Rebecca Black’s infamous ‘Friday’ music video has been pulled from YouTube, reports Billboard.
The video, which received more than 160 million views and 3 million ‘dislikes,’ is no longer available due to a “copyright claim by Rebecca Black.”
Earlier this week, Ark Music Factory, which is the company Black’s parents paid $4,000 to produce the song and video, began charging viewers $2.99 to watch the clip.
Black’s spokesman says the 13-year-old and her team team then sent a takedown notice to YouTube, because of a dispute with the firm.
Lawyers for Black and Ark Music have been fighting over who owns the rights to the song and video, and have removed it until the issues are resolved.
This is actually a blessing in disguise – maybe they will never, ever, put it back onto the internet? And we can all move on and live happy lives.
Her single just dropped on iTunes, she’s embarking on a summer tour, and she’s only 17-years-old. Did I mention her name is Manika?
The rising pop star just released her first single ‘Just Can’t Let You Go’ on iTunes this week, which features Lil Wayne’s protégé Lil Twist.
Her album is also on the way, which is pretty impressive for such a young artist. It’s easy to see where she got her start, though.
Manika grew up in Las Vegas, the showiest of show towns. Besides being around music and entertainment her entire life, Manika says there were other perks to growing up in Vegas as well.
“It’s cool how there’s something always open. In the middle of the night or 2 a.m., if you wanted to go shopping or eat, there’s always a place open for that,“ says Manika.
She got her start after meeting CeCe Sammy, a coveted vocal performance coach, by chance in Vegas. After working with her and developing a unique sound, Manika was then introduced to Frank DiLeo, Michael Jackson’s longtime manager. Sammy and DiLeo now co-manage her.
“At first, I was really intimidated because I was working with Frank DiLeo and Travis Payne and people that have worked with the legendary Michael Jackson. I was like, you know, I better be good,” says Manika. “The thing I love about Michael’s team is that they’re super talented and also they’re such great, good-hearted genuine people. They’re so supportive, and I couldn’t ask for anyone better.”
Manika says she’s been singing for as long as she can remember, so it’s no surprise she naturally found her way into the business. For the past few months, she’s been touring across high schools, which she says has been a tremendous growing experience.
“I was totally excited to start and get my music out there, and it was also a little nerve racking because, when you think of it, it’s your first time you’re hearing me. It’s been great, the kids are so sweet,” says Manika.
“It’s really amazing seeing the process of how a song starts as an idea, a storyline and an emotion, and then it keeps building. You get the track done, you do the music video, then you get the live performance and you relate it to an audience.”
Jennifer Lopez is inspired by Lady Gaga to do “great things,” reports CTV.
The ‘American Idol’ judge and singer is apparently a huge fan of Gaga, and is inspired by her creativity to take her music to another level.
“I’m always motivated by other artists and inspired by them. They inspire me because when I see other people doing great things, it makes me want to do great things too,” says Lopez.
Lopez got the inspiration from working with Gaga on her latest album ‘Love?,’ where Gaga lent her talents on the tracks ‘Hypnotico’ and ‘Invading My Mind.’
“I love her (Gaga’s) sense of lyric and melody, I feel like she’s very interesting. It’s just not something you’re gonna hear every day,” Lopez tells MTV News.
“I really love the records she worked on and was glad to be able to take those and make them my own and actually have that collaboration with her. I feel very lucky to have done that.”
Hopefully, Lopez means she’ll be riskier in her music now, not that she’ll be showing up to events in ridiculous outfits and antics. That’s Gaga’s forte.
Christina Aguilera is the top paid judge of ‘The Voice,’ reports CTV.
The singer reportedly earns $225,000 per episode, compared to the $75,000 that Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton make.
That means that NBC is spending $450,000 on the judges alone, not including production or advertising costs. A little crazy, if you ask me!
The show has been a big success, though, pulling in over 10 million viewers per episode. I’m sure they are making the money back somewhere.
The winner of the show will get a $100,000 recording contact.
This proves my theory that being a reality singing show judge is the best thing you can do for your career. I mean, nobody remembers Aguilera flubbing the national anthem or getting a DUI – they all see her as a rich, successful TV judge now. Smart move.
Britney Spears debuted her Femme Fatale tour in Sacramento, CA last night, reports Perez Hilton.
Dressed in a glittery bikini, Spears opened the show with her hit ‘Hold It Against Me’ and bonus track ‘Up N’ Down.’
Spears also reportedly sang one of her classic ballads, ‘Don’t Let Me Be The Last To Know,’ live for the first time in 9 years.
She also sang her smash ‘Till The World Ends,’ where she flies over the audience with a pair of over-the-top glitzy wings. Who else would do this?
My opinion, after watching the videos, is that she’s definitely regained a little bit of spark that she’s been missing. Although she lip-synched and her dancing is not in tip-top shape, and it probably never will be, Spears looks like she is genuinely enjoying herself and is definitely more into it. The girl can still seduce an entire audience – she looks great!
Check out some videos after the jump!
‘Harry Potter’ author J.K. Rowling has launched a mysterious new website, reports CTV.
The site, pottermore.com, offers nothing more than a signed message from the author saying “Coming soon…” and two owls on each side.
Spokeswoman Rebecca Salt confirmed that the site is indeed a new project for Rowling, but says it is “not a new book” and “not directly related” to the final movie, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” which comes out next month.
Salt says they “aren’t saying any more than that!”
Very mysterious indeed. Obviously, the site is somewhat related to ‘Harry Potter’ because of the owls and timely launch of the site. Why would she release it now, on the verge of the final film? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
With the MMVAs only three days away, anticipation is rising for Toronto’s biggest party. Today’s feature will take a look at Far East Movement and Dev, who will be performing on the big night.
Bridging the gap between underground party records and mainstream hip-hop and pop, Far East Movement and Dev have gone straight to the #1 spots with songs such as ‘Like a G6.’
The group is comprised of a dynamic foursome that uses hip-hop, pop, electro and dance to create truly unique music. Kev Nish, Prohgress, J-Splif, and DJ Virman have already completed two world tours. The group’s music has also been featured on numerous television shows and films, including ‘Get Him To The Greek’ and ‘Gossip Girl.’
Dev, who frequently performs and contributes to the group, holds her own as well. She’s had many hits on her own, including the infectious ‘Bass Down Low.’ She is currently finishing up a debut studio album, ‘The Night The Sun Came Up,’ and is touring with User and Akon on Usher’s ‘OMG Tour.’
Check out a video we recently did with Dev, and don’t forget: Enter our contest for a chance to win a wristband to the 2011 Muchmusic Video Awards.
Jane Lynch and Bill Maher did a dramatic reading of Anthony Weiner’s dirty Facebook messages on Friday’s episode of ‘Real Time With Bill Maher,’ and the result is hilarious.
The glee actress and Maher parody the Facebook exchanges that occured between New York congressman Weiner and Vegas blackjack dealer Lisa Weiss. If you haven’t heard about this story by now, you’re living under a rock. He tore apart his marriage, he’s sleazy, and he’s in politics. Go figure.
I mean, two comedic geniuses, one funny situation, an even funnier video. A must watch!
Madonna is heading back to the studio to work on a new album, reports Canoe Jam.
Madonna’s manager confirmed the news, writing on twitter: ”Madonna goes into the recording studio next month to begin work on (her) new album… She has a good idea which producers she will be working with… There is nothing to report in regards to (a) tour. You guys know how this works… first comes the album and next comes the (tour).”
This news comes just months after she claimed to be quitting her music career because she doesn’t have the “time or energy” to sing. So much for that.
The iconic singer has been putting her filmmaking career first lately, where she has been filming a new movie called ‘W.E.’
It’s amazing that, after all these years, she’s still making music and reinventing herself once again. Her music is fun and definitely a guilty pleasure, so dare I say I’m excited?
A convicted felon is claiming he shot and robbed rapper Tupac Shakur, reports CTV.
New York City police have begun investigating the online posting, which was posted on the website AllHipHop.com.
The posted claims he was paid $2,500 by another hip hop mogul to rob Shakur outside a studio in Manhattan in 1994, where Tupac suffered gunshot wounds but eventually recovered. He was later killed in 1996 by an unknown killer.
Police are trying to determine if the post is truthful and plan on interviewing the prisoner.
“Now I would like to clear up a few things, because the statute of limitations is over, and no one can be charged, and I’m just plain tired of listening to your lies,” the man says in the posting. ”I still have as proof the chain we took in the robbery.”
This may be a publicity stunt, or simply a confession that’s been eating him up on the inside. Either way, we won’t know if it’s true or not until the police investigate. Just a couple of weeks ago, a fake story was posted claiming Tupac is still alive, so you never know with these stories.
Attorneys for Michael Jackson’s doctor want to release outtakes from his concert film ‘This Is It,’ reports Billboard.
Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death, wants access to over 100 hours of raw footage that was filmed during the singer’s last days.
Sony Pictures is, of course, fighting the request, but Murray plans on using the clips to defend himself and show that Jackson was in good health before he died.
Lawyers for Murray and Sony attorneys are due in court Thursday. Murray is charged with giving Jackson an overdose of anesthetic propofol and other sedatives.
I don’t think releasing footage of a very ill Jackson is going to solve anything. People are trying to move on, and he’s just dragging it out. The charge has been laid, you’re guilty, now pay the price.
The video game industry hit a four-year low in May, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
Video game sales apparently hit its lowest monthly U.S. profit since October 2006, totalling $743.1 million. That number may seem high, but it’s nothing compared to the $866.8 million of last year.
“A light slate of new releases is at the heart of this month’s performance,” said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. “As a result of a lighter release slate, promotional activity at retail and in circulars was reduced as well, which undoubtedly affected not only planned but impulse purchases.”
Frazier says it is unfair to base all results on figures, though, as an increasing amount of video game sales derive from online or downloadable exclusive content purchases.
This year’s top selling game was ‘L.A. Noire,’ a murder-mystery action game set in old L.A.
I agree with the analyst. Much of today’s market comes from the online world, so we have to factor in the sales from that. I don’t think video games are going anywhere anytime soon.
The ‘Glee’ spin-off singing competition, ‘The Glee Project,’ has bombed in the ratings, reports Canoe Jam.
The premiere of the Oxygen talent competition reportedly only received 455,000 viewers Sunday. Ouch.
To give the show some slack, it was up against the final NBA championship game as well as the Tony Awards, so no wonder it didn’t do fantastic.
Still, executives are disappointed. Considering the success of ‘Glee,’ they were anticipating the show to open big. I mean, since there’s ‘Glee’ pencils, backpacks, candy, concerts – everything – you’d think the show would be semi-successful.
Jason Klarman, president of Oxygen Media, still believes in the show’s future though.
“We couldn’t be more proud of this critically acclaimed, first of its kind series that I — and this company — believe in 200 percent,” said Klarman in a statement.
I think one ‘Glee’ related show is enough for me, and I think the rest of the world agrees. I see why the network thought it was a good idea, though, but apparently it wasn’t so.
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The Academy Awards will now allow between five and 10 best picture nominees, reports CTV.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced yesterday that the number of nominees will be dictated by voting. In order to be nominated, a film will need a minimum of 5 per cent first-place votes.
In 2009, the Oscars expanded the best picture nominees from 5 to 10, but now, the number of nominees has been changed again after analyzing the voting from the last two years.
Retiring Academy executive director Bruce Davis recommended the change, saying:
“In studying the data, what stood out was that Academy members had regularly shown a strong admiration for more than five movies,” said Davis. “A best picture nomination should be an indication of extraordinary merit. If there are only eight pictures that truly earn that honor in a given year, we shouldn’t feel an obligation to round out the number.”
The unknown number of nominees will add a new sense of mystery to the awards too, as filmmakers don’t know how many spots they are vying for. The nominations for the 84th annual Academy Awards will be announced January 24.
I personally think 10 was too much, so I like this idea. Nominate as many movies that deserve it, not just because they need 10 spots. Hopefully this means the award show will be shorter, too, as less people are nominated.
We all know Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress she wore to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, and now the dress is heading to the Rock Hall Of Fame, reports the Chicago Tribune.
The dress, which raised a few eyebrows, was designed by Franc Fernandez and Nicola Formichetti, Gaga’s personal stylist and creative director of Thierry Mugler.
It also infuriated many animal activists, including Peta, who said of the dress: ”Meat is the decomposing flesh of a tormented animal who didn’t want to die, and after a few hours under the TV lights, it would smell like the rotting flesh it is and likely be crawling in maggots — not too attractive, really.”
Although the dress didn’t receive much praise from the fashion industry, it will be showcased at the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland on Thursday as part of its current ‘Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power’ exhibit.
The museum says the exhibit “highlights the flashpoints, the firsts, the best, the celebrated — and sometimes lesser known women — who moved rock and roll music and American culture forward.”
My question is how are they preserving the dress? Did they freeze the meat? The exhibition is only one day long, so will they just toss it when it’s done? I think it should be auctioned for charity, and then someone can do whatever they want with it. Eat it, wear it, preserve it.
Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine will collaborate on a new Maroon 5 single, reports Billboard.
The two music artists, who are judges on NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ will collaborate on the track ‘Moves Like Jagger.’
The single is set to be released next week on iTunes. They also plan to perform the single on the June 21 episode of the show.
Levine said in a statement that it was “great” getting to work with Christina, while Aguilera called the collaboration a “wonderful opportunity.”
The song is described as a quintessential Maroon 5 pop song, with an upbeat tune. This isn’t the first time Levine has teamed up with a pop icon, previously jamming with Rihanna on ‘If I Never See Your Face Again.’
I’m excited, I’m sure the song is great! It will be interesting to see how Aguilera’s powerful voice mixes with Levine’s softer, serenading voice. Great publicity for ‘The Voice,’ too.
Hugh Hefner and fiancee Crystal Harris have called off their wedding, reports CTV.
The couple have canceled their wedding just five days before they were set to walk down the aisle on Saturday, at the Playboy Mansion. Where else?
TMZ reports the two got into an argument over the phone last weekend, which resulted in Harris moving herself out of the mansion. Hef is 85 years old, while Crystal is 25.
Yep, that’s a nice visual. He was 60 when she was born.
The wedding would have been attended by over 300 guests and Harris would have worn a pink Romona Keveza gown.
“No expense is being spared for the wedding. It isn’t even a compromise, because Hef wants Crystal to have the wedding of her dream,” Hugh’s spokesperson Kellie Olisky has previously said.
Hugh has been married twice before, once to Mildred William, whom he had two children with, and then to playmate Kimberley Conrad, whose divorce was finalized in March 2010.
Are we really suprised the marriage didn’t last? Hef isn’t the married type – once a player, always a player. Honestly, I think it’s a blessing in disguise for Harris. You can do better.
Jennifer Lopez may not return to ‘American Idol’ for a second season, reports CTV.
During an interview on Tuesday with Scott Mills of the BBC, Lopez said:
“You know, this is the question of the hour. I don’t know, I don’t know.”
“I had an amazing time doing it and I loved it but I have a lot of other things happening and it’s gonna come down to making a choice of really what I want to do for the next year,” said Lopez.
Lopez and fellow judge Steven Tyler brought huge ratings and a new image to the show, but now that her career is kickstarted again, is she jumping ship?
This news raises the question if Tyler will leave as well, since they both have found top fame again. Do you think she should return? Or should new judges be instilled?
Two men have been arrested for an apparent Joss Stone murder plot, reports CTV.
The two were found near the home of R&B singer Joss Stone in Cullompton, southwest England, on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and murder.
Police officials say the men were aged 30 and 33, and were arrested Tuesday after residents reported a suspicious-looking vehicle.
The men “had in their possession information relating to an individual in the Cullompton area and items which lead us to suspect that they may have intended to commit a criminal offense,” says Detective Inspector Steve Parker.
Stone’s publicist says she was apparently aware of the arrests and is being updated by the police. Police did not confirm that Stone was at home when the incident occurred.
The Sun newspaper claims, although not confirmed by officials, that the men had swords, rope, a body bag, and maps and aerial photos of Stone’s property.
The men are currently in custody. This is a scary story, especially if what the men had is true – a body bag? aerial photos? That’s a whole other level of stalking. Glad she’s okay.
‘Blue Crush 2,’ the highly anticipated sequel to the 2002 smash ‘Blue Crush’ starring Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez, was released on June 7 and I had the pleasure of sitting down with some of the cast and the director.
I meet Sasha Jackson and Ben Milliken, two of the film’s stars, and director Mike Elliot at ‘Hotel Le Germaine’ in Toronto. It’s clear they’re doing well for themselves, I mean, the hotel is swanky.
The first thing I tell them is that the movie actually surprised me – it was fun and, unlike many sequels, not horrible.
“Did you like it? Because we haven’t seen it yet,” says Jackson.
That must drive you crazy, I say. Imagine yourself being recorded and broadcast to a global audience without approving it. Terrifying right? To make matters worse, Jackson says she can’t stand to watch herself on screen.
“I don’t watch it as it’s me, I never have. But I will notice when I look like, ugly in a scene,” says Jackson. “I’m not good of an actress.”
Jackson has no reason to be tough on herself, though. The budding actress has appeared in everything from ‘One Tree Hill’ to larger film roles that are in the works.
Milliken, though, seems a little less used to fame. Well, at least according to director Elliot, who jokingly berates him for admitting he’s married. “Ben, you’re not supposed to let the little girls out there know that you’re married. The fantasy has to be maintained.”
“I’m terrible at this whole thing,” Milliken says.
As we continue the chat, Jackson admits that she had never been on a surfboard before the film and found it rather difficult to shoot the scenes she did.
“Every time you see me stand up and come off the board, that’s me. Not fall off the board, but [laughs] yes. Every time you see me fall and nearly die, that’s me.”
