First single available for download in June
NEW YORK -- Academy Award-winning actress and former "American Idol" contestant Jennifer Hudson will release her debut album, a self-titled affair, in September via Arista Records. The first single, "Spotlight," will hit U.S. radio on June 9 and be available for sale via digital outlets the following day.
"Spotlight" was written by Ne-Yo, who co-produced along with Stargate. Additional contributors on the album include Timbaland, Robin Thicke, the Underdogs, Diane Warren and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, among others.
"I think people will be pleasantly surprised, because it shows a side of my work that no one has heard before," Hudson said of the new album.
Hudson won the 2007 Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role as Effie White in "Dreamgirls." She next appears in the film adaptation of the HBO series "Sex and the City" and on its soundtrack, due May 27 via New Line, as well as "The Secret Life of Bees," which opens in the U.S. on Oct. 17.
Friday, 30 May 2008
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Shwayze's Lazy Days Inspired By Malibu Party-Hopping With Cisco Adler: 'It's Like Summer In A Bottle'
From afar, Malibu, California, seems like a mystical place, a sun-splashed, paparazzi-cluttered playground for the rich and famous. And while Malibu is just that for some, real people live there too — hardworking Americans who're just trying to keep the lights on and food on the table. For much of his life, Aaron Smith, the self-professed "only black kid in Malibu" who goes by the stage name Shwayze, has been the latter, hailing from the city's Point Dume Club mobile-home park, where he'd lived with his grandparents.
But these days he's crashing on Cisco Adler's couch, and while he doesn't have his own Wikipedia page yet, all of that may soon change for backpack hip-hopper Shwayze. With a single ("Buzzin' ") that's generating radio spins nationwide, a video that's something of a rotation staple for "TRL," a stint on this summer's Warped Tour and a reality-TV series coming this summer from MTV, Shwayze's making the transition from nobody to hitmaker.
Considered a protégé of Adler (that Jonathan Davis-esque dude who's dated Mischa Barton and Lauren Conrad), Shwayze is set to release his debut album on July 15. Produced by Adler — who played most of the album's instruments, save for a guitar solo contributed by Jane's Addiction's Dave Navarro on the song "Flashlight" — in his home studio, Lazy Days was all but in the bag by the time Shwayze was signed to Jordan Schur's Suretone Records, and blends the artist's earliest rock influences with the rap and hip-hop ones that would come as he matured.
"I think it's really cool," Shwayze told MTV News recently of his music, which has been compared to Sublime. "It's like summer in a bottle. It's music that's indicative of this area — it's sunny, laid-back, summertime music, and it's something different than what's on the radio now. We made the record last summer, and it was sort of the blueprint of what we were doing. It had an 'Endless Summer' vibe to it."
The inspiration for the tunes, he confessed, came from the time he's spent party-hopping with Adler in the 'Bu, so most of the songs are about meeting girls, having fun and ... um ... meeting girls.
"We made the record on a whim, and we made it without a record label," Shwayze said during a spirited game of "street golf" — which involves stealing rocks from people's gardens — with Adler in his old 'hood. "And I think because of that, it came out natural and organic."
"I saw him at parties, and I was like, 'Damn, that dude's got some charisma, and I think he's got some talent — let's see if we can mold that into something special,' " Adler said. "And he started hounding me: 'Let's get in the studio.' We sort of looked at each other after we made a couple of songs, and we were like, 'Damn, this is kind of good.' "
In July, Shwayze's reality series, also called "Buzzin'," will chronicle the artist's journey from the streets of Malibu to signing a record deal. "It's about us rolling around, having fun, making music and trying to break an artist," he said.
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Heather Mills, Paul McCartney divorce finalized
Sir Paul McCartney’s divorce from Heather Mills was this morning finalized by a High Court judge in London.
Mr. Justice Bennett pronounced a decree nisi on the grounds that the couple have lived apart for two years.
Heather, 40, was awarded a $48.6m settlement from the former Beatle in March.
Neither Mills or McCartney were present at the hearing. They must now wait six weeks and one day before the decree is made absolute.
During the former couple’s High Court battle in March, Heather was criticized in the judgment for giving “inconsistent and inaccurate” evidence.
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Beckham gets new six-inch tattoo of Posh
David Beckham has pledged his love to wife Victoria by spending over €3,300 on a new tattoo.
The footballer's new design shows the Spice Girl posing as a naked angel - a copy of his favourite photo of his wife from a Brigitte Bardot-inspired shoot for Pop magazine almost four years ago.
The tattoo, inked onto his left arm, is Beckham's 11th. He already boasts designs bearing his wife and three sons' names.
A source close to the couple told the Mirror newspaper: "They are both thrilled with the result. It's been beautifully done. Victoria was flattered."
Beckham showed off his new tattoo during his visit to Brazil. The footballer is in the country to launch his third soccer academy.
The footballer's new design shows the Spice Girl posing as a naked angel - a copy of his favourite photo of his wife from a Brigitte Bardot-inspired shoot for Pop magazine almost four years ago.
The tattoo, inked onto his left arm, is Beckham's 11th. He already boasts designs bearing his wife and three sons' names.
A source close to the couple told the Mirror newspaper: "They are both thrilled with the result. It's been beautifully done. Victoria was flattered."
Beckham showed off his new tattoo during his visit to Brazil. The footballer is in the country to launch his third soccer academy.
Eva Mendes checks into rehab: reports
Hollywood star Eva Mendes has entered rehab to tackle substance-abuse problems, according to a report by People magazine.
The 33-year-old star of 'We Own the Night' is reported to have been undergoing treatment at Utah's Cirque Lodge centre for several weeks.
A representative for Mendes People's website: "Eva has been working hard for the past year and made a positive decision to take some much-needed time off to proactively attend to some personal issues that, while not critical, she felt deserved some outside professional support. Out of respect for Eva's privacy, we do not wish to discuss further details."
Last year Cirque Lodge was in the headlines after actress Lindsay Lohan checked into the facility following dual arrests for drink-driving.
Mendes is one of the best known Latino actresses in Hollywood, having risen to prominence after landing a role with Denzel Washington in 2001 hit 'Training Day'.
Later this year she will appear in a remake of 'The Women', starring alongside Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Bette Midler.
The 33-year-old star of 'We Own the Night' is reported to have been undergoing treatment at Utah's Cirque Lodge centre for several weeks.
A representative for Mendes People's website: "Eva has been working hard for the past year and made a positive decision to take some much-needed time off to proactively attend to some personal issues that, while not critical, she felt deserved some outside professional support. Out of respect for Eva's privacy, we do not wish to discuss further details."
Last year Cirque Lodge was in the headlines after actress Lindsay Lohan checked into the facility following dual arrests for drink-driving.
Mendes is one of the best known Latino actresses in Hollywood, having risen to prominence after landing a role with Denzel Washington in 2001 hit 'Training Day'.
Later this year she will appear in a remake of 'The Women', starring alongside Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Bette Midler.
Hernandez voted off American Idol
David Hernandez has become the latest contestant to be voted off 'American Idol'.
Hernandez was placed in the bottom three with Syesha Mercado and Kristy Lee Cook and viewers voted to eliminate the 24-year-old.
Hernandez had sung 'I Saw Her Standing There' on the Lennon-McCartney-themed episode.
Commenting after his elimination, he said: "Honestly, things happen for a reason. We all have a plan, and on top of that you'll see me at the top. This isn't it for me."
Hernandez was the subject of controversy last week following media reports that he had worked as a stripper.
Hernandez was placed in the bottom three with Syesha Mercado and Kristy Lee Cook and viewers voted to eliminate the 24-year-old.
Hernandez had sung 'I Saw Her Standing There' on the Lennon-McCartney-themed episode.
Commenting after his elimination, he said: "Honestly, things happen for a reason. We all have a plan, and on top of that you'll see me at the top. This isn't it for me."
Hernandez was the subject of controversy last week following media reports that he had worked as a stripper.
Miller amongst BAFTA rising star nominees
Sienna Miller has been nominated for this year's Rising Star award at the BAFTAs.
The actress, who recently appeared in 'Stardust', is amongst two British stars nominated for the award, which is voted for by the public. Sam Riley, the star of Joy Division biopic 'Control', is the other British nominee.
They're joined in the category by Ellen Page, Shia LaBeouf and 'Lust, Caution' star Tang Wei for the prize.
The category was established in honour of late casting director Mary Selway, who died in 2004, with Scottish actor James McAvoy picking up the inaugural award.
'Casino Royale' star Eva Green, who won the award last year, announced the nominees saying: "This year's five nominees are all actors who have really stood out in their work and I'm sure we'll see a lot more of them throughout 2008."
The winner will be announced at the official BAFTA ceremony on 10 February.
The actress, who recently appeared in 'Stardust', is amongst two British stars nominated for the award, which is voted for by the public. Sam Riley, the star of Joy Division biopic 'Control', is the other British nominee.
They're joined in the category by Ellen Page, Shia LaBeouf and 'Lust, Caution' star Tang Wei for the prize.
The category was established in honour of late casting director Mary Selway, who died in 2004, with Scottish actor James McAvoy picking up the inaugural award.
'Casino Royale' star Eva Green, who won the award last year, announced the nominees saying: "This year's five nominees are all actors who have really stood out in their work and I'm sure we'll see a lot more of them throughout 2008."
The winner will be announced at the official BAFTA ceremony on 10 February.
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