Kevin Jonas, the oldest member of Disney pop trio The Jonas Brothers, announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Danielle Deleasa on Wednesday
21-year-old Kevin Jonas announces engagement
By Matthew B. Zeidman
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/2/09 – One of the Jonas Brothers will soon be trading in his purity ring for family life. Kevin Jonas told People magazine on Wednesday that he had proposed to longtime girlfriend Danielle Deleasa earlier in the day and that she eagerly accepted.
“She said yes, yes, yes like 500 times super fast in a row,” Jonas, 21, told People of his 22-year-old fiancé. The bride-to-be told the publication the pair met while on family vacations in the Bahamas in 2007 and that Jonas pursued her tirelessly.
Jonas and his brothers, Joe (19) and Nick (16), rose to fame as a pop trio after signing with Columbia Records in 2005 and later Hollywood Records in 2007. They currently star on “JONAS,” a sitcom on the Disney Channel that premiered in May, and are in the midst of an international tour.
‘I Bring What I Love’ documentary explores the music and life of Grammy-winner Youssou N’Dour *** 3 stars
By Jennifer Huber
Youssou N
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 6/28/2009 - ”I could have never predicted the controversy surrounding ‘Egypt’,” says ‘I Bring What I Love’ director Chai Vasarhelyi. “Maybe best known as the man who sang with Peter Gabriel on In Your Eyes, N’Dour is a man on a mission and that mission is to bring about change and hope through music.”
Youssou N’Dour is the highest-selling African pop musician of all time and has released more than 30 albums. Time magazine named him one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2007. The film, while exploring bits of N’Dour’s history and family life, mostly centers around the release of his 2005 Grammy-winning album Egypt. Released with great resistance from his people in his homeland of Senegal due to his music’s religious content, it garnered praise and success in Europe and the United States.
Guitar heroes Page, White and The Edge take filmmakers inside their homes, behind the caution tape By Darrah Le Montre
Jack and Jimmy
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) — “What turns us on is pretty similar,” rock legend Jimmy Page told Hollywood Today at his party for “It Might Get Loud.” He went on, “the initial spark and why we played and what turned us on…what made us want to be part of music…though we all come from slightly different musical genres was the same enticement.”
Jimmy Page wrote a new song for the film, White makes a guitar out of a vacuum cleaner retractor chord, U2’s The Edge confesses his dire need to create music as a youth in Dublin. Three guitar gods. Reigning in different eras, but equally vital to music lovers everywhere, take cultural, societal and economic expanses and meet on camera in the new rockumentary, “It Might Get Loud.”
“I learned a lot, not only musically but about the other guys. They were wonderful,” Page expressed of the experiences rendered during the making of the film.
When asked to elucidate his idols, the legend Page answered, “Oh, I’ve got many, many, many. I could talk about it all night.”
The Sony Pictures Classic is produced by the same Oscar-winning team behind Al Gore’s Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Adam Lambert, the runner up from this season's 'American Idol,' discussed his sexuality and wrangled with some wildlife in the latest issue of 'Rolling Stone'
Idol runner up tells ‘Rolling Stone’ he’s gay, making them the last people in America to know
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 6/9/09 – Adam Lambert came to fame on the most recent season of Fox reality show “American Idol” with his sexuality a hot topic of discussion in the media, so it was no surprise when he decided to come out in this week’s edition of Rolling Stone.
“I’m proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It’s just another part of me,” the 27-year-old alterna-rocker and most famous runner up in America told the music magazine, stating that he didn’t think “it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay.”
Lambert said he was tempted to talk to reporters right after the “American Idol” finale, but was afraid of a tabloid firestorm, like the one that faced former runner up Clay Aiken, and wanted to explain himself “in context.” The California resident is featured on the cover clad in all black, complete with a live snake crawling up his leg.
During “American Idol,” Lambert gained a reputation for unconventional performances of classic songs in a variety of genres and was favored to win by judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson. Pop superstar Katy Perry even wore a cape during a promotional on-air performance embroidered with Lambert’s name, but underdog Kris Allen garnered the most viewer votes following the final night of competition.
Angelina Jolie and husband Brad Pitt took two spots in Forbes' annual Celebrity 100, this year, including first
Controversial movie star tops Celebrity 100
By Matthew B. Zeidman
NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 6/3/09 – A high-profile pregnancy, a string of blockbuster films and an equally famous husband gave Angelina Jolie the edge over media mogul Oprah Winfrey at Forbes magazine this year. The business publication named the 33-year-old actress the pinnacle of celebrity influence in its annual Celebrity 100.
Winfrey, who came in first last year, earned an estimated $275 million over the past 12 months, compared to $27 million earned by Jolie. Entertainer Madonna, who ranked third, reportedly took in $110 million, while Brad Pitt, Jolie’s 45-year-old spouse, ranked ninth, earning $28 million.
Forbes combined two factors, namely earnings and public awareness, to formulate this year’s Celebrity 100. Other big names that made the 2009 list included President Barack Obama, country-music darling Taylor Swift and Los Angeles Lakers luminary Kobe Bryant.
Miami hip-hop rapper musical drama released by Lionsgate on DVD and at Blockbuster
By Robin Rowe
From tennis to rapper to actor, Susie Abromeit
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 5/30/2009 - “We were having a miserable time trying to cast the role of Pearl,” says Know Thy Enemy producer Jeremy Mitchell. “I mean, where exactly are you going to find a white female rapper? The whole point of the role in the movie is that it’s a very unique thing. So, we’re in the auditions, striking out, and one of the assistant CDs says to me ‘There’s a girl who’s a MySpace friend of mine. She’s, white, attractive and raps.’ I see that she’s talking about Susie Abromeit! She’s an old friend of mine from my tennis days. We came up through the junior ranks together. She’d told me years ago that she wanted to be an actress one day.” Abromeit’s rap song on her MySpace page fit the movie and so Mitchell used her song in the film, too.
In Know Thy Enemy, Nemesis, played by Sheaun McKinney, is the hottest rapper in rap’s hottest city, Miami. His big secret? He’s not a rapper. He’s a made-up creation of the record label, an invention of two music moguls, played by Jeremy Mitchell and Bechir Sylvain. Pearl, an aspiring rapper played by Susie Abromeit, is pushing herself as an artist and ready to do whatever it takes. She wants Nemesis to Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Allison Iraheta was a powerful 'American Idol' contender, but couldn't compete with the fan bases of Kris Allen, Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert
Popular redhead voted off singing competition
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 5/6/09 – The hopes of Allison Iraheta fans across the country were extinguished Wednesday night, when the fiery redhead lost her bid for the “American Idol” crown.
Iraheta was informed during the results show by host Ryan Seacrest that she had received the fewest telephone and instant-messaging votes from viewers the previous night. The tearful singer lost graciously, ending the show with an encore performance of Janis Joplin’s “Cry Baby,” one of two songs she had performed Tuesday.
The 17-year-old was the lone female remaining on Fox’s popular reality show, where amateur singers compete for a recording contract and the coveted title of “American Idol.” Danny Gokey, one of the remaining contestants, advanced to the top three, despite a panning from the judges’ panel.
NEW YORK (HT/RPRN) 5/04/09–Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Bobby Valentino, M.I.A, Day 26, The Dream, Estelle, Kat de Luna, Akon, Kanye West, Keri Hilson, Ghetts, Kid Cudi, Tinchy Stryder, Neyo, Eminem, spear head nominations at the annual Urban Music Awards USA taking place on July, the 17th in New York City. TheUMA’s will be held on the 17th of July 2009 in New York City and will be attended by more than 2,000 Artist, DJs, producers, promoters, record labels executives, celebrities from the world of music, radio, TV, sports and music fans from across the country. True to tradition, the public will rule and stars will rejoice with them.
Akon & Bobby Valentino grab triple nominations this year whilst Neyo , J. Holiday, The Dream, Keri Hilson, Musiq Soulchild, Jazmine Sullivan and previous UMA winner Estelle bag double nominations. Double award nominee, Neyo Read the rest of this Hollywood Today story »
Britney Spears was unexpectedly joined onstage by an allegedly tipsy fan Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Police tell gossip site 20-year-old was drinking
By Matthew B. Zeidman
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Hollywood Today) 5/4/09 – Britney Spears ended the American leg of her “Circus” concert tour Sunday, but the performance wasn’t nearly as memorable as the night before. During the first of two appearances at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday night, an allegedly drunk fan rushed the stage and was mere feet from the singer when a backup dancer took action, ushering him away.
Celebrity tabloid TMZ posted amateur video of the event, which showed 20-year-old Kyle King running up the stairs and dancing within arm’s length of the singer as she sang recent hit “Womanizer” while clad in a modified policewoman’s uniform. After the dancer escorted the young interloper away from Spears, other performers pulled him off camera.
Connecticut State Police, who placed King under arrest, told the Web site he had been drinking. They charged him with breaching the peace for his original actions and interfering with police for refusing to cooperate with officers while in custody.
Spears, 27, didn’t noticeably react to King’s presence and the show continued with minimal deviation from the routine from the backup dancers who handed him over to security.
The “Circus” tour, officially titled “The Circus Starring: Britney Spears,” began on March 3 in the celebrity’s home state of Louisiana in New Orleans. The last North American performance will be on Tuesday at Montreal’s Bell Centre, before the tour restarts in Europe on June 3.
Allison Iraheta, who recently turned 17, impressed three out of four of the judges on Tuesday's 'American Idol,' but judge Simon Cowell questioned her confidence
Judge Simon Cowell doubts singer’s confidence
By Matthew B. Zeidman
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Today) 4/28/09 – Lone female Allison Iraheta chose to perform “Someone to Watch Over Me” on Tuesday’s “Rat Pack” edition of “American Idol,” but the 17-year-old clearly didn’t have judge Simon Cowell in mind as she sang.
“I have a horrible feeling you could be in trouble tonight,” the British commentator stated simply on a night where nearly all the male contestants got rave reviews from the normally harsh judge.
Cowell also asked Iraheta if she felt she could beat her four remaining opponents and seemed unconvinced of her affirmative answer.
In sharp contrast, judges Paula Abdul, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson complimented Iraheta’s effort and (in Jackson’s case) her beauty, comparing her to perky blonde and future “Gossip Girl” guest star Brittany Murphy.
Iraheta, who gushed during a pre-taped interview about how she was “too young to have a boyfriend,” wore a black dress with white feathers and pronounced red lipstick.
On Wednesday’s results show, viewers will find out if Cowell’s premonition of doom was accurate. Iraheta has been in the show’s dreaded “bottom three” three non-consecutive times.
The Los Angeles native, who is known for her powerful voice and trademark rasp, previously won Telemundo’s “Quinceañera” singing competition and its $50,000 purse.
Mandy Moore comes back to the pop side with 'I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week' off her new album, 'Amanda Leigh'
Vocalist’s new single marks playful, mature return to pop
By Matthew B. Zeidman
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 4/21/09 – Though some may find it hard to believe, it’s been 10 years since Mandy Moore first burst onto the music scene, riding the late 90s pop wave and a lime-green Volkswagen Beetle. The recently married starlet has certainly come a long way since her bygone days of girlish glory, evidenced by her first single, “I Could Break Your Heart Any Day of the Week,” off her upcoming album, “Amanda Leigh.”
The song is undeniably pop and playful, which is refreshing after the rawer style of her 2007 album, “Wild Hope,” and the artful vintage contained in 2003’s “Coverage,” but it’s hardly a professional regression on Moore’s part. On the contrary, “ICBYHADOTW,” whose title serves as the hook, reflects a newfound maturity on her part.
The 15-year-old child who sang about missing her boyfriend “like candy” and asking him to walk her home is long gone, and the wave of pain and introspection that washed over Moore all through her last album has also ebbed in favor of a confident and dare we say happy woman.
Moore, now 25, takes the opportunity to boast how she could crush a man even on his best day and that “calendar girls ain’t got nothing” on her. It’s not a cold, vengeful or manipulative boast, but rather an empowering one. After a decade of love, loss and life in general, she’s found her inner strength and externalized it. She no longer needs validation from the opposite sex; she’s the one who doles it out.
Moore has also evolved in style. These aren’t adult lyrics over her old teen rhythms. “ICBYHADOTW” carries a country/pop twang, evocative of some of Juice Newton’s past hits (e.g., “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me”), though distinct. Unlike Newton, whose crossovers were more country with a dash of pop, Moore’s latest effort is more pop with a dash of country.
The accompanying music video is unlikely to be a staple on MTV Hits, as it’s essentially just Moore standing against a wall in the interior of a dojo, while a bunch of extras practice martial arts. It is good, however, to see her putting her face out there again, and the ending, where she harnesses her feminine wiles to give a menacing sensei his comeuppance for underestimating her, is humorous in a confusing sort of way.
Music-video mischief aside, we’re pleased to see Moore show off her joyful side in “ICBYHADOTW,” which we suppose is a reflection of the nascent confidence, optimism and contentment in her own life. We look forward to seeing what other gems she has to offer when “Amanda Leigh” is released on May 26 and hope Moore will continue to unapologetically experiment in musical styles in the near and distant futures.
It just keeps getting better and better for “Britains Got Talent” superstar Boyle
By Stacey Silberman
HOLLYWOOD (Hollywood Today) 4/19/09 - Susan Boyle visits CNN’s “Larry King Live” with Piers Morgan, gets swept up into Ashton Kutcher’s Twitter race, is invited to sit with Oprah, and has now hit upwards of 50-million views on YouTube since she debuted April 11.
The new it girl is taking the world by storm as many jump aboard her bandwagon. “Her story is just so inspiring,” said 11-year old singer Sabrina Silberman. “It gives me the courage to perform even when I’m really nervous. If she can do it, than so can I.”
Simon Cowell has also promised Boyle a record contract and has guaranteed it will be a huge hit like previous operatic contestant Paul Potts. She is now slated to go on tour as well.
