Frank Ocean’s album Channel Orange will not be sold at Target stores, but the retailer says it’s not because of his recent announcement that he is bisexual. The record has received plenty of praise since debuting early in digital form, and hitting No. 1 on iTunes in 10 countries … and Target says that’s the issue. The retailer cited the album’s early iTunes release as the reason behind its controversial decision to yank the rapper’s album, not Frank Ocean coming out . Target denies pulling it due to Ocean’s sexuality, saying: “The claims made about Target’s decision to not carry the Frank Ocean album are absolutely false.” “Target supports inclusivity and diversity in every aspect of our business. Our decisions are based on a wide number of factors, including guest demand.” The Target rep continued: “Target has a longstanding tradition of supporting music and artistry that reflects the diverse landscape of American culture.” Ocean – who has been praised by Beyonce and Russell Simmons, yet criticized by others since coming out – and his camp seemed to accept that reasoning. His manager Christian Clancy backtracked on a now deleted tweet suggesting the retailer had other motivations for pulling the record, tweeting: “I would like to apologize for my comments about Target. They are not carrying Franks album because it went digital first. Not for ANY other reason.” As for Ocean, he offered his own analysis and tweeted “album won’t be available at target. blame it on a generational gap. best buy on deck though.”
Usher Looking To Settle Child Custody Case With Ex-Wife Tameka Raymond It seems that the tragic accident involving Tameka Raymond’s son Kile has helped bring a softer side out of her ex-husband Usher : According to TMZ reports : Usher has changed his tune and now wants to up his ante to settle his epic child support/custody war with Tameka Raymond after the jet ski accident that left his stepson Kyle brain dead … TMZ has learned. Sources connected with the couple tell TMZ … Usher spoke with Tameka over the weekend and suggested that they settle up, but he did not significantly change his offer — 50/50 custody with a very slight increase in child support. Tameka said no way. But apparently Usher softened after the conversation, because our sources say he met with his lawyers earlier this week and instructed them to craft a new proposal that would give Tameka “a majority” of custody, though the sources did not specify the exact breakdown. We’re told Usher is also raising his child support offer “significantly.” As for Usher’s motivation … we’re told he’s very conscious that Tameka is suffering and it’s not a good move to continue the fight under the circumstances. We’re told the offer has not been presented to Tameka yet, but our sources say she’s open to a “reasonable settlement.” Calls to lawyers on both sides have not been returned. These are such sad circumstances but it seems as if something positive can still come out of this tragedy. Our prayers are with the Foster, Glover and Raymond families right now.
Frank Ocean’s Manager Issues Apology To Target Frank Ocean’s manager did some damage control after recently posting a tweet that had fans in an uproar over Target’s decision not to carry the recently-outed singer’s new album . A manager for R&B singer Frank Ocean, who publicly came out of the closet last week, apologized to retail giant Target after suggesting that they would not be selling his clients CD because of his sexual orientation, according to a report from Billboard magazine. Target revealed that it would not be carrying Ocean’s debut studio album “Channel Orange,” due to the label’s decision to sell it digitally on iTunes ahead of its scheduled release date. But while Ocean’s manager Christian Clancy, announced via his Twitter page that they would not carry the disc due to the iTunes exclusive, he also implied that the decision had something to do with his admission about his sexuality. “Target has refused to carry Frank’s album because of iTunes exclusive,” Clancy initially tweeted.. “Interesting since they also donate to non-equal rights organizations.” But Target later issued a statement to Billboard magazine, denying that Ocean’s sexuality played any role in the matter. “The claims made about Target’s decision to not carry the Frank Ocean album are absolutely false. Target supports inclusivity and diversity in every aspect of our business. Our assortment decisions are based on a number of factors, including guest demand.” Clancy later backtracked on his tweet, saying “I apologize for my comments about Target. They are not carrying Frank’s album because it went digital first. Not for ANY other reason. … My response was simply an emotional knee jerk reaction. … Stop. Breath. Do the best you can. Be honest. Keep it moving.” Interesting turn of events. Do you think Target had ulterior motives for not carrying the album? Source
Also in Wednesday morning’s round up of news briefs, Jack Bender of ABC’s Lost is developing a new thriller and Justin Timberlake is tipped to be headed to Baywatch movie. And thriller/comedy The Revenant to hit theaters. Lightning Entertainment and Paladin Team on Horror Comedy, The Revenant New York distributor Paladin will handle the theatrical release of Lightning Entertainment’s The Revenant in a deal between the two companies. Starring David Adners ( The Vampire Diaries ) and Chris Wylde ( The Ten ), the story centers on a soldier and his slacker best friend who become zombies, and then use their newfound powers to become vigilante crime fighters with hilariously mixed results when their adventures become more complicated and bloody than expected. Around the ‘net… Russell Crowe Denies Rupert Murdoch Rumors Reports in the U.K. linked him and Colin Firth to Good Times, Bad Times , based on the memoirs of Sunday Times editor Sir Harold Evans, THR reports . Women the Target of The Amazing Spider-Man Marketing Campaign Men have been easy customers for past Spider-Man installments, but for this go-around, Sony Pictures is partnering with companies like Kellogg’s, beauty brand OPI, Walmart and Target to reach out to women, Variety reports . Lost Director Developing Thriller Jack Bender, the preeminent director on ABC’s Lost is developing Devolution , a thriller. Details are being kept quiet, but it’s based on an original idea by Max Brooks, the author of World War Z , THR reports . Justin Timberlake a Possible Bay Watch Babe The singer/actor is being sought to star in the Baywatch movie, joining Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff in the big screen version of the ’90s television show. He would likely play a disgraced Olympic swimmer who tries out for the crew, Twitch reports .
WTF … I am highly upset that Target was selling a greeting card dissing the late great Whitney Houston. According to TMZ.com the Target greeting card was making light of Whitney’s battle with drugs with the card that said ”Next time you think of dating a bad boy,consider Whitney Houston.Target is saying that the card was being sold before Whitney’s untimely death and now that is has been brought to there attention they are pulling them from applicable stores.
‘I loved Bella’s piercing red eyes … I’m even more excited for ‘Part 2′ now,’ fan Cynthia Rodriguez says of teaser debut at NYC Target store. By Erin Strecker Fans watch a clip from “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” at Target in Brooklyn, New York, on Friday Photo: Erin Strecker/ MTV News Vampires may come out after dark, but there weren’t any bloodsuckers at the Brooklyn, New York, Target store Friday night — just roughly a hundred women (and a few guys) who wanted to meet one. The crowd was anxiously waiting to pick up the DVD of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” which was released at midnight. But it wasn’t just the thrill of re-watching Bella and Edward’s honeymoon that had these NYC Twi-hards — some of whom had been in line since 8 p.m. — bubbling with the kind of excitement normally reserved for a newborn vamp chasing his first kill. At 11 p.m., as promised, exclusive footage from “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” was shown for the first time at 500 Target stores nationwide. “Part 1” may have featured a wedding, but the fandom wars over who should have Bella’s heart were still raging on as the countdown to new footage began, with passionate discussions about Team Edward and Team Jacob popping up throughout the crowd. Friends Patrice Waite, 21, and Cynthia Rodriguez, 22, may not be able to agree on matters of vampire vs. werewolves, but the duo, who lovingly refer to themselves as “Team Switzerland,” can agree that they are psyched to see “Part 2,” even as they reminisced over “Part 1” scenes such as the romantic wedding and the intense birth of Renesmee. “In a perfect world,” Waite said, “the scene [I want to see tonight] would be when they are at the cottage, and they go all out [having sex], breaking walls and stuff.” “I want to see more of Renesmee [in Part 2]” Lauren Perciballi, 25, said. “I’m anxious to see how that works out because it’s a vampire/human, so she’s growing at a rapid pace. I’m interested to see the special effects behind that.” The actual clip may have been sex-and-Renesmee-free, but the five-minute-long tease certainly worked to entice fans gearing up for the premiere of “Part 2” next November. Aside from some behind-the-scenes shots of Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner preparing for battle in the woods, the full, exclusive-to-Target scene is from early on in the movie, when Bella discovers a note in a book with instructions from Alice, explaining what to do to get new passports. The clip showcases a heart-to-heart between Edward and Bella and features a swoon-worthy kiss that made the audience scream. The best part? Judging from fan reaction, it was the first shot of vampire Bella, whose red eyes and special-effect-aided speed definitely enticed Twi-hards to be even more excited for the next chapter in the saga. “[The clip] was good,” Waite said. “Of course, it was just a little clip, making us want more. I wasn’t expecting that, but it was pretty good. I loved seeing [vampire Bella] zoom across the room.” Rodriguez agreed. “I loved Bella’s piercing red eyes. I thought they did a good job [with the vampire stuff]. I’m even more excited for ‘Part 2’ now.” Not everyone at the event was a vampire lover though. Special sneak peek or not, the fandom wars continue on. While Kimberlee Imperato was excited about the special footage and loved newly vamped Bella, her daughter, 14-year-old BaileeAnn Darbasie, wasn’t impressed. “[My mom] dragged me here,” she explained. “I’m a Harry Potter fan.” Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 1’ Related Photos Twilight: Breaking Dawn
In the wake of Robert Pattinson hinting that a music career might be in his future , Johnny Depp has sent out a challenge to the Twilight Saga star: you aren’t the only actor who can jam! The star, who next appears in The Rum Diary , stopped by the Continental Club in Austin, Texas and shocked attendees by playing a 90-minute set with ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons and musician Bill Carter. As you might expect, the crowd went absolutely wild. Watch now: Johnny Depp Rocks Out
Gone are the days of $700 haircuts. Here are the days of Kate Gosselin spotted out and about in Reading, Pa., at Target with daughters Mady and Cara. They sure got huge since the Jon and Kate Plus 8 glory days! The infamous reality mom did a little early holiday shopping as the paparazzi, who are somehow still camped out in middle-of-nowhere-PA, looked on: Ever since her reality show got dropped by TLC, Kate has been whining that she’ll be broke without Kate Plus 8 , but has apparently come back to earth a bit. In addition to shopping at Target and spending time at home, she’s been running a website and Twitter account detailing the ins and outs of life as a mom. A recent entry dealt with attacking the laundry . Last night she added: “Can I just say how HAPPY I am to b in my bed??! What a day oh my oh my! I smile at my bed after days like these! GN all! Life beat me up 2day!xoxo” We can’t speak for anyone else, but consider us enlightened. [Photos: Pacific Coast News]
The ex-girlfriend of Justin Bieber, who recently underwent a horrific experience as the target of a stalker, is featured in the latest issue of American Cheerleader and says she#39;d love to work with Alicia Keys and Rihanna because… Jasmine Villegas does not lack for confidence. “Music-wise I see myself as like a baby Rihanna, only toned down a bit.” Jasmine also dishes on her lifelong passion for music – “My parents told me that when I was a baby I’d mumble the lyrics to “You Are Not Alo
