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Lady Gaga Close To Besting Britney Spears In Twitter Followers

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Spears is the world’s top tweeter, but Gaga is hot on her heels. By Mawuse Ziegbe Lady Gaga Photo: Kristian Dowling/ Getty Images Lady Gaga’s near-dominance of all things social media is reaching a pivotal point: Mother Monster is poised to topple Britney Spears as the most-followed Twitter user. According to the social-media website FameCount , which tracks the most popular entities on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, Spears is the world’s top tweeter, with more than 5.6 million followers, but Gaga is right on her heels. As of Thursday afternoon (August 19), Spears’ followers numbered 5,646,028, while Gaga’s online army of “little monsters” was 5,635,460 strong. The ranking could switch very soon, since Gaga has netted around 600,000 new followers this month, while Spears pulled in about 200,000. The site also lists Gaga as the most popular online entity worldwide, with more than 16 million Facebook fans and 330,000 YouTube subscribers. Gaga’s pre-eminent Twitter status is just the latest milestone marking the pop phenom’s powerful viral presence. Last month, Gaga soared past the leader of the free world, President Obama , in Facebook fans. The “Alejandro” singer was also the first living person to notch 10 million fans on the intensely popular social-networking website. Despite runaway online popularity that rivals her chart-topping music sales, Gaga still has to fend off competition from other pop stars. In July, Justin Bieber bested Gaga for the most-watched music video on YouTube with more than 245,746,720 views for the Ludacris-assisted collabo “Baby.” Gaga’s futuristic-disco extravaganza “Bad Romance” was close behind with 245,596,709. Bieber has since widened the gap, however, with “Baby” scoring 292,285,435 views to Gaga’s 264,533,336 YouTube spins at press time. Gaga’s viral presence is undeniable, but the singer’s outsize fan support has yielded results in the form of cold hard cash as well. After circling the globe on her Monster Ball Tour since November of last year, the seat-filling tour is on track to gross $200 million worldwide by April 2011. Are you following Lady Gaga on Twitter? Who are some of your favorite celebrity tweeters? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Britney Spears Lady Gaga

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‘American Idol’ Winner Lee DeWyze’s Debut Due November 16

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I’m really proud of what I’ve done so far,’ he tells MTV News of yet-untitled album. By By Gil Kaufman, with additional reporting by James Lacsina Lee DeWyze Photo: MTV News The major-label debut from season-nine “American Idol” winner Lee DeWyze will be released November 16. So far, that’s about all we know about the yet-untitled CD from the suburban Chicago singer/songwriter, who beat out dreadlocked soul mama Crystal Bowersox for this season’s crown thanks to an all-American story about his rise from humble paint-store clerk to household name. The soft-spoken DeWyze, 24, has been writing and recording songs for the album while logging miles on this summer’s American Idols Live! Tour and said in a statement accompanying the announcement of the release date that he’s been “very fortunate” to record with some amazing songwriters for the disc. “I can’t wait for everyone to hear my debut album.” Technically, it’s his third album , but it’s his major-label debut, since he released two previous efforts on the small Chicago label WuLi Records: 2009’s Slumberland and 2007’s So I’m Told. On those discs, he honed the everyman, sensitive growl that helped him win “Idol,” where his slow and steady rise and humble demeanor catapulted him past season-long favorite Bowersox. MTV News recently caught up with DeWyze at the Los Angeles stop of the “Idol” tour and he spilled a bit of detail on the songs he’s been working on and the sound fans can expect to hear. “I’ve written on every song. … I’m more or less looking forward to showing everybody what I do outside of the show and outside of this. To be able to be my own artist and do my own thing, I’m really looking forward to.” He said he couldn’t talk about which artists and songwriters he’s working with but hinted that they were ones he’s listened to and is a fan of. “What’s really most important about the album for me is keeping it true to what I want to do and the kind of music I like to make and having it be real, not just some words thrown together,” he said. “I like to write about love and relationships and emotions and feeling … being down and up. I like writing about things that everybody experiences and to be able to put that into my music … it’s going to be fun.” As if the grueling “Idol” tour isn’t hard enough, DeWyze said he’s flying in and out of New York, Los Angeles and Nashville on his days off to write and record the songs. “I have a lot of say in it,” he said of crafting the sound and mood of the disc. “I have a lot more say than people would think. It’s going to be really good. I’m really proud of what I’ve done so far.” Though there’s no official title yet, DeWyze said he has a few strong contenders. “These are things I dreamt about doing years ago,” he said of working on a major-label album. “To be able to actually do it now is pretty cool.” There has been no word yet on the release date of Bowersox’s album, though the runner-up’s disc has typically hit stores a few weeks after the winner’s effort. Are you excited about DeWyze’s debut album? Let us know in comments below! Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos Lee DeWyze: From Illinois Boy To ‘American Idol’ Star Related Artists Lee DeWyze

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Spencer Pratt Plans Heidi Montag Tell-All

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I’m not holding anything back,’ the former ‘Hills’ star says. By Mawuse Ziegbe Spencer Pratt Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/ Getty Images Spencer Pratt appears determined to ride out his breakup with Heidi Montag the same way the pair spent their short-lived marriage together: in the spotlight. The former “Hills” star told Us Weekly that he’s planning to divulge details about his relationship with his reality co-star and soon-to-be ex-wife in an upcoming tome. “My last book, ‘How to Be Famous,’ didn’t make the New York Times best-seller list because it was in the self-help section,” Pratt said. “This one is going to be totally different. I’m not holding anything back.” Pratt also revealed that the tell-all will highlight Montag’s strained relationship with her mother, Darlene , which was chronicled on “The Hills.” Montag has fired back about the forthcoming book. She recently told , “This is exactly why I left him.” Montag said she plans to halt the release of the book and told the website, “Right now, I’m looking into my legal options.” Pratt and Montag recently signed divorce papers , and their split is expected to become finalized in another six months. Earlier this year, Montag said the couple had grown apart , telling People magazine: “We just want different things in life.” However, Pratt put the deterioration of their relationship more bluntly, saying, “We love each other, but I’m a famewhore , and I’ll never grow out of it.” The planned tell-all isn’t the first time Pratt has milked his onscreen celebrity to work the publishing game. Pratt and Montag teamed up last year to write, “How to Be Famous,” an instructional guide to scoring fame with dubious credentials. How do you feel about Spencer Pratt writing a book about his relationship with Heidi Montag? Let us know in the comments below.

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Britney Spears Tweets A Picture From ‘Glee’ Set

Posted on August 18, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Can’t wait for you guys to see the episode!’ Spears writes on Twitter. By Mawuse Ziegbe Britney Spears and her assistant Brett Miller Photo: Twitter For fans who may have doubted whether the Britney Spears “Glee” episode is happening, the pop sensation has just provided photographic proof. The star gave fans a glimpse of her inner-“Gleek” on Wednesday (August 18) by posting a TwitPic of herself next to her assistant Brett Miller, a Spears doppelg

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‘Expendables’ Takes Top Box Office Spot

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The action flick is expected to rake in a weekend total of $35 million. By Mawuse Ziegbe Dolph Lundgren and Sylvester Stallone in “The Expendables” Photo: Millennium Films The Box-Office Top Five #1 “The Expendables” ($11.9 million) #2 “Eat Pray Love” ($8.2 million) #3 “The Other Guys” ($6.8 million) #4 “Inception” ($ 4.6 million) #5 “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” ($3.5 million) The action-packed hiney-kicking flick “The Expendables” continues to stomp box-office competition. The Sylvester Stallone-helmed vehicle, which was written and directed by Sly, was the #1 movie on Saturday with $11.8 million. The pulpy throwback to the firepower-packed ’80s films that Sly favored back in the day, was also the top draw at theaters on Friday as well. Featuring a cornucopia of muscled-up stars like Terry Crews and Mickey Rourke, the film is on track to own the entire weekend with an estimated $35 million in ticket sales. The big-screen version of Elizabeth Gilbert’s smash memoir, “Eat Pray Love, ” had a strong showing as well, pulling in $8.1 million. Droves of moviegoers checked out Academy Award-winning screen queen Julia Roberts munch and muse her way to enlightenment on Saturday and pushed the film to the #2 spot. “Love,” which also stars Javier Bardem and James Franco, held the second-place spot for the second night in a row after taking in $8.5 million on Friday. The film is expected to make $23.7 million over the weekend. “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” pulled in a modest $3.5 million on Saturday. The movie, which features Michael Cera as a determined beau ready to battle his new gal pal’s ex-boyfriends, continued to slog through the weekend as the third-place debut. Although the CGI-laden flick makes “Scott” a rom-com for the digital generation, the film wasn’t able to overtake the top two debuts, which tout well-worn screen names such as Roberts and Stallone. “Scott” is expected to pull through the weekend with $10.5 million. Check out everything we’ve got on “The Expendables,” “Eat Pray Love” and “The Other Guys.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos ‘The Other Guys’ Clips

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Eminem’s ‘Lie’ Video Shoot Was Like An Acting Workshop, Director Says

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Joseph Kahn says Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan didn’t have an easy job on ‘Love the Way You Lie’ set. By James Montgomery Joseph Kahn Photo: MTV News Given that he’s one of the biggest names in music videos and his latest project featured both Eminem and Rihanna, Joseph Kahn should have had no problem casting the two leads for the “Love the Way You Lie” video . And yet, he considers himself “incredibly lucky” to have landed both Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox for the clip. “Megan is one of those choices, like, whenever you write a music video, you go, ‘I want a girl like Megan Fox,’ ” Kahn told MTV News. “I guarantee, like, 95 percent of music videos, they write, ‘I would like a girl like Megan Fox.'” Kahn said Fox is so popular, he didn’t initially consider her participation a possibility. “We were actually looking around for some other actresses, and then, midway through, I just thought, ‘Why don’t I just try this?’ ” he said. “I mean, I have the biggest artist in the world, with the hottest song on the planet, with the hottest female artist … and it’s a meaty role. It’s not like you’re just slipping in there and looking pretty.” Fortunately for Kahn, Fox is an Eminem fan, and she loved the song and the role. “So, she said ‘yes,’ ” he said. “I was blown away.” On the other hand, the director said he considered courting Monaghan right away. “I wanted him because he’s an actor who can bury himself [in his roles],” Kahn said. “You can do anything with him, and essentially, he’s a villain through all of [the video], and I think he did a great job.” So, with two big-name actors on set, and only two days to shoot the entire video, Kahn had his work cut out for him. Monaghan and Fox were going to need to channel conflicting emotions — anger one second, passion the next — and do it quickly. As the director, it was up to Kahn to help them harness all of that — often at a moment’s notice. Luckily for him, he had two of the best to work with. “I just told them: This is not like a normal film. We have two days on set, and we have to think of it as an acting workshop, because you’re going to have to ramp up into emotions in two seconds, you’re not going to know what the story is, and you’re going to have to trust one another,” he explained. “I’m asking them to go from zero to 100 in two seconds, so they were using all their techniques as actors. Dom would be calling her names, she’d be calling him names … to see them turn it on like that, it was really a fascinating acting study.” Related Artists Eminem Rihanna

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Snooki And Vinny Cuddle Up, Sammi And Ron Make Up On ‘Jersey Shore’

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The Jersey gang brings new acronyms and ‘CSI’ homages to Miami. By Mawuse Ziegbe and Jim Cantiello Ronnie, Vinny, Pauly D and The Situation Photo: Emily Shur “Jersey Shore” is back on the air, and with its return comes the return of many a “did-that-really-just-happen” moment. The episode that premiered Thursday (August 12) did not disappoint on that front — but in case you were blackout drunk and smacked up your only allies in your Miami beach house, here’s the lowdown on what went down. #5. The Situation Channels David Caruso We got to see the tail end of the Angelina-Situation-Pauly D flap play out. ‘Lina knocked back a few too many when she hit the club with Sitch and Pauly, and she ended up endangering DJ P’s gravity-defying tower of tresses with a couple of knocks to the head. There was this whole exchange where insults like “delusional” and “delusionalable” were flung about, and Mike had a reverse-“CSI: Miami” moment when he ripped off his glasses in disbelief. #4. Random Gelato Dude Sammi and Ronnie keep going back and forth with their kinda-committed relationship, which Ron Ron doesn’t make any better by creepin’ in the club with Cuban chicks. But they did reconcile at work, and the smile that brightened up the face of a bystander at the gelato joint almost made the whole mess endearing. #3. M.V.P. The “Jersey Shore” crew has given us G.T.L., G.F.F. and I.F.F. On this episode, they launched another acronym into their letter-filled lexicon: M.V.P. When power fist-pumpers Mike, Vinny and Pauly embark on a guys’ night out, they dub themselves M.V.P. — and not M.V.P.A., much to Angelina’s dismay. #2. We Got A Floater! Even armed with a clever moniker for the Jersey-to-Miami trio, M.V.P. night turned out be a major bust in more ways than one. The guys unwittingly brought home a selection of ladies who apparently violated the specifications of the guys’ Grenade-Free Zone. But things really blew up when one of the girls’ falsies fell out of her bra. #1. Snooki and Vinny, Sitting … On A Beanbag Snooki and Vinchenzo — as he likes to be called — got extra close. Snooki took a call from her man while cozying up to a passed-out Vinny on a beanbag chair and later followed him to the bedroom for some rip-roaring belching and alcohol-fueled affection. When Vinny woke up next to Snooks in the morning, he asked the question on everybody’s mind: “Did I do the unthinkable?” Related Videos ‘Jersey Shore’ High Five Highlights Jersey Shore (Season 2) | Ep. 3 | Creepin’

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Waka Flocka Flame Denies Beef With Gucci Mane

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Rapper acknowledges that he and the ‘Lemonade’ MC don’t speak. By Mawuse Ziegbe Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane Photo: Getty Images It appears the stress of the hip-hop game has gotten to Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame. Hip-hop fans have been buzzing about the duo after Flocka told Vibe magazine that the MCs “don’t talk anymore,” since after Gucci ditched Flocka’s mom as his manager. Flocka recently addressed the rumors surrounding their relationship and said that while things are different, he doesn’t harbor any bad feelings for Gucci. “I don’t think it’s no split. We couldn’t meet each other on a business level … or a personal level. Whatever the level is, I don’t know. I’m going this way and [he’s] going that way and we both killin’ these folk. That’s just what it is,” Flocka told DJ Drama on Atlanta’s Hot 107.9. The rapper attributed their lack of interaction to his schedule and said, “I’m super busy,” but maintained that “everything’s great.” Although their relationship appears strained, both rappers have scored major success. Last year was a banner year for Gucci who scored a slew of high-profile collabos with the likes of Usher and Mariah Carey. Although the MC spent part of the year in jail, his album, The State vs. Radric Davis, yielded hits like “Lemonade” and “Spotlight.” Flocka, who began his hip-hop ascent as a member of Gucci’s So Icey team, hit big with the rowdy club anthem, “O Let’s Do It,” which has earned him a “Hottest Breakthrough MC” nomination. Flocka insisted that everything is cool between him and his former mentor. “Ain’t no drama,” Flocka said. The rapper also insisted that he would never take things to another level and bring violence into the situation. “Don’t ever think it’s just like, ‘Ey, let’s get [him],’ ” Flocka said. “Don’t ever think I’m [going] to ride on him with another person. Let’s make that super clear.” What do you think of Waka Flocka Flame and Gucci Mane not speaking anymore? Do you want to see them work together again? Let us know in the comments below! Related Artists Waka Flocka Flame Gucci Mane

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Jennifer Aniston Game For ‘Arrested Development’ Role

Posted on August 8, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I love it,’ the actress says of possibly joining the big-screen adaptation of the TV show. By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Kara Warner Jennifer Aniston Photo: MTV News Since “Arrested Development” signed off the air in 2006, fans have been anticipating a film version of the loopy sitcom. Luckily for “Arrested” buffs, 2010 has yielded a few promising updates about the project. Creator Mitch Hurwitz is working on a script, Michael Cera has offered some ideas and Will Arnett said cameras may even start rolling by the end of the year. There’s also buzz on the casting front. Several members of the original “Arrested” gang have said they’re down to bring the project to theaters and Jason Bateman recently revealed that he wants to bring in some new blood for the movie. Bateman said he wants Jennifer Aniston to join the “Arrested” film cast and, according to the actress, she’s definitely up for it. “I love it. I actually think I might have asked [Bateman] … if that was possible,” Aniston told MTV News about possibly appearing in the much-anticipated movie. “Anything to work with Jason,” the star gushed. Aniston is already teaming up with Bateman for the summer comedy, “The Switch,” about a single woman’s search for a sperm donor. The stars will also work together in the forthcoming flick, “Horrible Bosses,” alongside Colin Farrell and Charlie Day. Whether Bateman and Aniston will reunite onscreen for “Arrested” is still up in the air. While Bateman said he’s ready to lobby for an Aniston appearance, securing screen time is also at the mercy of the megastar’s packed schedule. “I don’t know, we’ll see if she’s available. She’s busy. She’s pretty famous; I don’t know if you’ve heard of her,” Bateman said, adding that he already has a role in mind for Aniston. “Hopefully the guy who’s in charge will like her for that part because I’m going to suggest her,” he said. What role would you like to see Jennifer Aniston play in the upcoming “Arrested Development” movie? Let us know in the comments below! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Switch.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com .

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‘Jersey Shore’ Newbie Deena Fits In With Castmates, Snooki Says

Posted on August 7, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Not [just] anybody can survive in this house,’ Snooks says of her pal. By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Audrey Kim Deena Nicole Cortese Photo: MTV News Deena Nicole Cortese is looking to make a splash as the newest addition to the “Jersey Shore” house. The New Jersey native, who originally auditioned for season one of the guido-fest, has been pals with Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, for two years. When the chance to party on the boardwalk with her rowdy bestie presented itself, Cortese said she jumped at the opportunity. “When [Snooki] invited me down I was just like, ‘I’m down the shore anyway. This is what I do for a good time always,'” Cortese reasoned, adding that she has tons of experience living it up in Seaside Heights. “I lose jobs because I’m down the shore so much,” she said. “So, I was like, ‘You know what. I’m packing my bags, let’s go.’ ” She may be ready to party like her friend but unlike Snooki, Cortese isn’t combing beachside bashes for a relationship. “I snook for love and she snooks for a good time,” Snooki said. Cortese concurred, adding that she’s not looking for a gorilla to call her own anytime soon. “We’re two peas in a pod but a little bit different,” she said. Cortese plans to help her girl in her quest for seaside romance but insisted viewers won’t catch the two scrapping over the same juicehead. “We won’t step on each other’s toes,” Cortese said. The 23-year-old is stepping into a house packed with colorful personalities including Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Jenni “JWoww” Farley and Paul “DJ Pauly D” Del Vecchio. Cortese said her chill nature sets her apart from the crew. “I’m different because I’m just a personable person. I don’t take things to heart. People can make fun of me ’til the day I die and I will just take it in and be like, ‘Yeah, you know what? Whatever,’ ” Cortese laughed. “I just don’t care what people think and I think that’s what everybody in the house loves about me. They can bust on me all the time and the next day I’ll just be like, ‘Alright, get real.’ ” Snooki said that Cortese fits right in with the “Shore” collective and that her transition into the cast has been drama-free. “Not [just] anybody can survive in this house and the fact that the first 24 hours that I brought her in … everything was cool I was like, ‘Alright, this is gonna be a good summer,’ ” Snooki said. What are you looking forward to seeing from “Jersey Shore” castmember Deena? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t miss “Jersey Shore” every Thursday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Related Videos Jersey Shore (Season 2) | Ep. 2 | Hook-Up Jersey Shore (Season 2) | Ep. 2 | The Hangover

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