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Demi Lovato: ‘Stay Strong’ Doc Shows Life ‘In My Shoes’

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I was most definitely nervous about opening up to the cameras,’ Lovato admits of documentary airing Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. By Jocelyn Vena Demi Lovato Photo: MTV Demi Lovato will let fans into her life when her documentary “Demi Lovato: Stay Strong” premieres March 6 on MTV. Cameras follow Lovato as she tours, goes back to visit the Illinois rehab center where she was treated, and opens up in great detail about her life post-treatment. While Lovatics got a preview of what’s to come from the trailer that dropped a few weeks back, the full picture of Demi’s struggles and her life right now will be revealed when the “Stay Strong” airs Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Lovato talked to MTV News this week about why she signed on for the doc. “I was most definitely nervous about opening up to the cameras,” she said. “And I was very hesitant to say certain things, but once I was around them for a while, I felt more comfortable and really opened up towards them.” The special goes deep. Demi talks candidly about her issues, from being diagnosed with bipolar disorder to struggling with both cutting and eating disorders. The singer/actress hopes the documentary can help anyone else dealing with similar kinds of pain. “My goals for my fans? It’s to really inspire people,” she said. “That’s all I hope to accomplish. If there is a young girl at home dealing with the same issues that I’m dealing with, I want to be able to reach out to her and tell her that it’s going to be OK. “You know, I speak about a lot of serious issues and I really hope to get awareness out there about the issues that I dealt with,” she continued. “But at the end of the day, I just want people to see what it’s like to be in my shoes. I kind of talked about the journey that I’ve been on and I just want people to take away a positive message. It gets better, you know?” The special is named after a pair of tattoos Demi has on her wrists that read “Stay Strong.” The tats are a tribute to the fans that Lovato said sent her that very message while she was in treatment. Don’t miss “Demi Lovato: Stay Strong,” debuting Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos Exclusive Previews Of ‘Demi Lovato: Stay Strong’ Related Photos The Evolution Of: Demi Lovato Related Artists Demi Lovato

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Swizz Beatz’s K-Pop Venture Brings ‘Cultures Together’

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘My goal is to migrate the cultures,’ Swizz tells MTV News about his new partnership with Korea’s O&Media. By Nadeska Alexis Swizz Beatz Photo: WireImage Swizz Beatz is notorious for having his hands in a few different projects at once. In addition to outside-the-box ventures like working with Christian Louboutin to score the music for Paris’ Crazy Horse cabaret, the producer is currently focused on developing his joint venture with O&Media, which aims to introduce Korean pop music, or “K-Pop,” to mainstream America. “My goal is to migrate the cultures,” Swizz told MTV News. “It’s not about me being a feature or just producing K-Pop music; it’s about migrating musical cultures around the world. And I just felt like starting with K-Pop, starting in Asia and opening up different outlets to something cool and new.” To spearhead this project, Swizz teamed up with popular Korean entertainment group O&Media. “That partnership has been coming about for a couple of months now,” he said, detailing the progress they’ve made together so far. “We have a TV show component, a tour company component, a production company and a label. We’re just active as the tunnel for artists that want to do things in the West, or artists in the West that want to do things in Asia. This is about a whole migration of cultures coming together under our umbrella to have an outlet to express themselves.” Part of Swizz’s goal is to use elements from each music culture to help grow the other. “They still do artist development [in Asia], where back here in the States, the labels and our culture lacks artist development,” he said. “Nowadays, an artist can go into the booth, put out a song the next day, and that person thinks that they’re a superstar. But within the K-Pop movement, artists actually go through artist development. They take music classes that allow them to be ready for when they do become that big star. “I think that introducing different cultures of music can help everybody out, and that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop doing hip-hop or R&B music,” he added. “I have love for all genres of music, because it’s all art, and I just want to take the boundaries and lines of segregation and make them invisible.” In the simplest terms, the super-producer wants the love to be spread evenly across the musical world. “When we go to these different countries — Korea, Japan, China — as artists from the United States, we get treated like kings,” he said. “We get treated like real stars. And I feel that when they come over to the States, as successful as they are, they should get treated the same.” What do you think about Swizz’s K-Pop efforts? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Swizz Beatz

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Katy Perry Says ‘Part Of Me’ Isn’t About Russell Brand

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Perry tells MTV News that she wrote the song two years ago, despite rumors that it was in response to her split from Brand. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Christina Garibaldi Katy Perry Photo: MTV News Ever since its premiere at the 54th Grammy Awards , folks have speculated long and hard about Katy Perry’s “Part Of Me,” and whether its various lyrical barbs — “You can keep the diamond ring, it don’t mean nothing anyway/ In fact, you can keep everything — except for me,” in particular — were aimed at her ex-husband, Russell Brand. It would seem to make sense … after all, Perry’s no stranger to the occasional(ly brutal) kiss-off (check the Teenage Dream track “Circle The Drain” for proof), but there’s just one tiny problem: “Part Of Me” first surfaced in 2010 , two months after Perry and Brand got married in India. And while Katy has yet to speak publically about the pair’s split , she was definitely looking to set the record straight about her latest chart-topping hit … which most certainly isn’t about Brand, no matter what you might think. “I wrote it two years ago, which is funny because everybody is like ‘God, it sounds so current,’ ” she told MTV News recently in Los Angeles. “And some people that I work with were like ‘You should just say you wrote it a couple of weeks ago.’ I’m like ‘I’m not a d—, I’m going to tell the truth.’ I wrote it two years ago when I was writing and recording Teenage Dream, [but] it didn’t feel right on the record. I would’ve had to take out one of my other songs that [made the album] a nice, complete package.” And despite her denials, Perry realizes that some folks will just keep on assuming “Part Of Me” is a direct swipe at Brand … and she really can’t blame them: After all, even she’ll admit that there’s a whole lot about the song that seems practically preordained. “I always planned to put it out in the spring of this year, to possibly perform it at a big [awards show], but sometimes I’m like ‘Am I living in ‘The Truman Show?’ … what’s going on?’ ” she laughed. “Because I sit down and I write all these songs at once, all these emotions and feelings and thoughts, and then, like, it just feels like sometimes I’m caught in this movie where my life is paralleling my music! It seems very serendipitous, but, as un-fun as it sounds, I prepare everything. I’m overly prepared and kind of a control freak in the best of ways. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry

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‘Hunger Games’ Tracking Big: But What Does It Mean?

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

This week’s Hobnobbing explains the film’s pre-release numbers. By Amy Wilkinson Jennifer Lawrence in “Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate Fans of Suzanne Collins’ dystopian teen drama ” The Hunger Games ” have long predicted that the series’ big-screen adaptation would emerge victorious from its box-office battle. And now, it seems, preliminary estimates support the stan speculation. Deadline reports that the early tracking figures for the March 23 release are “numbers every film studio can only dream about,” with 23 percent of respondents selecting the film as “First Choice” and 54 percent indicating “Definite Interest.” In fact, one estimate Deadline editor Nikki Finke received predicted the film could open to more than $70 million — narrowly besting the “Twilight” opening-weekend gross of $69.6 million. All good news for fans fretting over the series’ fate … but what do these numbers really mean? Tracking, in essence, measures the results of a studio’s marketing campaign and is by no means an exact science. “The real use of tracking is to measure the effectiveness of the marketing weeks out from release, so you can make adjustments while there’s still time,” Vinny Bruzzese, president of the worldwide motion-picture tracking firm OTX, told TheWrap as part of an interesting piece examining the practice. “By the time the official prediction comes out on the day of the release, it’s fairly useless.” Clearly, Lionsgate’s clever campaigns (including Capitol Couture , puzzle scavenger hunts and advanced screening giveaways) have resonated with fans and non-fans alike, gaining plenty of exposure for the fledgling franchise. However, we must remember that tracking is not necessarily meant to prognosticate box-office returns (TheWrap’s story calls such predictions nothing more than “parlor tricks”). For argument’s sake, however, let’s say that “The Hunger Games” does indeed meet its $70 million expectations. Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer told Bloomberg that the debut installment would need to earn $100 million in overall domestic sales to justify a sequel. With a potential $70 million opening weekend, the film would need to gross only $30 million more to reach that benchmark. And unless attendance drops off as steeply as the Arena’s cliff, it will prevail, all but guaranteeing “Catching Fire” will, well, catch fire. Are you cautiously optimistic about the “Hunger Games” box-office outlook? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Hunger Games.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Hunger Games’ Related Photos The Hunger Games ‘Hunger Games’ Character Posters ‘Hunger Games’ District Seals

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Chris Brown’s Fortune Dropping May 8

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Brown shows off a more polished side on cover art for upcoming album. By Sarah Brotherton Chris Brown Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Fresh off his Grammy win for Best R&B album, Chris Brown announced Thursday (March 1) that his next album, Fortune, will be released May 8. Fans have been waiting for album news since Brown dropped the single “Turn Up the Music” in January followed by a music video the next month, which racked up more than 8 million views in its first week. In addition, Brown’s second single from the album, “Strip,” is rapidly climbing the Urban Radio charts. Brown also revealed the album’s cover art Thursday, showing off a more polished side to #TeamBreezy. Donning a retro-inspired skinny suit, thin black tie and thick black-framed glasses, the cover unveils a more mature, sleek side to the 22-year-old artist. As he stands underneath a bright light shining down on him, the word “Fortune” is collaged behind him in different languages. The road to Brown’s new album release has already been a busy one. With two performances at the Grammys and a surprise appearance at the 2012 NBA All-Star halftime show alongside Pitbull, Breezy has been doing some serious PR leading up to the album drop. Brown has also stirred up some controversy in the past few weeks by lashing out at his detractors following the Grammys, collaborating with ex-girlfriend Rihanna on two remixes after assaulting her just three years ago and allegedly stealing a fan’s iPhone . Fortune is available for pre-order at ChrisBrownWorld.com with a free instant download of “Turn Up the Music,” and the album will hit iTunes for pre-sale April 10. Will you check out Brown’s latest project? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Chris Brown

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Davy Jones Cause Of Death Was Heart Attack

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

An autopsy confirmed that Monkees singer Davy Jones died as a result of a heart attack. By Gil Kaufman Davy Jones Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Image A day after the sudden passing of former Davy Jones, the medical examiner’s office in Martin County, Florida completed an autopsy on the former teen heartthrob on Thursday morning and concluded he died of a heart attack. 
 According to E! Online, tests revealed that the 1960s heartthrob 
 was felled by ventricular fibrillation due to severe coronary atherosclerosis. In other words, he died as a result of an abnormal heart rhythm caused by the blocking of blood flow to the heart due to hardening of the arteries. Toxicology tests could take another six to eight weeks, but authorities don’t believe that there is anything else to blame for the 66-year-old “Daydream Believer” singer’s death. TMZ reported on Thursday that Jones suffered the heart attack at a ranch near his Florida home where the former jockey wannabe was visiting his horses. A ranch hand saw Jones in distress in his car and called an ambulance, which took the 1960s TV star to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Jones is survived by his third wife, Jessica, and four children from previous marriages. His former TV band mate paid tribute to Jones following his death, with drummer/singer Mickey Dolenz saying in a statement, “the time we worked together and had together is something I’ll never forget. He was the brother I never had and this leaves a gigantic hole in my heart.” Peter Tork added, “It is with great sadness that I reflect on the sudden passing of my long-time friend and fellow adventurer, David Jones. His talent will be much missed; his gifts will be with us always. Adios to the Manchester Cowboy.” Guitarist Michael Nesmith posted a lengthy tribute on his Facebook page, writing, “That David has stepped beyond my view causes me the sadness that it does many of you. I will miss him, but I won’t abandon him to mortality,” he said. “I will think of him as existing within the animating life that insures existence. I will think of him and his family with that gentle regard in spite of all the contrary appearances on the mortal plane.

 David’s spirit and soul live well in my heart, among all the lovely people, who remember with me the good times, and the healing times, that were created for so many, including us.

 I have fond memories. I wish him safe travels.” Related Artists The Monkees

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Will Justin Bieber’s Big-Screen Dreams Come True?

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

On his 18th birthday, we take a look at the superstar’s upcoming acting gigs. By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Justin Bieber Photo: Valery Hache/ AFP/ Getty Images By this point, it’s no secret that Justin Bieber has his sights set on the silver screen. Ever since his meteoric rise to stardom and his success with the concert film “Never Say Never,” talk has circulated about his first dramatic film projects. Now, on his 18th birthday, let’s take a closer look at Bieber’s big-screen potential! We got an early look at his acting chops on an episode of “CSI,” in which he played troubled teen Jason McCann and was famously blown away in a hail of gunfire. The cameo indicated his purported desire to take on darker roles, along the lines of those played by Mark Wahlberg. The most concrete movie project on the horizon for Bieber actually involves Wahlberg . The two have been developing a basketball movie, in the vein of “The Color of Money.” Wahlberg will play a weathered baller who takes a younger player (Bieber) under his wing. MTV News spoke with Wahlberg about the project , and he said his interest in working with the pop star comes from his intuition about Bieber’s acting ability. “I see the guy and spent time with him, and you see what he does and how he does it,” Wahlberg said. “Then you actually have a conversation with him, and it’s there.” The basketball project is currently in development at Paramount. Another Wahlberg-related project with Bieber’s name attached is a rumored remake of the 1996 film “Fear.” MovieWeb reported back in January that Bieber is supposedly “obsessed” with the movie and hopes to land the psychotic role to mirror Wahlberg’s career path. There hasn’t been an update on the remake’s progress since. Happy 18th birthday, Justin Bieber ! Now that we’ve counted down the superstar’s 18 greatest moments, stick with MTV News as we celebrate the milestone all day. Related Videos Happy Birthday, Justin Bieber! Justin Bieber’s 18th Birthday: Our Favorite Moments! Related Photos Justin Bieber’s Birthday: Countdown To 18! Related Artists Justin Bieber

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Katy Perry Says ‘Sims 3: Showtime’ Is ‘So Layered’

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘You can change my Sim’s hair color two or three times a day if you want to, which is basically what I want to do,’ Perry tells MTV News. By James Montgomery, with reporting by Christina Garibaldi Katy Perry’s character in “The Sims 3: Showtime” Photo: Electronic Arts, Inc. Katy Perry ‘s already earned her advanced degree in Simlish, having recorded a version of in the fictional language of the long-running “Sims” game series. But in the upcoming “The Sims 3: Showtime,” she’s putting that degree to good use. “I loved being a part of the creative process — which outfits is my Sim going to have, what kind of hair color. Because when we were creating it together, I [had] pink hair, now I’m blue hair, but you have so many options,” she laughed. “And with this Sims, you can be a medley of different … career choices. Like a magician, a musician, a DJ, an acrobat and, like … I’m going to do all of them. I feel like I’m already multitasking in real life, but in my alternate reality, as a Sim, I would love to sing ‘Firework,’ twirling a baton of fire while levitating, doing the splits, and DJing. It might be a little much, but it would be highly entertaining.” It would, indeed. In the game, players guide their Sim on a voyage to fame, honing their craft (be it magic, tumbling, or DJing) in performances and paying their dues before eventually becoming superstars. And that’s part of the reason Perry agreed to sign on to the project — after all, she knows a thing or two about that voyage. “Some of the nuances and details are really hilarious, [and] it’s so layered. You could be playing the same game for years and still be discovering things, so it’s awesome to be a part of it,” she said. “I love that you don’t have any shortcuts with your journey. … It’s great, because you actually have to pay your dues in the game, and I think it kind of, in some ways, teaches whoever’s playing it a valuable life lesson that it’s all about hard work and nothing comes to you on a silver platter.” Of course, there are also some additional, Perry-specific perks too. “This game is very creative and very natural for me. I love that, for instance, you can change my Sim’s hair color two or three times a day if you want to, which is basically what I want to do,” she laughed. “I can’t, or I’d have to shave my head or my hair would just fall out. So it’s got so many different features.” Will you check out Perry in the new “Sims” game? Let us know in the comments! Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry

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‘Project X’ Finds ‘New Way In’ To Teen Party Movies

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It has a very music-video kind of vibe,’ one star tells MTV News of found-footage film produced by ‘Hangover’ director Todd Phillips. By Kara Warner Jonathan Daniel Brown, Oliver Cooper and Thomas Mann in “Project X” Photo: Beth Dubber/ Warner Bros. For those of you who’ve seen the “Project X” marketing campaign and wondered, “What is that movie?,” the stars and producer have the answers you seek. Yes, this is a film about a high school party thrown by the not-so-cool kids that gets so out of control an entire suburban block is engulfed in flames. But it’s not just about the action; it’s the unfinished, citizen-videographer feel that defines the film. “How do you make a movie for a high school audience today?” producer Todd Phillips (“The Hangover,” “Old School”) asked MTV News, talking about how he and first-time director Nima Nourzadeh approached their new take on a classic concept. “It wasn’t so much about jumping on a found-footage bandwagon. It was more about: How do you make it feel current and different? When you’re making a comedy, it’s always, ‘What’s the way into this movie? What’s the new way in that we haven’t seen before?’ For us, that’s what this was.” “It’s stylized in a way that’s never been done,” added star Jonathan Daniel Brown, a.k.a. J.B. in the film. “It’s got three amazingly funny people, if I do say so myself, and it’s crazy. It doesn’t hold back.” “This movie has so much style, a lot because Nima directed it,” continued Oliver Cooper, a.k.a. mischievous instigator Costa. “It has a very music-video kind of vibe.” Thomas Mann, who plays the birthday boy and party host Thomas, said audiences will feel like they’re actually inside the party. “It’s really raw for a comedy. It’s not polished in the way that other comedies like ‘The Hangover’ are,” he said. “I think it wants to feel more personal, like kids hanging out, rather than set-up jokes, which is helpful, I think, with a found-footage film.” In addition to all the talk about fancy style and camera techniques, the film is basically a roller-coaster ride that quickly runs out of control. “I don’t feel that there are any other high school films that reach this level of insanity,” said Alexis Knapp, who plays the “popular pretty girl” Alexis. “It’s a whole other level,” added co-star Kirby Bliss Blanton. Check out everything we’ve got on “Project X.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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Wiz Khalifa And Amber Rose Engaged

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He made me the Happiest Woman in the World,’ Amber Rose tweets in reaction to Wiz Khalifa’s proposal. By Rob Markman Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose Photo: Jon Kopaloff/ FilmMagic Wiz Khalifa ‘s love for Amber Rose has never been a secret, and on Thursday (March 1), the “Black & Yellow” MC made things just a little more official when he popped the question to his girlfriend of one year. He then shared the moment with a few million of his fans on Twitter , writing, “She Said Yes!!!” with a picture of Amber sporting an oval-cut diamond ring. “He made me the Happiest Woman in the World!!!!” Rose followed up on Twitter with the same picture attached to her message . “We Love all u Rosebuds, Rosestuds & Taylors so much!” Amber and Wiz began dating early last year, and they appeared together on an episode of “RapFix Live” in March. The media coverage surrounding the couple hasn’t always been so rosy, especially when the topic of Rose’s ex-beau Kanye West has come up, but through it all, their relationship has continually flourished. The couple has been very vocal about their plans for marriage in the past year. “We discuss it all the time; like he said, we’re very much in love,” Rose told MTV News while standing next to Wiz on the VMA Pre-Show black carpet . “But, ya know, we’re just going to take our time and just enjoy each other right now. We’re both really busy and we work really hard and when the time comes, it’s gonna come.” “Oh yeah, absolutely, man; it’s gonna happen,” Wiz added. “Like we said, we’re just gonna do what’s natural and not let any pressure [get to us], because even [with] the word of it happening, people are like, ‘You guys need to get married now,’ ” Khalifa explained. “It’s gonna happen; my baby knows I love her. I’m committed and she’s committed, so we’re just gonna make it happen.” In September, a photo of Wiz in a black tuxedo and Amber in a white gown hit the Web. Rumors began to fly that the two had secretly tied the knot in Las Vegas, but MTV News later learned that the couple was merely celebrating Khalifa’s birthday . Leave your well-wishes for Wiz and Amber in the comments section! Related Artists Wiz Khalifa

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