Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll


Mary J. Blige
Photo: MTV News

You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.

In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.

"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."

Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.

"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.

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Henry Cavill Calls 'Superman' Co-Star Amy Adams 'Fantastic'

'Immortals' actor talks to MTV News at WonderCon in his first on-camera interview since being cast as the Man of Steel.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Henry Cavill at WonderCon 2011
Photo: Getty Images

In his first on-camera interview since being cast as Superman in Zack Snyder's reboot, the new Man of Steel, actor Henry Cavill, chatted about everything from his research for the part to what it will be like working with his Lois Lane, Amy Adams.

MTV News caught up with Cavill at WonderCon 2011, where he was promoting his upcoming film "Immortals," in which he plays a Greek warrior. Turns out Cavill won't be able to take much of a break after such a daunting role, as he'll soon gear up to wear Superman's iconic cape. Cavill said the training for "Superman" will be a "similar kind of thing" to that of "Immortals," adding, "It's going to be intense."

Still, it's not just the physical aspect Cavill will have to focus on: He'll also have to slip into the psyche of the complex superhero for the tentatively titled "Superman: Man of Steel." Cavil said he's done "plenty of comic book research" in order to gather as much information as he can "as to who this man is."

The star explained that by reading the "Superman" comics, he'll pick up on the "key characteristics" in order to get "a general idea of what he is, and then working from there."

Cavill also opened up about why it was important to stay true to the iconic character, even with Snyder's new, modern twist. "Superman is Superman, after all. There's only so much of a change you can make to that," he said.

As he continues to map out how to play the role, he's already got his leading lady, Amy Adams, lined up and ready to go.

It was confirmed a week ago that Adams, fresh off her Best Supporting Actress Oscar nod for "The Fighter," would play Superman's love interest, Lois Lane. Cavill, who revealed he'd met with Adams for a screen test, said he was "looking forward to working with" her, calling his newly announced co-star a "fantastic actress, very talented."

He isn't the only one who's excited about having Adams tackle the iconic female role. Snyder called her "one of the most versatile and respected actresses in films today," while Margot Kidder, the original Lois Lane, gushed, "She's a brilliant, wonderful actress! She's incredible. She's an extraordinarily accomplished young lady — and gorgeous and full of energy and spirit. She's so different from part to part, it's going to be really interesting to see what she does with Lois."

Cavill noted that the age difference between he and Adams (he's 27, she's 36) was nothing more than happenstance, saying that making the nine-year difference part of the story line would be for Snyder to decide. Cavill said of the age gap: "I don't think it matters at all."

Regarding those who argue Adams is too old to star opposite Cavill, Kidder said, "Who cares? What a bizarre thing to be concerned about. She certainly doesn't look older than him."

Do you think Amy Adams will make a good Lois Lane? Sound off below!

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

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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Did Lady Gaga Toss Adam Lambert from Her Birthday Party?

Did Lady Gaga Toss Adam Lambert from Her Birthday Party?

Lady Gaga got more than one shock at her surprise 25th birthday party at L.A.'s La Cita Mexican restaurant on Sunday night.

The "Born This Way" singer was caught off guard when American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert showed up as a guest of her tour's opening act, the Scissor Sisters, and proceeded to get very intoxicated and disorderly.

"Adam showed up beyond drunk," Perez Hilton tells the Morning Dish radio show. "Super sloppy embarrassingly drunk!"

Lambert reportedly even punched a hole in the restaurant's ceiling while dancing!

Another eyewitness tells UsMagazine.com: "Adam acted like an animal. He kept jumping up on the tables and chairs and screaming. When they brought the cake out he tried to smear it in Gaga's face and put a doll from the cake in her mouth!"

Eventually, according to sources, Gaga had enough of Lambert's antics and had security escort him out.

While the "Whataya Want From Me" singer's rep had no comment on the incident, Lambert copped to some of the bad behavior via Twitter.

"My hand still hurts. LoL," he wrote Wednesday. "Was trying for celebratory gesture 4 gaga's B- piñata style...instead my fist is all bruised and la cita has a hole in the ceiling. #sloppy."

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/did-lady-gaga-toss-adam-lambert-her-birthday-party/1-a-337003

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Alessandra Ambrosio Shops For Her Little Girl

You have to admit, shopping for little girls clothes is FUN! Here’s Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio picking up some things for her little girl. With Alessandra being a model herself, I bet her daughter is dressed. Photos by FAME

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/04/02/alessandra-ambrosio-victorias-secret/

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Taylor Momsen Hits the 2011 Kids' Choice Awards

Bringing her sometimes over-the-top self to the spotlight, Taylor Momsen joined in on the Nickelodeon 24th Annual Kids' Choice Awards festivities in Los Angeles, California on Saturday (April 2).

The "Gossip Girl" actress put her Pretty Reckless tour efforts aside for the time being as she opted to walk the orange carpet at the Galen Center prior to ceremony kickoff.

Talking about the fun-filled annual ceremony, Nickelodeon's president of development and original programming Marjorie Cohn said, "Everybody knows if they're going to be slimed, but nobody exactly knows what it's going to feel like or how they're going to respond to it."

Cohn added, "There's still a giant sense of surprise. No one rehearses being slimed. You can't really imagine the feeling of that coldness dripping through your clothes and into every pore of your body."

The Kids' Choice Awards are being hosted by Jack Black while airing live on Nickelodeon beginning at 8PM ET.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2011/taylor-momsen-hits-2011-kids-choice-awards-494135

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Calls 'Transformers' Gig 'A Roller Coaster'

'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' star talks at CinemaCon about working with director Michael Bay.
By Kara Warner, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Photo: Getty Images

Now that we've entered the month of April, it seems justifiable to start hyping this summer's potential blockbusters. Not that we haven't been already, but it feels like the big summer movies are just around the corner — one of those being the highly anticipated "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

MTV News caught up with the franchise's new leading lady, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, recently at CinemaCon to discuss her experience on the film and getting caught up in director Michael Bay's workaholic web.

"I've seen the last two movies, so I kind of knew what I was getting into, but obviously not at all as well," Whiteley said of being a bit overwhelmed by the big movie experience. "It was a crazy opportunity that was handed to me, and I spent seven months making the movie with a great cast and a great director, and it's been a roller coaster of a lifetime for sure," she said. "I'm still on it, I don't know if I'm going to get off anytime soon."

Regarding Bay, Whiteley described him as a "character" with lots of energy: "I think throughout my whole career, I've never seen anybody work so hard in my whole life," she said. "He's literally done these 'Transformers' movies for six years now. As cast, we do the filming for seven months, then he goes into the edit room and edits it for six months, then he comes out of the edit room and promotes it, and by the time he's finished that, he's prepping the next one," she explained. "It's amazing to see how dedicated he is to these films."

Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

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

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