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Lindsay Lohan Admits To Failing Drug Test

‘I am a work in progress,’ the actress tweets. By Mawuse Ziegbe Lindsay Lohan Photo: Dave McNew/ Getty Images Lindsay Lohan has admitted to failing her recent drug test. Hours after reports surfaced on Friday that Lohan didn’t pass her latest test, the troubled starlet conceded she was still struggling with addiction. “Regrettably, I did in fact fail my most recent drug test and if I am asked, I am prepared to appear before judge Fox next week as a result,” Lohan tweeted late Friday night. “Substance abuse is a disease, which unfortunately doesn’t go away over night. I am working hard to overcome it and am taking positive steps forward every day. I am testing every single day and doing what I must do to prevent any mishaps in the future. ” The actress, who was outfitted with an alcohol-monitoring bracelet in May which later went off at a party, and sent to jail in July for violating her probation, insisted she was ready to deal with the outcome of the failed drug test. “This was certainly a setback for me but I am taking responsibility for my actions and I’m prepared to face the consequences,” Lohan wrote . After wrapping up 13 days in prison and roughly three weeks in rehab , the actress was required to submit to random drug and alcohol tests, among other requirements, in order to avoid more jail time. According to the conditions of her post-rehab release, the actress could return to prison for 30 days if she fails a drug and alcohol test. Lohan’s recent missives appear to have a more contrite tone than statements she made about her personal drama before her July prison stint. The starlet told Vanity Fair in a pre-jail interview that her situation wasn’t as dire as perceived. “If I were the alcoholic everyone says I am, then putting a [SCRAM] bracelet on would have ended me up in detox, in the emergency room, because I would have had to come down from all the things that people say I’m taking and my father says I’m taking — so that says something, because I was fine,” Lohan said. On Friday, Lohan said she appreciated the fan support and conceded she is still grappling with her substance abuse issues. “I am so thankful for the support of my fans, loved ones and immediate family, who understand that i am trying hard, but also I am a work in progress, just as anyone else,” Lohan wrote . “I am keeping my faith, and I am hopeful.” What do you think about Lindsay Lohan’s tweets? Let us know in the comments. Related Videos Lindsay Lohan: Crime And Punishment Related Photos The Highs And Lows Of Lindsay Lohan Lindsay Lohan Goes To Court Related Artists Lindsay Lohan

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Lindsay Lohan Admits To Failing Drug Test

Mary J. Blige Says New Album Will Sound Like ‘My Life 2011’

The soul singer returns to her roots on latest effort. By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Jim Cantiello Mary J. Blige Photo: MTV News Mary J. Blige has switched it up in recent years, collaborating with hot young voices like Drake and Trey Songz and even trying her hand at rapping . The nine-time Grammy winner has pretty much conquered the R&B game, so it’s fitting that her next effort will take listeners back to some of the classic Mary sounds that started it all. “Swizz [Beatz] and I, [we’re] in the studio cooking up something real nice,” Blige told MTV News backstage at the VMAs. The songbird, who hit the stage on Sunday with Swizzy and Drizzy for “Fancy,” revealed that she and the super-producer are crafting sonic heat similar to her first two studio albums but plan to update the vintage Blige sound. “[It will be] more like [ What’s the 411? ], My Life 2011, ’12. It’s headed [in] that direction but in a new [way]. Not what it used to be.” Blige dished that the follow-up to 2009’s Stronger With Each Tear may come with some club joints but didn’t promise any of the house-music-inspired rhythms that have popped up in hits like “OMG” and “Closer” from fellow R&B vets Usher and Ne-Yo. “Right now, it’s going in the Mary direction, which is R&B and hip-hop and soul,” Blige said. “If it goes into the club direction, it will probably be more soulful than futuristic.” Blige has time to decide whether some speaker-rattling joints will make her next album as she’s set to kick off another major undertaking before her upcoming LP drops. The songstress will rock a headlining tour this fall and has recruited budding soul stars Jazmine Sullivan and Miguel for the trek, which kicks off October 2 in Mobile, Alabama. R&B vet El DeBarge is slated to appear on certain dates. Are you looking forward to Mary’s new music? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Mary J. Blige

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Mary J. Blige Says New Album Will Sound Like ‘My Life 2011’

Nicki Minaj Wants To Bridge ‘Gap’ Between Gay Fans And Hip-Hop

Talking up her gay alter ego, Roman Zolanski, in Out, MC says Lil Wayne tour could be enlightening for the duo’s fanbases. By Kelley L. Carter Nicki Minaj on cover of Out Magazine Photo: Out.com Nicki Minaj just might be the one to bridge the gap. The 25-year-old female MC hasn’t even released her debut album, Pink Friday, yet, but already her quirky hooks and outrageous fashion have made her one to watch in the gay community. Minaj has a bevy of gay fans, and she’s hoping that she’ll be the one to spearhead a movement to eradicate homophobia in hip-hop. She talks up her gay fans, her bi-curious lyrics and her embrace of her female following in the latest issue of Out magazine, hitting shelves next week. “I started making it my business to say things that would empower women, like, ‘Where my bad bitches at?’ to let them know, ‘I’m here for you,’ ” Minaj says of her female followers. “Then, when I started going to the shows and it was nothing but girls, it was like, ‘Did I go too far with embracing my girls?’ Because now they want to kiss and hug me.” Minaj, whose many aliases include the Harajuku Barbie, said the really haters came out when she embraced that particular image, which surprised her. At MTV Video Music Awards pre-show on Sunday, Minaj performed in a pink-and-purple spacesuit and a cotton-candy-colored wig. She appeared as a Barbie landing from outer space, popping and locking with robotic moves. “It’s interesting that people have more negative things to say about me saying, ‘I’m Barbie,’ than me saying, ‘I’m a bad bitch,’ ” she told the magazine. “Once I figure something is irritating people, I’m going to do it more because I like to get on your nerves until you realize how f—ing stupid you are.” Instead, Minaj said, she’d rather focus on what a homophobia-free rap world might look like, hinting at a tour with her mentor, Lil Wayne. “Normally, Wayne probably wouldn’t have gay guys coming to see his shows much, but they’re definitely a big part of my movement, and I hope they’d still come out and see me,” she said. “I think that will be really, really interesting, just to start bridging that gap. We’ll see.” What do you think of Nicki’s relationship with her gay fans? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related Videos VMA 2010: Performances Related Photos Nicki Minaj’s Wildest Looks Related Artists Nicki Minaj

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Nicki Minaj Wants To Bridge ‘Gap’ Between Gay Fans And Hip-Hop

Will.I.Am Responds To VMA ‘Blackface’ Criticism

MC says costume for Nicki Minaj pre-show performance wasn’t meant to be racially charged. By Mawuse Ziegbe Will.I.Am and Nicki Minaj perform during the 2010 VMA Preshow Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage Nicki Minaj made a colorful MTV Video Music Awards debut when she rocked the pre-show in a bubblegum-pink wig and shimmery purple catsuit. But it was the hue of her onstage collaborator Will.I.Am ‘s getup that really got viewers talking. After Minaj and her dancers took the stage decked out in Jetsons-chic bodysuits for her smash “Your Love,” Will joined Minaj for a rendition of their cheery hip-pop track “Check It Out.” When the Black Eyed Peas frontman hopped onstage, ushered in by two plumes of thick white fog, the MC was rocking all-black everything, with the exception of a few Barbie-pink accents, including fingerless gloves, a shiny midnight-colored plastic hairpiece and jet-black face paint. Apparently some viewers took offense to the producer’s outfit, especially the dark makeup, which, to some fans, was reminiscent of the antiquated, racially charged practice of blackface. After fans blasted the rapper online, he took to Twitter to defend the look as artistic expression and not an embrace of the controversial maquillage typically used to lampoon African-Americans. “1st. just because I where all black including head mask as expression and emphasize my outfit, it shouldn’t be looked at as racial,” Will tweeted . “Let go of the past. there are far more important things 2 bark about. (Jobs, health, education) not a black man wearing all black everything.” The Peas frontman insisted the face paint was a harmless costume choice and that fans concerned with the image Will’s look projected should focus on larger issues. “Are you guys serious? my outfit set ‘black people back 100 yrs’ choose your twits wisely,” Will typed . “No education sets people back, no jobs, bad health.” What did you think of Will’s outfit? Were you offended by the look? Let us know in the comments. The Moonmen have all been handed out and the stars have gone home, but there’s plenty of MTV Video Music Awards news, interviews, behind-the-scenes scoop, party reports and more still to come, so keep it locked on MTVNews.com. Related Videos VMA 2010: Performances On The 2010 VMA Red Carpet VMA 2010: Most Talked About Moments Behind The VMA Performances Related Photos Behind The Scenes At The 2010 VMAs Related Artists Will.I.Am Nicki Minaj

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Will.I.Am Responds To VMA ‘Blackface’ Criticism

Will.i.am To Join Nicki Minaj For VMA Pre-Show

The Black Eyed Peas frontman and the Young Money MC will perform ‘Check It Out’ Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET. By Mawuse Ziegbe will.i.am Photo: David Livingston/Getty Images How do you make the MTV Video Music Awards debut of Nicki Minaj, one of the hottest new MCs in the game, even more major? Add one of the most sought-after producers reppin’ one of the biggest groups in the world: will.i.am. When Minaj takes the stage at the VMA pre-show, which kicks off Sunday at 8 p.m. ET live from Los Angeles, she will be joined by the Black Eyed Peas frontman for her first-ever televised performance as a solo artist. Will and Minaj will rip the stage with their peppy hip-pop single “Check It Out.” “I love Nicki,” Will told MTV News at the BMI Urban Awards on Friday night. “I love the song that we’re doing, ‘Check It Out.’ She’s fresh.” “I am truly honored to be a part of this year’s VMAs. Just yesterday I was an underground female rapper. See, Barbz? Dreams do come true,” Minaj said about rocking the pre-show, where she’ll also perform “Your Love.” Minaj is also vying for her first Moonman at this year’s awards. The femcee is up against Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Jason Der

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Host Talks ‘Crazy Lineup’

‘The Situation has a lot of charm,’ Brooke Burke says. ‘I think we’re going to see a lot abs!’ By Jocelyn Vena Brooke Burke Photo: MTV News When “Dancing With the Stars” kicks off later this month, it will star two of MTV’s most recognizable faces, “The Hills” alum Audrina Patridge and “Jersey Shore” ‘s very own the Situation . The show’s host, Brooke Burke, admits that she’s excited to see how light on their feet the reality-TV stars are. “I think they both have a lot going for them,” she told MTV News at the VMA Radio Forum on Friday (September 10). “I know Audrina is going to look amazing. She looks the part already. She’s gonna get out on the ballroom and look so beautiful and elegant. Can she dance? I have no idea.” While Burke is equally unsure about the Sitch’s dancing experience, she does think he’ll impress the audience with his stage presence. “The Situation has a lot of charm and he’s got courage and I think he’s going to be fun to watch,” she said. “And I think he’s going to have fun doing the show, and I’ve always said that’s a huge part of it.” The Situation, however, may find himself having to play catch-up since he’s starting rehearsals later than everyone else as the “Jersey Shore” was filming its third season. “He has such a disadvantage because he’s not able to rehearse for the full month,” the host said. “But [his partner], Karina [Smirnoff], is amazing and she’s a powerhouse and she’s really tough, so if anybody can get him show-premiere ready, Karina can do it. I think we’re going to see a lot abs!” Burke added that fans shouldn’t just be amped for Situation and Audrina — the entire “DWTS” lineup is impressive. “I think it’s a crazy lineup. It’s anybody’s game right now,” she said. “No one has dance experience. I love this season because it’s totally unpredictable. Everybody’s talking about the Situation. I don’t know: We got Rick Fox competing against Kurt Warner, two athletes. I think Kurt Warner has an amazing Cinderella story. Jennifer Grey, you know she’s going to bring back the ‘Dirty Dancing.’ It’s kind of a crazy cast. It’s a good eclectic mix.” Who are you most excited to see on “DWTS”? Tell us in the comments!

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‘Dancing With The Stars’ Host Talks ‘Crazy Lineup’

‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ Lives At Box Office

The latest film in the sci-fi franchise takes top spot at theaters Friday. By Mawuse Ziegbe “Resident Evil: Afterlife” Photo: Sony Pictures The Box-Office Top Five #1 “Resident Evil: Afterlife” ($10.9 million) #2 “The American” and “Takers” ($1.8 million) #4 “Machete” and “Going the Distance” ($1.3 million) The “Resident Evil” series proves it’s still filled with life at the box office. The latest installment in the undead-packed sci-fi franchise, “Resident Evil: Afterlife” pulled in $10.9 million during its first day on screens, according to reports . Moviegoers checking out the return of zombie-fighter Alice (Milla Jovovich), who scours a bleak planet for survivors in the wake of a vicious virus that ravaged the globe five years before, placed the film at the top of the box office. Since its 2002 debut, the series has been reinvigorated with 3-D effects and, as Jovovich told recently MTV News , “In this movie, I have a lot more guns, that was fun too.” George Clooney’s turn in “The American” as a hitman on the run after an assignment goes south, continued to draw action fans during its second week in the theaters. Although the flick opened at #1 last week, the film was far behind Friday’s box-office victor “Resident Evil,” scoring $1.8 million in ticket sales. “Takers” continued to maintain a strong presence in theaters, tying with “The American” for second place with an estimated $1.8 million in ticket scans. Moviegoers are still heading to multiplexes to catch the slick heist flick crammed with stunts that star and producer T.I. has called “outstanding.” “I think all of this is just a result of the hard work that was put into the project. Everybody gave 150 percent. Nobody laid back, nobody took off — everybody went hard. This is the result of that,” the rapper and actor told MTV News in August. The Robert Rodriguez-directed “Machete” upholds the action-heavy trend among Friday’s box-office winners. Touting a diverse ensemble that includes Jessica Alba, Don Johnson and Lindsay Lohan, the flick scored $1.3 million. The sunny rom-com “Going the Distance” kicked off its second week in theaters in a tie for fourth place, boasting the same estimated haul as “Machete.” Check out everything we’ve got on “Resident Evil: Afterlife” and “The American” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos ‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ Clips

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‘Resident Evil: Afterlife’ Lives At Box Office

Usher Remembers Being A ‘Pizza Face’ On ‘When I Was 17’

‘I had really, really bad acne ‘ he admits in Saturday’s episode. By Mawuse Ziegbe Usher on “When I Was 17” Photo: MTV News He’s known as one of the smoothest R&B sensations to grace the stage, but when Usher was 17, he grappled with a far less flattering image. “I went through this phase where I had really, really bad acne,” the singer admits on the latest episode of “When I Was 17,” premiering Saturday at 11 a.m. Usher, who was 17 in 1995, reveals with a grin that his nickname was “Pizza Face.” “His acne was so horrible,” recalled one of Usher’s more blunt friends, Keith. “His face was so jacked up.” Music mogul and producer Jermaine Dupri remembered how the entertainer’s spotty complexion led him to shy away from the spotlight. “He didn’t want to go out. He wanted to stay in,” Dupri says. “He was a little ashamed of what was going on with his face.” The singer went to extreme, and ultimately unsuccessful, lengths to disguise his breakouts. “As a dude, you’re not gonna put makeup on your face, right?” Usher said. “I tried that, it didn’t even work.” He may have experimented with cosmetics and spent a few more nights at home but the multiplatinum star didn’t let his acne hold him back from wooing the ladies. “I was 17, so I would still try to talk to girls [and] get past it,” Usher reasoned. He even had some smooth lines to drop when he wanted to draw attention away from his skin. ” ‘Don’t look at that, look at my eyes, baby. I’m trying to say something real serious to you right here,’ ” Usher recalled, reenacting his complexion-deflecting dating moves. “I know I have pizza face, I don’t care.” In the end, his skin cleared up and the singer said it was just a matter of riding out a rite passage that many teens are forced to endure. “This is something that all 17-year-olds have to deal with,” Usher said. “You can’t run away from it.” — this week featuring B.o.B, Usher and Ne-Yo — premieres Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV Related Videos Usher, B.o.B And Ne-Yo Clips From ‘When I Was 17’ Ep. 18 Related Photos When I Was 17 | Ep. 18 | Celebrity Photo Flashback

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Usher Remembers Being A ‘Pizza Face’ On ‘When I Was 17’

Amanda Bynes’ Twitter Account Deleted

The actress’ social-networking account, on which she once tweeted her retirement, has been canceled. By Mawuse Ziegbe Amanda Bynes Photo: Michael Buckner/ Getty Images Amanda Bynes’ on-and-off relationship with Twitter appears to have reached a low point. The Twitter account @chicky, which the actress famously used to overshare and rant about her personal and professional life, has been deleted. Bynes, who has sent out childhood pics and declared her very specific taste in men on her Twitter page, famously tweeted her retirement from Hollywood in June . “I don’t love acting anymore, so I’ve stopped doing it,” the starlet wrote at the time. “I know 24 is a young age to retire but you heard it here first I’ve #retired.” Bynes’ announcement came as a shock to her rep, who was blindsided by the news after speaking to her client days earlier and noting she “sounded great.” However, the actress had a change of heart and took to her Twitter page about a month later to reveal she was back on the scene, writing, “I’ve unretired.” This latest move could be related to a desire Bynes’ once expressed about keeping a safe distance from the sometimes harsh glare of the spotlight. “I don’t want to have my face on everything. I just don’t want to be some young brat who is everywhere,” a then-18-year-old Bynes told MTV News in 2005. “It sickens me.” The young actress also copped to not always being on the same page as her Hollywood peers. “I don’t really relate to that many people who are my age, especially in this business.” Fans may not be getting updates about her fluctuating retirement status anymore, but moviegoers will be able to catch Bynes in the upcoming flick “Easy A.” The actress plays a judgmental teen out to ruin the life of a faux good-time girl in the high school comedy, which hits theaters September 17. Will you miss Amanda Bynes on Twitter? Let us know in the comments below!

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Amanda Bynes’ Twitter Account Deleted

Ne-Yo Recalls Annoying His Teacher On ‘When I Was 17’

In Saturday’s episode, singer remembers drawing mutilated fruit. By Mawuse Ziegbe Ne-Yo Photo: MTV News After notching hits like “Miss Independent” and penning jams for divas like Beyonc