August 22, 2008

Looks like Avril Lavigne will still travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next weekend to conduct the concert that initially created a stir for its opposition. The singer's manager Terry McBride said on Thursday, August 21 that Avril will abide to the local rules and get on with the show which is scheduled for August 29. "The reason why Avril is huge in Asia is she's respectful to the culture," Terry said.

Earlier this week, a party calling themselves Pan-Malaysian Islamic proposed for a boycott to the government for the show because it is deemed too "sexy" for the youths. The Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministry then took action by canceling the concert and initiating it for a reschedule. The decision was ruled as the proper thing to do for Malaysia which is anticipating their independence day on August 31.

Amidst the fans' outrage over the nearly eight months delay of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" theatrical release date, a brand new image has been outed. This photo reveals a behind-the-scene shot of the film in which Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore stands in Hogwarts' Great Hall in front of director David Yates and other crew members.

Regarding the fans' angry response to the pushing back of the schedule, Warner Bros.' President and Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn has come out with an explanation of the debut change. "The decision to move 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' was not taken lightly, and was never intended to upset our Harry Potter fans," part of his statement read. "We know you have built this series into what it is, and we thank you for your ongoing enthusiasm and support."

They've been playing elusive about the many romance rumors addressed to them and their representatives also denied that they are an item. But, dating rumors keep mounting on the street and Joe Jonas adds fuel to the talk with him being spotted attending Taylor Swift's recent concert.

Swift was due to perform at Rascal Flatts' concert in the West Palm Beach Cruzan Amphitheatre on Sunday night, August 17. And Joe was seen by an onlooker to be attending the show only five minutes before the country music singer took the stage, singing her hit single, "I'm Only Me When I'm with You."

The latest horror thriller flick from "Cloverfield"'s scribe Drew Goddard, "Cabin in the Woods", has received its theatrical release date. The MGM's film that is yet to begin production is slated to be debuted on the big screen on October 23, 2009.

The date chosen put "Cabin" in theaters exactly a week before the sixth installment of slasher movie series, "Saw VI", hits. Meanwhile, "Saw VI" itself which will be directed by the editor of "Saw" series, Kevin Greutert, has been locked to the October 30, 2009 release.

Record producer, songwriter, and rapper Jermaine Dupri has reportedly been fired from Island Def jam Music Group. A source, as quoted on SOHH.com, says, "I am being told that JD's termination papers were being drafted this afternoon (August 20)."

The surprising rumor makes some claim that he is dropped because he has failed working on Janet Jackson's "Discipline", which does not share the success of her previous albums. Jermaine is also said to be responsible for Mariah Carey's "E=MC²", which is reportedly having problems with a follow-up single after "Touch My Body". To make matter worse, some continue criticizing him with Johnta Austin's projects, "Ocean Drive" that has been permanently shelved, and rumored upcoming "Love, Sex, and Religian" that hasn't been confirmed for release.

It won't be until November 23 later this year that Miley Cyrus will turn 16 years old. But, the actress-singer has had a big and fun plan to mark her birthday. She's going to celebrate early, holding a bash at California's Disneyland on October 5 for friends and fans to attend.

On having a birthday bash at the resort, Miley told Entertainment Tonight that she loves roller coaster very much and so wants to have fun with it during the day. "I love roller coasters," so she said. "I only turn 16 once, so it's going to be an awesome party with my favorite rides, hanging out with friends, fireworks and more."

The longer list of artists slated to grace the stage of MTV Video Music Awards this year has been released. Joining the previously confirmed acts such as Lil Wayne, Jonas Brothers and Kid Rock are Rihanna, Paramore and Pink.

Rihanna in particular will perform her charting single "Disturbia" while rock band Paramore are scheduled to play "Misery Business". Pink, in the mean time, will bring out her brand new hit "So What" and perform it live on the stage for the first time. MTV said that the list of performers will grow in the coming weeks along with the announcement of the presenters.

"Iron Man" director Jon Favreau has brought a great news about the development of the superhero's sequel. The successful filmmaker has revealed that the work on "Iron Man 2" has been kicked off with he and his team starting to develop the follow-up movie of the hit blockbuster movie.

Acknowledging that no official announcement has been made over the matter, he gave out the confirmation to L.A. Times. "We're working on it now," the helmer of family fantasy "Zathura" and Will Ferrell's Christmas-themed comedy "Elf" gushed, "which hasn't been officially announced. It will be released in 2010."

Single anthem for cancer campaign called "Just Stand Up" has been surfaced. As previously reported, a dozen of female singers have come together with producer Antonio Reid and Babyface to record a track in support of a program conducted by ground-breaking cancer research "Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C)". Singers who will be featured in the song include Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles, Mariah Carey, Stacy Ferguson aka Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Sheryl Crow, and many more.

The Antonio-initiated single is aimed at raising public awareness on cancer that has been noted as a main cause for human death. The singers will perform the song for the first time on CBS, ABC, and NBC during a live free-commercial show on September 5. Other supporters also come from Hollywood actresses, such as Jennifer Aniston and Scarlett Johansson. They will help to either appear or answer phone callers during its TV premiere.

It was just last weekend that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi made their union official in a private nuptials, but the couple have talked about having kids already. Discussing on the option, they openly share their story and hope to People magazine in its latest issue, which features their wedding album and exclusive interview with them.

Considering to have children to form a family, Portia admitted that she and Ellen "go back and forth" with the thought. "I don't know if it's our immediate future. It's something we talk about every few months," she revealed further.

Though highly-anticipated by many, the 22nd James Bond movie, "Quantum of Solace", unmistakably won't be greeting its fans on the big screen as scheduled. On Thursday, August 21, Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures have released an announcement about their decision to make a change in its theatrical release date pushing it back a week later than its original plan.

Initially slated to hit theaters on November 7, "Quantum" is now bumped to November 14, the same day Baz Luhrmann's romantic drama starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman, "Australia", and MGM comedy "Soul Men" get their wide release. The Marc Forster-directed spy action film was moved back to take advantage of the forthcoming Thanksgiving holiday as it sees to debut one week closer to Thanksgiving weekend.

The long-awaited second baby of Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale has been born. The singer gave birth to a baby boy Thursday, August 21 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

The happy couple named their newborn infant Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale. He was born at 12:46 P.M. and weighed 8 1/2 lbs. He joins older brother Kingston, who turned 2 in May.

Just a week after he launched the on-set photos of "Miss Independent", rapper Ne-Yo releases its music video to public. The second single is taken from the list of his upcoming "Year of the Gentleman" tracks. The second studio effort is scheduled to arrive on the market next month on September 16 with the first single "Closer" already released in April and gained heavy spin in radios.

The music video, which is produced by Robot film, is directed by Chris Robinson, the same director that helped Alicia Keys making her "You Don't Know My Name" music video. It co-stars R&B singers Keri Hilson and Trey Songz, and Hollywood actresses Gabrielle Union and Lauren London. The video mostly features London as a savvy business woman. At some points, the scene shows Ne-Yo dancing with some guys but it mostly focuses on a display of office which is full of sexy, beautiful and independent women.