Beyoncé - "Schoolin' Life"

J.R. Taylor Choreography

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Beyonce is looking like the mega star that she is on the cover of InStyle. For the fashion mag’s September issue the Roseland Ballroom performer is simply radiant in her sequined and star-studded dress. (Truth be told, even if Bey had worn a burlap sack she would still look just as fabulous.) Jump below for more of the pop-up shopper and for a behind the scenes look at the Jay-Z groupie’s photo shoot with photographer Michelangelo Di Battista at Long Island’s Guggenheim mansion.

If this is just a taste of what to expect from the “Lift Off” singer’s spread, September is going to be one hot issue.


In her interview, Beyonce opens about her work pace, “When you’re young—18 or 19—you have the energy and drive. That’s the time to work as hard as you can. Now I’m a woman, and because I gave it my all, I can focus on my marriage. I can decide I want to have kids. I can be the mother I want to be and dedicate myself to my children.”

And the 4 siren’s guilty pleasure? The Jersey Shore. You hear that, Pauly D?

For an on set look at the 29-year-old’s smashing pictorial, head here.

If you were underwhelmed by Lady Gaga’s last video for “The Edge of Glory,” then you’ll get a thrill out of her latest visual marvel. The eccentric superstar heads to Nebraska to shoot the over-the-top visuals for “Yoü and I,” the fourth single off her chart-topping album Born This Way, which was written about her on-and-off boyfriend Luc Carl.

In typical Gaga fashion, she embodies a plethora of bold looks, while making out with her male alter-ego Jo Calderone in a corn field and transforming into a mermaid named Yuyi.

“[The video is about the] idea that when you’re away from someone you love, it’s torture,” she told Omaha radio station 94.1. “I knew I wanted the video to be about me sprinting back and walking hundreds of thousands of miles to get him back.”

Joe Jonas celebrated his 22nd birthday yesterday, and today’s he’s got something else to get excited about: a new tour with Jay Sean! The two crooners are teaming up for a joint tour across North America this Fall. The 19-date trek will start September 6 in Boston and conclude exactly one month later on October 6 in New York. (After that, the “Love Slayer” will be hopping to Sweden to join the European leg of Britney’s Femme Fatale tour.) Tickets for Joe and Jay’s show go on sale August 19

Eminem has earned yet another accolade. Rolling Stone has bestowed the rap titan with its current King of Hip-Hop title based on his album sales, YouTube views, and social-media scores.


Not far behind Marshall Mathers is Lil Wayne, who claims second place based on his album and ticket sales, online rankings, and awards, while his Young Money cohort Drake comes in third.

The list is not a ranking of all-time greatest MCs. Instead, the magazine selected 20 solo rappers who have dropped an album from 2009 through the first seven months of 2011. The positions were determined by album sales, rankings on the R&B/hip-hop and rap charts, YouTube views, social media, concert grosses, industry awards, and critics’ ratings.

Contenders included Big Boi, B.o.B, Diddy, Drake, Eminem, Fabolous, Lupe Fiasco, Gucci Mane, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Nicki Minaj, Pitbull, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, T.I., Waka Flocka Flame, Kanye West, and Wiz Khalifa.

Despite the “king” title, Nicki Minaj is the sole female on the list, beating out some of her male peers for the No. 6 spot. See the full list below.

Rolling Stone’s “Kings of Hip-Hop” List

1. Eminem
2. Lil Wayne
3. Drake
4. Kanye West
5. Jay-Z
6. Nicki Minaj
7. Rick Ross
8. Ludacris
9. Gucci Mane
10. T.I.
11. Snoop Dogg
12. Diddy
13. Pitbull
14. Fabolous
15. Wiz Khalifa
16. B.o.B
17. Waka Flocka Flame
18. Lupe Fiasco
19. Kid Cudi
20. Big Boi

Kerry Washington attended the VH1 2011 Do Something Awards wearing a Zuhair Murad One Shoulder Dress from the Fall/Winter 2011 Ready-to-Wear Collection. She was also wearing a pair of Jimmy Choo Nexus Snakeskin Sandals ($1,295), which features sheer lace and elaphe snakeskin.



Game knows how to stir up controversy with fiery records like “Uncle Otis,” but he reveals a gentler side on “Good Girls Go Bad,” his collaboration with Drake off The R.E.D. Album (Aug. 23). The father of three dedicates the record to the “good girls,” specifically missing teen Natalee Holloway. “I feel for her daddy so I wrote this on Father’s Day,” he says before name checking Biggie’s daughter, Kanye West’s mother, and Beyoncé.

The sensitive thug shares the pain he felt when he saw his father abusing his mother and even tries to keep the peace. “We don’t want to see Nicki fight Lil’ Kim/ There’s missing women out there, let’s just focus on them.”

“Don’t make the good girls go bad,” echoes the soulful chorus, while Drizzy comes through with a playful verse. “I love your ass like Milhouse love Lisa/ I love your ass like the Ninja Turtles love pizza.”

Good girls, this one’s for you.

Pia Toscano stopped by Live! With Regis And Kelly this morning to sing her single “This Time”, and though the American Idol alum sounded great as usual, she looked fairly awkward just standing there with no backup band playing behind her. Couldn’t they get Casey Abrams to swing by with his bass just so Pia has someone to play off of? (Speaking of the quirky, bearded Idol… why can’t Ester Dean write him a debut single?) Catch her performance below.



Ashton Kutcher will roll up as the new guy on Two and a Half Men in a ritzy, 1,200 square foot trailer called "The Heat." His on-set mobile estate features seven 60-inch TVs with satellite TV capabilities, a conference area, and a second floor that hydraulically slides out to make the bus even wider. The mansion on wheels is custom-decorated with leather, oak wood, and marble treatments giving it a "5-star luxury feel," as the company describes it.

CBS will foot the rental bill of $8,750 a week, reports Daily Mail, but if Kutcher decides he wants to own the rig, he'd have to shell out around $2 million – his reported earnings for just two episodes!

Kutcher's mega-trailer comes from the same luxury company that made Will Smith's monster trailer – the one he parked on a narrow Soho street while filming Men in Black III. (Neighbors complained the 53-foot truck emitted fumes, stalled businesses, and blocked traffic. It was eventually removed.)

TMZ reports Two and a Half Meninsiders feel Kutcher's bus is "over the top" and makes the Charlie Sheen replacement seem like a "diva." But from what we've heard, his predecessor was no stranger to drama or grandiose on-set living standards. When he was booted from Men, Sheen taped a short improv skit called "Operation Greyhound" where he devised a stealth plan to tow his "total hang out pad" out of the WB parking lot.
Check out more pictures of The Heat Mobile Estate here:









Monday, August 15, 2011

Jason Derulo’s second Future History single “It Girl” comes dangerously close to being just another bland, cookie cutter R&B-pop experience, but lucky for him, that whistle gimmick in the chorus makes it a somewhat enjoyable (read: we’ll be over it after about the fourth listen) three minutes. Sadly, the Colin Tilley-directed video for the tune doesn’t have a similar catchy gimmick to save it from sinking into dullsville — just more of Jason’s Michael Jackson-esque moves. Watch below.

Halle Berry rang in her 45th birthday Sunday in a sexy orange bikini. The actress, who looked about 25 as she frolicked in the sand, celebrated at a Malibu beach with daughter Nahla and some friends, sealing her place as one of Hollywood's hottest moms.

Halle Berry at the beach (Pacific CoBerry ran up and down the beach with her 3-year-old and the skimpy suit didn't slow her down at all. She smiled for the cameras on the gorgeous sunny day and there wasn't a wrinkle in sight!

The actress has had somewhat of a trying year with a lengthy custody battle between her and Nahla's father Gabriel Aubrey, but the stress of balancing motherhood, court dates, and a film career hasn't seemed to age this gal one bit. 

Perhaps that's because she haOlivier+Martinez in Halle Berry, Olivier Martinez and Robin Thicke at the Beverly Hills Hotels insane genes and the support of new beau Olivier Martinez. The two met on the set of their flick Dark Tide earlier this year, and seem to be quite smitten. He walked the red carpet with her at the Rose Gala this year, where Berry was honored for her community service, and they made no attempts to hide their affection.

Even though these two look deeply in love, don't look for the 45-year-old to be heading down the aisle again. The star has had had two failed marriages and said in a past interview: "I no longer feel the need to be someone's wife and I don't need the validation of a marriage certificate."

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Nicole Scherzinger certainly isn't going for that all natural look in the newly released promo pics for the X Factor. The "Wet" singer looks like a glamazon! Not to be outdone, former American Idol judge Paula Abdul looks unbelievably good. The 49-year-old continues to age in reverse. Rounding out these shots are co-stars L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell, as well as (absolutely adorable) host Steve Jones. If the allure of watching music hopefuls sing their hearts out for a chance at a five million dollar recording deal (and five million in cold hard cash) isn't enough to attract you, perhaps Fox is hoping these reminders of their attractive cast will get you to tune in. Is it working?


Just a day after glam new promo pics of the forthcoming American X Factor crew arrived, American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe called in to Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM show and dropped this bit of eclipsing info: “I am delighted to say that all three judges, along with the brilliant host of American Idol is back for the next season.” That’s good news for fans of the “On The Floor” diva, though the New York Post reports that J.Lo’s rumored $20 million payday is causing friction with fellow judges Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson. Sorry, boys — divorce isn’t cheap!

Mary J. Blige lends a reassuring voice on “The Living Proof,” the theme to the film The Help, in theaters now. The survivors’ anthem, produced by The Underdogs, was written about Aibileen (Viola Davis), the main character who plays a maid living in Mississippi during the 1960s. The video features footage of Mary in the studio interspersed with clips from the civil rights dramedy. Find your strength in the music.

My Buddy Kelly Rowland was spotted outside NBC studios in New York City wearing a pair of Lanvin Escarpin snake-print wedges ($1,120). These open-toe leather wedges feature a snakeskin print on a textured wooden wedge heel and a grosgrain ribbon ankle tie.





The boy is getting out of detention and going on the road — Chris Brown has unveiled the dates for his 28-date trek across North America. We can only imagine how much fun it will be, now that T-Pain and Tyga will join Kelly Rowland as Breezy’s tour openers.

Chris Brown’s North American F.A.M.E. Tour
Sept. 12 – Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Sept. 14 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Sept. 16 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Center
Sept. 17 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
Sept. 18 – Detroit, MI – Joe Louis Arena
Sept. 21 – Cleveland, IL – CSU
Sept. 23 – Chicago, IL – Tinley Park
Sept. 24 – St. Louis, MO – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sept. 25 – Indianapolis, IN – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Sept. 28 – Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena
Sept. 30 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Coliseum
Oct. 1 – Raleigh, NC – Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Oct. 2 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre
Oct. 7 – Tampa, FL – 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
Oct. 8 – Charlotte, NC – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Oct. 9 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Amphitheatre
Oct. 12 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
Oct. 14 – Dallas, TX – GEXA Pavilion
Oct. 15 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Arena
Oct. 16 – Houston, TX – Woodlands
Oct. 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Ashley Pavilion
Oct. 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center
Oct. 22 – Oakland, CA – Sleep Train Concord
Oct. 23 – Sacramento, CA – Sleep Train Amphitheatre
Oct. 26 – Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum
Oct. 28 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Arena
Oct. 29 – Pittsburgh, PA – Consol Energy Center
Oct. 30 – Hartford, CT – XL Center

Jessie J gets the last laugh in the video for “Who’s Laughing Now,” the latest U.K. single off her debut Who You Are. In the tongue-in-cheek clip, the bobbed-haired singer reminisces on her days as an outcast in grade school when she was teased by the popular kids. But a young Jessie gets payback, wreaking havoc on the cafeteria and theater, and hosing the mean girls with a fire extinguisher.

The British chart topper, who will open for Katy Perry in the U.S. this fall, dresses up as different characters including a teacher, lunch lady, and janitor. Watch her rule the school.

In less time than it takes to sing the hook to “Run the World (Girls),” Beyoncé sold out the first of her four New York shows.


The pop superstar announced “4 Intimate Nights With Beyoncé,” a series of four intimate performances at New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom. Tickets went on sale today with the first show on August 14 selling out in a lightening-fast 22 seconds.

Those who weren’t able to get tickets to the first show on Sunday can try their luck at three other dates set for August 16, 18, and 19. Tickets for the remaining nights go on sale throughout the day and are expected to all sell out.

Beyoncé will perform her new album 4 in its entirety at these special concerts.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Rihanna was spotted on the beach in Barbados wearing a pair of Missoni Aden Crochet pants ($737). These multi-colored crochet fabric pants feature an elastic band waist and leg cuffs. Do you like Rihanna’s look?


“Justin And Selena As One” — that’s not the title of the latest gossip mag headline, it’s the official name of the nude portrait of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Artist Daniel Edwards, of Britney-Spears-giving-birth-on-a-bearskin-rug -culpture-infamy, has returned with this artistic commentary on pop culture’s latest relationship obsession. We’re not sure what to say about the imagery of the teen pop stars conjoined at the hip, ” . . . with a Canadian maple leaf and a Texas lone star covering their most intimate parts,” says Splash. At the very least, the Who Says songbird will not be pleased that she looks even less like herself than on her Fame comic book cover.

The country crooner displayed a temporary tattoo she got at the Miami Express Yourself Oasis inspired by the promises her husband made to her on their big day while attending the Lollapalooza music festival this past weekend in Chicago – where Cibrian is also filming The Playboy Club.

"You gave me the courage to be truthful," the ink, etched on her ribcage, reads. "I promise to give you the comfort to be trustful."

Rimes says she's "just trying something, playing" for now – although it may be more permanent than she originally intended.

"Too funny!" she Tweeted. "I can't get it off. In search of rubbing alcohol I think!"

Cibrian, 38, and Rimes, 28, met on a movie set in 2008 and both ended their respective marriages to be together.

Just when we thought her meat dress couldn’t be topped, along comes Lady Gaga looking like … well, nobody else we know.

In fact this guise, known as Jo Calderone, is a male alter-ego creation of Gaga (and stylist Nicola Formichetti's). He's an attitude-rich toughie not likely to take any nonsense. The picture serves as the cover of the singer's latest single, "Yoü and I."

As for the inspiration behind the look, Gaga explained via Twitter: "You will never find what you are looking for in love, if you don't love yourself. #You&ISingleCover." (She also Tweeted the the photo.)

If you weren’t excited for Mary J. Blige’s new album, Pharrell is about to change that. The super-producer, who usually keeps quiet when it comes to his collaborations, couldn’t contain his excitement over the R&B vet’s project.


“You got to hear her. All I’m saying is, When ya’ll hear MJB’s album, the queen is back! That’s all I gotta say,” said an enthusiastic Pharrell during an episode of Jermaine Dupri’s vlog series “Living the Life.”

My Life II: The Journey Continues, the sequel to Mary’s 1994 sophomore LP, is slated for a fall release. In addition to Pharrell, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul has been in the studio with J.D., Rico Love, Swizz Beatz, songwriter Andrea Martin, and Nicki Minaj, who appears on “Feel Inside.”

“She’s brought black music back on such an incredible level,” added P. “It’s amazing the kind of musicianship and the kind of poetry that’s on this album. This is one of the most amazing albums I’ve heard in a long time. I am so honored to be a part of it because it’s someone I like, admire, and is also a legend. When you guys hear this shit, reefer sales gon’ go up.”

We’re not sure exactly what he means, but we’re sold.



If you happened to shut your eyes for a split second and missed Rihanna in the recent Battleship trailer, you’re in luck — a new promo shot from the sure-to-be future Oscar winner (*cough*) featuring the “Cheers” songstress has been released. Here we see Ri Ri’s character, Petty Officer Raikes, aiming what looks to be a boat-mounted punt gun while conjuring up her best “I am intensely fierce” face. Of course, if the producers really wanted to sell tickets to this video game flick, they should have let Rihanna opt for her beach-blanket-Barbados wardrobe.

Jay-Z and Kanye West are on their way to conquering the charts. The rap kings’ monumental album Watch the Throne is shaping up to have a blockbuster week.


The album only hit iTunes today, but early estimates are already in. In less than 24 hours, Throne has hit No. 1 on iTunes in over 20 countries. The album, which avoided leaking in advance, is on track to sell at least 400,000 to 500,000 copies in its first week in the U.S., according to Billboard.

Based on these figures, that would give Jay and Kanye the second-largest sales week of the year, behind Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, which opened with 1.1 million units.

Watch the Throne is available exclusively at iTunes until Friday, when it expands to other digital retailers and physical stores. Best Buy will carry the deluxe version exclusively from August 12-22.

Official first-week sales will be released on Wednesday, August 17.