Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/05/14/eva-longoria-jet-skis-with-eduardo-cruz/
Singer shines in New York alongside stars including Rihanna and Kristen Stewart.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/news.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> isn't letting motherhood slow her down. On Monday night, Queen B hit the red carpet at the splashy Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in a dress that left very little to the imagination.</P><P>Her sheer, skintight Givenchy haute couture gown was highlighted with black sequins and beading, as well as purple and black feathers on the floor-length hemline. The dress showed off her fit, curvaceous post-baby body. B was one of many fashionistas who dazzled at the annual fete.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Beyonce, Nina Dobrev, Rihanna And More Shine At Met Fashion Gala" id="vid:767073" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>Other fashionable standouts included <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/rihanna/artist.jhtml">Rihanna</a>, who hit the event in a black, long-sleeved column gown with lizard-like printing over the fabric. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/movies/person/262629/personmain.jhtml">Kristen Stewart</a> also made a statement in a knee-length color-block Balenciaga dress. And "Vampire Diaries" star Nina Dobrev glittered in a black one-shoulder Donna Karan gown that hugged her body.</P><P>Beyoncé's red-carpet-ready look arrived just as she announced that she's added another date to her set of <a href="/news/articles/1681308/beyonce-memorial-day-atlantic-city-shows.jhtml">comeback shows</a> in Atlantic City later this month. The singer has added a fourth show to her Memorial Day weekend residency at the Revel entertainment center in the New Jersey shore town. Tickets for the May 28 show go on sale on May 14, according to <a href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00050361.html" target="_blank">Aceshowbiz.com</a>.</P><P>The singer's first shows since 2011 will take place in the smoke-free Revel's signature performance space, Ovation Hall, which was designed by a team of Cirque du Soleil veterans.</P><P><b>Get daily updates on the best red-carpet looks and the hottest Hollywood fashion at <a href="http://style.mtv.com">MTV Style</a>!</b></p>
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1684669/beyonce-rihanna-met-fashion-gala.jhtml
Above the Buzz examines how these former pop princesses serve as examples of how stars can re-brand themselves again and again.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>Both <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/simpson_jessica/artist.jhtml">Jessica Simpson</a> dominated headlines this week. Not since the late '90s have these two duked it out for so much media coverage.</P><P>However there's a remarkable difference in what's happening today to what was happening then: Then, everyone was talking about their music and their pop star personas. Where Britney was a Lolita who proclaimed virginity while dancing provocatively in belly-baring tops, Jessica was innocent and sweet and didn't dare anger her minister daddy. Jessica released songs that put her big voice on display, and Brit focused on songs that put eyes on her dazzling dance moves and her ear for dance beats.</P><P>A lot has changes in the years since then. What's interesting is that, despite their seemingly different personalities, in retrospect, they have a lot more in common than was initially apparent: They are both down-home country girls who have built empires that few can touch. Both have had very public career highs met with very public personal lows. Both have loved <a href="/news/articles/1683993/boy-band-allegiances.jhtml">boy banders.</a> Both have even documented their lives on reality shows, albeit with very different outcomes.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="'We All Are Authentic'" id="vid:493178.id:1633959" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>With almost 15 years separating the women they are now from those girls they were then, it seems they are looking to change it up.</P><P>At a time where the pop world is filled with plenty of younger pop princesses looking for their time to shine, Britney and Jessica seem comfortable enough with their own musical legacies to let them all have their moments. And, they should be at ease. They have both been incredibly successful in that world, having sold millions of albums, had huge radio singles and made music that is uniquely their own. And while Simpson has let her music take a back seat to other projects in the past few years, Spears is still a working singer who sells out tours and tops the charts.</P><P>These days, Jessica seems focused on maintaining the post-pop star second act she launched several years back. She's a fashion mogul with a billion-dollar empire that has outfitted fashionistas with reasonably priced essentials like platforms and bags. She also judges up-and-coming fashion talent on NBC's "Fashion Star," sharing with new designers her own wisdom on breaking into the industry. But, always savvy enough to keep people guessing, she's expanded her brand even further.</P><P>Now, she is also the latest <a href="/news/articles/1684326/jessica-simpson-baby-beyonce.jhtml">mommy mogul</a>. Jessica just added another gig to her post-pop star career — that of the A-list mom. Just this week, she welcomed her first child, <a href="/news/articles/1684216/jessica-simpson-baby-girl-maxwell-drew-johnson.jhtml">Maxwell Drew</a>, into the world. We expect she'll use that experience to re-launch herself yet again. We should expect fashion lines for stylish toddlers. And who wouldn't want to see a reality show that follows the new mom and her family?</P><P>It seems that, like Simpson, Spears might be looking to take a break from music for a moment. Having already given birth to two sons and tried her hand at the worlds of fashion and beauty, Spears is now a frontrunner to <a href="/news/articles/1684320/x-factor-judges-miley-cyrus-britney-spears.jhtml">judge "X Factor."</a> Her own experiences in the industry certainly make her the perfect candidate to give advice on the ups and downs of pop superstardom. She's experienced both with the entire world watching. While Spears' other projects (clothing line, fragrances) have generally been overshadowed by her music career, this rumored gig might be the first one to take the attention away from her pop fame while using it for all it's worth.</P><P>Spears is probably up for the gig because she is basically the heir to the <a href="/news/articles/1681693/madonna-above-the-buzz-pop-queen.jhtml">Madonna legacy</a>. She truly understands how to be a pop star. And the rumors that she might join Simon Cowell on the show seem to be intriguing Spears' critics and non-devotees more than anything she's done in the past few years. Spears might have found her perfect next chapter.</P><P>Right now, it's unclear how these new career paths will shape the future for Simpson and Spears — musically and otherwise. But, as has always been the case for them, no one doubts they will redefine what it means to be a female pop star. They are women who aren't willing to go quietly into the night. For Spears and Simpson, it seems they want it all or nothing. And, who can blame them?</P><P><i>What would you like to see Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson do next? Share your thoughts below!</i></P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Hits The Studio With will.i.am" id="vid:638813.id:1661123" width="415" height="255"></div><p></p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1684449/britney-spears-jessica-simpson-comeback.jhtml
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=288244
'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll
<P>You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.</P><P>In early February, reports began circulating that <a href="/news/articles/1631297/mary-j-blige-records-led-zeppelins-stairway-heaven.jhtml">Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven,"</a> working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her <i>Stronger With Each Tear</i> album, due Monday.</P><P></p><div style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float:left;"><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:491065" width="256" height="223" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashVars="configParams=instance%3Dnews%26vid%3D491065" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></div><p></P><P>But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering <i>another</i> Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the <i>Essence</i> Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.</P><P>"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."</P><P>Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.</P><P>"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.</p>
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633563/mary-j-blige-dishes-on-her-crazy-led-zeppelin-covers.jhtml
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/theblemish/~3/aZ5V4ob3wHI/
Britney will be 'train wreck' on 'X Factor,' new 'America's Got Talent' judge adds at press conference.
By James Montgomery
<P>Howard Stern held court at New York's Friars Club on Thursday in a long-running press conference to promote his upcoming stint as a judge on "America's Got Talent." And in keeping with the spirit of the legendary roasts that take place at the venue, he didn't shy away from taking some shots at his singing-competition contemporaries.</P><P>Stern was asked by a reporter whether he would have signed up for the "Talent" gig if it meant serving on a panel with "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez and newly-announced <a href="/news/articles/1684813/britney-spears-x-factor-judge.jhtml">"X Factor" judge Britney Spears</a> — as opposed to the "Talent" tandem of Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne — and, well, let's just say he answered rather directly.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Howard Stern Calls Britney Spears And Jennifer Lopez 'Dummies'" id="vid:768341" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>"No, I would not [have], because I think we have the best judging panel out there, out of all these shows. I think that the judges all offer constructive, precise criticism, and I really like it," Stern said. "To sit there with J.Lo and Britney Spears and try to prop those two up, I'd be like a ventriloquist with two dummies; I'm not going to sit there and do that."</P><P>Stern didn't stop there, either. When he was asked for his thoughts on "The X Factor" 's reported <a href="/news/articles/1684879/britney-spears-x-factor-deal-judge.jhtml"> $15 million deal with Spears</a>, the shock jock joked that he was in favor of it ... for slightly dubious reasons, of course.</P><P>"I think it's a wonderful decision; Britney still thinks the world is flat. We're going to tune in to see if she can sort of function through the thing. As far as any real criticism, I think ["X Factor" judges] Simon [Cowell] and L.A. Reid will be doing that," he said. "I think Britney's going to stand there and eat a lollipop and wear a sexy outfit; I don't anticipate great opinions from her. I think she's going to sit there like J.Lo. 'Oh, you're wonderful, you're terrific. You think I could get a perfume endorsement out of this? You think I can perform on the show?' I think that's what it's about, but I think it will be interesting. ... I'll tune in to see what kind of train wreck she is, absolutely."</p>
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1684956/howard-stern-britney-spears-x-factor.jhtml
