Daniel Radcliffe, Robert Pattinson and Florence Welch also on Sunday Times Rich List. By Gil Kaufman Adele Photo: Getty Images He’s the star of one of the biggest movie franchises in history and she’s the best-selling musician of the past year. Together “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe and Adele top the Sunday Times Rich List of England’s youngest stars. Just how big a year did Adele, 23, have thanks to the global smash success of her 21 album? Consider that in 2012 her fortune has risen to more than $31.8 million from $9.5 million just a year before, according to the list, which will be published at month’s end. She placed well ahead of Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole, whose fortune was estimated at $19.1 million on the list of the richest British musicians under 30. Among the other notable music makers on the list were Florence and the Machine singer Florence Welch, whose worth rose to more than $11.1 million, Taio Cruz ($7.9 million) and a new entry on the chart in a 10-way tie for 14th place, Adele’s former BRIT School mate Jessie J ($7.9 million). The top 10 was dominated by women, with only two fellas, Craig David (#6, $12.7 million) and Paolo Nutini (#6, $12.7 million) making the cut among top earning ladies Leona Lewis, Katie Melua, Joss Stone, Charlotte Church, Lily Allen, Natasha Bedingfield and Duffy. On the acting side, “Potter” star Radcliffe is still far-and-away the richest British actor under 30, with a fortune estimated at $86.1 million, up from $76.6 million last year. Well behind is “Twilight” actor Robert Pattinson (#2, $63.6 million), Keira Knightley (#3, $47.7 million) and, in fifth place, “Potter” co-star Emma Watson ($41.4 million). Yet another “Potter” alum, Rupert Grint, landed in the #6 position with a war chest of $38.2 million. Related Artists Adele
Police close their investigation into the singer’s death after concluding it was accidental. By Gil Kaufman Whitney Houston Photo: 20th Century Fox/Getty Images Police investigators have concluded their probe into the death of Whitney Houston and concluded that she died of accidental drowning. According to CNN , the probe by the Beverly Hills Police Department was officially closed after investigator found “no evidence of foul play.” In a statement from the department, police said, “Based on the findings of our investigation and our review of the coroner’s report, we have determined that this is not a criminal matter.” The Los Angeles County coroner released its autopsy report last week in which it determined that Houston’s February 11 death was an accidental drowning with the “effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use” as contributing factors. The conclusion of the police investigation was followed by the release of the 911 emergency call about the incident, in which a hotel security officer told the 911 operator that the woman who called for help from Houston’s room was “irate and pretty much out of it.” The security officer did not identify Houston as in the call. “I need paramedics, apparently I’ve got a 46-year-old female, found in the bathroom,” he told the 911 operator. “That’s all I’ve got right now, but they’re requesting paramedics.” The autopsy report said that Houston’s assistant found the singer, who is actually 48 years old, face down in a bathtub of “extremely hot water.” “I’m not sure if she fell, or if she was in the bathroom with the water,” the security officer said in the call, adding, “apparently she wasn’t breathing.” When asked if the guard could get the 911 operator into the room to give CPR instructions, the security officer said “no, because she [the woman who called from Houston’s room] kept hanging up on us.” The coroner’s report did not detail exactly what happened to cause Houston’s death, but addiction medicine specialist Dr. Drew Pinsky told CNN he had a theory. Pinsky examined the autopsy report and suggested that Houston might have suffered a seizure brought on by the use of cocaine, possibly combined with a withdrawal from alcohol and a prescription sedative. Police did find an empty bottle of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax in Houston’s room, as well as empty beer bottles, but alcohol was not detected in her body and the level of the sedative in her blood was low. “To me, a sudden drop-off in the Xanax level, a drop-off in your alcohol consumption, add cocaine, that’s a recipe for a seizure,” Pinsky said. “Somebody who’s now upside down in a bathtub could easily seize and drown.” Related Videos Whitney Houston: Life And Music Of An Icon Related Photos Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos Related Artists Whitney Houston
With their label facing a $1 million lawsuit by a U.S. group with same name, MTV’s Twitter followers suggest new names for U.K. boy band. By Gil Kaufman One Direction Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Records What’s in a name? Apparently a lot, since British boy band sensation One Direction’s label is facing a $1 million lawsuit and request for an injunction from using the name by an American lad group with the same name. While most people have never heard of the five-piece One Direction from the U.S., they got together before the reality TV-spawned U.K. version and are claiming that their more popular Brit doppelgangers are destroying the goodwill they’ve built up on these shores. Though One Direction U.K.’s spokespeople have not commented on the suit and a representative for the band’s U.S. label offered a no comment at press time, we set up the hashtag #New1DName to ask MTV News’ Twitter followers to pre-emptively offer up some alternate names the lads should consider as they wait of the lawyers to hash things out. Among the names suggested: The Driven (@tasharea101), The Charming 5 (@officialjai), Chillin’ Boys (@finindah), All4You (@AttilaSn), Making Moves (@AttilaSn), SMilesHi (@AttilaSn), TurnItUp (@AtillaSn), We Want Justin Bieber Money (@maguiiMARS), 5HotGuys (@ShimmerJBieber), Parabola (@Teepoper), 5 Boys 12 Nipples (@Alison_H), Only cute Boys (@maguiiMARS), New Reflection (@SteffanniHannah), Naughty Boys (@OlaKozlowska), Drunked Boys (@OlaKozlowska), Plebzone (@markfinlayson), Sex Gods (@PhoebeOulton), The Wee Diddys (@markfinlayson), Ham Wednesday (@kdaniellee), 5B (for 5 Boys) (@officialjai), Fall Sky (@tasharea101) and the very clever JABB (Just Another Boy Band) (@DebdoodleDeb). A number of you found some interesting variations on the directional theme: Wun Dierecshin (@SaifQuadri), Direction One (@karennfaith8), FU1 Direction (@SheriMeibach), New Direction (@clermont703), One Direction. (@ManuelaMonster), One Inspiration (@tasharea101), Wrong Direction (@bbeanss_), No Direction (@hooLingrit) Other Direction (@bbeanss_), The Band Formerly Known As One Direction (@SheriMeibach), The Directionz (@vennee), 5 Directions (@SwaggerKidNate), OneDestination (@Phoebe_Cassell) and our staff favorite, Juan Direction (@nicolebritttany). And then there were the ones who clearly have a fixation on particular members: Liam and the Forks (@ClaraGelcer), Liam Against the Spoons (@ClaraGelcer), Niall and the Potatoes (@ShimmerJBieber), Zayn and the 4 Others (@JeremyCabalona), Zaynito and the Burritos (@Emily1D_xo), Louis and the Ostriches (@xsarahmusgrave) and Louis and the Carrots (@ClaraGelcer). If 1D do end up changing their name it wouldn’t be the first time a band has had to do so because of a previously existing entity. Late ’90s Irish boy band Westlife were originally known as Westside, but had to give up that name, and another British act, The Verve, had to add a “the” to their name to avoid a conflict with the famous Verve jazz label. David Bowie was born David Jones, but decided to invent a stage name to avoid confusion with late Monkees’ star Davy Jones and electronica duo the Chemical Brothers started out as the Dust Brothers, but switched things up after a lawsuit from the same-named production pair best known for helping to piece together the Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique . The Charlatans had to add a “UK” to their name to avoid a lawsuit from a defunct American band from the 1960s and Blink-182 decided to tack on some numbers to settle a dispute with the Irish band Blink. Some bands have different names depending on where they are touring, such as Jack White’s side group the Raconteurs, who are known as the Saboteurs in Australia for legal reasons. For similar reasons, reunited Brit poppers Suede have to tour as the London Suede in the U.S. (see also Wham UK and The English Beat). Sometimes, though, bands have enough cash to buy the name they really want, such as grunge gods Nirvana, who settled out of court with a London group from the 1960s for around $160,000. If One Direction have to change their name, what do you think it should be? Hit us at hashtag #New1DName to offer up your suggestions. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: One Direction Related Artists One Direction
Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery face off on what ‘Songs From This Decade’ the top seven should tackle. By Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery Jessica Sanchez Photo: FOX For weeks, it’s felt like we’ve been screaming into the void. We keep begging “American Idol” to get with the program and borrow a page from rivals like “The Voice” and “X Factor” by having the finalists sing songs that were released in the decades since Randy Jackson played bass for Carlos Santana. It’s a novel concept, we know. Seriously, enough with the Billy Joel and Michael Jackson theme nights! Not another collection of Elton John, disco or Frank Sinatra songs, please! Give us something contemporary, dudes — or at least something that may give our aunt in Virginia pause. Finally, “Idol” producers seem to have heard our pleas and given the top seven a shot at sounding halfway relevant this week with “Songs From This Decade” night. Now, the reality singing gods giveth and they taketh away, so while we’re in mortal fear of hearing Jason Mraz and Train songs, we’re also a bit torn about what is likely to turn into an Adele-valanche. Be careful what you wish for. But we’ll take it. So here’s what songs MTV News’ resident “Idol” experts think the remaining contestants should tackle. They failed to take our advice on last week’s ’80-themed show , and look how that one turned out … DeAndre . Read on for our picks! Joshua Ledet Josh smashed it last week and is once again at the top of his game. But here’s the thing: The guy remains an R&B tabula rasa, personality-wise. It’s hard to see him headlining an arena tour or filming an iconic video. Since we hear he’s way more confident off-camera than on, L-Deezy needs to get a little grimy, and what better way to do that than with Usher’s “OMG”? Or, if he must, I offer a one-time-only Adele dispensation for “Someone Like You.” — Kaufman I see him going one of two ways tonight: Either he embraces his brassy, sassy side and does Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” — which he’d kill,
Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery face off on what ‘Songs From This Decade’ the top seven should tackle. By Gil Kaufman and James Montgomery Jessica Sanchez Photo: FOX For weeks, it’s felt like we’ve been screaming into the void. We keep begging “American Idol” to get with the program and borrow a page from rivals like “The Voice” and “X Factor” by having the finalists sing songs that were released in the decades since Randy Jackson played bass for Carlos Santana. It’s a novel concept, we know. Seriously, enough with the Billy Joel and Michael Jackson theme nights! Not another collection of Elton John, disco or Frank Sinatra songs, please! Give us something contemporary, dudes — or at least something that may give our aunt in Virginia pause. Finally, “Idol” producers seem to have heard our pleas and given the top seven a shot at sounding halfway relevant this week with “Songs From This Decade” night. Now, the reality singing gods giveth and they taketh away, so while we’re in mortal fear of hearing Jason Mraz and Train songs, we’re also a bit torn about what is likely to turn into an Adele-valanche. Be careful what you wish for. But we’ll take it. So here’s what songs MTV News’ resident “Idol” experts think the remaining contestants should tackle. They failed to take our advice on last week’s ’80-themed show , and look how that one turned out … DeAndre . Read on for our picks! Joshua Ledet Josh smashed it last week and is once again at the top of his game. But here’s the thing: The guy remains an R&B tabula rasa, personality-wise. It’s hard to see him headlining an arena tour or filming an iconic video. Since we hear he’s way more confident off-camera than on, L-Deezy needs to get a little grimy, and what better way to do that than with Usher’s “OMG”? Or, if he must, I offer a one-time-only Adele dispensation for “Someone Like You.” — Kaufman I see him going one of two ways tonight: Either he embraces his brassy, sassy side and does Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” — which he’d kill,
Star also reveals she was set to appear in award-winning film ‘The Help.’ By Zachary Swickey Katy Perry Photo: Michael Becker / FOX Many fans have been curious about what pop star Katy Perry ‘s next record will sound like — especially considering her much-publicized divorce from comedian Russell Brand and the heavy recent single “Part of Me.” Well, Perry herself is here to tell you the album is going to be “real f—ing dark.” Talking to The Sun, the singer was rather blunt about her feelings toward her failed marriage, saying, “I’d like to use a time machine and go back to a specific date, please.” (Ouch!) “My music is about to get real f—ing dark. You’d never see my face because my hair would be in it,” she continued. In other Perry news, while the singer has yet to dive into the acting game — outside of cameo appearances and voicing Smurfette in last year’s “The Smurfs” — she’s revealed that she almost got a bit part in last year’s Academy Award-winning film “The Help.” “There was a time when I was going to be involved in ‘The Help’ — just a small part, I wasn’t going to be Emma Stone or anything — but I couldn’t because the shooting schedule conflicted with the release of my record,” she lamented to Teen Vogue. “And I was upset about that; I knew it was going to be an important film.” Although she didn’t get to appear in “The Help,” Perry has her very own 3-D film coming out this summer. “Katy Perry: Part of Me” is a documentary as well as a live concert film, much in the vein of Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never.” “I wanted to show people this parade that surrounds me. I wanted them to see the engine. I wanted people to be able to experience the tour and all the joy it brought, which is why we shot it in 3-D,” Perry said about the film. “Katy Perry: Part of Me” is expected to hit the big screen this upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Are you ready for the dark side of Katy Perry? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV First: Katy Perry’s ‘Part Of Me’ Related Artists Katy Perry
Star also reveals she was set to appear in award-winning film ‘The Help.’ By Zachary Swickey Katy Perry Photo: Michael Becker / FOX Many fans have been curious about what pop star Katy Perry ‘s next record will sound like — especially considering her much-publicized divorce from comedian Russell Brand and the heavy recent single “Part of Me.” Well, Perry herself is here to tell you the album is going to be “real f—ing dark.” Talking to The Sun, the singer was rather blunt about her feelings toward her failed marriage, saying, “I’d like to use a time machine and go back to a specific date, please.” (Ouch!) “My music is about to get real f—ing dark. You’d never see my face because my hair would be in it,” she continued. In other Perry news, while the singer has yet to dive into the acting game — outside of cameo appearances and voicing Smurfette in last year’s “The Smurfs” — she’s revealed that she almost got a bit part in last year’s Academy Award-winning film “The Help.” “There was a time when I was going to be involved in ‘The Help’ — just a small part, I wasn’t going to be Emma Stone or anything — but I couldn’t because the shooting schedule conflicted with the release of my record,” she lamented to Teen Vogue. “And I was upset about that; I knew it was going to be an important film.” Although she didn’t get to appear in “The Help,” Perry has her very own 3-D film coming out this summer. “Katy Perry: Part of Me” is a documentary as well as a live concert film, much in the vein of Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never.” “I wanted to show people this parade that surrounds me. I wanted them to see the engine. I wanted people to be able to experience the tour and all the joy it brought, which is why we shot it in 3-D,” Perry said about the film. “Katy Perry: Part of Me” is expected to hit the big screen this upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Are you ready for the dark side of Katy Perry? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV First: Katy Perry’s ‘Part Of Me’ Related Artists Katy Perry
‘It’s my version of love songs,’ Weezy explains in ‘Hip Hop POV’ interview, airing tonight at midnight ET on MTV. By Rob Markman Lil Wayne on “Hip Hop POV” Photo: MTV2 Lil Wayne gets love all around the world, but on his next album, Weezy plans to flip the script. During an exclusive interview with Amanda Seales from MTV’s new weekly late-night talk show “Hip Hop POV,” Wayne revealed that he is working on a new LP called Devol (pronounced “devil”). “That’s ‘loved’ spelled backwards, and it’s my version of love songs,” Tunechi explained. “RapFix Live” premiered the exclusive clip, and fans can watch the entire interview tonight (April 11) at midnight ET on MTV during the series premiere of “Hip Hop POV.” Seales went down to Miami, where she was treated to an intimate listening session by the Young Money boss himself. It’s no secret that Weezy F has a way with the ladies. With songs like “Lollipop” and “She Will,” Wayne has carved out a lane for himself as a hip-hop sex symbol — but he isn’t exactly going all loverboy on us. “What I mean by my version of love songs is meaning they’re not saying, ‘I love you,’ ” he explains in the clip. “It’s all material I did when I was locked up.” Birdman Jr. isn’t the only rap star who will pop up on tonight’s debut: 2 Chainz will join the “Hip Hop POV” castmembers — also including Charlamagne tha God, Devi Dev, Bu Thiam and Sowmya Krishnamurthy — on the show’s premiere. Don’t miss tonight’s premiere episode of “MTV’s Hip Hop POV” at midnight ET on MTV. The conversation-based show highlights some of today’s hottest news and more from a cast of hip-hop tastemakers. Fans can also join in on the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #HipHopPOV. Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ Gets A New Point Of View Related Artists Lil Wayne
Season seven starts tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV featuring performances set to the best Britney songs. By Kara Warner Britney Spears Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage In anticipation of the epic season premiere of “Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew” , MTV has been rolling out a few very extra special details via Twitter , the biggest one being that tonight’s premiere will feature performances set to our favorite songs from pop princess Britney Spears . Spears tweeted out the good news herself. “Make sure you tune into #ABDC tonight on @MTV at 10/9C!” she wrote. “Heard they’re closing show with Womanizer…CAN NOT WAIT to see what these crews do.” This season, dubbed “Return of the Superstars,” will feature nine all-new hip-hop dance crews and one returning past crew, a fan favorite from season two, Fanny Pak. “This is not Fanny Pak, it’s Back Pack,” joked judge J.C. Chasez. “It’s a huge group now. When I saw Fanny Pak I think there were five members and now there are like eight or nine. I’m excited though because what I loved about Fanny Pak on the season they were on is that they don’t rely strictly on their athleticism as dancers. They really work into the theme, they listen to what the music is saying.” “I love Fanny Pak,” fellow judge Lil’ Mama said. “I think that they’re fantastic as a crew, and when you’re alumni and have been through the ropes you know what to expect, it gets tougher as you go along so and people bring their A-game, so we’re hoping they can last through to the end because they’re a good crew.” This is the first time in the series’ history a crew from a prior season will return to compete for the title. In addition, each episode will feature a different theme built around a popular celebrity artist, including Madonna, Rihanna, Pitbull, David Guetta, Flo Rida and LMFAO. Don’t miss the season-seven premiere of “America’s Best Dance Crew” , airing Wednesday, April 11, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV! For continuing “Crew” coverage, be sure to check in with MTV’s blog. Related Videos America’s Best Dance Crew (Season 7) | Ep. 1 | Sneak Peek Related Artists Britney Spears
