Gomez to Release New Single in March

In less than two months, you’ll be hitting repeatpeatpeatpeatpeat-peat to a new Selena Gomez single

The 20-year-old half-Mexican American singer excitedly revealed plans to release a new single this March during a special UNICEF charity concert in New York.

Selena Gomez

It’ll be the first single off Gomez’s new studio album, for which she’s already recorded 18 tracks. But Gomez – who is starring in edgier fare like Spring Breakers, which will have its U.S. premiere at the SXSW Film Conference and Festival – hasn’t yet decided which of the songs will make the final cut.

“Through Spring Breakers and experiencing so much last year it will be interesting to kind of have my fans know everything I went through, through music,” Gomez said of her experiences in the last year, including her on-off relationship with Justin Bieber.

“I think for me, it was actually interesting to see that towards the middle of me recording my record, a big turn happened to me and it was incredible to see how I applied that to music because I’ve never done that before and it’s great,” Gomez said of her new song-writing approach, quite similar to that of her best friend Taylor Swift’s way of writing breakup songs after each failed romance.

Gomez covered Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” during her UNICEF benefit concert, along with Britney Spears‘ “Baby One More Time” and Justin Timberlake‘s “Cry Me a River“, which incidentally, Bieber covered back in November after his first breakup with Gomez.

Following their most recent and reportedly final breakup following a string of make-ups, Gomez went back to the studios to focus on her music.

Gomez Covers Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River”

It looks like Selena Gomez could be giving ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber a taste of his own medicine…

Selena Gomez

The 20-year-old half-Mexican-American  singer/actress covered Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” at her third annual UNICEF charity concert in New York over the weekend, only weeks after breaking up with the Biebs. Gomez’s ex performed the exact same song in November following the couple’s first break-up.

“I’ve been through a lot the past few months. It’s been weird and sad and cool,” Gomez told the crowd. She then confessed, “This song definitely speaks to me,” right before performing a stripped-down version of Timberlake’s smash break-up track.

Gomez followed it up with another break-up tune, her bestie Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.

“It’s by my best friend in the entire world and if anybody has felt anything painful to their heart, they know who this girl is. Sing along if you know it,” said Gomez.

In addition, Gomez offered event attendees her rendition of Britney Spears‘ “Baby One More Time“, possily alluding to her upcoming film with Vanessa Hudgens and James Franco, Spring Breakers, which is reportedly  filled-with Spears covers.

Sanchez Preparing to Release Debut Single in February…

Last year’s American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez is preparing to release her debut single next month…

The 17-year-old half-Mexican American singer, who collaborated with the Black Eyed Peasapl.de.ap on the promotional single “Jump In,” has revealed that she’s been hard at work on making music.

Jessica Sanchez

“I’ve been working on my album since the Idol tour and I just finished it up,” the pint-sized singer announced recently, saying she’s getting ready to release her debut single this February.

Sanchez’s first single is reportedly a duet with R&B crooner Ne-Yo, who is also one of the producers/songwriters who worked on her upcoming album.

When asked about the long time it has taken to release her debut album, Sanchez told MTV News, “I wanted to make it perfect for the fans. I’ve worked in the studio before, but going to that next level with such high producers? It was crazy … working with Ne-Yo. Everything was such a blur and I was just a fan girl the whole time.”

Despite the long wait since the end of the 11th season of Idol last summer, fans will soon get to hear the 16 tracks that Sanchez has recorded with song masters Toby Gad (One Direction, Kelly Clarkson), Harvey Mason Jr. (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake) and Rykeyz (Wiz Khalifa, Fantasia Barrino).

“It’s me, soulful, but more dancey,” Sanchez said of her work. “It’s all completely me,” she said of her upbeat, mainstream pop disc with an R&B edge. “And I’m excited about all of it.”

In the meantime, Sanchez’s fans will get a chance to see her in her upcoming recurring role on Fox’s Glee.

Lovato Wins People’s Choice Award for Favorite Celebrity Judge

Demi Lovato is the people’s judge…

The 20-year-old part-Mexican actress/singer and The X Factor judge picked up the award for Favorite Celebrity Judge at the 2013 People’s Choice Awards.

Demi Lovato

Lovato beat The Voice’s Christina Aguilera and American Idol’s Jennifer Lopez, as well as The X Factor’s Britney Spears and The Voice’s Adam Levine to win the coveted trophy.

Meanwhile, Glee star Lea Michele won Favorite Comedic TV Actress. The half-Spanish American actress beat out her co-star Jane Lynch, The Big Bang Theory‘s Kaley CuocoModern Family’s Sofia Vergara and The New Girl’sZooey Deschanel for the public-voted honor.

The 39th annual awards show took place Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, with Cuoco hosting for a second time.

Mars Earns Fifth No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs Chart

Bruno Mars has reached a new milestone on the Billboard charts…

The 27-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer’s “Locked Out of Heaven,” which recently reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 last week, has reached No. 1 on the Pop Songs airplay chart.

Bruno Mars

“Locked Out of Heaven” becomes Mars’ fifth Pop Songs No. 1, tying him with Nelly and Justin Timberlake for the most leaders among solo males.

Here’s a look at the male soloists with the most No. 1s, dating to the Pop Songs chart’s launch the week of October 3, 1992:

5, Bruno Mars
5, Nelly
5, Justin Timberlake
4, Flo Rida
3, Chris Brown
3, Eminem
3, Ludacris
3, Timbaland
3, Kanye West

Katy Perry and Rihanna lead all artists with nine Pop Songs No. 1s apiece. Five other women have totaled between eight and six leaders each: P!nk (eight), Lady Gaga, Britney Spears (seven each) Beyonce and Mariah Carey (six each). Christina Aguilera and Avril Lavigne, as well as Maroon 5, have also managed five No. 1s each

Mars first ruled Pop Songs as a guest on B.o.B‘s “Nothin’ on You,” which earned the No. 1 ranking on the May 22, 2010 chart. His debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, yielded Mars his first two Pop Songs No. 1s as a lead artist: “Just the Way You Are” and follow-up “Grenade.” He had last led with “It Will Rain,” from the soundtrack to The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1, the week of February 4.

X Factor’s Jauregui, Cabello & Hernandez’s Fifth Harmony Make a Case for The Win

It’s the last chance for Lauren Jauregui, Camila Cabello, Ally Brooke Hernandez and the other members of Fifth Harmony to prove they have The X Factor

During Wednesday night’s performance episode of Fox’s singing competition, the top three acts gave it their all in an attempt to garner America’s votes and win a $5 million recording contract.

Fifth Harmony

Long considered long-shots to make the finals, Simon Cowell’s manufactured all-girl group, returned to the stage after knocking out Emblem3 in the semi-finals to prove they belonged on the stage this week.

For their first performance, Jauregui, Cabello, Hernandez and the other members of Fifth Harmony performed Ellie Goulding‘s “Anything Could Happen,” which they sang last week. As before, they’re at the Mad Hatter’s tea party, but this time they amped their performance with some extra mad over the top production values, including a giant back-screen projection of Pegasus.

“Now I’m looking at it and it’s magical,” says L.A. Reid, while Britney Spears gushes that the magic happened when the girls sang the song.

“I really hope that America pulls through and votes for you guys,” said Demi Lovato; and Simon commented, “You’ve made me so proud tonight, girls.”

For their second performance, the all-girl group performed The Beatles‘ classic “Let It Be“.

Reid syas the girls did “a lot of justice” for the song. Lovato liked that the group has evolved.

In addition, Fifth Harmony performed Demi Lovato‘s “Give Your Heart a Break” with the 20-year-old half-Mexican American singer joining in midway through the song. Cowell called it “pop perfection.”

“I love you guys,” said Lovato about performing with the girls. “It was so much!”

The winner of “X Factor” season two will be revealed on Thursday, December 20. Pitbull and One Direction are all set to perform at highly-anticipated the final result show.

Hernandez & Cabello’s Group to Perform with Lovato on ‘X Factor’ Finale

This season, Ally Brooke Hernandez and Camila Cabello’s all-girl group Fifth Harmony has performed two Demi Lovato songs on this season of The X Factor. But now the ladies will be sharing the stage with theshow’s impartial judge during the show’s finals…

Following suit with last year’s tradition each of the final three acts will be joined by a celebrity musician for a star-powered duet. During a press conference to promote the finale on Monday, judges Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Lovato and L.A. Reid joined their mentees Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Tate Stevens, respectively, and answered questions from reporters, where Cowell revealed his plan to have the ladies sing with Lovato.

Fifth Harmony

“Kinda irritating to say, the person we’ve decided to duet with is Demi Lovato,” said Cowell of his all-girl group.

Following a season of sparring between judges Cowell and Lovato, it will be nice to see the 20-year-old part-Mexican American singer support one of Cowell’s acts — especially after two of their most memorable performances came during covers of her tracks (“Skyscraper” and “Give Your Heart a Break“).

Meanwhile, Stevens  will perform with Grammy nominee Little Big Town.

“It’s gonna be awesome,” Stevens said of performing with the country quartet.

Spears’ 13-year-old mentee Sonenclar also landed a country act for her collaboration: LeAnn Rimes. It’s somewhat of a surprise choice since the tween sensation hasn’t once performed a country song all season.

“I think she’s amazing,” Sonenclar said of Rimes.

Last season, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette and R. Kelly appeared on the closer, which saw Chris Rene, Josh Krajnik and Melanie Amaro battling for the $5 million recording contract.

Shakira Named to Forbes’ Top-Earning Women in Music List

Shakira is one of the most popular musicians on the planet… And, she’s also one of the industry’s big money-making women.

The Colombian singing sensation, who is expecting her first child with Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, has been named to Forbes magazine’s list of the Top-Earning Women in Music 2012.

Shakira

Shakira, the lone Latina on the list, comes in at No. 10 after earning $20 million through her many concert performances throughout the world, strong record sales and a new fragrance, Elixir.

And now that she’s signed on to replace Christina Aguilera on the next installment of NBC’s The Voice, Shakira could see her ranking improve in 2013 thanks to increased exposure.

Here’s a look at the complete list:

Forbes Top 10 Highest-Paid Women in Music 2012:

  1. Britney Spears – ($58 million)
  2. Taylor Swift – ($57 million )
  3. Rihanna – ($53 million)
  4. Lady GaGa – ($52 million)
  5. Katy Perry – ($45 million )
  6. Beyonce Knowles – ($40 million)
  7. Adele – ($35 million)
  8. Sade – ($33 million)
  9. Madonna – ($30 million)
  10. Shakira – ($20 million)

Hernandez & Cabello’s Fifth Harmony Fights Hard for a Place in “The X Factor” Finals

They’re so close to reaching the finals on The X Factor… And Ally Brooke Hernandez, Camila Cabello and the rest of the members of their group Fifth Harmony aren’t letting their underdog status keep them from their dream…

During Wednesday night’s semifinals on Fox’s reality singing competition, Simon Cowell’s all-girl group – who won a sing-off with Diamond White to survive elimination last week – gave two great performances, including executing the show’s first bilingual song, to show America that the ladies deserve a spot in next week’s finals.

Fifth Harmony

In the first round, the contestants’ choice, Hernandez, Cabello and the ladies performed Ellie Goulding’s “Anything Could Happen,” a song that gave them a great opportunity to do the one thing that judge L.A. Reid seems to criticism them about constantly…  harmonize.

But that’s not all, Fifth Harmony even brought some serious staging and a whole lot of flair to the performance, which featured the ladies in pretty prom dresses. Sitting at a long table, Cabello even donned an oversized bow on her head (a tilt of the hat to her signature headwear), while over-the-top waiters and… a wedding cake… shared the stage with them.

“I loved everything about it,” said judge Britney Spears. “It was like magic when you guys got up there.”

Demi Lovato agreed, saying “you pulled out the little sparkle that I think you guys need sometimes.” And even Reid seemed impressed with the group’s vocals.

“That performance was the very best vocal performance you’ve ever done,” he said. “I thought that was a really inventive vocal and I’m really proud of you.”

Cowell acknowledged the girls’ fourth place finish last week, saying, “to get into the final is going to take a miracle because of who you’re up against. But after that performance, like the lyric said, anything could happen.”

In the second round, the mentor’s choice, Fifth Harmony returned to their roots, so to speak, performing Shontelle’s “Impossible,” their audition song during the judges’ homes round. But the ladies put a new spin on the tune, singing a few of the verses in Spanish.

The strategy was an attempt to show a new side and, hopefully, garner votes from the show’s Latino viewers, while reminding the audience of the first moment that Cowell fell in love with the group.

“The hard thing about being the underdog is that you have not a lot of people supporting you on the judges panel, but I think that it’s gonna come down to your fanbase and how much they support you… I hope they pull through for you, but I’m a little worried,” said Lovato.

Cowell didn’t hide his worry, but did plead with America to vote the ladies through.

“You’ve been one of the strongest acts tonight. If you are gonna judge based on tonight, I really hope and I pray that America gets behind you and puts you into the final because I really think you do deserve a place there.”

Cabello & Hernandez’s FifthHarmony Advances to “The X Factor” Semifinals

Camila Cabello and Ally Brooke Hernandez have been Carey’ed into the semifinals on The X Factor…

Following Wednesday night’s inspired performance of Demi Lovato’s “Give Your Heart a Break” and less-impressive rendition of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” the Latina singers – both members of the Simon Cowell-created all-girl group FifthHarmony – found themselves singing for their lives on Fox’s reality singing competition.

FifthHarmony

Following the instant elimination of CeCe Frey, it was revealed that FifthHarmony and Diamond White would have to perform for the judges’ save.

Cabello, Hernandez and the ladies performed Mariah Carey’s “Anytime You Need a Friend,” making it a point to give each member of the group an individual moment to shine. Then White sang LeeAnn Womack’s “I Hope You Dance.”

Cowell and Britney Spears (White’s mentor) each voted to keep their act in the competition, but L.A. Reid and Lovato both picked FifthHarmony to move forward to the semifinals.

Here’s a look at the final rankings for this week:

4. FifthHarmony
3. Emblem5
2. Carly Rose Sonenclar
1. Tate Stevens