Maroon 5: We're like Duran Duran (just with more tattoos)

Growing up in Los Angeles, Adam Levine always dreamed of being a rock ’n’ roll star. When he was packed off to summer camp, he amused his playmates by ­turning into ‘an 11-year-old freak who could sing Guns N’ Roses’.

Then, in his teens, he grew his hair long, covered his arm in tattoos and embraced the loud, unruly sound of Seattle grunge. But, when he formed his first band at Brentwood School in 1995, Adam had to face the sad truth — he didn’t have the voice.

‘I spent hours listening to Led Zeppelin and I worshipped Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain,’ he recalls. ‘All my heroes had big, ­masculine voices. But I had this little, high-pitched voice, and all the girls in school thought I was lame. I still have the chip on my shoulder. The only reason I kept singing was that I could carry a tune better than the others in the band. If I’d had my way, I’d have played lead guitar. I was very insecure about my voice.’

Luckily for Levine — and the 15 million fans who have since bought albums by his band, Maroon 5 — hard rock’s loss was funky pop’s gain. Adam eventually found his soul niche and took his old Brentwood classmates to fame and fortune.

Now 31, he can laugh at his early struggles. ­Chatting in a London hotel, the singer is disarmingly honest. He tells me the turning point came when he began ­listening to soul music.

‘I discovered Stevie Wonder and Al Green and realised I could sing a bit like them. Then there was Sting, who had a high voice. The Police were the rock band that gave me hope.’

Having reached No. 1 in Britain with their first two studio albums, Songs About Jane and It Won’t Be Soon Before Long, Maroon 5 are now back in the charts with a third, Hands All Over. Once dubbed a boyband on account of their large female following, the ­polished Californians have never been critical favourites. Adam will pretend not to care, of course, but that lack of critical acclaim clearly niggles him. 

Pointing out that the band paid their dues on the sleazy LA club circuit, he feels Maroon 5 could acquit ­themselves well on any stage. 

‘We’re a proper band, so it’s upsetting we still seem to have something to prove,’ he says. ‘We’re in the same boat as Duran Duran. Most of their fans were girls, but they were a legitimate group

Nicki Minaj the curvy carnival queen shimmies around in dazzling bras and bloomers for Pound The Alarm video

Nicki Minaj is no stranger to revealing outfits.

But she has outdone herself in her new video to Pound The Alarm, finding a whole host of beauties to join her as she parades around the streets of Trinidad.

The carnival themed shoot saw the singer don an enormous feathered headdress, which she teamed with a high-waisted pair of shorts and a barely there bikini top.

Joining a group of local models in equally eye-catching costumes she paraded through the streets.

The video begins like an advert for the Caribbean nation, where 29-year-old Nicki was born.

As steel drums play there are idyllic scenes of turquoise waters, green fields and island life.

But that changes when Nicki emerges ready to party, jiggling her figure in front of an overlook of the scenic isle

Nicki Minaj better watch her back! Eight-year-old Sophia Grace shows off her showbiz skills as she stars in new music video

She's only 8 years old and she's already a regular on the red carpet, schmoozing with celebrities such as Katy Perry and Rihanna.

And now internet sensation Sophie Grace has climbed up even more on the fame ladder, as she stars in the new video of her musical hero, Nicki Minaj.

Donning a pink wig and sitting in the back of a limousine, the little girl lip-synched the lyrics to 'I'm That Chick' by Enur, featuring Nicki Minaj.

The video starts with Sophie Grace in a pink tutu waiting for her limousine driver, played by Enur's Rune RK, to pick her up from school. 

As she climbs into the car, the driver turns on the new track and the back of the car transforms into a party every eight-year-old dreams of.

Looking like a mini version of Nicki Minaj, the little girl's dress changes into pink leopard print leggings, sneakers and of course, a pink wig.

She's joined by a variety of characters, including a horse, a Barbie-type girl called Dolly and a little boy dubbed as Mini King.

Nicki Minaj MISSES the start of American Idol as she arrives 13 minutes late for first live show

It was better late than never for Nicki Minaj who missed the start of Wednesday's American Idol live show.

Minaj blamed infamously bad Los Angeles traffic for her delayed arrival and empty seat at the judging table as the Top Ten contestants battled it out.

'We are coming to you live and on time,' said a bemused host Ryan Seacrest to start the show.
'Say hello to three of your four judges who have made it here on time.'

Seacrest then sat down in Nicki's seat to explain her absence from the live show.

'So this is where Nicki…I hear she is seven minutes out and there is some congestion on the 405 [Freeway], she should be here momentarily.'

A laughing co-host Randy Jackson  smirked 'I heard it was the 101 [Freeway].'

'Well the show must go on so lets get the party started,' said Seacrest as they pressed on without Minaj.

Fellow judge Mariah Carey appeared irritated and shook her head in disbelief as Seacrest introduced the contestants.

'Which one of you gave Nicki the wrong directions today? Which one of you drained the fuel from her car?' added Ryan.

A smiling Keith Urban, shook his head and simply said 'I don't know.'

Drake NOT arrested at New York concert but makes cryptic references to Chris Brown brawl as police shut down nightclub where R&B stars fought over Rihanna

Rapper Drake performed in New York last night - and, contrary to rumours beforehand, he was not arrested over his role in a vicious nightclub brawl with Chris Brown.

However, the notorious fight did make an impact on Drake's Long Island show on Saturday, as he appeared to refer to his troubles twice during his set.

The concert came as it emerged that the nightclub where Drake and Brown fought over R&B star Rihanna, sending several injured people to hospital, has been closed 'indefinitely'.

Drake performed at the Jones Beach Theater in the town of Wantagh, and opened his set by saying: 'When I woke up this morning, I had to think about a lot of things.'

But he continued: 'But the only thing I gave a f*** about was that I was in New York City tonight,' according to the Daily News.

Later in the set, he seemed to make another reference to Wednesday night's scuffle, when he said: 'It's last call and you're really too drunk to give a f***.

'A n***** in the corner is standing there looking at you funny. You bump elbows with him on the way to the bathroom, but really there's only one n***** that you got to think about.'

Expecting trouble? Drake enlists the help of some very burly bodyguards as he surfaces following Chris Brown 'club brawl'

It seems Drake has decided to beef up his security team following his 'club brawl' with music rival Chris Brown.

For the rapper was spotted cowering behind a pair of burly security guards during a shopping trip in Washington, D.C today.

The 25-year-old Canadian seemed to be extra wary about his safety after the controversial melee that took place at Manhattan's W.i.P club last week.

A host of people were injured after bottles started being thrown as the confrontation became heated, with Brown suffering a cut chin, his bodyguard Big Pat ending up with a gashed head and NBA player Tony Parker injuring his eye,

Four women have also come forward to claim they were hurt too, with the latest Vladimira Brace hiring a lawyer, claiming she suffered a spinal injury when she was trampled in the chaos that erupted.

According to TMZ her attorney Allan Friedman sent a letter to Drake's reps that alleges: 'Your client instigated a brawl with Mr. Chris Brown… [Drake's] actions were reckless and negligent in inflaming a violent mob.

'My client personally observed several members of [Drake's] entourage throwing bottles of champagne with reckless and criminal disregard of the well-being of the innocent bystanders.'

Drake's spokespeople have denied his involvement in the fight, saying he exited the club before it began.

Sources said the rapper's reps called Friedman's allegations 'laughable,' referring to the attorney's claims that the Toronto MC has a 'well-documented history' of making '"vulgar, abusive and profane remarks concerning women.'

His reps argue he was at the club with just a few security guards, unlike Brown and fellow rapper Meek Mill, who they claim had large entourages with them.

Rita Ora fires back after being accused by Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan of having affair with mentor Jay-Z

After being accused of cheating by her ex Rob Kardashian, Rita Ora has taken to Twitter to once again defend herself against claims she slept with her mentor Jay-Z.

The extramarital accusations were tweeted at the 22-year-old singer by Georgie Shore star Holly Hagan on Wednesday.

'I've been told to say that Rita ora has been ALLEGEDLY bukin jay z! I repeat ALLEDGELY [sic],' the reality star tweeted.

'Apparently beyonce is denying claims... But if I gt cheated on I'd also deny it #embarrassing,' the flame-haired Hagan wrote before deleting her posts.

'I stayed silent on one bulls**t rumour but this one I have to speak,' she wrote. The How We Do singer, who has been on holiday in Dubai, quickly responded in a series of tweets that were also later removed from her feed.

'Neva eva will any1 includin a red head dum z listin attention seekin whore try talk s**t about me& my family holly wateva da f*k ur name is,' she rebuked.

Hagan later hit back, taking pride in her 'z-list' status: 'You are all thick if u think just because someone's absolutely stunning they won't get cheated on...Cheryl cole? No relationship is perfect.'

She continued: 'Oooopsy getting told off don't shoot the messenger! Of course I'm only a Z-list why would anyone care what I say ;)'

'I only tweeted what I'd seen of lots of other people, I didn't call anyone anything, there is no need for death threats though that's sick.'

Rita was signed to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation over four years ago when she was just 18 and frequently hung out with the rapper's wife Beyonce.

Rita Ora-nge! Singer looks Hot Right Now in a cropped jacket and pencil skirt

Rita Ora is a huge fan of bright and bold outfits, so the 'RIP' singer didn't disappoint in a fiery orange number, as she arrives for a radio interview in Sydney earlier today.

The singer, 21, paired her Mark Fast cropped bomber jacket and body-con skirt with clunky snakeskin platform Senso Diffusion ankle boots

She finished off the look with a pair of white-rimmed oversized sunglasses to block out the Australian sun.

But before the singer left her hotel for the appearance on Sydney's Fox FM Breakfast Show, Rita asked her 1,356,567 Twitter followers just what they thought of the outfit:

"Good Morning Sydney! Day3 [off] to see Fox Fm Breakfast Show. TUNE IN! Only in Mark Fast darling. Aussies wat u think?"

With over 300 retweets and favourites, clearly the fans thought she looked good.

The jacket's puffed out shoulders paired up with the figure-hugging skirt work as fashion homage to the sporty look of the 90's, with a flash of skin that shows off Rita's lean figure and toned stomach remarkably well.

When talking about her style and music, Rita says they share a lot of similarities.

Talking to MTV Style she says. "They're both very free... and they're very eclectic. I kinda just wear what I want and style a lot of the looks myself but everyone's ideas in my camp counts."

The 'How We Do Party' singer ditched the shades as she left the radio studios looking slightly glum, which could be down to tiredness after an early wake up call this morning.

Rita tweeted: "Australia day 3 done! 4AM start but we made it [sic]"

Rita Ora goes back to her roots as she films new music video in her Kosovan birth town

       

Singing sensation Rita Ora has achieved a whirlwind of success in the UK since storming the charts with her debut solo single RIP earlier this year.

But now the edgy 21-year-old has decided to go back to her roots – namely the city where she was born in Kosovo, to record her latest music video.

Rita was born in the capital city of Kosovo (then known as Yugoslavia), and moved to the UK when she was just one-year-old, growing up in West London

The star is thought to want to help put her hometown firmly on the map by recording her latest video in the city.

Rita has been recording the video for her third UK solo single while visiting Pristina, Shine Ya Light, and it is also thought she’ll play a concert while visiting the city.

She tweeted yesterday (Saturday): ‘I'm in kosovo!!! This is unbelievable. Best video shoot I've ever been on! Let's do this!’ (sic)

The video shows Rita wearing thigh-high leather boots whilst riding a motorcycle down the streets of Pristina.

Rita also wears a printed T-shirt with a sleeveless black leather jacket and her makeup shows off her trademark big red lips.

Rita looked smoking hot on set and appeared to be in her element while filming the video.

In the past Rita has spoken out about her home town and why being patriotic is so important to her.

She said: ‘I was born in a little city called Pristina which no one really knows about, so I’m proud to kind of put it on the map out there a little bit because we are a very patriotic country so we always try and mention us wherever we can because it’s such a great place.’

She added: ‘I think Kosovo as a nation - we’re very proud of where we’re from because it’s such a small place, so anyone that succeeds from there is just a big deal.’

Rita's debut album, Ora, was released last week and shot straight to the top of the UK album charts.

Kim Kardashian steps out without her wedding or engagement rings as she jets to Australia while her camp 'slam Kris for chasing fame'

She only announced she was filing for divorce earlier yesterday but Kim Kardashian has already stepped out without her engagement and wedding rings. 

The 31-year-old reality TV star was seen arriving at LAX airport heading for a trip to Australia. 

Kim looked tired and was dressed down for the flight in a simple white T-shirt, black jeans and a leather jacket.

While Kris is reportedly 'devastated' by the not-so-shock announcement, after rumours have dogged their marriage for weeks, Kim's camp are said to be claiming her estranged husband was chasing fame.

According to TMZ, when divorce was mentioned Kris 'went into full Hollywood gear, talking about branding the Kris Humphries name with cologne, nightclub appearances'.

Kim was also said to have gone off Kris after he 'hired a Hollywood publicist' according to the gossip website. 

Kris' motives were questioned by Khloe Kardashian before their wedding, which viewers say in the reality show about their wedding which saw the pair come to blows. 

Meanwhile reports are emerging that their whole marriage, which is said to have netted the former couple $18million, is a hoax, according to Radaronline.com

Kim Kardashian is racy in lace after cutting out carbs on yet ANOTHER diet

                                    

Kim Kardashian has embarked on yet another diet in an effort to keep her shapely figure in check.

The reality TV star announced her new eating plan on Twitter, telling her followers earlier this week: 'I started no carbs today. I know it's early but so far so good! 

'I may need your guys help when I have cravings.'

But the 29-year-old already looked like a perfectly proportioned pin-up as she arrived at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Miami today.

She wore a racy lace dress that hugged her shapely figure in all the right places.

And she was quick to insist that her new strict food regime was an effort to reduce her sugar intake rather than lose weight. 

She was joined by her sisters Kourtney, 30, and Khloe, 25, who were out in force to promote their new swimwear line, Beach Bunnies.

The brunette trio sat front row as the range was showcased on the catwalk.

The new venture for the sisters is just another part in the growing Kardashian empire which includes two fashion boutiques, various fashion lines, perfume and even their own range of slimming and diet products.

Rihanna's whirlwind 24 hours in London: A Christmas lights ceremony, secret gig and back on the 777 plane

She is the hardest working - and hardest partying woman in pop music - and in just 24 hours , Rihanna pushed herself even further than she has before.

The singer swept into the UK yesterday aboard her private 777 tour plane, and within just 24 hours turned on the Christmas lights at Westfield's Stratford Shopping Centre.

Next she gyrated on stage in London's Kentish Town Forum at a private gig, and was up bright and early to head back to the plane at 6am. Phew!

Dressed in an animal print crop top, and matching shirt and trousers decorated with hands holding a cigarette, the provocative singer put on her best rude girl act, which included her now signature  crotch-grabbing moves.

Celebrities including Stella McCartney, Chloe Moretz, Leigh-Anne Pinnock of Little Mix, turned out to see Rihanna bump and grind onstage as she performed her numerous hits.

However, before the real fun began, Rihanna's first appointment was a trip to the eastside of London to appear at an event which signalled the beginning of the festive spending season. 

Waiving a fee she switched on the Christmas light's at London's Westfield Stratford City shopping centre on Monday evening.

Rihanna courts controversy as she dons racy see-through cannabis vest top on stage in Berlin

Rihanna's see-through top didn't only reek of sexiness.

There was also a smell of controversy in the air as the songstress took to the stage - sporting a bold cannabis leaf print on her outfit.

The singer's outfits never fail to raise eyebrows and on Sunday night she did it again, strutting on the stage in Berlin wearing a black mesh top showing a black bra underneath.

The R&B artist showed more skin than clothes, as has been her usual style during her 777 world tour. Her revealing outfit was complimented by thigh-high boots and a hint of tiny shorts

The singer waved her arms and belted out tunes energetically.

Her energy was boundless even though she'd just arrived to Germany's capital earlier in the day from Paris, and amazing considering she'd been awake most of the night partying after her Paris performance.

You Da Body! Rihanna shows off stunning post-tour figure in a tiny bikini in Barbados

We've always known Rihanna is smoking hot, but these pictures of her only cement it further.

The pop princess, 23, will be the envy of every girl across the globe as she parades her incredible curvaceous figure during a dip in the sea in her home country of Barbados.

Leaving little to the imagination in a barely-there orange bikini, Rihanna displayed her womanly physique with curves in all the right places and a flirtatious attitude to match.

Obviously benefiting from the high-energy dance routines she performed almost every night on stage during her tour, Rihanna's body looked toned yet curvy. 

She hit the beach in her native Barbados with family members and friends - of course, she was the centre of attention throughout the duration of her time on the beach.

Rihanna calls Brit girls 'the most fashionable in the world' as she unveils ad campaign for her hot new River Island collection starring Jourdan Dunn and Charlotte Free

The French and Italian contingent may beg to differ, for Rihanna, no one beats the British when it comes to getting dressed.

'Britain has the most fashionable kids in the world,' the singer said. 'These kids inspired the high-end designers, they say what's cool.'

Speaking ahead of her London Fashion Week debut on Saturday, Rihanna also revealed that her inspiration for the collection was her own wardrobe.