Now that everyone is talking about her newest album Jumping Trains (2011) we wanted to find out what she has planned for her live shows. In today’s music industry everyone needs something to take their stage performances over the top. So we tried to help her out. Unfortunately, JoJo wasn’t exactly thrilled about our suggestion.

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Just a few days after the Season 4 So You Think You Can Dance Canada premier, fans all over the country are geared up to embark on this year’s journey to find Canada’s next favourite dancer. Following a number of young hopefuls during the ups and downs of a difficult on air dancing competition, the new season and its judges promise to be bigger and better than any season prior. As judge Tré Armstrong reveals, viewers will be treated to sexy dancing and a lot of talent as early on as the first three minutes of the season.

“I’m anxious and nervous and excited and overwhelmed at the same time to see the show tonight,” Armstrong told andPOP on Monday, a mere few hours before the premier. “[It’s the] best season yet for sure.”

However, it’s definitely not all fun and games for the contestants. As every other season, this time around each competitor who the judges are unconvinced should proceed to Finals Week in Toronto must come face to face with their worst nightmare – a little thing called “Blake Boot Camp.”

“It’s definitely the first moment where their eyes really kind of start to bulge out of their heads and say wow, okay, I didn’t know how hard this is going to be,” says Armstrong’s co-judge and choreographer, Blake McGrath. “We do that to prepare them for the shows. It’s a really gruelling process.” The experience, which McGrath titles interesting, fun, and crazy, definitely takes its toll on the contestants’ nerves. “I think people throw up this year, actually,” the judge reveals.

First up on the audition list? T-Dot. Having been the first audition episode to air, the show’s two-hour slot was full of amazing and horrible auditions alike, a handful of familiar faces, and siblings of contestants past. “They murdered the floor,” says Armstrong of the Toronto auditions. “Each year everyone says Toronto is the north Hollywood. Then we get to Toronto, and for some reason we have really good dancers, which last year proved because Denys won. [And] this season? Phenomenal dancers. I think that’s why Toronto’s the first episode.”

From what we got to see in the season premier, it seems that majority of the auditions were just that – phenomenal. Not only did the contestants dominate their auditions, but the ones who were sent to boot camp passed with flying colours – a task extremely difficult to accomplish when it comes to the choreography and wrath of McGrath.

Not all auditions are fun and games, however. The judges reveal that as every past season, this one will have its fair share of bad auditions where they must tell a contestant that dancing is not their calling. “You can usually tell who is there for the gimmicks or they’re honestly really into it,” admits McGrath. “If you know that they’re just there for the shits and giggles, you’re going to shit and giggle with them.”

“Sometimes you have to let a person breath,” adds Armstrong. “They might not be the best but it’s okay, let them live. Maybe they just wanted an opportunity to express themselves, and you have to be willing and able as a judge to see the difference. But those who come back to do it just for show and to laugh at us, no. This is professional, this is real. We won’t allow that. So we’ll tell you about yourself very quickly.”

Returning contestants are not always a bad thing, though, reveals Armstrong. The judge, who has been a main presence in the show from Season 1, admits it has happened that a not-so-amazing-dancer from a previous season has returned to audition and surprise the judges at how much they have improved. “You see some returns where you go really, you came back? And then you might just go wow, thank you for coming back! And then there’s a few you might go, oh goodie, but then you might go, erks – what happened?! That’s what I like about the show, it’s very surprising this year,” says Armstrong.

With all the amazing talent they get to witness at each of the five audition stops, it is challenging for the judges not to pick favourites among the contestants, even from such an early stage in the competition. “We usually have a good feeling about who will make top forty,” reveals McGrath. “We have those few stars that you know are going to go a long way.” However, McGrath makes a point to note that although the judges might have their favourites, it is up to the Canadian public in the end to decide who they think should be crowned winner. Leaving it in the hands of the people, however, doesn’t seem to worry Armstrong. “Our viewers get it,” she says confidently.

Following the premier episode, it seems that Canada is prepared for the challenge that lies ahead. With 1.1 million viewers having tuned in on Monday night, the show’s up an impressive 11% over last year’s premier, winning the slot of the number one program of the night.  The question is, who will be Canada’s favourite this year, and will they be able to vote the right person through to the end once again?

Toronto-native Denys Drozdyuk, 25, having taken home the dancing crown in the season three finale along with his prize of $100,000 and a 2010 Mazda2, Armstrong says she is ready for a girl to win this time around. While there’s a possibility she is slightly biased in her aspirations – a fault she admits to – McGrath backs up his fellow judge, ensuring that the girls this season are truly amazing.

As a veteran of the show – McGrath was a finalist in the first season of the American So You Think You Can Dance back in 2005 – the judge can undoubtedly understand what it means to be in the contestants’ shoes. “It’s nice that I can lend a hand and be an inspiration for the kids,” he says. “They know I’ve been in their position and I think it’s nice for them to be able to look up to and I can just really help them out in that way that I’ve been through it and know that.”

“As judges, we’ve been given a responsibility to actually develop and invest into our dancers,” adds Armstrong. “Our job not only is to just see the surface; we have to look inside and see if there’s anything to pull. But we only have how many hours in a day to get there so we need those competitors to also step up and help us do that for them.”

With such a tough judging panel, the contestants definitely have their work cut out for them in putting together performances that leave the judges speechless. Yet Armstrong and McGrath have complete faith that this year’s contestants will produce no less.

“They have to let everything go, and just be real and honest with the work and the art,” says McGrath. “It’s not like a high school talent show; it’s something much more deep than that. Especially with the choreographers that they’re working with, we expect the best; they are the best, and so we want the kids to be the best as well.”

While the contestants put hours on end of hard work into every episode, the judges admit that all they must bring to the table each week is themselves, along with their outstanding knowledge and expertise. “We’ve done a lot of our own work, that’s why we’re here,” says Armstrong. “Because we’ve come up as dancers ourselves, it’s like we get it now. Now we just need to show up and be focused, but have fun and laugh a little. Dance shouldn’t always have to be so serious – enjoy it.”

When it comes to the remaining auditions, Armstrong has just one piece of advice that comes in the form of a saying which that rings true for everything in life – “Given the choice to choose, always choose not to lose.”

“Not everyone can afford the big designer clothes,” says Armstrong, “and its stance or struggle to get there. If you have a t-shirt with some little itty bitty jogging pants, wear it proudly, but make sure that your style and the way you put it together is coiffed and finished. Make the right choice. This is an audition. You can’t just come in your PJs and think you’re going to catch our attention just by dancing. You’re dancing will carry you, but you’re style and your confidence and your supernova – that inner star – bring that out. That’s what differentiates you. Be a personality and a person, not just someone in the in the street.”

So You Think You Can Dance Canada airs Monday at 8/7 C on CTV.

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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!

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Daniel Radcliffe is set to perform at the Tony Awards this year, reports CTV.

If you’re anxious to see the ‘Harry Potter’ star sing and dance, be sure to tune in at the beginning of the show on Sunday, as he is slated for an early performance.

Says Radcliffe: “I think we’re one of the first, if not the first.” Yikes, he better set the bar high then!

Radcliffe will be performing the song ‘Brotherhood of Man’ from his current Broadway show ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.’

The actor unfortunately did not receive a Tony nomination, but fellow co-stars John Larroquette and Tammy Blanchard are up for awards.

“If John won it would be just amazing,” he says. “Only because I have a lot of scenes with him.”

Radcliffe last starred in the play ‘Equus,’ where he received major buzz due to his full-frontal nude scenes.

I’m excited to see this side of him. We all know he can act, but the question is, can he sing a dance as well? Is he a triple threat?

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Britney Spears is taking the healthy route for her upcoming tour, reports The Sun.

The pop singer has reportedly given caterers strict instructions not to make any junk food because she’s not allowed it. That means no hot dogs, pizza and cookie dough ice cream, which have all been blacklisted. No beer or any alcohol either.

Spears has also requested that Micheal Jackson songs be played constantly in her dressing rooms. She has stockpiled his tour DVDs and enlisted the help of his dance team to recreate his routines.

A mini gym is also being transported to each show, as well as humidifiers, which Britney heard Beyonce uses to protect her voice.

This list of demands doesn’t seem too outrageous. Healthy living, upbeat music, gyms – all seem like good things. But why does someone who lip-synchs need humidifiers for their voice? Does this mean Spears will actually be singing this time around?

Spears is currently preparing for her summer tour with Nicki Minaj, and tickets begin to go on sale April 30.

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You may have forgotten this but Britney Spears is actually a really amazing dancer. Well at least she was before she met Kevin Federline, had kids, went crazy, etc. Anyways Britney is bringing back some of her special mojo. Britney just released a new video for “Till the World Ends” which features more footage of her dancing.

Spears tweeted last week about the alternate video, writing, “Just saw the final cut of the dance version of the #TTWE video. Not sure which one I like best?”

However there are some rumours swirling that Britney did use dance doubles for many of the scenes. What do you think?

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Nicki Minaj has told UntouchableBritney.net that shes currently in talks to tour with the queen of pop herself, Britney Spears.

“We’re talking. I would love to, but I don’t know yet. I can neither confirm or deny the rumours!”

This has come after Enrique Iglesias pulled out of the tour, although nobody really knows why. Where the tickets too expensive? Was he too egotistical to be a supporting act? Does he not like Britney as a person? We’ll never know, but what I personally think, is that Minaj is a way better choice.

Britney has a hip-hop, dance flavour to her music, so I think an up-and-commer like Nicki Minaj will definitely compliment Britney’s music. Plus, both of their fans tend to be in the same kind of demographic – the gays, the girls, and the clubbers – so it would be a good fit.

It’s not set in stone, though. For all we know, Pauly D can end up opening for her (no, no, no, no.) But who would you like to see open for Britney?

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Beyonce is teaming up with The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF) to encourage kids to stay active and healthy through dancing, reports Fit Perez.

The initiative, entitled “Let’s Move! Flash Workout”, is in support for Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to curb childhood obesity. The campaign encourages middle school students across the U.S. to perform a pre-choreographed dance exercise at 1:42 p.m. on May 3. The event is being produced in partnership with the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association and the American Association of School Administrators.

“NABEF is proud to assist the First Lady’s ‘Let’s Move!’ campaign and supports efforts to address the epidemic of childhood obesity,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander.  “We can think of no greater gift to America than keeping our schoolchildren healthy.”

The singer has re-written and re-recorded one of her songs, and even has recorded an instructional video demonstrating the “Lets Move! Flash Workout” routine.

On Wednesday, the First Lady spoke on a conference call to discuss advancing the “Let’s Move!” program goal of doubling the number of U.S. schools participating in the Healthier US School Challenge Program.

I couldn’t have thought of a better person for the job. Beyonce sings, she dances, she’s in great shape, and she’s someone young students can identify with.  I remember many nights where I’ve done the “Single Ladies” dance with my friends (maybe I shouldn’t admit that) and Beyonce definitely has many other people dancing.

I love celebrity do-good-ers, and I’m positive this initiative will be a success. Celebrities have that effect on people where they want to participate, it gets people’s attention. If it takes Beyonce shaking her booty to get kids moving, or Lady GaGa selling MAC lipstick to fight AIDS, then so be it. Plus, if a personalized Beyonce dance video doesn’t get kids moving, I sure to hell don’t know what will.

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JFK (Jesse F. Keeler) from MSTRKRFT is a world renowned DJ who has gained a huge and dedicated following. However JFK actually has rock roots, originally playing in a band called Death from Above 1979. Once that band ended, JFK partnered with AI-P and made MSTRKRFT their full time gig. We got a glimpse of life for JFK as he played an amazing show recently on Toronto Island.

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Justin Bieber and Jaden Smith stayed up past their bedtimes to hang out and relax last week after Bieber’s Madison Square Garden show. We’re not surprised to hear that what started as a casual game of bowling quickly progressed into an intense, no-holds barred, sudden death dance off.

TMZ reports that the teen heartthrobs broke it down to the tune of Kevin Rudolf’s “You Make the Rain Fall” at Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge last week. Though the Karate Kid did his fair share of popping, locking, and dropping, the win apparently went to Justin Bieber for his killer moonwalk. To be fair, Justin does have experience holding dance offs in bowling alleys, so he probably had the upper hand in the situation.

Wish you were there? Well, don’t worry – Bieber’s documentary crew caught the whole battle on film, so we’re sure that the whole gory grudge match will make its way into your hands sooner or later.

Justin has some smooth moves, but Jaden threw down pretty hard  in the video for the boy’s Karate Kid soundtrack collaboration, “Never Say Never.” We’ll need to see the footage before a true winner can be declared.

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For the second week in a row, So You Think You Can Dance judges cut someone because of injury, not poor performance.  Ashley Galvan was cut from the competition Thursday night because of her cracked rib, reports People.com.

As she was asked to set forward as part of the bottom three contestants for the week, Judge Nigel Lythgoe explained that he had talked with Ashley’s doctors and they had determined she would need at least three weeks off to recover from her injury.  She must have seen it coming, but the dancer still broke into tears while thanking her fans.

“I feel like I wasn’t ready to go,” she told People.com.  “It sucks.”

Judge Mia Michaels said that Ashley could have gone far in the competition and was a contender to win—not great news for the show.  Last week Alex Wong, the clear favourite to win the competition, was cut from the show due to a serious injury to his Achilles tendon.

With top dancers being axed for reasons not relating to their dancing abilities, it’s a real question whether the most talented dancers will be the last ones standing or not.

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So You Think You Can Dance contestant Alex Wong won’t be taking the stage anytime soon, reports People.com.

On Thursday night Wong announced that he will be leaving the show and will be out for some time following a serious injury to his Achilles tendon.  He will have surgery on Tuesday followed by a long three months of rest before he can get back to dancing.

“I’ve had an amazing time and I can’t get that anywhere else,” he tells People.com.  “Not ever from day one did I ever think I was going for the gold.”

He said his goodbyes on the show and received a standing ovation from the judges, live audience, and likely teary-eyed fans watching from home.  With his incredible skill, Alex Wong was a favourite to win the competition, but unfortunately for him, someone else will take the title.

“Alex is such a gift,” says SYTYCD judge Mia Michaels. “He is one of the greatest dancers, if not the greatest dancer that has ever come through our stage.”

This may not be the last we see of Alex, though.  He tells People.com that “It’s a lot to give up but I would love to be back,” continuing, “I haven’t finished my journey. I have so much more to learn.”

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Chris Brown broke down crying during a Michael Jackson tribute last night at the BET Awards.

Brown was performing a MJ inspired dance at the BET Awards when he was overcome with emotion. Nevertheless, if you like Chris Brown or not, it was still an awesome routine. He starts crying around 4:30 in the video below, in case you’re interested.

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It seems that the Moon Walk is the new black as more and more Michael Jackson merchandise is in the works.

According to TMZ, the King of Pop is set to star in a new video game that will essentially be a “dance karaoke.” Unlike many other ventures surrounding the deceased Jackson, apparently the pop singer’s estate is totally on board for this plan. Basically, gamers will see Jackson dancing on screen and then will be challenged to imitate his movements.

The game, currently untitled, will be available on multiple gaming platforms including Wii and Xbox 360. The Xbox version will include Microsoft’s new Kinect motion capture technology which will allow players to participate in the game without holding a controller.

Also in the Xbox version, the player will be judged based on full body moves; the game will process the player’s movements and display them on screen, dancing alongside Jackson.

If that wasn’t spectacular enough for aspiring Princes of Pop everywhere, the game also includes a karaoke feature which will allow players to sing along to Jackson songs and even funk up their voices with an autotune feature.

The game is being developed by Ubisoft (the same company behind Assassin’s Creed and Ghost Recon) and they have apparently secured permission from Jackson’s estate, so this is sure to go ahead. The game is scheduled to be released sometime before Christmas.

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Could it be? A Kate and Jon Gosselin reunion on “Dancing With The Stars?” Well not quite.

It’s no secret that Kate Gosselin has had some problems with her dance partner Tony Dovolani on and off the stage during “Dancing With The Stars.” However the two have come up with a Jon and Kate themed dance for next week.

According to E! Online, Tony will be channeling his inner Jon Gosselin and Kate will be portraying herself.

“It’s my story over the past two of years,” Kate tells E! Online. “We’re very, very excited.”

And there’s only one word to describe such a dance.

“Dramatic,” says Kate, to which Tony replies, “Lots of drama,” to which Kate adds a little more emphasis with an, “Oh my gosh, so much drama.”

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HPNTZ – the Rihanna/Biggie pseudo-mashup – may have garnered a lot of attention for Dan Black, but it is his album Un that won me over. Dan has an incredible talent for crafting catchy yet credible pop songs,and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to discuss his music with him.

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American choreographer Merce Cunningham died Sunday night of natural causes at his Manhattan home, reports CBC. He was 90 and was considered one of the most influential figures in modern dance.

Cunningham was considered a pioneer for his early use of video and computers in combination with dance. He experimented with technology by equipping audiences with iPods so they could choose the music to accompany the visual impact of the dance.

“You have to love dancing to stick to it,” he said. “It gives you nothing back, no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that single fleeting moment when you feel alive. It is not for unsteady souls.”

He formed the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in 1953. The company, currently based in New York, will tour the world for two years, per instructions left by Cunningham in the legacy plan he announced six weeks ago. Following the tour, the company will wind down, leaving its assets to the non-profit Merce Cunningham Trust with the aim of preserving his choreography.

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Melissa Rycroft has gone from one reality tv series to the next.  Jilted by Jason Mesnick on the season finale of The Bachelor, Rycroft will rebound on the hit show – Dancing With the Stars, People has learned.  

Rycroft originally received the coveted proposal from Mesnick, and was publicly dumped six weeks later for the runner-up bachelorette, Molly Malaney.  According to tvwatch.com, Mesnick is not proud of what he had to do.  “After we got back into the real world, all of a sudden, we had less to talk about and I didn’t know why.  I started thinking wow, what’s happening? Why aren’t we communicating the way we did when the show was going on … There was part of me that wanted things to work out with Melissa so bad.  But the whole other piece was I had these crazy feelings for Molly.” 

Rycroft, 25, is to fill the slot vacated by Access Hollywood host Nany O’Dell, who had to withdraw from the competition on March 5 due to a knee injury.  A source close to the production stated the the Dallas beauty is expected to perform live on the Monday premiere of the show.  

A spokesperson for ABC declined to comment.

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SYTYCD Canada fans love watching their favorite dancers on TV, now you have the chance to see them in person. The top 10 finalists are traveling across Canada showing off the most popular dances, and andPOP caught up with some of the dancers before the recent Toronto show. Please click below for full coverage.

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President Barack Obama surprised the world with his dance moves alongside wife and first lady Michelle Obama. The couple danced at the Neighborhood Ball, and “America’s Best Dance Crew” judge Shane Sparks has given his opinion on the President’s moves.

“I think they did really good,” Sparks told MTV News. “I was actually really proud. It looked like my man got rhythm. It looked like he was in control. … It looked like he really loved her, and I loved that.”

However, the judge did give the Obamas some constructive criticism, “Their posture wasn’t perfect. I would honestly say I’m sure they could take a few lessons. They could use a little Shane Sparks in there,” Sparks joked to MTV News.

Still, the President and the first lady get at least one thumb up from Sparks, “”It was really smooth,” he told MTV News. “It looked like they knew exactly what they did and when they wanted to do it. It was 50/50. It wasn’t perfect, but the good thing was they didn’t look uptight”.

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