Federal Judge Blocks Child-Pornography Charges In Sexting Case

Pennsylvania teens won't face felony charges in racy-photo incident.
By Gil Kaufman

Photo: Chung Sung-Jun/ Getty Images

A federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled on Monday that a local prosecutor cannot file felony child-pornography charges against three teenage girls in a "sexting" case involving a series of nude and nearly nude pictures of the teens that circulated in their hometown last year.

According to The Associated Press, U.S. District Judge James Munley issued a temporary restraining order against Wyoming County District Attorney George Skumanick Jr., who had said he would pursue felony charges against the girls unless they agreed to participate in a five-week after-school sexual-harassment program and probation.

Two of the teens, Marissa Miller and Grace Kelly, had their photos taken by a third girl last summer when they had stripped down to their underwear on a hot night. The image of the two in their white bras ended up on classmates' cell phones, and Skumanick threatened to charge the pair with offenses ranging from "sexual abuse of children in Pennsylvania" to open lewdness. The American Civil Liberties Union stepped in on their behalf last week and filed suit against Skumanick, asking a federal judge to block the lawyer from filing any charges by claiming that the girls didn't consent to having their pictures distributed, that the images are not pornographic and that they are protected as First Amendment speech.

A third teen, unnamed in the case, was photographed topless last year in a separate incident and was also included in the ACLU case. She also claimed she did not consent to having her picture distributed to fellow students. Munley said he'd hear arguments in the ACLU lawsuit in June.

Smashing Pumpkins To Hold Open Auditions For New Drummer

Interested parties should be in Los Angeles on April 10.
By Gil Kaufman

The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan
Photo: Jason Merritt/ FilmMagic

How do you go about replacing one of the most distinctive drummers in alt rock? With an open audition, of course. Just a week after original Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin quit the group, the Pumpkins (a.k.a. lone remaining original member Billy Corgan) announced on on their official site on Monday that an open audition will be held in Los Angeles on April 10 to fill the vacant position.

"The Smashing Pumpkins are continuing to make music after the departure of original member Jimmy Chamberlin, " read the announcement on the official Pumpkins site. "When Jimmy originally auditioned for the Smashing Pumpkins, he was playing in a locally touring jazz band that was playing weddings and street fairs. It just goes to show that you never know where the next big talent will come from." Before Chamberlin joined the band in 1988, Corgan and former guitarist James Iha performed with a drum machine.

Throwing the door open to all interested parties with "exceptional drumming ability and a desire to be part of a massive creative and progressive musical project with a rich 20-year history," the post also explained that the auditions are for recording and touring drummers, noting that there may be "multiple positions" open.

Applicants are asked to send a headshot, music, video links and a résumé listing their bands, live-performance experience, awards and any music education in their background to a Gmail address.

Not waiting to fill the drummer's seat, Corgan announced last week that he's been working on demos for new Pumpkins songs, which could end up on the band's next album, only their second to not feature Chamberlin. The drummer explained somewhat cryptically last week that he was leaving the band with no bad blood, but that he simply could no longer "pretend I'm into something I'm not. ... I can't just, 'Cash the check.' "

Though the two had a longtime friendship and Corgan excitedly invited Chamberlin back into the fold after the drummer was sent into a three-year exile due to his drug issues, Corgan said he's psyched about moving forward. "It's going well and I'm very happy and in a great mood. I'm not sad (about what has happened), actually excited to be working on new SP!" Corgan said on Thursday of the five tunes he's working on, with an eye toward hitting the studio in May.

"The songs sound like spring!" he added. In one of the strangest bits of news to come out of the sessions, the official Pumpkins site recently reported that among those joining Corgan in the studio is friend Mark Tulin, bassist for the late-1960s psychedelic band the Electric Prunes, best known for their tune "I Had Too Much to Dream Last Night."

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T.I. On His Sentence: ‘I Think I Made Out All Right’

MC plans to spend time with family before entering prison.
By Jayson Rodriguez

T.I.
Photo: MTV News

When T.I. will turn himself in to begin his one-year-and-one-day sentence and where he'll serve it are up in the air at the moment. But what Tip will be doing until then is certain.

"I'd like to spend time with my family," the rapper told MTV News' Sway during "T.I.'s Road to Redemption: The Reckoning" (which did not air as scheduled Tuesday night — we'll have a new airtime soon).

"I work so much, so I'd just like the time to kick it with them," he added. "The kids, the old lady, my cousins, my brother, just with my family. Maybe take a vacation, maybe something for Mother's Day. I don't know, man. I might be able to make one more birthday party."

Prior to his sentencing, T.I. kept busy promoting his latest LP, Paper Trail, and making a number of community-service appearances as part of his plea deal. In lieu of a longer jail sentence, Tip's lawyers worked out a deal where the rapper had to complete 1,500 hours of community service, in addition to paying a $100,000 fine and completing 365 days of home confinement. So far, T.I.'s completed 1,030 hours of his service and will be required to finish the rest after his term in prison.

In previous interviews, T.I. has said he doesn't want his children to visit him in jail; he also said his friends and artists on his Grand Hustle label don't have to visit him either. He said he'll quietly strategize his comeback while incarcerated.

But there's still the matter of helping his family deal with his absence. He's the sole provider for his brood and he asked the judge to place him in a federal confinement near Atlanta, if possible, during his sentencing. According to Tip, his family is trying to cope with his impending prison bid.

"Well, you know we still got more work to do," he explained. "At the end of the day I'm not going to be gone long enough to have any long-lasting effects. Of course, the initial emotion will be one of somber grief. But by the time they get over it, I'll be getting home. Compared to how bad it could have been, I think I made out all right."

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Soulja Boy Says Chris Brown Should Focus On ‘Fixing Himself’

Rapper offers support for former tour-mate and Rihanna.
By Gil Kaufman

Soulja Boy Tell'em at the 2009 Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Soulja Boy Tell'em is the latest artist to speak out about the alleged altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna.

While walking the red carpet at Saturday's Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles, the "Kiss Me Through the Phone" rapper told Entertainment Weekly that he's there for both former tour-mate Brown and Rihanna and that he was surprised by incident.

"[Chris] needs to be focused on fixing himself right now and fixing the relationship," Soulja Boy reportedly said. "I don't know what went wrong or what happened exactly, but I couldn't be more shocked. Both of them are my friends, and I wish both of them the best of luck. They were really good together, and it is sad that it happened. It came out of nowhere. I would have never seen that coming. It is not like him at all. Not his nature."

The rapper, who showed off his $100,000 necklace while talking to the magazine, said he hoped that Brown, 19, and Rihanna, 21, get through the situation in a "positive light," but said it will likely be tough because of the intense media glare.

"Remember that only God can judge, though," Soulja Boy said. "None of us know exactly what went down that weekend. Only they know the whole truth, and it will be up to them to decide if they can get straight with it and whether they will want to continue as a couple. I can just be there if either of them need me."

And, Soulja being Soulja, he took the opportunity to brag that his next big venture is a headlining summer tour, "and I am going to put my swagga into it. Move over, Chris Brown."

Despite a recent Fox News report to the contrary, Rihanna is reportedly fully cooperating in the investigation and prosecution of Brown, who is being charged with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats, and is slated to be arraigned on April 6.

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Soulja Boy Says Chris Brown Should Focus On ‘Fixing Himself’

Rapper offers support for former tour-mate and Rihanna.
By Gil Kaufman

Soulja Boy Tell'em at the 2009 Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Soulja Boy Tell'em is the latest artist to speak out about the alleged altercation between Chris Brown and Rihanna.

While walking the red carpet at Saturday's Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles, the "Kiss Me Through the Phone" rapper told Entertainment Weekly that he's there for both former tour-mate Brown and Rihanna and that he's surprised by incident.

"[Chris] needs to be focused on fixing himself right now and fixing the relationship," Soulja Boy reportedly said. "I don't know what went wrong or what happened exactly, but I couldn't be more shocked. Both of them are my friends, and I wish both of them the best of luck. They were really good together, and it is sad that it happened. It came out of nowhere. I would have never seen that coming. It is not like him at all. Not his nature."

The rapper, who showed off his $100,000 necklace while talking to the magazine, said he hoped that Brown, 19, and Rihanna, 21, get through the situation in a "positive light," but said it will likely be tough because of the intense media glare. "Remember that only God can judge, though," Soulja Boy said. "None of us know exactly what went down that weekend. Only they know the whole truth, and it will be up to them to decide if they can get straight with it and whether they will want to continue as a couple. I can just be there if either of them need me."

And, Soulja being Soulja, he took the opportunity to brag that his next big venture is a headlining summer tour, "and I am going to put my swagga into it. Move over, Chris Brown."

Despite a recent Fox News report to the contrary, Rihanna is reportedly fully cooperating in the investigation and prosecution of Brown, who is being charged with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats, and is slated to be arraigned on April 6.

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Kris Allen Closes ‘American Idol’ Show On A High Note

Check out 'Idol' expert Jim Cantiello's minute-by-minute recap of the show.

Kris Allen
Photo: Chris Cuffaro/ Fox

Jordin Sparks Can’t Decide On Her ‘American Idol’ Favorite

'I actually vote for seven people each night, which is really sad, but I can't help myself,' season-six champ says.
By Jocelyn Vena, additional reporting by Matt Elias

Jordin Sparks
Photo: MTV News

"American Idol" alum Jordin Sparks hasn't forgotten where she comes from. In fact, the season-six champ is so dedicated to the show that she still tunes in and votes to her favorite contestants. But she swears she isn't voting for anyone in particular, because it's just too hard to pick.

"It's really hard to say, 'cause there's a lot of really good people," she told MTV News. "I am voting — you guy should too! I am voting for 'Idol.' I actually vote for seven people each night, which is really sad, but I can't help myself."

And Sparks has good reason for dedicating so much phone time, "They're all so good," she said, adding that once she thinks she has it all figured out, the show goes and throws her a curveball and she has a new favorite contestant. "You think the guys are really strong, and then Allison [Iraheta] comes out, and it's like, 'OK, maybe not,' " she said about the singer's performance of the Temptations' "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" during Motown week. "She was amazing."

So far this season, past "Idol" winners Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Ruben Studdard have come back to the show to perform. Sparks is hoping she, too, can return to the stage where she became a star.

"I hope so!" she said about trying to fit an "Idol" appearance into her pre-JoBros tour schedule. "We're hoping maybe sometime in April, but we're not sure yet."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Keyshia Cole’s Mother, Frankie Lons, Is Alive And Well

Despite Internet rumors, singer's biological mother was not in a car accident.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Keyshia Cole
Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/ Getty Images

Representatives for Keyshia Cole have released a statement to refute rumors that first surfaced on Monday suggesting the singer's mother had passed away in a fatal car accident.

Perez Hilton was one of the many to post messages on Twitter about the matter. The gossip blogger asked, "Some awful rumor about Keyshia Cole is floating around. Anyone heard if this is true or not????"

Cole's label, Interscope Records, has put out a statement saying there is "no truth to it."

"Imani Entertainment has received a huge amount of inquiries in regard to the rumor about Keyshia Cole's biological mom, Frankie Lons, having recently passed in an automobile accident," the statement read.  "The rumor has absolutely NO truth to it — Frankie has not been in any accident of any kind and is doing well at home in Atlanta."

Cole's manager, Manny Halley, confirmed the information to MTV News. In an e-mail, Halley said Frankie is "100% alive" and added that he recently hung out with Frankie, Cole and the singer's sister Neffe, and all are well.

The three women star in Cole's BET reality series, "The Way It Is." The show chronicles the singer's professional life, but it is perhaps best known for capturing intimate family moments as Cole rebuilds her family with her biological mother, Frankie. Cole was adopted as a youngster and Frankie spent time in prison and dealt with a drug addiction. The family reunion was broadcast on air and led to turbulent confrontations. This season, the show's third, has dealt with Frankie's new boyfriend and the clashes with her family — most notably Neffe — over her relationship.

Cole and her mother, Frankie, were recently featured on the March cover of VIBE magazine.

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Is America Ready For Utada, The ‘Japanese Britney Spears’?

'I feel like I stepped out into fresh air,' singer says of making her new album, This Is the One.
By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

Utada
Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images

Utada isn't your typical American pop star — she's actually a Japanese pop sensation that has been labeled the "Asian Britney Spears" since her 1999 debut LP, First Love, became Japan's biggest-selling album ever. She's conquered the international market and sold over 52 million records. Now, Utada's hoping to add her name to the elusive list of divas that dominate America.

The New York-born singer described herself to MTV recently as "culturally bilingual." See, the 26-year-old is somewhat of a Japanese musical prodigy. Utada's father was an accomplished musician and producer and her mother was a successful Japanese singer. Her parents had her splitting her time between Manhattan and Tokyo while she went to high school and college. Back then, Utada was living a "Hannah Montana"-esque double life: ordinary American college student by day, world-renowned Japanese pop star by night.

Utada's story hasn't been a fairytale, though. Despite being the first Japanese artist to break the Top 20 Albums list on iTunes, she's yet to make it big on American radio airwaves or the Billboard charts. Her last U.S. album, Exodus, released in 2004, failed to resonate with audiences. Utada describes the album as "introverted" and "weird."

"It was interesting and unique [but] how are you supposed to promote that?" she said. Utada isn't trying to appeal to angst-ridden emo kids — she's Japan's Britney, remember? So when it came to her new record, This Is the One, she decided to let loose, go the traditional pop route and make it accessible to the masses.

"This time, I wanted to make a really mainstream album. Making an album like this new one [was] fun. I feel like I stepped out into fresh air," she said. "[We laid] out a plan to make a really good pop record, like good old pop like TLC." Fittingly, her first single, "Come Back to Me," is reminiscent of the smooth, late-'90s pop era.

"I think it's a good reflection as the essence of the album," Utada said of the single. With this album, Utada enlisted the help of hitmakers Stargate and Tricky, producers who have worked with Spears, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and Rihanna. If Utada gets even half the recognition of the aforementioned divas, she'll have to get used to more public attention.

"[It's] a bit scary to think that if the album does take off, I [will] become very famous here," she says. But Utada swears if she does blow up in the American pop industry, she won't let the success go to her head.

"I can become this queen on the throne, with my nails being done, [but] I have consciously avoided going down that path. Watching others and learning — whether it's Britney or a homeless guy on the street ... or a record company CEO; I watch and learn."

Watch out Britney — Utada's coming for your crown.

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Flo Rida Calls R.O.O.T.S. LP ‘A Gumbo Of Flo Rida’

'I wanted to put out a message about how I've made it to where I am now,' MC says of sophomore album.
By Akshay Bhansali, with reporting by Shaheem Reid

Flo Rida
Photo: MTV News

Last year, with his first hit "Low," Flo Rida set digital-sales records. He's doing it all over again with "Right Round," the Dead or Alive-sampling first single from his sophomore album R.O.O.T.S., which hit stores Tuesday (March 31) "Right Round" has maintained its #1 status for 12 weeks now with more than 2 million downloads, leaving the previous digital records set by Soulja Boy Tell'em, 50 Cent and Eminem in its wake.

"You feel like you're lucky the first time you do something like that, but a second time makes you feel like you're blessed," Flo told MTV News. "I am humbled by those guys. I'm fans of those guys. I'm inspired by those guys."

Since Flo's debut Mail on Sunday dropped last March, the Florida MC has toured abroad, recording with international artists and increasing his global scope. He was featured on 2006 "Australian Idol" runner-up Jessica Mauboy's single "Running Back," which hit the top of the Australian singles chart last year.

The R.O.O.T.S. track "Sugar," with newcomer Wynter, samples Eiffel 65's "I'm Blu (Da Ba Dee)." The sample might leave some in the hip-hop game scratching their heads, but a similar move worked wonders for T.I. with "Live Your Life." Nelly Furtado, Akon, Wyclef Jean, Rick Ross, Ace Hood, Brisco and Pitbull are also featured on R.O.O.T.S., which stands for "route of overcoming the struggle."

"I'm definitely letting the people know I haven't forgotten where I've come from," he said. "On this album, I wanted to put out a message about how I've made it to where I am now — the trials and tribulations I've been through — as well as the party joints. It's going to be a gumbo of Flo Rida."

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