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Miley Cyrus Is Still A 'Great Role Model,' Onetime Co-Star Says February 19, 2009 at 12:34 pm 'Mad Men' star Alison Brie defends the teen after slant-eyed photo controversy. By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by James Montgomery Miley Cyrus Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images Miley Cyrus may have courted some controversy earlier this month when a photo leaked of the Disney star making a gesture that appeared to mock Asians. But "Mad Men" star Alison Brie, who's been a guest star on "Hannah Montana," thinks that just because Miley may have appeared to lack proper judgment on occasion, doesn't mean she can no longer be considered a role model for her young fans. "In general, she does great at being a great role model for kids. Everybody makes mistakes," Brie told UsMagazine.com, adding that she thinks Cyrus "knows when she's messed up. We'll give her the benefit of the doubt." On Monday, one blog seemed to identify the "lone Asian kid" in the photo with Cyrus and others as model/actor/photographer Chuck Willis. When contacted by MTV News, Willis would neither confirm nor deny that it's him in the picture, saying that, due to the number of calls he's been receiving from media outlets, he's "not going to talk about it." Brie said she thinks the 16-year-old was scrutinized for the photo because she gained fame at such a young age and is now paying the price. "I think people are too hard on kids in the entertainment industry," she told UsMagazine.com. "It's a really tough industry to be in. If your average Joe was put under a microscope and scrutinized the way Miley Cyrus is, they'd be doing a lot worse." For her part, Cyrus issued a public apology for the photo on her fan site last week. "I really wanted to stress how sorry I am if the photo of me with my friends offended anyone," she wrote. "I have learned a valuable lesson from this and know that sometimes my actions can be unintentionally hurtful." Brie isn't the first "Hannah Montana" co-star to come to Cyrus' defense. Just days after the photos hit the Web, Melora Hardin told MTV News that if she had been as famous as Miley when she was a teen, she too would be making very public mistakes. "When you're 15 and you're in the spotlight, who wouldn't court some controversy?" she said. "I would have, if I had been in the spotlight at 15. Weren't we all doing naughty things? I hope we were ... at least somewhat naughty, not too naughty. A little naughty is good!" Related Artists Miley Cyrus 'American Idol' Recap: Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey And, Surprisingly, Michael Sarver Survive February 19, 2009 at 10:36 am Anoop Desai and Tatiana Del Toro are knocked out, but they still have a chance at the wild card. By James Montgomery Michael Sarver, Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey on "American Idol" on Wednesday Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images The first three slots of "American Idol" season eight's top 12 have been filled. And while two of the picks seemed like no-brainers, the third was slightly more shocking. Alexis Grace, who wowed judges with her powerful take on Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man," and Danny Gokey, who handled Mariah Carey's "Hero" with ease, both breezed into the top 12. Both seemed like foregone conclusions after Tuesday night's live performances. But it was oil roughneck Michael Sarver — who struggled slightly with Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Wanna Be" — who grabbed the final spot on Wednesday night's results show, leaving several "Idol" favorites on the outside looking in. Anoop Desai, Ricky Braddy and Tatiana Del Toro were all sent packing, due to the new elimination process "Idol" implemented for season eight. Expanding the semifinal field from a top 24 to a top 36 meant that contestants were broken up into groups of 12. From each group of 12, only the top male and female vote-getters from each group — plus the next highest vote-getter, regardless of gender — will be moving on. And show producers played the drama to the hilt on Wednesday night. Non-contenders like Casey Carlson and Stephen Fowler were booted early in the broadcast, just before Grace was announced as making it to the top 12. After eliminating Braddy and Jackie Tohn, "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest then called Desai and Sarver to the stage to read the results of the viewer voting. To the surprise of pretty much everyone — himself included — it was Sarver who moved on, though Seacrest pointed out that fewer than 20,000 votes separated the two contestants. With Sarver on his way, it meant that there was just one spot left in the Top 12. It wasn't going to go to Ann Marie Boskovich, David Brent or Stevie Wright, who all failed to varying degrees on Tuesday, and they were quickly eliminated, leaving only two contenders for the final spot: Gokey and fan-favorite Del Toro, whose dramatics — and voice — made her a contender. Both were summoned center stage by Seacrest, and after some stretching of the moment, Gokey survived, leaving Del Toro in hysterics. As Gokey took a victory lap with a second performance of "Hero," Del Toro sobbed wildly and had to be consoled by her fellow contestants. Of course, all those tears might be for naught. Desai, Braddy, Del Toro or the other castoffs could still grab one of three "wild card" spots in the top 12. After the next two groups of 12 perform, "Idol" will run a special episode that will feature the judges' favorite contestants battling it out for a shot at the finals. The episode is scheduled to air on Thursday, March 5. Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds Related Photos "American Idol" Season 8: Live Performances "American Idol" Season 8: The Top 36 Exclusive: Diddy Describes High-Concept New Album February 19, 2009 at 9:17 am Last Train to Paris, due September 22, will be a love story with accompanying movie. By Shaheem Reid Diddy Photo: Rick Diamond/ WireImage If you thought Diddy's smash LP Press Play was high on concept, get ready for his next project. The New York media giant is taking it to that proverbial creative place recognized around the world as "there." And when he takes it there, he will not be alone. Diddy is part of team on the album he's titled Last Train to Paris, scheduled for September 22. "It's a profound love story, man," Sean Combs told MTV News Wednesday night via phone from L.A. "It's about this tumultuous love roller-coaster relationship that occurs. It's everything from love, pain, sex, God, celebration. It's a lot of things rolled into one. It's a conceptual album. "One of the things, I wanna give you that's not out there yet is that it's not me as a solo artist," Diddy added. "It's a group I put together; myself and two girls. Two young ladies, you may know them or you may not. It's almost like some back-in-the-day Loose Ends-type sh--. We're going to be telling the story of Last Train to Paris." The story of the album starts when Diddy's character and his female bandmates go on tour overseas, where he meets the woman of his dreams. "I'm infatuated with her, really blown away," Diddy said. "We wind up spending the night together. I never get her name. When I wake up, she's gone. A couple of months go by, and I bump into her again on tour overseas. We get together, and she's attached to my hip. For three months! She's on my hip for three months. I tell her to come to New York, Miami, all the places where I get it poppin', where I really do sh--. You know how men pop sh--, like men do sometimes when they're trying to make a woman fall in love." As the story unfolds, Diddy and his love have a misunderstanding and separate. "She just breaks out on a n---a," Combs revealed. "But an absence makes the heart grow fonder. She's singing to me; I'm performing to her. We're in two different parts of the world. She's remembering all the good times, and I'm thinking about if I had another chance, I wouldn't f--- it up. So, I go on tour and I'm in London. I get a tip that she's in Paris, and it's 9:45 p.m. or something. It's one of the foggiest days in London, so I can't take my plane. I can't drive, the road is shutdown. The only way I can get there is the last train to Paris, and it leaves in 20 minutes and I'm 15 minutes away. It's that whole intensity of what happens on the train ride — and will she be there when I get there — is something else you'll hear." The presentation of Last Train to Paris won't just be for your listening pleasure. Puff Daddy is also going in front of the cameras to include a short film with the CD. "A movie is going to be shot to it too," Diddy said. "It's definitely going be an album you can seamlessly see. Not after the fact. When you get the album on that day, September 22, you will be able to see the whole album on your computer. I go into production of the movie in May. "The movie is more of visual presentation. It's not like I'm playing Prince and sh--," he added, dismissing the notion that Last Train will be his "Purple Rain." "You know how, when you on your computer and you're listening to an album, you have your screen-saver on — instead of screen save, you'll be able to see the album in motion. And the presentation of the album will be different from the videos. I'm out here in L.A. right now, meeting with directors. I'm looking for somebody who can do it within the budget and do it guerrilla style." Diddy laughed when he said that blockbuster guru Steven Spielberg will not be on his list. "Cross him off," the mogul joked. "I'm looking for the hot film student." With a while until the project has to be in stores, Diddy hasn't confirmed his guest list of people that will get on the mic for him, but production-wise, he has a pretty prestigious core on his side. The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Rodney Jerkins, the Hitmen, T-Pain, Mario Winans and the Neptunes have all contributed lyrics and beats. Pharrell Williams also talked to MTV News about the project on Wednesday. "I thought it was sick," he said of Diddy's concept. "I think he's a super-smart guy who knows where things are going. He told me, 'Yo, just make me sick beats. I want them to dance; I want them to have a good time.' ... I was like, 'Wow.' For me, it was like making music for a movie." "The album is going to be hard," he said of the sonic feel. "It ain't going to be no European dance/trance music. The clubs I'm in, they don't play that. I'm from a club [called] DC10 in Ibiza. That's what kind of gave me inspiration for this album and that sh-- is funky and soulful and hard. A lot of cats have got on dance music and fused sh-- together recently. I think they have a done a great job. I'm showing a different club. The club I'm bringing to the mainstream is at the after-hours club, the underground club." Diddy said he currently in the process of trademarking the name of the group that he will be in for the album, as well was figuring out how he is going title the LP. It may be "Diddy as ..." or just Diddy. He also said he'll have a new series coming up on MTV called "Making His Band," which will be about finding the musicians he wants to tour with. Related Artists Diddy DJ Khaled Wants Hits -- Not Beef -- As President Of Def Jam South February 19, 2009 at 8:00 am DJ will oversee releases from Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Ace Hood. By Shaheem Reid DJ Khaled Photo: MTV News BROOKLYN, New York — When DJ Khaled speaks about himself, three words usually come into play: "love, hits and energy." The recently appointed head of Def Jam South Records said that he refuses to let controversy — whether between 50 Cent and Rick Ross, or anyone else — distract him. "I don't deal with negative energy, it's a waste of my time and my time is valuable," he said last week in New York of his upbeat nature. "I keep negative away and stay positive. Khaled's name has been in the middle of the ongoing verbal battle between Rick Ross and 50 Cent. 50 accused Khaled of inciting Ross to start the beef, and the back-and-forth escalated last week when Fif made a video called "A Psychic Told Me." In it, 50 threatened Khaled's mother; the video has since been removed from 50's Web site. Khaled declined to address the situation, saying that he wants to focus on music. "At Def Jam, we promote music," he added. "We promote hit records. That's what I respect. I'm always going to represent the music; Rick Ross is gonna represent the music. If controversy comes with it, it comes with it. And boy, 'Magnificent' — Rick Ross featuring John Legend, that's Ricky Ross' first single — it's a monster. It's gonna be on and poppin'." Khaled is working more closely with his friend Ross than ever before. He served as the A&R rep for Ross' forthcoming LP Deeper Than Rap, and in his new role as label president, he'll be overseeing the album's release as well. Also under his watch will be albums from Young Jeezy, Ludacris and his signee Ace Hood. (Ace is also signed to Khaled's Def Jam-distributed imprint, We the Best Records.) "This is what I've always wanted to do, is be an executive and take it to another level," Khaled said. "L.A. [Reid] just hit me one day. He was like, 'We should bring Khaled onboard. He makes hits, he has relationships.' I got a team of producers and we go in hard. My job is to bring hits to the table and work with new artists and work with established artists. I'm bringing new energy to the game and to the building." Of course, Khaled garnered headlines of another kind last week, when a man who resembled Khaled led police on a chase in Los Angeles before taking his own life. Khaled said his phone was ringing all night. "It wasn't me, but you gotta give thanks for life," he smiled. Related Videos DJ Khaled Addresses The Controversy Related Artists DJ Khaled Rick Ross (Hip-Hop) Young Jeezy Ludacris Ace Hood 'American Idol' Finalists Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver Speak February 19, 2009 at 6:09 am The top-12 trio talk about the wild-card system, how they made it to the finals and more. By Katie Byrne Danny Gokey Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images We caught up with the first three singers in the "American Idol" top 12 on Thursday (February 19) to talk about their plans to dominate season eight. Danny Gokey While the 28-year-old widower's life story put him in the spotlight, his talent was front and center Tuesday night when he impressed the judges (and voters) with Mariah Carey's "Hero." Danny spoke with us about his friend Jamar Rogers' surprising dismissal and how early exposure helped him advance. Q: How do you feel about all the early attention you've gotten? A: I'm honored that people support me. I think very highly of everyone that supports me. It's just an honor to see that they think this way of me and that they want to see me succeed — people that I've never met. I just hope I can keep them all the way through the competition. Q: You seemed to get a lot of attention on the show early on, when others in the top 36 were barely featured. Do you think that extra attention helped you advance? A: I do feel like I was highlighted. There's no getting around that. I didn't do anything to get that. I can say this: I'm grateful that they would do that. I have no control over it. I know everyone's not gonna like me, but it's a bummer when people are real mad about it, and I hope people can see past that. I genuinely just love to sing, and that's what I want to do. Q: Your friend Jamar Rogers is one of the most-talked-about castoffs from Hollywood Week. Were you as surprised as the fans that he wasn't put through to the top 36? A: I was mad. ... I expected him to go through. ... I even said, "I'll see you in the top 36," after I made it through and we were talking. I was just so confident that he showed his ability and what it takes to get there. Disappointment was completely in my mind and heart. But he's received such recognition, I know it's not the end of the road for him. He's got a bright future, and it doesn't stop here. It only gets better from here. Q: Are you worried that the focus on your wife's death will take attention away from your music? A: People coming in from the outside view probably think it's too much, but it's only been seven months since she's passed. This is who I am. It's not that I throw it in people's faces, but I get asked about it all the time. ... It weighs on my mind a lot, though, because, honestly, this is a sob story I don't want. I don't want this story. But it is shaping my life, and it's causing hope for a lot of people and it's causing hope for my life. I didn't want to live anymore when she passed. But now, I have my mission set in stone of ... who I am. There's a fun side to me that's gonna come out. I apologize to everybody if they feel like it's shoved down their face, but it's so fresh in my mind. Q: Was it hard to stay composed during the results show with Tatiana del Toro being a ball of emotions right next to you? A: With Tatiana, you expect the unexpected. But she really is a great person. She wants it so bad. You see the desire and the passion in her. At times, that can maybe hurt her image on TV. I maybe looked calm and cool, but I wasn't inside. ... I really tried to keep the look. I tried to, but I just hope it doesn't come off the wrong way to the American public — or the voters, I should say. I'm not the president. [Laughs.] I was preparing myself to go home. Anything could happen. Tatiana showed up that night. I think she had the surprise element. I said, "No matter what, I got my message across." I wanted to go out gracefully. Alexis Grace The pint-size 21-year-old mom wowed the judges with her powerful take on Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You," even earning comparisons to the original Idol, Kelly Clarkson. We talked with Alexis about tackling the Queen of Soul right out of the gate and what mentors she's dying to work with. Q: A lot of the other performers looked nervous when they were singing Tuesday night, but you seemed pretty put together. A: I was nervous. I don't know what was going on with the other contestants that night. I don't know what they were thinking in their minds while they were singing, but I can tell you what I was thinking. I was just thinking, "You know what? I'm gonna make the best of this night." ... I did it for my family. Q: Does your daughter understand what you're doing on "Idol"? A: I would hope that she'd understand. That would be really cool if she did. But I know she watches the show with all my family, and when I come on the TV, she points at it and screams for me: "Mommy!" She might figure something out soon. Q: What went through your head when you found out you made it? A: "This is my dream, and it's happening" — that's what went through my head when I heard I made it through. To tell you the truth, I wasn't convinced [I would advance]. Just because the judges give good critiques doesn't necessarily mean America agrees with them. I just went in there not expecting anything. Q: What did you think of the judges' Kelly Clarkson comparisons? A: It's more than flattering. It really just shook my world when they said that — in a good way. What it does, it just pushes me to do better each time now. Now I've really gotta step up my game and prove to them that they're right. Q: Were you worried about tackling an Aretha song? A: I knew that I can sing in that range. That's my range. I'm pretty comfortable with that. I just feel connected to her music somehow. I feel like that's just my style, so I went with it. Q: How did you start singing the blues? A: From my hometown, Memphis. You hear blues all the time. And my dad is a big influence, and my mom too. They listened to soul, and my dad plays it, so when you grow up listening to it all the time, it's what you end up singing like. Q: What mentors would you like to work with? A: Aretha Franklin, of course. Fleetwood Mac, I would love. And Bruce Springsteen. Q: How did you come out of your shell, like the judges had asked you to? A: Talking with some of the "Idol" mentors we work with has helped me. They're encouraging, and I listen to what they have to say. And also my daughter. Just thinking about her and our future, it helps me be more encouraged. Also, I kinda think I might have a little alter ego onstage maybe. It's a combination of a lot of things. Q: Do you think it would be better to be in the last batch of 12 than in the first so you'd be fresh in voters' minds? A: They could have an advantage, but they could also really know that there's a lot of pressure to get through to the top three. They just need to go out there and have a good time. Michael Sarver The 27-year-old father of two won voters over with his hardworking persona and his everyman take on Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Wanna Be." We talked to Michael about how Simon helped him crack the top 12 and why he's inspired by Danny Gokey. Q: Do you think Simon's plea for the viewers to give you a second chance because you're such a good guy helped you advance? A: I can't deny that that could have had something to do with it. Simon making a plea on my behalf, I don't take that lightly. ... I appreciate compliments on my voice and my singing, but complimenting on the person I am really means a lot to me. I have no doubt it had an impact, and I appreciate it. Q: What would you say is the basis of your appeal? A: I can acknowledge that the hardworking American is part of the appeal. I believe that real-life people can relate to me, especially in the economy. It's very difficult for a lot of people. I see it as a chance to see someone rise from the ashes. It's not that my life is bad, but things are tough, and to see someone excel and succeed, I think people relate to that, and it is special in their hearts. Q: People have obviously been touched by your story. As a viewer, were there any other stories that impacted you? A: Another story on the show that really hits me is Danny Gokey, because my wife is my absolute best friend. If she did pass away, I don't understand how I could wake up the next day. To not only view him on the show but to be around him and to see the incredible person that he is, I have mad, mad respect for Danny Gokey. Q: Why was this the year you decided to audition for "Idol"? A: I've been watching "Idol" over the years and never felt the unction to go for it. I believe it had a lot to do with knowing somewhere inside me that I had a lot of growing up to do. This year, my sister-in-law voiced her desire to try out, and she said something to me, and it really just hit me all of a sudden: "Let's do that!" And we did, and I made it, and it for some reason, it was a moment in the right time that just fit. I moved on it knowing it was the right time for me, and obviously it's working out. Q: What do you think of the wild-card system this year? A: The wild-card element for "American Idol" is great, because it means that last night is not the end for a lot of people. It means not only a second chance, but it kind of carries them through, because I can't imagine the disappointment I would have felt last night had I not made it through. And it gives you that extra hope. I love the wild-card round, because Clay Aiken was a wild card, and good things come out of wild things. [Laughs.] Q: Did anything surprise you about the "Idol" experience? A: How close you get to ... the other contestants. You find yourself watching the show saying, "Oh, come on now. It's a competition. You can't be that excited for them." But you really do grow as friends and you really develop a bond. ... I really have been completely and pleasantly surprised by the relationships I have experienced. Q: Have you gotten any feedback from your kids about the show? A: My 2-year-old son's not really aware of what's going on. You wouldn't think that my 3-year-old daughter is, but apparently so. She's very smart and ahead of her age. She says she wants to go on "American Idol," so maybe we'll have another one in the future. [Laughs.] Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Photos "American Idol" Season 8: The Top 36 "American Idol" Season 8: Live Performances Jonas Brothers Haven't Launched Their Own Record Label February 19, 2009 at 5:46 am Jonas Group is actually a management company formed by the JoBros' dad, Kevin. By James Montgomery Jonas Brothers Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images Despite what you may have read, the Jonas Brothers aren't looking to branch out. Sure, they've already conquered the tween market, won the coveted "first daughter" demographic and made their first foray into feature-length 3-D films. But — contrary to several sources in the blogosphere — they're not about to launch their own record label. Late Wednesday, several sites noticed the launch of JonasGroup.com, a Web site featuring little more than a (slightly altered) version of the Jonas Brothers' "JB" logo. Soon after, someone realized that the same logo appears on the back of Demi Lovato's debut album, Don't Forget. Couple that with several reports that the band had signed prep-rock act Honor Society, and suddenly, bloggy logic dictated that the Jonas Group was the Jonas Brothers' brand-new record label. But, as is frequently the case with bloggy logic, it wasn't exactly true. On Thursday (February 19), MTV News contacted a spokesperson for the Jonas Brothers, who let it be known that the Jonas Group isn't a label at all ... it's a management company formed by the brothers' father, Kevin, and longtime artist manager/ promoter Philip McIntyre. The spokesperson also added that the Jonas Group's clients include not just the JoBros themselves, but Lovato (like it says in the liner notes of Don't Forget, "Exclusive Management by: Philip McIntyre and Kevin Jonas for the Jonas Group") and Honor Society too. And while, yes, the Jonas Brothers have signed Honor Society, it's to a production deal, not a record contract. So, sorry Jonas fans. While there might be a movie and a TV show in the works, there's no JoBros-owned record label on the horizon anytime soon. Pop stars can't have everything, you know. Related Artists Jonas Brothers Juelz Santana Celebrates Birthday, Talks Syrup And New Squad February 19, 2009 at 5:31 am 'I stopped drinking it totally,' rapper says of Cam'ron's syrup-addiction allegations. By Shaheem Reid Juelz Santana Photo: MTV News Juelz Santana turned 26 years old Wednesday, and friends and family threw a surprise get-together with cake and balloons. One thing the guest star of "Pop Champagne" was not doing at this party was sipping syrup. Santana wants to make sure everyone knows that although he did experiment with the concoction less than two years ago, he doesn't indulge now. "For one, I stopped drinking it totally — that was a year and a half ago," Santana explained. In the new edition of XXL, Juelz's onetime professional mentor Cam'ron is quoted as saying that the reason their relationship went sour was that Santana was addicted to sipping syrup. Juelz sat down with MTV News in an effort to clear his name and reasoned Cam's claims were just for publicity and to divert attention away from what Santana called less-than-above-board business practices. "Me and Weezy was cool. When I saw him, I would drink it," Santana explained about his past use of syrup. "It was just, like — I don't even drink liquor. I'm a weed head. I smoke. Never popped a pill in my life. I drank the sizzurp, I felt it. I said, 'When I feel like doing it, I'mma do it.' But anybody that knows me — even Cam knows — I was never the type of person to let anything take control of me. I'm from Harlem. I felt [those claims] were way out for him. He planned that out. 'Let me figure out a way to tell them why I stopped speaking to Juelz. Oh! He was sipping sizzurp. They might go for that.' " Independent of a possible reconciliation with Cam, the young Diplomat has moved on with his own squad, the Skull Gang. In addition to Santana's solo mixtape The Reagan Era, he's putting out another street CD for his unit, The Takeover Part 2. "It's a movement at the same time," he said of the Gang. "It's kinda like the Dipset in the same way. I don't mean music-wise or crew-wise; I mean that everybody is individual artists and we came together to do the Skull Gang things so everybody could get their looks, and we can find out from the people to see who they wanna see more at the time. It's like a tool." Juelz just completed guest verses for albums by The-Dream and Jadakiss. 'Kiss returned the favor and will appear on Juelz's upcoming Born to Lose, Bred to Win, which does not have a set release date. Related Videos Juelz Santana Says No To Syrup Related Artists Juelz Santana