Hot News 4u: July 2011

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

'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!

Related Artists

Usher

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664208/glee-season-finale-usher-yeah.jhtml

Nicole Scherzinger Nicollette Sheridan Nikki Cox

'Cowboys & Aliens' Will 'Exceed' Fans' Expectations

Director Jon Favreau tells MTV News there's much more to the movie than the 'silly' title may suggest.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Jon Favreau
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

When news broke that "Iron Man" director Jon Favreau had wrangled two of the biggest names in the action-movie business — Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig — to star in his intriguing genre mash-up "Cowboys & Aliens," that and a compelling premise proved to be enough to send scores of fanboys online seeking advanced tickets.

But though there's lots of early buzz from the marquee names associated with "Aliens" (mega-watt producers Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard are also onboard), Favreau recently admitted to MTV News that he felt pressure to deliver something extraordinary for fans.

"Of course, with Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg [producing], I'm in real good hands," Favreau said about overcoming the challenges of establishing just the right tone for the movie. "I learned a tremendous amount from them, and I think when you cast Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig — with 'Bond' and 'Indy,' those are two franchises that are fun but not silly," he added about Craig's 007 and Ford's "Indiana Jones" series. "And I think that if people take a clue from who I cast in the film as to how it's going to play, it's a good indicator," he explained.

Favreau went on to say that there's far more to the film than what the title suggests. "I think [moviegoers] hear the name 'Cowboys and Aliens,' it sounds kind of silly, but it also sounds compelling and interesting," he said. "So if they give it a chance, they'll see it's a fun movie, it's an exciting movie, and I think it's going to exceed their expectations."

Check out everything we've got on "Cowboys & Aliens."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

Related Videos

MTV News' Comic-Con Takeover With Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried And Jon Favreau

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667897/jon-favreau-cowboys-and-aliens.jhtml

Shiri Appleby Sienna Guillory Sienna Miller Simone Mütherthies Sofía Vergara

Photos | 2010 BET Awards Show Highlights

2010 BET Awards Show Highlights

Halle Berry Hayden Panettiere Haylie Duff Heidi Klum Heidi Montag

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Michael Jackson Estate Rakes In $310 Million To Date

Singer left behind more than $400 million in debt.

Michael Jackson
Photo: Time Life Pictures/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Im

Between album sales, movie profits, licensing arrangements and lucrative deals for Cirque du Soleil shows, the estate of late King of Pop Michael Jackson has raked in more than $300 million since the singer's shocking death in June 2009.

According to TMZ, legal documents released on Thursday reveal that executors of MJ's estate have managed to make a major dent in the more than $400 million in debt that Jackson owed at the time of his death.

The first accounting from the executors shows that they have already spent around $159 million paying back various debts, income taxes and other expenses, which include providing support for the pop star's mother, Katherine Jackson, as well as his three young children.

"Although there remain unresolved creditor claims, pending litigation and additional challenging business, tax and legal issues, and the estate is not yet in a condition to be closed, the executors have made substantial progress in reducing the estate's debt," the documents state, according to a Reuters report. Two of Jackson's longtime confidants, attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, were named as administrators in a will sign by the pop icon.

In addition to paying to make "substantial improvements" to the Jackson family's Havenhurst estate in Encino, California, the executors also spent an undetermined amount of money on "last illness and funeral and memorial service expenses." Those costs included a $900,000 payment to the Forest Lawn Memorial cemetery where Jackson is buried and $35,000 on expenses described as "costume for memorial."

TMZ reported that not only did the famously cash-strapped Jackson have more than $400 million in debt, but his estate also owed more than $40 million to concert promoter AEG tied to the scuttled This Is It Tour, for which MJ was rehearsing when he died unexpectedly. They've also paid $27.2 million in taxes and $4 million in mortgage payments on Jackson's properties.

Despite the solid sales of the Michael album and millions of units of the singer's back catalog being sold, as well as the box office of the "This Is It" movie and DVD sales, the estate is not nearly out of the woods. TMZ noted that the administrators have received more than 65 creditors' claims, some of which are subject to "extremely high" interest rates, and there are several outstanding lawsuits against the estate in several countries.

Related Photos

Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos

Related Artists

Michael Jackson

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658290/michael-jackson-estate.jhtml

Sarah Gellman Sarah Michelle Gellar Sarah Mutch Sarah Polley Sarah Shahi

Lady Gaga And Bette Midler: A Real Mermaid Weighs In!

MTV News goes straight to the source to discuss recent pop-culture mermaid trends and beefs.
By Jocelyn Vena

Lady Gaga
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Beyoncé declared her love for mermaids during her MTV special "The Year of 4," while Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Bette Midler have all dressed up like the mythical sea creatures onstage or in videos. Madonna has surrounded herself with mermen during a past tour, and mermaids also show up in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" and in several new novels, including a forthcoming book by "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Florida is famous for its mermaid shows, so MTV News decided to go right to the source and get a real-deal mermaid on the phone. It's no surprise that "mermaid" Carli Goodworth told us it's officially the Year of the Mermaid.

"It used to be really popular, like, 60 years ago and everybody was all about mermaids, and now today, it's coming back again," Goodworth told MTV News. "The stars are starting to use it, and the people from outside are loving it, and hopefully it'll draw more people to our attraction as well."

So why are pop stars taking on mermaid alter egos? Goodworth said the public persona of mermaids has shifted from the cute and cuddly Disney version to the more accurate version of mermaids who are mysterious, dangerous and sexy.

And the mermaid trend hasn't been free from controversy: There has already been beef between fans of Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, accusing the pop stars of lifting the idea, and then between Lady Gaga and Bette Midler, who did the mermaid-in-a-wheelchair routine decades before Gaga did.

"It's becoming so popular," Goodworth laughed about the mermaid beefs. "I think it's awesome. We're used to the few people around here, because we are known as the mermaid country, and it's neat to see all these other people battling it out to be the only mermaid. It's just different."

Being that Goodworth has performed as a mermaid for quite some time now, she's happy to see other people getting excited about it. "We love mermaids, so it's fun to see other people doing stuff with mermaids besides us," she said, adding her advice: "Be creative, do your own thing, really do your research."

What do you think about the pop-culture mermaid trend? Let us know in the comments!

Related Videos

Tamie Sheffield Tara Conner Tara Reed Tara Reid Taryn Manning

Monday, July 25, 2011

Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried Explain What Happens 'In Time'

What if 'we had the potential to live forever and we looked 25 forever?' Timberlake explained of the movie's plot.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried in "In Time"
Photo: Twentieth Century Fox

Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried have done what every person in Hollywood strives to do: stop the aging process. In their new sci-fi flick "In Time," directed by Andrew Niccol, the actors' characters shake up their futuristic society, where the upper crust can buy or sell the most important thing the future has to offer: time itself.

"We're all mortals and the human race needs to be structured in a way where there's no overpopulation," Seyfried told MTV News on Saturday at San Diego Comic-Con. "And we all have body clocks and when we turn 25, you stop aging, basically, and it turns off [and] then you look 25 forever. You can be however old; you can live forever if you have a lot of time."

For Timberlake's character, Will Salas, his time is nearly up when he's gifted with more time by a wealthy older man. The elite, played by Cillian Murphy and Vincent Kartheiser, aren't too keen on this, and eventually, Salas kidnaps Kartheiser's daughter (Seyfried) and they go on the lam. Why is he so frantic to try to beat the clock? "If you run out of time, you have a heart attack and you're dead immediately," Seyfried explained. "It's cut-and-dry, black and white. There's the rich, there's the poor. It reflects a lot on our actual, real society."

Niccol has put his signature seriously satiric stamp on the ideas of aging, something that really appealed to Timberlake. "That's something that I love that Andrew does. You take a concept like the fountain of youth, something we all seem to be obsessed with, and what would happen if we actually got it? If we had the potential to live forever and we looked 25 forever?" he said.

The film features a bevy of good-looking people including Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer and Olivia Wilde, to name a few, making filming quite an interesting process that came with this note: "Everyone may look the same age, but not everyone is playing the same age."

"All the actors in this film look the same age, but Matt Bomer, for instance, plays a character that's 105," Timberlake explained. "And so it really is a visual trip to watch."

Check out everything we've got on "In Time."

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

Related Videos

MTV News' Comic-Con Takeover With Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried And Jon Favreau

Related Artists

Justin Timberlake

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667883/justin-timberlake-amanda-seyfried-in-time.jhtml

Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee Connie Nielsen Cristina Dumitru

Taylor Lautner Names Tom Cruise, Matt Damon As 'Abduction' Inspirations

At Comic-Con, 'Twilight' actor says he and John Singleton studied film.
By Terri Schwartz, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Taylor Lautner
Photo: MTV News

SAN DIEGO -- Taylor Lautner is ready to abduct the title of Hollywood's resident action star when "Abduction" hits theaters September 23, but he didn't get there without a little inspiration from some of the genre's greatest actors.

When MTV caught up with the "Twilight Saga" star at Comic-Con 2011 this week, he revealed that he did more than admire the top action actors: He studied them. Considering "Abduction" is being described along the lines of the "Bourne" movies and "Minority Report," it makes sense that Tom Cruise and Matt Damon are among Lautner's biggest role models.

"I studied film with John Singleton while preparing for the movie, and I chose Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Denzel Washington, Harrison Ford; we just went down the list," Lautner explained. "It would be an honor to have a tenth the career that those guys have."

Having spent so much time watching the movies, Lautner said he sometimes found himself copying their moves during his takes. It took him time to take a step back and figure out how to tailor -- or "Taylor" -- their concepts to his own acting style.

He got a chance to meet Cruise while filming a promo for the 2010 MTV Movie Awards, and though their work together wasn't action-oriented, Lautner said working with the "Mission: Impossible" actor was "surreal."

But was he able to hold it together around his idol? "I definitely played it cool," Lautner said with a laugh. "It was hard."

Check out everything we've got on "Abduction."

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

Related Videos

Related Photos

'Breaking Dawn' Stars Take Over San Diego Comic-Con

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667794/taylor-lautner-comic-con-abduction.jhtml

Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie Amy Cobb Amy Smart

Comic-Con Live Stream: Say Hi To Hugh Jackman, Nicolas Cage & Steven Spielberg!

Live from San Diego Comic-Con, it's day three of MTV News' takeover of this pop culture mecca. On today's live stream, we'll be featuring appearances from some of the Con's biggest names: "Spider-Man" stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, "Ghost Rider" star Nicolas Cage, "Walking Dead" stars Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies and Jon Bernthal, [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/07/23/comic-con-live-stream-say-hi-to-hugh-jackman-nicolas-cage-steven-spielberg/

Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie-Jill Laflin

Photos | Canadian Hotties On Canada Day

Canadian Hotties On Canada Day

Rachel Perry Rachel Weisz Radha Mitchell Raquel Alessi Rebecca Mader

Justin Bieber - Eenie Meenie

Eenie Meenie

Artist: Justin Bieber
Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
Director: Ray Kay
Album: My World 2.0

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3187077&vid=512194

Minki van der Westhuizen Miranda Kerr Mischa Barton Missi Pyle Missy Peregrym

Photos | 2010's Most Fashionable Celebs

2010's Most Fashionable Celebs

Brooke Burke Brooke Burns Busy Philipps Cameron Diaz Cameron Richardson

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Amy Winehouse's Death 'Extremely Sad,' Fans Say

'It's a great loss for music,' fan tells MTV News.
By Rya Backer

Amy Winehouse
Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty Images

Music fans the world over are mourning the tragic death of Amy Winehouse, who died Saturday at the age of 27. Throughout her career, the British songstress earned both accolades through her breakthrough album, Back to Black, which earned her five Grammys, and notoriety for her substance abuse.

As many of her celebrity fans took to Twitter to express their sadness, MTV News caught up with some of her fans in Times Square, who had plenty to say about both sides of Winehouse's life. Fan Kristen Brumley said, "It's not an extreme shock if it is drug or alcohol related, but it's extremely sad."

Korde Tuttle also spoke about Winehouse's sometimes-vocal fondness for drugs and drink, saying, "I really hope it's a wake-up call for not only her fans but music lovers in general and people who may have used substances. There is a limit, and the world got to see her reach that limit, and that's really sad."

Despite Winehouse's multiple and well-publicized attempts at cleaning up, fellow Brit Tuesday Holder admitted, "I think it was meant to come," mentioning that the singer's passing "was kind of inevitable, but it's a bit sad. She was so young."

Fans will forever remember Winehouse for her most powerful and lasting contribution: her music. "I think Amy Winehouse brought a new aspect of music back," fan Kate Coyne said, "and she really gave women who wanted to sing blues a voice, and I think that was great."

Holder expressed the same sentiment, saying, "I think it's a great loss for music, especially U.K. music. She was a great artist, a great songwriter, and I think she had a lot more to come out of."

Nakia Williams spoke of Winehouse's unique style: "Her crazy look! Her hair, her big hair, her tattoos!"

Most fans said they hope the mark she made in pop culture through her powerful pipes and signature looks won't be outshined by her darker days. As fan Hector Castillo stated, "I would say just to remember the music she created that's going to be listened to for a long time."

Related Videos

Amy Winehouse Remembered

Related Photos

Amy Winehouse: A Life In Photos

Related Artists

Amy Winehouse

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667822/amy-winehouse-death-reactions.jhtml

Georgina Grenville Gina Carano Gina Gershon Gina Philips Gisele Bündchen

Miley Cyrus - When I Look At You

When I Look At You

Artist: Miley Cyrus
Label: Hollywood Records
Director: Adam Shankman
Album: The Time of Our Lives

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=2408193&vid=486191

Kelly Carlson Kelly Clarkson Kelly Hu Kelly Monaco Kelly Ripa

Watch: Showtime Releases A Comic-Con Trailer For ?Dexter? Season 6

Last week we got the first, full length video trailer for the upcoming 6th season of Dexter and today in honor of 2011 San Diego Comic-Con we get another, amazing trailer. This new trailer features scenes from the upcoming season and is a MUST SEE for any and all Dexter fans. Wanna see Dex back [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/Bpx-VYBh4wY/

Nicole Scherzinger Nicollette Sheridan Nikki Cox Nikki Reed Norah Jones

'Man Of Steel' Henry Cavill Reacts To Production Delay

At Comic-Con 2011, actor also tells MTV News about meeting Russell Crowe, his co-star in Zack Snyder's Superman reboot.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Henry Cavill
Photo: MTV News

SAN DIEGO — Plenty of fans were surprised when news broke that the release date for Zack Snyder's Superman reboot, "Man of Steel," was pushed back six months to June 14, 2013 — but none more so than the would-be superhero himself, Henry Cavill.

"They broke it to me gently," he told MTV News on Saturday (July 23) at San Diego Comic-Con. "I was just told the other day. It's OK, it's nothing to do with me. That's stuff which I have no control over. I just focus on the character and do my job."

Speaking of stepping into the shoes of the iconic superhero — or tights, rather — Cavill said he's "prepared enough" but anxious to start production. "I'm really raring to go," he said. "It's exciting, humbling, and about time to get started."

Of course, Cavill couldn't divulge many details about the upcoming shoot or what his fellow cast members may or may not be doing in the film, but he did provide a delightful anecdote about his first meeting with co-star Russell Crowe (who is playing his father, Jor-El).

Cavill recounted one of the very early days in his acting career when he worked as an extra in a film Crowe was shooting at his school. "I walked up to Russell, shook his hand, and said 'I'm thinking of becoming an actor. What advice do you have?' He said to me ... No, I won't say what he said," Cavil said with a smile, indicating that his response might have included a swear word or two.

"Two days later, I received an Aussie rugby jersey, a [CD] and a signed picture from 'Gladiator' [with a note that read] 'Dear Henry, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, Russell.' Cut to 11 years later, at what is the high point of my career, and here we are."

Check out everything we've got on "Man of Steel."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

Janet Jackson January Jones Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis

Photos | Lady Gaga Joins Her Little Monsters At Best Buy Signing

Lady Gaga Joins Her Little Monsters At Best Buy Signing

Related Artists

Lady Gaga

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1664459

Nikki Cox Nikki Reed Norah Jones Noureen DeWulf Olivia Munn

Comic-Con Live Stream Starts Now! Justin Timberlake! Taylor Lautner!

Day two of "MTV News: Comic-Con Takeover" continues after yesterday's "Twilight" focused live stream, though even today, you won't be free of the supernatural. "Breaking Dawn" star Taylor Lautner is joining us today to talk about his breakout leading man role in "Abduction," the "Bourne" inspired action flick dropping soon.
We've got other stars here [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/07/22/comic-con-taylor-lautner-justin-timberlake-live/

Larissa Meek Laura Harring Laura Prepon Lauren Bush Lauren Conrad

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Photos | Rihanna, Shakira, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert At The 2009 American Music Awards Red Carpet

Rihanna, Shakira, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert At The 2009 American Music Awards Red Carpet

Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton Patricia Velásquez Paula Garcés Paulina Rubio

Britney Spears Says She'd Love To Tour With Usher

In her 'Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale' special, she calls the 'OMG' singer 'really hot right now.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Sway Calloway and Britney Spears
Photo: MTV News & Docs

What do Britney Spears and Usher have in common? Well, they are both global superstars with a back catalogue of tunes that have kept fans dancing for a really long time and they both recently hooked up with will.i.am for tracks on their latest releases (the Black Eyed Peas mastermind worked on the pop vixen's Femme Fatale tune "Big Fat Bass"). And, if Spears has her way, she and the "OMG" singer could be hitting the road together.

When Spears sat down to talk with Sway Calloway for her "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special — airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV — the singer revealed that Usher is first on her list of artists she'd like to join her on tour.

"Oh, I'm so excited. I'm really excited about going on tour, very," she explained about her forthcoming summer trek, which happens to have a spot open on the bill now that Enrique Iglesias has pulled out of the gig. "I think Usher's really great right now. I think he's really hot right now. That would be cool [to tour with him]."

The North American road trip is expected to kick off June 17 in Sacramento, California, and will run for 26 dates, winding up on August 13 in Toronto. More details will be announced soon.

The "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale" special is a mixture of behind-the-scenes footage of the singer as she wraps up production on her album, which dropped this week, as well as an inside look at her life and fans. In addition, those who couldn't make Spears' recent nightclub show in Las Vegas will get to see her as she takes the stage in her latest pop incarnation.

Don't miss "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale," airing Sunday (April 3) at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.

Related Videos

Exclusive Preview Clips Of 'Britney Spears: I Am The Femme Fatale'

Related Photos

Britney Spears Brings Down The House In Las Vegas

Danneel Harris Deanna Russo Denise Richards Desiree Dymond Diane Kruger

Attack on Prince Charles and Camilla: Worst Security Breach in Royal History?

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ETCelebrities/~3/89O2prFm4CA/index.html

Amber Brkich Amber Heard Amber Valletta America Ferrera Amerie

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Photos | 2010 American Music Awards Red Carpet

2010 American Music Awards Red Carpet

Bar Refaeli Beyoncé Bianca Kajlich Bijou Phillips Blake Lively

Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Muse Added To Grammy Show

Usher, Jaden Smith, B.o.B, Janelle Monae and Lady Antebellum will also perform on February 13.
By Gil Kaufman

Justin Bieber and Usher
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

While Willow Smith is the one who made music headlines with "Whip My Hair" last year, it's her brother, "Karate Kid" actor Jaden Smith, who will take the stage at the upcoming 53rd Grammy Awards in a special performance alongside Usher and Justin Bieber, with whom he collaborated on the song "Never Say Never" last summer.

The trio joins a list of new performers added to the show on Thursday (January 20) that will also include another power trifecta made up of B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe, according to a press release from the Recording Academy announcing the additions to the February 13 telecast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Also taking the stage next month will be nominees Muse and Lady Antebellum. They will join a roster of previously announced performers that includes Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green and Miranda Lambert. It will be the first time on the Grammy performance stage for Bieber, B.o.B, Lambert, Mars, Monáe, Muse and Smith. Eminem, Green, Gaga, Perry, Usher and Lady Antebellum will be making return visits for the occasion.

While 11-time Grammy winner Eminem leads the pack in nominations this year (with 10 nods), Mars has seven nominations, and Gaga and Lady Antebellum are not far behind with six nods each. B.o.B has notched five, Perry and Green are each up for four, and Arcade Fire and Lambert are vying for three awards. Bieber, Muse, Usher and Monáe are each nominated for two Grammys.

No details of the collaborative performances were released, but the Grammy announcement promised a rare, never-before-seen event for the Mars, B.o.B and Monáe segment.

With the addition of Antebellum, all five Album of the Year nominees (Eminem, Arcade Fire, Gaga, Perry) are now scheduled to perform on the show. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

Which Grammy performance are you most looking forward to? Talk about it in the comments!

Related Photos

2011 Grammy Performers

Scarlett Johansson Selita Ebanks Shakara Ledard Shakira Shana Hiatt

Photos | 2010's Most Fashionable Celebs

2010's Most Fashionable Celebs

Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie-Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan Britney Spears

Britney Spears - Till the World Ends

Till the World Ends

Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive
Director: Ray Kay
Album: Femme Fatale [Deluxe Edition]

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=639722

Tamala Jones Tami Donaldson Tamie Sheffield Tara Conner Tara Reed

Rupert Grint Talks 'Harry Potter' World Cup Chances

'I'm still in it? No way!,' actor tells MTV News.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Rupert Grint
Photo: MTV News

Forget the NCAA Tournament: This is the bracket to end all brackets. For weeks, Harry Potter fans — in preparation for the saga's final installment, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2," opening in theaters on Friday — have been participating in our "Harry Potter" World Cup, which will determine who is the best character in the series, as chosen by you.

And after thousands of votes and some major upsets in just about every seed (Harry's out!), we are down to the Final Four. There's the headstrong Hermione Granger vs. the redemptive Severus Snape and the rogue Sirius vs. the beloved Ron Weasley. MTV's own Josh Horowitz announced the exciting news to Mr. Weasley himself, Rupert Grint, to which the actor happily responded, "I'm still in it? No way!"

While Grint isn't sure of his chances of taking the whole Cup should he end up going against Hermione or Severus in the final round ("I don't think I could do that — I mean, Snape is a great character," he told us), the 22-year-old is honored simply to have made it this far. "It's amazing. It's quite touching really," Grint said of the "Potter" and, more specifically, Ron Weasley fans.

See the full bracket and vote!

In fact, the Cup has given the "Potter" cast the chance to see how relentlessly devoted the fans are to the series and the characters. "It's the only time you're kind of aware of how important these films are to people," said Grint of events like the Cup or premieres, where devotees wait out for days and scream out for their favorite stars.

While rabid fanbases may scare off some stars of popular sagas, Grint only has the fondest feelings for those who have made the "Harry Potter" films part of their lives for the past decade. As he put it to MTV News, "It's great. I'm going to miss it all, really." Join the club.

"Harry Potter" fans will get the chance to determine whether Ron Weasley will go to the next round as voting for the Final Four continues through midnight. Then, the final showdown in the World Cup starts immediately at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, July 11. The winner of the "Harry Potter" World Cup will be announced later Monday evening during MTV's live stream of the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" red-carpet premiere in New York.

We're streaming live from the red carpet at the New York premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" on Monday, July 11, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Visit MTV.com to watch interviews with the stars and see the winner of the "Harry Potter" World Cup announced live. Tweet your questions for the cast @MTVNews using the hashtag #AskPotter.

Check out everything we've got on "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2."

Related Videos

Tara Reed Tara Reid Taryn Manning Tatiana Zavialova Taylor Swift

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Beyonce Takes Fans Inside 'Year Of 4' In MTV Special

Queen B takes fans behind the scenes of the year spent making her new album in special airing Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
By Jocelyn Vena

Beyoncé in her "Year of <i>4</i>" special
Photo: MTV

Beyoncé released 4 on Tuesday (June 28), and she's taking fans behind-the-scenes of her new album in the MTV special "Beyoncé: Year of 4," set to premiere on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET/PT on MTV and BET, and at 7:30 on VH1 and Palladia (encore presentations will air later on MTV.com, MTV Hits and MTV Jams).

The special was filmed during Beyoncé's year off, as she set out to discover what she wanted next in her career. It kicks off as B wraps up her I Am Tour, and finds herself at a crossroads before eventually giving into her mother's advice to take some time off.

"My life was award shows and tour buses and hotels and it kind of goes by so fast ... I couldn't even hear it anymore," she says of her whirlwind schedule. "I'm just thinking about the next shoot ... the next video ... the next tour."

Fans are with Queen B as she travels, hangs out with family, friends and husband Jay-Z, and takes time to reflect on her crazy successful career. "I never even realized I needed a year off," she later says. "And I never realized I don't know how to take a year off."

During this reflective time in her life, Beyoncé also began working on her most eclectic album to date, mixing genres and styles to make 4. The special also takes a look at her career as she takes charge of her business. "It was very risky for me to set out on my own," she says. "Sometimes we don't reach for the stars, sometimes we are satisfied with what people tell us we're supposed to be satisfied with, and I'm just not going for it."

4, B's fourth solo album, is a mix of sassy uptempo tracks like the lead single "Run the World (Girls)," soft ballads like "1+1," as well as sassy midtempo songs like "Best Thing I Never Had." She worked with producers and artists like The-Dream, Kanye West and Andre 3000 for the release.

"Being able to take viewers behind the creative curtain of one of the world's most amazing and talented artists, Beyoncé, in the lead-up to her album release is a pure thrill," Van Toffler, President, MTV Music Group, LOGO and Film, said in a statement. "This honest and intimate special provides her audience and fans a rare opportunity to witness a true, musical genius at work and the stories that defined and inspired her incredible new album."

Tune in to "Beyoncé: Year of 4," airing Thursday, June 30, at 7 p.m. ET/PT on MTV and BET, and at 7:30 p.m. on VH1 and Palladia. Encore presentations follow on MTV.com, MTV Hits and MTV Jams.

Related Artists

Beyoncé

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666569/beyonce-year-of-4.jhtml

Ashley Olsen Ashley Scott Ashley Tappin Ashley Tisdale Asia Argento

Beyonc� - Halo

Halo

Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Philip Andelman
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=332332

Kat Von D Kate Beckinsale Kate Bosworth Kate Groombridge Kate Hudson

Beyonce's 4 Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know

Long-awaited album finally hit stores Tuesday.
By Jocelyn Vena

Beyoncé's <i>4</i>
Photo: Columbia

Beyoncé's 4 may have leaked weeks ago, but its official release date is finally upon us. It's been a long-churning album that touches on soul, '90s R&B, hip-hop and even '80s adult contemporary. Long before the album even dropped, B promised fans that the album would be eclectic — a promise that was certainly met.

"I have a lot of live instruments that I'm putting into the tracks to try to change the sound and make my own genre of music," she said about the album.

On it, she worked with a number of A-listers, including The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Kanye West, Chad Hugo, Ryan Tedder and Diplo, to name a few. She had also been spotted in the studio with indie acts like Sleigh Bells, proving that she wanted to try anything and everything.

"I'm mixing every type of genre that I love and I'm inspired by every type of genre," she told MTV News late last year. "I'm not in a box. It's not R&B. It's not typically pop. It's not rock. It's just everything I love all mixed together in my own little gumbo of music."

Which track on 4 is your favorite? Tell us on our Facebook page.

By the time 2010 was nearing its midway mark, Beyoncé finally debuted "Run the World (Girls)," a girl-power pop tune that samples Major Lazer's "Pon De Floor" and is full of so much bravado that she needed wild animals in the music video.

So why did Beyoncé name the album 4? Well, aside from the fact that it's her fourth album, she explained: "We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me. It's the day I was born. My mother's birthday and a lot of my friends' birthdays are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date."

In addition to "Run the World (Girls)," Queen B teased fans with songs like the album's official second single, "Best Thing I Never Had," plus the promotional track "1+1" and the leaked track "Party," featuring Andre 3000.

The songs show the many sides of Beyoncé: playful, heartfelt, flirty, sexy and, yes, sassy. In the end, B wanted fans to hear all those sides of her on the album. "I also gave myself more freedom to really belt out some songs, and bring soul singing back," she explained. "I used a lot of the brassiness and grittiness in my voice that people hear in my live performances, but not necessarily on my records."

What are your thoughts on 4? Tell us in the comments!

Related Artists

Beyoncé

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666507/beyonce-4-album.jhtml

Christina Ricci Chyler Leigh Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor

Photos | Lady Gaga Takes Cannes

Lady Gaga Takes Cannes

Related Artists

Lady Gaga

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1663734

Aaliyah Abbie Cornish Adriana Lima Adrianne Curry Adrianne Palicki

Photos | 2011 Billboard Music Awards

2011 Billboard Music Awards

Michelle Obama Michelle Rodriguez Michelle Trachtenberg Mila Kunis Milla Jovovich

Photos | Miley Cyrus' MTV Live-Stream Show

Miley Cyrus' MTV Live-Stream Show

Related Artists

Miley Cyrus

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1642050

Kelly Carlson Kelly Clarkson Kelly Hu Kelly Monaco Kelly Ripa

Monday, July 11, 2011

Adam Lambert's 'Whole Lotta Love': The Story Behind The Cover

Glam rocker tackled the legendary 1970 Led Zeppelin song for 'American Idol' rock night.
By Gil Kaufman

Adam Lambert performs "Whole Lotta Love" on "American Idol" on Tuesday
Photo: R. Mickshaw/Getty Images/ Fox

Imagine a freight train speeding toward you at midnight. Or a rockslide barreling down a hill as you try to outrace it. That's the feeling of the ominous, chugging Jimmy Page riff that kicks off Led Zeppelin's 1970 Stonehenge of rock, "Whole Lotta Love." And that's before singer Robert Plant leans into one of the nastiest, ecstatic rock screams this side of the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again."

That's the song Adam Lambert chose to sing on "American Idol" rock night Tuesday (May 5), and, needless to say, it was a challenge that the eyeliner-loving Los Angeles stage veteran was more than up for, hitting a series of high notes and rock screams that would have made Plant proud. It was a risky maneuver that paid off for Lambert, who chose a tune that came in at #75 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.

The legendary British rock act recorded the tribute to Chicago blues icon Willie Dixon during their second U.S. tour after working it out in their live show, including it on their 1969 classic album Led Zeppelin II. Like many of the songs Zeppelin performed early in their career, "Love" was a blues standard turned on its head with a heavy dose of crunching psychedelic guitar and thundering drums, courtesy of late drummer John Bonham. The song was based on a 1962 tune by another blues forefather, Muddy Waters, called "You Need Love," which was penned by Dixon.

For Zeppelin's version, Plant customized the lyrics by adding some lyrical quotes from a few other songs Dixon wrote for Howlin' Wolf, "Back Door Man" and "Shake For Me," nailing the tricky vocal in a single take. It was also inspired by 1966's "You Need Loving" from the British rock group the Small Faces, for whom Zeppelin had great affection, but they also did not credit Dixon for his part in writing the original lyrics. The song became Zeppelin's first U.S. single and their only U.S. top 10 hit. Though their manager would not let them release singles in the U.K. because he thought it cannibalized album sales, the song was finally released as the band's only British single in 1997.

Dixon sued Zeppelin over the song in 1985, claiming it borrowed too heavily from his "You Need Love," and Zeppelin reached an agreement with him, with Dixon using the money he received to set up a program that provided musical instruments for schools. A cornerstone of heavy rock, the tune -- which was the theme song for the long-running British countdown show "Top of the Pops" in the 1970s and '80s -- has been covered by dozens of artists over the years, from Tina Turner and Ben Harper to Prince, Slash, Leona Lewis, Train's Pat Monahan, the London Symphony Orchestra and Jane's Addiction.

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Related Videos

Adam Lambert's Theatrical Roots

Related Photos

Adam Lambert's Wild "American Idol" Journey

Related Artists

Led Zeppelin

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1610709/adam-lamberts-whole-lotta-love-story-behind-cover.jhtml

Taylor Swift Teri Hatcher Teri Polo Tessie Santiago Thalía

Photos | 2011 BET Awards Show Highlights

2011 BET Awards Show Highlights

Kelly Hu Kelly Monaco Kelly Ripa Kelly Rowland Kerry Suseck

Rihanna - Run This Town with Rihanna and Kanye West

Run This Town with Rihanna and Kanye West

Artist: Rihanna
Label: Roc Nation
Director: Anthony Mandler

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1940303&vid=429303

Natalie Zea Natasha Bedingfield Natassia Malthe Nelly Furtado Nichole Robinson

Mike ?The Situation? Sorrentino Reportedly Moves OUT Of The MTV ?Jersey Shore? House

Earlier this month it was reported that Vinny Guardino decided to pack up his bags and move OUT of the MTV Jersey Shore house. Today we are hearing, from US Weekly magazine, that fellow castmate Mike The Situation Sorrentino has done the same. Now, I’m having a hard time believing that The Sitch would move [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/xry3knpIKy0/

Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee Connie Nielsen Cristina Dumitru

It's a Royal Affair...

... in Brooklyn!

Bev has decided to wear an asymmetrical fascinator to celebrate Kate and Wills' big day, while Mary opted for a hat with a little tropical flavor.

Cheerio!

(By the way, this wasn't an easy photo to get:)

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/4/29/its-a-royal-affair.html

Isla Fisher Ivana Bozilovic Ivanka Trump Izabella Miko Izabella Scorupco

Photos | 2010 BET Awards Show Highlights

2010 BET Awards Show Highlights

Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay Veronika Va?eková Victoria Beckham Victoria Pratt

Sunday, July 10, 2011

'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon': More Sequels On The Way?

Box-office experts look into the franchise's future.
By Kara Warner

Shia LaBeouf in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Photo: Paramount Pictures

Given the spectacular box-office grosses of "Transformers" and its sequel, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (despite being lambasted by critics and audiences), it is not all that surprising that the three-quel, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," has made box-office history and a ton of money in the first few days of its release.

Michael Bay's third robot-tastic installment hauled in an estimated $97.5 million over the holiday weekend, making it 2011's new biggest opening-weekend record holder, which was previously set by "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

So, what does this mean? In a nutshell, we'll be getting more "Transformers" movies, no matter what Bay and star Shia LaBeouf have said or decided about their "retirement" plans. "I guarantee that Paramount is currently thinking of ways to keep the franchise going," Boxoffice.com editor Phil Contrino told MTV News. "Unfortunately, making a deal for a property this big won't be easy," he added, speaking to moving forward with the franchise without Bay and LaBeouf. "I'm sure a bunch of directors and stars will be kicked around publicly before new hires are made."

Entertainment Weekly senior writer Anthony Breznican agreed that the robots will live on to rule future box offices. "We will definitely see another movie; how soon is a good question," he said. "I took Bay seriously when he said he was finished directing [the 'Transformers' films], and they can reboot them again with someone else. That's not something you say if it's a negotiating tactic. I believed him. I think Shia is serious," he added. "Three movies in this universe are a lot for an actor. Unless you want to be known only as the 'Transformers' guy, you have to move on and do something different.

" 'Harry Potter' will be gargantuan," Breznican said of "Deathly Hallows, Part 2" being the next big competition for "Dark of the Moon." "People are going to want to see it again and again, and that's a real tribute to the filmmakers and J.K. Rowling's storytelling. It's a story where you invest a lot in those characters and they invest a lot back. There is a lot of sacrifice and affection; that movie packs an emotional punch," he said. "It's going to blow 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' out of the water."

Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

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

Related Videos