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By Michael Lopez

It's hard to believe that we're about to launch another year of American Idol. It seems like just yesterday when Scotty McCreery charmed the nation with his country crooning, but now the hunt is on to find another superstar. And all of this season's key talent are extremely excited to kick it all off.

"I think that Idol still is the best TV show of its kind anywhere," Judge Randy Jackson told us at an exclusive press conference. "We're the original, we kind of invented this whole game that everybody's now copying."

Indeed, at the A.I. press event, The Voice happened to come up several times. Not that the cast let that "other" singing show phase them. In fact, Ryan Seacrest threw out a few fun jabs at their NBC rivals.

"We never sit down before we do our show and think, 'what are the other guys doing?" Seacrest confidently said.

Jackson added,

"It's like second-chance theater over there."

And as much as NBC would like to hype Xtina and company's big February return, their season one champ seemed to fade away far quicker than anyone A.I. has produced.

And at Idol, the eyes will be focused much more on the shot callers than the contestants. Especially with A-listers like Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler in the judges' seats.

Discussing her approach to critiquing this season, J.Lo said,

"We're going to try to give them advice as we would want advice given to us. At the end of the day, you never know what's going to happen."

Steven seemed to relish his new role too, though he admitted that his Aerosmith bandmates had a hard time accepting it at first.

"[The Idol thing] wasn't really accepted at first by my bandmates," he said. "But now things are good and Aerosmith sales jumped up significantly since I joined."

All three judges assured the media that the same loose style will remain intact when they step in front of the camera Wednesday night.

"I love how our personalities are so different," Lopez explained. "We each have a different sense of style, but we all have fun with it! Hopefully the audience has been able to get to know us better now. To know us for who we really are."

You can get to know Jennifer, Ryan, Randy, and Steven all over again when American Idol cranks out season 11, tonight on Fox.

Are you excited about Idol's new season? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags American Idol, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Exclusive Entrevistas, Jennifer Lopez, Música, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Steven Tyler, Television, The Voice, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

Every now and then we come across a guilty pleasure on the big screen. A movie that seems so outrageously silly, it's actually fun to watch. And that certainly is the case with this weekend's release, Joyful Noise.

If you're looking for originality or inspired dialogue, you're not going to find it here. But you will find plenty of over-the-top characters, some great musical moments, and two extremely likeable leads. Though it may seem like Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah make an odd pairing, they actually shine together onscreen.

Latifah stars as Vi Rose, a hard-working single mother and choir leader. Parton, on the other hand, plays a small town socialite named G.G., who isn't afraid to butt heads when it comes to her church's gospel music. To complicate matters even further, Vi and G.G.'s offspring soon forge a romantic connection.

Vi's daughter Olivia (played engagingly by Nickelodeon star Keke Palmer) is a standout gospel vocalist and her talents mesh very well with G.G.'s grandson Randy. So well in fact, that they soon get the church choir national attention and the opportunity to compete at the world renowned Joyful Noise Competition.

But if the group wants to win the top gospel prize, they'll all have to work together. And that requires teamwork from Vi and G.G. as well as some cooperation from the stern pastor (Courtney B. Vance).

As you can imagine, happy endings aren't hard to come by in an upbeat film like Joyful Noise. And though the finale, romantic subplots, and cat fights may seem predictable, the winning cast and inspiring songs more than make up for it.

Bottom line: Let's be honest, part of the reason we go to movies is to escape the drama of our day-to-day lives. And Joyful Noise offers a great excuse to do just that. There is definitely a cornball factor to this movie, but ultimately that's part of its charm. Plus, Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah get a chance to really show off their comedy chops.

Did you get a chance to watch Joyful Noise this weekend? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Dolly Parton, Gospel, Joyful Noise, Keke Palmer, Música, Movie Reviews, Movies & CineMás, Queen Latifah

By Michael Lopez

This week, all eyes will be on American Idol. The reality phenom is coming back for its 11th season this Wednesday and we know one famous alum who'll most certainly be tuning in. Stefano Langone proved to be a 2011 fave and since placing seventh last year, his career has been on fire. The 22-year-old crooner recently spoke to us about his experiences on the show and what fans can expect on his upcoming debut album.

"It's been a lot of work since Idol," Stefano told us. "I'm really proud about what I'm doing in the studio right now."

Interestingly, last week news broke that Langone had been signed to Hollywood Records. One of the hottest labels for young talent, Hollywood’s clientele includes Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, and more. Though Stefano was tight-lipped on whether he'd be collaborating with any of his famous label-mates, he did divulge some secrets from the studio.

"We've already found a very cool first single," Langone said. "It's called 'I'm On A Roll.' I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to putting out music that's original and different from what I sang on the show."

Stefano went on to say that he was extremely proud of his particular Idol season and still keeps in touch with several of last year's contestants. He also heaped praise on that famous judge who saved him from an early elimination with her "wild card."

"J.Lo always had my back," Langone explained. "I felt a bit like an underdog on the show. In a way, I still feel like an underdog, but it's what gives me my edge."

And as far as the new season is concerned, Stefano did confirm that he will be watching (whenever he's not too tied up in the studio). He also told us how he's hoping to record something in "Spanglish" to honor his half-Mexican heritage.

"I've received a lot of love from the Latin community," he went on to say. "I'd love to reach out to those fans with a song that's half English and half Spanish. Something really original."

Hopefully we won't have too long to hear that happen. Langone's debut album should be out later this year and, as he told us, there’s a good chance he'll be popping back up on Idol for a surprise appearance.

"Idol has been a great opportunity and I’m definitely going to continue to capitalize on it. I'm pretty sure I'll be performing on the show later this season."

You can catch the return of American Idol this Wednesday on Fox.

Are you looking forward to the new season of American Idol? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags American Idol, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Exclusive Entrevistas, Hollywood Records, I'm On A Roll, Jennifer Lopez, Música, Stefano Langone, Television, Tr3s Exclusives

By Michael Lopez

Eli Jas likes to fashion herself as much more than a musician. This bachata up-and-comer prefers the term "storyteller" and hopes to open millions of listeners to her unique style of cinematic songwriting. This month, we've added her to our Descubre & Download list. Listen to her track "Tú Me Haces Volar" and it's easy to see why.

"I'm so grateful that I have the chance to show my talent," Eli told us in an exclusive interview. "I can't wait for more people to hear 'Tú Me Haces Volar.' I think of it like the beginning of a love story where everything is flourishing."

Jas confessed to us that "Tú Me Haces" is just a portion of what's to come on her debut album. Set to arrive this summer, the untitled record will be broken down into lyrical chapters.

"My album is basically a love story," she explained. "It will be different chapters of different moments in time of a relationship. I want my fans to picture this album as a movie."

And you can expect to hear quite a few musical influences in Eli's sound too. She told us she's incorporating elements of pop, hip-hop, techno, and rock into each of the tracks. And Jas is also delivering the story with a signature "Spanglish" touch.

"Every single you hear from this album will be in Spanglish," she said. "I'm hoping to record some English songs next, most likely in the genre of R&B, which is what I grew up with."

Born in New York, Eli’s proud to incorporate pieces of her Chilean, Dominican, and Panamanian heritage into her sound. She also received quite a bit of input from her producer Chris Hierro, who helped craft the "Tú Me Haces" single.

"Chris is an amazing collaborator," Jas said. "We wrote 'Tu Me Haces' together in less than an hour! I think we have a great musical connection."

And it seems like Eli has been connecting with her audience as well. She's already built a very sizable Twitter and Facebook follower base and, as she told us, it’s those fans that motivate her behind the mic.

"I've been getting a fantastic amount of positive feedback," she said. "All of this support just makes me want to push harder and reach out more."

You can keep up with all of Eli's happenings by checking in to her official website.

Are you looking forward to Eli's debut album? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags bachata, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Chris Hierro, Descubre & Download, Eli Jas, Exclusive Entrevistas, Hot Stuff, Música, Tr3s Exclusives, Tu Me Haces Volar

By Michael Lopez

Even though it's been nearly a year since Drama y Luz was released, the latest Maná album is still kicking butt on the Latin Billboard charts. So much so, that the guys are hitting the road again for another leg of their worldwide tour.

Drama y Luz 2.0 will be starting up in April at Texas' State Farm Arena and hit several more big cities after that. The Mexican rockers are planning to return to New York, Chicago, Miami, and (not surprisingly) L.A.'s Staples Center.

This will be Maná's ninth appearance at Staples, giving them the record for most concerts ever played at the arena. And it’s interesting to note that their "El Verdadero Amor Perdona" duet with Prince Royce is currently #1 on the Hot Latin Songs Chart. Could there be a surprise duet in the cards for this latest tour? You never know.

Our hope is that the guys shake it up a little and add some new songs to the set list. Maybe some oldies but goodies from Sueños Líquidos or perhaps new material they’ve been cooking up in the studio. We'll be sure to find out once the bootleg clips hit YouTube this spring.

You can find out all of Maná's latest tour dates by visiting their official site.

Did you catch any of the Drama y Luz shows yet? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Drama Y Luz, El Verdadero Amor Perdona, Hot Stuff, Mana, Música, Prince Royce, staples center

By Michael Lopez

Sure Madonna is great and all, but what about those of us who like a little reggaeton during our football games? Not to worry, Don Omar and Larry Hernandez are hitting Indiana too, to perform at the pre-game Fan Jam.

Sponsored by the NFL and Pepsi, the Fan Jam is expected to build quite a bit of hype before "the big game." El Don and Larry will headline the event on February 1, four days before Sunday's Super Bowl kickoff.

And they won't be holding court just by themselves. Both Alejandra Guzman and Moderatto have agreed to participate in the show, which will be broadcast live for TV. The following day, Fan Jam will continue with performances from Gym Class Heroes and B.o.B.

The best part of all is, tickets for the concerts are absolutely free! If you ask us, that's a lot more economical than the price that the actual Super Bowl is charging. If you want to get a premium seat at Lucas Oil Stadium, it's going to cost you up to $3,000!

Have you ever been to a Super Bowl? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Alejandra Guzman, B.o.B., Blogger: Michael Lopez, Don Omar, Football, Gym Class Heroes, Larry Hernandez, Música, Moderatto, NFL, Sports, Super Bowl, Super Bowl Fan Jam

By Michael Lopez

Coachella fans have two big reasons to celebrate Snoop Dogg at this year's music festival. For one thing, he's reuniting on stage with his old collaborator Dr. Dre. But Mr. D-O-Double-G is also unveiling his very own cigar line at the event, which he calls Cigarillos.

And just to be clear, Cigarillos aren't just some stogies that Snoop is plastering his picture on. They will supposedly be made of premium tobacco from the Dominican Republic, hand-picked by the rapper himself!

"Throughout my career I have been lucky enough to travel the world and try all different types of tobacco products,” Snoop said in a statement. "During my travels throughout South America and the Caribbean, I was fortunate to encounter this tobacco company, Executive Branch and was so impressed by their commitment to quality, I knew I had to bring them to the States for all my fans to enjoy."

Executive Branch will be distributing the smokes, but the flava will come straight from the Snoop. Cigarillos are priced at 99 cents a pouch and can be found at local markets and liquor stores.

Would you smoke a pack of Snoop's Cigarillos? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Cigarillos, Cigars, Coachella, Executive Branch, Música, Snoop Dogg

By Michael Lopez

With great success, comes a great many bootleggers. Yup, Prince Royce has become the latest victim of leaked album tracks, just a few months before the April debut of his sophomore album, Phase II.

The unauthorized material comes from a much older recording session and it will not be featured on Phase II. It is still unclear how the songs got spread, but Prince's lawyers are on the case. They've already identified the guilty party and have sent an official cease and desist order.

But don't get the bootlegs confused with Royce's "Las Cosas Pequeñas" single. That track is fully legit and WILL be the leadoff song from Phase II.

The good news is, you won't have to wait until spring for more Royce material. He'll have a music video out by the end of January and may just belt out a new tune at next month's Premio Lo Nuestro Awards.

Have you ever downloaded bootlegged tracks? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Blogger: Michael Lopez, Chisme, Las Cosas Pequeñas, Música, Phase II, popnews, Prince Royce

By Michael Lopez

The "People" have spoken and it seems they love Demi Lovato. The part-Mexican starlet proved to be the belle of the ball at last night's People's Choice Awards, taking home Best Pop Artist and delivering a powerhouse performance of "Give Your Heart A Break."

But Lovato wasn't the only one the crowds went nuts for. Robert Pattinson, Lea Michelle, and Emma Stone made a major mark as well.

In the movie department, the Choice was clearly Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. The final Hogwarts installment nabbed Favorite Movie, Favorite Action Movie, and Favorite Ensemble Cast. Johnny Depp (who skipped the ceremony) made a big mark as well, earning Favorite Action Movie Star and Favorite Animated Movie Voice for Rango.

Other winners from the big screen included Ryan Reynolds for his work in Green Lantern and Hugh Jackman for Real Steel. The box office smash Bridesmaids earned the title of Favorite Comedy Movie and Morgan Freeman took home Favorite Movie Icon.

On the TV side of things, How I Met Your Mother got plenty love, first for Favorite Comedy and then for Favorite Actor (which went to Neil Patrick Harris).

Betty White was on hand to accept a Favorite Cable TV Comedy award for her show Hot In Cleveland and Jimmy Fallon earned the title of Favorite Late Night TV Host.

In the reality realm, American Idol beat out The Voice for Favorite TV Competition Show. And not surprisingly, Kim Kardashian earned the title of Favorite TV Celebreality Star (though some in the crowd weren't too happy about that).

In the world of music, Katy Perry scored four awards for Favorite Song ("E.T."), Favorite Video, Favorite Female Artist, and Favorite Tour Headliner. That would have been quite an accomplishment for the pop songstress…if she decided to show. But seeing how Katy’s going through a painful divorce, she chose to bail on the festivities.

Tr3s fave Bruno Mars earned the title of Favorite Male Artist. And though he didn't get up on the stage, he let his fans know that was eternally grateful for the honor.

"I'm currently walking down the street screaming "I am an ultimate male"!! Thank you at @peopleschoice and to those that voted! #hooligans" he tweeted.

And, as per usual, there was plenty of high fashion in effect last night too. Miley Cyrus wowed the crowd with a chique revealing white dress. Vanessa Hudgens chose the glam route, bedazzling herself in a gold and black ensemble. And hostess Kaley Cuoco strutted very elegantly across the red carpet in a shimmering cream-colored gown.

What did you think of this year’s People's Choice Awards? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags American Idol, Award Shows, Betty White, Blogger: Michael Lopez, Bruno Mars, Celebrities, Demi Lovato, Fashion Face-Off, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Hot Stuff, How I Met Your Mother, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Fallon, johnny depp, Kaley Cuoco, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian, Música, Miley Cyrus, Morgan Freeman, Movies & CineMás, Neil Patrick Harris, People’s Choice Awards, Ryan Reynolds, Style, Television, Vanessa Hudgens

Are you a die hard Juanes Fan? Do you live in South Florida? If so, you are in for the experience of a lifetime!

Tr3s is currently casting audience for the live taping of the JUANES MTV Unplugged in Miami Beach. You must appear to be 18-29 years old and be available the afternoon of Feb. 1st. This will be a LIVE taping so you will be ON-CAMERA!! If you are interested make sure to send us an email with your age, phone number, and picture to the following address MTV.LATINMIAMICASTING@HOTMAIL.COM you can also follow us on Twitter at @MIACastingMTV.

And then make sure to tune in to watch the show on Tr3s later on this year!!!!

Tags Juanes, Juanes MTV Unplugged, Tr3s Exclusives