Carly Rae Jepsen will open the 45-city North American tour. By Gil Kaufman Justin Bieber Photo: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images While Justin Bieber fans are awaiting the June 19 release of Believe , perhaps they can slake their fever by snatching up some tickets to the singer’s upcoming North American tour. Bieber will hit the road for a headlining tour in support of his fourth album on September 29 with a show in Glendale, Arizona, with fans who purchase tickets to the shows getting a chance to pre-order the disc. The “Believe” outing will hit 45 cities before wrapping up in Miami on January 26, 2013, with prot
Ray J was almost physically removed from the Billboard Music Awards last night after an angry confrontation with Whitney Houston’s family members. Pat Houston, Whitney’s sister-in-law/manager, was seated next to Ray J, the person Pat believes was a very bad influence on the late music legend. Minutes before a tribute to Whitney, in which Jordin Sparks sang and Bobbi Kristina Brown accepted an award, Pat asked her security to nix Ray J. After Whitney’s ex-BF refused to budge, Pat’s security summoned hotel security, along with several uniformed officers to physically remove Ray . Just before it got ugly, security warned Pat that things would likely get physical and it would almost be caught on video, just as Whitney was to be honored. Sources say Pat then grudgingly recanted and Ray J stayed. Later, Ray reportedly complained to friends about the incident, saying “Pat ruined what was a great opportunity to honor the woman who I loved.” A rep for the Houston family later admitted they did ask Ray J to be moved from his seat because Billboard told them they needed that particular seat. Ray J had a ticket with the proper seat number, so he refused to budge, and security was called, but the Houstons deny any lingering feud with Ray. In related news (not really), Kim Kardashian is the hottest woman in the world , according to Zoo Weekly . She can thank Ray for that glorious title. [Photo: WENN.com]
‘I just want to be able to speak through the music,’ she says of her Billboard Music Awards performance of ‘I Will Always Love You.’ By Kara Warner Jordin Sparks at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday Photo: Denise Truscello/ WireImage LAS VEGAS — This year’s Billboard Music Awards definitely packed a punch with explosive live performances. From Justin Bieber’s swaggie “Boyfriend” to Carly Rae Jepsen’s pop confection “Call Me Maybe” and Carrie Underwood’s appropriately wind-heavy production of new single “Blown Away,” the lucky audience members were treated to an evening of unforgettable showstoppers. In the midst of the upbeat displays, however, there were also two poignant performances in honor of music legends Whitney Houston and Donna Summer , performed by Jordin Sparks and John Legend and Natasha Bedingfield, respectively. When MTV News caught up with Sparks on the white carpet ahead of her portion of the tribute, the “American Idol” champ revealed that she had put her heart and soul into preparing her rendition of Houston’s iconic version of “I Will Always Love You.” “I put myself completely, 100 percent onstage every time I perform,” Sparks said of giving “everything” for her Houston tribute. “It’s just very special. I feel very honored to be able to honor Whitney in this way and to sing one of her songs. I’ve actually never performed this song before ever. It’s one of the songs I’ve always been like, ‘Leave that alone,’ so it’s nerve-racking for me,” she admitted. “It’s a lot of pressure I’m putting on myself, because I want to do it amazingly, but at the same time, whatever happens, I just want to be able to speak through the music.” Sparks worked with and got to know Houston while filming the movie “Sparkle,” which arrives in theaters this fall and is Houston’s final appearance onscreen. Sparks was scheduled to attend Clive Davis’ Grammy party with Houston on the night she died, and the “Idol” winner was in total “shock” upon hearing the tragic news . What did you think of Sparks’ tribute to Houston? Let us know in the comments. Related Videos 2012 Billboard Awards Highlights Related Photos 2012 Billboard Music Awards 2011 Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet
‘Acting was a whole different world,’ the singer-turned-actress tells MTV News, comparing ‘Battleship’ to her music videos. By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Rihanna in “Battleship” Photo: Universal Pictures Given Rihanna ‘s illustrious and commanding presence in all her music videos , it seems as though the Caribbean-born superstar’s experience performing in various clips would be the perfect training ground for her eventual transition into full-fledged acting. When MTV News sat down with Rihanna recently to discuss her acting debut in “Battleship,” we asked if her work in music videos helped prepare her for her role in the film. “Training ground? Maybe not, it wasn’t exactly that,” Rihanna said. “For me, acting was a whole different world. We make mini-movies with music videos, but there’s always a song track that’s playing, you don’t have to speak, so [with acting] you have to tell that emotion with the tone of your voice, and I have an accent, so I had to change it to a bit of an American accent for this movie, so that was different,” she explained. So might we see more of Rihanna’s acting skills in future films? We asked the “Where Have U Been” singer if having her first film under her belt has given her the confidence to go out and conquer more movie roles. “It will always be brand-new, because it’s a whole different project every time, it’s a whole new person,” she said. “There’s nothing you can have under your belt with acting, not in my opinion, because I’m not a natural. This isn’t my first [career choice], so I don’t know. I think it’s always going to be a challenge for me, but I like that.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Battleship.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘Battleship’ Related Photos ‘Battleship’
‘This is my favorite place in the mother—-in’ world!’ Drizzy declares. By Maurice Bobb Drake Photo: MTV News HOUSTON — Drake’s ties to Houston run deep. It was the city made famous by Rap-a-Lot Records, the Geto Boys, UGK, DJ Screw and a litany of chopped-and-screwed odes to purple syrup that sired, cultivated and ultimately catapulted the Toronto native into the stratosphere of chart-topping, award-winning artists, so it was only fitting that the MC born Aubrey Graham would pour more of his heart and soul into Thursday night’s Toyota Center performance, an earmarked leg on his mammoth Club Paradise Tour. Before Drizzy took the stage for his nearly two-hour set, he was preceded by a coterie of hip-hop radio fixtures: French Montana, 2 Chainz, Meek Mill, Waka Flocka Flame and J. Cole. Each artist was allotted an average of 30 minutes to run through their budding catalog of hits as the crowd — an amalgamation of ages, races and backgrounds — filed into the expansive arena to see the YMCMB MC. Dressed in a simple black T-shirt and jeans — sans garish bejeweled pendant, necklace or watch — and backed by a five-piece band, the Canadian spitter took the stage just before 10 p.m., bursting with nostalgia and reverence for H-Town. “I love Toronto, but this (Houston) is my favorite place in the mother—-in’ world!” he declared. Drake jumpstarted the throng with last year’s undisputed summer anthem, “I’m on One,” before igniting the crowd with the Weeknd-assisted “Crew Love” from his critically and commercially successful sophomore opus, Take Care . In between sips of mystery drank from a grande-sized Styrofoam cup, Drake bounced across the stage like a whirling dervish, looking as if he were unchained from the restrictions and restraints of the criticism he’s faced since solidifying his brand of moody, self-reflective braggadocio in the hardened, self-policing pantheon of hip-hop. Songs like “She Will” and “Up All Night” flowed from the multiplatinum MC’s happy place like an unrelenting wave crashing on a sandy beach. Drake was having so much fun onstage he felt compelled to share it with his co-stars. “Every n—a you wanna hear is right f—ing here!” Drake said before bringing out 2 Chainz for the newly released banger “No Lie.” The record has yet to gain the kind of traction it deserves, but one thing is clear: You haven’t heard “No Lie” until you’ve heard it in a live arena setting. Next up was Waka Flocka, whose high-energy flow on “Round of Applause” was punctuated by pyrotechnics on the “Baby make that ass clap” refrain. Drizzy briefly put his parade of guest stars on hold to offer up his current crossover hit “Take Care” before Meek Mill stepped into the cypher for “House Party” and “I’m a Boss.” The biggest surprise — literally and figuratively — of the night emerged from stage right to thunderous applause: Rick Ross. The Teflon Don and French Montana joined Drake and Meek Mill for the first-ever all-hands-on-deck live performance of “Stay Schemin” from Rozay’s groundbreaking mixtape Rich Forever . Drake’s growth as a live performer was evident as he took time to single out fans for various compliments, comments and jokes, making 15,000 fans feel as though they were in a small, intimate venue meant for 1,500. Drizzy crooned and pandered to the shrieking females in the audience as a prelude to “Make Me Proud,” but the exuberant pirouettes and middle-fingered Mazel tovs were back with “HYFR” and “The Motto.” The only blemish on the evening came when a young fan managed to hop onstage ala Lil Mama before being promptly removed by herculean security guards. “Shout out to that f— ass n—a that ran onstage,” Drake said. “He probably getting his ass beat right now.” To close out his set, Drizzy thanked the fans for their unyielding support and offered up the defiantly brazen “Headlines,” lest there were any haters left in the building — or in the industry, for that matter — “overdosed on confidence” enough to think they can keep Drake from being Drizzy. Because, as he so eloquently put it on this night, Drake doesn’t care about what the naysayers have to say: He only cares about making music for his fans. Have you seen the Club Paradise Tour? Share your review below! Related Videos Drake Kicks Off His Tour In Houston Related Artists Drake
Texas Woman Kills Baby Daddy-Live In Boyfriend Over Cheap Mother’s Day Gift What a dumb b_tch: A woman stabbed the father of her children several times on Sunday evening when he gave her a cheap mother’s day present that she did not like, according to police. Paige Parkerson, 20, from Jefferson County, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of her live-in boyfriend Clifton JR Barkin, 22. Police were called to the house by his mother Evetta Wright, shortly after she got a phone call from Parkerson allegedly confessing to the crime. She told the Houston Chronicle: ‘Paige told me she killed JR, that he was dead.’ Mrs Wright had just dropped her son off at the house at 11.30pm on Sunday and that was after taking him to Wal-Mart to buy flowers and a Mother’s Day card for Paige. Barkin, 22, was stabbed several times and died just after midnight in the backyard of his yellow rental house. Mrs Wright said she believes Parkerson expected a more expensive gift, such as jewelry. Turn the page for the testimonies
Bobby Brown On Ellen Show Talking Whitney Houston You know the Browns are not one to shy away from the press. With Bobby Brown doing this interview, we are left praying for her exploitation to cease. Turn the page for this interview.
Bobby Brown On Ellen Show Talking Whitney Houston You know the Browns are not one to shy away from the press. With Bobby Brown doing this interview, we are left praying for her exploitation to cease. Turn the page for this interview.
We wonder if Cleopatra ever came this close to $60 milli??? The devil’s playtoy RihRih rocked out a lil gold Egyptian inspired getup on a set that included flashing lights, smoke and huge Sphinx’s for a performance of “Where Have You Been?” at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC last night for the Robin Hood Foundation Benefit. The evening raised $57 million to fight poverty in NYC. Guess it’s hard to call her naughty when she’s being so nice. Hit the flip for more shots of RihRih in her Cleopatra get up Continue reading →
Bobbi Kris can sing?? On May 20th at The Billboard Awards, we’ll find out. Bobbi Kristina’s hopes to become a singer will come true when she hits the stage at the award show. Bobbi has been tapped to participate in a musical tribute to her late mother, Whitney Houston: R&B divas Brandy, Monica and Gladys Knight will present with Chris Brown, Usher and Justin Bieber giving special performances. Though details are sparse as to what Kristina’s role will be, it’s sure to be an emotional one. The announcement of her contribution to the event also comes with the news that Houston’s family, including her mother, daughter, brother and sister-in-law will also be the stars of a new reality TV series entitled The Houston Family Chronicles. The show will document the grieving family across 10 one-hour episodes on the Lifetime network to air later this year. Meanwhile, the newly engaged Bobby Brown told Billboard Friday that he has not heard of the show. “I haven’t heard about that and I definitely question it,” he said. “But I know my daughter will make the right decisions in her life. She was brought up right.” Brown, who starred in the 2005 series Being Bobby Brown is also working on his own reality show. “The Houston Family Chronicles was already in the works at the time of Whitney’s death. [Her] unexpected passing … certainly affects the direction of the show,” Pat, the wife of Whitney’s brother Gary said. “However it is my hope that others will be enlightened as they watch our family heal and move forward.” While we applaud Bobbi’s courage to be able participate in this tribute, we wonder how her ummm… singing ability will stand up next to the likes of Gladys Knight and Monica. Will she be able to stand the pressure of not necessarily sounding like her mother but at least meeting her standard of vocal greatness? Jesus be an auto-tune. Will you be tuning into The Billboard Awards? Source Continue reading →
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