June 16, 2025

About the author  ⁄ wild1067

Six Degrees Of The Ice Bucket Challenge? It Started With Kevin Bacon, Of Course

by 24 mins ago

There’s no doubt about it: the Ice Bucket Challenge started to raise awareness and funds for ALSA.org is a global phenomenon that shows no signs of slowing any time soon. But where did it start? Thanks to Celebrity Intelligence, we now have the (nearly) complete family tree of how it spread through celebrities, in particular*.

Six Degrees Of Ice Bucket ChallengeCelebrity Intelligence/Ecosultancy


Click here for a larger version!

What’s most interesting about the chart, beyond which celebs know each other – or know each other well enough to bully the other into pouring ice water on their heads – is who the patient zero was, where this all started, or at least spread beyond the general populace.

Related: You’re Doing It Wrong: Here Are The Rules To The Ice Bucket Challenge

Those early adopters are: Justin Timberlake, Gov. Chris Christie, Hoda Kotb, Chloe Grace Moretz, Robbie Amell, Josh Gad, Gisele and… drumroll, please: Kevin Bacon.

Yes, Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon is so pervasive, it even affects the Ice Bucket Challenge. Truly, between this and his shout-outs in “Guardians Of The Galaxy,” this is the Summer of Bacon.

*Who cares about regular people? Y’all are just regular.

Writer/Editor at MTV News. You can follow him on Twitter, but not in real life because that would be weird.

@azalben
...

Read More →

‘If I Stay: The Sequel?’ It Could Happen, And Here’s How

by 25 mins ago

If the current box office projections hold, the Chloe Grace Moretz starring “If I Stay” will easily take the lead over “Sin City: A Dame To Kill For,” and mainstays “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Which begs the question: what about a sequel?

Spoilers for “If I Stay” past this point.

Given the subject matter – a teenage girl slips into a coma after the rest of her family is killed in a car crash, and has to decide whether to keep living, or move on to whatever is next – you wouldn’t immediately think the story would continue. And certainly, you pulling a “Die Hard 2″ with the story (“I can’t believe my whole family is dying in a car crash… Again!”) is not the way to go.

But as it turns out, author Gayle Forman actually wrote a critically acclaimed, fan favorite sequel to “If I Stay” that could feed right into a second helping.

Seriously, MAJOR spoilers for “If I Stay” past this point.

So Moretz’s character Mia decides to keep on living after her boyfriend, up and coming rock star Adam (Jamie Blackley), plays her the cello music she’s loved nearly her whole life. Adam also promises to give up his career, life, whatever Mia needs to keep their relationship together if she decides to go on and move to New York to attend Julliard.

Chloë Grace Moretz in If I Stay

Three years later, in “Where ...

Read More →

Rita And Iggy Get Ready For VMAs With Pizza And New Jackets

by 10 mins ago

We can’t wait for Rita Ora and Iggy Azalea to take the stage at the VMAs for what is sure to be a sizzling performance of “Black Widow.” And judging by Azalea’s Instagram, neither can she… Because she and Rita Ora are clearly having the best time as they make their way to The Forum:

Flexing Out With Their New “Black Widow” Jackets

Which way to the gun show? That way.

Showing Off Said Jackets

They’ll be available at an online store soon, according to Azalea.

Proving They’re Still From The Block With J-Lo

Not pictured: Charli XCX, who Azalea gives a shout out thanks to.

Recreating An Epic Stage Fall

I’m gonna love ya, until you fall off the stage and thankfully don’t hurt yourself.

…And Doing Their Best Grumpy Cat On A Plane, Despite Pizza

Rita. Pizza makes everything better. Don’t you know that?

It's up to you to decide the winners of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards! Vote now and tune in Sunday, August 24, at 9/8c ET to see who wins at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Plus, get the latest updates from all your favorite VMA artists on the MTV Artists App.

More From the 2014 VMAs

Writer/Editor at MTV News. You can follow him on Twitter, but not in real life because that would be weird.

@azalben
...

Read More →

These Taylor Swift Emojis Are The Perfect Way To ‘Shake It Off’

by 2 mins ago

Judging by fans’ reaction to Taylor Swift‘s new song “Shake It Off” — and accompanying dance video — we’re guessing you all will completely lose it when she hits the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards stage this Sunday.

Related: Shake It Off Like Taylor In 12 Dance GIFs

I mean, if you’ve seen our post on the 61 times she basically slayed in the past, you’ll know that Swift will pull out all the proverbial stops when she performs… whatever is she’s planning to perform on August 24 (“I Knew You Were Trouble”? “Shake It Off”? The possibilities for Taylor-dancing are nearly endless).

Given fans’ impending muteness, we’ve compiled a handy set of emojis that one may whip out during the show in order to convey any and all Swift-i-fied emotions during her performance — or for when she does something particularly Taylor-like in the audience.

We’re guessing you’ll get the most use out of the weeping Taylor one — in a good way.

Related: 53 Life-Altering Moments The VMAs Burned Into Your Brain Forever

It's up to you to decide the winners of the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards! Vote now and tune in Sunday, August 24, at 9/8c ET to see who wins at the Forum in Inglewood, California. Plus, get the latest updates from all your favorite VMA artists on the MTV Artists App.

More From the 2014 VMAs

Bo$$ Move: Fifth Harmony Changed Their Album Art For The Fans

by 10 mins ago

They have yet to win a VMA (they’re nominated!), but Fifth Harmony certainly win the award for most fan-centric pop stars ever. After fans expressed less than excited emotions over the quintet’s album art for Reflection, the girls decided to change it up.

“Y’all spoke. We heard. We agreed. #5HNEWReflection,” AllyBrooke Hernandez tweeted Friday (August 22), along with a black and white photo of the ladies in fedoras.

VMA pre-show performers Fifth Harmony previously unveiled the artwork for the record last week, a splashier, more brightly colored affair featuring the ladies strutting side-by-side. Judging by Hernandez’ tweet, though, the fans didn’t think the art was a Bo$$ move.

After the girls revealed the new art, however, it seems Harmonizers are singing a different tune. “What other artist do you know that would change their album cover because the fans don’t like it? That’s why Fifth Harmony are the best,” tweeted one fan, while another opined, “THIS IS WHY FIFTH HARMONY IS MY FAVORITE! LIKE WHO CHANGES THEIR ALBUM COVER BECAUSE THE FANS DONT LIKE IT??”

Cool, ladies — now can we get a release date for that sucker?

What do you think of the change? Did it do them good?

More From the 2014 VMAs

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 ...

Read More →

Tinashe’s ’2 On’ Follow Up Features A$AP Rocky: Listen To ‘Pretend’

by 26 mins ago

Tinashe scored a smash with her breakout single “2 On,” featuring Schoolboy Q, which topped the Billboard Rhythmic charts and spawned a remix by Drake. So she’s got big shoes to fill with her follow up single, which she released on Friday (August 22). But the Los Angeles native sounds like she’s got another one in her.

With A$AP Rocky by her side, Tinashe croons gently on the somber “Pretend,” which tells the tale of things gone awry in a relationship. “Can we pretend that everything is like yesterday?” she sings early on, later adding, “Let’s pretend you never lied/ So I can give it up all night.” Rocky then adds a verse to the Detail-produced track to close things out.

Also this week, she released a trailer for her debut album, Aquarius, which drops on October 7.

...

Read More →

The ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Dancing Baby Groot Toy Is Finally Real

by 5 mins ago

Pretty much since the moment they walked out of the movie theater after seeing “Guardians of the Galaxy,” fans have been begging Marvel to release an official Dancing Baby Groot toy. And now, finally, the moment has come thanks to the good folks at Funko.

It may not dance with the sweet, sweet moves of director James Gunn, but at least its a bobblehead – and adorable. Want to get one? No info is available on price or release date until next week, but pre-orders will start (and probably sell out) very, very soon.

Now when do we get a Hungry, Hungry Hippos version of the game Drax and Rocket watched in the bar on Knowhere?

Here’s a larger version for your viewing pleasure:

Dancing Groot ToyFunko

And for comparison:

Dancing Baby GrootMarvel/Disney

Writer/Editor at MTV News. You can follow him on Twitter, but not in real life because that would be weird.

@azalben
...

Read More →

Whatever Dudes, Ashton Irwin Is My 5SOS Dream Date, And That’s That

by 3 mins ago

My esteemed colleagues at MTV News have been pretty busy opining — via that most journalistic of forms, the GIF — which member of 5 Seconds Of Summer they would like to escort to the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday. Passions have been running high, my friends. HIGH.

I have no qualms with their choices — none at all. I’m a way-chilled cucumber over here, dudes. Extoll the virtues of Calum, Luke and Michael all you like, my friends! Extoll away! That leaves more Ashton Irwin for me. Everyone knows that drummers are the hottest members of any given band — and, apparently, the smartest. Keep those guitar-slingers and whatnot for yourselves; he and I can play the Bo Diddley beat all night long — with our heartbeats.

I don’t need to tell you, oh, 5SOS Family, why Ashton would be the ideal man to walk me down the aisle — I mean, red carpet (wearing matching band Ts, of course). But it’s pretty fun to look at GIFs of him smiling so let’s do that for a while, shall we?

OK, here’s why Ashton Irwin would be the perfect 5SOS member to take me to the VMAs.

He plays the drums, which everyone knows means he’s way energetic and would be able to dance the night away — Taylor Swift-style

He likes Nirvana and so do I. We could totally sing the entirety of Bleach in the limo on the way ...

Read More →

Need To Know: Miley Banned From Performing In Dominican Republic For Being Miley

by 8 mins ago

With additional reporting by Janelle Myers

No Show For Miley
Miley Cyrus has been banned from taking the stage in the Dominican Republic, because she “undertakes acts that go against morals and customs, which are punishable by Dominican law,”a government agency said. Those acts would be twerking and crotch-grabbing. Her VMA performance from last year definitely would not fly there.

Thanks Iggy And Rita For This VMA Tease
Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora are getting me pumped for the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday with these behind-the-scenes rehearsal photos. I’m counting down the days until they perform “Black Widow.” Oh, look, Jessie J shared a picture from her rehearsal with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj too.

What Am I Supposed To Do Until The VMAs?
While you wait until Sunday night, take a look at Britney and Justin attending the MTV Video Music Awards together years ago, the most memorable VMA outfits, and the best boy band moments.

It’s About Time
Bill Murray is definitely getting what he deserves: his own holiday. The Toronto International Film Festival declared September 5 Bill Murray Day and will also host the world premiere of his latest film “St. Vincent.”

Congrats To These Two Dads
ICYMI, Pete Wentz and Carson Daly welcomed new bundles of joy separately on Wednesday. Wentz is now the proud father of his second son, Saint Lazslo. The former “TRL” VJ is now cradling his third child and second daughter, London Rose.

Say ...

Read More →

If You Watch One More Ice Bucket Challenge Video, It Should Be This One

by 10 mins ago

Our social feeds over the past week or so have been a veritable carnival of celebrities taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge — pop stars, former presidents and actors gleefully dumping freezing water over their heads in the name of fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease.

By now, you might be a bit sick of all the fanfare, but if you watch one more ice bucket video this week, you should probably watch Anthony Carbajal’s.

26-year-old Carbajal’s contribution to the trend begins with disarming silliness — the man cavorts around in a bikini, writhes on a car, and sports a pair of pink booty shorts bearing the words, “Kiss My ALS.”

That’s right, MY ALS.

The bizarre hilarity of the first section of the video belies what’s to come, which is a heartbreaking speech by the young man about the horrors of the disease, which killed his grandmother, afflicted his mother and, recently, took hold in Carbajal himself.

Carbajal is already suffering from the effects of ALS — having trouble starting his car and buttoning his shirt. “Eventually I won’t be able to use my arms or hands at all. Eventually I won’t be able to walk, talk and breathe on my own,” he says in the video. “That’s the real truth of what ALS is. It’s devastating. It’s costly … I apologize for my rant and my tears, but if I don’t — if I simply dump ice on my head I don’t think you’re really going to get the ...

Read More →