 Nicki Minaj and her 90's style puffed hat jetted in Australia today as she kicks off her Roman Reloaded world tour. Check the pics of her causing a stir in Sydney and her sold out concert...  Ahead of tonight's big concert at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, Nicki and her cheetah rain boots got bombarded with her fans at the airport several hours ago:    And of course, SB was right there too. Since Sydney is several hours ahead of the US, the concert already went down. And it was sold out. Nicki tweeted:  Omfg!!!!! Sydney, Australia was thee most amazing crowd ever tonite!!!!!! Thank u guys soooooo much!!!!!!!! Mmmuuuaaahhhh!!!!! Nicki's second stop will be Melbourne this Friday. Then off to Japan! Pics via INF/Fame Source: http://theybf.com/2012/05/16/jet-setter-nicki-minaj-causes-ruckus-in-australia-for-roman-reloaded-tour Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell 'You will always remember where you were ... when you heard the news,' Simon Cowell says, echoing the sentiments after Jackson's death. By Tomika L. Anderson <P>Few people will forget where they were when they heard that the King of Pop, <a href="/news/articles/1614744/michael-jackson-dies-at-50.jhtml">Michael Jackson, had died</a> in June 2009. And now, the same can be said for 1980s and '90s <a href="/news/articles/1679029/whitney-houston-dead.jhtml">Queen of Pop Whitney Houston</a>.</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Celebrities React To Whitney Houston's Passing" id="vid:733106.id:1679030" width="240" height="211"></div><p></P><P>The beloved, long-suffering singer died Saturday inside a Beverly Hills hotel room, hours before she was expected to attend a <a href="/news/articles/1679046/whitney-houston-dies-grammys-clive-davis.jhtml">pre-Grammy Awards party thrown by her longtime mentor Clive Davis</a>.</P><P>And while the official cause of death is yet unknown — what's been speculated so far is that <a href="/news/articles/1679049/whitney-houston-dies-details.jhtml">Houston may have drowned</a> in the bathtub after taking prescription drugs, including Xanax — given her very public struggle with substance abuse, depression and anxiety over the past decade, it's hard not to conclude that some drug- or alcohol-related accident may have been to blame.</P><P>It's much like, most recently, British singer Amy Winehouse and the late, great Michael Jackson before her, who died after taking a fatal cocktail of propofol and two other drugs. Also like Jackson, Houston's sudden death — at the age of 48 — has stopped the world in its tracks, an enormous, one-of-a-kind musical flame forever extinguished.</P><P>Even Jackson's brother, Jermaine — who was first introduced to Houston years ago by Clive Davis at the same Beverly Hills Hilton where the singer passed away — could not help but draw the comparison. In an interview with CNN overnight, he paid tribute to the two fallen musical giants. "They shared a lot of success in the late '80s and they were great friends," he said. "I'm happy and honored to have been a part of their lives."</P><P>And oh, what lives they led: Like Jackson — who died at just 50 years old, after years of struggling with personal demons — Houston, too, had an intensely profound and everlasting impact on the world of entertainment.</P><P>Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and countless other chart-topping entertainers have all name-checked her as their musical mentor, icon and inspiration: To date, she is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with more than 170 million albums, songs and videos sold.</P><P>In her lifetime, Houston achieved what precious few of them have or ever will — stacking an astonishing 415 awards, including six Grammys, two Emmys, 22 American Music Awards, 30 <i>Billboard</i> Awards.</P><P>Her voice, in its prime, was a national treasure.</P><P>"X Factor" mastermind Simon Cowell may have summed it up the best: On "Piers Morgan Tonight," he said, "She was one of the greatest voices in our lifetime. Whitney was the number one singer that other singers want to emulate. People like that can't be manufactured. They've either got, it or they don't."</P><P>He added, "You will always remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news."</P><P>Like Michael before her, gone too soon.</P><P><center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:733107/cp~id%3D1679030%26vid%3D733107%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A733107%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center></P><P><b>MTV News' Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys/">Grammys</a> red carpet tonight starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music's biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch reactions and remembrances at MTV.com.</b></P><P><I>Share your condolences with Whitney's family and friends on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mtvnews/posts/381732435187118&rdquo" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page.</I></p> Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1679054/whitney-houston-dead-michael-jackson.jhtml Anna Faris Anna Friel Anna Kournikova Above the Buzz pays homage to Queen B after the singer pens a few heartfelt letters to her own idols. By Jocelyn Vena <P>These days, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/knowles_beyonce/artist.jhtml">Beyoncé</a> is breaking down her personal "fourth wall," letting fans into her life more and more, after living as a pop-star enigma for more than a decade.</P><P>She recently re-launched her website, began tweeting, <a href="/news/articles/1682565/beyonce-tumblr-personal-pics.jhtml">started a personal Tumblr</a> account and even <a href="/news/articles/1683546/beyonce-skypes-remix-contest.jhtml">Skyped with a contest winner</a> this week after her "End of Time" remix competition.</P><P>Somewhere in there, Blue Ivy's mama found the time to handwrite letters to several famous people and post them on her site. She <a href="http://www.beyonce.com/news/michelle-obama" target="_blank">shared</a> her warm, fuzzy feelings for some key figures, including First Lady Michelle Obama, the late New York artist <a href="http://www.beyonce.com/news/basquiat" target="_blank">Jean-Michel Basquiat</a> and <a href="http://www.beyonce.com/news/sade" target="_blank">R&B star Sade </a>. In honor of that, I decided to turn this week's <i>Above the Buzz</i> into a letter to Beyoncé, in the key of B, of course.</P><P><CENTER><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:724613/cp~name%3Dnews%26id%3D1676907%26vid%3D724613%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A724613" width="430" height="242" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></CENTER></P><P><i>Dear Beyoncé,<br> First off, I just want to say "Hey Girl!" You're truly an inspiration to girls everywhere. You represent ladies in a great way, what with your girl power anthems and messages of female independence.</P><P>And it seems these days, in spite of how busy you are, you're focused on <a href="http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/04/19/beyonce-back-to-school-new-york/">heading back to school</a>. Education is a really awesome message to spread to all the young women out there. Stay in school kids, right, B?</P><P>Next, I just want to let you know that I am still into <a href="/news/articles/1665479/beyonce-4-leak.jhtml"></i>4.<i></a> It's a pretty great album to just leave on repeat while I'm at work or just living life. I mean, those are some <i>jams</i> on there. And, not to quote you or anything, but you shared with Sade that her music helps you get through times, good and bad — well, back at you.</P><P>Also, you've been rocking some awesome street style recently. Those "cat" flats you donned a few weeks back have me dreaming of kitschy, animal-themed couture every night. I can only imagine the kind of crazy looks you are planning for the string of shows you have lined up <link type="content" id="1681308">next month in Atlantic City. I assume my tickets are in the mail?</P><P>Anyway, I don't want to take up too much of your time. I know you're busy being a mom and working on new music and probably prepping for your show and all, but if you and Jay-Z can make the time, I think I can pencil you guys in for dinner or whatever. I'm cool with wherever you guys pick. You know me, pretty easy-going and all. Alright then, talk to you later.</P><P>Your girl,<br> Jocelyn</i></P><P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1617615"><img src="http://www.mtv.com/news/photos/s/spotted/banner/spotted.jpg"></a></p> Related Videos Related Artists Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1683574/beyonce-personal-life.jhtml Angelina Jolie Anna Faris Anna Friel She's just been named the most powerful female celebrity by Forbes magazine while slated to begin a world tour and her new film hits theaters this Friday, but now it appears as if Jennifer Lopez is backing out of her position as judge on "American Idol." After two consecutive seasons as judge, Lopez - who flaunted her fabulous 42-year-old swimsuit figure for the June 2012 issue of Vogue magazine - first hinted at not returning for another season on a recent episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," saying, "I don't know if I can go for a third year. I miss doing other things. It really does lock you down." However, now sources close to the music superstar say the rumor is true, explaining, "There is just too much going on for her right now," adding, "she regrets she can't stay on the show, it's been an incredible experience and she is forever grateful that she did it." Though the "What To Expect When You're Expecting" beauty has not officially confirmed the news herself, "American Idol" executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe, tells TMZ, they want her to stay, saying, "We want her back. I want her back," adding, "I know how much she loves doing the show and how much she cares for the kids." That said, Nigel finished by stating, "It's a business. She has to weigh everything. I know she's gotten lots of offers to do movies and other things." Now that her return is up in the air, let the multimillion dollar negotiations begin! Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/jennifer-lopez/swimsuit-sexy-jennifer-lopez-backing-out-american-idol-642217 Ciara Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Tia Mowry-Hardrict stopped by "WENDY" earlier to promote her new book "Oh, Baby!" and to dish on being a mother. Get the deets inside....  Tia Mowry-Hardrict stopped by "WENDY" today with her son, 10-month-old Cree this morning. She joked that he pooped on the way to the show so they were a little late. She dished with Wendy about her first Mother's Day saying she spent it at the spa getting a facial and then having dinner with her 33-year-old husband Cory and Cree. They also chatted about twin sister Tamera being pregnant. Tia said she "guessed" the pregnancy because Tamera wasn't drinking wine and threw up in the car while they were shooting their reality show in Utah. And she added that this season, their reality show "Tia & Tamera" will be about Tia balancing being a working mom and Tamera living in 2 places (in Napa Valley with her husband and working in LA). When talking about breastfeeding and the TIME Magazine cover, she said she did it with Cree for 3 months but thinks at a certain point children should should move off the nipple....like when they have teeth! So what has she learned about motherhood and pregnancy? She revealed that it increased her sex drive, but her husband Cory was not on board because he says it felt like they were haivng a threesome! She also added that she urinated when she laughed and had uncontrollable gas! Tia later answered questions from pregnant women in the audience. She dished on cute "mommy" clothes saying she loved maxi dresses and blazers. She later cautioned that you should stay away from big earrings that the baby will pull on. An audience member also asked her about C-sections and she said the benefit is that it leaves you with a tight vajayjay but you will need additional help after delivery becausde of your recovery time.   Looking good Tia! Source: http://theybf.com/2012/05/15/tv-fab-tia-mowry-hardrict-dishes-to-wendy-about-her-tight-vajayjay-sex-drive-and-gas Emma Heming Emma Stone Emma Watson For Mother Monster's big day, here's an A-to-Z guide for all things Gaga. By Vaughn Trudeau Schoonmaker <P><a href="/music/artist/lady_gaga/artist.jhtml">Lady Gaga</a> turned 26 years young on Wednesday (March 28), and to help celebrate, MTV News drew up a handy A-to-Z guide touching on some of the most exciting things to come from Mother Monster. Read on and share your birthday wishes for the pop princess!<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>A:</b></span> April 27. On that day, Gaga will launch what's sure to be one of the year's most spectacular spectacles at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea, which brings us to ...<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>B:</b></span> ... <a href="/news/articles/1658379/lady-gaga-atlantic-city.jhtml"><i>Born This Way</i> Ball</a>! We were there when Gaga announced the name of the tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey, last year, and it has been hinted that we can expect an <a href="/news/articles/1675649/lady-gaga-born-this-way-tour.jhtml">"electro pop opera."</a> She had us at "opera."<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>C:</b></span> Castle. Mother Monster tweeted an image of the <a href="/news/articles/1678676/lady-gaga-born-this-way-stage.jhtml">stage design</a> for the tour, and the elaborate gothic castle has us excited.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>D:</b></span> "Dark." Gaga's former creative director, Laurieann Gibson, opened up just last week about why she parted ways with the pop star, telling <a href="http://www.etonline.com/music/120256_Lady_Gaga_s_Former_Choreographer_Laurieann_Gibson_Details_Split/index.html" target="_blank">"ET Canada"</a> that Gaga's ideas "got a little dark for me creatively."<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>E:</b></span> <a href="/news/articles/1674731/lady-gaga-elton-john-duet.jhtml">Elton John</a>. The godmother to John's adopted son, Gaga has teased a duet with the "Rocket Man" singer for her next album.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>F:</b></span> <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/717202/lady-gaga-has-the-title-and-concept-for-her-next-album.jhtml">Fernando Garibay</a>. The musical director behind <i>Born This Way</i> told MTV News that the new album already has a title and concept.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>G:</b></span> Gothic. Veils, brooches and lots of black: Gaga has adopted a gothic theme for her tour, but also in her fashion choices.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>H:</b></span> "Heavy Metal Lover." This jam has been begging for radio play; at the very least, the <i>BTW</i> cut should make it to the tour set list.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>I:</b></span> Inez & Vinoodh. The Dutch photography duo were heavily involved in the spectacle surrounding Gaga's "Yoü and I" video, crafting awesome fashion clips after the official music video.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>J:</b></span> Joanne. Lady Gaga's parents recently opened this Italian trattoria, named for Gaga's late aunt, on New York City's Upper West Side.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>K:</b></span> Kinney, as in Taylor Kinney. The beautiful man who played Gaga's love interest in the "Yoü and I" video is rumored to be her real-life love interest too.<br><br> <span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>L:</b></span> Luc Carl. Gaga must still be on good terms with her ex-BF, because she recently tweeted a shout-out to him when he published his new book, "The Drunk Diet."<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>M:</b></span> Monster Pit. The special enclosed space within the <i>Born This Way</i> Ball stage where lucky Monsters who line up for hours, even days, before the show will be able to take in the concerts.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>N:</b></span> Nicola Formichetti. The singer's new creative director will be her co-HBIC for the foreseeable future.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>O:</b></span> Oprah. The talk-show queen is Gaga's new BFF, pretty much. She even tapped the OWN network boss to interview her not long after they launched Gaga's anti-bullying-focused <a href="/news/articles/1681289/lady-gaga-oprah.jhtml">Born This Way Foundation</a> together.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>P:</b></span> Piano. One of the best parts of the Monster Ball was when Gaga would slow things down, chatting with the crowd and showing off her raw talent at the piano.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Q:</b></span> Quinceañera. Gaga's one-word Twitter response to a Little Monster who asked how she would celebrate her 26th birthday this year, never mind that it's the kind of party reserved for 15-year-olds. They grow up so fast.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>R:</b></span> Red Wine. Widely known to be Mother Monster's alcoholic beverage of choice, alongside whiskey and beer.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>S:</b></span> "Stuck on F---in' You." This unreleased and unedited track was leaked by Gaga herself as a Christmas gift to her Little Monsters. She recorded the naughty song on her tour bus last go-round. Can we get another?<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>T:</b></span> Tea. Gaga's non-alcoholic beverage of choice, about which she recently tweeted a lesson she learned: #KettlesAreForTeaNotFashion.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>U:</b></span> Unicorns. The mythical creatures may not exist, but Gaga swoons for them, and why not? Fantasy is as important to her as reality.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>V:</b></span> Video Music Awards. Is it too early to begin the campaign for her to blow our minds again at the 2012 VMAs? We'd even settle for <a href="http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/686557/the-born-this-way-vma-win-means-the-most-to-lady-gaga.jhtml#id=1669870">Jo Calderone</a> again.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>W:</b></span> Wigs. Her supply is never-ending and will likely continue to fascinate us right on through her 26th year.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>X:</b></span> <a href="http://www.ladygagaxterryrichardsonthebook.com" target="_blank">"Lady Gaga X Terry Richardson."</a> Amazing photo book. Seriously, check it out.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Y:</b></span> Yuyi. Will the mermaid join Gaga on tour this year? As long as the tour bus is sea-creature-friendly.<br><br></P><P><span style="float:left;color:#000000;font-size:36px;line-height:35px;padding-top:3px; padding-right:3px;font-family: Helvetica;"><b>Z:</b></span> Z100 Jingle Ball. In December, Gaga performed a short-but-captivating set at New York City's Madison Square Garden that gave us a peek at what's to come on the <i>Born This Way</i> Ball.</p> Related Photos Related Artists Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1681920/lady-gaga-26-birthday-letters.jhtml Halle Berry Hayden Panettiere Haylie Duff With Simon Cowell rumored to be courting a raft of pop princesses for season two, we grade the judges-to-be. By James Montgomery <P>By now, we're all aware that Simon Cowell is reloading. After largely firing blanks on the first season of "The X Factor," he cleared the chamber — casting off <a href="/news/articles/1678191/paula-abdul-exits-x-factor.jhtml">judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger</a> (not to mention host Steve Jones) — and is now in the process of lining up a collection of high-profile, hollow-point replacements with which to take down the competition.</P><P>Of course, just <i>who</i> Cowell ends up nabbing seems to be a matter of some speculation: His <a href="/news/articles/1682881/britney-spears-x-factor-deal.jhtml">$15 million deal with Britney Spears</a> appeared to be a near certainty, but in the weeks since it was first reported, there's been no movement. And now come rumors that he's courting the likes of <a href="/news/articles/1684289/demi-lovato-x-factor-judge-miley-cyrus.jhtml">Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne</a> to join the "X Factor" team. Are those names just part of a shrewd ploy from Cowell to get Spears to relent on her reported contract demands and insistences on "various perks"? Or is he truly determined to assemble an all-star lineup for the "Factor"? Really, your guess is as good as ours.</P><P><center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:632232/cp~vid%3D632232%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A632232" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="."></embed></center></P><P>Needless to say, we're not sure <i>who</i> will be joining the "X Factor" panel when the show returns later this year (though we suspect Fox may shed some light on the matter at an upfront event for ad buyers on May 14). So, in the meantime, we're just going to take a look at <i>all</i> of the potential judges, comparing their strengths and weaknesses in an attempt to help Cowell put together a potential Murderer's Row. Because we <i>want</i> the "X Factor" to succeed ... lord knows we don't have enough singing competitions on TV at the moment.</P><P>Here's our no-holds-barred scouting report for each of the "X Factor" hopefuls:</P><P><big><b>Britney Spears</b></big><br> <b>Strengths</b>: Spears would instantly become the most famous judge on <i>any</i> U.S. singing competition (sorry Xtina!), therefore automatically raising the profile of a show in desperate need of a good boost. It's the rare combination of both a "career" and a "contemporary" artist, giving the show an answer to "Idol" 's Steven Tyler/ J. Lo combination <i>and</i> the four-headed monster of Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo and Blake Shelton on "The Voice." As a bonus, she would also fill the "rambling" slot vacated by Abdul, not to mention the "thousand-mile stare" void left when Scherzinger got the boot.</P><P><b>Weaknesses</b>: <link type="content" id="1579025">It's Britney</i>: Live TV may not exactly suit her.</P><P><big><b>Demi Lovato</b></big><br> <b>Strengths</b>: At just 19 years old, Lovato would give Cowell an in-road to the younger, Disney-fied demographic he so desperately craves. Can definitely sing (check her terrific tear-jerker <link type="content" id="1667271">"Skyscraper"</link> for proof), which automatically puts her ahead of something like 90 percent of her singing-competition contemporaries. Has the kind of <a href="/news/articles/1651297/demi-lovato-enters-treatment-center-leaves-tour.jhtml">harrowing backstory</a> that would automatically shut down any hard-luck contestants looking for a few pity points.</P><P><b>Weaknesses</b>: Older viewers might confuse her with Selena Gomez. Could also forget where she is, accidentally reenact that one episode of "Sonny with a Chance" when she's framed for stealing a necklace and subsequently fires a cheese cannon.</P><P><big><b>Miley Cyrus</b></big><BR> <b>Strengths</b>: An established star (with a <a href="/news/articles/1653979/miley-cyrus-caught-smoking-from-bong-on-video.jhtml">slightly checkered past</a>), which would give "X Factor" the kind of constant tabloid attention it failed to generate in season one. Has proven on songs like "The Climb" and her recent cover of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" that she's actually got a great voice, which, like Lovato, puts her in rarefied air. Could also use the show as a way of launching the next phase of her career, which would be mutually beneficial and might just spawn something like the certified "Voice" smash "Moves Like Jagger."</P><P><b>Weaknesses</b>: May currently be better known for her paparazzi coverage than her actual music. Might take another hit of salvia and confuse every male contestant with Liam.</P><P><big><b>Avril Lavigne</b></big><br> <b>Strengths</b>: Has been at it for a while now, has more genuine hits than anyone except Spears. She's also got <a href="/news/articles/1620572/avril-lavigne-guest-judge-idol-la.jhtml">previous judging experience</a> and seems to be genuinely concerned with her artistic integrity. And although her <i>Goodbye Lullaby</i> album didn't match the commercial heights of her previous efforts, you can't fault her for aiming high.</P><P><b>Weaknesses</b>: Preternaturally appears to be 14 years old. May always wear a hoodie during shows. Is constantly making the "sucking a lemon" face. Doesn't exactly strike us as a <i>people</i> person.</P><P><i>Sound off with your picks for "X Factor" judges in the comments below!</i></P><P><a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1617615"><img src="http://www.mtv.com/news/photos/s/spotted/banner/spotted.jpg"></a></p> Related Videos Related Artists Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1684320/x-factor-judges-miley-cyrus-britney-spears.jhtml Gina Gershon Gina Philips Gisele Bündchen R&B superstar will also debut exclusive 'Climax' and 'Scream' performance footage during 'MTV First: Usher,' airing at 7:54 p.m. ET. By Kara Warner <P>For all the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/usher/artist.jhtml">Usher</a> fans out there who have been eagerly awaiting the release of the seven-time Grammy winner's new album, <i>Looking 4 Myself,</i> MTV News has you covered: The R&B superstar will be offering fans a sneak peek of exclusive performance footage of his first two singles, "Climax" and "Scream," as well as the never-before-heard track "Twisted" produced by Pharrell during "MTV First: Usher."</P><P></p><div class="player-placeholder right" title="Get Ready For 'MTV First: Usher'!" id="vid:768876.id:1685086" width="415" height="255"></div><p></P><P>This special event goes down Wednesday, May 16, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, when the man himself, Usher Raymond, will be on hand to introduce the footage and the new single and will stick around for a meaty interview with MTV News' Sway Calloway to discuss his new album and more on MTV.com. Fans can submit questions via MTV.com or Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtag #MTVFirst or #AskUsher.</P><P>The performances featured in "MTV First: Usher" were shot exclusively by MTV News during a special album-listening experience with the <a href="/news/articles/1684028/usher-fuerza-bruta-looking-for-myself.jhtml">off-Broadway show "Fuerza Bruta"</a> in New York City.</P><P>"I felt like the natural elements as well as the emotion of 'Fuerza Bruta' would definitely speak or be significant to some of the stories and I guess hopefully a connection [was there]," Usher told MTV News last month of tying the performance to his album. "When we began to explore different directions [for the performance like] maybe we use some of their music, maybe we use some of mine ... and before you knew it the idea came together."</P><P><i>Looking 4 Myself</i> will be released June 12 and is available for pre-order now at select retailers in both standard and deluxe editions.</P><P><b>Don't miss "MTV First: Usher" on Wednesday, May 16, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV, followed by a lengthy interview with the singer on MTV.com!</b></p> Related Videos Related Artists Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685095/usher-twisted-climax-scream-mtv-premiere.jhtml Adrianne Palicki Aisha Tyler Aki Ross
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