Friday, September 30, 2011
Britney Spears 'Can't Be Knocked Down'
Celebrity fans including former 'NSYNC singer JC Chasez, tourmate DJ Pauly D and more weigh in on why Brit is still on top.
By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears with Lady Gaga as Jo Calderone at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
At the 2011 Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga's alter ego Jo Calderone presented Britney Spears with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award by telling the audience that Spears "taught us all how to be fearless." And that fearlessness was honored with a dance-heavy tribute to the pop star. Brit's ever-growing legacy is the reason why she was so deserving of the special award, her celebrity fans and members of her inner circle told MTV News.
"She never lets you down," her longtime choreographer Brian Friedman told MTV News on the VMA black carpet on Sunday night. "She's definitely not dull. There's always something crazy coming around the next turn. I think it's a mix between music, which is always incredible, the dance performance you see on the stage, the iconic videos, the fashion, and then the fact that she can't be knocked down."
We spotted Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and more hanging out backstage!
Those sentiments were mirrored by her pal and former 'NSYNC member JC Chasez, who noted that even at 30, "She's actually been around long enough [to have a tribute]. She has a body of work to pull from."
Spears' former tourmate, DJ Pauly D, also gushed about the singer, who won Best Pop Video for "Till The World Ends."
Find out how Beyoncé and Jay-Z Celebrated Their VMA Baby News!
"Oh, man! She deserves it out of anybody," the "Jersey Shore" star said. "She's been killing it forever now. She's got so many albums, and every time she brings out an album, she brings it."
After Gaga presented Spears with the award on Sunday, a group of young female dancers of various ages, dressed up in Britney-themed costumes from her hit music videos, took the stage to perform some of her most memorable moves.
The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners, fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest.
Gabrielle Union Garcelle Beauvais Genelle Frenoy Georgianna Robertson
Ke$ha Is Channeling 'Sexiness' Of '70s Rock For New Album
Glitter-heavy pop star tells MTV News she's going for 'balls-out, irreverent rock and roll.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
Ke$ha's already got the face paint down pat, and, during recent live sets, she's even taken to guzzling blood out of a human heart, so it should come as no surprise that, on her upcoming album, the pop star is taking things back to the most theatrical era of rock: the prop-heavy, arena-spanning heyday of the 1970s.
Ke$h revealed her plans over the weekend in Los Angeles, on the red carpet of KIIS FM's annual Wango Tango concert, where she told MTV News that the follow-up to her breakout Animal album (and, we suppose, Cannibal too) would be heavy on hard riffs and light on pretty much everything else.
"The next album ... I've been working on writing on the road, but as far as a sound, I just know it's gonna be balls-out, irreverent rock and roll," she said. "I've been pretty much in this '70s rock and roll kick and I just want to capture some of the true essence of what rock and roll is, and that's just irreverence and sexiness and fun and not giving a f---, so we'll definitely put a bit of rock and roll in it."
So, does that mean that fans can expect the likes of Alice Cooper or Peter Frampton to show up on her new album? Perhaps. Because while Ke$ha's new album is still a ways off, she's already begun calling in favors, hoping to line up a killer collabo for the new disc.
"I'm trying, trust me," she laughed. "I really would love to connect with one of my idols, I mean, that's my dream. I'm working on it."
What do you think of Ke$ha going rock for her next album? Tell us in the comments!
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Do Foo Fighters Know Robert Pattinson From Robert Plant?
During band's rehearsal break for Sunday's Movie Awards, we put Foos to the test.
By Ryan J. Downey, with reporting by Jim Cantiello
The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl
Photo: MTV News
UNIVERSAL CITY, California — Hard rock, heavy metal, hardcore and punk have long gone hand-in-hand with evil wizards, magic, vampires and werewolves. And with a collective sub-cultural pedigree that includes stints in the Germs, No Use for a Name, Sunny Day Real Estate, Scream and some band called Nirvana, you'd think the Foo Fighters — set to perform at Sunday's Movie Awards — would know their "Potter" from their Zeppelin. Certainly they can recognize a "wand" reference and pinpoint its origin?
Right? Before we put MTV News' magically crafted trivia to the band, it seemed safe to assume the Foos would accurately distinguish between the words of Harry Potter, a "Twilight" character and Led Zeppelin. But was their underground nerd cred blown to shreds? Read on — and click the video! — to see how the Foo Fighters fared when we caught up with them on the Universal Studios lot, shortly after they finished rehearsing their Movie Awards performance.
Our own Jim Cantiello played dungeon master as Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear were given a series of semi-famous lines and asked whether they originated with "Harry Potter," the "Twilight Saga" or the lyrics of hard-rock pioneers Led Zeppelin.
Here's a sampling of a few of those one-liners:
» "The elder wand, the most powerful wand ever made."
» "Why don't you let me be yours ever truly? Can I make your garden grow?"
» "You're lying, Dolores! You mustn't tell lies!"
Can you guess whether the lines above came from the "Potter" flicks, "Twilight" or Robert Plant?
Watch as the Foos try their best to do exactly that. Then tune in to the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday to catch the Foo Fighters rock the stage with their new single, "Walk."
Will wizards, vampires or dream thieves steal the 2011 MTV Movie Awards? Find out June 5, when the 20th annual show airs live at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Tune in at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT that night for the "America's Best Dance Crew" finale and Movie Awards pre-show, loaded with live action from the red carpet, exclusive movie clips and a special edition of "After Hours."
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsUsher - Moving Mountains
- Artist: Usher
- Label: LaFace Records/Zomba Label Group
- Director: The Brothers Strauss
- Album: Here I Stand
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Mini Must-Have: Nahla Aubry?s Pretty Dress
Check out Nahla Aubry in her GapKids dress and Stride Rite sandals. Plus, get the deets on where to buy them.
'Twilight' Newcomers The Joy Formidable Surprised By Spot On Soundtrack
'I haven't seen the films,' frontwoman Ritzy Bryan confesses, despite landing lead-off track on 'Breaking Dawn' soundtrack.
By James Montgomery
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"
Photo: Summit Entertainment
There are some bands prepared for the increased attention that a spot on a "Twilight" soundtrack brings. And then there are bands like voluminous rockers the Joy Formidable who, despite snagging the opening slot on the upcoming "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack, remain blissfully unaware of everything to come. Or, really, everything about the "Twilight" series, for that matter.
"I can't say I've ever read one. I haven't seen the films either, but I have heard the soundtracks, and I was familiar with some of the songs, you know, Metric and the Black Keys," frontwoman Ritzy Bryan told MTV News. "So I was more aware of the musical side of 'Twilight' than I was the books or the movies. Actually, I know very little [about the books]. I know they're about vampires, and I know they've connected very much with an audience ... so they're obviously much enjoyed by a lot of people."
And yet, despite all that, their contribution to the "Breaking Dawn" soundtrack — a ringing, downright desperate song called "Endtapes" that will be the album's lead-off track — fits seamlessly; mostly because, as Bryan explained, it is very much about the themes that remain central to the "Twilight" series.
"The song was written at the same time as our album, and because of that, it has a lot of the tone and the feel of the album. And those songs, there's a lot of turbulence going on, and it definitely chronicles a year that was very turbulent on one hand, but you know, it's me trying to push for that hope and that sense of optimism," she said. "It's a song that captures that spirit. It's a song about the frustration of not being able to have closure on a difficult situation."
And given that, unlike fellow "Breaking Dawn" artist Christina Perri, she's basically oblivious to the entire "Twilight" phenomenon, Bryan has no idea where "Endtapes" will be used in the upcoming "Breaking Dawn" film ... shoot, she's not even sure she and her bandmates will get invited to the premiere. That doesn't mean they wouldn't go, of course.
"I don't know anything about that! If we get an invite, I wouldn't mind going to the cinema. I haven't been to the cinema for such a long time," she laughed. "We've been perpetually on the road for about a year and a half, and we watch lots and lots of DVDs in our van, but a trip to the cinema would be wonderful. I would have to do some laundry, but that would be fine!"
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.
Afternoon Links With Jay-Z And His Mom
Jay-Z and his mom Gloria attended the Shawn Carter Foundation carnival last night.� Jay-Z’s foundation is raising money to help fund college scholarships. (Wenn.com) George Clooney comes to Elisabetta’s defense. (The Celebrity Cafe) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans will want … Continue reading
Prince Harry: Florence Brudenell-Bruce new Girlfriend
Elisabeth Rˆhm Elisha Cuthbert Eliza Dushku Emilie de Ravin
Les News, 093011
THIS woman finally gets to hear herself for the first time. Willow Sage makes her way to NYC. Dream House is TWO bad. Brooklyn police advise women not to wear skirts to avoid being raped. Peeps are not happy with Bank of America. Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine does Billboard magazine. A little [...]
Christina DaRe Christina Milian Christina Ricci Chyler Leigh
Jack Osbourne is engaged
The reality TV star proposed to model-and-actress Lisa Stelly after just four months of dating and she said “yes”. After accepting his proposal, she tweeted: “The most amazing man I’ve ever met asked me to marry him – and he wasn’t joking! Crazy, right ” Jack has had his fair share of troubles after rising [...]
Rachel McAdams: LAX Landing
Never one to sit still for long, Rachel McAdams was spotted arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday (September 29).
The ?Sherlock Holmes? hottie looked trendy as she was decked out in the latest fall fashion and made her way through the terminal, looking to be in no mood for her picture to be taken.
Last week, Rachel and Robert Downey Jr teamed up once again in London, England for some re-shoots of their upcoming ?Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.?
Their action/crime sequel hits theaters on December 16.
Anna Paquin AnnaLynne McCord Anne Marie Kortright April Scott
Michael Jackson Doctor Left 'Panicked' Voicemail After Death
In addition to assistant's testimony, bodyguard claims MJ's kids were in the room when he died.
By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Kara Warner
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Pool/ Getty Images
Day two of testimony in the manslaughter trial of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray featured more damning revelations from MJ's personal assistant and head of security, as well as employees of AEG Live, the firm that was promoting the singer's 50-show This Is It attempted comeback tour.
Among the revelations Wednesday (September 28), an attorney for AEG Live, Kathy Jorrie, described the contract she wrote up between AEG, Murray and Jackson. The document specified that Murray was to be paid a $150,000-a-month retainer, even when This Is It was on hiatus, and that the cardiologist requested a CPR machine for Jackson during the run of the shows in London.
As for why he needed a machine used for resuscitation, TMZ reported that Murray claimed he didn't want to take chances given MJ's age (50) and the strenuous nature of the show. Jorrie also said that in a conversation with Murray on June 24, 2009 — the day before Jackson's death — the doctor said he'd seen his client perform and that he appeared to be in "perfect" health.
She also confirmed that the contract — drafted 10 days before Jackson's death — had never been signed by any of the parties and that it contained revisions requested by Murray, including retroactive pay dating back to May 2009 through March 2010 and a clause exempting him from refunding any of his monthly retainer if Jackson changed his mind or canceled the tour.
In an effort to lay out the timeline of events on the day of Jackson's death, prosecutors called the pop icon's personal assistant, Michael Amir Williams, who discussed a panicked voicemail he received from Murray. After watching an "amazing" rehearsal the night before, Williams said he picked up an urgent voicemail from Murray the next day at 12:13 p.m. asking him to call back right away to discuss a "bad reaction" MJ had.
When Williams arrived at Jackson's rented Beverly Hills estate, the first thing he saw was his boss on a gurney and a "frantic-looking Murray, who, after Jackson was pronounced dead, confided to Williams that there was some "cream Michael wouldn't want the world to know about" at the house. Williams drove Murray back to the mansion to retrieve the "cream," and after checking with Jackson's head of security, they let the doctor back into the house.
AEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware was back on the stand again Wednesday, testifying that Murray had initially asked for the exorbitant sum of $5 million per year to take care of Jackson. When the singer insisted that he wanted Murray to take care of him, he instructed Gongaware to call back and offer $150,000 a month.
The final witness to testify Wednesday was Jackson's head of security, Faheem Muhammad, who described arriving on the scene to see Murray frantically trying to resuscitate the fallen pop star, while two of Jackson's children, Paris and Prince, looked on. Muhammad said Jackson appeared to be dead when he arrived and that when he noticed the children in the room, he took them downstairs. Muhammad added that he heard Murray asking if anyone knew CPR, which prompted fellow bodyguard Alberto Alvarez to try to help.
On Tuesday, the opening day of the trial, in addition to disturbing photos of Jackson and a voicemail in which the singer's speech was slurred and garbled, the jury heard from longtime friend and choreographer Kenny Ortega, who said he could tell something was not right with Jackson.
Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and administering the fatal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol that caused Jackson's death and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if found guilty.
Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told the jury Tuesday that Jackson caused his own death by swallowing eight 2-milligram pills of the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam, as well as injecting himself with a dose of propofol that instantly killed him. Testimony in the trial continues Thursday.
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Jeremy Piven Channels Ari Gold While Out And About
For a split second, I thought Jeremy Piven was shooting a scene for Entourage as the actor strutted his stuff in a slick suit on Thursday in LA. As it turns out, the Spy Kids 4 star simply donned a … Continue reading
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- Artist: Britney Spears
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Michael Jackson Doctor Left 'Panicked' Voicemail After Death
In addition to assistant's testimony, bodyguard claims MJ's kids were in the room when he died.
By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Kara Warner
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Pool/ Getty Images
Day two of testimony in the manslaughter trial of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray featured more damning revelations from MJ's personal assistant and head of security, as well as employees of AEG Live, the firm that was promoting the singer's 50-show This Is It attempted comeback tour.
Among the revelations Wednesday (September 28), an attorney for AEG Live, Kathy Jorrie, described the contract she wrote up between AEG, Murray and Jackson. The document specified that Murray was to be paid a $150,000-a-month retainer, even when This Is It was on hiatus, and that the cardiologist requested a CPR machine for Jackson during the run of the shows in London.
As for why he needed a machine used for resuscitation, TMZ reported that Murray claimed he didn't want to take chances given MJ's age (50) and the strenuous nature of the show. Jorrie also said that in a conversation with Murray on June 24, 2009 — the day before Jackson's death — the doctor said he'd seen his client perform and that he appeared to be in "perfect" health.
She also confirmed that the contract — drafted 10 days before Jackson's death — had never been signed by any of the parties and that it contained revisions requested by Murray, including retroactive pay dating back to May 2009 through March 2010 and a clause exempting him from refunding any of his monthly retainer if Jackson changed his mind or canceled the tour.
In an effort to lay out the timeline of events on the day of Jackson's death, prosecutors called the pop icon's personal assistant, Michael Amir Williams, who discussed a panicked voicemail he received from Murray. After watching an "amazing" rehearsal the night before, Williams said he picked up an urgent voicemail from Murray the next day at 12:13 p.m. asking him to call back right away to discuss a "bad reaction" MJ had.
When Williams arrived at Jackson's rented Beverly Hills estate, the first thing he saw was his boss on a gurney and a "frantic-looking Murray, who, after Jackson was pronounced dead, confided to Williams that there was some "cream Michael wouldn't want the world to know about" at the house. Williams drove Murray back to the mansion to retrieve the "cream," and after checking with Jackson's head of security, they let the doctor back into the house.
AEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware was back on the stand again Wednesday, testifying that Murray had initially asked for the exorbitant sum of $5 million per year to take care of Jackson. When the singer insisted that he wanted Murray to take care of him, he instructed Gongaware to call back and offer $150,000 a month.
The final witness to testify Wednesday was Jackson's head of security, Faheem Muhammad, who described arriving on the scene to see Murray frantically trying to resuscitate the fallen pop star, while two of Jackson's children, Paris and Prince, looked on. Muhammad said Jackson appeared to be dead when he arrived and that when he noticed the children in the room, he took them downstairs. Muhammad added that he heard Murray asking if anyone knew CPR, which prompted fellow bodyguard Alberto Alvarez to try to help.
On Tuesday, the opening day of the trial, in addition to disturbing photos of Jackson and a voicemail in which the singer's speech was slurred and garbled, the jury heard from longtime friend and choreographer Kenny Ortega, who said he could tell something was not right with Jackson.
Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and administering the fatal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol that caused Jackson's death and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if found guilty.
Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told the jury Tuesday that Jackson caused his own death by swallowing eight 2-milligram pills of the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam, as well as injecting himself with a dose of propofol that instantly killed him. Testimony in the trial continues Thursday.
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Bob Dylan Accused Of Plagiarism In His Paintings
Well, this comes as kind of a blow for Bob Dylan fans?turns out Bob has been clearly plagiarizing a ton other artists lately.� Breathe easy, though, music fans?the rip-offage comes not in his music, but in the singer/ songwriter?s series of paintings on display in the Gagosian Gallery in Manhattan. According to Rolling Stone: ?[The [...]
Spotted: Selma Blair and Arthur ? Cuddle Bugs!
New mom Selma Blair takes a quiet moment to snuggle up with with her coordinating son Arthur Saint while spending the day at the Stella McCartney store in Los Angeles on Sept. 17.
Anderson Cooper Poses For Pictures With Fans
Anderson Cooper might be super busy with his new talk show but he still found time to pose for some pictures with fans. Anderson was spotted leaving the CNN building in NYC when some fans approached and asked for a … Continue reading
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Spotted: Selma Blair and Arthur ? Cuddle Bugs!
New mom Selma Blair takes a quiet moment to snuggle up with with her coordinating son Arthur Saint while spending the day at the Stella McCartney store in Los Angeles on Sept. 17.
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- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson
Donald Trump: ?You?ve Been Trumped?
The billionaire property developer Donald Trump has bought up hundreds of acres on the northeast coast of Scotland, best known to movie-lovers as the setting for the 1983 classic film ?Local Hero.? And like the American oil tycoon played by Burt Lancaster, he needs to buy out a few more locals to make the deal [...]
'Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close' Trailer: Prepare To Weep
by Amy Wilkinson
Grab those tissues—the trailer for the heart wrenching "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, is here.
Based on the 2005 novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" tells the story of precocious 9-year-old Oskar Schell. It's no spoiler to tell you Oskar's father (Hanks) dies in [...]
Grab those tissues—the trailer for the heart wrenching "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, is here.
Based on the 2005 novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" tells the story of precocious 9-year-old Oskar Schell. It's no spoiler to tell you Oskar's father (Hanks) dies in [...]
Actor Danny McBride AKA ?Kenny Powers? Welcomes A Son!
Actor Danny McBride AKA “Kenny Powers” Welcomes A Son!
“Eastbound & Down” star Danny McBride and his wife Gia welcomed their first child, a baby boy on Monday in Los Angeles. McBride and his [...]
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'Glee' Season Finale Exclusive: Listen To 'Yeah!' Here
An a cappella girl group covers Usher's hit for Nationals in next week's episode.
By Aly Semigran
Usher
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
During this week's episode of "Glee", the gang from New Directions took a big risk when they decided they would compete in Nationals by singing their own original songs. Well, the stakes just got a little higher.
MTV News has an exclusive first listen to one of the rival groups who will go up against the McKinley High glee club in New York City during next Tuesday's (May 24) big season two finale. In the upcoming episode, an all-female a cappella group sings Usher's 2004 club and radio smash "Yeah!," which may have the Nationals judges saying just that.
Singers replace synthesizers for the four-note melody that repeats throughout the song, and lead vocalists RaVaughn Brown and Missi Hale match the high energy that Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris brought to the track.
Granted, a few things have been tweaked in the version for the tween-friendly show, including the length (the original is over four minutes long, while the "Glee" version comes in at three and a half minutes) and the tune's instructions to "Take that and rewind it back ... got the rhythm make ya booty go."
Also, instead of Ludacris' verse, "We want a lady in the street/ And a freak in the bed," one girl sings, "You know you want a kiss on the lips, old red." The line, "Ludacris fill cups like double D's" has also been cut from the song.
But, it's not all PG. At one point in the girls' rendition of the track, they page homage to Lil Jon's crunk hit "Get Low," singing, "From the windows to the walls" and even Mystikal's booty-happy single "Shake Ya Ass," when they urge, "Show me whatcha' workin' with."
At the 2005 Grammy Awards, the power trio of Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris won the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah!" But, will the song bring the same sort of fortune to this girl group at Nationals? Or will the glory all belong to New Directions this time? Gleeks will still have to wait a few more days to find out.
The "Glee" season finale airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Fox, while "Glee": The Music, Volume 6, including the three new original songs "Light Up the World," "Pretending" and "As Long as You're There," will be available on Monday.
What do you think of this a cappella group's version of "Yeah!"? Let us know in the comments section below!
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FIRST LOOK: Queen Latifah & KeKe Palmer In "Joyful Noise"
Queen Latifah and KeKe Palmer's brand new movie Joyful Noise is set to hit theaters this upcoming January. Check out the first look at the new trailer inside...
The upcoming film, which seems like a cross between Sister Act & Glee, stars Queen Latifah, KeKe Palmer, Courtney Vance, Jesse L. Martin and Dolly Parton.
The musically driven story (which aso has a love story between Keke & Jesse) also brings together the sounds of gospel, pop, country, rock and R & B with memorable songs, performed by the cast, from a wide range of artists, including Michael Jackson, Usher, Chris Brown, Paul McCartney, Sly & the Family Stone and Stevie Wonder.
Joyful Noise hits theaters everywhere on January 13, 2012.
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Katie Holmes: Maxfield Marvelous
Stepping out for a bout of shopping, Katie Holmes was spotted leaving Maxfield in West Hollywood, CA on Wednesday (September 28).
The ?Don?t Be Afraid of the Dark? dame rocked her long hairdo as she chatted and laughed it up during a cell phone conversation.
Over the weekend, Katie spent time with husband Tom Cruise and daughter Suri in Pittsburgh - where Tom is currently situated while shooting his new movie ?One Shot.?
The cute trio took advantage of the beautiful fall weather by visiting Soergel Orchards, where they enjoyed a private horse-drawn hay ride through the orchard.
Did Nancy Grace Survive the 'DWTS' Elimination?
After Monday night's fast-tempo performances, which left Nancy Grace revealing more than her fancy footwork and Chaz Bono plummeting to the lowest spot on the leaderboard, who was the second couple booted from the Dancing with the Stars ballroom?
HLN host Nancy Grace and her partner Tristan MacManus were safe this week, making some fans on Twitter wonder if the "nip slip" hoopla actually helped her snag some extra votes.
Bono and his blonde dancing pro Lacey Schwimmer unsurprisingly landed in the bottom three, after their "too slow" quickstep earned them a lowest-of-the-heap score of 17 on Monday night. Joining them in the bottom three was David Arquette and Kym Johnson, who got a second-to-last-place score of 18 for their performance.
But despite her beauty and a decent judges' score of 21, it was Italian model-actress Elisabetta Canalis -- best known in the States for dating George Clooney -- and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy who couldn't pull off enough audience votes to secure another week in the competition.
"It was a great adventure, so I want to thank everybody," Canalis told the audience. Chmerkovskiy, who looked upset by the results, told Canalis: "I'm very proud of you. I wish I did better for you."
Watch the entire results show below:
Moving on without any difficulty were Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke, who faced elimination last week. (Could this have something to do with his lobbying sisters and their millions of Twitter followers?)
Going forward, the top-placed partners are Ricky Lake and Derek Hough and J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff who have yet to finish anywhere near the bottom. Will they continue their reign at the top? We'll have to tune in -- the next episode is Monday at 8 p.m. EST, on ABC!
LeAnn Rimes Not a Step Mom to Cibrian's Boys
LeAnn Rimes considers it an insult to refer to her place in husband Eddie Cibrian's sons' lives as "step" mom. The outspoken country star wrote on her own blog to share her feelings about the inadequacy of the term "step," and why she and Cibrian think of her as simply a second mom to his boys.
"Society will always call me a stepmom... but in our house, in our family, we remove the 'step.'" the 29-year-old singer wrote. "We really are all...simply family."
Rimes, who's on her second marriage but has yet to have children, reveals that using the word "step" is a personal pet peeve because she grew up the daughter of divorced parents.
"I have a very good understanding of being a child of a blended family because of my upbringing, and I'm now blindly but optimistically navigating my way through the blended family mom role," she explains. "A family is a family. In my eyes. There's no 'step' about it."
Rimes and Cibrian's relationship has been widely criticized because they were admittedly engaged in an adulterous affair before divorcing their respective spouses to be together. But Rimes in particular has taken heat for everything from her weight and eating habits to her decision to wish all "bonus moms" a happy Mother's Day.
Despite all the public negativity, Rimes' heartfelt post makes it clear that she and Cibrian are raising his children together, so he doesn't feel like a single parent. Rimes even refers to Cibrian's ex, Brandi Glanville, although she never addresses her by name.
"Eddie has always encouraged me to look at us as a family, and a part of our family are the two beautiful boys that we share with their mother and hopefully one day another wonderful man," she wrote.
And the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star apparently doesn't have to worry about Rimes trying to step on her toes -- no matter what the speculation suggests.
"One thing that I know is, I will never replace their mother," Rimes adds. "I would never try. I will however love them with all I have and do everything in my power to help raise them in a loving, safe and proper environment."
Holly Madison?s Busty Insurance Policy
She?s definitely known for her perky personality, and Holly Madison is making sure her other assets are safe and sound.
The former ?Girls Next Door? starlet has taken out a $1 million insurance policy on her breasts to protect herself and her ?Peepshow? peeps.
Miss Madison explained, ?I?ve heard about people getting body parts insured and I thought, ?Why not???
?If anything happened to my boobs, I?d be out for a few months and I?d probably be out a million dollars. I thought I?d cover my assets.?
Holly added, "I think it's kind of funny. I think they're getting the credit they deserve. They're my primary money makers right now."
Stranger Danger
My sister recently had a talk with my four-year-old nephew Jack about strangers. Here's how it went:
SISTER: Now, Jack, if a stranger says, "Come here, I want to show you something," what do you do?
JACK: I turn around and run!
SISTER: If a stranger says, "Come here, I want to give you some candy," what do you do?
JACK: I turn around and run!
SISTER: If a stranger says, "Come here, I want to show you my puppy," what do you do?
JACK: Oh, I love puppies...
Usher Collaborator Rico Love Calls Kelly Rowland's 'Motivation' 'Truly Organic'
Lil Wayne 'jumped on it,' Raymond v. Raymond writer tells Mixtape Daily.
By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Rob Markman
Rico Love
Photo: TTLL
Behind the Beats: Rico Love
If more people read the credits behind some of R&B's biggest hits, Rico Love should be a household name. Born Richard Preston Butler Jr., the former Florida A&M University student is now one of the music industry's most-sought-after singer/songwriters.
After writing hits for Usher ("There Goes My Baby"), Beyoncé ("Sweet Dreams") and Diddy-Dirty Money ("Hello Good Morning"), to name a few, one of Rico's biggest hits to date is Kelly Rowland's "Motivation."
"It came about in a truly organic way," Rico told Mixtape Daily of the Jim Jonsin-produced "Motivation." "We had this meeting in New York: myself and Sylvia [Rhone] and Kelly. And they just were saying, 'We need to find that single; we need that big single.' Everybody was asking for an uptempo, actually.
"I flew down to Miami the next day, and that Tuesday, we got back in the studio, and Jim started playing these chords, and then coming up with these little sounds — the signature sounds that Jim comes up with. I just told him to lay it like a skeleton idea, and I jumped in the booth, and I started with the verse, and I kind of sang my way all the way through the record."
Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child, was in the studio while Rico was laying down the reference track and made her regard for the song known immediately. "Kelly was there and watched the whole process," Rico recalled. "As soon as I finished singing the demo, usually an artist wants to live with it or listen to it for a little while. She just said, 'I want to cut it right now.' So she jumped in the booth, and we cut the record."
"Motivation" became the lead single for Rowland's third album, Here I Am, which was released in April. The song, which peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, features a verse from Lil Wayne.
"Lil Wayne got out of jail a few days later, and as soon as he got out of jail, [Rowland] went to see him, and he jumped on it," Rico explained. "It was the most organized situation ever. It was nothing contrived about it."
There's been nothing manufactured about Rico's accomplishments either. Starting his musical career as a rapper, he has signed former Roc-a-Fella rapper Young Chris to his Universal/Motown-distributed Division 1 label.
After leaving Florida A&M to pursue music, Rico caught the attention of Usher, and penned songs for the R&B singer, including "Throwback." Other artists soon benefitted from his songwriting, including T.I., Pleasure P and Mario. Rico takes pride in being versatile with his talents, preferring not to make specific songs intended for specific artists only.
"Sometimes, when you keep an artist in mind, you'll limit yourself," Rico explained. "You won't go a place that they probably would go because you're thinking, "Nah, she wouldn't say this," or "He wouldn't do this," or "He wouldn't say this," and "This melody is out of the way for them."
"When I get a chance to just get into the studio and just write music and just produce music and sit at the piano and tell a guy where I want to hear the chords and create the progressions and just freely make music, it's a lot more fun."
Lately, Rico has been back in the studio with Usher. In 2007, he was signed to the singer's former US Records via J Records. But his debut album was never released, and he and Usher went their separate ways.
But as Rico become a songwriting force, the two eventually started working together again. The first song they recorded was the Grammy-winning "There Goes My Baby" from 2010's Raymond v. Raymond. Now, Rico is working on Usher's forthcoming album and embracing the pressure of surpassing its predecessor's platinum sales and critical success.
"I feel like this is what separates the boys from the men," Rico said of working with Usher. "This week, we been creating records together. We had two mics, two headphones set up in the booth, and we just sit there and vibe out.
"These first few days have been amazing. We got four records cut so far that sound super amazing. I'm super excited about it. I'm just anxious for the world to hear it."
For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.
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- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Beyonce, Frank Gatson, Sheryl Murakami
- Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition]
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Michael Jackson Tribute Concert To Be Hosted By Jamie Foxx
Beyoncé will appear in a pretaped segment for the Michael Forever Tribute.
By Gil Kaufman
Jamie Foxx
Photo: WireImage
While the show has not yet added any more big names, the upcoming Michael Forever Tribute concert, honoring the legacy of late pop icon Michael Jackson, now has an award-winning host. Oscar winner Jamie Foxx has signed on to emcee the October 8 concert in Cardiff, Wales.
The show, which is being put together by Jackson's mother, Katherine, as well as a few of the late King of Pop's siblings — but not the singer's estate — is slated to feature performances by Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis, Ne-Yo, Craig David, Pixie Lott, Alexandra Burke, Alien Ant Farm and Motown legend Smokey Robinson.
And though Beyoncé was added to the bill recently, some fans were upset to subsequently learn that the pregnant pop queen will not perform live via satellite as originally promised but appear in a pretaped segment described as a "special contribution on video."
In addition, some Jackson followers on the Fans Against Michael Forever Tribute Facebook page have expressed their anger that promoters announced an upcoming two-for-one ticket deal to goose reportedly slow sales. According to reports, the discounted prices will not apply to tickets already purchased for the event; conflicting reports also stated that the two-for-one deal had been rescinded. A spokesperson for the event told MTV News that there would be no two-for-one ticket package.
Some disgruntled posters have also complained that the show's promoter, Global Live Events, is reportedly censoring negative fan comments on the show's official page. There has also been grumbling from some of Jackson's siblings — including Janet, Jermaine and Randy — and fans about the timing of the show, which will take place in the midst of the manslaughter trial of Jackson's physician Dr. Conrad Murray.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsMichael Jackson Doctor Left 'Panicked' Voicemail After Death
In addition to assistant's testimony, bodyguard claims MJ's kids were in the room when he died.
By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by Kara Warner
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Pool/ Getty Images
Day two of testimony in the manslaughter trial of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray featured more damning revelations from MJ's personal assistant and head of security, as well as employees of AEG Live, the firm that was promoting the singer's 50-show This Is It attempted comeback tour.
Among the revelations Wednesday (September 28), an attorney for AEG Live, Kathy Jorrie, described the contract she wrote up between AEG, Murray and Jackson. The document specified that Murray was to be paid a $150,000-a-month retainer, even when This Is It was on hiatus, and that the cardiologist requested a CPR machine for Jackson during the run of the shows in London.
As for why he needed a machine used for resuscitation, TMZ reported that Murray claimed he didn't want to take chances given MJ's age (50) and the strenuous nature of the show. Jorrie also said that in a conversation with Murray on June 24, 2009 — the day before Jackson's death — the doctor said he'd seen his client perform and that he appeared to be in "perfect" health.
She also confirmed that the contract — drafted 10 days before Jackson's death — had never been signed by any of the parties and that it contained revisions requested by Murray, including retroactive pay dating back to May 2009 through March 2010 and a clause exempting him from refunding any of his monthly retainer if Jackson changed his mind or canceled the tour.
In an effort to lay out the timeline of events on the day of Jackson's death, prosecutors called the pop icon's personal assistant, Michael Amir Williams, who discussed a panicked voicemail he received from Murray. After watching an "amazing" rehearsal the night before, Williams said he picked up an urgent voicemail from Murray the next day at 12:13 p.m. asking him to call back right away to discuss a "bad reaction" MJ had.
When Williams arrived at Jackson's rented Beverly Hills estate, the first thing he saw was his boss on a gurney and a "frantic-looking Murray, who, after Jackson was pronounced dead, confided to Williams that there was some "cream Michael wouldn't want the world to know about" at the house. Williams drove Murray back to the mansion to retrieve the "cream," and after checking with Jackson's head of security, they let the doctor back into the house.
AEG Live co-CEO Paul Gongaware was back on the stand again Wednesday, testifying that Murray had initially asked for the exorbitant sum of $5 million per year to take care of Jackson. When the singer insisted that he wanted Murray to take care of him, he instructed Gongaware to call back and offer $150,000 a month.
The final witness to testify Wednesday was Jackson's head of security, Faheem Muhammad, who described arriving on the scene to see Murray frantically trying to resuscitate the fallen pop star, while two of Jackson's children, Paris and Prince, looked on. Muhammad said Jackson appeared to be dead when he arrived and that when he noticed the children in the room, he took them downstairs. Muhammad added that he heard Murray asking if anyone knew CPR, which prompted fellow bodyguard Alberto Alvarez to try to help.
On Tuesday, the opening day of the trial, in addition to disturbing photos of Jackson and a voicemail in which the singer's speech was slurred and garbled, the jury heard from longtime friend and choreographer Kenny Ortega, who said he could tell something was not right with Jackson.
Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and administering the fatal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol that caused Jackson's death and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if found guilty.
Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told the jury Tuesday that Jackson caused his own death by swallowing eight 2-milligram pills of the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam, as well as injecting himself with a dose of propofol that instantly killed him. Testimony in the trial continues Thursday.
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bon Jovi Robbed of Hall of Fame Nomination!
The list of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame came out yesterday and Bon Jovi was left off the list. I am steaming mad about it too my friends. Once the amazing band Bon Jovi was robbed of an honor they so deserve when their name was not on the list of nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sting too was left off the list, which I think is a crock of you know what as well but now we are focused on Jon and the boys. Being left off that list is such a slap in the face of a band who has standed the test of time and continues to produce killer music after all these years. It was bad enough last year that they got a nomination but were not inducted. Now they didn?t even make the cut. How many groups do you know that are not only still together after three decades but continue to sell out arena?s across the world. I myself saw them twice this year and I am dang proud of it. I realize that it takes more than just selling records to earn the famous nod [...]
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Jennifer Aniston Does Some Shopping
Actress Jennifer Aniston just never looks bad, even when out doing some shopping! The always gorgeous actress was spotted returning to her home with her arms full of packages after an outing in NYC today. I love Jen?s boots so … Continue reading
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