+ Katy Perry’s on the cover of August’s Cosmopolitan looking not as fruity as one might expect. It’s a nice change from the over-the-top craziness we normally see. (I’m Not Obsessed)

+ O.M.J. Kevin Jonas engaged? WHAT?? (Buzzworthy)

+ Speaking of the Jonas Brothers, did you know that they’re probably not going back to a certain U.K. hotel after trashing their room? Seriously! (Webster’s Is My Bitch)

+ How about this mash-up of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Britney Spears‘ “Gimme More?” We think it’s kind of hot! (PopBytes)

+ Speaking of MJ, check out this vid of him rehearsing at the Staples Center just two days before he passed away. Seems like he really was going to pull off that comeback after all. (US Magazine)

+ Oh. Happy 30th Birthday to the Sony Walkman (for any of you kids who actually had one). I remember my yellow Sportsman like it was yesterday. It had “shock control” too, so that when you went jogging the Tiffany you were listening to didn’t sound like Ethel Merman (though there was really nothing you could do about Cher). (Tripwire)

Let’s put aside the Cobra Starship-versus-Ashley Tisdale beef for a second and take an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at Cobra Starship’s new “Good Girls Go Bad” video, starring Leighton Meester.

And you already know the video involves a deli-turned-speakeasy and blah blah bliggity blah, but did you know that it was shot on Avenue B in the East Village AND that Ryland once worked at an actual deli? And that Alex has a sensitivity to houndstooth? It’s true.

Watch two behind-the-scenes clips from the “Good Girls Go Bad” video shoot.

… After the jump, see what made Leighton Meester feel “sexual healing”-y… on the set…

Read more…

Notebooks out, ladies, because Florida rapper Ace Hood’s “The 5” interview is less a Fun Facts Fest, and more a road map to Ace Hood’s bedroom. The overall takeaway: Go to Costco and stock up on M&Ms, practice your Madden skills, and remember… well, Ace makes his stance on hats pretty clear.

Ace Hood also discusses his second LP, Ruthless — the first Ruthless single, “Overtime,” is a Rocky-style pump-up jam thanks to that high-energy, epic refrain with Akon and T-Pain, as well as an autobiographical account of a high-school-era Ace. Filmed at Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (which is a SERIOUS name, especially coming from someone who went to boring-ass Benjamin Franklin High) — the video chronicles aspiring teens and gives a personal nods to high school football, as Ace planned to go pro before an injury altered his path. But as the video illustrates, Ace Hood later visited a Florida radio station and handed over his demo to DJ Khaled, which led to a deal with Khaled’s music group, and later with Def Jam.

But back to the topic at hand — see what Pampers, graphic design, and Jazmine Sullivan have to do with Ace Hood, as he leaves an M&M trail to his bedroom in this brand-new interview.

Today’s “The 5” video interview is with “French” band Phoenix, and it leads one to one of two conclusions about these not-quite French guys: Either they have a dry, cheeky sense of humor, or they truly need hugs. Is it just that pertinent for Phoenix fans to know that they’re not friends, and no, the Paris suburb where the band started was not fun? I mean, they’re basically kidding and throwing some Euro deadpan at us… Right?

Cryptic joking and stoic attitude aside, Phoenix’s Air-meets-Daft Punk style of pop-rock is totally the type of stuff you earn cool points for listening to. Frontman Thomas Mars’ piercing vocals paired with the off-kilter, perhaps lost-in-translation, lyrics is the among the group’s most magnetic appeal. Phoenix’s fourth album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, needs some addressing, though: The first single, “Lisztomania” (as I understand it), references both the Hungarian composer, as well as the ’70s musical comedy of the same name. Not in your DVD collection? Apparently you’re missing out on Nazi vampires and giant vaginas.

As of late, Phoenix performed its new single, “1901,” on Saturday Night Live in April, and even more recently, on It’s On With Alexa Chung — check out the video, and find out why Phoenix isn’t really friends. Or fully French.

By now you’ve had a night to sleep on the wonderful (or tragic, depending on your perspective) news that Kevin Jonas got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Danielle Deleasa. Hopefully now you’re prepared for additional details. Like… THE RING. Kevin helped designed Danielle’s engagement ring with jeweler-to-the-stars Jacob & Co., as in Jacob The Jeweler, who created Mariah Carey’s engagement ring.

The diamond ring is a 3-carat solitaire cushion-cut diamond, surrounded by 210 round brilliant-cut pave diamonds. Um, not too shabby. No wonder Danielle said yes like 500 times. Sigh. Congrats again to the next Mrs. Jonas!

+ Check out photos of the ring Kevin Jonas proposed with after the jump.

Read more…

I don’t know WHERE the girls in Drake’s new “Best I Ever Had” video go to school, but the PTA really needs to hold a bake sale or something and help get these girls into some supportive sports bras! Because that is NO way to play basketball, ladies.

Drake is Young Money’s (Lil Wayne’s label) latest signee, Rihanna’s rumored new love interest, and a Degrassi grad. He also sucks at coaching basketball, which is fine because as the emcee on everyone’s lips, he’s got the rap game on lock right now, and he doesn’t even have an album out yet. So, I have a feeling things will still work out for him if coaching doesn’t.

Oh yeah, and Kanye directed the video, which was shot at Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn, and features cameos from the Young Money Crew.

Watch Drake’s brand-new video, “Best I Ever Had.”

UPDATE: CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF THE ENGAGEMENT RING!!

It is with a heavy heart that I type the following words, which most of you probably already know: Kevin Jonas is engaged. But not to me. (Sadly…) Or to you. Kevin Jonas got engaged to his long-time girlfriend Danielle Deleasa. Kevin popped the question early this morning on Danielle’s doorstep after flying into New Jersey on an overnight flight after the Jonas Brothers’ concert in Vancouver.

The ring: a cushion-cut diamond ring that Kevin designed along with Jacob & Co.

Yes, you read that correctly. Kevin Jonas put a ring on it and is going to trade in his purity ring for a wedding ring. It’s true, it’s official, and it’s happening. One Jonas down, two more to go. (Well, three if you count Frankie, but he’s got a while.)

Anyway, congrats Kevin and Danielle. (Kevin, if things don’t work out, caaaaaaaaawlllll me!!! Our kids would have SUCH fun curly hair!)

(Also, WHAT is the “Kevin Touched Me” girl gonna do when she finds out?)

Today’s episode of It’s On With Alexa Chung featured a little something for everyone — book suggestions, Tyrese and his man muscles, Transformers helmets, cake smashing, and a live rendition of “Birthday Sex.” If you weren’t entertained, then you just don’t know good TV. Anyway, here’s what Alexa wore today!

Wednesday, July 1
+ Dress: A.P.C.
+ Shoes: Frye.
+ Knee-highs: Hue.
+ Beaded necklace: Her own.

So, look what’s on sale… a gorgeous navy A.P.C. (one of Alexa’s favorite brands) mohair dress. It’s not super summery, but it’s winter somewhere, right? Buy it and keep it for later, because it’s on sale for $190 at apc.fr.

… Or check out this more summery navy button-down dress by model Erin Wasson’s RVCA line. It’s $105 at Opening Ceremony — one of Alexa’s favorite shops.

Finally, Alexa wore her own beaded necklace, but check eBay’s selection of Native American beaded medallion necklaces.

+ A brand-new Britney Spears video, “Radar” leaked online today. One word: boring. (MTV News)

+ On the trashy TV front, Hilary Duff gets to exercise her acting chops once again as she joins the cast of Gossip Girl for the October season premiere. (EW.com)

+ Congratulations to the Photoshop genius behind Madonna’s new Louis Vuitton ad campaign for making her look like the Svedka robot (or just herself 30 years ago, made out of marzipan). (PopCrunch)

+ Check out what a bunch of Warped Tour bands had to say as they reflect on the influence Michael Jackson had on their music. (Buzznet)

+ Demi Lovato took quite a spill onstage during a recent concert but got up and laughed it off like a true pro. (Blogamole)

+ Former Destiny’s Child member LeToya Luckett had nothing but nice things to say about Beyonce, when the two ran into each other at the BET Awards this past week. (Rap-Up)

Now that I’ve watched Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” video — filmed at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee — approximately 16,000 times (it seriously won’t even play on my computer any more — instead of playing the video, a little sign that says “Please… Isn’t It Enough Already?” pops up instead. BECAUSE MY COMPUTER IS MOCKING ME!), I can confidently say that Taylor and I CLEARLY have the EXACT SAME TASTE in teen movies. In case your Netflix queue needs some refreshing, here are six OBVIOUS teen movie allusions found in Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” video.

+ She’s All That: Cool, artsy girl in glasses undergoes geek-to-chic transformation, just in time for prom!

+ Mean Girls: The “Girlfriend” version of Taylor is even DRESSED like a pink Plastic! Classic! (Also, I could quote Mean Girls for days. DAAAAAAAYS!)

+ Drumline: I’d be lying if I said I won’t drop ANYTHING I’m doing to watch this movie when it comes on. Like, if I have a flight to catch, I would even consider missing it just so I can watch that ish. Also, what if I told you I have a “FRIEND” who loves that JC Chasez song “She’s Blowin’ Me Up” from Drumline? Anyway, back to Taylor Swift — Taylor plays a band geek in the video, but she’s Taylor, so that automatically makes being in the band cool.

+ Bring It On: Sneering cheerleaders? Check.

+ A Cinderella Story: And Lucas Till even LOOKS like Chad Michael Murray!

+ Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist: Because you know Taylor listens to REALLY good music, unlike that crappy POSER girlfriend. (Also, I want to be Cat Deeley. Also-also, Michael Cera is his absolute cutest self in this movie. Even cuter than in Juno, if that’s somehow possible. Though I did see him backstage at It’s On With Alexa Chung, and he confirmed my suspicion that he’s a puppy dog trapped in the body of a human boy.)

+ Watch Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” video. And, if you’re feeling up to it, leave your favorite teen movie quote in the comments! It’s ON!