'X Factor' Michael Jackson Night Has Singers On Edge

Meanwhile, Paula Abdul has been absent from the set since her final group was eliminated last week.
By Jim Cantiello


Michael Jackson in the video for "Hold My Hand"
Photo: Sony Music Entertainment

<P><i>MTV News' own Jim Cantiello is exclusively covering "The X Factor" rehearsals. Read on for his fly-on-the-wall backstage report!</i> <b>LOS ANGELES</b> &#8212; "The X Factor" top seven are back on the lot after their first (and only) mini-vacation of the season. And as the Thanksgiving tryptophan wears off, the anxiety of another double elimination is setting in. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:714741" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Adding to the stress? "The X Factor" is tackling the songs of Michael Jackson on Wednesday night (November 30), on the 29th anniversary of <i>Thriller</i>'s release, no less. One of the contestants is so stressed over the theme he's emerged as a total perfectionist. During Monday's rehearsals, he had already nixed multiple arrangements the show had provided him. "This is the most unprepared I've felt on a Monday," he said to his mentor as they rushed out of Stage 36. There was a camera crew chasing them to capture the drama &#8212; as well as the ensuing late-night emergency meeting with the vocal coaches &#8212; so don't be surprised if some of this intense footage ends up in your living room. (This afternoon's dress rehearsal went swimmingly, for the record.) Meanwhile, one contestant had a full-on battle with his/her mentor over a chair. The mentor said, "Sit and sing." The contestant said, "Again?! How about I do something on my feet for Michael Jackson week?" Another mentor came to the defense of the contestant. In the end, the contestant is sitting after all. Don't worry, contestant. The eerie arrangement of an MJ classic is what folks are going to be buzzing about. No one will care if you sit or stand. In the control room, I spied one of the bigwigs utter the word "brilliant!" after the contestant's dress rehearsal. Another hot topic: wardrobe! When paying homage to one of the biggest music icons ever, it's tempting for the stylists to include clothing nods to Michael's various looks. But several singers are worried they'll look too much like Jackson impersonators, which has caused many a headache in the wardrobe trailer. But stylist June Ambrose is still able to keep things light in the midst of the drama. While waiting around for a contestant's last-minute fitting, she started an impromptu MJ dance party on the lot. Crotch grabs and "woo" included! Lastly, Paula Abdul's sunny energy has been noticeably absent on the CBS lot now that all her groups have been eliminated. She went from being the most hands-on mentor to an on-set ghost. "The X Factor" family can't wait to welcome her back for her first live show as strictly a judge. What do you think she's been doing with her newfound free time? <b>You can catch Jim on the "X Factor Pepsi Pre-Show," streaming at 7 p.m. ET tonight on TheXFactorUSA.com!</b></p>

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'Silent House' Exclusive Photo: Two Weeks Of Horror Begins Now!

Is "Silent House" the scariest movie of 2012? That depends on you: perhaps your arm hairs are triggered by something unconventional, like arctic wolves or Katherine Heigl in a wedding dress. But we're going to guess that based on its unnerving visual style, "Silent House" will be the most singular horror film you see this [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2012/02/27/silent-house-exclusive-photo-elizabeth-olsen/

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Will Black Keys Team Up With Ke$ha? First They Want Jim Nabors

The duo sat down with MTV News in Berlin to discuss a pair of unlikely collaborations.
By James Montgomery


Black Keys
Photo: MTV News

<P>Theirs is a relationship that has spanned time and Twitter, seafood and shaving, but over the years, the unlikely bond between the Black Keys and Ke$ha has grown to become something <i>more</i>: a genuine friendship, marked with the occasional trespassing charge. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:731631.id:1678505" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "We're friends with her, we've known her since way before she was famous, before she was even a singer, I guess," Keys drummer Patrick Carney told MTV News. "When she was 16 years old, she used to sneak into our shows. We kind of became friends with her by kicking her out of our backstage room, over and over again. She actually has snuck into shows in L.A., San Diego, Coachella ..." "She snuck in and [got] kicked out of one show, like, <i>five</i> times," frontman Dan Auerbach added. "[She] snuck in through the kitchen. I don't know if she's such a big fan; she just likes breaking the rules." So, when MTV News sat down with the 'Keys in Berlin during the premiere of their "Gold on the Ceiling" video, we had to ask if their friendship with Ke$ha would take the next step: an actual musical collaboration. It's not all that far-fetched, considering both Ke$h and Auerbach live in Nashville ("I see her every once in a while flying by in her T-Top [convertible]," Auerbach laughed), and recently, the glittery one has logged studio time with the Flaming Lips. So, could we see a team-up on the next Black Keys album? "I guess, I don't know," Carney said. "We don't really do that many collaborations, really." OK, so if a Ke$ha collabo isn't in the cards, just who would the 'Keys like to work with next? Well, as it turns out, they've got their eyes set on landing a very big star for the next record ... even if they mistakenly believe he's deceased. "We both want to work with Jim Nabors very badly, but apparently he's not with us anymore," Carney said. Oh, but he is. Which means that, much like Nabors, the dream is alive. The Ke$ha collabo? Eh, probably not so much. <i>Should the Black Keys hit the studio with Ke$ha? Leave your comment below!</i></p>

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Dianna Agron: Carlina Herrera Oscar Party Perfection

Ending out her weekend on a high note, Dianna Agron was spotted at the 2012 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Viewing Party last night (February 26).

The ?Glee? gal got all gussied up and headed over to the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood to watch the 84th Academy Awards.

And Dianna definitely didn?t disappoint when it came to her attire- she opted for a printed gown designed by Carolina Herrera.

Along with the dress, Ms. Agron added a silver box clutch, bold drop earrings, and a cute and casual pulled-back coif.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/academy-awards-2012/dianna-agron-carlina-herrera-oscar-party-perfection-584540

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Audrina Patridge, Ke$ha, Adam Lambert Share Prom Memories

'Me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m.,' Ke$ha tells MTV News.
By Jocelyn Vena


Audrina Patridge
Photo: MTV News

<P>It's prom season, and that means high schoolers across this great land will be renting tuxes, buying fancy dresses and negotiating the details of their curfews with parents. So, before you take your pictures and get in your limos, we asked some Hollywood A-listers to recall their fondest prom memories. "I had a great prom," Ne-Yo told MTV News. "I didn't get to go with who I wanted to go with. I got my second choice, but my second choice turned out to be the one I was supposed to be there with, so it turned out good." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:647708" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Ke$ha, never one to say no to a party, had the best night of all her friends. "I went to prom with my gay best friend, and let me tell you, I had way more fun than anybody else at a prom with their boyfriends," she recalled. "Everybody else was, like, crying and drama and breaking up, and me and my gay best friend just danced until 8 a.m." "Hellcats" star Aly Michalka doesn't have a favorite prom memory &#8212; because she never went to prom. "I was homeschooled, so I don't even think we had a fake prom," she lamented. "Like, maybe we had a home-school prom and I wasn't invited?" While everything always seems to be in peril on "The Vampire Diaries," star Nina Dobrev had a less tumultuous night: "Having everyone get together and such a final celebration [is what I remember]." Romeo went big for his prom. "My senior prom, I remember I pulled up in my red Ferrari. I was feeling like James Bond," he said. "And it was one of the best nights of my life." "My favorite prom memory was probably going shopping for a dress, and our boyfriends at the time dressed up as 'Dumb &amp; Dumber,' " Audrina Patridge laughed. "And so we were like, 'We can't dress up dorky ... we have to look good.' " Roots drummer ?uestlove made a big decision on the night of his prom: "June 2, 1989, was my very last haircut; prom haircut, totally butchered my hair. He butchered my hair, and I vowed never again to ever get in a barber chair, so I grew that Afro on my prom night." Adam Lambert said his prom date was a 10, so he definitely had a fun night. "I had a great prom. I had an awesome time," he said. "I went with one of my best friends in high school. Her name was Lauren, and she was really hot. She wore a really hot red dress, so I felt like I had arm candy." <i>Share your prom memories in the comments below!</i></p>

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