by MTV News Staff 4 mins ago

By Sasha Geffen

Performing at the BBC Radio 1 “Live Lounge,” UK singer/songwriter FKA twigs (aka Tahliah Barnett) paid tribute to fellow English crooner Sam Smith by covering his hit single “Stay With Me.”

Backed by a drummer, bassist, and guitarist, Barnett turned the song from a towering piano anthem into a slow, nervous trip-hop track. In a way, her eerie take on the chart-topping hit fits its heartsick lyrics even more closely than Smith’s original rendition.

In an interview with the BBC’s Alice Levine, the 26-year-old singer explained how the song spoke to her: “There was one line which basically alludes to saying, ‘I’m not in love with you and maybe this isn’t a serious thing, but it’s perfect for right now and it’s what I need emotionally right now,’ and maybe that’s just something that I have related to.”

FKA twigs recently released her debut album LP1 on Young Turks. In addition to covering Smith, she also performed her own song “Two Weeks” at the Live Lounge.

Hear Barnett’s full interview at Radio 1′s website, and watch her performance of “Stay With Me” below.

by MTV News Staff 13 mins ago

By Sasha Geffen

Nine Inch Nails‘ frontman Trent Reznor and his partner in crime Atticus Ross are teaming up yet again to score a David Fincher movie. This time, it’s the thriller “Gone Girl,”based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn.

Reznor and Ross have previously scored two Fincher films together, winning an Oscar for their soundtrack to “The Social Network” and a Grammy for the music they composed for “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, the pair discussed some of the unusual inspirations behind their newest work.

“[Fincher] said, ‘Think about the really terrible music you hear in massage parlors,’” Reznor told the newspaper. “The way that it artificially tries to make you feel like everything’s OK. And then imagine that sound starting to curdle and unravel.”

But Fincher clarified that the unraveling soundtrack will matche the movie’s plot.

“The movie is about the facade of the good neighbor, the good Christian, the good wife. So the notion was to start with music that’s attempting to give you a hug,” he told the WSJ.

“Gone Girl” starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, hits theaters October 3. Catch a snippet of Reznor and Ross’s creepy new score from the trailer below.

by Shaunna Murphy 41 mins ago

With “Forrest Gump” back in theaters this week and Central Perk opening up in New York City soon, we can’t stop thinking about these 15 television and movie restaurants that need to pull a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and just become real, already.

1. JJ’s Diner, “Parks and Recreation”

NBC

Proven to have the best waffles in existence. Not afraid to serve a heavy dose of whipped cream. We’re sold.

2. Mos Eisley Cantina, “Star Wars”

LucasFilm

The music is great, the clientele is colorful and there are absolutely no droids.

3. The Alamo Freeze, “Friday Night Lights”

NBC

The Alamo Freeze tends to hire very attractive football players, so. A real-life version of this should definitely happen.

4. The Inn At The Crossroads, “Game of Thrones”

HBO

Sure, the menu is a bare-bones and the clientele can be a bit unsavory, but Hot Pie’s scones are worth the risk of getting stabbed over a chicken. Also, medieval decor is hella in right now.

5. Good Burger, “Good Burger”

Nickelodeon

The burgers may only be good, but the customer service is impeccable — and at least they don’t add Triampathol to their food, like Mondo Burger.

6. Los Pollos Hermanos, “Breaking Bad”

AMC

If Gus Fring runs Los Pollos Hermanos even a tenth as well as he runs his criminal empire, it would be worth a trip. Also, fried chicken is just generally great.

7. Jack Rabbit Slims, “Pulp Fiction”

Miramax

The food is simple Americana throwback stuff, ...

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by Madeline Roth 58 mins ago

Take notes from this one, men of the world. This 12-year-old dresses better than you…and he’s probably more successful than you, too.

Moziah Bridges always loved to dress up, but he could never find bow ties that suited his fancy. So his grandmother taught him how to sew, and ever since then, he’s been making his own ties.

But this isn’t just some after-school hobby for Bridges; it’s a full-scale business. He founded his own company, Mo’s Bows, three years ago—meaning that, yes, he was only nine years old at the time—and it already boasts $150,000 in sales. He’s even been featured on “Shark Tank,” and in Vogue and GQ magazines.

Feeling inferior yet?

Facebook

The mini fashion guru appeared on CNBC yesterday to discuss his latest business venture, a holiday collaboration with Cole Haan. He also talked about how he’s able to manage the work-school balance at such a young age.

“Since I’m the CEO I can do it when I feel like it,” Bridges said. “I have employees—my grandmother, she’s about like 80, and my mom works for me, and I have three more seamstresses.” Yep, this Memphis, Tennessee-based biz even employs five workers (never mind if two of them are relatives… it still counts!).

The ties featured on Mo’s Bows website are adorably stylish, ranging from stripes and polka dots to patterns and plaids. They don’t break the bank, either; his ties retail for an affordable $40. But the real secret to this kid ...

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by Madeline Roth 32 mins ago

Just when you were ready to give in to his pressure and admit Kanye West is the greatest genius to ever walk the planet, Kim Kardashian dropped this truth bomb: They didn’t actually come up with the name North West, like we had all believed.

Giphy

Besides spilling about a possible new sex tape, Kim dished to GQ that the media actually fueled the fire around the name. “It was a rumor in the press and we’d never really considered [the name North] seriously at all,” Kim admitted.

So what eventually led Kimye to change their minds about the adorable geographical moniker? None other than Pharrell and Anna Wintour, naturally!

“Kanye and I were having lunch… and Pharrell came over to us and said, ‘Oh my god, are you guys really going to call your daughter North? That is the best name,’” Kim said.

After his approval was sealed, Vogue Editor and fashion maven, Anna Wintour, cosigned on the name. “A little while later Anna Wintour came over and asked the same thing,” Kim said. “She told us, ‘North is a genius name.’ Kanye and I looked at one another and just laughed. I guess at that point it sort of stuck.”

Giphy

All in all, this story has taught us three very important things:

1) Pharrell apparently keeps up on celebrity baby gossip.
2) If there are any two people in the world whose opinions you should always take seriously, it’s the guy who believes happiness ...

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by Jessie Peterson 2 mins ago

Everyone is arriving at New York Fashion Week, y’all. First, it was Rihanna. Now, it’s Lady Gaga. Gaga shared some photos of herself and friends at the Harper’s Bazaar event we mentioned not too long ago. It was certainly worth the wait.

Getty Images

Gaga arrived to the event in a collared black and white Alexandre Vaultier gown, which, upon first glance, looks fairly sedate for the Gaga that we’ve all come to know. Once you take a second look, though, you notice that not only is the skirt of her dress high, it’s also sheer. Oh hey, Gaga–we see you.

Who was she hanging out with at the party? Donatella Versace, of course.

She also palled around with Carine Roitfeld, CR Fashion Book‘s editor and the woman behind Beyonce’s surfbort spread (thank you!) and Stephen Gan, creative director of Harper’s Bazaar and editor-in-chief of Visionaire and V Magazine. Maybe another Lady Gaga V Magazine cover is in the future? We can hope.

Related: Celebrities At New York Fashion Week Spring 2015

For the actual performance itself, Gaga switched into a high-collared leather sleeveless gown, and looked every bit a jazz singer, with her smokey eye, flash of jewels, and peek-a-boo bangs.

by Caitlin White 8 mins ago

Simone Battle, a former X-Factor contestant and member of the girl group G.R.L. has died at 25. Her record company confirms that she was found in her Los Angeles apartment on Friday (September 5), but the cause of death is still unknown. The L.A. County Cororner’s Office said the autopsy has not been completed yet, but TMZ is reporting that law enforcement sources told them her death appears to be a suicide.

In an official statement from Reign Deer Entertainment, Robin Antin, Kemosabe Records and RCA records, her industry partners mourn the singer’s loss:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the loss of Simone Battle of G.R.L. Simone was an exceptional young talent and human being, and we are all devastated to learn of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time.”

Simone appeared on the 2011 US version of the “X-Factor” and made it to the top 17 on the show. A year later, in 2012, she joined G.R.L, the girl group created by former Pussycat Dolls member Robin Antin. The group appeared on Pitbull’s “Wild Wild Love” that came out this past February.

The other members of G.R.L. have yet to comment on Simone’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and the Battle family during this time.

by Shaunna Murphy 31 mins ago

As you’ve probably heard by now, Lifetime is airing “The Brittany Murphy Story” on Saturday night (September 6). As you’ve also probably heard, the late actress’ father, Angelo Bertolotti, is furious, taking issue with everything from the casting of actress Amanda Fuller to the term “chunky monkey” being used to describe his daughter, to the existence of the film in general.

“I am disgusted and outraged that Lifetime decided to produce such a trashy project, defiling the memory of my beautiful, talented daughter, Brittany Murphy,” he told The Examiner. “Frankly, I am amazed at their audacity of calling it ‘a true story,’ without conducting any research or consulting with any members of the family. ‘The Brittany Murphy Story’ is an affront to everything my daughter was in real life. It’s hideous, unauthorized and completely untrue.”

We at MTV News have not seen the movie at this point — we’ll reserve all judgment until we’ve taken in the full thing — but we do agree with Bertolotti that Lifetime has sensationalized the story based on this trailer, which makes Murphy’s life look like a tabloid murder mystery.

So before you head in and absorb Lifetime’s take on Murphy’s life (and death), learn the facts that everyone — Bertolotti included — know to be true:

WireImage

1. Her toxicology report says she died from pneumonia, anemia and over-the-counter and prescription drug intoxication.
Murphy died on December 20, 2009. It was initially ...

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by Madeline Roth 1 min ago

Being the new kid at school is tough. Especially if you’re forced to wear a hideous, oversized outfit that basically brands you as a troublemaker.

Believe it or not, that’s what happened to 15-year-old Miranda Larkin, a sophomore at Oakleaf High School in Orange, Park Florida. ABC News reports that the teen, who had just moved to Florida from Seattle a week before, was forced to wear a school-mandated outfit after an infraction of the policy.

On her third day of school, a teacher told Miranda her skirt was too short, and she would have to change into the school’s “dress code violation outfit.” The getup is as terrible as it sounds: A neon yellow tee with the phrase “DRESS CODE VIOLATION” across the front, accompanied by red sweatpants with the same phrase down the right leg.

In other words, this outfit is practically begging people to point and stare, which doesn’t sound like the best way to welcome a new student who’s already scrambling to find friends.

She shared about the situation on her Facebook and Instagrammed it to spread the word further:

“The school has said this is to embarrass you,” Miranda said. “It’s supposed to embarrass you so you don’t do it again.” She also shared a picture of the outfit that she received punishment for:

Miranda was so upset at having to wear the mortifying outfit that she starting sobbing and breaking out in hives. Her mom, Dianna Larkin, was equally as outraged about the debacle, and now she’s ...

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by Craig Flaster 18 mins ago

Chris Evans is at the Toronto International Film Festival to promote his new movie “Before We Go,” which constitutes his directorial debut. But wherever he goes, he’s also still Captain America.

And guys, Chris Evans knows the entire plot of “Captain America 3.”

“It’s this giant web of plot, where everything is connected to everything else… that’s the beautiful thing,” Evans told MTV News, “and especially for the fanboys who understand these plotlines. With Cap 3, we’re going to continue this excitement.”

Well, Chris, those fanboys, us included, have a bunch of theories about the sequel, mainly that Cap will split from the Avengers and lead a new group of heroes.

“What do I think about this, what can I say about this?” Evans wondered aloud. “You wanna give something!”

Come on, Chris. You’re almost there!

“Marvel doesn’t disappoint,” Evans finally said, after much inner conflict. “Whatever you’re hoping for, you’re probably going to get.”

Smooth, Evans. Very smooth.

Another rumor is that Cap might hand off the shield to one of the other characters, though Evans was not happy with that one.

“Who’s handing off the shield? Don’t take my job from me prematurely dude,” Evans said. “I’m sure it’ll happen at some point, all good things have to come to an end. But I’m really happy playing the character.”

We’re happy, too. “Captain America 3″ opens in 2016.