Usher Gets Sick, Walks Offstage Mid-Show In Berlin

Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman


Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage

Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.

"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."

According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.

On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.

The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."

Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.

"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."

Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.

What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655991/usher-gets-sick-walks-offstage-midshow-berlin.jhtml

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Weston Cage: 'Don't Get Married'

Filed under: Weston Cage, Celebrity Justice

Weston Cage displayed the cuts he allegedly received from his wife Nikki Williams as he walked out of jail this morning -- and dropped this pearl of wisdom ... "Don't get married."

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As TMZ first reported, Cage and Williams were both booked for felony domestic violence after a nuclear argument this morning -- during which we're told Nikki attacked Weston with a bottle. 


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Source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/07/04/weston-cage-arrested-booked-felony-domestic-violence-jail-wife-nikki-williams/

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Kanye West Lights Up Superdome At Essence Fest

Yeezy performs a bombastic headlining set on Saturday in New Orleans.
By Rebecca Thomas


Kanye West performs at the 2011 Essence Fest on Saturday
Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Early on in Kanye West's headlining set at the 2011 Essence Music Festival on Saturday Night, the Chicago MC stood on a raised platform suspended high above the cheering crowd. As he spit "Dark Fantasy," the hook "Can we get much higher?" seemed a particularly apt way to describe not only his literal skyward stance at the New Orleans Superdome, but also what was to come that night.

Yeezy was already knee-deep into career-defining classics like "Jesus Walks" "Can't Tell Me Nothing" and "Diamonds are Forever," when he told the elated NOLA fest he was "just getting started." Rocking a white blazer, topped by a thick tangle of gold chains, and a pair of jeans and sneakers, the 34-year-old rapper bounded across the stage like a hyperactive teen, but there was no mistaking that West is a megastar, the "college dropout" who has more than made G.O.O.D. on his childhood dreams.

As a small army of classical dancers — dressed in a variation of the phoenix costume worn by Selita Ebanks' bird in West's short film "Runaway" — flanked him, Kanye launched into a bombastic rendition of "Power"; "Devil in a New Dress" and "Hell of a Life" followed as 'Ye tucked into singles and cuts from last year's platinum-plus opus My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

Performing to a massive audience that came to its feet (and stayed there all night) to the strains of 'Ye and Jay-Z's "H.A.M.," the Chi-town MC with a Nas flow touched on his recent scandals, explaining that he stopped granting press interviews after taking lashings from media and bloggers. But he wasn't all rebellious rapper: He danced, sang along and laughed his way through an old-school medley of personally influential music, and the playlist jumped from Al Green to '90s soul groups like Jodeci and Shai.

And West also emphasized that he knew who had held him down when, as he laughed, he "had a little too much too drink" before storming the MTV VMA stage back in 2009. Yeezy repeatedly thanked the predominantly African-American crowd for standing by him before going on to a stirring, church-tinged rendition of "Gold Digger."

The songs felt big and anthemic; the stage and stands, for instance, were bathed in lights and lasers for "All of the Lights" and "Stronger," respectively. As he bounced back and forth between hits from his discography, including his College Dropout debut and his introspective, Auto-Tuned 808s & Heartbreak, the weight of West's musical success was apparent. If there is a handbook for how to headline an expansive show, West should write it. Concertgoers appeared awestruck at the sheer spectacle and scale of the show, mouths gaping when they weren't shouting lyrics back at the energetic MC.

For the finale "Act 3" (a title card projected onto oversize screens flashed the show's three-part progression), a billowing white tent was spread across the stage. In cocoon-like fashion, the dancers re-emerged in black tutus; West clad in his signature red suit. As the rapper knocked out the mournful, tinkling opener of "Runaway" on his MPC machine, the ballerinas circled and Pusha T turned up for his verse.

Still, as large and loud as the show felt, Yeezy's closing was as subtle. After rapping a heartfelt "Hey Mama" on his knees, with a nod to his late mother, Donda West, the star and his band, dancers and DJ took a ballet-company-style bow and walked offstage as the stadium lights went up.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666774/kanye-west-essence-festival-performance.jhtml

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Emma Watson: Top Magazine Mexico Marvelous

Adding more magazine exposure to her portfolio, Emma Watson is featured in the July 2011 issue of Top Magazine Mexico.

The English actress/fashionista looks fabulous in a spread of pictures in which she slicked back her cropped coif for a more intense persona.

Meanwhile, Emma and the rest of her ?Harry Potter? pals are gearing up for the big release of the film franchise finale ?Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.?

Set to premiere in the UK this Thursday (July 7), the film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 15th.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/emma-watson/emma-watson-top-magazine-mexico-marvelous-521036

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: Malibu Beach Babe

Getting some much-needed relaxation following her worldwide "Transformers" press efforts, Rosie Huntington Whiteley joined boyfriend Jason Statham at a Fourth of July weekend beach party in Malibu yesterday (July 2).

The 24-year-old English beauty looked completely content as she lounged around on the sandy shoreline and cuddled with her "Transporters" beau during the holiday fete.

During her heavy duty "Transformers" media blitz, Miss Huntington-Whiteley attended numerous premieres while also partaking in multiple magazine cover shoots - including the July 2011 issue of British GQ.

With the behind-the-scenes video available for viewing pleasure above, Rosie made it clear that she's on a mission to give it her all when it comes to making it as a Hollywood actress.

She told the mag, "Would I like even a sniff of Angelina Jolie?s career? Yes. Do I think I have a future in this business? I certainly hope so. And I?m going to work damn hard to make sure I do."

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/rosie-huntington-whiteley/rosie-huntington-whiteley-malibu-beach-babe-520566

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'Australian Idol' Judge Jay Dee Springbett Found Dead

Sony exec's cause of death has not yet been established.
By Jocelyn Vena


Jay Dee Springbett
Photo: Brendon Thorne/ Getty Images

"Australian Idol" judge Jay Dee Springbett was found dead at his home in Sydney on Thursday. He was 36.

He was discovered after friends called authorities when they couldn't contact the former "Idol" judge. He was already dead when authorities arrived at his Woolloomooloo apartment, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. As of press time, nothing else was known about the cause of death, although authorities believe nothing suspicious happened.

The U.K. native moved to Australia in 2004. He worked for Sony Music and joined "Idol" down under during the show's final season in 2009, replacing Kyle Sandilands. He was known as the show's resident "nice guy" judge. That year, Stan Walker was crowned the champ and later went on to become a successful artist in Australia and New Zealand.

The show aired on Network Ten in Australia, and a spokesperson for the network released this statement: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jay Dee's family at this very difficult time. Jay Dee was an asset to the final season of 'Australian Idol,' [and] we feel honored to have worked with him."

As a record executive, Springbett helped shape the careers of artists including Guy Sebastian, Human Nature, Rogue Traders and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. "Jay Dee was so very enthusiastic and passionate about his family, his music projects and his plans for the future," Sony Music Entertainment Australian and New Zealand CEO Denis Handlin said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "[He] was a great friend and larger-than-life charismatic character who will be missed enormously."

Fremantle, which produces the "Idol" shows, also expressed condolences in a statement. "The 'Australian Idol' family is deeply saddened by the passing of Jay Dee," the statement reads. "Our thoughts are with his family and all at Sony Music."

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666732/jay-dee-springbett-death.jhtml

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'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon': Hunting For Easter Eggs

Hidden treasures in the threequel include new 'bots and a not-so-new heroine.
By Kara Warner


Shia LaBeouf in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
Photo: Jaimie Trueblood

As is to be expected with Michael Bay movies, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" is jam-packed with a lot more than his patented brand of eye-popping action sequences. The movie is two hours and thirty-seven minutes, after all, so even with all the Autobot vs. Decepticon fighting action, there is plenty of room for an actual plot and, more importantly, a ton of fun Easter eggs for the most perceptive fans out there.

In addition to all the "Star Trek" nods, Bay and company have cleverly inserted five "Transformers"-specific Easter eggs in the film. Thanks to the eagle eye of Splash Page editor Rick Marshall, along with his extensive "Transformers" knowledge, MTV News is proud to provide you with a few key things to look out for while watching "Dark of the Moon."

Not-So-New Girl Carly
Played by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the character of Carly is new to Bay's "Transformers" but has a meaty role as one of the humans in the "Transformers" cartoons. Carly is the wife of Spike Witwicky in the original animated series, the inspiration for Shia LaBeouf's character Sam Witwicky.

The Ark of the Moon
The opening of "Dark of the Moon" is all about a mysterious ship that crash lands on the moon. Optimus Prime calls that ship "the Ark," which is the name of the spaceship that first brought Optimus and the rest of the Transformers to Earth in the original cartoon.

Spock's Speaking-Part Past
We mentioned the Nimoy connection in our "Trek" Easter eggs article, but his work is such a nerdy thrill, it gets another mention here. In "Dark of the Moon," Nimoy is the voice of Sentinel Prime, which marks the second time he has lent his voice to a robot in the series. In the 1986 classic "Transformers: The Animated Movie," Nimoy voiced Galvatron, Megatron's equally mischievous successor.

Bridges in Space
We won't go into details about how a space bridge may or may not be mentioned and/or used in "Dark of the Moon," but throughout Transformers history onscreen and in comics, the space bridge allowed for travel between Earth and Cybertron.

Old New Faces
"Dark of the Moon" introduces us to a slew of new Autobots and Decepticons, although the die-hard "Transformers" fans out there will recognize the following from the cartoons. New-to-the-movie Autobots include: Wheeljack (has a strong Albert Einstein-like resemblance), Mirage (a red sports car) and Optimus Prime's fancy silver trailer. Decepticon debuts include: fan-favorite master of destruction Shockwave and bird-like Lazerbeak, who transforms into a variety of objects, save for the excellent cassette-tape shape of his cartoon counterpart.

Check out everything we've got on "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666728/transformers-dark-of-the-moon-easter-eggs.jhtml

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Tia Mowry's Son's Name: Cree!

Earlier this week we reported the happy news that Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict are parents. Now we know their baby boy's name: Cree Hardrict!

The couple's first child, baby Cree was born on Tuesday weighing 8lbs even.

Top Story? (feature beneath menu): 
Upper Slideshow?

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/07/02/tia-mowrys-sons-name-cree

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Andrew Keegan -- Tasered and Cuffed by Cops

Filed under: Andrew Keegan, Celebrity Justice

Actor Andrew Keegan was tasered and handcuffed last night ... after getting into a scuffle with cops.

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Multiple witnesses tell TMZ ... Keegan -- who has starred in a bunch of movies and TV shows  including "10 Things I Hate about You" and "7th Heaven" -- was throwing a party in Marina Del Ray last night when cops rolled up and asked him to turn down the music. Witnesses say Keegan refused and became "very aggressive."

We're told officers slammed him to the ground and tasered him. One witness said they could hear Keegan screaming to let him go.

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Keegan was eventually released and according to cops ... he was never placed under arrest.

A source who spoke to Keegan late last night told us "he was very shaken up" by the ordeal. 

That tends to happen when a lot of electricity passes through your body.

UPDATE: Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Keegan was "uncooperative" when talking to cops. They say Keegan was detained and released, but say he was not tasered.

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Source: http://www.tmz.com/2011/07/03/andrew-keegan-handcuffed-detained-tasered-marina-del-ray-cops/

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