Despite a commercially unsuccessful 2010, it looks like Christina Aguilera will be heading out on tour next year.

Full report below…

(more…)

Rihanna took a break from impressing the world with her amazing vocal range to issue an official statement regarding the recent leak of her ‘Who’s That Chick’. The Voice took to Twitter to inform her fans that the video was shot to support her new endorsement deal with Doritos and that it has nothing to do with her upcoming ‘Loud’ album.

These statements conflict with what was indicated by her camp at SRP Records who confirmed that ‘Who’s That Chick’ is indeed going to be used to promote the album in the clubs later this year. Check out what Rihanna had to say below:

(more…)

Rapper Ludacris kicked off the 5th Annual LudaDay Weekend in Atlanta last night. The anniversary dinner, which was attended by the likes Kelly Rowland and Sean Garrett (both pictured above), served as the first event of the Weekend – which was created as a platform to give back to the community and celebrate unity amongst the city’s taste-makers. {Source}

Tidbit: Kelly is set to feature on the latest Sims 3 expansion pack, ‘The Sims 3: Late Night’. The 29 year old re-recorded her new single ‘Rose Coloured Glasses’ in “sim language” to feature in the game. Anyone who knows about computer games, knows ‘The Sims’ franchise is a huge seller, hence this is a really good look for Ms. Kelly.

Your thoughts?

Pop phenom Lady GaGa leads the pack of nominees at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. The 24 year old superstar scored an unprecedented 13 nominations – making history as the first artist to achieve that many in a single year.

Full story after the jump…

(more…)

Break-out star Janelle Monae recently sat down with Rolling Stone magazine. During the candid interview, Monae was quizzed on a number of topics, including the quiet speculation surrounding her sexuality.

Check out what the 24 year old had to say after the jump…

(more…)

While Lady GaGa remains silent on the every-growing comparisons between her and Christina Aguilera, 29 year old Aguilera has taken a swipe at the ‘Bad Romance’ singer in the latest issue of OUT magazine. Check out what she had to say after the jump…

(more…)

A few days ago, we provided you with images of Kelis in London. Well, it seems that the singer has come under fire from PETA for wearing fur while she braced against the UK cold. Kelis has taken the time to respond to her critics in a very extensive yet hilarious blog post provided by Bossip.com:

Kelis’ Letter to PETA

There is no humane way to kill anything, let me start there. It’s unfortunate but it’s part of life. With that being said, I would eat pterodactyl if you found some and you told me it was meaty and delicious. And after doing a very minimal amount of research……. I found out that the founder Ingrid Newkirk is completely batty. I had a feeling but she far exceeded my expectations. I mean certifiably insane! Lol this chicks will is nuts, google it – it’s a riot! Beyond the fact that I think she’s a diabetic, which means she needs insulin, which is taken from lab pigs (I know this because my sister happens to be in veterinary school), which would be completely hypocritical. It’s like don’t abuse animals unless it can help me.

I feel very strongly about a lot of things such as the sweatshops that spin cotton and the blood on their hands. Btw it’s not just the look of fur. It’s warm as hell and feels glorious, ever rubbed faux fur on your body? Nothing luxurious about that. Then the letter proceeded to name artist and designers who don’t wear real fur. Great! More for me! I don’t judge them, don’t judge me.

If I started wearing endangered animals like polar bear or orangutan then talk to me. (Which btw for the record I would not – I do believe in the preservation of endangered species) But the minks and chinchilla that quite honestly are rodents and if weren’t in the form of a coat I would demand they be put to death anyway are not an issue to me.The death of high fashion. Ugh.

I eat meat, and in fact my mouth salivates as I type the word meat! And the paint throwing that’s just ridiculous! What if I was hurling Loubitons and Pierre Hardy’s at every sad poorly dressed person on the street? As right as I may be it’s just fanatical and crazy. And people have the right to feel as they please. What about art? Survival of the fittest. Natural selection? No let’s just let all the rodents run free and over take our cities. Oh wait they have, NY and LA in particular are infested! Why don’t u save them all from scavenging on the streets and ruining my evening strolls, take them home. Make them pets! Get off my back! Pun intended!

Underpaid minorities picking your vegetables, now that’s fine for you right? Please, fight for their rights. How about the poverty in the communities of brown people around the world. She had the nerve to say (and I quote) “get over it” talking of the issue of black people and slavery in this country verses cows being slaughtered. Is she kidding me? Lol yes she must be. Actually, she’s lucky most black people have real issues to worry about in the U.S and don’t give a crap what her delusional privileged opinions are. But she should try saying that again just for kicks n giggles on the corner of Adam Clayton Powell Blvd in Harlem n see how well people “get over it” lol. If u want to preach do it about something worthwhile don’t waste my time trying to save the dang chipmunk.

Find a worthwhile cause like the women being maimed in these Middle Eastern countries. Or female circumcision. Or women’s rights here in America, we still get paid less for doing the same jobs as men. Quite honestly if you hate the world so much go live in the forest where no one else has to hear you complain about the perfectly good food chain the good Lord created. Everyone has the right to an opinion, and that’s mine on that! xoxo

Thoughts?

While currently in the studio preparing for the release of her new studio album, Keyshia Cole has released a statement explaining the issues surrounding her relationship with her family. In the release, provided via Freddy O, the songstress notes that she has severed all communication with her family. Read the full statement below:

“To all my friends and fans – It’s time that I clear the air.  It’s not a secret that I haven’t been in contact with my mother Frankie, and my sisters Neffe and Elite and I never wanted to air out our differences to the public.   While I won’t go into detail here I find it necessary to let you guys know I decided to stop communication with them because I was at a point in my life where I needed serenity and peace to move forward. Please know I love my family very much but it was time to let it go.  You guys are a witness to a lot of what was happening from watching on air and online.   Now that I am becoming a mom my passion for having a loving and peaceful home for my child is my #1 priority. It’s very important to both Daniel and I.  My plate is very full; I have a new baby coming, we are planning our wedding and I am working in the studio on a new album that I am close to completing.  The stress that my family is giving me with their constant false reports is not healthy and it’s not what I need at this time in my life.   Please understand that there are only a few people that can officially confirm or deny anything that’s happening in my life and that’s me, Daniel, and my publicist, Tresa Sanders.  And my girl Monica never lies.”
Love Your Girl,

KC

This action demonstrates that Cole is one of the few media savvy artists to have emerged in recent years. Rather than continuing to fuel the chaos, she has expertly explained her views and displayed sound professionalism. Regarding her Monica comment, the latter reported on Twitter page earlier this week that Cole is expecting a baby boy. Therefore it seems that Monica is indeed correct. Congrats to Cole!

Thoughts?

Popular news outlet Digital Spy is reporting that Rihanna has been given strict guidelines regarding her upcoming New Year’s Eve performance in Abu Dhabi later this week. The model, who is being paid a substantial $500, 000 to perform at Emirates Palace to ring in the new year, has been warned to wear conservative ensembles to avoid offending the Islamic community. Earlier this year, Beyonce canceled the Malaysian leg of her ‘I Am…Yours’ tour as a ramification of such restrictions.

If this is true, then it is quite interesting indeed. The central part of Rihanna’s success throughout her career has been her sex appeal and fashion sense. Certainly, the number of people who actually appreciate her material for her ‘vocal ability’ represents a staggering minority. In fact, she herself must be aware of this as she is said to be quite upset by this news and “is tearing her hair out over what to do…a huge part of her show is her sexy stage gear.” It looks like Rihanna will not be able to hide behind studded bras and leather panties for this performance. Rather the audience will be ‘treated’ to her voice in all its glory. Let us pray for the people of Abu Dhabi.

Thoughts?

In a recent interview with  ‘Glamour Magazine’, singer Rihanna discusses several issues in her life including domestic violence, her style and her upcoming album, ‘Rated R’. The starlet will be honored by ‘Glamour’ with the title of ‘Glamour Woman of the Year’ next week at a ceremony in New York City. Peep excerpts from the interview below:

On the leaked photo of her battered face:
It was humiliating; that is not a photo you would show to anybody. I felt completely taken advantage of. I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it’s my life. I was disappointed, especially when I found out the photo was [supposedly leaked by] two women.

On the aftermath:
It has taught me so much. I felt like I went to sleep as Rihanna and woke up as Britney Spears. That was the level of media chaos that happened the next day. It was like, What, there are helicopters circling my house? There are 100 people in my cul-de-sac? What do you mean, I can’t go back home?

My friends and family have been extremely supportive, and everyone has been there for me. But at some point you are there alone. It’s a lonely place to be—no one can understand. That’s when you get close to God.

On domestic violence:

Domestic violence is a big secret. No kid goes around and lets people know their parents fight. Teenage girls can’t tell their parents that their boyfriend beat them up. You don’t dare let your neighbor know that you fight. It’s one of the things we [women] will hide, because it’s embarrassing. My story was broadcast all over the world for people to see, and they have followed every step of my recovery. The positive thing that has come out of my situation is that people can learn from that. I want to give as much insight as I can to young women, because I feel like I represent a voice that really isn’t heard. Now I can help speak for those women.

On her image change:

In the first two years of my career, there were a lot of restraints on what I could do. I couldn’t wear certain colors of lipstick, like bright pink, dark pink or red; [my lips] had to be natural. Eventually, I stopped communicating with certain people at the label, and did exactly what I wanted to do. And that was to cut my hair, dye it black, change my clothes, change my sound. Really to just express myself.

On her new album ‘Rated R’:

I was involved in a lot of the writing. I put everything I’ve wanted to say for the past eight months into my music. The songs are really personal. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s really hip-hop: If Lil’ Wayne and Kings of Leon like my album, then I’ll feel good. I would not change anything about it. Even if people don’t love it, I made exactly the piece of art that I wanted to make. It’s super fearless—which is exactly how I feel right now. I am in a really good place.

I have grown up a lot since my last album. It [represents] exactly where I am at right now.

It’s encouraging to see that she is brave enough to discuss the occurrences of the recent months with such honesty and integrity without sounding bitter.  I am quite thankful that she kept her life on track. I gained more respect for after reading this and understand her a lot more as a person.

Tidbit: Does anyone else think that her comments about becoming Britney Spears could also apply to her music as well? Just a thought…

Sam’s 2 pence: A good read, though I don’t believe that ‘I took control of my image’ malarky for a single second.

Thoughts?

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, That Grape Juice would like to present to you….. me… Trent!

I reside in the sunny (and HOT) twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago (that’s in the Caribbean by the way). I’m a Communications major in my final year at university and I’m in love with the field of Entertainment Journalism. That passion for writing is what lead me to the blog-o-sphere (yeah, I made that word up. Copyright!) and eventually to this incredible site.

I know I can bring a whole new perspective to the site and take things to a whole other level. So how about a tall glass of “grape juice” with a hot plate of Trini cuisine?!  I can’t wait to get to know each and every one of you!

Sugababes Statement
Monday 21st September

The current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded.

Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewen. They release their album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records.

Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist. {Source}