blogcena.com

Alex Da Silva was convicted of rape and assault against former dance students.
By Katie Byrne

Alex Da Silva (file)
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

“So You Think You Can Dance” fans haven’t seen Alex Da Silva on the show since season four back in 2008, and there’s a reason the choreographer has been off the radar: He has been in jail since being charged with raping a former dance student and assaulting another one. On Friday (January 27), Da Silva was sentenced to 10 years in prison for those crimes, TMZ reports.

While the 43-year-old was accused of raping and sexually assaulting four women, he was convicted in September of only one count of rape and one count of assault with intent to commit rape; the jury was deadlocked on the other charges. He was arrested back in 2009 and charged with multiple felonies. Unable to pay the bail set at $2 million, Da Silva has remained in jail for the past two years. On top of his 10 years in prison, he is now required to register as a sex offender for life.

Da Silva appeared on seasons one through four of “So You Think You Can Dance” as a guest choreographer specializing in Salsa dancing. In season two, eventual winner Benji Schwimmer named his Da Silva-choreographed mambo as his favorite routine of the show.

After his arrest, Da Silva did an interview with SalsaFreak.com to clear his name, insisting that he had done nothing wrong with his students. “I know the truth, and I don’t even know who the others are,” he said, claiming to not even be acquainted with some of his accusers. “It’s all a bunch of lies, and people just want to bring me down. If something like that really happened, then they should have gone to the police that night, or the same day, but it was never that way. I have too much to lose. I don’t need that type of thing in my life.”

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678060/alex-da-silva-so-you-think-you-can-dance-10-years-prison-rape.jhtml

Shakira Shania Twain Sienna Miller Tara Reed Taylor Swift

Queen of Pop tells MTV News most of her upcoming album is more ‘high-energy’ than award-winning ‘Masterpiece.’
By Jocelyn Vena

Madonna
Photo: MTV News

Madonna has teased fans not only inadvertently with a leaked demo of her first single for “Gimme All Your Luvin,” but also with “Masterpiece” (which also appears on the soundtrack for her film, “W.E.”). So far it seems that the two very different tracks show the two very different sides that the Queen of Pop is pursuing on her next studio release, M.D.N.A.

While “Gimme” plays up Madge’s playful, upbeat persona, “Masterpiece,” as she explained to MTV News, is a different story. ” ‘Masterpiece’ is one of the few kind of more down-tempo songs, more reflective,” she told MTV News at the New York City premiere of “W.E.”

“I think the majority of the record is more action-packed,” she teased. “More high-energy.” It seems, then, that what fans have heard of “Gimme” is more of what they will hear on the album.

The album will reportedly get a March release date. It features production from Martin Solveig on its lead single, which gets some presumably sassy assists from two fierce female MCs, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Both ladies will reportedly take the stage with the pop icon to perform the track at the Super Bowl halftime show.

Madonna also worked with longtime collaborator and Ray Of Light producer William Orbit, who produced the Golden Globe-winning “Masterpiece.” “We’ve worked on stuff for so many years that we kind of finish each other’s sentences. He knows my taste and what I like,” she explained at the premiere. “Magic happens when we get into a recording studio together.”

At the Globes, Madonna recalled how “Masterpiece” came together. “[My manager Guy Oseary] harangued me for the entire time I was filming and editing my movie to write a song,” she said during her acceptance speech for Best Original Song. “And I said, ‘Please, Guy, I’m trying to focus on being a director and I want people to pay attention to the film and I don’t have time.’ So then I finished the film and I started making my record and somehow magically and miraculously the song emerged, ‘Masterpiece,’ so thank you, Guy Oseary, for being so irritating.”

What are you looking forward to on Madonna’s next album? Let us know in the comments!

Related Artists

• Madonna

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678009/madonna-mdna-masterpiece.jhtml

Rachel Hunter Rachel Perry Reese Witherspoon Sarah Michelle Gellar Scarlett Johansson

Video Phone (Extended Remix)

• Artist: Lady Gaga
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Hype Williams

Source:

Mischa Barton Missi Pyle Naomi Watts Natalie Imbruglia Natalie Portman

Obama’s singing of ‘Let’s Stay Together’ at Apollo Theater last week upped sales of iconic 1972 hit.
By Gil Kaufman

Al Green performs at President Obama’s Victory Fund 2012 Concert
Photo: WireImage

Sure, clean energy, the return of manufacturing, a boost in education spending and saving the domestic car industry are awesome ways to revive the American economy. But another tactic President Obama might consider is more singing.

Because a week after the falsetto singer-in-chief unleashed his version of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” at an Apollo Theater fundraiser, sales of the good Rev.’s most iconic hit have taken off.

According to Billboard magazine, the viral video of the president singing the first line of the #1 hit from 1972 boosted sales of the song by 490 percent. In fact, the tune had its best week since SoundScan began tracking digital sales in 2003, with 16,000 downloads. The YouTube video of the impromptu recital has been viewed more than 4 million times.

It was likely the second surprise this week for Green, who was present at the Apollo event where Obama acknowledged the soul singer’s presence in the room from the stage.

“Those guys didn’t think I would do it,” Obama laughed while pointing to his staffers at the side of the stage. “I told you I was going to do it. The Sandman did not come out.”

Fans also rushed out this week to snatch up music by Etta James, the soul legend who passed on January 20. According to The Hollywood Reporter, James’ sales were up 378 percent over the past week. One compilation, The Best of Etta James — 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection, shot up from #162 to #46 on sales of 8,000, giving James her highest chart position ever. For the week ending January 22, James’ overall catalog sold 30,000 copies, a significant jump from the previous week, when her collected album sold just over 6,000.

Related Artists

• Al Green

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678013/al-green-lets-stay-together-barack-obama.jhtml

Alessandra Ambrosio Alicia Keys Amy Smart Anna Faris Anna Kournikova

Obama’s singing of ‘Let’s Stay Together’ at Apollo Theater last week upped sales of iconic 1972 hit.
By Gil Kaufman

Al Green performs at President Obama’s Victory Fund 2012 Concert
Photo: WireImage

Sure, clean energy, the return of manufacturing, a boost in education spending and saving the domestic car industry are awesome ways to revive the American economy. But another tactic President Obama might consider is more singing.

Because a week after the falsetto singer-in-chief unleashed his version of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” at an Apollo Theater fundraiser, sales of the good Rev.’s most iconic hit have taken off.

According to Billboard magazine, the viral video of the president singing the first line of the #1 hit from 1972 boosted sales of the song by 490 percent. In fact, the tune had its best week since SoundScan began tracking digital sales in 2003, with 16,000 downloads. The YouTube video of the impromptu recital has been viewed more than 4 million times.

It was likely the second surprise this week for Green, who was present at the Apollo event where Obama acknowledged the soul singer’s presence in the room from the stage.

“Those guys didn’t think I would do it,” Obama laughed while pointing to his staffers at the side of the stage. “I told you I was going to do it. The Sandman did not come out.”

Fans also rushed out this week to snatch up music by Etta James, the soul legend who passed on January 20. According to The Hollywood Reporter, James’ sales were up 378 percent over the past week. One compilation, The Best of Etta James — 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection, shot up from #162 to #46 on sales of 8,000, giving James her highest chart position ever. For the week ending January 22, James’ overall catalog sold 30,000 copies, a significant jump from the previous week, when her collected album sold just over 6,000.

Related Artists

• Al Green

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1678013/al-green-lets-stay-together-barack-obama.jhtml

Scarlett Johansson Shakira Shania Twain Sienna Miller Tara Reed

Bieber debuts ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ video (and performs with Busta Rhymes and Usher) during ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center.’
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber at the Christmas Tree lighting in New York City
Photo: James Devaney/ Getty Images

<P>Deck the halls! The holiday kicked into high gear Wednesday night (November 30) when New York's massive Christmas tree was lit during "Christmas in Rockefeller Center." Plenty of A-listers were on hand, including Justin Bieber, who premiered his highly anticipated <a href="/news/articles/1673689/justin-bieber-mariah-carey-christmas-video.jhtml">video for "All I Want for Christmas Is You,"</a> featuring Mariah Carey. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:715720" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Before the strings of lights were illuminated, performances from Michael Bubl&#233;, Katharine McPhee, Big Time Rush, Tony Bennett, Carole King and Neil Diamond warmed viewers up. But Bieber was the headline act of the night, giving fans some big performances and an even bigger video premiere. Bieber amped up the energy with his hip-hop-ified take on the Christmas classic <a href="/news/articles/1673334/justin-bieber-mariah-carey-christmas-song.jhtml">"Little Drummer Boy,"</a> which included him spitting a holiday-themed rhyme. Decked in all black, the teen star had the crowd screaming. He was even joined by Busta Rhymes, who appears on the <i>Under the Mistletoe</i> cut. JB then slowed things down with <a href="/news/articles/1673032/justin-bieber-usher-christmas-song.jhtml">"The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),"</a> leaving his female fans swooning as he crooned the holiday standard. He was joined by his mentor Usher for the track. "God bless and Merry Christmas," Bieber told the crowd before tossing to the "All I Want for Christmas Is You" video. The clip features Mariah Carey dressed in a sexy Santa Claus outfit standing in a department store as she dances around singing the track, almost as if she's on display for holiday shoppers. It also sees Bieber and his pals shopping for some choice holiday gifts like high-top kicks. In between performance shots of Bieber and Mariah, a street-corner Santa Claus hands out envelopes to shoppers on the street, teasing an inevitable yuletide party scene. The shoppers are then welcomed into the department store, where Justin and Mariah hand out gifts to everyone. The duo tease and flirt with each other as everyone around them unwraps their gifts. Bieber and Carey re-recorded her classic holiday tune for his chart-topping holiday album, which also features appearances from the Band Perry and Boyz II Men. They filmed the video earlier this month, just in time for the holiday season. <i>Did Bieber get you in the holiday spirit? Let us know in the comments!</i></p>

Related Artists

• Usher
• Mariah Carey
• Justin Bieber

Source:

Alessandra Ambrosio Alicia Keys Amy Smart Anna Faris Anna Kournikova

U2 have just released the documentary, From The Sky Down on DVD, Blu-Ray and video download with bonus interviews and performances. The film documents the history of the band up through the making of the pivotal 1991 album, Achtung Baby. Early in 2011, the band returned to Hansa Studio in Berlin to discuss the making [...]

Source: http://www.celebritymound.com/u2-release-from-the-sky-down-on-dvdblu-raydownload/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=u2-release-from-the-sky-down-on-dvdblu-raydownload

Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Garner Jennifer Love Hewitt Jessica Alba Jessica Biel

In 1986 we first saw the now classic movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. With Super Bowl just around the corner (and the amazing half time performance from Madonna) the hype is building to the major sport event. Today we got to see a TEASER for a Super Bowl ad featuring Matthew Broderick as what appears [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/aaSE6auY6As/

Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Simpson Kasey Chambers Kate Hudson

3

• Artist: Britney Spears
• Label: Jive, Jive Label Group
• Director: Diane Martel

Source:

Lily Allen Lindsay Lohan Lisa Marie Mariah Carey Megan Fox

Celebrity mom Kimora Lee Simmons and other experts discuss balancing motherhood and business.
By Jocelyn Vena

Beyoncé and Jay-Z
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Now that Beyoncé has added a new job to her résumé — mom — there’s a slew of potential new projects the pop-star mogul might add to her ever-growing empire. Gwen Stefani, Madonna and Victoria Beckham are just a sampling of pop stars who have managed to write a whole new chapter into their careers thanks to motherhood.

These celebs have expanded their personal brands to include children’s clothing lines, books, songs and movies and have even revitalized themselves in their image as super-glam supermoms. As Beyoncé looks to the future and her role as Blue Ivy‘s mama, mommy mogul Kimora Lee Simmons and Christopher Gavigan, who works with Jessica Alba on her Honest brand, talked to MTV News about the balance between parenthood and the business world.

“I always tell people I’m not the glamorous Hollywood mom,” said Simmons, who continues to expand her own fashion brand to include the Shinto Clinical skin-care line. “I’m not the kind of celebrity that lives in the spotlight. I’m famous from work that I do. I’ve always been in the business and raised my family in the business so it’s like a second nature for me. I think that’s the key is striking a balance. For me it’s always about prioritizing.”

What’s Simmons’ advice for new celeb moms looking to follow her lead? “I think it’s about choosing what you want and going after that. Do the best you can, but you don’t have to be Superwoman.”

And Simmons isn’t the only Hollywood A-lister trying to do it all. Alba launched Honest with Gavigan to give moms a place to find eco-friendly products for their babies. “Jessica is like every other mom. Every other mom is a major multi-tasker,” Gavigan said of working with the star. “Jessica was very in line with everyone, the average mom and dad out there.”

“Find what you’re passionate about and go do that,” he advised to any future mom moguls. “You articulate that in a brand or in a way you feel from a business perspective that you feel you get your focus articulated in some meaningful or special way. A lot of it is partnerships and leveraging the greatest assets of each other.”

With all that advice in mind, some celebrity experts weighed in on what B just might do now that she is a mom. “I think it’s going to come very naturally for Beyoncé to emerge as this celebrity mom, just given all the current existing brand extensions she has,” said David Caplan, who has worked at Star and People magazines. “Having a child will give her legitimacy, obviously, to the moms, and clearly there’s lots and lots of money to be had there. So, I think you will see her lend her hand in the baby arena, whether it’s her brand extensions intentionally or just emerging as some sort of Hollywood celebrity mom icon, which happens sometimes with these celebrity mothers.

“Whether it’s intentional or not, I think she’s definitely going to emerge as a celebrity mother icon,” he continued. “And I’m sure she’ll take advantage of that and invest in her brand.”

A suggestion from another expert fits right in line with the first move her hubby, Jay-Z, made when he dropped his track “Glory” just says after Blue’s birth, which features his baby girl. “I think that this is a woman that has tried terribly hard to keep her private life private,” HuffPost celebrity columnist Rob Shuter said. “I think it’ll be the same with her baby. I can’t imagine her doing a Bethenny Frankel move.”

How do you think motherhood will affect Beyoncé’s career? Share your thoughts below!

Related Videos

• All About Beyonce And Jay-Z’s New Arrival

Related Artists

• Beyoncé
• Jay-Z

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677997/beyonce-motherhood-business.jhtml

Jessica Biel Jessica Simpson Kasey Chambers Kate Hudson Kate Moss

Rumor has it that Russell Brand has already moved on from Katy Perry – less than a month after filing for divorce. US Weekly is reporting that Russell has started dating and is already talking about moving in with someone. … Continue reading →

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2012/01/26/report-russell-brand-dating-already/

Christina Applegate Cindy Crawford Desiree Dymond Donna Feldman Drew Barrymore

OMG

• Artist: Usher
• Label: LaFace Records, JLG
• Director: Anthony Mandler
• Album: Mental Sports Mixes

Source:

Cameron Diaz Carmen Electra Carrie Underwood Charlies Angels Charlize Theron

Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)

• Artist: Usher
• Label: JLG
• Director: Chris Robinson
• Album: Hang on to a Dream: The Verve Recordings

Source:

Eva Longoria Eva Mendes Foxy Brown Halle Berry Heidi Klum

U2 have just released the documentary, From The Sky Down on DVD, Blu-Ray and video download with bonus interviews and performances. The film documents the history of the band up through the making of the pivotal 1991 album, Achtung Baby. Early in 2011, the band returned to Hansa Studio in Berlin to discuss the making [...]

Source: http://www.celebritymound.com/u2-release-from-the-sky-down-on-dvdblu-raydownload/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=u2-release-from-the-sky-down-on-dvdblu-raydownload

Rachel Hunter Rachel Perry Reese Witherspoon Sarah Michelle Gellar Scarlett Johansson

Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco and the Band Perry also scheduled to perform at November 30 event.
By Jocelyn Vena

Rihanna performs in concert (file)
Photo: WireImage

<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> have been added to the performance lineup for "The <a href="/news/articles/1673138/lady-gaga-grammy-nominations-concert.jhtml">Grammy Nominations Concert Live!</a> Countdown to Music's Biggest Night," set to go down November 30. They join already announced acts Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco, Sugarland and Jason Aldean. Country crossover act the Band Perry will perform a full concert of their own after the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys">Grammy</a> nominations concert wraps up at L.A. Live's Nokia Theatre. LL Cool J will again host the show, which will air at 10 p.m. on CBS, <a href="http://www.billboard.com/news/rihanna-band-perry-usher-added-to-grammy-1005529002.story#/news/rihanna-band-perry-usher-added-to-grammy-1005529002.story" target="_blank">Billboard.com reports</a>. This marks the fourth year the Recording Academy had held one of these concerts. As some of music's biggest names take the stage during the special, the nominations for major Grammy categories will be announced. The awards ceremony will go down February 12 at the Staples Center, and will air live at 8 p.m. Over the course of her career, Rihanna has taken home four Grammy Awards including Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Umbrella," two trophies for "Run This Town" (including Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration) and Best Dance Recording for "Only Girl (In the World)." Rihanna is currently riding high on the forthcoming release of her new album, <a href="/news/articles/1674237/rihanna-talk-that-talk-watch-learn-hit-boy.jhtml"><i>Talk That Talk</i></a>, and two buzzworthy singles, "We Found Love" and "You Da One." In the thirteen years he's been nominated for Grammys, Usher has amassed seven, including wins for Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Remind Me," Best R&B Vocal Performance Male for "U Don't Have To Call," Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Yeah," Best Contemporary R&B Album for <i>Confessions</i>, Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo/Group for "My Boo," Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "There Goes My Baby" as well as Best Contemporary R&B Album for <i>Raymond v. Raymond</i>. Recently, he has been taking over airwaves with his <a href="/news/articles/1670301/usher-david-guetta-without-you.jhtml">David Guetta track, "Without You."</a></p>

Related Artists

• Rihanna
• Usher

Source:

Uma Thurman Victoria Beckham Aaliyah Aisha Tyler Alessandra Ambrosio

Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)

• Artist: Usher
• Label: JLG
• Director: Chris Robinson
• Album: Hang on to a Dream: The Verve Recordings

Source:

Halle Berry Heidi Klum Hilary Duff Hilary Swank Isla Fisher

Criminal

• Artist: Britney Spears
• Label: RCA
• Director: Chris Marrs Piliero

Source:

Drew Barrymore Emma Watson Eva Longoria Eva Mendes Foxy Brown

Promise

• Artist: Usher
• Label: Sony Music Entertainment
• Director:

Source:

Carmen Electra Carrie Underwood Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Christina Aguilera

A decade into her career, the pop megastar reinvented herself this year as the ultimate Femme Fatale and made a big commitment to Jason Trawick.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears
Photo: Getty Images

<P>Maybe <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a>' lucky number is 30. The singer turned 30 this year, marking the landmark birthday on December 2 with a fan-voted MTV News tournament that crowned <a href="/news/articles/1675289/britney-spears-tournament-winner-30th-birthday.jhtml">the Best Britney Video of All Time</a>. But her 30th year also proved to be an incredibly successful period in her career. <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:720934/cp~vid%3D720934%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A720934" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></center> For the first time in a while, she seemed comfortable being the pop megastar that she is. More than a decade into her career, Spears re-emerged as a <a href="/news/articles/1675474/britney-spears-femme-fatale-favorite-album.jhtml"><i>Femme Fatale,</i></a> giving fans a fist-pumping album, embarking on a flashy tour and dropping more memorable music videos. Britney Spears fandom was reenergized as the singer came out of her shell, opening up about this phase in her career as well her personal life in several high-profile interviews. So it's probably not surprising that Spears will cap off the year at #4 on MTV News' <a href="/news/articles/1676177/newsmakers-2011-lady-gaga-amy-winehouse.jhtml">Top Newsmakers of 2011</a> list, just behind Lil Wayne. "When I was younger, I was busy, busy, and I was always singing and dancing all the time. I was just really creative," she recalled in the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/638813/britney-hits-the-studio-with-william.jhtml#id=166112">MTV special "I Am the Femme Fatale."</a> "That's when my mom realized I'm a really creative person." She let that creativity shine over the past 12 months. From <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/britney-spears/624145/hold-it-against-me.jhtml#artist=501686">"Hold It Against Me"</a> to <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/britney-spears/639722/till-the-world-ends.jhtml#artist=501686">"Till the World Ends"</a> to her Chris Marrs Piliero-directed "I Wanna Go" and "Criminal," Britney made headlines every time she dropped a music video. But no vid stirred up as much controversy as her <a href="/news/articles/1672795/britney-spears-criminal-video-director.jhtml">"Criminal" clip</a>, which featured real-life boyfriend <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">(now fianc&#233;) Jason Trawick</a> &#8212; and his abs. "At the end of the day, Jason killed it," Piliero told MTV News of Trawick's cameo. "That was one of those things I was really stoked [about], as much as I went into it like, 'Wow, he's not an actor. This is going to be interesting,' but I really do like a challenge, and I really do like the idea that I'm a director and my job is to direct and get the performance. For me, it was a fun challenge to be like, 'I'm gonna make sure that you are awesome,' and he was." Between video shoots, Spears hit the road with <a href="/news/articles/1668836/nicki-minaj-britney-spears-tour.jhtml">the likes of Nicki Minaj</a>, Joe Jonas, and DJ Pauly D. Spears fully embraced her sensuality on the <i>Femme Fatale</i> Tour, a spectacular show full of costume changes, elaborate stage setups and stunning mini-films. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:638813.id:1661123" width="240" height="211"></div><p> And while much of the 2011 VMA buzz was about <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">Beyonc&#233;'s baby bump</a> and <a href="/news/articles/1669843/lady-gaga-you-and-i-video-music-awards-performance.jhtml">Jo Calderone</a>, Spears stole the spotlight by walking away with a Moonman for Best Pop Video and the prized <a href="/news/articles/1669873/britney-spears-vma-tribute.jhtml">Video Vanguard Award</a>. She also had tongues wagging after an onstage kiss from Jo (a.k.a. Lady Gaga), just before she was honored with an electrifying dance tribute that highlighted some of biggest career moments. "It was really crazy. I had no idea what to expect," Spears told us backstage at the VMAs. "The kids were amazing and so entertaining, and it was a really fun night. It was really cool. I was like, 'Wow, that's really sweet!' " As 2011 came to a close, Spears wrapped up her tour, and MTV News threw her a birthday bash in the form of the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/content/news/2011/britney30/index.jhtml">"30 Videos for 30 Years"</a> tournament. The competition was heated but in the end, Spears' iconic "I'm a Slave 4 U" took home the prize. And just when it seemed things couldn't get any better, <a href="/news/articles/1676167/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged-timeline.jhtml">Britney confirmed she was engaged</a> to Trawick after dating for two years. She showed off her Neil Lane ring during a celebratory weekend in Las Vegas. <b>MTV continues our <a href="http://www.mtv.com/specials/best_of/">Best of 2011</a> coverage by looking back at the biggest pop-culture stories of the year. As we count down the newsmakers that mattered to you most, also check out our <a href="/news/articles/1675981/best-artists-2011.jhtml">Best Artists</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1675921/best-songs-2011.jhtml">Best Songs</a>, <a href="/news/articles/1675822/best-mtv-live-performances-2011.jhtml">Best MTV Live Performances</a> and <a href="/news/articles/1675726/best-edm-artists-2011.jhtml">Best EDM Artists</a> of 2011.</b></p>

Related Videos

• Best Songs Of 2011 Debate

Related Artists

• Britney Spears

Source:

Natalie Imbruglia Natalie Portman Nelly Furtado Nicole Richie Norah Jones

As far as Cynthia Nixon is concerned, there’s no wrong way to be gay. The Sex and the City actress began dating her girlfriend Christine Marinoni in 2004, following a 14-year relationship with English professor Danny Mozes, the father of her two oldest children. Though Nixon, 45, is an impassioned advocate for gay rights, she has caused some controversy in the gay community for believing that her sexual orientation is a choice.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/cynthia-nixon-being-gay-choice-me/1-a-421332?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Acynthia-nixon-being-gay-choice-me-421332

Kirsten Dunst Lady Gaga Lauren Bush Lily Allen Lindsay Lohan

‘It feels like I’m eating a bunch of cake right now,’ Spencer tells MTV News about her awards-season recognition for ‘The Help.’
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer in “The Help”
Photo: Dreamworks

PARK CITY, Utah — Octavia Spencer needs no “Help” when it comes to feeling the love during this awards season.

Having already won a Golden Globe for her turn as sassy maid Minny Jackson in “The Help” on top of numerous other nominations, Spencer can add another notch to her increasingly impressive belt Tuesday (January 24) — because, to the surprise of precisely no one, the 41-year-old actress has earned a well-deserved Best Supporting Actress nod at this year’s Academy Awards.

“I am never presumptuous, because these sorts of things are beyond our control and I didn’t want to be set up for disappointment,” Spencer said in a statement reacting to the nomination. “A lot of us actually went to dinner last night and slept over and wanted to be together when we found out, so in case we didn’t get that call we wanted to be nice and hungover.”

Earlier in the week, MTV News caught up with Spencer at the Sundance Film Festival, which she attended as part of the cast of the alcohol drama “Smashed.” When asked for her views on her probable nomination, the always humble actress revealed that she wasn’t even giving the possibility any thought.

“I’ve been very good about not thinking about Oscar,” she told MTV’s Josh Horowitz. “I know I’m going to the BAFTAs, and I know I’m going to the SAGs. It would be nice to go to the Oscars.

“That little movie was about something that resonated with people, and it became a phenomenon,” she said of her experience with “The Help,” adding that she hopes moviegoers will embrace her new movie “Smashed” with an equal amount of passion. “Hopefully I’ll continue to get more roles like this, in extremely wonderful and very relevant films. … It feels like I’m eating a bunch of cake right now!”

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is officially under way, and the MTV Movies team is on the ground reporting on the hottest stars and the movies everyone will be talking about in the year to come. Keep it locked with MTV Movies for everything there is to know about Sundance.

Related Videos

• Sundance 2012: Interviews From Park City
• Oscars 2012: And The Nominees Are…

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677828/oscar-nomination-octavia-spencer-the-help.jhtml

Kate Moss Katherine Heigl Katy Perry Kim Kardashian Kirsten Dunst

Till the World Ends

• Artist: Britney Spears
• Label: Jive
• Director: Ray Kay
• Album: Metamora

Source:

Isla Fisher Ivanka Trump Janet Jackson Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Garner

Performances At The 10th Annual BMI Urban Awards

Related Artists

• Will.I.Am
• Cali Swag District
• Jay Sean
• Flo Rida
• Usher

Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/performances-at-the-10th-annual-bmi-urban-awards-/1647596/5195978/photo.jhtml

Janet Jackson Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Garner Jennifer Love Hewitt Jessica Alba

My good friend Caprice Crane’s new book, With a Little Luck, is out today. Yay, Caprice!

It’s gotten great reviews:

“Crane is one of the funniest writers of popular fiction around. The dialog (inner and outer) is laugh-out-loud, snort-inducing hilarious . . . Readers will want to cross their fingers and spit while throwing salt over their shoulders if it helps Berry reach her dreams. Highly recommended.”

—Library Journal

“Fans of Stacy Ballis and Cara Lockwood will appreciate Crane’s effortlessly funny style, which is often attempted in popular fiction but is rarely this well executed…Lighthearted and charmingly honest.”

—Booklist

“[A] satisfying romantic comedy…[with] real character growth.”

—Kirkus Reviews

And even better blurbs:

“Romantic, poignant and funny—this book is a lucky find for lit fans. Caprice Crane is a nimble and gifted storyteller.”

—Diablo Cody, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Juno

“A hilarious romp that oozes charm and giddy fun. Caprice Crane is a true talent.”

—Molly Jong-Fast, author of The Social Climber’s Handbook

“Witty, fast-paced, and sheer fun. Caprice Crane is a master of dialogue. Half the time I was reading this book I was smiling, which made me look like a crazy person on the subway.”

—Jancee Dunn, author of Don’t You Forget About Me and Why Is My Mother Getting a Tattoo?

“Absolutely charming and hilarious.”

—Missy Peregrym, star of the movie Stick It and ABC’s Rookie Blue

“With a Little Luck scores in humor, head, and heart. In other words, it’s a perfect trifecta.”

—Karyn Bosnak, author of 20 Times a Lady (soon to be the major motion picture What’s Your Number?)

(Omg, who is that last fantastic blurber?) (I meant every word of it.)

And most importantly, she has the cutest dog ever (who likes to video chat with Bev):

Anyway, check it out, buy it—it’s fantastic!

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/7/26/with-a-little-luck-a-novel.html

Reese Witherspoon Sarah Michelle Gellar Scarlett Johansson Shakira Shania Twain

After reports surface that Cornell had called out Kanye onstage, the frontman tweets, ‘We love him!’
By James Montgomery

Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell
Photo: Rich Sancho/ MTV News

Kanye West may have had a rough weekend Down Under, but at least he can take comfort in the fact that Chris Cornell didn’t call him “retarded.”

For the uninitiated, on Sunday, West took the stage 45 minutes late for his headlining set at Australia’s Big Day Out festival, a delay which he reportedly blamed on “sound problems” due to the rainy weather. His tardiness angered fans, many of whom took to chanting “bullsh–” while they waited, before abandoning his set for other acts playing at the same time.

Of course, Kanye’s scheduling issues also supposedly drew the ire of Soundgarden frontman Cornell, who, angered that the rapper’s soundcheck was bleeding into his set, announced to the crowd: “Sounds like there’s children playing music there, retarded children, retarded as in ‘held back.’ There’s no other word for it.”

MTV News attempted to contact a spokesperson for Soundgarden to get comment on those, uh, comments, but reps for the band had not responded to emails by press time. But after the story broke, Cornell took to his Twitter account to set the record straight, writing that he has no beef with West, but rather took issue with the production team behind the fest.

“My comments at [Big Day Out] were directed solely at inadequate tour production,” Cornell stated. “Kanye had nothing to do with it! We love him.”

Cornell has yet to make any additional comment on the matter and, for his part, West has remained silent … perhaps his attention is focused on getting the DONDA group up and running?

Related Artists

• Soundgarden
• Chris Cornell

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677802/soundgarden-chris-cornell-kanye-west.jhtml

Amy Smart Anna Faris Anna Kournikova Ashlee Simpson Ashley Olsen

Ryan Seacrest tweets he ‘can’t think of a better guy’ for the pop star than fiancé Jason Trawick.
By Kara Klenk

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in the "Criminal" music video
Photo: Jive

<P><a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> is officially off the market. Reports were confirmed Friday (December 16) that the singer is <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">engaged to Jason Trawick</a>, her boyfriend of two years and "Criminal" video co-star. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Fans of the pop princess sent their love and congratulatory wishes online shortly after the story surfaced. Everyone loves a comeback, and Britney Spears' fans are no exception. After a rough period in 2007 that included losing custody of her children and an infamous public head-shaving, Spears has spent the past three years getting her life together, and fans have taken notice. <a href="/news/articles/1676167/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged-timeline.jhtml"><b>Take a walk down memory lane with this timeline of Britney and Jason's relationship!</b></a> Facebook user Rosanna Principessa Fabbro wrote, "So happy for her. She really nailed it, turned her life way around, and look &#8212; now with a good man " Other fans gushed, while Zakir Khan wrote simply on Facebook, "Best of luck." On Twitter, @Elina_BS made a <a href="http://twitpic.com/7u58ry" target="_blank">Twitpic</a> card for the singer wishing her and Jason well. Many of Britney's fans have been listening to her music for almost their entire lives, so news of her engagement felt especially personal for them. @mollypannell1 tweeted, "Is it weird how happy I am for @britneyspears? So cuuute. I still remember when her first video came out. I was 7!" Celebs also took to Twitter to send their love. Ryan Seacrest <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RyanSeacrest/status/147786909651972096" target="_blank">tweeted</a> his approval of the union, "I used to work w/ Jason Trawick and can't think of a better guy and more perfect match for @BritneySpears. Congrats guys." Nick Cannon also <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NickCannon/status/147764341058445312" target="_blank">tweeted</a> "Congrats @BritneySpears is engaged" and included a link to a <a href="http://www.nickcannon.com/post/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged" target="_blank">post</a> from his website that included a family photo of Britney, Jason and her two sons. If nothing else, this milestone in Britney's personal life has renewed her fans' love. @Mae_tweet wrote, "You can't help liking @britneyspears! With Britney's infectious, resilience &amp; strength. Born survivor. Credits to her X." <i>Share your well-wishes for the newly engaged couple in the comments below!</i></p>

Related Videos

• Get Inside Britney Spears’ ‘Criminal’

Related Photos

• The Evolution Of: Britney Spears
• A History Of Britney Spears At The VMAs
• Lovebirds: Britney Spears And Jason Trawick

Related Artists

• Britney Spears

Source:

Reese Witherspoon Sarah Michelle Gellar Scarlett Johansson Shakira Shania Twain

Heidi Klum and Seal have always seemed completely crazy about each other — so the news of their impending divorce has come as a complete shock. Married for nearly seven years, the supermodel and crooner had three biological children together and renewed their vows in an anniversary wedding ceremony each year. But behind closed doors, things weren’t as rosy as they seemed.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/heidi-klum-seal-shocking-split-what-went-wrong/1-a-421093?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Aheidi-klum-seal-shocking-split-what-went-wrong-421093

Shania Twain Sienna Miller Tara Reed Taylor Swift The Pussycat Dolls

Video Phone (Extended Remix)

• Artist: Lady Gaga
• Label: Columbia, Music World Music
• Director: Hype Williams

Source:

Lisa Marie Mariah Carey Megan Fox Melania Trump Michelle Obama

Remember when Whitney Houston was an actress? Long before that disastrous reality show with ex Bobby Brown, Houston showed off her star wattage in three big-screen hits: The Bodyguard (1992), Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher’s Wife (1996). Now for the first time in 15 years, she’s returning to the movies, costarring with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in the song-fueled drama Sparkle. See the first photo from the film above!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/photo-whitney-houston-and-jordin-sparks-sparkle/1-a-421101?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Aphoto-whitney-houston-and-jordin-sparks-sparkle-421101

Jennifer Love Hewitt Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Simpson Kasey Chambers

From Kim and Kris’ monster-size rock to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s 18-carat mega-sparkler, we dish on the diamonds.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in Las Vegas. Inset: her Neil Lane enagement ring.
Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

<P>After <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> confirmed her <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">engagement to longtime beau Jason Trawick</a> last Friday, fans wanted to know everything about the ring, a four-carat diamond designed by Neil Lane. Trawick &#8212; Brit's former agent &#8212; popped the question after working with famed jeweler Lane on the design, according to <a href="http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2011/12/18/jason-trawick-britney-spears-engagement-ring" target="_blank">People.com</a>. The site also reported that Trawick wanted a crown-like band. In addition to the mega-sparkler at the center of the tiara-style setting, the hubby-to-be also had 90 small round diamonds added around the band. Spears debuted the ring during a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend to celebrate her fianc&#233;'s birthday. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "Jason is a romantic and when I asked him to tell me about Britney and what the ring would represent to them so I could find inspiration, his response was always the same &#8212; she is his princess!" Lane told the website. "Jason didn't want an over-the-top ring with a giant stone." Minya Oh, the author of "Bling Bling: Hip Hop's Crown Jewels," told MTV News she was pleasantly surprised by how understated the rock is. "The ring is so damn classy! It's [four] carats, which by Hollywood standards these days is practically microscopic," Oh said. "The setting is a tiny crown but both that and the thin diamond-studded band are done so delicately, from afar the focus is still on that bright white center stone. Nothing about the ring overwhelms her hand, and nothing screams, 'Please believe my relationship is real!' " She added, "This is the kind of ring a pop icon has when they're ready for something that means more than just the ring." This is hardly Spears' first engagement ring, however. When her <a href="/news/articles/1676192/britney-spears-engaged-k-fed-comments.jhtml">ex Kevin Federline</a> popped the question back in 2004, the former back-up dancer gave the pop princess a five-carat diamond <a href="http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150527,00.html" target="_blank">ring</a>. All this talk about rocks got us thinking about some other celebrity proposals, so we decided to spotlight a few memorable engagement rings. <big><b>Kim Kardashian &amp; Kris Humphries</b></big><br> When it comes to size, Spears' ring from Trawick is small compared to <a href="/news/articles/1664525/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-engagement.jhtml">Kim Kardashian's monster-size rock</a>. When Kris Humphries popped the question earlier this year, he gave her a 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond. Of course, the size of the ring didn't guarantee lasting marital bliss: the couple <a href="/news/articles/1673465/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-divorce-statement.jhtml">split after 72 days</a> of marriage. <big><b> Beyonc&#233; &amp; Jay-Z</b></big><br> Like Humpdash, Jay-Z, who is expecting his first <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">child with wife Beyonc&#233;</a>, also went the Lorraine Schwartz route. He gave his pop-star lady love an 18-carat ring back in 2007. The couple kept their wedding ceremony under wraps. <big><b>Kristin Cavallari &amp; Jay Cutler</b></big><br> While it has been a bumpy engagement for former "Hills" star <a href="/news/articles/1675147/kristin-cavallari-jay-cutler-engaged-again.jhtml">Kristin Cavallari and her football player</a> fianc&#233; Jay Cutler, the couple announced they were engaged <i>again</i> last month. Cutler opted to use the same 5.2-carat ring he'd given the MTV reality star back in April when he first decided to put a ring on it. <big><b> Hilary Duff &amp; Mike Comrie </b></big><br> Before Mike Comrie asked <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/02/24/hilary-duffs-giant-engagement-ring-details-emerge">mama-to-be Hilary Duff</a> to be his blushing bride last year, he reportedly spent $1 million for the sparkler, said to be about 12 to 13 carats. <big><b>Katy Perry &amp; Russell Brand</b></big><br> <a href="/news/articles/1629130/katy-perry-engaged-to-russell-brand-rep-confirms.jhtml">Russell Brand also gifted Katy Perry</a> with a ring of about 12 to 13 carats when he proposed last year to <a href="/news/articles/1676073/best-artists-of-2011-katy-perry.jhtml">MTV's 2011 Artist of the Year</a>. The comedian asked the pop star to marry him while the two were in India. The couple would later re-create that magic when they also married in the country in October 2010. <i>Share your well-wishes for Britney and Jason in the comments!</i></p>

Related Photos

• Lovebirds: Britney Spears And Jason Trawick

Related Artists

• Britney Spears

Source:

Tara Reed Taylor Swift The Pussycat Dolls Uma Thurman Victoria Beckham

Ryan Seacrest tweets he ‘can’t think of a better guy’ for the pop star than fiancé Jason Trawick.
By Kara Klenk

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in the "Criminal" music video
Photo: Jive

<P><a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> is officially off the market. Reports were confirmed Friday (December 16) that the singer is <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">engaged to Jason Trawick</a>, her boyfriend of two years and "Criminal" video co-star. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Fans of the pop princess sent their love and congratulatory wishes online shortly after the story surfaced. Everyone loves a comeback, and Britney Spears' fans are no exception. After a rough period in 2007 that included losing custody of her children and an infamous public head-shaving, Spears has spent the past three years getting her life together, and fans have taken notice. <a href="/news/articles/1676167/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged-timeline.jhtml"><b>Take a walk down memory lane with this timeline of Britney and Jason's relationship!</b></a> Facebook user Rosanna Principessa Fabbro wrote, "So happy for her. She really nailed it, turned her life way around, and look &#8212; now with a good man " Other fans gushed, while Zakir Khan wrote simply on Facebook, "Best of luck." On Twitter, @Elina_BS made a <a href="http://twitpic.com/7u58ry" target="_blank">Twitpic</a> card for the singer wishing her and Jason well. Many of Britney's fans have been listening to her music for almost their entire lives, so news of her engagement felt especially personal for them. @mollypannell1 tweeted, "Is it weird how happy I am for @britneyspears? So cuuute. I still remember when her first video came out. I was 7!" Celebs also took to Twitter to send their love. Ryan Seacrest <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/RyanSeacrest/status/147786909651972096" target="_blank">tweeted</a> his approval of the union, "I used to work w/ Jason Trawick and can't think of a better guy and more perfect match for @BritneySpears. Congrats guys." Nick Cannon also <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/NickCannon/status/147764341058445312" target="_blank">tweeted</a> "Congrats @BritneySpears is engaged" and included a link to a <a href="http://www.nickcannon.com/post/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged" target="_blank">post</a> from his website that included a family photo of Britney, Jason and her two sons. If nothing else, this milestone in Britney's personal life has renewed her fans' love. @Mae_tweet wrote, "You can't help liking @britneyspears! With Britney's infectious, resilience &amp; strength. Born survivor. Credits to her X." <i>Share your well-wishes for the newly engaged couple in the comments below!</i></p>

Related Videos

• Get Inside Britney Spears’ ‘Criminal’

Related Photos

• The Evolution Of: Britney Spears
• A History Of Britney Spears At The VMAs
• Lovebirds: Britney Spears And Jason Trawick

Related Artists

• Britney Spears

Source:

Desiree Dymond Donna Feldman Drew Barrymore Emma Watson Eva Longoria

October Films co-founder and San Francisco Film Society executive director died near the Sundance Film Festival.
By Josh Wigler

Bingham Ray
Photo: Arun Nevader/WireImage

PARK CITY, Utah — Bingham Ray, a champion of independent filmmaking, died on Monday (January 23) near Park City, Utah, the Sundance Institute has announced.

Ray, 57, was the co-founder of October Films and the executive director of the San Francisco Film Society. He suffered a stroke during the Sundance Film Festival last week and was initially hospitalized in Park City. Following a second stroke, Ray was transferred to Provo, where he later died.

“It is with great sadness that the Sundance Institute acknowledges the passing of Bingham Ray, cherished independent film executive and most recently Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society,” reads a statement posted on Deadline. “On behalf of the independent film community in Park City for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and elsewhere, we offer our support and condolences to his family. Bingham’s many contributions to this community and business are indelible, and his legacy will not be soon forgotten.”

“The board of directors and staff of the Film Society are stunned and deeply saddened by the untimely death of our executive director Bingham Ray,” said Pat McBaine, board president of the San Francisco Film Society. “We at the Film Society and the entire film community have lost far too early an energetic and visionary impact player who has helped shape the independent film industry for decades in so many important and valuable ways.”

Ray is perhaps best known as the co-founder of October Films, the 1990s-era independent film production company and distributor responsible for movies such as “Secrets and Lies,” “Lost Highway” and “Cherry Falls.” October was later acquired by Universal Pictures and renamed USA Films, which itself became the basis of Focus Features, Universal’s art house arm that counts “In Bruges” and “Milk” among its many credits.

The San Francisco Film Society named Ray as executive director in November 2011 after the death of the SFFS’ director Graham Leggat this past August.

Share your condolences with Bingham Ray’s friends and family in the comments below.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677753/bingham-ray-dead.jhtml

Kate Moss Katherine Heigl Katy Perry Kim Kardashian Kirsten Dunst

Go see Captain America this weekend! Support our Colin!

I went to the premiere on Tuesday and it was the coolest thing ever. First, the movie is AMAZING and Chris Evans is a superstar. Second, there were so many damn people there it was insane. I have been to movie premieres in New York before and they were nothing like this. I mean, they closed down Hollywood Boulevard. I would’ve taken photos to show you, but the invite said to leave phones in the car. But here’s a photo of me in my cool Captain America 3D glasses:

(Sit down, stop jumping around, it’s an awesome picture, I know. And the quality is amazing. It’s not grainy or reddish… it’s perfect.) (No, it’s not.)

(And you can totally see the Captain America logo on the side of the glasses.) (No, you can’t.)

Anyway, Captain America is pulling a strong 71% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes right now so GO SEE IT! IT’S FANTASTIC! 

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/7/22/captain-america.html

Hilary Swank Isla Fisher Ivanka Trump Janet Jackson Jennifer Aniston

I Wanna Go

• Artist: Britney Spears
• Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
• Director: Chris Marrs Pillero
• Album: The Morning Dew

Source:

Jennifer Garner Jennifer Love Hewitt Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Simpson

It’s winter and the time of year that the stars come out to play at Park City, Utah, for the annual Sundance Film Festival. This year there are a whole horde of celebs promoting their films and partying together over the 10 day event. There must be so many stories and goings on…what happens in [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/JAqGj4FG5rc/

Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Christina Aguilera Christina Applegate Cindy Crawford

Lil Freak

• Artist: Usher
• Label: LaFace Records, JLG
• Director: Anthony Mandler
• Album: Big Walter Horton with Carey Bell

Source:

Aisha Tyler Alessandra Ambrosio Alicia Keys Amy Smart Anna Faris

William Shatner is going out with a bang. After fourteen years as the spokesperson for Priceline.com, Shatner’s "Priceline Negotiator" character is being killed off in a surprisingly dramatic new commercial. Watch below!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/william-shatner-killed-priceline-negotiator/1-a-420620?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Awilliam-shatner-killed-priceline-negotiator-420620

Jennifer Love Hewitt Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Simpson Kasey Chambers

The couple started dating in 2009 while Trawick was still Britney’s agent.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears
Photo: WireImage

<P>Months ago, rumors began circulating that <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> and longtime boyfriend Jason Trawick were going to tie the knot. And on Friday (December 16), sources close to the pair and a mysterious tweet from the star herself confirmed that the <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">couple is engaged</a>. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Trawick had already been working with the star as her agent at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment when they began dating in 2009. They went public with their romance when they showed up hand-in-hand to the 2010 Grammy Awards. That May, the two decided to separate their business and personal relationships, and it was confirmed that Trawick would <a href="/news/articles/1638945/britney-spears-confirms-professional-split-from-agent-boyfriend.jhtml">no longer be representing Spears</a>. The pair have always been pretty low-key. In an interview with Ryan Seacrest this March, the pop star opened up about their life together. "We're really normal," she said. "We just like to watch movies; we work out a lot; we take walks." In May, Spears told <a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/cover/britney-spears-talks-gossip-and-family" target="_blank"><i>Harper's Bazaar,</i></a> "I've thought about both [marriage and kids]," saying that tying the knot with Trawick could happen "if the timing was right." And in an interview with <i>Us Weekly</i> in April, <a href="/news/articles/1661441/britney-spears-us-magazine.jhtml">Spears gushed about life</a> with Trawick. "We have such a great time together! He makes me laugh, and we are so comfortable being ourselves," she said. "Maybe [I'll marry again]. Never say never!" </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:703334" width="240" height="211"></div><p> In August, Spears and Trawick walked the red carpet at the 2011 MTV VMAs, and Britney later thanked Trawick when she took the stage to accept her Moonman for <a href="/news/articles/1669846/britney-spears-vmas-best-pop-video.jhtml">Best Pop Video</a> for "Till the World Ends." While the two have remained relatively private, they gave fans a peek at their personal life when they played the lead roles in <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/britney-spears/703015/criminal.jhtml">Britney's "Criminal" video</a>. The video focuses on a fictional love affair between their characters, who go on a crime spree that leads to a steamy encounter. Director Chris Marrs Piliero said Trawick "killed it." This will be Britney's third marriage. She was married to Jason Alexander for 55 hours in 2004. Later that year, she married back-up dancer Kevin Federline; the two divorced in 2006. Federline and Spears have two sons, Jayden James and Sean Preston. A rep for the singer has yet to confirm the news of this latest engagement to MTV News. <i>Send your well-wishes to Britney and Jason in the comments.</i></p>

Related Artists

• Britney Spears

Source:

Cameron Diaz Carmen Electra Carrie Underwood Charlies Angels Charlize Theron

Till the World Ends

• Artist: Britney Spears
• Label: Jive
• Director: Ray Kay
• Album: Metamora

Source:

Foxy Brown Halle Berry Heidi Klum Hilary Duff Hilary Swank

From Kim and Kris’ monster-size rock to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s 18-carat mega-sparkler, we dish on the diamonds.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in Las Vegas. Inset: her Neil Lane enagement ring.
Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

<P>After <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> confirmed her <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">engagement to longtime beau Jason Trawick</a> last Friday, fans wanted to know everything about the ring, a four-carat diamond designed by Neil Lane. Trawick &#8212; Brit's former agent &#8212; popped the question after working with famed jeweler Lane on the design, according to <a href="http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2011/12/18/jason-trawick-britney-spears-engagement-ring" target="_blank">People.com</a>. The site also reported that Trawick wanted a crown-like band. In addition to the mega-sparkler at the center of the tiara-style setting, the hubby-to-be also had 90 small round diamonds added around the band. Spears debuted the ring during a trip to Las Vegas over the weekend to celebrate her fianc&#233;'s birthday. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "Jason is a romantic and when I asked him to tell me about Britney and what the ring would represent to them so I could find inspiration, his response was always the same &#8212; she is his princess!" Lane told the website. "Jason didn't want an over-the-top ring with a giant stone." Minya Oh, the author of "Bling Bling: Hip Hop's Crown Jewels," told MTV News she was pleasantly surprised by how understated the rock is. "The ring is so damn classy! It's [four] carats, which by Hollywood standards these days is practically microscopic," Oh said. "The setting is a tiny crown but both that and the thin diamond-studded band are done so delicately, from afar the focus is still on that bright white center stone. Nothing about the ring overwhelms her hand, and nothing screams, 'Please believe my relationship is real!' " She added, "This is the kind of ring a pop icon has when they're ready for something that means more than just the ring." This is hardly Spears' first engagement ring, however. When her <a href="/news/articles/1676192/britney-spears-engaged-k-fed-comments.jhtml">ex Kevin Federline</a> popped the question back in 2004, the former back-up dancer gave the pop princess a five-carat diamond <a href="http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20150527,00.html" target="_blank">ring</a>. All this talk about rocks got us thinking about some other celebrity proposals, so we decided to spotlight a few memorable engagement rings. <big><b>Kim Kardashian &amp; Kris Humphries</b></big><br> When it comes to size, Spears' ring from Trawick is small compared to <a href="/news/articles/1664525/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-engagement.jhtml">Kim Kardashian's monster-size rock</a>. When Kris Humphries popped the question earlier this year, he gave her a 20.5-carat Lorraine Schwartz diamond. Of course, the size of the ring didn't guarantee lasting marital bliss: the couple <a href="/news/articles/1673465/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-divorce-statement.jhtml">split after 72 days</a> of marriage. <big><b> Beyonc&#233; &amp; Jay-Z</b></big><br> Like Humpdash, Jay-Z, who is expecting his first <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">child with wife Beyonc&#233;</a>, also went the Lorraine Schwartz route. He gave his pop-star lady love an 18-carat ring back in 2007. The couple kept their wedding ceremony under wraps. <big><b>Kristin Cavallari &amp; Jay Cutler</b></big><br> While it has been a bumpy engagement for former "Hills" star <a href="/news/articles/1675147/kristin-cavallari-jay-cutler-engaged-again.jhtml">Kristin Cavallari and her football player</a> fianc&#233; Jay Cutler, the couple announced they were engaged <i>again</i> last month. Cutler opted to use the same 5.2-carat ring he'd given the MTV reality star back in April when he first decided to put a ring on it. <big><b> Hilary Duff &amp; Mike Comrie </b></big><br> Before Mike Comrie asked <a href="http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2010/02/24/hilary-duffs-giant-engagement-ring-details-emerge">mama-to-be Hilary Duff</a> to be his blushing bride last year, he reportedly spent $1 million for the sparkler, said to be about 12 to 13 carats. <big><b>Katy Perry &amp; Russell Brand</b></big><br> <a href="/news/articles/1629130/katy-perry-engaged-to-russell-brand-rep-confirms.jhtml">Russell Brand also gifted Katy Perry</a> with a ring of about 12 to 13 carats when he proposed last year to <a href="/news/articles/1676073/best-artists-of-2011-katy-perry.jhtml">MTV's 2011 Artist of the Year</a>. The comedian asked the pop star to marry him while the two were in India. The couple would later re-create that magic when they also married in the country in October 2010. <i>Share your well-wishes for Britney and Jason in the comments!</i></p>

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Jessica Alba is an international sex symbol, but she isn’t forcing her daughter to go the same route. In fact, in her household, pretty much anything goes!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/jessica-alba-my-daughter-likes-dress-full-drag/1-a-420775?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Ajessica-alba-my-daughter-likes-dress-full-drag-420775

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This week, our favorite American Idol judges returned with the season 11 premiere. And while many of the male contestants were smitten upon meeting Jennifer Lopez, the female attention seemed evenly split between Ryan Seacrest and Steven Tyler. (Sorry, Randy!)

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/would-you-rather-date-steven-tyler-or-ryan-seacrest/1-a-420583?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Awould-you-rather-date-steven-tyler-or-ryan-seacrest-420583

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After the news yesterday about Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis and the rumors going around about them separating, I was devastated because there are some celeb couples I put on a pedestal, way above the others, because they somehow feel more real, above all celeb gossip and media mayhem. Today I had the same reaction [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/bt5mnu7roWw/

Lisa Marie Mariah Carey Megan Fox Melania Trump Michelle Obama

‘I certainly think she references me a lot in her work,’ Queen of Pop tells ABC News.
By Jocelyn Vena

Lady Gaga
Photo: Andreas Rentz/ Getty Images

<P>There was a hot debate raging about 12 months ago when Lady Gaga dropped her song <a href="/news/articles/1657726/lady-gaga-born-this-way.jhtml">"Born This Way,"</a> with people questioning whether the song sounds too much like Madonna's 1980s hit "Express Yourself." As the discussion went viral, fans, critics and even Lady Gaga herself weighed in on it. Now, as Madge preps the release of her next album, <a href="/news/articles/1677103/madonna-album-mdna.jhtml"><i>M.D.N.A.</a>,</i> and her film "W.E.," she's <i>finally</i> weighing in on the controversy. Madonna, known for her curt, pithy responses when asked about anyone who might take a cue or two from her playbook, sat down with <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/01/madonna-breaks-silence-on-gaga-born-this-way-controversy-2020-exclusive-tonight/" target="_blank">ABC News</a> recently and had some choice words for pop's latest princess. "I certainly think she references me a lot in her work. And sometimes I think it's amusing and flattering and well-done," she explained of her <a href="/news/articles/1622985/lady-gaga-madonna-almost-kiss-on-saturday-night-live.jhtml">onetime "Saturday Night Live" co-star</a>. "When I heard ['Born This Way'] on the radio … I said, 'that sounds very familiar' … It felt reductive." <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:717952/cp~id%3D1672718%26vid%3D717952%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A717952%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center> When asked if "reductive" was good or bad, Madonna replied, "Look it up." The Queen of Pop did call Gaga "a very talented artist" and explained that she thinks that she's making a "statement about taking something that was in the Zeitgeist, you know, 20 years ago and turning it inside out and reinterpreting it." Madonna also addressed her apparent penchant for kissing female pop stars. She recently made headlines when her <a href="/news/articles/1676052/madonna-gimme-all-your-luvin-single.jhtml">"Gimme All Your Luvin"</a> cohort Nicki Minaj tweeted that Madge had <a href="/news/articles/1675587/nicki-minaj-madonna-give-me-all-your-love.jhtml">kissed her</a> on the set of her video. In true Madonna fashion, she brushed it off, saying, "It was her birthday. I gave her a birthday kiss. No tongue!" Of course, Nicki is not the first pop star Madonna has locked lips with. Back in 2003, Madge shared kisses on the VMA stage with Britney Spears <i>and</i> Christina Aguilera. "Nice moment, good kisser. Cool," she <a href="http://idolator.com/6137151/madonna-nightline-interview-britney" target="_blank">remarked</a> of Spears. When asked if she would kiss Spears again, she replied, "No, I already did it. I don't like to repeat myself." For those who may have missed the "Nightline" interview on Thursday, it will air on Friday night (January 13) on "20/20." <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:686557/cp~id%3D1672718%26vid%3D686557%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A686557%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center></p>

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October 15 show will be streamed live over the Internet.
By Gil Kaufman

Lady Gaga
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

<P>Even a dozen years removed from the White House, former president <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/clinton_bill/artist.jhtml" target="_blank">Bill Clinton</a> still has that same superstar-attracting aura. That might explain why such bright lights as <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml" target="_blank">Lady Gaga</a>, Bono and The Edge of <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/u2/artist.jhtml" target="_blank">U2</a>, and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml" target="_blank">Usher</a> have signed on to perform at an October 15 party for <a href="http://www.clintonconcert.com/" target="_blank">Clinton</a> at the Hollywood Bowl. According to <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/u2-lady-gaga-usher-headline-234222" target="_blank"><i>The Hollywood Reporter</a>,</i> details on the final list of performers and presenters are still being worked on, but an impressive list of movie and TV personalities are expected to sign on for the event, which is being billed as a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Clinton's nonprofit William J. Clinton Foundation. To date, the foundation has raised more than $10 billion for some of the ex-president's most cherished causes, including HIV/AIDS treatment, economic empowerment, food aid and global health initiatives. The show, which will also serve as a birthday party celebration for the former Democratic leader (who turned 65 on August 19), will be broadcast exclusively by Yahoo, which will stream "A Decade of Difference: A Concert Celebrating 10 Years of the William J. Clinton Foundation" worldwide to a potential audience of millions. Clinton continues to travel the world doing good works, though he turned his attention homeward over the weekend when he participated in the 10th anniversary ceremonies of the September 11 terror attacks. He announced on Sunday that he will team with Republican House Speaker John Boehner in a bipartisan effort to raise the final $10 million needed to complete the Fight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.</p>

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‘All of this comes with the territory,’ Ush tells MTV News of paternity-suit drama.
By Jocelyn Vena

Justin Bieber and Usher
Photo: Ben Rose/ WireImage

<P><a href="/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> might not have known how big <a href="/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> would become when he discovered him a few years back, but he was pretty sure he had found something special. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:712878" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Since Bieber burst on the scene with his <i>My World</i> EP back in 2009, the 17-year-old has grown up with the world watching. He's gone from up-and-comer to full-fledged pop sensation, racking up chart-topping albums and a box-office hit and becoming an all-around mega-heartthrob &#8212; all in two years. Of course, with the good does come negative attention as well. Recently, Bieber was hit with a <a href="/news/articles/1674509/justin-bieber-paternity-suit-dropped-2.jhtml">paternity lawsuit, which has since been dropped</a>. Usher, no stranger to his own controversies, had these words for the Biebs: "Stay strong. And know that all of this comes with the territory." Aside from the drama, Usher is especially proud of Bieber's charitable side. His mentor said he "absolutely" knew the kid from Stratford, Ontario, had a big heart from the start. "To write a check is only half of it, but when you truly take on a responsibility to be a philanthropist, you accept an effort, and I really think that Pencils of Promise is something that has a very bright future," <a href="/news/articles/1674628/justin-bieber-new-york-city.jhtml">Usher told MTV News at an event for the charity</a>, noting that Bieber is a only a small part of it. Usher &#8212; who appears on Bieber's new Christmas album, <a href="/news/articles/1673032/justin-bieber-usher-christmas-song.jhtml"><i>Under the Mistletoe</i></a> &#8212; gives credit to the folks surrounding the teen superstar, including manager Scooter Braun. "Just judging from the determination and the will power of the entire team around Justin, I see a very, very promising [future] for him as a philanthropist," Usher said.</p>

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The actor also spoke with MTV News about the ‘very subtle’ use of 3-D in ‘The Great Gatsby.’
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Joel Edgerton
Photo: MTV News

PARK CITY, Utah — Joel Edgerton could tell you about Kathryn Bigelow‘s untitled Osama Bin Laden movie, but then he’d have to kill you.

OK, perhaps it’s not as dramatic as all of that. Still, the “Wish You Were Here” actor spoke briefly with MTV News about starring in the Navy Seal thriller alongside Chris Pratt and Jessica Chastain, and while he’s “very excited” to start shooting the film, his lips are sealed on the top-secret op.

“I can’t really tell you anything about it,” he told MTV during the Sundance Film Festival. “I don’t know that I can’t tell you anything about it, but I’d be very ill informed to talk about it at this point. But I’m just excited to work with all of those guys.”

Edgerton was much more inclined to talk about “The Great Gatsby,” Baz Luhrmann‘s upcoming adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic. The Australian actor, who stars in “Gatsby” as drunken socialite Tom Buchanan, spoke at length about Luhrmann’s “very subtle” use of 3-D in the film.

“3-D is absolutely the right thing for [the film],” said Edgerton. “I’ve seen sections of the movie and it sort of invites you in. It’s not like spectacle 3-D; you’re not being confronted by things blowing at your head. But it invites you in. What it does psychologically is very interesting, and I think you’ll forget you’re watching 3-D.”

“Also, it’s lavish,” he continued. “That era was so lavish. The ’20s was about excess, so why not add a bit of excess to the filmmaking as well?”

For those who remain skeptical of the use of 3-D in “Gatsby,” Edgerton expects negative opinions to change when the movie is released this December.

“Baz knows absolutely everything he’s doing,” he said. “I’m really excited for all the people [groaning] about 3-D to see the movie. I hope everybody is crossing their arms and frowning to begin with, because I think they’ll unfurl by the time they see it.” What do you think of the use of 3-D in “The Great Gatsby”? Sound off in the comments!

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is officially under way, and the MTV Movies team is on the ground reporting on the hottest stars and the movies everyone will be talking about in the year to come. Keep it locked with MTV Movies for everything there is to know about Sundance.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677681/joel-edgerton-bin-laden-movie.jhtml

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‘There were a lot of moments in the video that … should have ended a lot worse than they did,’ band says.
By James Montgomery

Fun.
Photo: MTV News

Fun.’s “We Are Young” video is the kind of thing that practically begs for repeat viewings … a stirring, swirling collection of slow-motion imagery (bodies flailing, glass shattering and the like) that pops from the screen, it’s far and away the first breakout clip of 2012. Thankfully for the guys in the band, it was also the kind of video where repeat takes weren’t allowed. Mostly because, well, someone could’ve gotten hurt.

“It was terrifying. There were a lot of moments in the video that I think should have ended a lot worse than they did,” guitarist Jack Antonoff laughed. “I watch the video and I think, ‘Oh God, we really threw ourselves in some real danger there,’ because it’s a bunch of stunt people and then us. And it’s not necessarily healthy to have cake rocketed at your face from an air cannon, but we did it. And we’re in serious tuxedos that are very constricting, so if you want to get away from something quick, you want to be in a sweat suit or something.”

“There was a palm tree that flips by [multi-instrumentalist] Andrew [Dost's] head, and I was watching and I had no idea how far away that palm tree was from his head,” frontman Andrew Ruess added. “I was so scared, for real.”

Of course, all that danger was just part of what made the “Young” video such a challenge for Fun. The other part? Well, that would be living up to the rather ginormous goals they had set for themselves … namely, to single-handedly resurrect the music video medium from its current doldrums.

“We were really adamant about getting back to the heyday of music videos, you know, the mid-’90s, when we were growing up,” Antonoff said. “Videos like [the Smashing Pumpkins'] ‘Tonight, Tonight’ and Spike Jonze’s slow-motion ‘Wax’ video ['California'] … just these videos where it’s not some giant narrative, and it’s not a mini-movie, it’s a cool music video. It’s kind of abstract, but to us, it makes sense.”

And really, that grandiose spirit of just going for it is also what fuels the band’s wide-screen, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink album Some Nights (due February 21). It is very much the sound of a band breaking barriers, pushing boundaries and gunning for the big time … and, yes, Fun. will happily admit to all of those things. After all, they’ve been working toward this moment for nearly a decade now, and they’re going to take full advantage. Even if it kills them.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Ruess said. “And we want it to take over the world.”

“It all seems like, if you’re pop, you go big, if you’re indie, you go small and you’re self-deprecating. We just think we can do both, you know?” Antonoff said. “If we have a song that sounds like it’s meant to be played for 10,000 people, like ‘We Are Young,’ then we’d like to try to do that, and we’d like to try and make a video that reflects that.”

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677668/fun-we-are-young-video.jhtml

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The Spice Girls might be reuniting for their biggest performance yet! The hit ’90s band is rumored to be in talks to get back together for a musical appearance at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/spice-girls-getting-back-together-london-olympics/1-a-420786?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Aspice-girls-getting-back-together-london-olympics-420786

Sarah Michelle Gellar Scarlett Johansson Shakira Shania Twain Sienna Miller

Showing off a new look, Shakira debuted her freshly chopped locks after getting styled up on Tuesday (December 6). The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer posted a picture of her shortened coif via Twitter, as she wrote, “Hace 4 horas estoy estrenando corte de pelo!! 4 hours ago I got my hair cut!”

Source: http://www.celebritygossiphollywood.com/general/celebrity-hair/celebrity-hairstyle-shakira/

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