No Celebrity Big Brother for Tinchy Stryder

Tuesday, 03 January 2012 16:14

Urban star Tinchy Stryder has opted out of Celebrity Big Brother, fearing a career as a reality television star may disrupt his reputation as a serious artist.

The news that Tinchy was to appear on the show hit earlier this week, but the rapper explained to The Sun that he has already decided against it.

“I asked myself whether people I respect would go on a show and I decided that they wouldn’t,” he said.

According to Tinchy, his reluctance caused television bosses to offer him double the money – but he still wasn’t interested.

He added: “I respect myself for making this decision because they offered me a lot of money. Then, when I decided to go back and say no to the show, the money doubled. But music is my first thing and I love the people that support me and just know in my heart it wasn’t the right thing to do.”

According to reports, former X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza, Loose Women’s Denise Welch and Kirk Norcross of TOWIE are all set to appear on the new season of the show.

Tinchy had planned to go on the show so his fans could see what he was really like. He told the tabloid: “People are always asking what I’m like because I’m wearing shades and everything but that isn’t me. At the same time I’m business-minded and I was going to go in there because the money could help to set up my business, like setting up my own record label.”

The star will taking a break from touring and promoting his upcoming album this Christmas, which he plans to spend with his family.

“I’ll be with my family, because my days are so busy and I hardly get to spend time with them, and Christmas time is family time,” Tinchy told BANG Showbiz. “We’ll probably go to either Bow [in East London] where I grew up, or just outside London to my sister’s house, whatever we do our whole family will be together.”

The race for the Christmas Number One

Thursday, 22 December 2011 21:25

Christmas Time.

It means a real mixture of different things. Whether that's a second helping of the classic roast dinner, the knitted festive jumper you've been dreaming about all year or just a chance to unwind with your loved ones.

But nothing else captures the hearts of the nation like the race to the Christmas Number One. This time last year the victory of the rebellious ‘Rage Against the Machine’ marked the beginning of a  new form of competition- a competition which transcends pop music boundaries as rivals tussle to promote the values behind their track as well as the music itself. This is evident again this Christmas, as the two behemoths of this year’s fight stand for completely different things.

X Factor Winners Little Mix have been a real success story. Defiant in the face of those who assumed there was no place for a new girl group,  they’ve proven to be legitimate role models to many young teens who dream of similar stardom, and they’ve done it as friends with their feet kept firmly on the ground.

Amidst the backdrop of bullying, drug fuelled parties and in house fighting, all of which have become synonmous with the X Factor this year, the young girl group have managed to avoid the controversy and take the title fair and square. Their version of Cannonball shows off the glossy edge to their voices and proves the girls have the talent to accompany  their ‘good girl’ image.

Yet on the other hand, they’re the product of a reality TV show, the ultimate national icon for artificiality. They have been manufactured for mass consumption and are simply the latest offer from the Simon Cowell conveyor belt. What do they really stand for? The ‘quick click’ fingers of fame?

And then we have the Military Wives, the amateur choir who have shot from relative obscurity into pole position to take this year’s festive top spot. Reflecting the fine work of their husbands, many of whom are abroad serving tours in Afghanistan, the girls are raising money for The Royal British legion and have proven a hugely popular choice with the British public.

 In a difficult period for the country, their raw talent and dedication to their cause has captured the hearts of the British people. The fact that most of the choir have already gone back to their day jobs also reminds us of a different set of priorities compared to their popstar counterparts, girls who are bothered about helping their loved ones and not about becoming rich or famous. They’re making a real difference, and they’re doing it in an authentic way.

So the artificial has met the natural, and according to the facts (currently the Military Wives are outselling Little Mix 6 to 1) the nation’s preference is obvious. The Military Wives have even managed to get the taxman on side,  as  the Chancellor revealed yesterday that all VAT raised on the singles will also go to charity.

So does this spell the end of the polished pop robots that spill out of reality TV every few months? Probably not. But it does suggest, at least at Christmas, that our desire for something that’s real, something that means more than just the music, is stronger than ever.

Justin Timberlake engaged to Jessica Biel?

Thursday, 22 December 2011 20:58

Rumor has it that Justin Timberlake proposed to Jessica Biel at Wyoming's five star Amangani resort earlier this week. Reps for both stars have remained mum on the topic, further igniting the claim.

The rumor was born on Twitter, when a local from Jackson, Wyoming wrote: “Word on the street is that Justin Timberlake proposed to Jessica Biel at the Amangani last night.

“We’re picking out post-engagement presents for them just in case they come in! Trying to play it cool.”

The pair, who had been dating four years, recently rekindled their romance after calling it quits nearly nine months ago.

Timberlake and Biel were thought to have split after the former was seen hanging around Friends with Benefits costar Mila Kunis. Kunis and Timberlake have both denied being anything but friends.

Biel was linked to Gerard Butler after splitting from Timberlake.

Lately Biel and Timberlake have been seen together quite a bit. Timberlake was spotted visiting Biel on set in Toronto and the pair were seen together frequently in New York. By September it seemed obvious that they’d definitively reunited.

During the breakup, 30-year-oldTimberlake admitted to missing the actress. He told Vanity Fair: “She is the single-handedly most significant person in my life. In my 30 years, she is the most special person, okay?”

A source close to the pair told the Mirror that an engagement was the only way Biel would take him back. “Justin promised Jessica that within six months, he’ll give her an engagement ring with the stipulation that they take at least another six months to a year to actually tie the knot.”

Biel tells a different story, insisting that she’s in no rush to walk down the aisle.

“I don’t feel pressured,” she said recently. “I was never one of those girls who dreamt of my wedding and my prince charming.”

Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette and R. Kelly perform at US X Factor final

Thursday, 22 December 2011 20:47

The first part of the US X Factor final Wednesday night saw Simon Cowell's contestant Melanie Amaro duet with R. Kelly.

The rendition of ''I Believe I Can Fly'' marked Kelly's first time performing since his throat surgery earlier this year.

Although it was Kelly who clearly outshone 19-year-old Amaro, the star put his faith behind the hopeful, saying: “There’s no doubt in my mind this girl is on her way to the moon.”

Cowell, who brought Amaro back to the show after eliminating her, told her: “I brought this show to America because I believe the some of the greatest singers in the world are from this country, and you just proved that. I think you, based on that performance tonight, to me, should be the winner of the X Factor because you’re going to represent this country all over the world.”

Wednesday’s show pitted Amaro against fellow finalists Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene. The winner will receive a $5 million recording contract, though there is no clear frontrunner in this race.

Even Cowell had to admit, “I think this is going to be the closest final we’ve ever had.”

 30-year-old Ohio native Josh Krajcik performed the night’s first duet with Alanis Morissette. The two played the star’s 1998 single “Uninvited” before Krajcik returned to the stage for a performance of “At Last,” which he played on his guitar.

California’s Chris Rene sang an extended version of “Complicated” alongside Avril Lavigne during which he added an original rap verse. The 28-year-old contestant performed one of his own songs, “Young Homie,” as his last song of the night. Rene performed the song twice before on X Factor – during his audition and again in November, when he mixed the lyrics with the Beatles’ “Let It Be.”

Dutch editor resigns after Rihanna responds to racist slur

Thursday, 22 December 2011 16:58

After a Dutch magazine published a piece describing R&B star Rihanna as a ''n***a b****,'' editor Eva Hoeke has resigned.

Rihanna took to Twitter to express her opinion on the article, which made mention of the singer’s “ghetto a**” and “porn heels.”

She wrote: “Your magazine is a poor representation of the evolution of human rights! I find you disrespectful and rather desperate!! You ran out of legit, civilized information to print!”

The singer then added: “There are 1000’s of Dutch girls who would love to be recognized for their contributions to your country, you could have given them an article. Instead, u paid to print one degrading an entire race!”

Jackie editor Hoeke first responded to Rihanna’s tweet via the magazine’s Facebook page, writing: “While the author meant no harm – the title of the article was intended as a joke – it was a bad joke, to say the least….Stupid, painful and sucks for all concerned.”

The editor went on to release a statement of resignation on Wednesday, writing: “I realize that my first reaction through Twitter, in which I indicated that it was a joke, has been an incomplete misrepresentation [of] what me, and also the author of the article, meant.

“The term ‘n***a b****’ came from America and all we did was [describe] a style of dress. Because of the enormous pressure through social media I was enticed to promise [an] amendment regarding the linguistic usage in future issues of Jackie.”

Hoeke goes on to explain that although the slur was “without malicious intentions,” her “credibility is now affected” and therefore it was best for all involved that she immediately resign as editor-in-chief.

Although Rihanna has yet to comment on Hoeke’s resignation, the magazine’s publisher says the singer will be invited to express her opinion on the matter in the upcoming issue.

‘Lost’ Bowie footage to air once more

Thursday, 22 December 2011 16:54

A 1973 Top of the Pops performance by David Bowie is set to air on television for the first time since its original broadcast.

Before the footage was discovered in October, it had been believed that all records of Bowie performing his single “The Jean Genie” on the show had been destroyed. BBC 2 will feature the lost performance during its Top of the Pops Christmas Special.

The four minutes of footage features Bowie and the Spiders from Mars playing an extended version of the track.

Oxfordshire native and television cameraman John Henshall worked on the show at the time of the performance and kept a copy of the rare footage, unaware of its worth. When Henshall mentioned having the recording to Radio 2’s Johnnie Walker earlier in the year, hopeful ears of diehard Bowie fans perked up.

Fans contacted Henshall to explain that what he had on his hands was a rarity, and the footage went on to be shown at London’s British Film Institute during its Missing Believed Wiped event.

The BBC had wiped the original version of the show in order to reuse the tape – a practice that was common at the time due to the high cost of video tape.

Henshall had no idea that the BBC didn’t have its own copy of the episode. He told the network: “I just couldn’t believe that I was the only one with it. I just thought you wouldn’t be mad enough to wipe a tape like that.”

Top of the Pops 2 executive producer Mark Cooper described the Bowie footage as an “extraordinary find,” adding: “Bowie singing ‘The Jean Genie’ is electric and the kind of piece of archive that not only brings back how brilliant Top of the Pops could be, but also how a piece of archive can speak to us down the years.”

Simon Cowell ‘a little too cocky’ ahead of US X Factor launch

Thursday, 22 December 2011 16:49

Before launching X Factor in the US, music mogul Simon Cowell said he anything less than 20 million viewers would be a ''disappointment.''

His tremendous confidence notwithstanding, more Americans tuned in to watch Simon’s old show – American Idol – than his new one.

“I had come off the back of a massive hit in Britain, had the adrenaline and couldn’t wait to put the show on here, and it is going to take longer than I thought,” admitted Mr. Nasty.

The US final is set to air on Thursday, December 21. Thus far in the season Cowell can only brag 12 million viewers throughout the show’s run. American Idol trumped it by far with 25 million tuning in.

Cowell added: “I think I probably came here a little too cocky, but I am cocky by nature.”

The Daily Mirror  reports that Cowell is not the only one coming out of US X Factor with a bit of disappointing news – rumor has it that American network is no fan of host Steve Jones. According to the tabloid, the Welsh presenter may be replaced by Nicole Scherzinger in subsequent seasons.

Jones has seemed awkward in his dealings with contestants – most notably sinking to the floor after a terribly upset Rachel Crow was eliminated from the competition. That he seemed completely unable to deal with the 13-year-old may have been the final straw for show bosses.

“Steve keeps saying that living in LA is a dream come true,” an insider told the Daily Mirror. “He loves the weather and the women, and he loves working on X Factor – it’s just a shame that the US public has not warmed to him.

“He got terrible reviews from critics when he started and things haven’t got better. There have been mistakes and he just doesn’t seem to have the knack for dealing with contestants.

“The executives at Fox have already decided not to renew his contract and so, short of a miracle happening, it is pretty much a done deal that he will not take part next season.”

Sir Paul McCartney announces upcoming studio album

Thursday, 22 December 2011 16:41

For his first studio album in five years, Sir Paul McCartney has decided to assemble a collection of classic American tunes.

Only two songs from the upcoming release will be original McCartney works – the rest will be covers.

The still-untitled album will feature the talents of Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton. Jazz musician Diana Krall will also make an appearance on the record, along with her band.

Macca explained that the album will host songs inspired by his early work with John Lennon – a move he’s been longing to make. “In the end it was, ‘Look, if I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it.’”

He said of the covers planned for the album: “When I kind of got into songwriting, I realized how well structured these songs were and I think I took a lot of my lessons from them.

“I always thought artists like Fred Astaire were very cool. Writers like Harold Alren, Cole Porter, all of those guys – I just thought the songs were magical. And then, as I got to be a songwriter I thought it’s beautiful, the way they made those songs.”

He added: “I was important for me to keep away from the more obvious song choices, so many of the classic standards will be unfamiliar to some people. I hope they are in for a pleasant surprise.”

Stevie Wonder will feature on the original song “Only Our Hearts,” and Eric Clapton shows up on new track “My Valentine.”

“It was very spontaneous, kind of organic, which then reminded me of the way we’d work with the Beatles,” McCartney said of the studio work. “We’d bring a song in, kick it around, when we found a way to do it we’d say, ‘Okay, let’s do a take now,’ and by the time everyone had an idea of what they were doing, we’d learnt the song. So that’s what we did, we did the take live in the studio.”

Those fans who are members can check out “My Valentine” on McCartney’s official website.

Damien Rice poised for royalties thanks to Little Mix

Thursday, 22 December 2011 16:34

X Factor winners Little Mix claimed the highest first-week sales of 2011 after their victory - good news for Damien Rice, as he stands to make royalties on the girl group's cover of his track “Cannonball.”

The foursome sold over 210,000 units in a week – launching their first single into the top spot on the charts in both Ireland and the UK.

Rice’s 2003 release of “Cannonball” peaked at No. 32 after its release. The song re-entered the chart at No. 19 and peaked at No. 9 when it was re-released in October after featuring on the ITV singing competition.

Rice tweeted: “Some people are asking about ‘Cannonball’. Once a song is released, anyone can record/release a version without approval, upon certain condition.”

This statement seems to suggest that it wasn’t up to the 38-year-old recording artist as to whether or not the song could be used on X Factor.

In spite of having the fastest-selling song of the year, Little Mix’s chart success has fallen short of other X Factor winners.  Last year’s champ Matt Cardle, for example, sold 439,007 copies of his single “When We Collide” during its first week.

However, X Factor champs Little Mix are feeling their heightened status. The girl group’s own Geordie lass, Jade Thirlwall, says she’s already being compared to Cheryl Cole.

The singer told the Sunday Mirror: “People keep telling me I’m the new Cheryl Cole. That’s fine by me. Cheryl’s an inspiration for all of us. She’s beautiful and so talented. I met her when I auditioned for the show in 2010 and she was amazing. She’s my idol.

“Well, Cheryl and Beyonce are my idols. I was front row at a Beyonce gig and she touched my hand once. That was the best moment of my life.”

There is one huge difference between Jade and Cheryl – the girls of Little Mix have been banned from dating football stars.

“We’ve been told we are not to date footballers,” Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards told the People.

Kevin Federline ‘happy’ about Britney engagement

Thursday, 22 December 2011 16:22

Britney's marriage to Kevin Federline marked difficult times for the ''Criminal'' singer - but her new engagement to manager Jason Trawick seems to be a completely different story.

Federline says he's thrilled for Brit, telling Australia’s TV Week: “I’m happy for her – I think he’s a great guy.”

He added: “She’s happy; she’s doing really well. I want to say she’s in a good place. I haven’t spoken to her much since I’ve been over here – both of us have been busy with her being on tour – but I do know from talking to the kids and talking to the kids’ teachers that they’re doing really good. It’s a good step in the right direction. I’m totally happy for her.”

Federline and Spears have two children together – 6-year-old Sean Preston and 5-year-old Jayden James. The pair were married in fall of 2004, but filed for divorce just over two years later.

The dancer and sometime rapper was granted sole physical custody of the children after Spears began exhibiting strange behavior (shaving her head, attacking an SUV with an umbrella) in 2007. In the beginning of 2008, Spears was treated in a psychiatric ward and placed under temporary conservatorship.

Federline said of the experience: “It was tough. I had to do what I had to do for the safety of our children. But at the same time, it tears my heart to pieces to watch your ex go through that, let alone watch anybody go through that. It’s horrible. It was a completely dramatic, depressing stage of my life that I’m so glad I’m over and get to leave behind. It was tough.”   

The former Mr. Britney Spears has moved on as well. He and longtime girlfriend Victoria Prince had their first child – Federline’s fifth – in September.

K-Fed told the magazine that Prince was more than he “could ever have hoped for,” adding: “Hopefully Britney feels the same way.”