Singer will open up about his appearance in the off-Broadway show 'Fuerza Bruta,' as well his new album, during 'MTV First' on Wednesday. By Jocelyn Vena
Usher's <i>Looking 4 Myself</i> cover art Photo: RCA
Sure, anyone can hold an album-listening party at some record label's headquarters or, to really mix it up, some swanky nightclub. But forUsher, that just wasn't enough. When he was looking for a way to debut tracks offLooking 4 Myself,
out June 12, he found another way to spread the word.
Last month, Usher appeared in the off-Broadway show"Fuerza Bruta," in which he played the male lead, Running Man, for one night only. During the show, he played all his newest, shiniest tracks for lucky theatergoers. When MTV News spoke to him exclusively during rehearsals, he explained that his part in "Fuerza" provided the perfect pairing between the themes on his album and the visuals of the play.
"I mean, life is like that in a lot of ways. This was something that I organically came to," he explained. "When you think about the lyrics of 'Climax,' 'Going nowhere fast/ We reached the climax' ... 'Going nowhere fast' would be running in place," he explained, referring to a part in the show where he runs on a treadmill, never actually ending up anywhere.
"Looking 4 Myself, I'm walking with my head down, counting every step," he explained, referring to another act in the show. "I'm always trying to find very creative ways for the music and the art to work together and this is it. I only hoped it would be viewed in that way, in an unprecedented way. I hoped that people would be able to identify with it and become acclimated with my experience in a fun way, creative. This was kind of an emotional experience that leads you into my world."
Usher has even more to share about his experience in the show as well as his highly anticipated album release. He will open up during"MTV First: Usher," set to take place on Wednesday, May 16, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV. He will introduce exclusive footage from "Fuerza Bruta" and his new single, the Pharrell-produced "Twisted," and will stick around for an interview with MTV News' Sway Calloway to discuss it all on MTV.com afterward. Fans can submit questions via MTV.com or Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtag #MTVFirst or #AskUsher.
The performances featured in "MTV First: Usher" were shot exclusively by MTV News during a special album-listening experience with the off-Broadway show "Fuerza Bruta" in New York City.
Don't miss "MTV First: Usher" on Wednesday, May 16, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by an interview with the singer on MTV.com!
During a recent radio interview,Royce Reed revealed how she felt about the "BBW" backlash, where she stands with the cast and if she is still withDezmon Briscoe. Deets inside....
Royce Reedcalled in for some "Girl Talk" with TT Torrezon iPower 92.1 talked about all the drama on “Basketball Wives.” No subject was off limits as she dished on loving Dezmon, fighting with Shaunie and Evelyn and the "BBW" backlash. Check out the highlights:
On why Shaunie refuses to film with her:
Royce says she has no idea what Shaunie is upset with her about. She reached out to Shaunie but never received a response. Royce then went on to say Shaunie had issues with her doing interviews but Royce says she’s only defending herself.
On her relationship with Jennifer Williams:
She says she and Jen are cool. They both apologized to each other and are moving forward.
On celebrities saying “Basketball Wives” promotes bullying:
Royce said at one time she quit the show because she felt it was going the wrong route. She said she fought to have producers show another side of her and that’s why we get to see other aspects of her verses just seeing her fuss and fight with her castmates. She added that the show was like a mirror for her and helped her to change her life for the positive.
On Tami’s actions on the past two episodes:
Royce said she sees where a lot of people are coming from when it comes to her attitude. Royce explained why she never took sides and said what Tami DID and how she reacted was wrong. She said there’s another side of Tami that’s loving and funny.
On her having to be in a relationship and her relationship with her dad:
First Royce breaks down her previous relationships on the show. She then talks about her relationship with her father explaining how it’s hard for her to talk to her dad because of the way he speaks to her. She credits the show for opening up a line of communication between her father and herself and they are now at peace.
On her relationship status with Tampa Bay baller Dezmon Briscoe:
She says she and Dezmon are good. As far as the situation that happened on Twitterbetween Dezmon’s baby mama and her, she says it was crazy. She claims although him texting her was wrong, Dezmon has NEVER cheated on her and that the whole situation was extremely messy. She said she’s not leaving him because the world is telling her so.
After the announcement that she adopted son Jackson in March, the actress was spotted wearing Dalla Nonna's delicate yellow gold "J" initial necklace (starting at $225) to celebrate her little bundle.
Andre 3000?one half of the now seemingly-defunct progressive hip hop duo OutKast?seems to have found a way to keep himself busy in the vacuum of his band?s hiatus.� The eccentric and gifted performer is set to play another oddball musician: Jimi Hendrix. Andre 3000 has been rumored for years to be considering the role of [...]
Singer shines in New York alongside stars including Rihanna and Kristen Stewart. By Jocelyn Vena
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/news.jhtml">Beyonc&#233;</a> isn't letting motherhood slow her down. On Monday night, Queen B hit the red carpet at the splashy Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in a dress that left very little to the imagination.</P><P>Her sheer, skintight Givenchy haute couture gown was highlighted with black sequins and beading, as well as purple and black feathers on the floor-length hemline. The dress showed off her fit, curvaceous post-baby body. B was one of many fashionistas who dazzled at the annual fete.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Beyonce, Nina Dobrev, Rihanna And More Shine At Met Fashion Gala" id="vid:767073" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>Other fashionable standouts included <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a>, who hit the event in a black, long-sleeved column gown with lizard-like printing over the fabric. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/person/262629/personmain.jhtml">Kristen Stewart</a> also made a statement in a knee-length color-block Balenciaga dress. And "Vampire Diaries" star Nina Dobrev glittered in a black one-shoulder Donna Karan gown that hugged her body.</P><P>Beyonc&#233;'s red-carpet-ready look arrived just as she announced that she's added another date to her set of <a href="/news/articles/1681308/beyonce-memorial-day-atlantic-city-shows.jhtml">comeback shows</a> in Atlantic City later this month. The singer has added a fourth show to her Memorial Day weekend residency at the Revel entertainment center in the New Jersey shore town. Tickets for the May 28 show go on sale on May 14, according to <a href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00050361.html" target="_blank">Aceshowbiz.com</a>.</P><P>The singer's first shows since 2011 will take place in the smoke-free Revel's signature performance space, Ovation Hall, which was designed by a team of Cirque du Soleil veterans.</P><P><b>Get daily updates on the best red-carpet looks and the hottest Hollywood fashion at <a href="http://style.mtv.com">MTV Style</a>!</b></p>
Following skepticism about Kutcher's ability to pull off playing Apple founder, photos of the actor in costume have surfaced. By Kevin P. Sullivan
Ashton Kutcher Photo: Dr. Billy Ingram/ WireImage
It may have been difficult to picture practical jokerAshton Kutcher portraying Steve Jobs after it was announced he would lead an upcoming biopic about the former Apple innovator. Some comparison photos certainly helped, but nowTMZ has the first shots of Kutcher in full Jobs regalia, mock turtleneck and all.
The paparazzi snapped a few pictures of Kutcher outside of a Starbucks in what is reportedly his full costume for the tentatively titled movie "Jobs: Get Inspired." In addition to the signature black mock turtleneck, Kutcher is wearing loose-fitting jeans and cross trainers, an outfit anyone familiar with Jobs would recognize as his style.
Kutcher joined the film back in April to a decidedly mixed response, but after a comparison image with side-by-side photos of a long-haired Kutcher and Jobs from the 1970s started to pop up on the Web, the resemblance was hard to deny.
Directed by "Swing Vote" helmer Joshua Michael Stern, "Jobs" will examine the Apple founder's life and innovations from the 1970s to the end of the 20th century. "Book of Mormon" breakout Josh Gad signed on a few weeks after Kutcher to play Jobs' partner and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
The role comes at a tumultuous time for Kutcher. After a very public breakup from wife Demi Moore, Kutcher stirred controversy twice with comments made about former Penn State coach Joe Paterno's firing and, more recently, aPop Chips ad that featured the actor made up to appear Indian and adopting a mock accent.
"Jobs" is set to be released sometime next year.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visitMTVMoviesBlog.com.
Former 'Survivor' contestant Rob Cesternino weighs in on the final five contestants vying for the title of Sole Survivor. By Josh Wigler
Kim Spradlin on "Survivor: One World" Photo: CBS
A foulmouthed special-ed teacher, a medical-sales-repping Southern belle, an indecisive career consultant from Hollywood, a sneaky bridal shop owner and a high school teacher from Brooklyn: These are the women competing for the million-dollar prize on Sunday night's (May 13) "Survivor: One World" season finale.
In a season dominated by just one contestant — 29-year-old Kim Spradlin, who has won numerous immunity challenges and forged multiple alliances to get to the endgame — predicting the "One World" winner isn't quite as challenging as it's been in "Survivor" seasons of yore. But thisis "Survivor" we're talking about, and twists are the name of the game. There's no shortage of curveballs that could be thrown at the final five contestants in tonight's race for the Sole Survivor title.
As we've done all season long, MTV News joined forces with two-time "Survivor" contestant and regular commentatorRob Cesternino once again for his final "One World" predictions.
Most Likely to Win: Kim Spradlin "Since the departure of Colton, 'Survivor: One World' has been the season of Kim," Cesternino said. "She's been in control of every single thing that's happened the whole way. She's had her finger on the pulse of the game. She played an amazing game and I think it would be almost criminal if she did not win — barring a total collapse during the finale."
Least Likely to Win: Christina Cha "Christina at no point in the game has been in a favorable position," Rob reasoned. "It seems unlikely to think that she'll run off with two consecutive immunity challenges here at the end, when she's never even been in the mix to win one immunity challenge. She doesn't have the respect of the jury, considering some of those people were terrified by the possibility of going home before Christina. She hasn't doneanything to get there."
Dark-Horse Pick: Sabrina Thompson "I think she is very savvy," the former player said. "I also think she's well-liked by the jury. I think she could be an alternative to Kim in the finals, where she's able to sit there and say, 'Look, I didn't lie to you, and I didn't backstab you. That was all Kim. All of that bad stuff? Kim. I was here the whole way, and I was tough.' Sabrina is someone who could at least get a couple of votes in the finals. Maybe, if the jury goes anti-Kim, she could potentially squeak out a victory."
Worst-Case Scenario: Bitter Jury Syndrome "I think it would be a shame if Kim makes it all the way to the finals and ends up losing the jury vote just as a way of getting back at her for voting out all of the men in the game," Rob said. "It's happened before on 'Survivor,' where the jury is bitter. I don't think Kim's social game has been lacking. It would be good to see someone who plays the best game get rewarded by the jury. Otherwise, as Russell Hantz has said before, the game would be flawed."
Biggest Possible Surprise: Kim Goes at Four "The most surprising thing that could happen at the end of the season, for me, would be that one of these players smartens up and realizes that Kim has had the immunity idol and can't play it once she hits the final four. If she doesn't win that immunity challenge, the smartest thing that any of them can do is to take her out," Cesternino said. "If I'm Chelsea, and if I'm Sabrina, I don't know how I've gone this far without ever trying to take out Kim. It kills me to see these players roll over and die and give this game to Kim as they've done all season. If they turned on her at the final four, I would be very surprised."
Get more of Rob's thoughts on "Survivor" by following him onTwitter.
This week She & Him singer Zooey Deschanel landed a gig on Broadway. She’ll be playing a major role on Loretta Lynn‘s musical adaptation of Coal Miner’s Daughter.�Also, Whitney Houston‘s family got their own reality series on Lifetime. We’ve also got an update on Eminem‘s upcoming movie Southpaw. Catch up on this week’s news below. [...]
The film works most of the time, but its conclusion is sure to leave fans divided. By John Mitchell
Eva Green and Johnny Depp in "Dark Shadows" Photo: Warner Bros
finally hit theaters Friday (May 11), and let me tell you, it's a doozy. There's a lot to admire about Tim Burton's reimagined "Shadows" (and there are some problems as well), but the question that has lingered with me most since seeing the film is who exactly Tim Burton made it for.
I'm not sure it was "Shadows" purists, those who ran home from school to soak up the strange, dark and wonderful late-'60s soap opera and who still have a strong connection to the style and feel of the original. It's probably not for fans of Burton and Johnny Depp's earlier collaborations either, even though thetrailers and TV spots sell it like it's supposed to be.
"Shadows" has long been talked about as a passion project for Burton and Depp, so in the end, maybe they made it for themselves. And the thing is, up until the very last 15 or so minutes, I was right there with them: Their affection for the original is clear, the performances are uniformly wonderful and it gives Burton room to breathe in a way we haven't seen in years. It's unfortunate that its everything-but-the-kitchen-sink conclusion feels strangely tacked on, because until then "Shadows" is the best thing the pair have done together since Depp gave one of his finest performances in Burton's touchingly bizarre 1994 film "Ed Wood."
Barnabas Collins isn't anything like Depp's crazed Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland" or his maniacal Willy Wonka from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Don't be fooled by the jump-cut trailer — it actually falls among his more reserved performances. The zingers that seem borderline farcical in the trailer work better than you expect — they certainly earned hearty laughs from the audience when I saw the flick — and are peppered throughout, lending a more even tone than I expected.
Depp's Barnabas is an old-fashioned gentleman trapped in the body of a monster, and the actor never lets that fact get lost, even when the film's myriad subplots pull him in a hundred different directions. His vampire is far more human than the actor sometimes seems in movies in which his character's heart is still beating.
In a testament to how winning Depp is, he's able to play a 200-year-old vampire in (occasionally too obvious) white makeup without sucking all the air out the room, leaving room for the supporting players to soar. Most notable are Michelle Pfeiffer and Eva Green.
Pfeiffer is in full-on grande dame mode as family matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. It's a kick to see the thrice Oscar-nominated actress get a meaty role in a big picture like this, and she does not waste the opportunity, providing the entire affair with some much-needed grounding. Her gaze is steely and she carries herself regally, though years of hardship have clearly chipped away at her character's resolve, all of which comes across like a metaphor for the crumbling estate she guards, Collinwood.
Green is a four-alarm hoot as the evil witch Angelique Bouchard, or Angie, as she's come to be known by the townspeople in Collinsport, where she's reinvented herself as a fishing magnate specifically to take down the Collins family business. Sure, she's an evil witch who has been tormenting the Collins family for centuries, but these days she's more of a cherry-red-convertible-driving good-time girl — albeit one with grudge that runsdeep. Green chews the scenery and spits it out, which works like gangbusters in an over-the-top movie like this. She's so game throughout, you almost find yourself rooting for the bad guy.
As for Burton's direction, there's an unexpected streak of sentimentality and nostalgia running through "Shadows" that recalls "Big Fish" as much as it does the film's more logical brothers ("Sleepy Hollow," "Beetlejuice"). Operating on sets instead of green-screen soundstages, he hasn't set his "Shadows" in a cartoon. Collinsport feels like a real place — the family manor has character, and there's Gothic atmosphere to spare.
We haven't hit on the story too much because, well, there's a lot of it. In his rush to cover as much ground from the series as possible (and leave the door open for possible sequels), screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith is a little too quick to truncate story lines that were developed over a more than thousand-episode run on the soap. It's all hung broadly on the milestones of Barnabas' attempts to reinvigorate the family business while courting Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote) and acclimate to the many changes that have happened during the 200 years he was entombed.
Consider Barnabas' attempts to make himself mortal again with the help of Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter, bringing as much drunk fun as she can to an otherwise thankless part). It was the through line of the early-'90s revamp of "Shadows" but is a side note here — one saddled with an unnecessary added twist.
But with more working than not, we were willing to forgive that lack of focus until things took a fiery final turn. Perhaps unable to find a reasonable way to wrap up the many story lines, Grahame-Smith and Burton take things a little too far off the rails with a noisy and scattered climax that doesn't make much sense. Even the actors seem unsure of what's happening, and Depp, Pfeiffer and Green struggle to stay afloat amid all the noise.
(We're not even going to go there with the last-minute plot twist tossed at Chloë Moretz's character.)
"Shadows" will almost certainly leave casual fans baffled, not because it's bad (to be fair, some in the MTV Newsroom were not as turned off by the ending as we were), but because it's a passion project wearing the mask of a summer blockbuster.
Have you seen "Dark Shadows"? Let us know in the comments below!
This Sunday, a new episode of ?Tough Love: New Orleans? will premiere at 9/8c on VH1 immediately following an all-new ?Mob Wives.? Get More: Tough Love (Season 4)
E L James' next two books include another erotica tale and a YA paranormal novel. By Fallon Prinzivalli
"Fifty Shades of Grey" book cover Photo: The Writer's Coffee Shop
America's new favorite erotica author is making the switch to the young adult genre. "Fifty Shades of Grey" — originally penned as"Twilight" fan fiction — follows the sadomasochistic affair of a handsome, business tycoon named Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, the college graduate he seduces. But with a whole trilogy under her belt telling the couple's erotic tales — the sequels entitled "Fifty Shades Darker" and "Fifty Shades Freed" — author E L James is setting her sights on new stories.
The author toldUSA Today that she has two more novels stashed up her sleeve. One is another sensual tale in the vein of "Fifty Shades" and the second is a young adult paranormal novel.
"I've got several more good ideas, but how do you follow this?" she toldUSA Today of "Fifty Shades." "I've set the bar quite high in terms of storytelling."
The rights to the book were optioned by Universal Pictures and Focus Features, sparking a frenzy surrounding what daring actors would take on the titillating characters.Ian Somerhalder and Alexander Skarsgård both expressed interest in the film adaptation, and when Kristen Stewart was asked if she would read the book, she exclaimed, "Hell yeah!" But right now the big question is whether it's possible for themovie to be granted an R rating when it's clearly NC-17-level material.
"Making this movie will absolutely be a challenge. It is going to take a devoted director who admittedly likes the books and understands that, first and foremost, this is a love story," Lisa Parker fromFiftyShadesFilm.com told MTV News. "If telling the love story is the main focus, then we do believe the steamy sex scenes can be shot and edited in a way to get us an R-rated movie rather than NC-17...[the fans] are confident that Ms. James will protect the integrity of her story regardless of the ultimate rating."
Will you read E L James' young adult novel? Leave your comment below!
Sounding every bit the proud new mom,Jessica Simpson took to Twitter Friday to gush about her newborn daughterMaxwell Drew.
"I'm addicted to buying headbands with massive flowers for Maxwell on Etsy!" Jessica, 31,tweeted. "She is insanely beautiful, I can't help but play dress up!"
Ok so day seven of our 7 days of sex challenge was obviously sexless, but that didn?t mean we couldn?t do the vow renewal part. And after the week we had, I think we both really wanted to. We sat down and talked the week out, it had certainly been an eventful one and was life changing. Though I wouldn?t say we said vows like in our wedding, we did talk about how far we have come since we met. We were 19, young, and had the world ahead of us. Now at 29 and 30, with 8 years of marriage under our belt, we still have so much ahead of us, but our future is much more planned ? less sporadic. And that includes our sex life. I think when you start off so young you go through huge changes, and sometimes you grow in different directions. It doesn?t mean you love each other less, but you become different people. So growing in a relationship and learning about each other is a continuous process. We have gone from college students, to an engaged couple (in college), married (in college, and that was a challenge), to graduates with real jobs, [...]
CTE and Anwhat Entertainment present the hot new street album “In 45 Dayz”!!!� JW (CTE) and A Bay Bay deliver banging music and a powerful message to the industry that you will not want to miss.� The album features 4 brand new tracks with production from Rico Love, Phat Boy Beatz,� Billy Syn of� VK[...]
We begin our recap of Survivor One World, Episode 13 on Night 33. The Tikiano Tribe has returned from Tribal Council after voting off Kat. The women seem giddy about it, but Tarzan, the last man left, is becoming more concerned about his own fate. He talks with Kim about the finals and tries to convince her that the Jury might support Chelsea or Sabrina over her. Tarzan thinks the men of the Jury will hate him since he helped betray the gender, and that the Jury has little love for either Alicia or Christina. Kim listens and seems to agree in part with what Tarzan is saying, but she hates the idea of betraying her gal-pal, Chelsea. Jeff Probst offers no relief for the last man standing, Dr. Tarzan, as he is booted from Survivor One World.� Image Credit:� PNP / Wenn.com. Day 34 and Chelsea is thinking that the tribe is now split evenly at 3 each. The factions are her, Kim and Sabrina versus Tarzan, Alicia and Christina. Chelsea talks with Christina about booting Tarzan next and promises to take Christina on a reward should she win one. Christina tells Kim, Alicia and Tarzan about Chelsea?s conversation. [...]
She?s always looking for ways to expand her empire, and Jennifer Lopez was spotted launching her new fragrance Glowing at Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles yesterday (May 10).
The ?On The Floor? songstress looked marvelous as she posed for the press, celebrating ten years of sexy scents with the Coty company.
And it was a busy day for J Lo, as she was also seen on stage as a musical guest on ?American Idol? with her new single ?Dance Again.?
Lopez was introduced by her fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler, and joined by her boyfriend Casper Smart and a bevy of hunky backup dancers.
In a typed out message on her blog, Bristol Palin slammed President Barack Obama for announcing his support of gay marriage.
The former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant honed in on the fact that Obama's decision for the announcement was influenced by his teenage daughters writing in part on her blog, ?While it?s great to listen to your kids? ideas, there?s also a time when dads simply need to be dads. In this case, it would?ve been helpful for him to explain to Malia and Sasha that while her friends parents are no doubt lovely people, that?s not a reason to change thousands of years of thinking about marriage.?
The 21-year-old continued, ?As great as her friends may be ? we know that in general kids do better growing up in a mother/father home. Ideally, fathers help shape their kids? worldview.?
Using a bit of snarky sarcasm Palin added, ?In this situation, it was the other way around. I guess we can be glad that Malia and Sasha aren?t younger, or perhaps today?s press conference might have been about appointing Dora the Explorer as Attorney General because of her success in stopping Swiper the Fox.?
Bristol wrapped up the message titled "Hail to the Chiefs ? Malia and Sasha Obama" by concluding, ?Sometimes dads should lead their family in the right ways of thinking. In this case, it would?ve been nice if the President would?ve been an actual leader and helped shape their thoughts instead of merely reflecting what many teenagers think after one too many episodes of ?Glee.??
