MTV Buzzworthy Blog: The Best Of Old-School Britney Spears
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Saturday, April 30, 2011
Photos | 'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Trailer Frames
'Michael Jackson's This Is It' Trailer Frames
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Katharine McPhee Katharine Towne Katherine Heigl Katie Cassidy
Lady Gaga - Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Artist: Lady Gaga
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Hype Williams
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Artist: Lady Gaga
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Hype Williams
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Justin Bieber Vintage Video: His First Meeting With Usher
Justin Timberlake also wanted to sign Bieber, 'Never Say Never' star said in 2009.By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber
Photo: Brian Phares/MTV News
Just as the world was learning who Justin Bieber was, MTV News caught up with the shaggy-haired singer in September 2009. He was gearing up to release his debut album, My World, and plotting his pop-world domination. In the year and a half since that interview, Bieber has done the nearly impossible, launching himself into the pop mega-sphere.
In the chat, Bieber recalled how he and his manager, Scooter Braun, met and eventually got big names interested in signing the teen.
"My manager found me on YouTube. He flew me out to Atlanta for the first time — I'd never actually been on a plane before. He flew me to Atlanta where i was going to the studio to meet some people," he recalled.
"And Usher happened to roll up in his Range Rover. I ran up to him, and I was like, 'Usher, I love your songs. Want me to sing you one?' The politest possible way he could say no, he did. ... I took the hint. I didn't get to sing for him: He had to run into a studio session."
But later, Usher was beckoning the teen back to the ATL. "He actually watched my videos — after my manager got to talking to him — and was like, 'I should have let this kid sing,' and flew me back to Atlanta where I got to sing for him in a proper setting. A week later, I had a meeting with Justin Timberlake, who also wanted to sign me, so they both kind of wanted me."
As the story goes, Bieber went with Usher, and the two never looked back.
"As far as Usher being my mentor, he's definitely given me words of wisdom. I hear it from everybody, but definitely to hear it from Usher is great, just to stay humble and grounded is very important," he explained.
"There's a lot of people, especially young stars, that have gone down the wrong path, and I definitely plan to stay humble and stay grounded and keep my family first, because that stuff really is important in life."
On Friday, Justin Bieber's 3-D documentary, "Never Say Never," opens. The film takes a look at how the teen star worked to hit it big. MTV News has been chatting with him along the way, from the time he first burst on the scene in 2009 until now, as he embarks on a huge 2011 that will include a tour and more new music.
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Discovering Justin Bieber
MTV Rough Cut: Justin Bieber
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Usher
Justin Bieber
Photo: Brian Phares/MTV News
Just as the world was learning who Justin Bieber was, MTV News caught up with the shaggy-haired singer in September 2009. He was gearing up to release his debut album, My World, and plotting his pop-world domination. In the year and a half since that interview, Bieber has done the nearly impossible, launching himself into the pop mega-sphere.
In the chat, Bieber recalled how he and his manager, Scooter Braun, met and eventually got big names interested in signing the teen.
"My manager found me on YouTube. He flew me out to Atlanta for the first time — I'd never actually been on a plane before. He flew me to Atlanta where i was going to the studio to meet some people," he recalled.
"And Usher happened to roll up in his Range Rover. I ran up to him, and I was like, 'Usher, I love your songs. Want me to sing you one?' The politest possible way he could say no, he did. ... I took the hint. I didn't get to sing for him: He had to run into a studio session."
But later, Usher was beckoning the teen back to the ATL. "He actually watched my videos — after my manager got to talking to him — and was like, 'I should have let this kid sing,' and flew me back to Atlanta where I got to sing for him in a proper setting. A week later, I had a meeting with Justin Timberlake, who also wanted to sign me, so they both kind of wanted me."
As the story goes, Bieber went with Usher, and the two never looked back.
"As far as Usher being my mentor, he's definitely given me words of wisdom. I hear it from everybody, but definitely to hear it from Usher is great, just to stay humble and grounded is very important," he explained.
"There's a lot of people, especially young stars, that have gone down the wrong path, and I definitely plan to stay humble and stay grounded and keep my family first, because that stuff really is important in life."
On Friday, Justin Bieber's 3-D documentary, "Never Say Never," opens. The film takes a look at how the teen star worked to hit it big. MTV News has been chatting with him along the way, from the time he first burst on the scene in 2009 until now, as he embarks on a huge 2011 that will include a tour and more new music.
Related Videos
Discovering Justin Bieber
MTV Rough Cut: Justin Bieber
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Photos From Justin Bieber's Interview With Sway
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Usher
Beyonc� - Sweet Dreams
Sweet Dreams
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Adria Petty
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Adria Petty
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Friday, April 29, 2011
Jared Leto Is The New Face Of Hugo Boss
Congratulations are in order for 30 Seconds to Mars frontman and sometime actor Jared Leto because he has just been announced as the new face of one of Huge Boss‘s new fragrances. That’s right … Leto will be the worldwide face of HUGO by Hugo Boss and will feature in a plethora of promo materials [...]
Photos | Justin Bieber's 'Never Say Never' L.A. Premiere
Justin Bieber's 'Never Say Never' L.A. Premiere
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Elizabeth Banks Joins 'Hunger Games' And The 'Deathly Hallows' Trailer Rules In Today's Twitter-Wood
Why does Twitter exist, you ask? So that we can get instantaneous access to awesome breaking news. Like the fact that Elizabeth Banks has officially confirmed that she'll star in "The Hunger Games" as Effie Trinket, for instance. May the odds be ever in her favor!
Even as "Hunger Games" ramps up, the "Harry Potter" movies [...]
Even as "Hunger Games" ramps up, the "Harry Potter" movies [...]
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Christina Perri Was Always Late For Class, On 'When I Was 17'
'I almost didn't graduate because I was late so many days,' the 'Jar of Hearts' singer admits on latest episode.By James Dinh
Christina Perri
Photo: MTV News
Time is of the essence, and if there's one music superstar who learned that life lesson at a young age, it's Christina Perri. On this week's episode of MTV's "When I Was 17," the singer/songwriter recalls being late all the time for high school, which almost cost the future rock star her diploma.
"I remember when I was 17, I almost didn't graduate because I was late so many days," the "Jar of Hearts" singer recalls. "I had this 1981 baby-blue Monte Carlo ... but it was so old and awful and broke down all the time."
Perri's brother Nick admits that his sibling was a fan of the superstar lifestyle early on in her teenage years, saying, "She was all about rock and roll and she wanted a muscle car."
However, even behind the wheel of her dream car, Perri couldn't deny the less-than-stellar condition of the ride, which led to a number of tardy school days and eventually a little bit of trouble. "My mom wrote me a note one time for the little attendance nun that said, 'Pardon my daughter's lateness. It's her car, it didn't start this morning,' " she recalls.
With her mother's note in hand, the Pennsylvania native took advantage and made 70 photocopies for future use. "I gave it to the attendance nun, like, every day. She's like, 'Can you please get another car?' "
By the end of high school, Perri's attendance record had finally caught up with her. "In my senior year, I was late a day too many and then my mom found out about all the notes and she said, 'What do you mean you were late 70 days? I didn't write you 70 notes.' "
In the end, Perri escaped the consequences, but it was an extremely close call. "The little attendance nun just kind of erased that last day that I had because I had won her over and they let me graduate, but it was close," she says.
"When I Was 17" — this week featuring ?uestlove, Christina Perri and Vanessa Simmons — airs on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.
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Christina Perri
Christina Perri
Photo: MTV News
Time is of the essence, and if there's one music superstar who learned that life lesson at a young age, it's Christina Perri. On this week's episode of MTV's "When I Was 17," the singer/songwriter recalls being late all the time for high school, which almost cost the future rock star her diploma.
"I remember when I was 17, I almost didn't graduate because I was late so many days," the "Jar of Hearts" singer recalls. "I had this 1981 baby-blue Monte Carlo ... but it was so old and awful and broke down all the time."
Perri's brother Nick admits that his sibling was a fan of the superstar lifestyle early on in her teenage years, saying, "She was all about rock and roll and she wanted a muscle car."
However, even behind the wheel of her dream car, Perri couldn't deny the less-than-stellar condition of the ride, which led to a number of tardy school days and eventually a little bit of trouble. "My mom wrote me a note one time for the little attendance nun that said, 'Pardon my daughter's lateness. It's her car, it didn't start this morning,' " she recalls.
With her mother's note in hand, the Pennsylvania native took advantage and made 70 photocopies for future use. "I gave it to the attendance nun, like, every day. She's like, 'Can you please get another car?' "
By the end of high school, Perri's attendance record had finally caught up with her. "In my senior year, I was late a day too many and then my mom found out about all the notes and she said, 'What do you mean you were late 70 days? I didn't write you 70 notes.' "
In the end, Perri escaped the consequences, but it was an extremely close call. "The little attendance nun just kind of erased that last day that I had because I had won her over and they let me graduate, but it was close," she says.
"When I Was 17" — this week featuring ?uestlove, Christina Perri and Vanessa Simmons — airs on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on MTV.
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Sarah Ferguson Told To Scram During Royal Wedding
We suppose this is what happens when you diss the Royal Family!
Regardless if you're the Duchess of York, that doesn't automatically mean you'll be invited to the wedding. In fact, that COULD mean that they tell you to just disappear and not make any kind of scene during the day at all.
Including wearing a [...]
Regardless if you're the Duchess of York, that doesn't automatically mean you'll be invited to the wedding. In fact, that COULD mean that they tell you to just disappear and not make any kind of scene during the day at all.
Including wearing a [...]
Lady Gaga's 'Judas' Video To Premiere On 'American Idol'
Interscope Records announces clip coming 'the week of May 2.'By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Marco Prosch/ Getty Images
Let the cultural baptism begin, little monsters. Lady Gaga is set to release her "Judas" video the week of May 2 on "American Idol." Interscope Records made the announcement on its Twitter account, adding that more details would be on the way.
The video was co-directed by Mother Monster and her creative director, Laurieann Gibson. And, Gibson has made it clear that this video will have everyone talking.
"It's a phenomenal video: really powerful, really impactful," Gibson commented. "She's such a strong, committed artist. Her loyalty to me is something I will be forever grateful for. We're spiritually connected.
"We need each other ... and 'Judas' is ultimately a representation of our true bond."
Gaga will play Mary Magdalene, with Norman Reedus as Judas.
"I will tell you now, first off, I'm Christian, and my career is evidence of God in my life," Gibson said. "And I think that most people are already thinking that Gaga and the blasphemy and they're premeditating the approach, and I think they'll be very shocked to find out how huge and really groundbreaking the message is and how freeing the message is for all the right reasons. And it's really going to shock the world."
For those who can't wait that long, Gaga is set to perform the track on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Wednesday. It's not the only TV performance Gaga has lined up to get her fans excited for the May 23 release of Born This Way: Last week, it was announced that Gaga would perform on the May 21 episode of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Justin Timberlake.
She'll also make a May 27 appearance on "Good Morning America" that will kick off the show's summer concert series, and the premiere of Gaga's highly anticipated HBO special, which was taped at New York's Madison Square Garden in February, will be May 7.
"JUDAS is about forgiveness and perseverance through struggle," Gaga tweeted on Easter Sunday. "Persevere today!"
Which of Gaga's upcoming TV appearances are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!
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Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
Photo: Marco Prosch/ Getty Images
Let the cultural baptism begin, little monsters. Lady Gaga is set to release her "Judas" video the week of May 2 on "American Idol." Interscope Records made the announcement on its Twitter account, adding that more details would be on the way.
The video was co-directed by Mother Monster and her creative director, Laurieann Gibson. And, Gibson has made it clear that this video will have everyone talking.
"It's a phenomenal video: really powerful, really impactful," Gibson commented. "She's such a strong, committed artist. Her loyalty to me is something I will be forever grateful for. We're spiritually connected.
"We need each other ... and 'Judas' is ultimately a representation of our true bond."
Gaga will play Mary Magdalene, with Norman Reedus as Judas.
"I will tell you now, first off, I'm Christian, and my career is evidence of God in my life," Gibson said. "And I think that most people are already thinking that Gaga and the blasphemy and they're premeditating the approach, and I think they'll be very shocked to find out how huge and really groundbreaking the message is and how freeing the message is for all the right reasons. And it's really going to shock the world."
For those who can't wait that long, Gaga is set to perform the track on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Wednesday. It's not the only TV performance Gaga has lined up to get her fans excited for the May 23 release of Born This Way: Last week, it was announced that Gaga would perform on the May 21 episode of "Saturday Night Live," hosted by Justin Timberlake.
She'll also make a May 27 appearance on "Good Morning America" that will kick off the show's summer concert series, and the premiere of Gaga's highly anticipated HBO special, which was taped at New York's Madison Square Garden in February, will be May 7.
"JUDAS is about forgiveness and perseverance through struggle," Gaga tweeted on Easter Sunday. "Persevere today!"
Which of Gaga's upcoming TV appearances are you most excited for? Tell us in the comments below!
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The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga
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Lady Gaga's Born This Way Cover Is 'Polarizing,' Perez Hilton Says
'She loves that people are talking about it,' gossip blogger tells MTV News.By Jocelyn Vena
Perez Hilton and Lady Gaga
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images
When Lady Gaga tweeted the Born This Way album art over the weekend, fans were a bit surprised by the cover photo, which features Gaga as a motorcycle/human hybrid.
Was it a joke? Was it for real? Well, it was for real, and even days later, everyone's still talking.
"They were definitely divisive and it was a polarizing image," Gaga's pal Perez Hilton told MTV News. "I knew it would really get a reaction out of people, and that was her intent. She could have easily gone for something expected, but that's the beautiful thing about Gaga."
The gossip blogger said the Nick Knight image's intention was to get people buzzing, whether or not that buzz ended up in the Mother Monster's favor. He even offered some insight into the photo's message, which has been lost on some of Gaga's Little Monsters.
"She always wants to keep people guessing, and I think the cover works on many different levels," he explained. "Literally, she was born that way, [like] some kind of mutant freak. There's a lot of energy in that picture."
He adds that the vibe captured in the image will also find its way into the music on the May 23 album release. "There's something very metal [about it and] 'Judas' [which was released last week] gives a taste of that dance/metal feeling," he said. "Once the album comes out and they listen to the music, the artwork will make more sense. She loves that people are talking about it."
What do you think of the album cover? Let us know in the comments!
Related Artists
Lady Gaga
Perez Hilton and Lady Gaga
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ Getty Images
When Lady Gaga tweeted the Born This Way album art over the weekend, fans were a bit surprised by the cover photo, which features Gaga as a motorcycle/human hybrid.
Was it a joke? Was it for real? Well, it was for real, and even days later, everyone's still talking.
"They were definitely divisive and it was a polarizing image," Gaga's pal Perez Hilton told MTV News. "I knew it would really get a reaction out of people, and that was her intent. She could have easily gone for something expected, but that's the beautiful thing about Gaga."
The gossip blogger said the Nick Knight image's intention was to get people buzzing, whether or not that buzz ended up in the Mother Monster's favor. He even offered some insight into the photo's message, which has been lost on some of Gaga's Little Monsters.
"She always wants to keep people guessing, and I think the cover works on many different levels," he explained. "Literally, she was born that way, [like] some kind of mutant freak. There's a lot of energy in that picture."
He adds that the vibe captured in the image will also find its way into the music on the May 23 album release. "There's something very metal [about it and] 'Judas' [which was released last week] gives a taste of that dance/metal feeling," he said. "Once the album comes out and they listen to the music, the artwork will make more sense. She loves that people are talking about it."
What do you think of the album cover? Let us know in the comments!
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Michael Jackson - Beat It
Beat It
Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic Records
Director: Bob Giraldi
Album: Thriller [Bonus Tracks]
Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic Records
Director: Bob Giraldi
Album: Thriller [Bonus Tracks]
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Usher Says New 'Rev Pop' Project Is A 'Movement'
Singer teases his new project by pointing to past hits like 'Yeah!' and 'OMG.'By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: MTV News
With the success of songs like "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," "Hot Tottie" and "OMG," Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he's looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a "movement."
It's something he's calling "Rev Pop" — or, simply, "Rev" — and though he's already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn't reveal much, he did let it be known that "Rev" isn't exactly something new. In fact, he's been doing it for a while now.
"I'll give it to you this way: At a later date, I'll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I've done it before, I did it with 'Yeah!' " he said, "taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with 'OMG,' once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.
"It's bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here," he said, gesturing toward his heart, "And that's what Rev Pop is. There's more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that's just what I'm going to tell you right now. 'Rev' is what it's called ... the movement is called Rev."
Usher wouldn't say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they're going to be impressed ... if not a little shocked.
"Stay alive," he smiled, "Because you're definitely going to be in for a surprise."
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Usher
Usher
Photo: MTV News
With the success of songs like "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," "Hot Tottie" and "OMG," Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he's looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a "movement."
It's something he's calling "Rev Pop" — or, simply, "Rev" — and though he's already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn't reveal much, he did let it be known that "Rev" isn't exactly something new. In fact, he's been doing it for a while now.
"I'll give it to you this way: At a later date, I'll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I've done it before, I did it with 'Yeah!' " he said, "taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with 'OMG,' once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.
"It's bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here," he said, gesturing toward his heart, "And that's what Rev Pop is. There's more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that's just what I'm going to tell you right now. 'Rev' is what it's called ... the movement is called Rev."
Usher wouldn't say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they're going to be impressed ... if not a little shocked.
"Stay alive," he smiled, "Because you're definitely going to be in for a surprise."
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Dominic Cooper Talks Playing Saddam's Son In 'Devil's Double'
Actor opens up to MTV News about dual roles as murderous Uday Hussein and his hapless body double, in our Summer Movie Preview.By Josh Wigler
Dominic Cooper in "Devil's Double"
Photo: Lions Gate
The reign of Saddam Hussein is mostly in the collective rearview mirror, but for Dominic Cooper it's still very much in the present.
Cooper stars in this summer's "The Devil's Double," the Lee Tamahori-directed historical gangster flick that tells the story of Saddam's murderous son Uday and his reluctant body double, Latif Yahia. Appropriately enough, Cooper's pulls double-duty as both Uday and Latif, delivering a two-pronged performance that swings between psychotic mania and indescribable tragedy. And as moviegoers will no doubt observe in the just-released trailer, getting into those two divergent headspaces could not have been an easy task.
With "The Devil's Double" arriving in theaters on July 29, now's the perfect time to get the inside track on what's sure to be one of the can't-miss movie affairs of the summer. To that end, MTV News spoke with Cooper about playing Uday and Latif as part of our continuing Summer Movie Preview.
MTV: What drew you to "The Devil's Double"? Was it the opportunity to tap into these two different roles? The chance to explore this fairly recent period of history?
Dominic Cooper: Yeah, you know, it is such an interesting period of time. It seems so apparent to us, so much to do with our recent history, really, that area with regards to the war and that regime. But I didn't know enough. To sort of get inside of it and to see what this was all about and the world in which [the Husseins] existed, for me, was really intriguing. I wanted to know more.
And the opportunity to work with [director Lee Tamahori] — once I met him, I was blown away by his energy and his vision of what the piece should be. It wasn't meant to be an accurate historical reference to those people and that period of time; it was very clouded, what the actual truth is. But he saw this incredible dynamic between an evil man and a poor guy who was thrown into a situation he couldn't get out of. That dynamic and that conflict, he found so riveting, as did I.
MTV: Just judging by the trailer, this doesn't seem like an easy project to take on.
Cooper: It wasn't. It was chaos filming it; there wasn't much time to do it, and with the technology of having to double me up and the speed with which that had to be done and the change of character I had to do in a matter of moments ... it wasn't easy.
But I remember thinking, 'This is very special for me. No matter what people think of it and no matter who sees it and no matter how it turns out, these parts come along rarely.' I just absorbed every moment of it really and enjoyed playing out being a kid — because Uday was basically a child gone wrong, but one who had access to everything with no one stopping him. I was running around with golden guns and Ferraris ... it was an odd experience! Playing out this gangster role, knowing that this man did ruin and destroy people's lives and families without any remorse or forward thinking. He was just all-out evil, Uday was. It was very complicated, playing a character that you have no empathy for.
MTV: So were you ever able to get yourself to that point, a place where you could empathize with a man like Uday?
Cooper: No, not really. [Laughs.] The wonderful thing was having Latif to play as a sympathetic character. After being this monster for days in and days out, it was nice to play something genuine and heartfelt and sort of emotionally raw rather than this savage person. I suppose in terms of strength and understanding, on some level, I had to comprehend what it must have been like for [Uday] as a child, growing up in that regime and having Saddam as a father, not being acknowledged by his father. I don't think he trusted him to take his position, to run a country, with military decisions. All of those things, if you think about them, it's why he killed his father's best friends. He was desperate for attention. He was never given enough. That was a way in for me, to try and comprehend the monstrosities that he took part in.
MTV: From a technical standpoint, how did you do this? What was the process of playing these two characters?
Cooper: Technically, some of the scenes where both of us were in the shot, we'd have a motion-controlled camera. I'd film a scene dressed as and behaving as Uday, and it would replicate the move exactly so you could double the screen up and put it over the top. I would have to guess or work out where I was standing for the other character, which was sometimes very difficult, because Uday takes up a lot of space; he's very manic, he moves around a lot, and we'd have to try and pinpoint where the eye-lines would be. It's quite complicated, really. I was basically acting to nothing, remembering the performance I was doing as that person. It wasn't easy, but again, it was so creative and in the moment because on-the-spot decisions were being made. I think a lot of the time, instead of too much thinking, you kind of go with your instincts and our wonderful cameraman's instincts, and I think it turned out better for it.
MTV: "Devil's Double" hits theaters in July, right in the midst of a very crowded summer-movie season filled with superheroes, robots and what have you. For you, what makes "Devil's Double" stand out in a sea of blockbusters?
Cooper: Well, I think it's the fact that this is not a blockbuster, in a way. [Laughs.] They're visually stunning, those films, but ultimately it depends on whether you want complete escapism — to believe that there are green monsters coming down from Mars and superheroes are flying around the sky, which is wonderful and exciting — or whether you want some sort of reality-based reference to a man who actually existed.
I think Latif's story is exhilarating. How could anyone have ever lived through that? It's so far from where we are, seeing how Baghdad functioned, this lavish and overwhelming lifestyle that these people led. There's a true horror of what went on within it. But at the same time, Lee's made it action-packed and fast moving and sexy in a way. It has all of those elements. It's a gangster film rather than a historical documentation. You're just amazed that anybody ever went through this.
Check out everything we've got on "The Devil's Double."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Photos
2011 Summer Movie Preview Week: Exclusive Photos
Dominic Cooper in "Devil's Double"
Photo: Lions Gate
The reign of Saddam Hussein is mostly in the collective rearview mirror, but for Dominic Cooper it's still very much in the present.
Cooper stars in this summer's "The Devil's Double," the Lee Tamahori-directed historical gangster flick that tells the story of Saddam's murderous son Uday and his reluctant body double, Latif Yahia. Appropriately enough, Cooper's pulls double-duty as both Uday and Latif, delivering a two-pronged performance that swings between psychotic mania and indescribable tragedy. And as moviegoers will no doubt observe in the just-released trailer, getting into those two divergent headspaces could not have been an easy task.
With "The Devil's Double" arriving in theaters on July 29, now's the perfect time to get the inside track on what's sure to be one of the can't-miss movie affairs of the summer. To that end, MTV News spoke with Cooper about playing Uday and Latif as part of our continuing Summer Movie Preview.
MTV: What drew you to "The Devil's Double"? Was it the opportunity to tap into these two different roles? The chance to explore this fairly recent period of history?
Dominic Cooper: Yeah, you know, it is such an interesting period of time. It seems so apparent to us, so much to do with our recent history, really, that area with regards to the war and that regime. But I didn't know enough. To sort of get inside of it and to see what this was all about and the world in which [the Husseins] existed, for me, was really intriguing. I wanted to know more.
And the opportunity to work with [director Lee Tamahori] — once I met him, I was blown away by his energy and his vision of what the piece should be. It wasn't meant to be an accurate historical reference to those people and that period of time; it was very clouded, what the actual truth is. But he saw this incredible dynamic between an evil man and a poor guy who was thrown into a situation he couldn't get out of. That dynamic and that conflict, he found so riveting, as did I.
MTV: Just judging by the trailer, this doesn't seem like an easy project to take on.
Cooper: It wasn't. It was chaos filming it; there wasn't much time to do it, and with the technology of having to double me up and the speed with which that had to be done and the change of character I had to do in a matter of moments ... it wasn't easy.
But I remember thinking, 'This is very special for me. No matter what people think of it and no matter who sees it and no matter how it turns out, these parts come along rarely.' I just absorbed every moment of it really and enjoyed playing out being a kid — because Uday was basically a child gone wrong, but one who had access to everything with no one stopping him. I was running around with golden guns and Ferraris ... it was an odd experience! Playing out this gangster role, knowing that this man did ruin and destroy people's lives and families without any remorse or forward thinking. He was just all-out evil, Uday was. It was very complicated, playing a character that you have no empathy for.
MTV: So were you ever able to get yourself to that point, a place where you could empathize with a man like Uday?
Cooper: No, not really. [Laughs.] The wonderful thing was having Latif to play as a sympathetic character. After being this monster for days in and days out, it was nice to play something genuine and heartfelt and sort of emotionally raw rather than this savage person. I suppose in terms of strength and understanding, on some level, I had to comprehend what it must have been like for [Uday] as a child, growing up in that regime and having Saddam as a father, not being acknowledged by his father. I don't think he trusted him to take his position, to run a country, with military decisions. All of those things, if you think about them, it's why he killed his father's best friends. He was desperate for attention. He was never given enough. That was a way in for me, to try and comprehend the monstrosities that he took part in.
MTV: From a technical standpoint, how did you do this? What was the process of playing these two characters?
Cooper: Technically, some of the scenes where both of us were in the shot, we'd have a motion-controlled camera. I'd film a scene dressed as and behaving as Uday, and it would replicate the move exactly so you could double the screen up and put it over the top. I would have to guess or work out where I was standing for the other character, which was sometimes very difficult, because Uday takes up a lot of space; he's very manic, he moves around a lot, and we'd have to try and pinpoint where the eye-lines would be. It's quite complicated, really. I was basically acting to nothing, remembering the performance I was doing as that person. It wasn't easy, but again, it was so creative and in the moment because on-the-spot decisions were being made. I think a lot of the time, instead of too much thinking, you kind of go with your instincts and our wonderful cameraman's instincts, and I think it turned out better for it.
MTV: "Devil's Double" hits theaters in July, right in the midst of a very crowded summer-movie season filled with superheroes, robots and what have you. For you, what makes "Devil's Double" stand out in a sea of blockbusters?
Cooper: Well, I think it's the fact that this is not a blockbuster, in a way. [Laughs.] They're visually stunning, those films, but ultimately it depends on whether you want complete escapism — to believe that there are green monsters coming down from Mars and superheroes are flying around the sky, which is wonderful and exciting — or whether you want some sort of reality-based reference to a man who actually existed.
I think Latif's story is exhilarating. How could anyone have ever lived through that? It's so far from where we are, seeing how Baghdad functioned, this lavish and overwhelming lifestyle that these people led. There's a true horror of what went on within it. But at the same time, Lee's made it action-packed and fast moving and sexy in a way. It has all of those elements. It's a gangster film rather than a historical documentation. You're just amazed that anybody ever went through this.
Check out everything we've got on "The Devil's Double."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says
The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
Related Photos
2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations
2011 Grammy Performers
Related Artists
Usher
Justin Bieber
Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
Related Photos
2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations
2011 Grammy Performers
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Usher
Justin Bieber
Ke$ha Will Guest-Star On Nick's 'Victorious'
'It was really fun to film,' Victoria Justice says of the 'Blow' singer's cameo.
Ke$ha
Photo: Fotonoticias/ Getty Images
Ke$ha will make an appearance on the hit Nickelodeon series "Victorious." And while the role won't have the pop singer stretching her acting muscle too much — she'll be playing herself — someone else in the Sebert (that's her real last name) clan also is getting in on the action.
Ke$ha will be joined on the episode of the sitcom by her little brother, Louie. The plot will revolve around Tori (Victoria Justice) and her pals trying to win a contest to go to a Ke$ha concert. The gang must piece together golden tickets in order to win their chance to see the "Blow" singer in a private gig.
It seems that 11-year-old Louie provides the winning piece so that they can watch the glittered one perform the aforementioned track.
"It's a private concert, and yeah, I will say that the costumes are awesome and there's definitely lots of glitter," Justice told EW.com, which first reported on the episode. "It was really fun to film. It's the first time on my show that we've had a successful radio artist perform on the show. Ke$ha's kind of edgier, and I think that it's cool to bring that element to the show."
"Victorious" made its big debut last spring. When MTV News caught up with Justice at that time,the teen actress was excited about the interesting plot possibilities the show's premise provides.
"I play a girl named Tori Vega and she's kind of suddenly accepted to this performance arts high school, and from there it's her dealing with all these crazy characters that go there and normal teen problems, like trying to fit in and cute boys," Justice explained. "I also get to perform original music and sing and dance. [That] makes it a lot of fun."
Are you excited to see Ke$ha and her little brother on "Victorious"? Tell us in the comments.
Related Artists
Ke$ha
Ke$ha
Photo: Fotonoticias/ Getty Images
Ke$ha will make an appearance on the hit Nickelodeon series "Victorious." And while the role won't have the pop singer stretching her acting muscle too much — she'll be playing herself — someone else in the Sebert (that's her real last name) clan also is getting in on the action.
Ke$ha will be joined on the episode of the sitcom by her little brother, Louie. The plot will revolve around Tori (Victoria Justice) and her pals trying to win a contest to go to a Ke$ha concert. The gang must piece together golden tickets in order to win their chance to see the "Blow" singer in a private gig.
It seems that 11-year-old Louie provides the winning piece so that they can watch the glittered one perform the aforementioned track.
"It's a private concert, and yeah, I will say that the costumes are awesome and there's definitely lots of glitter," Justice told EW.com, which first reported on the episode. "It was really fun to film. It's the first time on my show that we've had a successful radio artist perform on the show. Ke$ha's kind of edgier, and I think that it's cool to bring that element to the show."
"Victorious" made its big debut last spring. When MTV News caught up with Justice at that time,the teen actress was excited about the interesting plot possibilities the show's premise provides.
"I play a girl named Tori Vega and she's kind of suddenly accepted to this performance arts high school, and from there it's her dealing with all these crazy characters that go there and normal teen problems, like trying to fit in and cute boys," Justice explained. "I also get to perform original music and sing and dance. [That] makes it a lot of fun."
Are you excited to see Ke$ha and her little brother on "Victorious"? Tell us in the comments.
Related Artists
Ke$ha
Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says
The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
Related Photos
2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations
2011 Grammy Performers
Related Artists
Usher
Justin Bieber
Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
Related Photos
2011 Pre-Grammy Celebrations
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Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lady Gaga Apologizes For 'Retarded' Comment
'To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional,' singer says.By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
When Lady Gaga dropped "Born This Way" earlier this year, the tune immediately drew comparisons to Madonna's "Express Yourself." Shortly after the song was released, Gaga shared with the world that the pop queen liked the song and gave the pop princess her seal of approval.
Now Gaga has once again been asked about the comparisons in a new interview with NME. And she didn't seem pleased by the line of questioning.
"That's retarded. If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression. It's the same one that's been in disco music for the last 50 years. Just because I'm the first f---ing artist in 25 years to think of putting it on Top 40 radio, it doesn't mean I'm a plagiarist, it means I'm f---ing smart. Sorry."
The issue hit newsstands on Tuesday and by late Wednesday night the singer had issued an apology to her fans about her choice of words when defending herself and the chart-topping tune.
"I consider it part of my life's work and music to push the boundaries of love and acceptance. My apologies for not speaking thoughtfully," she said in a statement to Perezhilton.com. "To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional. An honest mistake requires honesty to make."
She then went on to quote some lyrics from the feel-good dance track: "Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today."
What do you think of Gaga's apology for using the "R" word? Tell us in the comments.
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The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga
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Lady Gaga
Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
When Lady Gaga dropped "Born This Way" earlier this year, the tune immediately drew comparisons to Madonna's "Express Yourself." Shortly after the song was released, Gaga shared with the world that the pop queen liked the song and gave the pop princess her seal of approval.
Now Gaga has once again been asked about the comparisons in a new interview with NME. And she didn't seem pleased by the line of questioning.
"That's retarded. If you put the songs next to each other, side by side, the only similarities are the chord progression. It's the same one that's been in disco music for the last 50 years. Just because I'm the first f---ing artist in 25 years to think of putting it on Top 40 radio, it doesn't mean I'm a plagiarist, it means I'm f---ing smart. Sorry."
The issue hit newsstands on Tuesday and by late Wednesday night the singer had issued an apology to her fans about her choice of words when defending herself and the chart-topping tune.
"I consider it part of my life's work and music to push the boundaries of love and acceptance. My apologies for not speaking thoughtfully," she said in a statement to Perezhilton.com. "To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional. An honest mistake requires honesty to make."
She then went on to quote some lyrics from the feel-good dance track: "Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today."
What do you think of Gaga's apology for using the "R" word? Tell us in the comments.
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The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga
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Photos | Justin Bieber's Grammy Night
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Thalía Thandie Newton The Avatars of Second Life The Pussycat Dolls
Photos | Lady Gaga And The Scissor Sisters Perform At Staples Center
Lady Gaga And The Scissor Sisters Perform At Staples Center
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Orlando Bloom Says It's A Good 'Bet' He'll Be In 'The Hobbit'
'I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson,' the 'Lord of the Rings' alum tells MTV News.By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Orlando Bloom
Photo: MTV News
With a movie as big and highly anticipated as Peter Jackson's two-picture take on "The Hobbit," virtually every word uttered about the project in public is newsworthy in some shape or form. It has been an exciting couple of months for the Jackson and Tolkien-obsessed, with production finally in full swing, the announcement of additional cast members and updates from Jackson sent directly to fans via his Facebook page and video blogs.
On Monday (April 25), we learned of the possibility of yet another new cast member, one Orlando Bloom, who you may know from his time spent in a long, white-blonde wig and pointy ears as Legolas in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
When MTV News caught up with Bloom as he did press for his upcoming film "Sympathy for Delicious," we asked if we could bet on him joining his "LOTR" castmates Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett in the production.
"I'm going to bet on it," he said. "But I can't really talk too much about it because it's still sort of in the ether. But I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson. It would be an honor."
When asked if he's ready to get back into that famous wig and those prosthetic ears, Bloom said he's happy to put on anything and everything Jackson requires. "I'll do anything for him," he told us.
And what about that script? Is Bloom one of the privileged few who've read it?
"It's wonderful," he said with a knowing smile.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Orlando Bloom
Photo: MTV News
With a movie as big and highly anticipated as Peter Jackson's two-picture take on "The Hobbit," virtually every word uttered about the project in public is newsworthy in some shape or form. It has been an exciting couple of months for the Jackson and Tolkien-obsessed, with production finally in full swing, the announcement of additional cast members and updates from Jackson sent directly to fans via his Facebook page and video blogs.
On Monday (April 25), we learned of the possibility of yet another new cast member, one Orlando Bloom, who you may know from his time spent in a long, white-blonde wig and pointy ears as Legolas in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
When MTV News caught up with Bloom as he did press for his upcoming film "Sympathy for Delicious," we asked if we could bet on him joining his "LOTR" castmates Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett in the production.
"I'm going to bet on it," he said. "But I can't really talk too much about it because it's still sort of in the ether. But I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson. It would be an honor."
When asked if he's ready to get back into that famous wig and those prosthetic ears, Bloom said he's happy to put on anything and everything Jackson requires. "I'll do anything for him," he told us.
And what about that script? Is Bloom one of the privileged few who've read it?
"It's wonderful," he said with a knowing smile.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Stone Temple Pilots Reunited In Hopes Of Opening For Led Zeppelin, Bassist Says
'If time allows, there will definitely be new music,' Robert DeLeo adds of STP's future.By Chris Harris
Stone Temple Pilots' Robert DeLeo and Scott Weiland
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images
There are a number of reasons why Stone Temple Pilots decided to reunite after nearly five years apart — some are obvious, and others, not so much.
Of course, the financial windfall of reviving the grunge stalwarts for an extensive U.S. tour was too good to pass up, and bassist Robert DeLeo readily admits as much. And then there are the fans, the ones who had been with STP since the very beginning as well as those who discovered the band only after it first split back in 2003 and who, woefully, have yet to catch the Pilots live.
On a more personal level, though, Stone Temple Pilots' resurrection was purely selfish, and very much an anticipatory (not to mention optimistic) move on the band's part: If, after the months and months of rumors and denials, there ever is a full-on Led Zeppelin reunion tour, STP wanted to be ready to offer their services as an opening act.
"Believe me, that was one of the reasons," laughed DeLeo. "We thought, 'We should get together now, in case Zeppelin does tour.' I'm serious, man. That would be one hell of a bill: STP and Led Zeppelin. I mean, we could play a doghouse, out in the middle of the ocean, and if I got to play with Zeppelin, that would be a highlight of my life."
Yes, DeLeo — and the rest of the band — had several reservations about raising STP from the dead — a feat DeLeo jokingly referred to as "Mission Impossible." For the band's members, the idea of regrouping was terrifying at first, but with time, the boys settled their differences and tried to think positive.
"For me, it was about putting down some of the things that I was used to getting bitten by," explained the bassist — who, with guitar-playing brother Dean DeLeo, has been collaborating with Peter Frampton on material for his next LP. "After you get bitten, it's hard to go back. I wanted to go into this with an open frame of mind and a positive attitude and just have fun with it. We should have fun with it, which God knows we didn't always have with our career when we were younger. If that's all I can say, and that's what I can get out of this reunion, great.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say there's a lot of unfinished business that we didn't get around to the first go," he continued. "Enough time has gone by, and it feels really good to be back. I don't really want to put too much thought into how it feels — I'm just kind of going with it and keeping a good positive attitude about it. I just needed to get over the things that we all needed to get over, and that's been working so far. If everyone shows up and does this thing, I think it's going to be really amazing."
DeLeo claims that during recent rehearsals, STP were "sounding as good as ever," and he credits sobriety as part of the reason the band's in tip-top shape.
"My brother's going on four years of sobriety," he said. "We have a lot more clarity in the band now, and I think with clarity comes appreciation. I saw that the other night, when we played [a secret gig in Los Angeles]. I saw it in my eyes, and in the eyes of the rest of the band. There's a lot more rock in this band now."
As for an STP record, DeLeo is not 100 percent sure that's going to happen. The goal for STP over the next few weeks, he said, is to reacquaint themselves with their songbook and prepare for their return to the road. Once the band is back in that mindset, the bassist said new STP material is very possible.
"I've always got stuff written, and there's always a long list of songs that are always there — it's a matter of timing," DeLeo said. "If time allows, there will definitely be new music. I think it would be silly not to release new music. I'd like to believe we still have a writing relationship, but the first step is getting reacquainted with what we know."
While STP were on hiatus, frontman Scott Weiland teamed up with Velvet Revolver, and the DeLeo brothers joined forces with Filter's Richard Patrick for Army of Anyone — who are now on hiatus after releasing a poorly received self-titled LP. Does DeLeo foresee an AOA reunion somewhere down the line?
"You never know," he said. "It's just like STP — I didn't know if I was going to return. Whether we get back together and do anything, I think we made a great record, bottom line. That's all that matters to me. If we make another one, I want to make sure it's great, and that applies to STP and anything I do. But I was pretty heartbroken over [the feeble response to AOA's album]."
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Led Zeppelin
Stone Temple Pilots' Robert DeLeo and Scott Weiland
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images
There are a number of reasons why Stone Temple Pilots decided to reunite after nearly five years apart — some are obvious, and others, not so much.
Of course, the financial windfall of reviving the grunge stalwarts for an extensive U.S. tour was too good to pass up, and bassist Robert DeLeo readily admits as much. And then there are the fans, the ones who had been with STP since the very beginning as well as those who discovered the band only after it first split back in 2003 and who, woefully, have yet to catch the Pilots live.
On a more personal level, though, Stone Temple Pilots' resurrection was purely selfish, and very much an anticipatory (not to mention optimistic) move on the band's part: If, after the months and months of rumors and denials, there ever is a full-on Led Zeppelin reunion tour, STP wanted to be ready to offer their services as an opening act.
"Believe me, that was one of the reasons," laughed DeLeo. "We thought, 'We should get together now, in case Zeppelin does tour.' I'm serious, man. That would be one hell of a bill: STP and Led Zeppelin. I mean, we could play a doghouse, out in the middle of the ocean, and if I got to play with Zeppelin, that would be a highlight of my life."
Yes, DeLeo — and the rest of the band — had several reservations about raising STP from the dead — a feat DeLeo jokingly referred to as "Mission Impossible." For the band's members, the idea of regrouping was terrifying at first, but with time, the boys settled their differences and tried to think positive.
"For me, it was about putting down some of the things that I was used to getting bitten by," explained the bassist — who, with guitar-playing brother Dean DeLeo, has been collaborating with Peter Frampton on material for his next LP. "After you get bitten, it's hard to go back. I wanted to go into this with an open frame of mind and a positive attitude and just have fun with it. We should have fun with it, which God knows we didn't always have with our career when we were younger. If that's all I can say, and that's what I can get out of this reunion, great.
"I think I speak for all of us when I say there's a lot of unfinished business that we didn't get around to the first go," he continued. "Enough time has gone by, and it feels really good to be back. I don't really want to put too much thought into how it feels — I'm just kind of going with it and keeping a good positive attitude about it. I just needed to get over the things that we all needed to get over, and that's been working so far. If everyone shows up and does this thing, I think it's going to be really amazing."
DeLeo claims that during recent rehearsals, STP were "sounding as good as ever," and he credits sobriety as part of the reason the band's in tip-top shape.
"My brother's going on four years of sobriety," he said. "We have a lot more clarity in the band now, and I think with clarity comes appreciation. I saw that the other night, when we played [a secret gig in Los Angeles]. I saw it in my eyes, and in the eyes of the rest of the band. There's a lot more rock in this band now."
As for an STP record, DeLeo is not 100 percent sure that's going to happen. The goal for STP over the next few weeks, he said, is to reacquaint themselves with their songbook and prepare for their return to the road. Once the band is back in that mindset, the bassist said new STP material is very possible.
"I've always got stuff written, and there's always a long list of songs that are always there — it's a matter of timing," DeLeo said. "If time allows, there will definitely be new music. I think it would be silly not to release new music. I'd like to believe we still have a writing relationship, but the first step is getting reacquainted with what we know."
While STP were on hiatus, frontman Scott Weiland teamed up with Velvet Revolver, and the DeLeo brothers joined forces with Filter's Richard Patrick for Army of Anyone — who are now on hiatus after releasing a poorly received self-titled LP. Does DeLeo foresee an AOA reunion somewhere down the line?
"You never know," he said. "It's just like STP — I didn't know if I was going to return. Whether we get back together and do anything, I think we made a great record, bottom line. That's all that matters to me. If we make another one, I want to make sure it's great, and that applies to STP and anything I do. But I was pretty heartbroken over [the feeble response to AOA's album]."
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Monday, April 25, 2011
Michael Jackson - Hollywood Tonight
Hollywood Tonight
Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic
Director: Wayne Isham
Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic
Director: Wayne Isham
Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
If U Seek Amy
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
Director: Jake Nava
Album: Circus
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
Director: Jake Nava
Album: Circus
Justin Bieber Passes Michael Jackson's Box-Office Record
'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' has outgrossed MJ's 'This Is It' in U.S.By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber in "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Michael Jackson may have dubbed himself the King of Pop, but the late icon didn't hold the box-office crown for long. Less than a year after the posthumous MJ documentary "This Is It" became the most successful concert-themed film in U.S. history, Justin Bieber is poised to snatch the mantle.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" has earned $72.2 million in domestic box office so far, passing Jackson's $72.1 million haul. And while Bieber has racked up those impressive numbers in just six weeks, he's got a long way to go before he laps the global receipts for the MJ doc.
"This Is It" has grossed $189.1 million overseas for a global total of $261.2 million. Music films don't typically play well overseas, and THR noted that "Never Say Never" has grossed a more modest $10.8 million overseas so far, with Paramount executives predicting that it could top out around $20 million internationally.
The impressive U.S. numbers were likely goosed by the re-release of the film recently with 40 additional minutes of bonus footage from director Jon M. Chu. Bieber still has a little way to go to climb the list of the top-grossing documentaries of all time. "Never Say Never" is currently stalled out at the #3 position, around $5 million behind "March of the Penguins," according to Box Office Mojo, and well short of the all-time record held by Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," which has taken in $119.1 million to date.
Bieber set off a classic MJ-style fan frenzy a few weeks ago when he visited Liverpool, England, for his world tour. And just a week later, he posed with his new wax figure at London's Madame Tussauds, checking off another item on the list of milestones to an MJ-like career.
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Justin Bieber in "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Michael Jackson may have dubbed himself the King of Pop, but the late icon didn't hold the box-office crown for long. Less than a year after the posthumous MJ documentary "This Is It" became the most successful concert-themed film in U.S. history, Justin Bieber is poised to snatch the mantle.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" has earned $72.2 million in domestic box office so far, passing Jackson's $72.1 million haul. And while Bieber has racked up those impressive numbers in just six weeks, he's got a long way to go before he laps the global receipts for the MJ doc.
"This Is It" has grossed $189.1 million overseas for a global total of $261.2 million. Music films don't typically play well overseas, and THR noted that "Never Say Never" has grossed a more modest $10.8 million overseas so far, with Paramount executives predicting that it could top out around $20 million internationally.
The impressive U.S. numbers were likely goosed by the re-release of the film recently with 40 additional minutes of bonus footage from director Jon M. Chu. Bieber still has a little way to go to climb the list of the top-grossing documentaries of all time. "Never Say Never" is currently stalled out at the #3 position, around $5 million behind "March of the Penguins," according to Box Office Mojo, and well short of the all-time record held by Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," which has taken in $119.1 million to date.
Bieber set off a classic MJ-style fan frenzy a few weeks ago when he visited Liverpool, England, for his world tour. And just a week later, he posed with his new wax figure at London's Madame Tussauds, checking off another item on the list of milestones to an MJ-like career.
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Britney Spears - Piece of Me
Piece of Me
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
Album: Blackout
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham
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Daniel Radcliffe Happy Fans Cried During 'Deathly Hallows' Finale
Filming the last 'Harry Potter' film also had the cast weeping, actor says.By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: MTV News
Daniel Radcliffe hasn't seen "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2," but some of his fans have. And according to the film's producers, what those fans saw during test screenings brought many to tears. To which Radcliffe said with a laugh, "Good!"
"It's the last one, for God's sake!" he recently told MTV News. "If we don't get 'em now, we don't get another chance."
That is to say, after a decade of production on eight films, the boy wizard thinks the franchise is due to reap some hefty emotional payout.
Daniel Radcliffe
Photo: MTV News
Daniel Radcliffe hasn't seen "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2," but some of his fans have. And according to the film's producers, what those fans saw during test screenings brought many to tears. To which Radcliffe said with a laugh, "Good!"
"It's the last one, for God's sake!" he recently told MTV News. "If we don't get 'em now, we don't get another chance."
That is to say, after a decade of production on eight films, the boy wizard thinks the franchise is due to reap some hefty emotional payout.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Usher - Spotlight
Spotlight
Artist: Usher
Label: Warner Bros. Records, Asylum, Mizay Ent
Director: Benny Boom
Album: The State vs. Radric Davis
Artist: Usher
Label: Warner Bros. Records, Asylum, Mizay Ent
Director: Benny Boom
Album: The State vs. Radric Davis
Taylor Momsen, Tony Hawk, More Define Innovation Before O Music Awards
Most Innovative Music Video award will be handed out live Monday at 4 p.m. ET during online roundtable.By MTV News staff
Taylor Momsen
Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images
The O Music Awards are almost upon us, and while the actual awards show doesn't premiere until next Thursday, the first O Music Award for Most Innovative Music Video will be presented Monday at 4 p.m. ET after some spirited debate from acclaimed video director Wayne Isham, Mashable's Brenna Ehrlich and MTV News' James Montgomery.
As part of MTV News' countdown to the interactive event — fans can still vote for their favorite boundary-pushing, genre-expanding clip over at the O Music Awards site — we've been asking celebs to describe what innovation means to them.
"It's something that definitely is unique, that utilizes either new media or new technologies," said pro skater Tony Hawk.
"It's something that keeps you interested, all the way through," "Gossip Girl" actress and Pretty Reckless singer Taylor Momsen added.
Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone said "innovative" doesn't mean expensive or flashy. "It's not the budget, it's not the effects; it's the pizzazz the star is actually bring to the camera," he said.
Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege of Chiddy Bang said innovation is about being different. "Just trying to be unconventional," he said. "You say, 'What's unconventional?' It's just doing something that isn't really done."
On Monday morning, the original list of 10 nominees will be whittled down to the top five vote-getters, and then, during the debate, our roundtable and the Internet audience will cut that list down to the final three. At the very end, we'll announce the winner of the very first O Music Award for Most Innovative Video. The O Music Awards debate for the Most Innovative Music Video, presented by Fuze, will stream live on OMusicAwards.com and MTV.com at 4 p.m. ET on Monday.
The inaugural O Music Awards will stream live from Las Vegas at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on OMusicAwards.com. Tune in to see who will reign supreme in categories like Most Viral Dance, Funniest Music Short and NSFW Music Video!
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Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images
The O Music Awards are almost upon us, and while the actual awards show doesn't premiere until next Thursday, the first O Music Award for Most Innovative Music Video will be presented Monday at 4 p.m. ET after some spirited debate from acclaimed video director Wayne Isham, Mashable's Brenna Ehrlich and MTV News' James Montgomery.
As part of MTV News' countdown to the interactive event — fans can still vote for their favorite boundary-pushing, genre-expanding clip over at the O Music Awards site — we've been asking celebs to describe what innovation means to them.
"It's something that definitely is unique, that utilizes either new media or new technologies," said pro skater Tony Hawk.
"It's something that keeps you interested, all the way through," "Gossip Girl" actress and Pretty Reckless singer Taylor Momsen added.
Rob Sheffield from Rolling Stone said "innovative" doesn't mean expensive or flashy. "It's not the budget, it's not the effects; it's the pizzazz the star is actually bring to the camera," he said.
Chidera "Chiddy" Anamege of Chiddy Bang said innovation is about being different. "Just trying to be unconventional," he said. "You say, 'What's unconventional?' It's just doing something that isn't really done."
On Monday morning, the original list of 10 nominees will be whittled down to the top five vote-getters, and then, during the debate, our roundtable and the Internet audience will cut that list down to the final three. At the very end, we'll announce the winner of the very first O Music Award for Most Innovative Video. The O Music Awards debate for the Most Innovative Music Video, presented by Fuze, will stream live on OMusicAwards.com and MTV.com at 4 p.m. ET on Monday.
The inaugural O Music Awards will stream live from Las Vegas at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on OMusicAwards.com. Tune in to see who will reign supreme in categories like Most Viral Dance, Funniest Music Short and NSFW Music Video!
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New Britney Spears 'Till The World Ends' Video Hits Web
The re-edited version of the post-apocalyptic party clip features more footage of Spears and her backup dancers showing off their moves.By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears in her new "Till the World Ends" video
Photo: Jive
A dance version of Britney Spears' "Till the World Ends" video has hit the Web just in time for the weekend. The original clip, which premiered earlier this month and got lots of great buzz for Spears, shows the pop vixen leading a wild underground dance party as an apocalyptic storm hits the planet, and the new video features a lot of similar footage with a number of noticeable changes.
One of the most conspicuous differences is that the new "Till the World Ends" clip offers a lengthier peek into some of the sleek moves of Spears' backup dancers. There are definitely more shots of Britney dancing as well, even if sometimes they are obscured in shadow. Interestingly enough, much of the apocalypse storyline has been edited out to make room for those new dancing shots. While the party looks the same, the fact that the world is crashing around them is a nonissue for this version of the Ray Kay-directed video.
Rather than focusing on the impending doom outside, this cut displays all the fun down in Spears' sweaty underground party. As the video closes out, there are shots of her dancers, individually, showing off their skills, intercut with footage of Spears smiling as she sings about getting her party on.
The new clip's ending is entirely different from that of the original. Instead of emerging from her post-apocalyptic party to a sun-drenched world that, well, has not ended, Spears just looks into the camera, still apparently hiding from what is assumed to be some catastrophe that has befallen the Earth. It hints at a darker finish for Spears and her partiers ... maybe in this version the world does end.
"The real music video is best, of course," Ray Kay tweeted on Thursday about his re-edited version of the clip. "But it's fun to watch the choreography too."
Do like like the dance-heavy re-edited version of Britney's "Till the World Ends" video? Let us know in the comments.
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Britney Spears in her new "Till the World Ends" video
Photo: Jive
A dance version of Britney Spears' "Till the World Ends" video has hit the Web just in time for the weekend. The original clip, which premiered earlier this month and got lots of great buzz for Spears, shows the pop vixen leading a wild underground dance party as an apocalyptic storm hits the planet, and the new video features a lot of similar footage with a number of noticeable changes.
One of the most conspicuous differences is that the new "Till the World Ends" clip offers a lengthier peek into some of the sleek moves of Spears' backup dancers. There are definitely more shots of Britney dancing as well, even if sometimes they are obscured in shadow. Interestingly enough, much of the apocalypse storyline has been edited out to make room for those new dancing shots. While the party looks the same, the fact that the world is crashing around them is a nonissue for this version of the Ray Kay-directed video.
Rather than focusing on the impending doom outside, this cut displays all the fun down in Spears' sweaty underground party. As the video closes out, there are shots of her dancers, individually, showing off their skills, intercut with footage of Spears smiling as she sings about getting her party on.
The new clip's ending is entirely different from that of the original. Instead of emerging from her post-apocalyptic party to a sun-drenched world that, well, has not ended, Spears just looks into the camera, still apparently hiding from what is assumed to be some catastrophe that has befallen the Earth. It hints at a darker finish for Spears and her partiers ... maybe in this version the world does end.
"The real music video is best, of course," Ray Kay tweeted on Thursday about his re-edited version of the clip. "But it's fun to watch the choreography too."
Do like like the dance-heavy re-edited version of Britney's "Till the World Ends" video? Let us know in the comments.
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Photos | MTV News' 2009 Men Of The Year: #1 Michael Jackson
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Lady Gaga Is Godmother To Elton John's Son, Singer Confirms
'There's a real simple person under there who loves her parents,' Elton says of Mother Monster.By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ WireImage
He said as much while hosting "Saturday Night Live" earlier this month, but now Elton John has officially confirmed that Lady Gaga is his son's godmother. In an interview with Barbara Walters that was teased during "Good Morning America" Friday morning (April 22), the British music superstar, with his husband David Furnish by his side, opened up about his decision to name Gaga godmother to their son, Zachary.
"Yes, yes she is. When you get to the real person under there, there's a real simple person under there who loves her parents," he explained.
Furnish added, "Zachary's going to inherit an incredible musical legacy from his father one day, and she will be a good person to guide him through the ins and outs of the music business, 'cause she sure knows everything about the business now."
Talk of Gaga's involvement in Zachary's life began to surface earlier this year, but the couple wasn't in a hurry to confirm the reports. In a February interview, Furnish wouldn't confirm or deny whether Gaga was the godmother.
"We haven't publicly confirmed that yet but your sources are very good!" he said. "I prefer not to comment on it because we are going to make a statement about godparents later on."
When John hosted "Saturday Night Live" on April 2, he joked about Lady Gaga being his son's godmother. "For those of you concerned that we are unusual parents, do not worry. It's not like we are the only two people involved in the child's life. His godmother is Lady Gaga. That's true, that's not a joke ... which is ironic because I've always said that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids. And Gaga loves Mars. She says Mars has good schools and great discos."
Elton was at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York this week to promote "The Union," a Cameron Crowe documentary about John's Grammy-nominated collaboration with fellow music legend Leon Russell.
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Lady Gaga
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ WireImage
He said as much while hosting "Saturday Night Live" earlier this month, but now Elton John has officially confirmed that Lady Gaga is his son's godmother. In an interview with Barbara Walters that was teased during "Good Morning America" Friday morning (April 22), the British music superstar, with his husband David Furnish by his side, opened up about his decision to name Gaga godmother to their son, Zachary.
"Yes, yes she is. When you get to the real person under there, there's a real simple person under there who loves her parents," he explained.
Furnish added, "Zachary's going to inherit an incredible musical legacy from his father one day, and she will be a good person to guide him through the ins and outs of the music business, 'cause she sure knows everything about the business now."
Talk of Gaga's involvement in Zachary's life began to surface earlier this year, but the couple wasn't in a hurry to confirm the reports. In a February interview, Furnish wouldn't confirm or deny whether Gaga was the godmother.
"We haven't publicly confirmed that yet but your sources are very good!" he said. "I prefer not to comment on it because we are going to make a statement about godparents later on."
When John hosted "Saturday Night Live" on April 2, he joked about Lady Gaga being his son's godmother. "For those of you concerned that we are unusual parents, do not worry. It's not like we are the only two people involved in the child's life. His godmother is Lady Gaga. That's true, that's not a joke ... which is ironic because I've always said that Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids. And Gaga loves Mars. She says Mars has good schools and great discos."
Elton was at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York this week to promote "The Union," a Cameron Crowe documentary about John's Grammy-nominated collaboration with fellow music legend Leon Russell.
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Lindsay Lohan Sentenced To 120 Days In Jail For Probation Violation
Day 1 of Lindsay Lohan‘s Felony Grand Theft drama is over and there is some good news and some bad news to report. Firstly, Lindsay‘s felony charge have been reduced to a misdemeanor charge … which means that even if she is found guilty of the theft, she cannot be sent to prison for the [...]
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Britney Spears Tour Invite 'Is Such An Honor,' Nervo Say
Aussie DJ duo tell MTV News they're ready to 'spread the Nervo love' on Femme Fatale tour.By Jocelyn Vena
Nervo
Photo: Getty Images
Nervo's Mim and Liv will be joining Britney Spears this summer for her highly anticipated Femme Fatale tour, alongside Nicki Minaj and Jessie and the Toy Boys.
When the Aussie twins spoke to MTV News on Tuesday, the same day the tour lineup was announced, they seemed genuinely surprised by the news, calling the slot "such an honor."
"We have worked with her team of people for songwriting camps and stuff like that, but we've never met Britney. It's been a dream to have one of our record productions on her album, but we didn't get there this time," Mim said.
All the acts on the tour are female, so Liv thinks "it's going to be ladies night every night. I imagine we'll be playing some of our club releases," she added of Nervo's set. "It'll be a DJ set and very electronic and house-based. We're really excited to be able to warm everyone up with some sexy house music."
The girls are also excited about the prospect of meeting Britney. "I wonder if I'll be starstruck? I just love her. I just love her records. She always releases great pop records. I really respect her," Mim said.
"You hear rumors that [the openers] never really get to meet [the main acts]," Liv said. "I hope we get to hang out. We've been told we're going to be on an RV for a lot of it. I love the whole experience of being on a tour bus. I love the road."
Since the tour seems to be all about girl power, the two sassy ladies explained what makes them such femme fatales. "I guess we have a no-fear attitude," Mim said. "We don't let our being girls stop us. Certainly DJing is a very male-dominated [field], and we haven't let us being girls stop us."
Bottom line: They're hoping through their house-music set they can "spread the Nervo love."
Are you excited to see Nervo on Britney Spears' tour? Let us know in the comments!
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Nervo
Photo: Getty Images
Nervo's Mim and Liv will be joining Britney Spears this summer for her highly anticipated Femme Fatale tour, alongside Nicki Minaj and Jessie and the Toy Boys.
When the Aussie twins spoke to MTV News on Tuesday, the same day the tour lineup was announced, they seemed genuinely surprised by the news, calling the slot "such an honor."
"We have worked with her team of people for songwriting camps and stuff like that, but we've never met Britney. It's been a dream to have one of our record productions on her album, but we didn't get there this time," Mim said.
All the acts on the tour are female, so Liv thinks "it's going to be ladies night every night. I imagine we'll be playing some of our club releases," she added of Nervo's set. "It'll be a DJ set and very electronic and house-based. We're really excited to be able to warm everyone up with some sexy house music."
The girls are also excited about the prospect of meeting Britney. "I wonder if I'll be starstruck? I just love her. I just love her records. She always releases great pop records. I really respect her," Mim said.
"You hear rumors that [the openers] never really get to meet [the main acts]," Liv said. "I hope we get to hang out. We've been told we're going to be on an RV for a lot of it. I love the whole experience of being on a tour bus. I love the road."
Since the tour seems to be all about girl power, the two sassy ladies explained what makes them such femme fatales. "I guess we have a no-fear attitude," Mim said. "We don't let our being girls stop us. Certainly DJing is a very male-dominated [field], and we haven't let us being girls stop us."
Bottom line: They're hoping through their house-music set they can "spread the Nervo love."
Are you excited to see Nervo on Britney Spears' tour? Let us know in the comments!
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Beyonc� - If I Were A Boy
If I Were A Boy
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia/Music World Music
Director: Jake Nava
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia/Music World Music
Director: Jake Nava
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
'Thor': The Early Reviews Are In!
'A burly slab of bombastic superhero entertainment,' one critic writes about Marvel's 3-D take on the mighty Norse god.By Eric Ditzian
Chris Hemsworth in "Thor"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
"Thor" made landfall in Australia over the weekend, as Chris Hemsworth and the cast of this Marvel adaption arrived for the film's premiere in Sydney on Sunday. Coinciding with the flick's debut is the release of the first wave of reviews from around the globe.
The early word is very good for fans of the Asgardian superhero. "The Marvel universe moves into the cosmic realm with 'Thor,' a burly slab of bombastic superhero entertainment that skitters just this side of kitschy to provide an introduction befitting the mighty god of thunder," writes The Hollywood Reporter in a typically positive review. "It's a noisy, universe-rattling spectacle full of sound and fury with a suitably epic design, solid digital effects and a healthy respect for the comic-book lore that turned a mythological Norse god into a founding member of the superhero team known as The Avengers."
Chris Hemsworth, who was introduced to American audiences in a small role in 2009's "Star Trek," is being dubbed a worthy live-action version of the Marvel hero. "[He] is just as good a fit for the character of Thor as Robert Downey Jr. is for Tony Stark, and that one thing goes a long way to making the film a pleasure to watch," says HitFix.
Many reviews have highlighted the way in which the film has stayed true to the often comedic nature of the source material. " 'Thor' is frequently hilarious, but the humor comes from a genuine affection for the occasionally silly tropes of the comic books, not misguided 'irony,' " writes Australian site The Vine.
Lest you think critical opinion has been uniformly positive, we should note that reviews have dinged the movie for a variety of reasons. "While some post converted 3-D has really impressed me ('Green Hornet'), 'Thor' didn't fall into this category," says Collider.com. "While watching, I never felt like there was a lot of depth."
Other reviews have taken issue with the rushed pace of the film and a subpar third act. But in general, the early critics agree: "Thor" is a worthy, if hardly perfect, tribute to the beloved comics character.
" 'Thor' is everything you might hope and expect it to be, equal parts good and bad. It is the type of movie I would have loved if I saw it at age 10 — and I'm sure this movie will play awesome to younger audiences," writes SlashFilm. "I still very much enjoyed it, but did not fall in love with it. It falls a couple steps shy of achievements of recent Marvel films like 'Iron Man,' 'The Incredible Hulk', and even 'Iron Man 2.' "
Check out everything we've got on "Thor."
For breaking comic book movie news, columns and more — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
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Chris Hemsworth in "Thor"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
"Thor" made landfall in Australia over the weekend, as Chris Hemsworth and the cast of this Marvel adaption arrived for the film's premiere in Sydney on Sunday. Coinciding with the flick's debut is the release of the first wave of reviews from around the globe.
The early word is very good for fans of the Asgardian superhero. "The Marvel universe moves into the cosmic realm with 'Thor,' a burly slab of bombastic superhero entertainment that skitters just this side of kitschy to provide an introduction befitting the mighty god of thunder," writes The Hollywood Reporter in a typically positive review. "It's a noisy, universe-rattling spectacle full of sound and fury with a suitably epic design, solid digital effects and a healthy respect for the comic-book lore that turned a mythological Norse god into a founding member of the superhero team known as The Avengers."
Chris Hemsworth, who was introduced to American audiences in a small role in 2009's "Star Trek," is being dubbed a worthy live-action version of the Marvel hero. "[He] is just as good a fit for the character of Thor as Robert Downey Jr. is for Tony Stark, and that one thing goes a long way to making the film a pleasure to watch," says HitFix.
Many reviews have highlighted the way in which the film has stayed true to the often comedic nature of the source material. " 'Thor' is frequently hilarious, but the humor comes from a genuine affection for the occasionally silly tropes of the comic books, not misguided 'irony,' " writes Australian site The Vine.
Lest you think critical opinion has been uniformly positive, we should note that reviews have dinged the movie for a variety of reasons. "While some post converted 3-D has really impressed me ('Green Hornet'), 'Thor' didn't fall into this category," says Collider.com. "While watching, I never felt like there was a lot of depth."
Other reviews have taken issue with the rushed pace of the film and a subpar third act. But in general, the early critics agree: "Thor" is a worthy, if hardly perfect, tribute to the beloved comics character.
" 'Thor' is everything you might hope and expect it to be, equal parts good and bad. It is the type of movie I would have loved if I saw it at age 10 — and I'm sure this movie will play awesome to younger audiences," writes SlashFilm. "I still very much enjoyed it, but did not fall in love with it. It falls a couple steps shy of achievements of recent Marvel films like 'Iron Man,' 'The Incredible Hulk', and even 'Iron Man 2.' "
Check out everything we've got on "Thor."
For breaking comic book movie news, columns and more — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Videos
'Thor' Is Electrifying In This Exclusive Sneak Peek
MTV Rough Cut: 'Thor'
Related Photos
'Thor' Trailer Photos
Friday, April 22, 2011
Britney Spears Tour Invite 'Is Such An Honor,' Nervo Say
Aussie DJ duo tell MTV News they're ready to 'spread the Nervo love' on Femme Fatale tour.By Jocelyn Vena
Nervo
Photo: Getty Images
Nervo's Mim and Liv will be joining Britney Spears this summer for her highly anticipated Femme Fatale tour, alongside Nicki Minaj and Jessie and the Toy Boys.
When the Aussie twins spoke to MTV News on Tuesday, the same day the tour lineup was announced, they seemed genuinely surprised by the news, calling the slot "such an honor."
"We have worked with her team of people for songwriting camps and stuff like that, but we've never met Britney. It's been a dream to have one of our record productions on her album, but we didn't get there this time," Mim said.
All the acts on the tour are female, so Liv thinks "it's going to be ladies night every night. I imagine we'll be playing some of our club releases," she added of Nervo's set. "It'll be a DJ set and very electronic and house-based. We're really excited to be able to warm everyone up with some sexy house music."
The girls are also excited about the prospect of meeting Britney. "I wonder if I'll be starstruck? I just love her. I just love her records. She always releases great pop records. I really respect her," Mim said.
"You hear rumors that [the openers] never really get to meet [the main acts]," Liv said. "I hope we get to hang out. We've been told we're going to be on an RV for a lot of it. I love the whole experience of being on a tour bus. I love the road."
Since the tour seems to be all about girl power, the two sassy ladies explained what makes them such femme fatales. "I guess we have a no-fear attitude," Mim said. "We don't let our being girls stop us. Certainly DJing is a very male-dominated [field], and we haven't let us being girls stop us."
Bottom line: They're hoping through their house-music set they can "spread the Nervo love."
Are you excited to see Nervo on Britney Spears' tour? Let us know in the comments!
Related Artists
Britney Spears
Nervo
Photo: Getty Images
Nervo's Mim and Liv will be joining Britney Spears this summer for her highly anticipated Femme Fatale tour, alongside Nicki Minaj and Jessie and the Toy Boys.
When the Aussie twins spoke to MTV News on Tuesday, the same day the tour lineup was announced, they seemed genuinely surprised by the news, calling the slot "such an honor."
"We have worked with her team of people for songwriting camps and stuff like that, but we've never met Britney. It's been a dream to have one of our record productions on her album, but we didn't get there this time," Mim said.
All the acts on the tour are female, so Liv thinks "it's going to be ladies night every night. I imagine we'll be playing some of our club releases," she added of Nervo's set. "It'll be a DJ set and very electronic and house-based. We're really excited to be able to warm everyone up with some sexy house music."
The girls are also excited about the prospect of meeting Britney. "I wonder if I'll be starstruck? I just love her. I just love her records. She always releases great pop records. I really respect her," Mim said.
"You hear rumors that [the openers] never really get to meet [the main acts]," Liv said. "I hope we get to hang out. We've been told we're going to be on an RV for a lot of it. I love the whole experience of being on a tour bus. I love the road."
Since the tour seems to be all about girl power, the two sassy ladies explained what makes them such femme fatales. "I guess we have a no-fear attitude," Mim said. "We don't let our being girls stop us. Certainly DJing is a very male-dominated [field], and we haven't let us being girls stop us."
Bottom line: They're hoping through their house-music set they can "spread the Nervo love."
Are you excited to see Nervo on Britney Spears' tour? Let us know in the comments!
Related Artists
Britney Spears
Usher - Trading Places
Trading Places
Artist: Usher
Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Here I Stand
Artist: Usher
Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Here I Stand
'Thor': The Early Reviews Are In!
'A burly slab of bombastic superhero entertainment,' one critic writes about Marvel's 3-D take on the mighty Norse god.By Eric Ditzian
Chris Hemsworth in "Thor"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
"Thor" made landfall in Australia over the weekend, as Chris Hemsworth and the cast of this Marvel adaption arrived for the film's premiere in Sydney on Sunday. Coinciding with the flick's debut is the release of the first wave of reviews from around the globe.
The early word is very good for fans of the Asgardian superhero. "The Marvel universe moves into the cosmic realm with 'Thor,' a burly slab of bombastic superhero entertainment that skitters just this side of kitschy to provide an introduction befitting the mighty god of thunder," writes The Hollywood Reporter in a typically positive review. "It's a noisy, universe-rattling spectacle full of sound and fury with a suitably epic design, solid digital effects and a healthy respect for the comic-book lore that turned a mythological Norse god into a founding member of the superhero team known as The Avengers."
Chris Hemsworth, who was introduced to American audiences in a small role in 2009's "Star Trek," is being dubbed a worthy live-action version of the Marvel hero. "[He] is just as good a fit for the character of Thor as Robert Downey Jr. is for Tony Stark, and that one thing goes a long way to making the film a pleasure to watch," says HitFix.
Many reviews have highlighted the way in which the film has stayed true to the often comedic nature of the source material. " 'Thor' is frequently hilarious, but the humor comes from a genuine affection for the occasionally silly tropes of the comic books, not misguided 'irony,' " writes Australian site The Vine.
Lest you think critical opinion has been uniformly positive, we should note that reviews have dinged the movie for a variety of reasons. "While some post converted 3-D has really impressed me ('Green Hornet'), 'Thor' didn't fall into this category," says Collider.com. "While watching, I never felt like there was a lot of depth."
Other reviews have taken issue with the rushed pace of the film and a subpar third act. But in general, the early critics agree: "Thor" is a worthy, if hardly perfect, tribute to the beloved comics character.
" 'Thor' is everything you might hope and expect it to be, equal parts good and bad. It is the type of movie I would have loved if I saw it at age 10 — and I'm sure this movie will play awesome to younger audiences," writes SlashFilm. "I still very much enjoyed it, but did not fall in love with it. It falls a couple steps shy of achievements of recent Marvel films like 'Iron Man,' 'The Incredible Hulk', and even 'Iron Man 2.' "
Check out everything we've got on "Thor."
For breaking comic book movie news, columns and more — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Videos
'Thor' Is Electrifying In This Exclusive Sneak Peek
MTV Rough Cut: 'Thor'
Related Photos
'Thor' Trailer Photos
Chris Hemsworth in "Thor"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
"Thor" made landfall in Australia over the weekend, as Chris Hemsworth and the cast of this Marvel adaption arrived for the film's premiere in Sydney on Sunday. Coinciding with the flick's debut is the release of the first wave of reviews from around the globe.
The early word is very good for fans of the Asgardian superhero. "The Marvel universe moves into the cosmic realm with 'Thor,' a burly slab of bombastic superhero entertainment that skitters just this side of kitschy to provide an introduction befitting the mighty god of thunder," writes The Hollywood Reporter in a typically positive review. "It's a noisy, universe-rattling spectacle full of sound and fury with a suitably epic design, solid digital effects and a healthy respect for the comic-book lore that turned a mythological Norse god into a founding member of the superhero team known as The Avengers."
Chris Hemsworth, who was introduced to American audiences in a small role in 2009's "Star Trek," is being dubbed a worthy live-action version of the Marvel hero. "[He] is just as good a fit for the character of Thor as Robert Downey Jr. is for Tony Stark, and that one thing goes a long way to making the film a pleasure to watch," says HitFix.
Many reviews have highlighted the way in which the film has stayed true to the often comedic nature of the source material. " 'Thor' is frequently hilarious, but the humor comes from a genuine affection for the occasionally silly tropes of the comic books, not misguided 'irony,' " writes Australian site The Vine.
Lest you think critical opinion has been uniformly positive, we should note that reviews have dinged the movie for a variety of reasons. "While some post converted 3-D has really impressed me ('Green Hornet'), 'Thor' didn't fall into this category," says Collider.com. "While watching, I never felt like there was a lot of depth."
Other reviews have taken issue with the rushed pace of the film and a subpar third act. But in general, the early critics agree: "Thor" is a worthy, if hardly perfect, tribute to the beloved comics character.
" 'Thor' is everything you might hope and expect it to be, equal parts good and bad. It is the type of movie I would have loved if I saw it at age 10 — and I'm sure this movie will play awesome to younger audiences," writes SlashFilm. "I still very much enjoyed it, but did not fall in love with it. It falls a couple steps shy of achievements of recent Marvel films like 'Iron Man,' 'The Incredible Hulk', and even 'Iron Man 2.' "
Check out everything we've got on "Thor."
For breaking comic book movie news, columns and more — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Videos
'Thor' Is Electrifying In This Exclusive Sneak Peek
MTV Rough Cut: 'Thor'
Related Photos
'Thor' Trailer Photos
'Bang Bang Club' Star Malin Akerman Talks Photographers' Deaths In Libya
'It is incredible how relevant ... this film is to what is going on in Libya,' she tells MTV News.By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
MTV News' Josh Horowitz and Malin Akerman
Photo: MTV News
Given the recent deaths of photojournalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, who were killed while covering the battles between rebels and Libyan government forces, the subject matter of the new film "The Bang Bang Club" could not be more timely.
The film revolves around the real-life story of four combat photographers who risked their lives to capture the brutality and violence associated with the first free elections in post-apartheid South Africa in the early '90s.
MTV News recently spoke to co-star Malin Akerman about the incredible circumstances now surrounding the film.
"It's crazy. No matter what, whether it be now or two years ago, the untimely death of Tim Hetherington and Chris [Hondros] is sad and really awful and incredible that it happened as this movie is coming out," she said, adding the fact that no matter where we are in time, there are always civil and religious wars raging in the world.
"It's never the wrong moment to shed light on it," Akerman said. "It is incredible how relevant ... this film is to what is going on in Libya. I hope people come out of this film and go, 'All right, let's look overseas and see what's happening and see what we can do.' "
Speaking to what motivates this specific "breed" of journalists to consistently put themselves in harm's way, Akerman said that it's not just about capturing unforgettable events on film, but also about the adrenaline rush.
"They're crazy. They really are adrenaline junkies," she said. "I just saw Greg Marinovich, who is one of the photographers [who inspired the film], and he walks around at all times with two cameras. ... He never leaves home without his cameras. It's a limb for them, it's an extension of their bodies, it's what they live for."
Check out everything we've got on "The Bang Bang Club."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
MTV News' Josh Horowitz and Malin Akerman
Photo: MTV News
Given the recent deaths of photojournalists Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros, who were killed while covering the battles between rebels and Libyan government forces, the subject matter of the new film "The Bang Bang Club" could not be more timely.
The film revolves around the real-life story of four combat photographers who risked their lives to capture the brutality and violence associated with the first free elections in post-apartheid South Africa in the early '90s.
MTV News recently spoke to co-star Malin Akerman about the incredible circumstances now surrounding the film.
"It's crazy. No matter what, whether it be now or two years ago, the untimely death of Tim Hetherington and Chris [Hondros] is sad and really awful and incredible that it happened as this movie is coming out," she said, adding the fact that no matter where we are in time, there are always civil and religious wars raging in the world.
"It's never the wrong moment to shed light on it," Akerman said. "It is incredible how relevant ... this film is to what is going on in Libya. I hope people come out of this film and go, 'All right, let's look overseas and see what's happening and see what we can do.' "
Speaking to what motivates this specific "breed" of journalists to consistently put themselves in harm's way, Akerman said that it's not just about capturing unforgettable events on film, but also about the adrenaline rush.
"They're crazy. They really are adrenaline junkies," she said. "I just saw Greg Marinovich, who is one of the photographers [who inspired the film], and he walks around at all times with two cameras. ... He never leaves home without his cameras. It's a limb for them, it's an extension of their bodies, it's what they live for."
Check out everything we've got on "The Bang Bang Club."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Beyonc� - Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Hype Williams
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Hype Williams
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
And The Next President Of Haiti Is?
Things might not have worked out for Wyclef Jean, but ironically enough, a DIFFERENT pop star has been elected President of Haiti.
Popular singer Michel Martelly, aka "Sweet Micky," has won the presidency of Haiti with 67.7 percent of the vote.
Some of the major issues that Martelly promised to address while campaigning include:
- Free education for [...]
Popular singer Michel Martelly, aka "Sweet Micky," has won the presidency of Haiti with 67.7 percent of the vote.
Some of the major issues that Martelly promised to address while campaigning include:
- Free education for [...]
Tyler Clementi's Roommate Indicted On Hate Crime Charges
Clementi's September suicide inspired nationwide anti-bullying movement.By Gil Kaufman
Tyler Clementi
Photo: Facebook
A New Jersey grand jury indicted Rutgers University student Dharum Ravi on 15 charges on Wednesday in connection with the September suicide of his roommate, Tyler Clementi. The charges came nine months after Clementi's death inspired a nationwide anti-bullying movement that has drawn support from everyone from Lady Gaga to President Obama, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry.
According to The New York Times, after initially being charged with invasion of privacy, Ravi was accused in Wednesday's indictment of acting with antigay motives in posting a romantic encounter between Clementi and another man online, a hate crime that could result in a sentence of five to 10 years in prison if convicted.
In addition, the grand jury charged Ravi, 19, with an attempted cover-up in the case, accusing him of deleting a Twitter post that had alerted others about a second encounter Clementi had planned with the man and replacing it with a post that was "intended to mislead the investigation." Prosecutors also claimed that Ravi attempted to persuade some witnesses not to testify against him.
Prosecutors explained on Wednesday that the bias-intimidation charges were based in part on events that began on August 6, when Ravi learned his roommate's name, later announcing on Twitter that Clementi was gay.
"The grand jury charged that the invasion of privacy and attempt to invade the privacy of [Clementi] and [the other man] were intended to intimidate them because of their sexual orientation," prosecutors said in a statement. A co-defendant in the case, dorm-mate Molly Wei, was not indicted on Wednesday. Ravi, who withdrew from Rutgers, remains free on $25,000 bail.
"The grand jury indictment spells out cold and calculated acts against our son Tyler by his former college roommate," Clementi's parents said in a statement. "If these facts are true, as they appear to be, then it is important for our criminal justice system to establish clear accountability under the law."
Though the investigation that led to the indictment was low-key, Clementi's suicide opened up a very public national dialogue about the bullying of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, inspiring a number of major initiatives, including the "It Gets Better" campaign and renewed attention on MTV's own "A Thin Line" efforts to prevent cyberbullying. It also resulted in New Jersey passing the nation's toughest anti-bullying laws.
MTV's ongoing "A Thin Line" project also provides stories and resources for anyone who believes they are being cyberbullied or who is looking for ways to stop harassment by digital means.
Related Videos
Reactions To Tyler Clementi's Death
Tyler Clementi
Photo: Facebook
A New Jersey grand jury indicted Rutgers University student Dharum Ravi on 15 charges on Wednesday in connection with the September suicide of his roommate, Tyler Clementi. The charges came nine months after Clementi's death inspired a nationwide anti-bullying movement that has drawn support from everyone from Lady Gaga to President Obama, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry.
According to The New York Times, after initially being charged with invasion of privacy, Ravi was accused in Wednesday's indictment of acting with antigay motives in posting a romantic encounter between Clementi and another man online, a hate crime that could result in a sentence of five to 10 years in prison if convicted.
In addition, the grand jury charged Ravi, 19, with an attempted cover-up in the case, accusing him of deleting a Twitter post that had alerted others about a second encounter Clementi had planned with the man and replacing it with a post that was "intended to mislead the investigation." Prosecutors also claimed that Ravi attempted to persuade some witnesses not to testify against him.
Prosecutors explained on Wednesday that the bias-intimidation charges were based in part on events that began on August 6, when Ravi learned his roommate's name, later announcing on Twitter that Clementi was gay.
"The grand jury charged that the invasion of privacy and attempt to invade the privacy of [Clementi] and [the other man] were intended to intimidate them because of their sexual orientation," prosecutors said in a statement. A co-defendant in the case, dorm-mate Molly Wei, was not indicted on Wednesday. Ravi, who withdrew from Rutgers, remains free on $25,000 bail.
"The grand jury indictment spells out cold and calculated acts against our son Tyler by his former college roommate," Clementi's parents said in a statement. "If these facts are true, as they appear to be, then it is important for our criminal justice system to establish clear accountability under the law."
Though the investigation that led to the indictment was low-key, Clementi's suicide opened up a very public national dialogue about the bullying of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth, inspiring a number of major initiatives, including the "It Gets Better" campaign and renewed attention on MTV's own "A Thin Line" efforts to prevent cyberbullying. It also resulted in New Jersey passing the nation's toughest anti-bullying laws.
MTV's ongoing "A Thin Line" project also provides stories and resources for anyone who believes they are being cyberbullied or who is looking for ways to stop harassment by digital means.
Related Videos
Reactions To Tyler Clementi's Death
Marion Cotillard & Joseph Gordon-Levitt?s Roles In ?The Dark Knight? Rises Have Been Revealed
Remember how excited we were to learn that both Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt had been reportedly cast in the upcoming Batman sequel film The Dark Knight Rises? Remember how rumors started to swirl that claimed that Cotillard might play Talia Al’Ghul and Gordon-Levitt might play Black Mask (or some other equally cool, underground Batman [...]
Nicole Richie Shares A Personal Family Tour Video Diary
This Spring, Nicole Richie and her children Harlow Winter Kate and Sparrow James Midnight joined hubby/father Joel Madden and his band Good Charlotte on their North American Tour. Along the way, Nicole snapped some photos and video of their tour adventures together and she put together a very cool, very sweet home video of some [...]
Usher - OMG
OMG
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond
Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Lady Gaga Reveals Surreal Born This Way Cover
Gaga is pictured as a half-woman, half-motorcycle hybrid in the image, which she posted on Twitter on Saturday.By Gil Kaufman
Lady Gaga
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
The slow reveal of Lady Gaga's Born This Way continued over the weekend as Mother Monster pulled back the veil on the cover of her hotly anticipated album, which will be released on May 23. Although now, perhaps we should start calling her Motorcycle Mama, since the Nick Knight-conceived artwork for the LP that Gaga tweeted on Saturday shows the pop star transformed into a half-woman, half-motorcycle hybrid made of shining chrome and perfectly tousled blond hair.
Under gleaming, metallic-silver bubble letters spelling out the album title, Gaga's head serves as the handlebar accoutrement to a badass chopper, with her arms forming the front fork of the street machine. The entire image is in black and white except for the pop star's lips, which are colored a deep red.
The cover reveal came shortly after the leak of Born This Way's second single, "Judas." Though the tune isn't slated to drop until Tuesday, Capital FM in London played the RedOne-produced song on Friday afternoon.
The track finds Gaga in familiar territory, singing about a lover she knows might not be right for her, but whom she just can't resist. "Ohhh, I'm in love with Judas," she croons at the opening of the track, accompanied by building synths. Soon a thumping electronic beat kicks in as Gaga wails, "Judas/ Juda-a-ah/ Judas/ Gaga!" in a battle cry reminiscent of the one in her previous smash, "Bad Romance."
And that's not all the Born This Way news. A Gaga fan site has reported that legendary Queen guitarist Brian May will be featured on the ballad "You and I," which Gaga has been performing live on tour for several months.
Does the Born This Way album cover get your motor running? Share your opinions in the comments.
Related Photos
Celebrity Biker Babes
The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga
Related Artists
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images
The slow reveal of Lady Gaga's Born This Way continued over the weekend as Mother Monster pulled back the veil on the cover of her hotly anticipated album, which will be released on May 23. Although now, perhaps we should start calling her Motorcycle Mama, since the Nick Knight-conceived artwork for the LP that Gaga tweeted on Saturday shows the pop star transformed into a half-woman, half-motorcycle hybrid made of shining chrome and perfectly tousled blond hair.
Under gleaming, metallic-silver bubble letters spelling out the album title, Gaga's head serves as the handlebar accoutrement to a badass chopper, with her arms forming the front fork of the street machine. The entire image is in black and white except for the pop star's lips, which are colored a deep red.
The cover reveal came shortly after the leak of Born This Way's second single, "Judas." Though the tune isn't slated to drop until Tuesday, Capital FM in London played the RedOne-produced song on Friday afternoon.
The track finds Gaga in familiar territory, singing about a lover she knows might not be right for her, but whom she just can't resist. "Ohhh, I'm in love with Judas," she croons at the opening of the track, accompanied by building synths. Soon a thumping electronic beat kicks in as Gaga wails, "Judas/ Juda-a-ah/ Judas/ Gaga!" in a battle cry reminiscent of the one in her previous smash, "Bad Romance."
And that's not all the Born This Way news. A Gaga fan site has reported that legendary Queen guitarist Brian May will be featured on the ballad "You and I," which Gaga has been performing live on tour for several months.
Does the Born This Way album cover get your motor running? Share your opinions in the comments.
Related Photos
Celebrity Biker Babes
The Evolution Of: Lady Gaga
Related Artists
Lady Gaga
Ricki Lake Returning To Daytime Television!
Go Ricki! Go Ricki! Go Ricki!
Ah yes, we can't wait to hear those two beautiful words chanted from a live studio audience again!
Yes, that's right. Ricki Lake is returning to daytime television!!
She is currently in development with Twentieth, NBCUniversal, and CBS Television to launch an hour-long talk show that will premiere in [...]
Ah yes, we can't wait to hear those two beautiful words chanted from a live studio audience again!
Yes, that's right. Ricki Lake is returning to daytime television!!
She is currently in development with Twentieth, NBCUniversal, and CBS Television to launch an hour-long talk show that will premiere in [...]
Ivana Bozilovic Ivanka Trump Izabella Miko Izabella Scorupco
Photos | 'Forbes' Magazine's Top-Earning Musicians Of 2010
'Forbes' Magazine's Top-Earning Musicians Of 2010
Related Artists
Beyoncé
U2
Bruce Springsteen
AC/DC
Jay-Z
Related Artists
Beyoncé
U2
Bruce Springsteen
AC/DC
Jay-Z
Photos | Ke$ha On The Set Of Her Video For 'Take It Off'
Ke$ha On The Set Of Her Video For 'Take It Off'
Related Artists
Ke$ha
Related Artists
Ke$ha
Chuckie Will Debut Michael Jackson Remix In Miami
Official 'Hollywood Tonight' remix coming to Miami Music Week.By Akshay Bhansali
Chuckie
Photo: Jason Ano/ One and Only Productions
Leaving the South by Southwest festival, Lavo New York and Las Vegas' Marquee in his wake, house DJ Chuckie has his sights set on the week ahead. With Miami Music Week now upon us, Chuckie plans to seize the opportunity to debut new material. Fans will be tickled to know the Dutch producer has tracks in the can with Kelly Rowland and T-Pain, but when MTV News caught up with him Friday in New York, Chuckie shared the achievement of which he's most proud.
"I did a Michael Jackson remix, which was really scary — to touch Michael Jackson vocals," Chuckie said. "I did this remix for this track 'Hollywood Tonight.' I couldn't say it for a minute: The label called me, and they said, 'You can't say nothing about this. It's kind of a secret project.' It's gonna come out anytime now."
"Hollywood Tonight" was originally produced by Teddy Riley for Jackson's posthumous Michael album, and Chuckie's mix of the song will be the sole official remix of the track.
"I will play it Miami," Chuckie revealed. "I told them this is the best week to launch the remix. So it feels really good. I'm the only one remixing that Michael Jackson track, and they are considering it a single. For me, especially, it's an honor to remix the King of Pop because he died on my birthday."
So, will the mix be a thundering Chuckie Dutch house banger or will it have a melodic progressive house feel, like his Marquee remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me"? Well, according to the "Let the Bass Kick" producer, fans will be getting a healthy dose of both.
"I had to bring in the raucous," Chuckie confessed. "Yeah, I did the Chuckie flavor, but then again, I wanted to make it really musical, so I went progressive (house) on it."
Chuckie will be performing twice at Miami Music Week: at the Cr2 Records Party at Wall Lounge on Wednesday, and then headlining "No Sugar Added" at Nikki Beach on Friday.
Are you excited to hear Chuckie's remix of Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"? Let us know in the comments below!
Related Artists
Chuckie
Michael Jackson
Chuckie
Photo: Jason Ano/ One and Only Productions
Leaving the South by Southwest festival, Lavo New York and Las Vegas' Marquee in his wake, house DJ Chuckie has his sights set on the week ahead. With Miami Music Week now upon us, Chuckie plans to seize the opportunity to debut new material. Fans will be tickled to know the Dutch producer has tracks in the can with Kelly Rowland and T-Pain, but when MTV News caught up with him Friday in New York, Chuckie shared the achievement of which he's most proud.
"I did a Michael Jackson remix, which was really scary — to touch Michael Jackson vocals," Chuckie said. "I did this remix for this track 'Hollywood Tonight.' I couldn't say it for a minute: The label called me, and they said, 'You can't say nothing about this. It's kind of a secret project.' It's gonna come out anytime now."
"Hollywood Tonight" was originally produced by Teddy Riley for Jackson's posthumous Michael album, and Chuckie's mix of the song will be the sole official remix of the track.
"I will play it Miami," Chuckie revealed. "I told them this is the best week to launch the remix. So it feels really good. I'm the only one remixing that Michael Jackson track, and they are considering it a single. For me, especially, it's an honor to remix the King of Pop because he died on my birthday."
So, will the mix be a thundering Chuckie Dutch house banger or will it have a melodic progressive house feel, like his Marquee remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me"? Well, according to the "Let the Bass Kick" producer, fans will be getting a healthy dose of both.
"I had to bring in the raucous," Chuckie confessed. "Yeah, I did the Chuckie flavor, but then again, I wanted to make it really musical, so I went progressive (house) on it."
Chuckie will be performing twice at Miami Music Week: at the Cr2 Records Party at Wall Lounge on Wednesday, and then headlining "No Sugar Added" at Nikki Beach on Friday.
Are you excited to hear Chuckie's remix of Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"? Let us know in the comments below!
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Elizabeth Banks Has Been Cast As Effie Trinket In ?The Hunger Games?
Yesterday we learned that newcomers Amanda Stenberg and Dayo Okeniyi have been cast as District 11 tributes Rue and Thresh (respectively) in the big screen adaptation of The Hunger Games. Previously we learned that Josh Hutcherson & Liam Hemsworth have been cast as Peeta and Gale (respectively) and Jennifer Lawarence has been cast in the [...]
Chris Hemsworth Does ?Men?s Health? Magazine
Chris Hemsworth, who just world premiered his new superhero film Thor over the weekend in Australia, is featured on the cover and in the pages of the new issue of Men’s Health magazine. In his coverstory interview, Chris talks about what it was like working with film legend Sir Anthony Hopkins (who plays the Norse [...]
Jessica Simpson Shows Off Her Multiple Personalities On Twitter
Jessica Simpson, who appeared in a sharing mood yesterday, posted a fun photo on her official Twitter profile that showed off her many moods and personalities. It’s unclear if the photo is mean to be a promo photo for her hugely successful fashion line, an outtake from a photoshoot or just a collection of photos [...]
Monday, April 18, 2011
Usher - Fed Up (featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross)
Fed Up (featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross)
Artist: Usher
Label: We The Best, E1 Music
Director: Gil Green
Artist: Usher
Label: We The Best, E1 Music
Director: Gil Green
Photos | Justin Bieber's Grammy Night
Justin Bieber's Grammy Night
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Neil Patrick Harris Tweets A Photo Of His ADORABLE Family
Actor Neil Patrick Harris was in a very sharing mood yesterday as he enjoyed a relaxing Sunday afternoon with his partner David Burtka and their twin children Harper Grace and Gideon Scott. NPH posted THE most adorable photo on his official Twitter profile of his family … which you can check out below. Relaxing on [...]
Photos | Lilith Fair 2010 Lineup
Lilith Fair 2010 Lineup
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Britney Spears Penned Track For Selena Gomez
A rep for the young Disney star confirms that Spears did write for her.By Jocelyn Vena
Britney Spears
Photo: Jive
After some hoopla was made over the fact that Britney Spears didn't write any of the tracks on the U.S. version of Femme Fatale, the songstress is making up for it elsewhere. MTV News has confirmed that Spears wrote a track for Selena Gomez's June album release.
While a rep for Gomez couldn't confirm the name of the song, Ace Showbiz reported last week it is called "Whiplash."
Spears has, in fact, co-written more than a dozen songs for five out of her seven albums over the course of her career. She even helped pen two of her singles, "Everytime" and the Madonna collaboration "Me Against the Music." She also wrote a song called "Scary" for the Japanese version of Femme Fatale.
Gomez has said she's quite a huge Spears fan and told MTV News that she plans to include a Britney Spears tribute on her upcoming summer tour. "We are working on a few cover songs. We are working on a Britney tribute, which I'm so stoked about, 'cause I love Britney. I was like, 'I have to do it.' I wanna do a mash-up of all her songs and just go for it," she said. "We're gonna do a little tribute. We're gonna do her hits, ' ... Baby One More Time,' and then I think we're going to try to incorporate 'Toxic' and that phase. And then we might do some of her recent, new stuff."
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Britney Spears
Photo: Jive
After some hoopla was made over the fact that Britney Spears didn't write any of the tracks on the U.S. version of Femme Fatale, the songstress is making up for it elsewhere. MTV News has confirmed that Spears wrote a track for Selena Gomez's June album release.
While a rep for Gomez couldn't confirm the name of the song, Ace Showbiz reported last week it is called "Whiplash."
Spears has, in fact, co-written more than a dozen songs for five out of her seven albums over the course of her career. She even helped pen two of her singles, "Everytime" and the Madonna collaboration "Me Against the Music." She also wrote a song called "Scary" for the Japanese version of Femme Fatale.
Gomez has said she's quite a huge Spears fan and told MTV News that she plans to include a Britney Spears tribute on her upcoming summer tour. "We are working on a few cover songs. We are working on a Britney tribute, which I'm so stoked about, 'cause I love Britney. I was like, 'I have to do it.' I wanna do a mash-up of all her songs and just go for it," she said. "We're gonna do a little tribute. We're gonna do her hits, ' ... Baby One More Time,' and then I think we're going to try to incorporate 'Toxic' and that phase. And then we might do some of her recent, new stuff."
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Sunday, April 17, 2011
Les News, 041611
I don’t think YOU can handle THIS video of a penguin being tickled. Before they were Famous — Scream edition. Meet the X-Class of ’62. Florida really hates baggy pants. Making jokes near police officers can get you arrested. Jennifer Lopez releases a new track titled Papi. Twitter-ific! Santa Barbara, CA looks lovely this time [...]
Michael Jackson's 'Thriller': Story Behind The 'Glee' Cover
MJ classic is mashed up with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' 'Heads Will Roll' for post-Super Bowl episode.By Aly Semigran
"Glee"
Photo: FOX
Madonna, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and now, finally, Michael Jackson. The cast of "Glee" has covered plenty of icons during their first two seasons, but it's taken 33 episodes to get around to the King of Pop.
With a huge catalog of Jackson songs, the singing, dancing students of McKinley High paid homage to the late singer with one of his biggest staples (and, arguably, the greatest music video of all time) with their take on "Thriller."
The groundbreaking single from Jackson's best-selling album of the same name was mashed up with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Heads Will Roll" for the post-Super Bowl episode (titled "The Sue Sylvester Bowl Shuffle"), featuring a zombie-fied "Glee" cast.
Bound to become a smash all over again (though with its nonstop rotation at Halloween parties and wedding receptions until the end of time, it's never truly gone away), here's a brief history of the dance/pop classic.
Released on January 23, 1984, "Thriller" was the seventh, and final, single to be released from Jackson's smash record. According to the RIAA, the album (released by Epic Records) has gone gold 29 times, narrowly edging out the Eagles' Greatest Hits 1971-1975 for the title of best-selling album of all time.
In 2009, MTV News estimated that the Thriller album was poised to go triple diamond, meaning 30 million records sold in the U.S. alone.
After Thriller's other singles (including "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Something") dominated the charts, it was time for the spooky, undeniably original track to take over. The song "Thriller" also appeared on many of Jackson's other albums, including the compilations HIStory and Number Ones.
Clocking in at a little under six minutes (though the radio edit was closer to four-and-a-half), the song features pop-music mainstays like synthesizers but shakes things up with its spooky sound effects, including creaking floors, howling and thunder.
The song was produced by Quincy Jones and written and composed by Rod Tempterton and spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #4.
But it's the music video for "Thriller" that truly made it the phenomenon it was in the '80s and continues to be today. Less a music video than a mini-motion picture, the video (over 13 minutes long and directed by John Landis) won three MTV Video Music Awards and has been named the best music video of all time by many outlets, including VH1 for the special "VH1: 100 Greatest Videos."
The chiller features Jackson in that iconic red leather jacket on a date with his girlfriend (played by Ola Ray) before things go terribly awry. After all, as Jackson (whose disclaimer at the start of the video reads, "This film in no way endorses a belief in the occult") sings in the opening line, "It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark." Cue werewolves, zombies, Vincent Price's soliloquy and one of the most memorable dance sequences ever.
The video was (no pun intended) a monster hit. As the Los Angeles Times notes, "At the height of the song's popularity, MTV would run the 14-minute 'Thriller' video twice an hour."
Choreographed by Jackson and Michael Peters (who, as the LA Times also reported, appears in the video as one of the zombies) and with makeup by Oscar-winner Rick Baker (also an undead "Thriller" extra) was made with a huge budget of an estimated $500,000.
Still, the efforts paid off. Landis (who told the "Today" show back in 2009 that no one wanted to give them the funds to make the risky vid) made the accompanying 45-minute documentary about the venture, called "The Making of Thriller." Featuring the behind-the-scenes wizardry, as well as the music video in full, it would go on to move more than 10 million copies.
Since then, the signature song and video have seen their share fair of tributes in movies (notably in the 2004 comedy"13 Going on 30") and TV ("South Park," "Family Guy," "30 Rock," among others), not to mention the countless flash mobs that have gone viral. (Remember the prisoners in the Philippines who became overnight phenomenons on YouTube?)
Even with the "Glee" number, this likely won't be the last incarnation of "Thriller." Billboard reported in October that a "Thriller" film is in the works. With a plot allegedly revolving around Price's narration, Kenny Ortega, who directed Jackson's last effort, "This Is It," will reportedly helm the project.
Since Jackson's untimely passing on June 25, 2009, the song and video's legacy continue to live on. In the week following Jackson's death, "Thriller" was the best-selling track in the U.S., with sales of 167,000 copies on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles chart.
Then, in December 2009, "Thriller" was the first music video to ever be inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It seems "no mere mortal can resist ... the thriller" after all.
What did you think of the "Thriller" mash-up on "Glee"? Let us know in the comments!
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Michael Jackson
"Glee"
Photo: FOX
Madonna, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and now, finally, Michael Jackson. The cast of "Glee" has covered plenty of icons during their first two seasons, but it's taken 33 episodes to get around to the King of Pop.
With a huge catalog of Jackson songs, the singing, dancing students of McKinley High paid homage to the late singer with one of his biggest staples (and, arguably, the greatest music video of all time) with their take on "Thriller."
The groundbreaking single from Jackson's best-selling album of the same name was mashed up with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Heads Will Roll" for the post-Super Bowl episode (titled "The Sue Sylvester Bowl Shuffle"), featuring a zombie-fied "Glee" cast.
Bound to become a smash all over again (though with its nonstop rotation at Halloween parties and wedding receptions until the end of time, it's never truly gone away), here's a brief history of the dance/pop classic.
Released on January 23, 1984, "Thriller" was the seventh, and final, single to be released from Jackson's smash record. According to the RIAA, the album (released by Epic Records) has gone gold 29 times, narrowly edging out the Eagles' Greatest Hits 1971-1975 for the title of best-selling album of all time.
In 2009, MTV News estimated that the Thriller album was poised to go triple diamond, meaning 30 million records sold in the U.S. alone.
After Thriller's other singles (including "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Wanna Be Startin' Something") dominated the charts, it was time for the spooky, undeniably original track to take over. The song "Thriller" also appeared on many of Jackson's other albums, including the compilations HIStory and Number Ones.
Clocking in at a little under six minutes (though the radio edit was closer to four-and-a-half), the song features pop-music mainstays like synthesizers but shakes things up with its spooky sound effects, including creaking floors, howling and thunder.
The song was produced by Quincy Jones and written and composed by Rod Tempterton and spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #4.
But it's the music video for "Thriller" that truly made it the phenomenon it was in the '80s and continues to be today. Less a music video than a mini-motion picture, the video (over 13 minutes long and directed by John Landis) won three MTV Video Music Awards and has been named the best music video of all time by many outlets, including VH1 for the special "VH1: 100 Greatest Videos."
The chiller features Jackson in that iconic red leather jacket on a date with his girlfriend (played by Ola Ray) before things go terribly awry. After all, as Jackson (whose disclaimer at the start of the video reads, "This film in no way endorses a belief in the occult") sings in the opening line, "It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking in the dark." Cue werewolves, zombies, Vincent Price's soliloquy and one of the most memorable dance sequences ever.
The video was (no pun intended) a monster hit. As the Los Angeles Times notes, "At the height of the song's popularity, MTV would run the 14-minute 'Thriller' video twice an hour."
Choreographed by Jackson and Michael Peters (who, as the LA Times also reported, appears in the video as one of the zombies) and with makeup by Oscar-winner Rick Baker (also an undead "Thriller" extra) was made with a huge budget of an estimated $500,000.
Still, the efforts paid off. Landis (who told the "Today" show back in 2009 that no one wanted to give them the funds to make the risky vid) made the accompanying 45-minute documentary about the venture, called "The Making of Thriller." Featuring the behind-the-scenes wizardry, as well as the music video in full, it would go on to move more than 10 million copies.
Since then, the signature song and video have seen their share fair of tributes in movies (notably in the 2004 comedy"13 Going on 30") and TV ("South Park," "Family Guy," "30 Rock," among others), not to mention the countless flash mobs that have gone viral. (Remember the prisoners in the Philippines who became overnight phenomenons on YouTube?)
Even with the "Glee" number, this likely won't be the last incarnation of "Thriller." Billboard reported in October that a "Thriller" film is in the works. With a plot allegedly revolving around Price's narration, Kenny Ortega, who directed Jackson's last effort, "This Is It," will reportedly helm the project.
Since Jackson's untimely passing on June 25, 2009, the song and video's legacy continue to live on. In the week following Jackson's death, "Thriller" was the best-selling track in the U.S., with sales of 167,000 copies on the Billboard Hot Digital Singles chart.
Then, in December 2009, "Thriller" was the first music video to ever be inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. It seems "no mere mortal can resist ... the thriller" after all.
What did you think of the "Thriller" mash-up on "Glee"? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos
Musical 'Glee-Caps' Of Season Two
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Michael Jackson
Beyonc� - Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Video Phone (Extended Remix)
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Hype Williams
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Music World Music
Director: Hype Williams
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Britney Spears - Till the World Ends
Till the World Ends
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive
Director: Ray Kay
Album: Femme Fatale [Deluxe Edition]
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive
Director: Ray Kay
Album: Femme Fatale [Deluxe Edition]
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Photos | Drake, Nicki Minaj, Usher And More At Hot 97 2010 Summer Jam
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'Scream 4' Stars Were 'Paranoid' About Keeping Script Secret
'I had to read it at [director] Wes Craven's house,' Emma Roberts recalls of her first look.By Kara Warner
Courteney Cox in "Scream 4"
Photo: Gemma La Mana/ Dimension Films
With all the secretiveness surrounding the plot details of the "Scream" movies, it's natural to assume that the general public goes into the films with as little knowledge as the studio can prevent them from acquiring. (Even journalists are asked to refrain from reviewing or commenting on the film until it opens.) But what about the actors? How much are they privy to when they sign on?
MTV News recently caught up with the "Scream 4" cast to find out first, why we should believe their characters are not the killer and second, how much of the script they get to read before they sign on.
"[I got] the middle bit, the middle section," Hayden Panettiere told us. "I was in Germany and [the filmmakers] had somebody fly to Germany, meet me at home to watch me read the middle part of the script, so there was no beginning, no end, subject to change," she explained. "There's just something very funny about somebody sitting there watching you read it to make sure you don't sneak pictures or go sending it anywhere. You feel like your life may be in jeopardy if, God forbid, anything got out."
"When I first read the script, I had to read it at [director] Wes Craven's house," Emma Roberts revealed. "So I couldn't even have it sent to my house. When we got our scripts on set, they all had our names on them and I remember I was getting out of my car to go to work one day and I dropped my script and, literally, the pages were everywhere and I was in this parking lot chasing after all of my pages and, of course, the last few pages were floating away from me," she recalled. "I grabbed them and brought them to my trailer, [thinking], 'OK, I don't know what to do with all this paper, I'm so nervous to be carrying this around.' "
Franchise veteran David Arquette wasn't able to pull rank for extra information either.
"I didn't receive a full script, no," Arquette said. "It's always been a whirlwind when these films get going. You never really know what's happening, what's going to happen, and also how it works in the films ... when I go see these movies, there's a lot of, 'Oh, they kept that? Wow, that worked. Oooh, scary.' "
Jokesters Adam Brody and Anthony Anderson, who play buddy cops Hoff and Perkins in the film, claimed that they still don't know anything about the film.
"I'm still getting pages now," Anderson said.
"I got the whole thing, and then they took it back and then gave me another one," Brody bragged. "For as secret as it was — and I was really paranoid that I had it in my hotel room or backpack forever — it says your name on it and I thought, 'I'm going to blow this whole thing,' so surprisingly they gave it to me and let me keep it and I didn't want it," he said.
"Honestly, I don't think they gave us the actual script," Anderson continued. "I think they gave us some type of story with our name on it, to scare us," he claimed. "Because every time I got to work, the lines that were in the script that I had studied the night before were not the lines we were doing that day at work."
"But the killer stayed the same," protested Brody.
"I have no idea who the killer is!" Anderson exclaimed. "I really don't."
Do you plan to see "Scream 4"? Let us know in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Scream 4."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
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Courteney Cox in "Scream 4"
Photo: Gemma La Mana/ Dimension Films
With all the secretiveness surrounding the plot details of the "Scream" movies, it's natural to assume that the general public goes into the films with as little knowledge as the studio can prevent them from acquiring. (Even journalists are asked to refrain from reviewing or commenting on the film until it opens.) But what about the actors? How much are they privy to when they sign on?
MTV News recently caught up with the "Scream 4" cast to find out first, why we should believe their characters are not the killer and second, how much of the script they get to read before they sign on.
"[I got] the middle bit, the middle section," Hayden Panettiere told us. "I was in Germany and [the filmmakers] had somebody fly to Germany, meet me at home to watch me read the middle part of the script, so there was no beginning, no end, subject to change," she explained. "There's just something very funny about somebody sitting there watching you read it to make sure you don't sneak pictures or go sending it anywhere. You feel like your life may be in jeopardy if, God forbid, anything got out."
"When I first read the script, I had to read it at [director] Wes Craven's house," Emma Roberts revealed. "So I couldn't even have it sent to my house. When we got our scripts on set, they all had our names on them and I remember I was getting out of my car to go to work one day and I dropped my script and, literally, the pages were everywhere and I was in this parking lot chasing after all of my pages and, of course, the last few pages were floating away from me," she recalled. "I grabbed them and brought them to my trailer, [thinking], 'OK, I don't know what to do with all this paper, I'm so nervous to be carrying this around.' "
Franchise veteran David Arquette wasn't able to pull rank for extra information either.
"I didn't receive a full script, no," Arquette said. "It's always been a whirlwind when these films get going. You never really know what's happening, what's going to happen, and also how it works in the films ... when I go see these movies, there's a lot of, 'Oh, they kept that? Wow, that worked. Oooh, scary.' "
Jokesters Adam Brody and Anthony Anderson, who play buddy cops Hoff and Perkins in the film, claimed that they still don't know anything about the film.
"I'm still getting pages now," Anderson said.
"I got the whole thing, and then they took it back and then gave me another one," Brody bragged. "For as secret as it was — and I was really paranoid that I had it in my hotel room or backpack forever — it says your name on it and I thought, 'I'm going to blow this whole thing,' so surprisingly they gave it to me and let me keep it and I didn't want it," he said.
"Honestly, I don't think they gave us the actual script," Anderson continued. "I think they gave us some type of story with our name on it, to scare us," he claimed. "Because every time I got to work, the lines that were in the script that I had studied the night before were not the lines we were doing that day at work."
"But the killer stayed the same," protested Brody.
"I have no idea who the killer is!" Anderson exclaimed. "I really don't."
Do you plan to see "Scream 4"? Let us know in the comments!
Check out everything we've got on "Scream 4."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos
MTV Rough Cut: 'Scream 4'
Related Photos
The New 'Scream' Queens
Scream 4: Red Carpet Arrivals
Scream 4
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