Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Lea Michele Up For PETA Awards

Peta2 is bestowing awards including Most Animal-Friendly Pop/Hip-Hop Artist to celebs for their support of animal rights.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber arrives at the "Never Say Never" L.A. premiere
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

<P>PETA's youth division, peta2, is giving props to celebs like Justin Bieber, Ke$ha and "Glee" star Lea Michele at this year's Libby Awards for their efforts in support of animal rights. The Biebs, who appeared in a campaign for the organization at the top of the year using Bieber-fied catch-phrases like "My world includes passion for animals, yours should too" and "Animals can make u smile. Adopt from your local shelter," is taking on fellow animal-loving pop star Ke$ha and rappers k-os and Waka Flocka Flame in the Most Animal-Friendly Pop/Hip-Hop Artist category. Ke$ha appeared in an ad campaigning against the slaughter of Canadian seals. Michele, who speaks out against the mistreatment of carriage horses in New York City, faces off against "Jackass" star Steve-O, Cobra Starship's leading man and peta2's Sexiest Vegetarian Gabe Saporta, and "Victorious" star Daniella Monet in the Top Animal-Friendly Celebrity category. The Ready Set, Tokio Hotel, Hellogoodbye and the Swellers are all up for Most Animal-Friendly Band. Ke$ha and Tokio are also up for Best peta2 ad along with Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness and Yelle. The Libby (as in "Liberation") Awards will be decided on January 17 by fan votes as well as peta2. Voting ends December 23. "Our nominees have all worked hard to shine their spotlights on a variety of important animal issues," peta2 Division Manager Marta Holmberg said about the nominees, which honors animal-friendly people and products. "As our accomplished stars demonstrate, compassion isn't just a virtue &#8212; it's also a road to success."</p>

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Justin Bieber 'Rap-Singing' On New Lil Twist Collabo

'Justin killed it,' Twist tells MTV News of 'Wherever You Are.'
By Rob Markman


Justin Bieber performs during his "Home for the Holidays" concert special in Toronto
Photo: George Pimentel / WireImage

<P>It's been a long time coming for Lil Twist. The Young Money rap rookie was supposed to see his debut album <i>Don't Get It Twisted</i> drop in 2011, but after a few false starts, the Dallas MC is looking forward to a March 20 release. <center></center> Already, he has dropped a ton of singles and high-powered collaborations with Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes and 2 Chainz. Next up, Justin Bieber. "We're getting ready to drop that record 'Wherever You Are.' Y'all will have that real soon," Lil Twist told MTV News of the high-powered collaboration. "It's a fun record. Justin killed it. He's, like, rap-singing on it; another different sound for Justin." Twist, who built his fanbase thanks to pop-rap joints like "Little Secret" with Bow Wow and "Love Affair," has been developing a harder edge lately. His recently released video for the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Turnt Up" focuses more on the 18-year old's rap bars rather than his penchant for catchy hooks. His <i>Golden Child</i> mixtape, which he dropped in December, also shows a similar growth. But with "Wherever You Are," Twist just promises a good time. "It's gonna be great. It's a cool summer record," Twist told MTV News last August. "It's a party song. Straight for the sun. It's a Miami record." While the record has been in the works for some time, Twist is almost ready to let to go. "Just me and Justin, people been waiting on that," he said of his bond with the Biebs. "That's my brother right there. It's just been a long time coming. Now that we been had the record done, it's time to put it out." <i>Are you anticipating Lil Twist's "Wherever You Are," featuring Justin Bieber? Tell us in the comments!</i> <center></center></p>

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Are Halle Berry & Olivier Martinez NOT Engaged?

We know that Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez put a ring on it -- but we still don't know if it's an engagement ring! After the actress was spotted with a new gem on her ring finger, several outlets reported that Martinez, who turned 46 today, had proposed to Berry, 45. Today, however, TMZ reports that the engagement rumors may be false.

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Michael Jackson Doctor Can't Afford Lawyer For Appeal

Conrad Murray asks judge for a court-appointed attorney to appeal his involuntary manslaughter conviction.
By Gil Kaufman


Dr. Conrad Murray arrives for his arraignment of at the Airport Los Angeles Courthouse today
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

<P>Just weeks after being sent to jail for four years following a conviction on a felony involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of Michael Jackson, cardiologist Conrad Murray is throwing himself on the mercy of the court. The doctor had been slated to earn up to $150,000 a month to act as Jackson's personal physician before the pop icon's death in June 2009 from an overdose of the Murray-administered surgical anesthetic propofol. But on Tuesday E! News reported that Murray filed a notice of appeal in Los Angeles Superior Court in which he claimed that he is "indigent and respectfully requests the appointment of counsel on appeal." Murray, 58, is planning to appeal both his conviction and his sentence, but has not yet filed papers with the California Appeals Court. He had hired two lawyers to handle his manslaughter case, but is now seeking attorneys with appeal experience. One of those former lawyers, J. Michael Flanagan, told E! that he was shocked at how his client is being treated in jail. "It is crazy and unbelievable how [the sheriffs] are treating" Murray in jail, said Flanagan, who claimed he waited over an hour to see Murray, who was brought out in handcuffs and leg chains. Flanagan was further shocked to see Murray handcuffed to the table for their meeting, something the lawyer said he'd never seen before in the case of a low-level, non-violent offender. Charles Peckham, who is handling civil cases against Murray, told the Associated Press that his client is under tight security and isolation that is more intense than other inmates at the Los Angeles Men's Central Jail. "Treating him like Hannibal Lecter is offensive," said Peckham. "This man who saved lives made a mistake, and they're going to [make] him pay like a mass-murderer." Sheriff's officials defended the tight security, saying it was for Murray's safety.</p>

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Watch: Disney/Pixar Releases A First Video Teaser For ‘Finding Nemo’ In 3D

Back in October we learned that Disney is planning to release and re-release a selection of animated films, both original and classic films in 3D, in theaters starting this month. Just last weekend, I was able to attend an preview screening of the 3D version of the 1991 film Beauty and the Beast (which opens [...]

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First Look: Britney Spears Featured In The New Issue Of ‘V’ Magazine

Thus far, we’ve seen photos of Sky Ferreira (channeling Madonna) and Justin Bieber (channeling a Barbie doll) in the pages of the upcoming Music Issue of V magazine. Right now we get to see photos of our dear Britney Spears as featured in the same mag. Britney is featured alongside members of her Femme Fatale [...]

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