominczyk Marisa Coughlan Marisa Miller
'Judas' singer goes on curse-filled rant in new issue of NME.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Lady Gaga is on the defense these days. Fans aren't sure how they feel about her Born This Way cover art, and in the new issue of British music magazine NME, the singer felt the need to let the world know that she's not some gimmick and her shtick is the real deal, protruding face bones and all.
"Let me tell you something. If you f---ing rip my hairbow and my wig off my f---ing head, my shoes, my bra, every single thing on my body, and you throw me on a piano with a microphone, I will f---ing make you cry," she proclaims in the magazine, which hits newsstands on Tuesday (April 19). On the cover, Gaga appears in a see-through body suit, with zippers over her lady parts, wearing heavy eye makeup, her now signature "BTW" prosthetics and a wig she wore in the "BTW" video.
"I feel I have been probed endlessly about who the f--- I am," she continues. "I have been quite open about it. And still nobody seems to have a clue."
Gaga recently unveiled her second single, "Judas," off her May 23 album release. Parts of the song may pay homage to some of her past hits, but it is certainly not the type of pop song that Katy Perry or Britney Spears would record. "I'm not going to start churning out what you expect," she said. "If you want me to be a manufactured act, you can f--- off."
The star also defended her prosthetics recently in Harper's Bazaar. "Well, first of all, they're not prosthetics. They're my bones," she said in the issue. "They've always been inside of me, but I have been waiting for the right time to reveal to the universe who I truly am. They come out when I'm inspired."
She mirrored that sentiment on her Twitter page on Tuesday, writing, "Born This Way is who I am. An artist in a constant state of half-fantasy/half-reality at all times."
Related Photos Related Artists'I haven't really had that moment of remorse or blues,' he tells MTV News of still shooting final film.
By Kara Warner
Peter Facinelli
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images
Earlier this week, MTV News learned of an exciting "Twilight" and "American Idol" mash-up between Peter Facinelli and "Idol" castoff Paul McDonald on the "Loosies" soundtrack. Naturally, we couldn't let Facinelli hang up the phone until we addressed another important subject matter: "Breaking Dawn."
Unlike co-star Robert Pattinson, Facinelli has yet to wrap his work on the "Twilight" saga.
"I still have another two weeks of second-unit stunt work, so for me, it doesn't feel quite done yet," he said. "I haven't really had that moment of remorse or blues, you know, the blues of finishing. I'm in the midst of still finishing myself."
Regarding a few key scenes that his co-stars have mentioned — specifically the Taylor Lautner vs. Kristen Stewart fight scene — Facinelli agreed that seeing the much smaller Stewart take on Lautner was entertaining.
"Oh yes, I was there for that," he said. "[It was] very funny. ... But you have to kick his butt a little bit," Facinelli added about the idea of Lautner's character Jacob imprinting on Bella and Edward's daughter Renesmee.
Although he couldn't go into too much detail, we asked Facinelli to describe the heavily hyped wedding scene for us.
"Beautiful and spectacular," he said. "It's funny, because whenever we have a big important scene on 'Twilight' [movies], it rains. I was doing the baseball sequence [from 'Twilight'], and it was raining. But you never see it on film," he said of the filmmaking crew's movie magic. "With this wedding, it rained the whole time we shot the two scenes. But you'll never see it on film, they block out the rain. They put tarps up and you'll never see it. But for us, it was very wet and muddy and cold."
Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
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Michelle Obama Michelle Rodriguez Michelle Trachtenberg Mila Kunis
Michael Michele Michelle Behennah Michelle Branch Michelle Malkin
1) This is me after three martinis.
2) The video is a bit too long, but hang on until the last two minutes or so.
3) I'm much cuter than this in real life.
And now... a video blog:
WARNING: NSFW
Big Poosay from Karyn Bosnak on Vimeo.
Kristanna Loken Kristen Bell Kristin Cavallari Kristin Kreuk
'It was really fun to film,' Victoria Justice says of the 'Blow' singer's cameo.
Ke$ha
Photo: Fotonoticias/ Getty Images
Ke$ha will make an appearance on the hit Nickelodeon series "Victorious." And while the role won't have the pop singer stretching her acting muscle too much — she'll be playing herself — someone else in the Sebert (that's her real last name) clan also is getting in on the action.
Ke$ha will be joined on the episode of the sitcom by her little brother, Louie. The plot will revolve around Tori (Victoria Justice) and her pals trying to win a contest to go to a Ke$ha concert. The gang must piece together golden tickets in order to win their chance to see the "Blow" singer in a private gig.
It seems that 11-year-old Louie provides the winning piece so that they can watch the glittered one perform the aforementioned track.
"It's a private concert, and yeah, I will say that the costumes are awesome and there's definitely lots of glitter," Justice told EW.com, which first reported on the episode. "It was really fun to film. It's the first time on my show that we've had a successful radio artist perform on the show. Ke$ha's kind of edgier, and I think that it's cool to bring that element to the show."
"Victorious" made its big debut last spring. When MTV News caught up with Justice at that time,the teen actress was excited about the interesting plot possibilities the show's premise provides.
"I play a girl named Tori Vega and she's kind of suddenly accepted to this performance arts high school, and from there it's her dealing with all these crazy characters that go there and normal teen problems, like trying to fit in and cute boys," Justice explained. "I also get to perform original music and sing and dance. [That] makes it a lot of fun."
Are you excited to see Ke$ha and her little brother on "Victorious"? Tell us in the comments.
Related ArtistsDocumentary peels back the lore to reveal a band unquestionably shaped by its roots.
By James Montgomery
Kings of Leon's Caleb Followill in "Talihina Sky"
Photo: Phear Creative
There is perhaps no band whose backstory has garnered as much attention as the Kings of Leon, and with good reason. They are, after all, the prodigal preacher's sons (and nephew) who tapped into the rebellious power of rock and roll and rose from the backwoods to the big stage, a journey that — aside from all the sex and drugs and mustaches — is practically ripped from American folklore.
So it would seem almost inevitable that their rise would someday be chronicled in a feature film, one that imbues their career with the spirit of the Holy Ghost and doesn't skimp on the particulars of all that sex and drugs (and 'staches). And here it is: "Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon," a far-reaching documentary that premiered Thursday night at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
Directed by longtime Kings friend Stephen Mitchell, produced by Casey McGrath and Phear Creative (and executive-produced by the band itself), "Talihina" is a rock doc in the purest sense of the phrase: full of unedited, unwinding (and frequently un-sober) interviews with the Followill boys (frontman Caleb's bleary-eyed, Jameson-and-marijuana soaked sitdown is a real doozy); tour-bus shouting matches; honest, teary conversations with their family members and friends and, of course, a whole lot of grainy, slightly embarrassing VHS footage of the Kings as kids. It certainly doesn't hold anything back.
And while, at times, it strays a little too close to deifying the band (or at least their voyage to the top of the charts), it strips away everything you've probably read about them, and, in the process, provides the clearest glimpse to date into what makes them tick. In that regard, the film is not only a success, but one of the most compelling music documentaries you'll ever see.
Because no matter how hard the media tries to romanticize their early years, "Talihina" doesn't. We learn that brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared grew up poor, the children of a preacher for whom money was an afterthought and a mother who believed in nothing more than the power of religion. We learn that the boys hated all of those facts, that they suffered when their parents divorced and that they felt betrayed when they learned that their father — the man they viewed as an infallible totem of morality — was just another man, one who had demons of his own.
To combat that, they turned to their extensive family — no less than six uncles are interviewed in the film, some of whom may not even be their uncles at all — and the solace of annual retreats in Talihina, Oklahoma ... long, boozy weekends filled with horseshoe games and crawfish grabbing in ruddy creeks. In the grand American tradition, this is where they learned to be men, or at least learned to approximate what they felt a man should be.
Of course, they also found solace in recreational drug use and Pixies records and, from there, the roots of the band took hold. We learn very little about their formation, instead, we're quickly whisked away to England, where the Kings became overnight sensations (and media curio cases), partying hard, sleeping around and, really, also learning how to be men.
That duality makes up the core of not just the film, but the band itself. On one hand, the Kings have never left their roots behind, as evidenced by footage of them attending later Talihina weekends, mixing it up with shirtless cousins and sagging uncles, but on the other, they seem driven to distance themselves from their past. Watching footage of the band recording their breakthrough Only By the Night album, you can't help but notice just how hard they're trying to become the hugest rock band on the planet, and in interviews throughout the film, the Kings talk about their past in reverent, yet weary, tones.
And yet, they can never escape their history, no matter how hard they try. In a lot of ways, that struggle is what ultimately makes the film so compelling ... and what makes you understand the Kings of Leon just a little bit more. They're down-home boys who are seemingly never home, rock stars whose sentiments have moved millions, despite the fact those sentiments are derived from a place whose population is just 1,200. They have toured the world and lived the life and yet, whether they want to or not, they are eternally drawn back to Talihina. So, really, they're not folk heroes (or, as Caleb jokes, "I'm not Captain America"), they're just small-town kids who inexplicably made it big, boys forced to become men because life conspired to make them so, brothers eternally trying to escape the shadow of their parents. They're just like you or I, if you think about it.
Did you check out the Kings' documentary? Share your reviews in the comments!
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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