With her impressive awards-season run so far, ‘The Help’ star Octavia Spencer has this category wrapped up. By Kara Warner Octavia Spencer in “The Help” Photo: DreamWorks The nominees in this year’s Oscar race for Best Supporting Actress, along with their respective nominated films, might be one of the most diverse groups of women to be recognized in recent years, and yet each and every one of the five ladies nominated has a thing or two in common in the fact that they all delivered scene-stealing and perhaps career-making performances in four very different films. The only downside to the announcement of this category’s winner come Sunday night is the fact that there can be only one. Of the very talented, worthy ladies up for Best Supporting Actress — B
Crow will star in Nickelodeon musical comedy pilot and release album on Columbia Records. By Gil Kaufman Contestant Rachel Crow appears on X-Factor Photo: Fox After one of the most famous elimination breakdowns in reality singing competition history, “X Factor” finalist Rachel Crow has bounced back in a major way. The curly-haired cutie who charmed America during her run on the first American season of the Simon Cowell-created show has not only landed a record deal, but she’s also prepping her TV series debut. Though she went out in fifth place on “Factor,” Crow has become the sixth top finisher from the show to land a recording contract, following in the footsteps of $5 million winner Melanie Amaro, Chris Rene, Astro, Marcus Canty and runner-up Josh Krajcik. According to The Hollywood Reporter , Crow has signed a talent deal with Nickelodeon (which, like MTV, is owned by Viacom Inc.) that will have her starring in her own as-yet-unnamed musical comedy series pilot. She’s also signed a recording deal with Columbia Records. “It’s been amazing,” she told the Reporter about her post “Factor” ride. “A couple days after the elimination I just found myself sitting home asking myself, ‘What am I going to do now?’ And I never would’ve thought that this is what I was going do now. So, it’s pretty amazing. I’m very thankful and I feel very blessed to have all this.” In addition to the Nickelodeon pilot, Crow has also been given a recurring role on the network’s new series, “Fred: The show,” which stars
‘Justin Bieber: Just Getting Started’ is due for release in September. By Gil Kaufman Justin Bieber Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images While they eagerly await the release of his upcoming album, Believe , Beliebers will have to make do with
Fellow ‘Idol’ judge Jennifer Lopez dishes to MTV News about working alongside ‘most positive’ person. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Jim Cantiello Jennifer Lopez Photo: MTV News As season 11 of “American Idol” chugs along, it’s clear that Jennifer Lopez , Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler have found their footing and place with one another. The threesome is already into their second season as the show’s brain trust, and J.Lo is revealing just what makes sharing the judging panel with “Idol” vet Jackson so great. “He has all different kinds of sunglasses. There was one pair where I was like, ‘Those are too big … those are just too big!’ and he’s like, ‘I love these,’ ” she laughed to MTV News during a recent chat about the Fox reality singing competition. “The thing I love about Randy is he’s always so positive, even when he gives negative criticism on the show, ’cause he’s the hardest of all of us.” While Jackson is straight up when it comes to his feelings about the contestants’ talent — or lack thereof — it’s his cool “dawg” demeanor that makes his criticism a much easier pill to swallow. “He’ll straight-out tell you that was awful. We won’t say it,” she said, adding that she and Tyler don’t verbalize their feelings as straightforwardly. “Even though he’s that guy, he’s the most positive and the most great-energy person ever. He can laugh at himself so genuinely at the same time. He’s just an amazing person.” As amazing as his judging style is Jackson’s aforementioned sense of style, which reaches far beyond spectacles. “And he loves crazy sunglasses and I love them on him. Without the glasses, it’s not really Randy — that and the shoes. He has a crazy taste in those things, like a little bit out there,” she said. “Not mad at that.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Jennifer Lopez Related Artists Randy Jackson Jennifer Lopez
RedFoo and Sky Blu throw epic house party in cartoon-like clip featuring David Hasselhoff. By Jocelyn Vena LMFAO Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images First they had us shufflin’. Then they introduced us to the wiggle. And for their latest video , for the club-thumping track “Sorry for Party Rocking,” the guys of LMFAO are throwing the ultimate cartoon-like house party. The clip, which premiered Monday night, opens with an older couple (played by LMFAO’s Sky Blu and RedFoo) arguing over the ruckus of a nearby house party, hosted by LMFAO’s very own Sky and Red. When the older gentleman makes his way over to the party to complain, he gets the door slammed in his face. Inside the party, the guys and their colorful crew are wearing their animal-print and neon-colored clothes, dancing and drinking the night away. When they refuse to shut down the party, the older man calls the police. But instead of shutting it down, they join the madness. So does everyone else: from pizza delivery guys and sexy nurses to truck drivers and David Hasselhoff (who appeared with the guys onstage during their 2011 American Music Awards performance). And, while the older man is trying to shut the party down, he finds his wife inside enjoying the festivities. Who could not be charmed by a house party thrown by Red and Sky? As the video begins to come to a close, RedFoo falls over from all the good times. When he is whisked away by an ambulance, he drops his phone, which is later picked up by someone who begins to party rock to “Anthem.” Christopher “Kid” Reid (from Kid’N’Play , who know a thing or two about house parties) arrives at the scene as the party seems to be winding down to complain about all the noise. In the final seconds, the video very quickly references the hospital scene that opens the group’s very memorable “Party Rock Anthem” video , where they fought off a zombie-like dancing epidemic. Perhaps this party had something to do with the origins of the plague in that video. Directed by Mickey Finnegan (who directed “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It” as well as clips for Cee Lo Green and Soulja Boy), the whole video takes place in a world made up of cardboard cutouts and animations, making it a surreal escape. The video includes smooth dances moves from former “America’s Best Dance Crew” dance crews Quest Crew and the Beat Freaks. What do you think of LMFAO’s new video? Leave your comment below! Related Artists Lmfao
RedFoo and Sky Blu throw epic house party in cartoon-like clip featuring David Hasselhoff. By Jocelyn Vena LMFAO Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images First they had us shufflin’. Then they introduced us to the wiggle. And for their latest video , for the club-thumping track “Sorry for Party Rocking,” the guys of LMFAO are throwing the ultimate cartoon-like house party. The clip, which premiered Monday night, opens with an older couple (played by LMFAO’s Sky Blu and RedFoo) arguing over the ruckus of a nearby house party, hosted by LMFAO’s very own Sky and Red. When the older gentleman makes his way over to the party to complain, he gets the door slammed in his face. Inside the party, the guys and their colorful crew are wearing their animal-print and neon-colored clothes, dancing and drinking the night away. When they refuse to shut down the party, the older man calls the police. But instead of shutting it down, they join the madness. So does everyone else: from pizza delivery guys and sexy nurses to truck drivers and David Hasselhoff (who appeared with the guys onstage during their 2011 American Music Awards performance). And, while the older man is trying to shut the party down, he finds his wife inside enjoying the festivities. Who could not be charmed by a house party thrown by Red and Sky? As the video begins to come to a close, RedFoo falls over from all the good times. When he is whisked away by an ambulance, he drops his phone, which is later picked up by someone who begins to party rock to “Anthem.” Christopher “Kid” Reid (from Kid’N’Play , who know a thing or two about house parties) arrives at the scene as the party seems to be winding down to complain about all the noise. In the final seconds, the video very quickly references the hospital scene that opens the group’s very memorable “Party Rock Anthem” video , where they fought off a zombie-like dancing epidemic. Perhaps this party had something to do with the origins of the plague in that video. Directed by Mickey Finnegan (who directed “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy and I Know It” as well as clips for Cee Lo Green and Soulja Boy), the whole video takes place in a world made up of cardboard cutouts and animations, making it a surreal escape. The video includes smooth dances moves from former “America’s Best Dance Crew” dance crews Quest Crew and the Beat Freaks. What do you think of LMFAO’s new video? Leave your comment below! Related Artists Lmfao
MTV News’ resident Lohan defender explains how returning to ‘Saturday Night Live’ may be the first step in her career comeback. By John Mitchell Lindsay Lohan Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images I’ve long been a defender of Linsday Lohan . I root for her success and am eternally hopeful — and thus often disappointed — that she will get it together. When people slam her, mock her long, long list of troubles , I can always be called upon to email them a link to Robert Downey Jr.’s biography, which has many parallels to Lohan’s but differs because it also contains the phrase “.357-caliber Magnum handgun.” Downey’s list of troubles easily eclipses Lohan’s (at this point, anyway), but he managed to fully recover and go on to become one of the biggest stars on the planet, starring in enormous box-office hits like “Iron Man” and “Sherlock Holmes” and earning Oscar nominations for films like “Tropic Thunder.” She’s not entirely out of the woods just yet, but she’s been earning “glowing” reports on her probation progress and was recently announced as the host of “Saturday Night Live” on March 3. A series of good signs and the first truly positive news out of Camp Lohan in a long time. When word of Lohan’s hosting stint on “SNL” was announced, I was incredibly pleased. For many reasons, it seems like a smart move, and if she pulls it off, it could be the first step (of many necessary steps) toward a real career comeback. Here’s why:
MTV News’ resident Lohan defender explains how returning to ‘Saturday Night Live’ may be the first step in her career comeback. By John Mitchell Lindsay Lohan Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images I’ve long been a defender of Linsday Lohan . I root for her success and am eternally hopeful — and thus often disappointed — that she will get it together. When people slam her, mock her long, long list of troubles , I can always be called upon to email them a link to Robert Downey Jr.’s biography, which has many parallels to Lohan’s but differs because it also contains the phrase “.357-caliber Magnum handgun.” Downey’s list of troubles easily eclipses Lohan’s (at this point, anyway), but he managed to fully recover and go on to become one of the biggest stars on the planet, starring in enormous box-office hits like “Iron Man” and “Sherlock Holmes” and earning Oscar nominations for films like “Tropic Thunder.” She’s not entirely out of the woods just yet, but she’s been earning “glowing” reports on her probation progress and was recently announced as the host of “Saturday Night Live” on March 3. A series of good signs and the first truly positive news out of Camp Lohan in a long time. When word of Lohan’s hosting stint on “SNL” was announced, I was incredibly pleased. For many reasons, it seems like a smart move, and if she pulls it off, it could be the first step (of many necessary steps) toward a real career comeback. Here’s why:
Grammy-winner Adele adds two trophies to her collection, while Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars and Coldplay also nabbed awards on Tuesday. By Jocelyn Vena Adele wins at the Brit Awards 2012 Photo: Dave M. Benett/ Getty Images On Tuesday (February 21), some of the biggest names in the music business headed to London’s O2 Arena for the 2012 Brit Awards , where Adele , Rihanna and Bruno Mars were among the stars who took home prizes. Grammy winner Adele added to her award collection by nabbing two Brits, including British Female Solo Artist and the night’s big prize, Mastercard British Album of the Year, for 21. And on Wednesday, the U.K. singer will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her chart-topping 21. “It’s been an amazing year,” she told the room as she accepted the Female Solo Artist prize. She then joked to presenter Kylie Minogue, “I feel like a drag queen next to you,” before thanking her record label for “for letting me be the kind of artist I want to be.” There were also live performances from Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Rihanna and, of course, Adele, who sang “Rolling in the Deep” just a little over a week since her Grammy performance . Meanwhile, just as One Direction seems poised for a U.S. takeover the U.K. boy band nabbed a British Single award for their track “What Makes You Beautiful,” which was released in the States last week. Rihanna and Bruno Mars won International Female Solo Artist and International Male Solo Artist, respectively. “[Thanks to] all my fans who continue to support me no matter what,” said Rihanna, who made headlines on Tuesday (February 21) by adding Chris Brown to her “Birthday Cake” remix . Coldplay took home the British Group prize for the third time. On the other end of the spectrum, Grammy winners the Foo Fighters beat out folks like Jay-Z and Kanye West (a.k.a. the Throne), Lady Antebellum and Maroon 5 to win International Group. Lana Del Rey won the International Breakthrough Act award, just weeks after she dropped her debut, Born to Die. Other awards included Outstanding Contribution Award for Blur, a Critics Choice Award for Emeli Sande and British Male Solo Artist for singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, who also took British Breakthrough Act. Related Photos Brit Awards 2012: Highlights Related Artists Adele Rihanna Bruno Mars
Aniston and co-star Paul Rudd dish on baring it all during our ‘First’ tomorrow at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com! By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Jennifer Aniston Photo: MTV News In the lead-up to the release of the new comedy “Wanderlust,” much has been made of Jennifer Aniston ‘s purported nude scene in the film. But when MTV New’s Josh Horowitz sat down with Aniston and co-star Paul Rudd for our MTV First on Wednesday, the actress waved off the scene. “Yeah, big deal!” Aniston said, insisting that most of the talk around the scene was just sensational. “Isn’t that a good, fun headline? That’s what happens.” “Wanderlust” — fans can preview an exclusive clip when we launch our “First” special Wednesday at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com — takes place at a commune, where two down-on-their-luck New Yorkers, played by Aniston and Rudd, seek refuge. And when you consider that “Wet, Hot American Summer” helmer David Wain was behind the camera, nudity may seem tame. For Aniston, the scene was just another part of the job. “At that point, we had been shooting the movie for two months, two-and-a-half months, and the amount of things that we were asked to do that we were just like ‘All right,'” Aniston said. “At that point, that was like putting on my shoes.” The duo share the experience of onscreen skin, a fact Aniston felt compelled to share. “You’ve shown your butt,” she said to Rudd. “Many times,” he replied. “And onscreen as well,” Aniston joked. “In the makeup chair, he always never had clothes on.” “I had to get dressed for the shots,” Rudd replied. “But when we weren’t shooting, I was hanging brain, as it were.” For Aniston, nudity has to matter for where the character is heading in the story, and a crazy, purposeless nude scene would never work. “I think it depends on what the movie is. It felt like it would be gratuitous to do that in a movie like this and it would be more distracting from the movie and what was happening to the character,” she explained. “It would all be about, ‘Oh, you’re naked, so it’s boobs onscreen,’ so it would totally lose the fun and the empowering moment [my character], Linda, was having in that scene.” One of Aniston’s co-stars, however, does show a fair amount of skin, even if he’s wearing a prosthetic penis. ” Joe Lo Truglio , the first night he came out with his prosthetic penis, within five minutes we were all touching it,” Aniston revealed. “We were touching it, and we were examining it. It was just so interesting. It was just right there, underneath it. I think first night of shooting, I could resist, there was the beginning of many, many butt slaps.” Catch Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston tomorrow on MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, when they’ll debut an exclusive, never-before-seen clip from “Wanderlust.” Then head over to MTV.com for our 30-minute chat with Rudd and Aniston. Check out everything we’ve got on “Wanderlust.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Photos ‘Wanderlust’
Breaking Sports Video
