With 'Stronger,' Clarkson Finally at Ease

LOS ANGELES (AP) It may have taken some time, but Kelly Clarkson seems to finally be releasing an album without any drama on the side."Everything is good, everything is happy," she said, laughing brightly during a recent interview to promote "Stronger," released this week.It's a different scenario than her last two albums: She went through public disputes with legendary executive and mogul Clive Davis over her third album and with OneRepublic singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder after her last album was released.They were typical of the bold stances she's taken that proved her to be more than the passive, malleable product of a hit TV competition, establishing her as an artist instead of just a voice."I've been a fighter since I started walking," she said, adding casually and genuinely a line that could be lifted from one of her inspirational songs: "We get one life. You want to make sure that you're living it how you want to live it."Since Clarkson became the first "American Idol" a decade ago, she's established herself as one of pop's most formidable, and successful singers. She's sold over 20 million albums worldwide and landed seven singles in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, including "Breakaway," ''My Life Would Suck Without You," "Miss Independent," and perhaps her biggest hit, "Since U Been Gone."Clarkson has maintained creative control of her music and career since her "Idol" days, and has written on all of her albums. But her determination to chart her own course has not come without a few battles. In 2007, Davis became concerned over the less commercial sound of Clarkson's third album, "My December," which Clarkson revealed publicly after rumors of a rift; Clarkson later mended fences and called the tension overblown. Then in 2009, Clarkson called out Tedder for musical similarities between "Already Gone," which he wrote for Clarkson, and Beyonce's "Halo," which he also wrote.Clarkson calls her new collection of 13 songs "the easiest record that I've made with my label." But she makes clear that's because the suits bent to her will not the other way around."I think people project on you like the formula that has worked in the past. And then they get to know you," she said. "(Now) they know me better as an artist, they know me better as a person. They know what I'm going to do and what I don't like, and it just really works."Sonically, "Stronger" doesn't tinker much with the formula that has helped Clarkson become the top-selling "Idol" artist ever, blending clean pop-guitar riffs with contemporary dance synths. But there is an undertone of loneliness and sadness coursing throughout, including some downbeat lyrics co-written by Clarkson herself."Hello, is anybody listening? Won't somebody show me that I'm not alone," she sings on "Hello.""If you look at my whole catalogue, there are far more sadder songs than happy," the Texan acknowledges in her Southern drawl. "But that's only because writing is a form of therapy. So obviously the things that you're getting out are the things that you've been going through and struggling with. You want to keep all the happy inside. If I'm going through a hard time, I write it out."In person, Clarkson is bubbly and quick to laugh, sharing that in her time off, she picked up the violin and started learning Italian with Rosetta Stone. "I'm horrible at it so far," she laments lightly.But she never comes close to revealing the subject of "Stronger's" multiple scornful breakup and kiss-off songs. "You don't know a thing about me," she sings on the first single, "Mr. Know It All." And it's true that the 29-year-old retains an enigmatic air, despite her down-to-Earth image.Toby Gad, who co-wrote and produced two songs on "Stronger," had planned on a 10-minute meeting with Clarkson when the two first met, but ended up at a two-hour dinner."She's a very strong survivor, and very organic and very real," he said. "You can connect with her on a very human level."Still, after the dinner and several days of revising lyrics alongside the pop star, he said he doesn't remember if she ever mentioned her own relationships to him.While Clarkson seems to sing almost exclusively about the ups and downs of love, her songs are often deceptively universal. Clarkson says "Mr. Know It All" could apply to her own record label or to the media, and Gad's "The War Is Over" functions as a coda to a romance or to an actual war."That's the underlying theme for her, to vent emotions that we all feel in our relationships," Gad said.And Clarkson will continue to vent as she sees fit."I'm always vocal," she said. "People ask me and I tell them. If I have a problem, I say it. I'm never malicious about it, I just say what happened. And I think a lot of people don't do that. So I think it maybe catches people off guard. But I don't know any other way to be but honest musically or personally. So I guess that just comes through."Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Ryan Pearson October 26, 2011 Kelly Clarkson PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Matt Sayles LOS ANGELES (AP) It may have taken some time, but Kelly Clarkson seems to finally be releasing an album without any drama on the side."Everything is good, everything is happy," she said, laughing brightly during a recent interview to promote "Stronger," released this week.It's a different scenario than her last two albums: She went through public disputes with legendary executive and mogul Clive Davis over her third album and with OneRepublic singer-songwriter Ryan Tedder after her last album was released.They were typical of the bold stances she's taken that proved her to be more than the passive, malleable product of a hit TV competition, establishing her as an artist instead of just a voice."I've been a fighter since I started walking," she said, adding casually and genuinely a line that could be lifted from one of her inspirational songs: "We get one life. You want to make sure that you're living it how you want to live it."Since Clarkson became the first "American Idol" a decade ago, she's established herself as one of pop's most formidable, and successful singers. She's sold over 20 million albums worldwide and landed seven singles in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10, including "Breakaway," ''My Life Would Suck Without You," "Miss Independent," and perhaps her biggest hit, "Since U Been Gone."Clarkson has maintained creative control of her music and career since her "Idol" days, and has written on all of her albums. But her determination to chart her own course has not come without a few battles. In 2007, Davis became concerned over the less commercial sound of Clarkson's third album, "My December," which Clarkson revealed publicly after rumors of a rift; Clarkson later mended fences and called the tension overblown. Then in 2009, Clarkson called out Tedder for musical similarities between "Already Gone," which he wrote for Clarkson, and Beyonce's "Halo," which he also wrote.Clarkson calls her new collection of 13 songs "the easiest record that I've made with my label." But she makes clear that's because the suits bent to her will not the other way around."I think people project on you like the formula that has worked in the past. And then they get to know you," she said. "(Now) they know me better as an artist, they know me better as a person. They know what I'm going to do and what I don't like, and it just really works."Sonically, "Stronger" doesn't tinker much with the formula that has helped Clarkson become the top-selling "Idol" artist ever, blending clean pop-guitar riffs with contemporary dance synths. But there is an undertone of loneliness and sadness coursing throughout, including some downbeat lyrics co-written by Clarkson herself."Hello, is anybody listening? Won't somebody show me that I'm not alone," she sings on "Hello.""If you look at my whole catalogue, there are far more sadder songs than happy," the Texan acknowledges in her Southern drawl. "But that's only because writing is a form of therapy. So obviously the things that you're getting out are the things that you've been going through and struggling with. You want to keep all the happy inside. If I'm going through a hard time, I write it out."In person, Clarkson is bubbly and quick to laugh, sharing that in her time off, she picked up the violin and started learning Italian with Rosetta Stone. "I'm horrible at it so far," she laments lightly.But she never comes close to revealing the subject of "Stronger's" multiple scornful breakup and kiss-off songs. "You don't know a thing about me," she sings on the first single, "Mr. Know It All." And it's true that the 29-year-old retains an enigmatic air, despite her down-to-Earth image.Toby Gad, who co-wrote and produced two songs on "Stronger," had planned on a 10-minute meeting with Clarkson when the two first met, but ended up at a two-hour dinner."She's a very strong survivor, and very organic and very real," he said. "You can connect with her on a very human level."Still, after the dinner and several days of revising lyrics alongside the pop star, he said he doesn't remember if she ever mentioned her own relationships to him.While Clarkson seems to sing almost exclusively about the ups and downs of love, her songs are often deceptively universal. Clarkson says "Mr. Know It All" could apply to her own record label or to the media, and Gad's "The War Is Over" functions as a coda to a romance or to an actual war."That's the underlying theme for her, to vent emotions that we all feel in our relationships," Gad said.And Clarkson will continue to vent as she sees fit."I'm always vocal," she said. "People ask me and I tell them. If I have a problem, I say it. I'm never malicious about it, I just say what happened. And I think a lot of people don't do that. So I think it maybe catches people off guard. But I don't know any other way to be but honest musically or personally. So I guess that just comes through."Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Director in talks for police thriller

Summit Entertainment is within talks with Micrograms to direct police thriller "Puzzle Structure," composed by "Safe House" scribe David Guggenheim. Summit acquired privileges to Guggenheim's help out March following a bidding and arrange it with Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen at their Temple Hill Entertainment banner. "Puzzle Structure" concentrates on the boy of the officer unjustly charged with murder who decides to interrupt right into a secure police facility in NY City looking for evidence that may exonerate his father. McG's in publish-production on actioner "What This Means Is War," going to be out from Fox in Feb. Godfrey and Bowen have created all five payments from the "Twilight" franchise for Summit with the beginning of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning" opening the following month. McG's repped by WME. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Paranormal Activity 3 Scares Up Huge $54M Debut

First Launched: October 23, 2011 1:48 PM EDT Credit: Vital Pictures Caption A scene from 2011s Paranormal Activity 3LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Paranormal Activity 3 didnt go bump inside the evening. It made lots of noise within the box office getting an archive-setting, $54 million opening. The Next film in Vital Pictures low-budget fright franchise, which was No. one in this area office, had the finest debut ever for just about any horror movie, according to Sunday studio estimations. It broke the last record part two set this past year with $40.7 million. It's also the finest opening ever with an October release, topping the $50.35 million Paramounts Jackass 3d made a year ago. Paranormal Activity 3 can be a prequel, while using discovery of disturbing home-movie footage from 1988. Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, who made the creepy documentary Catfish, needed over pointing duties this time around around. Don Harris, Paramounts leader of distribution, mentioned the studio wanted part three would simply perform a lot better than part two. The initial Paranormal Activity, having its reported $15,000 budget, increased to become phenomenon this past year through evening time tests and individual to individual. Harris thinks this installment succeeded due to the fact its really the most effective movie in the three. He noted it be a huge hit to have an older crowd, with 47 percent over the age of 25 compared to forty percent for Paranormal Activity 2. Strong reviews also aided, he mentioned, plus a rave from Time magazine. And basically, horror movies simply play better in the packed theater. Ultimately, it'll reach why theres still a theatrical business, why people still go to the movies, Harris mentioned. You need to laugh in the group, you need to be frightened in the group, people would rather cry in the group at night time where nobody are able to see them crying. Its all the reason movie theaters exist which genre is actually within the forefront. Paul Dergarabedian, box-office analyst for Hollywood.com, mentioned he was expecting Paranormal Activity 3 later on in around $35 million for your weekend, because of the very fact most beginners are actually underperforming this fall. This brand can be as solid since the Twilight brand or perhaps the Jackass brand. You will discover certain brands that merely transcend any kind of box-office rhyme or reason. They just resonate, Dergarabedian mentioned. They're shot in somebody's house, they are like theyre shot getting a house video recorder, those just interact with it. Last days No. 1 release, the advanced boxing robot adventure Real Steel, fell to second place. It made $11.3 million for just about any domestic total of $67.2 million. Worldwide, the Disney movie makes $153.3 million. Among the other new releases now, Summit Entertainments 3-D version in the Three Musketeers showed up fourth place with $8.8 million. And Universals Johnny British Reborn, a follow-up for the 2003 spy parody starring Rowan Atkinson, opened up up at No. 8 with $3.8 million. Nonetheless its already a massive hit worldwide, getting made $104.5 million up to now. In limited release, the considerably acclaimed mental thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene made $137,541 on four screens in NY and La. Thats a hefty $34,385 per screen average, according to Fox Searchlight. Thought ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest worldwide amounts may also be incorporated. Final domestic figures will probably be released Monday. 1. Paranormal Activity 3, $54 million. 2. Real Steel, $11.3 million. 3. Footloose, $10.85 million. 4. The Three Musketeers, $8.8 million. 5. The Ides of March, $4.9 million. 6. Dolphin Tale, $4.2 million. 7. Moneyball, $4.05 million. 8. Johnny British Reborn, $3.8 million. ($13.5 million worldwide.) 9. The Main One Factor, $3.millions of. 10. 50/50, $2.8 million. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

BREAKING: Lindsay Lohan Sent Back to Jail For Violating Her Probation

This just in: Lindsay Lohan was handcuffed in court this morning and escorted back to jail after a judge revoked the actress’s probation for failing to meet her community service requirements. The judge accused Lohan of blowing off her sentence of 360 hours of community service at a women’s center in downtown Los Angeles. According to TMZ, the actress claimed that she did not find her work there “fulfilling.” After not showing up for nine scheduled appointments, the women’s center asked that she not return. The county probation department in turn sent the actress to log community service hours with Red Cross. This morning, the judge determined that the department had no authority make that decision and Lohan’s hours with the Red Cross would not count towards her sentence. Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Holley, defended the actress’s absence from the women’s center by claiming Lohan “had to earn a living to support herself and her family” and her opportunities are in Europe. TMZ reports that the judge responded by saying, “She’s supposed to be an actress, from what I hear.” Lohan’s bail was set at $100,000. The judge told the actress that she must complete 16 hours of community service at the county coroner’s office before her November 2 probation violation hearing to avoid further punishment. Developing… · Lindsay Lohan taken away in handcuffs after probation is revoked [LAT] · Lindsay Lohan Probation Revoked HANDCUFFED in Court [TMZ]

Five Items You Didnt Find Out About Stacy Keibler!

First Launched: October 17, 2011 6:47 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Stacy Keibler and George Clooney emerge within the 49th Annual NY Film Festival screening in the Descendants in NY City on October 16, 2011 George Clooney and Stacy Keibler finally put the gossips to relaxation on Sunday, since the hot Hollywood couple made their red-colored-colored carpet debut just like a couple within the premiere for Clooneys film The Descendants in NY City. While reviews romantically connected the pair inside the summer season, following Clooneys split from Elisabetta Canalis, and Stacy posed solo within the stars The Ides of March premiere in Sepember it had been the initial public confirmation that Keibler is, really, Clooneys latest lady love. But who exactly might be the 32-year-old beauty? Access discloses Five Items You Didnt Find Out About Stacy Keibler! - The Scene Formerly Pointed out: Along with her drop-dead gorgeous looks, its certainly not difficult to miss Stacy Keibler round the red-colored-colored carpet. Clearly, furthermore, it doesn't hurt they towers over nearly all her fellow stars and Clooney too, when shes in heels! Waiting for 511 and boasting a killer number of 42-inch legs Stacy is (literally) mind & shoulders above nearly all Hollywoods other lovely ladies. - Shes Got Game!: Everybody knows Stacy first burst towards the scene in pro wrestling in 1999, when she outshine 300 other women for just about any perfect World Championship Wrestlings Nitro Women dance troupe eventually parlaying that into her own wrestling career inside the WWE, before entering the steel cage of wrestling, she spent lots of time round the gridiron. Right before as being a wrestling sensation, Stacy will be a cheerleader for your NFLs Baltimore Ravens (her hometown team) in 1998. - Beginning Early: Stacy got a leg on her behalf Hollywood competition in an exceedingly youthful age. By age 5, she already had her SAG card! Maturing in Baltimore, parents Gary & Patricia clearly saw star energy inside their daughter. She made her silver screen acting debut at 19 inside the 1998 film Pecker. - Not Just A Visual Appearance: Some famous on her appearance (shes experienced Maxims Hot 100 list for four straight years), Stacy has put that SAG card to obtain affordable use and contains acquired her devote Hollywood with lots of acting roles. Following her role in Pecker, she also was featured inside the 2001 comedy Bubble Boy as well as the 2007 film The Comebacks. She also provides a slew of TV roles under her belt, including What About John, George Lopez, Psych, Generate An Earnings Met Your Mother, Chuck and several recently Blue Mountain Condition. - Dancings Most Dangerous Weapon: Besides her connection with scripted projects, Stacy also attempted her hands and foot inside the ballroom for your second season of Fundamental steps Dwts. While her eventual third place finish with professional partner Tony Dovolani left fans wanting more, it absolutely was her nickname presented upon her by judge Bruno Tonioli that has associated with her to this day The Weapon of Mass Seduction. Cant have an sufficient quantity of Stacy Keibler? Follow The Link to check out some hot shots of George Clooneys new lovely & leggy lady! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keck's Exclusives: Walking Dead Redneck Reunion?

Walking Dead Is The Walking Dead going to reintroduce fan favorite Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker), who went MIA in Season 1 after chopping off his cuffed hand to escape becoming zombie lunch? Sounds like November 13 could be the night. That's when the AMC series centers an entire episode around Merle's bad boy brother, Daryl (Norman Reedus). "It's pretty much all Daryl on his own, in a hard-core man-versus-world psychological [quest] with inner turmoil and hints of 'Deliverance,'" reveals Norman. "You'll learn about his family and what it was like for him growing up, constantly put down and under the thumb of other people. You'll see him make some hard decisions and announce where his loyalties lie." Might that be with brother Merle? "As much of an ass as Merle is, he's still my big brother," teases Norman. "But if I knew he was coming back, I couldn't tell you." Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Prince Harry Involves America

First Launched: October 7, 2011 10:02 AM EDT Credit: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011 Caption Prince Harry involves El Centro, Calif., on September 6, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- British Royalty influences Golden Condition, once again. On Thursday, Prince Harry touched reduced an aura Pressure base in El Centro, Calif., where he'll spend monthly involved in Exercise Crimson Novelty helmet. The 27-year-old, who's known as Captain Harry Wales while training, will participate in the final part of his Apache helicopter training. According to Britains The Telegraph, Harry will train at same position which was found in Tom Luxury cruise ships Top Gun, prior to going to Arizona for further training at Gila Bend Air Pressure Auxiliary Area. After this, he'll be virtually carried out with his Apache training, a structure source told People. [Then] he'll be designated to have an Apache squadron as well as the problem of deployment will relaxation while using Secretary of condition for Defense. One local El Centro resident, Jesus Gonzalez, told The Telegraph that Prince Harry might not love the area sights. We don't have places for him to cruise around. Hes becoming bored. I recommend the mall, Jesus told the British paper. The Telegraph noted that Hillcrest and Las vegas are close to where the Prince is situated. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.