Michael Jackson's Family Upset With James Durbin Over 'American Idol' Pepsi Quip

'We were shocked to see this,' read the Jacksons' message; Durbin tweeted an apology on Thursday.
By Gil Kaufman


James Durbin performs on "American Idol" on Wednesday
Photo: Michael Becker/ Fox

Some people might argue that it's patently unfair to take rank amateurs, put them on the biggest show on TV and then expose them to potential worldwide ridicule every week. Because it's one thing to tune in to "American Idol" from your living room or play shows at the local wings joint, it's another thing entirely when you get up on that stage and open your mouth with tens of millions watching and listening.

James Durbin learned this lesson the hard way this week when he made what he thought was an innocent crack about not setting himself on fire during his pyro-tastic cover of Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" on Wednesday night.

Asked by host Ryan Seacrest if he was worried about dancing around among the flames shooting up from the piano onstage, Durbin joked, "I have a lot of hairspray in my hair to keep it from jumping around — so much so, the one thing I was worried about was having a 'Pepsi moment.' "

The seemingly innocent crack was a reference to the 1984 on-set accident in which late pop icon Michael Jackson was badly burned during the shooting of a Pepsi commercial by some wayward pyro effects. The serious burns he suffered in the incident allegedly led to his longtime addiction to pain medication and prescription drugs.

The Jackson family was not amused by the quip and sent a statement to TMZ on Thursday.

"We were shocked to see this. It's nothing to make light of and everybody should be focusing on who was responsible for Michael's death," read the statement. Family patriarch Joseph Jackson also was reportedly miffed that "Idol" producers did not cut the comment from the West Coast feed of the show.

Durbin defended his slip-up in a tweet, which has since been scrubbed from the singer's official "Idol" Twitter feed, that explained, "For anyone talkin ... I said pepsi NOT MJ! I have no disrespect for Michael. I grew up singing his art. I guess youll take it how you want it." He later added, "Talkin about MJs passing is too soon. Making a reference to an incident 25 years ago..not too soon. The stab was at pepsi people."

It's worth noting that Pepsi's bitter rival, Coca-Cola, is the main "Idol" sponsor, a fact that Seacrest reminded Durbin of in an awkward moment after the comment on the show.

What did you think of James Durbin's "Pepsi" quip? Tell us in the comments.

Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661097/jackson-family-james-durbin-american-idol.jhtml

Paz Vega Penélope Cruz Pink Piper Perabo Poppy Montgomery Portia de Rossi

Justin Bieber Pestered By Paparazzi In Israel

Teen superstar tweets frustration, leading to two Twitter trends.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber (file)
Photo: Prince Williams/FilmMagic

Justin Bieber has never been shy about his feelings for the paparazzi. In March, while celebrating his 17th birthday in Los Angeles, the teen sensation gave the paps who tried to snap a photo of him and lady love Selena Gomez the middle finger — although the Biebs soon apologized for it. Well, now that he's abroad taking his My World tour international, he's still finding himself pestered by the photographers' prying lenses.

On Tuesday, he took to Twitter to call out the paparazzi for trying to snap photos of him while he was in Israel taking in the sights. "Staying in the hotel for the rest of the week u happy?" he wrote. "People wait their whole lives for opportunities like this, why would they want to take that experience away from someone. They should be ashamed of themselves. Take pictures of me eating but not in a place of prayer, ridiculous."

Bieber was particularly upset that photographers didn't leave him alone while he visited sites of spiritual significance. "You would think paparazzi would have some respect in holy places," he lamented. "All I wanted was the chance to walk where Jesus did here in Israel."

Just one day before, Bieber tweeted about his excitement over being in Israel. "Just amazing place...not a bad day. just wish got a little more space and privacy from the paps to enjoy this time with my family. Thanks," he wrote. "I'm in the holy land and i am grateful for that. I just want to have the same personal experience that others have here."

Bieber's post then helped initiate his latest Twitter trend, #papsleavebiebsalone. As of press time it was one of the highest-rated trends, right behind the promoted #PlayBookHaiku. Other Bieber-related trends included #cheerupjustin and Holy Land.

What do you think about the paparazzi bothering Bieber while he's in Israel? Share your opinions in the comments.

Related Photos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661779/justin-bieber-paparazzi-israel.jhtml

Shakara Ledard Shakira Shana Hiatt Shania Twain Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton

Lady Gaga 'Judas' Video: What Should Fans Expect?

'It's not meant to be a biblical lesson,' Gaga says of the clip, which premieres Thursday (May 5).
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga
Photo: Derek Storm/ Splash News

Thursday may be Cinco de Mayo, but as it turns out it's also Cinco de Gaga. May 5 is the day that Lady Gaga releases her video for "Judas." Fans are eager to see what Gaga and her creative director, Laurieann Gibson, who co-directed the clip, have in store for the latest entry into Gaga's videography.

The video is certainly bound to have some people responding to the religious undertones included in it, but Gaga points out that the clip isn't meant to cause an uproar. "I don't view the video as a religious statement. I view it as social statement. I view it as a cultural statement. It's a metaphor," she told E! News in a new interview. "It's not meant to be a biblical lesson."

An uncut, seven-minute version of the "Judas" video will officially premiere at 7 p.m. ET on E!, and Gaga reveals more in a conversation that will be shown along with the clip. But if fans can't wait for more tidbits and images from the video, no worries — Gaga is giving another first look on her Twitter.

Mother Monster tweeted an image of a woman's rosary-bead-covered hand (presumably hers) holding a gun, with lipstick peeking out of the barrel, up to the face of a man. While the entire face of the man can't be seen, it's safe to say that it's actor Norman Reedus, who plays the Judas character in the clip. Accompanying the photo is a message that reads, "THE JUDAS KISS: a betrayal of a prophecy fulfilled?"

Another image also popped up on the Internet that appears to be from a dance sequence from the video. It looks like Gaga is in an alleyway that seems to be somewhere in Latin America, wearing biker-girl chic clothes (bandana, leather), surrounded by dancers

In another recent interview, Gaga revealed that she plays a Mary Magdalene character in the video, and that the clip was in part inspired by a famous Italian filmmaker. "Well, I want to allow the video to speak for itself, but I will say that the theme of the video and the way that I wanted to aesthetically portray the story was as a motorcycle [Federico] Fellini movie, where the apostles are revolutionaries in a modern-day Jerusalem," she said. "But it's meant more to celebrate faith than it is to challenge it."

Are you planning to tune in to E! to watch the "Judas" premiere? Tell us in the comments.

Related Photos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1663308/lady-gaga-judas-music-video.jhtml

Sarah Silverman Sarah Wynter Scarlett Chorvat Scarlett Johansson Selita Ebanks Shakara Ledard

Justin Bieber Egg Tosser Arrested

17-year-old Australian teen appeared in court on Thursday after allegedly breaking in to Sydney's Acer Arena and egging the pop star.
By Gil Kaufman


Justin Bieber
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

When are people going to learn that you just can't get away with dissing Justin Bieber? You can't criticize him, date him or look sideways at the "Baby" singer without the Beliebers coming down on you like a ton of sparkly, text-mad bricks.

So it should come as no surprise that the culprit in a recent Bieber bashing Down Under was swiftly brought to justice for his egg raid on the pop star. According to The Associated Press, Australian officials have charged a 17-year-old with breaking into Bieber's concert at Sydney's Acer Arena on Friday and tossing eggs at the singer. Video of the incident showed several raw eggs hitting the stage and just missing Bieber and his backup singers. Bieber and his crew kept dancing amid the attack, but the Melbourne Herald Sun reported that officials from the arena complained about the incident to police after catching wind of the egging on a social networking site.

The teen was arrested at his home in Bondi Junction, and police seized a cell phone and other items while taking him into custody.

The unnamed youth made an appearance in Sydney Children's Court on Thursday and was charged with breaking and entering, trespassing, and malicious damage. He was released on bail and is scheduled to enter a plea next month. Police say the teen broke into the arena through the roof.

Bieber didn't react to the ovum assault, but he did take time after one of his recent shows to meet up with Australian teen Casey Heynes, who became famous for a viral video in which he stood up to a bully. He invited Heynes to come out on stage at a show in Melbourne and tell the crowd "Never say never" after meeting with him privately backstage.

Related Photos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1663306/justin-bieber-egg-tosser-arrest.jhtml

Rhona Mitra Rihanna Robin Tunney Rosario Dawson Rose Byrne Rose McGowan

Rihanna, Eminem, Justin Bieber Lead Billboard Music Award Finalists

Rihanna leads the pack with nominations in 18 categories.
By Gil Kaufman


Rihanna
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ WireImage

It was strictly A-list names at the top of the list when the lead finalists for the 2011 Billboard Music Awards were announced Wednesday (April 13).

In the lead among all nominees was Rihanna, a finalist in 18 categories, who was followed by fellow multiple-award finalists Eminem, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber.

Among the categories Rihanna is up for awards in are: Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Female Artist, Top R&B Artist and Top Dance/Electronic Artist, while her smash collaboration with Eminem, "Love the Way You Lie," racked up notices in six song categories. Right behind her was Slim Shady, a finalist in 16 categories, including Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Artist, Top Male Artist and Top Rap Artist.

Lady Gaga was next with nods in 12 categories, including Top Dance/Electronic Album, which included three of her releases, The Fame, The Fame Monster and The Remix

Mars and Bieber had 11 nominations each and will face each other in the Top New Artist and Top Male Artist categories. The other contenders in Top New Artist include Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj and Taio Cruz.

The Top Artist category will pit Bieber against, Eminem, Gaga, Rihanna and Taylor Swift, while the Top Rap Album category will be a showdown between Drake, Eminem, Minaj, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. The Top Alternative Artist race will feature Muse facing the Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Linkin Park and Mumford & Sons.

The event honors artists who have appeared on the Billboard charts during the period of February 28, 2010, through March 1, 2011. Winners are also determined by album, single and digital sales, touring, streaming and social interactions on MySpace, Facebook and other popular online destinations for music.

Winners will be announced at the Billboard Music Awards on May 22 at 5 p.m. PT. Among the announced performers are Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Cruz, Lady Antebellum, the Black Eyed Peas and Keith Urban.

Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661913/rihanna-eminem-justin-bieber-billboard.jhtml

Rachel McAdams Rachel Nichols Rachel Perry Rachel Weisz Radha Mitchell Raquel Alessi

Chuckie Will Debut Michael Jackson Remix In Miami

Official 'Hollywood Tonight' remix coming to Miami Music Week.
By Akshay Bhansali


Chuckie
Photo: Jason Ano/ One and Only Productions

Leaving the South by Southwest festival, Lavo New York and Las Vegas' Marquee in his wake, house DJ Chuckie has his sights set on the week ahead. With Miami Music Week now upon us, Chuckie plans to seize the opportunity to debut new material. Fans will be tickled to know the Dutch producer has tracks in the can with Kelly Rowland and T-Pain, but when MTV News caught up with him Friday in New York, Chuckie shared the achievement of which he's most proud.

"I did a Michael Jackson remix, which was really scary — to touch Michael Jackson vocals," Chuckie said. "I did this remix for this track 'Hollywood Tonight.' I couldn't say it for a minute: The label called me, and they said, 'You can't say nothing about this. It's kind of a secret project.' It's gonna come out anytime now."

"Hollywood Tonight" was originally produced by Teddy Riley for Jackson's posthumous Michael album, and Chuckie's mix of the song will be the sole official remix of the track.

"I will play it Miami," Chuckie revealed. "I told them this is the best week to launch the remix. So it feels really good. I'm the only one remixing that Michael Jackson track, and they are considering it a single. For me, especially, it's an honor to remix the King of Pop because he died on my birthday."

So, will the mix be a thundering Chuckie Dutch house banger or will it have a melodic progressive house feel, like his Marquee remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "I Hate That You Love Me"? Well, according to the "Let the Bass Kick" producer, fans will be getting a healthy dose of both.

"I had to bring in the raucous," Chuckie confessed. "Yeah, I did the Chuckie flavor, but then again, I wanted to make it really musical, so I went progressive (house) on it."

Chuckie will be performing twice at Miami Music Week: at the Cr2 Records Party at Wall Lounge on Wednesday, and then headlining "No Sugar Added" at Nikki Beach on Friday.

Are you excited to hear Chuckie's remix of Michael Jackson's "Hollywood Tonight"? Let us know in the comments below!

Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660345/michael-jackson-chuckie-remix.jhtml

Pamela Anderson Paris Hilton Patricia Velásquez Paula Garcés Paulina Rubio Paz Vega