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Katy Perry Wears Only Cotton Candy On Teenage Dream Cover

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It even smells like cotton candy!’ she reveals during a live chat with fans. By James Dinh Teenage Dream Photo: Capitol Records If the video for Katy Perry’s “California Gurls” left you wanting more, then wait until you see the cover for her new album Teenage Dream. During a Ustream live chat Wednesday (July 21), the singer unveiled the cover of the project: a Will Cotton painting of Perry lying nude on a cotton-candy cloud. She also spoke about touring and her next video and even revealed that the album artwork will have the sweet scent of cotton candy. Perry, who was joined by Cotton for the chat, unveiled the cover — which she had not even seen yet herself. “Oh my God, what will my mother think?” she exclaimed about the painting, which took six and a half weeks to create. “It’s so gorgeous. I’m so excited. I’m nervous. I’m shaking a bit. This will be my first piece of real art. “I have decided for this to be just the album cover — no print, no nothing, no ‘Katy Perry,’ ” she added. “Hopefully they know it’s me by the actual picture.” What makes Perry’s cover even more fun is that the album booklet will have a cotton-candy scent. “When you purchase the CD physically, you just get a Katy Perry by Will Cotton. We went through every detail — it even smells like cotton candy!” she said. “It actually stinks.” And if fans enjoy the recent Perry and Cotton collaboration, then they’ll be pleased to know that the two are likely collaborating on the singer’s upcoming tour, which will begin next spring. “Of course, I’m going to be touring the balls off the album. I’ll be doing a lot of shows this fall and the wintertime.” Fans have even more to look forward on Friday, when the 12-song track list for Teenage Dream will be revealed. The pop star mentioned that some of her favorite tracks on the LP include “Firework” and “Peacock,” which she says is “a great representation of my f—ed-up humor.” Perry also took some time to speak about the video for her next single, “Teenage Dream,” which she predicted will be released in the first week of August. “It’s going to be beautiful and will be so different than the Candyfornia video, which is fantastic, but I love going from one extreme to the other,” she told fans. Last month, the video director for “California Gurls” spoke to MTV News about his vision for the clip. “The lyrics were so literal, that when I pitched it, I said, ‘Look, I want to so something that’s a metaphor for what the song’s about,’ and I guess it was something different from what the other directors were pitching her,” Mathew Cullen told MTV News. What do you think of Katy Perry’s album cover? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Related Photos The Evolution Of: Katy Perry Related Artists Katy Perry

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Chris Isaak Considered as Next American Idol Judge

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

We seem to be down to three. With American Idol auditions about to start up again around the nation, the show is anxious to name a replacement for Simon Cowell. With Bret Michaels already campaigning for the gig , and Harry Connick Jr. remaining a candidate, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed a third name for the job: Chris Isaak. According to that publication, the singer has been brought in twice for an interview with Idol producers. Isaak has guest-starred on a couple TV shows and is probably best known for his 1991 hit, “Wicked Game.” But it seems hard to believe many in Idol ‘s core audience have heard of him. Michaels would be the best choice if the show is going after pop culture relevance, while Connick – an actor, singer and composer – would deliver the most versatility. Who do you think should take Simon’s spot?

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Taylor Swift Reveals Next Album, Speak Now, Is Due October 25

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘Each song is a different confession to a different person, and I’m very excited for you to hear them,’ singer says during live chat. By James Dinh Taylor Swift Photo: UStream During a live chat Tuesday (July 20), fans were treated to some surprising news when Taylor Swift revealed that her new album, Speak Now, would be hitting stores October 25. The songstress also spoke about the album’s first single, “Mine,” shooting a video for the new song and how excited she is to share some of her life experiences from the past year. “It’s called Speak Now, and that pertains to the album as a concept and as an entire theme of the record more than I can even tell you,” Swift said during the Ustream chat , which eventually reached 58,000 viewers. “I’ve been working on it for two years, so ever since we put out Fearless, I’ve been writing for this record and sort of conceptualizing it and putting it together in my head and sort of figuring out what I want it to be,” she added. “I like to take a lot of time in between albums to work up the next one and see what it is.” The album, which Swift explained was written solely by her and is tentatively set to include 14 tracks, is full of firsthand experiences. “For me, I write everything that I live, so you got to give yourself a little bit of time to live a lot of things so you can write about a lot of things, and my only option is to write about what I’ve been through and what I’ve lived, so thankfully, in the past two years, I’ve experienced a lot of things that I’ve been dying to write about and a lot of things that I wanted to say in the moment that I didn’t,” she explained. “Mine,” which is set to premiere in mid-August, is about Swift’s “tendency to run from love.” “It’s been sort of a recent tendency, and I think it’s because, for me, every really direct example of love that I’ve had in front of me has ended in goodbye and ended in breakups and things like that,” she explained. “So I think I’ve developed this pattern of running away when it comes time to fall in love and stay in a relationship. The song is sort of about finding the exception to that and finding someone who would make you believe in love and realize that it could work out, because I’m never ever going to go past hoping that love works out.” Later in the chat, Swift spoke about filming the video for “Mine,” and while she didn’t speak about the clip’s concept, she did gush about the “gorgeous” location — even admitting that she’d love to live there one day. Earlier this month, the pop star was photographed shooting a wedding scene dressed in a cream gown and arm-in-arm with her groom. She was later spotted kissing the groom while boating on a lake in another scene. The singer spoke about a song called “Sparks Fly” that she’s performed on very few occasions, confirming that it will be included on the forthcoming album. “I played that song at one or two shows, and you guys really jumped on it and made it something I had to put on the album, because you guys really showed interest in it.” Aside from moving into her very own place, Swift told fans that she plans to tour after she releases the album. Back in May, the singer told MTV News that she was well under way with the project, citing “boys and love” as the album’s main inspirations. “I’ve been writing it for the last two years, so this summer it’s all about the finishing touches and getting in there in the studio and recording the last couple songs,” she said. What do you want to see from Taylor Swift’s third album? Are you excited for her return to the scene? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! Related Artists Taylor Swift

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Drake Gets ‘Fancy’ With T.I. And Swizz Beatz On Video Set

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘It’s a dedication to the ladies who take pride in being the flyest and finest,’ Tip tells MTV News of the clip. By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by James “FLX” Smith Drake Photo: MTV News Drake’s upcoming “Fancy” video features a couple of stars known for cranking out hard-hitting hip-hop, but this time, the Toronto MC enlisted T.I. and Swizz Beatz to craft a sexy ode to the ladies. “It’s a dedication to the ladies who take pride in being the flyest and finest that there are out there to be noticed,” T.I. told MTV News on the set of the sleek clip, which reflects the song’s sultry vibe. The video features Drizzy, Tip and Swizz in all-black everything, spitting suave lyrics and flanked by leggy dancers in formfitting bodysuits. In his cool Atlanta drawl, T.I. chatted about participating in the collabo and sang the praises of Drake and Swizzy. “I was offered the opportunity and given the pleasure to be a part of this monstrosity of a record by young Drizzy and my big homie O.G., player, partner Swizz Bizzy,” Tip said. “I’m honored, privileged and absolutely pleased to be a part of this extravaganza that you are witnessing before you here today.” Anthony Mandler, who has helmed all the clips from Drizzy’s Thank Me Later, said the singer/MC’s approach to his work influences how the director develops the accompanying visuals. “For me, there’s a lot of pressure, because I feel like he’s creating music from a place that’s so pure and so unique and so original that it pushes me to try to create imagery that stands in the same zone,” Mandler said. Drake also lavished Mandler with respect and said his work with the director has changed his perspective when it comes to making videos. “As far as me evolving as a visual artist, I started in a place where visuals weren’t my strongest aspect. Me and Anthony shot ‘Over’ together, and for the first time, I really felt like, ‘This is how I’m supposed to look,’ ” Drake said. “From there, it’s sorta been like an inseparable bond.” Are you looking forward to the “Fancy” video? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Drake Swizz Beatz T.I.

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M.I.A. ‘Didn’t Care About’ New Album, Diplo Says

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘All she has is a bunch of yes men around her and they kinda suck,’ producer tells BlackBook magazine. By Gil Kaufman M.I.A. Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic The last time producer Diplo was quoted talking about M.I.A. ‘s ///Y/&#92 album, he got caught in an Internet sinkhole when he referred to the noisome disc as a “turd” in joking response to a question from a fan about what sounded like a toilet flushing on the song “Tell Me Why.” He shrugged off that controversy, saying that the many music blogs that quickly headlined his slam of his collaborator’s music were “trippin’.” Diplo has since made a number of controversial remarks about the album and how it represented a breach in the once-close musical relationship he had with M.I.A., implying that he felt a bit locked out this time around. But in a new interview with BlackBook magazine , Diplo pulls no punches, making it very clear that he is not onboard with the sound of the album. “She didn’t care about it. I was in the studio with her, she didn’t write anything,” he said of M.I.A. “Me and [collaborator] Switch tried our best to be quality control of the record and she didn’t want that. She kind of went on her own way … I was like, Look, nobody in your crew — we were the only people she could trust, and our asses were on the line too. We got here because of working with people like her. We care about the way things sound, and when the people that she works with don’t, then it’s f—ed up.” Of course, Diplo was not naming names, and he noted that “she’s got talent in every aspect,” praising M.I.A.’s big ideas and ability to make things happen, but he lamented that the singer may have fallen into the usual trap of surrounding herself with sycophants. “All she has is a bunch of yes men around her and they kinda suck,” he said. “I burned like 20 bridges with her. I build my own bridges, it doesn’t matter. I’m honest. As soon as she comes to terms with what she does then we can work again. One of us has to be like, We f—ed up, and then we can do it again.” Last month, Diplo told MTV UK that M.I.A. “didn’t want to put any of my records on it like last time. She will do anything to discredit me.” And in the BlackBook interview, he added that he was a bit shocked at some of the backlash M.I.A. has gotten over the album. “I am surprised by it,” he said. “She like, retired because she married a dude and she didn’t care about music. She only did it again because ‘Paper Planes’ did blow up in the end. It gave her a second wind, but she didn’t have any hunger anymore. She already got a full table … but besides that I think she’s amazing and she’ll put another record out that’s going to be f—in’ sick because I think she needs to get grounded at some point.” For her part, the outspoken singer seems to have taken the high road and has not shot back at Diplo so far, recently telling MTV News that she’s very proud of the “3-D” sound of the album, saying she likes the aggressive, rattling drill bit effects on tracks like “Steppin’ Up.” Spokespeople for Diplo and M.I.A. could not be reached for comment at press time. What do you think of Diplo’s comments? Tell us below. Related Videos MTV News Extended Play: M.I.A. Related Artists M.I.A.

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Pink’s Acrobatic Stage Show: An Inside Look

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

MTV got a special view of the artist’s dangerous stunts before she performed at the 2009 VMAs. By Eric Ditzian Pink performs at the 2009 VMAs Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage Anyone who has seen one of Pink’s acrobatic stage shows — in which she flies upside-down through the air while managing to sing beautifully — knows that the talented 30-year-old puts herself at risk nightly. MTV News got an inside-look at what it takes to put together such a perilous act when Pink performed at the Video Music Awards last September. And after a harness reportedly malfunctioned and Pink fell onto a steel barricade during a show in Germany on Thursday, we immediately thought back to what we learned from seeing her VMA rehearsals and talking with a show insider. “There’s a lot of danger,” VMA creative director Lee Lodge told us last year. “You may see it, and you may think it’s amazing, but what people don’t understand is how technically difficult it is to do that — and do it while singing live.” During last year’s Funhouse Tour and this year’s Funhouse Summer Carnival Tour, the singer has been executing high-flying move after high-flying move, everything from trapeze flips to whirling rope spins. It’s eye-popping stuff, and something only a professional would be able to pull off. “She’s trained as a gymnast,” Lodge explained. “She does so much aerial work in all of her concerts. Pink is an amazing performer who probably doesn’t get enough credit as she should — vocally and as a songwriter, but also in terms of what she can do onstage.” Her stage show is so impressive that it ended up setting the tone for the rest of the VMA performances, from Lady Gaga’s to Jay-Z’s. “Our executive producer, Jesse Ignjatovic, flew to London to see the concert, and as soon as he saw the concert, Pink was the very first act booked on the show,” Lodge said. “And because it was the first act booked for the show, it raised the bar for the rest of the performances, in terms of they all had to have a sense of spectacle or scale or theater or drama. The whole direction of the show was started a long time ago when Jesse saw Pink’s show.” When an artist is flying 60 to 80 feet above a stage, there is always a concern about safety, but Lodge emphasized that Pink’s crew was experienced and safety-conscious. “For us, you have to check the safety of the performance,” Lodge said. “It’s dangerous, but for Pink, the fact that she does it every night and has been doing it for a couple of months, made everyone feel safe.” Have you seen Pink perform her stunts live? Share your experiences in the comments below. Related Videos Pink’s ‘Funhouse’ Tour Acrobatics: An Inside Look Related Artists P!nk

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Katy Perry Talks ‘Gorgeous’ Video For ‘Teenage Dream’

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘I got to cast all my friends,’ writes singer, who shot the sexy clip in her California hometown. By Jocelyn Vena Josh Kloss and Katy Perry on the set of her “Teenage Dream” music video Photo: Eric Ford/Danny Mayer/ On Location News Katy Perry has made it known that she wants to be “one of those … teenage wet dreams,” and her “California Gurls” video has certainly set the bar high for the singer, who is set to release her new album, Teenage Dream, next month. So for “Teenage Dream,” the album’s second single, Perry headed to the beach. In photos taken from the video shoot for the title track, Perry is seen canoodling with a hot guy in a hotel pool in her hometown of Santa Barbara, California. The guy is rumored to be actor Josh Kloss. In another still, leaked online , a bikini-clad Perry is kneeling in the sand, looking up at a scantily clad man, presumably Kloss. Perry tweeted about the clip as well, writing , “Cut, copy, print, moving on! That’s a wrap for Teenage Dream! So gorgeous, I really can’t wait to see what [director] Yoann Lemoine makes of it all!!! In my hometown. I got to cast all my friends in the new music vid for Teenage Dream = amazing insanity.” Previewed at a listening party last month, the radio-friendly title track picks up right where “California Gurls” leaves off. With a strong beat to back her up, Perry sings about a boy who makes her feel like a teenager again. “I wrote that song in Santa Barbara and it was a very pure moment for me, because that’s where I’m from,” she told MTV News in early June. “And it was, like, where I started my creative juices. And also it kind of exudes this euphoric feeling because everybody remembers what their teenage dreams were — all the girls that were on your poster walls.” Are you excited to see the new video from Katy Perry? Tell us in the comments! Related Artists Katy Perry

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Charice’s Rep Denies The Singer Got Botox For Cosmetic Reasons

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

Botox was used ‘to relieve a jaw problem,’ spokesperson tells Us Weekly. By Mawuse Ziegbe Charice Pempengco Photo: Jemal Countess/ WireImage Teen singer Charice Pempengco is set to make her debut on the upcoming season of “Glee,” and according to some reports, the star is going to great lengths for a fresh-faced look. The Associated Press reports that the singer revealed in a TV interview that she received Botox injections and an anti-aging procedure “to look fresh on camera.” Cosmetic surgeon Vicki Belo told ABS-CBN television that the Botox was supposed to narrow out her “naturally round face” and divulged that she also received a Thermage skin-tightening procedure. According to the AP, the Filipino singer explored cosmetic options because of the intense pressure surrounding her “Glee” debut. “All people will be anticipating how will Charice look? Is she good enough to pit against [Lea Michele’s ‘Glee’ character] Rachel Berry? So of course there is tremendous pressure,” the singer said. However, a rep for the 18-year-old star denies that Charice went to such great lengths for her “Glee” debut. The singer’s spokesperson told Us Weekly that the Botox was not for cosmetic use but rather “to relieve a jaw problem similar to TMJ.” The star’s rep maintained: “It did not hurt; it relieved the pain.” “You’ve seen her face — she doesn’t have a wrinkle in it, so she wouldn’t need it for cosmetic purposes,” the rep continued, adding that the teen singer had already won over the show’s producers with her look. “The ‘Glee’ people are thrilled with the way she looks, which is why she got the part.” Charice’s rep conceded that the star did go back to her original hair color but said “other than that, she’s not changing anything about the way she looks.” Charice got her start belting out songs at local competitions and shot to fame after scoring co-signs from talk-show queens Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. The singer will star as an exchange student on the hit musical show. Are you looking forward to Charice’s appearance on “Glee”? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Charice Pempengco

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Adam Lambert in Wichita: Glam Nation Videos, Performances Galore!

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

Adam Lambert and his Glam Nation tour touched down in Wichita, Kansas last week. Accompanied by opening act and fellow American Idol finalist Allison Iraheta, the singer rocked out to all his big hits, leading the crowd in renditions of “Whataya Want From Me”

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Ne-Yo Debuts ‘Beautiful Monster,’ ‘Champagne Life’ Videos

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The singer takes on superhero powers in two new clips from his upcoming Libra Scale. By Jayson Rodriguez Ne-Yo on the set of his music video “Beautiful Monster” Photo: MTV News Ne-Yo took over BET’s 106 & Park on Thursday evening (July 14), premiering two story-driven videos, “Beautiful Monster” and “Champagne Life.” The singer promised MTV News last month that the clips accompanying his forthcoming album, Libra Scale, would form part of a larger overall visual narrative. ” ‘Beautiful Monster’ is one piece of a very long and intricate story,” Ne-Yo revealed. “When you see the first video, make sure that you’re paying attention because all of the videos tell a story. So pay attention — you don’t want to miss nothing.” Under Ne-Yo and Wayne Isham’s (Madonna, Aaliyah, Adam Lambert) direction, the clips present the singer as a member of a crime-fighting trio called “The Gentlemen.” Ne-Yo is granted otherworldly powers by a mysterious figure (Columbus Short), who assures the three blue-collar workers that their new powers will remain active so long as they don’t fall in love. In “Beautiful Monster,” Ne-Yo is portrayed as a disheveled superhero,

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