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21 sets a new high mark for post-Grammy sales.
By Gil Kaufman
Adele at the 2012 Grammys
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Adele is starting to make this look a little too easy. And also, who out there doesn't own 21 already? After all, they've had a full year to get their act together.
In the same week that she celebrates 52 weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart, all of them spent in the top 10, the singer set yet another high-water mark when she notched the biggest sales week yet following her Grammy Awards comeback. In the wake of her six-for-six night at the awards show, Adele rolled up her biggest sales week to date, moving 730,000 copies, more than doubling her previous high mark of 399,000 for the week ending December 25, 2011, according to figures provided by Nielsen SoundScan.
The last album to sell more copies in a single week before Adele's big jump was Lil Wayne, whose Tha Carter IV moved 964,000 in August 2011. To put her giant leap into perspective, in her 52nd week on the charts, Adele moved the third-highest amount of product of any artist in the past year, surpassed only by Lady Gaga's Born This Way (1.1 million) and Weezy, and coming in ahead of highly anticipated chart bows by Drake (631,000), Coldplay (447,000), Jay-Z and Kanye West (436,000), Lady Antebellum (347,000), Beyoncé (310,000), Britney Spears (276,000) and Chris Brown (270,000).
Among the other records Adele set with her massive week:
» The biggest weekly sales increase following a Grammy win in the, um, 21-year history of SoundScan. With her 207 percent bump, Adele beat the previous record holder, Norah Jones, who sold 621,000 (a 331 percent increase) following her five Grammy wins in 2003 for Come Away With Me.
» With her massive sales hike, Adele became the first artist to go double-platinum on iTunes.
» With 21 non-consecutive weeks at #1, Adele now holds the record for the longest #1 album by a woman in Billboard history, beating the record formerly held by the late Whitney Houston's soundtrack to "The Bodyguard."
And it wasn't just 21 that got the Grammy love. Adele's debut, 19, zoomed up five spots to #4 thanks to a 144 percent sales increase, with 87,000 copies sold, setting another one-week sales best by eclipsing its previous high of 71,000 units shifted for the week ending December 25, 2011.
In the first full chart week after her death, Houston's only greatest-hits collection, Whitney: The Greatest Hits, saw a sales increase of 174 percent, shifting 175,000 copies to move up four spots to #2.
The rest of the top 10: Now 41 (#3, 94,000), 2012 Grammy Nominees (#5, 85,000), Van Halen's A Different Kind of Truth (#6, down 69 percent in its second week on sales of 58,000) and Paul McCartney's Kisses on the Bottom (#7, 58,000).
A number of acts also got a significant Grammy boost, including performer Bruno Mars, whose Doo-Wops & Hooligans rose 133 percent on sales of 38,000, bumping it up 22 spots to #8; Lady Antebellum, whose Own the Night was up eight to #9 (37,000, up 47 percent); and the Civil Wars, who rocketed up 31 spots to #10 with Barton Hollow (36,000, up 178 percent).
Coldplay got a more modest boost from their performance, as Mylo Xyloto inched up three spots to #11 on a 26 percent sales increase to 35,000, while Grammy winners Foo Fighters were up 134 percent and 28 spots to #21 with Wasting Light (23,000).
Further down the line, two other Houston albums, her self-titled debut and the soundtrack to "The Bodyguard," both sold more than 17,000 copies, seeing respective sales increases of 113 and 123 percent.
Over on the iTunes charts, Grammy performer Katy Perry topped the singles tally with her new single, "Part of Me," followed by Houston's iconic cover of "I Will Always Love You," Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and "Set Fire to the Rain" and Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)."
Coming in at #6 were buzz band fun. with "We Are Young," Nicki Minaj with "Starships," Brown's "Turn up the Music," Adele's "Someone Like You" and One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful."
21 was at #1 on the iTunes albums chart, followed by Houston's greatest-hits comp, the Civil Wars' Barton Hollow, Adele's 19, Coldplay, the Grammy compilation, Mars, Clarkson's Stronger, the Fray's Scars & Stories and Grammy winner Bon Iver's self-titled album.
With Houston's chart record in the rearview, next up for Adele is the 24-week #1 reigns of the "Saturday Night Fever" and "Purple Rain" soundtracks. She should be safe for another week, as the only competition coming up in the next chart frame is from Sleigh Bells, Tyga and fun.
Related ArtistsChiddy Bang, Kimbra, More Added To 2012 mtvU Woodies Fest
First-ever festival is set for March 15 at South by Southwest and will lead up to the awards themselves.
By James Montgomery
Chiddy Bang
Photo: Patrick Ford/Redferns
The 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards will return to Austin, Texas, on March 15, during South by Southwest, and they're definitely getting in the spirit of the annual festival.
First, they announced this year's nominees, an epically diverse field that includes everyone from Jay-Z and Kanye West, the Black Keys and Skrillex to up-and-comers like Frank Ocean, Childish Gambino and Cloud Nothings. Then they announced the first round of performers for the first-ever Woodies Fest, a (grammatically adventurous) list topped by Fun., Wallpaper. and A$AP Rocky.
And on Wednesday (February 22), the Woodies announced even more performers for that festival: Chiddy Bang (whom, as you might recall, previously set a Guinness World Record for Longest Freestyle during the inaugural O Music Awards), Gary Clark Jr., Kimbra (of "Somebody That I Used To Know" fame) and British singer Ed Sheeran.
The 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards Festival will take place March 15 down at SXSW and is open to both badge-holders and uncredited music fans alike. The entire fest will also stream live on Woodies.mtvU.com and leads up to the awards themselves. On Sunday, March 18, the best moments from the Woodies will be broadcast in a 30-minute special airing on MTV and mtvU at 8 p.m. ET.
Voting is also under way in all Woodies categories — including Woodie of the Year and the coveted Best Video Woodie — and will remain open until March 9. Voting in the Breaking Woodie category will continue during the live show March 15. Fans can cast ballots in all categories through the Woodies' website, on their mobile phones at M.MTV.com or by texting VOTE to 66333. Standard message and data rates may apply.
The 2012 mtvU Woodies invade SXSW on March 15 with the Woodies Festival. The best of the 2012 mtvU Woodies will air on MTV and mtvU on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET.
Related PhotosOscar Winners: Who's Had The Steepest Drop?
Renee Zellweger, Adrien Brody and others have faded since their night of Oscar glory.
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Adrien Brody
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage
Oscar night is supposed to be the night where dreams come true and careers are made, but for many actors over the years, it has marked the beginning of a downward trend. Among the list of past winners, you'll find some of Hollywood's most timeless faces. But you'll also find some names that have faded since their night of Oscar glory.
Through no fault of their own, some actors have struggled to escape from under the weight of an Academy Award win — especially if it came early in their character. Despite their best efforts, they have yet to repeat their previous levels of success and live up to the title "Academy Award winner."
Here are some of the steepest falls for Oscar winners in recent years:
Hilary Swank
Despite two wins for Best Actress, Hilary Swank's career maps out with two peaks and large valleys in between. Not counting her winning roles in "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby," none of Swank's leading roles have caught much traction either financially or critically. Her more commercial choices like "P.S. I Love You" and "The Reaping" failed to capture their respective target audiences, and Oscar bait like "Conviction" and "Amelia" saw only mild critical response.
Cuba Gooding, Jr.
His iconic role in "Jerry Maguire" and the catchphrase that followed ("Show me the money!") marked the beginning of a steep and fast drop in Gooding's career. Embarrassing roles in films like "Snow Dogs" and "Boat Trip" became examples of how far an Academy Award winner could fall. Gooding has made some notable appearances in films like "Red Tails" and "Pearl Harbor," but his turn in "Radio" earned ridicule from Robert Downey Jr.'s character in "Tropic Thunder."
Renee Zellweger
After two previous nominations, Zellweger won her golden statue for "Cold Mountain" but has yet to earn similar praise since. She earned three nominations in as many years, but since then, the accolades have dried up. Her major starring roles in "Miss Potter" and "New in Town" did not live up to the critical or financial standards set by "Chicago" or "Bridget Jones' Diary."
Adrien Brody
Though he had a notable cameo in this year's critical darling "Midnight in Paris," Brody has picked his movie roles selectively, appearing only once or twice a year and not always as the star. He found moderate box-office success as the second leading man behind a giant ape in Peter Jackson's "King Kong" remake, but starring vehicles like "The Jacket" fell flat.
Kim Basinger
Though Basinger's decreasing presence in Hollywood after a decade as a blond big-screen bombshell may have coincided with her Oscar win, the signs of a dropoff after are there. Her role in "L.A. Confidential" became iconic and one of the film's key images, but Basinger's career began to lose steam soon after. She starred in minor dramas like "I Dreamed of Africa" and "The Door in the Floor." She even made a memorable turn as Eminem's mother in "8 Mile," but smaller roles kept her from the former spotlight.
The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Stick with us for everything you need to know leading up to the awards show, and on Sunday, February 26, tune into MTV.com at 5:30 p.m. ET for our three-hour red-carpet live stream and updates on the night's big winners.
Related Photos'Community' Schedule Shuffling Not Doing NBC Any Favors
'Community' fans are excited for the cult comedy's return, but the switch-up could mean trouble for the network's lineup.
By John Mitchell
Amy Poehler in Parks and Recreation
Photo: NBC
Fans of cult comedy "Community" are rejoicing at the news that the show is set to return to NBC's schedule after a three-month hiatus. It will rejoin the Thursday night lineup at 8 p.m. on March 15 to compete its third season, though no decision has been announced as to whether the low-rated, critically acclaimed comedy will get a fourth season.
The show's return will bump "30 Rock," which has been pulling down series-low numbers in the 8 p.m. timeslot since retuning on January 12, to 8:30 and "Parks and Recreation" will go on a five-week hiatus until "Up All Night" completes its season in April. "The Office" will hold on to its 9 p.m. slot.
NBC's had a difficult time attracting viewers to what is easily the best comedy block on network TV, but it's certainly not the first net to have that problem (FOX couldn't keep "Arrested Development" on the air). This latest decision, however, seems unlikely to help for a few reasons. It was a mistake to pull "Community" in the first place; the show's is so full of callbacks and self-referential asides that removing it for any length of time was bound to hemorrhage casual fans who are not as familiar with the storyline as diehards. And sacrificing the much more welcoming "Parks," which itself has struggled in the ratings despite widespread acclaim, to bring "Community" back is not going to pull in more eyes. Instead, it's only going to weaken the already low-rated lineup. Here's why.
"Community" is not a welcoming show for new viewers. I am an avid TV watcher and a big fan of NBC's smart Thursday comedies, but I've never been able to get into "Community" because I missed the boat early on. I'm not questioning its quality — by all accounts it's a witty and wonderfully weird show — but it is loaded with callbacks and winks to a now three-season-long narrative arc, and if you haven't been onboard since the beginning, you're shut out. I've tried and failed to get into the show, even though it should be on my must-see list.
Consequently, I suspect it is going to perform even worse in its old 8 p.m. time slot than when it left it in December. If it flops at 8, the results will be disastrous for "30 Rock," which, without a strong lead-in, seems likely to lose even more viewers at 8:30. "Parks and Rec" currently outperforms its "Rock" lead-in; it has its own devout fanbase, many of whom seem to skip "Rock" and tune in specifically for "Parks."
"30 Rock" is arguably past its prime (though last week's episode was admittedly the best in recent memory) and it is an expensive show to produce. Some expect that NBC may even announce that next season will be its last and that it will be a truncated 13-episode run at that. Matching "Community" with "30 Rock" from 8 to 9 is going to create an hour-long ratings void for NBC that is likely to negatively impact "The Office," which already has been losing viewers since Steve Carell's departure, though it remains NBC's top Thursday comedy.
As for "Up All Night," it's been managing numbers comparable to "Parks" at 9:30. Though, that means the well-reviewed family comedy is losing 30 percent of it lead-in.
It's a foolhardy move to temporarily shelve the only show that is really building on its lead-in (that'd be "Parks") — I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say that "The Office's" ratings function pretty independently of "Parks'" — especially when it's being done for a show that seems unlikely to rope in new viewers.
The reason for the shake-up, I suspect, is rooted in the network's knowledge that the ends of "30 Rock" and "The Office" are near. They really want "Community" to work, and they trust enough that the brief absence of "Parks" from the schedule is unlikely to alienate viewers enough that they'll abandon the show. (And they're right. As upset as I am that "Parks" will be gone for five weeks, there's no way I won't be there when Leslie, Anne, Tom and Ron Swanson return on April 19.)
A smarter choice would have been to move "Up All Night" to 8 p.m., where it's star power (Christina Applegate, Will Arnett, Maya Rudolph) and subject matter — a one-time party couple adjusting to parenthood — might attract viewers who normally may look to CBS for Thursday night entertainment. Keep the often-heartwarming "Parks and Rec" at 8:30. "Parks" is, like "Rock" and "Community," a little weird, but it's the most accessible of the three and thus the most likely to keep the "Up All Night" audience and maybe build on it.
"Community" is simply going to be an awkward fit anywhere on the schedule and is unlikely to ever be strong enough in the ratings to be a top-of-the-hour lead-in. If the net insists on keeping it — though it might want to consider a deal similar to the one reached to keep "Friday Night Lights," another little-watched but much-loved show with a fervent fanbase, alive — it should consider moving it to 9:30, where it would benefit at first from "The Office." NBC would be wise to greenlight a 13-episode season for "The Office" to let it wrap up storylines and depart the airwaves on its own terms before it is forced off by flagging ratings. It's already had a great eight-season run; let it go out with grace. Conclude "The Office" big at Christmastime (the show has always shined with its holiday specials) and bring "30 Rock" back to conclude its own run with a 13-episode season in the spring of 2013.
And for goodness' sake, stop shifting everything around so often. Shuffling your best shows like this makes it difficult for current fans — and especially people who do not follow the ins and outs of entertainment industry news — to find the shows they already like.
Do you agree with NBC's decision to put "Parks and Rec" on a five-week hiatus for "Community"? Leave your comment below.
Kourtney Kardashian Having A Baby Girl
Kardashian and longtime boyfriend Scott Disick are expecting a girl in the spring.
By Christina Garibaldi
Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian and their son, Mason
Photo: Getty Images
The Kardashians are getting ready to add another girl to the clan! On Wednesday (February 22), Kourtney Kardashian revealed to OK! magazine that she and longtime partner Scott Disick — who have a son together — are expecting a baby girl in late spring.
"We feel so blessed to be having a little girl and to be able to share this new experience with Mason," Kourtney told E! News.
The couple's first child, Mason, celebrated his second birthday in December. And back in November, the reality TV couple announced the happy news, saying that although it was unexpected, they were more prepared this time around.
"It wasn't like we weren't trying," Disick told US Weekly at the time. "We kind of just said, 'If it's meant to be, it'll be.' "
MTV News caught up with Kourtney's sister Khloé in December, and she told us that her big sister had been feeling some of the symptoms typical of early pregnancy.
"She's good. She's a little more nauseous this time around, which I feel bad about, but she's great and it's so exciting," Khloé said.
When Kourt's pregnancy was first announced, proud sis Khloé took to her blog to express her excitement over the new addition to the Kardashian family. "I am BEYOND thrilled to fiiiiinally be able to share with all of you the fabulous news that my beautiful big sister Kourtney is expecting yet again!" she wrote. "Can you believe it?! Masey is going to be a big brother! We are all so overjoyed by this wonderful news and are counting down the minutes until we get to meet the newest member of our family."
Of course, sister Kim also shared her glee, writing on her blog that she couldn't wait to become an aunt again: "This is such a blessing and the whole family is beyond thrilled! I just know Mason will make the best big brother and I can't wait to meet my new little niece or nephew! Congratulations Kourtney and Scott."
Kourtney and Scott recently wrapped up the second season of "Kourtney & Kim Take New York," along with Kim and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Kris Humphries.
Share your well-wishes for Kourtney and Scott in the comments below!
Related PhotosThe Wanted Call 'Glee' Cover 'Surreal'
Tom Parker tells MTV News that having 'Glad You Came' on Fox show 'was absolutely great.'
By Jocelyn Vena
"Glee"
Photo: FOX
When artists hear that they're getting the "Glee" treatment, the news is met with excitement or disdain (you know, if you're the Foo Fighters or Kings of Leon). So when British boy band the Wanted got the call that their single "Glad You Came" was getting covered on the show this week, bandmate Tom Parker explains that they fell stoutly into category #1.
"I thought it was absolutely great, and it was the first time I had seen a dance routine put to the song," he laughed to MTV News Wednesday (February 22) morning. "So it was really strange actually, 'cause obviously we don't dance. I rang up the boys, like, 'Boys, maybe we should start dancing because actually it looks really good.'
"[Our manager] Scooter [Braun] rang us up, and he was like, 'So your song's going to be covered by 'Glee,' ' and if you could have measured the level of noise in the car at that very time, some might call it deafening, we were screaming so loud," he continued. "I couldn't even believe it. It's an honor really to do something like that. I think it represents [that] the song's a really good song. To be honest, it's all a bit surreal."
The episode itself touched on some very serious topics, including teen suicide and bullying. The song was performed by the Warblers during Regionals, one of the more joyous moments this week.
And while Parker has yet to see it, from what he heard of the show, he can assume it was "quite action-packed." Parker missed the episode because he and the guys are busy on an arena tour in their native U.K. and Europe.
"You know, I have not seen it yet because we were coming back from France doing some promo," he said. "But I saw the Fox tweet [with] the link to the episode, so I saw the routine."
The song's inclusion on the show proves that the Wanted, who just wrapped up their first-ever U.S. tour, are certainly making an impact Stateside. And that works for Parker and his bandmates. "We always [had] that aim to go and do it in America," he said.
"Glad You Came" is the band's current U.S. single. It appears on their album Battleground.
Related ArtistsChris Brown Feuds With Miranda Lambert, WWE's CM Punk
Brown reacts to Rihanna-related criticism from the singer and the wrestler on Twitter.
By Jocelyn Vena
Chris Brown
Photo: Mindy Small/ FilmMagic
It's an interesting time for Chris Brown. With several career highs, which include a Grammy win and performance at the show earlier this month, come several personal lows, including feuds with two other celebrities.
On Tuesday, Brown took to Twitter to address some comments made by WWE wrestler CM Punk in a video he released on TMZ, which itself came in response to an ongoing Twitter feud the guys have been having.
"I'm a lifelong proud, drug-free, straight-edge individual, so Chris and I come from two completely different worlds," Punk said in the video, referring to a previous tweet Brown had posted accusing Punk of taking steroids. "I don't have a manager, I don't have a bodyguard, I don't have an assistant, I have no need for a PR team what to tweet or when to delete tweets, and I don't hit women. Period. In my world women are to be revered and respected and I firmly believe that in this life there are consequences and repercussions for people's actions, and I don't think Chris has paid for what he's done. Picking up trash on the side of a highway does not make amends for repeatedly striking a woman in her face and sending her to hospital.
"So if Chris wants to throw stones my way now, I say that's fine. Let's put some gloves out and get in the ring and I will choke you out and I will make you feel as weak and as powerless and scared and alone as any woman who has had the misfortune of knowing a sad, cowardly, little boy such as yourself. And all proceeds can go to a women's shelter of my choosing ... Chris Brown isn't a man and that's fine. I just know that someday, somewhere, somehow, somebody will put Chris Brown exactly where he belongs and that obviously doesn't have to be me, I would just really like it to be."
After the video was released, Brown responded, "@cmpunk the video u just posted was cute! It's so funny how defensive u are. And the fact that I really don't know who you are and could give a sh-- is the funny part! I miss the real wrestlers! (Hacksaw Jim duggan, Brett the hitman heart, coco beware, rowdy roddy piper) #Notnopunks."
Several tweets later, he brought it back to Punk, but noted that he would no longer be addressing the issue. "Note: today will be the last day I bring @cmpunk existence up! The confrontations that people continuously bring my way are very amusing," he wrote. "Cuz honestly, that sh-- is too time consuming to argue wit every person who has their own issues to deal with!"
It all started on February 20, when Punk tweeted about Brown's 2009 assault of his then-girlfriend Rihanna. From there, the two became involved in a Twitter back-and-forth. Since Brown's last tweet about the video, as of press time, Punk has not tweeted about it again.
This is hardly the first bit of criticism that Brown has received since his Grammy win on February 12. While a number of celebrities tweeted their criticisms of Brown's win and performance that night, country star Miranda Lambert has been the most vocal about it.
Brown responded to her post-Grammy tweets, writing, "Using my name to get publicity? I love it! Perform your heart out! Go buy Miranda Lambert album! So motivational and 'PERFECT'!"
Not only did she tweet about it, but in concert last week Usmagazine.com reported Lambert addressed the issue further, saying, "I just have to speak my mind, because where I come from, beating up on a woman is never OK. So that's why my daddy taught me early on in life how to use a shotgun."
Related Artists'Hunger Games' Cast Will Meet Fans At U.S. Malls
March mall tour including Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson announced as advance tickets for flick go on sale.
By Jocelyn Vena
Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence
Photo: MTV News
With "The Hunger Games" just four weeks away from hitting theaters, the cast will embark on a mall tour starting next month.
Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson all will make the rounds during the trek, kicking off March 3. The tour will hit eight cities over the course of a week with stops in Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles.
In addition to meet and greets with the big three and other castmembers from the highly anticipated flick, the mall stops will include Q&A sessions and giveaways. The first stop, March 3 at the City of Angels' Westfield Century City, will feature director Gary Ross as well as Lawrence, Hutcherson and Hemsworth.
March 6 at the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead in Atlanta, Hemsworth will be joined by Leven Rambin, Dayo Okeniyi, Amandla Stenberg and Jack Quaid. There will be two stops March 7: Hemsworth, Rambin, Okeniyi and Quaid will appear at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona, while the Westfield Fox Valley in Aurora, Illinois, will host Hutcherson, Isabelle Fuhrman and Jacqueline Emerson.
The following day, March 8, Lawrence, Alexander Ludwig and Stenberg are scheduled for the Westfield Broward Mall in Plantation, Florida, and Hutcherson, Fuhrman and Emerson will be on hand at Galleria Dallas.
Lawrence, Ludwig, Stenberg, Hutcherson, Fuhrman and Emerson will greet fans March 9 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The final stop, March 10 at Seattle's University Village, will feature all three of the film's top stars: Lawrence, Hemsworth and Hutcherson.
In addition to the announcement of the mall tour, Wednesday (February 22) marks the first day fans can buy advance tickets to the flick, which opens March 23.
Check out everything we've got on "The Hunger Games."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosDemi Lovato Documents Recovery In MTV's 'Stay Strong'
'I want people to know that we all have personal strength and can lean on each other,' singer says about MTV special, airing March 6.
By Jocelyn Vena
Demi Lovato in the "Stay Strong" trailer
Photo: MTV News & Docs
Demi Lovato is giving fans an insider view of what life's been like for her since leaving a treatment center last year, documenting it for the MTV special "Demi Lovato: Stay Strong," debuting Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
The special will follow the singer in her most private moments, as she deals with her very public recovery from personal issues, including an eating disorder and cutting. "Stay Strong" shows her confronting these problems while still working on her career, including going back on the road for a tour. Since leaving a trek with the Jonas Brothers in the fall of 2010 to enter treatment, the singer has leaned on the support of her family, friends and devoted fans, known as Lovatics.
Lovato will go into detail about the events that caused her to seek treatment and how she decided to share her personal struggles and journey with the world.
"I wanted to share my story but I knew it had to be honest, it had to be real," Lovato said in a statement. "I have daily challenges but so do many kids who are struggling to feel comfortable in their own skin. If opening up and sharing my story inspires even one person to stay strong or to get the help they need, I've succeeded."
Fans will get to hit the road with the singer, as well as travel home with her to Dallas, Texas, to see her family. She will also head back to the Illinois treatment center she entered in November 2010.
Lovato first teased the project on Tuesday when she tweeted a photo of her tattooed wrists reading "Stay Strong." "Lovatics-I wanted to tell you FIRST about a special I worked on with @MTV," she tweeted. "It premieres March 6th at 10pm!! #staystrong"
Lovato hit the road late last year for a solo trek shortly after dropping her third album, Unbroken. The personal record included the chart-topping hit single "Skyscraper."
The special will air on MTV channels internationally starting in the spring. For more information, head to StayStrong.MTV.com.
Don't miss "Demi Lovato: Stay Strong," debuting Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.
Related Videos Related ArtistsAmazing Spider-Man Makes His Mark In New York
MTV News joins Spidey supporters to spread the friendly neighborhood web-slinger's insignia all across Manhattan.
By Josh Wigler
Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker in "The Amazing Spider-Man"
Photo: Marvel / Columbia Pictures
NEW YORK — Spider-Man needs support. Sure, he's better off than most: Spinning webs and climbing walls does have its perks. But a strong superhero is nothing without a strong base of supporters championing his every move — something that isn't exactly easy for Spidey to accomplish with the Daily Bugle painting him as a menace on every other front page.
Perhaps MTV News can show the hero in a different light. Last Friday, we were invited to join a small group of passionate supporters to spread the mark of Spider-Man all across New York City. Our mission: to travel to predetermined locations throughout Manhattan to tag specific walls with the Amazing Spider-Man's famous insignia. "That's kind of odd," you might be saying to yourself. But there was nothing odd about it to Abigail Flynn, one of the carefully selected Spidey supporters out in full force on behalf of the amazing web-slinger.
"We're supporting Spider-Man," Flynn told MTV News of the campaign. "We're putting up the mark of the Spider-Man around the city to spread awareness and spread his message."
Fellow web-head Walter Sojda added, "He's fighting for the little guy. We have to show that in New York, we care about Spider-Man. We're supporting him here."
New York isn't the only place Spider-Man has recently found support. All last week, the superhero's message was spread throughout five other American cities, including Los Angeles, Seattle and Atlanta. Clearly, the hero's national awareness is on the rise — good timing, no doubt, considering he has a movie on the way!
Spreading the mark of Spider-Man isn't the only thing that has our spider senses tingling here at MTV News. Early last week, MTV Splash Page received a mysterious backpack in the mail, with no explanation as to its origin other than a haphazardly attached piece of duct tape reading "Property of Peter Parker." Spidey's supporters were tight-lipped when asked about Parker's identity, so the connection between the two remains unclear for now.
Here's something that is clear: Despite what the Bugle says, there's a whole lot of love out there for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man — and Manhattan has the mark to prove it.
Are you following the mark of Spider-Man? Let us know in the comments or hit me up on Twitter at @roundhoward!
Check out everything we've got on "The Amazing Spider-Man."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related VideosAdele Flashes Middle Finger At Brit Awards
Singer flipped the bird after her acceptance speech was interrupted by host James Corden.
By Jocelyn Vena
Adele at the Brit Awards
Photo: Jon Furniss/ WireImage
Adele showed her saucy side at the Brit Awards on Tuesday night in London when she flashed her middle finger.
When the 21 singer took the stage to accept her second award, for Album of the Year, she was interrupted by the night's host, British TV presenter and actor James Corden. He was ready to introduce Blur, who were set to perform right after Adele accepted her award, the Daily Mail reported.
"Nothing beats coming home with six Grammys and then coming to the Brits and winning album of the year," she told the room, filled with A-listers like Coldplay, Rihanna and Bruno Mars, before Corden stepped onstage beside her. His appearance was reportedly met with boos.
"Are you about to cut me off? Can I just say then, goodbye and I'll see you next time round?" she asked him before flipping him the bird, causing the room to cheer.
After the interruption, a rep for ITV, which aired the awards show, said, "The Brits is a live event. Unfortunately the program was over-running and we had to move on. We would like to apologize to Adele for the interruption."
As for Adele, she (sort of) apologized in a statement after the broadcast. "I was about to thank the British public for their support," she explained. "They cut me off, sorry if I offended anyone but the suits offended me."
Earlier in the night, Adele had not only performed her track "Rolling in the Deep" but had also taken home the prize for Best Female Artist. It's been a big month for Adele, who won six Grammys earlier this month and celebrates the one-year anniversary of 21 on Wednesday (February 22).
As for that gesture at the Brit Awards, it marks the second time this month a middle finger has been in the news. After M.I.A. flashed hers during Madonna's Super Bowl performance, the gesture made headlines for days afterwards, with fellow performer Cee Lo Green and even Madge herself commenting on the action by the London-bred MC.
Related Photos Related ArtistsJustin Bieber Prepping Second Book
'Justin Bieber: Just Getting Started' is due for release in September.
By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
While they eagerly await the release of his upcoming album, Believe, Beliebers will have to make do with Justin Bieber's upcoming photo book.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Justin Bieber: Just Getting Started" is scheduled for release in September. The singer's second official photo book comes on the heels of "First Step 2 Forever: My Story," which was released in October 2010 and sold more than one million copies in 25 languages.
The new book will include information about the 17-year-old singer's most recent tour and the making of his record-breaking concert documentary, "Never Say Never," as well as the sessions for Believe. Among the bold-faced names that have popped in so far to lay down tracks for that album are fellow Canadian Drake, who has long wanted to work with the pop star.
Kanye West is also reportedly slated to contribute to the disc, which is scheduled for release later this year. Super-producers Pharrell, will.i.am and rapper Lil Wayne are among the other names that have been tossed about as possible collaborators. Believe is the follow-up to the Christmas-themed Under the Mistletoe, which was released in late 2011.
Given his advancing age and the influence of a new group of collaborators, the effort is promising to be a step in a new direction for the multiplatinum teen idol. "The only conversation we've had about Justin's album that we're about to do is it's really important that it's the proper transition, because we've seen him [with] 'Baby,' now we're watching him grow up," Bieber's longtime vocal producer, Kuk Harrell, told MTV News in November. "And we can't just throw him into the adult game right away. It has to be the proper transition. There's a record in between."
In the meantime, fans will have to settle for watching Bieber help re-launch MTV's iconic "Punk'd" hidden-camera show, which relaunches next month with a rotating slate of guest hosts.
Related Videos Related Artists'X Factor' Finalist Rachel Crow Lands TV, Record Deal
Crow will star in Nickelodeon musical comedy pilot and release album on Columbia Records.
By Gil Kaufman
Contestant Rachel Crow appears on "X-Factor"
Photo: Fox
After one of the most famous elimination breakdowns in reality singing competition history, "X Factor" finalist Rachel Crow has bounced back in a major way. The curly-haired cutie who charmed America during her run on the first American season of the Simon Cowell-created show has not only landed a record deal, but she's also prepping her TV series debut.
Though she went out in fifth place on "Factor," Crow has become the sixth top finisher from the show to land a recording contract, following in the footsteps of $5 million winner Melanie Amaro, Chris Rene, Astro, Marcus Canty and runner-up Josh Krajcik.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Crow has signed a talent deal with Nickelodeon (which, like MTV, is owned by Viacom Inc.) that will have her starring in her own as-yet-unnamed musical comedy series pilot. She's also signed a recording deal with Columbia Records. "It's been amazing," she told the Reporter about her post "Factor" ride. "A couple days after the elimination I just found myself sitting home asking myself, 'What am I going to do now?' And I never would've thought that this is what I was going do now. So, it's pretty amazing. I'm very thankful and I feel very blessed to have all this."
In addition to the Nickelodeon pilot, Crow has also been given a recurring role on the network's new series, "Fred: The Show," which stars Lucas Cruikshank. She's already begun filming scenes as the character Starr, described as "an eccentric girl who acts and sings and, as her name indicates, wants to be famous." She's slated to appear in at least five episodes that will air in the spring.
Crow plans to begin recording her debut album later this year. In the meantime, the singer said she's just overjoyed to be on the same label as such major stars as "Beyoncé Adele and Celine Dion.
"Columbia was awesome for me. This is the top, which is really cool," Crow said. "Beyonce and Adele. And I'm in the same family as them, which is really awesome." She promised that her disc would be "spunky" and that "it's just gonna be me."
Adele's 21, One Year Later: Steady As She Goes
Bigger Than the Sound takes a look back at 21's rather remarkable ride on the one-year anniversary of its release in the U.S.
By James Montgomery
Adele in her "Someone Like You" video
Photo: Columbia
Back in olde tymes, if something was a hallmark of consistency and dependability, it was proclaimed to be "so reliable you could set your watch to it."
This was high praise, and not just because watches were, like, the iPhones of their day (minus "Angry Birds," of course). No, there was a time when reliability was actually celebrated in this country, and everything unerring, unchanging or uninterrupted — from Studebakers to Johnny Unitas' haircut — was thusly awarded watch-setting status.
Not surprisingly, that's not exactly how things work anymore. Although, one could make the argument that Adele is doing her best to bring reliability off the back burner (back burners were also fairly common back then, both as a heating source and a simmering surface). Exactly one year ago today, she released her blockbuster 21 album in the U.S., and in the 52 weeks since, it's not only broken records, won an armload of Grammys and singlehandedly revitalized the record industry, it's also become the most dependable thing since Johnny U's flattop.
To wit, 21 has spent a staggering 40 percent of the past year atop the Billboard albums chart, has never been lower than #7, and has held steady in the top three since December. It not only survived challenges from Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Rihanna, but sold more copies than all their records combined. Its songs have landed on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, Alternative, Dance, R&B, Rock, Pop and Latin charts and have become so ubiquitous, they were a running gag in a "Saturday Night Live" sketch. It won so many Grammys they just might let Adele give Neil Portnow's keynote speech during next year's telecast.
In short, it has become the kind of thing you can set your watch to — a permanent fixture in popular culture. And, really, when was the last time you could say that about anything, let alone an album?
What's even more amazing is the fact that 21 has accomplished all this almost in spite of Adele herself. She battled vocal issues for most of the year and has played just 34 North American shows in support of the disc. In fact, besides a few television appearances, there's a pretty good chance you haven't actually seen her sing any of the songs off the album, though you've certainly heard them on innumerable radio stations. In that regard, 21 is not only a true crossover sensation, it's a throwback to the glory days of the industry itself, when a handful of singles could push an album for months at a time and platinum plaques were handed out like bottles of water.
One year ago, did anyone think this was possible? Can anyone adequately explain everything that has happened since? The answers are probably "no" on both counts, though for one day, perhaps it's best not to try and figure these things out. Because for 52 weeks, 21 has been so dependable, so dominant, that it has almost become more than just a mere album. It has become the rare zeitgeist-uniting sensation, a career-defining work, a constant in increasingly intermittent times. It is seemingly not of this era, only it has somehow come to define this era, and it shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
All those accomplishments not only merit genuine awe, but a well-deserved pause too. As remarkable for its massive sales as it is for its consistency, 21 has spent the past year proving everyone wrong and, in the process, might very well have established the new gold standard for reliability, circa 2012: You can set your iPhone to it. History in the making, people.
Where were you a year ago when Adele's 21 was released? Let us know in the comments!
Related Videos Related ArtistsOscars 2012 Predictions: Best Supporting Actress
With her impressive awards-season run so far, 'The Help' star Octavia Spencer has this category wrapped up.
By Kara Warner
Octavia Spencer in "The Help"
Photo: DreamWorks
The nominees in this year's Oscar race for Best Supporting Actress, along with their respective nominated films, might be one of the most diverse groups of women to be recognized in recent years, and yet each and every one of the five ladies nominated has a thing or two in common in the fact that they all delivered scene-stealing and perhaps career-making performances in four very different films.
The only downside to the announcement of this category's winner come Sunday night is the fact that there can be only one. Of the very talented, worthy ladies up for Best Supporting Actress — Bérénice Bejo ("The Artist"), Jessica Chastain ("The Help"), Melissa McCarthy ("Bridesmaids"), Janet McTeer ("Albert Nobbs") and Octavia Spencer ("The Help") — here are our predictions for the category in 2012:
Who Will Win: Octavia Spencer, no question about it. For those who haven't been paying attention to this year's awards season, Spencer has already walked away with several impressive pieces of hardware. Her awards haul so far includes: the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress, Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, an NAACP Image Award and countless other accolades from critics groups.
Who Should Win: Spencer, followed very closely by Melissa McCarthy and her equally memorable performance in "Bridesmaids." The Academy very rarely recognizes comedies, so for our money, we're still pleased as punch that McCarthy received a nomination. Also, in a not-at-all-distant third place, 2011 breakout star Jessica Chastain deserves an award for being so good in so many movies this year. She was in seven, for goodness sake: "The Debt," "Take Shelter," "Coriolanus," "Tree of Life," "The Help," "The Texas Killing Fields" and "Wilde Salome."
The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Stick with us for everything you need to know leading up to the awards show, and on Sunday, February 26, tune into MTV.com at 5:30 p.m. ET for our three-hour red-carpet live stream and updates on the night's big winners.
Related PhotosDaniel Radcliffe Speaks To LBGT Teens In New Trevor Project PSA
'I believe that reaching out for help is the bravest thing a person can do,' the 'Harry Potter' star says in the 30-second spot.
By Kara Warner
Daniel Radcliffe in the Trevor Project PSA
Photo: Trevor Project
As if we needed more reasons to love and respect Daniel Radcliffe.
The "Harry Potter" actor successfully carried a history-making franchise on his shoulders for more than a decade, charmed audiences on the Great White Way with his critically acclaimed performance in "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" and is making great post-"Potter" career choices. Not only is he generally talented and charming, but he has also put his star power behind the Trevor Project, which is a nonprofit organization that offers support to sexual minority youth, particularly those experiencing emotional difficulty dealing with their sexuality who need someone to talk to. The Trevor Project also endeavors to foster safe and inclusive environments in homes and schools.
Radcliffe's latest work with the organization is a 30-second PSA that aired Tuesday night during "Glee" and MTV News now has exclusively online. In the spot, Radcliffe addresses the very important issue of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
"I'm Daniel Radcliffe, and I believe that reaching out for help is the bravest thing a person can do," Radcliffe says in the PSA. "If you are struggling and need support, call the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. It's free and confidential, and trained counselors are there to listen 24/7 without judgment."
The 22-year-old said in a statement that his work with the Trevor Project has taught him the importance of being a straight ally and offering his support. "When we let someone know that we accept them for who they are and that we are safe to talk to, we can help save lives," he said. "It's as simple as that."
Radcliffe has been involved with the Trevor Project since 2009, appearing in public service announcements for the group's prevention hot line and speaking out in support of LGBT youth. Radcliffe has called his work with the Trevor Project "one of the most important, if not the most important, thing that I'm associated with."
Jennifer Aniston Calls 'Wanderlust' Nude Scene No 'Big Deal'
Aniston and co-star Paul Rudd dish on baring it all during our 'First' tomorrow at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com!
By Kevin P. Sullivan, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Jennifer Aniston
Photo: MTV News
In the lead-up to the release of the new comedy "Wanderlust," much has been made of Jennifer Aniston's purported nude scene in the film. But when MTV New's Josh Horowitz sat down with Aniston and co-star Paul Rudd for our MTV First on Wednesday, the actress waved off the scene.
"Yeah, big deal!" Aniston said, insisting that most of the talk around the scene was just sensational. "Isn't that a good, fun headline? That's what happens."
"Wanderlust" — fans can preview an exclusive clip when we launch our "First" special Wednesday at 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV and MTV.com — takes place at a commune, where two down-on-their-luck New Yorkers, played by Aniston and Rudd, seek refuge. And when you consider that "Wet, Hot American Summer" helmer David Wain was behind the camera, nudity may seem tame. For Aniston, the scene was just another part of the job.
"At that point, we had been shooting the movie for two months, two-and-a-half months, and the amount of things that we were asked to do that we were just like 'All right,'" Aniston said. "At that point, that was like putting on my shoes."
The duo share the experience of onscreen skin, a fact Aniston felt compelled to share. "You've shown your butt," she said to Rudd.
"Many times," he replied.
"And onscreen as well," Aniston joked. "In the makeup chair, he always never had clothes on."
"I had to get dressed for the shots," Rudd replied. "But when we weren't shooting, I was hanging brain, as it were."
For Aniston, nudity has to matter for where the character is heading in the story, and a crazy, purposeless nude scene would never work. "I think it depends on what the movie is. It felt like it would be gratuitous to do that in a movie like this and it would be more distracting from the movie and what was happening to the character," she explained. "It would all be about, 'Oh, you're naked, so it's boobs onscreen,' so it would totally lose the fun and the empowering moment [my character], Linda, was having in that scene."
One of Aniston's co-stars, however, does show a fair amount of skin, even if he's wearing a prosthetic penis.
"Joe Lo Truglio, the first night he came out with his prosthetic penis, within five minutes we were all touching it," Aniston revealed. "We were touching it, and we were examining it. It was just so interesting. It was just right there, underneath it. I think first night of shooting, I could resist, there was the beginning of many, many butt slaps."
Catch Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston tomorrow on MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, when they'll debut an exclusive, never-before-seen clip from "Wanderlust." Then head over to MTV.com for our 30-minute chat with Rudd and Aniston.
Check out everything we've got on "Wanderlust."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related PhotosAdele, Rihanna Take Home Brit Awards
Grammy-winner Adele adds two trophies to her collection, while Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars and Coldplay also nabbed awards on Tuesday.
By Jocelyn Vena
Adele wins at the Brit Awards 2012
Photo: Dave M. Benett/ Getty Images
On Tuesday (February 21), some of the biggest names in the music business headed to London's O2 Arena for the 2012 Brit Awards, where Adele, Rihanna and Bruno Mars were among the stars who took home prizes.
Grammy winner Adele added to her award collection by nabbing two Brits, including British Female Solo Artist and the night's big prize, Mastercard British Album of the Year, for 21. And on Wednesday, the U.K. singer will celebrate the one-year anniversary of her chart-topping 21.
"It's been an amazing year," she told the room as she accepted the Female Solo Artist prize. She then joked to presenter Kylie Minogue, "I feel like a drag queen next to you," before thanking her record label for "for letting me be the kind of artist I want to be."
There were also live performances from Florence and the Machine, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Rihanna and, of course, Adele, who sang "Rolling in the Deep" just a little over a week since her Grammy performance.
Meanwhile, just as One Direction seems poised for a U.S. takeover the U.K. boy band nabbed a British Single award for their track "What Makes You Beautiful," which was released in the States last week.
Rihanna and Bruno Mars won International Female Solo Artist and International Male Solo Artist, respectively. "[Thanks to] all my fans who continue to support me no matter what," said Rihanna, who made headlines on Tuesday (February 21) by adding Chris Brown to her "Birthday Cake" remix.
Coldplay took home the British Group prize for the third time. On the other end of the spectrum, Grammy winners the Foo Fighters beat out folks like Jay-Z and Kanye West (a.k.a. the Throne), Lady Antebellum and Maroon 5 to win International Group. Lana Del Rey won the International Breakthrough Act award, just weeks after she dropped her debut, Born to Die.
Other awards included Outstanding Contribution Award for Blur, a Critics Choice Award for Emeli Sande and British Male Solo Artist for singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran, who also took British Breakthrough Act.
Related Photos Related ArtistsGeorge Clooney's Road To The 2012 Oscars
'The Descendants' and 'The Ides of March' earn the Academy Award-winner his sixth and seventh nominations.
By Kevin P. Sullivan
George Clooney in "The Descendants"
Photo: Fox Searchlight
At this point in his career, almost 30 years after he started acting, George Clooney has become not only one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, but a regular competitor at each year's Oscars. This year's Academy Awards nominations, his sixth and seventh, for "The Descendants" and "The Ides of March" represent the diverse work Clooney is now known for and the many different roles he takes on.
Clooney's journey to Sunday night's 2012 Oscars took a familiar path through the festival circuit with releases in the second half of the year, one carefully engineered to spell awards success, but the two films that got him there and the work he did cover a wide spectrum in filmmaking.
"Ides of March" took shape late in 2010, when Clooney signed on to wear three hats for the film: actor, producer and director. His fourth directorial effort to date, the political drama follows a young junior campaign manager (Ryan Gosling) as he struggles with the moral dilemmas of supporting a presidential candidate, played by Clooney.
Based on Beau Willimon's play "Farragut North," the script for "Ides of March" earned Best Adapted Screenplay nominations for the original author, Clooney and his frequent collaborator Grant Heslov. Though Clooney's well-known political affiliations and beliefs stood in the foreground, the man himself took more of a backseat, limiting his onscreen role to a few keys scenes.
During awards season, the film made a small mark, after debuting to only mildly positive reviews. It did, however, take a spot on the National Board of Review's top 10 of the year and earned four Golden Globes nominations, including Best Picture (Drama) and Best Director.
In "The Descendants," Clooney took a familiar spot as leading man, but the role of Matt King required him to be anything but his usual model of suave confidence. As a soon-to-be widow, Clooney fully adopted the dopey mantel of an Alexander Payne hero in the tradition of Paul Giamatti in "Sideways" and Matthew Broderick in "Election."
But unlike his predecessors as a lead in one of Payne's films, Clooney's character remained almost entirely sympathetic throughout the film, thanks in large part to the believability of the acting. He effortlessly took on the role of an utterly clueless father with good intentions, helping make "Descendants" such a true and touching film.
In the week leading up to Oscar night, Clooney stands neck and neck with fellow nominee Jean Dujardin as the favorite. It would be Clooney's second win for acting, his first coming in 2006 as supporting actor in Stephen Gaghan's "Syriana."
However Sunday's ceremony might shake out for Clooney, he has proven himself a mainstay for the Academy Awards, and — whether he's acting, directing, writing or producing — someone who will continue to appear on shortlists for years to come.
The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Stick with us for everything you need to know leading up to the awards show, and on Sunday, February 26, tune into MTV.com at 5:30 p.m. ET for our three-hour red-carpet live stream and updates on the night's big winners.
Related PhotosDemi Lovato Teases March 6 Special On MTV
Singer tweets out a photo of her wrists emblazoned with her 'Stay Strong' tattoos and the date '3.6.2012.'
By Jocelyn Vena
What does Demi Lovato have up her sleeve?
We'll know in good time. But for now, the singer/actress tweeted out a photo teasing a super-secret special project she is working on with MTV. The photo features her wrists, emblazoned with her tattoos that read "Stay Strong." The picture offers up a couple of hints: the date "3.6.2012" and the hashtag #staystrong.
"Lovatics-I wanted to tell you FIRST about a special I worked on with @MTV," she tweeted. "It premieres March 6th at 10pm!! #staystrong."
Lovato first showed off the ink back in March 2011, just two months after she left an Illinois treatment center to deal with personal issues including an eating disorder and cutting.
"The journey that I went through and the support of my fans was so meaningful to me that I wanted to thank my fans in a way that I know can never be forgotten," the singer said in 2011.
"It's something that my fans were actually drawing on their wrists while I was still in treatment," she explained about the significance of her tattoos. "Some people even got tattoos of it, so I wanted to show you guys that I will never forget the support that you guys gave me."
Since returning to the spotlight, she has focused on her music career, including her 2011 album, Unbroken, which launched her empowering hit single "Skyscraper." Her next single is "Give Your Heart a Break."
Lovato has become a voice for young people struggling with personal issues. In December, she visited and spoke to patients at the Timberline Knolls Center, where she had received treatment.
"To be able to share my story and let them know that it gets easier ... Life is beautiful ... you are worthy of it," Lovato said. "Please say a prayer for all of those struggling with eating disorders, self-harm, mood disorders and substance abuse."
Tune in to MTV on Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. for Demi Lovato's top-secret special!
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