Jesse McCartney
Photo: MTV News

It's May — you know what that means. It's getting warm, the flowers are blooming and the time-honored tradition of prom is back again. So get your corsages, turn up the cheesy music and fuel the limos, because this week we're catching up with your favorite stars and helping them relive their prom memories.

Jesse McCartney makes the kind of music that gets played at proms: love ballads and danceable pop tracks. Back in the day, when McCartney was busy working on shows like "Summerland" alongside Zac Efron, the singer had to miss out on his own prom to attend his then-girlfriend's shindig.

"I actually didn't go to my prom," he told MTV News. "I went [with] my girlfriend at the time. I went to her prom. They were on the same night, so she came to my graduation, and I went to her prom."

He said the two dances were on different coasts, and "it was great." He even went for the night's traditional transportation: the limo. "[It was] the classic prom," he said. "The big stretch limo. Stupid size limo. Ridiculous looking. And good friends. It was a memorable prom, memorable dance."

McCartney has some advice to help make this year's proms just as memorable as his. "Lots of chocolate milk," he advised. "Good, clean fun, kids!"

We'll have lots more celebrity prom stories rolling out throughout the week (and check out even more celebrity prom coverage on the MTV Buzzworthy blog)!

• Jesse McCartney

Kelly Clarkson at Zootopia in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Saturday
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey — At the Izod Center on Saturday (May 16), fans gathered for a night filled with pop music from Kelly Clarkson, Ciara, Jesse McCartney and the Black Eyed Peas, rock from the All American Rejects and hip-hop from Soulja Boy Tell'Em.

Hometown boy Jesse McCartney got the party started with "Leavin'," but it was when he took off his sunglasses and sang "Beautiful Soul" that the sing-along really began. Jesse slowed it down for "It's Over," which he called his favorite song off his album depature. But it was clear the fan fave was "How Do You Sleep?"

Soulja Boy Tell'Em played a very short set, which included "Crank That" followed by "Turn My Swag On." Then he requested all cell phones out as he took off his shirt to perform "Kiss Me Thru the Phone."

"Gossip Girl" star Taylor Momsen surprised the crowd, coming out to introduce the All American Rejects — while also plugging her band, the Pretty Reckless. AAR rocked the show with "Dirty Little Secret." Lead singer Tyson Ritter wanted to hear everyone scream for "Swing, Swing," and he showed some love for kids in the cheap seats before "Move Along." Then he broke into a spoken-word version of "Gives You Hell" before the band kicked in. After doing their new single, "The Wind Blows," Tyson did his best Nixon impression and walked out.

Ciara brought some girl power with ironically titled "Like a Boy." Then she showed everyone how limber she is by doing splits as she went into "Goodies." Unfortunately, her "Love Sex Magic" collaboration was left Justin Timberlake-less, but the sexy moves she performed along with her dancers (which included a Lady Gaga lookalike) more than made up for it.

Keeping the girl power alive, Kelly Clarkson's killer voice rocked the room with "Since U Been Gone." The set included lots of new songs off her new album, All I Ever Wanted, peppered with older hits, like "Miss Independent." Before "I Do Not Hook Up," Kelly listed her exceptions to that rule: Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe. "Walk Away," "Already Gone" and "If I Can't Have You" also were fan favorites leading up to her finale "My Life Would Suck Without You."

Sean Paul graced the stage to introduce Flo Rida, who then made everyone dance to "In the Ayer." Flo asked the crowd to sing along for "Jump." He brought some female fans onstage for "the record that made him international," "Low," and dedicated "Right Round" to all the single ladies.

The Black Eyed Peas were the night's final act. Their set was filled with hits like "Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "Let's Get It Started." Their theme of the night was all about finding the party people in the house, and "Pump It" helped in the search. After determining the "Humps" were controlling the room, they sang that song. Calling their L.A. crowd at last week's Wango Tango "wiggity wiggity wack," the Peas dedicated "Where Is the Love?" to the room, just before bringing the "Boom Boom Pow.

• Kelly Clarkson, Ciara And More Go Wild At Zootopia

• Kelly Clarkson
• Black Eyed Peas
• Flo Rida
• Ciara
• Soulja Boy Tell'em

Akon
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/ Getty Images

The controversy surrounding Chris Brown following his alleged altercation with girlfriend Rihanna, wouldn't keep Akon from working with the R&B star if given the opportunity.

"I wouldn't take anybody's personal issues or problems," 'Kon told the Huffington Post. "I won't hold them accountable for that when it comes to work. I think it's two separate things."

Akon, who has faced legal issues of his own, added that Brown is "gonna learn and he's gonna move forward, and just hopefully he won't treat the next woman the same way."

E! News reported that Rihanna and Brown have been collaborating on new music together recently. According to E!, the couple have been spending time in a Santa Monica studio with Polow Da Don, who has worked with the Pussycat Dolls, Usher and Fergie.

TMZ reported more details of the collaboration, with a source saying the late-night recording sessions were "very, very emotional ... the feeling in the room was pure love." Sources told the gossip site that Polow convinced the couple to get in the studio by telling them that the heightened emotions of their situation would translate into the music. Brown and Rihanna were "playfully touching each other" throughout the sessions, a source added.

Reps for both singers declined to comment on the reports.

Akon also said that he'd work with Brown, if given the opportunity. "I wouldn't take anybody's personal issues or problems," he told the Huffington Post. "I won't hold them accountable for that when it comes to work. I think it's two separate things."

On Tuesday, it was reported that Rihanna and Brown were working on new music separately as well. One of the producers reportedly working with Rihanna on her next album, Adonis Shropshire (Mariah Carey, Usher, Beyoncé), who has produced songs on both of Brown's previous albums, told HipHollywood.com that Rihanna is "doing OK."

Go here for domestic-violence resources, or check out Think MTV for a video handbook on spotting the warning signs of abuse.

[This story was originally published at 4:26 pm E.T. on 3.10.09]

• Chris Brown & Rihanna: Love In Trouble

• Chris Brown
• Rihanna
• Jesse McCartney
• Akon

Jesse McCartney and Ludacris on the set of their video "How Do You Sleep?"
Photo: MTV News

Jesse McCartney is looking to take his career from boy-next-door pop singer to edgy R&B crooner, and his new single seems to be paving the way for the transition. Usually known for sugary pop hits like "Beautiful Soul," McCartney decided that he wanted to work with Ludacris for the remix of his song "How Do You Sleep?" Now the pair promise that the Sean Garrett-produced track is going to be the jam of 2009.

"We're setting the bar high for 2009 features," McCartney told MTV News on the set of the track's video. "It's gonna be a big year. It's gonna be a big song. My boy Sean Garrett, who is probably one of the biggest songwriters of our generation, sort of facilitated the whole thing. Sean called up Luda, Luda hopped on the joint, and here we are shooting the video."

It didn't take a lot of convincing to get Ludacris onboard for the uptempo version of the song about missing a lost love, a year after breaking up. Once he heard about the concept for the video, he knew it was a project that he really wanted to be a part of.

"You have the Ludacris element, with me car-surfing on the hood on one of these old-school cars," he explained. "And I said, 'As long as you have one of those old-school cars and big-ass chains in a video, I'm down.' ... What else do you want in a video?"

Well, apparently there was one more element the guys needed to complete the feel of the video: hot women. "We're moving through the desert at high speeds, like 80, 90 mph," McCartney said. "And I'll be jumping in and out of cars. I'm jumping in and out of cars, talking to different girls. Fast cars, fast women."

Ludacris jokingly added, "Old-school cars, big-ass chains and hot women ... that's it! You don't need an explanation to that."

• 'How Do You Sleep' Video Set Visit

• Jesse McCartney
• Ludacris

Bill Kaulitz, Shia LaBeouf, Chace Crawford, Jesse McCartney, and Robert Pattinson
Photo: Getty Images/ WireImage/ MTV News

Single on Valentine's Day? Fret not, ladies, for you aren't the only ones! We've rounded up the latest details on the lives of Hollywood's hottest single guys. From the small-screen actor to the mega movie-stars to the pop singers, our top five guys may not always be perfect, but they're guaranteed heartthrobs — and there is probably at least one that is well-suited for you!

Chace Crawford - It's been almost a year since Crawford and "American Idol" alum Carrie Underwood called it quits, and the "Gossip Girl" star has been single ever since. He's stayed busy, though — his role as Nate Archibald earned him the admiration of Leona Lewis as well as a role in her new music video "I Will Be." The actor also put his fame to good use, starring in a public service announcement for DoSomething.org's Teens for Jeans program. If you're a do-gooder that doesn't mind the awkwardness of a love triangle (Crawford's "Gossip" costar and real-life roommate Ed Westwick has been spotted canoodling with Crawford's onscreen girlfriend Jessica Szohr) then he might be your perfect valentine.

Shia LaBeouf - With his "Even Stevens" days a distant memory, Shia LaBeouf has turned into a heartthrob with a personal life as action-packed as his movies. While his love life once consisted of a long-term relationship with a "regular" girl — aka a non-celebrity — Shia is now reportedly single. He hasn't had a lack of drama in the past year, though — after being cited for a DUI for flipping his truck last summer with "Transformers" costar Isabel Lucas in the passenger seat, LaBeouf's hand was injured and his license was suspended in January. (Lucas and her "Entourage"-star boyfriend, Adrien Grenier, called it quits soon after the vehicular mishap.) But if Michael Bay can rewrite the anticipated megablockbuster "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" to include LaBeouf's mangled hand, we think we can make room in our hearts for it too.

Jesse McCartney - The singer's busy touring schedule forced him to drop out of M. Night Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender," even after putting in a month of kung-fu training. While he starts his tour movie-less and alone, the singer hasn't always been single — former flames include ousted Danity Kane member and Playboy centerfold Aubrey O'Day and "Taken" star Katie Cassidy. You can look forward to McCartney traveling to your town soon — check out his tour dates to find out where he'll be. Texas ladies, he'll be in Houston on Valentine's Day!

Bill Kaulitz - Tokio Hotel frontman Bill Kaulitz may be an acquired taste, but the German definitely stands out in a crowd. Kaulitz has garnered equal amounts of criticism and unabashed devotion for his androgynous look and spiked hair. Regardless of style, the guy's a winner — Tokio Hotel's emo music and rabid fanbase helped them win Best New Artist at the VMAs last year. TH are currently in the studio working on the follow-up to Scream. Oh, and here's a tip, girls — he loves candy, so stock up on conversation hearts and get ready to ride off into the sunset in his monster truck.

Robert Pattinson - The actor became the crush-object of many "Twi-hards" when he assumed the role of vampire Edward Cullen in last year's blockbuster "Twilight.". Despite time off before "New Moon" begins filming in Vancouver, Pattinson hasn't left the spotlight. He caused quite the stir when he unexpectedly traded his signature wild locks for a closer crop, forcing many fans to examine how deep into the hairline their feelings really went. He also faced some scrutiny over the nature of his relationship with actress and Jonas' girlfriend Camilla Belle as she provided RPattz with some repeated red-carpet company. Even Joe and his brothers seem to be under his spell though, as they just expressed a desire to be on the "New Moon" soundtrack. If Bella Swann and the JoBros can't resist him, how can you?

Now the hardest part is picking just one. Happy Valentine's Day!

Wonder why some of your favorite guys didn't make the list? Check out why on the Newsroom blog!

Once you've got your date, you should gauge your plans with what other celebs are doing! While you're at it, design the perfect playlist for that romantic rendezvous with our list of the best love or make-out songs. If it doesn't work out you can use a track from our best breakup songs list.

• Single Heartthrobs Burn Up Valentine's Day

• Valentine's Day Heartthrobs

• Tokio Hotel
• Jesse McCartney

Jesse McCartney
Photo: MTV News

(Editor's note: After this story published, it was announced that Jesse McCartney's role in "The Last Airbender" will be taken by Dev Patel, as McCartney's tour dates left him unable to commit to the film or its boot camp.)

Jesse McCartney will be joining "Twilight" star Jackson Rathbone in the upcoming M. Night Shyamalan-helmed flick "The Last Airbender." McCartney — who plays Prince Zucko — assured fans of the writer/director who feel he may not be right for the part that Shyamalan has it all figured out.

"I heard a lot about this online," McCartney said, referring to fans' criticism. "There's a lot of hard-core fans out there [who] probably know more about it ... I'm still learning. This is M. Night's vision and this is what he wants. To all the fans, I can tell you I'm putting my best foot forward."

That foot forward includes intense kung-fu training for McCartney, who described his character as "an expert firebender." "I've been in kung-fu training for the last month and half-learning all the moves. I'm looking forward to it."

Although he is still learning all about the popular cartoon that first made its debut in Asia before gaining popularity in America, it was his little brother who was already a fan when McCartney signed on to the flick. "I heard about the series from my little brother who's an avid 'Avatar' fan," he explained. "I heard about the project, and that Night was directing it. He flew me out to Philly to read with him. I worked with him a lot on the character. He called me on my phone and was like, 'I want you to play this character.' And we took it from there."

McCartney is also looking forward to working with Rathbone — who will also be filming "New Moon" this year — on the movie. "He was there for the reading and he and I have been in training together. We're flying in a few weeks to start production and then to Greenland to start filming. He's a super nice guy. We've been getting along great."

As for any musical collaboration between the two, McCartney assures us that they'll have plenty of time to mull that over as they film the movie. "We haven't talked about that yet," he said. "I'm sure I'll get to know all of this about him."

[This story was originally published at 6:29 pm E.T. on 1.30.09]

Check out everything we've got on "The Last Airbender."

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

• Jesse McCartney

Aubrey O'Day
Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images

Aubrey O'Day is never one to shy away from controversy. The singer and sometime Broadway star earned the #7 slot in MTV News' Women of 2008 list in part by posing suggestively in Complex, possibly doing the same for Playboy and getting kicked out of Danity Kane after Diddy accused her of hogging the spotlight with her over-the-top antics.

Romantically, she's also been linked to former boss Diddy, Donnie Wahlberg and Jesse McCartney. But, now it seems O'Day is not confining herself to hooking up with famous men. Rumors began surfacing late last week that O'Day has been getting more than friendly with ladies, and in a new interview, O'Day isn't confirming or denying the speculation about her sexuality.

"At this point in my life, I wouldn't say one way or another what my preference is sexually," O'Day told UsMagazine.com, addressing the rumor that at a Hollywood party last Wednesday she was referring to the girl she was with as her "girlfriend." This was after O'Day brought another female companion with her to a party in New York City.

"The only thing I'm looking for in life is incredible passion and honest love, no matter what options are on the table," she continued. "All I really operate on is the way I feel in my heart when it comes to love."

In October, Diddy was the one who shocked Danity Kane fans everywhere when he booted O'Day and D.Woods out of his hugely successful girl group Danity Kane. After news broke on the "Making the Band 4" season-three finale, O'Day famously told everyone, "I would rather be hated every damn day of my life for being real than loved for being something I'm not."

So what do you think of Aubrey's annoucement? Sound off in the Newsroom blog!

• Danity Kane
• Diddy
• Jesse McCartney
• New Kids on the Block

Jesse McCartney
Photo: MTV News

Jesse McCartney broke onto the scene in the boy band Dream Street. He then paved his way as a solo artist with songs like "She's No You" and "Beautiful Soul," and as an actor on "All My Children" and his WB show "Summerland."

Now, at 21, McCartney is out to show everyone that he's versatile, and his career shift is going just as he planned. It's reminiscent of the transition Justin Timberlake made after leaving 'NSYNC.

"The comparison alone is pretty cool," he told MTV News. "Like Justin, as I'm getting older, I'm learning more and more about music and learning where I fit as far as style. ... Growing up, I listened to R&B music. I listened to a lot of Michael [Jackson] and Aretha [Franklin] and [Ray] Charles. As you get older, it does come across in your music."

And with this shift in musical style on his album Departure, released earlier this year, came some criticism from fans, who weren't used to McCartney putting out more mature music. "My fans were very surprised. There was a lot of shock value, especially with ... how different it is vocally," he said. "The last thing they saw before that was 'Beautiful Soul,' and my hair was down to my a--. ... I think it took awhile for them to jump onboard.

"There were definitely some mixed reviews, to put it nicely," he added. "I think the one thing that came across was the honesty. As soon as you're dishonest, [the fans are] the first people to tell you. It was an organic transition for me, given that this is what I was comfortable singing."

He said he has seen his audience grow from predominantly female to including some guys. "I see a lot of my audience is mainly girls, but I see a lot of their boyfriends now coming. That never would have happened four years ago. They're curious."

But McCartney isn't just busy making music for himself. He co-wrote Leona Lewis' smash debut single, "Bleeding Love," and he's currently in the studio with Toni Braxton and hopes to work with T-Pain, whose song "Buy You a Drank" he recently covered.

"We always had this sort of idea of what it would sound like slow," he said. "It just sort of worked. It felt cool. I ran into T-Pain at the AMAs. I don't think he expected me to cover a T-Pain song."

He also said he'd love to get in the studio with artists like Rihanna, Chris Brown and Michael Jackson in the near future. "Whenever I have time, I try to get in the studio and write, whether it's for me or other artists or my catalog of music. It's definitely one of my favorite parts of the music industry. I know a lot of people who are writing and producing Michael Jackson's new album. That would be a dream come true. ... There's talk of maybe working with Ludacris. We'll see."

On top of lining up some work in the music industry, McCartney also hopes to line up more acting jobs as well. He recently made a cameo on "Law & Order: SVU" and will also appear on "Greek." "I would love to work with [Martin] Scorsese. He's one of my favorite directors of all time. He's definitely got his thing that I'd love to be a part of."

He even has an idea of how he'd like to be cast. "Maybe some Irish Catholic drug addict," he suggested. "Scorsese is known for his weird, offbeat, dramatic films."

Regardless of what his next project is, McCartney has one goal: to keep people guessing. "I want to keep everyone curious," he said. "I'm always going to throw curveballs out there."

• Jesse McCartney Grows Up, Sort Of

• Jesse McCartney
• Justin Timberlake

David Cook
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

He's been the nation's seventh American Idol for less than a week, but David Cook is already proving that, when it comes to marketable, bankable artists, he certainly fits the bill.

"The Time of My Life," the coronation song that Cook belted out at the close of last week's "Idol" finale, opens at #1 on next week's Billboard Hot Digital Tracks chart, which ranks the best-selling digital singles nationwide. With 236,000-plus downloads, Cook bumps Rihanna's "Take a Bow" from the top spot — but that's not all.

All told, 17 of the songs the 25-year-old Missouri guitarist performed during the show's most recent season are sprinkled throughout the list, according to the latest SoundScan figures. Cook's "Dream Big" follows at #7 (with 111,000 downloads), while his rendition of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" from the season's final performance episode occupies the #9 position, having generated 97,900 downloads. At #14, with 80,000 downloads, it's Cook's cover of Collective Soul's "The World I Know," while his take on Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" was downloaded 60,000 times, earning it the chart's #18 spot.

Likewise, Cook's version of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" comes in at #21 (with 56,300 sold), his rendition of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" follows at #27 (46,600), and his performance of Lionel Richie's "Hello" occupies the #30 slot (42,300).

For being this year's "Idol" runner-up, David Archuleta isn't doing so bad himself. While he failed to inspire the sort of download action that Cook has, his take on Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was the country's 23rd-most downloaded song, with sales of nearly 50,700. Two spots behind that, with 49,100 downloads, is his first single, "In This Moment," followed at #36 by his cover of John Lennon's "Imagine," which generated close to 40,000 downloads. Archuleta has 11 other songs on next week's download chart.

Not only was it a good week to be an "American Idol" finalist, it was also a good week to be an artist affiliated with the program. Disco diva Donna Summer appeared on the show last week, and her latest LP, Crayons, enters next week's Billboard Top 200 at #17 with 22,600 copies scanned during its initial week of release. Similarly, former "Idol" winner Carrie Underwood — who also appeared on the reality show last week — enjoyed a 58 percent boost in sales, sending her Carnival Ride up eight spots to #16 with 25,000 sold.

Former "Idol" hopeful Daughtry's self-titled debut experienced a 31 percent surge in retail interest to end the week at #20 — a 10-position jump — with 19,700 sold. And lastly, OneRepublic, who performed their hit "Apologize" alongside Archuleta, saw sales of their Dreaming Out Loud swell a whopping 107 percent to close the week out with 17,300 scans; the album, which sits in the #24 slot, shot up 64 positions on the chart.

All in all, there are 17 new releases cracking next week's Billboard album sales chart, with three of those opening in the top spots. With 154,300 copies sold during week one, 3 Doors Down's self-titled album bows on top, making it the band's second-straight #1 debut; 2005's Seventeen Days also opened at #1, but with 231,400 sold. Right behind them at #2, with 98,000 copies snatched up, is Bun B's II Trill, and with 67,000 in reported sales, it's the self-titled debut offering from "Dancing With the Stars" bombshell Julianne Hough at #3.

Jesse McCartney's Departure enters next week's chart at #14, having sold 30,200 units during its first week in stores, while Green Day vanity project Foxboro Hot Tubs' Stop Drop and Roll!!! follows at #21 with 18,900 scans. The soundtrack to "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" opens at #39 with close to 14,000 sold, while the Dresden Dolls' No, Virginia ... bows at #94 with 7,300 copies scanned. Actress Scarlett Johansson's collection of Tom Waits covers, Anywhere I Lay My Head, impacts the chart at #126 with 5,100 sold, while Mates of State's Re-Arrange Us comes in at #140, selling 4,600 copies.

The rest of next week's top 10 is rounded out by some of the industry's most consistent sellers. Frank Sinatra's Nothing But the Best falls two spots to #4 with 54,000 scans, while last week's #1, Death Cab for Cutie's Narrow Stairs, slips to #5, selling another 52,600 units. Leona Lewis' Spirit follows at #6 with 50,000 scans, with Mariah Carey's E=MC² right behind at #7, scanning 44,900 copies. Duffy's Rockferry sold 44,200 copies, tumbling four spots to #8, while Madonna's Hard Candy follows at #9 with 38,600 scans. Lastly, falling three spots to #10, it's Neil Diamond's Home Before Dark, which sold another 35,700 copies.

• 3 Doors Down
• Bun-B
• Daughtry
• Jesse McCartney

Britney Spears (file)
Photo: Getty Images/ Toby Canham

Since Britney Spears isn't in control of her own affairs at the moment, she can't make a plea bargain in her driving-without-a-license case, a Van Nuys, California, judge decided Wednesday (February 20). Spears' attorney for the criminal case told the court that the singer's conservatorship attorneys don't feel she's capable of making an agreement, giving a deposition or signing a declaration at the moment, so Judge T.K. Herman continued the case until March 20. The misdemeanor charge stems from an incident in August in which Spears was videotaped hitting a parked car and leaving the scene without notifying the other driver (the hit-and-run charge was later dropped). Spears was denied visitation rights with her two sons in an unrelated hearing Tuesday. ...

Hayden Panettiere must have absorbed someone's musical powers, because the "Heroes" star is putting out a debut album later this year on Hollywood Records. Panettiere, who spent some of her downtime during the writers' strike shooting a Candies campaign for spring 2008 at New York's Serendipity 3, also resumed recording on her debut, which she started working on when she was 15 years old. "I've grown up a lot since I started," she said. Panettiere is also expanding her acting résumé, playing a younger version of Emily Watson's character in the upcoming film "Fireflies in the Garden," which co-stars Julia Roberts and Ryan Reynolds. "My mom always says you don't know you've done a film until you're sitting in the movie theater watching it, so I get a little nervous saying anything!" ...

Ellen DeGeneres skipped right to the tough questions during Christina Aguilera's appearance on her show, which is set to air Wednesday. "You look great," DeGeneres told the new mother, who sported a low-cut shirt. "One question: Are you nursing?" A blushing Aguilera responded: "I guess it's a little obvious." DeGeneres quipped back, "It's going to be a healthy baby boy." ... When Comedy Central's animated series "Lil' Bush" returns for another season, the young version of Republican political mastermind Karl Rove will get to show off his rap skills as MC Rove. So which hip-hop luminary will lend his or her rhymes? Kevin Federline! The aspiring rapper will be a guest voice on the season-two premiere, which airs March 13 at 10:30 p.m. ET. ...

Lindsay Lohan's recent re-creation of a nude Marilyn Monroe photo shoot was given the OK by mom/manager Dina Lohan. "It was very tastefully done," Dina told People magazine. "I respect the photographer as an artist, so I look at them artistically." Dina said her actress daughter felt that the New York magazine pictorial was a once-in-a-lifetime chance. "Lindsay was very excited when she first got the phone call," Dina said. "Of course we talked about how they would be done. Lindsay said, 'Mommy, I'm never going to get this opportunity to do it again.' She was very thankful she was asked." Dad Michael Lohan also approved of the shots, but that doesn't mean he'll pick up the issue. "I'm not going to look at the photos — that's my daughter!" he told UsMagazine.com. ... In other Lindsay news, despite her appearance at a taping for "Monday Night RAW" on Monday (duh), she isn't planning any more stops at wrestling events, as some fan sites have surmised. When asked by MTV News, the actress' rep shot down rumors that Lohan would appear at "WrestleMania XXIV" with a simple "not true." ...

Aretha Franklin is not getting any R-E-S-P-E-C-T from PETA. After her Grammys appearance, the animal-rights organization named Franklin queen — of its worst-dressed celebrities list, which targets famous fur and leather wearers. Also on the list, released Wednesday, are Marilyn Manson ("his wardrobe is a real-life tale of blood and guts"); Eva Longoria ("in her trashy furs, she looks like the streetwalker of Wisteria Lane"); Lohan (" 'I Know Who Killed Me' ... the cry of the animals snuffed out so that this 'mean girl' can pose in their pelts"); Kate Moss ("nothing completes the transition from supermodel to super-tramp like a fur coat"); and Kylie Minogue (called "cold-blooded" for carrying a snakeskin purse). ...

Perhaps Longoria and her cohorts can take style cues from Pharrell Williams, who was given the much-less-dubious honor of being named InStyle's "Man of Style." Since Pharrell has two clothing lines in the bag and a jewelry line forthcoming, the mag asked him to spill his style secrets for the latest issue. Pharrell described his clothing lines, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream, as "basically everything I ever wanted as a kid but couldn't afford — and if I could have afforded it, no one was making it." He started out wearing Vans and Vision Streetwear, but an admiration of Rakim led him to Dapper Dan threads and gold chains. Though Pharrell had his own gold-chains phase, he insists he's "more subtle" now, and counts George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Robert Redford among those he admires. "I don't like ice, and I don't like bling," Pharrell told the mag. "I just like jewelry — beautiful stones and incredible settings. I'm not a loud or look-at-me individual. And even when it seemed like I was, it was more a sense of artistic expression." So for his own jewelry line, designed for Louis Vuitton's spring collection, Pharrell drew upon ethnic, art-deco and aristocratic influences — "It's pretty sick," he said. Next up for Pharrell is a furniture line, set to debut in Switzerland in June. "I have no social life [anymore]," he said, "but it's worth it. There's no creativity in partying — not for me." Britney, are you listening? Watch Pharrell talk about his fashion preferences at InStyle.com. ...

Working at MTV has its perks — and former "TRL" VJ Vanessa Minnillo hopes that one of hers is a blossoming movie career. After a small role in "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," Minnillo wants more, as she told Vegas magazine. "When I was on the set of 'Fantastic Four,' I loved it," she said. "I respected everyone's work ethic. It was like a mini-family, and I want to continue doing it, whether it's action or comedy or action/comedy. I can pull off physical comedy; I'm athletic enough not to get hurt easily." Despite her lack of acting experience, Minnillo feels that her hosting résumé ("TRL" and "Entertainment Tonight") gives her a good start. "Acting is a different way to entertain people," she tells the mag. (Click here for photos from the issue.) "Most people know how to be themselves in front of the camera, but interpreting a character takes a lot. Once I get the right role, I'll just feel it." She's turned down a few offers already, she said, including one where she would have been a "bikini terrorist" and another where she would have been "some crazy girl at Mardi Gras doing anything for beads!" Meanwhile, In Touch Weekly reports that Minnillo has picked a part in a film called "Redefining Love". Minnillo's contract with both MTV and ET ended in April. ...

Jesse McCartney is looking for love online — and you can find him on JDate.com, a Jewish singles network (even though he is not Jewish). The 20-year-old singer/songwriter writes in his profile (under the screen name jbagel07) that he has a "pretty simple outlook": "I love life, love what I do, love my fam, friends, and want to meet someone who is willing to share all of that with me." So for interested parties, he would like to have children someday, smokes occasionally, drinks socially, has only completed high school but would prefer a mate with a college education, and considers himself a left-wing moderate. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, dining out, traveling, golf, skiing and wine tasting. For a first date, he's up for "whatever you wanna do — crazy or low key. I'm down." McCartney notes that he's "fortunate enough" to have made music his profession, and adds in his profile that he's working on his third album (Departure, out May 20).

2.19.08

Lindsay Lohan has done some racy photo shoots in the past, but she takes it to a whole new level in New York magazine to pay tribute to her idol. The recently rehabbed actress re-created Marilyn Monroe's famous "Last Sitting" nude pictorial for the mag's spring fashion issue with the shoot's original photographer, Bert Stein. So was she nervous about getting in front of the camera wearing nothing but a chiffon scarf? "I was comfortable with it," she told New York, though she admitted to doing "250 crunches" the previous night. On set for Lohan's revealing re-creation was a small entourage of her manager; her security guard; a makeup artist and assistant; a hairstylist and assistant; a stylist; a manicurist; a sentry posted to guard the on-loan diamonds; the photographer and his manager; two photo assistants; and the actress' younger sister, Ali. (By comparison, Stern's original shoot with Monroe was just him and his subject). "Here's a woman who is giving herself to the public," Lohan said of the original photos. "She's saying, 'Look, you've taken a lot from me, so why don't I give it to you myself.' She's taking control back." ...

After taking home five Grammys at least week's awards, Amy Winehouse will appear at the Brit Awards in London Wednesday night, her publicist confirmed. The performance will be Winehouse's first appearance on a British television program since she left a London rehab clinic two weeks ago. ...

Indie powerhouse TVT Records, home to rap stars Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins, will file for bankruptcy protection, label head Steve Gotleib announced Tuesday. According to Billboard, the New York company will continue to operate, but a number of staff members have been let go, and several acts, though not confirmed as of press time, will become free agents. The Gotleib-founded TVT rose to prominence in the '80s after releasing rock albums by Nine Inch Nails and made larger strides beginning in the '90s with its roster of hip-hop acts. Recent legal battles with Def Jam Records and Slip-N-Slide over projects by Ja Rule and Pitbull before each gained notoriety zapped TVT of millions of dollars. ... "Dancing With the Stars" typically appeals to an older demographic, but Mario hopes to bring his young fans to the competition. The R&B crooner will join "American Pie" star Shannon Elizabeth, Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, Olympic gold medalist Kristy Yamaguchi and more on the reality show's new season, which kicks off March 17 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. ...

The producers of "American Idol" have teamed up with Apple's iTunes Store, giving "Idol" fans the chance to purchase music by their favorite contestants before the show's winner is crowned. Starting this week, iTunes will offer downloads of every performance from the top 24 semifinalists, for 99 cents; full videos of the final 12 contestants will be offered for $1.99 beginning March 12. iTunes will also allow customers to pre-order tracks from a given contestant for automatic download the day after "Idol" airs. One-click access to the store is being made available from the show's official Web site. ... "American Idol" victor Jordin Sparks will be the opening act on Alicia Keys' upcoming North American tour, which kicks off April 19 in Hampton, Virginia. The tour concludes June 18 with a performance at New York's Madison Square Garden. ...

They haven't even been born yet, but apparently Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's twins are already earning some cash. People magazine reportedly shelled out $6 million for the first crack at photos of the babies, while OK! struck an exclusive deal for international rights to the pictures, according to MSNBC. ... Heidi Klum to the rescue! According to an AP report, the model and "Project Runway" host wants to help Britney Spears and said she'd be willing to open her home to the troubled pop star while she tries to put her life back together. "She can call me and come live in our house with us for a couple of months," Klum said. "I would help set her straight. I am sorry when a young person gets thrown so off-track. She has, of course, lived an extremely wild life." No word on whether Spears will take her up on the offer. ...

According to The Associated Press, the Spice Girls' tour-bus driver assisted police in the arrest of a Michigan man, who is the chief suspect in a carjacking. Police told the wire service that the bus driver called 911 to report a possible drunk driver weaving in and out of traffic on Interstate 75, just outside of Detroit, on Saturday. (The Spice Girls were performing that night in nearby Auburn Hills.) The motorist was arrested and turned over to police in the town of Burton in connection with a carjacking at a gas station. Police did not identify the Spice Girls' bus driver or the man who was arrested. ...

Pink's marriage might be ending, but her movie career is still moving forward. She shot Catacombs several years ago, and now the horror film is finally seeing the light of day — or, at least, the DVD shelf — when it is released in video stores Tuesday (February 19). "It takes place in Paris," Pink told MTV News when she first shot the movie. "I'm an expatriate who moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne, but I dropped out, because I like to party, and my friends run all these underground parties in the Paris tunnels, where they have all these ancient remains of people. And people actually do party underground there. It's all true. It's pretty amazing and intricate, actually." Pink's character then invites her younger sister (played by Shannyn Sossamon) to come and visit, and because her sib is "very high-anxiety, an annoying nervous wreck," Pink decides to invite her to the catacomb parties to "mess with her a little bit. It's all about family ties and how evil we can be to our siblings and what we get for doing that," Pink said. Despite the film's locale, she only shot in the City of Lights for four days, and the rest of Catacombs was actually shot in Bucharest, Romania. "It's cheaper," she shrugged. ...

My Chemical Romance have revealed details of their upcoming tour. The trek will feature openers Billy Talent and Drive By, and get under way March 28 in Tempe, Arizona. Dates are scheduled through May 6 in Philadelphia. ... Green Jellÿ, that long-forgotten mock-metal outfit behind the infectious "Three Little Pigs," have reformed and are in the process of booking a national tour for this summer. The band will also re-release 1991's Cereal Killer and 1994's 333 LPs, along with a DVD of all their videos. For now, Green Jellÿ are scheduled to play the new Milwaukee Metalfest on June 7 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...

Camp Freddy, the cover band featuring Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, ex-Cult bassist Billy Morrison and Velvet Revolver's Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland, will be taking over Los Angeles' Roxy Theatre "every Thursday night during the month of May for our very first residency," the band reports. "Each week we will perform a different set list, and the evening's performance will culminate with two or three songs featuring our very special guests of the night. We will not be advertising these guests in advance. The band will be joined each week by our good friend and longtime Camp Freddy cohort [Sugar Ray's] Mark McGrath." ...

On Saturday, Bury Your Dead guitarist Eric Ellis was attacked by six individuals following the band's performance at the Rave in Milwaukee. Ellis was held at gunpoint while the men hit him multiple times with a baseball bat and hammer. Local police have characterized the incident as a "gang initiation." Despite his injuries, Ellis and the rest of the band will continue on with their tour alongside Hellyeah. "It will take more than this to stop Bury Your Dead," the band said in a statement. ...

Ska-punk act Goldfinger will return April 22 with Hello Destiny, which will be issued by Side One Dummy Records. The album follows 2005's Disconnect Notice and will feature founding guitarist Charlie Paulsen, who parted ways with the band in 1997. ... Portland, Maine, rockers 6Gig will be reuniting for two hometown gigs. The shows are set for April 25 and April 26, at the Big Easy. ... Foxy Shazam will be hitting the road with Portugal. the Man starting March 17 in El Paso, Texas. The trek runs through March 27 in San Francisco. ...

Underoath have tapped Matt Goldman and Killswitch Engage's Adam Dutkiewicz to produce their forthcoming album, which they've written eight songs for so far and will begin recording in about a month. Meanwhile, the band's "Live" CD/DVD set will hit stores May 13.

• Candie's Unveils Ad With "Heroes" Star Hayden Panettiere
• Vanessa Minnillo In 'Vegas' Magazine

• Britney Spears
• Hayden Panettiere
• Christina Aguilera
• Pharrell Williams
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Taylor Lautner, Ashley Tisdale, More At The Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party

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Kelly Clarkson, Ciara And More Go Wild At Zootopia

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Backstage With Jonas, Miley And More At The Kids' Choice Awards

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The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Cosgrove, More Arrive At 2009 Kids' Choice Awards

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Kanye, Paramore, More Rock Z-100's Jingle Ball In New York

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Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, More On The 2008 American Music Awards Red Carpet

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Lauren Conrad, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, More At 2008 Teen Choice Awards

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MTV.com Exclusive: Jesse McCartney

• Jesse McCartney

Danity Kane, Lauren Conrad And Heidi (Klum!), More At The 'Us Weekly' Hot Hollywood Party

• Danity Kane
• Will.I.Am
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Justin Timberlake, Sara Bareilles, Fergie, More At The 2008 ASCAP Pop Awards

• Justin Timberlake
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• Keri Hilson
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