Box-office analysts are predicting a second weekend of at least $60 million for the last entry in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy.
By Ryan J. Downey
Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway in "Dark Knight Rises"
Photo: Warner Bros.
Tending to her judging duties, Demi Lovato was spotted heading into her hotel in Miami, FL to film more scenes for "The X-Factor" Bootcamp on Friday (July 27).
The 19-year-old beauty looked stunning as she displayed her black lacy bra underneath a sheer unbuttoned white shirt with Christian Louboutin stilettos as she was carefully escorted into the building.
In personal news, the "Give Your Heart a Break" singer opened up about her recent inner-battles at the Television Critics Association press tour where and explained that fame wasn?t the only factor to her struggle.
"You can?t prevent anyone from going down the wrong road," Miss Lovato said. "If they?re going to have an eating disorder, they?re going to have an eating disorder. If they?re going to do this, they?re going to do that... I don?t really think fame has a lot to do with it. I think it adds some pressure and sometimes it makes the problem a little bit worse. But for me, I had been struggling with those issues beforehand, and unless you?re in a good place when you start working, I think that it?s kind of inevitable for these things to happen."
Check out Demi and her co-stars on ?The X-Factor? premiere on September 12 & 13 at 8/7c on FOX.
In 17-second promo, Spears seems to be taking a page from Simon Cowell's judging book.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>If anyone thought <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> might be the nicest person on the <a href="/news/articles/1685206/britney-spears-x-factor-concept.jhtml"> "X Factor"</a> judges' panel, then they might want to think again.</P><P>In a new 17-second promo for the show, Spears shows off she's got quite a lot of critical bad-girl sass lurking deep down inside that sweet Southern demeanor. Some of her choice quips from the super-short teaser, posted on the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-its-britney-spears-against-the-music-and-contestants-in-x-factor-promo-20120711,0,6469234.story" target="_blank"><i>Los Angeles Times</i></a> website, include, "You can't destroy that song, sweetie," "Very predictable" "Bad to the bone," and "You definitely don't have the 'X Factor.' " Oh, snap!</P><P><center><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1545148137" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1729397671001&playerId=1545148137&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="326" height="292" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></center></P><P>While fans won't get to see what other criticisms Spears shares with the show's hopefuls until the <a href="/news/articles/1685066/britney-spears-demi-lovato-x-factor.jhtml">"X Factor" debuts on September 12</a>, in a new backstage interview taken at auditions in Greensboro, North Carolina, Spears opened up about her judging style.</P><P>"It's about using constructive criticism. You know these people are driving so far out of their way to come in and to perform and put themselves out there," Spears explains, in the clip posted on <a href="http://idolator.com/6709182/britney-spears-says-she-tries-to-keep-x-factor-critiques-positive-oh-really-watch" target="_blank">Idolator</a>. "It's really kind of hard to tell some of them no."</P><P>She added that she has a very visceral reaction when there's a bad audition. "I usually can't look when they're bad. I can't look," she said, adding that she has also seen a lot of talent while out on the road. "There have been extremely talented people, very good."</P><P>Now that the audition process is over, the next step for Spears and her "X Factor" judges is boot camp."Wow can't believe @TheXFactorUSA auditions are over," Spears <a href="https://twitter.com/britneyspears" target="_blank">tweeted</a> on Tuesday. "So much FUN... bring on boot camp!"</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Spears Explains Why She Wanted To Be A Part Of 'X Factor'" id="vid:769620" width="415" height="255"></div><p></p>
NBC is developing a new TV series based on the classic novel, Dram Stroker’s ‘Dracula.‘ Jonathan Rhys Meyers has been tapped for the iconic role of Count Dracula. This TV show will be set in the Victorian period with a … Continue reading �
Opening up the doors of her breathtaking Ojai estate, Reese Witherspoon finds her home featured in the September 2012 issue of ELLE Decor.
The "Water For Elephants" actress - who was spotted shopping it up at the Brentwood Country Mart yesterday (July 26) - spoke to the publication about spending weekends at the 1923 Libbey Ranch estate with daughter Ava, 12, and son Deacon, 8.
As for why she's so fond of the abode - which boasts a barn, horse paddock, swimming pool and guest cottages - Miss Witherspoon said that it reminds her of her childhood growing up in the country.
She explained, "It reminds me of growing up in Tennessee, where we spent all day outside. I wanted my children to have that experience, to get muddy and hang out with the animals."
Continuing to praise the living place, Reese said, "It is meditative and restorative. As soon as I drive through the gate, I relax. The air is fresh, the phone isn't ringing, you can't access e-mail. Time slows down. Within an hour I'm lying on that couch taking a big fat nap. It's like having a little bit of Tennessee in California."
For more on Witherspoon's Ojai estate, be sure to check out the new installment of ELLE Decor when it hits newsstands on August 7th!
In another interesting turn of events, Katherine Jackson appeared on ABC's Nightline last night to give her side of the saga that's been playing out for over a week. Mrs. Jackson was still in Arizona, at the luxe Miraval Resort in Tucson, and appeared on tv to read a statement. Oddly, the resort's marketing manager was by her side, as well as kids Janet, Jermaine & Rebbie and Rebbie's daughter Stacey..
Deets inside....
The 82-year-old matriarch of the Jackson Family decided enough was enough. And after losing temporary custody of Michael's 3 kids Paris, Blanket & Prince, she wanted to give some insight on the confusing turn of events.
Katherine spoke on national tv saying she's "devastated" by the "misunderstandings" of her whereabouts and accusations that her children have held her against her will. Janet and Jermaine whispered to each other a few times during Katherine's speech that she read off of paper. Mrs. Jackson said:
"There are rumors going around about me that I have been kidnapped and held against my will. I am here today to let everybody to know that I am fine. My children would never do a thing to me like that, holding me against my will. It's very stupid for people to think that."
Interestingly, she avoided the question of why the kids weren't told that she was leaving for Arizona for "rest". But she did say she stayed out of contact because she simply gave up her phone. She said she put her grandson TJ in charge before she left and her assistant checked in with him several times.
More highlights:
ON THE 'KIDNAPPING'
There are rumors going around about me that I have been kidnapped and held against my will.
I am here today to let everybody know that I am fine and I am here with my children, and my children would never do a thing to me like that, holding me against my will. It's very stupid for people to think that.
ON THE LOSS OF CUSTODY OF HER GRANDCHILDREN I am devastated that while I've been away, that my children, my grandchildren, have been taken away from me, and I'm coming home to see about that, also.
ON WHO WAS LOOKING AFTER HER GRANDCHILDREN
Before I left I put everything in order with the appropriate people to take care of my children for me and it's really bad to hear that what's going on at home, and the children have been taken away - but I know that... I'll get there in time to get them back.
And after I finish this, I will be on my way home.
ON WHERE SHE WENT I am grateful for my children that they saw that I needed rest and they wanted to take me away for a while, just a short vacation and rest up.
They have taken good care of me and have made sure that I got the rest that I needed.
ON WHY DIDN'T SHE CALL? One reason I haven't called is I just gave up my phone and I didn't want to have any phone calls while I was here.
Katherine also said someone, and she doesn't know who, let go of the cook and some other house staff. And they didn't have authority to do so. So she fired nephew Trent & the house security team.
Here's a clip from last night below:
Katherine also said she is upset about her children now being in custody of someone else and she is working to rectify it.
Paris recently tweeted her father's lyrics from "Will You Be There?" And it's very telling:
She tweeted today, "Grandma's here. Thank you God."
Prince has also broken his silence and tweeted this statement:
I would first like to start off this tweet by thanking the fans that have always stood by me and my family, my dad really appreciated your support and I still treasure it to this day. As I am sure everyone is well aware of the events that have been going on. I have been holding off on backing up my sister and her tweets avidly because I was waiting for the time to reveal my side.
As long as I can remember my dad had repeatedly warned me of certain people and their ways. Although I am happy my grandma was returned, after speaking with her I realized how misguided and how badly she was lied to. I’m really angry and hurt.
The following image is of a group chat I had started to several family members. This group text message I had started was replied to but they didn’t know that I could see the responses. For this whole time, they denied us contact to our grandmother. “If you continue with your lies I will continue with the truth.”
The text message he's speaking of is this (which he tweeted):
The real question is--why is Janet and/or members of the family so intent on keeping Katherine away from the kids? They are all 15 and under. Don't they need parental guidance? What happened that made Janet not want the kids to speak to their grandmother?
There’s no doubt that when Chris Brown parties… he parties to the full extent! The chart topper was spotted living it up after a performance of his in Cannes in the South of France on Thursday evening. The notorious bad … Continue reading �
Charlie Sheen stepped out yesterday to pay tribute to his dear old friend, “the one, the only” Slash. The rock god got honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame, and Sheen, along with producer Robert Evans and radio host Jim Ladd got to speak on Slash’s behalf. Sheen, being the big old joker [...]
Seeing praise for his 'Snuggie Version' tribute on B's website was 'the best moment of my life,' 16-year-old superfan tells MTV News.
By Cory Midgarden
<P>When Ton Do-Nguyen uploaded his shot-for-shot <a href="http://newsroom.mtv.com/2012/07/18/beyonce-fan-video-countdown-snuggie">recreation of Beyoncé's "Countdown" video</a> to the Web, he didn't expect it to be seen by anyone other than his friends and family. But with more than 500,000 views on YouTube and the stamp of approval from the Queen B herself, the junior class president from Pennsylvania has quickly learned the power of the Internet.</P><P>"I'm going on her website, and I just start screaming," Ton said about reading a post in which <a href="http://www.beyonce.com/news/brilliant" target="_blank">Beyoncé praises his "Snuggie Version,"</a> calling it "brilliant."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Ton Do-Nguyen Made His Beyonce Parody For 'Fun'" id="vid:816890" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>"That was literally the best moment of my life — hands down," the 16-year-old told MTV News. "I was scared she would get mad. ... When she posted it on her wall and everything, it was so positive."</P><P>It's not just the superstar singing Ton's praises either: Everyone from <a href="https://twitter.com/PerezHilton/status/225726296385277952" target="_blank">Perez Hilton</a> to "Glee" star <a href="https://twitter.com/iharryshum/status/225651447864360960" target="_blank">Harry Shum Jr.</a> are bowing down to the Snuggie-clad tribute, with the same question on everybody's mind: How the heck did he do it?</P><P>"For each specific part, I would just look on YouTube and try and get it down to a T in front of my mirror and go off and film it," Ton explained. "It's so tiring, and do you know what it's like to be in a Snuggie in the middle of July?"</P><P>And while the sleeved blanket was originally used merely as a fashion statement to set the two clips apart, Ton revealed that the body-length fleece ended up serving useful in the production as well: "I used my Snuggie as a blue screen and wore a blue shirt and then I just did my thing."</P><P><i>What do you think of Ton Do-Nguyen's recreation of "Countdown"? Tell us in the comments below!</i></p>
'He's always been destined for some kind of a fall,' Bale tells MTV News of the Caped Crusader's fate in 'Rises.'
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Christian Bale in "Dark Knight Rises"
Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
It’s official: Jennifer Lopez called Ryan Seacrest’s radio show this morning to confirm that she is, indeed, leaving ‘American Idol’ after two years. Jennifer reportedly was in tears as she made the announcement. It sounds like she was torn about … Continue reading �
Britney sang 'I Will Still Love You' with Don Philip on her debut album.
By Gil Kaufman
<P>Months before the revamped <a href="/news/articles/1687014/britney-spears-demi-lovato-x-factor-auditions.jhtml">"X Factor"</a>
 hits the air, we've already come to expect some serious drama from new judge <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a>. But in one of those only-in-reality-TV moments, Spears shed some genuine tears on Sunday during audition rounds in San Francisco when she was confronted with a voice and face from her distant past.</P><P><a href="http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20604974,00.html" target="_blank"><I>People</I></a> magazine reported that Spears got emotional when a male contestant hit the stage at Oracle Arena, telling fellow panelists Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and fellow newbie Demi Lovato, "I know him ... We did a duet together 10 years ago."
A source told the magazine that when the man stepped on the stage, "You could see that Britney recognized him straight away ... She got this huge smile on her face and her eyes lit up. It was so sweet."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Spears Explains Why She Wanted To Be A Part Of 'X Factor'" id="vid:769620" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>While <I>People</I> did not reveal the man's identity, Spears superfan Jordan Miller of fan site <a href="http://www.breatheheavy.com/2012/06/don-philip-drama-at-the-x-factor/" target="_blank">Breathe Heavy</a> confirmed that the auditioner was none other than Don Philip. The one-time aspiring new pop revolution singer performed a duet with Britney on the treacly ballad "I Will Still Love You," from her 1999 debut album, <I>...Baby One More Time</I>.</P><P>A spokesperson for the show declined to comment on the singer's identity when asked for comment.</P><P>The blast from her past got more emotional when Phillip revealed to the judges and audience, "I'm gay." He continued, "At the time I didn't think I was worth ... I didn't think you thought it was OK that I am gay."
Spears was reportedly quick to voice her support for Phillip, saying, "I think it is fine you are gay."</P><P>The unnamed source told <I>People</I> that when Phillip started crying and said, "he thought he'd never see her again and that he'd had a lot to deal with, Britney was comforting him to calm him." Though she was compassionate and warm with Phillip, the source said that the singer was clearly a bit shaken by the unexpected run-in.</P><P>"She's been through a lot in those 10 years, too, so it must have been a shock for her to see him," the source said. "You could tell she was emotional and she really felt for him especially when he was crying, but she also stayed calm." Even with the drama, Spears reportedly gave a very straightforward critique, though it is unknown if Phillip made the cut.</P><P>Philip, a Miami, Florida, native who tried to ride the same late-'90s teen pop wave that made superstars out of Spears, Christina Aguilera, 'NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, has spent the time since the duet grinding away at a music career that never reached the heights of his former singing partner. The one-time Jive Records star-in-the-making has sung back-up for Gloria Estefan and toured with Spears early in her career, and like "The Voice" singer <a href="/news/articles/1684782/the-voice-christina-aguilera-tony-lucca.jhtml">Tony Lucca</a>
 and Aguilera, maybe he was hoping that a reunion with his former pop pal would provide the boost he's been looking for.</P><P>Apparently, though, the "Factor" audition didn't go as Philip planned. According to a series of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/donphilip" target="_blank">Facebook</a> posts, Don was disappointed with how things went and wrote, "Tonight i might have sealed my music career fate according to a certain music mogul. I tryed to just be real and instead it totally got turned around on me," he said. "Perhaps this was not the place for me to reveal my very soul and obstacles of my past. Certainly not the place for a reunion ... I promise I only had good intentions in mind."</P><P>He said his voice "froze" when he began to sing and was never able to recover from what he felt was a "really hardcore interrogation" from what he anonymously described as "two pompous arrogant men."</P><P>He continued, "I guess I am not as tough skinned as I thought ... Wait it gets worse ... when I looked into the very eyes of my old label mate and saw she too was sad. I knew the whole situation was spinning out of control.. my heart broke."</P><P>On Monday, Philip posted another note, wondering if Cowell might give him another shot, explaining that he was "so exhausted and could not sleep [the] night before," because he was so scared to face Spears. He also referred to the "heavy burden" he was carrying, seemingly referring to his coming out, and following four hours of interviews he said his voice was just spent.</P><P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1617615"><img src="http://www.mtv.com/news/photos/s/spotted/banner/spotted.jpg"></a></p>
This week, Lana Del Rey released another music video. This one’s for “Summertime Sadness” and follows in that DIY vintage style she did for “Video Games” and “National Anthem.” The Spice Girls also booked a gig. This time they’re set to perform at the closing ceremony for the London Olympics. And Mumford and Sons have [...]
On Tuesday night, glam gals including Minka Kelly, Kristen Bell, Whitney Port, Mandy Moore and Brittany Snow celebrated the book release of City of Style: Exploring Los Angeles Fashion, from Bohemian to Rock by style writer Melissa Magsaysay. Fashionable guests mingled, sipped Brancott Estate Wine and browsed the racks at 3.1 Phillip Lim during the [...]
In 17-second promo, Spears seems to be taking a page from Simon Cowell's judging book.
By Jocelyn Vena
<P>If anyone thought <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> might be the nicest person on the <a href="/news/articles/1685206/britney-spears-x-factor-concept.jhtml"> "X Factor"</a> judges' panel, then they might want to think again.</P><P>In a new 17-second promo for the show, Spears shows off she's got quite a lot of critical bad-girl sass lurking deep down inside that sweet Southern demeanor. Some of her choice quips from the super-short teaser, posted on the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-its-britney-spears-against-the-music-and-contestants-in-x-factor-promo-20120711,0,6469234.story" target="_blank"><i>Los Angeles Times</i></a> website, include, "You can't destroy that song, sweetie," "Very predictable" "Bad to the bone," and "You definitely don't have the 'X Factor.' " Oh, snap!</P><P><center><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1545148137" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1729397671001&playerId=1545148137&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="326" height="292" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></center></P><P>While fans won't get to see what other criticisms Spears shares with the show's hopefuls until the <a href="/news/articles/1685066/britney-spears-demi-lovato-x-factor.jhtml">"X Factor" debuts on September 12</a>, in a new backstage interview taken at auditions in Greensboro, North Carolina, Spears opened up about her judging style.</P><P>"It's about using constructive criticism. You know these people are driving so far out of their way to come in and to perform and put themselves out there," Spears explains, in the clip posted on <a href="http://idolator.com/6709182/britney-spears-says-she-tries-to-keep-x-factor-critiques-positive-oh-really-watch" target="_blank">Idolator</a>. "It's really kind of hard to tell some of them no."</P><P>She added that she has a very visceral reaction when there's a bad audition. "I usually can't look when they're bad. I can't look," she said, adding that she has also seen a lot of talent while out on the road. "There have been extremely talented people, very good."</P><P>Now that the audition process is over, the next step for Spears and her "X Factor" judges is boot camp."Wow can't believe @TheXFactorUSA auditions are over," Spears <a href="https://twitter.com/britneyspears" target="_blank">tweeted</a> on Tuesday. "So much FUN... bring on boot camp!"</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Britney Spears Explains Why She Wanted To Be A Part Of 'X Factor'" id="vid:769620" width="415" height="255"></div><p></p>
Joined by his ?Twilight? peeps including Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, the Jacob Black stud had a permanent smile on his face from the time he arrived at the Gibson Amphitheatre.
Taylor also came out a big winner, scoring a surfboard in the Choice Movie Actor: Action category for his role in ?Abduction.?
As for his forthcoming flick ?The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2,? Lautner told press, ?The movie, we?re all super super proud of and excited for everyone to see. It?s huge. It?s a big movie- it?s really epic. I guess the tone of it is probably closest to ?Eclipse? size-wise, but it?s got a lot of comedy in it as well.?
?The goal for us has always been to live up to the expectation of the books. Because that?s what the fans fell in love with. These fans were just as passionate before the movies even started. They fell in love with the characters that Stephenie Meyer created, so our goal all along was just to please the fans who had this very specific picture of what they wanted to see on the screen. Because that?s who we?re making these movies for.?
Rihanna and her pals dropped anchor in Saint Tropez yesterday. See the fun pics of their yacht adventures inside...and a cameo from their boat neighbor Magic Johnson......
From Sardinia to St. Tropez. Rihanna and her gal pals yachted into the French Riviera this weekend. And even ran into Magic Johnson and his fam--who were parked right next to them!
Magic Johnson and Cookie, who have been vacationing with Samuel L. & Latonya Jackson and Dave Winfield and his wife, also thanked Rihanna on Twitter for letting them have dinner on her yacht.
Rih and her girls--who she also showcased pics of via a series of funny #phuckyo tweets--clearly had some fun:
In case you were wondering what cousin Carlton, aka Alfonso Ribeiro, was up to these days, he just popped the question to his girlfriend, Angela Unkrich.
Deets inside...
Alfonso Ribeiro, Will Smith's naive & preppy cousin on "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and host of Game Show Network's "Catch 21," just got engaged. He posted the above photo to his Facebook page saying:
I got engaged last night to Angela on Lake Tahoe surrounded by our dear friends and my daughter. Greatest day of my life.
Well isn't that special. The two have been living it up in Tahoe all week, as Alfonso tweeted this before his engagement:
Hey everybody. I got engaged tonight to @angiesue224. Greatest day of my life. @23davidjustice and Vince Coleman to enjoy it with us.
David Justice is good friends with Alfonso? Interesting.
Alfonso has a daughter, Sienna, whom he had with ex-wife Robin. Congrats to the couple!
'Beyoncé is the perfect example of what a solo artist should strive for,' 'Inside Out' singer/songwriter tells MTV News.
By Akshay Bhansali
<P>Performing at the International Dance Music Awards in Miami in March and launching her first music video for her club single <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_VcKTkY4Vk" target="_blank">"Inside Out"</a> are just two of Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter NiRé AllDai's endeavors since first stepping out as an artist. Her journey, which today sees her selecting songs — including tracks produced by Timbaland and the Stargate camp — for her upcoming debut album, actually began as a writer for other producers and artists.</P><P>"I've always been an artist," NiRé told MTV News. "But my manager was like, 'Let's work this [writer] angle,' and it worked well because I was able to build a lot of really great relationships with dope producers who ended up helping me on my project."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="NiRé AllDai Readies Debut Album" id="vid:789067" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>"I did a first single for Starshell, who was Mary J. Blige's first artist, and the single was called 'SuperLuva' [produced by Fernando Garibay]," NiRé continued. "I had a chance to write with Mary and Swizz [Beatz] and Timbaland and Dr. Dre, who's a really good friend of mine."</P><P>After getting her writing chops up, meeting the right management and finding her A&R at Capitol Records, NiRé was ready to give it her all for a chance to perform for the masses. Her fearlessness, fashion and electricity are depicted vividly in her video for "Inside Out," which was directed by <a href="http://londonalley.com/?director=hannah-lux-davis" target="_blank">Hannah Lux Davis</a>, who also directed videos for Shinedown and Anjulie, among others. NiRé is inspired by some of music's biggest, baddest stars, included among them Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, and <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a>.</P><P>"Beyoncé is the perfect example of what a solo artist should strive for," NiRé said. "If you want to be like 'boss-bitch-behavior'! When I'm in the gym and I'm tired and can't go anymore, I'm like, 'What would Beyoncé do?' She wouldn't stop."</P><P>NiRé AllDai will release her second club single, "Hella Bad," soon, with a radio single to follow. She plans to release her as-yet-untitled debut album sometime this year, and she also has her fingers crossed for another, long-awaited opportunity.</P><P>"I've been looking forward to the <i>Detox,</i> [album]' NiRé said. "He's a genius. We have a couple of songs on there. So Dre, please!"</P><P>For more info on NiRé AllDai, check out her <a
href="http://nirealldai.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.</p>
Queen B ascends her throne during the second in a four-night run of Memorial Day weekend shows.
By Rebecca Thomas
<P><b>ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey</b> — The "year of 4" continues.</P><P>Four months after giving birth to her first child — an arrival announced last August <a href="/news/articles/1669858/beyonce-vma-performance.jhtml">at the MTV VMAs</a> — <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> returned to the stage Saturday night, on the second of a four-night run in this East Coast resort city. And it was a spectacular fitting her rising icon status.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Beyonce Gets Back To Business, Kicks Off Summer!" id="vid:785342" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>So what kinds of clues get 20somethings calling you "the greatest performer" of your generation? Well, it's in the details. For one, Revel, the sparkling, 6.3-million-square-foot beachfront destination that played host to <a href="/news/articles/1685877/beyonce-memorial-day-atlantic-city-concert.jhtml">Beyoncé's comeback</a>, devoted a channel on its guest-room flat-screen TVs solely to B-related content: no weather broadcasts, nary a "Housewife" and no commercial breaks; just videos, all-star performances and more, all through Memorial Day weekend. It was evident in the distance traveled, too, with fans telling MTV News they'd made cross-country pilgrimages, while still others came from as far as Tokyo and South Africa to hail Queen B.</P><P>But those are just the hints, peripheral proof. The presence of First Lady Michelle Obama at last night's concert left little doubt that the little girl from Houston, who joined a girl group and then struck out on her own, had seen another benchmark in her relatively young career. After <a href="http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/04/13/michelle-obama-thanks-beyonce-for-letter">exchanging letters</a> in recent months, with each calling the other a role model for girls, Obama turned up in a sleeveless green sheath waving like royalty from a balcony in Ovation Hall.</P><P>A little after 10 p.m., as the pounding opening march from "End of Time" kicked in, Beyoncé appeared in silhouette; the sequins were hard to make out but the wind-blown mane was <i>impossible</i> to miss. Finally, B, stunning in hot pink Stuart Weitzman heels and a beaded body suit, appeared on the massive stage backed by her dancers.</P><P>"Atlantic City, snap your fingers," she commanded, launching into "Love on Top." Without missing a step of the New Edition-inspired choreography, B powered through the song's modulations in an extended vocal showcase. Then she took an exaggerated pause, as if to catch her breath (or to bask in the adulation?), before belting out a final coda. The 30-year-old's comeback was officially under way.</P><P>Pushing through hits from her debut solo effort, including "Naughty Boy" and the dancehall-infused "Baby Boy," and <i>Sasha Fierce</i> smashes like "Diva," B defied all post-partum laws as she kept pace with Frank Gatson's acrobatic dance style. ("Y'all don't know how hard I had to work. I had to lose 60 pounds!" she laughed to the crowd later. "They had me eating lettuce.") And just as songs like "Single Ladies" and "Run the World (Girls)" are meant to serve as empowerment manuals for women, it became clear last night that Beyoncé's choreography is meant to do the same: a series of sensual quickstep moves that revolve around the hips and legs. It showed in the Fosse-style swing and formations on songs like "Get Me Bodied," and the strut-heavy footwork on "Freakum Dress."</P><P>"Sasha Fierce disappeared, but y'all bringing her back," B joked midway through the euphoric two-hour set.</P><P>For one of our favorite numbers, "Party," the <i>4</i> singer donned full-on showgirl regalia in a heady rendition that saw confetti coming from the roof and dice-shaped beach balls being tossed through the crowd as dancers in large feathered headdresses magically turned up in the aisles.</P><P>There were ballads, of course, at Ovation Hall, the more memorable among them a tribute to Whitney Houston and a cover of Lauryn Hill's classic "Ex Factor." And if Beyoncé reminded us of what we've lost in those gut-wrenching covers — she proved, too, that she's more than ready to carry the weight on her shoulders.</P><P><i>Share your reviews of Beyoncé's Revel shows in the comments!</i></p>
