Tag Archives: really-grateful

‘Smash’ And ‘Glee’ Are ‘Very Different,’ Megan Hilty Says

‘The glaring similarity is that we both have musical numbers in the show, but that’s about it,’ ‘Smash’ star tells MTV News. By Christina Garibaldi Megan Hilty in “Smash” Photo: NBC It’s safe to assume that if you’re watching the Super Bowl on Sunday night (February 5), you will see several promos for NBC’s newest musical drama, “Smash,” which premieres Monday. The show centers on two potential Broadway stars — played by former “American Idol” runner-up Katharine McPhee and newcomer Megan Hilty — who are competing for the lead role in a musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. “Smash” has it all: flashy musical numbers, well-choreographed dance routines and, of course, entertaining drama. Does that all sound a little similar to Fox’s hit show “Glee”? Not so fast, says Hilty, who told MTV News the two shows couldn’t be more different. “Obviously, the glaring similarity is that we both have musical numbers in the show, but that’s about it that we have in common,” Hilty said. “We’re very different in tone and theme and pretty much everything. We’re kind of like a glam soap opera with some splashy musical elements in between.” But Hilty admits that if it weren’t for “Glee,” “Smash” might have never gotten off the ground. “Thank God for ‘Glee,’ because they really opened doors for our show, specifically, to make it possible for us to do this,” Hilty said. “They made it socially acceptable and even cool to love the arts, and hopefully our show will do the same, but they really were the people who started that and busted down those doors, so thank God for that.” Hilty’s co-star, McPhee, agrees. “We’re just actually really grateful that ‘Glee’ has opened the door,” McPhee told MTV News on the Golden Globes red carpet last month. Will you be watching “Smash”? Let us know in the comments!

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‘Smash’ And ‘Glee’ Are ‘Very Different,’ Megan Hilty Says

Florence And The Machine ‘Grateful’ For ‘VH1 Divas’

‘It’s really special for me,’ Florence Welch tells MTV News of performing at ‘VH1 Celebrates Soul’ airing Monday at 9 p.m. ET. By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by James Montgomery Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine Photo: MTV News Florence and the Machine , Wanda Jackson and Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings will all take the stage to honor Amy Winehouse at the 2011 “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul.” Nas, a longtime friend of the late singer, will introduce the tribute at the show, which airs Monday night at 9 p.m. ET. Two of the “Rehab” singer’s most memorable tracks will be performed. Jackson and Florence and the Machine are set to team up on “Back to Black,” while Jones & the Dap-Kings will play “You Know I’m No Good.” Both songs are off Winehouse’s 2006 breakthrough album, Back to Black. Frontwoman Florence Welch stopped by the MTV offices on Friday (December 16), and we spoke to her about what it means to appear on the popular VH1 “Divas” series. “It’s a real honor, actually, to be counted amongst these amazing female performers,” Welch told MTV News. “It’s really special for me, because I am still a relatively new artist, and to be up there with these really established singers is amazing for me. … I’m really grateful.” This year, VH1 will pay tribute to prominent birthplaces of soul music, including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia. The divas are expected to pay homage to these cities and the genre with their own soulful tracks as well as some of classic tunes, at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom. In addition to the trio of acts mentioned above, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson , Jill Scott and Jessie J are all set to hit the stage for performances. And the celebration isn’t exclusive to the ladies. The Roots have been confirmed as the event’s house band, and drummer ?uestlove will pull double duty as musical director of the concert. Boyz II Men and Travie McCoy are also on the lineup. Tune in to “VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” on Monday, December 19, at 9 p.m. ET on VH1! Related Videos VH1 Divas 2009: Most Talked About Moments Related Photos Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, More Celebrate VH1 Divas Related Artists Florence + the Machine

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Florence And The Machine ‘Grateful’ For ‘VH1 Divas’

Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas: Obligatory Dating Rumor Alert!

Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas are young, hot, newly single stars – she split with Jay Cutler, he broke up with Pia Toscano – who dance suggestively. Let the dating rumors begin! “That s––t’s already started,” Ballas said, laughing off the rumors that he’s doing the horizontal mambo with Cavallari. “She is a sweetheart. We have a lot of fun.” “We both laugh a lot. We’re getting along great.” Cavallari, whose engagement to Jay Cutler just ended this summer, has no problems with people speculating that she and Ballas are more than partners. “I kind of expected [the dating rumors], to be honest,” she says . “That’s just what happens when you put two people together.” All celebrity gossip aside, the dancing duo is excited about what the season holds in the ballroom. Says Mark, after this week’s DWTS results : “I’m really proud of her so far. We’re focusing on the routines and making the best performances for our fans. We’re really grateful to them for voting for us.”

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Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas: Obligatory Dating Rumor Alert!

Crystal Bowersox Signs Record Deal

Here’s to hoping Crystal Bowersox has the same success as last year’s American Idol runner-up, Adam Lambert . Earlier this week, the unique, talented singer signed her first professional deal with 19 Recordings/Jive Records. Look for her to release a blues/folk/rock album later this year. “I’m really grateful to be given this opportunity to make an album and let people hear my music, and I’m looking forward to working with all of the folks at 19/Jive,” said Bowersox, who lost to Lee DeWyze on the season nine finale. Fans can see Crystal, Lee and company in concert this summer, as the American Idol tour kicks off its 49-date run July 1 in Detroit.

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Crystal Bowersox Signs Record Deal

Bryce Dallas Howard Featured in ‘Saturday Night’ Magazine

Less than 3 months away until we get to see Bryce Dallas Howard play Victoria in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and I’m totally rooting for her to do an amazing job in this role. The actress is featured in Saturday Night magazine’s “Celebrity Spotlight” where she talks about joining the close-knit Twilight cast and the pressure she felt of continuing a role already played by Rachelle Lefevre. SNMag: What has it been like joining the cast of Twilight? BDH: It’s a really extraordinary series and obviously the franchise really reflects what Stephenie Meyer has created with a lot of integrity. She’s so involved with the movies and it is really wonderful. It’s really an incredible storytelling moment. And people are really connecting with and responding to that. So I read the books and I just did my best for the character Victoria. I just wanted to do my best not to interfere with the books. SNMag: Did you feel pressure coming into this, with the character already being established? BDH: Yes, of course I did. Rachelle [Lefevre] did an extraordinary job at creating Victoria and part of the joy of a franchise like this is getting to see not only the characters grow but the actors continuing to grow with the characters. That’s a lot of the joy in the Harry Potter series. Every time I see one of those movies it’s so exciting to see them because they’re all getting a little bit older and different things are happening to them. It’s like watching a TV show. You start to connect with the actors really deeply. It was really unfortunate for everybody that Rachelle left. I did feel, I don’t know if I should say a pressure, but an enormous responsibility because the fans felt really strongly about the role of Victoria and they felt a deep connection to Rachelle, which they should because she is also beautiful and talented. I really did do my best and I hope that whatever work I did can somehow honor what had been created before and what was created by Stephenie. I felt really grateful to this because Rachelle and I have connected. She’s an amazing woman and has been enormously and overwhelmingly helpful. SNMag: What was the shooting like for you? Did you have an opportunity to hang out with the cast and bond with them? BDH: Oh, yes, I mean they’re a very tight-knit group of people who are just wonderful. They’re incredibly authentic and none of them are getting swept up by the mania of this. They just care about each other and are protective of each other. They are just a great group of friends. I feel like all of these people would have been friends regardless. They all bonded through this amazing moment that’s happening in their lives. {via Saturday Night Magazine }

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Bryce Dallas Howard Featured in ‘Saturday Night’ Magazine