Boyz II Men: The 'Battle Of The Boy Bands' Forefathers

Boyz up against longtime rivals Jodeci in round one; voting open now!
By John Mitchell, with reporting by Jocelyn Vena


Boyz II Men
Photo: Jeff Fusco/ Getty Images

Our Battle of the Boy Bands got off to a roaring start Monday as fans of new groups like the Wanted and One Direction and legacy acts like 'NSYNC and New Kids on the Block hit our bracket hard to push their favorites on to the next round.

One group that is in it to win it is Boyz II Men, who told MTV News they were among the "progenitors" of the entire boy-band genre. "We were kind of like the progenitors, the torch holders of a lot of the artists, of a lot of the boy bands that came about," Nathan Morris told us.

Highest Chart Achievement
In the mid-'90s, Boyz II Men ruled the charts. That's not hyperbole, either — three of the top-10 longest-running #1 singles in the history of the Billboard chart belong to the band. Their top song, though, is actually a duet, and with 16 weeks spent atop the chart, it's also the biggest single ever: "One Sweet Day" with Mariah Carey.

Boyz II Men are one of just four artists or groups to have held the #1 spot for at least 50 weeks cumulatively. On the all-time list, they fall at #4, behind only (ahem!) Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Carey. (With 47 weeks, Usher falls just short at #5.) Clearly, the band has quite a few chart achievements under its belt.

Standout Video
The Boyz made a series of great videos for their hits "End of the Road," "I'll Make Love to You" and "Water Runs Dry," but for its cameos alone, "On Bended Knee" rises above. In the clip, each band member breaks up with and eventually reconciles with a girlfriend, played by four famous actresses: Victoria Rowell, Renée Jones and, most importantly for nostalgia addicts, Kim Fields (Tootie from "The Facts of Life" and later "Living Single") and Lark Voorhies (that's Lisa Turtle from "Saved by the Bell" to you).

Defining Tune
Regardless of your age, chances are you know every word to many of Boyz II Men's greatest hits, so it's hard to pick just one defining tune. But there really is something special about 1994's "I'll Make Love to You." Discounting their Carey collab "One Sweet Day," the song is the band's biggest standalone hit (14 weeks at #1). The Babyface-written song defines the phrase "power ballad" and won the group a 1995 Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Debut Album
These guys got straight to the hitmaking with their 1991 debut, Cooleyhighharmony. Executive produced by Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe, the album introduced the Boyz in grand fashion with the funky R&B jam "Motownphilly" and brought them another hit with "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday."

Biggest Competition
That would most definitely be Jodeci, who in the '90s went head to head with the Boyz on the charts with their similar (if not as internationally successful and chart-topping) blending of R&B and soul.

So, how does the band feel about the competition? Well, they seem to have a lot of respect for their former competitors. Regarding Jodeci, Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman told MTV News, "It was a mutual respect that we had for those guys and them for us."

After revealing that the two bands once had a bit of a beef, Stockman elaborated that it was really just "friendly competition." "I'm sure they had the same mentality as far as being onstage and trying to outdo us just like we were trying to outdo them," he shared. "They were great artists, and we didn't want to have people talking about [how] they did better than us, just like they probably felt the same way."

Voting in round one of MTV's Battle of the Boy Bands is now open and runs until noon ET on Thursday, April 26. Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite band made the cut, make sure you keep voting. Spread the word on Twitter using the hashtag #BBB and like us on Facebook for updates!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1683717/boyz-ii-men-boy-band-battle.jhtml

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Lindsay Lohan Insurance Policies: Not Cheap!


Lindsay Lohan will play Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime biopic Liz and Dick, but not without a major insurance policy taken out by the network, reports say.

Many fans don't feel that Lindsay has what it takes to play a Hollywood legend of that stature. Lifetime clearly disagrees ... but is also covering its behind.

Producer Larry Thompson went to great lengths to insure his controversial star, E! News confirms. And yes, this happens. More often than you'd think.

Lohan at Coachella

"We have more than a Plan B actually," Thompson revealed, "[because] Lindsay Lohan may be the most insured actress that ever walked on a sound stage."

Ouch. Thompson declined to specify what the plan was, but man.

Thompson admitted moving the shooting from Canada to L.A. in order to "minimize some risk" with Lohan, with whom "troubled" has become synonymous.

He's quick to praise her on merit, however, noting that it was Lindsay's softer side of "vulnerability" that got her the part of the highly emotional legend.

"Even if I learn to regret it," he says, "Sitting here today I think it is still for the movie a great risk to run. [Lindsay's] really excited by the challenge"

"She has the right attitude and a noble purpose; it's not like she's going to go do a little job - the responsibility of playing Elizabeth Taylor is large."

The insurance premium on her crazy a$$: also not small.

[Photo: Pacific Coast News]

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/04/lindsay-lohan-insurance-policies-not-cheap/

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How Are Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey Celebrating The Twins First Birthdays?

Can you believe that they are already nearly 1 year old? Monroe and Moroccan Scott Carey-Cannon are going to be turning their first big milestone in just over a week away, and already mom and dad are thinking about how to celebrate this special occasion. People magazine is reporting that Mr and Mrs Cannon are [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/MlQHYKzwFhQ/

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Adam Sandler Has A Sunny Day In Santa Monica

Jack and Jill star Adam Sandler, 45, was spotted dropping off his youngest daughter Sunny, 3, at school on Monday (April 23) in Santa Monica, Calif.

Adam kept things casual in a blue ball cap, red t-shirt and a pair of dark athletic shorts as he held sweet Sunny's hand.

Top Story? (feature beneath menu): 
no

Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2012/04/24/adam-sandler-has-a-sunny-day-in-santa-monica

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Jennifer Hudson Breaks Down During Murder Trial Testimony

'We did not like how he treated her,' Hudson says of alleged killer William Balfour.
By Gil Kaufman


Jennifer Hudson in court on Monday
Photo: Splash News

What was expected to be one of the most dramatic moments in the trial of the man accused of killing
 Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew occurred in the first hours when Hudson took the stand and tearfully recounted her family's disapproval of William Balfour.

According to the Chicago Tribune Hudson choked back tears on Monday (April 23) morning as she told jurors that no one in her family wanted Balfour to marry her sister. "We didn't like the way he treated her, and I didn't like the way he treated my nephew," she said of Balfour, who has pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder in the October 24, 2008 slayings of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson; brother Jason Hudson; and her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King.

Dressed in all black with her hair pulled back into a ponytail, Hudson spoke at a whisper at times and was asked by the judge to speak louder when she became inaudible.

Hudson didn't offer much insight into the murders themselves, but the Tribune reported that her emotional testimony painted a "heartbreaking picture of a close-knit family torn apart by a violent crime." The singer had to stop to compose herself at times on the stand as she spoke about her beloved mother and nephew. She said she spoke to or texted Donerson every day and when she received a call from her distraught sister about the murders she flew back immediately to Chicago to identify the bodies of her mother and brother at the morgue.

"We were trying everything, anything we could do to get him back," she said of the $100,000 reward offered for the safe return of King. "It was always me and my Tugga Bear," she said, using the family's pet name for King as she fought to retain her composure. The child was found two days after the murders in an abandoned vehicle that prosecutors claim Balfour stole from the scene of the crime.

Hudson is expected to attend every day of the trial and was accompanied on the first day by her fiancé, professional wrestler David Otunga. She testified for 30 minutes and then joined Otunga in the fourth row of the courtroom.

In opening statements
, prosecutors said that Balfour, 30, undertook the murders because he could not stand the idea of his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, dating other men. "What could have led to these horrible events that took place? Resentment, anger, jealousy," said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Veryl Gambino said. "He doesn't want Julia to have anyone but him."

Details emerged earlier this year about the incidents leading up to the murders
, including allegations that Balfour had previously threatened Julia because he thought she was having an affair with a co-worker.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1683682/jennifer-hudson-murder-trial-testimony.jhtml

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Jennifer Lawrence In Talks For 'Glass Castle' Movie

'Hunger Games' star may land a lead role in the film adaptation of Jeannette Walls' best-selling memoir.
By Fallon Prinzivalli


Jennifer Lawrence
Photo: Getty Images

With the success of "The Hunger Games," it's no surprise Jennifer Lawrence is a sought-after leading lady. With three films hitting theaters this fall — including "House at the End of the Street" and "The Silver Linings Playbook" — she has a busy schedule, but it looks like Lawrence might add another project to her repertoire.

Deadline Hollywood reports that Lionsgate's production president, Erik Feig, has acquired the rights to gossip columnist Jeanette Walls' best-seller "The Glass Castle: A Memoir." Gil Netter ("The Blind Side") is set to produce and Marti Noxon ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "I Am Number Four") is attached to pen the script.

Walls' book follows her nomadic childhood as she grew up moving around the Southwest desert with her parents and three siblings. When he was sober, her father Rex nurtured his children's imagination and taught them to embrace life. Her mother Rose Mary was an artist who would rather paint and write than be responsible for her family. When their money was finally gone, they returned to West Virginia where her father drank and stole and Walls and her siblings were forced to support each other. While her tale seems grim, she paints her parents in a loving light because, despite her family's flaws, they played a huge role in her success. Upon its release in 2005, the book spent more than 250 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list, which was a first for any memoir.

The story is a departure from the male-centered movies Lionsgate usually releases. They're known for films such as "Warrior," "The Lincoln Lawyer," "Abduction" and "Conan the Barbarian." But perhaps with the overwhelming success of "Hunger Games" and its strong heroine, the company will focus on more female-lead narratives.

Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1683679/jennifer-lawrence-glass-castle.jhtml

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Taylor Swift's Post-CMT Nominations Shopping Spree

Spending some of her very limited time off with a friend, Taylor Swift was spotted out shopping in Beverly Hills on Monday afternoon (April 23).

The "Fearless" songstress looked springtime chic in black Ray Ban sunglasses, a blue and white striped dress and her signature red lip as she strolled the ritzy California locale's sidewalks in search of a few new additions to her wardrobe.

After her shopping day out, the busy country music superstar grabbed an afternoon pick me up while posting a picture of a delicious looking coffee drink with a caption reading, "Being the girl sitting alone in the cafe, taking a picture of her latte. If that's a thing."

In career news, the 2012 CMT Music Awards nominations were released today and, in true Taylor fashion, she's not up for just one trophy, but three!

The 22-year-old has been nominated for Video of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year for "Safe & Sound?, as well as Female Video of the Year for her song ?Ours.?

If this awards show goes anything like previous events that Swift has been nominated, we're quite certain that she'll be walking away with a few new additions to her rapidly growing collection.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/taylor-swift/taylor-swifts-post-cmt-nominations-shopping-spree-611597

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