Posts By Emily Exton

January 23rd, 2013 | 12:00 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Train To Perform At “VH1′s Best Super Bowl Concert Ever” Live From New Orleans

The Super Bowl isn’t the Super Bowl without some major parties, which is why we’re thrilled to announce that Train will be headlining “VH1′s Best Super Bowl Concert Ever,“ live from New Orleans before this year’s big game. And now that we know who will be suiting up (both on and off the field) it’s time to start planning: The fun kicks off on Friday, February 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with a live broadcast on VH1.com. Former Super Bowl champ turned morning show host Michael Strahan will serve as one of the evening’s MCs, along with VH1′s very own Carrie Keagan.

With less than two weeks to go, we’ll be sure to update you with additional scheduled appearances from NFL greats and even more of your musical favorites. In the meantime, get all the details from the official press release that just hit wires:

January 22nd, 2013 | 7:45 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Not So Fast! The Marine Corps Band Isn’t So Sure Beyoncé Was Lip-Synching After All

After ruining our belief that yesterday’s inauguration ceremony was picture perfect, from above-freezing weather to Al Roker‘s two successful sideline interviews, the U.K. crushed our dreams with reports that Beyoncé‘s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was rehearsed, pre-recorded, and totally fake. Pause for a requisite “noOOOooo!”

Now, the Marine Corps Band–who originally fed the intel to the London Times–is back-tracking on its statements. According to the Associated Press, Capt. Gregory Wolf, another spokesman for the Marine Corps, claimed that because of lack of rehearsal time, a live rendition from Beyoncé and the band was deemed “ill advised.” Wolf went on to state that, “no one in the Marine Band is in a position to assess whether it was live or pre-recorded.” To the left, to the left, spokeswoman who shall not be named.

January 22nd, 2013 | 5:33 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Save The Date: A New Vampire Weekend Album Is Coming In May

There is light at the end of this cold, cruel winter, namely in the form of a new Vampire Weekend album. Rejoice! It’s been way too long, yes? Vampire Weekend’s third album will be released on May 6 or 7, the Columbia grads have announced via their website, home to all things VDub as well as awesome re-imagined versions of George Washington crossing the Delaware. The still untitled LP will be their first since 2010′s Contra, and the lengthy wait may have tortured those of you who have become accustomed to Rihanna-like release schedules. But, as Ezra Koenig (and Cheryl Cole) will tell us, sometimes you have to fight for things you love. In this context “fight” means “respectfully wishing and hoping,” in case that wasn’t clear.

January 22nd, 2013 | 4:51 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

New Kids On The Block, Boyz II Men And 98 Degrees To Star In The Boy Band Tour Of Your Dreams

The New Kids on the Block may have lost their most recent tour buddies to the recording studio but it appears they’re still operating under the principle that two (or more) boy bands are better than one. Yes, NKOTB is hitting the road in 2013, and once again they have invited some pals who know what it’s like to have female fans faint in their presence and tattoo their names to their own skin.

Boyz II Men and 98 Degrees will join New Kids on the Block for 28 swoon-worthy nights this summer, akin to those previously confined to our dreams–the kind that usually happen after one two many glasses of red and multiple engagement notifications on Facebook. But this–this!–is why we stick with boy bands through thick and thin: they always come back to us. The group announced the 2013 tour Tuesday morning on The View and is housing all the information you’ll ever need on the subject in a neat and devilishly-named site called The Package. Allow your mind to wander…

January 22nd, 2013 | 2:02 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Did She Or Didn’t She? Weigh In On Beyoncé’s Lip-Synching Of The National Anthem

Oh say can you see… the American public turning on Queen B? After a generally stunning appearance at Monday’s presidential inauguration, Beyoncé has found herself in a place both Ashlee Simpson and Christina Aguilera know all too well. No, sadly “Shadow” didn’t earn any Grammy Awards so we’re obviously talking about a quote-unquote scandal over the public lip-synching of a beloved national tune. We oohed and aahed at Beyoncé’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” just hours ago, commenting on everything from her fierce runs to those gorgeous green earrings. But is there such a thing as “too good to be true”? According to the London Times, Bey opted to go with a backing track and chose to lip-synch the song rather than perform it live on the Capitol lawn. Photos posted to her official Instagram reveal what we originally thought were rehearsals with the Marine Corp Band on Sunday, but an official spokeswoman for the band tells the UK paper that Bey decided to use this studio version “shortly before her performance.” “A backing track? Really?” asks the otherwise flawless Kelly Clarkson.

January 22nd, 2013 | 11:34 am by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys Put On A Show For Barack Obama

Yesterday was indeed a day to celebrate American political traditions and tremendous achievements in civil rights, but there were also plenty of fashions to covet and musical performances to look forward to in between the peaceful transfer of power. Capping off a long week of celebrity events in support of Barack Obama‘s second term, Beyoncé, Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor had the honor of performing during the official inauguration ceremony, live from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Taylor kicked things off with “America the Beautiful,” defending the right to wear fleece in public (and later providing astute political analysis for NBC), while Kelly dazzled and impressed the likes of Senator Chuck Schumer with her powerful version of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”

“Wow” is right! Season 12 American Idol hopefuls take note: the AI OG remains the gold standard.

January 18th, 2013 | 6:01 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Justin Bieber Celebrates Six Years On YouTube: What Have You Done With Your Life Since Then?

Beliebers. Bieber Fever. #StayStrongForJustin. It’s hard to think about our current, crazy pop culture landscape without mention of the 18-year-old, saggy pants-wearing Canadian who not only fuels our rumor mill but lands coveted entertainment gigs. But no too long ago, there was a time when Justin Bieber was just a boy with a guitar, standing in front of a camera, asking us to love him. Today marks the six-year anniversary of Bieber on YouTube, the place where he first adopted the pseudonym of kidrauhl and changed the way aspiring acts market their talents forever. To celebrate–and once again self-promote–the Bieb is pimping a new acoustic take on one of his personal favorites (“Take You”) from last year’s Believe.

January 18th, 2013 | 3:30 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Nicki Minaj Is Already Complaining About American Idol

Two days into Season 12 of American Idol and we are sincerely feeling for the entire crew. Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj didn’t waste any time trading not-so-discreet digs on Wednesday night’s premiere, and episode two saw Nicki take issue with the entire program as a whole (no discrimination, for better or for worse). Live-tweeting the second night of auditions, as stars are wont to do these days, Nicki hit Twitter with a message of disapproval, directed at the show: “Is Idol really gonna play themselves and show that sh-t? Smdh. Wow.”

We can’t be too surprised by this reaction, mostly because we’ve had plenty of warning that this day would come. Nicki’s live-tweeting did provide a shout-out to Lazaro Arbos–the Cuban-born contestant who struggled with a stuttering problem but delivered an amazing rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”–and sought to promote any positive mentions of her judging style from the loyal Barbz who fill her timeline. Thursday night’s episode did, however, see Nicki “jokingly” argue with a female contestant she wasn’t impressed by over their similar purple eye shadow, as well as wave a hand Mariah’s way when she attempted to counter with her positive comments. Consider it a lite version of the time she threaten to knock Mimi out.

January 18th, 2013 | 1:05 pm by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Get Excited For Barack Obama’s Inauguration By Listening To Some Beyoncé

Not only is Monday the climax of your three-day weekend, it’s an important moment in American history. Barack Obama will officially take office for his second term as President of the United States, with all sorts of pomp and circumstance that demands your full attention–so you can tell your friends and family members that you are sitting at home in your jammies in the name of patriotism. Plus, Beyoncé will be there.

Yes, you did it again, team!

January 18th, 2013 | 10:58 am by Emily Exton (@emilyexton)

Lance Armstrong Isn’t The Only Lance With A Confession To Make

In the spirit of sharing, Lance Bass went on Jimmy Kimmel Live to reveal a very painful, personal secret from his past–something his fellow *NSync members didn’t even know. Having previously cleared up any questions about his sexuality and expressed a strong desire to fly to the moon, who knows what he’s been harboring long after the marionette strings were locked away for a rainy day.

“For many years, throughout the ’90s, I frosted my tips,” Bass bravely confessed during Thursday’s late-night show, following Lance Armstrong‘s teary one-on-one with Oprah Winfrey. What and huh? This is the kind of intelligence that downright shocks those of us passionate TRL voters who truly believed he was born with a beautiful, naturally sun-kissed head.