‘It was necessary, because these are the things that happen in real life,’ director Chris Robinson tells MTV News. By Rob Markman Lil Wayne Photo: MTV News The lyrics of Lil Wayne’s ballad “How to Love” are probably best described as romantically tragic, but after Weezy premiered the video online Wednesday, the song took on a more dire meaning. The Chris Robinson-directed clip tells the story of an abused mother, who unintentionally leads her daughter to relive her own vicious cycle. “I have a daughter, Wayne has a daughter, and he really wanted to tell the story,” Robinson told MTV News. “We were talking about statistics of abuse in our community. We were talking about really telling this story for every young woman in the world.” The video follows the life of a mother, who is beaten by her boyfriend while her baby daughter watches. As the little girl grows older, she visits her father in prison, and then as a preteen, she is molested by one of her mother’s lovers. From there, the young lady, played by model/actress Chanta Patton, grows up to become a stripper and eventual prostitute who contracts HIV. The cautionary clip is heavy in its message and not necessarily easy to watch. It wasn’t easy to film, either; Robinson talked about the difficulty of filming the molestation scene, where we see the young girl wearing pigtails trying to fight off her adult attacker. “That was a harsh scene; it was difficult for us to shoot,” the director said. “It was necessary, because these are the things that happen in real life. And you can see the trajectory of where that took her.” The video in some ways is reminiscent of TLC’s 1995 video for “Waterfalls,” in which the song drives a narrative with a deep message. Weezy’s performance shots are almost an afterthought. “Speaking to Wayne, his performance — actually seeing him — was secondary to him,” Robinson explained. “He really wanted to communicate what his thought was, what he really felt when he wrote these lyrics, and that was the priority for us.” In fact, it was the rapper’s lyrics that drove the story home. Key scenes fell in sync with Tunechi’s rhymes. “For me, I think Wayne’s performance, we really showed him when he said these poignant lines, things that really connected,” the director explained. “The concept is more a narrative. It’s a story about two paths in someone’s life and how one small choice that you make can affect your whole life.” Lil Wayne, who hits the stage as a performer at Sunday’s VMAs , will drop Tha Carter IV at midnight after the big show. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday from Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com . Related Artists Lil Wayne
Already parents to two beautiful daughters, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are getting ready for another baby! She’s pregnant, according to reports! The couple, along with Violet, 5 1/2, and Seraphina, 2 1/2 – are “thrilled” to be expecting their third child, they confirmed to the Associated Press. Here’s Jen out with soon-to-be-big sister Seraphina: Garner and Affleck, both 39, have each spoken of being hands-on parents. Garner said juggling acting and motherhood gave her a “split personality.” “[I] feel like half my brain is somewhere else all the time, but when the camera’s rolling, I pull it together and focus for two minutes,” she has said. “Then I kind of turn back to a ditz again.” A ditz and a great mom. Congratulations to the happy couple … and sorry to J. Lo, who won’t be getting back together with Ben anytime soon. [Photo: WENN.com]
Attention since ‘Drop a Body’ video ‘is crazy,’ Joe tells MTV News. By Steven Roberts Fat Joe Photo: MTV News Fat Joe ‘s video for “Drop a Body” was filled with volcanic eruptions, lightning and a mountain of dead bodies, but when the video dropped in June, Joe’s appearance overshadowed all of that. A considerably slimmer Joe stood atop said mountain, raising eyebrows and the clip’s number YouTube views. Joe said he was just as shocked by people’s reactions to his weight loss, because he was just trying to save his life. “I’m not trying to impress nobody or nothing like that,” Joe told MTV News. “I’m just trying to get healthy so I can be here for my family and take care of my kids and live the life that was intended for me to live, so it was crazy when I started getting all this attention. Two weeks from now, CNN is coming to my house, Sanjay Gupta, a big special, and all this attention is crazy.” Joe said he was 360 pounds when he started losing weight, and after finding himself at much-more-manageable 260 pounds a year later, he still wasn’t satisfied. Initially, he wanted to lose weight because in the past year, several of his friends have lost their lives due to their weight. Joe recalled attending one of his friends’ funerals and seeing himself in that position. He knew then it was time to make a change. “I went to my friend’s funeral in the Bronx, and he was just the funniest, coolest dude on earth,” Joe recalled. “He’s got a daughter, she’s the same age as my daughter, and it just felt like I was there, and I could just see my family in the funeral and I was like, ‘Damn, he left his daughter, and she’s only 5,’ ” he explained. “That was the wake-up call. Then I just jumped on that treadmill and started eating right. It’s not rocket science: It’s the same thing they keep telling you to do, you actually just have to do it.” Joe said he always asked God why he continued to bless him, despite his past and him not being a perfect person. And then he realized his weight-loss battle might be his calling. He hopes that he can inspire others to do the same. “One of my boys lives in Detroit, he said he came out his building, he got two dudes that been the fattest dudes on the block forever, they have weights outside and was running around the block, and he was like, ‘Yo, what’s up?’ and they were like, ‘We on that Fat Joe wave!’ ” Related Artists Fat Joe
Attention since ‘Drop a Body’ video ‘is crazy,’ Joe tells MTV News. By Steven Roberts Fat Joe Photo: MTV News Fat Joe ‘s video for “Drop a Body” was filled with volcanic eruptions, lightning and a mountain of dead bodies, but when the video dropped in June, Joe’s appearance overshadowed all of that. A considerably slimmer Joe stood atop said mountain, raising eyebrows and the clip’s number YouTube views. Joe said he was just as shocked by people’s reactions to his weight loss, because he was just trying to save his life. “I’m not trying to impress nobody or nothing like that,” Joe told MTV News. “I’m just trying to get healthy so I can be here for my family and take care of my kids and live the life that was intended for me to live, so it was crazy when I started getting all this attention. Two weeks from now, CNN is coming to my house, Sanjay Gupta, a big special, and all this attention is crazy.” Joe said he was 360 pounds when he started losing weight, and after finding himself at much-more-manageable 260 pounds a year later, he still wasn’t satisfied. Initially, he wanted to lose weight because in the past year, several of his friends have lost their lives due to their weight. Joe recalled attending one of his friends’ funerals and seeing himself in that position. He knew then it was time to make a change. “I went to my friend’s funeral in the Bronx, and he was just the funniest, coolest dude on earth,” Joe recalled. “He’s got a daughter, she’s the same age as my daughter, and it just felt like I was there, and I could just see my family in the funeral and I was like, ‘Damn, he left his daughter, and she’s only 5,’ ” he explained. “That was the wake-up call. Then I just jumped on that treadmill and started eating right. It’s not rocket science: It’s the same thing they keep telling you to do, you actually just have to do it.” Joe said he always asked God why he continued to bless him, despite his past and him not being a perfect person. And then he realized his weight-loss battle might be his calling. He hopes that he can inspire others to do the same. “One of my boys lives in Detroit, he said he came out his building, he got two dudes that been the fattest dudes on the block forever, they have weights outside and was running around the block, and he was like, ‘Yo, what’s up?’ and they were like, ‘We on that Fat Joe wave!’ ” Related Artists Fat Joe
Tony Todd, the star of Final Destination 5, is on his way to visit his hometown of Washington D.C. on a sunny August morning, and hasn’t a care in the world. While audiences know Todd for his role in the 1992 cult classic Candyman , he is a classically trained thespian whose roots started in theater. Born into poverty to a single mother in 1954, Todd first fell into acting as a teenager since–as he puts it– “I wasn’t any good at basketball.” After 22 years in the game, and over 150 acting credits under his belt, Todd has carved out an impressive and enviable career—not bad for a geeky 6’5 teenager from Chocolate City. The Urban Daily chatted with Todd about his return as William Bludworth in the newest Final Destination movie, his iconic role in Candyman , and the current state of the horror film genre. TUD: Tell us about the plot of Final Destination 5. Tony Todd: We have a new cast of young people with tragic demises and I have more than one scene. I like doing more than one scene, I like continuity (laughs) . There are a few theories going around as to who your character, Bludworth really is—one theory is that he’s death incarnate. What do you say to that? I think that’s too much of an easy choice, I mean how can you be death incarnate when you’re only in the movie for five minutes? Actually someone came up to me and said maybe Bludworth had cheated death himself. I’ve never personally accepted he was the angel of death, or the emissary of death. Just a very unpopular guy. Why do you think the Final Destination franchise has remained so popular? Because it’s the perfect date movie. Everybody loves a horror story because it’s a roller coaster ride –you wait for the slow ride to the top then speed down with all the bumps, twists and turns. If you’re a smart person, you bring your date and for every bump that goes on, you squeeze a little closer. I think Final Destination is singularly responsible for more births in America in the last 10 years than any other movie. You might be on to something there. I know I’ve done the research. I interview people when they leave the theatre, and when they see me they’re like “Oh my God!” That really freaks them out! Final Destination movies are known for their graphic death scenes. Which ones are the most memorable to you? Well I’m a big fan of the first movie, because that was the template. Jeffrey Reddick, the creator of this franchise, is a genius. In Final Destination 5 , the bridge collapse sequence is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Audiences still remember you from the Candyman movies. Do people still stop you in the street about that role? Candyman is almost 20 years old and not a single day goes by when someone doesn’t stop me in the street. It was a great role and one of the greatest experiences in my life. Have your kids seen Candyman ? They didn’t watch it until they were well into their teens. True story—When Candyman first came out, my daughter and I were Christmas shopping, and people were harassing us. Finally my daughter puts down her shopping bag and said “That’s not Candyman! That’s my dad!” I will never forget that, because that’s when we really bonded. Let’s talk a little about your background. When you were growing up, which actors or actresses did you look up to or admire? When I was a kid I really loved Humphrey Bogart. But when I was in theater school, Robert DeNiro was my go-to guy. I like good actors like Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman. I grew up a poor kid to a single mom, so as an African-American actor I have a responsibility to hold the mirror up and reflect our stories. I’m living the dream and also escaped the inevitable. Your first lead role in a movie was in the remake of Night of The Living Dead . Your character in that movie has historical significance, as the original was the first horror movie to cast an African-American (Duane Jones) in the lead role. What are you memories about being cast in that project? I actually saw the original while I was studying to be an actor, and watching Duane Jones I thought “Good, there’s hope.” When I heard they were casting for the remake I ran to the casting office and told them they had to let me audition. I think they already had someone in mind, but the casting director took a chance on me and gave me the job. It was my first leading role and my son was born around that same time. It was a chance to play a hero, so I was very appreciative. We shot the movie in Washington, Pennsylvania, singularly the most racist place in America. The beautiful thing is all these people were lining up to play zombies, and if I wasn’t an actor, they wouldn’t have anything to do with me. You also do a lot of voice-over work as well. How did you fall into that? When I was younger, I wanted to do Disney movies but I could never get a role. When I finally got a part in Transformers 2 I called my daughter and told her “Honey, I’m gonna be a Transformer!” and she said “Grow up Dad!” But it paid her tuition, so there you go! What are your thoughts on the current state of the horror genre, and should actors of color be more open-minded to doing these types of movies? Television is dying because of the influx of reality shows, so I think smart horror movies like “Final Destination” area great thing because it makes people think. I’m not a fan of torture for torture’s sake. That’s why you’ll never see me in Saw. I think young African-American filmmakers and actors need to hold their heads up and know if a project is meant for them, they’ll get it. 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Jessica Alba’s baby is here! The actress welcomed another daughter on Saturday with husband Cash Warren by her side. Haven Garner Warren joins her big sister, Honor, 3. Jessica wrote on her Facebook page: “She was born on Saturday, weighed 7 lbs. and was 19 inches long. Healthy and happy! Big sister Honor couldn’t be more excited about the new addition to our family. Thank you for all of your support during my pregnancy. It means the world to me.” Jessica Alba Airbrushed? “Mine For Nine” Site Lets Pregnant Moms Rent Maternity Clothes
After giving birth on Saturday, Jessica Alba making the announcement on her Facebook, complete with the beautiful baby girl#39;s name and vital stats: “Big sister Honor couldn#39;t be more excited about the new addition to our family. Thank you for all of your support during my pregnancy.” Call them the Fantastic Four! With the arrival of their second child – another daughter – congratulations are most definitely in order for spouses Jessica Alba and Cash Warren. “It means the world to me. H
Quite the weekend for weddings. After Brooke Burke and David Charvet made it official and two co-hosts on The View did the same, Tara Reid has joined the class of newlyweds. The American Pie star married Michael Lillelund, a Danish businessman, in Greece Saturday, E! confirms . In other news … they were engaged? The 35-year-old Reid decided to break the news herself via her Twitter account, writing, “Just got married in greece I love being a wife.” That same night, Reid also broke the news that she was engaged. “I got engaged!!” Tara tweeted, followed up by, “Greece married!” Hey, sometimes when you know, you know, right? The couple met in Saint-Tropez in November. Congratulations to Tara and Michael! [Photo: WENN.com]
Call them the Fantastic Four! With the arrival of their second child – another daughter – congratulations are most definitely in order for spouses Jessica Alba and Cash Warren. After giving birth on Saturday, Jessica making the announcement on her Facebook, complete with the beautiful baby girl’s name and vital stats: Haven Garner joins Jessica, Cash, and three-year-old Honor Marie! “Big sister Honor couldn’t be more excited about the new addition to our family. Thank you for all of your support during my pregnancy.” “It means the world to me. Haven Garner Warren was born on Saturday, weighed 7 lbs and was 19 inches long. Very healthy and happy!” Jessica Alba, who is gearing up for the premiere of Spy Kids 4 , says she can’t imagine having more than two kids … yet. Never say never. Best wishes to the happy family!
