Their long-running feud recently escalated on Twitter, but now Brandi Glanville and LeAnn Rimes are burying the social media hatchet – together. After battling it out over Twitter (and all other methods of media, and presumably in private as well) for over a year, they swear it’s finally over. “As a collective unit, Brandi and I would like all negativity to cease toward one another,” wrote Rimes, who’s engaged to Brandi’s ex, Eddie Cibrian. When Eddie and LeAnn got together in 2009, both were married to other people – he to Brandi Glanville and she to Dean Sheremet. Much bitterness ensued. Rimes says she’s done bashing Brandi – and wants her fans to stop, too. “We have communicated and have a direct understanding that we are ONLY ourselves on Twitter and have no other accounts that try to destroy one another.” “Please for our families’ sake stop the hate and let us live OUR lives. We don’t need opinions or outside help for that to happen. Thanks, LeAnn and Brandi.” The statement was subsequently retweeted by Glanville. While it’s a bit silly to call out your own followers for backing you up in a feud with your sworn enemy, it’s good they resolved their differences in any case. [Photos: Fame Pictures]
Band organized an impromptu 12-hour charity event Saturday at South by Southwest. By James Montgomery Hanson Photo: Mark Mainz/ Getty Images On Saturday, with less than a day of preparation, Hanson somehow managed to pull off a 12-hour live-stream benefit for the earthquake and tsunami recovery efforts in Japan . They followed that up with an early (like, 12:20 a.m. early) morning performance on Sunday at South by Southwest. And on Monday, they finally took a minute to reflect on what turned out to be a very eventful weekend. “The whole thing was a labor of love … in the sense of nobody’s really getting anything out of it, other than our desire to give and give of ourselves. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it,” Zac Hanson told MTV News. “The people that put themselves out for this — and most of them will not really get the credit — the work that was done by the people that work for us, the friends and the colleagues that threw down and just started calling musicians they knew … we’re still having people saying they want to help out. It still continues, even though the first live broadcast is over.” The SXSW 4 Japan benefit started with the goal of raising $100,000 for the Red Cross’ disaster recovery efforts, and Zac Hanson was happy to report that not only did he and his brothers achieve that goal, they blew right past it. Though, after having some time to think back on the event, he’s more amazed by the sheer effort everyone put out to help make the broadcast a reality. “For me, I feel like we really gave as much as we could. Nobody held anything back. I think we really accomplished something. The money that was raised, the $100,000-plus and all the text donations … at the end, that is a meaningful amount of money, but … it’s more about that we did something,” he said. “And I think the feeling of saying to the people of Japan, ‘Look, we’ve got your backs, we’re here, we’re looking out for you, we’re here when you need us,’ I feel proud of everyone who was involved.” Hanson said the next step is compiling all the musical performances — and, as he put it, there is “an insane amount of music” — into a digital album that can be downloaded by fans, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. And he added that, though he’s proud of every single person who helped out in some way, there’s still plenty more to be done. In fact, he and his brothers would’ve kept going, if not for that pesky need for sleep. “We all finally crashed at around 2 or 3 in the morning,” he laughed. “And then we slept for 12 straight hours.” Donations for the Red Cross can still be made through the SXSW 4 Japan site or by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Related Videos On The Scene At SXSW 2011 Related Photos 2011 SXSW Music Festival Related Artists Hanson
Tina Fey was also on hand to accept the Outstanding Individual Episode award for ’30 Rock.’ By Jocelyn Vena Ricky Martin at the GLAAD Awards on Saturday Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/ WireImage Tina Fey, “True Blood” star Denis O’Hare and Patrick Wilson are just of few of the celebrities who gathered at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards , hosted by Bravo’s Andy Cohen on Saturday in New York. The awards honor “fair, accurate and inclusive representations” of the LGBT community in television and journalism. Big winners of the night included “True Blood,” which won for Outstanding Drama Series, and “30 Rock,” which won for Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character) for its “Klaus & Greta” episode. Entrepreneur Russell Simmons was honored with the Excellence in Media Award. Ricky Martin took home the Vito Russo Award, which is presented to a “lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.” In his speech, Martin credited GLAAD for helping him cope in the wake of his public coming out last year on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” He then went on to push for Latin American gay rights and asked that GLAAD stand up for those who can’t in that community. “I just want to be free. I can say today I’m free,” he said at the event. “And for that I definitely need to thank my parents for being so supportive, my mother and my dad for their unconditional love, and my friends, my family, my fans. And my partner in crime and my boyfriend Carlos.” That was only the beginning of the accolades for those projects and people nominated, with additional GLAAD awards scheduled to be handed out in Los Angeles on April 10 and in San Francisco on May 14. Related Photos The Evolution Of: Ricky Martin Related Artists Ricky Martin
Pop diva ‘politely declined’ Simon Cowell’s offer to sit on judges’ panel, according to Essence.com. By James Dinh Mariah Carey Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images As anticipation grows for the debut of Simon Cowell’s “X Factor,” there’s one industry vet who will not appear on the reality singing show’s judging panel: Mariah Carey . Despite previous whispers about her joining the celebrity lineup , it appears that the soon-to-be mom has turned down Cowell’s request to judge the talent show, according to Essence.com . While Cowell did approach the iconic pop singer/songwriter with the request, the songstress “politely declined,” as she’s gearing up for the arrival of her twins and writing material for her next studio album. News of Carey’s decision comes just days after the pop megastar’s longtime label boss, L.A. Reid, joined the forthcoming Fox show . On Thursday, the record executive resigned from his chairman position at Island Def Jam for a spot on the judges’ panel. Reid joined the record label in 2004 and is most noted for assisting Carey with her comeback the following year. With Reid free to take up a position at Sony Music, the label that will provide the “X Factor” winner with a recording contract, rumors have swirled that Carey will wrap up her contract with Universal Music Group and follow the executive to Sony Music. Fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out the remaining judges who have signed on for “X Factor.” Last week, Cowell told MTV News that he was days away from unveiling the lineup. He also opened up about his efforts to collect a top-notch panel for the show. “It’s gonna be a balance between guys and girls, and it should be a balance between people who have been singers and also, like me, have worked behind the scenes and know what they’re talking about it,” the former “American Idol” judge MTV News. “It will be the best judging panel so far. I promise you: If I get the people I want, I’m really happy.” Who do you want to see judge “X Factor”? Share your ideas in the comments! Related Artists Mariah Carey
Dancing was a lot different before booty dancing, also known as grinding up against a dude in the club lackidasically posted on a wall, was all the rage. No worries that someone was going to shine a light in your face and say “break it up!,” no waiting until the lights were turned down low or that a fight could start. Dancing was all in good fun. Both men and women gladly got down on the floor with the help of some of the catchiest dances found in three to four minute music videos on stations like The Box. Hopping backwards doing the “Tom & Jerry,” swinging your arms doing the “cabbage patch” or “the wop,” and running rhythmically in place with “the running man,” once one person saw it, it was like an infection–everyone had to get in on it. So we’re taking a retrospective glance at a few other dances that have had us looking a fool to the older “twist” and “shout” generation, but had us feeling cooler than cool on the dance floor. ( Continue )
HotAirPundit makes note of this exchange highlighted by The Final Call of Louis Farrakhan speaking with talk radio host and “long-time friend” Cliff Kelley on WVON-AM 1690 on March 11: From The Final Call : To President Obama, Minister Farrakhan delivered a pointed warning: “Don’t let these wicked demons move you in a direction that will absolutely ruin your future with your people in Africa and throughout… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Blaze Discovery Date : 19/03/2011 17:09 Number of articles : 3
It’s been a long, bloody time coming but the people of Egypt officially have their “free” now. CAIRO — Eager for their first taste of a free vote in decades, Egyptians formed long lines outside polling centers on Saturday to cast their ballots on a package of constitutional amendments sponsored by the ruling military. The nationwide referendum is the first major test of the country’s transition to democracy after a popular uprising overthrew President Hosni Mubarak’s authoritarian rule on Feb. 11. Voters were being asked to cast ballots to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the entire package of nine changes. Preliminary results will be announced Sunday. A “yes” vote would allow parliamentary and presidential elections to be held later this year or early in the next. A “no” vote could force the military to extend the six-month deadline it has set for the handover of power to an elected civilian government. “My vote today will make a difference. It’s as simple as that,” first-time voter Hossam Bishay, 48, said as he waited in line with about 300 others outside a polling center in Cairo’s upscale Zamalek district. The center was guarded by six police officers and one from the army. Reports say that some people think that this vote is a little premature and the country hasn’t formed a suitable governing body. But the fact that they can even express this concern is a sign that democracy is prevailing. Praise be to Allah… Source
Conor Oberst dazzles in a secret gig held at a 130-year-old Austin opera house on Friday. By James Montgomery Conor Oberst (file) Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images AUSTIN, Texas — When one thinks of Conor Oberst, a 130-year-old opera house probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Or the second, for that matter. And yet, on Friday night at South by Southwest, there was Oberst and his Bright Eyes band, standing beneath the crystal chandeliers and velvet drapes of the Austin Club , a lavish, limestone-layered building first opened in 1878 as the Millett Opera House. The occasion wasn’t a wedding or a banquet (both of which the club plays host to on the regular these days), but rather, an AOL Pop Up Show, announced only hours beforehand, much to the delight of fans and SXSWers alike, who lined up early and hoped against hope that they’d be one of the lucky ones to snag a spot inside. Of course, most were turned away. But the folks who made it past the front doors were treated to a shambling, rambling (though all-too-brief) Bright Eyes set, as Oberst and his six-piece ensemble ran roughshod over songs from the past decade of his songbook. Needless to say, the band probably felt a little out of place — at one point, after surveying his stuffy surroundings, Oberst joked, “Have you guys ever been to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland? Very soon the walls will start stretching to the stratosphere” — but if they were uncomfortable, they didn’t show it, starting somberly with “An Attempt to Tip the Scales” (from 2000’s Fevers and Mirrors ) and building steam on “Hot Knives” (from ’07’s Cassadaga ), the former featuring Oberst’s warm, warbling vocals and the latter a stirring mix of wiring, winding guitars and wind-swept synths. “Take It Easy (Love Nothing)” powered along with a pair of drummers, with Oberst flailing and hammering out chords on his electric guitar, and “Jejune Stars” (from his just-released The People’s Key disc) was an exercise in frayed, frazzled fret abuse. Of course, most Bright Eyes fans prefer Oberst’s softer side, and they got that on “Beginner’s Mind,” which he prefaced with, “The next song is about trying not to become a cynical a–hole,” and, thanks to some nifty vocal effects, sang as if his voice was at the bottom of a well. He also delivered a shuffling, austere take on “Bowl of Oranges.” He brought things to a hush with the stirring “Poison Oak,” which started off whisper quiet, grew louder on winsome guitars, and then positively unspooled into an impressive din, pushed forward by a pealing organ line. The band continued that momentum with “The Calendar Hung Itself,” a walloping, clomping stomper featuring dueling drummers and a blaring horn line. And then, like most Bright Eyes sets, the band finished with “Road to Joy,” which built to a froth and then, as Oberst spat, “Let’s f— it up, boys, make some noise!” boiled over into a squall of feedback and horns and organs. The crowd — some of whom had been waiting more than eight hours for this moment — losing their collective mind, surging forward and creating several worried looks amongst the Austin Club staff (thankfully, none of the good china was broken). And when the band departed from the stage, the crowd chanted for an encore that never came. It was about the only down moment of the evening, but as those fans filed down the building’s ornate staircase and out into the Austin night, you got the feeling they weren’t focusing on the negative. It just didn’t seem proper, given the surroundings. Related Videos On The Scene At SXSW 2011 Related Photos 2011 SXSW Music Festival Related Artists Bright Eyes
It didn’t reek or leave a trail of blood, but warmed up pleasantly on her skin. Lady Gaga’s “meat dress” was real and made of beef, designer Franc Fernandez revealed Monday, one day after the singer traipsed around in it at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. Singer Lady Gaga poses in the press room during the MTV Video Music Awards at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on September 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. — Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images Construction took two days and the dress was refrigerated; Mr. Fernandez later transported it in a cooler – “its own little coffin.” The final product weighed 40 pounds and sat atop a corset. “Gaga said it smelled good,” he said. The singer also got meat booties wrapped in butcher twine and a clutch with an antique brooch applied to the beef. Mr. Fernandez said the dress would not rot, but harden into “jerky.” Although the butcher suggested taxidermy, the designer said the dress would be immortalized in the “Gaga Archives.” The singer, who donned a meat bikini on the cover of Vogue Hommes Japan last week, told Ellen DeGeneres she meant “no disrespect to anyone that is vegan or vegetarian,” insisting it was a human-rights statement of sorts. Ms. DeGeneres, a vegan, then presented Gaga with a kale bikini. Ingrid E. Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was equally unimpressed. “What’s next: the family cat made into a hat?” she wrote in a statement Monday. They can rest assured: Mr. Fernandez says the beef gown was a one-shot deal. “There’s not going to be meat dresses in the future.” Related Posts: Lady Gaga From Toronto to Buffalo Lady Gaga Raises 250K for Japan Relief Efforts Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez: Vanity Fair Oscar Party Couple Ride ‘em Gaga: The Lady hits Texas in her ten gallon hat and cowboy boots Lady Gaga
