December 14, 2012

After his recent performance in "The X Factor" U.K., singer-songwriter and record producer Bruno Mars appears again on the popular TV program, this time in its American counterpart "The X Factor (US)", to perform his latest hit "Locked Out of Heaven". The track comes from the Hawaiian superstar's sophomore album "Unorthodox Jukebox" and is now the No.1 single in the U.S.

This comes in the heels of Mars' recent nominations at the NAACP Image Awards for Music. "Locked Out of Heaven" is nominated for both Best Song and his clip for that track is vying for the Best Music Video award versus Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire", among others. Likewise, Mars is up for the Male Artist Award, facing off R'n'B superstar Usher.

"How I Met Your Mother" will have a special visit from one of "Pretty Little Liars" when it returns on CBS early next year. It has been confirmed that "PLL" beauty Ashley Benson is set to fill the guest spot for "HIMYM" season 8 in a January 21 episode.

The Eye announces the good news on its Twitter account, stating, "#HIMYM CASTING NEWS! #PrettyLittleLiars' @AshBenzo is going to guest star as Barney's ???? on Jan. 21! Suit Up!"

Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino has just revealed one of his secrets that had never been uncovered before. In the latest episode of "Jersey Shore" airing Thursday, December 13, he admitted that he was working as a stripper at 22 years old under the alias Vito Durado.

The guido was serving drinks and giving massages as well as lap dances while he was a student at college. His confession led his house mates to ask him to show some of his sexy moves, with Jennifer "JWoww" Farley willing to receive his lap dance.

With its aim to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, the 12-12-12 Sandy Relief Concert brought together some of the biggest names in entertainment and has now raised $30 million. The five-hour charity event held Wednesday night, December 12 from the Madison Square Garden in the Big Apple drove up ticket sales, corporate donations and sponsorships for the victims of the superstorm that struck selected parts of the U.S., particularly New York and New Jersey, back in October.

Organizers of the event, the Robin Hood Foundation, revealed that the $30 million in proceeds currently raised by the benefit concert is expected to increase as revenues from TV broadcasts and internet live-streaming will still be added up. The inspirational concert with all its electrifying performances are sure to rake in more funds to benefit those devastated by Sandy.

Just a few days ago it was reported that the yet-to-be-titled "Tron Legacy" sequel had gotten back on its saddle, and it is now confirmed that Garrett Hedlund will return to the follow-up movie. The actor himself announces the news when attending a press junket for "On the Road" in New York City.

Speaking to NextMovie, Hedlund enthuses, "Yeah. Are we gonna break this now?", when asked if he will reprise his role as Sam Flynn in "Tron 3". He then gushes, "Disney's very excited. That's about that. You know, yeah, I'm very excited, Disney's very excited."

A man is suing Jennifer Lopez and Al Roker for portraying him in a negative way on national TV. Everette Draughn has filed the lawsuit in Louisiana against the two producers of Spike TV's "Big Easy Justice" after he was falsely accused of being a criminal on the show.

In the show's episode aired in April, 19-year-old Draughn was labeled as a grand theft auto suspect and a New Orleans bounty hunter named Tat-2 was sent to go after him. Denying that he was a fugitive as it was stated on the show, he claims that he was battered into signing a release agreement.

Following up her seventh studio outing "Femme Fatale", pop icon Britney Spears has started writing new material for her next album. Her collaborator, American hip-hop songwriter Elijah Blake reveals the new album is set to surprise her fans and followers with a new sound.

"I think her fans will be surprised by it," Blake said in an interview with That Grape Juice about his work with the famous entertainer. "I would say it's definitely the 'unexpected' Britney in so many ways." Spears, who currently is one of the judges in the highly-popular TV show "The X Factor (US)", found time to work on her 8th album with the Roc Nation label talent in between her judging chores.

It is widely known that Peter Jackson has planned to expand J.R.R. Tolkien's world into three "Hobbit" movies. With the planned trilogy, some fans are expecting to see more scenes of the iconic cave dweller Gollum in the sequels to "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". Though it's likely that the skinny creature won't be needed in the next two films, Andy Serkis still believes that there might be a possibility to reprise his role again.

Asked by MTV News if there's a chance to see Gollum in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again", Serkis responds, "That's a very good question." He adds, "At the moment there certainly aren't any plans for Gollum to return. But I always say [when working] Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, never say never."

Amidst the positive response for celebrities' effort to raise money to help victims of Superstorm Sandy, Mick Jagger got mixed reactions over one of his jokes on stage. Many people were unimpressed when he seemed to downplay the devastation of the hurricane.

"This has got to be the largest collection of old English musicians ever assembled in Madison Square Garden," The Rolling Stones' rocker said in between the song at the charity gig. "But if it rains in London, you've got to come help us, OK?"

Carole King has been named the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song recipient by the Library of Congress. The veteran singer and songwriter is also the first woman to be given the prestigious prize, which applauds the "lifetime achievement of artists whose work exemplifies the standard of excellence associated with towering songwriters George and Ira Gershwin." She will receive the distinction for her vast body of work in music spanning five decades.

In a statement released via L.A. Times, King said, "I was so pleased when the venerable Library of Congress began honoring writers of popular songs with the Gershwin Prize." The singer gushed, "I'm proud to be the fifth such honoree and the first woman among such distinguished company. I look forward to performing in the nation's capital."

"Glee" is going on a hiatus after airing "Glee, Actually", but not without releasing a promo to tide fans over the January return. Sharing scenes from episode 11 ("Sadie Hawkins") and 12 ("Naked"), the sneak peek offers a glimpse at Kurt's first day at NYADA. He looks a bit surprised as he watches two guys sort of practicing their sword skills in a class.

In Ohio, Sam once again bares his abs and other boys of the New Directions will reportedly also go shirtless for Men of McKinley calendar. Kitty is getting flirtatious with Jake again, and Puck isn't happy about it. He tells Kitty to leave his younger brother alone.

Once again, Adele landed on the top of iTunes' album sales this year with her million selling work, "21". The Grammy-winning set, which also became the 21st LP to cross the 10 million mark last month, topped U.S. album sales for 2012, extending its strong domination in the charts for two years in a row. Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen's smash hit single "Call Me Maybe", meanwhile, was the most downloaded track on iTunes.

Following Adele in the album sales was Taylor Swift's latest release, "Red". The country/pop singer's album also hit 1.2 million in sales during its debut week in November, making her the only female artist in chart history to have two million-selling debut weeks. At number three was Mumford & Sons' "Babel", while One Direction's "Up All Night" took the No. 4 spot. Meanwhile, Fun.'s "Some Nights" landed in fifth place.

Anne Hathaway finds comfort in Adam Shulman amidst buzzing news about her wardrobe malfunction at "Les Miserables" premiere. The Fantine depicter was caught on camera leaning in for a kiss from her husband when they were at Los Angeles International Airport recently.

The brunette came to the special screening of her movie in London wearing a black dress with thigh-high slits that she paired with Tom Ford leather gladiator heeled sandals. She accidentally flashed her lady parts to paparazzi when exiting her car to make her way to the red carpet.

American pop and blues rock musician John Mayer is the latest star added to the list of big artists who will join The Rolling Stones' "50 and Counting" concert. He will perform in the first of two New Jersey shows at the Prudential Center in Newark, which is part of a tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the popular Mick Jagger-fronted rock band.

The New Jersey show will also include Bruce Springsteen, Lady GaGa and American rock band The Black Keys. It will be broadcast live on pay-per-view as "One More Shot".

Harry Styles treated Taylor Swift to a box of 23 cupcakes on her birthday. The couple spent the day she turned 23 in his home county of Cheshire after touring the picturesque Lake District and visiting Hope Valley where they reportedly met his sister Gemma who went to university nearby. She also met his mom.

He ordered the cakes from Custom Cupcake Company in Warrington - 25 miles away from his home village of Holmes Chapel. Owner Matt Blakely told the Warrington Guardian, "The woman said it was for Harry Styles but I didn't know who that was at first. ... It was only afterwards we looked on the internet and saw it was his girlfriend's birthday today and she was 23."

After criticizing "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23", "GCB", "Glee" and "Skins", the Parents Television Council (PTC) is now taking aim at "The Walking Dead". Two years after the show first aired on AMC, the group blasts it for featuring gory violence.

"Throughout its run, the AMC program The Walking Dead has featured some of the most graphic and brutally intense violence and gore imaginable," PTC president Tim Winter says in a statement. "In the current season alone the show has depicted hundreds of scenes of grisly murder both of living and 'undead,' but human, characters."

Lindsay Lohan has allegedly another emergency situation related to money problems. After rumored struggling to pay the rent of her Los Angeles home after her bank accounts were seized by IRS, she's now reported falling behind on paying monthly bill of her storage locker.

According to TMZ, the Elizabeth Taylor of "Liz & Dick" owes the storage company $16,000. The storage unit is reportedly locked up until she fully pays the debt, and items that include her designer clothes and other valuable items are likely to be auctioned off if she fails to pay.

"On the Road" has just been premiered in New York City on Thursday, December 13. On hand to promote the event, Kristen Stewart stepped out to the venue at the SVA Theater with her choice of revealing outfit. She instantly grabbed the spotlight, stealing the show from co-star Kirsten Dunst who opted to go with a simple look.

No stranger to being a center of attention, Stewart went high fashion for the special screening event. She bared her firm midriff in a two-piece number under a see-through dress by Erdem with red pattern detailing. Looking sexy-yet-stylish, the brunette beauty arranged her hair into a simple ponytail and finished off her look with a pair of neon-colored pumps.

LeAnn Rimes became the latest celebrity falling victim to yet another fashion faux pass. The country star exposed her nipple when attending NOH8 4th anniversary party with her actor husband, Eddie Cibrian, at Avalon in California on Wednesday night, December 12.

LeAnn wore a black satin tuxedo suit with dramatic plunging neckline and arranged her hair in a loose bun. The mishap happened when she reached down to adjust her shoe while navigating through the crowded room. Her hubby followed closely behind her.

Country music superstar Taylor Swift finally unveiled the full clip of her latest track, "I Knew You Were Trouble", after teasing fans the whole week for this video premiere. The music video, which Swift initially hinted to be unlike anything she has done before, follows a series of week-long promotional activities that included a recently-released short preview which built-up the suspense even more.

The full clip, which premiered Thursday, December 13 at 4:40 P.M. ET on "MTV First: Taylor Swift", showed the usually demure Swift a.k.a. T. Swizzle portraying half of a pair of star-crossed lovers alongside Broadway star Reeve Carney (plays Peter Parker on the Broadway production of "Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark"). The Anthony Mandler-directed clip was filled with fistfights, makeout sessions in dingy motel rooms, a bar brawl and tattered clothing, which is clearly very different from Swift's previous works. She even looks to have dyed her hair just for this new video.

Klaus may be getting a backup in the next episode of "The Vampire Diaries". Rebekkah was resurrected at the end of the latest outing and she can't wait to let Tyler know about it. Rebekkah's return could mean a new danger for the protagonists as a preview for the said outing hints, "The Originals are back and they are thirsty."

Meanwhile, Jeremy is improving his skills as a vampire hunter with the help of Damon. Klaus comes to mock Damon who will make sure Jeremy's mark grow. Jeremy, however, doesn't like Klaus' plan and says to Damon, "Tell Klaus that we're not going to do this his way."

Leonardo DiCaprio's antics are highlighted in a new clip for "Django Unchained". Coming out via Yahoo!, the snippet sees DiCaprio's Calvin Candie as he first meets Jamie Foxx's titular character in his house. Django offers a cynical answer when Candie asks something about himself. Instead of loosing his cool, Candie manages to light up the situation with his quirky manner.

Another clip from "Django" comes out via IGN, focusing on Django's serious conversation with his comrade Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz). Schultz seems to have obtained information that Django's wife is in "Candyland" and warns the freed slave not to "get so carried away" or they both will get killed. Additionally, IMDb debuts a snippet that sees a scene between Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.

Hugh Jackman caps off his SAG and Golden Globe nomination by getting the 2,487th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The hunky actor, 44, unveiled his sidewalk tribute in front of Madam Tussaud's Hollywood where his waxwork figure as Wolverine was put on display.

He was supported by his "Les Miserables" co-star Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried, director Tom Hooper, DreamWorks boss Jeffrey Katzenberg and "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno. His wife Deborra-Lee Furness and their children Oscar, 12, and Ava, 7, were there as well.

An intriguing new rumor about Warner Bros. Pictures' long-gestating "Justice League" project has just emerged. While the DC ensemble superhero film project is still hunting for its director, a report about the possible plot of the upcoming movie is shared, revealing which comic books that will be used as the inspiration for the storyline.

The rumor is sparked by Latino Review, which learns that screenwriter Will Beall is adapting Gerry Conway's Justice League of America 183-185. The three series were released back in 1980 as part of the annual team up for "Justice League of America" and "Justice Society of America".

During the 12-12-12 Sandy Relief concert on Wednesday, December 12, Paul McCartney stood-in for Nirvana's Kurt Cobain so that the grunge band could perform once again 18 years after the death of their frontman. Drummer Dave Grohl, bassist Krist Noveselic and second guitarist Pat Smear, joined the former Beatle onstage to dish-out "Cut Me Some Slack", a song made for Grohl's "Sound City" documentary. The tune which rings of pure rock music is something that could have been released by Grohl's band, Foo Fighters.

McCartney closed the six-hour long mega-concert, which featured such rock and roll royalties as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi and Eric Clapton, by opening his set with "Helter Skelter", a song he wrote with John Lennon and recorded by The Beatles. Midway through his set, which included hits from when he was with The Beatles, Wings, and from his solo career, he brought out Grohl and company for the rare reunion piece.

It was a shocking elimination on the latest results show of "The X Factor (US)". While Fifth Harmony had been deemed the weakest act among other remaining finalists, the girl group was the first one announced to get through the finals.

Having said that he did believe in miracles, Simon Cowell "could not be happier" that Fifth Harmony get into the top 3. L.A. Reid said, "I'm very shocked," while Britney Spears admitted she was "a little disappointed."

After numerous sightings, Katy Perry finally confirmed that she's dating John Mayer. When watching the Broadway adaptation of the classic 1983 film "A Christmas Story" in New York City, she introduced the rocker to the cast as her boyfriend.

"This is my boyfriend John," the former wife of Russell Brand said to the cast members, many of whom were children. A witness told Us Weekly that she said to him, "Come on, baby, let's take a picture," before joining the children for a picture.

A final trailer for Kathryn Bigelow's critically-acclaimed thriller "Zero Dark Thirty (2012)" has just been revealed. Exploring more intense action sequences and the frustrating atmosphere behind the great hunt for Osama bin Laden, this new trailer boasts new scenes featuring convincing performance from Jessica Chastain as gets she desperate in finding the notorious Al Qaeda leader.

"You will never find him," so a man pessimistically says at one point of the video. The glum theme of the trailer is also made more dramatic with a solemn rendition of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" as the background music. "So close no matter how far," so it says as a scene of U.S. military operative setting up their camp is shown, sparking goosebumps to the viewers.

Jenni Rivera's body has been found on the plane crash site and has positively been identified. "We have received 100 percent confirmation that my sister Jenny has gone to be with the Lord," her brother Pedro Rivera, Jr. said to reporters outside their father Pedro Rivera's home in Los Angeles on Thursday, December 13.

"They did show pictures to my brothers of the body, but not the full body. Juan was able to say 'that was my sister' and he said 'I don't need more.' Gus also said 'that was our sister,' " Pedro said. He added, "They didn't have to wait for the DNA. They just knew it was my sister and now they are flying back to Los Angeles with the body."

Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Aida Takla-O'Reilly along with actors Jessica Alba, Megan Fox and Ed Helms woke up early on Thursday, December 13 to unveil the nominations of the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards. In TV field, "Game Change" has a great change to be a big winner as it grabs the most nods among other shows.

The HBO TV movie is up for best miniseries or TV movie kudo, facing off "The Girl", "Hatfields & McCoys", "The Hour" and "Political Animals". Its four stars, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris, Sarah Paulson and Woody Harrelson, also score an acting nom each.

Before the Academy Awards reveals its nominees on January 10, many people are eager to find out the 2013 Golden Globes Awards nominations to predict which titles will likely make it to the Oscars noms. Adding the hype to the busy awards season, the Globes officially announced its nominees on Thursday, December 13, revealing the dominations of Steven Spielberg's history drama "Lincoln".

The Abraham Lincoln drama bags a total of seven nods, including the coveted Best Drama, where it will face a stiff competition against "Argo", "Django Unchained", "Life of Pi" and "Zero Dark Thirty (2012)". This is the second time in less than a week "Lincoln" dominates an awards nominations after recently breaking record with 13 nods at 2013 Critics' Choice Movie Awards.