‘Things like this happen all the time,’ producer Mark Burnett says. By Jocelyn Vena Katy Perry Photo: Getty Images Katy Perry will have to celebrate any People’s Choice Awards wins from afar. On Monday, Perry tweeted that she’d no longer be attending the show, which airs live Wednesday (January 11), following her divorce announcement from Russell Brand. The pop star is up for seven awards, and although it would mark her first public appearance since the New Year’s weekend bombshell , for now it seems fans will have to wait it out to see Perry make her big post-divorce statement. And for PCA executive producer Mark Burnett, that is completely fine. “It’s understandable,” he told E! News about the last-minute shakeup. “Things like this happen all the time.” Burnett went on to say that despite the cancellation, there’s plenty of other stuff in the show to keep fans tuned in, including a performance by Demi Lovato and appearances by the cast of “The Hunger Games” and “Twilight” superstar Robert Pattinson. “The show is so jam-packed you’re thinking how are we going to fit it all in,” he said. Although Perry has been lying low since the divorce announcement, she recently addressed the split on Twitter, saying, “I am so grateful for all the love and support I’ve had from people around the world. You guys have made my heart happy again. Concerning the gossip, I want to be clear that NO ONE speaks for me. Not a blog, magazine, ‘close sources’ or my family.” Perry is scheduled for two concerts later this month, one on January 19 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and another on January 22 in the Philippines, and is up for two awards at the Grammys on February 12. On Tuesday, Brand found himself in the headlines when a months-old video announcement for his November college comedy tour surfaced. In it, Brand slides off his wedding ring and pledges to learn more about college life and sororities. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry
‘It’s the real deal. You live or die on that show,’ Radcliffe tells MTV News. By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Daniel Radcliffe Photo: MTV News Daniel Radcliffe made the jump to Broadway star shortly after ending his run as the world’s most famous boy wizard, but on Saturday, he’s taking an even bigger step: He’s hosting “Saturday Night Live.” Radcliffe knew that’s not something you do without some careful consideration, and he told MTV News’ Josh Horowitz that he had to give it some thought before agreeing to host. “I had to think about it a little bit, because it’s the real deal. You live or die on that show,” he said. “Ultimately, it was a no-brainer because I was working with John Larroquette [in ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’] at the time as well. He hosted a bunch of times when he was younger.” Not that it took a lot of convincing. Radcliffe also just really wanted to work with the castmembers he admires. “I love Seth Meyers . Bill Hader , I think, is just unbelievable. That Alan Alda impression, just mind-blowing,” he said. Part of what is so enticing to Radcliffe about hosting is the immense challenge of it. “It will be the kind of stuff I like, that kind of guerrilla style of getting stuff done when you just have to get it done,” he said. “Nothing else matters. You have to do it. You have to achieve. By the end of the week, you’re going to be putting on an hour-and-a-half music-and-comedy show from scratch.” Work for Radcliffe’s episode started on Monday, and the actor said he is “very excited,” and he is even bringing some ideas of his own. “But they’re going to be crap,” Radcliffe said. “I’ve got a couple ideas, yes, but I don’t know that mine are going to end up onscreen because they’ve got a very experienced team of writers there.” Daniel Radcliffe’s episode of “Saturday Night Live,” with musical guest Lana Del Rey, airs this Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Daniel Radcliffe
Role of drug cartel ‘godmother’ Griselda Blanco is Oscar bait, actor tells ‘Sway in the Morning.’ By Kara Warner, with reporting by Devi Dev Mark Wahlberg Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images Mark Wahlberg always has a lot on his plate, juggling projects as both an actor and producer. One film he’s been talking about for awhile now is “Cocaine Cowboys,” a feature film based on the 2006 documentary directed by Billy Corben. And when Wahlberg stopped by Sway Calloway’s “Sway in the Morning” Sirius radio show on Tuesday (January 10), he hinted at some major news. “We’re waiting on the script. It’s going to be sooner rather than later,” Wahlberg told Sway’s Shade 45 co-host, Devi Dev. “We’re going to shoot that in Miami, hopefully in the summer or the fall.” “Cocaine Cowboys” follows the rise of the cocaine trade and the subsequent crime epidemic and drug war that swept through Miami in the 1970s and ’80s. The documentary featured first-person interviews with journalists, lawyers, former smugglers and gang members, many of whom argue that the criminal operations behind the trade can be traced to one prominent figure: infamous crime family matriarch Griselda Blanco. Wahlberg, who has expressed interest in teaming up with his director buddy David O. Russell on the project, joked that Devi Dev might have a shot at playing “godmother” Griselda Blanco. But the actor/director also said the co-host would have stiff competition from a well-known actress who’s very interested in the part. “It’s one of those characters that will go down in history. Jennifer Lopez is chasing that [role] like crazy,” Wahlberg revealed. “It’s the role — if I could play Griselda, I would. That’s Academy Award [bait] right there.” Wahlberg and Devi also discussed the fact that whoever lands the Blanco role will have to forget about being pretty. Getting into character will require a transformation
Comedian jokingly removed band in November announcement for his college tour. By Jocelyn Vena Russell Brand Photo: Colin MacFarlane / Splash News A little over a month before he announced he would be taking off his wedding ring for good, Russell Brand jokingly took off his band when he announced his college tour. The video announcement, which he (and Katy Perry ) posted in mid-November , seems to be getting some attention thanks to Brand’s pre-split jovial nature about removing his ring and learning about what happens in sorority houses. He opens the clip saying, “Hello Americans, this is a time of terrific change and the perfect time for me to go on a tour.” He then rambles on about American college life, adding, “I don’t know nothing about your college culture. This, for me, is going to be an educational experience. “Now in each of these cases I want to meet people from sororities and fraternities,” he continued. “I don’t know what a sorority is except for the things I’ve seen on Nudevista; that they are sort of sex clubs for women. Fraternities, that’s a bit like the film ‘Animal House’ or ‘Social Network.’ These are the only references I have.” Noting that he hoped to create worlds of “decadence” on the road, he further teased, “We are going to change college life forever. First of all, I’m going to understand it, then we’re going to change it, and then we’re gonna try and understand the new version.” As the video ends, Brand slides off his ring, with this message, “This is going to be a week of revolution, a week of occupation, and, more important, I’m going to learn firsthand about sororities. I’m going to place this somewhere very, very safe for the next week,” he said about his ring. At the time, his former wife tweeted her support for the shows. In fact, she was the person who tweeted out the video originally. “My [foul] mouthed Hubby @rustyrockets is playing a few mid-west/east-coast shows starting tonight onwards!” she wrote. “SUPPORT!” The video’s resurgence comes just one day after Perry announced she’d no longer attend Wednesday’s People’s Choice Awards. What do you think of Russell Brand’s video? Sound off below! Related Artists Russell Brand Katy Perry
‘I think the young vote’s got to get out and be more informed,’ said one first-time voter. By Gil Kaufman, with reporting by Sway Calloway A young Republican presidential supporter outside a polling station in Manchester, New Hampshire Photo: AFP CONCORD, N.H. — On a blue-sky, unseasonably not frigid morning in the Granite State, young voters came out early to the Green Street Community Center in the shadow of the gold-domed state capital to cast their ballots in the first-in-the-nation Republican primary on Tuesday (January 10). MTV’s Powerof12 caught up with them and found out what issues were on the minds and why they were motivated to hit the polls early. Andrew Judd, 19, was feeling good about his first voting experience, confident that his ballot could make a difference in the outcome. “I normally would say I don’t have a chance at affecting anything, but the results in Iowa state that seven votes could make a difference,” he said, referring to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s eight-vote margin over former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum in last week’s Iowa caucus . “If I’m one of those seven, then I’m making a big difference.” Judd said he definitely kept an eye on the ever-fluctuating polls in the weeks leading up to Tuesday’s vote, watching as leading candidate Romney saw his 40-plus percent margin slip into the low 30s as the numbers for congressman Ron Paul and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman crept up. But even if his candidate of choice doesn’t make the cut, Judd said he will still come out to vote again in the general election. Though she was also excited about her first time voting, Emily Flanders, 18, was a bit disappointed that some of her friends sat the primary out. “I think that they still think that they can complain about the government, but they don’t have the right to if they’re not going to vote,” she said. It wasn’t the same story for Amelia Dickinson, 18, one of several politically active students from nearby St. Paul’s School, an Episcopal boarding school, who stepped into a voting booths in the center’s gym and check a box behind a red, white and blue curtain. As she did, one of her teachers, Grant Edwards, looked on with pride as he watched his charge take the lessons she had learned in his class and put them to work. “I was really looking forward to it [voting],” said Dickinson, who spent last semester studying the various campaigns for a new-media and culture class and is currently examining the candidates’ views in a practical politics course. “It was a nice way to go about voting for the first time with all the information.” Rather than letting the polls affect her vote, Dickinson said she focused on watching the various debates and studying the candidates’ beliefs, ultimately deciding that her values lined up with Santorum’s as she tried not to get distracted or swayed by Romney’s momentum in pre-primary polls. “I hope people actually look into what they’re saying,” she said, also promising that she would be back in the general election regardless of Tuesday’s outcome. Yet another first-timer in Edwards’ class, 19-year-old senior David J. Chester, said he absolutely thinks the nation’s 45 million young voters can help impact the 2012 election. “But I think the young vote’s got to get out and be more informed. You’ve got to know the policies the candidates are running … you’ve got to take time and research what it is you like about the certain candidates,” he said. Taking advantage of the state’s open primary system, Chester cast his ballot for Barack Obama . “Hopefully, if you get a large support base for the Democratic Party and Obama, it will hopefully start a snowball effect and more people will hop on the bandwagon when they see how many people came out and still voted for Obama even though the focus is on the Republican candidates,” he said. MTV is on the scene in New Hampshire! Check back here around the clock for up-to-the-minute coverage on the primary caucuses, and stick with throughout the presidential election season. Related Videos New Hampshire Primary Sparks Youth Conversation
Rose joins Yo Gotti and Saigon for ‘RapFix Live’ Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com. By Rob Markman Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa on “RapFix Live” in March 2011 Photo: MTV News “RapFix Live” is about to get a whole lot sexier, now that Ms. Amber Rose will appear on Wednesday’s show. On Tuesday (January 10), the voluptuous vixen dropped her very first single, “Fame,” which features her beau, Wiz Khalifa . “The song represents the ups and downs of fame and lets people know that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be,” Rose told MTV’s RapFix blog . “I have my own unique sound, I make music that I love, and I hope that my fans and the people that embrace me will love it also!” On Wednesday, Rose will make her return to the red couch, where she first appeared with Wiz in March of last year. It wasn’t planned, but after some prompting by host Sway Calloway, Amber walked on set and fielded a few questions about her and Khalifa’s relationship. Fans can look for the model to dish details on her music, many business endeavors and her portrayal in the media. That’s not all though. Yo Gotti will also thug it out on “RapFix Live” this Wednesday. The Memphis, Tennessee, MC has finally released his major label debut, Live From the Kitchen and will swing through to talk about his road to rap infamy. Saigon will also be premiering a new trailer for his upcoming mixtape Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave . Giddy debuted the tape’s first single, “I Am 4 Real,” Monday on the RapFix blog. Catch Yo Gotti, Amber Rose and Saigon on “RapFix Live” Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive. Send your questions for the artists to @MTVRapFiX ! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Wiz Khalifa Related Artists Saigon
Singer is rumored to be opening the show, where she’s up for six awards. By Jocelyn Vena Adele Photo: Getty Images Adele has been lying low since a vocal surgery in November , but now it seems she could be poised to hit up the Grammy Awards come February. Sources tell Radaronline.com that the six-time nominee is in talks to perform at the show, which takes place next month. “Adele will be at the Grammys in Los Angeles on February 12 at the Staples Center,” a source says. “She’s thrilled to be nominated, but it’s been a hard time for her because of the surgery. She has begun talking more, with her doctor’s permission. Adele’s best friend in recent weeks has been warm compresses around her neck to help the healing process of her vocal chords.” Adele, who keeps topping the charts nearly a year after dropping her album 21 , is just waiting it out until she knows for sure that she can be at her best for the broadcast. “Producers of the Grammys would love to have Adele perform and open the show, but she isn’t able to give them an answer yet,” the source added. “She won’t be able to give them an answer until the beginning of February, and they completely understand.” The singer took home two Grammys in 2009. Shortly after her surgery last year, she released a statement to the fans: “Sorry I haven’t written for a while. Thank you for all your positive thoughts and get well wishes,” Adele wrote . “I’m doing really well, on the mend, super happy, relaxed and very positive with it all. The operation was a success, and I’m just chilling out now until I get the all clear from my doctors.” Adele is still riding high off the release of 21 , spawning several inescapable singles including the ubiquitous “Rolling in the Deep,” which topped MTV’s list as Song of the Year for 2011 . Adele’s Grammy appearance could be timed with a potential March cover of Vogue . Related Videos Adele’s ‘Magical’ Road To Success Related Artists Adele
Watch the MCs chop it up with Sway on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com. By Rob Markman Yo Gotti Photo: Courtesy of TVT Records Last week, “RapFix Live” kicked off 2012 in grand fashion. Not only did Maino take over the red couch to give us his predictions for the next month (hint: he, Katy Perry and Rihanna fall into a love triangle ), but Virginia rapper Skillz also came through to perform his “2011 Rap Up.” This week, Yo Gotti will swing through and fill Sway in on his long-awaited major-label debut, Live From the Kitchen The Memphis spitter has reigned as one of rap’s most exciting underground artists thanks to his Cocaine Muzik mixtape series. And he’s also notched a few hits on his belt, including the 2009 club banger “5 Star” featuring Gucci Mane, Trina and an up-and-coming Nicki Minaj. The song would go on to peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart. Even though label drama led to album delay, Gotti continued to make hits. Next up was “Woman Lie, Men Lie” with Lil Wayne, then “For the Hood” with Gucci Mane and 2011’s sing-songy “We Can Get it On.” If Yo Gotti weren’t enough, Brooklyn MC Saigon will also stop by “RapFix Live” on Wednesday. Giddy made a serious impact in 2011 when he finally dropped his critically acclaimed debut album, The Greatest Story Never Told. On Monday (January 9), Sai premiered his OutKast-sampling track, “I Am 4 Real,” on MTV’s RapFix blog . “I Am 4 Real” is the first track off of Sai’s upcoming Warning Shots 3: One Foot in the Grave mixtape. Catch Yo Gotti and Saigon on “RapFix Live” Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive . And send your questions to @MTVRapFiX! Related Videos ‘RapFix Live’ With Maino Related Artists Yo Gotti Saigon
Actors have ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘How to Succeed in Business’ connections but only just met, Radcliffe tells MTV News. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Daniel Radcliffe Photo: MTV News For a while, it was a running joke between Daniel Radcliffe and Darren Criss that the “Harry Potter” star and “A Very Potter Musical” star had yet to meet, even though the two shared a “Potter” connection, celebrity status and Criss succeeded Radcliffe in the hit Broadway revival of “How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.” MTV News recently caught up with Radcliffe, and he revealed that, at long last, the two actors finally met just before Criss took over Radcliffe’s role for a limited run. “We have met. I can confirm, we have met,” Radcliffe said with a smile. “Somebody showed me a very doctored photograph of our meeting; there were no photographs at our meeting, so if that’s what people are interested in, they’re going to be disappointed. “But no, I had a lovely chat with him, talked about the show, I don’t really deign to give advice, but I gave him my number and same with Nick Jonas and said, you know, ‘Contact me if you’ve got anything to ask. I’m always around.’ I passed on a joke to him that Matthew Broderick gave to me which Robert Morse gave to Matthew Broderick,” Radcliffe explained of an inside joke shared by Morse and Broderick, who also played the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in “How to Succeed.” “So that’s become sort of a legacy joke now, which is nice.” Criss will only be in the show for three weeks until he has to return to work on “Glee,” after which Jonas will take over January 24 through July 1. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Daniel Radcliffe
