BRIAN FRIEDMAN IN TORONTO FOR 2012 MUCHMUSIC VIDEO AWARDS

Brian Friedman & Mr. Will-W.

You might remember him from So You Think You Can Dance, but Dancer/Choreographer Brian Friedman has long been making a name for himself helming the Dance Moves in some of your favourite Britney Spears, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé Videos. 

Friedman made a visit to Toronto to lend his talents to Justin Bieber at the 2012 MuchMusic Video Awards.  The Teen Pop Sensation treated the Queen Street Audience to performances of his two latest Tracks, Boyfriend and All Around the World.

I caught-up with Friedman quickly earlier today along with Bieber's Team of Dancers as they headed off to New York, where Bieber is headed to next for a Performance tonight.

Follow the handsome self-professed Workaholic here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

DEMI LOVATO & BRITNEY SPEARS JOIN "THE X FACTOR"

Demi Lovato in Toronto - October 2011

Most amazing news! Demi Lovato and Britney Spears have inked deals to star on FOX's The X Factor. The Rolls Royce of Reality TV!

Spears' rumoured $15-million deal comes as no surprise after months of speculation that she would be appearing as a Judge on the Series. Lovato reportedly inked a $1-million deal and will proceed with judging duties following her Summer Tour.

Creator and Judge Simon Cowell could not be more pleased about all the publicity the Singing Reality TV Series has received, especially after yesterday's unveiling at the FOX Upfronts in New York City. He tells TMZ, last night that despite some concerns about Spears' well-being, Cowell is not in the least bit worried as either way he wins in terms of ratings should the Megastar act-up.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRITNEY SPEARS CLOSE TO SIGNING $15-MILLION "THE X FACTOR" DEAL

Britney Spears & Nicole Scherzinger in Toronto - March 2009

Although we're still waiting on confirmation, Britney Spears is reportedly close to signing a $15 million deal to judge on the second season of FOX's The X Factor according to multiple sources, including Deadline. Having been in major talks to appear on the show since February, it is said that Spears originally was expecting $20 million for the Deal. 

To place this into context, Jennifer Lopez currently is receiving $12 million to judge on American Idol, while Christina Aguilera - whom Spears has been pitted against since the early days of her career - is earning $10 million for her work as Mentor on NBC's The Voice.

With the recent exits of Judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from The X Factor leaving room for new faces, this actually marks the second time that the latter has "opened" for Spears.  Former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger back in 2009 had opened for Spears on her Circus Tour.  Some Girls have all the luck!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRITNEY SPEARS & JASON TRAWICK ENGAGED?

Britney Spears' Mysterious Gift

What do you guys think of this Tweet from Britney Spears?  Is it an iPad? A new iPhone?  A Faux Fur Coat?  A Puppy?  AN ENAGEMENT RING???!

We'll soon know!  Marry Britney... one more time!

BRITNEY SPEARS "FEMME FATALE" DVD IN-STORES NOVEMBER 21, 2011

Britney Spears Live: The Femme Fatale Tour

We were there at her Air Canada Centre Show back in August and now we can re-live the Magic again!  Britney Spears Live: The Femme Fatale Tour, was captured from her two recent Toronto Shows and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, November 21, 2011. 

At the 2011 Billboard Music Awards held back in May, the Pop Icon was awarded Favorite Hot 100 No.1 Song (Hold It Against Me), Favorite Billboard 200 No.1 Album (Femme Fatale), Best Music Video (I Wanna Go), and Best Tour (Femme Fatale Tour).  All from this one Album.

The Track List for the DVD is as follows:

VIDEO PREMIERE: BRITNEY SPEARS - CRIMINAL

Official Artwork for Criminal

It's all in the direction. Chris Marrs Piliero does a phenomenal job directing Britney Spears in this just-released new Video for Criminal off her Femme Fatale Disc. The Video filmed in London has Spears looking as good as she ever has, although the gun-use and violence might raise an eyebrow or two. Real-life Boyfriend Jason Trawick certainly helps her get comfortable here as her on-screen Lover.  Nothing great ever came without a risk, and in this instance I think these are necessary creative risks for Spears.

Hard to believe it's been two months since she was here in Toronto performing at Air Canada Centre!  Click here to re-live it!

Watch the Video in full below:

2011 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS RECAP

Lady Gaga at 2011 MTV VMAs

Lady Gaga made sure she was the talk of the 2011 MTV VMAs held this evening, arriving in Drag dressed as her male Alter-ego, Jo Calderone.  "Gaga isn't here", soon became a Mantra as it was drilled into our Psyche over and over.

Where it became a little grating though was in a scheduled Tribute honouring Britney Spears, where Calderone/Gaga was to present the Award to Spears, he/she repeatedly interrupted that Pop Legend's one shining moment....  the one shining moment all her hard work in all these years as an Entertainer would culminate to.  Spears and Gaga both collected some of the Evening's more important Awards: the former nabbed Best Pop Video for Till the World Ends and the latter won Best Female Pop Video for Born this Way.

Adele not be outshone, charmed the Audience to a Standing Ovation with her rendition of Someone Like You from her top-selling 21 Disc, proving maybe we don't need over-the-top costumes and make-up to keep an audience entertained.  Less is more sometimes.

NICKI MINAJ & FANS AT LUXY NIGHT CLUB

Nicki Minaj, Fan, Monika & Mr. Will-W. (L to R)

When you can't get your own Photo with them, Photobomb 'em!  That's Nicki Minaj, a Fan, Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven Reader Monika and me this past Saturday night up in Vaughan, Ontario at Luxy Night Club getting our Fan moment on with the Hip-Hop Star!

Read more about it and Minaj's opening spot for Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour here.

Thanks Mikey Pee for the Photo. You're awesome, Buddy!

(Photo credit: Mikey Pee)

BRITNEY SPEARS AT TORONTO'S AIR CANADA CENTRE FOR "FEMME FATALE" TOUR

Britney Spears at Air Canada Centre - August 2011

Pop Legend Britney Spears performed the first of two Toronto shows this evening as part of her Femme Fatale Tour, bringing along a Camera Crew record footage for her upcoming Concert DVD, which also will be aired in the near future on Epix HD.  Kicking off in Sacramento, California in June, the Tour is set to wrap December 10, 2011 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Joining her tonight was Hip-Hop's hottest Female Rapper right now, Nicki Minaj who surprisingly prior had not visited the City to promote her Platinum-selling debut on Universal Music Canada, Pink Friday.  Minaj wowed the crowd with her colourful delivery and outfits, bringing along our v. own Drake on-stage for a Lap Dance during their performance of Collaboration, Moment 4 Life.  See more of Minaj in Toronto here.

NICKI MINAJ IN TORONTO FOR "FEMME FATALE" TOUR | LUXY NIGHT CLUB VISIT

Nicki Minaj in Toronto - August 2011

It's rare that an Opening Act is capable of eclipsing or having as much Star Power as the Headliner, but Nicki Minaj just might know a thing or two about entertaining a crowd.  Joining Pop Legend Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Tour in North America, Queens native Minaj performed her first of two shows at Air Canada Centre in Toronto earlier this evening.  The Hip-Hop star wowed and exceeded the expectations of many, even causing a few jaws to drop in delivering a Lap Dance to Toronto Label Mate Drake during their performance of Moment 4 Life, from her Platinum-selling debut Disc, Pink Friday.  Read my Recap with Photos and Video from the Femme Fatale Tour here.

Minaj who joined Spears on-stage in her Encore on Till the World Ends, nibbled on a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich with a Snapple in her SUV (as per her Tweets), as she rushed-off to an appearance at Luxy Night Club in Vaughan, Ontario - just north of Toronto.  Arriving just before 12:30 AM, she could be seen applying her Makeup before coming out to greet Fans quickly. 

After doing the rounds for an hour or so, Minaj came out to greet more Fans-in-waiting, selecting a few Barbies (her term of endearment for her Fans) to take Photos with.  I might have  been one of the few to have gotten in on a Group Photo and also gotten my copy of Pink Friday signed.  Matters soon became a little chaotic though as more Fans joined the queue and even Bodyguards themselves were asking Minaj to pose for Photos with them - a true testament to her Star Power.

See more Photos below:

BRITNEY SPEARS TO BE HONOURED AT 2011 MTV VMAs

Britney Spears in 2011 MTV VMAs Promo

The 2011 MTV VMAs already will be honouring Britney Spears this year in a special Tribute. Has it already been that long?  Set to air live Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9:00 PM, Spears recently filmed Promo Clip for the Show.  Something tells me we might be seeing Lady Gaga join in on this after having appeared at her Atlantic City show last weekend?

Despite regional restrictions from MTV disabling Canadian viewers from seeing the Promo Clip, you can still see the Promo Clip here in full. You also can see some Photos from behind-the-scenes here.

For those of you going out to Spears' Femme Fatale Tour in Toronto this weekend, have fun!

(Photo credit: MTV)

SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE: WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN - ALBUM REVIEW

Selena Gomez really is coming into her own as a Pop Star. Despite considerable skepticism on my part, I finally gave her third Disc When the Sun Goes Down a whirl and even with my critical guard up, I found myself unable to resist the feel-good vibes the 19 year-old Disney star was emanating in this twelve-track collection of songs.

Current single Love You Like a Love Song cannot be denied. From the same team which brought us Miley Cyrus' See You Again (Rock Mafia), this track's throbbing bassline and a lovelorn moodiness are unforgettable. True to its lyrics, I too "keep hitting re-peat-peat-peat-peat-peat". The production trio also contribute the melancholy gem My Dilemma on the Disc. 

Toby Gad who has had a hand on tracks like Big Girls Don't Cry (Fergie) and If I Were a Boy (Beyonce), delivers us a bit of Electro-fun on La Roux-esque romp Bang Bang Bang. He also oversees a collaboration with UK talent Pixie Lott titled We Own the Night, which easily could be a track off a P!nk album. 

VIDEO PREMIERE: BRITNEY SPEARS - I WANNA GO

Still from Britney Spears' I Wanna Go Video

Britney responds to the intrusive Media in this long-awaited new Video for new Single I Wanna Go and for the first time in a while she actually looks like she's having a bit of fun. Best use of a Microphone as a Weapon ever!

Watch below as Britney flashes a Cop, gets frisked and Linda Hamiltons some Paparazzi in this sassy little Clip. As she states so eloquently in the Clip, "There's a Countdown waiting for me to give up". Not happening anytime soon, Britney!

BEYONCÉ RUNS THE SHOW AT 2011 BILLBOARD AWARDS

Beyoncé at 2011 Billboard Music Awards

Absolutely stealing the show tonight at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards was Beyoncé, performing her new Single Run the World (Girls).  Tonight's show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas marked the big return for the Awards Show after a five-year hiatus.  Performing alongside Video Projections of herself for most of the performance, things reached a high point when hundreds of Female Dancers were unveiled on stage, marking what could be called a Brevolution.

Shortly afterward, her Mother Tina Knowles presented Beyoncé with a Millennium Award as former Bandmates Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Husband Jay-Z applauded proudly in the Audience.  She even took the time surpsingly to thank former Destiny's Childresses LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson.

Despite not nabbing any Awards, Britney Spears was another highlight this evening, performing S&M alongside Rihanna earlier in the broadcast and also a Remix of her current Single Til the World Ends with Nicki Minaj.

2011 MMVAs NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Down with Webster at Bell Celebrity Gala - November 2010

Nominees for the 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards have been announced and tying for the most number of nominations this year are Canadians Fefe Dobson, Down with Webster and Shawn Desman.

With the festivities looming quickly on Sunday, June 19, 2011, several big names also are up for International Awards in categories such as International Video of the Year (Artist), International Video of the Year (Group) and UR Fave International Artist. Eminem, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez & The Scene and Bruno Mars each are tied with two nominations apiece in these categories.

For a full list of Nominees, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRITNEY SPEARS ON JUNE 2011 ISSUE OF "HARPER'S BAZAAR"

Britney Spears in June 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar

"Ten years ago at the Billboard Awards, I wore this orange hat and orange bra and orange booty pants and purple fishnets. Oh, and I had an orange jacket on... I actually thought I looked hot at the time. But, um, I definitely stood out." - Britney Spears, June 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar

Read Britney's interview in full here with Laura Brown where she discusses her evolution of Style, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber, among other things. In these Photos by Alex Lumbomirski, I can say honestly that Britney's never looked better. Too bad I'm still rather miffed about her for charging $1,000 for Meet & Greet Tickets to her Femme Fatale Tour! LOL.

(Photo credit: Alex Lubomirski/Harper's Bazaar)

BRITNEY SPEARS "FEMME FATALE" TOUR TICKET PRE-SALES ANNOUNCED

Britney Spears VIP Package

Pre-sale Tickets have been announced today for Britney Spears' upcoming Femme Fatale Tour and if I may, I will express my discontent at her appalling Ticket Prices.  Tickets range from $193 to $368 CAN and Specialty Packages also are available. Peruse here.

Particularly shocking is a Britney Spears VIP Package which gives Fans among other things, a Front Row Ticket and an Autographed Tour Book at $999 CAN.  Yes you read that right, a thousand dollars - a Paycheque for many of her Fans - which doesn't even give them a chance to meet her.

As you might recall, Spears took to Twitter in February confirming for Fans that she will be offering Meet & Greets on this Tour, a promise which doesn't look to have been fulfilled.  Come on, Britney - you're an Icon, not God.

Pre-sale Tickets will be available for American Express Cardholders this Thursday, before Tickets are available to the Public on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM EST.

UPDATE: JustJared has just announced that Britney Spears in fact will be doing Meet & Greets with those Fans who purchase the VIP Package after all.  Now that's more like it!  

NEW MUSIC: BRITNEY SPEARS FT. NICKI MINAJ & KE$HA - TILL THE WORLD ENDS REMIX

Although I'm not really sure it qualifies as an actual Remix, we are surprised with this new version of Britney Spears' Till the World Ends featuring an Intro by Nicki Minaj and Choruses by its Writer Ke$ha; also heard is a new Breakdown.

It appears that Minaj recorded her part in the Studio and Ke$ha's Demo Vocals were incorporated into the mix.  Nonetheless, it's pretty cool  to hear three of the hottest Ladies of Pop together on one Track.  Hopefully this will be enough to help its rise up the Billboard Hot 100, as it has been hovering at the bottom-end of the Top Ten for a couple weeks now.

This week alone, Spears scored another Billboard number one on the Chart with her S&M Remix with Rihanna, helping the latter reach a record for the shortest span of time an Artist has achieved ten number one Singles  in the Chart's history.

Listen to the Till the World Ends Remix below (Audio content owned by Sony Music):

 

INTERVIEW: JESSIE AND THE TOY BOYS

Jessie and the Toy Boys

Although she’s had a couple false starts, Jessie Malakouti appears to be on the verge of something meteoric. Known now as the Pop Act Jessie and the Toy Boys – Malakouti being “Jessie” and “The Toy Boys” actually being a group of male Mannequins. This time around, the 22 year-old Singer/Songwriter is calling all her own shots. The fiery Blonde called me from Los Angeles, where she’s presently working on her debut Disc.

After her Band Shut Up Stella had been dropped by Epic Records in 2008, Malakouti decidedly went solo after citing artistic differences with her Band mates. But why now a band full of Mannequins though? She admits, “I’m a bit of a Control Freak and I want full control over everything including my Art Direction. I need a Band which won’t talk back. These Mannequins will shut the fuck up”. Now that she's got your attention...

Not only serving as Props in her Performance Act, The Toy Boys as she sees them, are actual extensions of her personality, “I like to paint pictures with them when I’m on stage” - of course, not literally as in with a Brush - but you get it. Hours are spent putting together Mood Boards, mapping-out her performances visually. The Singer jokes, “If you ever visit my place, you’ll get attacked by Clippings falling out of my Microwave”.

Only recently was it announced that Britney Spears had handpicked Jessie and the Toy Boys to join her this Summer on the Blockbuster Femme Fatale Tour across North America. “I cried instantly” Malakouti reveals, “I couldn’t tell anyone as per my Management and I was actually in the Studio when I had found out.”. Careful not to ask too many questions, others around her just wrote-off her being emotional as being  Feminine problems. “I’m just grateful, thankful and honoured. Britney Spears is an Icon – that’s all I have to say”. When quizzed about what her favourite Track was off of Spears’ new Disc, she told me “Criminal. I love it – it’s so amazing!”.

It wasn’t until after Shut Up Stella broke-up that Malakouti had reflected upon what it was that made her happiest. She put aside the Punk Rock and delved into Dance Pop fully.  She remembers, “I woke-up one morning and just wasn’t happy. I knew I loved dancing and that made me happy, so I took some classes and finally realized that I’m actually a fucking great Dancer!”.

NICKI MINAJ GIVES SOLDIERS LAP DANCE IN DALLAS

That Nicki Minaj is so patriotic! Watch her salute two Soliders in attendance at her I Am Still Music II Tour this past Friday in Dallas. Minaj runs her hands freely on the Gentlemen, just narrowly escaping two counts of Sexual Assault.  If that weren't enough, she then proceeds to dance on their laps.  No big deal. Nothing to look at here.

Watch the naughtiness below:

I wonder what tricks saucy Minaj will have in store for Toronto Fans when she opens for Britney Spears at Air Canada Centre on August 13, 2011....

(Video content: PaperFriday/Audio content: Universal Music)