Posts By Zara Golden

July 23rd, 2012 | 4:38 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Mariah Carey Has Signed On As American Idol Judge

Mariah Carey is back to business, and officially on board to judge American Idol‘s twelve season. Today Fox president Kevin Reilly confirmed the good news before dialing Mariah up on her cell phone to tell the star himself. “I’m so excited to be joining Idol,” she gushed, thrilled no doubt by the opportunity to put her industry experience to work, as well as the reported $12 million-plus salary she will be earning.

There has been much debate as to who could possibly fill the seats left open by Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler‘s exit. Not only does that someone have to be worthy of brassy Idol judges past, he or she will also have to stand their own against The X Factor‘s Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on The Voice. Mariah and her five-octave vocal range should do just the trick. We only worry that, as it did for Lopez, who left “to get back to doing the other things that I do that I’ve put kind of on hold because I love Idol so much,” judging will slow down her recently announced return to music. Otherwise, we’re thrilled to have a diva of her caliber back in the spotlight on the regular.

And our apologies to Aretha Franklin, who was hoping to earn a seat — the diva quotient for this season has likely been reached. However, the scramble is not over yet, and as for the others whose names have been bantered about — like Idol‘s own Adam Lambert — Tyler’s and possibly Randy Jackson‘s seats still remain to be filled.

Mariah Carey Joins ‘American Idol’ [EW]

July 23rd, 2012 | 3:14 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Young The Giant Take Us Behind The Scenes At Firefly Music Festival

To Pitchfork two weekends ago for Kendrick Lamar and Vampire Weekend, and then back again for Red Hot Chili Peppers and Flo at Lollapolooza next. Summer’s busy festival season draws fans to corners of the country far and wide with line-ups that bundle all their favorite acts into one great go. But what does it take to get those artists here and there and onstage, week in and week out? VH1 News caught up with California indie rockers Young The Giant at Dover, Delaware’s Firefly Music Festival this past weekend to see. There’s their big-red bus decked with beer cubbies (“It’s like living on a submarine”), friends (“It’s like working summer camp”), and dressing rooms stocked with soda pop and candy (although one day, they hope to find “a room filled with tiny wolverines, like Mariah Carey and her puppies). And most of all there is the crowd. “When we can get the audience to kind of move around and dance and just look happy? That’s pretty much it,” says drummer Francois Comtois. Read more…

July 23rd, 2012 | 1:46 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Carly Rae Jepsen Defers On Song of the Summer, Chooses “We Are Young” Instead Of “Call Me Maybe”

If early front-runner Carly Rae Jepsen was rooting for her own “Call Me Maybe” for Song of the Summer, we wouldn’t have held it against her. Big Sean has got her back, and she would hardly be alone in her vote. But when we caught-up her last night on the red carpet at of the Teen Choice Awards she instead deferred the title to a fellow nominee. “I mean, I have a lot of songs that I love about summer,” she offered diplomatically before admitting, that this time around, she’s really into the fun.‘s indie-pop anthem “We Are Young.” She also showed some love “for sure” for No Doubt, who returned to the stage last night. “I want to shake their hands, say thank you for the amazing music,” she gushed. No shame in either choice!

It’s nice that, even though there were Summer Song and Breakout Artist boards waiting for her, Jepsen is still feeling all “I-just-met-you” about her quick rise to fame. “I’m not quite used to it yet,” she said, looking and sounding truly demure in a satin-white blazer and palm-tree covered skirt. “But I don’t think I ever want to become used to it, because it’s really fun to be here and be like, ‘Ah! This is crazy!’”

July 23rd, 2012 | 12:37 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Mariah Carey Is Poised For A “Triumphant” Return

Mariah Carey is poised for a “Triumphant” return next month — August, for an august diva like she! — with the help MMG comrades Rick Ross and Meek Mill. Mimi shared the good news yesterday on Twitter, where she explained also that, “I wrote TRIUMPHANT when I was going through a difficult time & it helped me get through it. When you hear it, pay attention 2 the lyrics.” An intriguing tease, as she sure has had quite the year or two between Dem Babies and her husband Nick Cannon’s health issues. It’s not like she needs a reason to sing it out, but if it gets her back to the studio? We’ll always be here to listen, Mimi.

Mariah has worked with Ross in the past on that “Touch My Body (Remix)”, and she bares an impressive catalog of rap collaborations past — who could forget that Bad Boy Remix of “Honey” or Jay’s verse on “Heartbreaker”? It’s exciting to see her hooking up with two of today’s biggest gets, but we worry that her comeback might get lost in the bunches of other Maybach Music branded singles currently dominating radio waves. We won’t worry too much, though, because Mimi’s no mere hook-girl, and one of her trade mark vocal runs and a twinkle of that whistle register will be quick to remind us of why she always “Triumphs.”

July 23rd, 2012 | 11:17 am by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

President Obama Thinks You Should Know “What Makes You Beautiful.”

President Barack Obama is getting good at this. Like he did with Carly Rae Jepsen and the Biebs’ before, he nails this lip-dub of One Direction‘s “What Makes You Beautiful.” It’s nice to hear him say things like, “You’re insecure, don’t know what for,” and not think it a testament to his national security acumen so much as an ode to his lovely FLOTUS or an inspiring missive for his electorate. A commander-in-chief and a teen-dream, we suggest he keep this charming act up — it will be hard to forget he thinks we’re beautiful come voting day!

July 23rd, 2012 | 9:57 am by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Tuned In: No Doubt Make A Big Return At The Teen Choice Awards

Any actual teens tuned in last night were just kids the last time No Doubt hit the Teen Choice Awards, but it was no matter as Los Angeles’ Gibson Amphitheater was buzzing with excitement for the iconic band’s return to the stage. And they didn’t disappoint, as they were in fine form performing their new single “Settle Down” for the first time live. The entire crew was dressed in black and white, and the rest of the act was kept simple, as well. Their return was spectacle enough. Gwen held court with a big (probably L’Oreal Paris lined) smile and all her usual swag, seeming perfectly at home back on stage, bouncing around and singing at the same time. Two kids and many years later, she’s still hella fine for real. Nothing’s gonna knock that girl down.

July 20th, 2012 | 5:42 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Last Lap: Frank Ocean Addresses His Coming-Out

FRANK OCEAN SAYS HIS “STAR WAS RISING”
In a touching interview with the Guardian he explains that, “I knew that if I waited I would always have somebody that I respected be able to encourage me to wait longer, to not say it till who knows when.” [GaurdianUK]

July 20th, 2012 | 5:10 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

P!nk Confirms Lily Allen Collaboration For Her New Album

Looks like new moms P!nk and Lily Allen will be together in their return to music! P!nk announced on Carson Daly’s radio show that Allen has joining the already impressive list — which so far only includes P!nk’s 13-month old daughter Willow, who is apparently “better on bass than” her mom — of confirmed features for her upcoming album, The Truth About Love. “For the last 14 years, everyone has said no. But this album, everyone said yes,” she said of the get. “I think that’s because people think I’ve softened.”

Both women are currently at work with producer Greg Kurstin on their albums, and so this collaboration makes perfect sense. Aside from the fact that they are both new moms, both P!nk and Lily Allen are known for their no holds barred attitude, as well as their sense of humor when it comes to music. We imagine whatever they come-up with will be fun and full of kick. And as for Allen, who has only just returned to making music after years away, a high-profile feature like this will surely whet fan’s taste for more. And hey, if we’re lucky, maybe P!nk will return the favor!

Pink Tells Carson Daly The Truth About Her Album & Life As A New Mommy [AMP]

July 20th, 2012 | 3:46 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Ke$ha Gives “Many F***s” About Her New Album

It’s been two years now that we’ve been brushing our teeth with a bottle of Jack and slathering on glitter each morning, because waking up feeling like Ke$ha sounds at least as much fun as waking up feeling like Diddy. 2010′s platinum Animal LP, and the same year’s Cannibal EP, have so far assured a steady drip of half-rapped and crass to pop radio. As sure as we are that we’ll listen “We R Who We R” until the end days, we are eager also to see what more the shock-pop queen’s got.

There have been whispers about a new album, but save for that snippet Dr. Luke leaked about sexy-time with the supernatural and something about a new genre called c*ck pop is about all she’s afforded the subject. Until now: In an interview in the new issue of Rolling Stone, the wild star talks at length about the project, and promises that, “about 90 percent of the time, I don’t give a f*ck. But I give so many f*cks about this album.”

So there will be no messing with that spirit of hers. Instead, it sounds like she plans to employ her wonderfully unhinged energy for the better. “I said ‘Let’s leave the tricks to a minimum and let me wail,’” she said. “I want it to be a mix of what works on the radio and what I listen to in my spare time,” she added, citing a “steady diet of T. Rex and Iggy Pop.” Fellow weirdo Wayne Coyne might make an appearance, as could The Black Keys‘ drummer Patrick Carney; and according to Rolling Stone‘s report, the 17 songs she’s started work on are “all stomping, ultracatchy dance tracks.” And unlike her records past, things could might deep this time around. “The first two records talked more about partying, which is a great, magical part of life. But some songs on the new record are more personal and vulnerable,” she said. More personal than her illicit morning routine? Until the album’s release, set tentatively for later this year, we can only hope.

Ke$ha Offers New Details On Upcoming Album [Idolator]

July 20th, 2012 | 1:28 pm by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

What We Want, What We Really, Really Want: Spice Girls To Perform At Olympics Closing Ceremony

The Spice Girls have been at the center of a lot of rumors lately. In the past few months, we’ve heard word that the Girls will reunite for their musical memoir Viva Forever, if not also for some Olympic fun. Any Spice Girls news is good news, but we’ve been waiting on confirmation to pull out our platforms. Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham addressed some of these rumors yesterday on British radio, where she batted back hopes of a comeback tour before letting slip that the girls are “very excited about the Olympics.” And so are we, especially so knowing that we’ll finally get that Spice Girls reunion we have so long been waiting (and planning our outfits) for!

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the good word on the streets this morning is that all five of the original Spice Girls are “expected to” preform together at the London 2012 Olympic closing ceremony on August 12th. Dusted-off and decked in the Union Jack like Jerri “Ginger Spice” Halliwell always was wont to be, they’ll join the Kingdoms’s finest — Queen, The Who, George Michael, Tinie Tempah, Jessie J and several sheep dogs, to name just a few — for two songs, one of which is likely be “Wannabe,” aka, what we want, what we really, really want! How zig-a-zig-ah would that be?