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| Rihanna's Father Angry With LAPD Over Leaked Photo
February 20, 2009 at 12:56 pm
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| 'Sloppy work on their part,' Ronald Fenty tells People.com about leaked photo that apparently shows a bruised Rihanna.
By MTV News staff 
Rihanna (file)
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images Rihanna's father, Ronald Fenty, is upset with the Los Angeles Police Department over the leak of a photo that apparently shows his daughter shortly after her alleged altercation with Chris Brown, according to People.com. "Sloppy work on their part," Fenty reportedly told the magazine from Barbados on Friday (February 20). Fenty also spoke with UsMagazine.com on Friday, describing the photo as "terrible." "Yeah, I saw it," he told the magazine. "It's disturbing." He added that he thought people now will be able to "grasp the situation a lot better. It's good and it's bad to see the picture because there's other people who were thinking differently, that [Rihanna's injuries] may not be that bad, just a little spank or a little thing." The photo appeared online Thursday night, and immediately prompted an internal LAPD investigation into the leak. "The unauthorized release of a domestic-violence photograph immediately generated an internal investigation," an LAPD spokesman said in statement about the photo. "The Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on February 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown." Although it does not officially confirm that the woman in the photo is Rihanna, the statement continues, "The photograph appeared on an entertainment website. The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation." According to CNN, the chief investigator in the case said that the department has tried to guard against leaks. Detective Deshon Andrews told CNN that he has been keeping the case file guarded and no copies had been made of the original photos and documents. "The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence," the LAPD asserted in the statement. "A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination." The photo has caused considerable controversy with fans. Rihanna's father spoke with People.com last week, saying, "At some point, she will speak out," adding, "I hope she will stand up for women all over the world." Brown, 19, who released a statement Saturday saying he is "sorry and saddened," was arrested on a felony criminal threat charge on February 8. His case has not yet been presented by police to prosecutors. Get resources and information about domestic violence, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. [This story was originally published at 12:11 pm E.T. on 2.20.2009] Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Ciara's Not Naming Names On Who 'Never Ever' Is About
February 20, 2009 at 12:53 pm
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| 'The video, like the record, is about confusion,' singer says of first single off Fantasy Ride.
By James Montgomery 
Ciara in her "Never Ever" video
Photo: Jive It's been a rough few months for Ciara. First, there was her rather odd flap with the editors of Vibe magazine over their October 2008 cover, which either did or did not feature her nude on the cover. Then, she changed management and struggled to put the finishing touches on her Fantasy Ride album, which has been in the works since at least last spring. Still, she's made it through the drama. And with Fantasy Ride finally slated to see the light of day on April 7, she's getting down to the business of promoting the first single, "Never Ever," a song that, to hear her tell it, is all about heartbreaks she's endured. Seems she's looking to give her fans a taste of her pain. "The record's just a real record. I can relate to it myself. I've been in a relationship before where I've given 100 percent, and I feel like I was given 80 percent," she told MTV News on the set of the "Never Ever" video. "I fought so long to try and keep it up — keep it afloat and to keep it together, and you got to realize that if somebody's not going to want to — and the key word is 'want to' — love you the same way you love them, then it shouldn't be. "I can definitely relate to that scenario myself. It's a real situation, and it seems to be very common nowadays in conversations about love and relationships," she continued. "A lot of times, it seems, it's always one person giving 100 percent and the other person gives 80. So, it's just real — something real that I definitely know should be talked about, and I've experienced it before." Ciara split from her longtime boyfriend Bow Wow in 2006, and rumors had her romantically linked to 50 Cent, but she won't divulge who "Never Ever" is actually about. Instead, she prefers to let the song, and the video — directed by vet Chris Robinson — do the talking for her. "The video, like the record, is about confusion," she smiled. " 'Never Ever' is talking about the confusion of love and that's just the little story [within the video]: We tell the many angles of love ... or of the love confusion." Related Videos Related Artists |
| Aubrey O'Day Joins Christian Siriano Fan Club At New York Fashion Week
February 20, 2009 at 12:31 pm
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| The fierce young designer makes Bryant Park debut with North Africa-inspired fall 2009 collection.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Christian Siriano and Aubrey O'Day
Photo: MTV News NEW YORK — Last September, Christian Siriano proved why he won "Project Runway" when he caused quite a frenzy in the fashion community with his soft, airy spring 2009 collection. For his fall 2009 show in Bryant Park on Thursday, Siriano felt inspired by other cultures to warm up his fanatical followers for the cold weather. But before he chatted about his designs, it was all about the love between Siriano and MTV News' Fashion Week correspondent Aubrey O'Day. "My mom is the biggest fan of you!" she told the young designer. "My mom wrote me a text message today, and she said, 'Tell him I'm his biggest fan, and tell him I love him and good luck!' " When the two finally got down to business, they discussed his new collection, which includes a Payless shoe line set to hit stores later this year. "It was inspired by Egypt and northern Africa," he told MTV News. "And it was all about culture and this mix of cultures, and I wanted the palette to be really different from a normal fall collection, so lots of camel, lots of chocolate brown. No black, no gray and then this pop of Persian green. And the clothes are wearable, chic and definitely strong." The Payless shoes, which he described as "fabulous," are definitely on O'Day's list of favorite things to wear this fall. "I saw one of the boots on one of the models," she told Siriano. "I'm going to be stealing those after the show." Not counting his "Project Runway" finale collection, this was Siriano's first official show at Bryant Park. Last season, he showed off-site, but he said being at the tents takes Fashion Week to a whole new level. "Being in the tents is wonderful," he said. "Let me tell you, they do a lot for you, and it's a lot easier! It's beautiful. I'm kind of calm. I'm not too stressed!" I'm more stressed out for you!" O'Day told him, before declaring that she'll be jumping on the Siriano bandwagon. "I will definitely be wearing that on the red carpet!" So, given the chance, what would Siriano design for O'Day to wear to an event? " I think you're a sexy girl," he told the Playboy cover girl. "You've gotta be fitted and gorgeous! Persian green is going to be your color!" Who's going to be a hot tranny mess at Sunday night's Academy Awards? Read Christian Siriano's Oscar fashion predictions here. |
| Fans React To Leaked Rihanna Photo
February 20, 2009 at 9:24 am
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| Many wish singer's privacy hadn't been violated after alleged incident with Chris Brown.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Rihanna (file)
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ WireImage Immediately after a photo that appears to be of a bruised Rihanna leaked to the Web on Thursday, fans began commenting on this latest development surrounding the incident that took place between Rihanna and Chris Brown on Grammy weekend. An LAPD statement has since been released saying that the photo "has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation," all but confirming that it is a picture of Rihanna. But some fans questioned the authenticity of the photo, claiming that it looks Photoshopped. "The female on the picture isn't Rihanna!!!" Spmuscle wrote. "It's a fraud." But Realitylover countered, "Photoshopped my a**! That is just terrible." Some fans said they felt saddened by the picture and surprised by the extent of her injuries. "I can't believe what he did," Jeeze488 wrote. The sentiment was echoed by another fan. "OMG!!!" KFCMuffin said. "I saw those pics and I wanted to cry. ... Chris Brown left her in pretty bad shape." Despite the fact that the woman in the photo looks like she'd been severely beaten, there was quite a lot of talk between fans about who was to blame for the alleged incident. Still, many commenters said they just want privacy for Rihanna right now. "Let Rihanna be," Ape2306 wrote. "This is a private time, at least it should be." "Posting pictures is tacky," Some_of_You said. "I feel so bad for her, really." "Why post a pic like that online? If it were one of you guys' sister or mother, would you want a picture like that to be made public?" Nesh asked. "Rihanna deserves privacy!!! Whoever leaked that pic, if it's from the police department, they deserve to be FIRED ASAP!! I am very disappointed!" Go here for domestic violence resources, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Rihanna Photo Leak Being Investigated By LAPD
February 20, 2009 at 9:01 am
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| Los Angeles police consider possible leak involving photo of singer posted by TMZ 'serious misconduct.'
By Jocelyn Vena 
Rihanna (file)
Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage The Los Angeles Police Department has launched an internal investigation and filed a personnel complaint after a photo leaked late Thursday of a person who is apparently Rihanna, following an alleged altercation with Chris Brown on Grammy weekend. "The unauthorized release of a domestic-violence photograph immediately generated an internal investigation," an LAPD spokesman said in statement about the photo, which appeared on TMZ. "The Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Section began receiving numerous inquiries about the release of a photograph associated with a domestic violence incident that occurred on February 8, 2009, involving entertainer Chris Brown." Although it does not officially confirm that the woman in the photo is Rihanna, the statement continues, "The photograph appeared on an entertainment website. The photograph has the appearance of one taken during an official Domestic Violence investigation." According to CNN, the chief investigator in the case said that the department has had tried to guard against leaks. Detective Deshon Andrews told CNN that he has been keeping the case file guarded and no copies had been made of the original photos and documents. "The Los Angeles Police Department takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence," the LAPD asserted in the statement. "A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination." Earlier Thursday, People magazine reported that a relative of Rihanna's, whom it did not identify, said that Brown "flew so far under everyone's radar that we just didn't think he was that [abusive] type." The relative added that the news came as a surprise because "he was always looking after her needs, making sure she was happy. The timing of the leak is especially unfortunate, since Friday is Rihanna's 21st birthday. "I don't want her to go back to him," the family member said. "I don't think anyone does." Go here for domestic violence resources, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| My Chemical Romance On Being A 'Comic Book Band'
February 20, 2009 at 7:50 am
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| 'These days, everyone's kind of admitting to being a comic nerd,' frontman Gerard Way says.
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias 
My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way
Photo: MTV News Last week, when MTV News sat down to talk with My Chemical Romance, we figured we'd get a bit of information about their Dylan cover in the upcoming "Watchmen" film and perhaps a few slivers of their still-being-written new album, and we'd call it a day. Turns out, we couldn't have been more wrong. My Chem had so much to say that we were able to break the interview down into three pieces. In part one, the guys talked about putting The Black Parade to bed and getting back to basics on their new album. In part two, they got in-depth about their love of "Watchmen" and their decision to cover Bob Dylan. Now, in part three, they're talking about both. Which is interesting, because whether they're aware of it or not, My Chemical Romance are now seen by many as not just as a rock band, but as a comic book rock band (having two comic-producing brothers in the band and a song in the biggest comic book film of all time tends to have that effect). So, will they be addressing that perception on their new album? Probably not. "I'm glad you asked about that because these days, everyone's kind of admitting to being a comic nerd or something. Like 'nerdy' is kind of becoming 'cool' for some weird reason, so people will come out of the woodwork to admit that kind of thing," frontman Gerard Way said. "But a lot of people like comics, you know. But I don't think anybody sees us as, like, 'Oh that's a comic book band' ... even if we write or draw them. I never really worried too much about that." But without comics, where will Way find his lyrical inspiration? He's already said he wants to drop the whole "conceptual" thing for MCR's next album, so where is he finding material these days? From his everyday life — which, if you've been following his updates on My Chem's official site, may not seem that interesting. But to hear Way explain it, being a husband and a father-to-be (Way's wife, Mindless Self Indulgence bassist Lyn-Z, is expecting their first child early this summer) makes him positively bursting with inspiration. "I think any life experience [is inspiration]. And now that we've had seven or eight months off, and we've had a chance to do some living, I think any kind of experience ... like going to be a dad, for example," he explained, "that's going to be in my head. And I think there's no way that stuff won't affect what you're doing. I think if it doesn't, it's kind of lame." So are fans prepared for a more, mature My Chemical Romance? Well, don't worry, because whatever Way's going to be singing about, the music is still going to be young, snotty and punky. And — somewhat strangely, given this is MCR we're talking about — fun. "We want it to be a snapshot, we want it to be visceral. And it's not angry at all, which is fun too," Way said. "It just has this youthful energy to it, and the experience has this youthful energy to it too. And I want to capture that, and be done. You know, 'Let's play.' " Related Videos Related Artists |
| Flo Rida Talks About Record-Breaking Single 'Right Round'
February 20, 2009 at 4:57 am
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| Dead or Alive-sampling hit beats previous record set by Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent.
By Shaheem Reid 
Flo Rida
Photo: MTV News Flo Rida's got another one! The MC jokes about people calling him a one-hit wonder, but with the start he's gotten with his new single "Right Round," it doesn't seem like that's a problem any more. His song just beat the record set by 50 Cent, Eminem and Dre with "Crack a Bottle" for highest debut of the digital single sales chart. "Right Round" also has the highest digital sales of any single in one week, a record previously held by Flo's own Grammy-nominated monster, "Low." "It's crazy because people feel like you get lucky the first time you do something like that. But the second time? You know you're blessed," he told MTV News. "I'm humbled enough to say I'm a fan of [50 Cent, Eminem and Dr. Dre]. I'm inspired by those guys. But at the same time, at some point in time you have to do better in some categories, if not every category." "Right Round" samples Dead or Alive's 1985 dance classic "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)," which Jessica Simpson and Marilyn Manson have also covered. Flo Rida has put his own, er, spin on the song's lyrics. "'Right Round' is about a young lady, she might be in the strip club and she's got my head spinning round," Rida explained. "Or any young lady that I might see walking past me that's getting my attention. She got it going on! I'm going crazy over her. I might go to the club and make it rain or make it snow in the club on her because she got it going on." Flo Rida says to look for a mix of party and message records on his new LP, R.O.O.T.S. (Route of Overcoming the Struggle), which is due out on March 31. Ne-Yo and Rick Ross are among the guest stars. Look for Flo Rida next week in Mixtape Monday. He'll be performing and explaining records from his latest street CD, Freestyle Kronikles 3. Related Artists |
| Bill Clinton Talks President Obama, Family Life In The White House
February 20, 2009 at 4:43 am
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| 'It will create space in his mind and his heart to be a better president,' Clinton says of parenthood.
By Garth Bardsley, with reporting by Sway J. Calloway 
President Bill Clinton
Photo: MTV News When it comes to raising kids, former President Bill Clinton thinks the Obamas are "doing it well," and that the "American people should never begrudge one minute that the president joins the first lady in being a parent, because it will create space in his mind and his heart to be a better president." In a conversation with Sway on Thursday, the former chief executive of the United States openly shared his thoughts on the joys and stresses of being a presidential parent — and what it might be like to be the Obamas' daughters, Malia,10, and Sasha, 7. "The [Obama] girls are beautiful, and they are probably enjoying their fame," he said, "but as they move into adolescence, there will come a time when, in all probability, they will recoil from that and want to be people. They'll want to be free to grow and develop without the public spotlight." Clinton had nothing but praise for the school Sasha and Malia are attending, Sidwell Friends, a private Quaker school where Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, was also a student while her father was president. "It'll be an integrated school, not just by race, but by religion and by economics," he said. "They won't grow up ignorant of poverty, and when they get in junior high school, they'll have to do community service as a part of their education — so I think it'll keep them grounded, [and they will know] that not everybody lives the way they and their friends do." Clinton said that the typical stresses of being a parent can have an effect on how well you're leading the country. "If you fail at parenthood, it eats you up inside. When your kids are not doing well, you can't think about anything. And when your kids are doing fine, you can take any misfortune personally, and you do fine. "I think the fact that [the Obamas] clearly are striving for balance in their lives — you know they go off to Camp David every weekend, they have their friends from Chicago come stay with them, and they are spending time with their girls — I think that's important." As far as his own daughter is concerned, Clinton feels that Chelsea, who lived in the White House from the age of 13 until leaving to attend Stanford University, was treated fairly well by the media. "I could count on one hand, and have fingers left over, the times that [while] she was going through her awkward stage, the times she was subject to exposure when she didn't really want to be," he said. "One of the things that I will be forever grateful for is that, by and large, the media, when I was president, respected my daughter's need for privacy," said Clinton. "If she wanted to go out in public with Hillary and me, they covered her. But they weren't intrusive." |
| Was Clay Aiken Dropped From His Label?
February 20, 2009 at 2:50 am
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| 'American Idol' alum absent from RCA's Grammy press material and label Web site.
By Jocelyn Vena 
Clay Aiken
Photo: Bruce Glikas/ FilmMagic According to reports, it looks like Clay Aiken is the latest "American Idol" alum to be dropped by his record label. The Faded Youth blog noticed that in recent Grammy press material sent out by RCA, Aiken had been left off the label's roster. On top of that, the blog is reporting that Aiken-related press materials have been removed from RCA's Web site. Aiken's RCA artist page and message board have also apparently been deleted, and the URL now redirects to the his non-RCA-owned fan club Web site. At press time, reps for Aiken had not responded to a request from MTV News for comment regarding the singer's status with the label; a rep for the label had no comment. Other "American Idol" vets have had some bad luck with their labels in the past: Blake Lewis, Katharine McPhee and Ruben Studdard have all lost their record contracts in the past year and a half. In January, Aiken ended his run as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot" when the show closed its doors. He also surprised everyone late last year when he announced he was gay and became a father. "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things," the singer said at the time. "I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a child to do that." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Artists | | |  |
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