'I'm so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal,' Laurieann Gibson says.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
It's an exciting time to be a Lady Gaga fan. This week, the pop star released her much-anticipated "Born This Way" video and walked the runway and previewed her track "Government Hooker" at a Thierry Mugler fashion show. And now there are a few more details about her next Born This Way single, "Judas," and its video.
"We're already getting ready to go into rehearsal [for the video]. She's like, 'I'm all ready to start 'Judas'!' She's ready," Gaga's creative director Laurieann Gibson told MTV News. "And 'Judas' is exciting for me because we had this amazing artistic approach to 'BTW' and I'm so excited for how riveting, energetic and electric the record is, something really phenomenal. So, visually, the dance, the costuming, the idea of how big we're trying to go, [it's] going to be a roller-coaster ride.
"There is [a director in mind]," Gibson continued, adding that nothing about the video will be ordinary. "What is a traditional music video? Even if we go with a traditional music video, the directors that we love are not traditional, so the idea that they get to collaborate with us means they too want to live outside of what people expect a traditional music video to be."
As for the sound of the song, Fernando Garibay, one of the musical directors on the album, opened up about the RedOne-produced dance tune. "It's a statement about, again I can't speak for her, but what I gather is it's about sometimes not choosing the right choice," he explained. "But you can't deny that the choice is not a part of you and who you are.
" 'Judas' is a dance song, definitely," he continued. "I think 'Judas' is in the traditional RedOne/Gaga vein. It's great because it's a serious message, it's a little playful, but still serious, but still somehow you wind up dancing to it. That's what's great about her music. You know, like, my favorite song of all time, dance song, 'Billie Jean,' is a story you wouldn't think of singing, but then you wind up dancing and singing the lyrics. I think that's the Holy Grail of music for me, which is dance."
Gaga shared lyrics from "Judas" last month, and Gaga's pal and stylist Nicola Formichetti reposted those lyrics on Twitter late Thursday. "I'm just a Holy Fool, oh baby he's so cruel, but I'm still in love with Judas, Baby," he wrote, adding, "JUDAS FASHION. so excited i can't sleep!"
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsThe 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.
Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.
"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."
And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.
"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."
And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.
"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."
Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!
Related Photos Related ArtistsLauren Conrad Ashley Tisdale Georgina Grenville Amanda Detmer
Prince William and Kate Middleton made another official appearance together this morning with a stop in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was a special visit in honor of Fat Tuesday, which Brits call Shrove Tuesday, and Kate marked the occasion by gamely flipping pancakes with a little girl. It was the start of a busy day that also included meeting with the city's mayor, touring a charity that helps disadvantaged youths, and watching a performance from young actors. The trip, which comes after similar engagements christening a lifeboat in Wales and touring their Scottish alma mater, was apparently conducted without any prior publicity as there were some security concerns in the area. Their day went off without a hitch, though, for the soon-to-be-married pair. Plans for their April 29th wedding are coming along with the launch of their new website and new rumors that Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton will design Kate's gown, while the Middleton family released a series of sweet photos from her past.
