Susan Boyle may be having a rough time dealing with her instant fame lately, but we’ve got something that is sure to cheer up everyone’s favorite Scottish sweetheart. Harry Connick Jr is the latest celeb to catch Susan Boyle fever. Yes, the jazz crooner (or Grace’s husband on “Will & Grace,” if you prefer) told MTV News that he’s a fan of the “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant.
When we caught up with Connick last night at an event honoring British brand Burberry, the star told us he’s watched the instant Internet star online.
“I just heard her sing that one song,” he said. “Somebody sent me a link to her on YouTube singing it, and she was great.”
Connick confessed that he hasn’t been keeping up with Boyle’s every move like the rest of America (and, of course, Britain), but he seemed pretty impressed.
“I haven’t been following the whole story, so I don’t know much about her, but she sounds great!” he gushed.
Before we had the chance to find out if there will be a Harry/Susan duet in the near future, the star was whisked off by his publicist. So, it was short was sweet but if you’re watching this, Susan, cheer up! Not everyone can say they have an Emmy- and Grammy-winning actor/musician as a fan. Plus, Harry’s pretty dreamy in person. We’re sure his smile could calm even Boyle’s nerves.
But I’m not worried about Susan Boyle. I know the Scottish singer is going to be fine. Why? Because I’m not buying any of this Susan Boyle meltdown mumbo-jumbo. Tabloid reports of an expletive-laced tirade need to be taken with a grain of salt. Folks like Morgan who purport to speak on her behalf need to be ignored. And wouldn’t you hole up in a safe, quiet space before the biggest night of your life? All this noise surrounding Boyle is just par for the celebrity course, whether we’re talking about overnight sensations or longtime Hollywood starlets.
But it’s not just my inherent media skepticism that has me thinking Boyle’s going to be OK for her final performance, and beyond. It’s statements like this one, aired during last weekend’s semi-final show: “All my life, I’ve always striven to prove myself, that I can be accepted, that I’m not the worthless person that people think I am, that I do have something to offer,” she said.
Boyle apparently has spent her entire life being ignored, rejected, laughed at — and so is well practiced. The only difference now is that the contempt is coming from around the world, not just from folks in her town. She’ll adjust. She may not win “BGT,” but she’s likely to have a successful career in the years to come. That’s what happens when you become a household name. Just wait for the debut album, the memoir, the TV movie. If anything, YouTube-watching world, we should be jealous, not worried. Because Susan Boyle is going to be just fine.
‘He’s a badass,’ actor says of the previously top-secret bad guy. ‘He has to be.’ By Larry Carroll
The Fallen from “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”
Photo: Paramount Pictures
BEVERLY HILLS, California — On Sunday, at the MTV Movie Awards, invited guests include Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and director Michael Bay. But even those high-wattage talents might not be the most exciting “Transformers” star you’ll see this weekend.
“He is the king bee,” LaBeouf told us recently as he discussed the Fallen, unveiling him to “Transformers” fans for the first time anywhere. “He’s the patriarchal figure, he’s the main dude. He’s what all of this came from.”
Feast your eyes on the previously top-secret villain of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” as the evil Transformer will be dominating screens everywhere when the film opens June 20. “Basically, the Fallen is to them what cavemen, Neanderthals were to us,” LaBeouf revealed. “He’s the ancestor, the first version of this exoskeleton. He’s the first version of this sentient being. That’s what he is. He’s the origins of what they came from.”
(Check out our “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” gallery for the exclusive Fallen picture and more shots from the movie!)
As you can see, the Fallen looks quite different than the other robots in disguise. “It’s the design of the Transformer you see in the symbol, almost — at least, that’s where the jump-off point of the idea was spawned from,” LaBeouf said of the inspiration for Michael Bay and his team of robot designers. “That was the initial spark of his look, the actual Decepticon logo — which is cool.”
Some fans might remember that Megatron was the top Decepticon in the first flick and that things didn’t look too good for him at the end of the movie. Asked what the Fallen’s relationship to Megatron is, the series star offered an intriguing explanation.
“It’s the Emperor and Darth Vader — it’s that kind of situation,” LaBeouf said. “He’s the main villain, so two and two makes four. He’s a badass. He has to be.
“The Fallen, his transportation method is really unlike any other robot’s transportation method,” he added. “The way he fights is also very different. It’s spectacular, visually stunning, really incredible.”
The Fallen features prominently in a big fight at the end of the blockbuster film, and LaBeouf said the character’s size and scope were a necessity after the first “Transformers” movie. “A big part of the reason the first one was successful was because nobody expected the CGI to look the way it looked like. Nobody expected our explosions to be as insane as it was, our action to be outrageous or our jokes to be funny,” he explained of the pressure in shooting the sequel to 2007’s biggest film. “Now that there’s a high expectation — and everybody involved has an enormous sense of pride — those factors make successful films.
“I think this is a darker one,” he said of “Revenge of the Fallen.” “The dark moments are darker. … There’s more at stake. You’ve got more humans getting injured, and there’s more death.”
As for the Fallen himself, LaBeouf is eager to see the villain’s finished scenes and get an idea of where he’ll rank among such cinematic icons of evil as Darth Vader, Jason Voorhees, Megatron and the rest. “I can’t judge him yet, because he’s not completely done,” he said of the finished effects work, which Bay is currently slaving away at. “I’ll be as surprised as you guys will be. I’ll be seeing it at the premiere.”
Will the vampires grab more trophies than the slumdog? What was the year’s ultimate onscreen WTF moment? It’s up to you to decide the winners of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. Vote now, and tune in on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, when the big show airs live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.
Catch a glimpse of a 15-second clip before the full preview debuts on the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. By Larry Carroll
Robert Pattinson and Kristin Stewart in “New Moon”
Photo: Summit Entertainment
Are you the type of person who likes to open your Christmas presents early? Do you always read the last page of a novel first?
For Twilighters, the time has finally come to get a first peek at “New Moon.” Well, OK, it won’t really come until Sunday night. But since “Twilight” fans have been so good — and this weekend is shaping up to be a memorable one for the Cullens — they’re being rewarded with a quick peek at what’s to come.
As everyone knows by now, MTV will premiere the first trailer from the “Twilight” sequel this weekend during the MTV Movie Awards, with Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart delivering the clip. First, however, we’re going to show you a 15-second preview that gives us a peek into the continuing romance between Edward and Bella.
As the music swells, a close-up on KStew reveals her big line: “Kiss me.”
To the delight of a million Twilighters, Edward Cullen obliges her with a deep smooch that could very well be nominated for next year’s Best Kiss award. And then, Bella punctuates the point by taking their forbidden relationship to the next level.
“I love you,” she says, closing out the clip.
Tune in Sunday night to see the rest of it, and get your first real glimpse at the “New Moon” trailer in all its glory. And don’t forget to keep voting for “Twilight” in all the MTV Movie Awards categories, because we’re expecting the results to be every bit as close as a shared moment between Edward and Bella.
Will the vampires grab more trophies than the slumdog? What was the year’s ultimate onscreen WTF moment? It’s up to you to decide the winners of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. Vote now, and tune in on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, when the big show airs live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Last year they were rookies, but this year the cast will make a triumphant return to the MTV Movie Awards red carpet. By Larry Carroll
“Twilight”
Photo: Summit Entertainment
VENICE, California — One year ago, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and a handful of other “Twilight” stars arrived at the MTV Movie Awards and walked down the red carpet, with most of the world’s press uninterested in speaking with them. In fact, they had to go back to the beginning of the carpet and start again, just so they could be properly introduced to those who didn’t realize they were movie stars. Luckily, MTV had caught the “Twilight” bug early, eagerly did some exclusive interviews with the actors on the carpet and were proud to use the occasion as their coming-out party.
This Sunday night, Rob, Kristen, Kellan, Ashley, Cam, Taylor and others will return to Universal’s Gibson Amphitheatre triumphantly, leading the evening’s attendees with seven nominations. And when director Catherine Hardwicke recently showed us around her Venice home where it all began, she marveled at the difference 12 months can make.
“Pretty much, everyone was more or less an unknown when we cast them,” she explained. “Now they’ve all blown up big, like, crazy.”
Hardwicke has a seat on the aisle, stage right. And she’s ready to do a lot of jumping up and down and shrieking if “Twilight” continues its rags-to-riches story at the MTV Movie Awards. “I think it’s going to be different,” she said of the reception she expects for stars like Pattinson on this year’s red carpet. “Most people, now, know who Robert is. He’s been at the top of the Star Meter on IMdB for a year now — he’s really blown up big.”
“We were in Italy with him, and Germany, London. People all over the world are just crazy about him,” she said of watching Rob’s ascension to the top ranks in Hollywood. “So, [the Movie Awards] are going to be a lot of fun.”
It’s no secret that Hardwicke became a proud den mother on the “Twilight” set, watching over her young actors as she helped guide them from relative obscurity to superstardom. And although the director has passed the “Twilight” torch to others for the upcoming sequels, she’s still thrilled to know that she gave Pattinson, Stewart, Lutz, Lautner and others their breakthrough roles.
“[That] for me is exciting, because it means there are a lot of actors out there now who can play interesting parts and will be given the chance to do something great,” she explained. “Robert’s small films and Kristen’s small films are getting released now, and hopefully new interesting films will be made, because these two are very unique in their choices.”
And if “Twilight” should win the big prize of Best Movie on Sunday night? “Oh, well, I don’t think I have to give a speech,” Hardwicke said tentatively, before being reminded that directors typically do at the MTV Movie Awards. “Well, that would be fun — but we’ll see.”
Instead, Hardwicke grinned, she’s looking forward to hearing the possible acceptance speech of Breakthrough Performance nominee Pattinson. “If anyone has dealt with it well, [it's Robert]. He hasn’t gotten a big head — he takes it with a grain of salt. He sees the absurdity and the humor in it,” she explained. “He’s great with that self-effacing Brit-thing; it’s awesome.”
Will the vampires grab more trophies than the slumdog? What was the year’s ultimate onscreen WTF moment? It’s up to you to decide the winners of the 2009 MTV Movie Awards. Vote now, and tune in on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, when the big show airs live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Susan Boyle may be having a rough time dealing with her instant fame lately, but we’ve got something that is sure to cheer up everyone’s favorite Scottish sweetheart. Harry Connick Jr is the latest celeb to catch Susan Boyle fever. Yes, the jazz crooner (or Grace’s husband on “Will & Grace,” if you prefer) told MTV News that he’s a fan of the “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant. 
