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- Usher Unveils 'Nostalgic' New Song 'Twisted'
Looking 4 Myself track featuring Pharrell is classic R&B but 'very relevant,' superstar says on 'MTV First.'
By John Mitchell, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Usher
Photo: Jessica Hyndman / MTV NewsUsher sat down for an exclusive "MTV First" interview about his hotly anticipated upcoming release, Looking 4 Myself, his unconventional album-listening experience with the off-Broadway show "Fuerza Bruta" and to give fans a first listen to the Myself track "Twisted" featuring Pharrell. He told MTV News' Sway Calloway the song is a "nostalgic record" that reflects the album's ambitious aim to represent the variety of musical experiences that have impacted the R&B superstar.
" 'Twisted' is more of a nostalgic record, so when you think about the classic R&B record, we managed a way to modernize it, even though that's very relevant," the singer said. "You hear records like Cee Lo, you hear Bruno Mars and also Andre 3000, and that sound is very relevant in this time. So this was kind of our way to tie it all together and give you something different that you probably wouldn't normally get from me."
Adapting current sounds and making them his own is a theme Usher is bringing in earnest to Looking 4 Myself and also reflects his philosophy of how to stay in the game. The star released his self-titled debut in 1994, when he was just 16, and has gone on to sell over 65 million records worldwide and score nine #1 songs and six more top 10 hits.
As for how he's managed to stay on top for so long, Usher revealed that it's important to never be insular when it comes to music. "Life is a workout, man, it's like a treadmill, and you gotta be with it, you gotta just stay with it," he said. "For me, I've had the fortunate ability to always be mindful of other things and other people. I'm not so caught up in what I'm doing that I can't be cognizant of what other people enjoy. ... Now, I think music should be used as a channel to really allow people to have different experiences. So, this album is all about bottling up those different experiences."
The connecting tissue that's given Usher the ability to explore world music — from full-on dance tracks like his new single "Scream" and his collaboration with David Guetta, "Without You," to more classic R&B slow jams like "Climax" and the old-school spare drum beat of "Twisted" — while delivering cohesive records has been his voice, which he said brings "the essence of soul and emotion" to each record.
"All of my career is kind of an unveiling, an unfolding story, and it ain't done. There's so much more that I'm going to do, so much that I've now just been interested in and been introduced to," he continued. "I just want that experience of having this very monogamous relationship with entertainment and acting in a way where I can really, really focus and become better."
Usher's commitment to tackling the changing face of music head-on and forging new roads in entertainment as he matures — he is currently training for a Sugar Ray Leonard biopic — is the key to his success, he said, concluding, "It's all about evolution for me."
Share your review of "Twisted" in the comments below!
Related Videos Related ArtistsПереслать - T.I. Supports President Obama On Same-Sex Marriage Stance
'I think that you should be able to do whatever you want to do,' T.I. tells 'RapFix Live' about his stance on same-sex marriage.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway
T.I. on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV NewsPresident Obama is no stranger to hip-hop's support. Not only have MCs dedicated songs to the 44th U.S. Prez, but guys like Jay-Z, Diddy and Ludacris have openly backed Barack. While many criticized Obama for his support of same-sex marriage, Hov backs him, and so does T.I.
"Just to speak honestly and being frank, I don't care," the "Live Your Life" MC said about the non-stop debate on same-sex marriage when he appeared on Wednesday's "RapFix Live." "I think that if a matter doesn't affect your daily life, you shouldn't take a hard stand on it. If it's not something that directly affects you, if it doesn't affect you, what difference does it make to you what other people are doing with their lives?"
Tip, who is currently serving probation stemming from his 2007 weapons arrest, is unable to vote, but once his probation is lifted in September he revealed that he plans to vote for Obama, who will be looking to secure a second term as head of state. "I don't think that's a hard question," he said.
During an interview with CNN on Monday, Jay applauded the president for speaking out in support of the gay-rights movement. "I've always thought it as something that was still holding the country back," Jay-Z said. "What people do in their own homes is their business, and you can choose to love whoever you love. That's their business. It's no different than discriminating against blacks. It's discrimination, plain and simple."
"I think that you should be able to do whatever you want to do," T.I. remarked. "I don't see how it matters one way or another."
Переслать - Usher's 'Climax' Is 'Not About Sex'
'The song is really about kind of the crescendo of a relationship,' Usher says about the single in relation to his life.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Sway and Usher
Photo: Jessica Hyndman / MTV NewsUsher admits that "over the last three years of my life, it's no secret I went through some heavy transitions." And he's not joking. In 2009, he filed for a divorce from his wife, Tameka Foster, after marrying her in 2007. In the lead-up to the split, their relationship certainly came with drama, including a rift with his mother and a major health scare for Foster during a 2009 trip to Brazil.
And even with his divorce finalized, Usher is still in and out of court dealing with custody issues over their two sons, Usher and Naviyd. However, he is ready to put all that drama aside now that he's purged those emotions for his June 12 album release, the aptly titled Looking 4 Myself.
"There's an emotional side to it. Over the last three years of my life, it's no secret I went through some heavy transitions and in that I really came out new," he told MTV News during "MTV First." "I came out feeling a sense of entitlement and a sense of ownership of all of that I went through to become better and in being able to survive it.
"So I was looking for something in the music," he continued. "I was looking for something in life. I was looking for something in it has always been right here. It has always been there. So I kind of used the music as a dairy in a way, but a creative, artistic, art-in-motion diary."
But, Usher is no stranger to putting his drama to music. With albums titled Confessions and Raymond v. Raymond, he has always put his personal business right where people can hear it.
"Oddly, I've unfortunately left my life an open book," he said. "So every record people would assume that each and every detail is specific, even the videos."
That includes his most recent clip for "Climax," which follows jilted lover Usher as he contemplates shooting his girl's other man. Soon, he charges in the house, and a gunshot is fired off. What's unclear is whether it's reality or just Usher's fantasy.
"OK, I'm not sitting out in front of somebody's house and shoot up the crib, just so you know," he joked. " 'Climax' was an interpretation to really give people a better understanding cause I felt like people really looked at the record for what you heard first, which was 'Climax'. So, people thought 'sex.' It's not about sex. Well, climax is about sex, but not the song. Just so we're clear."
The Diplo-produced track actually has more to do with the events of the last few years of his life than events in the bedroom. "The song is really about kind of the crescendo of a relationship, where you've reached a place where you're gonna dive in or let it go," he said. "And the 'Climax' is what it is."
Related VideosПереслать - Nicki Minaj And Nas Seal 'Right By My Side' Video With A Kiss
Rap superstars get cozy in just-premiered clip, which also features Chris Brown.
By Rob Markman
Nicki Minaj and Nas in her "Right By My Side" video
Photo: Cash Money/Young Money/Universal MusicNicki and Nas —it has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
It's no secret that Nicki Minaj has a flair for the dramatic, and on Wednesday (May 16), when she debuted her "Right by My Side" video on MTV, Nicki surprised many by casting the Queensbridge rap great as her leading man.
The bright and cheery video opens with a pensive Nicki seated in a high-backed chair fit for a queen; her mind is clearly elsewhere, unaware of the camera's gaze. Only a few seconds pass before Nas struts into the scene and the two lean in to share a smooch only to find their lives subjected to a rewind sequence before their lips touch.
"It all comes down to this, I miss your morning," Nicki sings on cue as the viewer is taken back in time.
It's all pretty rosy as the lovesick couple share deep conversation and an inside joke as Nas hands his honey a silver dollar, which she flips into a wishing well. The clip has all the makings of a Nicholas Sparks romance flick: There's PDA, hand-holding, shopping trips and outdoor lunches. In one scene, Nas — who sports his trademark half-moon Caesar and big-framed 1980s-inspired glasses — surprises Nicki with a new car, topped off with a pink bow, of course. The reigning rap queen is so excited she leaps into his open arms.
When Chris Brown shows up for his guest verse and duet-styled hook, he is set outside of the video's story line, delivering passionate performance scenes but never interrupting the two lovebirds. Breezy is no doubt a superstar, but he sits as a third wheel on Nicki and Nas' romantic ride.
The vibe of the soft love song switches by the time the Female Weezy's rap verse rolls in. It's quite the verbal display as she sits beside Nas, wearing his hoodie and rapping in double-time of her own sexual prowess. "My p---y game so cold, that he always seem to come back/ 'Cause he knows that it be a wrap when I'm riding it from the back," she spits while wearing God's Son's oversized medallion around her neck.
For the most part, the couple can't stay away from each other, but there is clearly some separation between the two lovers, even if only for a brief, undefined moment. In the closing scene, a lonely and longing Nicki sits on a park bench under a full moon with a sullen look on her typically animated face. Her frown is quickly remedied when Nas pulls up besides his boo and takes a seat next to her. They first hug and then share a deep and sensual kiss that is sure to get the rumor mill spinning out of control.
What did you think of Nicki Minaj and Nas' kiss in the "Right By My Side" video? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsПереслать - Teyana Taylor Is G.O.O.D. Music's 'Spoiled Brat'
'I could get whatever I want,' 21-year-old Harlem rapper tells MTV News about her new record deal with Kanye West.
By Nadeska Alexis
Teyana Taylor
Photo: MTV NewsTeyana Taylor collaborated with Kanye West on his 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and now, as an official member of the G.O.O.D. Music team, the Harlem rapper confirms that she will also appear on the upcoming G.O.O.D. compilation album.
When MTV News caught up with Taylor after news broke that she'd officially been added to the Def Jam roster, she said the deal was finalized in April. "I had been actually working with the whole G.O.O.D. Music family for quite a while," she explained. "Around the time we did the 'Dark Fantasy' song, I was still in my contract with Star Trak/Interscope Records, and I asked for release because I wanted to find myself as an artist. I had options to go to different labels, but I felt like G.O.O.D. Music was where I wanted to be, where I fit in.
"This is the second go 'round for me, and hopefully, the second time's the charm," the 21-year-old continued. "I signed to Star Trak with Pharrell when I was 15, and now I'm at a new chapter in my life where I'm signed to G.O.O.D. Music, and I'm blessed and happy to be part of the team."
The rapper, singer, writer and actress said the new deal will definitely improve her worth ethic. "Being signed to G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam has opened more doors now that I finally have a team behind me that can push me to work harder," she said.
Taylor has already recorded her tracks for the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music album, another humbling experience. "Recording 'Dark Fantasy' and recording the G.O.O.D. Music album was both crazy," she shared. "When we did 'Dark Fantasy,' the album had to be turned in in three hours, so that was a song that we made happen so last minute, which happened to be the first song on the album, so that was very exciting.
"The same amount of work, same amount of pressure, same amount of heart, intensity, passion [went into recording the G.O.O.D. Music LP]. It was a great experience to be able to work with someone like Kanye and with Pusha T, Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Common and the whole G.O.O.D. family. When it's time to do something, we all come together, we make it work, everyone's focused."
Taylor recorded with West in both Los Angeles and New York, laughing off rumors that the crew ticked off the Royal Family while recording in London.
Right now, Taylor is simply enjoying her new family circle. "I am the princess of G.O.O.D. Music, the first lady of G.O.O.D. Music, the baby of G.O.O.D. Music," she said, laughing. "I'm kinda the spoiled brat right now. I could get whatever I want."
Переслать - 'Perks Of A Wallflower' Trailer To Debut At MTV Movie Awards!
Emma Watson (who tweeted the news) will be on hand with Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller to present the sneak peek Sunday, June 3.
By Kara Warner
Emma Watson and Logan Lerman in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
Photo: John Bramley/Summit EntertainmentWe're less than a month away from everyone's favorite cinematic-themed awards show — the 2012 MTV Movie Awards — and with only weeks away from our June 3 show date, you can expect special announcements to start flooding in with teases of this year's special guests, presenters and pre-show moments.
Speaking of pre-show moments, we're pleased to announce that the star-studded cast of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" will be on hand to help present the trailer for the highly anticipated film during our pre-show. The lovely Emma Watson helped break the news via her Twitter account on Wednesday (May 16).
#PerksOfBeingAWallflower Trailer is going to show at the @MTVMovieAwards pre-show! @LoganLerman and Ezra and I will be there to present. : )
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) May 16, 2012"#PerksOfBeingAWallflower Trailer is going to show at the @MTVMovieAwards pre-show!" Watson wrote. "@LoganLerman and Ezra and I will be there to present. : )"
"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is based on the popular Stephen Chbosky novel of the same name. The story revolves around introverted high school freshman Charlie (Logan Lerman) as he slowly comes out of his shell thanks to new friends, siblings Sam (Emma Watson) and Patrick (Ezra Miller).
Watson will not only be attending the show as part of the "Perks" trailer presentation, but will also be representing "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2," for which the lovely actress is a double nominee in the Best Female Performance and Best Kiss categories. "Deathly Hallows, Part 2" has a chance to take home major Movie Awards gold given their six nominations but faces fierce competition from "The Hunger Games" and "Bridesmaids," which are the most-nominated movies this year.
The MTV Movie Awards will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.
Переслать - Jay-Z Infected By Rita Ora's Energy
'When she walks into a room, her energy picks you up," Hov tells MTV News of his Roc Nation signee.
By Rob Markman
Jay-Z
Photo: MTV NewsJay-Z sure knows how to make dreams come true. Through the years, Hov has provided platforms for quite a few key artists like Kanye West and Rihanna — maybe you've heard of 'em. He has also lent a hand to a few less notables — Rell, anyone? — but when it comes to Roc Nation's new pop starlet Rita Ora, Hova has high hopes.
"She's one of the people that, if you were in the position, you say, 'I'm gonna help her get her dream out and then we'll see what happens,' " Jay-Z told MTV News about the Kosovo-born, West London-bred singer when we caught up with him in Philadelphia on Monday. "I think her energy is infectious, because out the gate, two #1s in London and she'll just continue to grow from there."
The later of the two #1s that Jigga references is her current single "R.I.P.," a track that was co-written by Drake and features Tinie Tempah. The fiery electro-love ode finds Ora staking her claim in a convoluted love triangle, making sensual offers that her boo simply can't refuse. "R.I.P. to the girl you used to see," she sings with a sexy wit.
What's not to love about Rita? She perfectly balances over-the-top talent with a simple, around-the-way-girl charm. Her debut U.S. single "How We Do (Party)" is a nod to the Notorious B.I.G.'s 1991 underground track "Party and Bullsh--," doesn't get more around the way than that. (She told us last month she's a " huge Notorious B.I.G. fan.")
You'll be hard-pressed to find a bigger B.I.G. fan than Jay, and it just so happens he's pretty fond of Rita as well. "She was the cool girl that worked in the sneaker store in the hood and everyone knew of her. She was just in there dreamin' and she just wanted it so bad," he said, describing Ora with awe. "You could just feel the excitement and the energy when she walks in the room, the room really changes. I know a lot of people say that and it gets to be cliché, but when she walks into a room, her energy picks you up."
Are you into Rita Ora's energy? Let us know in the comments
Related ArtistsПереслать - Justin Bieber: 'I Can't Not Dance Battle Usher'
Bieber's mentor and dance-off foe will debut his new track 'Twisted' on 'MTV First: Usher,' airing tonight at 7:54 p.m. on MTV.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway
Justin Bieber
Photo: Valery Hache/ AFP/ Getty ImagesJustin Bieber and his mentor, Usher, believe it or not, have engaged in a dance-off or two. While Bieber is certainly known for his ability to cut a rug, he noted that his pal has the smoother of the dance moves.
"Dance-offs? We had one the other night. He did this little show in New York," Bieber explained to MTV News earlier this month about facing off against Usher during his stint in the off-Broadway "Fuerza Bruta" in April. "Mid-show, he comes in the middle of the dance floor and does a dance battle with me. And I'm like 'I'm too tired for this.' He pulls out moves and I can't not dance battle Usher.
"So I go in there, do my whole thing," he recalled. "I'm pretty sure I lost, but it's all good."
When they aren't battling it out on the dance floor, it seems Usher is offering up some sage advice to the 18-year-old singer. "He's just given me the advice of 'Always keep the people that were there in the beginning, keep them with you because those are the people that really care. They want to see you succeed,' " he said. "I think that's probably pretty much the main thing he's always told me."
Usher has even more to share about working with his superstar mentee. He will open up during "MTV First: Usher," set to take place tonight at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV. He will introduce exclusive footage from "Fuerza Bruta" and his new single, the Pharrell-produced "Twisted," and will stick around for an interview with MTV News' Sway Calloway to discuss it all, including his new June release, Looking 4 Myself, on MTV.com afterward. Fans can submit questions via MTV.com or Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtag #MTVFirst or #AskUsher.
Don't miss "MTV First: Usher" tonight at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by an interview with the singer on MTV.com!
Related Videos Related ArtistsПереслать - 'American Idol' Producer 'Thrilled' By Final Three
'I can't even begin to think who the final is going to be between,' Nigel Lythgoe tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena
Nigel Lythgoe
Photo: MTV NewsAnd then there were three. The final trio of contestants will face off this week on "American Idol," and if you think you know who might win, "Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe points out that there's really no way to predict the winner.
With it all down to Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and judge-favorite Joshua Ledet, the chances of predicting who will be the season 11 champion is nearly impossible, especially given the show's history.
"I guess I was shocked at Colton [Dixon] going so early. I thought he might even make the final. We've had very talented singers all this season. I'm thrilled with the three people who are left," he told MTV News at an event announcing Fox's fall lineup on Monday. "I can't even begin to think who the final is going to be between.
"And then whichever combination you look: If Joshua is sent home, where does Joshua's votes go to, Jessica or to Phillip? Where does Jessica's votes go, if she's sent home? Where do Phillip's votes [go]?" he continued about any final combinations ahead of the May 23 finale. "So... I still don't know with the combination of just moving it around who is going to win."
That being said, Lythgoe must have some gut feeling about who will join the ranks of Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Kris Allen as the "Idol" victor this time around? "I don't have to use my gut," he said. "I know the results every week and nobody has won two weeks on the run. It's so dependent, I think, on song choice now and how they do. The judges can critique, America makes its own decision at the end of the day."
Do you think you can predict the next American Idol? Leave your comment below!
Related PhotosПереслать - Kristen Stewart Wants 'Freaky' Co-Stars For 'Cali'
KStew wants to 'get together really weird, freaky actor people' for the Nick Cassavetes-directed film, her first producer credit.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Kristen Stewart
Photo: MTV NewsKristen Stewart might be the light in the darkness of "Snow White and the Huntsman," but in her next film, "Cali," Stewart is fully embracing the unsavory. The Nick Cassavetes-directed flick is expected to shoot this summer and, from the looks of it, it exists in a world that couldn't be farther from the fairytale world of "Snow White."
"Hopefully after all of this we can go and we can do it in the summer, like lock ourselves away for a few weeks in the Valley [in L.A.] in a little production office and get together really weird, freaky actor people," she told MTV News. "It's filled with like the coolest characters."
The film centers on Mya (Stewart) and Chris, a couple from San Fernando Valley who sell a fake snuff film and disappear with the money. But Mya, who's thought to be dead, must head back to Cali years later to save the younger sister she left behind. When she and Chris return, they're faced with an array of characters, including "angry former business partners, homicidal porn stars, stoner vet techs [and] an unstoppable killing machine in a cowboy hat." Michael Diliberti ("30 Minutes or Less") wrote the script.
"I'm from the Valley. It's been a while since we captured that world and it's super extreme, everything about it. I think it's like, it's extremely violent, it's extremely funny, extremely emotional," she explained about the film, which will be Stewart's first producer credit. "But all very kind of, not hard to watch, but real."
Until she gets real in "Cali," KStew will close the "Twilight" chapter of her career when "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" opens this November. She's expected to hit up the Cannes Film Festival to premiere "On the Road," in which she'll showing another real side of herself when she appears nude.
"I wasn't scared, honestly," Stewart told MTV News of the sex scenes, including a ménage à trois with co-stars Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley.
"It's kind of insane to watch now. I'm like, 'Who is that?' But I think — as every actress says when they do this is — it just felt so right," she said. "It was so within a different world and so within a different environment that I don't even really feel — I mean, I am personally connected to it, of course — but it is something outside of myself."
Which Kristen Stewart movie are you looking forward to most? Leave your comment below!
Check out everything we've got on "On the Road" and "Breaking Dawn - Part 2."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosПереслать - 'Idol' Finalist Jessica Sanchez Gets Props From Philippine President
'American Idol' hopefuls Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips have gotten A-List support from Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Julianne Hough.
By Gil Kaufman
Jessica Sanchez on "American Idol"
Photo: FOXU.S. presidents have typically stayed out of the "who is going to win 'American Idol'" fray in the past in order to avoid upsetting any voting blocs. But that doesn't mean that foreign dignitaries can't offer up their two cents.
That might explain why on the eve of the penultimate performance night on "Idol," the Associated Press reported that Philippine president Benigno Aquino III has wholeheartedly endorsed his choice for next week's finale: Jessica Sanchez.
"Hopefully, she really reaches the top," Aquino said of the 16-year-old top three finalists from Chula Vista, California, who is of Filipino and Latin heritage.
The President isn't the only one who has co-signed the pixie-size diva. She's gotten shout-outs and love from everyone from "Idol" mentor Jimmy Iovine and his music industry pal Tommy Mottola to former "Idol" champ Kris Allen. Onetime contestants Jennifer Hudson and Haley Reinhart, as well as singers Billy Joel, Beyoncé, India.Arie and Colbie Caillat have all sung Sanchez's praises.
In an interview, Allen said, "I said that Jessica Sanchez was my favorite, and I hate saying that to be honest with you because I remember being on the show and other people being fans of other people on the show that were not me. But I think that she is my favorite to win the show. ... I think it's time for a girl to win, to be honest with you."
While a girl has indeed not won since season six, Sanchez isn't the only one getting props from famous admirers.
Leading contender Phillip Phillips has been feeling the love on his Twitter account, where he's gotten shout-outs from past "Idol" contestants including Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, Naima Adedapo and James Durbin, who said Phil reminds him of (shocker) Dave Matthews. Also offering praise over the months: rocker Jonny Lang, new Twitter bestie and Dave Matthews bassist Stefan Lessard, fake crush Julianne Hough and the folks at his favorite hometown restaurant, El Coyote Café.
The other male left in the competition, soul sensation Joshua Ledet, is no slouch, either. In fact, over the past four months he's turned into the celeb-crush object of the moment, chatting up former "Idol" finalists Pia Toscano, Alaina and Melinda Doolittle, as well as "X Factor" finalist Stacy Francis. "Idol" champ Allen had high praise writing, "I think @JLedetAI11 is the best singer that's ever been on the show."
Hudson sent a note to Ledet in February that he later said brought tears to his eyes, writing, "Joshua Ledet did an amazing performance of 'You Pulled Me Through' on @AmericanIdol last night. Gave me goosebumps!"
Show executive producer Nigel Lythgoe sent along a note from the legendary Percy Sledge that said how much he enjoyed Ledet's version of "When a Man Loves a Woman." Oh, and did we mention that Mariah Carey tweeted him? "Joshua, thank you for your kind words and your beautiful performance," she wrote on March 29 after he sang her version of "Without You." "I'm honored you chose to sing my version of the song. God bless."
And Rihanna too? "Joshua Ledet!!!!!!! I'm your #1 fan," she gushed. Not to mention Mary J. Blige herself, who wrote on May 10, "I just voted for @JLedetAI11 on #Idol. He slayed his performances."
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Переслать - 'Fifty Shades Of Grey': Kim Kardashian Sneaks A Peek
'My grandmother MJ read the first one and said she couldn't put it down," Khloe Kardashian tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner
Kim Kardashian & Khloe Kardashian
Photo: MTV NewsWith book-to-film adaptations being all the rage these days, people just can't seem to stop talking about the latest hot-button page-turner and best-seller "Fifty Shades of Grey." And with the big-screen version of the saucy, S&M-heavy tale on the way, we're doing our best here at MTV News to keep abreast of the latest developments in casting, along with attempts to round up a list of celebrity fans.
When we caught up with in-the-know reality TV superstars Kim and Khloe Kardashian recently, ahead of the premiere of the new season of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," we asked the sisters for their thoughts on the book and its rise to popularity within the pop-culture zeitgeist. Both ladies apparently have a lot of reading to do.
"[I haven't read it] but everyone talks about it," Khloe said. "My grandmother MJ read the first one and said she couldn't put it down. Now she's on the second one. My grandmother!" Khloe added. "Sexy!" Kim also has yet to read the entire story, but admitted to letting her curiosity get the best of her during a recent plane ride that involved reading over a stranger's shoulder.
"There was someone reading it on their Kindle on the plane [in the seat] in front of me and they were a little older so the font was huge," Kim recalled. "I was bored so I was like leaning forward and reading a full chapter."
"I heard it's a great book," Khloe chimed in.
"It's racy," Kim said.
"Grandmothers gotta live too," Khloe said with a smile.
Переслать - Jennifer Lopez Tops Forbes Celebrity 100
Oprah and Justin Bieber follow, with Lady Gaga falling from #1 to #5 and Katy Perry and Rihanna making top 10 debuts.
By John Mitchell
Jennifer Lopez
Photo: Mike Coppola/ Getty ImagesThere's no doubt Jennifer Lopez has experienced one of the most meteoric comebacks in recent memory, and it seems Forbes is taking note, granting the multi-hyphenate mogul the top spot on its annual Celebrity 100.
Lopez unseats Lady Gaga, who took top honors last year but falls to #5 in this year's ranking; her visibility and earnings were lower in the last 12 months because she wasn't touring, having wrapped her Monster Ball in May of last year and only recently launching her latest road show, the Born This Way Ball.
Rihanna and Kim Kardashian debut on the list in grand fashion, coming in at 4 and 7, respectively. The two benefited from the inclusion of a "Social Rank" among the factors, which include money earned, TV/radio presence and level of press attention, used to formulate the listing, which aims to reflect the level of influence a celebrity has in the entertainment industry. With her millions of followers on Twitter and Facebook, Rihanna came in second in the Social Rank category.
Explaining Lopez's position on the list, Forbes writes, "['American Idol'] gave her a platform to promote her music and turn her image around. It didn't hurt that she also split from her husband, Marc Anthony. Suddenly a single mother, Lopez lapped up the media attention and scored lucrative endorsement deals with companies like L'Oreal and Gillette. She now has a line of clothing at Kohl's, a top-selling fragrance and she was able to secure a nice bump — to $20 million — on her' Idol' salary for a second season. With 6.6 million followers on Twitter and 12 million fans on Facebook, she's also proved a master of social media."
Oprah Winfrey held on to the #2 spot on the list and was its top earner ($165 million) despite a tough year that saw her syndicated talk show come to a planned end after 25 years and her OWN cable network struggle in the ratings.
Justin Bieber also held onto the #3 position he debuted in last year. The "Boyfriend" pop star earned an impressive $55 million in the last 12 months and garnered top 10 rankings elsewhere across the board, coming in at #3 in the Social Rank and #4 in the TV/Radio Rank.
Her long list of chart-topping singles and the press attention around her divorce from Russell Brand, in addition to her strong Twitter presence and largely sold-out California Dreams world tour, were enough to push Katy Perry into the top 10 after debuting on the countdown last year at #12. She leaps six spots in this year's ranking, placing at #6 with a not-too-shabby $45 million earned.
Looking at the list and the various artists' rankings in the five categories used to determine their placement, there's a sense that the actual positions are more arbitrary than usual. For example, Lopez is #1 despite not ranking inside the top 10 in any of the categories (and is as low as #30 in money, #22 in press rank and #19 in social), while both Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber earned top 10 placement in all of them except the Money Rank, the top tier of which is dominated by multimedia moguls like Winfrey, Steven Spielberg (#10 overall), Simon Cowell (#18), Dr. Dre (#26), Howard Stern (#30) and Michael Bay (#35).
And then there's Adele, who despite having the top-selling album in six years, three #1 singles (including the year's most ubiquitous song, "Rolling in the Deep"), six Grammy wins and mountains of positive press, ranks at only #24, behind Glenn Beck (#23) and Jennifer Aniston (#22) and one spot ahead of Bon Jovi.
Other notable entries on the Forbes Celebrity 100 include Taylor Swift at #11, Beyoncé at #16, Jay-Z at #38, Kristen Stewart at #43 and Kanye West at #45. Further down the power rankings are Lil Wayne (#69), Skrillex (#92) and Zooey Deschanel (#96).
What do you think of this year's Forbes Celebrity 100? Let us know in the comments below.
Related Videos Related ArtistsПереслать - Diggy Simmons Breaks Down Key Scenes In 'Two Up' Video
'I like how it came out overall for real. It's just a good feeling,' Diggy tells MTV News of his new video.
By Rob Markman
Diggy Simmons
Photo: MTV NewsDiggy's "Two Up" party isn't over. On Friday, Young Mr. Simmons celebrated the premiere of his "Two Up" video with MTV's RapFix blog, and the teenage MC was so excited that he sat with MTV News and broke down each scene in the Clifton Bell-directed clip.
The vid begins with Diggy standing alone, playing air piano in time with the track's opening keys. The action may seem insignificant, but it's actually a key component to the song. "That was what really drew me to the track when I first heard the beat," he said. "It was just those piano keys that I love."
As the beat begins to take shape, so does the video, and a bouncer begins to let Diggy's specially invited guests into the party. Of course the crowd is compromised mostly of females. "There were so many girls at the shoot that we were like, 'We have to get some dudes in the mix,' " Diggy said, laughing at the non-dilemma.
"They were like New York, young kids, you know how they get," the MC said of the video's extras. "It was good energy and we didn't even have to tell them to get hyped at no point in the video. I was feeding off of their energy when I was in front of them during those shots. It was just easy."
It wasn't just the crowd that excited Diggy: The fashion-forward MC was also hyped at his on-camera wardrobe, though some of his favorite items didn't even make the cut. In one scene Simmons sports a turquoise jacket with two mini-Jesus pieces around his neck. On his feet he wears a special pair of black and gold Air Jordan #6s that were released back in 2006 and now go for as much as $850 online. "I'm kinda mad that you didn't get that in the shot," Diggy said of his coveted footwear.
Another key scene, in which a silhouetted Diggs dances across the screen, was actually inspired by another rap great. For the "Two Up" video, Simmons borrowed from Kanye West's 2007 clip for "Homecoming." "That whole silhouette idea is something that we drew inspiration from but made it a little different with the color, because that video is black and white," he explained. "I like how it came out overall for real. It's just a good feeling."
What do you think of Diggy's "Two Up" video? Tell us in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsПереслать - 'American Idol' Race To Finale: What Should They Sing?
MTV News 'Idol' experts share their choices for Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet and Phillips Phillips.
By Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery
Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips on "American Idol"
Photo: FOXThe "American Idol" season 11 top three have a lot to prove as we head into Wednesday night's (May 16) second-to-last lap.
Likely winner Phillip Phillips has skated through virtually unscathed by pretty much doing a season-long homage to Dave Matthews, while Joshua Ledet has thrilled us with his gritty soul shouting but failed to show much personality along the way (unless you count that one week he wore a flower in his lapel). And Jessica Sanchez? Well, the 16-year-old definitely has powerful pipes and is a diva in the waiting, but she's still not quite ready for prime time.
All three will be tested this week when they have to sing three songs: a judges' choice, a tune picked by mentor Jimmy Iovine and, finally, one of their own choosing. Though the track record of MTV News' resident "Idol" experts has been a bit spotty to date (OK, James, we get it, you have gotten it right four more times than Gil), that hasn't stopped Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery from posting their last set of secret-ballot picks before next week's finale.
Phillip Phillips
He threw us for a curve last week when he went for Damien Rice's "Volcano," and he's already done a DMB cover, so chances are, Phil will steer clear of anything too obvious. I suspect the judges will pick something firmly in his wheelhouse, though, maybe Counting Crows' "Mr. Jones." Iovine has a deep understanding of music and knows that the girls want their hearts melted, so he might opt for something in the classic-rock mode like the Allman Brothers' "Melissa." After the Rice-bomb last week, it's anyone's guess what P-Phunk will choose, so, what the hell, let's go with David Gray's appropriately vanilla 2000 breakthrough smash "Babylon." — KaufmanIt's nice of him to take time off from his "Idol" crown fittings (Scotty McCreery was a 7 and three-eighths, BTW) to grace us with his presence this week. I suspect he'll reward us with more of the same anyway. The judges should just have him do a medley of the past four champs' singles — including Lee DeWyze's latest, "Can I Borrow, Like, Five Dollars?" — just to let America realize what they've done, but, of course, they won't. Instead, I'll say they stick him with one of Steven Tyler's songs; maybe they have him do "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing"? As for Iovine's pick, I'm thinking he gives him Santana and Rob Thomas' "Smooth," because Jimmy's mad old, or maybe John Mayer's "Your Body Is a Wonderland," since it will make his female fanbase spontaneously combust. And as for his personal pick? Dude, he's already gone deep-cut twice (with DMB and Rice), so who's to say he doesn't just cover Phish's "Icarus" and call it a day. Regardless, the judges will praise his "uniqueness." — Montgomery
Jessica Sanchez
It's gonna be an uphill battle for JSanch to shimmy her way into the finale. Aside from the curse of near-elimination and the fact that a girl hasn't won since season six, she's been somewhat erratic lately and her go-to big ballads have landed as often as her uptempos have flopped. The judges want to see her shine, so they will surely gift her with a big, fat ballad along the lines of Anita Baker's "Sweet Love." Jimmy knows she needs to show she can be a contemporary star, which is why he'll opt for Rihanna's "California King Bed." As for what BeBe will pick for herself, well, she's proven a tough one to nail down. She's already hit on Whitney, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and Alicia Keys but has been light on songs by Pink, so I'm gonna suggest "Don't Let Me Get Me" or "Glitter in the Air," which will allow her to show her rough and smooth sides. Bottom line: She needs three grand slams to make it to next week. — KaufmanSix weeks ago, I would have penned an impassioned plea for her to win the season 11 crown. Now? Eh. She's never really recovered from her (near) elimination, and in her struggles, one glaring weakness keeps rearing its ugly head: Sure, she can sing, but she can't connect to a song to save her life. Simply put, she's not ready. In fact, she's yet to graduate beyond talent-show-standout status. And everyone knows this, which is why I see the judges sticking her with Adele's "Someone Like You" (since it's like the de facto emotional song of our times, and if you can't connect to it then you're almost assuredly a replicant) and Iovine stuffing something from the Interscope stable down her throat (maybe Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry" or a Gaga tune). For her own pick? Well, she already did "Dance With My Father," so maybe she stays in the same vein and does Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle." Or maybe she'll just do Beyoncé again. — Montgomery
Joshua Ledet
He may not inspire backflips or have the stagecraft of an Usher or Chris Brown, but Ledet has just the kind of big, showy voice "Idol" viewers love (to vote for just enough to secure second place). The judges can't get enough of his old-school soul thing, so they'll go retro with Al Green's "Take Me to the River." Jimmy knows Josh has the chops but not the sound radio is looking for, so he has to convince us there's a record in there somewhere, which means he'll dip into the Usher vault for something smooth like "Confessions Part II" or "Papers." Josh has made some odd choices in the past (Josh Groban?) but has shown a proclivity for songs by divas (both male and female), and he hasn't tried a single tune by Otis Redding yet. Is that possible? In that case, he's got plenty of options, including "I've Got Dreams to Remember," "These Arms of Mine" or "That's How Strong My Love Is." — KaufmanIn a perfect world, he'd win "Idol." After all, he's not only the most-talented singer, but the best performer too. But we all know he's going up against a toothy white guy, so second place is about the best Joshua can hope for. The judges, being the myopic bunch they are, will keep him in the retro-soul box and give him something like Bruno Mars' "Grenade" (come to think of it, that would be pretty good). Iovine will be trying to keep him current, so why not Usher's "Climax"? And for his own pick, I have no idea, but if he wants to win, maybe he does fun.'s "We Are Young." After all, graduation is nearly here, and everyone's looking for an anthem. — Montgomery
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Переслать - 'Terminator' Actor Nick Stahl Reported Missing
Star of 'Terminator: Rise of the Machines' has not been heard from since May 9, his wife told L.A. officials.
By Kara Warner
Nick Stahl
Photo: Barry King/FilmMagic"Terminator: Rise of the Machines" actor Nick Stahl has been reported missing. Los Angeles law enforcement officials confirmed to TMZ that Stahl's wife, Rose Murphy, reported her husband missing on Monday, saying that the last time she saw the 32-year-old was on May 9.
Sources told the website that Stahl had been displaying some erratic behavior recently and was allegedly spending time in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. The source also expressed concern that the actor might have become involved in some questionable activities.
This is not the first time, however, that those close to the actor have expressed concern over his well-being. Stahl's wife filed papers with the LA County Superior Court back in February asking a judge to limit her husband's access to their 2-year-old daughter Marlo due to his alleged drug and alcohol abuse. She also claimed that she and Stahl were no longer living together.
There has been no word from Stahl's reps regarding his whereabouts, but Stahl's wife has been relatively active on her Twitter account, posting a general thank you for support early Wednesday (May 16). "Thank you for kind words," she tweeted.
Thank you for kind words..
— Rose Murphy Stahl (@TheMrsStahl) May 16, 2012A quick look at Stahl's Twitter account shows that the actor has been inactive since May 1, but that he and Murphy might have been working through their problems since the actor tweeted on April 26 that they were not actually separated.
Not sure where it got started but @TheMrsStahl and I are not separated. Far from it
— Nick Stahl (@TheNickStahl) April 26, 2012"Not sure where it got started but @TheMrsStahl and I are not separated. Far from it," he wrote.
Stahl made his big-screen debut back in 1993 opposite Mel Gibson in "The Man Without a Face." Since then, he's appeared in several major studio films, inclduing "The Thin Red Line," "Disturbing Behavior" and "Sin City." His most recent role is in the VOD-released "388 Arletta Avenue" opposite Devon Sawa.
Переслать - Britney Spears Calls 'X Factor' A 'Beautiful Concept'
Spears says she wants to 'inspire' contestants on the Fox show.
By Jocelyn Vena
"X Factor" judges L.A. Reid, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell and Britney Spears at the FOX Upfront
Photo: Desiree Navarro/ Getty ImagesBritney Spears seems poised and ready to sit beside her fellow "X Factor" judges on the revamped second season of the show. At the Fox upfront this week, the singer appeared alongside fellow newbie Demi Lovato, as well as returning judges Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid, and gushed about the Fox reality show.
"Just really being able to be there and inspire the other contestants ... they're so young and they're trying to fulfill their dreams," she said at the event. "It's just a whole beautiful concept. It's just really cool."
While her negotiations with the show had been making headlines in the weeks leading up to the official announcement, Cowell brushed off all the hoopla, which includes a rumored $15 million payday for joining the show. "A force of nature, I was somewhere in the middle, but I'm thrilled. I love these guys," he said of getting everyone, including Spears, on board. "I charmed her."
Spears seemed equally taken with the prickly Brit. "He's adorable. He's completely adorable. He didn't have to try hard," she admitted.
Spears' addition to the show is hardly the only casting making news: Lovato also opened up about having the "X Factor." While little is known about the final hours going into locking Lovato in for the show, she's rumored to be taking in $1 million, according to Gossip Cop.
Lovato was on a short list of possible contenders to appear on the show that also reportedly included Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne. "I'm so excited to be here," she said. "I guess you called," she added with Simon by her side. "And that's how it got set up, just a phone call." In addition to getting warm and fuzzy about each other in the interview, Cowell shared that the judges will be filming in the next couple weeks when they hit up Austin, Texas, to begin scoping out talent. And if you think the claws might come out then, Reid assured viewers that that won't be the case. "Oh no, we're gonna be really sweet to each other," he said. "Nothing controversial. It'll be perfect."
Related ArtistsПереслать - Wiz Khalifa, Nas, Bone Thugs Lead Rock The Bells Lineup
Lupe Fiasco tweets that he's not on this year's bill, despite an announcement to the contrary.
By Felicia Morris
Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Dana Nalbandian/ Getty ImagesHip-hop's premier music festival is back. On Tuesday, Guerilla Union held a press conference to reveal its lineup of hip-hop all-stars for Rock the Bells 2012. Freestyler extraordinaire Supernatural delivered the list of performers one-by-one with an impromptu rap, rattling off names like Wiz Khalifa, Kid Cudi, Nas, J. Cole and Mac Miller, as well as veteran acts like Missy Elliott, Timbaland and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.
Lupe Fiasco's name also appears on the festival's flyer, but on Wednesday morning (May 16), the Chi-Town lyricist tweeted that despite what was printed, he would not be in attendance this year. "Not doing Rock The Bellz...thats a typo fam and friends...," he wrote.
For the first time in nine years, Rock the Bells will expand its daylong festival to two days. The first show will take place August 18 at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California. Last year's three-stage setup forced fans to choose between their favorite acts, who would often perform simultaneously. "We had quite a few complaints about Mobb Deep fans having to choose between Mobb Deep and Nas," Guerilla Union boss Chang Weisberg said as an example. "We tried to deliver three stages, but it didn't work out. So the correction? Two stages, two days, one event."
RTB will hit the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, on August 25 and 26 and then the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, on September 1 and 2. Coincidentally, the East Coast show falls on the very same weekend as Jay-Z's recently announced Made in America multi-genre music festival in Philadelphia. Hov promises close to 30 eclectic acts in the fields of rock, hip-hop, R&B, Latin and dance music. The Made in America lineup hasn't been announced yet, but already, the RTB bill is ripe with diverse rap talent. 2 Chainz, Tyga, Kendrick Lamar, Slick Rick, E-40, Too Short and A$AP Rocky will all be in attendance.
The announcement event wrapped up with performances by DJ Quik and Bone Thugs, who took the stage and rocked a few of their many classics, leaving fans ready for the main course this summer. Fans should check RockTheBells.net for venue and ticket information.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsПереслать - Jay Sean's 'Sex 101' Collabo With Tyga Is 'Dope'
'Everyone knows Tyga's the next hot thing,' Sean says of his Cash Money family member.
By Natasha Chandel, with reporting by Jocelyn Vena
Jay Sean
Photo: MTV NewsJay Sean knows how to keep it in the family. The Cash Money family, that is. He has worked with its heavy hitters Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj and can now add Tyga to his roster of A-list collabos. The labelmates have teamed up for the seductively titled track "Sex 101" off Jay's latest studio album, Worth It All.
"One of the first things I noticed when I joined Cash Money was that they don't work with just anyone, they really don't," the pop crooner told MTV News, expressing gratitude for the support he has received from his extended family. Before Nicki Minaj catapulted to stardom, she jumped on his song "2012," as Wayne did with "Down," the club banger that broke the U.K. artist into the U.S. market.
It seems it was that communal energy that drew Jay Sean to Cash Money in the first place. "That family thing — working with people, talking to people, doing business with people that they can only vibe with is just how they operate," he explained. "That's why Baby [Cash Money co-founder Bryan Williams] will call me every other day just to check up on me and see how I'm doing."
Although he doesn't want to be defined by his collaborations, working with Tyga was a natural fit for Jay. "Tyga's the next to blow from Young Money. Everyone knows Tyga's the next hot thing." So it didn't take much for him to hit up his longtime supporter and friend to appear on "Sex 101." "I realized from an early stage how dope he was as an MC," Jay said about the "Rack City" rapper.
The R&B single is featured on Jay's mixtape The Mistress and will be reproduced and reworked as a single and video off his forthcoming album, Worth It All. Jay Sean's newest single, "I'm All Yours" featuring Pitbull is set for release on May 29th.
Related ArtistsПереслать - Sacha Baron Cohen Built His 'Dictator' From 'The Ground Up'
'He's been to comedy what Marlon Brando was to acting,' director Larry Charles tells MTV News.
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Sacha Baron Cohen in "The Dictator"
Photo: Paramount PicturesFor each of Sacha Baron Cohen's onscreen conquests, one man has been there every step of the way. Larry Charles made a name for himself as supervising producer and occasional writer for "Seinfeld," but his work directing Baron Cohen's films brought him a new kind of recognition.
Baron Cohen asked Charles once again to helm his film with "The Dictator," and MTV News spoke with the director in the lead-up to the film's release.
One of the biggest challenges posed by their new film was the creation of an entirely new character. Unlike Baron Cohen's previous films, which came out of his work on "Da Ali G Show," the writers of "The Dictator" created the concept for General Aladeen with the comedian in mind. This meant that Baron Cohen had to work through the specifics of Aladeen to make him as fully realized.
"Unlike the other movies, where Sacha had a character that he had been working on for years and years and years and was to hone, he knew how this character walked and talked and reacted to every situation when it came to Bruno or Borat or Ali G, but this is a brand-new character," Charles said. "He had to create this character from the ground up, from the accent to the look to the body language. We needed to give him as much time as possible to evolve that character to where he was ready for the camera."
Additionally, "The Dictator" did away with Baron Cohen's old format of real-life people interacting with the character. The more traditional structure allowed Charles to get additional takes with Baron Cohen for the first time. "I had never had a second take with Sacha in any of the movies," he said. "We would do one take. Now that one take may last eight hours for some of the scenes we did in 'Borat' or 'Bruno.' Eight straight hours of him having to do a character. Eight straight hours of filming it. Here we didn't have to do that."
Considering that some of the "Borat" and "Bruno" interviews resulted in lawsuits and physical threats, Charles said the "Dictator" set was indeed much safer, but that security came at a price. "It's certainly physically safer, no question about it," Charles said. "To be in the United States with a full crew and security and have some kind of permission to be there and not encounter the hostility that we have encountered all over the world and here. At the same time, the danger here is complacency."
The real reason Charles has been willing to work with Baron Cohen repeatedly is that he genuinely believes him to be a comedic genius. "I really classify him in that rare company of comic geniuses. I think there have been a handful of them in film and television history," Charles said. "He has changed the face of comedy like few other people have. He's been to comedy what Marlon Brando was to acting. Comedy will be different after him. You can't go back to some of the old-fashioned ways after you've seen Sacha do his thing at his best."
Check out everything we've got on "The Dictator."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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