Christina Milian
Photo: Bennett Raglin/ WireImage

Singer Christina Milian announced on Friday that she and her husband, The-Dream, are expecting their first child, according to People magazine.

"My husband and I are expecting," said Milian, who the magazine notes is already sporting a baby bump. "We're about four and a half months along, about 19 weeks. We're really excited."

The couple married last month in Las Vegas, and soon after, rumors, began to surface that the newlyweds were also expecting a bundle of joy. They were also rumored to have had a second wedding ceremony in Rome.

Until now they have been mum about the rumors and Milian explains that neither the wedding nor the baby have come too soon for the couple. "Honestly, it was kind of planned," she said. "We were engaged for many months."

And although Milian worked with her new husband on her upcoming album, Elope, which was titled before the couple were married and is due out by the beginning of next year, she said the album title had nothing to do with their romance.

"Actually, the name change came ... I don't know if I was engaged yet, but it really didn't have anything to do with that. 'it [was] more so' about taking a step as a woman and making decisions on my own and doing things without necessarily the permission of others. And I think that's really more about adulthood and coming into adulthood," she explained about the title's significance. "I think that's where we came up with that one."

• Before They Got Hitched: The-Dream & Christina Milian

• Christina Milian
• The-Dream

The-Dream and Christina Milian
Photo: Todd Williamson/ Getty Images

The-Dream and Christina Milian are officially making sweet music together. The pair were married in Las Vegas over the Labor Day weekend, MTV News has confirmed.

"It was the first of three ceremonies," a source close to The-Dream revealed exclusively to MTV News on Tuesday (September 8).

	Before They Got Hitched: Christina & The-Dream

According to the source, The-Dream and Milian are set to get hitched yet again overseas in Rome very shortly. Then the singers will renew their vows Stateside on their first wedding anniversary in front of family and friends who won't be able to make the trip to Italy. TMZ reported the couple wed on Friday, September 4.

The report indicated the Grammy-winning songwriter (Rihanna and Mariah Carey) and Milian rented their formal attire, a tuxedo for him and a dress for her. But the source close to The-Dream shot down the information, calling it 100 percent false. Instead the now-married entertainers were dressed appropriately for the occasion, they said.

The-Dream and Milian first turned heads earlier this year in January when the Cuban star appeared alongside the Atlanta native at a listening session for his sophomore album. Later that same night they appeared very comfortable with each other at a birthday celebration for a Def Jam Records executive in Manhattan. When pressed about the relationship the next day, The-Dream denied the budding romance to MTV News, saying it was a business union; he signed her to his label imprint in a partnership with Interscope Records.

"Yeah, it's a new Radio Killa thing that we have," he coyly said at the time. "Um, actually, what happened was, I think about a month ago, I think I sat with her. It was one of these things where you try to grow an artist, you can either grow them from the ground or you can come in and say, 'This artist needs this, that's all.' And that part of me I have, which is what she didn't have."

The singers' whirlwind relationship caught the rapt attention of the blogoshpere, as pictures of the couple have appeared online almost daily. They also graced the cover of the final issue of Vibe magazine. Although the pairing was labeled a publicity stunt, the source, who attended the Las Vegas ceremony, said The-Dream and Milian are the real thing.

"Anyone can tell just by looking at them together," the source said.

• The-Dream
• Christina Milian

Christina Milian
Photo: MTV News

Christina Milian may be bringing it on in her new flick, but the singer/actress is also hard at work on her music career as well. Milian couldn't be more excited for her forthcoming album, Elope. She hopes to have it out by the end of the year — but if you're expecting any more info on its release date, you'd better ask someone else.

"I'm excited. I'm, like, waiting forever, like, 'When does the single come out?' " she jokingly told MTV News. "I don't even know."

She was even unsure of the title of the album, which she worked on with her real-life love and fiancé, The Dream. "It's called Elope right now. Who knows, knowing me — I'm changing constantly," she offered. "But it's called Elope. I did it with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart.

"I'm really excited. It's [about] a young female growing into a woman, and it's very honest. The album's fun, so I'm looking forward to performing it."

She explained that the projected album title does reflect events in her own life, just not in the way that you might think.

"Actually, the name change came ... I don't know if I was engaged yet, but it really didn't have anything to do with it — more so about taking a step as a woman and making decisions on my own and doing things without necessarily the permissions of others. And I think that's really more about adulthood and coming into adulthood," she explained. "I think that's where we came up with that one."

• Christina Milian

Cool & Dre
Photo: Courtesy of Cool N Dre

Behind the Beats: Cool & Dre

It must feel great to be hate-free. Even though he and Christina Milian are no longer making beautiful music together — personally or professionally — Dre of the production duo Cool & Dre says he's OK with her moving on.

"I think it's gonna be a good fit for her," Dre said of her pair-up with The-Dream.

"His pen is amazing, especially when it comes to writing records for females," Dre added. "If he does a majority of the album, it's gonna be big. We have nothing but love for Christina. I know people may wanna throw all kind of stuff out there [about our relationship], but we've got nothing but love for her and her family. We wish her the best and we're definitely looking forward to what she's got going on. The last record we did with her did pretty well — top 20 on the charts, 'Say I' with Young Jeezy. But Dream is a hell of a songwriter, Tricky Stewart is a hell of a producer. I'm sure she'll be alright."

Cool & Dre are doing damn good these days as well — the two have invested a hefty sum of cash into a new studio, Lake Oasis, in North M.I.A. It's actually a luxury home converted into a music lab — on a lake.

"We're gonna make it so when the artists come down to Miami, they're going to have to come here," Cool smiled. Amenities aside, MCs such as Young Jeezy and the Game get beats from the two because there are so many different ways the Florida natives can attack you sonically. They can come as hard as Albert Pujols home-run swing (like on Ja Rule's "New York") or supply the soul (as they did on the Game's "Hate it or Love It" and Jay Rock's "All My Life").

"Musically, I don't wanna say we've made our mark in hip-hop. There's people before us that have accomplished way more. Cool and I feel as though we've grown a lot from what we're known for and we continue to still make music like that. We worked with Jeezy on his next album, we've submitted records for T.I., but we feel as though this is an important time," Dre explained.

	MIXTAPE DAILY Who's next and who dominates — right here, all week long!.
	»Mixtape Daily Main Pick: Eminem
	»Other Notables: Tony YaYo
	»Celeb Faves: Green Day, Alchemist
	»Firestarter: New Boyz, DJ Whoo Kid

They've given Lil Wayne a bunch of records for his always-evolving Rebirth LP and have cooked up Queen Latifah's next album in its entirety. Lloyd and Justin Timberlake's new rock group Free Sol are also on their to-do list ... and don't be surprised if you hear that the fellas are collaborating with Bon Jovi. Right now, though, they're excited about Wale's "Chillin'," featuring Lady Gaga.

"She's, like, on a rocket to space right now," Cool said about the pop siren. "Just jump in and let's take it up there."

"We did a good three or four records on Wale, who we feel is exceptionally talented," Dre added. "It's giving me and Cool a chance to showcase our ability."

Family Reunion?

In a recent interview posted on the Internet, Dirt had horrible things to say about the producers. However, the duo harbor no animosity toward him. ""Dirtbag is a member of our family and we love him," Cool said about their former signee.

"I have nothing ill to say about him. We love him," Dre added. Whatever situation that led him to do what he did ... we understand when things aren't going your way, you get frustrated. Unfortunately it was a public frustration. But we understand. Cool and I aren't into back and forth. If Dirtbag was to come here right now, we'd have open arms."

Patiently Waiting

The Duo have three acts they are putting out on their own Epidemic Music — rapper C-Ride, a female group called Hot Revolver that Dre calls a "Apollonia 6 type" and rock group 11-11, with a lead singer will remind you of Steve Perry from Journey.

Five-Star Stellar Cool & Dre Hits

» "New York" - Ja Rule featuring Fat Joe and Jadakiss
» "Hate It or Love It" - the Game featuring 50 Cent
» "Brown Paper Bag" - DJ Khaled featuring Young Jeezy, Juelz Santana, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Dre and Fat Joe
» "Phone Home" - Lil Wayne
» "Big Dreams" - the Game
» "So Much More" - Fat Joe

Hottest Streak Thus Far From 2005 to present, when they worked on such LPs as Tha Carter III, All or Nothing and The Documentary.

• Mixtape Daily Video: Eminem, Cool & Dre, Tony Yayo, Red Cafe & More

• Cool & Dre
• Lady Gaga
• Christina Milian

The-Dream
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK -- Hey, if it worked for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, maybe it can work for The-Dream and Christina Milian.

Pictures of the two singers attending a birthday party for a Def Jam executive Wednesday night popped up online Thursday (January 29), and speculation began about whether the pair were a new item. He says no, but his body language at the Thompson Hotel shindig in Manhattan says otherwise.

Pitt and Jolie drew plenty of attention during promotion of their movie "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" after photos of them from a W magazine shoot hit the Web, and the film went on to earn plenty of money.

According to The-Dream, though, his union with Milian is all business, not personal. He said his production company will be partnering with the actress/singer.

"Yeah, it's a new Radio Killa thing that we have," he coyly told MTV News on Thursday afternoon. "Um, actually, what happened was, I think about a month ago, I think I sat with her. It was one of these things where [when] you try to grow an artist, you can either grow them from the ground or you can come in and say, 'This artist needs this, that's all.' And that part of me I have, which is what she didn't have."

The-Dream said he called Milian's label head, Jimmy Iovine, and the executive told him he can have his pick of artists on the roster to work with. The singer selected Milian in a process he says was like being "in a store, and, uh, I'll take that one."

He reiterated that the burgeoning pact is based in business, but he doesn't mind the rumors. The singer, who previewed his upcoming album Love vs. Money to the media Wednesday night, is putting the final touches on his project. The LP is due March 10, so he has some promoting to do.

"I love the attention," he said. "It's great, it's cool, it's real cute."

Milian most recently was in a relationship with music producer Dre of Cool & Dre. It's unclear when the two split or if they called it off. A rep for the Miami-based musician had no comment when contacted by MTV News.

• The-Dream
• Christina Milian

Christina Milian
Photo: MTV News

Christina Milian may be battling great forces in her new single, "Us Against the World," but on her upcoming album, there's one track she thinks people will really be talking about: "Diamond," featuring Kanye West.

"I'm really excited about that. I think he's an awesome artist," the actress and singer told MTV News at the KIIS-FM's Jingle Ball in Los Angeles on Saturday, adding that it was pure luck that led to their collaboration. "It kind of just happened. We happened to be in the same studio. I asked him to come in, and he heard it and got on it immediately. I'm glad I got to have him a part of my album."

Despite Kanye's reputation for being a perfectionist, Milian insisted that working with the rapper was actually very easy. "He's very creative. He can make three beats in one night and hum several different melodies on each record and then from there go back to the record and write the songs," she said. "When he came to my project that's kind of what happened. He happened to be in the studio working on his project. He heard it, he hummed out some melodies and lyrics, and ... the next day he put down his vocals. It's very easy breezy. I'm sure he wouldn't have gotten on it if he didn't like it."

Milian's still-untitled fourth album, due out in 2009, will be her first since being dumped by Island Def Jam and picked up by MySpace Music. She just finished shooting the video for "Us Against the World," a song she called a "love anthem." "It's the first time [I'm] putting out a ballad," she said. "I think it's a representation of what we need in this world right now. There are people that are holding it down for somebody. It's important to have someone that has your back."

For the video, she hooked up with Ray Kay, with whom she's worked in the past on her videos for "Say I" and "Whatever U Want." "We just finished the video [and we're about] to release it soon. I'm excited," she said, describing the clip's setup as "very 'Mad Max' versus '300.' "

"I'm in sand dunes," she explained. "And, I'm out there ... me and my guy, [and] we probably are the last two people on Earth. Really, I'm on my own and I'm searching, and finally he comes to me. I don't know where he's been, and he comes back to me. It's very timeless. When you see it, it's nothing like anything you'd see now. I want to be iconic in every music video that I do. I want to make a mark. This is very different."

• Christina Milian
• Kanye West

Christina Milian in "Smallville"
Photo: Michael Courtney/Warner Bros. Television

Christina Milian wants to be Wonder Woman — but for now, she'll settle on giving Superman his props.

As director George Miller continues to test out young stars for the parts of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern and Aquaman in the movie adaptation of the "Justice League of America" comics, the singer/actress urges him to look beyond her ethnicity and consider her for the part of the Amazonian princess. "That would be awesome," Milian said. "I think confidence and strength lie in your mind, and I would love to exude that strength."

Jessica Biel was reportedly in talks for the super role, but the deal never happened.

Milian has some strong competition for the part. She's up against Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Teresa Palmer, who, along with Common, Adam Brody, Joseph Cross, D.J. Cotrona, Michael Angarano, Max Thieriot and the cast of "Friday Night Lights," are also on Miller's roll call, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (Check out our writers' casting ideas for "JLA" here and here in the MTV Movies Blog.) Milian isn't daunted, however, because she feels like the comic books are closer to her heart.

"I used to want to work in comics," Milian revealed. "I wanted to be an illustrator. I wanted to write books, and mostly, I wanted to write 'Justice League.' I still have the comic books I collected from that."

Her love for superheroes is what led her to go for a part on "Smallville," airing October 25. In the episode "Action," Milian plays an actress filming on the troubled set of "Warrior Angel," a movie based on a comic book in the Smallville-verse. Her part is an in-joke for comics fans, because her character's presence is a continuity error ("People get very upset because she wasn't in the comic at that point in time") and because the movie she's filming has lots of parallels to Superman's story.

"It's kinda funny," Milian said. "My character, Rachel Davenport, is almost in the Lois Lane/ Lana Lang position. She's the one figuring everything out, and it's ironic for Clark to be watching everything going on."

Very meta — but does Rachel get to the point where she figures out Clark Kent is Superman? "She has no idea," Milian said, "but she keeps getting saved by him, and she's really into him. She's used to being in control, to guys throwing themselves at her, and he's the one guy who's not. Plus, every girl wants a hero!"

Rachel may not get her man, but she does get to be part of his history. (SPOILER ALERT!) When she thanks him for saving her life, she offers a gift in exchange. "I didn't know until he opened the box that I was actually giving him his cape!" Milian said. "It's supposed to be a prop from the 'Warrior Angel' movie, but you know he's going to use it."

Milian, however, only came away with bruises from doing her own stunt work (including a car crash). She hopes her "Smallville" appearance will bring her to Miller's attention, but she wouldn't say whether she's had an audition of her own. "No comment!" she laughed. If Wonder Woman doesn't work out this time, though, "I'll do Catwoman any day."

Check out everything we've got on "Justice League of America."

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• Common, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Adam Brody, More To Screen Test For Upcoming "Justice League Of America" Film

• Christina Milian
• Common

Mandy Moore in the May issue of <i>Elle</i>
Photo: Gilles Bensimon

Mandy Moore talked about ex-boyfriend Zach Braff in a new interview featured in the May issue of Elle. "Out of respect to Zach, who I still consider a friend and care about and support, I have nothing bad to say about him," she said of her ex, who is nine years her senior. "It just didn't work out." Moore also says she's "OK with representing a different type than the normal Hollywood beauty ideal. ... I've been told that I have to lose weight for stuff before. It's mortifying ... once is enough to make you feel awful." (See Elle shots of Mandy Moore by the beach right here.) Moore will also guest host and perform at the Entertainment Industry Foundation Revlon Run/ Walk for Women, a benefit to help the fight against women's cancers that is set for May 5 in New York and May 12 in Los Angeles. Her next album Wild Hope is due June 19. ...

Lindsay Lohan was interviewed by GQ via BlackBerry over several weeks, following her stint in rehab. Between shooting the upcoming thriller "I Know Who Killed Me," working on staying sober and buying two puppies, Lohan replied to questions that ranged from "Is there anything you fear?" — Lohan responded with a note on what she was wearing (Marc Jacobs, vintage Chanel and Kaviar & Kind) — to "Do you play poker?" ("Weird! I just e-mailed my friend Sara Pantera saying I'm going to start playing poker again!") for the magazine's April issue. In other Lohan news, the actress has been selected as the new face of Jill Stuart's fashion line, and is scheduled to shoot photos for the campaign this week. ...

Miss Tom Morello's all-star jam at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, last month? The Nightwatchman is buddying up with more friends for three concerts at Los Angeles' Hotel Café taking place Tuesday, April 17 and April 24. A diverse cast of characters is expected to join Morello for the Tuesday performances — be on the lookout for Alanis Morissette, Cypress Hill's B-Real and Sen Dog, Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell, Steve Vai, MC5's Wayne Kramer, Switchfoot's Jon Foreman, Disturbed's David Draiman and former Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, who was spotted at the SXSW jam. The Rage Against the Machine guitarist will also perform as his alter ego at a workers rally in Chicago on Saturday; sign copies of his April 24 release, One Man Revolution, at Hollywood's Amoeba Music, April 25; hit up Coachella in Indio, California, April 28; play a benefit show with Ben Harper in Claremont, California, May 4; support Harper on six dates in June; and perform at Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee, June 16. ...

By now, everyone's heard that tickets to this summer's Ozzfest will be free, but there's been no word on how they will be distributed — until this week. In a press release issued Monday morning (April 9), the festival organizers revealed that, starting May 12, ticket codes will be distributed through several sponsor Web sites, including those for LiveNation, Monster Energy drink, Jägermeister and F.Y.E. The codes will be redeemable starting June 12 via the same Web sites, and there is a limit of two tickets per person. The fest — featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Lamb of God, Hatebreed and more — kicks off July 12 in Seattle and hits 24 cities before wrapping in West Palm Beach, Florida, August 30. ... "Laguna Beach" star Jason Wahler was arrested in Seattle early Sunday after punching a hotel security guard and passing out drunk in a hallway, The Associated Press reports. It was the third time the actor had been arrested since September, and he had already been scheduled to begin serving a 60-day jail sentence in May. The actor repeatedly made racial and homophobic slurs when he was busted for investigation of assault and criminal trespass on Sunday, according to a Seattle Police Department report. Wahler — who had been ordered by a judge last month to go to Alcoholics Anonymous classes and attend a program at the Museum of Tolerance for using racial slurs after a previous arrest — was released from jail after posting bail. ...

Velvet Revolver have been added to the lineup for the U.S. Virgin Festival, scheduled for August 4-5 in Baltimore. Previously confirmed acts include the Police, Smashing Pumpkins and the Beastie Boys. ... Black Light Burns, the band fronted by former Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland, have been tapped as the support act for Chevelle's upcoming U.S. tour, which gets under way May 7; a full itinerary will be announced soon. Black Light Burns' debut LP, Cruel Melody, is slated for release June 5. ...

Christina Milian will co-star with Mario Lopez in "Eight Days a Week," a comedy pilot being produced for the CW, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The series follows the life of four 20-somethings working for prestigious bosses in New York. Milian will play an assistant who left a law career to start over as a gofer at an art gallery. ... Bobby Valentino has decided to take his own advice and slow down. The DTP singer issued a statement about his delayed sophomore album Special Occasion — now due May 8 — announcing he's still in the recording process but will post bonus tracks on his MySpace page that don't make the final cut. The album is set to feature collaborations with Timbaland, Rodney Jerkins, and Fabolous. A MySpace call went out on Sunday asking fans to send photos for display in a slideshow on Valentino's MySpace page ("remember, no nudity") to promote his track "Anonymous," featuring Timbaland. The song is currently streaming on the page as well as his Web site, JustBobby.com ...

Isaac Hanson, the eldest of the three brothers that make up Hanson, welcomed his first child Tuesday. Clarke Everett Hanson was delivered by Isaac's wife, Nicole, in the Hanson hometown Tulsa, Oklahoma. In a post on the band's Web site, the proud father said his son's birth "was an inspiration, and I know that his presence in my life will continue to inspire me."... Microsoft is set to follow Apple's lead in offering songs without copy protection for download. Less than a week after Apple announced it would sell unprotected songs from the EMI Group catalog at a premium, Katy Asher — a Microsoft spokeswoman for the company's portable Zune player team — told IDG News Service, "the EMI announcement on Monday was not exclusive to Apple. ... Consumers have made it clear that unprotected music is something they want. ... We plan on offering it to them as soon as our label partners are comfortable with it." The Microsoft spokesperson said the company has been speaking with EMI and other labels for "some time now" about offering unprotected music on the Zune.

04.06.2007

Ciara, Lil Jon, Lil Wayne, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, Young Buck and others have provided audio testimonials for ImNotSigned.com, a new site created by Jazze Pha. The site is intended to connect unsigned artists with producers and A&R executives. It features a virtual "conference room," "studios" and more, and members can log in to chat with some of "Jazze Pha's superstar friends," according to a press release. "If you don't already have a deal, it's really possible now," Ciara said, hyping the site's launch. "You got to get in where you fit in." ...

Fall Out Boy have postponed the start of their Honda Civic Tour, the band announced Friday (April 6). "Unfortunately, because of some personal issues, we had to delay the tour a few weeks," bassist Pete Wentz said in a statement. "We want to put on the best possible show we can and know that this extra couple of weeks will give us the time to put ourselves in the right place." The band's manager, Bob McLynn, declined to specify the nature of the personal issues to MTV News but confirmed that no members have left the band. "Everything couldn't be better with the [band's new album, Infinity on High]," he said. "This small rescheduling will give everyone a better state of sanity and make the tour even greater." The 42-date tour — which also features Paul Wall, (+44), the Academy Is ... and Cobra Starship — was initially set to kick off April 18, but now begins with a May 11 show in Denver. Shows scheduled to take place before May 11 have been moved to the end of the tour, except the May 1 stop in Sacramento, California, which has been canceled. ...

The Killers, Oasis, Razorlight, Kaiser Chiefs, Travis and the Fratellis are among the bands that will re-record songs from the Beatles' 1967 release Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the seminal album, BBC News reports. Geoff Emerick, the engineer in charge of the original sessions, will record the new versions on the same four-track equipment he used with the Beatles. The results will be broadcast June 2 on BBC's Radio 2. ...

Fergie, Hilary Duff, Rihanna, Omarion, Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Robin Thicke, Dashboard Confessional and Hinder are on the lineup for New York radio station Z100's Zootopia concert. The show is scheduled for May 18 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. ... Also in New York, the annual River to River summer concert series has revealed its lineup. Spoon, New Pornographers, Booker T. and the MG's with Sharon Jones, Menomena, Animal Collective, Drive-By Truckers and Martha Wainwright are among the artists scheduled to perform free shows in lower Manhattan. ...

Joss Stone will kick off her first major North American tour in three years on April 27 in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The trek will hit 18 cities, including stops at New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Festival (May 6) and New York's Central Park Summerstage (June 8), culminating with a June 16 performance in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Stone will also be featured at the Concert for Diana, a July 1 charity show in London to celebrate the life of the late princess. Pharrell, Elton John, Duran Duran and Bryan Ferry are among the other artists confirmed for the event. ... Japanese atmospheric-experimental band Mono will hit North America on a tour that starts Thursday in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and runs through a May 17 show in New York. The group's latest album, Palmless Prayer/ Mass Murder Refrain, was released in 2006. ...

Sonic Youth will perform what many consider to be their masterpiece, 1988's Daydream Nation, in its entirety on a handful of occasions this summer. The shows are part of All Tomorrows Parties' Don't Look Back concert series and will take place at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago on July 13; the Berkeley Community Theatre in Berkeley, California, on July 19; Los Angeles' Greek Theatre the following day; and London's Roundhouse August 30-September 1. Likewise, Slint will perform their seminal indie-rock effort Spiderland in full as part of the series. The band, which got back together in 2005, will resurrect the album at 12 shows, only two of which are taking place Stateside: July 17-18 at New York's Webster Hall. ... Tegan and Sara will release their fifth studio album, The Con, July 24. Christopher Walla of Death Cab for Cutie produced the album and AFI's Hunter Burgan and the Rentals' Matt Sharp both play bass. ...

KRS-One is partnering with veteran hip-hop producer Marley Marl for the legendary rapper's next studio project, Hip-Hop Lives. Due May 22 on Koch, the album's title track and "Kill a Rapper" are set to be the first two singles from the release. ... The Afghan Whigs' Unbreakable (A Retrospective), set for release May 1, will be more than just a career-overview disc. The CD features "I'm a Soldier," a newly recorded track, as well as "Magazine," an unreleased cut the band wrote before breaking up. ... Cake fans can pre-order the band's self-released B-Sides and Rarities disc at CakeMusic.com. The collection includes covers of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" and Barry White's "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" and promises "scratch-and-sniff album art." ...

This year's first-quarter album-sales numbers are in, and they don't bode well for the music industry. In the first three months of the year, album sales dropped 17 percent in the U.S., according to Bloomberg News. Online purchases rose but didn't make up for the deficiency. Album sales fell 7.3 percent in 2005 and 4.9 last year. ... Mark St. John, who briefly played lead guitar for Kiss, has died from an apparent brain hemorrhage, Billboard reports. He was 51. St. John, the band's third official guitarist, was featured on 1984's Animalize and in the video for that album's "Heaven's on Fire."

• Mandy Moore In The May 2007 Issue Of "Elle" Magazine

• Mandy Moore
• Lindsay Lohan
• Christina Milian
• Velvet Revolver
• Wes Borland

Christina Milian at the Diesel show on Wednesday
Photo: Scott Wintrow/ Getty Images

NEW YORK — Fashion week only gets crazier as the clock ticks.

Thursday night at the Bryant Park tents, 26-year old design prodigy Zac Posen — who recently dressed Rihanna in a floor-length mermaid gown for Fashion Rocks (see "Beyonce, Jay-Z, Christina Put The Rock in Fashion Rocks Concert") — showcased a theatrical yet sophisticated collection of long silk gowns, sexy slips and black geometric dresses and blouses, adorned with bows and ruffles galore.

Diddy, Kanye West, Amerie, Gina Gershon, Sandra Bernhard, Emmy Rossum, Lauren Hutton, Kate Bosworth, Hilary Duff and boyfriend Joel Madden all showed up to give curly-haired Posen their support.

(Click here for up-close-and-personal pictures of Fashion Week's star-studded front rows, including shots of Diddy, Hilary, Avril and more.)

Czech supermodel Hana Soukupova rocked the most stunning dress of the show: a white corset gown with a monstrous skirt of gold, silver and white ruffles, something only Victoria "Posh Spice" Beckham could pull off for a black-tie affair. Other gowns might end up on the fashion "don't" list if not worn by the right star.

At the MAC Viva Glam VIP lounge before the show, MTV News spoke with Eve, who was decked out in a Zac Posen bubble-sleeve shirt and a leather skirt. "I really like his clothes," she said. "It's couture, but I still feel comfortable and sexy. It's a lot, but it's not overwhelming."

Burlesque star Dita Von Teese is also a big fan of Posen's for his "attention to detail" and "embroidery," which reminds her of burlesque corsets from the 1940s. "But his stuff isn't just all about the past, it's just a little nod to it and he's aware of historic clothing, and that's what I love about what he does."

			Runway Reject? Hardly: See the All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter turn into a model for Fashion Week — and look so good, he says it hurts.

So, who takes longer to get ready: Von Teese or hubby Marilyn Manson?

"What's really great about being with someone who wears makeup and cares about how he dresses is that he understands when it takes me a little longer to get ready and I understand when it takes him longer," she said. "We have patience for each other. And we have separate areas of the house where we get ready. We need our space. But there's never any, 'Are you ready?'

"You can't rush glamour ever," she said. You hear that, guys?

At the Diesel show Wednesday night, held at Cipriani on 42nd Street, it was all about the extremely high waist. With a cloud-filled backdrop and techno blasting on the speakers, Avril Lavigne, Heather Graham and Christina Milian took up residence in the front row. Striped jeans with buttons and tapered legs were almost chest-high, as were red-and-white short shorts, all worn with tight blouses.

Other great items included sweater dresses, jumpsuits, jumper dresses, gold boots, wacky gold leggings, a white bubble dress worn with a thick gold belt at the waist and gold bathing suits. A standout piece was an electric-red, flowy cocktail dress with a wide belt adorned with clear bubbles.

"I loved the show," Milian said. "It's probably the best one for me this week. I can see myself wearing every single piece that was up there. It's very much my style, from the boots to the high-waisted pants to the gold."

Milian hopes the high-waisted jeans will trickle down to the streets.

"I have a couple of high-waisted jeans inside of my closet that could use some wearing," she said. "I've worn it in some of my videos, and I was hoping they would catch on."

Graham wore a striped sweater dress to the Diesel show. "I love rocking the sweater dress," she said. "I think it adds a little edge."

Later Wednesday night, fresh-faced designer Michon Schur was pumped — and nervous — to showcase her feminine, modern and relaxed designs.

Ivory ruffle-sleeve satin shirts, light-blue dainty dresses, silk and gold bustier tops, baby-doll dresses with puffy sleeves and gorgeous white lace dresses would look perfect on celebrities like Kirsten Dunst and Mischa Barton, who just happened to be sitting in the front row.

"Her designs are really great for girls, and it's perfect for young women that really dress for themselves," Barton said. "People always ask me who I am wearing when I wear Michon Schur."

We give Barton the "Fashion Star of the Week" award: So far, she has attended Anna Sui, Zac Posen, Matthew Williamson, Nanette Lepore, Marchesa, Marc Jacobs, Jenni Kayne and Fashion Rocks, in addition to Schur's show (see "Lil' Kim Falls For Pet-Carrying Luggage, Fonzworth Has Bees In His Stomach As Fashion Week Kicks Off" and "Fashion Week Update: Hilton Sisters Get 'Married,' Kelis Brings Down The House").

The "Project Runway" fashion show on Friday morning (September 15) showcased the four designers remaining on the Bravo reality show hosted by Heidi Klum.

Neck-tattooed designer Jeffrey opened the show with rock-and-roll outfits inspired by a Japanese book, including a red-and-white polka-dot dress and tan-and-gray vests with cuts in the sides. A green-and-white striped jacket with a tan skinny pant and a green-and-white dress closed the 12-piece collection.

Uli was up next, and her line consisted of tan, silver and black flowy dresses and skirts. A strapless silver dress with a front gold buckle snap and a blue gown with a tie-dye-like print stood out.

Next was Laura, the pregnant mother of five, who showcased a tan turtleneck dress, a gold shift dress, a black mesh strapless dress and a feather-top baby-doll dress.

Michael was the last to present, and it was all about a street-safari look. The first outfit was a white lace-up dress with gold pockets and a tan belt. Other items included white kimono tops, a green-and-blue halter dress, a fuchsia satin jumper, a white crisscross suit and a black-and-tan patterned dress.

• Paris Hilton, Avril Lavigne, Kate Bosworth, 50 Cent And More At Fashion Week

• Christina Milian
• Diddy
• Kanye West
• Hilary Duff
• Good Charlotte

Jessica Simpson
Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Ashlee may be keeping mum, but Jessica Simpson has 'fessed up to having some work done. In the October issue of Glamour, the singer admitted that, as speculated in some tabloids, she plumped up her lips. "I had that Restylane stuff," she told the magazine, referring to the protein-based, collagen-like gel. "But it fades — it went away in like four months. My lips are back to what they were. Thank God! It looked fake to me. I didn't like that." Asked about whether she has had any cosmetic surgery, Simpson quipped, "The only thing I've ever wanted is a boob reduction! I have to wear two sport bras when I jog. I create a 'uniboob.' " ...

Simpson also opened up about her loneliness. "There are moments when I would love to fall asleep with my head on somebody's shoulder," she said, "just because I was so used to that for so long. I miss that." Unlike ex Nick Lachey, though, Simpson said she'd rather not talk about her divorce, calling it a "sacred" subject that she discusses only with her friends, family and God. Asked for her reaction to Lachey's candid interview with Rolling Stone magazine earlier this year, Simpson said, "people kept that away from me." The singer also vowed to never invite cameras into her private life again. ...

In yet more Jessica news, she finally sang again on Friday (September 1) after injuring her throat a week ago — even if she could barely make it through one song. Simpson sang "I Belong to Me" on the "Today" show, although toward the end, she admitted, "All right, I tried that one," according to The Associated Press. She said she had "busted a blood vessel in my vocal cord" and was nursing a remedy that co-host Matt Lauer called "gnarly looking." ...

Good Charlotte, Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and producer Glen Ballard (P.O.D., Alanis Morissette) are collaborating on a song to celebrate the 35th anniversary of environmental organization Greenpeace. The song, which will feature additional yet-unannounced singers, will be recorded September 9 at SIR in Hollywood. ... Some choose Christie's. Others go with Sotheby's. Self-described "Internet junkie" Christina Milian, however, knew exactly where to go when it came time to get rid of some of her clothes — she went to eBay. Going by the Internet handle "beatdownprincess," Milian put 13 items up for sale on the online auction house, including a tight black dress worn on "TRL" and a pair of boots from Lil' Romeo's "It's All Gravy" music video. According to Milian, money from the sale of the items will go to various charities. ...

J Records honcho Clive Davis promises that a new album from Whitney Houston is in the works, explaining that they're currently working on songs together and have already picked out six that she'll record. But don't expect Whitney to change the way she works or her creative style for her comeback album — she won't be writing, and she won't be doing anything that her producers say could be musically groundbreaking. "Whitney doesn't write," Davis said. "It's a gift — you either got it or you don't. I've seen more artists lose a career over trying to do that. Ella Fitzgerald didn't write. Lena Horne didn't write. Whitney is Whitney, and there ain't nobody like her. It'll be Whitney. It won't be somebody reaching for a current trend, that's for sure." Davis said they'll be heading to the studio in a few weeks. ...

He's done reality TV, so now "Rock Star" host Dave Navarro is going the fictional route. The Panic Channel guitarist has teamed with "Entourage" writer Cliff Dorfman and writer Neil Strauss — who co-wrote Navarro's biography, "Don't Try This at Home" — to write the pilot for a one-hour drama for FX called "The Product," which chronicles the backstage life of the dysfunctional rock band Load, according to Variety magazine. The show will follow the band as it records its new album, following a three-year hiatus in which the members haven't spoken to one another. ... Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is getting in a little TV time of his own. He'll guest on the September 25 episode of "Two and a Half Men," playing a rock-star neighbor who clashes with Charlie Sheen's character. Tyler previously did a voiceover on the show in 2003. ...

New York rockers Revelation Theory will be touring this fall with Evanescence. The group will be the support act on the Amy Lee-led band's North American tour, which kicks off in Toronto on October 5. Revelation Theory's debut LP, Truth Is Currency, is in stores now. ... Le Tigre's Johanna Fateman, a devout feminist, is the new co-owner of Seagull, a salon in New York's West Village that became the city's first unisex barbershop when it opened in 1971. Fateman and longtime friend/ hair stylist Shaun Cottle have remodeled shop as a beauty parlor and recruited in-demand stylists, with Fateman occasionally playing the role of receptionist. ... Rapper Jin has created the first webcam-based battle rap Web site, dubbed Spitcam. Jin moderates the competition and hosts Web chats. ...

A beach party honoring late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury planned for Saturday in Zanzibar, Tanzania, has been criticized by a local Muslim leader. Azan Kalid of Zanzibar's Association for Islamic Mobilation and Propagation said the singer, who died of AIDS in 1991, violated Islam and that the party should be canceled. Simai Mohammed, manager of the Mercury restaurant hosting the party — and named for the singer — said the event will go on as planned. "Our main idea is to promote tourism, and Freddie Mercury was from Zanzibar," Mohammed said. "It's part of our history. We are all Muslims and it's not our intention to offend any religion." Mercury would have been 60 on September 5.

08.31.2006

Mariah Carey, Babyface, L.A. Reid and Kanye West were all winners at the sixth annual Urban Awards held Wednesday at New York's Roseland Ballroom. The awards show, hosted by performing-rights organization BMI, honored Carey with its two top awards, Song of the Year ("We Belong Together") and Songwriter of the Year, which she shared with Miami producers Bigg D and Jim Jonsin (Trick Daddy, Pretty Ricky). L.A. Reid and writing partner Babyface were given a lifetime achievement BMI Icons award, while Kanye scooped up Producer of the Year honors for the second year in a row and Jazze Pha's "1, 2 Step" for Ciara took the BMI Urban Ringtone Award. ...

(Check out photos from the 2006 BMI Urban Music Awards red carpet.)

The surviving members of the Beatles have sued EMI and Capitol Records claiming the record companies cheated them out of millions of dollars. According to BBC News, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison are seeking $25 million in damages against the companies, which they claimed had falsely listed Beatles albums as destroyed or damaged but then secretly sold them. A judge in New York's State Supreme Court denied EMI's request last week for the claim — filed in December — to be thrown out over lack of evidence. The group is also looking to reclaim rights to all its master tapes. ...

Lawyers for Great White tour manager Daniel Biechele filed a motion in Superior Court this week seeking a reduction in his four-year prison sentence in connection with the Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people in February 2003. According to The Providence Journal, Biechele's lawyer said his client is not seeking a hearing on his motion at this time, but that the request was filed to beat a deadline to preserve Biechele's right to seek a reduced sentence if circumstances in the case change. The club's co-owners are awaiting trial and if they receive shorter sentences or are acquitted, that could prompt Biechele to seek a reduction. In February, Biechele, 29, pleaded guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter, one for each of the people who died in the fire set off by stage pyrotechnics Biechele lit inside the club. ...

Gibson Guitar has hooked up with Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong to create the Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Signature model guitar, which will be available beginning in September for around $2,100. The design is based on Armstrong's beloved 1950s model Gibson Les Paul Jr. guitar. It will come in three colors (vintage sunburst, classic white and ebony) with a custom hard-shell case with leopard-print interior and Green Day's signature "Shock Guy" logo on the exterior. ... Audioslave's Tom Morello will be throwing out the first pitch at Chicago's Wrigley Field on Sunday as his favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, take on the San Francisco Giants. ...

Frances Bean Cobain comes from serious rock stock, but is the daughter of Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love considering a music career of her own? "Not really," she told the U.K. edition of Elle in its September issue. "I'd much rather act and I really like photography." Cobain said she'd love to be a film director, explaining that she'd rather be in control than be in front of a camera — "I'm a bit of a bossy-boots." On the subject of footwear, the 14-year-old admits a passion for shoes, explaining that she's already collected 137 pairs. "I counted them, which is pathetic. ... And I've got over 200 pairs of jeans and at least 50 designer handbags." ...

Rancid's Tim Armstrong has been working on material that he'll be releasing in the form of a solo album titled A Poet's Life. He's even shot a video for the disc's first single, "Hold On." There's no firm release date yet for the LP, but Armstrong said in an online post that it should surface before year's end — but not in the conventional manner. He wants to release the songs one track at a time, online, free of charge. He also wrote that Rancid's seventh studio offering will be released next year, and that the band will begin writing songs for it in December. "In the upcoming years, I hope to make another Transplants album," he wrote. "I love recording with those guys." ... TV on the Radio are including three new tracks to their upcoming album, Return To Cookie Mountain, including "Snakes and Martyrs," "Things You Can Do" and an El-P remix of Cookie's "Hours." You'll have to fast-forward through 14 tracks of silence and one "ambient audio" track to hear the songs. Cookie Mountain is due September 12. ...

This year's Farm Aid concert just got way eclectic. In addition to previously announced sets from founders Neil Young, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and board member Dave Matthews, the September 30 concert at the Tweeter Center will feature reggae legends Steel Pulse, polka star Jimmy Sturr, pedal-steel guitarist Robert Randolph and rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, as well as Los Lonely Boys, Arlo Guthrie, Gov't Mule, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, Shelby Lynne and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, according to the event's Web site. ... Actor Glenn Ford, who racked up screen credits in nearly 100 films over his 50-year career — but is perhaps best known to younger audiences as Clark Kent's Earth father in 1978's "Superman" — died Wednesday at age 90.

• Jessica Simpson
• Nick Lachey
• Good Charlotte
• Christina Milian
• Dave Navarro

Wale, Keri Hilson, The-Dream, More At A BET/Grey Goose Party

• Christina Milian
• Kristinia DeBarge
• Wale
• The-Dream
• Ryan Leslie

Lindsay Lohan, Samantha Ronson, Paris Hilton, More At The Apple Lounge Grand Opening In L.A.

• Tila Tequila
• Christina Milian
• Paris Hilton
• Lindsay Lohan

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

• Danity Kane
• Will.I.Am
• Christina Milian
• Jesse McCartney
• Eve

Tyra Banks, Ashley Olsen, Mandy Moore, More At New York Fashion Week

• Kat DeLuna
• Mandy Moore
• Christina Milian
• Joss Stone
• Damon Dash

Best of 2006: The Red Carpet

• Fall Out Boy
• Beyoncé
• Gwen Stefani
• Gavin Rossdale
• Sean Paul

Best of 2006: Backstage & Party Moments

• Fall Out Boy
• P!nk
• Kanye West
• Busta Rhymes
• Hype Williams

Hollywood's Hottest Party At The PlayStation 3 Launch

• Paris Hilton
• Lindsay Lohan
• Katharine McPhee
• Nick Cannon
• Christina Milian

Christina Milian, Carmen Electra, More At The H&M/Viktor & Rolf Wedding Party

• Christina Milian

Paris Hilton, Avril Lavigne, Kate Bosworth, 50 Cent And More At Fashion Week

• Lil' Kim
• Foxy Brown
• Mos Def
• Cee-Lo
• Fonzworth Bentley

Kanye, Christina Milian, More At Timbaland's VMA Bash

• Kanye West
• Timbaland
• Brooke Hogan
• Christina Milian