Corey Feldman Arrives for Larry King Interview
Corey Feldman just arrived to the CNN building in Los Angeles, where's he's being interviewed by Larry King about the death of his close friend, Corey Haim. ...
Casey Johnson — Heiress with No Fortune
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Tila Tequila, Casey Johnson
Casey Johnson -- a member of the famously-wealthy Johnson & Johnson family -- died with approximately $75,000 in assets and with no will ... according to legal documents filed by her father, Robert Johnson IV and obtained by TMZ.In the docs, Johnson, ...
Actor Corey Haim Dead at 38 in Los Angeles
Actor Corey Haim was found unresponsive early Wednesday morning in his Los Angeles apartment, according to reports from People. He was pronounced dead at Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center. Corey, 38, is said to have died of an accidental overdose, but details have not yet been released.
It's not secret that Corey has battled drugs and alcohol for years, but somehow he always managed to pull through. He was best known for films such as The Lost Boys, Lucas and License to Drive. R.I.P Corey Haim.
Photo Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images.
Actor Corey Haim Dead at 38 in Los Angeles originally appeared on About.com Celebrity Gossip on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 08:56:59.
‘Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro’ — Check Out A Preview!
Trek to raise awareness of global need for clean water included Kenna, Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Santigold; doc airs Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.
By James Montgomery
Kenna
Photo: MTV
"Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro" doesn't premiere on MTV until Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, but you can get a sneak peek of the documentary, which follows Kenna and his team's treacherous trek up Africa's highest mountain, right now.
In February, Kenna, along with fellow musicians Lupe Fiasco and Santigold, actors Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch and Isabel Lucas, and a team of scientists and experienced mountain guides, climbed to the peak of Kilimanjaro — some 19,000 feet above sea level — with the goal of raising awareness about the global clean-water crisis. It's an epidemic that hits close to home for the Ethiopian-born artist.
"When I was younger, my dad pointed out Kilimanjaro on a huge atlas. It stood in my mind as one of the wonders of the world," he said. "This climb is dedicated to my father. As a child in Ethiopia, he lost his brother and lost his friends and family to water-borne diseases. A billion people in the world don't have clean water. I had to do something about it. For me it's personal. I could have been one of those kids. I needed to come up with something that would command attention. And the only thing I could think of that was that massive was climbing Kilimanjaro."
(For more on the climb and the need for clean water, check out the "Summit on the Summit"
Web site.)
During the ascent, things got a little rough, with the climbers braving brutal weather, thinning atmosphere, and dizzying nausea. At one point in the film, Biel explains how the mountain has a way of making even the most brazen climber humble.
"I was sort of irritated that we were stopping so much, I said to one of our guides, 'Can we go a little faster?' " she says. "And then I got a little bit irritated, and I started going down this little area, kind of pissed off, and then I immediately got nausea. The mountain was like, 'Don't disrespect me.' "
Before making the final ascent of the peak, climbers rested at Kosovo Camp, a clearing some 16,000 feet above sea level. Everyone was tired and hurting, but the lure of reaching the top of the mountain was strong, as Lupe Fiasco says during the film.
"Everybody has a different set of variables that affect them on the climb, whether it be what they wear, what they eat, when they go to the bathroom, how much they drink," he laughed. "There's an 80 percent chance that you're going to be uncomfortable. So you kind of have to rewire everything into being comfortable with being uncomfortable ... [you have to] overcome yourself to overcome the environment. Because you can't really fight against nature, nature's going to happen regardless."
And while confidence was high, Kenna was still wary. He knew the toughest part of the trip still lay before them — the 3,000-foot climb to the summit — and he was trying to prepare himself mentally. After all, he had been to Kosovo Camp once before, five years ago, and the conditions proved too tough for him to continue on. This time, he promised things will be different.
"You can only be so confident. This mountain has its own mind, and I'll be lucky if I get to the top, I'll be thankful if I get to the top, but I'm not underestimating what's ahead of us," he says. "I'm worried, because people are sick, people have knee problems, people are cold, it's all mental at this point. I don't know how well people are going to be able to pull it off, considering they've never done it before. Last time I was here, that's what happened to me. It wasn't that I was sick, but I could've been more focused, and allowed myself to be sick until I got there. So, I've charged my brain this time, if I vomit or if I trip or if I have frozen toes and feet when I come off and I have to get 'em amputated, I'm going."
Don't miss "Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro," airing Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MTV.
Related Artists
Reese Witherspoon chides Michelle Obama for stealing capital’s style crown
Reese Witherspoon says her "Legally Blonde" character Elle Woods has been ousted as the most stylish woman to come to the US capital by Michelle Obama.
Russell Brand Misses West Ham
‘American Idol’ Top Eight Men: What They Need To Do
Todrick Hall and Aaron Kelly appear to be on the bubble of this year's top 12.
By Gil Kaufman
Andrew Garcia, Alex Lambert, Aaron Kelly and Lee Dewyze
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images
For the most part, the ladies brought it on Tuesday night's "American Idol" and early front-runners are definitely emerging in Crystal Bowersox, Siobhan Magnus and Lilly Scott. On Wednesday night (March 10), it's the guys' turn again, as we speed toward Thursday's elimination, when season nine's top 12 will be determined.
Last week's switcheroo due to Crystal Bowersox's illness didn't throw the guys off, though a few of the men turned in performances that were barely enough to keep them in the running. So what do the rest of the men need to do to win the hearts — and ears — of the nation? How can they get enough votes to avoid landing in the bottom two? Here's what we do (and don't) want to see from these "Idol" hopefuls, starting with those who need the most work.
Aaron Kelly
Being cute will only get you so far. Though he has the Archu-dorable factor, teen Kelly is proving to truly be this year's unripe banana. His "My Girl" was instantly forgettable, and he's turning into one of those semifinalists who doesn't really have a musical portfolio. He's tried country and old-school R&B, but if Kelly wants to make the top 12, he needs to show the panel he's got a lane of his own. How about a killer Simon & Garfunkel cover (since most of this year's Idols seem stuck in the past) or something by Kris Allen?
Tim Urban
Unless this kid has been taking voice lessons from the ghost of Jeff Buckley all week, it doesn't really matter what Tim does, because he's just killing time at this point. He might not go this week, but he's further proof that being adorable can get you into the semifinals but not much further. Urban is the weakest male link, so he might as well blast off with a blaze of glory with something ridiculous like "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."
Todrick Hall
With Jermaine Sellers gone, dancer Hall remains as the loose cannon in the bunch. His confidence hasn't yet meshed with a breakout performance, and though his sedate take on Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It" was interesting, Hall has been the judges' punching bag to date. Unless he kills it, say with a seductive Usher throw-down, Hall could be the next to go.
Casey James
Speaking of cute, James is still trying to shake off the whole cougar-bait thing, but his limp rendition of the too-frequent "Idol" cover "I Don't Want to Be" didn't exactly show off his rock chops. Regardless, assuming he doesn't completely tank, Casey will likely make the top 12. He should, however, soar by proving his grit this week with something edgier. How about an unplugged Kid Rock tune?
Lee Dewyze
He's the token rocker, which is a good place to be this year, because he's got virtually no competition. Dewyze is on a hot streak, and he's got Simon on his side, so he should play it safe this week to ensure a top 12 berth. He's done well playing his acoustic guitar, so maybe a Kings of Leon song would work for him.
Andrew Garcia
What happened to you, man? Garcia seemed a shoo-in for the top three, but he's gotten steadily diminishing returns thanks to sleepy song choices, like James Morrison's "You Give Me Something," which find him fading into the pack. He needs another "Straight Up," pronto! Now's the best time to wow the judges again with a clever (re)arrangement of a classic — perhaps a folky version of Jane's Addiction's "Been Caught Stealing"?
Michael Lynche
He's not blowing anyone away, but slow-and-steady Lynche is getting it done every week. He's likeable, solid and very comfortable onstage. Big Mike is almost certainly going to advance, so a bit more of what the judges already like, perhaps a touch of Maxwell on acoustic guitar, could ensure his spot.
Alex Lambert
Either Lambert is pulling a rope-a-dope and is planning to emerge as a camera-ready superstar from his mullet-duckling persona, or we're reading too much into his phoenix-like rise from the ashes of two twitchy weeks ago. He nailed John Legend's "Everybody Knows" last week, and a command performance of a Robin Thicke tune might cement his blue-eyed soul bona fides.
What do you want to see from the guys on Wednesday night? Who do you hope steps up their game this week? Let us know below!
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Related Videos
Related Photos
Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks to be honoured with Barbie doll
Mad Men's Joan, Roger, Don and Betty will be immortalised in plastic by Mattel, which is making Barbie and Ken doll versions of the television characters.
Corey Haim — Drug OD, Sources Say
Filed under: R.I.P.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Corey Haim did indeed OD on drugs, and his mom is the one who discovered him in the apartment and called 911.Although cause of death is premature, so far law enforcement is telling us it was "possibly ...
Corey Haim Found Dead
Filed under: R.I.P.
Actor Corey Haim died this morning of an apparent overdose -- possibly accidental -- according to LAPD. He was 38.Police tell us they were called to St. Joseph's hospital in Burbank, CA shortly before 4AM PT to investigate.Haim shot to fame in the ...
Corey Haim Found Dead
'Lost Boys' star pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in his Los Angeles-area home.
By Jocelyn Vena
Corey Haim
Photo: Jason Kempin/ FilmMagic
Actor Corey Haim, 38, was found dead early Wednesday (March 10) of an apparent drug overdose, according to KTLA. [LINK The actor, who rose to fame in the 1980s alongside longtime pal Corey Feldman, was found unresponsive in his apartment near Burbank, California, police told the station.
He reportedly died at 3:30 a.m. PT, and his mother was at his home at the time of his death. He was pronounced dead Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, police said.
Haim was born in Ontario in 1971 and as a teenager found fame in Hollywood. He first starred in 1984's "Firstborn" with Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. He was a star of the decade, alongside other notable actors of the era like C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez. He starred in films like "Silver Bullet," Lucas" and most famously 1987's "The Lost Boys," with Feldman as well as Kiefer Sutherland.
In the 1990s Haim played more obscure roles yet continued to work steadily in films like "National Lampoon's Last Resort" and "Prayer of the Rollerboys." Haim struggled with substance abuse through much of his career.
In the past decade, however, Haim made moves for a career comeback. He starred alongside Feldman on their A&E reality show, "The Two Coreys," for two seasons. He was also made a cameo in the "Lost Boys" sequel, "Lost Boys: The Tribe," where he reprised his role as Sam Emerson. He also had several films in production at the time of his death.
‘American Idol’ Ladies Night: Didi Benami And Crystal Bowersox Shine
Paige Miles and Katie Stevens, however, might not have done enough to make the top 12.
By Gil Kaufman
Didi Benami
Photo: Fox
With last week's medical drama behind them, the top eight ladies took the "American Idol" stage Tuesday night (March 9) in the final performance before this year's top 12 is chosen. In what is becoming an Adam Lambert-like bit of déjà vu, leading contender Crystal Bowersox nailed it again, while Siobhan Magnus, Lacey Brown and Didi Benami had solid enough nights to likely make it to next week.
First up, singing Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," was 17-year-old Katie Stevens, the high-schooler who smartly chose a contemporary artist to combat complaints from the judges that she was coming off as too old. The performance started off shaky with some flat spots as Stevens struggled to find the right notes, seemingly singing in too low a key. When she reached the midsection, Stevens began working the stage a bit and singing in a higher register that was more suited to her voice.
Randy Jackson wasn't loving it, saying the tune by the first "Idol" winner was too big for the teen's voice and making the dreaded karaoke comparison. Ellen was excited that Katie took their notes and went young, praising her voice, though she felt Stevens didn't sell the lyrics. "I think what's going on this year is we have people who really know themselves and people who don't," said Kara DioGuardi, who told Stevens she had a great radio voice. "I don't think you know who you are yet as an artist." To her credit, Cowell said, Katie has gotten a lot of confusing advice and taken it to heart, but like Kara, he said Stevens just doesn't know what kind of singer she wants to be yet. Though he gave her a 10-out-of-10 for trying, he called the rendition "gloomy."
Going retro, Siobhan Magnus went with a song she heard her dad sing growing up, the Animals' 1964 hit "House of the Rising Sun." Starting out with an almost operatic a cappella run, Magnus put rich emotion into the rootsy lament, singing it like a folk/blues anthem and proving again that she's a real contender for the title.
"You are why I love music, because it's supposed to move you, it's supposed to do what you just did to me," Ellen said. "I was captivated. I loved what you did with the song. You made it current. You're spectacular." Randy applauded the risks Magnus takes every week, even praising her for not taking the judges' advice, and Kara was way into the a cappella bit at the beginning. "You are so unique and different," she said, marveling at how surprised she is every week by Magnus' choices. Simon, however, wasn't feeling it. From the pre-interview where she talked about her dad to her kimono-like outfit and the performance, "It was all a bit weird" for Simon, who felt she didn't really do anything interesting with the song. "I was under-impressed. I thought you were so much better where you had that really cool moment. There was no moment in that. It was all a bit ploddy, a bit boring."
Getting back into her singer/songwriter sweet spot, Lacey Brown took on Brandi Carlile's "The Story," a country-ish ballad that suited her breathy voice and high, clear falsetto.
Though he didn't love the song, Cowell said she sang it very, very well and felt he could hear it on the radio right now. He also noted that she worked the cameras very well but still felt like he hadn't heard Brown's definitive performance yet and that she hasn't found the song that's going to make her stand out.
With a standout performance of Coldplay last week, Katelyn Epperly went back in time again for Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move," standing a bit awkwardly at a keyboard and giving the song a generic disco-boogie feel that at points still managed to highlight her scratchy, soulful voice.
DeGeneres wasn't sure it was the right song choice to help get Epperly into the top 12, while Kara went a step further and said it didn't really feel like Katelyn came to compete but was just going through the motions. "It just wasn't enough," she said. The hair and the Wurlitzer groove worked for Randy, but he didn't think Epperly had a connection or vibe with the song. Simon also liked her golden crown of curls, but said, "On the downside, it was kind of like request night on a Friday night at a restaurant if you were working there." Epperly explained she chose the tune to avoid repeat criticism from Simon about being corny. "On what is arguably the most important night of your career, you chose quite a simple song, didn't do anything special with it, and I think other people look as if they're trying harder. So this may have been a mistake for you tonight."
Picking up her guitar for the first time since Hollywood, Didi Benami went torchy with an Adele-like folky ramble through Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon," wrapping her supple voice around the song's yearning lyrics and coming across as earnest and focused.
For Randy, it was way better than last week, even though it didn't have a "wow" moment, and Ellen loved how Benami came back from being trashed last week with confidence and grace. For Kara, it was simply one of her favorite moments of the season so far and, in a rarity, Cowell agreed, saying, it was "head and shoulders above anything else we've heard tonight. For the first time, certainly since these live shows, you proved that you're an artist, and I think, Randy, I disagree, she did have a 'wow' moment and the wow moment was the whole performance."
The news was not so great for Paige Miles, who went with one of Michael Jackson's favorite songs, the weepy ballad "Smile," popularized by silent-film icon Charlie Chaplin. Miles never quite found her groove, as her quavering voice struggled to keep up with the song's tricky arrangement.
The pained look on Ellen's face said it all, as Randy called the tune too big for her. "That song is supposed to be inspiring, it's supposed to be uplifting, and it was just sad and heavy ... and you have such a great personality, and we didn't get to see it, and we keep saying over and over, this is the time to shine. This is the time to show us who you are, and I don't think that was the right song for you to choose," DeGeneres said. From the horrible choice of song to the awful 1974 Holiday Inn lounge arrangement, Cowell said it was probably the end of the road for a good singer who just doesn't seem to know what kind of artist she wants to be. Miles, a huge fan of the Jackson version, said she simply couldn't hold her emotions in check during the performance.
Cementing her status as the one to beat, Crystal Bowersox strapped on an electric guitar for Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason," reaching deep for a glimpse of the bluesy grit she learned in her hometown of Chicago. Bowersox imbued the song with just the right amount of hip-swaying sass and country swagger, drawing the biggest ovation of the night.
"You are 1 million, billion percent going to be in the top 12 next week," Cowell promised, noting that Bowersox has clearly gained confidence during her run on the show and again dubbing her the one to beat. Ellen's run out of adjectives to describe Bowersox's talent, calling it the performance of the night. "This is what we talk about when people know who they are," Kara said, pointing out that the song choice was perfect because it's exactly what she could heard Crystal doing on her debut album. "Every time you step up there, it's easy for you, because ... you just know what to do."
Lilly Scott closed the show with Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces," giving the country classic a Hawaiian spin while strumming an electric mandolin and wrapping her kewpie-doll voice around the song's sensual lyrics.
It was all good for Randy, who said Scott was in the zone, while DioGuardi marveled at how she found a way to make a 50-year-old song sound contemporary. "I think you're very brave for choosing that song on a night like this," Cowell said, before knocking Scott for lacking the 'wow' factor necessary to close the night with a bang. "It was cute, it was quirky, it plays into what you're all about, but that could have been a risky thing to do."
The top eight men are up next Wednesday night, and the final four semifinalists will go home Thursday.
What did you think of the women's performances? Who killed it? Who blew it? Who is definitely making it to the top 12? Let us know by leaving your comments below.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
Related Photos
