Classic disco tunes found their way into just about every corner of our culture, from 'American Idol' to Beyoncé's 'Naughty Girl.'
By John Mitchell

Donna Summer
Photo: Harry Langdon/Getty Images

The death of Donna Summer on Thursday (May 17) at age 63 after a long battle with cancer has many reflecting on the impact the disco legend had on music.

While many may not realize it, Summer is the foremother of, well, just about every pop song on the radio today. Her iconic 1977 anthem "I Feel Love," which peaked at #6 on the Billboard singles chart (one of 14 top 10 hits), was the first mainstream song to be produced using an entirely synthesized backing track. Until then, most disco recordings had been backed by acoustic orchestras, and the reception to the song revolutionized music.

For photos of Donna Summer through the years, click here.

"One day in Berlin, [Brian] Eno came running in and said, 'I have heard the sound of the future,' " David Bowie famously wrote in the liner notes to Sound and Vision. "He puts on 'I Feel Love,' by Donna Summer. ... He said, 'This is it, look no further. This single is going to change the sound of club music for the next 15 years.' Which was more or less right."

Indeed, imagine the music of Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Katy Perry and countless others minus their ubiquitous glittering synths. You can't. Without what was at the time a risky and bold move, modern dance music might not exist as it does today.

Summer's impact on music is so vast it's nearly incalculable, but in memory of the disco diva, we're looking back on some of the ways her music has survived through the years, has been brought to life by other artists and how many of music's biggest names counted themselves as fans of the Queen of Disco.

» The refrain from Summer's 17-minute 1975 breakthrough "Love to Love You Baby" is sampled on Beyoncé's hit "Naughty Girl" from her debut solo album Dangerously in Love.

» For the elaborate opening sequence of Madonna's 2006 Confessions Tour, a 2-ton, $4 million disco ball was lowered onto the stage at the end of the runway and then opened to reveal the star, who started into her own synth-heavy "Future Lovers" before the song dissolved seamlessly into Summer's "I Feel Love."

» Summer's "Starting Over Again" was transformed into a #1 country hit for Dolly Parton in 1980, and even reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100, a rare feat for a country track at the time. Fifteen years later, another country superstar, Reba McEntire, named her 1995 album after the song, and her version was a hit country single the following year. In the set's liner notes, McEntire dedicated the song to both Summer and Parton, saying she admired both immensely.

» Summer's classics were go-to songs for films looking to capture the late-'70s/early-'80s era and are featured in, among many others, "Frost/Nixon," "Charlie Wilson's War" and "Splash."

» "Hot Stuff" and "MacArthur Park" are go-to songs for reality singing contestants looking to prove their range — Summer was a mezzo-soprano with a powerhouse delivery — while keeping things upbeat. Both songs have been performed on "The X Factor" and "American Idol."

» "She Works Hard for the Money" was covered by Kris Allen during an episode of "American Idol," and his performance was so well-received that the season-eight winner recorded the track for the American Idol Season 8 CD.

» Summer herself appeared as Aunt Oona from Altoona on two episodes of the hit sitcom "Family Matters."

» Bruce Springsteen was a big Summer fan and wrote two songs for her. The first one, "Cover Me," he ultimately recorded for his own Born to Run, but Summer recorded the second, "Protection," and Springsteen and the E Street Band supplied the track. The pair also recorded "Protection" as a duet, though it was never released.

» Keri Hilson portrayed Summer in her music video for her 2010 hit "Pretty Girl Rock."

» Summer is easily one of the most sampled artists in the history of music. "I Feel Love" has been sampled by some of the biggest artists in dance, from Madonna and Britney Spears to David Guetta and Moby, and covered by artists as diverse as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kylie Minogue and Blondie.

Share your condolences for Donna Summer's friends, family and fans in the comments or on Facebook.

• Donna Summer: The Queen Of Disco

• Donna Summer

Researchers on Thursday challenged a tenet of modern medicine that higher levels of "good" cholesterol automatically boost cardiovascular health.

In this week's Hobnobbing, we offer advice for the franchise's first outing at the big show!
By Amy Wilkinson

Jennifer Lawrence in "Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate

Come June 3, "The Hunger Games" will enter a brand-new arena: the 2012 MTV Movie Awards. And this is one fiery debut for the film franchise, with eight nominations, including Movie of the Year, Best Cast, Best Female Lead (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Male Performance (Josh Hutcherson), Breakthrough Performance (Liam Hemsworth), Best On-Screen Transformation (Elizabeth Banks), Best Fight (Lawrence and Hutcherson vs. Alexander Ludgwig), and Best Kiss (Lawrence and Hutcherson).

Yep, clearly the kind of credentials that would make any sponsor drool.

Much like the titular death match, the Movie Awards can be a contentious battle, with franchise facing off against franchise, so preparation is key. In this week's Hobnobbing, we're taking on the role of mentor (step aside, Haymitch!) and offering some advice to the tributes. Here are our dos and don'ts for the big night:

DO Dress to Impress Effie
If there's one place to let your fashion freak flag fly, it's most certainly at an MTV awards show. (Am I right, Rose McGowan?) Of course, I'm not encouraging any tribute-tushy flashing or donning of flame-licked jumpsuits (such a fire hazard!), but this is a safe space to experiment with fanciful motifs and pieces of flair. For instance, I could see Lawrence sporting a shorter, cropped version of her red, orange and yellow interview dress, or Banks working her sky-high Effie heels.

DON'T Tease Us
Full disclosure: I personally think "Twilight" co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are a lock for a fourth Best Kiss statuette, but if the odds are indeed in Lawrence and Hutcherson's favor and they're named victors, I respectfully ask that they give us a show. None of this we-almost-maybe-kinda-sorta-kissed business. If you need some inspiration, Jennifer and Josh, take a page out of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams' "Notebook."

DO Bring Your Bow and Arrow
The Movie Awards have a storied history of spoofery, and while I have no insider information as to what's in the works, Lawrence (if in attendance) would be wise to pack her trusty weapon. You never know when it will come in handy for a giggle-worthy gag! (Is this where I put in my request for Lawrence to shoot an apple off of Josh Horowitz's head?)

DON'T Drop Your Golden Popcorn
'Nuff said.

DO Bring News About "Catching Fire"
We're getting really hungry here, guys. Any scraps about the November 2013 release would be much appreciated. (Seriously, we'll retrieve them from a pile of slop and devour them. We're not proud!)

Do you have any Movie Awards advice for the "Hunger Games" gang? Sound off in the comments below and tweet me @amymwilk with your thoughts and suggestions for future columns!

Earlier "Hunger Games" columns:
» "Catching Fire" Countdown: What to Watch While You Wait
» Francis Lawrence's "Catching Fire" To-Do List
» "Fifty Shades Of Grey": What's In It For "Hunger Games" Fans?
» "Catching Fire": Five Reasons to be Stoked
» "Catching Fire" Director: Who Could Carry the Torch?

• The Hunger Games

For the first time ever, white births in the United States are no longer in the majority, according to US Census Bureau estimates Thursday that underscored the growth of the Hispanic population.

'Glorious disco Goddess,' Adam Lambert tweets about late disco icon, alongside remembrances from Robyn, Kylie Minogue and more.
By Jocelyn Vena

Donna Summer
Photo: Getty Images

While Donna Summer was the Queen of Disco, performers and entertainers from all genres reacted to the news of her death Thursday (May 17) with great sadness, noting how much she had impacted the music world as a whole before she died from cancer at age 63.

Music mogul and onetime Summer producer Quincy Jones, who worked with the singer during her Donna Summer era, remembered her on Twitter: ‏"Rest in Peace dear Donna Summer. Your voice was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade."

For photos of Donna Summer through the years, click here.

Frequent Summer collaborator, producer and musician Nile Rodgers, remembered his pal, writing, ‏"This may help you understand why i'm still crying. So much love and RESPECT for Donna Summer RIP."

RIP Donna Summers!!!!!!!!!😔. You were truly a game changer!!!

— Mary J. Blige (@maryjblige) May 17, 2012

R&B diva Mary J. Blige paid homage to her soul sister on Twitter, posting, "RIP Donna Summers!!!!!!!!! You were truly a game changer!!!"

Former Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams was also floored by the unexpected and tragic passing of the dance-floor icon. "Shocked and saddened at the news of Donna Summer passing away! "she wrote. "Wow!"

Her fellow DC sister, Kelly Rowland, added, "Donna Summer. Icon! Legend! Her voice! Her spirit! Rest In peace, you truly inspired me! I love you!"

Rihanna seemed so surprised by the news, she simply tweeted, "Donna Summer??"

"Donna Summer RIP I FEEL LOVE FOR YOU," Swedish pop princess Robyn tweeted. Mirroring that sentiment, Adam Lambert wrote, "RIP Donna Summer. glorious disco Goddess."

British pop songstress Kylie Minogue, whose own flashy, dance-heavy career can be traced back to Summer's influence, wrote,‏ "One of my earliest musical inspirations, RIP Donna Summer #BadGirlsForEver."

Beyoncé's sister, Solange Knowles, who is known for her throwback style in music and fashion, shared, "Donna Summer- You have inspired me in so many ways....."

this cant be tru tmz.com/2012/05/17/don... i cant believe this RIP Donna Summer. at a lost 4words

— Timbaland (@Timbaland) May 17, 2012

Hip-hop producer Timbaland added, "This cant be tru. i cant believe this RIP Donna Summer. at a lost 4words."

Q-Tip to the number of icons who have died already in 2012. "I'm getting tired of these 3 keys...RIP this time to Donna summer an amazing trailblazer!"

Boyz II Men also had a similar reaction on their Twitter: "It's unfortunate that we have to say goodbye to another amazing talent. Donna Summer, Queen of Disco, our condolences to her family!"

"I remember sitting in the front seat of my mom's toyota while she sang Donna Summer's 'she works hard for the money,' " Ryan Seacrest recalled. "Songs were just classic."

Fellow TV personality Carson Daly sent his condolences to her family. "We lost the Queen of Disco today, Donna Summer, 63- another victim of that bastard, cancer. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family."

"In Living Color" actor Tommy Davidson sent MTV News a statement about the singer's passing: "Donna Summer used disco to bring the most unlikely people together -- blacks, whites & everyone in between. Donna was a role model, the consummate professional. Her guidance and inspiration will forever help me reach new heights as a performer. I cherish the days I toured with her. Love to love you, baby."

Other Hollywood folks remembered Summer, including Kevin Smith. "Damn... donna summer dies at 63. An unforgettable voice from my childhood, beloved by my Mom & brother," he tweeted. "Let's dance the last dance for her."

Share your condolences for Donna Summer's friends, family and fans in the comments or on Facebook.

• Donna Summer: The Queen Of Disco

• Donna Summer

A popular antibiotic used for treating bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections and sexually transmitted diseases may boost the risk of death, a US study said Wednesday.

'I officially have a lot of experience seducing younger women,' 'Vampire Diaries' star tells MTV News.
By Christina Garibaldi

Ian Somerhalder
Photo: WireImage

Now that "The Vampire Diaries" has wrapped its third season, Ian Somerhalder will now have some time to fill, and if fans of "Fifty Shades of Grey" have their way, he'll step into the role of Christian Grey.

For weeks, fans have been voicing their opinions on who should play the billionaire tycoon in the film adaptation of the hit erotic trilogy penned by E L James. Robert Pattinson's name has been in the mix, as well as Ryan Gosling, but it seems that most vans are gravitating toward the "Vampire Diaries" star to take on this dark and dynamic character.

MTV News caught up with Somerhalder at the CW Upfronts in New York City on Thursday (May 17) and he revealed that playing the role of Damon in the "Vampire Diaries" has been perfect training to get him ready to portray Christian Grey.

"I think it would be an amazing thing," Somerhalder said of the possibility of getting the role. "One interesting thing is, by the virtue of playing Damon for now a few years, [he's] 170 plus years old, in love with an 18 year old, I officially have a lot of experience seducing younger women. I'm not saying, I'm just saying."

"Fifty Shades of Grey" revolves around Christian Grey's relationship with young college graduate Anastasia Steele as the two develop not only a strong emotional relationship, but a much-talked-about sexual relationship. The scenes are so hot that at times it has left readers, and even Somerhalder a little flushed.

"A little bit, yeah, there's blushing," Somerhalder said of some of the S&M scenes.

We are sure fans would agree that Somerhalder could easily pull it off, but his support isn't just coming from the "Fifty Shades" fans, it is also coming from his "Vampire Diaries" co-stars.

"I know he's campaigning, I love it," Candice Accola said of Somerhalder expressing his interest for the role. "I mean, the whole thing is like Adonis, sexy and he fits that bill pretty well."

Kat Graham agrees, "Ian's an amazing actor, he's extremely dedicated to his craft and he's also very good to the fans," Graham told MTV News at the annual Wango Tango concert. "They'd be lucky to have him."

Do you think Ian Somerhalder would make the perfect Christian Grey? Let us know in the comments.

'It's giving us some ideas for future fantasies,' one reader tells MTV News.
By Fallon Prinzivalli, with reporting by Uptin Saiidi

"Fifty Shades of Grey" book cover
Photo: The Writer's Coffee Shop

"Fifty Shades of Grey" has become a worldwide, literary phenomenon. It's a #1 New York Times best-seller and the most talked-about book in media. The sadomasochistic relationship between characters Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele has made its way into the hands of a variety of readers and hooked them into their torrid love affair. It's become such a hit that Universal Pictures and Focus Features optioned the rights to the books after a massive bidding war, and fans are already campaigning for their favorite actors to land the lead roles.

But what's the reason for the book's popularity? With countless erotic and romance stories on bookshelves, what makes "Fifty Shades" stand out? When author E L James headed to New York's Union Square for a signing at Barnes & Noble, MTV News asked fans to weigh in on why they thought the work was widely recognized.

For one, buzz surrounded the novel because of its origins. James adapted Christian and Ana from Stephenie Meyer's Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, beginning the tale as "Twilight" fan fiction.

"[James] took 'Twilight' to a next level, because as pure as [Edward and Bella's] love was, it was not like this book," one fan explained. "She took it to the next level and gave America something that they were waiting and looking for."

Another reader told us the mystery behind a dominant/submissive relationship is what sparked the frenzy. "I think this book has become such a phenomenon because it's something that hasn't really been spoken about before," she said. "Women usually don't talk about these things."

In agreement, another fan added: "Everyone has something that they want to enact. And they're just not able to express it, but they're able to read it."

Put in simple terms: "Fifty Shades" turns readers on. "It's hot," one woman said. "It's totally sexy. I think we've got sex on the brain, and we want to read it. It's really enjoyable and it's giving us some ideas for future fantasies."

It also helps that Christian is described as "so hot" in the book. He's a billionaire who takes Ana on helicopter rides and showers her in expensive clothing and gifts. He's a woman's fantasy, one of James' followers explains.

"All women relate to Christian," she said. "They love him — all women, it doesn't matter who you talk to. They're like, 'I like that guy. I want to date that guy.' "

Why do you like "Fifty Shades of Grey"? Let us know in the comments below!

One of life's simple pleasures just got a little sweeter. After years of waffling research on coffee and health, even some fear that java might raise the risk of heart disease, a big study finds the opposite: Coffee drinkers are a little more likely to live longer. Regular or decaf doesn't matter.

'Love to Love You Baby' singer dies on Thursday (May 17) after long battle with cancer.
By Gil Kaufman

Donna Summer
Photo: Fotos International/Getty Images

Donna Summer, the powerhouse singer known as the "Queen of Disco," died on Thursday (May 17) in Florida after a battle with cancer, according to The Associated Press.

The five-time Grammy winner who set dance floors ablaze in the 1970s with such anthems as "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and her most iconic hit, "I Feel Love," was 63 years old. In a genre that was filled with many one-hit wonders and fly-by-night studio acts that were unable to keep the disco inferno stoked after scoring hits, Summer was a lifer, consistently charting even after the dance craze faded in the late 1970s.

For photos of Donna Summer through the years, click here.

Unlike many of her contemporaries, Summer set herself apart with strong vocals backed by her songwriting skills, as well as some creative luck in hooking up with producers/songwriters Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. The pair helped her pump out hit after hit and provided her with a sensual, almost ethereal sound on tracks such as "I Feel Love," which seduced both on and off the dance floor.

Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on December 31, 1948 in Boston, Massachusetts to a butcher father and schoolteacher mother, Summer showed promise as a singer from an early age. She made her public debut at age 10 at her church when the scheduled singer didn't show up and she filled in. After appearing in a number of musicals and plays in high school and singing with the psychedelic rock band The Crow, she joined the cast of German production of the musical "Hair" in 1967 at age 18.

She stayed in Munich after the show's run ended and recorded her debut solo album there in 1974, Lady of the Night. Though it spawned a hit overseas with "The Hostage," she didn't crack the U.S. market until a year later with the song that would make her an international superstar, the seductive disco anthem, "Love to Love You Baby." The tune she created with Moroder and Bellotte was a #2 hit in the U.S. and landed her an American record deal with the it label of the era, Casablanca Records.

The 17-minute club remix of the single, which featured such real-sounding ecstatic moans that some radio stations refused to play it, became a huge hit and set a new standard for sophisticated arrangements in a genre often marked by cheesy sounding instrumentation and lazy songwriting.

She released two albums in 1976, A Love Trilogy, which featured the nearly 18-minute epic "Try Me, I Know We Can Make It" and the winter/spring/summer/autumn-themed Four Seasons of Love. In a singles genre where the one good song was the thing, Summer continued to put out consistently artistic albums, including 1977's I Remember Yesterday, which featured the tune that would secure Summer's place at the top of the disco diva pecking order, "I Feel Love." That hypnotizing track was also the first one recorded with music made up entirely of synthesized sounds.

This being the era of excess, her second 1977 album, Once Upon A Time, was another concept disc, this one retelling the Cinderella story in the disco era on tracks like "Once Upon a Time," "Fairy Tale High," "Working the Midnight Shift" and "Queen for a Day."

She transitioned into acting in 1978 in the disco comedy "Thank God It's Friday," which earned her a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal for the hit "Last Dance." By 1979's two-album Bad Girls she was indisputably a star, logging six weeks at #1 and scoring hits with the sexy "Bad Girls" and more rock-oriented "Hot Stuff." When Summer released a double-album greatest hits disc later that year she became the first artists to ever score three #1 albums in a row with double-disc releases.

She went on to record a hit Barbra Streisand duet and moved over to the then-new Geffen Records, where her success began to wane. By 1983, she'd moved past the disco beat and into a synth-heavy R&B/new wave sound with the female empowerment anthem "She Works Hard For the Money." That song, though, would effectively mark the end of her hit-making days. Summer continued to release albums through the late 1980's, but was never again able to capture her disco peak. In fact, by the end of the decade she spoke out against the "sinful" nature of her disco hits and turned her back on her earlier material and focused on painting.

After a 17-year break, she released her first studio album of original material, Crayons, in 2008.

• Donna Summer: The Queen Of Disco

• Donna Summer

Houston's ex-husband debuts 'Don't Let Me Die' during a visit to the 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.'
By Nadeska Alexis

Bobby Brown appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Wednesday
Photo: NBC

Since Whitney Houston passed away in February, her ex-husband, Bobby Brown, has only opened up about her death in one interview on the "Today" show, but during a Wednesday night appearance on the "Tonight Show With Jay Leno," the R&B singer paid tribute to Houston with a new song.

"Don't Let Me Die" finds Brown musing on mistakes he made during his relationship with Houston. "I didn't realize that every breath I took was from you," he sang, dressed in black, "You were my air."

The new song will be featured on Brown's upcoming album The Masterpiece, set to debut on June 5. It will be his first album since 1997's Forever. "I guess I [messed] up pretty bad/ I didn't know who you were/ I didn't know what we had," Brown continued to sing. "Now I'm stuck living in the past/ Trying to get the pieces back/ But I guess now you're gone."

Brown's tumultuous marriage to Houston was well-documented on their reality TV series "Being Bobby Brown," which showed the couple's difficult battle with drugs. When Houston died, she left behind 19-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina, who reportedly has a strained relationship with her dad.

During his visit to the "Today" show in April, Brown defended himself against constant accusations that he was responsible for Houston's drug use, saying she was using drugs before they met in 1991. "I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs at all," Brown told "Today" host Matt Lauer."It's just, it's just unexplainable, how one could [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone."

Houston's family — including daughter Bobbi Kristina, brother Gary Houston and sister-in-law Patricia Houston — are set to appear in an upcoming Lifetime reality series.

• Whitney Houston: A Life In Photos

• Bobby Brown
• Whitney Houston

Kim describes origin of her beef with Nicki in interview on New York's Power 105.
By Rob Markman

Lil Kim
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

was very forthcoming during her interview with New York Power 105's Breakfast Club morning show on Thursday (May 17), especially about her feud with Nicki Minaj.

Before Kimmy Blanco began fielding questions from show hosts DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God and Angela Yee, she questioned why media outlets don't grill Ms. Minaj like they do her. "She has a way of trying to avoid the situation, and y'all let her do it," Kim charged before she hit on the root of their issue.

According to the Queen Bee, she was on pace to sign with Cash Money, the same label that made Nicki a star. "Me and Slim were friends for four years, and we decided that we were going to go into business together," Kim said of her plans with CM co-CEO Ronald "Slim" Williams. "I was over there with Cash Money — I was getting ready to be partners with them."

The deal didn't go through, but Kim did record "Grinding Makin' Money," a track that included both Birdman and Minaj. The Notorious K.I.M. claims that the track was slated for Birdman's 2009 album Priceless but didn't make the final cut. "They put the record out. I guess they didn't like the response — they saw the response and they pulled the record off, pulled it back, never put it on his album, nothing," Kim said.

In the Big Momma's mind, the single was to be beneficial to all parties. For Nicki and Cash Money, doing a song with the female rap great would help stamp a then-budding Minaj. In addition, it would put Kim back into rotation at radio, an important step in restarting her career after she was released from federal prison in 2006. But Birdman and company went cold on the track. "If that would've been a big video and a big event record, that would've been big for both of us," Lil' Kim reasoned. "But I personally think they didn't want me to stand beside her, which is stupid."

Kim went on to claim that Nicki's new record "Automatic" is strikingly similar to an unreleased record of the same name that she recorded and played for Cash Money brass three years ago.

"On her new album, she has a song called 'Automatic,' and the song is so similar to the song that I played for Slim," Kim charged. "The problem with her is she was very catty with it. I never had a problem with her — I was always, always nice with her, always. She was a very obnoxious person, but I was always nice with her."

• 'RapFix Live' With Lil' Kim

• Lil' Kim
• Nicki Minaj

Guitarist Frank Iero also has kind words for new drummer Jarrod Alexander during interview with New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly.
By James Montgomery

My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero
Photo: Gary Miller/ FilmMagic

My Chemical Romance are set to return to the studio and begin work on the follow-up to 2010's Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, though they're keeping details of the project close to whatever kind of vest (Studded? Bandolier-ed? DayGlo?) they're wearing these days.

That's according to guitarist Frank Iero, who revealed the info earlier this week in an interview with New Jersey's The Aquarian Weekly (MCR are one of the headliners at this weekend's Bamboozle fest in Asbury Park, New Jersey, replacing Blink-182) but was tight-lipped about pretty much everything else.

"It's going really well, I'm really excited," Iero said of the new album. "I can't wait to start tracking. I think we're maybe a month away from the record button lighting up."

When asked what fans can expect on the new album (perhaps another conceptual turn?), Iero jokingly responded, "No f---ing way." He provided a similar answer when asked when the album would be hitting stores, though he did say that MCR — who have built their own studio for the new album — will once again working with longtime engineer Doug McKean.

"Doug is a special human being. He's a f---ing genius when it comes to making records and he's f---ing rotten, just like us," Iero said. "When you find someone just as rotten as you are, you shouldn't let them go."

And while Iero wasn't exactly forthcoming with details about My Chem's new album, he had no problem praising new drummer Jarrod Alexander (who will play on the upcoming disc) or taking shots at former kit-minder Michael Pedicone, whom the band fired in 2011 amid accusations of theft.

"Jarrod is a rad guy and a fantastic player. It's been really fun making music with him these past few months. He loves coffee and hitting drums super-hard," Iero said. "And the fact that he's not a thieving piece of garbage is a breath of fresh air."

What are you expecting from new MCR music? Let us know in the comments!

• My Chemical Romance

Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Emma Watson, Leighton Meester and Logan Lerman added as presenters for June 3 show.
By John Mitchell

Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Jason Merritt/ WireImage

Rap superstar Wiz Khalifa will perform his new single "Work Hard, Play Hard" for the first time on television at the 2012 MTV Movie Awards.

Khalifa joins chart-topping indie-pop group Fun. as the second performer announced for the annual Golden Popcorn-fest. "Work Hard, Play Hard" is the debut single from the Pittsburgh rapper's hotly awaited second studio album, O.N.I.F.C., which will hit stores in August.

In addition to Khalifa, several of the biggest stars in film have been added to the lineup of presenters for the big show. "That's My Boy" co-stars Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg, "Gossip Girl" diva Leighton Meester and "Perks of Being a Wallflower" castmates Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller will join already-announced presenters Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Mila Kunis and Mark Wahlberg at the Russell Brand-hosted event.

Watson, Lerman and Miller will also be on hand during the Movie Awards pre-show to debut the first "Perks" trailer. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," based on the popular Stephen Chbosky novel of the same name, tells the story of introverted high school freshman Charlie (Lerman) as he slowly comes out of his shell thanks to new friends, siblings Sam (Watson) and Patrick (Miller).

The 2012 MTV Movie Awards will air live on MTV from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on Sunday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

• MTV Movie Awards Madness Starts Now!

• Wiz Khalifa

Phillip Phillips gets mostly rave reviews and Joshua Ledet praised on path to what appears to be another all-male finale.
By Gil Kaufman

Joshua Ledet performs on "American Idol"
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

You can understand if the contestants on "American Idol" make some bad song choices when left to their own devices. But on Wednesday night's
 triple-play episode, in which Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet had to sing a judge's choice, a tune picked by mentor Jimmy Iovine and one of their own, the selections were ... bizarre.

With only two songs from the current millennium, the top three reached back, sometimes way back on a night when it became clear that Sanchez is too green, Ledet is just the right shade of blue(s) and Phillips is, well, whatever he wants to be because he's probably going to win no matter what happens.

So, who made it thisclose, but is probably headed home tonight and who can get their big-boy pants pressed for the finale? Read on to find out!

Joshua Ledet: Randy Jackson picked the Etta James song "I'd Rather Be Blind" for Josh, who busted out the retro mic and some sleepy soul for a performance that simmered but took way too long to boil. It was solid, but even Jennifer Lopez seemed a tad bored with it and it didn't push him any closer to this century. (It was cute, though, how a Kraft commercial using the same song aired right after Ledet performed. Synergy!)

Josh went big with his choice, John Lennon's "Imagine." And because he's a preacher's kid, he skipped the "no religion too" verse. The pageant-y, 1970s AM lite radio arrangement flattened out the song's emotion, which Ledet tried to pump back in courtesy of some swooping gospel moments. It was a heartstring-tugging layup, but if you really listened it sounded like coasting, or, as JLo politely deemed it, "pulled back and controlled."

Jimmy hit Josh in his sweet spot with Mary J. Blige's "No More Drama." Someone knows what they're doing. From the manic bouncing to the nearly out-of-control, bedazzled jacket-dropping spazz at the end, Josh murdered it. That alone made up for the other two tame performances and locked him into next week's finale. A-

Phillip Phillips: Steven Tyler was going for melody with "Beggin'" by Madcon. But what he likely did was send tens of millions of "Idol" watchers to Google to find out ... who the hell Madcon is? So, a 2008 cover of a 1967 Four Seasons hit by an obscure Norwegian dance duo? Wouldn't you know it, strummy P managed to make it sound like, oh man, do I even need to say it? (Rhymes with Shave It Bath Hues.) The jammy, vanilla soul frat party rocker is exactly what I expect a P Phil album to sound like. "New Springsteen?" Really Steven?

The sexy sax player was back for Phil's choice, "Disease" by Matchbox 20. Yeah, that Matchbox 20. It was moody, conga-y, mid-tempo and so intense he had to sit down on some road cases just to contain the, um, intensity? Like Ledet's "Imagine," this one felt too easy, like a sprinter pulling up in the final 20 yards to avoid injury after looking over his shoulder and realizing he's got it. In a rare bit of real talk from the panel, Lopez called it "easy flowing" and said it lacked the "wow performance" element.

Phil's dad loved Jimmy's choice of Bob Seger's "We've Got Tonight," and Iovine dared the pawn shop worker to ignore the 1978 hit's melody. Without his guitar, Phil was forced to awkwardly stroke and caress his thigh as he muscled through the heartland ballad. Between the sappy strings and the suggesting hand fidgeting Phillips looked like he was waiting out the clock in detention. Randy, of course, called it the "perfect song" and Phil's best performance. So, now all you have to do to win this thing is sing the melody of the song and not worry about actually hitting the notes correctly? I give up. You can have him, America. Remember how awesome that nighty-night song was when you don't buy his album in December. B

Jessica Sanchez: Lopez aimed for Sanchez's sweet spot with Mariah Carey's "My All," but ended up trapping the singer in a breathy lower register that made Jessica's powerhouse voice sound weak and pitchy. The snoozy lullaby robbed the high schooler of a big moment and may have punched her card home. Did Randy mention he's worked with Mariah? Well, if he thought that was one of the best renditions of a Carey song ever on TV, Carey should lose his number.

In the ultimate brown noser move, BeBe chose Aerosmith's power anthem "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." I kept waiting for girls in swimsuits or evening gowns to start parading around her, but this kind of Velveeta ballad is her sweet spot and while she didn't move the bar any higher, it's exactly what America wanted to hear. But, ugh, that last shouty note was as off as Jennifer's pink pantsuit.

Iovine went retro with 1970's "I'll Be There" by the Jackson 5, which despite what he argued, didn't really make Sanchez seem contemporary, and dropped her back down into that lower range that doesn't do her favors. When she kept it up high, Sanchez sounded strong and confident, but the lazy tempo didn't provide the rocket fuel she needed to lock in a spot next week. B-

Who do you think nailed it last night? Who deserves to go home? Let us know in comments below.

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• 'American Idol' Season 11 Performances

Singer's donation to Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is second largest in Nashville museum's history.
By John Mitchell

Taylor Swift
Photo: Getty Images

Taylor Swift has a reputation for being a good girl with a big heart, and when you pair that with her sizable bank account, you get one very large charitable donation that will benefit music education for both children and senior citizens.

The six-time Grammy winner has donated $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville to fund what will now be known as the Taylor Swift Education Center, an exhibit and classroom space scheduled to open in 2014.

"In terms of what it will allow us to do, we do education very well now," museum director Kyle Young told the Associated Press (via Billboard). "It will allow us to do what we do better, serve more people, develop new programs, and I'm happy to say that as we talked through this opportunity with Taylor, she very much wants to be involved in an advisory capacity in what we do. Is there a better person out there who's in touch with a young audience? I think not. I was joking we should be paying her to do that. I was only joking."

Swift's donation is the second largest ever gifted to the museum and is the largest given by a musician. The country-pop megastar has a long history with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She signed her record contract there and gave one of her first public performances on the building's plaza.

In the past, she has also volunteered her time to the museum's "All for the Hall" fundraisers.

The Taylor Swift Education Center is part of a larger $75 million expansion of the Hall of Fame that will more than double the size of the museum and include a new concert theater and more space for exhibits and archives.

The planned education center will be more than 7,500 square feet spread over two stories. It will have its own exterior entrance that will lead to three classrooms and exhibit space. The expansion will allow the museum to dramatically increase its youth education programs, with plans for it to house a "musical petting zoo" and an art classroom where children can make concert posters and other art projects.

The center will also give the museum the opportunity to add new programs and workshops for teens and senior citizens.

"For Taylor to want to engage herself in the life of this place in such an appropriate way," Young continued, "every way you slice it and dice it, it's great."

• MTV First: Taylor Swift

• Taylor Swift

'I still love her as a human being,' MTV Movie Awards host tells Ellen DeGeneres.
By Jocelyn Vena

Russell Brand and Katy Perry
Photo: Charley Gallay/ WireImage

Russell Brand has only the kindest words for his pop-star ex, Katy Perry. The actor chatted with Ellen DeGeneres on an episode of her talk show airing Thursday (May 17), and when asked about the split, Brand said that while they are no longer together, he still loves and respects her.

"I still love her as a human being," the comedian said. "But sometimes when you're in a relationship, I suppose it doesn't work out, does it? But that doesn't mean I regret it or anything. I was very happy to be married with her. She's such a beautiful human being and I just have only love and positivity for her.

"You can't absolutely make everything the way you want it to be in life," he added. "Sometimes things are just different and then you have to just move with that and try and remain in contact with what is beautiful about yourself and with each other with any situation."

Brand and Perry announced their split in December 2011, after a year of marriage. During the interview, he added that she's "a person I still consider to be beautiful. ... I have nothing but positivity for her. She is [an amazing person]."

The actor/comedian is now poised for a busy June. Brand is set to host the 2012 MTV Movie Awards, which will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre on Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. This marks the third time he's hosted an MTV awards show, having hosted the Video Music Awards in 2008 and 2009.

And it seems that his signature cheeky humor will be in full force at the show. "MTV Movie Awards incorporates two of my favorite things: movies and awards. If somehow group sex could be involved, it would be the greatest night of my life," Brand said.

In addition to his MTV Movie Awards hosting gig, his new flick, the big-screen adaptation of "Rock of Ages," opens June 15.

Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

• Russell Brand's Greatest MTV Moments So Far

• Russell Brand's Greatest MTV Moments So Far
• Lovebirds: Katy Perry And Russell Brand

• Katy Perry

Cancer patient Kathy Watson voted Republican in 2008 and believes the government has no right telling Americans to get health insurance. Nonetheless, she says she'd be dead if it weren't for President Barack Obama's health care law.

'Between the two of us, we probably got five or six records,' T.I. tells 'RapFix Live' about possible joint album with Jeezy.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

T.I. on "RapFix Live"
Photo: Natasha Chandel/ MTV News

After the success of Jay-Z and Kanye West's Watch the Throne, fans are excited at the thought of two favorite MCs working in tandem. There's been talk of a Lil Wayne and Drake LP, a Rick Ross and Drake mixtape, and whispers of a T.I. and Young Jeezy full-length collaboration. We haven't received any updates from Wayne, Drake or Rozay in a minute, but Tip says he and the Snowman already have songs in the stash.

"I got a few albums that I'm workin' on: the Man and the Martian project with B.o.B; me and Jeezy been talkin' about doin' this project for a minute," T.I. told Sway when he held court on "RapFix Live" on Wednesday. "It wouldn't take us long to do. We got records already in the can and it don't take us no time to put it together. It's just a matter of when they would be released."

Right now Tip is focused on Trouble Man, his eighth solo album, which is slated for a September 4 release. Then there is the tag-team LP with B.o.B — considering that Bobby Ray is signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle label, the pair's Man and the Martian album is more than a fantasy project.

When it comes to a project with Jeezy, the King of the South says that the studio work isn't the problem: Getting the album out in stores is the tricky part. "It's not the recording, the recording is easy. It's a matter of when we would have time to market and promote 'em and release 'em," T.I. said. "We got maybe 30 or 40 [percent done]. Between the two of us, we probably got five or six records."

How interested are you in a T.I. and Young Jeezy project? Let us know in the comments!

• T.I. Brings The Grand Hustle To 'RapFix Live'

• T.I.
• Young Jeezy

At intimate New York listening party, singer says new album 'widened the expectations of what I can do.'
By Jocelyn Vena

John Mayer
Photo: Mark Sullivan/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Fans and industry folks gathered at the famed Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village on Wednesday night to get an advanced listen to John Mayer's new album, the country-fried, introspective Born and Raised.

Before the album even played, Neil Young songs blasted through the hallowed halls of the studio. Given Mayer's vibe on Born and Raised, which pays homage to the Young sound of the 1970s, it all made sense. When Mayer's album was eventually put on, it was an easy transition from Young's jangly guitar and harmonica to Mayer's own on the album, out Tuesday.

The album was recorded at Electric Lady Studios, and the Big Apple is referenced on some tracks, as on many Mayer songs before. "Records are pure reflections," Mayer told the room. "I'm so proud it's out. The finish line is so far off [when you're making the record]."

In recent years, Mayer has been through it all. After going TMI crazy in the press in 2010, he has shied away from media attention. Some of that had to do with the fact that he had surgery on his vocal cords in late 2011. In fact, he still needs to go through another surgery to correct the problem. But he said he plans to record a new album this summer, regardless.

"If you're lucky, you get to make giant evolutionary steps from your first record, so I was able to do that. And you guys, I think, you're able to come along with that step and be psyched about that evolution and I'm excited to even go further now and start coming up with melodies you haven't heard yet," he said, referencing his "Your Body Is a Wonderland" days on his 2001 debut, Room for Squares. During the chat he explained that every song on this album is his favorite, for perhaps the first time in his career, adding that they "widened the expectations of what I can do."

Additionally, after having to cancel his 2012 spring trek, Mayer confirmed he want to hit the road in spring 2013 "and have two records to pull from. ... I think I can cheat time a little bit because as you know, I try to cheat time all the time. So I think we can all catch up so that a year from now there's two records. It'll be like Born and Raised part two because there's certain things I want to keep doing."

• John Mayer

'Kanye and Kim, they're kind of like two peas in a pod,' Khloe Kardashian says in clip for 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians.'
By Jocelyn Vena

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Photo: Splash News

"Kanye and Kim, they're kind of like two peas in a pod," little sister Khloe Kardashian says about Kim's romance with Kanye West in a "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" teaser. While not much footage of Kim and Yeezy made it into the clip, the little bit that did will certainly spark interest in Sunday's season premiere of the E! reality show. As Khloe narrates her feelings about the twosome, the trailer cuts to them sitting together, dressed all in black and sharing a laugh.

Kimye isn't the only headline that made the jam-packed show trailer. Kourtney reveals to her family that she's having a baby girl, the family goes on a drama-filled vacation to the Dominican Republic and Lamar Odom ponders his basketball-playing future, telling in-laws Bruce and Kris Jenner, "I know that I can make any team a championship-caliber team. I got to just get back."

And, yes, the infamous red-carpet flour-bombing also makes the cut. Toward the end of the teaser, mama Kris proclaims, "I left my husband for this guy," as footage of her hugging a mysterious man is teased. A teary-eyed Kourtney says, "I don't understand. I could never do that to my children." However, it is unclear what exactly will play out.

When MTV News caught up with Kim and Khloe, the eldest Kardashian sister noted that she wanted to keep as much of her relationship with West as private as possible. "I don't know if I'm ready to talk about him," Kim said. "I feel like I've had such a hard time sharing my love life that now I'm a little bit more reserved on that."

While Kim was tight-lipped about her man, Khloe teased her sister a bit about the romance. "No I love, it. You're like a wild, crowd-surfing child and I love you."

On Wednesday, Kim and Kanye were spotted in London, where Kim will launch her jewelry line. According to E!, the twosome touched down to lots of paparazzi. Kim will be doing some press while in town, including radio and TV appearances.

• Kanye West

Master of pranks will host a special episode ahead of the MTV Movie Awards on June 3.
By Kara Warner

Ashton Kutcher in Punk'd
Photo: MTV

If you haven't been keeping up with our bright and shiny new episodes of "Punk'd," then you've missed a star-studded lineup of guest punk-ers and punk-ees including Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, Lucy Hale and Josh Hutcherson, and Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.

If you think it can't get any better than that group of noteworthy, fun-loving and slightly gullible individuals, think again, because the show's godfather himself, executive producer Ashton Kutcher, will return to host a special episode of "Punk'd" on Sunday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV, as part of the 2012 MTV Movie Awards pre-show.

Kutcher is coming back with bigger punks than ever before, and his targets are two of the hottest celebrities in Hollywood, the identities of whom will be revealed soon. Fans will see some of the most elaborate and outrageous punks only the master himself could pull off.

Once the shock and awe has worn off from Kutcher's expectedly memorable antics, don't forget to tune in on Thursday, May 31 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, when host Kellan Lutz pulls off hilarious punks on "Awkward" star Ashley Rickards, "Friday Night Lights" actress Aimee Teegarden and "Rock of Ages'" star and "Dancing with the Stars" alumna Julianne Hough.

The MTV Movie Awards will air live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

• Punk'd Full Episode (Ep. 802)

• Punk'd: Season 3 Episode Guide

'The first reaction is like no other,' Usher says on 'MTV First' about witnessing Bieber's ascent to fame.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Usher
Photo: Jessica Hyndman / MTV News

Back in 1994, a teenaged Usher dropped his self-titled debut album and skyrocketed to fame. Nearly 20 years later, Usher is still on top, having lost little career momentum. While he's maintained his own career over the years, he also helped launch Justin Bieber to mega-fame as well.

As Bieber continues to grow as an artist, Usher explained that the 18-year-old has built up the kinds of friendships and relationships that he would have wanted as a kid star. "Cool part about it is, he's really able to live a dream that I think most teenagers would want to. To be able to have friends like Mayweather. They are actual friends, hang out, talk," Usher told MTV News during "MTV First" about Bieber's friendship with boxer Floyd Mayweather, who he recently hung out with in Las Vegas. "It's really cool to be able to have friends all around the world and people that can relate to your reality.

"I don't think Michael [Jackson] had people like that," he continued. "I didn't have a ton of people like that. I had Puff. I had JD [producer Jermaine Dupri] ... but to be able to have friends all around the world that keep you, it's cool."

Their friendship was on full display recently when Usher performed in "Fuerza Bruta" back in April in New York City. Bieber dropped by to catch him getting his theater kid on, and midway through the show, the twosome battled it out on the dance floor.

"I was like, 'Come on, I got you. Just chill out.' Set it up," he recalled about tricking the sleepy globe-trotting star to hang with him at the show. "[We] brought him to the middle of the dance floor, and we got it in. But we always show support for each other like that. We was housing a little bit."

The guys will soon go head to head on the Billboard charts: Usher is set to drop his album, Looking 4 Myself, on June 12, and one week later, Bieber will release Believe. While it'll be interesting to see those two fight it out on the charts, what's more interesting for Usher is watching Bieber go through the same stuff he went through as a teen heartthrob.

"I relive every bit of it, from the screaming fans and the first reactions, shutting down the malls. The first reaction is like no other. To be able to be there, to be there with him and go through those emotions and see that shock for the first time [is exciting]," he said.

• MTV First: Usher

• Usher
• Justin Bieber

It's a trick question! 'I had this idea that we should come up with a different way of respecting the line,' director Peter Berg tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Taylor Kitsch in "Battleship"
Photo: Universal Pictures

From the moment Universal announced plans to transform Hasbro's classic board game Battleship into a full-length feature film, the question weighing on fans' minds was not necessarily "How will they make that into a movie?" but rather "How will they work in the 'You sunk my Battleship!' line?"

For those who didn't grow up playing the game, we're talking about the classic tagline from Hasbro's old-school commercials that featured two players calling out targets until one proved victorious with a direct hit on their opponent's big boat, resulting in one of the most memorable and quotable board-game taglines ever: "You sunk my Battleship!"

We've made attempts to get various castmembers to spill the beans about the line, but it wasn't until MTV News caught up with director Peter Berg that we were able to get a definitive answer on the subject — which, in a nutshell, is no, the direct quote is not in the finished film.

"We have a version of it, though," Berg said. "There was a reference to the line: 'Ain't gonna sink this Battleship, no way,' " he quoted. "We say, 'No, we ain't sinking this battleship. ' They don't sink our Battleship. Sorry.

Berg said they put a lot of thought into how they could pay homage to the line but ultimately decided it would be best to provide their own spin on it.

"We played around. We said the line, we didn't say the line, and then I had this idea that maybe we should come up with a different way of respecting the line. But you know what? They didn't sink the Battleship," he reiterated, adding a "Raging Bull" reference in the process. "It's like Jake Lomatta said: 'You [didn't] get me down, Ray.' There a lot of ways you could've done it; we chose our way."

Check out everything we've got on "Battleship."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: 'Battleship'

• 'Battleship'

'Everything I wanted it to feel like, everything I wanted to say, it's there,' KStew says of watching the final cut of the film.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz

Kristen Stewart
Photo: MTV News

Those familiar with the Hollywood moviemaking process likely know that what is first scripted on the page, and then performed by the actors, and then released unto the masses doesn't always turn out to be an accurate representation of what was initially written. Scripts change, performances alter. In short, after an actor wraps their work on any particular production, they can't be totally sure about what will end up on screen until they see a finished cut of the film.

That does not seem to be the case with the highly anticipated "Snow White and the Huntsman", in that star Kristen Stewart recently revealed that director Rupert Sanders' brilliant plans became a brilliant film.

"I was so excited," Stewart said of her reaction upon seeing the finished product. What's unique, she said, is that the movie is just as "cool" as its concept art — the sketches, storyboards or short videos that directors and producers often assemble in order to sell studios and actors on the concept behind a movie.

"That's the way Rupert Sanders got the job as director of this movie, by putting together a five-minute version of the movie and presenting the darkness and lightness of the world. I thought that it was insane because it felt like two different people did it, it was so, so beautiful when it was light and so exuberantly happy, and then when it was dark it was wretched and disgusting. I think when I first saw the movie I saw that. It was like, 'Wow.' Everything I wanted it to feel like, everything I wanted to say, it's there."

Check out everything we've got on "Snow White and the Huntsman."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: 'Snow White And The Huntsman'

• Snow White And The Huntsman
• 'Snow White And The Huntsman' World Premiere