Melody Plant

You may think there’s no such thing as a smart pop star but take Girls Aloud lead singer Nadine Coyle out of the question as she is quite the business woman. She already has a Mexican restaurant she opened in Orange County in California and also has property investments. In addition to that, she’s opening up a candle shop in Los Angeles. She definitely has a good head on her shoulders and knows that a pop career isn’t going to last forever. The UK pop princess is now based in LA where her family lives. Why can’t all pop stars be like her?

Miley Cyrus has debuted her latest single ‘7 Things’ on Tuesday morning on the syndicated radio show Elvis Duran and the Morning Zoo. The single comes off Miley’s new album which will hit stores on July 22. The song describes the pain of a recent breakup by listing 7 things that she “hates” about her ex. “You’re vain, your games, you’re insecure/You love me, you like her/You make me laugh you make me cry.” She then sings about 7 things she likes. “Your hair, your eyes, your old Levi’s/And when we kiss, I’m hypnotized/You make me laugh, you make me cry.” I’m still not sure what to think of it. It sounds too much like it could be an Avril Lavigne song and I hate Avril!

Amy Winehouse is working on a new track with Babyshambles.

Band frontman Pete Doherty confirmed the ‘Rehab’ singer teamed up with guitarist Mick Whitnall in the studio while he was in London’s Wormwood Scrubs Prison.

He said: ‘Mick and Amy have a great relationship. They have been working on material while I was in prison. When I came out I went straight to the recording studio. I just want to get the music going. We’ve been told we will be doing a third album. That will keep me busy and hopefully out of trouble.’

The collaboration, first sounded out last year, is tipped to be released as a single and will appear on the next Babyshambles album.

Earlier this month, producer Mark Ronson reportedly halted sessions to record the new James Bond theme with Amy, 24, saying he was not sure she was ready to work on new music. Pete was released from jail last week after serving 29 days of a 14-week sentence for drug offences.

Rihanna and Chris Brown were spotted just as they shared a passionate kiss at a KFC in Miami on Wednesday. It then turned into PDA central when the 20-yaer old Barbadian babe was seen wrapping her arms around the 19-year old R&B sensation as they waited by the counter for their order. She even kissed his neck and held his hand in public! If they’re still trying to keep their relationship under wraps, they’re doing a really bad job on it. But maybe they’re about to change their tune as Rihanna recently told Elle of Chris that “We’ve always been friends, but we’re very close now.” It’s a hint.

Mariah Carey was set to perform in Dubai on May 15th but for all those who have tickets, might as well get a refund as the diva has just cancelled the show. Unfortunately, Fergie, who was set to follow Mariah the next day, cancelled as well. According to the official press release “Midas Promotions along with Blue Giraffe Entertainment and On Golden Pond Pictures regret to announce the ‘Divas in Dubai’ concert event is being rescheduled to a later date in the Fall 2008. Mariah and Fergie are disappointed that they won’t be able to perform. They had scheduled this one special event in their calendars and were looking forward to performing for the Dubai fans.” The official reason for the postponement is “the extremely compressed time frame along with unforeseen logistical complications compelled us to move the event later in the year to ensure a show commensurate with the level of success of these world class artists and the people of Dubai.”

Madonna has announced the dates for her world tour, which start in late August in Wales. The tour—which is called the Sticky and Sweet Tour—is Madonna’s first under her 10-year, multi million-dollar deal with Live Nation. Ticket prices are going to be between $55 and $300

Tour Dates:

23-Aug - Cardiff, Millennium Stadium
26-Aug - Nice, Stade Charles Ehrmann
28-Aug - Berlin, Olympic Stadium
02-Sept - Amsterdam, Arena
04-Sept - Dusseldorf, LTU Arena
06-Sept - Rome, Olympic Stadium
09-Sept - Frankfurt, Commerzbank Arena
11-Sept - London, Wembley Stadium
20-Sept - Paris, Stade de France
03-Oct - E. Rutherford, Izod Center
06-Oct - New York City, Madison Square Garden
07-Oct - New York City, Madison Square Garden
15-Oct - Boston, TD BankNorth Garden
18-Oct - Toronto, Air Canada Centre
22-Oct - Montreal, Bell Centre
26-Oct - Chicago, United Center
30-Oct - Vancouver, BC Place Stadium
01-Nov - Oakland, Oracle Arena
04-Nov - San Diego, Petco Park
06-Nov - Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium
08-Nov - Las Vegas, MGM Grand Garden Arena
11-Nov - Denver, Pepsi Center
16-Nov - Houston, Minute Maid Park
19-Nov - Philadelphia, Wachovia Center
22-Nov - Atlantic City, Boardwalk Hall
24-Nov - Atlanta, Philips Arena
26-Nov - Miami, Dolphin Stadium

Celine Dion went into overdrive when she performed at O2 Arena in London, England on Tuesday. That day marked the first time that Celine has been in the UK for over ten years. She kicked off her concert with the upbeat ‘I Drove All Night’ and ended her show with the ballad ‘My Heart Will Go On’. Before embarking on her world tour, the 40-year old singer just completed a record 5-year, 5 nights a week show at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. After her tour, the singer will focus more of her time on her family and other interests.

When most of the reviews written about your concert are all at A+, it can be pretty shocking when you get something that’s not so nice. What do you do then? When you’re Kanye West and Entertainment Weekly pretty much trashed your concert in a review, you become a diva about it. The rapper posted a tirade on his blog against the magazine saying “Yo, anybody that’s not a fan; don’t come to my show. For what?! To try and throw ya’ll two cents in? Ya’ll rated my album shitty and now ya’ll come to the show and give it a B+. What’s a B+ mean? I’m an extremist. It’s either pass or fail! A+ or F-! You know what, fuck you and the whole fucking staff!!!” And guys, that’s just a third of it. Kanye’s rule #1, don’t piss Kanye.

Soul singer Duffy has revealed that her hit song Mercy is about a mystery man she wanted to have sex with.

The 23-year-old star said he was a “very sexual character”, adding: “He was gorgeous and I was very tempted, but my morals got the better of me.”

Duffy has denied she wrote the song about her ex-partner Mark Durston. The Welsh idol said she dumped Mark after he cheated on her.

She added: “I thought he treasured me.”

A bomb threat forced a three-hour evacuation of a Bon Jovi concert at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise [Florida] as authorities swept the massive arena for explosives.

The threat turned out to be a hoax, courtesy of someone calling from a cell phone with only 911 capabilities, authorities said. It was unclear if Sunrise police had any suspects. Police did not return numerous messages and pages seeking information Saturday evening.

Sunrise police received the threat sometime around 6 p.m. from a caller saying they would blow up the arena with two bombs at 7:57 p.m., said Sunrise Commissioner Sheila Alu. She said the police had several bomb-sniffing dogs sweeping the arena. “We are taking this very seriously to ensure the safety of all concertgoers,” Alu said.

Scarlett Johansson has recently premiered her first music video ‘Falling Down’ which comes off of her debut solo album ‘Anywhere I Lay My Head’. The cover song, which also features David Bowie on vocals, was originally from Tom Waits’ album ‘Big Time’. It’s a good song but when it comes to the video, forget it. It’s pretty bad with its lame theme of ‘a day in the life of Scarlett’ and with the very shaky camera. It just gave me a headache really. Anyway, Scarlett’s album is set for release through Acto/Rhino Records on May 20. Here’s to hoping that the rest of her album doesn’t give me the headaches.

It’s not your average pairing… but Usher wants to work with Michael Buble.

The R’n’B star is desperate to team up with the Canadian jazz artist on his new album ‘Here I Stand’ and has even written a song for them to perform together.

He said: ‘I would love to perform my track ‘Forever Young’ with Michael Buble. I actually wrote that song with the intention of him and me doing it together.’

The ‘Love in This Club’ singer is also keen to collaborate with US singer-songwriter John Mayer.

Usher added: ‘I would like to do something with John Mayer on one of my songs ‘Something Special’ which is on my new album. I would love him to play the guitar and sing with me on that.’

The 29-year-old star, who has recorded a track with Ne-Yo for his new LP, insists he is happy his 18-year-old chart rival Chris Brown has enjoyed such success.

Usher explained: ‘All of this new energy is great for the industry. Chris is the guy who dances and sings, which is a lot like I do and did as a young artist. If time serves us correctly, and artists continue to better themselves, then hopefully he will follow the same path that I did.’

‘Here I stand’, which is Usher’s fifth studio album, is scheduled to be released worldwide on May 27.

Madonna’s new album ‘Hard Candy’ dropped in stores on Tuesday and while her first week sales are still being predicted, the Queen of Pop has already conquered a key area in the new music business machine commonly known as digital sales. Madonna’s first single off the new album ‘4 Minutes (To Save the World) has become the second ever single to have digital sales over one million units in five weeks. Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ was the first. As of Tuesday, the digital sales for her single were at 1,004,482 units. Mariah must be really pissed at that considering she barely broke the top 10 on digital sales.

Rihanna has released a new music video for her single ‘Take a Bow’. The song is the lead single from the re-release of her platinum-selling album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’. What, can’t she think of anything else to sing so she has to redo her old album? I’m not complaining though. She just made the songs hotter and does a collaboration with Maroon 5. Anyway, I think Rihanna has a future at being an actress. There’s a whole lot of emotion in her new video which is really about catching her guy cheating. Chris Brown better not even dare think about doing that to the new Princess of Pop.

James Blunt survived the frontline of a Balkan war – but now faces emergency surgery on an injured pinky.

The former NATO peacekeeper needs an operation on the little finger on his right hand if he wants to play the piano properly again. He snapped the digit when he was mobbed by crazed fans at a gig in Asheville, North Carolina, last month. Docs need to break then reset the finger before putting it in plaster.

And that’s not spiffing news for posh James.

The singer can still play the guitar perfectly but his skills tinkling the ivories are now more Eric Morecambe than Elton John.

There will be a few sniggers from the trendy music crowd delighted by his troubles. But whatever your musical taste, there’s no denying that his piano-playing pinky has helped shift millions of records.

Former Army captain James said last night: “I need it to be right but the idea of having them take a hammer and smash my finger into two isn’t so thrilling.”

Recalling the accident, he said: “I jumped off stage at the end of the gig and was chased by women, and even some men, in the crowd. I started running and the next thing I knew I had broken my finger. I don’t even know how I did it or what made me do it. I can’t play the piano but I can still play the guitar with my remaining fingers. It was a funny moment being chased, but when I got back on stage it was nerve-racking looking down and realising the finger was pointing the wrong way. Upon reflection, it was dumb to jump into the crowd but in a way it was my own fault. I had leather-soled shoes on and just slipped.”

Before getting into music, James had a successful military career.It included a stint in the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo, from which he came back unharmed. But not even the might of the evil Serb army could prepare him for legions of crazed Bluntites.

If you’ve ever seen the women at one of his gigs, you’ll know what I mean. Starched collars and rosie cheeks all round.

Beforehand everyone seems normal as fans talk about their new Porsches, boyfriends and favourite Beaujolais. But once he begins to coo You’re Beautiful (for the millionth time) they turn into a ravenous, blood-thirsty mob. And if James ever dares enter the crowd then it really becomes scary stuff, as shown by the Asheville scrum.

Sadly, the singer’s gruelling tour schedule means he cannot get the urgent surgery he needs just yet.

Not wanting to let fans down, he will continue playing shows in Japan, New Zealand and Australia while waiting for a gap in his schedule to get things fixed, with a pal filling in on keyboards.

James added: “I need it fixed. I need all my fingers to work properly. Not just for performing but for partying.”

Get well soon, James — for the sake of female Bluntites everywhere.

Check out the latest episode of “Being..Ashlee Simpson” presented by Pepsi Smash on Yahoo! Music. This time around Ashlee makes a stop in Houston on her first ever club tour. The late nights and early mornings might take getting used to, but they don’t stop Ashlee from putting on a good show. See her get the party started as she performs a few tracks from Bittersweet World.

EMBED the webisode:

The album cover for Clay Aiken’s new album ‘On My Way Here’ has just been released. His new studio effort will hit stores on May 6 but that’s not going to stop the singer from performing all new songs on Monday, April 28 at 7PM on QVC. The American Idol alum commented on his album unveiling saying “Starting my career on national, live television, it seems fitting to be unveiling my new album live on QVC. To be able to connect with QVC’s viewers and broadcast my performance to over 93 million households is an amazing opportunity.” Whatever floats your boat.

Kylie Minogue joins a long list of celebrity bloggers as she takes to her official blog to update us on her upcoming tour. She says “The countdown has begun!! Not long now before opening night for KylieX2008!!!! My cast, crew and I have been working hard to really make this show a ‘Spectacular’ for you. Full production rehearsals are coming up and we are very excited to merge all the various elements of the show. If you have seen some of the behind the scene footage you will have noticed both new and familiar faces. I will update you with one more peek behind the scenes before we open in Paris, so keep a look out!” Her tour kicks off on May 6.

The ‘Together Again’ star - who has been dating record producer Jermaine Dupri since 2002 - thinks Alicia is “wonderful” and admires both her beauty and talent. When asked who she would have a lesbian fling with, Janet replied: “I think I would pick Alicia Keys. I think she’s wonderful.”

Janet believes people often question the sexual orientation of Alicia and US TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey because they are such “strong” characters.

She explained: “They are strong women. Maybe they want to put something else behind it because of the strength. Like, you can’t be a woman and be strong, and there has to be something else to it.”

Although Janet is happy to speculate about lesbian flings, she insists she would be devastated if Jermaine revealed he was gay. She added: “I’d be upset because I want to be with him! It’s so funny because I joke with him, ‘It drives me crazy to be a girl sometimes, so in my next life I’m going to come back as a guy, and you’re going to be my b***h!’ ”

The 41-year-old star also revealed she wants gay marriage legalised and is worried she will “jinx” her relationship if she decides to tie the knot again. Janet said: “I think it’s about finding your soulmate. It’s finding that person you connect with, but most people don’t get it right. Look at me. The thing is I don’t know if I ever will or won’t get married again. I’m very happy where I am. I just think I jinx marriages, but that’s not going to stop me from loving.”

Janet was married to James DeBarge from 1984 to 1985 and to Rene Elizondo Jr. from 1986 to 1999.

Madonna’s single ‘4 Minutes (To Save the World)’ featuring Justin Timberlake is proving to be one of the Queen of Pop’s biggest hits in years! According to MediaTraffic, the single has now reached the top spot on the United World Chart Global Track Chart. Madonna’s hit of a single is #1 on the iTunes Charts in 14 countries out of the 22 top countries listed. Of the remaining 8 countries, she’s listed in either #2 or #3 in six of them with Japan and Greece not listing her in the top 10… yet. She’s topping the charts all over the globe!

While Leona Lewis is the first British musician to have gone to the top spot of the American charts with her album in around 20 years, Mariah Carey’s album is predicted to have one of the biggest opening weeks on any album in recent years. Leona’s album ‘Spirit’ has sold 205,000 copies this past week in the US. Mariah’s new album ‘E=MC2’ opened with sales of 154,000 in the first day. And as I previously said, she is predicted to go over the 500,000 mark with first week sales. Mariah is hot on Leona’s tail and the curvaceous diva is pretty set to kick the Brit’s pretty butt off the top spot.

The Jonas Brothers were spotted in Los Angeles just as they got finished running a couple of errands on Tuesday. Mark your calendars now as the band of brothers consisting of 20-year old Kevin, 18-year old Joe and 15-year old Nick will be releasing their new album called ‘A Little Bit Longer’ on August 12. They recently talked to Popstar about their upcoming ‘Burnin’ Up’ tour where Nick said “We’re definitely talking about having some fire and maybe some explosions.” He even jokingly added “We’re going to [swallow swords of fire]!” Are we going to see a concert or a circus act?

American Idol contestant David Cook had a very special guest in the audience on the performance show last night. His brother Adam, who is battling brain cancer, traveled all the way from Indiana to lend his support. Adam had a nurse and a doctor with him on standby. He is also said to be at tonight’s elimination show. If you remember, David was recently hospitalized due to his blood pressure because of the stress of thinking about his brother’s health. He’s sure to get some sympathy votes with this story. But in any case, David is a great performer anyway and gets lots of votes every week. I just wish his brother will end up ok.

A new promo picture of ‘High School Musical’ star Vanessa Hudgens has been released from her sophomore album ‘Identified’. Could this possibly be the artwork for her new album cover? Vanessa has also released a new single called ‘Sneakernight’ and it’s gotten nothing but good reviews. Blender magazine reviewed the song saying “Teens will dance (and giggle), parents will overpay for the concert and all will be right with the teen pop universe.” If you go by nothing but that, then I guess it really is a good song. It may be a teeny bopper song but hey, it’s a pretty big market.

When most people have a bad day at work they treat themselves to a pint and fish and chips. Or the local equivalent anyway…

But millionairess Kylie Minogue plans to get over the disappointment of her failed bid to crack the US again by buying up a $6million country retreat.

She has expressed an interest in a riverside Tudor home in Sussex.

She looked at the country mansion last week after returning from the States – where she failed to break into the Top 100 with her album X, despite a huge publicity drive.

Her pal Robbie Williams had a house nearby and recommended the area. I’ve seen the pad and it certainly is a palace fit for a pop princess. It even includes a chapel, just in case the singer’s life wasn’t already wholesome enough.

The star is desperate to settle down as she approaches her 40th birthday next month.

In November, Kylie revealed: “I’m looking for a property in the country. I need to do things to make me feel whole.”

Here’s some exciting news for you music lovers. It was just confirmed on Wednesday that Prince will be performing at the Coachella music festival near Palm Springs later this month. Considering the less than stellar line up this year, Prince is a really big step up. If you compare this year’s line up to previous years, a good 5 to 10 artists of Prince’s caliber are on the line up. This year, we just got Prince. It’s a pretty good assurance that ticket sales will be going up too. The purple majesty will take the stage on Saturday, April 26.

The music industry is getting really desperate for cash as the days go on. Universal has just announced that its Island Def Jam branch is going to team up with Procter & Gamble on a hip hop label to be named TAG Records. P&G’s TAG body spray for men is the inspiration behind the name. Also according to the announcement, Jermaine Dupri will act as the president of the new label. It’s a win-win situation if you think about it. P&G has a direct way to market its products and the artists will get loads of support from the marketing gurus. Hurray for capitalism!

The artist who’s arguably the most talented to have come out of the Spice Girls camp has just released her solo album ‘This Time’ in Canada and she’s gracing the Canadians with her presence. Mel C is going on a tour across Canada in support of her solo album. Her tour kicks off on May 4 at Club Soda in Montreal and will round off on May 17 at The Plaza Club in Vancouver. Sporty is going places people and she’s taking her amazing music with her! Canada better love her or they’ll have me to answer to! Go Sporty!

Toni Braxton has been brought to a Las Vegas hospital for chest pains on Monday night. The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer just got done performing her live show ‘Toni Braxton: Revealed’ at Flamingo when she started to not feel well. Earlier this year, the singer revealed that she has a heart condition called pericarditis which is an inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. It may have been the cause of her hospitalization. Un-break her heart indeed. Hospital officials reveal that the 40-year old is doing fine and is in good condition now. Let’s hope that it’s all smooth sailing after that.

Mariah Carey’s new album ‘E=MC2’ got leaked onto the internet this past weekend. I’m not going to say where and how to download it but if you know you’re way around the cyber world, then you’ll figure it out. The leak kind of dampens the plans as Mariah’s album is supposed to come out on April 15th. Now that her music can be downloaded for free on the internet, I wonder if her fans will still buy her music. Considering that previews of Mariah’s music aren’t all good, I’m guessing her sales numbers would drop. That definitely sucks for her.