Taylor Swift will be featured on tomorrow night’s installment of 60 Minutes and, in a few excerpts released from the upcoming interview, the star makes it clear that she’s open to her status as a role model. “I definitely think about a million people when I’m getting dressed in the morning, and that’s just part of my life now,” Swift tells the news magazine. “I think it’s my responsibility to know it and to be conscious of it.” While other artists may have gotten into trouble over the years for drunk driving or the smoking of substances , Swift won’t ever use her age as an excuse for any behavior of this type. “It would be really easy to say ‘I’m 21 now, I do what I want. You raise your kids!'” Swift says. “But it’s not the truth of it. The truth of it is that every singer out there with songs on the radio is raising the next generation.” Have we mentioned recently how much we adore Taylor Swift? [Photo: WENN.com]
It’s common knowledge that our non-verbal communication says a whole lot more than our verbal. But when you stay sitting pretty, have trouble sustaining a relationship, a look at the way you are presenting yourself verbally may be necessary. I’ve got it all, I have a great career, I’m attractive, intelligent, with a kind heart where is he at? Better yet, with all I have to offer why doesn’t he stick around? Reasons Women Should Slow Down When Dating One minute you may hit it off with someone and in the end you’re left wondering what you may have done to scare them off. It messes with your mind and by the time you’re ready to receive the feedback they are no longer in the picture so the pattern is recycled. 5 Most Predictable Moments From The “Single Ladies” Premiere [VIDEO] Well I did some groundwork, interrogated (with love of course) a few of my closest male friends and came up with five common verbal communication mistakes women make that may be scaring men off. And no, this is not an attempt to change who you are, however it will hopefully make you more aware of things you may wish to work on: Hogging the mic : A date isn’t your local open mic night, learn the art of passing the microphone along. Testing, testing, one two, one two! A soliloquy of your senior year in college, a list of childhood friends you still keep in touch with and drama with your cousin can be saved for another day. Believe me, he wants to know all about you but not all at once…baby spoons, ladies baby spoons. Bad mouthing others: Watch a man’s face or anyone’s face the next time you get started on why you didn’t like the new Rihanna video, straight bored. Yes, you may be witty and absolutely right when you give your two cents, but save it for Youtube girl. Wear your Sunday’s best inside and out. Thug life : I know it may be in some of our make ups to be a little more aggressive than your average female, but you don’t have to “throw up gang signs” in a man’s face. Like Queen Latifah once said, “real bad girls are the silent type”. Pick and choose your battles; a date shouldn’t be one of them! Talking about what you don’t want: The number one communicative turn off is when a woman starts listing what she doesn’t want from a man in front of the man she wants. Nobody wants to know that you don’t want a man who plays mind games, lies, cheats, or has no money, that’s a give in. Instead focus on communicating what you truly want out of a relationship and do this consistently. Positive reinforcement goes a long way. Say what you feel : Ladies sometimes we hold in too much, and we wonder why our men withhold their true feelings and desires. Lead by example, if you’re angry let him know, if you’re not ready to tell him why, let him know you need time to think. Conversely if he did something you like, make it your responsibility to uplift him with praise and recognition. Don’t worry about an overblown ego, we all deserve to know when we are doing right or wrong and the more we give the more you’ll receive. I pass this list on to my love warriors, ladies who have the courage to fall down and get right back up. The key focus when communicating is to keep as positive as possible, whether you’re angry as hell or bursting with joy. It’s not about changing who you are; it’s about enhancing the best of you. What Are Your Thoughts on this list? Any you agree or disagree with, If so, why or why not? Speak up! About the Author: Telisha Ng is a freelance writer and author of the Goddess Intellect blog from Toronto, Canada.
Russell Simmons also takes part, calling the demonstrators ‘our future leaders.’ By Kara Warner Kanye West appears at the Occupy Wall Street demonstration on October 10 Photo: Timothy A. Clary / Getty Images With a group of protesters that has grown steadily in numbers, the Occupy Wall Street movement received a one-two celebrity punch Monday (October 10) in the form of supporters Kanye West and Russell Simmons. The hip-hop heavyweights caused a stir when they visited the demonstrators’ “base camp” at Zuccotti Park, where Simmons appeared on Al Sharpton’s radio show to speak in support of the group’s efforts. “People are here with an honest heart and honest intentions,” Simmons said, according to New York’s Daily News. “These young people are our future leaders. “I’m happy to pay a little more taxes if it means better education for our children,” he added. “I don’t pay enough taxes, and I know it.” Simmons and West are the latest celebs to jump onboard the Occupy Wall Street movement. When MTV News caught up with Talib Kweli last week, he spoke out about why he’s in full support of the protests. “There’s no other place in New York City to be,” Kweli told us. “People are taking their destiny in their own hands. This is one of the most American, if not the most American, things that I’ve ever seen. “When I see things like Occupy Wall Street, I just try to align myself with things that make sense,” he continued. “Shame on me if I know something and don’t spread it, you know? If I know, it becomes my responsibility to spread the information.” Occupy Wall Street, which has also spread to cities like Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles, marked its 24th day of protest Monday. Related Artists Kanye West
Rapper did a cappella performance of unreleased song, ‘Distractions,’ at protest. By Adam Murphy Talib Kweli Photo: MTV News Talib Kweli lent his leadership and lyricism to the Occupy Wall Street protesters Thursday night in New York’s Zuccotti Park. Nearly three weeks into their occupation, the movement has gained strength in numbers. Kweli is no stranger to taking up social and political causes, but these protests have a firm grasp on his attention. “There’s no other place in New York City to be,” Kweli said. “People are taking their destiny in their own hands. This is one of the most American, if not the most American, things that I’ve ever seen. “When I see things like Occupy Wall Street, I just try to align myself with things that make sense,” he continued. “Shame on me if I know something and don’t spread it, you know? If I know, it becomes my responsibility to spread the information.” Hundreds of protesters gathered in silence around the pulpit where Kweli stood, rapping a cappella without the aid of a mic. The audience hung on his every syllable as he performed an as-yet-unreleased song, “Distractions,” a cutting indictment of American complacency in the face of important issues. “People are out here from all walks of life, all colors, all classes, people that have jobs, don’t have jobs,” said Res, Kweli’s Idle Warship collaborator. “People just want to get the word out and say, ‘Look, we’re sick of this, we need a change, and what you guys are doing in the White House is not hitting it.’ ” Following the performance, Kweli used the protesters’ human PA system (the speaker says a few words which are then repeated by the audience) to thank the activists for their dedication. “They want to know what the end game is?” Kweli asked. “This is the end game.” Related Artists Talib Kweli
Children should be trained in basic etiquette. Each day I feel as if the responsibility to teach our children basic manners has gone right out the window . Just how basic is basic, though? As a teacher and a Godmother, I am stickler for manners. If you don’t use them, you get nothing. My parents taught me that manners built character. Character is what defines you in life. It is the ability that allows you to draw the line on behavior. Here are 8 steps for the basics in manners 1. Saying “Please” Saying “ please” should begin as soon as your child is able to ask for something. If she’s old enough to ask for sippy cup refills, she should be able to tack a “please” onto the request. 2 . Saying “Thank You ” Following close on the heels of “please,” your child should be able to say “thank you” whenever she is given something. She should be able to say thank you to her parents, her teachers, other adults, and her own friends. 3 . No Interruptions This one is harder for kids to grasp, but your child should not interrupt adults when they are talking. If you can at least teach your child to say, “Excuse me, ” before steamrollering your conversation, consider it a lesson taught. 4. Holding the Door for Others This is so basic, but it’s a breach of etiquette that happens all the time–even between adults. Just observe it in a busy mall on a Saturday. It’s so much more pleasant if your child learns to hold the door for you and for others. It’s even better if you can teach them not to bolt in and out of elevators. Be sure to read : How To Help Your Child With ADHD 5. Using an “Inside Voice” Establish a rule in your house–shouting, yelling, and hollering is for outdoor use only. Inside, a normal–or even, dare we say, quiet–voice should be the norm. Again, this is a social skill that is reinforced in school, but it’s one that should be started at home. 6. Walk, Not Run Running is great exercise…for the great outdoors. The great indoors is made for walking. End of story. 7. Basic Table Manners Use a napkin, sit still in your chair, chew with your mouth closed, no smacking, no slurping. We are so often on the go, dining whenever and wherever we can, that these basic table manners are often disregarded but they are crucial to social acceptance. And they make mealtime so much more pleasant for everyone. 8. Sensitivity As a parent, you are responsible for installing a kind of social filter in your child, one that teaches her sensitivity towards others. This means that your child may be curious about people who look different or sound different than she does, but it’s not OK to point at a stranger and loudly describe his differences. Detailed explanations of race, handicaps, or other obvious differences are best had in the privacy of your home. Children leran through pets what behavior is appropriate and inappropriate. Be sure to read: 8 Guidelines For Teaching Children How To Care For Pets Remember to teach at an age appropriate level. Once you begin the behavior children thrive with the expectation. After all, depending on your child’s age, some rules are easy to teach but others are developmentally impossible. Take it one step at a time.
Ian Somerhalder is so much more than a pretty face. While the actor is accustomed to making female viewers scream on The Vampire Diaries , he went to D.C. this week with the goal of making Congress listen. The founder of The IS Foundation – which aims to “positively impact the planet and its creatures” – Somerhalder testified before lawmakers on behalf of the Multinational Species Coalition. Ian Somerhalder Speaks to Congress “Wildlife and environmental conservation has always been not just a passion, but a priority of mine,” he said, hoping to raise funds for organizations that include the World Wildlife Fund, the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society. A native of Louisiana, Somerhalder has worked tirelessly to clean up disasters in that area such as the April 2010 BP oil spill. But he cast an even wider net in this appearance, referencing African elephants, marine turtles, tigers, gorillas and chimpanzees and saying: “Due to instability or indifference in the areas that many of these species call home, for most of them we are the first, last, and only hope for survival. As the ones with the power to make a difference, the responsibility rests with us. It is imperative that we live up to it. “On behalf of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation and the Alliance for Global Conservation, I urge the Subcommittee to mark-up H.R. 50 and move to reauthorize this important piece of legislation.”
Actor tells MTV News that co-directors Gaga and Laurieann Gibson ‘gave me a lot of confidence.’ By Matt Elias Rick Gonzalez Photo: MTV News Just a day after Lady Gaga’s video for “Judas” debuted , fans and foes alike are still buzzing with reactions. That includes actor/rapper Rick Gonzalez, who plays Jesus in the video. For Gonzalez, the experience was somewhat surreal, beginning with his initial casting. “I’m sitting in my house, I get a call from my manager, [and] she says, ‘Lady Gaga wants you to be in the video,’ ” Gonzalez recalled to MTV News. “I’m like, ‘Oh, cool. Lady Gaga who?’ and she’s like, ‘Rick, the Lady Gaga.’ And I’m like, ‘Wow, OK.’ And the first thing that comes to my mind and what I tell her is, like, ‘How does she know I even exist?’ “They send a treatment over and I read it, and I was like, ‘Wow, I’m honored to be even a part of it.’ I really love the story and what she did and [where] she was thinking of going with it and I was really honored to be a part of it. So I was really stoked.” Once on set, Gonzalez said it felt more like a film than a music video. ” Laurieann Gibson, who directed along with Gaga — I mean, they really had great shots and they had this amazing huge production set up for the video,” Gonzalez said. “It really did feel that way. We were on a bike, on a flatbed truck, and I have Gaga behind me, and we’re like moving around the lot, just running around. So it was definitely grand in that scheme.” While Gonzalez had the honor of manning Gaga’s motorcycle in the opening shots, he was relieved that he didn’t have to actually drive it for the wide shots. “Those shots, that’s not me riding,” the actor revealed. “So the shots with me and her, we’re literally being dragged on a truck. I didn’t want the responsibility of dropping a bike with Gaga on it.” The actor developed newfound respect for Gaga after witnessing just how hands-on she was with all aspects of the clip. But there was one area that Gaga and co-director Gibson ceded to Gonzalez. “The beautiful thing about playing Jesus in the video was they really gave me the freedom to find it in my own way and they gave me a lot of confidence in that, and I was really impressed in Laurieann’s direction and just giving me the space and letting me find it,” Gonzalez said. He was equally impressed with how Gaga and Gibson communicated, which at times wasn’t even verbal. “I think the chemistry between Laurieann and Lady Gaga, it was interesting to watch because they were totally in sync with each other creatively, and I think that you’re going to see a lot more amazing things with them, ’cause they totally have like this synergy with them,” he predicted, adding, “And I’ve overheard them say they’re totally gonna do a lot more things together, so I’m excited to see what that stuff’s gonna be.” What do you think of Rick’s portrayal of Jesus in the “Judas” video? Tell us in the comments. Related Videos Lady Gaga’s ‘Judas’ Video Premieres Related Photos Lady Gaga’s ‘Judas’ Video: Decoded Related Artists Lady Gaga
President Obama spoke in Pennsylvania today and told the audience, “the least we can do is meet our responsibility to produce a budget, that’s not too much to ask for.” Here’s the video: Worth noting: When the president’s own party was in charge, they failed to pass a budget for this year. And Republican majority in the House first passed a 2011 budget 46 days ago, but the Democratic Senate hasn’t… Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : The Weekly Standard Blog Discovery Date : 06/04/2011 22:03 Number of articles : 2
We watched Teyana Taylor turn 16, put out the single “Google Me”, pursue acting and hang with her crew. She has always been labeled as being famous for no reason and maybe that’s because no one has ever been clear on what exactly she does or even wants to do. In a recent interview with Edge magazine, Teyana speaks on the fame, her style and her career. “It gets really hard because people don’t really know what’s happening on the inside of things. People can be so cruel and not even know your situation and not want get to know”, she says in her soft spoken and perfectly raspy tone. This transparency and softer side may shock many who know Taylor as the Jordan wearing, opinionated skateboarder chick whose big hair and unique style is being copied by young girls everywhere. But the sincerity in her vulnerability is magnetic. “I’m a piece of work and I am certainly one of a kind, I know for sure that I am”, she says, “but I honestly can care less about this industry. I just do what I love”. In her confidence is also knowledge of the power she has as a role model for young girls that need a place in this world to feel accepted. She speaks for a large part of the new generation of young women who simply want to be who they are but fear no one will understand. When talking about her responsibility to the girls coming after her, Taylor’s speaks with the wisdom of a veteran twice her age. “I want to inspire young people, with everything I do. Even through my style”, she says, “if you can change the world or just change lives directly, why not go for it? If I can encourage kids to be themselves and to be cool with being different that’s what I’m going to do. I have a responsibility to try to change as much as I can.” “Before I got signed I was a skateboarder and I played basketball. I gave it up for my career because the label saw a lot of danger in it. I wanted to do something so that I could still have basketball in my life and as a fan I wanted to know more about players”. Her small gesture to remain close to the sport she loves turned into a 100,000 strong following in just one week, a number that she hadn’t planned for. “The site kept crashing”, she says with a raspy laugh, “we didn’t build the site for those kind of numbers. But we’ve been back for almost three weeks and we’ve already gotten almost all of our traffic back…. it’s good to know people didn’t forget about it”. If you’re wonder what Teyana has been up to lately, check out the trailer for Tyler Perry’s New Movie HERE ! Source
There are many ways for aspiring singers to get noticed. For Michaela Wallace, it was pretending to be Justin Bieber’s girlfriend . For Rachel Moran, it’s mocking the fact that Miley Cyrus was caught on video smoking out of a bong . In a new single aptly titled “The Miley Cyrus Bong Song,” Moran actually films herself at the same club where Miley got herself high and loopy. She parodies the scandal by crooning: “It looks like Liam or am I seeing things? And you say he’s your boyfriend, but I’m pretty sure he’s not anymore.” Rachael Moran Bong Parody On her website, Moran writes: “I, Rachael Moran, am more than your average singer. In LA of all places people are here to fend for themselves. It is my mission as a young artist (18 years old) to not only catapult myself into the spotlight, but to bring others up with me.” And brings others down, it seems. What do you make of this video? A fun way for Moran to make headlines? Or a mean way for her to exploit a troubled fellow teen?
