Tag Archives: winter-olympics

Matisyahu Says Olympic Song ‘One Day’ Is ‘A Global Anthem’

‘I wanted to write a song that was an accessible global anthem for hope and peace,’ MC says. By Kyle Anderson Matisyahu Photo: Brian Appio Matisyahu is honest: He’s not exactly the biggest Olympics aficionado. Still, that didn’t stop him from crafting “One Day,” a collaboration with Akon that has been serving as the official anthem of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The song wasn’t written expressly for the games (it first appeared on Matisyahu’s 2009 album Light ), but the themes and goals of the track ended up applying perfectly. “I wanted to write a song that was an accessible global anthem for hope and peace,” the MC told MTV News. “I don’t know exactly how it came about, but somebody heard it and thought it would be a good fit.” Since the start of the games, “One Day” has popped up in a number of places during NBC’s broadcasts, from soundtracking montages to scoring bumpers. The MC even got the opportunity to travel to Vancouver for a few days. While he was there, he felt the positive vibe that has extended to everybody in Vancouver around the games. “I had one moment when we were performing and we were playing ‘One Day’ and I looked out into the crowd and saw all these different flags,” he explained. “Everybody has their flags, and it was a cool a really cool feeling — a utopian kind of feeling.” Even though he doesn’t consider himself much of a Winter Olympics enthusiast, he has plenty of background in some of the biggest sports of the games. “I played hockey growing up and it’s a sport I really enjoy. I also worked on a ski mountain for a few years and got into snowboarding, so I’m something of a winter sports kind of guy,” he said. As a result, he has been deeply invested in the United States’ ongoing improbable run (including their upset victory over Canada). If nothing else, it keeps things interesting while he’s on the road (continuing a tour that will last well into the spring). “Some guys in my band are Canadian, and we all grew up playing hockey, so there’s a friendly rivalry happening.” Related Artists Matisyahu

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Matisyahu Says Olympic Song ‘One Day’ Is ‘A Global Anthem’

The Women of Curling — They’ve Got Stones

Filed under: TMZ Sports , Photo Galleries Before the 2010 Winter Olympics, the sport or curling was just some dudes with beer bellies throwing frozen rocks — but the 2010 women’s teams have opened our eyes to a new breed of babe. … Permalink

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The Women of Curling — They’ve Got Stones

Hilary Duff Engaged To Mike Comrie

According to reports, Comrie popped the question during a recent vacation in Hawaii. By Jocelyn Vena Mike Comrie and Hilary Duff Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images Hilary Duff is engaged to hockey player Mike Comrie of the Edmonton Oilers, her rep has confirmed, according to UsMagazine.com . Comrie, 29, popped the question last weekend while the pair were “vacationing in Hawaii,” Duff’s rep said. “After having been together for over two years, they are very excited to share this happy news. They are thankful for all of your warm wishes.” Lovebirds: Hilary Duff adn Mike Comrie Duff, 22, who previously dated Joel Madden — who just announced his engagement to Nicole Richie — told Us, “[Comrie’s] a great guy. I’ve never met anyone who could say a bad word about him. He’s generous, caring, funny. We just laugh our heads off, which I need in my life. … He’s unique. I wouldn’t want to be with someone who wasn’t unique.” Duff also told the magazine they have a surprisingly “natural” relationship. “We both have busy jobs and we’re both very focused people, so that helps,” she said. “Since we are apart so much, it’s not like one person is at home waiting for the other.” According to People.com , Duff, who has said she read “Hockey for Dummies” to better understand her beau, has become a fixture at his games. She also cheered him on when Comrie played for the Ottawa Senators, where she was joined in the stands by Carrie Underwood, whose fianc

‘American Idol’ Castoff Angela Martin Gets Big Surprise From Ellen DeGeneres

DeGeneres surprises Martin by promising her a Kara DioGuardi song, aims for label deal. By Hillary Crosley Angela Martin on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Friday Photo: Warner Bros. “American Idol” contestant Angela Martin may have lost the competition, but her resilience earned her a helping hand from talk show host and fourth “Idol” judge Ellen DeGeneres on Friday (February 19). Martin made it to the Hollywood round of the show, but wasn’t selected to continue on to the final competition. “I was preparing myself to be strong and talk to you guys, but then I saw the pictures of my daughter and I just fell apart,” Martin, 28, told DeGeneres. “Like, if I fail, how am I gonna tell her Mommy didn’t make it?” However, after her dismissal, DeGeneres invited the young mother, whose daughter is 10, to appear and perform on her talk show. Martin sang a rendition of Alicia Keys ‘ “Superwoman” with musical accompaniment by “American Idol” pianist and background musician Michael Orland and received a standing ovation from the audience. “Everybody knows your name now,” said DeGeneres. “Everybody is on your side. People are calling me going, ‘What happened? She was amazing!’ ” (MTV News’ “American Idol” expert Jim Cantiello feels the same way .) For that reason, DeGeneres recruited the talent of “Idol” judge and hit songwriter Kara DioGuardi to surprise the vocalist. “I have a little surprise for you: Kara DioGuardi is going to write you a song,” DeGeneres told a surprised Martin. “You’re going in a studio. She’s going to produce a song for you and we’re gonna get you a record label [deal]!! See how things turn out?” While today was a dream come true for the Chicago native, life has not always been so kind. During her first audition, the singer’s father was murdered by her stepmother and her daughter suffers from Rett Syndrome, which causes seizures. Finally, her mother, Viola Brown Martin, has been missing since December 26. Still, Martin is upbeat and says she relies on prayer to raise her spirits. “You have had your share of really bad luck and some sad things happening in your life, but your attitude is so amazing because you keep getting back up,” DeGeneres told Martin. “You represent something to a lot of people out there. They’re going to look at you and say ‘if she can do it I can do it.’ You don’t let anything get you down, I love that about you. Don’t ever give up! Never!” Get your “Idol” fix on MTV News’ “American Idol” page , where you’ll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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‘American Idol’ Castoff Angela Martin Gets Big Surprise From Ellen DeGeneres

Alicia Keys’ ‘Freedom’ Tour Hits U.S. This Month

‘The concept of the tour is really amazing,’ singer says. By Hillary Crosley, with reporting by Shaheem Reid Alicia Keys Photo: Michael Loccisano/ WireImage After performing her hit “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” for 108,000 fans during NBA All-Star Weekend, Alicia Keys is looking north to begin her next tour. “The tour is starting on February 26. We start in Canada, then we bring it down to America,” the singer said. “I’m really excited about it. I can’t believe that it’s that soon. It’s going to be amazing and the concept of the tour is really amazing, and putting it together, I feel so excited. So I hope you make it.” Toronto native Melanie Fiona and R&B crooner Robin Thicke will open on Keys’ tour, which she’s calling the Freedom Tour after her album The Element of Freedom. Keys and company will perform for two days in Canada before coming stateside, to Chicago. The international leg of Keys’ trek then begins on April 29. Alicia and Beyonc

LMFAO’s Sky Blu Was Other Man In Mitt Romney’s Plane Fight

Party rocker says the former Massachusetts governor started the scuffle. By Gil Kaufman LMFAO’s Sky Blu (file) Photo: Steven Lawton/ FilmMagic To date, the only party the members of LMFAO appear to support is the one that starts with shots and ends with being passed out on the floor in a heap of spandex neon tights and bikini tops. But group member Sky Blu made news on Monday for getting into a scuffle with former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. When news first broke that Romney had gotten in a fight on a plane, the identity of the other man wasn’t revealed. On Thursday, however, TMZ reported that it was none other than Sky (born Skyler Gordy), half of the “Party Rock” duo. According to the site, Blu claims that despite initial reports that he became “physically violent” first after Romney asked him to put his seat up, it was the former Massachusetts governor who started things. After hanging with MTV News’ Sway in Vancouver at the Winter Olympics over the weekend, LMFAO boarded a flight to Los Angeles. And according to Blu’s account of the incident in a video posted on TMZ , he was tired, put his new “Party Rock” jacket over his face and leaned his coach seat back while the plane was still on the ground. That’s when Romney began yelling at him to put the seat upright. “I’m trying to just adjust myself so I can go to sleep,” Blu said. “I just hear this guy, he’s, ‘Sir, sir, put your seat up!’ I thought it was a flight attendant at first … and he says again, ‘Sir, put your seat up!’ A little louder and more angry towards me.” If Romney had asked nicely, Blu said he might have put his seat up, but since he was so rude … Well, next thing you know, Blu said Romney reached out and put his hand on his shoulder and asked him again to put his seat up. Blu said he knocked Romney’s hand away, thinking nothing of it. “His wife screams. … They’re getting loud, so then the flight attendant comes over, and I try to get louder than them to plead my case. ‘No, the man assaulted me! I was protecting myself!’ I might have thrown a few cuss words in there.” In the video, air marshals are seen escorting Blu off the plane. He said they diffused the situation and though the police detained him for a minute, he was not arrested but given a ticket for the next flight out. “I have no hard feelings toward him,” Blu said. “I’m sure he’s a good dude.” And while Blu, an avowed Democrat, said he would not vote for Romney, he admitted he might get a drink with the Mormon politician … if he drinks. Spokespeople for LMFAO and Romney could not be reached for comment at press time. Related Videos This Week’s Biggest News Related Artists Lmfao

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LMFAO’s Sky Blu Was Other Man In Mitt Romney’s Plane Fight

Access Hollywood – Morgan Freeman: ‘I Can’t Figure Out’ How the Academy Didn’t Nominate ‘Invictus’ for Best Picture

Morgan talks about his disappointment with the Academy for not nominating “Invictus” for Best Picture. Plus, what was it like attending the 2010 Oscar Nominee Luncheon? Add this to your queue Added: Thu Feb 18 02:19:05 UTC 2010 Air date: Wed Feb 17 00:00:00 UTC 2010 Duration: 01:45

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Access Hollywood – Morgan Freeman: ‘I Can’t Figure Out’ How the Academy Didn’t Nominate ‘Invictus’ for Best Picture

All-American Rejects: ‘It’s Ironic’ Playing Winter Olympics In Canada

‘Did anyone really know what our band name was?’ frontman Tyson Ritter jokes about performing at opening medal ceremony. By Jayson Rodriguez, with reporting by Sway Calloway All-American Rejects and Sway Photo: MTV News The All-American Rejects are having too much fun at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The Midwestern band are enjoying the fact that a collective with their moniker would be asked to perform — let alone appear — at the game’s first medal ceremony . According to frontman Tyson Ritter, this opportunity is as unique as they come. “[The organizers said], ‘We wanted a band that rules live,’ ” Ritter told MTV News, joking about their selection. “I think it’s ironic that the All-American Rejects are opening the medal ceremony … that’s so great. Did anyone really know what our band name was? In Canada, it’s OK — but if this was Salt Lake City a few years ago, our name wouldn’t even be on the list.” But the alt-rockers are here and they impressed last Saturday (February 13) with a medley of their hits, including “When the World Comes Down” and “Move Along.” The Rejects were the first musical act to perform since the games started — their performance capped off the medal presentations for the ski jumping and women’s biathlon events. Usher, British singer Estelle and the Roots are among the many acts slated to take the stage during the various medal ceremonies. While north of the border, the members of AAR stared in awe at the athletes. Ritter, with his famously lanky frame, confessed that the Olympic competitors leave him feeling less than buff. “Dude, that’s why we gotta keep wearing layers,” he explained. “As long as we wear layers no one can tell how big or small you are — [otherwise] it’s like, ‘Man, that dude looks like a flamingo.’ ” What do you think of All-American Rejects’ performance? Who do you look forward to seeing take the stage next at the Winter Olympics? Let us know in the comments below, or upload a video to Your.MTV.com ! MTV News is on the ground in Vancouver all week, so stay tuned for more coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Related Artists The All-American Rejects

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All-American Rejects: ‘It’s Ironic’ Playing Winter Olympics In Canada

Fake Your Way Through It: The Olympics

On a bender all weekend? Get caught up with the Winter Olympics, without having to watch a single second.

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Fake Your Way Through It: The Olympics

Lindsey Vonn vs. Hannah Teter: Who Would You Rather…

They’re competing against each other for medals in the 2010 Winter Olympics, but that’s nothing compared to this. Lindsey Vonn and Hannah Teter are U.S. teammates and Sports Illustrated models. They both posed for that magazine’s iconic Swimsuit Edition this year and have caused quite a stir between those that think female athletes should be proud of their bodies and those that think women will never be taken seriously if they play up their sexuality. It’s actually an interesting debate, made relevant this month by Vonn’s SI Olympic Preview cover . But it’s not the one we’re focused on here. Instead, we want readers to study the photos below and chime in: Which skier’s moguls would you rather jump off… if you know what we mean!

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Lindsey Vonn vs. Hannah Teter: Who Would You Rather…