BudgetWedding: February 2012

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Britney Spears' Big 2011: From A Smash Album To A Ring On Her Finger

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

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">Femme Fatale,</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 fiancé) Jason Trawick</a> — 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 Femme Fatale Tour, a spectacular show full of costume changes, elaborate stage setups and stunning mini-films. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:638813.id:1661123" width="240" height="211"></div> And while much of the 2011 VMA buzz was about <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">Beyoncé'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. 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.

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Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1676352/britney-spears-2011-news.jhtml

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Beyoncé - Countdown

Countdown

Artist: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia, Parkwood
Director: Beyoncé / Adria Petty

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=698826

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Britney Spears Has 'Crazy' Cameo On will.i.am's Album?

Black Eyed Peas mastermind teases a collabo with the pop princess on #willpower, set for 2012 release.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears performs in San Francisco
Photo: Max Morse/Getty Images

In a sea of A-list contributions for will.i.am's forthcoming solo album, the Black Eyed Peas mastermind recently dropped one name that will really get pop fans excited. Speaking with <a href="http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/william/news/britney-spears-alicia-keys-new-album/" target="_blank">Capital FM</a>, will teased that his Femme Fatale collaborator Britney Spears will make an appearance on the album, dubbed #willpower. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:638813" width="240" height="211"></div> "I have a song with Alicia Keys — me, Alicia and Swedish House Mafia. I have a song with the Beats, which is pretty grand. Me and Shakira have been trying to finish the stuff we started, and me and Britney is really crazy," he said. "So we got a song with me, LMFAO and Eva Simons, a song with me and Busta Rhymes and Swizz Beatz — I got a whole other bunch of collaborations." Spears and will.i.am last worked together on "Big Fat Bass," a spacey, grinding party tune complete with clapping noises and some rapping from will himself. Their recording session was featured on the MTV special <a href="/news/articles/1660830/britney-spears-femme-fatale-previews.jhtml">"I Am the Femme Fatale."</a> There's been no word yet from will's camp about the song and whether this is a new track or if he will be including "Big Fat Bass" on the album. The rapper/producer's love for Brit is hardly anything new: He <a href="/news/articles/1662289/britney-spears-will-i-am-big-fat-bass.jhtml">gushed to MTV News about the pop princess</a> months after they recorded together. "[I discovered] her love for music. I never seen anyone, like, come alive, full of excitement and giggling and laughing behind the mic," will recalled to MTV News. "She was like a little kid when she was recording the song, and it just brought the whole atmosphere, it changed the whole atmosphere when someone really loves music. So it was great working with her." His latest single, "T.H.E (The Hardest Ever)," featuring Jennifer Lopez and Mick Jagger, dropped late last year. #willpower, which also features "X Factor" judge Nicole Scherzinger, will be released later this year. What are you expecting from will and Brit's collabo? Let us know in the comments!

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Britney Spears - Hold It Against Me

Hold It Against Me

Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
Director: Jonas Akerlund

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=624145

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Britney Spears' Big 2011: From A Smash Album To A Ring On Her Finger

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

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Photos | 2010 American Music Awards Presenter, Nominee And Performer Highlights

2010 American Music Awards Presenter, Nominee And Performer Highlights

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Britney Spears' Engagement Begins 'A New Chapter'

It's a 'good step' toward happiness in her life, Jordan Miller of Britney fan site Breatheheavy.com says.
By Christina Garibaldi

Jason Trawick and Britney Spears in Las Vegas
Photo: Denise Truscello/ WireImage

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> is <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/britneyspears" target="_blank">"still glowing"</a> after longtime boyfriend <a href="/news/articles/1676120/britney-spears-is-engaged.jhtml">Jason Trawick popped the question</a> to the pop star on Friday. The two spent the weekend in Las Vegas, where Spears flashed her Neil Lane engagement ring as they celebrated their upcoming nuptials and Trawick's 40th birthday. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720837" width="240" height="211"></div> Friends and family have been showing their support and <a href="/news/articles/1676171/britney-spears-engagement-fan-reaction.jhtml">well-wishes</a> for the couple's upcoming wedding, including Spears' <a href="/news/articles/1676192/britney-spears-engaged-k-fed-comments.jhtml">ex-husband Kevin Federline</a>, who told <a href="http://tvweek.ninemsn.com.au/blog.aspx?blogentryid=963715&showcomments=true" target="_blank">TV Week</a> magazine that he was "really happy for her." Yet it seems that no one is as happy for Spears than her die-hard fans. MTV News spoke with Las Vegas-based webmaster Jordan Miller, who runs Spears' biggest fan site, <a href="http://www.breatheheavy.com/" target="_blank">BreatheHeavy.com</a>, and he told us just how thrilled he is about the news. "I was pretty excited for Britney when I found out she was engaged," Miller said. "I think it's a good step for her to have some sort of relationship where she can share her feelings and thoughts about her life, so I'm happy for her." <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720382" width="240" height="211"></div> And it seems all of his followers agree. "The overwhelming reaction from fans about the news of Britney's engagement is that they're really happy for her," Miller said. "They think it's such good timing for her, to finish the tour and kind of have a break and be able to start a new chapter in her life. So I think the majority of fans are really happy for Britney and that it's definitely a good step for her." The news doesn't come as a big shock to Miller, since rumors of Britney's engagement have been swirling for months. "There were rumors for the last six months pretty much saying he was going to do it in December," Miller said of the couple, who have been <a href="/news/articles/1676167/britney-spears-jason-trawick-engaged-timeline.jhtml">dating since 2009</a>. "So it's cool to see that it actually happened and she's going to get married." Details have not been released as to when Britney will tie the knot, but it seems Miller already has the perfect wedding gift in mind from all of her fans. "If fans could get Britney a cool present, it would be a vacation to a tropical island where she didn't have to be around anyone but Jason," Miller said. What do you think of Britney's engagement? Let us know in the comments.

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Beyoncé - Why Don't You Love Me

Why Don't You Love Me

Artist: Beyoncé
Label:
Director:

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1236911&vid=514842

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Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Beyonce And Jay-Z's Blue Ivy Trademark: An Expert Explains

Couple likely 'trying to protect what they rightfully own or created,' family law expert tells MTV News.
By John Mitchell

Photo: Evan Agostini/ Getty Images

<a href="/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> and <a href="/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a> have filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect their month-old baby's name and reserve it for future use, MTV News has confirmed. The superstar couple reportedly sought the trademark to stop the use of Blue Ivy's name by others. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:725377.id:1676907" width="240" height="211"></div> It's a smart move, according to family law attorney and author <a href="http://www.vikkiziegler.com/" target="_blank">Vikki Ziegler</a>. "[Seeking the trademark] forestalls competitors from using the child's name and or third parties from attempting to sell the baby's name back to the couple," Ziegler told MTV News. "They are likely trying to protect what they rightfully own or created, shall we say, by trademarking Blue Ivy's name." The application to trademark Blue Ivy Carter's name, filed by BGK Trademark Holdings (Beyoncé's company) is currently pending but will likely be approved because, as the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/blue-ivy-the-trademark-feds-move-fast-on-rights-to-beyonce-and-jay-zs-babys-name/2012/02/03/gIQAOTDGnQ_blog.html" target="_blank">Washington Post</a> reports, parents are legally authorized to trademark the names of their minor children. "In essence, it's a trademark for a brand, and this brand is expected to be one hot commodity — just look at Blue Ivy's parents," Ziegler said. "Anyone else that tried to use the name after the trademark was approved could be sued and held liable for damages." <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:724613.id:1676907" width="240" height="211"></div> While the Patent Office looks fondly on attempts to trademark the name of one's own child, attempts to do the same with the names of other people's kids are another story, as two designers learned when they sought — just days after Blue Ivy's birth — to trademark the baby's name for their own use. Applications from fashion designer Joseph Mbeh to patent "Blue Ivy Carter NYC" and by an unnamed designer to trademark "Blue Ivy Carter Glory IV" for a fragrance line were denied by the Patent Office, which noted in its decision that the name belonged to a "very famous infant" and consumers would wrongly assume that any products bearing the name had been approved by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Ziegler noted that the trademark would "protect against others using the child's name as a brand of merchandise in the same marketplace," so it will not impact the "Blue Ivy" trademark held by a clothing boutique in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The store filed to trademark its name on January 19, 2011, a year before Queen B and Jay made the name famous. They received approval on August 23 — five days before <a href="/news/articles/1669849/beyonce-pregnant-vmas.jhtml">Beyoncé announced her pregnancy</a> at the MTV Video Music Awards. What do you think about Beyoncé and Jay-Z trademarking Blue Ivy's name? Let us know in the comments!

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Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel

The Way You Make Me Feel

Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic
Director:
Album: Live Experience

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=208859

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Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy

If U Seek Amy

Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Jive, Zomba Label Group
Director: Jake Nava
Album: What's on My Mind?

Source:
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=354290

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Jennifer Lopez's Stylist Explains Oscars Wardrobe Malfunction

'There's no chance that there were any ... slips,' Mariel Haenn tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena

Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz at the 2012 Oscars
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez is experienced when it comes to looking sexy at an awards show. Who could forget that low-cut, emerald-green Versace dress she wore to the Grammy Awards in 2000?

The actress/ singer/ "American Idol" judge recalled that infamous look on Sunday night when Lopez hit the stage as a presenter at the Oscars and left some fans and viewers wondering whether an unintended part of Lopez's anatomy had slipped out from her dress.

Well, her stylist, Mariel Haenn, tells MTV News in a statement that what you actually saw was a lot of nothing. "The Oscar dress was custom-made for Jennifer by designer Zuhair Murad. The dress fit perfectly to her every inch," Haenn explained. "There were cups built in and there's no chance that there were any how do you say? 'Slips.' While the dress did give the illusion of sheerness, jokes on everyone who wishes they saw something!"

The sparkling gown dazzled on the stage when Lopez stood alongside her "What to Expect When You're Expecting" co-star, the Gucci-clad Cameron Diaz; the two were presenting the Oscar for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup. Regardless of whether anything did end up slipping out, Haeenn promises that if you liked Sunday's costume design for Ms. Lopez, then stay tuned: She's got more sexiness up her sleeve. Haenn said, "If you thought that dress was hot wait until you see what's next."

The possible nip-slip moment was so hotly debated on Twitter by celebrities and fans that Lopez's body part even got its own Twitter account. And as you might imagine, the handle is not subtle, simply going by JLos Nipple. The Twitter account seems to have a sense of humor, with jokes like, "I have no regrets. ... I have been confined for years and have never been given a chance to be heard. #nipslips." Another tweet reads, "For people that don't have HD ... I understand why you aren't following me. For everyone else ... you're welcome."

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com for updates on the night's big winners and the best red-carpet fashion.

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'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' Track List Revealed

First single from Trent Reznor/ Atticus Ross soundtrack is Karen O cover of Led Zeppelin song.
By Gil Kaufman

Rooney Mara in "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Photo: Giles Keyte/Columbia Pictures

You kind of can't go wrong when the soundtrack you've put together for one of the most eagerly anticipated literary adaptations in years kicks off <a href="/music/artist/yeah_yeah_yeahs/artist.jhtml">Yeah Yeah Yeahs</a> singer Karen O's take on <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/led_zeppelin/artist.jhtml">Led Zeppelin</a>'s "Immigrant Song." <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:693384" width="240" height="211"></div> Fans heard the throbbing industrial take on the rock classic cooked up by former Nine Inch Nails mastermind and O when a trailer for the David Fincher-directed "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" leaked back in May. And on Thursday, Oscar-winning industrial-rocker-turned-film composer Reznor and musical partner Atticus Ross unveiled the full track list for their "Tattoo" score album. The follow-up to their award-winning "The Social Network" score was a labor of love, according to a <a href="http://nin.com/?id=102677" target="_blank">post</a> Reznor put up on the NIN site on Thursday announcing the disc. "For the last fourteen months Atticus and I have been hard at work on David Fincher's 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,' " he wrote about the American version of the tale of pierced and punished hacker <a href="/news/articles/1655879/rooney-mara-dragon-tattoo.jhtml">Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara)</a> and her muckraking journalist compatriot <a href="/news/articles/1667542/daniel-craig-rooney-mara-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.jhtml">Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig)</a>. "We laughed, we cried, we lost our minds and in the process made some of the most beautiful and disturbing music of our careers. The result is a sprawling three-hour opus." The album will be released on iTunes on December 9 in two versions. Right now, you can download the Karen O song on iTunes when you pre-order the 39-track album. That download purchase will also give you a link to the <a href="/news/articles/1675297/girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-trailer-extended.jhtml">eight-minute "Dragon Tattoo" trailer</a>, for which Reznor and Ross created a unique score. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:674399" width="240" height="211"></div> But, if you visit the <a href="http://www.nullco.com/GDT/usd.php" target="_blank">NIN online store</a>, Reznor is offering the soundtrack in a variety of forms, from a free six-track sampler to a deluxe 3,000-piece limited-edition signed $300 package with your choice of MP3 formats; the full album on six pieces of 180 gram vinyl; a deluxe book package with a metal cover; an exclusive custom 8 GB metal razor blade USB drive pendant containing the full album; and a fold-out poster. The full album score track list is as follows: » "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin cover) [ft. Karen O] » "She Reminds Me of You" » "People Lie All the Time" » "Pinned and Mounted" » "Perihelion" » "What If We Could?" » "With the Flies" » "Hidden in Snow" » "A Thousand Details" » "One Particular Moment" » "I Can't Take It Anymore" » "How Brittle the Bones" » "Please Take Your Hand Away" » "Cut Into Pieces" » "The Splinter" » "An Itch" » "Hypomania" » "Under the Midnight Sun" » "Aphelion" » "You're Here" » "The Same as the Others" » "A Pause for Reflection" » "While Waiting" » "The Seconds Drag" » "Later Into the Night" » "Parallel Timeline With Alternate Outcome" » "Another Way of Caring" » "A Viable Construct" » "Revealed in the Thaw" » "Millennia" » "We Could Wait Forever" » "Oraculum" » "Great Bird of Prey" » "The Heretics" » "A Pair of Doves" » "Infiltrator" » "The Sound of Forgetting" » "Of Secrets" » "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" (Bryan Ferry cover) Check out everything we've got on <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/movie/456914/moviemain.jhtml">"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."</a> For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit <a href="http://moviesblog.mtv.com/">MTVMoviesBlog.com</a>.

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Photos | MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Saddest Celebrity Breakups

MTV Buzzworthy Blog: Saddest Celebrity Breakups

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Simon Cowell Squashes Beyonce, Mariah Carey 'X Factor' Rumors

Judge also takes shot at 'The Voice,' asking, 'How many artists have they discovered?'
By John Mitchell

Simon Cowell
Photo: FOX

Simon Cowell is finally opening up about the cast shakeups on "The X Factor" as well as about rumors that two very famous divas are in talks to join Fox's reality singing competition. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:698604.id:1672066" width="240" height="211"></div> Late last month, it was announced that judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones had been <a href="/news/articles/1678191/paula-abdul-exits-x-factor.jhtml">fired from "X Factor"</a> and would be replaced in its second season. The announcement came as a shock to fans, but Cowell tells <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simon-cowell-x-factor-firings-voice-287806" target="_blank">"Extra"</a> in an interview airing Wednesday (February 8) that the decision was a long time coming and was ultimately made "at the beginning of the year — and we were told it had to happen straight away." While her dismissal came as a surprise, Cowell says Abdul "was very gracious" about it. "She understands it's business," Cowell said of his real-life friend. "It's never personal." Scherzinger, according to Cowell, was "disappointed" with the producers' decision to replace her. But the former Pussycat Doll insisted in a new <a href="http://www.accesshollywood.com/nicole-scherzinger-talks-x-factor-departure-i-have-no-regrets_article_60184" target="_blank">"Access Hollywood"</a> interview that she "had a wonderful experience on the show." "What happened? Well, all I know is that I gave 110 percent to that show," she said. "I know everybody's talking about it, they're saying good, bad, they love me or hate me, but the one thing you can't say is that I didn't give it my all." Cowell also used his time with "Extra" to squash rumors that Beyoncé or Mariah Carey might be joining the "X Factor" team when it returns to Fox later this year. He seemed particularly amused by <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/08/idUS114237084820120208" target="_blank">talk</a> that the show was offering Beyoncé a nine-figure contract to join the judges' table. "The budget for the show is $100 million. That would never ever happen. It's absolute nonsense," he told "Extra." "No one is going to pay $100 million for someone. I genuinely haven't had a conversation with her about it. Not at all." The same can be said for Carey, who Cowell said he likes very much and would be a fine addition to the show but is an impractical choice because of the long hours involved. "I adore her, love her," he said. "But you can't expect someone who has just had two kids [and] has a record career to make the kind of commitment we would need on this show." "X Factor" did not perform as strongly as expected in the ratings last fall, which many feel precipitated the planned revamp, though the ever-cool Cowell is not sweating the competition. In this latest interview, Cowell took on "The Voice," which returned to NBC after the Super Bowl and delivered big ratings, saying the makeup of his judging panel is what sets "X Factor" apart. "I would ask how many records have they made, how many artists have they discovered?" Cowell asked of "The Voice" mentors Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. "That's where we have to be different on the judging panel. It's very important that you have people on the panel that have actually signed and made artists successful all over the world, not just have made hit records yourself."

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The 2012 Academy Awards Are Handed Out

The stars came out last night at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, CA last night for the 84th annual Academy Awards in order to celebrate their own and heap praise and awards on the best of the best in Film from the last year. By pretty much all accounts, last night’s Oscars telecast was not [...]

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

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Monday, 27 February 2012

Beyonce And Jay-Z Unveil First Blue Ivy Carter Photos

'We welcome you to share in our joy,' reads a note posted with the five photos, signed by 'the Carter family.'
By Kelley L. Carter

Beyonce and Blue Ivy Carter
Photo: Courtesy of the Carter family

And now we've seen her. On Friday (February 10), <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a> posted the first photos of his and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a>'s daughter, <a href="/news/articles/1676906/beyonce-jay-z-baby-born-ivy-blue.jhtml">Blue Ivy Carter</a>, on his <a href="http://lifeandtimes.com/glory" target="_blank">Life + Times</a> website. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="id:1676907" width="240" height="211"></div> The rapper and his superstar wife are seen in the photos holding the newborn in a series of five photos. In the first large photo, we see the baby swathed in a polka-dot wrap sleeping. In the remaining images, she has her eyes wide open and is being held by her beaming mother, and in another, her back is to us while she's being held by her smiling father. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/thumbnails.jhtml?fid=1679016&view=thumb">Photos: Blue Ivy Carter revealed.</a> There's a note that reads: "We welcome you to share in our joy. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this beautiful time in our lives. The Carter family." The baby-picture reveal is just the latest Blue Ivy news. On Thursday, it was confirmed that the high-profile couple filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to <a href="/news/articles/1678877/beyonce-jay-z-blue-ivy-trademark.jhtml">trademark Blue Ivy's name</a>. The patent is intended to prevent the use of their daughter's name by non-related parties. The application was filed by Beyoncé's company, BGK Trademark Holdings, and is currently pending. The Washington Post reported that it will likely get approved, considering that parents are legally authorized to trademark the names of minor children. Earlier this week, Beyoncé revealed her post-pregnancy body, and she's back in fighting shape only a month after the birth of her baby girl. <a href="/news/articles/1678670/beyonce-post-baby-appearance-jay-z.jhtml">B was photographed twice</a> this week, including at the first night of <a href="/news/articles/1678669/jay-z-carnegie-hall.jhtml">Jay-Z's two-night charity stint at Carnegie Hall</a>. What do you think of the first Blue Ivy photos? Let us know in the comments!

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2012 Oscars: Best And Worst Speeches

Meryl Streep and Jean Dujardin won us over, while Bret McKenzie made a critical omission during his acceptance.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

Meryl Streep wins at the 84th annual Academy Awards
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

One of the most essential parts of any Oscar night is the speeches. If you win, your job is only halfway done. Now you have to get up onstage in front of a billion people and practice your public speaking.

Some are heartfelt, some are funny, and some will go down in history — for better or worse. With so much of the ceremony dedicated to acceptance speeches, it's important to look back and decide who owned the night and who fell on their face.

Here are our best and worst speeches of the 2012 Academy Awards:

Best
Octavia Spencer for Best Supporting Actress
For as predictable as Spencer's win for Best Supporting Actress was, her speech ended the long road to Oscar night in style. She went with the time-tested acceptance-speech traditions of emotion and honesty. Plus, she thanked the state of Alabama, the only state to get a shout-out during the night.

Meryl Streep for Best Actress
It came as a big surprise, and no one knew that better than Streep. Her "whatever" attitude almost had us forget the upset win over Viola Davis. It may not have been the most just outcome, but at the very least we got a funny speech instead.

Christopher Plummer for Best Supporting Actor
As the oldest person to ever win an acting Oscar, Plummer outdid most everyone younger than him and delivered one of the most memorable speeches of the night. It was class all the way for Plummer, who sincerely thanked his wife, daughter and co-star Ewan McGregor. He joked that, in his mother's womb, "I was already rehearsing my Academy acceptance speech, but it was so long ago, mercifully for you, I've forgotten it."

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash for Best Adapted Screenplay
You have to admit that Angelina Jolie was standing a little oddly, with her right leg out of the high slit in her dress, as she read the names of the nominees. Jim Rash, known for his role on "Community," also took note and mimicked the strange posture after he won the award for his work on the "Descendants" screenplay.

Jean Dujardin for Best Actor
A good way to score points as a Frenchman winning an Academy Award in America is to open your speech with, "I love your country!" Dujardin read the rest of his speech to help with his English, but it was the outburst in French at the end of his acceptance that really won us over.

Worst
Bret McKenzie for Best Song
Listen, Bret. We love you, and we're so happy you won. But there would be no Muppets movie without Jason Segel. He may not have written any of the songs, but he co-wrote the film, put his name on the line and sang "Man or Muppet," the winning song. At the very least, you should have given the man a simple "thanks."

Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall for Best Editing
It's understandable that you were caught off guard — "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" didn't get a whole lot of nominations — but you need to be a little more prepared than you were. You're still expected to give a speech. You won just a year ago, so you have enough experience with this kind of thing.

Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland for Best Makeup
It's OK if you write your speech down before you head onto the stage to accept your award. It's even OK if you read your speech directly from the cards you wrote them on. But please make sure that the speech is a good one if you're going to do so.

The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night's big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.

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Beyonce's Baby, Britney's Betrothal And More: 2012 Predictions

We forecast the year that will be for your favorite stars, in Bigger Than the Sound.
By James Montgomery

Beyonce on the 2011 VMA black carpet
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Welcome to 2012, the year that will either bring us <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon" target="_blank">the end of civilization</a> as we know it or perhaps flying cars (finally!) Of course, between those two events, there's also going to be a presidential election, the London Olympics and that last "Twilight" movie (finally x 100!), not to mention a whole lot of activity within the lives of your favorite stars, too: Babies, weddings, honorary doctorates in nanotechnology; this is the year it'll all happen. <div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:722495.id:1672369" width="240" height="211"></div> Which is why, with the new year upon us, I've decided to get my <a href="http://www.amazingkreskin.com/" target="_blank">Kreskin</a> on with these predictions for 2012. Don't ask me to gaze deep into my crystal ball and try to foresee who'll win the White House or the World Series, because, seriously, if I knew that, don't you think I'd be wagering right now? Instead, I'm tackling the important topics. Here's my 2012 forecast for the Beyoncés and Britneys of the world ... partly cloudy, with a zero-percent chance of accuracy. » <a href="/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> and <a href="/music/artist/jay_z/artist.jhtml">Jay-Z</a> will welcome a daughter, who, upon her, uh, release, will also release her debut single, "Run the World (Me)." » <a href="/music/artist/adele/artist.jhtml">Adele</a> will win every single Grammy, including a stunning upset of Eres Un Farsante in the Best Regional Mexican Or Tejano Album category. » <a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> and Jason Trawick will tie the knot in an elaborate, multi-denominational ceremony held — eh, I don't even care enough to finish this one. » <a href="/music/artist/perry_katy/artist.jhtml">Katy Perry</a>, having finally run out of singles to release off Teenage Dream, will spend the entirety of 2012 shooting videos for objects around her house. Her hits will include "Toaster," "KitchenAid Tilt-Head Stand Mixer" and "This Towel Set Someone Gave Russell and I for Our Wedding That We Keep in the Guest Bathroom." » <a href="/music/artist/dr_dre/artist.jhtml">Dr. Dre</a> will indefinitely scrap Detox and instead drop a more age-appropriate album called The Chronic Arthritis. » <a href="/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> will wear a crazy hat or something. » <a href="/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a> will release six albums in 2012, each more raunchy than the last. Titles include Speculum, [Censored] [Censored] On My [Censored], and Songs About F---ing, which, oddly, will be a note-for-note remake of Big Black's Songs About F---ing. » Dave Grohl is sure to do something awesome. » <a href="/music/artist/drake/artist.jhtml">Drake</a>'s sweater game will become so advanced that he will surpass Bill Cosby as the world's foremost expert on multi-hued knitwear. On a related note, he will also release a comedy album called To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With. » <a href="/music/artist/minaj__nicki/artist.jhtml">Nicki Minaj</a> will stun the fashionistas when she appears at the annual Met Ball wearing a nice pantsuit she bought at Bealls. » <a href="/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> will finally get that bike without the training wheels, since he's a big boy now. » <a href="/music/artist/black_keys/artist.jhtml">The Black Keys</a>, buoyed by the success of their <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-black-keys/706819/lonely-boy.jhtml">"Lonely Boy" video</a>, will shoot another dance-only clip for "Gold on the Ceiling," this one set at Gallagher's 2000 and featuring nothing but topless women. Surprisingly, it will become the most-viewed music video in the history of everything. » <a href="/music/artist/lil_wayne/artist.jhtml">Lil Wayne</a> will come full circle, get a tattoo of his face on his face. » <a href="/music/artist/guns_n_roses/artist.jhtml">Guns N' Roses</a> will reunite at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in April, only with that dude who plays a guitar shaped like a foot filling in for Slash and Tommy Stinson replacing Duff on bass. So, actually, it won't be Guns N' Roses at all. » <a href="/music/artist/coldplay/artist.jhtml">Coldplay</a>'s Chris Martin is just going to be fingerpainting everything. » <a href="/music/artist/ross__rick__rap_/artist.jhtml">Rick Ross</a> will be named the Memphis Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year for his tremendous achievements in <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/08/05/rick-ross-wingstop">Wingstop-ery.</a> » <a href="/music/artist/west_kanye/artist.jhtml">Kanye West</a> will literally explode. » Fans of <a href="/music/artist/skrillex/artist.jhtml">Skrillex</a> will stop and realize that, in 1997, EDM was poised take over America too, and we ended up with Limp Bizkit as a result.

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'The Artist' Star Jean Dujardin Nabs Best Actor Oscar

The French actor bests George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman and Demian Bichir in the hotly contested race.
By Ryan J. Downey

Jean Dujardin wins Best Actor at the 2012 Oscars
Photo: Robyn Beck/ AFP/ Getty Images

For several weeks, conventional wisdom foretold that the Best Actor contest would come down to George Clooney ("The Descendants") and Jean Dujardin ("The Artist"), and Sunday night (February 26), the suspense was finally lifted.

And the Oscar went to: Jean Dujardin.

Dujardin bested a field that included Clooney's pal Brad Pitt ("Moneyball"), veteran actor/ first time nominee Gary Oldman ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy") and Mexican-born Demian Bichir ("A Better Life"). "The Artist" also took home awards in two other major categories, Best Director and Best Picture.

Many viewers snickered when the Oscars announcer teased a commercial break by saying, "With no clear favorite, anyone could win" leading into the bigger awards. Several of the winners at the 84th Annual Academy Awards were long thought to be foregone conclusions, but Best Actor was one of the more hotly contested, as both Clooney and Dujardin racked up several awards at ceremonies leading up to Sunday.

The 39-year-old French actor and comedian spent this awards season accumulating victories at the AACTA, BAFTA, Cannes, the Golden Globes, Hollywood Film Festival, Independent Spirit Awards and several critical associations.

"Key to the success of 'The Artist' is the work of its two French stars," wrote the Los Angeles Times' Kenneth Turan. "Dujardin and [Bérénice] Bejo, bursting off the screen like irrepressible Roman candles, give performances that are both subtle and incandescent, reminding us of the truth of silent star Norma Desmond's famous 'Sunset Blvd.' line, 'We didn't need dialogue. We had faces.' "

Awards for "The Descendants" are undoubtedly crowding Clooney's mantlepiece. The 50-year-old actor's portrayal of conflicted father Matt King earned him trophies at the Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, the Golden Globes and the Hollywood Film Festival, among others. He won his first Oscar in 2005 for "Syrianna."

On the red carpet before the show, Clooney told MTV News he'd like to see the award go to his thrice-nominated pal.

"Let's give it to Brad. I love him."