Music news of 2010

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This year, nobody defied description quite like Ke$ha, the pop oddity who shows no signs of slowing down.
By James Montgomery

Ke$ha
Photo: Venturelli/ Getty Images

In January, when "Tik Tok" was just starting to hit, I described Ke$ha as "a 22-year-old pop confectionary/cautionary tale." By November, when "We R Who We R" debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, I had crowned her an "outcast icon." The truth probably lies somewhere in between those two statements, but if there's a better way to sum up the pop star's rather incredible rise to fame, I am unaware of it.

Because in 2010, there really was no one else who came close to matching Ke$ha, whether in terms of sheer chart dominance ("Tik Tok," enjoyed the year's longest run at #1, spending nine weeks atop the Hot 100), or pure WTF-ery. She began the year as a belching, squelching, booze-swilling party monster and ended it as perhaps the most unlikely of role models — an unrepentant oddball who not only dared to speak her mind, but defy conventions, too. And through it all, she remained largely unclassifiable, shifting between genres (pop, hip-hop, rock) and personas (dumpster-diving diva, Topanga Canyon bohemian, DayGlo star child) with each successive hit. And because of that, Ke$ha became one of the year's most interesting characters, the kind of pop oddity that leaves critics alternately grasping at adjectives and scratching their heads.

"I think 'What is Ke$ha?' is definitely the question, more than 'Who is Ke$ha?' because the 'What?' is really the thing," New York Times writer Jon Caramanica told MTV News. "When she first came into the game, she was this pop singer with a little bit of a country background, but [doing] this sort of whiny, white-girl rap ... but, if anything, 'Tik Tok' proved there's an entire audience of people who are pop fans, but who have a really high tolerance for rap music. Maybe they're not going to buy a Kanye West record, but they're not unafraid of hip-hop. And with Ke$ha, and her loose, 'I don't give a f---' approach to making these songs resonates with the loose, 'I don't give a f---' approach of the fans in listening to the songs. They hear something of themselves in her."

Of course, Ke$ha suffered for her, uh, art, becoming one of the year's most popular punching bags — particularly following a pair of bizarre performances on "Saturday Night Live" — but as the year draws to a close, her grip on the pop world seems to be permanent. Not only is she the unlikeliest of stars, she's also one of the most persistent ... and love her or hate her, you've got to admit that she made 2010 just a bit more bearable, even if it was with her willingness to push the boundaries of absurdity. Well, her songs were pretty great, too. And she did it entirely her way.

"I think Ke$ha's definitely gone way past her 15 minutes of fame, [but] the appeal with her is that there's an honesty," Noah Callahan-Bever, editor in chief of Complex magazine, said. "In a market of totally prefab pop stuff, there's almost a sloppiness to her whole persona, and I think that realness appeals to people. I think it doesn't hurt that she works with the best producer in pop music, either," he said, referring to right-hand man Dr. Luke.

In 2010, thanks to that winning combination of pitch-perfect pop and pure, unfiltered weirdness, Ke$ha pretty much conquered the world. She won over fans and earned begrudging respect from the critics. And she wore dead animals on her head. Wherever she goes in 2011, I'll follow. And I'll likely be just as perplexed as the rest of you.

Do you expect Ke$ha's party to stop or keep rocking in 2011? Let us know in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654928/keha-rises-from-oddball-icon-2010.jhtml

Lori Heuring Lorri Bagley Lucy Liu Luján Fernández Magdalena Wróbel

larryrosario

Stewart would play the lead role in the big-screen version of the fairy tale.
By Jocelyn Vena

Kristen Stewart
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images

Kristen Stewart certainly has the looks to pull off playing Snow White on the big screen thanks to her dark hair, big eyes and milky complexion. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress is being courted to play the part in the big-screen adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, "Snow White and the Huntsman."

Viggo Mortensen ("The Road") and Academy Award winner Charlize Theron are also reportedly being considered for the roles of the huntsman and the evil queen.

THR further reports that other actresses on the list for the part include Riley Keough ("The Runaways"), Felicity Jones ("The Tempest"), Emily Browning (the forthcoming "Sleeping Beauty") and Alicia Vikander ("Beloved"). All of these actresses have screen-tested for the part. It's noted that Stewart has enough clout that she no longer has to screen-test for roles.

Casting for the film is well under way and Universal has been "making overtures" toward Stewart, especially during the last week. Rupert Sanders (who has done commercial and short films in the past) will direct.

Right now, Stewart is filming "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn," which is expected to wrap this spring. Fans are anticipating the chance to see Bella and Edward finally marry and Bella finally turn into a vampire in this flick. Her film "On the Road" is scheduled for release later this year. The film was adapted from the iconic Jack Kerouac novel of the same name, and also stars Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley and Kirsten Dunst.

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656767/kristen-stewart-viggo-mortensen-snow-white.jhtml

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larryrosario

Jackson's two oldest children were in bedroom witnessing drama, bodyguard Faheem Muhammed said.
By Gil Kaufman

Conrad Murray (file)
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images

One of the most shocking revelations to emerge from the first day of testimony in the pretrial hearing of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray is that as the pop icon lay dying in his rented Los Angeles mansion, cardiologist Murray asked in a panic, "Does anyone know CPR?"

According to CNN, that's what bodyguard Faheem Muhammed said on the stand. Tuesday was the first day of testimony in hearings aimed at determining whether there is enough evidence to try Murray on a felony count of involuntary manslaughter in the June 2009 death of the King of Pop.

The hearing is slated to last around two weeks and feature 20 to 30 witnesses, most of whom will be medical professionals. But it was the shocking testimony of Muhammed on Tuesday that grabbed headlines. He said that he and fellow guard Alberto Alvarez walked in on a scene in which Murray was crouched next to the motionless body of Jackson and it appeared that the heart surgeon did not know how to give CPR.

As they waited for paramedics to arrive, Muhammed said Murray stood next to Jackson's bed and asked in a panicked voice if anyone else in the room knew how to administer the life-saving technique.

"I looked at Alberto because we knew Dr. Murray was a heart surgeon, so we were shocked," Muhammed said. When defense attorney Ed Chernoff asked whether Murray was asking for help because he was exhausted after staying up all night administering sleep aids to the chronically insomniac Jackson, Muhammed replied, "The way that he asked it is as if he didn't know CPR." He also said that he never witnessed Murray performing CPR on Jackson before paramedics arrived and that the singer's two oldest children, Prince Michael and Paris, were in their father's bedroom as the drama was unfolding. Among the Jackson family members in court on Tuesday to watch the proceedings were family matriarch Katherine, sister LaToya and brothers Randy and Jackie.

Prosecutor David Walgren referred to Murray's use of "ineffectual" CPR, which included using one hand while Jackson was on a soft bed, which is counter to recommended techniques. Walgren also told the judge in the case that medical experts would testify that Murray took "a number of actions" that "showed an extreme deviation from the standard of care," after being hired to serve as Jackson's personal physician in the lead-up to a series of comeback shows in England.

The prosecutor also claimed that Murray waited at least 21 minutes to call an ambulance after he found Jackson unresponsive. "By all accounts, Michael Jackson was dead in the bedroom at 100 North Carolwood prior to the paramedics' arrival," Walgren said. The Los Angeles County coroner later determined that the singer died of "acute propofol intoxication," saying the overdose of the surgical anesthetic and the combined effects of other sedatives caused his death.

Chernoff has said that Murray administered propofol and other sedatives to Jackson in the hours before the pop star's death, but not in quantities that "should have" caused his death. CNN reported that Murray's defense team hinted that it would argue that Jackson was facing intense pressure over his upcoming 50-date This Is It comeback series of shows at London's O2 Arena and that led to his demands for treatment to help his chronic insomnia.

Also testifying on Tuesday was the director of the shows, Kenny Ortega, who described Jackson as "involved, active, participating" at his final rehearsal, which ended 12 hours before his death. That was very different from the out-of-it singer who could barely make it through rehearsals on June 19, six nights before his death. At a meeting called after Ortega sent Jackson home that night for some rest, the director described a scene in which Murray scolded him for cutting the rehearsal short.

"Dr. Murray told me that this was not my responsibility, and he asked me not to act like a doctor or psychologist," Ortega said. Murray has pleaded not guilty in the case, and according to a recent report, Walgren believes that the doctor's lawyers may claim that Jackson self-administered the final, fatal dose of propofol and essentially killed himself after waking up in a panic from a fitful night of sleep.

Testimony in the case will continue on Wednesday (January 5).

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655306/michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-cpr.jhtml

Jill Arrington Jill Wagner Joanna Krupa Joanne Montanez Jodi Lyn OKeefe

larryrosario

Ice Cube has also been named as possible addition to all-star cast for Garry Marshall flick.
By Jocelyn Vena

Ryan Seacrest
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Who would have thought that Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Sienna Miller, Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara wouldn't be enough Hollywood star power for one movie? Well, it seems that the brains behind the forthcoming movie "New Year's Eve" are looking to add even more high-profile talent to the lineup.

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, Ice Cube and Josh Duhamel all are in talks to appear in the star-studded flick, which follows New Yorkers over the course of, you guessed it, New Year's Eve, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Seacrest would play himself in the movie, Duhamel would play a man looking to get to New York to reconnect with a mystery woman he met the year before, and Cube would play an NYPD cop who works with Swank, who will play the director of the Times Square New Year's Eve party. The flick is set to begin filming next month.

Earlier this week, "SNL" funnyman Seth Meyers and rocker Jon Bon Jovi signed on for roles in the Garry Marshall film, the sequel to 2010's "Valentine's Day." And at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month, Efron confirmed his role in the movie to MTV News.

"I'm starting a movie in a couple of weeks called 'New Year's Eve,' with Garry Marshall. It's got a great cast," he shared. "My scenes are with Michelle Pfeiffer. Yeah, not a bad co-star."

Last year, Marshall spoke to MTV News about the film, which was then in its early stages, and had one other megastar in mind for the film. "Already they're mentioning Justin Bieber," he said. "Perhaps I'd better see who he is, so when he arrives on set, possibly [we can talk]. So we'll see."

Check out everything we've got on "New Year's Eve."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656845/ryan-seacrest-josh-duhamel-talks-new-years-eve-movie.jhtml

Kate Moss Kate Walsh Katharine McPhee Katharine Towne Katherine Heigl

larryrosario

Movie will be directed and produced by the Oscar winner.
By Kara Warner

Beyoncé
Photo: Paul Warner/ WireImage

Beyoncé Knowles is headed back to the big screen and into the familiar territory of playing an aspiring singer-turned-superstar. According to Deadline, Knowles will star in a remake of "A Star Is Born," to be directed and produced by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood for Warner Bros.

The remake will be the fourth telling of the "A Star Is Born" tale, the most memorable in recent years being the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson as star-crossed lovers of sorts. It is also worth mentioning that the producers of that film, Billy Gerber and Jon Peters, are also attached to this new project. It is said to be a full-on musical with production set to begin sometime in the fall.

Naturally, the plot details are under wraps, but the original story revolves around an aspiring singer who meets and falls in love with a troubled, failing former star who helps get the young ingénue her big break in the business.

No announcements have been made with regard to the male lead, but the report mentioned that major names like Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Hamm have been floated around.

It's definitely an interesting step for Knowles but not necessarily a surprise, given the fact that the majority of her film roles have been as singers ("Cadillac Records," "Dreamgirls," "The Fighting Temptations"). While many thought "Dreamgirls" would bring awards recognition for Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson's supporting role ended up garnering the most attention. With Oscar fave Eastwood at the helm of this new project, Knowles could be in line for some hardware yet.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656365/beyonce-star-clint-eastwoods-star-born-remake.jhtml

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Naima Adedapo, Brett Loewenstern and Adrienne Beasley also among early favorites.
By Gil Kaufman

"American Idol" auditioner Lauren Alaina
Photo: FOX

Yes, it's a bit early to start picking favorites on the two-week-old "American Idol" season. If history is any indication the producers have probably not even shown us footage of some of the most promising candidates, smartly saving the big reveal for Hollywood Week.

But just four episodes in, some promising stars-in-the-making have already emerged, and the decision to drop the age minimum to 15 seems to be a brilliant idea, with a number of ninth- and 10th-graders wowing the judges.

We asked a few of our "Idol" experts to pick their favorites so far, and the list was surprising, eclectic and definitely all over the map.

Entertainment Weekly's Annie Barrett singled out Nashville auditioner Adrienne Beasley, a black farm girl with white adoptive parents, as her favorite so far in season 10, but she name-checked a few more standouts as well.

"Those parents are PERFECT for the front row at the live shows, and she seems to have a genuine spirit to go along with excellent vocal range," Barrett said via e-mail. "It seems crazy to me that deep-voiced country singer Scotty McCreery is only 16, but he could go pretty far. The White House intern (Molly DeWolf Swenson) has a unique and surprising voice, but people might hate her because she went to Harvard and has two last names. I liked the really tall accountant/ gentle giant Steve Beghun because his vocal was huge and because he'd look even huger next to Seacrest."

Top Idol Blog's Melinda Green had one name on her mind when it came to the best so far: Naima Adedapo. "Her voice is fantastic and there seems to be something very real, something genuinely likable about her," Green said of the colorful Milwaukee singer who killed it with a gospel-tinged, slow-and-easy version of Donny Hathaway's "For All We Know."

Like Green, judge Jennifer Lopez was really impressed. "I like you a lot," said Lopez, who called Adedapo "the whole package."

With so many faces popping up every week, Green said it's sometimes hard to remember all the good ones, and she's not convinced that one of the young'uns can do it this year. "There's a lot of talk about Lauren Alaina and Thia Megia," she said. "But they just do nothing for me."

MTV's own "Idol in 60 Seconds" honcho, Jim Cantiello, has also seen only a few promising singers over the first six hours of "Idol" programming. His favorite so far? "Brett Loewenstern, the bullied redhead from Boca Raton who impressed the judges with his baby-oiled curly mane and soulful 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' " Cantiello wrote. "He's a quirky dude with an interesting voice, and I think his likable personality will connect with younger viewers."

The show's producers definitely hyped preternaturally poised 15-year-old Alaina on Thursday night, and Cantiello said he gets it. "After last night's audition, I can totally understand why," he said of the high-schooler who got judge Steven Tyler to duet with her on an Aerosmith song. "She has great stage presence without being a creepy pageant-bot. She has a mature voice even though she's not old enough to drive. And she has the potential to be molded a million different ways. She could go country, she could go pop vocal, she could go lite-FM. I'm curious to see what ['Idol' mentor and Interscope boss] Jimmy Iovine suggests."

His other pick to click was a contestant who didn't get quite the same amount of screen time and buzz, but who clearly impressed him: food blogger Sarah Sellers. She tried out last week in New Orleans with "To Make You Feel My Love," which Jim said had "a little white-girl R&B flavor, and her voice really soared once she belted. Plus, the 28-year old is a nice alternative to the teenage takeover that seems to be happening this season. Go Grandma Sellers!"

Only Barrett was rooting for one of the emotional highlights of the week: Chris Medina, whose tragic tale about his fiancée's car crash elicited a strong response from the judges.

"Chris Medina obviously won me over by being the greatest, most selfless man in the world," Barrett said. "But what we should really be remembering is that his voice was pretty sweet as well."

Green felt it was a bit of typical "Idol" manipulation, a heartstring-tugging ploy used often in the early rounds. "I don't consider Medina to be an extraordinary singer or anything that we've not seen before, but I do believe he'll likely go far on the show because of the fact you have the 'cougar contingency' driving the votes on 'American Idol,' " she said of the group of older women voters who've allegedly helped push young male contenders through in recent years. "There are already fan groups starting for this guy. He's a white male in his mid-20s who is just so devoted to his might-not-get-better fiancée. Chris Medina is going far, trust me."

Who is your favorite so far in season 10? Let us know in the comments below!

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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