The majority of rapes go unreported to the police — 60% according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. That means the average survivor stays silent. Well, Emma Sulkowicz is anything but average.

The Columbia University senior is carrying a mattress around campus — as part of a performance art piece — until her alleged rapist leaves the school. Her decision to do so has garnered her an overwhelming response from the press, fellow survivors and detractors alike, putting her life, past and troubles under an unprecedented kind of microscope.

The visual arts major went through all the traditional channels after she was allegedly raped by a serial offender during her sophomore year — but after the school failed to bring her attacker to justice, then the police and now, potentially, the government (she is one of 23 students who have filed federal Title IX complaints against Columbia in April for mishandling sexual-assault cases), she decided it’s more important to be heard than to win.

MTV News caught up with Sulkowicz Thursday (September 4) in the midst of the media blitz around her thesis project, titled “Carry That Weight,” to see what it’s like to be one of the 40% that has decided not to stay quiet.

So what exactly is going on with your case now? Is anything currently being done? So right now my case is closed. I reported it near the end of my sophomore year and then the case was closed ...

Laura Jane Grace’s new documentary series, “True Trans,” may feature footage from her band Against Me!‘s tour around Transgender Dysphoria Blues. But judging from a trailer for the upcoming program, it’s about way more than concert footage. It’s about Laura’s own battle with gender dysphoria — in addition to the battles of others.

“By the time I was 30 years-old I had done everything I had set out to do,” the singer says in the trailer. “But when it came down to it, that didn’t make the dysphoria go away.” She then expounds on her experience coming out as a transgender woman — something she did via a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone — and shares the stories of a cadre of other trans people.

The show, which will premiere online on AOL on October 10, is just the latest in revealing projects by Grace. First, she did the aforementioned interview with RS, then she spoke with MTV in her first-ever on-camera interview, and then, of course, there was Against Me!’s most recent record, Transgender Dysphoria Blues.

Check out the trailer below:

Brenna Ehrlich

Brenna Ehrlich is a reporter for MTV News as well as the senior writer/editor for the O Music Awards. In the past, she served as associate editor at Mashable, penned a netiquette column for CNN and co-authored the blog and book "Stuff Hipsters Hate." She likes trying not to die in moshpits and listening to ...

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Beyoncé is 33 today! In honor of the Queen turning the double 3s, MTV News enlisted resident psychic Licorice Root to take a peek at Bey’s year ahead. New tunes? New baby? New bling? Licorice Root cast her eyes to the stars to see what’s ahead for this heavenly body:

Happy Birthday to one perfect Virgo: Beyoncé! This year stands to be her very best yet with Jupiter, the planet of good fortune and growth, strolling through the very top of her natal chart, bringing her to new heights of fame and glory.

Guess when the last time this lineup occurred in this diva’s natal chart? Twelve years ago, way back in 2002, when she and Jay Z came out as couple of lovebirds, releasing the single “’03 Bonnie and Clyde.”

No doubt this lady married for love; however, who could argue that pairing up with rap’s foremost player when you’re already a formidable feature in music did anything but increase her fame?

Well, here we are 12 years later, and it’s very likely that history will repeat itself, with Beyoncé drawing more fame, affection and attention toward herself.

But, it won’t be all rainbows and lollipops — aesthetically speaking at least. Saturn, who is often associated with melancholia, doom and gloom is cozying up to Beyoncé’s intense, mysterious and fierce Scorpio Moon. Goth Beyoncé? I’m excited!

This combination of cosmic forces also suggests she’s being for-serious in all her endeavors and committing to major long-term lifestyle choices.

So let’s break down ...

Miley Cyrus‘ Instagram isn’t all about pigs, puppies and tongues. She has also posted some pretty good — and eclectic — jams.

Sure, we all saw the snaps she posted of Riot Grrrl queen Kathleen Hanna — and Hanna’s response to Miley’s adoration — but the “Adore You” singer has been posting about more than just punk (even though she also digs Richard Hell).

We’ve complied a playlist of Miley’s shared tunes — as well as the Instagram snaps — below. Hit play and listen to the inside of Miley’s head.

Brenna Ehrlich

Brenna Ehrlich is a reporter for MTV News as well as the senior writer/editor for the O Music Awards. In the past, she served as associate editor at Mashable, penned a netiquette column for CNN and co-authored the blog and book "Stuff Hipsters Hate." She likes trying not to die in moshpits and listening to songs on repeat. Follow her on Twitter @BrennaEhrlich for news on cats and punk bands.

The FBI announced Monday (September 1) that it will be stepping in to investigate a massive leak of private celebrity photos, including snaps of Jennifer Lawrence and Kate Upton.

The AP reports that the FBI is, “aware of the allegations concerning computer intrusions and the unlawful release of material involving high-profile individuals, and is addressing the matter,” the bureau said, and quotes spokeswoman Laura Eimiller as saying, “Any further comment would be inappropriate at this time.”

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris also weighed in — as reports state that hackers stole the photos via iCloud — saying that the company is looking into the possible hack.

If caught, the person — or people — behind the stolen photos could face hefty prison time, if past cases are any precedent. In 2012, Christopher Chaney was sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly breaking into the personal online accounts of Scarlett Johansson and Christina Aguilera and leaking private photos to the Web, in addition to other offenses.

The photos were released Sunday via 4Chan, a user purporting them to be the property of Upton, Lawrence, Victoria Justice, actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ariana Grande and Kirsten Dunst, among other celebs.

Lawrence’s reps responded to the leak this past weekend, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “This is a flagrant violation of privacy… The authorities have been contacted and will prosecute anyone who posts the stolen photos of Jennifer Lawrence.”

Perez Hilton previously posted the shots and then took them down, issuing an Read More →

Some babies are just born cooler than others — like Nao Hazuki’s new daughter, who apparently already knows how to throw up the horns like a pro.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Hazuki is a member of Grollschwert, a melodic deathrash metal band from Japan? Or maybe this babe is just destined for great — and intensely metal — things?

“Where did you memorize that…” Hazuki tweeted, along with a photo of his baby just casually drinking from her bottle — and rocking out.

Better get this kid some string or sticks — ASAP. We’re guessing we’ve got another future Jonah Rocks — or Unlocking The Truth — on our hands here.

Brenna Ehrlich

Brenna Ehrlich is a reporter for MTV News as well as the senior writer/editor for the O Music Awards. In the past, she served as associate editor at Mashable, penned a netiquette column for CNN and co-authored the blog and book "Stuff Hipsters Hate." She likes trying not to die in moshpits and listening to songs on repeat. Follow her on Twitter @BrennaEhrlich for news on cats and punk bands.

What did Lorde do over the long weekend? Well, in addition to pumping her upcoming hometown tour dates, she’s also, apparently, been in the studio.

“i always remind myself to bring a candle for the studio and finally i did today and ohhhhhhh,” Lorde wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of the candle in question, soundboard glinting in the background.

She declined to give any more details on new music — aside from her choice of relaxation technique — but that alone had her fans digitally bouncing with excitement. “In the studio??? Making my dreams come true,” one wrote, while another wrote, simply, “OMG, I can’t wait.”

Lorde is currently working on curating the soundtrack for “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″ — along with a new track for the movie — but she’s also, apparently, working on the followup to 2013′s Pure Heroine.

“I think I’ve learnt so much as a songwriter, there’s going to be so much of an improvement because of that,” the 17-year-old previously told the BBC. “I’m working on stuff quite tentatively, it’s definitely still at the beginning and yeah, it’s totally different … Now I’m in a different place every day and I’m with new people every day and it’s a different vibe.”

We’re guessing that candle is adding to that vibe. We’ll be waiting for those new tunes, Ella, with breath that is bated.

Brenna Ehrlich

Brenna Ehrlich is a reporter for MTV ...

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Blood, New Jersey and the possibility of Lena Dunham behind the lens? Bleachers‘ Jack Antonoff has us way intrigued with his plan for the band’s second music video, which he says will be shot “really soon.”

Antonoff sat down with MTV’s Christina Garibaldi right before the VMAs at the Taco Bell & MTV Artist To Watch concert in L.A., where he teased us with some details about his upcoming video. On whether or not his girlfriend Dunham will return to direct the next effort — she directed the therapy-themed “I Wanna Get Better” — Antonoff joked, “I can’t get a hold of her.”

Dig for clues in Jack’s new interview, and check out Jack Antonoff’s Jersey road trip mix tape:

Related: Jack Antonoff Talks ‘Strange Desire’ And Yoko Ono In This Exclusive Interview

Brenna Ehrlich

Brenna Ehrlich is a reporter for MTV News as well as the senior writer/editor for the O Music Awards. In the past, she served as associate editor at Mashable, penned a netiquette column for CNN and co-authored the blog and book "Stuff Hipsters Hate." She likes trying not to die in moshpits and listening to songs on repeat. Follow her on Twitter @BrennaEhrlich for news on cats and punk bands.

So, Lorde has basically won all of the awards now — most recently snapping up the VMA for Best Rock Video. In honor of this Flashback Friday — and in the wake of her win — we’d like to take a look back to late 2013, when we at MTV did our first interviews with the now-massive pop star.

There were inklings even then that she would find herself in the firmament — as evidenced by this passel of quotes.

From our first-ever interview with Lorde — in which we declared her “cooler than you” — to casual chats about her now-iconic hair, it was apparent that Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor’s wry humor and rare talent would take her far.

Here are some standout moments from our vintage (read: from last year) footage of the “Tennis Court” singer:

1.) “It just seems crazy that you wouldn’t care about what your music videos look like. Anything that’s coming from you — doesn’t matter if it’s not music, it’s content that you’re putting a name to. In this day and age you can’t afford to be lazy with that kind of stuff.”

2.) “I don’t close the set with ‘Royals.’”

3.) “Pop music doesn’t have to be stupid and alternative music doesn’t have to be boring — you can mix the two together and make something cool that people will like. People have a brain.”

4.) “I have pretty strong morals and opinions being ...