Nick Cannon Dons Whiteface. Internet Cries 'Reverse Racism'The Root (blog) Nick Cannon has been promoting his new album in a pretty controversial way. The album, entitled White People Party Music, comes out April 1, and to get the word out, Cannon has transformed himself into exactly the kind of person who, he says, would ...

Nick Cannon Dons Whiteface. Internet Cries 'Reverse Racism'Nick Cannon has been promoting his new album in a pretty controversial way. The album, entitled White People Party Music, comes out April 1, and to get the word out, Cannon has transformed himself into exactly the kind of person who, he says, would ...

Nick Cannon Wears Whiteface to Plug 'White People Party Music' Album

Nick Cannon sparked an online debate by posting photos and video clips to his Instagram account that introduced his white alter ego, Connor Smallnut, featuring the "America's Got Talent" host wearing whiteface and red hair, and dressed in a beanie hat and a plaid shirt.

The social media move was to promote the April 1 release of Cannon's upcoming album "White People Party Music," which features Cannon singing and rapping over electronic dance music. The album -- set to be released via hia imprint Ncredible Entertainment in partnership with RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music Entertainment -- lists collaborations with Akon, Pitbull, Future, Migos, Ryan Bowers, Colette Carr and more.

Mariah Carey's Long-Delayed Album Has Been Cooking 'Like A Honey-Baked Ham'

The first photo was uploaded on Monday with a caption gilled with hashtags: "It's official... I'm White!!! #WHITEPEOPLEPARTYMUSIC #Wppm in stores April 1st!!!!!!Dude Go Get It!!!Join The Party!!!! #GoodCredit #DogKissing #BeerPong #FarmersMarkets #FistPumping #CreamCheeseEating #RacialDraft 'Bro I got drafted!!'"

Cannon then followed with video clips introducing his alter ego while riding in a car and standing outside of Staples Center with a black man. Each of the posts have triggered debates in the comments section, as well as on Twitter, with Cannon defending his move which tweets like, "I love this conversation though. It’s showing a lot of people’s true colors… #punintended #wppm woooo!!!" and "Hold up… What the f#ck is “White Face”??? Did I just create a new term??? Nice!!! LOL"

The posts were broken up by a clip of Cannon performing his track "Pajama Pants" (as himself) in Miami, as well as a photo of Robert Downey Jr. wearing blackface in Ben Stiller's 2008 comedy, Tropic Thunder, complete with the caption: "Shout out to @RobertDowneyJr This is one of my favorite characters of all time! Hilarious!!! There is a big difference between Humor and Hatred." He followed with a final photo of his alter ego, adding: "'Duuuude everybody Chil-lax!!!!' ~ Connor Smallnut"

MARIA MENOUNOS OUT AS 'EXTRA' HOST

Maria Menounos has not been fired as the host of the celebrity show Extra despite rumors to the contrary this week. The beautiful TV personality isn't continuing with the show all the same.

Us Weekly reports that Menounos, who has co-hosted the show for two years, simply decided not to pursue a new contract with the show.

Maria was 100 percent not fired," a source told the magazine. "The truth is, she decided months ago on her own to explore other options, as she knew her contract was coming up for renewal. She made this decision."

Among her other options, the television personality recently debuted her new Oxygen realty series, “Chasing Maria Menounos,” which focuses on her life living with both her longtime boyfriend, Keven Undergaro, and her Greek parents.

Menounos also competed in the popular reality series Dancing with the Stars and flirted 

Arnold Schwarzenegger Spoofs QVC In Hilarious Jimmy Fallon Skit — Watch

View Gallery 
23 Photos

Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on March 24 to promote his new movie ‘Sabotage’ and The Terminator got a little too aggressive with the late night talk show host. But don’t worry, it was all in good fun!

On the Monday, March 24 episode of The Tonight Show, Arnold Schwarzeneggerand Jimmy Fallon appeared in a skit together, spoofing QVC. It was all fun and games until Arnold got angry and broke a table! Read on for all the deets and to watch the hilarious video!

Arnold Schwarzenegger On ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ — ‘Show Me the Chopper’

When Arnold stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he probably wasn’t expecting to spend time in the kitchen with the late night funny man, but that’s exactly what happened on the March 24 episode.

Arnold was there to promote his new movieSabotage (opening in theaters this Friday, March 28), and Jimmy told him that he had seen Arnold on QVC while flipping through channels recently and Arnold agreed that that was certainly possible. “When I see a product that I really love, I really get into it, I really get behind it. I want to sell it, market it, the whole thing,” he said. That’s when Jimmy’s eyes lit up, and he took the opportunity to team up with The Terminator.

Jimmy Fallon Is Zach Striker, QVC Host

Are you an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan?

Yes!Not really.

VoteView Results

The show then cut to a skit featuring Fallon as Zach Striker, the mundane host of a QVC show called Now We’re Cookin’ With Zach Striker, and the best part about it was Fallon’s blonde wig! Arnold was “Zach’s” guest on the show and Zach introduced him by saying, “With me today is a renowned foodie, a guy who really knows his way around the kitchen.”

Arnold seemed excited to be there at first, but when Zach introduced a Vitamix blender and didn’t stop raving about it, Arnold became noticeably angry. “This is the perfect product to make smoothies, milkshakes andpiña coladas if you’re feeling muy caliente,” Zach said, while Arnold looked unimpressed. Zach kept talking about the blender no matter how many times Arnold asked him to stop and eventually The Terminator lost it!

“We know this is a blender!” he told Zach. “We know exactly what the blender does, but let’s get to the chopper,” he said, referring to the other fake product they were selling on the show. But Zach kept raving about the blender and Arnold started yelling louder: “Let’s get to the chopper! Let’s get to the chopper!” sounding like every bit the action star. And that’s when Arnold threw the table over to hilarious effect.

Zach looked frightened and announced it was time for a quick commercial break and that gave Arnold a chance to use his signature phrase, “I’ll be back!”

HollywoodLifers, did you enjoy Now We’re Cookin’ With Zach Striker? Dish in the comments!

Sean Avery blames producer for early 'Dancing with the Stars' exit

Sean Avery blames producer for early 'Dancing with the Stars' exit

Sean Avery Reveals Why He Was Eliminated on 'Dancing With the Stars'

Karina Smirnoff and Sean Avery on the season premiere of Dancing With the Stats on March 17, 2014.

Adam Taylor/ABC

Swimmer Diana Nyad and former pro hockey player Sean Avery were sent home in the first eliminations of season 18 of "Dancing With the Stars."

Avery and his partner Karina Smirnoff scored a 21, but it wasn't enough to save him from elimination on Monday night.

Afterwards, Avery tweeted "I will tell everyone on #GMA tomorrow why i was voted off......my partner @Karina_Smirnoff is AMAZING."

This morning he explained the message.

"I think we knew as of probably Monday last week that our fate was sealed," he said. "I had a conversation with Conrad, one of the producers, and I was upset at the package that they had brought in the week previous, and it was a very tacky attempt to show me as the bad boy of 'DWTS.' And I think in reality TV or some sort of competition, if you have a disagreement with the producers then generally that seals your fate quite early."

Read: 'Dancing With the Stars': Sean Avery, Diana Nyad Exit in 1st Season 18 Elimination

ABC had no comment on the situation.

Avery did find some positives from doing the show.

"[Karina and I] had a fantastic time. I have a friend for life," he said. "I did the show for an amazing charity called Friends In Deed which is based in New York, so I mean it was a win-win for me."

Avery later tweeted to all the haters saying he was a sore loser.

"To all u non-competitive s--t talkers....not being happy about losing is usually a trait successful people carry. I tell it like it is :)" he wrote.

"Star Wars" star Billy Dee Williams and his partner Emma Slater scored the lowest of the night at 15.

The Voice Season 6 Top 32 ready for the Battles Round 2

Time to finish up the final battles of Round 1 on "The Voice" Season 6, with Usher as the only judge with a steal to use. 

Battle 1: Cary Laine vs. Sam Behymer (Team Adam)
Song: "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran
Sam's voice better for this song, Cary would have been more suited to a country song, maybe, but they both have a couple pitch issues here and there. The part where they sing together in harmony is nice, but this was not the most outstanding battle. Neither biffed it, but neither really shined brightly either. We would pick Sam but that's only a matter of taste, this one really is a toss-up.
Winner: Adam chooses Sam and Usher does not steal Cary, which is not a huge surprise. 

Battle 2: Noah Lis vs. Kaleigh Glanton (Team Blake)
Song: "Everything" by Michael Buble
This should be right in Noah's wheelhouse as a jazz singer, but in rehearsals it's like he's trying too hard. Luckily Blake recognizes this and gets him to reel it in a little, because by performance time, Noah is much more solid. However, he just sounds totally outmatched by Kaleigh. We would choose her. 

Winner: Blake chooses Kaleigh and Usher chooses not to steal Noah, which again, is not a shock.

Montage, battles 3-5: Team Blake pits Cali Tucker against Ryan Whyte Maloney and chooses Ryan; Team Adam pits Christina Grimmie against Joshua Howard, choosing Christina; and Team Shakira pits Kristen Merlin against Lindsay Bruce and picks Kristen. 

Battle 6: Cierra Mickens vs. Emily B. (Team Shakira)
Song: "Brave" by Sara Bareilles
They both sound terrific on the chorus, very quiet, but supported and with lots of energy, not quiet in a blah way. On the chorus, Cierra just has a stronger belting voice than Emily. Emily sounds strained at times, Cierra sounds effortless. However, both are very talented, so it'll be nice that they'll both go through (since Usher has a steal left to use).
Winner: Shakira chooses Emily, which is a surprise, but Cierra might be better suited for Usher anyway (he uses the steal, obvs).  

Here's how the Top 32 shakes out for Season 6:

Team Adam: Christina Grimmie, Dawn and Hawkes, Delvin Choice, Josh Kaufman, Kat Perkins, Sam Behymer, Jake Barker and Brittnee Camelle.

Team Shakira: Clarissa Serna, Dani Moz, Ddendyl, Deja Hall, Emily B., Kristen Merlin, Patrick Thomson and Josh Murley.

Team Usher: Bria Kelly, Madilyn Paige, Melissa Jimenez, Morgan Wallen, Stevie Jo, TJ Wilkins, Music Box and Cierra Mickens.

Team Blake: Audra McLaughlin, Jake Worthington, Kaleigh Glanton, Megan Ruger, Ryan Whyte Maloney, Sisaundra Lewis, Biff Gore and Tess Boyer.

Next week are the Battles Round 2, see you then!

Shakira

88Billboard Rating

• Buy

• 1.652 k 
• 202 
• 0 

Love, motherhood, rock roots, a dab of country here, a drop of reggae there, and of course, Latin dance rhythms. Shakira's "Shakira," her first studio album in four years, may at first blush sound as if it could be a disparate affair, but instead, it's a cohesive, organic set, with roots that lie mostly in melodic pop-rock and unexpected touches from multiple influences. There's not much Latin-ness to be found here (despite two tracks in Spanish: "Loca por ti" and the Spanish version of "Can't Remember to Forget You"), but it doesn't matter. The album works on the strength of the songs.

SHAKIRA APPEARED IN THE MARCH 15 ISSUE OF BILLBOARD -- CLICK HERE TO GET A COPY
• Subscribe • Buy a Copy •Billboard on iPad

Indeed, Shakira's last two English-language sets so prominently featured her suggestive, uptempo dance fare that her origins as a pop/rock singer-songwriter -- one with a fine appreciation for melody and even finer appreciation for expressive lyrics -- got lost. "Shakira"  is a much finer piece of work, the bulk of which is widely divergent from the sound and message of first single "Can't Remember to Forget You."

Read The Full Shakira Billboard Cover Story

Instead, get ready for a set of convincing, honest music, on which the Colombian star often unabashedly professes her love for boyfriend Gerard Pique. Perhaps love is what makes this album soar.

Which songs on "Shakira" are absolute highlights? Check out our track-by-track breakdown of the singer's latest full-length.
 
1. Dare (La La La)

You wanted uptempo dance? Here it is, with Brazilian beats and a touch of electronica, just in time for World Cup.

2. Can't Remember To Forget You feat. Rihanna

The reggae-tinged single actually sounded pretty playful… until we saw the suggestive video. Regardless of your interpretation, this is a track that grows on you with every listen, pushed on by the beat and the confluence of Rihanna and Shakira's vocals (who knew their timbres could be so similar?). Watch out for the killer bridge.
        
3. Empire

Second single "Empire" is a beauty of a rock ballad that begins pared-down -- with vocals over solo piano in an intro reminiscent of Tori Amos -- and then explodes in a kaleidoscope of sound that goes hand-in-hand with the lyrics ("Like the empires of the world unite, we are alive"). No, it's not over the top; it's just really good.
 
4. You Don't Care About Me

Shakira has always been good at singing about spite, and "You Don't Care About Me" appears to include telling lines ("Should have never helped you become/So powerful, But I saw a champion in your eyes") about ex Antonio de la Rua -- except Shakira didn't write this one. Regardless, we believe all of it, and the syncopated beats and slightly retro 60s sound impart both nostalgia and an "I don't care either" vibe.

5. Cut Me Deep feat. Magic!

The reggae beat, steel drums and big horns pick up steam and devolve into a mix of ska and rock. If any track is a marked departure for Shakira, this would be it.

6. Spotlight

"Spotlight" has all the makings of a heavy rock track, with power guitars commanding the track until Shakira's voice comes on, earnest and exposed, all the better to deliver the crushing message: "Been busy for a while, laying golden eggs/Some just want your money, or whatever they can take/But you are your own man, don't need anyone else/You're here because you want me, and not for what I make."

7. Broken Record

Just like "Empire" showcased Shakira's voice over piano, "Broken Record" does the same over guitar, and then breaks into a power ballad with grandiose strings that lend depth to this love song ("And I've said it 700 times, I don't need to keep looking … you are the one").
 
8. Medicine feat. Blake Shelton

"The Voice" co-coaches Blake Shelton and Shakira waste no time trading verses in this country/pop blend that somehow manages to work just fine.

9. 23

The first full verse and chorus of "23" — a track she wrote for boyfriend Gerard Piqué (the "23" alludes to how old he was at the time they met) — is only vocals and guitar, but eventually, the bass, percussion and strings come into the mix. The overall effect is one of innocence and vulnerability.

10. The One Thing

Written for baby Milan by Shakira with Nasri Atweh, this mid-tempo pop track happily resists the urge to be too obvious. We still get the message ("You are the one thing that I got right, it's a fickle world, it's a fickle world/ You turned the darkness into sunlight, I'm a lucky girl, yeah I'm a lucky girl"), and the bridge provides the element of childish play.

11. Nunca Me Acuerdo de Olvidarte

The Spanish version of "Cant Remember To Forget you," performed only by Shakira.

12. Loca Por Ti

The ultimate homage to Pique, "Loca" is the Spanish translation of "Boig per tu," a track in Catalan that was a favorite of Pique's.

 

HTC Unveils New HTC One Smartphone

The new HTC One smartphone.

HTC

HTC unveiled the latest version of its flagship smartphone, the HTC One, at an event in New York City today.

The new HTC One (M8) follows last year's HTC One (M7) and now features a larger display, updated design, software and camera.

Introduced in February 2013, the original HTC One was eye-catching and won major design points for its sleek, aluminum unibody. The latest model keeps the all-metal body and comes with a bigger HD 1080p display, jumping up from 4.7 to 5 inches. The upgrade also makes the phone a little heavier, going from 143 grams to 160 grams. The edges of the phone have been softened and are now curved in the newer model, intended to fit more ergonomically in the palm of your hand. The dual stereo speakers remain front-facing, with one above and one below the display.

The new HTC One runs on the Android operating system Kit Kat. Blinkfeed, the feature that brought news and social media updates to the home screen, is no longer the default setting on the HTC One, replaced by HTC's Sense 6 skin. However, users can access Blinkfeed by swiping to the left from the home screen, and can subscribe to pre-set news feeds or set up feeds for specific interests, such as the latest news of their favorite sports teams. HTC customers will also have the option of setting Blinkfeed as the default home screen.

HTC One Max: Mammoth Screen Meets Awkwardly Placed Fingerprint Reader

Motion Launch is a new set of gesture-based commands for the phone, including intuitive actions such as raising the phone to your ear to answer an incoming call or turning the phone over onto its display to immediately silence a call. Users can also double-tap the screen to wake up the device or access the camera by rotating the phone sideways and pressing the volume key.

On the backside of the new HTC One, two camera lenses work together to capture even better shots. The primary camera contains a BSI (backside-illuminated) sensor that improves the camera's ability to capture pictures in low-light settings, an issue with last year's HTC One. Meanwhile, the second lens captures depth information. Selfie-loving photographers will appreciate the upgraded front-facing camera, which has increased from 2.1 to 5.0 megapixels. The camera also boasts the "UFocus" feature, which lets users choose specific areas of a photo to focus or blur after a picture is taken.

The new phone will be available across all the major U.S. carriers for between $199 and $249 with a two-year contract. While it will hit stores on April 10, customers can begin pre-ordering the phone online today at 1 p.m. ET.