Manny Pacquiao is standing by his criticism of same-sex marriage, but denies giving some of the strongly-worded quotes in a recent article about his views. The athlete, regarded by many as the best pound-for-pound boxer on Earth, criticized gay marriage in the wake of President Obama’s recent support of it. Pacquiao DOES NOT, however, believe gay people should be put to death, or treated intolerantly, blaming the media for distorting his take on the subject. Manny has been under scrutiny since the National Conservative Examiner published an interview in which he said that gay marriage is against the will of God. The article includes a reference to Leviticus 20:13, which says gays “must be put to death.” But Pacquiao says he never said that or referenced the verse. The boxer said in a statement, “I didn’t say that, it’s a lie … I didn’t even know that quote from Leviticus because I haven’t read the Book of Leviticus yet.” He also made a point to say, “I’m not against gay people … I have a relative who is also gay. We can’t help it if they were born that way.” “What I’m critical of [sic] are actions that violate the word of God. I only gave out my opinion that same sex marriage is against the law of God.” Gay marriage :
Testone wants Queen guitarist for her album: ‘He’s like, ‘Call me up. Let’s do it.’ ‘ By Kelly Marino Elise Testone Photo: MTV News Elise Testone might have wanted it all, but in Thursday night’s “American Idol” elimination round, she was cut from the running after taking on this week’s challenge of singing a Queen anthem as well as a song choice of her own. With the finale less than a month away, it has been imbedded in the contestants’ heads that it’s do or die when it comes to picking the right songs at this stage in the game. And while Testone’s rendition of Queen’s “I Want It All” on Wednesday night seemed to finally land her right back in her element, it was her personal pick of the less-familiar “Bold as Love” by Jimi Hendrix that might have caused her fall. Regardless, she stands by her decision wholeheartedly. “I really don’t have any regrets about that,” the 28-year-old explained. “I feel like I sung it the best, maybe one of the bests I’ve ever sung it, because I sung it a lot of times with my band, and people are always requesting it, and I feel like it’s a popular song. John Mayer just re-released it, and he is of our generation, so it’s one of the most epic songs ever written. “There is definitely a lot of give and take in the music environment,” she added. “You have to please people, but you also need to be yourself. So it’s always about finding a balance, and as we got closer to the show, I really just wanted to be myself and sing from my heart because if I try to please people then it might come across a little bit — I want to say fake, but not completely fake, but just you wouldn’t feel that conviction as much if I did that all the time. So, yesterday, I just chose songs that I love, and I did the best I could. So, I feel successful in those performances and with whatever is going to happen now.” The South Carolina native has had a history — or should we say “a vacation home” — in the bottom three for weeks now, with Jimmy Iovine even declaring she was the underdog of the competition. Elise admitted she didn’t take the comment too lightly at first, but she eventually learned to accept the criticism as part of the learning process. “At first, it was kind of hard to hear those things just because I have worked so hard, I have a degree in music, and I’ve been in like six different bands,” the rocker confessed. “I’ve done so much with music, so sometimes it was hard for me to take that criticism, but finally I realized that’s why I’m here. I signed up for this, and I can take the criticism. Move on.” And moving on she is. Now that the show must go on without her, Elise is already thinking about recording her debut album. So has she had any communication with Stevie Nicks since the legendary vocalist claimed she would hire Testone in an instant if she ever needed a singer? “No, no, but hopefully there will be,” Testone said with a smile. “Brian May, I talked to him a lot off-camera from Queen. Super cool. I mentioned two or three times I would love for him to play on my album, and he’s like, ‘Call me up. Let’s do it.’ So, I’m definitely going to get that phone number.” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Sound off about Elise Testone’s elimination in the comments below! Related Photos ‘American Idol’ Season 11 Performances
Combating critics of her appearance once again, Ashley Judd went off on the sexualization, objectification and hatred of women she perceives in society. Stories about Judd’s puffy face , caused by the medication she had been taking for a sinus infection, gave way to plastic surgery rumors in recent weeks. Rumors that did not sit well with the Missing star, who is assailing critics left and right over this “sad commentary” on our obsession with appearance. “I think it’s hatred of women that invites the criticism,” the actress told NBC. Ashley Judd Interview “I think it’s the objectification of girls and this hypersexualization of our society. It doesn’t have anything to do with me, really, and how I look.” Judd says the reaction to her appearance was as swift as it was negative. “There was no presumption of goodwill,” she says, and that’s what pushed her over the edge. “The conversation went straight to, ‘Oh my gosh.'” Particularly galling, besides the “nasty, vitriolic and gloating tone,” she added, was the speculation that the 43-year-old had plastic surgery. “I started to catch the double bind where, you know, my face looks puffy, ‘She’s had work done,’ you know?” Judd says, noting the irony. “Then, look at the same image in a different interpretation by a separate set of people is, ‘Oh, come on, she doesn’t even have any wrinkles at all, she’s clearly had work.'” “So, I look bad, I’ve had work. I look too good, I’ve had work.” Judd said she decided to address this incident “because the conversation was pointedly nasty, gendered, and misogynistic and embodies what all girls and women in modern culture, to a greater or lesser degree, endure every day.” This happens “in ways both outrageous and subtle,” she says. Do you agree?
Combating critics of her appearance once again, Ashley Judd went off on the sexualization, objectification and hatred of women she perceives in society. Stories about Judd’s puffy face , caused by the medication she had been taking for a sinus infection, gave way to plastic surgery rumors in recent weeks. Rumors that did not sit well with the Missing star, who is assailing critics left and right over this “sad commentary” on our obsession with appearance. “I think it’s hatred of women that invites the criticism,” the actress told NBC. Ashley Judd Interview “I think it’s the objectification of girls and this hypersexualization of our society. It doesn’t have anything to do with me, really, and how I look.” Judd says the reaction to her appearance was as swift as it was negative. “There was no presumption of goodwill,” she says, and that’s what pushed her over the edge. “The conversation went straight to, ‘Oh my gosh.'” Particularly galling, besides the “nasty, vitriolic and gloating tone,” she added, was the speculation that the 43-year-old had plastic surgery. “I started to catch the double bind where, you know, my face looks puffy, ‘She’s had work done,’ you know?” Judd says, noting the irony. “Then, look at the same image in a different interpretation by a separate set of people is, ‘Oh, come on, she doesn’t even have any wrinkles at all, she’s clearly had work.'” “So, I look bad, I’ve had work. I look too good, I’ve had work.” Judd said she decided to address this incident “because the conversation was pointedly nasty, gendered, and misogynistic and embodies what all girls and women in modern culture, to a greater or lesser degree, endure every day.” This happens “in ways both outrageous and subtle,” she says. Do you agree?
Relax, people. That’s the general message the number-two man at Apple is delivering to fans reacting in outrage over the casting of Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs for an upcoming biopic of the late genius. In response to the filming of Jobs , which gets underway next month and which will follow the title character’s journey from “hippie to co-founder of Apple,” as producers have teased, Steve Wozniak has released the following statement: “There is probably little I can say, other than expressing my belief that this will be a great and popular film. I feel that Pirates of Silicon Valley was more interesting and grabbing and gets more play in schools of all levels than The Social Network. My hopes are that this film turns out as truthful and genuine as possible. I can’t judge that aspect until the film is done and I see it. As to the role of Steve Jobs I have little to say. Everyone has their own idea of who they think could play Steve the best. But when we started Apple at our young ages I decided not to put my nose and comments into every aspect of the company, like the color of boxes or the job responsibilities for a team. I would not step on the toes of people who had done these jobs for many years or decades. I would just do my engineering where I could not fail. So I look at the casting agencies and directors who are experts at casting. i trust that they considered all the relevant factors and made the best selection. The fear that many might have is that Ashton was selected because he’s ‘hot’ right now. But I feel that his selection was done in the most professional manner. And I’m glad that he’s onboard. I think he’ll put a lot into it and that he cares about this particular subject. It’s almost too bad that Steve Jobs is gone. His opinions and guidance, as to the story and film crew and cast would have been invaluable.”
Neil Patrick Harris has been tapped to host the Tony Awards for the third time, according to reports. The actor hosted the annual award show in 2009 and 2011. The 38-year-old How I Met Your Mother star, who will also be serving as a producer on this year’s telecast, confirmed the news in a statement. The 2012 Tony Awards air Sunday, June 10. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this year’s Tony Awards,” he said. “Not only will I be shining a spotlight on the best that Broadway has to offer, but hopefully I’ll score some free house seats to a show – or five!” Probably a fairly safe bet. “Neil is the ultimate showman,” adds CBS Entertainment’s Jack Sussman. “He brings great talent, energy and creativity to the Tony stage and usually a surprise or two. I can’t wait to see what he has in store this year.” [Photo: WENN.com]
Yes, Kourtney Kardashian dyed her hair a couple weeks ago. And, yes, she’s pregnant with a girl . But, no, despite the criticism Kourtney thinks she’s been getting, this decision was not an irresponsible one. She explains why in a new blog entry. I “followed all of the guidelines from my doctor and took the proper precautions necessary,” Kourtney wrote yesterday. “I highlighted my hair, which is considered the safest form of hair color while pregnant, and not to the root, so nothing ever touched my scalp. I also used products that did not contain any ammonia.” In Kourtney’s defense, she has no way of making money aside from coloring her hair, posing in a bikini , fabricating tabloid stories, etc. So she really did make this move with the best interests of her child in mind. Saying she thought it was “time for some fun,” hence the change, Kourtney koncluded: “Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I take caution in all the products I use all the time, but especially when pregnant.” Yes, the one thing anyone who knows anything about Kourtney Kardashian would cite about this reality star is that she takes caution in all the products she uses all the time, especially when pregnant.
Fan groups respond to one critic’s suggestion that Lawrence’s ‘womanly figure makes a bad fit’ for Katniss. By Elizabeth Lancaster Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate Fans flooded in droves into movie theaters this weekend to see “The Hunger Games.” In the wake of the highly anticipated release, much of the criticism surrounding the movie has been not about the young stars’ performances, but their appearances. Most recently there has been criticism of Jennifer Lawrence’s weight, with some sighting that as Katniss, a girl who grew up in a famine-stricken district of a dystopian society, she should have been thinner. New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis wrote , “A few years ago Ms. Lawrence might have looked hungry enough to play Katniss, but now, at 21, her seductive, womanly figure makes a bad fit for a dystopian fantasy about a people starved into submission.” The statement is receiving much backlash, considering Lawrence is now a certified movie star that countless young women look up to. Putting aside the negative body-image issues the comment suggests, one wonders whether Dargis is accurate in her assessment of the actress/character disparity? MTV News asked expert “Hunger Games” fans to weigh in. Most had the same message: They loved what Lawrence brought to her character and that the scrutiny is misguided. “Katniss may not have been as thin or small in stature as depicted in the book, but it’s not unfathomable that her hunting prowess would have allowed her to have some meat on her bones,” TheHob.org’s Gabby Vittoria responded. She went on to point out that “Peeta wasn’t tall in the movie; Clove wasn’t big and brawny; Katniss wasn’t smaller than most of the Tributes. These physical changes certainly didn’t take away from the story and messages in the movie. Besides, for me, Jennifer’s acting and the quality of the film makes her weight a non-issue.” Many fans not only disagreed with the film critic but were affronted by these reviews of Lawrence. “I’m offended by this critique on so many levels, and honestly, I was shocked that it was ever an issue and that a professional critic would bring it up in the film’s review,” Sara Gundell from the Hunger Games Examiner fan site stated. This backlash about Lawrence’s weight comes in the wake of the questioning of Rue’s race in the film. The pre-teen is played by Amandla Stenberg, who is African American. In recent days her casting was the subject of racially fueled criticism by a handful of moviegoers who have suffered their own backlash. What do you think of the criticism of Jennifer Lawrence’s weight? Sound off in the comments below! 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 Photos ‘Hunger Games’ World Premiere Red Carpet
The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. ~Norman Vincent Peale Its naturally to be drawn to people who always compliment you but what about those who offer honest criticism? Remember, success is not just about being told that you are “great,” its also a willingness to be open to advice. Humility helps you become bigger and better. If you want real success, receive the compliments AND the criticism.
