Hot Celebrity Tabloids: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Katy Perry And The VMAs: A History

The most-nominated artist of the 2011 show hasn't taken home a Moonman yet, but she did take home a husband!
By Jocelyn Vena

Katy Perry at 2010 VMAs in Los Angeles
Photo: WireImage

The 2011 VMAs will honor a number of the year's best artists, but one very kooky, colorful California Gurl is looking to outshine them all: Katy Perry tops the nominees with a whopping nine nods for "E.T.," "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)," "Teenage Dream" and "Firework." Perry has yet to win a Moonman, but the show has played an important role in her career and personal life in other interesting ways.

"It's always exciting to be a part of the VMAs because there's so much spontanaeity," "I just remember growing up seeing craziness ensued with the VMAs. I wasn't allowed to see it, but I done watched it!"

Back in 2008, Kinga Burza, the director of "I Kissed a Girl," warned MTV News that Perry would soon be a force to be reckoned with. "She's fresh, original, intelligent and talented, with a star-like charisma, which will have boys and girls all around the world cooing for more!" Burza said.

And she was right. Perry made her VMA debut that year, singing along with the night's house band, Travis Barker and the late DJ AM. That night, "I Kissed a Girl" was up for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Female Video and Best New Artist.

She went home empty-handed, but the show was the first time (and certainly not the last time) that she and host Russell Brand would cross paths.

By the time 2009 rolled around, the VMAs were back in New York City, and Perry had become a household name. She was nominated for Best Female Video for "Hot n Cold" and opened the show with a rocking performance of Queen's "We Will Rock You" alongside Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

Although she didn't take any prizes home, she did manage to nab Brand, who hosted the show for a second year. Perry said she saw a different side of the comedian during and after the show. "I really appreciate his sense of humor," she explained. "It's real dark, it's real wrong and it's really funny."

In 2010, Perry hit the VMAs' white-hot carpet in Los Angeles and was by then one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Her relationship with Brand had escalated to an engagement, and her sweet and sassy "California Gurls" video, featuring Snoop Dogg, was nominated for Best Female Video and Best Pop Video.

"I like the idea of this being like a board game," she said of the video in 2009. "It's kind of like Candy Land. That was probably one of my favorite games to play growing up. I like to bring back those pure childhood moments and give them a little bit of a naughty twist, of course!"

Perry is coming up on her fourth VMA appearance in 2011 and this could finally be her year. She's back in her home state of California, she's tied the knot with Brand, and she's broken all sorts of records with the songs off her Teenage Dream album.

Considering she's up for hardware in categories like best Female Video ("Firework"), Video of the Year ("Firework") and Best Collaboration ("E.T.") featuring Kanye West, to name a few, her chances of bringing home a Moonman or two are looking good.

The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT. See the list of nominees, revisit last year's highlights and vote for your favorites in the general categories by visiting VMA.MTV.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667620/katy-perry-vmas-history.jhtml

Aaliyah Adriana Sklenarikova Ali Landry Alicia Keys Alyssa Milano

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Naomi Campbell Nicole Kidman Orlando Bloom Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton

Lady Gaga Dishes On Sex, Drugs, Born This Way On Howard Stern

Gaga sang 'Edge of Glory' and talked about her difficult early years.
By Gil Kaufman

Lady Gaga visits SiriusXM July 18, 2011
Photo: Maro Hagopian/SiriusXM

For months, Sirius radio host Howard Stern has been bellyaching about how Lady Gaga seemed to be talking to everyone except him. So, when the singer stopped in to chat on Monday morning (July 18), the notorious radio host made sure to make the most of it, indulging in one of his show's longest celebrity chats in recent memory, a nearly 90-minute ramble in which he got Gaga to talk about fame, fashion, sex, drugs and rock and roll.

For the most part, the interview hit many of the highlights of Gaga's now-legendary rise to superstardom: her childhood fascination with piano, the first song she ever wrote, her move to Manhattan as a teenager and the one-year ultimatum her dad gave her after she dropped out of college. But she also revealed a bit more about her offstage self and the inspirations behind some of her most beloved tunes.

"I really don't give a f--- about money at all," Gaga said when Stern tried to get the singer to dish on how much money her album sales and tours have grossed. In fact, she said she still lives in a tiny Brooklyn apartment and has only bought two things with her newfound riches: heart surgery and a car for her dad. "The Monster Ball was really expensive and the next show will be really expensive and I will pay for it," she said of the 2012 extravaganza that she's planning.

There was, however, one topic even the famously prying Stern couldn't goad Gaga could into talking about: her love life.

"What boyfriend? ... Who's Jean Luc?" she joked when Stern asked about what her closest friends call her offstage. (Even her parents call her Gaga at this point, she said, especially when they're mad at her.) "It's hard to find a boyfriend who doesn't mind a good tuck," she added, throwing more fuel on the fire of the absurdly tenacious Internet rumors about her gender.

"My first love is music," she explained, though when Stern asked whether she had been intimate with anyone recently, she laughed, "I got laid last night ... the guys who are here are my best friends in the whole world. You're talking about Luc Carl; he's been my best friend since I was 19."

Gaga stressed that Carl is still her best friend, sidestepping the boyfriend issue once again — and that he's going to launch a Sirius satellite radio show soon.

One of the stories Stern was predictably fascinated with was the fact that Gaga's first piano teacher was a stripper who danced at one of the radio host's favorite New York gentleman's clubs, Scores, leading him to wonder if he'd ever gotten a lap dance from Gaga's instructor.

Back in the day, in fact, before she was famous, Gaga said she used to dance on fire escapes and pretend she was a star, an image she re-created for her "The Edge of Glory" video. But those pre-fame days were also difficult, as she toiled at waitressing jobs and turned to drugs when she felt lonely, something she now really regrets. "To any little sweethearts that are listening ... don't touch [cocaine], it's the devil."

Though she's best known for writing her own songs, Gaga discussed the two tracks she's written for Britney Spears, "Quicksand" (which appeared on the Circus album), and "Telephone," which Spears recorded, but never released. Asked if it bummed her out that "Telephone" was rejected by Spears, Gaga said, "Hell no! Frickin' Britney Spears sang my record! I was doing back flips and ordering drinks!"

After describing how she came up with "Born This Way" while in the shower, Gaga pulled out her BlackBerry and played a number of early demos of her songs, including the first, vocals-only take on "Highway Unicorn," her first pass on the chorus to "Judas" and a snippet of a bouncy new song she wasn't ready to unleash yet. She also described how "Marry the Night" was inspired by the moment when she decided that she was not willing to become another one of those California club people after spending some time on the Left Coast early in her career trying to fit in. " 'No thanks ... see you later, it's been nice in the sun,' and I went back to New York and I married the night," she said of why she would never move to Cali, preferring the divey, shots-and-pool-table bars in her native city.

"Do I feel like a powerful person in show business? Yeah," she said when Stern wondered if she will use her newfound powers in the industry for good or evil.

The appearance also featured a performance of "Glory," with Gaga prefacing with a story about how it was inspired by her grandfather's passing, the first death of a close family member she'd ever experienced. "When my grandma was saying goodbye [to my grandfather], there was something so intense that happened for me that I saw ... as sad as the moment was, they both were acknowledging that they had really won in life because they had each other," she said of the 60-year marriage of her grandparents.

On the day her grandpa died, Gaga said she and her father sat down at the piano in their home and traded shots of tequila and she told her pops, "Grandpa's about to cross over into his glorious moment. It's hard now because he's on the edge." Right then, Gaga said she began playing piano and the song just tumbled out of her. She recorded it and played the emerging tune for her grandfather that day over the phone, and she's convinced he could hear it. He passed just hours later.

"It's about also knowing in your heart that you may never reach that glorious moment until you die, so live life on the edge — halfway between heaven and hell — and let's all dance in the middle in purgatory," she said before playing an affecting solo piano version of the tune.

And, in honor of Stern's notoriously luxurious locks, she also performed the Born This Way tune "Hair," explaining that it was inspired by her rebellious teenage Grateful Dead phase, when her mother would sneak in and chop off her gross, dread-y hair in her sleep to keep her looking neat and clean.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667402/lady-gaga-howard-stern-born-this-way.jhtml

Mariah Carey Matt Damon Mena Suvari Michelle Branch Michelle Trachtenberg

Ke$ha Wants 'Till The World Ends' Remix To 'Take Over Airwaves'

Singer says her collaboration with Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj made a 'supergroup of three hot, strong women.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias

Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News

Earlier this week, Britney Spears, Ke$ha and Nicki Minaj dropped their femme-fatale-friendly remix of the Spears club track "Till the World Ends." The already fun song got super-charged thanks to Minaj's cutting verses and Ke$ha's recognizable vocals.

"I'm a massive fan of both the ladies I share the track with," K told MTV News on Wednesday at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards. "I wrote 'TTWE' for Britney with [producers] Dr. Luke and Max [Martin] and she killed it and I loved it, but I just thought a supergroup of three hot, strong women could just take over the airwaves."

Ke$ha went on to give props to both the ladies. "I'm such a massive fan of Britney and I'm such a massive supporter of Nicki and a fan, and chicks sometimes don't team up. I don't know why, but I'm, like, huge on the girl power, so I just wanted to make a power girl track take over."  

The remix quickly won praise from fans who seem to think the new features step up the song's game. "You know, with the three of us, I wasn't necessarily surprised [people like it] because I'm such a massive fan of Nicki Minaj and obviously with Britney I'm a fan of it, [taking] myself out of the equation," she said. "I'm just happy people like it."  

So did Ke$ha (who once sang backup for Spears) feel any pressure writing a song for Britney? "There was no pressure. Writing for somebody else is really fun 'cause I consider myself a songwriter first and foremost," she explained. "So it was so much fun to put my brain in the sexy Britney Spears brain and express myself almost as if I were possessed by her."

Avril Lavigne Ben Affleck Beyonce Knowles Brad Pitt Britney Spears

Miley Cyrus - When I Look At You

When I Look At You

Artist: Miley Cyrus
Label: Hollywood Records, Universal Music Spain, Vale Music
Director: Marc Roussel

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=2408193&vid=511560

Faith Hill Famke Janssen Gabrielle Reece Gabrielle Union Gena Lee Nolin

Usher - Lil Freak

Lil Freak

Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=497563

Alyssa Milano Angela Lindvall Angelina Jolie Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin

Jared Leto Does ?Blast? Magazine

Today we get to check out a new batch of Jared Leto photos but, surprisingly, they were not shot by his BFF Terry Richardson. Jared is featured in the new issue of Blast magazine and this time he was photographed by Aline & Jacqueline Tappia. The photos below were shot in Paris, France and, as [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/ryzBGC3zduE/

Christina Ricci Christy Turlington Cindy Crawford Claudia Schiffer Daisy Fuentes

Miley Cyrus Rocks 'Saturday Night Live'

Superstar teen lampoons Lindsay Lohan, Justin Bieber and herself on sketch comedy show.
By Shawn Adler

Miley Cyrus on "Saturday Night Live"
Photo: NBC/Broadway Video

For fans of Miley Cyrus last night's "Saturday Night Live" had to seem, like, "pretty cool," as the 18-year-old former Disney Channel Star made her first ever appearance as host on the long running sketch comedy show, alongside musical guest The Strokes.

From the very beginning, Cyrus made it clear she was not above lampooning herself, self-depreciatingly telling viewers during her monologue that "Hannah Montana" was The Disney Channel's version of "Black Swan," before transitioning into "I'm Sorry I'm Not Perfect," a song which managed to walk the fine line of referencing nearly every scandal of the young performer's still burgeoning career without actually apologizing for any of them.

"There's a photo of me dressed like a dude, and Annie Leibovitz tried to get me nude. For those of you who think that's pretty crude, I'm sorry I'm not perfect," Cyrus belted.

"[I] didn't make a dirty tape, and pass it along. Didn't text a dirty picture of [my] dong," she continued, flanked by cast members Bobby Moynihan and Kristen Wiig. "Don't' both of these things seem worse than a bong? I'm sorry I'm not perfect."

The show's midnight centerpiece was, predictably, "The Miley Cyrus Show," which continued SNL's recent tradition of having the target of their hijinks appear alongside the actor lampooning them. In this case, Vanessa Bayer, whose spot-on impersonation of the giggly, hyper-loquacious Cyrus has become a show highlight, made room on her mock talk show for Cyrus herself, who in her best impression of the night played Justin Bieber.

"Did you know I smoked salvia," Bayer as Cyrus said to her guest.

"Well there's no reason that you wouldn't," Cyrus as Bieber replied, looking straight into the camera. "Because it's totally legal, yo!"

The spot offered up further opportunity for Cyrus to be in on the joke, dancing alongside a super sycophantic caricature of her father played by Jason Sudeikis, and laughing as Bayer introduced a 3D film called "Always Say Always" to compete with Bieber's "Never Say Never."

But while she took turns playing Bieber, Lindsay Lohan and Fergie among others, the most daring sketch of the night might have been the one where Cyrus played herself, in a bite the hand that fed you skit called "Disney Channel Acting School."

Alongside Kenan Thompson as Raven Symone, Cyrus offered tips for kids looking to break into the big time with a show on the young adult channel including, "On the Disney Channel, every person has to be the loudest person in the room," and, "In the Disney Channel world, any child is smarter than every adult." Cyrus also showed off some classic moves like "Reacting to Stinky Feet" and "Spying in a Doorway."

What did you think of Cyrus's performance on Saturday Night Live? Which skit was the funniest? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Rebecca Gayheart Rebecca Romijn-Stamos Reese Witherspoon Rena Mero Renee Zellweger

Five Reasons You Need To See 'Attack the Block'

We're more than a little obsessed with "Attack the Block," which crash-lands in theaters today. The film has been a massive hit with UK audiences, and it won the midnight feature award at SXSW this year, along with the best narrative audience award at the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival. We're also willing to bet [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/07/29/attack-the-block-review/

Jessica Simpson Johnny Depp Julia Stiles Kate Hudson Katherine Heigl

Nicki Minaj Is A 'Great Artist,' Britney Spears Says

'I think she has a distinct sound when she raps,' Spears says of Femme Fatale Tour opening act.
By Christina Garibaldi

Britney Spears
Photo: MTV News

When the news that Britney Spears was taking MC Nicki Minaj on the road with her hit, fans — and Brit herself — couldn't have been more excited. The Femme Fatale Tour is now in full swing, with both women bringing their A-game to each performance. And along the way, it seems as if these two have sparked a friendship.

"I think she's great," Spears told MTV News of Minaj. "She's a great artist in every way and I'm really happy for her."

Minaj, who is nominated for three Video Music Awards, brings her own flair to the girl-power tour, adding her eccentric style, her fiery wigs and, of course, her signature beats.

"I think she has a distinct sound when she raps," Spears said. "It really stands out and sets her apart from everyone else. I'm happy she's able to be on tour with me because that's just amazing."

Last month, we caught up with Minaj just before she hit the road with the pop veteran, and she was ready to take that distinct sound to a whole new fanbase.

"I'm just trying to put more theater on that stage. So much to me is music, but it's also about putting on a show, so that's my goal: to truly put on a show and incorporate theater and dance," Minaj said.

And if you're lucky, you might just catch Spears and Minaj teaming up for a special performance of the remix for "Till the World Ends."

"At the end of the show, the last song she comes on every once in awhile," Spears said of Minaj joining her onstage. "Not every show, but it's usually special when she does it."

Will you see Britney and Nicki on tour this summer? Let us know in the comments.

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Photos | Lady Gaga's Leading Men

Lady Gaga's Leading Men

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1663403

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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Usher - Trading Places

Trading Places

Artist: Usher
Label: Zomba/LaFace Records
Director: Chris Robinson
Album: Here I Stand

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=285678

Lucy Liu Madonna Mandy Moore Mariah Carey Matt Damon

Usher - OMG

OMG

Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=498588

Jessica Alba Jessica Simpson Johnny Depp Julia Stiles Kate Hudson

'Crazy, Stupid, Love.': The Reviews Are In!

Critics single out memorable performances by Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell in this 'crazy smart film.'
By Kara Warner

Ryan Gosling in "Crazy, Stupid, Love."
Photo: WB

Although the summer season is packed with big, noisy, CGI-enhanced blockbusters, studio executives are wise to the fact that not everyone wants to see flashy, action-heavy films, so they smartly offer up counter-programming in the form of romantic comedies. This week's star-studded "Crazy, Stupid, Love." is a perfect example, underscored by its 74 percent "fresh" rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

The film revolves around Cal Weaver (Steve Carell), whose wife (Julianne Moore) has recently announced her infidelity (the "other man" is played by Kevin Bacon) and requested a divorce. Cal takes his sorrows to a singles' bar, where he's adopted by local ladies' man Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Jacob educates Cal in the new ways of wooing the ladies, and although Cal picks up some decent skills, his heart is in the wrong place: He's looking for that elusive true love, a soul mate.

Cal is also dealing with the fact that his adolescent son Robbie (Jonah Bobo) is in love with his teenage babysitter (Analeigh Tipton), who in turn is in love with Cal. Meanwhile, Jacob eventually realizes that he's still pining for the woman (Emma Stone) who got away.

Critics seem to be most pleased with the film's ensemble cast, with only a few grumbles about clichéd plot twists and turns. Without further ado, let's dive into the "Crazy, Stupid, Love." reviews.

The Story
"Just because it stars smart actors and isn't aggressively dumb doesn't automatically make it good, and while 'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' works in fits and starts, its wildly inconsistent tone and Dan Fogelman's overwritten screenplay make it too frustrating to properly enjoy. Every time one of the many plot threads hits its stride, another careens wildly out of control, leading up to a conclusion so clichéd it seems the movie has moved into parody." — Katey Rich, Cinema Blend

Ensemble Cast and Performances
"Frequently, the zaniness stops and some genuinely impressive acting breaks out. The accomplished Moore is an obvious candidate and, even in a confined role, she delivers — here a nervous look, there a tender gesture. Cast against type, his customarily troubled characters, Gosling is all dressed up (and occasionally undressed) in a fashion guaranteed to set hearts aflutter. But the guy is too skilled to settle for a hunky stereotype; rather, he rescues the roué from cliché by adding a certain delicacy, a repressed yet palpable sensitivity. ... Although not in their performing league, Carell is blessed to have a faint hint of Buster Keaton in his otherwise handsome face — a mug whose deadpan stare is fraught with comic nuance. Even the kid actor is a cut above here. Jonah Bobo brings to Robbie that adolescent knack of travelling at warp speed from deep cynicism to idealistic innocence." — Rick Groen, The Globe and Mail

The Final Word
"It's hard to ignore the fact that very little in the movie feels true — no one clicks as a couple, and there are carefully contrived coincidences around every corner. ... But while the filmmakers bungle the romance, they handle the comedy with skillful precision. I laughed all the way through, thanks to both consistently clever dialogue and deft delivery from Carell and Gosling, who clearly relished a chance to flex his comic muscles." — Elizabeth Weitzman, Daily News

"This film is the total of all its parts, from the string-bean beauty Tipton to the sly adolescent Bobo and all the veterans. It's notable that no one — not even Bacon's character — is a villain in this film. They're all just people looking for, wrestling with and falling in love. ... This is the sort of film that Oscar generally ignores come awards season. It shouldn't. "Crazy, Stupid, Love," is a crazy smart film." — Tom Long, Detroit News

Check out everything we've got on "Crazy, Stupid, Love."

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

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'Crazy, Stupid, Love' Charms At The New York City Premiere

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668179/crazy-stupid-love-reviews.jhtml

Alyssa Milano Angela Lindvall Angelina Jolie Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin

Usher - OMG

OMG

Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=551930

Ricky Martin Salma Hayek Sandra Bullock Shakira Shania Twain

New Led Zeppelin On The Way? Jason Bonham Hints At 'Jam' Sessions With Jimmy Page -- But Not Robert Plant

Drummer admits he doesn't know what will come of 'new material.'
By Chris Harris

Jason Bonham
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

On Friday morning, mere hours before he was due to take the stage with classic rockers Foreigner at Detroit's GM Renaissance Center, drummer Jason Bonham — the son of late Led Zeppelin kitman John Bonham — told Jim Johnson and Lynne Woodison of local rock station 94.7 WCSX that he'd be an ex-member of Foreigner as of September 1. But that's not the only thing he said.

Much to the delight of Led Zeppelin fans everywhere, Bonham revealed that he's been meeting up with Led Zep guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones in recent months and that they've been "trying to do some new material and writing."

It was the first time since Led Zeppelin announced they would re-form for a single performance (which happened late last year at London's O2 Arena, in honor of the late Ahmet Ertegün, who signed the band to Atlantic Records in 1969) that anyone connected to the band has confirmed publicly that new music could be on the horizon for the iconic rockers. While the bandmembers have stopped short of definitively ruling out such a reunion, singer Robert Plant insisted in the wake of last year's show that he intended to focus on promoting and touring behind his critically lauded album with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.

Not that Bonham knows what — if anything — will happen with the new material he's been working on with Page (who collaborated with pop singer Leona Lewis on an uneven version of Zep's "Whole Lotta Love" at the Olympic closing ceremonies in Beijing on Sunday night) and Jones. He said he just shows up and takes his seat behind the kit.

"I've been over [to England] a couple of times," Bonham said. "I've been working with Jimmy and John Paul and trying to do ... some new material and some writing. I don't know what it will be, but it will be something. At the moment, all I know is I have the great pleasure to go and jam with the two guys and start work on some material. When I get there, I never ask any questions. If I get a phone call to go and play, I enjoy every moment of it. Whatever it ends up as, to ever get a chance to jam with two people like that, it is a phenomenal thing for me. It's my life. It's what I've dreamed about doing."

He said it's still too early to tell what will become of these "jam" sessions, but admitted that the "possibility of doing something is in the cards. I really felt it was in the cards from the moment we walked offstage at the O2." Bonham also explained that, before there could be a Led Zep LP, "lots of politics [would need to] get ironed out," but added that recording with Zep is "something I've always wanted to do."

Bonham noticeably didn't mention frontman Plant's name during the discussion. A spokesperson for Page's management had no comment on the matter, and a spokesperson for Jones' management could not be reached by press time.

Mariah Carey Matt Damon Mena Suvari Michelle Branch Michelle Trachtenberg

Photos | MTV Buzzworthy: Lady Gaga's Craziest Hairstyles

MTV Buzzworthy: Lady Gaga's Craziest Hairstyles

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1663676

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Amy Winehouse's Death: Family Suspects Alcohol Withdrawal

Unnamed family sources tell English tabloid The Sun that singer quit drinking cold turkey.
By Gil Kaufman

Amy Winehouse
Photo: Marc Broussely/ Redferns

There have been many conflicting reports of what caused Amy Winehouse's death on Saturday. While initial autopsy results were inconclusive and the outcome of further toxicology tests will not be available for several more weeks, a report out of England is raising new questions about what might have killed the troubled singer.

Winehouse, who famously struggled with drugs and alcohol during her rocket ride to fame in 2006-2007, was drug-free for the past three years, according to statements from her father, Mitch Winehouse. But the 27-year-old star appeared to still be struggling with alcohol, and unnamed family sources told English tabloid The Sun that it might have been Amy's cold-turkey approach to quitting drinking that did her in.

The sources said Winehouse's decision to give up drinking entirely for three weeks might have given a lethal "shock" to her system. "Abstinence gave her body such a fright they thought it was eventually the cause of her death," the source said.

Click for photos of Amy Winehouse's life and career.

"[Amy's father, Mitch] said doctors had told Amy to gradually reduce her intake of alcohol and to avoid bingeing at all costs. Amy told him she couldn't do that. It was all or nothing, and she gave up completely ... Mitch said the shock of giving up, after everything she had been through over a bad few years, was just too much for her to take."

The family has reportedly speculated that Winehouse died as a result of a seizure because her small frame could not withstand such a dramatic withdrawal. People magazine reported that it had confirmed the family's speculation about the cause of death.

On Sunday, the singer's U.K. representative, Chris Goodman, told TMZ that Winehouse was found alone in her bed by a bodyguard who had been hired to keep an eye on her. "She was in her bedroom after saying she wanted to sleep, and when he went to wake her he found she wasn't breathing," Goodman said. "He called the emergency services straight away. He was very shocked. At this stage no one knows how she died. She died alone in bed."

MTV News asked Dr. Sam Zakhari, director of the Division of Metabolism and Health Effects at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, if it's possible for someone to have this kind of reaction to stopping alcohol intake. Dr. Zakhari, who did not treat Winehouse and has no firsthand knowledge of her case, spoke in general terms about the scenario described by the unnamed source.

"People who drink heavily or who are alcoholics and stop all of a sudden may have withdrawal symptoms that range from agitation to intense anxiety to tremors, seizures, convulsions and delusions," said Dr. Zakhari. "In rare cases, it can affect the heart and cause cardiac standstill (heart stoppage), but that's in very rare cases."

Dr. Zakhari said it's difficult to say with any certainty if quitting cold turkey could cause a collapse, because there are many factors that play into that scenario. "You have to look at their nutritional status, family history of heart problems, whether they are using other medications that can interact with alcohol, whether they abuse other substances," he said. "The accurate answer is that we don't know if something like this is due to stopping drinking alcohol because the result depends on such a multitude of factors."

Dr. Dan Hall-Slavin, a psychiatrist and a consultant in addiction at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, agreed that it's possible, but not common for someone who quits drinking to have such drastic health effects. "There is a phenomenon called 'kindling,' where withdrawals from alcohol can get worse and worse over time," said Dr. Hall-Slavin, who also had no firsthand knowledge of the Winehouse case and was speaking in general terms.

"From a clinical standpoint, you never tell anyone who has been actively drinking to just stop until they get into a monitored setting because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and while some can stop and not experience problems, others with a previous history of alcohol withdrawal can experience very serious symptoms like seizures and a severe withdrawal called Delirium Tremens, where your temperature goes up, you become dehydrated, and you can die in that state."

Sometimes, people who suffer a seizure in private can aspirate the contents of their stomach and die, but different factors can also play in, such as other health issues that result from daily drinking at high volumes and the short and longer-term consequences to the cardiovascular system from use of stimulants such as cocaine.

"The other factor is that alcohol is more toxic for women at lower doses over a shorter period of time than for men," Hall-Slavin noted. "It's partly how alcohol is distributed and metabolized in the body."

Will You Remember Winehouse More For Her Music Or Troubles? Tell Us on Facebook.

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Miley Cyrus - Party In The U.S.A.

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Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber To Attend Teen Choice Awards

Show, airing live on Fox on August 7, will be hosted by 'Big Bang Theory' star Kaley Cuoco.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
Photo: Getty Images

The Teen Choice Awards have found their host. "Big Bang Theory" star Kaley Cuoco has been tapped to MC the big night, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Cuoco herself is up for Choice TV Actress: Comedy. Her show is up for Choice TV Show: Comedy and her co-star, Jim Parsons, is up for Choice TV Actor: Comedy.

Keeping the girl-power theme going, five-time nominee Selena Gomez has been slated to perform on the show along with her band, the Scene. Jason Derülo has also been billed as one of the performers for the show, which airs live from Los Angeles on August 7 on Fox.

Gomez's boy, Justin Bieber (who is up for five surfboards at the show), will be in attendance, as will Cameron Diaz, Chris Hemsworth, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Victoria Justice, Ed Helms, Lucy Hale, Shaun White, Rose Byrne, Paul Wesley, "Harry Potter" star Tom Felton, Kat Graham, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Shane West.

In addition to the already announced set of Teen Choice Awards nominees, which were released in two batches in June and again earlier this month, the nominees for the final category of Choice Vampire have also been announced. "Vampire Diaries" stars Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley face off against "Twilight" stars Robert Pattinson and Nikki Reed as well as the only nominee from "True Blood," Alexander Skarsgård.

"The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" is the big nominee at the show with 12 nods, including Choice Movie: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Choice Movie Actor: Sci-Fi/Fantasy for both Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner and Choice Movie Actress: Sci-Fi/Fantasy for Kristen Stewart.

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Friday, July 29, 2011

Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, More Celebrate VMA Nominations On Twitter

Katy Perry, Pitbull, Tyler, the Creator, Kreayshawn and more also tweet their excitement over VMA nods.
By James Montgomery

Chris Brown
Photo: Getty Images

After joining MTV News' Sway live in Seattle to announce the nominations for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday night, Katy Perry wasn't done celebrating her own nine nods. The California Gurl was one of several celebs who took to Twitter to express their joy over landing a VMA nomination.

Odd Future main man Tyler, the Creator, who surprised most by landing nominations for Best New Artist and Video of the Year, could barely contain his excitement, filling his Twitter feed with celebratory messages like, "This sh-- is crazy. Like, my goal life list is just being checked off. And I'm barely 20. What the f---!"

Bruno Mars — who is up for four Moonmen — thanked MTV for his nods, and then gave props to "America's Best Dance Crew" troupe Poreotics, who appear in his nominated "Lazy Song" video.

Kreayshawn and Big Sean — both of whom will face off against Tyler in the Best New Artist category — also jumped on Twitter after learning they were nominated, "Omg! Nominated for best new artist for the VMAs! Fanatical fantastical!" Kreay wrote. And Sean chimed in with a succinct, "I'm nominated for the MTV VMA's! F--- yeah."

Elsewhere, multiple nominees Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown thanked fans for their support. Red-hot rapper Pitbull was counting the days until the big show, writing, "So excited to be nominated for a 2011 VMA I can't wait until Aug 28th for the Big Day #VMA."

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Justin Bieber Plans His Summer Vacation

'With the time off, I'm able to think, pray and just kind of grow up,' Bieber says.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber
Photo: FilmMagic

Despite being spotted hitting the studio earlier this week with Chris Brown, Justin Bieber just revealed that he has plans to take some time off this summer. After spending the last few years touring, recording and being beyond famous, he plans to spend the summer much like any other 17-year-old.

"I've been working so hard, I'm taking a month off," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "It's been great to just think and enjoy hanging out with my friends. I'm still growing up, and when you're working every day, you don't really get a chance to figure out who you are. So with the time off, I'm able to think, pray and just kind of grow up."

That growing-up time has included some karaoke sessions with his lady love, Selena Gomez, and crashing weddings with her as well. He also explained that he's doing something equally normal: staying in bed. "For sure [I'll be resting]," he said. "I've been sleeping in a lot."

Earlier this summer, he told MTV News that his favorite thing to do when he does get some time off is grill. Bieber is an avid BBQ pit master. "Favorite thing to do in the summer?" he pondered for a moment. "Have barbecues."

"I can barbecue. I mean, I don't make the sauce very well, but I can grill," he explained enthusiastically. "No, [I can't cook]. I can just grill and stuff."

Once he does wrap up that well-deserved time off, his work on his forthcoming album continues. It's a project that's been long-simmering for the teen superstar. "[I'm] writing about how I feel and producing. I've been producing on my laptop and on my computer," he said. "I've been really into it and, hopefully, this next album will be huge."

"I've done a lot on my acoustic guitar, so it's gonna have that vibe," he continued. "I'm not gonna really limit myself. I think music is music, and genre — I mean, I know there's country music, there's rock music, but my music is different. My voice is not meant for any style. I just want to make music."

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First Look: ?The Ides Of March? Releases A First Movie Poster

Earlier this year we saw photos of co-stars Ryan Gosling and George Clooney on the set of their new political thriller The Ides of March. Today we get our first look at the first poster for the film. As you can see below, the poster features a clever mash-up of Gosling‘s face with Clooney‘s face [...]

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Robert Pattinson's Edward 'Becomes A Man' In 'Breaking Dawn'

Director Bill Condon says 'Twilight' star deftly tackles finale's most emotional scenes.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Robert Pattinson
Photo: Summit Entertainment

"Twilight" fans who've already read the best-selling books upon which the films are based have a sense of what to expect from the final two films when they hit theaters. Specifically, what emotional ups and downs will unfold onscreen, and which characters will be most impacted.

"Breaking Dawn" director Bill Condon recently revealed to MTV News what he predicts will be the most emotional moments in the final installments. He also opened up about how stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have tackled the acting challenges presented to their characters, Bella and Edward. (Spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the books.)

"There's this really quiet moment when Bella discovers that she's pregnant and Edward leaves the room having said, 'Carlisle will get that thing out of you,' " Condon recalled, "and she realizes, 'Oh my god, I've got trouble ahead.'

"Edward, the person she's been longing for all this time is actually on the other side of this very basic issue about this baby that's growing inside of her, and she puts all that aside and she turns and she has a moment where she catches herself in this mirror. It's actually a scene, just Kristen alone, where she falls in love with the idea of being a mother and it's just simple, but I think it's very moving."

Condon went on to say that Pattinson's work in the film is equally moving, noting how much he has evolved as an actor. "[Edward] really becomes an adult [in this film]," Condon said. "In the beginning, he has this beautiful toast to [Bella] where he talks about, 'You're so lucky if you find that one person who can see you for who you are and still accept you and allow you to move beyond who you've been.' And that's what Rob does in this movie," the director added, "He sort of puts aside Edward's self-loathing and all that stuff and actually becomes a man.

"So at the end, when Bella's given birth and she's died and he's trying to bring her back, there is stuff in there where the camera just holds him for a long time where he's just doing everything he can think of to make her live and to beg her to live," Condon revealed. "It's just really powerful."

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Katy Perry, Adele And More 2011 VMA Nominees ... Possibly

Bigger Than the Sound tries to predict the nominees for this year's Video Music Awards.
By James Montgomery

Katy Perry
Photo: Amy Sussman/ Getty Images

I've been told that the nominations for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards -- which air live Sunday, August 28, at 9 p.m. ET on MTV -- are going to be announced on MTV and MTV.com on Wednesday night (July 20) at 11 p.m ET, and that means you should probably get ready for a whole lot of Katy Perry. And Adele. And Britney Spears. And Lady Gaga. Oh, and Rihanna too.

That's because, to paraphrase Beyoncé (oh yeah, she'll probably get nominated too), it's been girls who've run the world in 2011, and the VMAs will probably be no exception. Perry — who has basically been unstoppable since last summer — figures to be the most nominated artist, with this year's breakout star, Adele, close behind. Britney, Gaga and all the rest figure to be in the hunt too. In fact, one has to wonder if the folks behind the show will just go ahead and eliminate the Best Male Video category altogether. More room for the ladies that way.

Of course, we won't know for sure until those nominations are officially revealed, but while we wait, I figured it was time to dust off the old Prognostication Cap and try to predict the 2011 VMA nominees in advance. I've done this for seemingly every awards show in the past, and sometimes I even manage to avoid embarrassing myself completely (not always, though).

So without any advance knowledge — and using as many sweeping generalizations as humanly possible — here are my picks for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Accuracy not entirely guaranteed.

Best Male Video
In a year dominated by females, I suppose someone has to win Best Male Video. I think it's a given that Bruno Mars, Chris Brown and Eminem all land nods here, and I suspect Justin Bieber will sneak in too, if only because it builds off his Best New Artist win last year. The fifth spot is up for grabs, though in a pinch, I'll go with Pitbull, if only because of the recent success of "Give Me Everything." Lupe Fiasco or Trey Songz are also viable choices. My picks:

» Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
» Chris Brown, "She Ain't You"
» Eminem feat. Rihanna, "Love The Way You Lie"
» Justin Bieber, "U Smile"
» Pitbull, "Give Me Everything"

Best Female Video
Sure, Video of the Year is the night's biggest award, but given the success of every artist with a pair of X chromosomes, the Best Female Video might be the toughest — and not just to win. Predicting who even gets nominated is a challenge, considering there are only five spots available. Adele and Katy Perry seem mortal locks, and Rihanna is close. Britney will probably earn a nom too, which means that either Beyoncé, Lady Gaga or Nicki Minaj will be left on the outside looking in. Told you this was going to be tough. My picks:

» Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"
» Britney Spears, "Hold It Against Me"
» Beyoncé, "Run the World (Girls)"
» Katy Perry, "E.T."
» Rihanna, "S&M"

Best Rock Video
My official title at MTV News is "rock editor," but even I had a hard time coming up with five nominees here. Since 30 Seconds to Mars won last year, I suspect they'll be back to defend their crown. Folks were excited about the Foo Fighters' return, so pencil them in too. Mumford & Sons may very well be the year's most unexpected success, which should earn them a nod. The other two slots? I'm not gonna lie, I just picked names out of a hat.

» 30 Seconds to Mars, "Hurricane"
» Foo Fighters, "Rope"
» Foster the People, "Pumped Up Kicks"
» Linkin Park, "Waiting for the End"
» Mumford & Sons, "Little Lion Man"

Best Hip-Hop Video
A wide-open category, and one that raises several questions: Can Eminem win for the second year in a row? Will Nicki Minaj manage to bum-rush the boys' club? Is Kanye West's epic "Runaway" mini-movie even eligible? I'm not going to pretend to know all the answers, but it certainly makes for an interesting field. In the end, I left Em off — since "Love the Way You Lie" was released in such a nebulous time (August 2010, a month before last year's VMAs and a full 12 months before this year's) — and went with the Beastie Boys, since I have a creeping suspicion they'll earn a nod or two, and this seems as logical a place as any. Nicki and Kanye are in (though I went with the latter's "Monster" video), and so is Lil Wayne. For the last spot, I went with Lupe Fiasco, though it wouldn't surprise me to see Tyler, the Creator here instead.

» Beastie Boys, "Make Some Noise"
» Kanye West (featuring Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Bon Iver and Nicki Minaj), "Monster"
» Lil Wayne (featuring Cory Gunz), "6 Foot 7 Foot"
» Lupe Fiasco, "The Show Goes On"
» Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass"

Best Pop Video
Another big-time category, another bunch of deserving artists destined to be left out. I like Britney's, Katy's and Gaga's chances, and I'll toss Rihanna into the mix too. For the fifth spot, I went with Bruno Mars, since, otherwise, this category would basically just be Best Female Video, Part II. Of course, in doing that, I excluded Adele, Beyoncé, Ke$ha and about a dozen other worthy acts too. Prognostication is hard work, people.

» Britney Spears, "Hold It Against Me"
» Bruno Mars, "Grenade"
» Katy Perry, "E.T."
» Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"
» Rihanna, "S&M"

Best New Artist
Who will follow in the footsteps of Biebus Christ (and Lady Gaga) and take home the Moonman for Best New Artist? Good question! This is always one of the hardest categories to predict, and this year is no different: The only sure things seem to be Mumford & Sons and Wiz Khalifa, and though Robyn isn't exactly new, she's new enough here (and made some terrific strides over the past 12 months), so I think she's a lock. In a pinch, I'll pick Foster the People (big radio hit) and Tyler, the Creator (big buzz), though Kreayshawn could sneak in too.

» Foster the People
» Mumford & Sons
» Robyn
» Tyler, the Creator
» Wiz Khalifa

Video of the Year
Last year's Video of the Year race featured a trio of underdogs — 30 Seconds to Mars, B.o.B, Florence and the Machine — thrown into the mix. Will 2011 follow suit? Probably not. Adele seems to be a no-brainer, even if most folks have never seen the video for "Rolling in the Deep." Katy, too, but it remains to be seen which of her videos gets the nod. (I went with "Firework." It's mad inspirational.) Em will be back — though one has to wonder if "Love the Way You Lie" peaked too early to be considered a genuine front-runner — and Gaga should return also. I went dark-horse with my fifth pick, taking the Foo Fighters' "Rope" over bigger clips from Beyoncé and Rihanna, mostly because I've got a sweet spot for VHS.

» Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"
» Eminem (featuring Rihanna), "Love the Way You Lie"
» Foo Fighters, "Rope"
» Katy Perry, "Firework"
» Lady Gaga, "Born This Way"

Did we get it right? Share your picks in the comments!

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Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray's Trial To Be Televised

Judge rules that camera will be allowed in the courtroom for manslaughter case.
By Gil Kaufman

Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images

For what promises to be one of the most bizarre and riveting legal proceedings in years, a Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that a television camera will be allowed in the courtroom when Michael Jackson's doctor goes on trial for involuntary manslaughter.

Reuters reported that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, approved the presence of a camera in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray as long as it does not interfere with the proceedings in the closely watched case.

The judge asked for the "absolute least-intrusive placement" of a TV camera in the courtroom, but blocked cameras from documenting jury selection.

Pastor also announced that he would bump up the opening date of the trail by four days to March 24, at which point jury selection will begin. Murray, who faces up to four years in prison if convicted, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the trial is expected to last around six weeks.

Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician in the run-up to the King of Pop's planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided Jackson, 50, with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.

TMZ reported on Tuesday (February 8) that Murray's lawyers plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died and that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing. Unnamed sources close to the case told the gossip site that at the time of his death, Jackson's body was already failing him in part because concert promoter AEG Live had "driven [him] over the edge" with a rigorous rehearsal schedule for the shows.

Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to call witnesses to say that Jackson was not showing up for rehearsals and when he did he showed "clear signs" of frail health. They also reportedly plan to argue that it was Jackson who administered the final, fatal dose of propofol to himself while Murray was out of the room.

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Britney Spears Hosts As Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, More Bring Wango Tango To L.A.

Pitbull, Matthew Morrison, Selena Gomez, Far East Movement and others filled the Staples Center on Saturday night.
By Matt Elias

Britney Spears hosts KIIS FM's Wango Tango 2011 on Saturday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Britney Spears makes headlines at concerts, even when she's not performing. That's probably why Los Angeles radio station KIIS FM tapped the pop princess to guest-host their annual Wango Tango music festival along with Ryan Seacrest on Saturday night at the Staples Center.

The bill was a balance of pop and hip-hop, with acts like Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Selena Gomez, "Glee" 's Matthew Morrison, Lupe Fiasco, T-Pain, Jason Derülo, Far East Movement, New Boyz, Cobra Starship and newcomer Cody Simpson.

Backstage, the media room went into a frenzy when Spears arrived in a red, geometric-print dress and a beaming smile. Owning her "femme fatale" moniker, Spears worked the carpet for a few moments while all of the cameras in the room were pointing at her. It was the second red carpet appearance by Brit this week, after her Beverly Hills benefit on Wednesday night for the St. Bernard Project.

Check out photos from Wango Tango 2011.

Spears' Femme Fatale collaborator Ke$ha, who was returning to the festival for the second time, said that an onstage collab between to the two would have to require one thing.

"That would have to include me finding her and attacking her," Ke$ha told MTV News, with the best intentions. "I'm planning on pouncing her."

While that never happened, at least not onstage, Ke$ha delivered on her promise of a set heavy on her glitter gun. And she assured us she knew the dos and don'ts of handling that kind of firepower.

"Do not spray yourself in the face with it," she said. "Do spray everybody else with it. That's pretty much it."

While Joe Jonas wasn't performing at the show, he took a break from recording his solo debut to catch up with almost everyone backstage.

"I didn't see Britney backstage, just said 'hello' to a couple of my friends," Jonas said. "Backstage is always [full of] people, especially having it at the Staples Center this time, I think compared to all the way out in the desert, it changes everything."

Also happy to have Wango Tango in Los Angeles were locals Far East Movement.

"Man, we grew up literally a few blocks away from here, and you can only imagine basketball games being played here," Kev Nish said. "So to come in here as performers, to be able to do our songs in this arena is a little crazy. We used to pass out CDs a few blocks [away], so we're very thankful. And the lineup is nuts, so we're extremely excited to be a part of this lineup."