Another singer is turning into a wannabe thespian. The Hollywood Reporter says that Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson will be joining the cast of Fox’s ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’. The red head will be playing Catherine Weaver, the CEO of a cutting-edge high-tech company. I wonder if it’s the company that would develop the terminators. Anyway, I’m also wondering if Shirley has given up on music or something. Garbage has always been a pretty big name in the music industry. It would be such a waste if she just turned her back on it. Why can’t celebrities just stick to one profession?
A country singer and his girlfriend got wasted and ended up in the big house after beating the crap out of each other with a purse and an umbrella. It’s one of those stories that you’re likely to find on ‘The World’s Stupidest Video Moments’ but if you happen to be Chris Cagle and Jennifer Tant, it’s your life. The singer and his girlfriend were popped early yesterday morning by Nashville cops for domestic assault. A police affidavit says that they were intoxicated then got into an argument that turned physical. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Department says that there is a mandatory 12-hour stint in jail before they can post $1,500 bonds each. I guess they’ve done their time by now.
Monday was a sad day for rapper and actor Xzibit and it’s sure to roll on for a good while. According to a post on his MySpace blog, his newborn son died early Monday morning. Xavier Kingston Joiner was born prematurely on May 15. The rapper, whose real name is Alvin Nathaniel Joiner says that the baby’s lungs were not fully developed yet and thus, weren’t strong enough to handle regular oxygen on their own. After a difficult week, little Xavier died at 3:30 AM. My condolences go out to Xzibit and the rest of his family. It’s always the saddest day when it’s the young ones that leave.
Rihanna likes to wear her sexy stage outfits in the bedroom.
The ‘Umbrella’ singer - who is rumoured to be dating R’n'B star Chris Brown - admits she enjoys spicing up her sex life by wearing her often revealing and provocative costumes at home.
She said: “I like to push the envelope sometimes. It depends on the mood and the occasion. It’s always fun to take some home. Sometimes I get to do that.”
The singer also revealed she is a big fan of the British music scene, and particularly loves Mark Ronson, Duffy and Estelle.
She added: “I think the UK is taking over. I’d love to work with Mark Ronson. And I really, really like Duffy. She is beautiful, her little dimples and her music. I also like Estelle. She has an incredible voice. But Duffy has more of an edge.”
Amy Winehouse may be all doped up most of the time but that’s not stopping her from winning any awards. Wino came out with the award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for ‘Love is a Losing Game’ at the 53rd Ivor Novello Awards which was held in London on Thursday. The Ivors celebrate excellence in songwriting as hosted by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. In true Wino fashion, she arrived too late to claim her award so her dad Mitch and mom Janis had to accept it in her behalf. Her dad said “She’s sorry she can’t be here but she sends her love. She is getting better and she’d like to send her love to everyone at the Ivors who first recognized her talent.”
The singer - who recently headed back into the studio with his bandmates Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald to start on their new album - admits he couldn’t wait to get back to work after a short break.
Speaking at the Ivor Novello Awards in London, Gary said: “We are workaholics and we miss each other. We always planned to take three months off and we needed it because we played a lot of dates last year and, to be honest, it was like, ‘Come on guys, we are getting on a bit now.’ It was probably a few too many. But we are back in the swing of things and really enjoying being back.”
The ‘Patience’ singer predicts the new LP, the follow-up to hit comeback album ‘Beautiful World’, will be ready by December. He said: “We should be back by Christmas. We couldn’t stay away, although I haven’t written the songs yet. There should be a tour as well.”
Take That scooped the gong for Most Performed Work for their hit single ‘Shine’ at the prestigious ceremony held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
A lot happened in the finale of American Idol so I’m sure that the 97.5 million votes that came in deemed the show worthy. All of the top 12 came back on the show to perform. David Cook and David Archuleta sang Chad Kroeger’s ‘Hero’. There was a Mike Myers as the guru skit. Syesha Mercado and Seal sang ‘Waiting for You’. Jason Castro reprised ‘Hallelujah’. The top 6 girls performed Donna Summer songs with Donna singing a new single at the end. Carly Smithson and Michael Johns sang ‘The Letter’. Jimmy Kimmel did a roast of the show. The top 6 guys sang Bryan Adams songs with Bryan coming out as well. Cook performed ‘Sharp Dressed Man’ with ZZ Top. The Jonas Brothers did ‘SOS’. Archuleta sang ‘Apologize’ with OneRepublic. Jordin Sparks did her new single. Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black acted as the Pips to the virtual Gladys Knight. Carrie Underwood performed ‘Last Name’. The top 12 sang with George Michael. And at the end of it all – your American Idol – David Cook.
Janet Jackson officially announced on The Ellen DeGeneres show on Monday that she will be returning to the stage for her ‘Rock with U’ concert tour after having a 7-year hiatus off of the road. Janet said “I’m here to kick off my ‘Rock With U’ tour. Our first show is September 10. And I’ve set up a number for fans to call in and to leave what old/new songs you’d like to hear [at the concert]. The number’s 323-622-8139. Give me a call and let me know!” Ellen’s audience got two tickets each to catch Janet’s show. Ellen also asked if there’s a possibility of a Jackson 5 reunion to which Janet replied optimistically saying “I hope so. I’ve been really pushing my brothers and having conference calls and working on it.”
An ex-maintenance man for Latin music star Alejandro Sanz has come forward and admitted that he tried to blackmail the singer into paying him $500,000 and just took a plea deal to avoid having to go to trial. Carlos Gonzalez and his wife Sylvia Alzate admitted to making extortion threats of releasing unspecified info to the Spanish language media about Alejandro unless he pays the half million. Shortly after the threat, the singer admitted to having a 3-year old son from a previous relationship. The couple agreed to two years’ probation just before jury selection was to begin in their Florida trial. They were facing up to 50 years in prison if they got convicted.
American Idol really played into the battle theme by laying a boxing theme for their final performance show featuring David Cook and David Archuleta. Each contestant sang 3 songs – first was the choice of record producer Clive Davis, second were songs from the songwriters contest and third were songs the Idols chose, whether a reprise or a new song. David Cook sang U2’s ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, Emily Shackelton’s ‘Dream Big’ and Collective Soul’s ‘The World I Know’. David Archuleta sang Elton John’s ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’, Ryan Gillmor’s ‘In This Moment’ and a reprise of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’. Which David did you vote for?
American Idol champ Carrie Underwood joined Brad Paisley in a live special tribute to country music legend Eddy Arnold during the 43rd Annual Academy of County Music Awards which was held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday. The event was hosted by Reba McEntire for the tenth time and was attended by country music’s best. Carrie being chosen to be part of the tribute shows just how much she has grown as an artist since her American Idol days. The show works – for some people that is. And Carrie’s a big sweetheart anyway. Everyone absolutely loves her.
Rihanna proves that she’s the new Princess of Pop as her latest single ‘Take a Bow’ had an opening week of 267,000 digital downloads which puts the track at the number one spot on the Hot Digital Songs chart in the US. Rihanna also made a huge rise to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 by jumping from #53 to #1. She has made the second highest jump in Billboard history with the highest going to Maroon 5 with ‘Makes Me Wonder’ which jumped from #64 to #1 last year. Rihanna also has 2 of the top 3 opening-week downloads in history. She was surpassed by Mariah Carey’s ‘Touch My Body’ with 286,000 downloads last month which beat Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ with 277,000. At the rate she’s going, Rihanna will be beating out Mariah soon.
Kylie Minogue recorded a vocal for Coldplay’s new album but it didn’t make the final cut. The Pop Princess’s effort was scrapped after frontman Chris Martin decided it didn’t fit the mood.
Kylie and Coldplay share a record label, Parlophone, but their sessions together for the rockers’ eagerly awaited fourth collection, Viva La Vida, were at times fraught.
Chris said: “Kylie is awesome. She’s like Girls Aloud rolled into one.” But he added: “I took apart the song she did with us, like a Corby trouser press.”
Shania Twain has split from her husband. The ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’ singer and record producer Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange have decided to end their marriage after fourteen years.
Shania’s spokesperson confirmed the pair were breaking-up, saying: “Shania Twain and her husband, music producer Robert ‘Mutt’ Lange, are separating after 14 years of marriage. This is a private matter and there will be no further comment at this time.”
Shania, 42, and 59-year-old producer Robert first met in 1993 and married just six months later. Rumours their marriage was in trouble first surfaced in 2000, but the couple stayed together, and moved to Switzerland shortly after reports surfaced.
Shania later admitted she had struggled to cope with fame, explaining: “I needed a break, physically and mentally. I needed to leave behind the whole ‘Shania’ thing and be myself.”
Shania and Robert worked together extensively, with him producing and co-writing many of her hits including ‘You’re Still the One’ and ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman!’. The couple have a seven-year-old son, Eja D’Angelo.
We’re one week away from crowning a new American Idol but before that, someone has to go. Over 56 million votes came in, in support of the top three finalists David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado. And after the votes were cast, Syesha was given the boot. That means that it’s going to be a David showdown next week. Was there ever any doubt once they dwindled down? I can give Syesha props for improving week after week but she just doesn’t have the same appeal as even half of either David. Sorry girl, you’re just out of luck.
Rihanna glowed in neon yellow as the opening act on a date of Kanye West’s ‘Glow in the Dark’ tour at the Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia on Saturday. The last time I talked about her being part of the tour, she was glowing in pink. She looks hot in anything! Speaking of looking hot, watch out for the Barbadian babe in the new music video for her and the Maroon 5 duet ‘If I Never See Your Face Again’. If her past videos are anything to go by, she’s going to continue to turn up the heat! Fellas must be real jealous that Chris Brown gets to handle that.
Courtney Love has reportedly scrapped her comeback album to work with a little known musician.
Love, the widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, is said to have ditched a host of material recorded with Linda Perry to collaborate with Micko Larkin, former guitarist with London indie band Larrikin Love.
Perry has previously written songs for Christina Aguilera, Pink and Avril Lavigne. The ditched LP would have been the first since 2004’s ‘America’s Sweetheart’ - which Perry also worked on - which received a disappointing critical and commercial response.
Larrikin Love split last year after making one album, ‘The Freedom Spark’, which was released in 2006.
Larkin is believed to have played guitar for Love on a number of occasions.
‘Celebrity Skin’ singer Love was admitted to hospital last week and diagnosed with Strep throat, a severe sore throat and swelling of the tonsils, but was later released.
OK! is reporting that ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has lined up Usher for the guest spot on the show’s finale on May 20th. The 29-year old R&B singer even reportedly asked Karina Smirnoff to be in his feature performance despite being booted. Three female dancers from the show will be in his number. I wonder how his wife and baby momma feels about that. His wife Tameka Foster has reportedly been very edgy when it comes to Usher’s female counterparts to the point that she makes them look like extras instead of main attractions. No one likes to work with a diva especially if she’s not the one they’re really working with.
‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ star, and reported Miley Cyrus replacement, Selena Gomez may be following in the musical footsteps of that other Disney star. The whole replacement thing may have its merit. Hollywood Records, Miley’s label, is reportedly close to signing Selena to a record deal. A source reveals that “Hollywood Records really wants Selena. Nothing’s signed yet, but they’re going after her in a strong way.” I smell a new rivalry brewing. Miley has a 4-album deal with the label and her sophomore CD ‘Breakout’ is set for a summer release. We have a new Hilary Duff-Lindsay Lohan type of thing.
Pete Doherty was released from jail on Tuesday and since then, he has vowed to make an effort to stay drug free. The Babyshambles rocker told the British media “I’m going to try to keep it together.” It doesn’t sound very determined, does it? The word ‘try’ isn’t very convincing and almost smells of failure. Pete called life in prison hard and now that’s he’s free, he doesn’t want to think about it much. Well, maybe he should think about it more especially the next time he reaches for a crack pipe. Maybe images of the hard life in lock up will make him not want to take a hit.
Ticket prices are going to be between $55 and $300
Madonna World Tour Dates:
23-Aug - Cardiff, Millennium Stadium
26-Aug - Nice, Stade Charles Ehrmann
28-Aug - Berlin, Olympic Stadium
02-Sept - Amsterdam, Arena
04-Sept - Dusseldorf, LTU Arena
06-Sept - Rome, Olympic Stadium
09-Sept - Frankfurt, Commerzbank Arena
11-Sept - London, Wembley Stadium
20-Sept - Paris, Stade de France
03-Oct - E. Rutherford, Izod Center
06-Oct - New York City, Madison Square Garden
07-Oct - New York City, Madison Square Garden
15-Oct - Boston, TD BankNorth Garden
18-Oct - Toronto, Air Canada Centre
22-Oct - Montreal, Bell Centre
26-Oct - Chicago, United Center
30-Oct - Vancouver, BC Place Stadium
01-Nov - Oakland, Oracle Arena
04-Nov - San Diego, Petco Park
06-Nov - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium
08-Nov - Las Vegas, MGM Grand Garden Arena
11-Nov - Denver, Pepsi Center
16-Nov - Houston, Minute Maid Park
19-Nov - Philadelphia, Wachovia Center
22-Nov - Atlantic City, Boardwalk Hall
24-Nov - Atlanta, Philips Arena
26-Nov - Miami, Dolphin Stadium
Thank the Lord above! Mariah Carey was smart enough to get a pre-nup made in time for her impromptu wedding. According to insiders, the singer told a friend that “Anyone who thinks we didn’t have a prenup is smoking something!” Maybe Mariah learned her lesson after getting divorced from music exec Tommy Mottola. She’s making millions now from having 3 hit albums since her divorce in the 90s, millions in real estate, her own perfume line, publishing rights to her songs and needs to keep all that money away from grubby hands. Sorry Nick Cannon, no easy money for you.
A photographer working for a Florida newspaper is claiming that he was beaten up and robbed earlier this week by R&B singer Chris Brown’s bodyguards. Luis Santana says that he was at a lounge in St. Petersburg, Florida, where Chris and rumored girlfriend Rihanna was having a private birthday party. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Santana was told by the venue’s security that he can take photos outside. But when he took a snap of Chris in an SUV, he claims that the singer’s bodyguards chased him down and forced him to the ground with one of the guards putting his knee on Santana’s jaw and took his $3,000 camera. Police are currently investigating the matter.
Jason Mraz has a new album and with that, a new single. But me thinks that the single isn’t that new at all. His duet with Colbie Caillat called ‘Lucky’ sounds eerily familiar. The song actually sounds like ‘David’, a gem of a song from little-known singer Nellie McCkay, who released her song four years ago. The chorus of Jason’s song ‘Lucky’ sounds completely identical to that of Nellie’s ‘David’. The song structure for both songs are also very similar. It’s too big of a coincidence to say that someone didn’t copy off the other. What is the music world coming to?
Madonna kissed a female fan on stage last night after telling the audience she loves ‘Frenching the French’.
The pop superstar was playing a private concert to mark the launch of her latest album ‘Hard Candy’. Dressed head-to-toe in black, Madonna said to the crowd of 1,500: “Why do I have this relationship with France? I’m always drawn to working with French people - and Frenching French people. Viva la France!”
The singer – clutching an electric guitar – then kissed an unidentified woman.
The 30-minute set included a heavy metal version of her hit ‘Hung Up’, four tracks from her new album – including current single ‘4 Minutes’ – and her 2000 number one single ‘Music’.
Madonna admitted it was an ‘historical moment’ for her to be performing at the Olympia on the same stage as icons including Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich. It was the 49-year-old singer’s first show in Paris for 10 years and the second of three shows to mark the album’s launch.
It’s official. Amy Winehouse will not record the theme for the next Bond movie ‘Quantum of Solace’.
Producer Mark Ronson has told the press that Amy is not ready to start recording “unless by some miracle of science it gets recorded and someone sings a vocal,” he said.
Ronson confirmed that they did not get as far as signing a contract to do the theme but they had recorded a demo for the Bond movie.
When Winehouse is ready to record again, Ronson will be ready to record her. “She has always made her own decisions about her music. Needless to say, this is part of the process between artist and producer and we’re sure they will continue to make great music together,” he said.
It was hoped Amy would be in a position to record the song but given the incidents in recent weeks, it may be some time before she re-enters the studio.
The Jonas Brothers got back to their usual funky get-ups for the red carpet of the Disney Channel Games 2008 in Orlando, Florida on Friday. 20-year old Kevin, 18-year old Joe and 15-year old Nick participated in the made-for-TV Disney Channel Games which is an Olympic-style event that will be shows on The Disney Channel this summer. But before that, ‘Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream’ will debut on the channel on May 16. When asked about the show, Joe said “Biggest challenge? I think acting in general. It’s so new to us. We’re so used to performing onstage. I didn’t know how I would do. Honestly, I got kind of nervous. [But] I felt really comfortable halfway through.”
Frances Bean’s mom and Kurt Cobain’s widow was spotted as she checked in to Cedars Sinai at around 3 AM Friday morning. And no, it’s not because she thought she was a cake which is the only explanation I can think of for her wearing a doily. Anyway, she was there after allegedly complaining about throat and chest pains. The lady rocker’s rep confirms that she was diagnosed with strep throat and was then sent on her way. If that’s really the case, then I’m wondering why the heck she was later seen at a gas station on her way home to pick up a pack of cigarettes.
Mark Ronson’s romance with underwear model Daisy Lowe has hit a rocky patch – as another pretty young lady is taking up the producer’s time.
Mark has been recording material with foxy singer Candie Payne and the pair’s close working relationship hasn’t gone down well with Daisy. Candie is a singer from Liverpool whose brother Sean is the drummer in The Zutons.
Mark has been collaborating with her on the follow-up to her debut album I Wish I Could Have Loved You More. A source told me: “When he works on a project he submerges himself in it completely. He’s concentrating all his attention on Candie and Daisy is feeling seriously left out.”
Mark, who performed a great set at Vauxhall Corsa Presents Bandstand Steered By Sunday Best in East London on Saturday, has helped craft top careers for Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse.
And after their success, at least Daisy knows Mark’s hard work won’t be in vain.
Carrie Underwood has just released a music video for the third single off of her sophomore album ‘Carnival Ride’. The song is called ‘Last Name’ and it was composed and co-written by the 25-year old American Idol champ. The video shows Carrie eloping in Las Vegas after having several drinks. When she wakes up the next morning, she discovers that she doesn’t even know her last name. To put it simply, Carrie married the man while she was wasted. And she wrote this song? I wonder if Carrie is actually trying to tell us something. Most country songs are pretty much autobiographical aren’t they?
