Every day a multitude of stars wanders through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.
James Brown was always called "the hardest working man in show business," but Britney Spears could certainly make a case for for that title (she'd be the hardest working woman, of course). She has a career-retrospective album coming out in a few weeks, and she's done dozens of dates on her high-energy Circus tour. Now she's taking it internationally, as she has a 14-date run through Australia starting on Friday. Yesterday, she found herself at the airport in Los Angeles to make her way out of the country, blend into her security detail and sip on a cup of soda from Taco Bell. It's a long flight to Perth (where Spears has a two night run in that city's Burswood Dome), but Spears has proven that she has the reserves to overcome her jet lag and to deliver a great show.
Travel was big for stars yesterday, as Robert Pattinson greeted fans in Japan (along with "New Moon" director Chris Weitz), while Carrie Underwood hopped to New York to promote her newest album on "The Late Show with David Letterman." Click here for these photos plus the entire "Spotted!" archive, which features over 350 candid shots of Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Madonna, Adam Lambert, Rihanna, Green Day, Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers!
Another day brings the world another paparazzi shot of Russell Brand and Katy Perry out on a date. At least that's what everyone is calling it. Although no official word has come down that the pair are seeing each other in a romantic sense, they have been spotted all over Paris, going to fashion shows and hitting the town. And, might we add, is there a better to city to fall in love?
On Wednesday, the pair was spotted at the Galliano show looking like quite the lovely couple. Russell was decked out in a blinged-out tuxedo jacket with pinstripe pants, while Katy rocked a floor-length bubblegum gown with matching pink shoes. On Tuesday, the pair had been spotted at the Fendi show together. And they certainly haven't been shy to hold hands and touch each other while hitting up the shows.
But we realize that they also weren't shy about supporting each other right there on the world's stage at the Video Music Awards last month in New York City. With the assistance of Aerosmith's Joe Perry, she opened the show by serenading Brand with a cover of Queen's "We Will Rock You" as he made his way onto to the stage. He, of course, offered to be her shoulder to cry on when she didn't win any prizes at the big event.
So it seems like love bloomed right in front of the world at Radio City Music Hall. We here at MTV News love a good love story.
Click here for more photos of Katy Perry and Russell Brand at Paris Fashion Week!
"Calm down, no one died, it's all right. In the past, I've made mistakes and done things a little bit daft, if I think someone has done things that I don't agree with, I think, well, I've done things in the past that I'm not proud of. "I know Kanye, and I know he's a nice bloke. We all make mistakes in life."
-2009 MTV Video Music Awards host Russell Brand, talking to Ryan Seacrest on his radio show today about the unfortunate Kanye West/Taylor Swift incident at last night's show. Brand was forgiving of West, noting that he himself made some controversial statements at last year's VMAs and he was ultimately absolved and invited back for a second year. However, even Brand admitted that Kanye's chosen target was probably ill-advised. "Taylor Swift's a young kid, isn't she?" he said. "Yeah, you can't make a pretty girl cry." Brand's second stint hosting the Video Music Awards was no less biting than his first, as he went after Lady Gaga and Robert Pattinson during his monologue, and his entrance was an instant VMA classic: Brand made his way to the stage as Katy Perry and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry teamed up to play Queen's "We Will Rock You."
We're really getting down to the line here, as the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards are only two days away. MTV has already begun its takeover of Radio City Music Hall, and stars have already started to roll in to rehearse for Sunday's big show. Wale is already jamming with 3OH!3, Asher Roth is floating around making his picks, and yesterday, Jay-Z arrived at Radio City to check out the set and rehearse his performance of "Empire State of Mind" with Alicia Keys.
Of course, you can't have a Video Music Awards without a host. Read more...
The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards are less than 20 days away, and anticipation continues to build. More performers will be announced later this week, fleshing out the lineup already overflowing with stars like Jay-Z, Green Day, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Pink and Muse. In honor of the Video Music Awards' return to New York City (after dalliances with Los Angeles and Las Vegas), MTV recruited Swift, Cobra Starship, Ne-Yo, Katy Perry and host Russell Brand to participate in a variation on the classic song "Tonight," from the iconic Broadway musical "West Side Story." In the clip, which is in its full-length form below, the performers each hang out in iconic New York locations (an alley, a subway station, a rooftop garden, the back of a cab) and sing customized verses that drop in portions of their own tunes.
The whole show goes down on Sunday, September 13, at New York City's legendary Radio City Music Hall. For the second straight year, Russell Brand will assume hosting duties for the show, which features Beyoncé and Lady Gaga tied for nine Moonman nominations each. Will Pink and Katy Perry kiss? They might! But you won't know unless you tune in.
The march toward the 2009 Video Music Awards continues with the announcement of the nominees today. In typical VMA fashion, the list is full of heavy hitters: Beyoncé, Eminem, Kanye West, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga will all compete for Video of the Year. Beyoncé and Gaga lead the way with nine nominations each, including their head-to-head battle in the Video of the Year category between "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" and "Poker Face." But which diva will reign supreme?
Outfit
Gaga is in her traditional boundary-pushing garb, highlighted by a strange blue bodysuit that is part Blade Runner, part Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Beyoncé opts for a simple leotard, ideal for rhythmic dancing. In a nod to her "Sasha Fierce" alter-ego, she is also wearing that crazy gauntlet on her left hand. Advantage: Lady Gaga. Nobody is going to out-weird her when it comes to costumes.
Co-Stars
Beyoncé is flanked by two dancers, while Gaga is surrounded by partygoers and a pair of Great Danes. Advantage: Lady Gaga. Everybody loves those dogs — hence the popularity of Scooby-Doo.
Dancing
Here's the bottom line: Joe Jonas did a tribute to the "Single Ladies" dance, and unless the Bonus Jonas is planning a "Pokerface" homage, this is no contest. Advantage: Beoyncé. Obviously.
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When Russell Brand was announced as the host of this year's MTV Video Music Awards, he slid his way into a special place in history. He joins the short list of stars who have hosted the show more than once, and the extremely rare air of people who have hosted two years in a row.
Arsenio Hall was the first host to come back for another year — in fact, he led four straight shows from 1988 to 1991. Hall, the host of a wildly popular talk show, was right at home as the ringleader of MTV's rock and roll circus. He presided over Guns N' Roses' performance of "Welcome to the Jungle" in 1988, the set that got Andrew Dice Clay banned from MTV in '89, the 1990 show-wide attack on Tipper Gore and the Parents Music Resource Center, Paul Reubens' first public appearance (as Pee-wee Herman) after his lewd conduct arrest in '91 and the backstage fistfight between Poison's Bret Michaels and C.C. DeVille that same year.
In 1995 and 1996, Dennis Miller (yes, that Dennis Miller) took over the hosting duties. Miller brought his dry, acerbic wit to the proceedings that included such key moments as Van Halen's 1996 reunion with David Lee Roth, Michael Jackson's legendary 15-minute performance that opened the '95 show and the famously awkward interview live from space with two Russian cosmonauts.
Brand will become the only other host to take on duties two years in a row, but Chris Rock has also held the reins more than once. The comedian hosted the show in 1997, 1999 and 2003. The 1997 show was especially wild, with Fiona Apple's angry acceptance speech, the memorable meeting between Martha Stewart and Busta Rhymes and the show-closing, butt-bearing performance of Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People" that led Rock to proclaim "Get to church now!" at its conclusion.
With that company, Brand has a lot to live up to, though he's already got a good start on establishing his place in VMA history.
2009 MTV Video Music Awards host Russell Brand is no stranger to controversy — in fact, he's made the better part of his living taking down other celebrities. Last year, he went after the likes of the Jonas Brothers, Madonna and Sarah Palin, but who should Brand take down when he hosts this year's show on September 13 in New York? We asked a handful of people who they thought would make the best foil: 50 Cent, Miley Cyrus, the "Twilight" cast or the Jonas Brothers?
What do you think: Would Miley Cyrus play along? Would the cast of "Twilight" just get upset? Leave your thoughts in the comments or head over to Your.MTV.com to make your voice heard!
British comedian Russell Brand is back for a second consecutive year as the host of the MTV Video Music Awards. This year's show takes him to New York, where he will no doubt bring his signature style and taste for controversy. Just in case you can't recall the finer points of Brand's performance, here the top five moments delivered by the host during the 2008 version of the show.
Russell Versus Virginity: Last year's biggest performance belonged to the Jonas Brothers, but before they stole the show with their faux-brownstone set, Brand took their purity rings to task. "I'd take it a little more seriously if they wore it on their genitals," he said, creating the first of many awkward moments on stage. He even sparked a bit of a war between purity ring wearers and himself. He smoothed it over with an apology, though.
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For the second year in a row, the MTV Video Music Awards will be hosted by British actor/comedian/author/wildman Russell Brand. If last year's show is any indication, there will be plenty of controversy and jaw-dropping moments, but Brand will also be bringing his signature style to the proceedings. With any luck, he'll bust out his urban safari look.
(Click here to see MTV Video Music Awards host Russell Brand's fashion evolution!)
