Melody Plant

Mariah Carey is used to all things fancy so it should come as no surprise that even a trip to the tacky Magic Mountain is still going to get touches of her diva personality. An inside source has revealed some details that went down at the diva’s wedding party, namely when it came to the bathrooms. Mariah had her own private potty to piss in with guards right outside the bathroom. If the diva has to be comfy, the guests have to be too. The boys’ room had tissues, a cup full of gum and even a candle while the ladies’ room had pink mats, gum, Listerine and a basket full of hairspray. The newlyweds were also said to be driven around the theme park in a gold cart with Mariah being followed by a hairstylist and makeup artist.

Kylie Minogue has asked Jean Paul Gaultier to design the outfits for her upcoming tour.

The renowned French designer has already met with the ‘2 Hearts’ singer, who kicks off her European tour ‘KylieX2008′ in Paris on May 6, to show her his “sophisticated” vision for her stage wardrobe.

Kylie’s designer friend William Barker revealed: “We’re working with Jean Paul Gaultier on the costumes.The outfits are incredibly sophisticated - we are moving on to the next level, which is what she did with her new album ‘X’.”

Kylie wants Jean Paul - who was behind Madonna’s show-stopping outfits for her infamous ‘Blonde Ambition Tour’ in 1990 - to create her a collection of outfits that reflect a more mature stage in her life as she is turning 40 in May.

If you want to a preview of just what to expect on Paula Abdul’s pre-taped Super Bowl performance on Sunday, a couple of fans have decided to provide some spoilers and personal experiences after watching her taping. The reviews are pretty confusing. Some say it was bad while some say that she was just as good as she was at the peak of her singing career.

Fans say that it took a long time for security to let people in. Paula was said to have done 3 takes. The performance included her being lifted into the air by some hot hunks, a drum line and even cheerleaders. Some say she also had some hot moves to show off. However, she was lip synching. What did you expect?

Ever since Britney’s crazy episode on January 4th, her exhusband Kevin Federline has had sole custody of the couple’s two sons. Court today may change that and allow very restricted visitation. How is it affecting her boys?

Inside sources say that neither boy has even asked for her once during the 9 days. KFed has kept them close and been with them full-time, not even allowing Britney to talk to them on the phone until he knows they are ok. A source says, “The boys are doing fantastic.”

We’ll see how the story progresses and what she gets after her court visit.

The girlfriend of Kaiser Chiefs front man Ricky Wilson is in a panic because he has become pals with Kylie Minogue. The reason behind this panic is because they have an agreement that he is allowed one “celebrity shag”; and his choice is Kylie.

Ricky and Kylie hit it off after meeting twice recently, including at Jools Holland’s Hootenanny on New Year’s Eve. And both are performing at the Brits next month - giving Ricky another chance to try his luck.

He admitted at the Brits nomination bash on Monday that the first album he ever bought was by Kylie. Then he revealed: “My girlfriend Storm agreed I’m allowed one celebrity shag and mine is Kylie.”

I think stardom might be going to his head if he thinks he can pull that one off.

And when asked who his bird’s celebrity shag was, he said: “Me, of course.”

Modesty indeed.

Hilary Duff made a big no-no for singers recently. At a concert in Mexico this past weekend, the singer/actress began singing into the microphone while it was still turned off. Her ‘backing track’ came on later and it was all good.

The video has already been posted on YouTube and you can check it out. There’s an obvious delay between her opening her mouth and “singing” and the track coming on. At the very least she didn’t do a monkey dance. That would have made the whole thing really obvious. She would have been booed offstage much like Ashlee Simpson was back in her SNL snafu.

Parents who shelled out hundreds of dollars for their girls to see Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus are in an uproar over a possible Miley/Hannah imposter.

According to concert goers, there is a point in the show where Hannah Montana is surrounded by her dancers and then covered with a black sheet. She then slips out a stage door and reenters through a different door. Thing is, it isn’t the real Hannah Montana that comes back.

Instead, according to OK! magazine, a body double comes in while Miley does a costume change. Many who paid high dollar for the concert are upset because they believe they were taken advantage of and treated like fools.

Hannah Montana may lose some fanas.

If only Mariah Carey wasn’t on vacation in Aspen. I’m sure she would have had a mental breakdown when she heard just how one of her songs got murdered. And by someone the whole country adores too!

Miley Cyrus did the worst cover of ‘All I Want for Christmas’ on Disney’s ABC parade special. It was just awful. I can’t believe she could do that to Mariah… and us! At the very least, the Jonas Brothers did a lovely performance of ‘Girl of My Dreams’. It was lipsynched though. But it was still better than practically killing off the Christmas spirit!

Mom-to-be Lily Allen and her Chemical Brothers boyfriend Ed Simons were spotted doing some last minute Christmas shopping in Notting Hill in London on Wednesday. The Sun was first to report that the British singer was pregnant and she recently just announced that she IS pregnant with her first child.

Lily’s rep released a statement on Wednesday saying “I am pleased to confirm that Lily Allen and her boyfriend, Ed Simons, are expecting their first child. However, as the pregnancy is at a very, very early stage, the couple ask that you respect their privacy, as the health of Lily and their child is their paramount concern.”

Recent rumors are swirling around in the hip hop world that rapper Remy Ma has had some female relations in the past. And no, it’s not a reference to cousins or whatever. The rumor mill really got going when a woman’s video confession popped up on YouTube. The video has the woman claiming that she had a sexual experience with the aforementioned rapper.

Remy is refuting the claims but her publicist still felt the need to issue an official statement to clear up the sexual confusion. I’m not going to quote it because frankly, I don’t care. It’s not like a lesbian rapper is unheard of.

The Jonas Brothers have really hit the big time. The musical trio of brothers Kevin, Nick and Joe were seen attending the 2007 Jingle Ball pre-event at The Hammerstein Ballroom on Friday in New York City.

Another mark of their success is that they were recently announced to be performers during ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Even 2008’ along with Carrie Underwood and Miley Cyrus. They will have live performances from Times Square with the show airing on Monday, December 31 on ABC. What a hot way to rock in the New Year – an American Idol and two big names from Disney.

Music legend Ike Turner has died. He apparently died in his home in San Marcos, California which is just outside of San Diego. He was married four times, most famously to Tina Turner whom he got divorced with in 1978 amidst his constant abuse towards her. Regardless, the singing duo had 7 top ten R&B songs. Ike is survived by his four known children, Ike Jr., Michael, Ronald and Mia.

The Recording Academy issued a statement regarding Turner’s passing saying “There is no doubt that Ike Turner was one of rock and roll’s great architects with his genre-defying sound as an instrumentalist and bandleader … As a two-time GRAMMY® Award winner and recipient of The Recording Academy’s 2004 Heroes Award, Ike’s legacy as a groundbreaking pioneer in the music industry will never be forgotten.”

Well we are familiar with celebs having interesting or dangerous hobbies. Only yesterday did I comment on KT Tunstall’s love of rock climbing despite worrying about losing limbs in the process. And now soldier boy James Blunt joins the masses and reveals his love for the Swiss Slopes.

Hmm something tells me it’s not the skiing James loves though. Famed for his womanising ways, it is rumoured that the ‘You’re Beautiful’ singer took the virginity of hundreds of chalet girls at his favourite resort in Switzerland. And to top it off; his conquests are proudly wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “James Blunt Took my Virginity”.

Blunt is typically male and very proud of his reputation, saying: “I once found myself in a swimming pool in Los Angeles with nine naked models and I was the only bloke. I’d like to think any woman I have known has enjoyed being with me.”

Yes but how much is really true James?

Avril Lavigne went to a great low when she had a free concert in Canada this past weekend for the opening of a Best Buy. The only thing that gets lower than that is if it happened to be a disaster – which it was!

A fan turned non-fan said that the show was a joke especially after Avril showed up nearly two hours late while her fans stayed out in the freezing cold and snow just to see her outdoor concert. The show was scheduled to start at 1PM but an announcement came at 1:50PM that she was only to arrive in 15 minutes. Shame on her!

Well we were all a bit dubious from the start. Chantelle and Preston were the hot on-screen Big Brother couple; but no-body expected it to really last. And it seems we were right on the button. After only 10 months the pair have been granted a quickie divorce on the grounds of his ‘unreasonable behaviour’.

The Ordinary Boys singer has also reunited with ex-fiancée Camille Aznar. In response Chantelle has said “It worries me that he’s got back together with Camille because it makes me think that our relationship was a complete lie. I think maybe he just went out with me because of what was going on around us at the time. So was it a lie? I can’t help but think that.”

Well duh! But it’s ok boys, not only is Chantelle now once again on the market she also has new – huge – 32DD boobs to boot. Blimey that’s an enlargement and a half. To make up for lack of brains I suppose?

Another celebrity baby has been born. A fat and healthy baby boy just entered Usher’s life, as his fresh wife gave birth.

The couple is thriving with joy, and Usher is content with his new found fatherhood. His wife, Tameka Foster, has already 3 children, this is her fourth. A late child for Tameka as she is already 37 years old, in contrast with the young singer who is only 29.

Their whole marriage is wrapped in mystery and no one really know if they got married just because he was pregnant or if the couple really intend of spending their lives tighter. That is for us to see and maybe comment on in the future, for now let’s all welcome usher’s new baby boy.

Lily Allen was recently asked on what she wants to do if and when she decides to quit being a singer and leave the music scene completely.

She said, “I’d like to live in the country and have chickens and pigs. It’s a great job but it doesn’t leave time for what’s important - like having a family. I’m going to do one more album. I just want to make some money - maybe I could retire at 25.”

Let’s just take it for what it’s worth. This Lily that says she wants pigs is the same one that says she’s changed yet still manages to bash Victoria Beckham.

Spice Girls mania is alive and kicking in the US, a little quiet in the UK and close to dead in South America. The girls have cancelled the only announced concert in South America. They sent an email to fans that had already signed up for tickets to the Buenos Aires show in explanation.

They say that due to their solo projects and family obligations, they are unable to extend the tour and that the Buenos Aires date is one that they are finding hard to fit into their schedules. As some sort of consolation, the girls will be holding contests for South American fans. The prize of which is a trip to London, flight and accommodations taken care of, to watch one of their shows.

Kylie has released her 10th studio album with more confidence than ever. And she has scooted off to Germany to promote it.

The miniature singer, most recently in the news for being humiliated by a saucy statue created by Madame Tussauds, was cleared last year of the horrible disease; Breast Cancer, which knocked her down in 2005.

And now as she promotes her new album X, she says, “I think it’s not so difficult to write a decent song but to write a great song is a difficult thing. I like the challenge of trying to find that and at the very least, writing something that I enjoy singing and all people love. It took me a number of years to find my confidence to do that but now it’s just part of me.”

What a trooper. I remember listening to Kylie when I was a kid and she is still going strong; with the right attitude and music that pleases the new generations as the times move on. You go girl!

Whoever said that reality TV stars and alums can’t make it big in the real world should really start eating their words now. But in the case of American Idol alums Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry, was there ever really any doubt?

The two singers won big at the 2007 American Music Awards by picking up three awards each. Carrie won for Favorite Female Country Artist, Favorite Country Album for ‘Some Hearts’ and the Audience Text-in Award for Favorite Artist just days after winning big at the Country Music Association Awards. Chris Daughtry and his band took home Breakthrough Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Album and Favorite Contemporary Artist.

Congrats to both!

It just goes to show that you can never be too young to be successful. The Jonas Brothers’ debut disc, ‘Jonas Brothers’ under Hollywood Records has now officially gone gold by selling over 500,000 copies.

15-year old Nick, 18-year old Joe and 20-year old Kevin are definitely headed for the big time as they’re now appearing with big time artists and even performing on big time shows. On Tuesday, the pop rock group of brothers joined Alicia Keys on TRL. And come Sunday, November 18, the rest of the world can see them perform at the 2007 American Music Awards.

Pop wreck Britney Spears has become so unreliable that her video shoot for ‘Piece of Me’ has been canceled. The video production team had already prepared for a no-show by Britney and hired a stand in during rehearsals–and possibly for the actual shoot itself. yeah I don’t believe her camp neither…especially since they gave 100 excuses why she failed the drug test and none of them could be the closest to the truth. We all know that Britney is not working these days all she is involved in is her custody case and that’s on top of her agenda right now. Whether she manages to win the custody or part custody or visiting rights does not matter at all. She has been reported to driving with the kids time and again and breaking rules at will. SO if she cancels a video shoot is not at all a surprise to me. When she will be able to come out this wreck situation is not one that we all can sit and predict. Her album is doing well but she not.

Some say she isn’t, others say she is. But for the umpteenth time, Rihanna squashed rumors that she’s dating actor Josh Hartnett.

A fake quote came out a while ago at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo that Rihanna admitted to being with Josh and that she is very much in love with him. But Rihanna has gone on the record saying “That is completely incorrect. People quote me on things that I never said. That quote is not a real quote. It’s not right at all.” If you read between the lines, she’s saying that she’s single. There’s hope for all those still lusting for her.

Just days after a video of him leaked showing him shooting up on heroin, and even fewer days of him saying that he was going back to rehab, Pete Doherty was spotted out and about on Saturday. That’s right, you heard it. He’s NOT in rehab.

The rocker who’s been given too many chances already showed up to a court in London on Saturday to lend some ‘moral support’ to Amy Winehouse whose husband got arrested for allegedly trying to fix a trial.

I highly doubt she needs that kind of support from that kind of person Pete. But I do believe both of them need to go to rehab.

Tori Amos recently had a concert in Chicago this week and everyone that left the concert could only talk about one thing: her performance of the song ‘Me and a Gun’. It’s the seminal song off her debut album that talks about rape.

Tori dressed up as her ‘Pip’ character and performed the usually acapella song with her full band. At the end of the song, she even brought out some props in the form of a gun and a knife. That’s some heavy stuff right there.

On a lighter note, the singer debuted the song ‘Raspberry Swirl’ for the first time on her current tour. It’s the first time she performed that song in years.

Pony Up! are an all-female four piece hailing out of Montreal, Canada. They apparently formed on New Year’s Eve 2002 and since then have been busy touring Australia, North America, and now the United Kingdom.
Perhaps there is something special here then that did not reveal itself on the night. Perhaps it was just the bad P.A. system that made them sound boring, nervous and not particularly interesting to watch or listen to.
To be fair to the girls, every now and then you do hear a lot of potential in their playing, and they do have a few decent songs. The only problem seems to be that because they are quite a novelty in the world of rock ‘n’ roll, a girl band who are not pop - it seems that perhaps they have been let off more easily than their male counterparts would be. Sleater-Kinney they are not, though they seem to be compared to them quite often. Another part of the ‘not enough girls with guitars’ problem one must assume.
The only ray of sunshine in the band was guitarist Sarah Moundroukas who seemed to be a very talented performer. Any time she took up the reins of a song, the interest of the crowd seemed to perk up just a little bit more than usual.
Perhaps if she were the lead singer in the group the whole quality of the band would be much better. Sadly the real lead vocalist Laura Wills seems to enjoy being the centre of attention far too much for that to ever happen, even if she cannot sing very well.

Singers need more than the spotlight though, and even ones who have sold over 200 million albums still want to feel like they have something to offer. So she’s left the lights of Vegas behind, stepped back into the real world and in fairness to her, brought along a clutch of songs that actually may change a few people’s opinion.

Amongst the list of luminaries who twiddle a knob, knock out a lyric or strum a guitar for her are the all-conquering Timbaland, king of R’n’B balladry R Kelly, ex-Evanescence axe wielder Ben Moody, Christina Aguilera and Pink co-writer Linda Perry… and the always entertaining Dave Stewart, whose influence stretches so far that there’s even a lyrical snip of The Eurythemics’ “Here Comes The Rain Again” woven into the title track.

The highlights are two very different songs. In the power ballad corner, she shows off her larynx with a belting take on Heart’s endless queen of soft rock, “Alone”. Up against it for the title is the more contemporary “Shadow Of Love”, a song with enough disco and fun for Kylie to sing it.

Taking Chances doesn’t quite do what the title suggests, but it does push Celine Dion to the edge of her comfort zone and show an artist who not only wants to remain relevant but is prepared to work hard to stay that way.

Sad news for those that have been looking forward to seeing Kylie Minogue in concert. The Australian singer has nixed plans for a world tour next year.

Kylie recently overcame a battle with breast cancer so it’s understandable that she’s concerned that the rigors of touring would take too much of a toll on her health. On the advice of her doctors, she has decided that she will not go on the road.

Kylie has released a statement regarding the matter saying “The tour is not going to happen, it is far too soon. I can’t do it next year. It kind of breaks my heart because that is what I’m in this business for. Not being able to go ahead with my plans is a real downer. Every woman has to face up to new priorities, near the top is health. I take my health very seriously but not obsessively. Everything is about pacing yourself.”

British pop singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield made a huge splash as a new artist in late 2005 and early 2006. Her first two singles, “These Words” and “Unwritten” crackled with energy and wit that seemed to signal a unique pop talent was emerging. However, following up such an auspicious beginning has been a difficult task for Bedingfield. “I Wanna Have Your Babies,” the first single from her second album N.B., peaked at a relatively disappointing #7 in the UK in the spring of 2007 causing Epic Records to delay release of a single in the US. 6 months later “Love Like This” is being promoted as the first American single from the album.

Where Natasha Bedingfield’s first hits inspired with their words of self-awareness and personal encouragement, “Love Like This” is a somewhat dull, breezy, simplistic dissertation on romance between long-term friends. It would be very easy for this single to get lost amid more unique or challenging pop songs. Natasha Bedingfield sounds like just another pop singer here. Uniqueness and the ability to stand out are lacking.

In a clear effort to give the song a pop boost, Sean Kingston is brought in for a brief featured part. This vocal serves no purpose other than providing an extra element for the single’s marketing campaign. Natasha Bedingfield needs to step up her game if she will avoid losing a significant part of her initial pop audience.

We’ve heard from the two Mels otherwise known as Sporty and Scary Spice, now it’s time to hear from Emma otherwise known as Baby Spice. Emma is the latest Spice Girl to blog on their official website.

In her entry, she talked about finally being in LA, how her son Beau was and the mad rush of paparazzi that greeted her when she arrived. She also talked about her excitement over the rehearsals and the tour itself. She even gushed about the merchandise they were going to put out which even includes some baby bits that she wants to get for Beau.