K-pop fans unhappy as Swift, Grande lead VMA nominations

LOS ANGELES -- Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande dominated nominations on Tuesday for the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) with 10 apiece, but some K-pop fans cried foul when best-selling Korean bands were placed in a separate category.

Grande's breakup anthem "thank u, next" and Swift's "You Need to Calm Down," in which she criticizes social media trolls and those who attack LGBTQ people, will contend for the top prizes of song of the year, best pop and video of the year.

Grande also got a nod for artist of the year along with rapper Cardi B, 17-year-old newcomer Billie Eilish, Halsey, the Jonas Brothers and Shawn Mendes.

Korean boy band BTS, which has led a K-pop music wave in the United States and scored three No.1 albums on the Billboard chart in the past year, got just 4 nods, including 3 in the newly created K-pop category.

"bts outsold,,,, EVERY SINGLE,,, artist in the artist of the year category but the vmas didn’t wanna see that so they made a whole new category just to not acknowledge the power and influence bts has had over the whole industry," tweeted a BTS fan called Chioma.

"I am getting so sick of the westerners not giving BTS the due respect. They ignore stats, facts, achievements, charts and the people as well," a user called Shivani Shintre posted on Twitter.

MTV did not return a call for comment.

Fans vote on the winners of the VMA awards, which will be announced at a show in Newark, New Jersey, on August 26, but they do not vote on the nominations.

"Boy With Luv," a collaboration between BTS and American singer Halsey, received nods for best collaboration, art direction and choreography.

Other nominees in the K-pop field include girl band BlackPink, Monsta X, NCT 127, EXO and Tomorrow X Together.

The new Video for Good field features songs deemed to have raised awareness. It includes Swift's "You Need to Calm Down," Halsey's female-empowering "Nightmare," Lil Dicky's environmentally themed "Earth" and John Legend's "Preach" about social injustices.

Other nominees in the category include The Killers' "Land Of The Free," a protest against US President Donald Trump's planned wall on the US-Mexican border, and "Runaway Train" about missing children.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

At MTV VMAs, cleavage, tons of sparkle and Wonder Woman

MTV's Video Music Awards have produced some unforgettable red carpet moments in the past -- Lady Gaga's red meat dress, Shakira's furkini top and Madonna's white lace "Like a Virgin" dress with BOY TOY buckle spring to mind.

Sunday night's gala in Los Angeles did not produce one of those "wow" moments, but a few stars gave it their all on the red carpet -- or the blue carpet, in this case.

Here are some highlights:


KATY PERRY, CHAMELEON

Host Katy Perry rocked a number of looks, from her sculptural, low-cut white one-shoulder gown with a chic train by Stephane Rolland to her grand entrance on stage in MTV's iconic "Moonman" costume.

"I'm terrified," the 27-year-old pop diva -- looking feisty with her short blonde pixie haircut -- said before the show. "I'm not very good at speaking."

At one point in the show, she came out with a doll in a baby carrier -- a nod to the many stars from Pink to DJ Khaled who attended the ceremony with their children.

She finished the show by performing her hit single "Swish Swish" in a short white dress embellished with a sparkling basketball at her waist.

BAD GIRLS

Music royalty are certainly never afraid to show skin.

Rapper Nicki Minaj -- who has rocked the VMAs red carpet over the years in everything from a space-age purple jumpsuit to a sexy navy blue gown with tons of cutouts and mesh -- did not disappoint this year, showing up in a pink latex jumpsuit.

The ensemble showcased her ample curves -- and she died her hair pink to match.

Tons of bling -- diamonds, if you please -- finished off the look.

Paris Jackson, the daughter of late "King of Pop" Michael Jackson who presented an award, chose a beige Christian Dior dress with a see-through embroidered tulle skirt and hot pants underneath.

And Demi Lovato went for a daring black lace Zuhair Murad bodysuit that left little to the imagination, paired with glittering black harem pants.

A FEW PRINCESSES

On the other end of the sartorial spectrum, New Zealand songstress Lorde went for the princess look with an ethereal strapless lilac Monique Lhuillier gown that tumbled to the floor in a trail of feathers.

And Kesha, whose first album in five years came out this month, floated on stage in a gauzy pale pink gown with layers of tulle cascading to the floor.

Kesha did not perform on Sunday, but presented an award, and made an impassioned speech about suicide prevention -- one of the many social issues tackled during the gala.

WONDER WOMAN HERSELF

The final award of the night for Video of the Year, which went to rapper Kendrick Lamar, was presented by none other than Gal Gadot, the star of one of the summer's biggest hit movies, "Wonder Woman."

And the Israeli actress looked every bit the warrior princess -- a ladylike one -- in a midnight blue Prabal Gurung cocktail dress with delicate, sparkling paillettes and just the right amount of see-through detailing.

"Elated & grateful. My childhood dream of dressing #WonderWoman came true," Gurung said on Twitter.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

VIRAL: Balang 'kills it' with 'Sorry' dance cover

Sorry by Justin Bieber Dance Cover ???? #Sorry

Posted by John Phillip Bughaw aka Balang on Saturday, 30 January 2016

MANILA - John Phillip "Balang" Bughaw, who rose to fame after catching the attention of television host Ellen DeGeneres for his nifty moves, is at it again.

In his official Facebook account, Bughaw shared his dance cover of Justin Bieber's "Sorry."

A host of foreign media such as Time and MTV have caught wind of his video and helped it reach more than 14 million views since being uploaded last January 30.

Even Bieber himself managed to watch Bughaw, and praised the Filipino kid for his adorable dance moves. "Kills it," the pop star wrote on his Twitter account.

Bughaw first shot to stardom after a video of him dancing to Ariana Grande and Jessie J's "Bang Bang" went viral. He was invited to perform on DeGeneres' show last May.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jasmine Tridevil’s third breast makes her reality TV ready? 3 boobs get looks

Jasmine Tridevil is pitching her reality show to MTV and is expected to be on Inside Edition. The wannabe reality star has offered up a reason for people to be interested in her as she went under the knife to get a third breast because she desires to be a reality star. According to US Magazine on Monday, the woman even hired a camera crew to follow her around to capture how this idea of a third breast became a reality.

Apparently the third breast was part of a surgically procedure that Jasmine Tridevil decided to have done. The star was looking to make her mark in reality TV and came up with an idea that is seen at the circus. It’s also going to be seen on the show “American Horror Story” this fall as Angela Bassett plays a character with three breasts.

The Huffington Post is reporting on Monday that the 21-year-old Florida woman claims to have paid $20,000 for the cosmetic surgery to add a third breast. Looking to attract attention, the idea has really shocked most people. Trying to figure out how the star would have proper clothing and what she would look like in a bikini appears to top the list of questions people have.

There is no doubt that Jasmine Tridevil is going to be famous for her odd plastic surgery decision. The real question is if the surgeon who did the surgery should be questioned about the decision to put another breast on Tridevil. Done for more of a freak element, it’s hard to believe it has helped Jasmine’s confidence.

source: examiner.com

Miley Cyrus lights 'joint' at MTV awards

AMSTERDAM -- Katy Perry won the award for best female singer at the 2013 MTV EMA music awards on Sunday, pipping Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus to the post in MTV's first award ceremony since the launch a week ago of the upstart YouTube Music Awards.

But Cyrus stole the show by lighting what could have been a joint, in a nod to the host city's famously tolerant attitude towards soft drugs.

She had earlier been photographed in one of Amsterdam's best-known coffeeshops where soft drugs are on the menu.

With the three pop divas in contention, the prize for best female was the most closely watched battle at the Viacom-owned music network's 20th annual European awards ceremony.

Claiming her third EMA award, U.S. singer Perry gave a dramatic rendition of her song "Unconditionally," suspended like a sequin-covered glitter ball 9 meters above a gigantic outer-space-themed set.

"It's my goal to get (my music) to as many ears as possible," she said on the red carpet before the show. "If that's happening, I'm happy."

When Cyrus picked up her best video award for "Wrecking Ball," she made a show of not finding the space for the bauble in her handbag.

"You know I couldn't fit this award in my bag but I did find this," she said, pulling out a hand-rolled cigarette which she lit as she walked off the stage.

Earlier, the former Disney star, who caused a sensation with her raunchy "twerking" performance with actor Robin Thicke at the U.S.-based Video Music Awards in August, took to the red carpet in a bold mini dress on which the words "Please Stop Violence" were wrapped tightly around her hip.

British-Irish boy band One Direction had a good night, taking the prize for best pop, while Harry Styles, known as much for his singing in the band as for his celebrity girlfriends, was awarded best style.

Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto reacted to his band's winning the best alternative prize by calling for a minute of silence for those affected by typhoon Yolanda, which hit the Philippines on Friday, killing an estimated 10,000 people. The call went largely unheeded.

"It's hard to hear in there ... but the message is what's important, to send some love and support across the world," he said backstage afterwards.

Justin Bieber held on to his best male status for a fourth consecutive year, while Beyonce and Bruno Mars won awards for best live act and best song, respectively. China's Chris Lee won best worldwide act.

New competition

U.S. rapper Eminem was given a "Global Icon" prize for lifetime achievement along with best hip-hop, just a week after being declared artist of the year at the inaugural YouTube Music Awards, run by emerging music industry rival Google.

In the face of the new competition, the MTV EMA awards are being seen as a test of the ability of MTV, one of the most prominent brands of the 1980s and 1990s, to flourish in the internet era.

Robert Bakish, head of Viacom's broadcast division, said he was confident the company would rise to the challenge.

While MTV has dominated the field with its annual pop music awards since 1984, when the Video Music Awards were launched, video-sharing site YouTube, with its one billion viewers a month, has utterly remade the popular music business.

"There's always competition, traditional competition and new competition," Bakish told Reuters on the red carpet before the show.

"The EMA is the ultimate multiplatform expression, we combine live television with digital and on Web and on mobile," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

MTV VMA nominees: Justin Timberlake, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis lead

Justin Timberlake and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis each landed six nominations for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards, which will be awarded Aug. 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Timberlake’s “Mirrors” and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop,” featuring Wanz, will both compete for video of the year against Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven,” Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” featuring T.I. and Pharrell, and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.”

Voting for all the general categories began at MTV’s site this morning. Music and video experts will vote on the professional categories.

In addition to video of the year, Timberlake’s “Mirrors” landed nominations for best male video, best pop video and best editing. His “Suit & Tie” video featuring Jay-Z, will compete for best collaboration and best direction. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” also landed nominations for best hip-hop video, best cinematography, and best direction. “Can’t Hold Us” featuring Ray Dalton, is up for best editing, while “Same Love” is in the "Best Video with a Social Message” category.

Also up for “Best Video with a Social Message” are: Kelly Clarkson’s “People Like Us.,” Snoop Lion’s “No Guns Allowed,” Miguel’s “Candles In The Sun,” and Beyoncé’s “I Was Here.”

Voting for all awards closes Aug. 12, except for the “Artist to Watch” category, which will continue until the winner is announced on the show. The “Artist to Watch” nominees are: Twenty One Pilots’ “Holding On To You,” Zedd featuring Foxes’ “Clarity,” Austin Mahone’s “What About Love,” The Weeknd’s “Wicked Games” and Iggy Azalea’s “Work.”

source: newsday.com

Be part of Katy Perry's video diary

MANILA, Philippines – Katy Perry has just issued an invitation.

Not only is the pop superstar performing once again in Manila on Sunday, Jan. 22, she is also asking her Pinoy fans to interact with their fellow Katy Cats in the country by being part of her “California Dreams” tour diary.

On the Tour Dates page of her official website, www.katyperry.com, under the Tour Diary tag, it says: “Want to help Katy remember all of the amazing places she visits around the world? Share your photos, videos, comments, and tweets with fellow fans in your city…”

Perhaps the very welcoming Filipino audience could help Katy remember how much more fun is to be in the Philippines. According to a press release, when fans share their videos on YouTube with the hashtag #ManilaDreams, their videos would also appear on Katy Perry’s official YouTube channel—and perhaps elicit a comment or a shout out from Katy herself! Videos have also been uploaded by other fans from several cities throughout the tour.

Aside from her numerous hits singles, Katy Perry is a bona fide new media darling. She has over 37 million Facebook fans and over 13 million Twitter followers. Her Vevo YouTube channel also has over 730 million video views and over 1million subscribers! As such, the Manila leg of her tour is made possible by the country’s number one telecommunications giant, Smart Communications, which touts itself as a trendsetter in utilizing social media to promote its concerts, Katy’s “California Dreams” tour included.

Katy likewise underscores her being a trendsetting social media powerhouse with her People’s Choice Award-winning music video for “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.).” Aside from hot celebrities doing a cameo for the video, Katy’s music video alter ego, Kathy Beth Terry, has followed her footsteps as an Internet sensation—Kathy Beth apparently has her own Facebook and Twitter accounts as well.

Katy’s “California Dreams” Tour has already broken records as one of the top 50 tours in the world, and has even won an MTV EMA award for Best Live Act. It also earned her a nomination as Favorite Tour Headliner in the People’s Choice Awards 2012.

Kicking off in 2011, it has a total of 122 shows all over Europe, Australia, Japan, South America and North America. For 2012, Manila is one of the only two Asian stops—the other one being Indonesia on Jan. 19—and as per reports, the tour wraps up here in the Philippines.

For her fans, the “Firework” singer, promises the show would be a spectacle that would “engage all of your senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch.” So, Pinoy fans can naturally expect a visual and aural feast for which Katy has come to be known, an all-around vibrant and fun experience and perhaps a giant sing-along to boot!

Kick start your 2012 with your candy dreams and catch Katy Perry’s California Dreams Tour LIVE IN Manila, presented by SMART, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds.

source: mb.com.ph