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Shontelle Is From Barbados, But She's Not Just Another Rihanna

Posted 4/17/09 7:14 pm EST by in New Music Update


ShontelleBy Lindsay Wallace

MTV News caught up with the Barbados-born artist Shontelle just after her return from Japan's Spring Groove. The talent-filled show was a landmark in her very quick rise to stardom, as she performed with John Legend, T-Pain, Akon and TLC. This wasn't her first star-studded collaboration, however, as she has previously performed with both Akon and her fellow Barbados-born pop-star friend, Rihanna.

Her relationship with Rihanna began in Barbados, where they went to different schools but were involved in friendly competition in the cadets. She admits that her friend was especially influential on her in many ways since Rihanna made it in the music industry first. Her fellow former cadet, who she refers to as "Rih," gave her advice on the ins and outs of the music industry. "I definitely got a lot of tips from her," Shontelle said. "I tend to pay attention to successful artists and she's certainly one of the most successful artists in the last few years."
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Why Would Rihanna Go To Dubai?

Posted 4/17/09 4:03 pm EST by in dubai


When news broke that Rihanna might be returning to the stage sometime soon, some people were surprised by her city of choice: Dubai. Although happy that she's moving on with her life and getting back to performing, American fans are probably wondering, "Why Dubai?"

Well, let me tell you...

The first time I visited Dubai was a few years ago when I was 18 years old. I went to see a good friend of mine who lived there and had always told me that Dubai (or "Du-bay" as he used to call it) was one of the best cities in the world. Since then ... I've been back four times. He was right!

Reason No. 1: Dubai is famously known as the entertainment and party capital of the Middle East. Take it from me, Dubai knows how to get down. There's a fine balance, though, between Dubai's strong Islamic culture and the party lifestyle. Alcohol is allowed, but you can't get too crazy. Rih might even have to go easy on the more risqué costumes for her shows. Read More...

Susan Boyle, And Even 'American Idol,' Remind Us About Real Talent

Posted 4/17/09 3:58 pm EST by in American Idol


Susan BoyleBy Erica Laden

I think I know why Susan Boyle has become an overnight sensation. She is the best reminder that we have all been trained to expect "the package," and have gotten away from the true musical bliss a singer can give us. In the same world where Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus have armies of hair, makeup and wardrobe people to get them ready for shows that they'll end up lip-synching, it's no wonder it took 47 years for Boyle's beauty to be unveiled. That's why the frumpy, sweet Scotswoman's talent surprised and refreshed at least 18 million viewers across the world.

Surprisingly, this season of "American Idol" has actually done a good job being talent-focused rather than just image-focused. How else to explain the presence of Nick Mitchell (a.k.a. Normund Gentle) and Scott MacIntyre? Mitchell's unusual comedic act was more unconventional than any previous "Idol" contestant (the clumsy white guy does a highly exaggerated soulful R&B routine), but his voice was still quite nice and, as a result, he very nearly made the top 12. And America fell in love with visually impaired MacIntyre enough that he made the final eight. Read More...

Did You See This?! Zac Efron, 'Harry Potter,' Asher Roth and More

Posted 4/17/09 2:38 pm EST by in Did You See This?


By Melanie Wolfson

Asher Roth took some time out of his packed schedule recently to break down his upcoming album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle, for MTV News. The 23-year-old rapper said that he tried not to limit his debut to hip-hop, but you can check out the album for yourself on Monday!

"17 Again" star Zac Efron says he was a geek in high school. We know, it sounds crazy, but see what Efron had to say about making his grades, not his reputation, a priority back when he was actually 17.

Cam'ron weighed in on the value of a college education and told us how he worked his way around the traditional educational system.

The new "Harry Potter" is almost here! Watch the final trailer for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," due to hit theaters on July 15, to pick up on hints of romantic tension between certain Hogwarts students.

What do "Pooh's Heffalump Movie" and "Wanted 2" have in common? The same writer! After a history of experience with children's films, Evan Spiliotopoulos is reportedly taking over the sequel to the Angelina Jolie flick.

Oprah Tweets! The Top 10 Things We Wish She'd Write

Posted 4/17/09 2:17 pm EST by in Twitter


In your face, moon landing! America has a new moment to cherish forever: April 17, 2009, at around 10 a.m. ET, Oprah Tweeted for the very first time.

Yes, the most powerful woman on the planet (save for Susan Boyle this week) has decided to participate in the popular microblog site Twitter, much to the delight of my mom and Ashton Kutcher (who would probably date my mom).

Her first Tweet was in all caps, Kanye-style: "HI TWITTERS. THANK YOU FOR A WARM WELCOME FEELING REALLY 21ST CENTURY." And she quickly followed up about wanting a Reuben sandwich and vaccinating her puppy.

So far — sorry, Oprah — color us unimpressed. In order for the Big O to keep our Twitter attention, we've come up with 10 Tweets we'd looove to see posted on Oprah's Twitter account:

1. JOHN TRAVOOLLLLLLTLAAAAA!
2. My vajayjay be painin'.
3. @GayleKing last night was amazing don't tell Steadman let's go on another road trip k?
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Jared Leto Is Going To Kill Us With These Cupcakes

Posted 4/17/09 1:35 pm EST by in Bands We Like, Celebrity, Cupcakes


Late last year, Jared Leto surprised pretty much everyone here in the MTV Newsroom by sending us a box of cupcakes from NYC bakery Sugar Sweet Sunshine.

It was his way of saying 'thanks' for a story we had done about his band, 30 Seconds To Mars, and their ongoing lawsuit with their former label, Virgin/EMI, and, to be honest, it was pretty amazing ... and not just because he included some red velvet cupckaes (those things rule). No, it was because, as one MTV Staffer put it -- "Jordan-freaking-Catalano sent us cupcakes!"

Needless to say, it was the kind of thing that doesn't happen every day ... or at least, that's what we thought. Because, at around lunchtime Thursday, Leto sent us even more cupcakes. Why? Well, read on. Read More...

Final 'Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince' Trailer Debuts

Posted 4/16/09 10:09 pm EST by in Movies


By Rachel Josue

This certainly is a good week to be a "Harry Potter" fan. Last Friday a new international trailer surfaced online. Earlier this week there was news that the film's release date has been pushed up two days to July 15. Today we brought you the exclusive news that the "Deathly Hallows" epilogue will be shot with the original "Potter" cast, rather than with older actors.

But this is the biggest treat yet. Without further ado, please enjoy the brand new trailer from "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"!

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The Susan Boyle Photo Shoot Has Arrived

Posted 4/16/09 7:19 pm EST by in Television


I suppose it had to happen eventually.

One day Susan Boyle was doing volunteer work in her Blackburn, Scotland, church. The next day she was a global TV and Internet sensation. Some 16 million YouTube views will do that.

The latest, and perhaps most amazing, step in Susan Boyle's journey to superstardom is a professional photo shoot done in her home and around Blackburn. "OMG" doesn't quite cover it.

She posed with a microphone, in her yard and out in the middle of the street (my personal favorite), among other places.

Good for her, I think. Regardless of what happens to Susan Boyle on this season of "Britain's Got Talent" (I hear she's the odds-on favorite at 5-2), this will be a great memory for the rest of her life.

And here are the awesome pics, preserved for all eternity!

My Experience With Jack White And The Dead Weather

Posted 4/16/09 6:48 pm EST by in Behind The Scenes


By Matt Wenzel

Last night, fellow intern Lindsay and I got the chance to follow the MTV News team to a photo shoot for the Dead Weather, Jack White's newest musical project.

The Dead Weather consists of Jack White; fellow Raconteur Jack Lawrence, Queens of the Stone Age's Dean Fertita and Alison Mosshart of the Kills. The photo shoot was in an apartment that was being rented out by the tenants for the shoot and the setting and the band seemed to go together very well.

It only makes sense that an amalgamation of musicians such as this would be photographed in this particular place — the apartment contained a hodgepodge of paintings, antique furniture and sculptures. It was a very surreal-looking, odd apartment. To give you an example, there was a bed with a canopy in the dining room. Throughout our interview with the band, there was a cat locked away in a separate room, meowing like it was ready to kill something. I was afraid it was meowing so loudly that it would have been picked up on our microphones, ruining the interview.

Not to take the other three members out of the spotlight, because every member of the band seemed really cool, but my highlight of the evening was when I got the chance to meet Jack White. I should admit now that I am a huge Jack White fan. I have every White Stripes album, every Raconteurs album, and I have no doubt in my mind that I will be buying the new Dead Weather album. White's guitar work inspired me to spend hundreds of dollars on guitar equipment in an attempt to sound remotely like him. If I didn't already have tickets for another concert, I would have done anything in my power to try and attend the Dead Weather's first public show on the same night. Let's just say I'm a little obsessed. I'm very grateful that White was nice enough to let me and Lindsay stand in for a picture at the end of the shoot. White even went as far as giving my buddy James, another huge fan, a shout-out on my video camera. It pretty much made my year so far. Now, if only I can get a ticket to actually see one of his bands...

Win A Chance To Cover The 2009 MTV Movie Awards

Posted 4/16/09 6:41 pm EST by in Movie Awards


Think you've got the right stuff to be the Movie Awards Insider? Can you write and report on the coolest movie awards show of the year for MTV.com? Can you keep your cool and go on-air as part of the MTV News team? Then click here to apply! You'll have to tell us why you should join us at the Movie Awards in 250 awesome words. Be creative. Be passionate. Be persuasive. Be the best! Show us why you are the one and only person who has what it takes to report on the MTV Movie Awards.

You'll be whisked away to L.A., join the MTV News team and report on the days leading up to the night of the big show and the star-studded after party.

Do you have the right stuff? Then ENTER NOW!

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