B105

Brown panned at Billboard

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:40:34 +0000

Chris Brown’s vocal performance at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards has been panned by critics.

The 24-year-old singer took the stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to debut his new single, Fine China.

The Michael Jackson-inspired track saw Chris giving a high-energy performance joined by a team of back-up dancers.

But his vocals left much to be desired as his voice cracked several times during the four-minute set.

“Chris Brown sounds crazy right now on the billboard awards,” one Facebook user wrote while watching the show.

“Chris Brown must have seen Rihanna & Drake in the audience,” another viewer tweeted, making reference to Chris’ love rival.

Others noted the singer sounded “sick” or “stressed out”.

“Chris Brown may be able to dance like MJ, but he sure as hell can’t sing like him. That performance was horrible #billboardawards,” another critic wrote.

Some were more understanding.

“I think tonight was just an off night. Happens to everyone,” another viewer tweeted.

Other performers at the annual awards show included Selena Gomez, who sang her new single, Come & Get It with a Bollywood-inspired production.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also performed the duo’s hit track Thrift Shop.

Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Christina Aguilera, Ed Sheeran, David Guetta and Kacey Musgraves also performed at the event.

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards was hosted by comedian Tracy Morgan.

Swift sweeps Billboard Awards

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:40:32 +0000

Taylor Swift was the toast of the Billboard Music Awards Sunday night, taking home a total of eight gongs.

The country music darling won top prizes including Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album (Red). She was nominated for a total of 11 awards.

The 23-year-old singer also took home Top Country Artist and Top Country Song for her hit We Are Never Getting Back Together.

Taylor gushed as she accepted an award on behalf of her fans. She also took the opportunity to make light of her colorful love life, largely known as an inspiration for ballads and break-up anthems.

“You are the longest and best relationship I ever had,” she mused.

She also performed her new single, 22.

Gotye and Rihanna followed with four awards each. The Pour It Up singer took home top R&B Artist, Top R&B Album (Unapologetic), Top R&B Song (Diamonds) and Top Radio Song Artist.

Justin Bieber, who also performed Take You at the event with will.i.am, walked away with three prizes, including Top Male Artist.

The teen heartthrob has had a rough few months, with scathing reports about his bad behavior on his ongoing world tour. He also took the opportunity to address the controversy.

“I’m 19-years-old and I think I’m doing a pretty good job,” Justin proclaimed.

“And basically from my heart I really just want to say it should really be about the music, it should be about the craft that I’m making. This is not a gimmick,” he continued, adding, “I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously and all this other bull should not be spoken.”

Other winners included Maroon 5, fun. and Nicki Minaj, who claimed Top Rap Artist early in the evening.

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Other performers included Selena Gomez, who sang her new single, Come & Get It; Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who performed their hit track Thrift Shop; Bruno Mars Jennifer Lopez; Pitbull; Christina Aguilera; Ed Sheeran; David Guetta and Kacey Musgraves; and Chris Brown, who was criticised for appearing to have lost his voice in the middle of his four-minute set.

Tracy Morgan was the evening’s host.

A full list of winners is as follows:

Top Artist: Taylor Swift

Richards: I want to be there for Sheen’s boys

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:51:14 +0000

Denise Richards says she’s taking care of Charlie Sheen’s twin boys because she doesn’t “have a choice”.

The 42-year-old actress was recently awarded temporary custody over her ex-husband’s four-year-old boys with his other former spouse, Brooke Mueller, while Brooke is in rehab.

The working mother is now taking care of five kids, including her nine and seven-year-old girls with Charlie and adopted 22-month-old daughter Eloise.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“You just figure it out because you don’t have a choice. You have these children depending on you,” she told UsWeekly.

“You prioritize. I had children because I want to be a parent, and I want to be there for them.”

Denise insists Charlie is supportive, though his busy schedule reportedly prevents him from being the kids’ primary caretaker.

The actress’ biggest challenge is making sure she can attend all of the children’s activities, but so far she’s juggling everything just fine.

“I have a good schedule going. You just manage,” Denise reasoned.

Brooke is expected to continue treatment at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California for at least 30 days after she reportedly overdosed six times in two years.

Denise is not legally permitted to talk about the ongoing custody case as Brooke reportedly wants the twins placed with her brother.

A spokesperson for Charlie earlier spoke out in support of Denise as providing the best possible home for his sons Bob and Max while Brooke seeks treatment.

“He knows Max and Bob are safe in a stable, loving environment with Denise and the boys’ sisters,” his representative said.

Bon Jovi opens up about daughter’s overdose

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:51:13 +0000

Jon Bon Jovi says getting the call his daughter had overdosed was his “worst moment” as a father.

The 51-year-old rocker’s eldest child, 19-year-old Stephanie Rose, was discovered catatonic in her Hamilton College dorm room back in November.

She suffered from a heroin overdose and small amounts of this drug as well as marijuana was found in her room at the Kirkland, New York school.

Jon recalled the heart-stopping phone conversation he had with his daughter in an interview with UK newspaper The Mirror.

“It was horrible, a horrible moment. It was my worst moment as a father,” he remembered.

“The first thing she said, I’m all right but then she said this is what happened.”

The star didn’t think twice about dropping his work on the road to return to Stephanie’s side.

“You wake up, you shake it off and put your shoes on and say OK, I am on the way home,” he said.

Stephanie has since recovered.

The teenager and a 21-year-old male companion faced three counts of drug possession for heroin and marijuana but all charges were dropped.

Jon shares four children, Stephanie and three sons, with his wife Dorothea Hurley.

The Bon Jovi frontman is speaking out as a warning to parents. He insists he knew nothing of Stephanie’s drug use but now realizes many more families have suffered through similar tragedies.

“We went through something that a lot of parents do, many more than I thought. Many more people who have been in my life that I had no idea they had been through it with their own children at one point or another,” he said.

Thicke surprises prom-goers

Mon, 20 May 2013 02:40:27 +0000

Robin Thicke made a few high school students’ prom one to remember.

The singer was filming a music video in northeast Los Angeles this weekend when a group of teenagers from Eagle Rock High School were getting ready for the annual dance right across the street.

According to TMZ, the group of 20 students were waiting for a party bus to take them to prom when one of them recognized Robin.

The crooner was called over and happily obliged to pose for a few snaps.

Robin is pictured smiling amid a flurry of ladies dressed in colorful gowns and young men in suits. Students said the singer made the night more special than they could have hoped by making the small gesture.

“He made our night!” a student named Jesse told the website.

“When my other friends told me about their party buses, they really had nothing to say… I mean, we had Robin Thicke!”

Robin apparently took his kindness a step further.

He is said to have asked the students if any of them wanted to appear in this video on Sunday and some of them are said to have taken him up on the offer.

Robin was tangled in controversy following the release of his last music video.

Blurred Lines, featuring T.I. and Pharrell, featured models stripping down to little more than nude underwear and was deemed so racy censors at YouTube pulled it down from the website last month.

David Beckham ‘loves dressing daughter’

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:40:33 +0000

David Beckham loves “doting” on his daughter and dressing her up.

The British soccer star – who recently announced he is retiring – has four children with his wife Victoria Beckham, the youngest being 22-month-old daughter Harper. David is often seen taking his kids to the park and it seems that while he is teaching his sons about soccer, he is also taking an interest in Harper’s fashion forward wardrobe.

“Victoria has always dressed Harper beautifully, but lately it’s been David who’s taken the reins.

David tends to pick her bright clothes, whereas Victoria is a fan of a more conservative, neutral palette. He adores doting on her and dressing her up,” a source told British magazine Grazia.

Since arriving into the world, Harper has been spotted in a series of designer outfits from fashion houses including mini version of her mother’s creations.

According to Grazia, David loves splashing out on new items for Harper – and they were even spotted wearing matching winter coats in March.

He is said to have set up a special wardrobe for his little girl at the Le Bristol hotel where he has been staying since he signed a deal to play for French soccer team Paris Saint-Germain.

“He’s always trying to pick up cool things to wear,” the source added.

David has previously revealed he is over the moon to have a little girl around the house and has explained how different Harper is to his sons.

“She’s relaxed, she’s feminine – that was the biggest thing for me, it sounds silly but, everything about her is feminine, so having a little girl…,” he beamed last year. “It still amazes me…”

Miley Cyrus ‘feeling betrayed’

Sun, 19 May 2013 13:40:32 +0000

Miley Cyrus is “devastated” by claims her fiancé Liam Hemsworth’s brothers have tried to persuade him not to marry her.

Liam’s siblings Chris and Luke reportedly staged an intervention over his plans to tie the knot with Miley, apparently questioning his marital intentions.

The songstress is said to be dealing with the situation badly.

“Miley was hurt and shocked when she heard what Liam’s brothers tried to do. They wanted what’s best for Liam, but it has devastated Miley more than anyone realised. She loves his family and has always valued their opinions. She just wishes people would let her and Liam be happy,” a source told British magazine Star.

“She’s been back out partying again with friends, trying to put the whole incident out of her mind – although she’s going to have to face Liam’s family sooner or later. But she’s terrified as she thinks they’re all against her now. She feels betrayed that they’d do this behind her back.

“It’s caused more tension between her and Liam and Miley is now worried that Chris and Luke have now influenced him as she and Liam have increasingly been spending more time apart since the brothers’ talk.”

Last week it was claimed Liam’s relatives were determined for him not to tie the knot with Miley.

“They want him to end the romance for good,” a source said.

Liam, 23, and Miley, 20, have been in a relationship for almost four years and got engaged last June. They have recently been spending lots of time away from each other but neither has confirmed the end of their romance.

Anna Friel: I accepted movie nudity

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:40:40 +0000

Anna Friel was “so used” to “being surrounded” by breasts on her latest film set.

The 36-year-old actress is starring in British comedy drama The Look of Love alongside Steve Coogan and Imogen Poots.

The film focuses on the story of Paul Raymond – a porn baron who launched a range of titles under Paul Raymond Publications including Men Only, Escort, Club International, Mayfair and many other best-selling titles.

The Look of Love features a lot of bare flesh, which Anna quickly became accustomed to.

“There is an awful lot of nudity! For my part of it, when it got to it, I was so used to being surrounded by lots of breasts that you become immune to it,” she told the British edition of OK! magazine.

“If you’re in the girls’ showers you go, there’s a body, and there’s another body, it’s not such a big deal.”

Anna thinks British attitudes to sex are still a little bit prudish. The star believes some aspects of that are justified though.

“But with the internet now, it’s about protecting our children. You had to be 18 to go into a garage or a shop to buy a porn magazine, and we were able to control it a lot more, so to speak,” she explained.

“But now anyone can press a button and you’re open to the world of porn. I think our attitudes towards nudity are relaxing somewhat as we become a more relaxed society.”

Ke$ha: Beyoncé is ideal

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:40:39 +0000

Ke$ha thinks Beyoncé Knowles is “perfect”.

The outspoken singer is a huge fan of the stunning star. She enjoyed watching Beyoncé’s recent documentary Life is But a Dream, but admits her new MTV series will be a bit more raw.

“I think she might actually be perfect,” Ke$ha said of Beyoncé. “I show my flaws – they’re real. I don’t have a perfect body. It’s important for girls to see that don’t have to be perfect.”

Ke$ha’s new TV show My Crazy Beautiful Life promises to give an honest insight into her life as a pop star.

The 26-year-old singer wanted her fans to have a warts-and-all view and admits there is very little she would refuse to have caught on camera.

“You see me making out with random dudes. I like to make out with people. But I don’t do more than that,” she added to British magazine Look. “I want to be this honest and real. In episode two you see me the morning after I’ve just got laid, looking dishevelled.”

Ke$ha also spoke about her rumored romance with One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles. While she admitted she is in contact with him, Ke$ha has denied they are romantically involved.

“Oh no! He and I are just friends. Actually we started texting a long time ago and we’re just friendly, it’s not sexy,” she explained. “I hope the One Direction fans don’t want to beat me up. I’m just a fan too.”

Rihanna ‘regrets Brown risk’

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:40:47 +0000

Rihanna reportedly feels let down by Chris Brown’s behavior, not least because she took a “massive risk” letting him back in her life.

The pair have been embroiled in an on/off relationship for several months, with Chris seemingly confirmed they have split for good last week. He told interviewers that while he still felt a great deal of love for Rihanna, 25, he is too young to consider “wife-ing” anybody.

Rihanna is said to be feeling let down by her beau, especially after the reunion caused a massive backlash because of Chris’ assault against her in 2009.

“Rihanna took a massive risk with Chris, letting him back into her life after his conviction, learning to trust him again, then going public with their romance again,” an insider told British magazine Star.

“She took more than her share of flack for staying with a man who beat her, and all the while Chris has been reviving his career. He was virtually blacklisted by the industry after what he did, and with Ri’s support – and their publicity their relationship has brought – found respectability.

“Rihanna is angry that she let herself invest so much time in Chris again and is sick of him constantly letting her down. She feels like he takes her for granted and forgets what they’ve been through and what she’s done for him – she basically put him back on the map.”

Rihanna and Chris certainly haven’t held back with the feelings, and were vocal about the situation on Twitter of late. “Settling is not an option! Nothing less than 100% loyalty, honesty, and respect!! Love ain’t for kidz #butimsleeptho (sic)” Rihanna fumed.

Chris tweeted: “Sometime loving someone is too much! So loving from a distance will help everyone grow! Be blessed. Live ya life! (sic)”