Singer confirms to MTV News that ‘Criminal’ is next up from Femme Fatale. By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by James Montgomery Britney Spears at the 2011 VMAs Photo: MTV News Britney Spears may have been looking back on her impressive career during a Jo Calderone-helmed tribute at Sunday night’s VMAs , but there’s still so much for fans to look forward to. The singer has a lot up her sleeve after taking home the Moonman for Best Pop Video for her “Till the World Ends” clip and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award — and she revealed all to MTV News. There’s been some hot debate about what the singer’s next Femme Fatale single is going to be, and finally her loyal fans are getting the confirmation they’ve been waiting for. “I don’t if I’m at liberty to tell,” she teased MTV News backstage at the VMAs. “But I will anyways: It’s ‘Criminal.’ ” The slow jam should make for some interesting visual fodder, and Spears told us she knows what the video will look like, but she’s going to keep everyone on their toes a little longer. “Actually the song, when I first heard it, it’s really different and it’s not anything I’ve heard like this before. So I really wanted to deliver this song. I was thinking of a really cool concept for the video just to make it interesting,” she said, teasing, “You’ll have to see.” She’s also set to hit the road again when the Femme Fatale Tour heads to Europe. She’ll be joined by Joe Jonas for select dates. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners , fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest. Related Videos VMA 2011: Backstage Interviews Related Photos VMA 2011: Show Highlights Related Artists Britney Spears
Michael Jackson would have turned 53-years-old today, and even though he’s been gone for two years we know his memory will live on forever – thanks in part to signature style and choreography elements that have been often imitated but never completely duplicated. We compiled a list of our favorite MJ iconic elements for your viewing pleasure. Check them out when you continue!
Lady Gaga’s male alter ego even got fresh with Brit after her VMA tribute. By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by James Montgomery Britney Spears and Lady Gaga as Jo Calderone backstage at the 2011 VMAs Photo: Getty Images On Sunday night at the 2011 Video Music Awards , Lady Gaga ‘s alter ego Jo Calderone met the princess of pop herself, Britney Spears . Gaga, in full drag as Calderone , and Spears had a bit of a VMA romance, sharing kind words — and even swapping spit. “It was interesting, her character,” Spears later told MTV News about the encounter, even dishing how the kiss between the two took place. “We got onstage and we felt it out.” Spears, of course, has already kissed a famous pop star on the VMA stage, when she and Madonna locked lips back in 2003. And it’s that kind of free spirit that Calderone noted in his speech about the singer. “She taught us all how to be fearless, and the industry wouldn’t be the same without her,” Calderone said when he not only kicked off the tribute to the star, but also later presented her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. After a troupe of dancers, who performed dance routines to everything from ” … Baby One More Time” and “Crazy” to “Toxic” and “Do Somethin’,” left the stage, Calderone and Spears came face to face, and lips to lips. Although Spears seemed fine with the initial kiss, when he tried to make a few more advances, Spears rebuffed him with a big smile on her face. He took it like a gentleman, adding, “I don’t want Gaga to get pissed.” So was Gaga completely Calderone the whole time? “She’s in full character,” Spears later added. “Yes, definitely.” The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners , fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest. Related Videos VMA 2011: Most Talked About Moments VMA 2011: Backstage Interviews Related Photos VMA 2011: Backstage Moments VMA 2011: Show Highlights Related Artists Britney Spears Lady Gaga
Spears tells MTV News her onstage smooch with Lady Gaga’s Jo Calderone wasn’t planned. By James Montgomery Britney Spears with Lady Gaga as Jo Calderone Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Britney Spears played it humble during her Video Music Awards tribute — using her time onstage to shine the spotlight on her fellow performer, Beyonc
Gaga’s Jo Calderone alter ego introduced a dance tribute to Brit’s best videos. By John Mitchell Britney Spears and Lady Gaga on stage at the 2011 VMAs Photo: MTV It’s only fitting for one princess of pop to fete another. And that’s what happened when Lady Gaga stepped out on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards to pay tribute to Britney Spears with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Well, kind of. Gaga took the stage to honor Spears still in character as her male alter ego Jo Calderone, which she’d taken on for her show-opening performance earlier in the night. And that made things pretty interesting. Calderone opened by calling Spears an inspiration, saying, “She taught us all how to be fearless, and the industry wouldn’t be the same without her.” Calderone then went on to get a little personal about Spears. He told the audience he used to put up posters of the pop star on his bedroom wall and be inspired in non-musical ways. It was a weird moment, but Calderone is a young guy of the right generation — a generation that would indeed have posters of Britney Spears on his/her wall. There’s a reason, after all, she was being awarded the Vanguard Award. The tribute then turned into exactly what any great tribute to this particular diva should be: a dance party. Spears is known as one of the biggest dance pop artists of her generation, and accordingly, dancers wearing Britney’s most famous video looks took the stage to get down to her biggest hits, from “Baby One More Time” and “Crazy” to “Toxic” and “Do Somethin’.” By the time the sequence dissolved into a full-stage dance-off to Spears’ recent smash “Till The World Ends,” children also wearing Spears’ myriad costumes popped up on stage alongside their grown-up dancing counterparts. It was a fitting way to show the impact Spears’ music has had. From kids to adults, everyone knows and loves Britney. As the performance ended, Gaga-as-Calderone again grabbed the spotlight to introduce the pop star and did so with the kind of bravado that carried him through his monologue earlier in the show. “Everybody, stand the f— up,” Calderone demanded. Looking better than ever and glowing from all the praise, Spears then took the stage. Calderone certainly liked what he saw, eying the singer before stepping forward for a semi-awkward stare-down. But Gaga, er, Calderone eventually got what he wanted: a quick kiss from the one and only Britney Spears. He wanted more, however, but alas, it just wasn’t going to happen. Being a classy guy, Calderone brushed off Britney’s dismissal of his advances with a cool, “I don’t want Gaga to get pissed.” Spears seemed thankful for the prize but used her time to shine the spotlight on another artist: Beyonc
Prosecutors trying to convict Dr. Conrad Murray of involuntary manslaughter want to make sure the trial does not become about Michael Jackson’s personal life. In particular, they want the judge to disallow all testimony related to allegations of Michael Jackson molesting children, and to block a potentially key witness. Steve Robel, a key Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s investigator in MJ’s 2005 molestation trial, is on the witness list compiled by Dr. Conrad Murray’s team. Dr. Murray’s trial is scheduled to get underway next month . Prosecutors want all references to molestation barred from Murray’s trial, on grounds it has nothing to do with MJ’s death and would merely inflame the jury. Also, prosecutors have also asked the judge to block the testimony of doctors who treated Jackson but were not involved in his care at the time of his death. This is a major issue that could dramatically alter the case. Why? The defense will argue at least nine other doctors addicted MJ to meds – including Propofol – and are responsible for the condition Michael was in. Murray, therefore, cannot be held responsible for what happened. Judge Pastor has not ruled on the motions, but what he decides on that point could be critical in determining how Murray’s defense takes shape. Pastor has, however, determined that the Murray jury will NOT be sequestered during the trial, as he does not want jurors to feel like inmates. Pastor feels that even though Jackson’s death was incredibly high profile, measures will be in place to make sure the jury is not contaminated. Murray’s team argued that sequestering the jury would be the only way to prevent their client from full-on character assassination by the press. [Photo: WENN.com]
Kim Kardashian predicts Katy Perry will win Video of the Year at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, airing Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT. By Kara Warner Bruno Mars Photo: MTV All of the categories for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards are competitive, but none more so than the eclectic group vying for Sunday night’s biggest prize: Video of the Year. The 2011 nominees for Video of the Year are: Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” Related Videos 2011 VMAs: Behind The Scenes VMA 2011: Video of the Year Nominees Related Photos 2011 Video Music Award Nominees Related Artists Bruno Mars Beastie Boys Adele Katy Perry
We take a look back at pop princess’ decade-plus track record before Sunday’s tribute to the icon. By Jocelyn Vena Britney Spears and Madonna kiss at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards Photo: Chris Polk/ FilmMagic It’s hard to believe there was ever a Video Music Awards without Britney Spears . Her iconic performances and eye-popping getups make her a perfect match for the outsized and outrageous VMA stage. Britney herself told us that her bombshell kiss with Madonna in 2003 is her favorite VMA moment. “My greatest experience — probably being with Madonna,” she told MTV News. “The kiss was amazing. … Being onstage with someone of that caliber is just iconic.” See Britney’s biggest VMA moments for yourself in these photos. But Spears certainly has a long list to choose from. And with that track record, it’s no surprise that this year’s VMAs will pay tribute to Britney . Let’s dive into the highlights of her decade-plus history with the show: 1999 For her first-ever appearance, Spears not only went dress shopping with MTV News correspondent Serena Altschul, but also declared herself a VMA pop princess, taking the stage alongside ‘NSYNC to perform her breakout hit ” … Baby One More Time.” Still the epitome of a teen-pop sensation, Spears performed with a school backdrop, a callback to her video for the track. Go behind the scenes as Britney films her 2011 VMA promo. 2000 Spears upped the sexy ante when she literally did a striptease at the show. She cooed her way through the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” and then — boom — it happened: She ripped off her tux to display a nude two-piece getup and shimmied her way through “Oops … I Did It Again.” 2001 Just one year later, not only did the singer give Jamie Foxx a dance lesson to Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell,” but she also hung out with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger on the red carpet, who appeared not to know who she was. “Am I a Britney fan?” Jagger pondered. “Of course I am. And she did one of our songs, didn’t she? She did it very well.” But that was all kid’s stuff until Spears took the stage at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2001 for her sultry and very memorable performance of “I’m a Slave 4 U.” Draping herself in a white python and slithering around a steamy garden setting — surrounded by dancers in zebra and tiger outfits — Spears created one of the most striking visuals in the 27-year history of the show. 2002 Brit donned a dominatrix outfit and presented idol Michael Jackson with a birthday cake and referred to him as the “artist of the millennium.” Michael may have misunderstood and thought that she meant he was receiving some new Artist of the Millennium award and gave an acceptance speech. 2003 Here it is: Britney’s favorite. She, along with queen Madonna and peer Christina Aguilera, opened the show with striking dance moves and star power. But things really heated up during a wedding-themed performance of Madge’s “Like a Virgin,” when Madonna leaned in for a quick smooch with Christina Aguilera and then an even-steamier kiss with Spears. Everyone was surprised by it — including Justin Timberlake. She later told CNN , “I didn’t know it was going to be that long and everything. … I’ve never kissed a woman before.” What’s better than Britney, Madonna and Christina kissing? Cats re-enacting the smooch! Apparently, the three-way kiss struck a major chord with music fans around the world, who just voted it the most outrageous moment in the show’s long history. 2006 Spears appeared on the show in a way fans had never seen her before: pregnant. The mommy-to-be (Jayden James was on the way) pre-taped a segment alongside then-hubby Kevin Federline to present the award for Best R&B Video. 2008 Spears finally took home her first Moonman — actually, she took home three, for Video of the Year, Best Female Video and Best Pop Video, all for “Piece of Me.” She also displayed her funny bone in a video that opened the show, making us all laugh alongside Jonah Hill. “I just want to dedicate this to all my amazing fans out there for all their support,” she said when she took the stage to accept one of her many Moonmen that night. 2009 The show landed back in New York City, and Spears was up for seven awards. She took home the prize for Best Pop Video for her Joseph Khan-directed clip for “Womanizer.” 2011 After taking a break in 2010, we come to this Sunday, where a Spears tribute is set to take place and the singer is up for two Moonmen , including Best Pop Video and Best Choreography. Will she add any more hardware to her collection? You’ll have to wait and find out. But we are betting on one more memorable moment to add to her stellar VMA history. 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 Videos Britney Spears: VMA Blast From The Past 2011 VMAs: Behind The Scenes Related Photos A History Of Britney Spears At The VMAs
Rihanna’s “Cheers” video is on it’s way. And though there’s been a delay in it’s release (due to the East Coast’s earthquake and evacuation of some needed businessmen’s buildings), Riri was nice enough to give her fans a sneak peek. It looks like the video will mostly be behind-the-scenes footage of her “Loud” tour: from fans cheering and Rihanna doing her makeup before the show, to her finally taking the stage and partying with friends afterwards. Work hard, play hard; cheers to that! Is Nicki Minaj Moving In With Rihanna? Did Rihanna & J. Cole Make A Sex Tape?
