Exclusive With Paula Abdul! Her Side of That Jason Castro Critique & Her Fight for a Gay in The Top 12

 

After Jason Castro went home this week on American Idol, he told MTV News, "I just really felt relieved. The pressure was off"; he also said he viewed Paula's now-famous judging mix-up the week prior as an "honest mistake" that didn't affect him.

But speaking of pressure! After accidentally critiquing Jason on a song he hadn't sung yet due to a last-minute format change from Idol producers, Paula told Entertainment Tonight, "We all wish that someone would have told us ... We all just screwed up everything. ... But we all went, 'This is live television. It's actually fun!'"

Weeell - that ain't what she told me! I was lucky enough to speak with Paula Abdul for a second time - our first interview got cut short, and this follow-up involved many cancellations and even an apology bouquet for me from Paula! - and since the whole Jason controversy had just happened when we spoke, Paula gave me a very emotional account of the night from her point of view.

 

 

Paula revealed Simon went Naomi Campbell on a few of the unlucky producers and that in fact none of the judges watched Jason's performance that night, to give you a few highlights.

Also - the real reason Paula and I chatted - we talked about her love and devotion to the gay community, and how she fought hard to keep gay contestant Danny Noriega on the show for just that reason.

 

Read it all after the jump!

 

Julie Goldman's Celesbian Interviews Special: DANI CAMPBELL

-- Sarah Warn from AfterEllen.com

Comedians Julie Goldman and Kate McKinnon are back with a new round of The Julie Goldman Interviews Special. First up: Tila Tequila survivor finalist Dani Campbell.

While fending off not very subtle advances from Kate, Dani talks with Julie about shooting Tequila and being a firefighter.

 

NewNowNext NOISE Interviews "Ur So Gay" Singer, Katy Perry!

Photo credit: Robin Roemer

 

I have to love anyone whose sings "I hope you hang yourself with your H&M scarf" - and once Katy Perry stopped in the LOGO offices for an interview, I loved her even more!

The Cali singer, whose debut album One of The Boys comes out June 17, talked with NewNowNext about her "Ur So Gay" single (watch the video below), getting a shout out from Madonna and why (real) gay boys love her.

 

 

And watch the video interview with Katy after the jump!

 

Augusten Burroughs Talks About His Hot New Memoir (And Mean Dad)

Photo credit: Craig Cutler

He endured grabby mustached men (woo-hoo!), a mental mom and psychotic teen years in Running with Scissors, and he drank all of Manhattan as a boozy ad exec in Dry ... Now Augusten Burroughs, the gay mega-memoirist with the trippy wit and potent pen, is back with a new true-life tale about his early childhood and his real (and real crazy) father in his spanking new book, A Wolf at the Table.

Wanna hear Augusten himself gabbing about the new memoir? Dig our exclusive juicy interview with him right here!!! Plus, he riffs on getting Patti Smith and Tegan Quin (of Tegan and Sara) to write original tunes for the audio version of the book, as well as the state of the memoir (and issues of accountability) in our new, post-James Frey world. (Hey, back off Oprah!!!)

Suck It Up & Dance! Step It Up Cast Interviews & "Thriller" Performance!

 

You're in for it this week, Suck It viewers: John & Colin hit up the Tribeca Film Festival screening of the Making of Thriller documentary last week ... and guess who was there? Why, the entire Step It Up & Dance cast along with series judge - and "Thriller" co-choreographer - Vincent Paterson!

You'll hear all about it in the video - and you'll get to see the cast's own performance of "Thriller!" And we got to chat with everyone: Janelle's a tranny at heart! The Plastics are still in love!

 

 

Of course, we have our very official Stomp challenge recap video as well. Tovah is Ovah ...

 

Gossip Interview With NewNowNext!

 

The crazy-cool queer rockers of Gossip stopped by MTV studios last week - they're the official Artist of the Week, B.T.W. - and NewNowNext snuck in for a quick chat. Front woman Beth Ditto is, of course, the Coolest Person in Rock ... and Brace and Hannah were just as chill and funny. We love 'em!

 

 

Gossip is probably known most for its insane live shows - I caught them last week in NYC, and it's an experience - so I asked them about concert audiences, as well as their political stances and where they fall on the Kinsey Scale...

 

And watch the official Gossip video for "Listen Up!" & and a live performance of "Standing in The Way of Control" after the jump!

 

NewNowNext NOISE: Madonna "4 Minutes" Behind-The-Scenes Clip & Hard Candy Preview!

 

For our latest gay pop-culture vlog, we've got a goofy behind-the-scenes clip for ya from the Madonna-Justin Timberlake "4 Minutes" video ... watch it below.

But not so fast! John and Colin also got to hear the entire Hard Candy album last week - so check our quick rundown/preview of what Madge has in store for all the gays starting April 29!

 

 

Mario Lopez Interview With NewNowNext NOISE!

 

In case you missed our Step & It Up recap vlog, you can still catch John Polly chatting up Mario Lopez, the newest member of Broadways's A Chorus Line, right here!

We snagged him at rehearsal to talk about that Nip/Tuck ass shot, being an object of gay lust worldwide, Liz Berkley and Showgirls ... and Miss Teen South Carolina! Oh ... and about A Chorus Line too. We've even got Mario dancing onstage!

And you'll get to hear Mario's bedroom-sexy whisper. ...Or maybe that's just what I heard.

 

Jason Mraz NewNowNext Interview! His New Album & Gay Peeps

 

We love the Geek in the Pink! Jason Mraz stopped by MTV studios yesterday to promote his upcoming album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (due May 20), and he chatted with NewNowNext about his kooky video blog, his collabo with Colbie Caillat and his love for his many gay friends.

Jason was totally stoner-cute and gave off worldly, peace-loving good vibes - I posted an embarrassing picture I made him take with me after the jump - so yeah, I had a bit of a crush...

Check out the Q&A - and Jason's new video, "I'm Yours" - after the jump

 

 

Suck It Up & Dance! The Step It Up Recap Vlog! With Mario Lopez!

 

We really crammed it in this time! First off, John and Colin recap Episode 2 of Bravo's Step It Up & Dance - we're a little upset about that elimination - then Colin plays segments from his interview with the lovely, and booted-off, gay, James.

And then! John runs over to A Chorus Line rehearsals to interview newly-cast Mario Lopez ... and Mario touches him!

 

 

It's a Saved by the Bell reunion! ... kind of.

 

Pete Wentz NewNowNext Interview: Fall Out Boy DVD and Fitting In Heels?

OK, the heels part only because I asked; I can't forget Pete was at the TRL studios yesterday to promote Fall Out Boy's new CD/DVD called ****, which comes out today. The package features all of the band's music videos as well as concert footage from a live show in Phoenix.

But we have major gay crushes on Pete Wentz over at LOGOonline - I certainly know I do - so I had to digress a little. During our talk, Pete addressed that recent I-wear-Jessica-Simpson's-shoes quote, as well as performing at gay venues.

Check out the Q&A - and FOB's official in-concert cover of "Beat It" - after the jump!

Hear The B-52s Funplex ... Plus Kate Pierson on Her Coming Out!

You may have caught NewNowNext.com's interview with Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider of cosmic pop-punk party band The B-52s a while back, but check out this mini-revelation: The always queer-friendly group has a new, official gay!

And more news: The band's Funplex album - its first new material in 15 years! - came out this week. Faster, pussycat! We love these gays! And don't miss the "Funplex" music video world TV premiere on LOGO ... on NewNowNext Music Sunday night!

NewNowNext NOISE Interviews Johanna and JD of MEN and Le Tigre!

Continuing our series of rapid-fire interviews with hot, up-and-coming gay, and gay-loving, artists and musicians, here's another NewNowNext NOISE exclusive! This time we've got Johanna Fateman and JD Samson of Le Tigre and DJ-ing effort MEN.

John Polly caught up with the duo in Brooklyn to discuss their DJ skills, their love of New York and how they've learned to think like MEN.

Catch the video interview after the jump!

NewNowNext NOISE Interviews The B-52s - Plus Hear Full Funplex Album!

They're the World's Greatest Party Band ... they're "lovin' in the Year 3000" ... they're hot-pink! Yes, all of those things describe The B-52s, and along with this special NewNowNext NOISE interview with members Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider, LOGOonline has the full Funplex album stream. It's a B-52s love-fest!

We snagged Kate and Fred for a quick second to discuss their new tracks and The B-52s' overall gay-ness.

Watch the video interview after the jump!

NewNowNext NOISE Interviews Gay Pop Act Hey Willpower!

For this A.M., we've got another NewNowNext NOISE gay-artist interview for ya! Recently John Polly cornered gay musician Will Schwartz of hey willpower before his Brooklyn show and asked the boy some major questions - mainly, if being a musician gets him extra action!

OK, there was more to the interview than that - and Will is a total sweetie ... and he's touring like crazy! Here's hey willpower's latest music video, "Hundredaire" - which features the in-your-bedroom dance moves Will mentions in his interview.

And watch the video interview with Will after the jump...

NewNowNext NOISE Interviews Crunk Lesbian Band omg MICHELLE!

You don't know Michelle? Well, now's your chance: John Polly chatted up the girls - and guy - in Brooklyn before their crazy-hot performance. omg MICHELLE! - follow that link to hear the amazing "You Don't Know Michelle" track - consists of longtime friends Alisa, Chaydha, Helen, Melanie and Tami, along with gay producer/DJ Kingdom.

The group had plenty to say on its crunk-'90s-Atlanta-Latin-just-about-everything sound ... and they pick the gayest member of a very queer group.

Watch the video interview after the jump!

Gay Rocker Bob Mould Interview for NewNowNext NOISE!

This week NewNowNext NOISE has a got a special interview with gay rock star Bob Mould! John Polly chats up the alt-punk icon about his new album, District Line, as well as adding synthetic elements to his guitar stylings and his days in Husker-Du in the ‘80s and in Sugar in the ‘90s.

Watch it all after the jump!

Watch New Incredible Hulk Trailer - Plus Tons of Pictures!

Comic-loving gays - you're in luck: NewNowNext has the first official trailer for the upcoming Incredible Hulk movie right here! Yup - the one with Edward Norton and Liv Tyler due June 13. Don't you love how they're just pretending the Ang Lee one never happened?

Liv is looking as pretty and elfin as ever, and I love and respect Ed Norton as an actor... I just kind of miss the hotness-overload that was Eric Bana. Both The Abomination and The Hulk's grittier appearance look like great additions, though ... check it out!

Loads of pictures after the jump! The Abomination! Gen. Thunderbolt! Liv! Ed screaming!

My Car Ride with Paula Abdul: "All the World Needs is Love" - and Gays!

I'm a lifer fan of Hey Paula, so the prospect of meeting Paula Abdul was almost too much for me to handle. But when she and Randy came to TRL Monday to promote her new "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" single and Randy Jackson's Music Club album (watch Paula's video after the jump), it was actually happening ... happening! 

But yes, sometime in transit between TRL and David Letterman, Paula and I had a semi-intimate, car-ride chat ... all about the gays, of course. If you'd like an intro, and an idea of the amazing and cleavage-y outfit Paula changed into, here's Paula on Letterman. (She calls Randy "The Dude-Dog-Dude on my left.")

And read my Q&A - and my take on Paula in real life - after the jump!

NewNowNext Interview: Margaret Cho Goes Back to Beautiful

Queer as a clockwork orange.

It seems like only yesterday that Margaret Cho shimmied our diaphragms into hiccup-inducing, hysterical laughter with her off-Broadway, burlesque-style variety show, The Sensuous Woman. Yet already, the award-winning comedian and laser beam of queer conscience is returning to classic stand-up form with Beautiful, a new one-woman stage assault on the perverse politics of body image, along with other provocative, Cho-centric topics.

Catch a NewNowNext chat with Margaret Cho after the jump!

Cascada NewNowNext Interview! And Perfect Day Album Comes to the U.S.!

You know back in 2005 "'Cause every time we touch - I get this feelin'!'" was blasting from your speakers ... and German electronic trio Cascada knows it owes its jump to international success to that phenom track. But the group has more fantastic, pulsating Euro-pop to offer the world: Cascada is currently headlining a European tour and will hit the U.S. in the coming weeks, and its sophomore album, Perfect Day, arrives in U.S. stores today.

I've already heard the Euro version many times, being a crazy-fan and all, and I was more than excited to speak with Cascada's leading lady, Natalie Horler! During our long-distance chat, we discussed performing at G-A-Y, falling into club culture and starting her career in music at a very young age.

Read the Q&A and watch Cascada's new "What Hurts the Most" video - all after the jump!

Sex and the City Movie: Interviews with Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis--And Yes! Sarah Jessica Parker!

Theyyyy'reeee baaaack!

OMFG!!! As we all know, the Sex and the City Movie is slated to hit theaters on May 30th. (There’s a new trailer out, yo.) Cosmos will suddenly be back in style, and women will again strut down city streets in slow-motion sporting vertigo-inducing heels. We'll again brunch over stories of trashy conquests and fake orgasms. Welcome back to 1998 all over again!

But for now... How about some interview dish? Yes, I got to interview all of the four female stars of Sex and the City last Thursday and Friday. For real!

I did my best Carrie Bradshaw strut over to the Ritz-Carlton to scooch around a little tables in a hotel room, cramming in next to a bunch of foreign journalists from South Africa, Mexico, France, Denmark and Italy. Then, one at a time, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Sarah Jessica Parker paraded through and sat down with us for about 30 minutes each.

Watch the new trailer here! Read all the interview dish after the jump!

Janet Jackson Exclusive Interview With NewNowNext!

Miss Janet will come down on you "like a first-day period" if you call it a comeback; the legend hasn't left the building yet! And on Feb. 25, Janet Jackson's tenth studio album will come to stores via a new label and with her boyfriend as producer. Of course, she still has love for her gays, 'her children,' and Miss Jackson spoke with NewNowNext on her new sound and her lifelong Discipline for her work.

I'm sure you've heard "Feedback" at this point, but you can also catch two Discipline tracks, "Rock With U" and "LUV," right now - and they both get high recommendations.

The Q&A  after the jump! Miss Janet chats about being "versatile," her track pick for the gays and her eager lesbian fans.

The Puppini Sisters Interview With NewNowNext

Campy, 1940s-inspired trio The Puppini Sisters has rocked practically every gay bar in England at this point - and with a new album out this week, the girls have embarked on an international tour for gays everywhere!

Debuting in 2005 with old-timer tracks such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," Marcella, Stephanie and Kate soon took their Andrews Sisters-esque musical act to new levels of fun with covers of Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights," Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and even Beyonce's "Crazy in Love." Seriously.

The ladies and I chatted about their new album, being total fag hags, their love of makeup and a run-in with some bitchy New York gays!

Ferras Interview With NewNowNext! Not Just for American Idol Rejects!

This time around, American Idol losers won't hear about their "bad day" on their way out; they'll get a simple reminder that "Hollywood Is Not America," courtesy of newcomer Ferras. The Illinois-native's single will premiere tonight on American Idol as the earlies hit the curb. Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" became a chart smash after its Idol exposure, and Ferras is certainly primed for the same.

His debut, due April 1 via Capitol, is called Aliens and Rainbows; so when he's not telling Hollywood hopefuls to "put their blue jeans back on," Ferras is touting the misfits and outsiders of the world. I spoke with Ferras yesterday at the MTV studios about his own Hollywood experiences, playing Elton John and why the gays will like his sound...

Idina Menzel Interview Exclusive with NewNowNext!

Idina Menzel cites gays as her longtime "peeps," and even though Tonys are always nice, she has the real mark of Broadway success in throngs of gay men belting "Defying Gravity" at Splash during Musical Mondays. But now with a major label behind her, Idina's stretching beyond her Rent and Wicked fame.

I Stand, which came out Jan. 29, is still very Wicked-y - don't worry - and I spoke with Idina shortly after the release, an event she likened to giving birth. We chatted about performing for the gays, her early Rent days ... and of course, her hot piece-of-husband, Taye Diggs.

Robyn Interview Exclusive with NewNowNext! Konichiwa B*tches!

 

When it comes to pop music, the Swedes just do it better; and super-tiny, sweet-and-feisty Robyn sits comfortably as Scandi royalty. But with a new U.K. album - and an upcoming U.S. release - Robyn's ready to expand her queen-dom. (Ten years ago, on a major label's terms, she probably could have ruled it all: remember "Show Me Love?")

Robyn performed live in the U.S. for the first time ever last night in New York's Highline Ballroom for a very loving - and very gay - crowd, and I can say she was officially amazing. I also spoke with Robyn at the LOGO studios yesterday: We chatted about dueting with Snoop, filming her new music video, singing about "jacking off" a girl and her cage-fighting boyfriend!

Check out the Q&A - along with some Robyn music videos and pics - after the jump!

 

Leona Lewis Talks with NewNowNext! Plus New "Bleeding Love" U.S. Video!

 

Leona Lewis, the 22-year-old Brit who won The X Factor (the U.K American Idol), has both Clive Davis and Simon Cowell backing her to become an international star; and she's on her way, you could say: Her album, Spirit, was the fastest selling debut in U.K. history!

Let me just say - not that I need to - her single "Bleeding Love" is fantastic, and Leona delivers it with a powerhouse voice and an aching sincerity ... is she really the new Mariah? Well, before filming TRL this week, Leona spoke with me, and she addressed the comparisons and what performing for the gays would mean to her!

 

Check out the Q&A and the new U.S. video for "Bleeding Love" after the jump!

 

The Heidi Chronicles: Project Runway Recap Video Blog! Episode 9

The face says it all: It's Jack Mackenroth! He's just as sweet and buff in person! The Project Runway contestant - whose time on the show was all-too short - stopped by the LOGO offices for a special interview with The Heidi Chronicles! (I was very excited.)

For the ep, Jack and I dish about Wednesday's episode, including Ricky's win and Victorya's elimination - then we move onto Jack's many tattoos and his work with Candace Cayne. And later, a few fans from LOGO stop in to meet the man himself!

Watch it after the jump!

Kate Nash: An Exclusive Interview!

Mmmmmm... Kate Nash is as tasty as a cupcake. Munch!

When it comes to finding chirpy, cheeky melodic pop princesses these days, where would we be if it weren’t for the Brits? If it weren't for the U.K.-based Sugababes, Lily Allen, crazy Amy Winehouse and the like, we’d have nothing to do but endure Avril’s snarl, Rihanna’s robo-pop or Fergie’s plumped-up pout.

So big cheers for Kate Nash, the 20-year-old UK import who sings breathlessly upbeat, articulate and sparkling pop tunes about crumbling relationships (“Foundations”) or just wanting to make out with her guy (“Pumpkin Soup”). Her debut release, Made of Bricks, became a mega-hit in England, and she’s now charming the pants off of music-lovers here in the States.

Get a full-on Q&A after jump...

Ashlee Simpson Tells NewNowNext She Loves Her Gays! And Watch New "Outta My Head" Music Video!

Ashlee Simpson stopped by MTV to shoot an episode of TRL this week, and wasn't it sweet of her to speak with NewNowNext considering her new song basically tells the press to shut the ef up? Well, having completed her stint on Broadway in London as Chicago's Roxie Hart, Ashlee was high-spirited, super-tiny, all made-up...and had Papa Joe nearby to let everyone know when a bit of Ashlee's hair was out of place (stage mom?).

But OK, she was  totally nice, and her album, Bittersweet World, is due out early next year. I'm a pretty big fan of the lead single, "Outta My Head," and the video premiered this week! Check it out after the jump...along with the rest of our (brief!) Q&A.

And as far as recent rumors go, Ashlee cleared at least one up: BF Pete-y will be coming to Christmas dinner at the Simpson household. (Remember how Papa Joe "banned" Pete because Pete enjoys the occasional guy-on-guy make-out sesh? And no joke, Papa Joe is scary in real life. Scary!)

Exclusive M.I.A. Interview! On Jamaican "Boyz," New Music, Old Love & Gays!

M.I.A. sees her new album, KALA, out next month. And she visited MTV earlier this week. And we nabbed an interview!

On Monday, I had a chance to grab a quickie ten-minute chat with M.I.A., the international rapper/singer/hot mama and just all-around supercool music artist, who combines crazy beats, political messages and irresistible goofy/jerky/fierce dance moves as she cranks out music that’s as colorful as an acid-trippy rainbow. Her work has been described as having elements of “grime, hip-hop, ragga, dancehall, electro and baile funk.” And it’s always energetic and loopy fun stuff.

She burst onto the public awareness in 2005 with her debut album Arular (hot on the heels of one of the best bootleg mixtapes ever, Piracy Funds Terrorism) and suddenly was on the lips of every savvy musicphile on the planet. She dated her collaborator Diplo, then split and she’s performed all over the place, been in magazines and basically become a representative of a contemporary, strong unique, genre-busting female artist.

Born in London and raised in Sri Lanka, she faced visa issues while working on her second album, Kala (due on August 21st), and wasn’t able to enter the U.S. until recently. Her family history is turbulent, having grown up in war zones and London projects. You can read more on all of this in press clips on her site, or on Wikipedia.

But the main deal is that she’s had two videos released recently—for “Bird Flu” and “Boyz,” both shot in far-flung locales (India and Jamaica) and both utilizing the residents of those place as their stars. She describes this process in our superbrief chat, as well as discussing gay boys, her love life, being a female in the music biz, and how she stealthily tricked the men in homophobic Jamaica into dancing and singing about “Boyz.” (Watch the video after the jump!)

“Please excuse me,” she laughed when we sat down. She’d just gotten her make up done for an MTV photo shoot. “I just had these big eyelashes put on and I can barely see you!” She speaks in a dry but lilting London accent, and she was rocking these crazy colorfully patterned tights, heels, and a big purple “Darfur” T-shirt cinched at the waist with a wide belt. She’s gorgeous! And chatty—and super nice. And here she is...

Looking fresh on the set of the "Boyz" shoot in Jamaica. Holla!

Read the full-on,lengthy Q&A after the jump!