We have an update on the passing of Whitney Houston. A week after the official coroner’s report listed this singer’s cause of death as being a heart attack, likely related to cocaine use, it’s now been confirmed that the drug was , indeed, discovered in Whitney’s hotel room at the time her body was found. Initial reports had been sketchy on this fact, with rumors circulating that cocaine may have been present in Houston’s system – but no traces of the substances were anywhere near the bathtub in which she drowned. Allegations of someone tampering with the evidence even ran wild. But now sources connected to the investigation tell TMZ that “white, powdery remnants” were taken into custody and later identified as cocaine . Does this put the tragedy to rest? Sadly, probably not. Accusations of who supplied Whitney with her drugs of choice will continue for the foreseeable future. Ray J has already been forced to come out and defend himself against this charge .
The new season of the new version of Punk’d premieres tonight, with former host Ashton Kutcher behind the camera as a producer and a rotating weekly emcee in front of it, beginning this episode with some guy named Justin Bieber. In promotion of the show, both stars appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, dishing on topics that included: Justin’s freedom now that he’s 18 years old. Justin somehow forcing Ashton to purchase a new home. Justin wanting to make Taylor Swift cry via a major prank. Kutcher, hilariously clueless about his reputation since splitting from Demi Moore , wondering how people can have sex in space. Watch a quarter of clips from the interview now: Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher on Jimmy Kimmel Live (Part 1) Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher on Jimmy Kimmel Live (Part 2) Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher on Jimmy Kimmel Live (Part 3) Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher on Jimmy Kimmel Live (Part 4)
Singer /actor Tyrese just can’t win. Tyrese has gone on the interview circuit proclaiming how cool he and Transformers director Michael Bay are. The only issue with that is Bay doesn’t want to be associated with Tyrese. Bay and his …
The accused, acquitted and infamous “Tot Mom,” Casey Anthony is embracing religion and plans on getting baptized soon, according to a new report. Anthony, 26, wanted to do something to “signify a new beginning in life.” “Casey has planned to get baptized sometime this month,” an insider said. “She figured getting baptized would be the best way start this new chapter.” Last July, Casey Anthony was – to the surprise and dismay of millions – found not guilty in the murder trial of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony. Her deceased little girl is another big reason she’s reached out to God. “Casey believes that Caylee is with God now and wants to ensure her own salvation so that she’ll see her daughter again someday,” the source said. Fearing for her life, but required to remain in Florida as she completes probation (for check fraud), Anthony has been in hiding for nine months now. The only glimpse into her life since has been from her leaked video diaries , which she showcased a new hairstyle, a nose ring and her new puppy. “I’m just really starting to feel good about a lot of things. It’s about time,” Casey said in one clip. “I’m really starting to like the way things are going.” “I’m just so happy . I’m really happy.”
Like his play on the court, Kris Humphries is getting aggressive in his legal battle against Kim Kardashian , as a lawyer for this NBA power forward has released a statement regarding his client’s stance in the ex-couple’s impending divorce case. To Life & Style . “Much effort and energy to misdirect the public’s perception of what transpired between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries has taken place over the past several months. This case will not be resolved in the court of public opinion amidst ridiculous and defamatory allegations and personal attacks directed against Kris Humphries. Rather, this case will be appropriately investigated and litigated professionally and with integrity,” said this attorney… to Life & Style . Humphries’ legal team is comprised of Lee A. Hutton III of Lommen Abdo and Marshall Waller and Sandra Salinas of Feinberg & Waller. One of them has shot down the notion that Kris asked for $7 million in exchange for his silence, while another tells the tabloid : “One thing is certain: Kris Humphries intends to set the record straight.”
Whether he’s hijacking phones, posing for pics taken by Karrueche Tran , teaming up with Rihanna or collaborating with Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown is everywhere. A new track from Minaj’s highly-anticipated album, Pink Friday: Roman Uploaded , has leaked, featuring Brown on backing vocals. It’s called “Right By My Side.” Minaj sings in the chorus, “I’m not living life / If you’re not right by my side.” Nicki Minaj – Right By My Side (Ft. Chris Brown) She also raps over the bridge in typical fashion, “Man the sh!t that we be fighting over irrelevant/But I don’t remember though, I probably hella bent.” The track drops following the ” Starships ” singer’s release of her 19-track album listing featuring Lil Wayne, Drake, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross and Brown. “Right By My Side” is Nicki’s third single from Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded , following “Starships” and ” Stupid Hoe .” What do you think of the effort?
Let’s be honest: Kristen Bell will never be able to top this video of her crying tears of sloth-based joy . It’s the cutest thing we’ve seen all year. But the House of Lies star came awfully close during an interview this week on Jimmy Kimmel Live , gushing first about fiance Dax Shepard and his “elegant feet; then discussing her former love of hip hop; before stating that she’ll likely never get naked on TV because Dax has “purchased” her “real estate.” From there, Bell goes on about her love for The Hunger Games , saying of the trilogy: “This is the piece of literature that in a hundred years we’ll look back on and it will be the best thing we’ve ever written.” Yes, she’s also dressed as Katniss and, yes, she wants a role in the next film. Watch three segments of the interview below and try not to fall in love with the actress: Kristen Bell Talks Dax Shepard Feet Kristen Bell Talks Hip Hop Kristen Bell Talks The Hunger Games
Bigger Than the Sound takes you behind the scenes with Katy before her ‘Part of Me’ video debuts tonight at 7:23 p.m. on MTV. By James Montgomery Katy Perry in her “Part of Me” music video Photo: Capitol You might not see Katy Perry when she arrives on set, but you definitely hear her — and the whirl of humanity that surrounds her every step of the way. There are publicists and managers, stylists and makeup folks, at least one assistant, the odd journalist and a few rather fashionable gentlemen whose roles are not clearly defined (though they smoke cigarettes and usually speak French). And on Monday, when I met up with Katy in London, there was also a documentary crew in tow — two camera guys, a director and a field producer — bringing the sum total of her posse to 15. And they make their presence known from the second they descend on the scene, snapping Polaroids, hanging wardrobe, moving furniture, gabbing, texting, dabbing, smoking, quietly judging (I am nothing if not insecure). It’s a whoosh of activity that not only announces her arrival, but makes you realize that it truly takes an army to make the Katy Perry machine operate on a daily basis. At the center of it all, of course, is Katy herself, who today strides into the penthouse of London’s Corinthia Hotel wearing sunglasses, singing about fish filets (she’d just covered Jay-Z and Kanye’s “Paris” on BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge). Probably due to the past two years of her life, in which she rose from curio-case pop star to one of the most famous people on the planet, she seems completely oblivious to everything transpiring around her (or at least is used to it), and as she is encircled by her team, she’s still singing, her blue hair the only part of her that’s visible in the crowd. At this point, having spent enough time around the Britneys and Gagas of the world, I’m used to entourages — though Katy’s struck me as different. Maybe it’s the fact that her personal life has become very public, or that her every gesture is discussed ad infinitum on the Internet, but they seemed less like hired hands as an actual army, determined to protect their leader at all costs. They’re kind of like the Secret Service, only, you know, way more fabulous. Katy definitely knows this, as she explained during our interview — we’re premiering her brand-new “Part of Me” video tonight, which was the impetus for this chat — most of her favorite memories all involve her team. A recent one being the night she was reunited with some 40 members of her California Dreams Tour crew for a dinner that quickly devolved into an impromptu dance-off, which is why her neck was totally killing her on this day. She may be the queen bee, but she’s definitely not opposed to getting down and dirty with her drones. Not as if she’d ever refer to them as such. Though it’s impossible to truly get a read on anyone in an hour, I will say this about Katy Perry: Unlike Britney Spears or Lady Gaga — both of whom are plenty nice — she still seems like a pretty normal person, albeit one with blue hair. She screws around a lot (she jokingly threatened to punch me in the face if I kept screwing up my lines), displayed an impressive acumen for swearing and even worked the word “bro” into our conversation on at least six occasions. She spoke with great pride about the rigorous boot-camp training she underwent for the “Part of Me” video, even extolling the virtues of the MRE rations she dined on during production (“they tasted like a McRib!”). She can play the piano surprisingly well, as she displayed on the baby grand in our penthouse and openly pined for McNuggets (and if you’re keeping score at home, that’s the third time she referenced McDonald’s during our interview). She is, at this juncture in her career, still trying very hard to remain close to her roots, to the point where she keeps mentioning them when talking about making the follow-up to Teenage Dream. And she still seems determined to prove that all this success was not a fluke, mostly through sheer work. She’s currently promoting the reissue of Dream and has a 3-D concert film on deck after that. The next open spot in her schedule seems to be this summer, at which point she may “pull on a beanie and backpack across Europe” before getting to work on album number three. “Tireless” doesn’t seem to do her justice. Perhaps “driven” is the right term. Of course, one could wonder just how long all this normalcy can last, especially given everything that goes along with it (most folks I know certainly don’t travel with a documentary crew, after all). I’d wager she’s aware of that and hell-bent on proving that it can be done; that she can still have her McNuggets and eat them too. I wouldn’t bet against her, because she knows she’s got plenty of folks counting on her, and she’s determined to reciprocate their level of dedication. Just like you or me, she doesn’t want to let her loved ones down. Can Katy pull it off? We’ll all just have to wait and see. But if she does, the next time I catch up with her, there’s a pretty good chance her entourage will have doubled in size, meaning that you’ll know she’s arrived before she’s even in the building. And at that point, not only will she probably own several McDonald’s, but she’ll be able to staff them too. A girl can dream, after all. Don’t miss “MTV First: Katy Perry” tonight, when the pop star will debut her long-awaited video for “Part of Me” at 7:23 p.m. ET on MTV. Then head over to MTV.com for an exclusive 30-minute interview with Katy herself! Related Videos Get Ready For ‘MTV First: Katy Perry’ MTV News Extended Play: Katy Perry Related Photos The Evolution Of: Katy Perry
‘The dress [had] a very big chance of coming off as cheesy,’ Judianna Makovsky says of Katniss’ interview frock. By Amy Wilkinson Jennifer Lawrence in the girl on fire costume in “Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate Costume designer Judianna Makovsky has been a member of Gary Ross’ cinematic glam squad for years. That’s why when ” The Hunger Games ” director was piecing together a pitch as to why he should helm the dystopian drama, he made a late-night call to his trusted colleague. The thrice-Oscar-nominated designer has collaborated with Ross on a number of his films, including “Pleasantville” and “Seabiscuit,” and now the duo may be working on their highest-profile project yet — one in which wild wigs, garish gowns and flame-licked jumpsuits are just another day at the office. In anticipation of the March 23 release of “The Hunger Games,” MTV News put in a call to Makovsky to talk about the Capitol’s crazy couture and how author Suzanne Collins’ elaborate vision was brought to life — albeit with a few alterations. MTV : How much did you know about “The Hunger Games” before Gary Ross came calling? Judianna Makovsky : I had not read them, I have to admit. I hadn’t even heard of them. But Gary Ross had called me, and his kids loved them, and he said, “I really want to do this movie.” I was on another movie set in Shreveport, Louisiana. He said, “You have to go get it,” and I said, “It’s 10 o’clock at night.” He said, “You have to get it first thing in the morning. You have to read it.” I’m like, “OK.” And then I was sending him images every day so he could start thinking. They were talking to several directors, and he really wanted to do it. It was great to start that early with him — trying to find images that were useful to him. MTV : I have to imagine reading the series and Suzanne Collins’ vivid descriptions were an evocative experience for an artist like you. Makovsky : I have to say, I try to read everything like a fan, but I also read it as a costume designer, and I go, “Oh my god. How do you do that?” Also, I was lucky enough to have a meeting with Suzanne, and a lot of things that are in the written word do not translate well to film. Lucky for me, she understood that and knew that and said, “Do what you need to do. If you think it’s not going to translate, I understand.” And she was great about it. MTV : Did you show her any of your drawings? Makovsky : At that point, if was fairly early. We had very few. We had already done mood boards for the districts and where we wanted to go. And, yes, she was there for that and loved all of that. It was great. MTV : What were your initial discussions with Gary Ross like? Makovsky : The initial discussions always start with character. I would say on this movie, we started with the world that they were going to live in. Philip Messina is the production designer. I’ve worked with him before; we’re a great team. Gary, Phil and I all sat down and just talked about what this world was going to be, and how do you have District 12 — how does that reflect in the Capitol? Because it is all the same planet, it is all the same time period. So they have to make sense together … Before Gary got the job, we sent him all these images of coal-mining towns and all these things. He picked up some of them and just went, “This is it. This isn’t a period movie, but I want the feel of these photographs.” So it was basically a discussion about the world they lived in, and then we started talking about individual characters. MTV : As you started working on each character, how much input did the individual actors have? Makovsky : There’s no point in designing particular things until you know who the actor is, whether I have a discussion with them or not. Katniss, I worked very closely with Jen [ Jennifer Lawrence ] because she was cast first. I had actually worked with Josh [Hutcherson] before, so that made that easy. I had worked with Donald Sutherland before. A lot of the actors were unavailable for fittings. They were all over the world shooting things. I sent them images, then I did sketches for them. Then we basically made it without them and they showed up and put it on! I have to say, the age of the Internet is a fabulous thing. You can scan things and send things and have these discussions at three in the morning when they’re in Budapest or wherever. MTV : Which outfit posed the biggest challenge to you? Makovsky : I think the interview dress. I think it was the hardest because the description in the book was something every fan loves but, honestly, in my opinion, and in all of our opinions, it wasn’t going to translate. Having this dress covered in flame-like jewels, you know, it’s no longer about Katniss. It’s about the dress. Also, the dress has a chance, a very big chance, of coming off as cheesy. MTV : I can see how it might verge into figure-skating-costume territory. Makovsky : See, that’s what I was worried about. It was going to be a “Dancing With the Stars” dress. I said, “I think we shouldn’t go that way.” First of all, all those jewels, it’s going to be so heavy it won’t twirl. She won’t be able to move or walk. People don’t realize that. I decided that it should really be about Katniss, and I wanted a young, fresh, modern couture cut, that when you first see her beautiful dress and she does her twirl, it does what it does. I mean, the bottom does have Swarovski crystals on it. But I really wanted it to be about Katniss. How beautifully she has transformed. It’s not the dress that transformed her. It’s her. Her beauty comes through. MTV : Fans were also really excited to see Katniss’ sleek Girl on Fire outfit. You have a bit of experience with jumpsuits from working on “X-Men: The Last Stand.” Did you hearken back to those superheroes for inspiration? Makovsky : I actually had the woman who made my “X-Men” jumpsuits make these costumes for me. She’s a genius at that kind of fit. Everyone thinks it’s leather — it’s not leather. It’s a novelty stretch fabric with this embossed plastic on it. It’s a very strange fabric. There’s also some stretch patent leather in there, but there’s no leather. I just wanted something that would have this incredible silhouette and have the shine of coal. In the books, it’s actually described a little bit more bland to me. It sounds like leotards and tights with high boots. It has a cape. There were all kinds of things that had to change because of physical and practical things on a chariot. The description in the book — Katniss and Peeta wear the same thing. Katniss had this fabulous headdress, but you put the headdress on Peeta and it looks pretty stupid. You can’t always do the same for a boy and a girl. MTV : Even though Katniss is the one in the spotlight, everyone seems to be most excited about Effie Trinket’s looks. Makovsky : She’s the essence of the Capitol. Working with Elizabeth [Banks] — Oh my god! I had so much fun. I’ve worked with her before. She actually called me before she was allowed to because her deal wasn’t done. She said, “I think we should start now. I’m coming over.” I had all these ideas that I had pulled out, fabric swatches and whatever. She came over and looked at what would work for her. We tried shapes on her, and they kept growing and growing and growing. It was really funny. Just to give her a certain walk. Effie is very prim in a funny way. So we wanted that primness to come through even though we sort of wanted to lampoon high fashion a little bit. It’s a little bit silly but it is still pretty. 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: Josh Hutcherson Related Photos ‘Hunger Games’ World Premiere Red Carpet
