Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Daniel Radcliffe Survived 'Horns' Like A 'Boss'
'Harry Potter' star describes upcoming thriller as 'bizarre, but it's very exciting.'
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: MTV News
Kony 2012 Campaign Catches Eyes Of Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga
Campaign aims to bring African militia leader Joseph Kony to justice for war crimes and for enlisting children as soldiers.
By Gil Kaufman
<P>A campaign to stop the nearly 30-year, brutal rule of African militia leader Joseph Kony became a viral sensation this week. <a href="http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com" target="_blank">"Kony 2012,"</a> started by the group Invisible Children, aims to make Kony's face so famous that authorities will finally be able to arrest him and try him for his crimes. </P><P> </P><P>A 30-minute <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc" target="_blank">documentary</a> released on Monday is one of the keys to the campaign, and as of Thursday it had gotten more than 26 million views. The video details the atrocities carried out by Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army. The campaign appears to be working, as at one point on Wednesday, Invisible Children and #stopkony were trending higher on Twitter than Peyton Manning or the new iPad. </P><P> </P><P>Since 1987, human rights officials say Kony has forcefully abducted more than 60,000 children to be soldiers in his army and reportedly raped, mutilated and killed civilians in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan and displaced more than 2 million people. The leader is wanted for committing atrocities by the International Criminal Court and is being hunted down by 100 U.S. Special Forces advisers and local troops in four Central African nations, according to the <a href="http://bit.ly/AyrDyz"><I>Associated Press.</I></a> </P><P> </P><P>Kony 2012 is an effort to capture Kony and disarm the LRA before a reported window of opportunity closes. One way it plans to do that is by encouraging users to directly message a variety of stars to make use of their Twitter ubiquity to get the word out. Among those listed on the site are: Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Jay-Z, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Ryan Seacrest and Ellen DeGeneres, along with a number of major policymakers. </P><P> </P><P>When users click on the celebs' photos, a tweet pops up that reads: Help us end #LRA violence. Visit kony2012.com to find out why and how. @timtebow Join us for #KONY2012. </P><P> </P><P><a href="http://act.mtv.com/posts/invisible-children-video-joseph-kony/">Get More on Invisible Children at ACT.MTV.com.</a></p>
Related ArtistsTuesday, January 29, 2013
Daniel Radcliffe Survived 'Horns' Like A 'Boss'
'Harry Potter' star describes upcoming thriller as 'bizarre, but it's very exciting.'
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: MTV News
Lana Del Rey 'Compelled' By Britney Spears
Label boss Jimmy Iovine calls criticism 'a drag.'
By Gil Kaufman
<P>To look at her, you'd think <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rey_lana_del/artist.jhtml"_blank">Lana Del Rey's</a> inspirations come mostly from 1940s detective movies and sepia-toned Hollywood pinups. But the "Video Games" singer told England's Magic 105.4 that one of her big fashion and music icons is Britney Spears. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Lana Del Rey Says Her Lyrics 'Are Personal'" id="vid:724891.id:1677189" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"I'm not really interested in a ton of female musicians but there is something about Britney that compelled me — the way she sings and just the way she looks," Del Rey said. And even though she's just released her major-label debut under the Del Rey name, she added that she's already kind of over music-making. </P><P> </P><P>"The thing that makes me happy now isn't really singing," she said. "Music was once the be-all and end-all, but when you lose everything you have over and over again, it's not so important." </P><P> </P><P>It might be a bit early for her to bail on the whole music thing though, since her album, <I>Born to Die</I>, topped the iTunes album charts in 14 countries this week, including the U.S., U.K., Italy, France, Germany, Ireland and Mexico. </P><P> </P><P>The chart triumph — and a possible #2 debut next week on the <I>Billboard</i> albums tally — came despite a rash of negative or <a href="/news/articles/1678050/lana-del-rey-album-born-to-die-reviews.jhtml">middling reviews</a>
 of the album as well as the continuing fallout from her shaky <a href="/news/articles/1677389/lana-del-rey-snl.jhtml">"Saturday Night Live"</a>
 debut last month. </P><P> </P><P>The haterade has gotten her label boss, Interscope's Jimmy Iovine, to chime in on the flack his latest protégé has been taking. "It's a drag," Iovine told <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lana-del-rey-backlash-jimmy-iovine-286378" target="_blank"><I>The Hollywood Reporter</I></a>. "Maybe this is a new sport. It's something we've never seen before. Or maybe it's [like] the Giants and the Jets." Del Rey herself told <I>Rolling Stone</I> that she thought she looked "beautiful" and sang "fine" on the show, saying that "that's just the way I perform, and my fans know that." </P><P> </P><P>Say what you want about Del Rey's looks, attitude and performance ability, but Iovine said there is one thing you can't mess with. </P><P> </P><P>Musically, he thinks <I>Die</I> is "really good. Great lyrics and great songs. I don't care what anybody says, 'Video Games' is a great song. When she sings that song, it moves me. It's how we signed her — she sang and it was beautiful. I think she's really talented. Period."</p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsMonday, January 28, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Beyonce's Night Out: Breaking Down Her 'Tasteful' Look
Fashion expert weighs in on B's post-baby style during a President Obama fundraiser.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>All the single ladies: Put your hands up and show Beyoncé some love for looking so smoking hot just 10 weeks after <a href="/news/articles/1676906/beyonce-jay-z-baby-born-ivy-blue.jhtml">giving birth to her baby girl, Blue Ivy</a>. </P><P> </P><P>After multiple sightings of the star out and about in NYC since she first emerged at a <a href="/news/articles/1678726/beyonce-post-baby-appearance-blue-ivy.jhtml">Jay-Z's post-Carnegie Hall party</a>, the singer got all dolled up to hang out with first lady Michelle Obama in Manhattan on Monday night. </P><P> </P><P>The first lady of hip-hop and the <i>actual</i> first lady gathered at the Greenwich Hotel for a fundraising event for President Obama. Along with raising some dough, Beyoncé also raised eyebrows, thanks to her slamming post-baby body. Decked out in a body-hugging navy dress by Victoria Beckham, B rocked sky-high heels, dazzling bling (including a diamond-encrusted eagle) and her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. So what was Beyoncé doing right in terms of styling herself as a new mom? </P><P> </P><P>"When you think of all the things women dislike about themselves, the majority don't like their upper arms and also have skirt-length issues, so she's addressed both of these. It's an interesting choice because it's snug, not tight," celebrity stylist Robert Verdi told MTV News about B's post-baby style. "There's a distinction. It's body-flattering, for sure. </P><P> </P><P>"It's also a very tasteful length: 2 inches above the knee. It's also a very conservative color, and it's very covered, but it still remains very sexy," he continued about the look. "You don't see all the bumps that women have post-pregnancy. ... Again, the distinction is it's body-conscious without revealing every lump and bump. Tight ain't right, but this ain't tight. This is body-skimming." </P><P> </P><P>With Beyoncé heading back into the spotlight more and more, including a set of <a href="/news/articles/1681308/beyonce-memorial-day-atlantic-city-shows.jhtml">shows planned for Memorial Day weekend</a>, does Verdi think Queen B will reassess her stage style now that she's a mom? </P><P> </P><P>"She's really young, and ... her equity is in her sex appeal, so you can't dismiss that," Verdi said. "She's not going to cover up. I think you've seen a similar evolution with Madonna, where fashion is sexy but is more intellectual. It's not as in-your-face. I think you're going to see the same thing with her. You evolve, but I don't think you stop being an attractive woman because you've had a child." </P><P> </P><P><i>What do you think of B's post-baby style? Let us know in the comments!</i></p>
Related ArtistsMary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers
'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll
<P>You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin. </P><P> </P><P>In early February, reports began circulating that <a href="/news/articles/1631297/mary-j-blige-records-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven.jhtml">Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven,"</a> working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her <i>Stronger With Each Tear</i> album, due Monday. </P><P> </P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float:left;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:491065" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D491065" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering <i>another</i> Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the <i>Essence</i> Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine. </P><P> </P><P>"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun." </P><P> </P><P>Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon. </P><P> </P><P>"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.</p>
Related ArtistsSaturday, January 26, 2013
Rebecca Gayheart Is Out With Baby Billie
I think this is the first time I've seen Billie! Adorable! Don't you want to pinch those cheeks? Rebecca Gayheart was spotted out with the baby yesterday afternoon. They went to a private residence.
Can you make out Billie's personalized booties (click through the pictures below for a better look)? Too cute :) It looks like Rebecca is focused on being a full-time mom while Eric Dane is still busy with 'Grey's Anatomy.' As you other stay-at-home moms know, getting out is so important!
I hope they had a good time :)
Photos by FAME
Friday, January 25, 2013
Lil Wayne, T.I., Wiz Khalifa To Get 'Sleazy' With Ke$ha
Tip confirms second remix in the works for track, which previously featured a remix verse from Andre 3000.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/kesha_/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a>'s already gotten <a href="/news/articles/1656039/andre-3000-pops-up-on-kehas-sleazy-remix.jhtml">"Sleazy" with Andre 3000</a>. Now, a few more rappers want to get dirty with the glittery pop singer. </P><P> </P><P><a href="http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/10/t-i-andre-300-lil-wayne-wiz-khalifa-record-kesha-remix" target="_blank">XXLmag.com</a> reports that <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/t_i_/artist.jhtml">T.I.</a> plans to jump on the track, and Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa will also be joining Andre and Tip on a new version of "Sleazy." </P><P> </P><P>Weezy should be a welcome addition to <a href="/news/articles/1651081/keha-gets-sleazy-on-new-cannibal-track.jhtml">Ke$ha's dance tune</a>, as it sounds somewhat like Wayne's single "A Milli." And while not much else is known about the remix, T.I. promised that he's going to go big with his verse. </P><P> </P><P>"I haven't heard anybody but mine. ... I'm gonna put my money on mine," the newly freed rapper, who <a href="/news/articles/1671950/ti_prison-release.jhtml">ended an 11-month prison sentence</a> in September, told the website. </P><P> </P><P>The Andre 3000 remix dropped earlier this year and appears on K-Dollar Sign's album <i>Cannibal.</i> The guys will have a lot of swagger to compete with because when Andre appeared on the first remix, he had this to say: "We start out so cute in our baby pictures/ That mama shot for our daddy so that he wouldn't forget you/ He forgot anyway, but hey, one day he'll remember/ If not, he's human, I'm human, you human, we'll forgive him/ I call her Keisha, she like it because it's 'hood to her/ She call me Andre 6000 because I'm good to her." </P><P> </P><P>Tip told XXLmag.com that his appearance on the Ke$ha song is just one of many remixes he's amped about. He has also worked on remixes for Meek Mill and Rick Ross's "Ima Boss," as well as Jay-Z and Kanye West's <i>Watch the Throne</i> song "N---as in Paris." </P><P> </P><P>"I'm looking for some more records to jump on," he said. "That's what I'm doin' right now. I'm commandeering hit records right now. I'm hijacking hit records. If you got a hit, I'm on it." </P><P> </P><P><i>Are you looking forward to the new "Sleazy" remix? Tell us in the comments!</i></p>
Related Artists'The Wolverine' Preview: The Claws Are Out
Director James Mangold leads MTV News through Hugh Jackman's return to Logan.
By Kara Warner
Hugh Jackman in "The Wolverine"
Photo: 20th Century Fox
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Beyonce Inauguration Performance: Audio Engineer Says 'No Question' She Was Singing
'At least half, if not all of what we were hearing was her real vocal,' says audio engineer Ian Shepherd.
By Gil Kaufman
Beyoncé performs the National Anthem during the presidential inauguration
Photo: Getty Images
Is Lindsay Lohan's 'The Canyons' Too 'Controversial' For SXSW?
After the festival reportedly passed on the film, producer Braxton Pope exclusively tells MTV News that 'audiences will decide whether it is successful or not.'
By Jocelyn Vena
Lindsay Lohan in "Canyons"
Photo: Sodium Fox/ PrettyBird
Dave Grohl Says Foo Fighters 'Have A Plan' For Their Next Album
Though the band is on a break — and Grohl is promoting his 'Sound City' film — he tells MTV News there's a new Foo album on the horizon.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Dave Grohl at Sundance 2013 on Monday
Photo: MTV News
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Julianne Hough Wears Temperley London While Promoting Her New Film ?Safe Haven?
A little while back we saw the first trailer for Safe Haven, another Nicholas Sparks adaptation coming to a theatre near you. Julianne Hough plays alongside Josh Duhamel in the movie and, although I haven’t seen a lot of her on-screen work, I’m always excited to see her on the red carpet or just out [...]
Les News, 012213
? Mark-Paul Gosslear says he’s “maybe” up for a Saved By the Bell reunion. [Buzzfeed] ? Will Jimmy Olsen become Jenny Olsen in Superman: Man of Steel? [ONTD!] ? Celebs really enjoyed the Presidential Inauguration last night. [PopSugar] ? Taylor Swift reveals that she partly wants to be “alone”. [GossipCop] ? Alexander McQueen is SO [...]
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Lady Gaga Surpasses 20 Million Followers On Twitter
Pop star extends her record-breaking Twitter dominance over second-place holder Justin Bieber.
By John Mitchell
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> is known for her prolific Internet presence, and now she can lay claim to another achievement: She's the first person to pass 20 million followers on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ladygaga" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. </P><P> </P><P>Mother Monster has yet to acknowledge the feat on her social network of choice, but, on February 9, when she noticed her number of followers eclipsed 19 million, she good-naturedly <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ladygaga/status/167686723906703360" target="_blank">tweeted</a>, "19 Million Followers!!! HOLY HOOKER!!! *goes back to work*" </P><P> </P><P>Like many celebrities, Gaga has used Twitter to forge a closer relationship with her fans as well as make announcements about her career and respond to criticism, as she recently did when British music magazine <i>NME</i> named her hit album <i>Born This Way</i> the <a href="/news/articles/1679839/lady-gaga-most-pretentious-albums-born-this-way.jhtml">Most Pretentious Album Ever</a>. </P><P> </P><P>Gaga has been the most followed person on Twitter since August 2010, when she blasted past <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> for the title when she reached 5.6 million followers. </P><P> </P><P>Spears now enjoys 13.6 million followers, making her the seventh most-followed person on the network. Currently in third place is Katy Perry with 15.7 million followers. Shakira (14.5 million) and Rihanna (14.5 million) are not far behind. </P><P> </P><P>The only person within spitting distance of Gaga on Twitter is <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a>. The recent <a href="/news/articles/1680248/justin-bieber-birthday-gifts.jhtml">birthday boy</a> has just over 18 million followers. He is, however, a far more prolific tweeter than Gaga; the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-lady-gaga-20-million-followers-twitter-20120305,0,4076491.story" target="_blank"><i>Los Angeles Times</i></a> notes that he has sent out 10 times as many tweets as the "Born This Way" diva. </P><P> </P><P>Gaga also enjoys a massive following on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ladygaga" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, where she's been "liked" by nearly 49 million people. But Mother Monster cannot claim being the boss on Facebook. That title belongs to <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a>, who has been liked by nearly 53 million individuals.</p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsExclusive 'Paranormal Activity 4' Recovered Files Scares Up New Footage
In a deleted scene from the video release, Alex investigates a mysterious noise.
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Kathryn Newton in "Paranormal Activity 4"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Monday, January 21, 2013
Lana Del Rey 'Compelled' By Britney Spears
Label boss Jimmy Iovine calls criticism 'a drag.'
By Gil Kaufman
<P>To look at her, you'd think <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rey_lana_del/artist.jhtml"_blank">Lana Del Rey's</a> inspirations come mostly from 1940s detective movies and sepia-toned Hollywood pinups. But the "Video Games" singer told England's Magic 105.4 that one of her big fashion and music icons is Britney Spears. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Lana Del Rey Says Her Lyrics 'Are Personal'" id="vid:724891.id:1677189" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"I'm not really interested in a ton of female musicians but there is something about Britney that compelled me — the way she sings and just the way she looks," Del Rey said. And even though she's just released her major-label debut under the Del Rey name, she added that she's already kind of over music-making. </P><P> </P><P>"The thing that makes me happy now isn't really singing," she said. "Music was once the be-all and end-all, but when you lose everything you have over and over again, it's not so important." </P><P> </P><P>It might be a bit early for her to bail on the whole music thing though, since her album, <I>Born to Die</I>, topped the iTunes album charts in 14 countries this week, including the U.S., U.K., Italy, France, Germany, Ireland and Mexico. </P><P> </P><P>The chart triumph — and a possible #2 debut next week on the <I>Billboard</i> albums tally — came despite a rash of negative or <a href="/news/articles/1678050/lana-del-rey-album-born-to-die-reviews.jhtml">middling reviews</a>
 of the album as well as the continuing fallout from her shaky <a href="/news/articles/1677389/lana-del-rey-snl.jhtml">"Saturday Night Live"</a>
 debut last month. </P><P> </P><P>The haterade has gotten her label boss, Interscope's Jimmy Iovine, to chime in on the flack his latest protégé has been taking. "It's a drag," Iovine told <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lana-del-rey-backlash-jimmy-iovine-286378" target="_blank"><I>The Hollywood Reporter</I></a>. "Maybe this is a new sport. It's something we've never seen before. Or maybe it's [like] the Giants and the Jets." Del Rey herself told <I>Rolling Stone</I> that she thought she looked "beautiful" and sang "fine" on the show, saying that "that's just the way I perform, and my fans know that." </P><P> </P><P>Say what you want about Del Rey's looks, attitude and performance ability, but Iovine said there is one thing you can't mess with. </P><P> </P><P>Musically, he thinks <I>Die</I> is "really good. Great lyrics and great songs. I don't care what anybody says, 'Video Games' is a great song. When she sings that song, it moves me. It's how we signed her — she sang and it was beautiful. I think she's really talented. Period."</p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsLes News, 012013
? Never Forget: Aretha Franklin‘s 2009 Inauguration Hat. [Buzzfeed] ? DaVinci’s Demons. [ONTD!] ? Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer step out with their baby twins. [PopSugar] ? Barbara Walters hospitalized with a head injury. [GossipCop] ? Italian Vanity Fair looks worth a read. [Oh La La] ? Vice President Joe Biden officially sworn in for [...]
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Les News, 012013
? Never Forget: Aretha Franklin‘s 2009 Inauguration Hat. [Buzzfeed] ? DaVinci’s Demons. [ONTD!] ? Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer step out with their baby twins. [PopSugar] ? Barbara Walters hospitalized with a head injury. [GossipCop] ? Italian Vanity Fair looks worth a read. [Oh La La] ? Vice President Joe Biden officially sworn in for [...]
Is Britney Spears Getting Closer To 'X Factor' Gig?
'I'm fascinated by her,' Cowell says of singer, who's rumored to be contender to join show.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>There are several women's names currently being tossed around as potential judges for the upcoming season of "X Factor." Avril Lavigne, <a href="/news/articles/1679730/x-factor-new-judges-hosts.jhtml">Janet Jackson and Britney Spears</a> are the leading rumored contenders to replace <a href="/news/articles/1678191/paula-abdul-exits-x-factor.jhtml">Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul</a> for the show's completely revamped second season, which kicks off later this year. </P><P> </P><P>In a recent press call, Simon Cowell would not confirm who producers were talking to, but he did not deny that Jackson was on the table. </P><P> </P><P>"You can probably count on two girls," fellow judge L.A. Reid added. "That we can confirm." </P><P> </P><P>Cowell recently addressed the Britney buzz on Billy Bush's <a href="http://www.accesshollywood.com/billy-bush/simon-cowell-x-factor-would-be-a-walk-in-the-park-for-britney-spears_articletab_61327" target="_blank">radio show</a>, continuing to play coy about the chatter. "Well, I'm fascinated by her. The fact that she's still one of the most talked-about — not just pop stars, but people — in the world today means that you've got this star power. This girl's got resilience, and the fact that she's survived this and she's still hot, she's still having hit records and she's still controversial ... there's a reason for that. </P><P> </P><P>"I would think that if she's managed to sustain a family, a career, which is tough, this is a walk in the park," he added, noting that he believes she would be a good judge. </P><P> </P><P>While Cowell seems to be dancing around the issue, British "X Factor" judge Louis Walsh may have let the cat out of the bag in an <a href="http://www.breatheheavy.com/2012/02/uk-x-factor-judge-confirms-talks-with-britney/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed" target="_blank">interview</a> on U.K. talk show "Craig Doyle Live." He shared that Spears was indeed talking to producers about possibly joining the show. </P><P> </P><P>"I know he is talking to Britney. I know he's definitely talking to Britney to do the American show. Absolutely true and maybe Janet Jackson," he said. </P><P> </P><P>In the end, Cowell summed up the current spate of rumors on that conference call. "There's a load of speculation, some true, some not true. It's true to say that a lot more people have entered the frame this year. We were waiting to see who was going to contact us before we actually contacted people," he said last week. "We're in that place right now, which is a good place to be in. We will meet a number of people over the next few weeks, mainly to explain to them that this is a big commitment when you do a show like this because of the mentoring aspect."</p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsGucci Mane's 'Spring Breakers' Role Makes Waka Flocka Laugh
'He did that on the low. I can't wait to see it,' Waka tells MTV News of his buddy's role in the upcoming James Franco flick.
By Rob Markman
Gucci Mane in "Spring Breakers"
Photo: Annapurna Pictures / A24
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Nas Defends Tarantino's Use Of N-Word In 'Django Unchained'
Rapper who battled his own N-word album controversy tells MTV News audiences shouldn't expect 'anything less than rawness' from QT.
By Rebecca Thomas
Jamie Foxx in "Django Unchained"
Photo: The Weinstein Company
Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers
'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll
<P>You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin. </P><P> </P><P>In early February, reports began circulating that <a href="/news/articles/1631297/mary-j-blige-records-led-zeppelins-stairway-to-heaven.jhtml">Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven,"</a> working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her <i>Stronger With Each Tear</i> album, due Monday. </P><P> </P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float:left;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:491065" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D491065" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering <i>another</i> Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the <i>Essence</i> Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine. </P><P> </P><P>"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun." </P><P> </P><P>Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon. </P><P> </P><P>"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.</p>
Related Artists'Buckwild' Breakdown: Breakups, Beatdowns And 'Patrick Schwasted'
On Thursday's back-to-back episodes of MTV's 'Buckwild,' Shae left her BF, Tyler threw down and Salwa coined our new favorite phrase.
By James Montgomery
Cara on "Buckwild"
Photo: MTV
Friday, January 18, 2013
Rihanna, Chris Brown Have A New Collaboration On The Way
The singers were snapped leaving the studio, and Brown's rep has confirmed that a new track is in the works.
By Jocelyn Vena
Cover Art for Rihanna's new single, "Stay," featuring Chris Brown
Photo: Rihanna, via Instagram
Manti Te'o Hoax: Fans Make The 'Catfish' Connection
'Nev, Help him!!! He got royally duped globally,' one reader writes, while others think Notre Dame player was in on the scam.
By Kara Warner
Manti Te'o
Photo: Jeff Gross/ Getty Images
Beyonce And Jay-Z's Blue Ivy Trademark: An Expert Explains
Couple likely 'trying to protect what they rightfully own or created,' family law expert tells MTV News.
By John Mitchell
<P><a href="/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> and <a href="/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a> have filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect their month-old baby's name and reserve it for future use, MTV News has confirmed. The superstar couple reportedly sought the trademark to stop the use of Blue Ivy's name by others. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="A Gift Buying Guide For Blue Ivy Carter" id="vid:725377.id:1676907" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>It's a smart move, according to family law attorney and author <a href="http://www.vikkiziegler.com/" target="_blank">Vikki Ziegler</a>. "[Seeking the trademark] forestalls competitors from using the child's name and or third parties from attempting to sell the baby's name back to the couple," Ziegler told MTV News. "They are likely trying to protect what they rightfully own or created, shall we say, by trademarking Blue Ivy's name." </P><P> </P><P>The application to trademark Blue Ivy Carter's name, filed by BGK Trademark Holdings (Beyoncé's company) is currently pending but will likely be approved because, as the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/blue-ivy-the-trademark-feds-move-fast-on-rights-to-beyonce-and-jay-zs-babys-name/2012/02/03/gIQAOTDGnQ_blog.html" target="_blank"><i>Washington Post</i></a> reports, parents are legally authorized to trademark the names of their minor children. </P><P> </P><P>"In essence, it's a trademark for a brand, and this brand is expected to be one hot commodity — just look at Blue Ivy's parents," Ziegler said. "Anyone else that tried to use the name after the trademark was approved could be sued and held liable for damages." </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Beyonce Will Emerge As A Hollywood Celebrity Mother Brand" id="vid:724613.id:1676907" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>While the Patent Office looks fondly on attempts to trademark the name of one's own child, attempts to do the same with the names of other people's kids are another story, as two designers learned when they sought — just days after Blue Ivy's birth — to trademark the baby's name for their own use. </P><P> </P><P>Applications from fashion designer Joseph Mbeh to patent "Blue Ivy Carter NYC" and by an unnamed designer to trademark "Blue Ivy Carter Glory IV" for a fragrance line were denied by the Patent Office, which noted in its decision that the name belonged to a "very famous infant" and consumers would wrongly assume that any products bearing the name had been approved by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. </P><P> </P><P>Ziegler noted that the trademark would "protect against others using the child's name as a brand of merchandise in the same marketplace," so it will not impact the "Blue Ivy" trademark held by a clothing boutique in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The store filed to trademark <i>its</i> name on January 19, 2011, a year before Queen B and Jay made the name famous. They received approval on August 23 — five days before <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">Beyoncé announced her pregnancy</a> at the MTV Video Music Awards. </P><P> </P><P><i>What do you think about Beyoncé and Jay-Z trademarking Blue Ivy's name? Let us know in the comments!</i></p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsThursday, January 17, 2013
Musical March Madness Heats Up!
Prepare yourself for the music event of the decade - MTV News' Musical March Madness! The world's best bands will duke it out for ultimate rock supremacy. Will your favorite band be crowned the winner? It's up to YOU.
By
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Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Golden Globes 2013: Taylor Swift And More Best Dressed!
Lucy Liu tops our list, with Emily Blunt and Jennifer Lawrence also in contention.
By Maud Deitch
Taylor Swift on the 2013 Golden Globes red carpet
Photo: Christopher Polk/NBC
Are Madonna And Britney Spears Collaborating On MDNA?
Amid rumors that Spears will appear on Madge's 'Girls Gone Wild,' MTV News looks back at their history together.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>Could it be that <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/madonna/artist.jhtml">Madonna</a> has enlisted her pal <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> for <a href="/news/articles/1678197/madonna-mdna-album.jhtml"><i>MDNA</i></a>? </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Spears, Madonna Get In The Zone For 'Me Against The Music' Video" id="vid:623135.id:1657989" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>Well, according to a leaked album jacket, it seems that Spears is making an appearance on the album's lead track, "Girls Gone Wild." </P><P> </P><P>This would mark the second collaboration on the album. Madonna nabbed Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for the album's first single, <a href="/news/articles/1678478/madonna-give-me-all-your-luvin-video.jhtml">"Give Me All Your Luvin'."</a> </P><P>While the leaked jacket, which appeared on Britney fansite <a href="http://www.breatheheavy.com/2012/02/britney-on-new-madonna-album/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed" target="_blank">Breatheheavy.com</a>, can't be confirmed as authentic, a rep for Madge had no comment about the rumor, neither confirming nor denying it. Meanwhile, a rep for Spears never returned MTV News' request for comment. </P><P> </P><P>This is hardly the first time that the two ladies have worked together. In fact, they have quite a history with each other. </P><P> </P><P>The duo kicked off their nearly decade-long friendship at the 2003 VMAs when, in case you hadn't heard, they <a href="/news/articles/1669706/britney-spears-mtv-vma-history.jhtml">shared an onstage kiss</a> while performing together. It was the kiss seen and heard around the world, and nearly 10 years later it is still often talked about as one of the most memorable moments in the show's storied history. </P><P> </P><P>After they shared that smooch, Spears was inspired to get the Queen of Pop on her lead <i>In the Zone</i> single, <a href="/news/articles/1658075/britney-spears-me-against-the-music.jhtml">"Me Against the Music."</a> "I was in the middle of rehearsals for the VMAs and I played her the song, and she was like, 'That's your first single, right?' " Britney recalled in a vintage interview with MTV. "I was like, 'Yeah, hopefully.' She was like, 'I really like it.' I was like, 'Really?' I was like, 'Well, you wanna do it with me?' She said, 'Yeah.' " </P><P> </P><P>They later appeared together in the warehouse-set video with one another, playing a pop star cat-and-mouse game that featured a near kiss. </P><P> </P><P>Five years later, as Spears was prepping her return to the pop spotlight, she appeared <a href="/news/articles/1598804/britney-spears-justin-timberlake-appear-onstage-with-madonna.jhtml">onstage with Madonna</a> during a Sticky & Sweet Tour stop at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The singer hit the stage with the pop icon to perform "Human Nature" by her side. </P><P> </P><P>That same year, Madonna appeared in <a href="/news/articles/1600361/britney-spears-talks-breakups-breakdowns-in-for-the-record.jhtml">Spears' documentary, "For the Record,"</a> where she spoke about the younger singer. "I admire her as an artist," the Material Girl said, adding that she sees a lot of herself in Spears. </P><P>In 2011, as Spears was prepping the release of her album <i>Femme Fatale,</i> in an <a href="/news/articles/1659522/britney-spears-plastic-surgery-out-magazine.jhtml">interview with <i>Out</i> magazine</a>, she noted that she truly admires her friend. "Madonna. No question. She is an amazing entertainer," she said when asked whose career she most would want to emulate. </P><P> </P><P>As Madonna preps the release of <i>MDNA</i> in March, Spears is also the topic of conversation in a recent interview with her. When asked by ABC News what it was like to smooch the pop princess, she commented, "Nice moment, good kisser. Cool," she said, clarifying that she wouldn't do it again. "No, I already did it. I don't like to repeat myself." </P><P> </P><P>Well, perhaps a kiss would be "reductive" (her word, not ours), but it seems given the love that Madge and Spears fans have for the two pop stars, they wouldn't mind them cooking up some musical magic. </P><P>The track, "Girls Gone Wild," was teased in a megamix that dropped last week and it certainly feels like it would lend itself to both Madonna and Brit's musical sensibilities: It's fist-pumpingly dance-y, sexy and all about going out and having a good time, with Madge proclaiming, "Girls, they just want to have some fun/ Get fired up like a smoking gun/ On the floor till the daylight comes/ Girls, they just want to have some fun." </P><P> </P><P><center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:728690/cp~id%3D1672718%26vid%3D728690%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A728690%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center> </P><P> </P><P><i>What would you think of a new Britney Spears/ Madonna collabo? Leave your comment below!</i></p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsConrad Murray Sentence 'Not Enough,' MJ Fans Say
But other Michael Jackson supporters outside L.A. courthouse tell MTV News 'justice has been served.'
By Katie Byrne, with reporting by Vanessa White Wolf
<P><b>LOS ANGELES</b> — During the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, <a href="/music/artist/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml">Michael Jackson</a>'s fans have been as much a fixture at the courthouse as the <a href="/news/articles/1675068/conrad-murray-sentencing.jhtml">Jackson family</a>. When <a href="/news/articles/1675062/conrad-murray-sentence.jhtml">Murray was sentenced to four years</a> in jail Tuesday (November 29), MTV News spoke with those loyal fans outside the court to see if the maximum sentence was an apt punishment. </P><P> </P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="MIchael Jackson Fans React To Conrad Murray Sentence" id="vid:715142.id:1673923" width="240" height="211"></div><p> </P><P> </P><P>"Four years — not enough, but at least something," said one fan, sporting a red jacket in tribute to MJ. "And where I come from, a little something is always better than nothing." </P><P> </P><P>One pair of friends might have been wearing matching <i>Thriller</i> T-shirts, but their opinions on Murray's sentence certainly didn't match. "If four years is the maximum and he got the maximum — I know she's not happy, but I'm happy," one of the women said, gesturing to her less-than-pleased companion. "I feel like justice was served and that L.A. can now be proud and stand tall." </P><P> </P><P>"It's better than nothing, but it's not even close to justice," said another fan, wearing Jackson's trademark fedora and sequined glove. "Not only was [Murray] negligent; he let the man die. It's unconscionable. He didn't even try. How would a heart doctor not know how to give CPR? It's insane." </P><P> </P><P>The cardiologist, who was found guilty of one felony count of involuntary manslaughter November 7, was facing up to four years in state prison in the death of the pop icon, but due to recent changes to alleviate overcrowding in California prisons, the judge in the case said he was unable to send the doctor to state prison for his crime. On top of that, <a href="/news/articles/1675080/conrad-murray-sentence-four-years-experts.jhtml">legal expert Mike Cavalluzzi told MTV News</a> that Murray will likely serve less than half of his four-year sentence. </P><P> </P><P>Those legal loopholes concerned a female fan outside the courthouse, but she was also happy that the maximum punishment was doled out. </P><P> </P><P>"The only thing I'm worried about now, with the overcrowding of the jails, he might get one year and house arrest," she told MTV News. "I'm just hoping it'll be four years, that's what I'm praying. I'm just glad that justice has been served today, and I'm glad justice can be served to the family and to the fans, and everybody around today will be happy and celebrate that justice has been served. And I'm sure Michael's looking from heaven right now."</p>
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