Justin Timberlake has busted out the cover art for FutureSex/LoveSounds — and it pictures him busting up a disco ball. The snazzy singer grins as he stomps on the glass, although it's highly unlikely that'll discourage clubs from
playing his wildly successful, "TRL"-topping new single, "SexyBack." The LP hits stores September 12, while "All Eyes On: Justin Timberlake" airs on MTV Tuesday, August 15, at 11 p.m. ...
Mark your calendars now: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is scheduled to hit theaters November 21, 2008, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The sixth chapter of the franchise hasn't announced a cast or director yet. The boy wizard's next big-screen adventure, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," will premiere in July 2007. ...
Singers aren't the only ones who will be competing on the upcoming season of "American Idol." Amateur and professional songwriters will face off for the chance to write songs for the show's finalists that might better suit their singing styles, producer Simon Fuller told the Los Angeles Times. ...
"Who's the heiress of them all?" A box bearing Paris Hilton's name will pose that question beginning October 1 when the actress/singer's latest fragrance, Heiress, hits stores. Like many perfumes, Paris' new signature scent draws on fruity (orange, passion fruit and peach), floral (jasmine, ylang-ylang) and earthy (vetiver, tonka bean) inspirations. But Heiress is out to set itself apart from the flood of celeb scents with its packaging — the bottle features a built-in mirror. ... Mya is returning to the airwaves this month with "Ayo," the first single from her forthcoming album, Liberation. The singer's fourth LP is due November 14. ...
Eva Longoria, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Tina Fey, Wentworth Miller, Stephen Colbert, Helen Mirren and Bradley Whitford have been confirmed as presenters for the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The show, to be hosted by Conan O'Brien ("Late Night with Conan O'Brien"), will broadcast live on NBC from Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, August 27, at 8 p.m. ET. ...
Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx is launching his own clothing line, named Royal Underground, Women's Wear Daily reports. The partnership between Sixx and Kelly Gray — the former co-president and spokesmodel for St. John Knits — will feature contemporary sportswear. "I don't think anyone else could have convinced me to get back into this business," Gray said, "but he has a passion for clothing that is unparalleled. I was happy to take a year off, but [Sixx] had a passion for this business that I have only seen in the mirror." ...
Calling it one of the "biggest conspiracies in entertainment history," Michael Jackson claims that he has recently received documents that reveal a plan by former associates to force him into involuntary bankruptcy. According to a press release from Jackson's spokesperson, the documents purportedly show a plot by former attorneys to force the singer into insolvency by conspiring with other attorneys, vendors and creditors. The statement said Jackson has instructed his legal team to file claims against some of the alleged conspirators for "conspiracy, bad faith and self dealing," with the possibility that the documents could be forwarded to the U.S. attorney general for review and possible involvement. "Mr. Jackson is neither shocked nor surprised by these revelations," Jackson's general manager, Raymone K. Bain, said. "Based on the timing of events that have impacted his personal and professional life in recent years, he has long been suspicious that some of those whom he entrusted to act on his behalf, and to advise him with respect to his personal and business affairs, may not have always acted in his best interests." ...
Paul and Heather Mills McCartney's split is becoming increasingly bitter. For their divorce proceedings, they've hired the same lawyers who represented Prince Charles and Princess Diana when they split, Reuters reports. A spokesperson for Mills confirmed on Tuesday (August 8) that McCartney has frozen their joint bank account and sent a letter to Mills claiming that three bottles of cleaning fluid had been removed from his Sussex home and taken to Mills' nearby office instead. Earlier Tuesday, she was kept out of McCartney's London home after discovering that the locks had been changed, and police were called to the residence after Mills' security guard scaled a wall to let her in. The Associated Press reports that Mills stayed the night with daughter Beatrice, 2, after entering the home. "She said it was hilarious. It was just a complete mix-up," a spokesperson for Mills said, although a spokesperson for McCartney would not comment on the matter. ...
Phil Spector was ordered Monday to disclose whether he discussed the death of actress Lana Clarkson with his former personal assistant, AP reports. The order came as part of proceedings in a lawsuit filed by a former Spector assistant who is alleging sexual harassment and wrongful termination. Spector's former assistant Michelle Blaine claims she was fired because she wouldn't promise not to talk to prosecutors about what the producer may have told her about the shooting death of Clarkson at Spector's mansion. Spector's murder trial — on charges that he shot and killed Clarkson — is scheduled to begin in January, while the harassment suit is set to go to trial when the criminal case is over. Spector has said in the harassment suit that he did not kill Clarkson, but he pleaded the fifth when asked if he discussed the death with Blaine. ...
The Dixie Chicks have canceled shows in 14 cities due to sluggish ticket sales, replacing the gigs with dates in other locations, AP reports. Tour stops in cities including Houston and Memphis — which were listed as part of the schedule released in May — are no longer on the band's itinerary, while stops in cities such as Nashville and Denver have been pushed to later dates. Although several shows have been canceled, the number of North American shows remains the same, the band's spokesperson said, with added Canadian concerts taking the place of some U.S. stops. "We hope that our fans who were looking forward to a stop that is no longer on the tour will be able to join us at a nearby arena this fall," the Dixie Chicks said in a statement. "We are sorry for any confusion or inconvenience these changes have caused."
08.07.2006
Diddy goes to great lengths to preserve his sexy, but he told MTV Europe recently that he isn't concerned that Justin Timberlake is moving in on his territory with "SexyBack." "I'm a big fan of Justin's and he's allowed to use my catchphrase 'sexy' and run with it," Diddy said. "I mean, I got it from somebody else, so it's all good." It may be all good, but it's not all equal. "I am the king of the sexy, Justin," Diddy noted. "Let's not get it twisted." ... Diddy and Cassie will be among the artists helping to kick off the 2006-07 NFL season in a two-city celebration as the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field on September 5. Martina McBride and Rascal Flatts will perform in Pittsburgh, while Diddy and Cassie will take the stage in Miami. The 30-minute pre-game show will air September 5 at 8 p.m. on NBC. ...
Ozone Magazine's years of having a heavy buzz in streets of the South culminated Sunday night at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando, Florida, when the publication held its first-ever Ozone Awards. Among the big winners were Lil Wayne, who won Lyricist of the Year; DJ Drama, who took the Mixtape DJ of the Year honor; and UGK, who won a Legends Award. Bun B and Pimp C also made history by performing together for the first time since Pimp C was released from prison several months ago. Another highlight was an all-Miami set during which Rick Ross performed "Hustlin' " and "Chevy Ridin' High" with Dre of Cool & Dre fame. The finale featured Ross, Trick Daddy and Pitbull performing "The Future of Dade" from DJ Khaled's Listennn: The Album. Trick ended by saying that he ran the state of Florida and everyone else is his protégé. Other performers included Shawnna, Ludacris, T-Pain and headliner Lil Wayne. David Banner co-hosted the show alongside Trina. "I'm proud that we were all able to come together this weekend without any major drama or violence and everybody just had a good time," Ozone Publisher Julia Beverly told MTV News. ...
Kid Rock, Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger are among the superstars who duet with Jerry Lee Lewis on the rock and roll trailblazer's new album, Last Man Standing, due September 26. Others lending their voices to the classic songs include Jimmy Page ("Rock and Roll"), Bruce Springsteen ("Pink Cadillac"), Neil Young ("You Don't Have to Go") Don Henley ("That's What Makes the Irish Heart Beat") and Little Richard ("I Saw Her Standing There"). ...
JoJo, Ashley Parker Angel and Lucas Grabeel from "High School Musical" will perform at Miss Teen USA 2006, which NBC will air at 8 p.m. ET on August 15. Damien Fahey from "TRL" and Shaun Robinson from "Access Hollywood" will host the event live from Palm Springs, Florida. ...
Jennifer Lopez is adding a new scent to her fragrance collection. Live Luxe, described as a "multifaceted concoction" that celebrates J.Lo's passion for dance, combines fruit notes (including peach and pear), a floral base (freesia, muguet and honeysuckle) and a musk/vanilla/sandalwood finish. The fragrance will be available in stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.K. and Spain this month and goes worldwide in September. ... Although they keep on rocking — and marrying — Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson have set aside their Mr. and Mrs. Rock titles to go by Mr. and Mrs. Richie. The couple recently celebrated the second of their four planned weddings with a courthouse ceremony in Detroit. "It's official," Anderson posted — alongside the Detroit Tigers logo — Saturday on her Web site. "Just left the courthouse! Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie have left the building. ... Off to honeymoon in Detroit! Go Tigers!" ...
A Raleigh, North Carolina, woman who penned an unauthorized book about "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken has filed a lawsuit against the singer, claiming he slandered her and tried to cripple sales of her book. According to The Associated Press, 50-year-old Jeannie Holleman claims she's a lifelong friend and neighbor of a Raleigh family who took Aiken and his mother, Faye Parker, in when Parker left her abusive husband. For Holleman's book, "Out of the Blue: 'Clay' It Forward," the author combined interviews from the family, along with her own recollections and stories from Aiken's fans. The suit, filed Friday, claims that Aiken, his mother and others tried to stymie the book's sales by denying they knew her and calling her stories lies. The filing further alleged that one of Aiken's bodyguards manhandled Holleman during a fundraiser in Hawaii. The suit seeks $260,000 in damages, and seeks a court order that would require Aiken to retract his statements about the book or endorse it on his Web site. Holleman also wants Aiken to pen an introduction to "Out of the Blue" and offer it for sale at his concerts. "As a so-called 'celebrity,' I have become used to scurrilous allegations and untruths being made about me and my work," Aiken said in a statement Monday (August 7). "I have always taken the path of not reacting to these matters and have accepted them as, somehow, coming with the 'job.' However, I cannot, and will not, stand by when these attacks are made on my family and my charity. So, I have instructed my attorneys to not only vigorously dispute the claims that have been made but to also pursue all possible remedies against those involved in the perpetration of these untruths." ...
Jack's Mannequin singer and cancer survivor Andrew McMahon is launching a fall tour to benefit his Dear Jack Foundation, which funds cancer research. Copeland, Daphne Loves Derby and the Hush Sound will join Jack's on the 17-city Tour for the Cure, which kicks off September 6 Tucson, Arizona, and wraps up October 12 in Sacramento, California. ... Zach Braff has directed the video for singer/songwriter Joshua Radin's "Closer," which he shot at the Hollywood Bowl. The song is featured on the soundtrack to Braff's new movie, "The Last Kiss." ... Following a solo acoustic tour this month that includes several opening dates for the Foo Fighters, Frank Black will take a band out on a full tour to promote his double album, Fast Man Raider Man. The trek begins October 1 in Tempe, Arizona (after September 29 and 30 dates opening for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) and ends November 19 in Anaheim, California. ...
A biopic about late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence is in the works, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Music-video director Nick Egan (Kylie Minogue, Sonic Youth) has been working with writers Chester Hastings and Dean McCreary on the film, titled "Slide Away." Hutchence, who died in 1997, was friends with Egan, who directed several INXS videos. There's no word yet on when the film will surface. ... Duran Duran are creating their own "virtual universe" within the online game "Second Life." The five bandmembers have commissioned custom avatars that will live on a luxury island featuring in-world concerts. Keyboardist Nick Rhodes called the game a "new frontier where dreams have become reality" in a statement, and compared this move to Duran Duran's embracing of music videos in the medium's early days. " 'Second Life' is the future right now, offering endless possibilities for artists," Rhodes explained. The project launches in September and the band says fans can expect a "Second Life" concert in the coming months.
