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Streisand: ‘How Will My Nose Look in 3D?’

Roger Friedman
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wearetheworld Streisand: How Will My Nose Look in 3D?Barbra Streisand was the last to arrive at Henson Studios on Monday afternoon. She went directly to see producer Quincy Jones, who was in the control room of Studio A. Out in the actual studio there were 80 famous musicians.

“Is there room for another person?” Streisand asked Jones. He laughed. “I’ve known you since you were 16!” he declared. Later, Streisand, realizing that director Paul Haggis was filming live in 3D, laughed and asked, “How will my nose look in 3D?”

The answer was: great. But the real highlight of an amazing five hour recording session was Streisand’s solos. Her lines in the Lionel Richie -Michael Jackson song: “There’s a choice we’re making/We’re saving our own lives” and “It’s true we make a brighter day/So let’s start living.”

Jennifer Hudson, who’d performed a tribute to Streisand two nights earlier at Clive Davis’s annual pre-Grammy party, watched with amazement. “No one sings like her,” Hudson said. “Just listen to her phrasing.” In the studio, Patti Austin ‘ a great singer herself ‘ gave Streisand direction as Quincy Jones’s second-in-command. And she took it.

Later Streisand went and sang in the chorus, joining in with the others. It was a delicious rarity to see her among other recording stars. She is usually apart from the crowd. But not on Monday, when the room was full of old and new, young and old. What everyone learned from this session: Streisand is the greatest pop singer alive. She’s inherited Sinatra’s mantle.

Before Streisand arrived, only two other artists had laid down their work. Carlos Santana recorded a guitar lead and Celine Dion did her own solo vocal. Before the day was over, Hudson, Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, India Arie, Usher, Keith Urban, Wyclef Jean, Pink, and a few others would record solo leads.

But there were plenty of other singers and performers in the chorus. They included a legend ”Tony Bennett ‘ plus Jamie Foxx, will.i.am, Adam Levine, Jason Mraz, Rob Thomas, members of Earth Wind and Fire, the Jonas Brothers, T Pain, both Brian Wilson and Al Jardine of the Beach Boys, Harry Connick Jr., Toni Braxton, Sean Garrett, Julianne Hough, Bebe Winans, Nancy and Ann Wilson, Brandy, Randy Jackson, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Anthony Hamilton, Mya, Mary Mary, Akon, Jordin Sparks. LLCool J, Enrique Iglesias, Isaac Slade of the Fray, Snoop Dogg, Miley Cyrus, Faith Evans, Haitian singer Jimmy Jean Louis, “Slumdog Millionaire” composer A.H. Rahman, and 70s pop star Freda Payne of “Band of Gold” fame.

With the chorus assembled in the very hot and unairconditioned Studio A, Wyclef Jean made a short speech about Haiti today. Then director Haggis talked about his experiences there recently as well. And then the recording began.

In the green room, Lionel Richie’s extended family set up shop: ex wife Brenda, daughter Nicole, her husband Joel Madden, and his brother Benji, all played with Nicole and Joel’s very cute 2-year-old girl, Harlow.

Outside in the courtyard of A&M/Henson, several rockers gathered, smoked and speculated about how Jones and executive producer Randy Phillips were going to handle things like solos. “Life is still like high school,” observed Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. “You wonder who’s going to get picked for which team,” said Rob Thomas of’matchbox’twenty.

Meanwhile, some’artists followed Streisand into the solo booth: Josh Groban and’Natalie Cole were’among the first. They were flawless. Fifteen-year-old Justin Bieber may’need some cleaning up in the final mix. But he’wasn’t the youngest performer: that was Ethan Bortnick, the piano prodigy.

And all the’time this was going on, Quincy Jones’s assistant,’Rebecca,’had the presence of mind to get the entire group of 80 to sign an enlarged copy of the “We Are the World” sheet music. Gladys’Knight was the last to sign ‘ the R&B legend had been working hard for five hours. She posed with the sheet music, giving her usual infectious smile. “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” she said.

c2010 Showbiz411

c2010 Showbiz411

More to come from “We Are the World 25″…And no, just in case you heard it somewhere (like on those syndicated celeb shows): No’ Michael Jackson’s kids are not involved in this project and were not there today. What a weird untrue rumor.

Why I’m Going Back to New York

Roger Friedman
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It’s time to go home.

On KEarth 101 radio this morning, the entertainment reporter said, with much seriousness, “Kathryn Bigelow is a first-time director.”

Apparently this woman had heard of neither “Blue Steel” nor “Point Break.” Or “Strange Days” or “K19: The Widowmaker.”

I mean, you live and work in Hollywood.

On the local Channel 4 newscast this morning, a reporter said: “Vince Vaughn was at ‘We Are the World’ to fill the place of John Belushi.”

“We are the World” was recorded in 1985. John Belushi was dead three years. He was a gifted actor, but he died in 1982 and was not doing any musical recordings in 1985.

The mistakes just come pouring out. “ET” insisted that Michael Jackson’s kids were at the recording of “We Are the World,” encouraging and urging on the singers. They were nowhere to be found.

It’s time to go home, take some Advil, and get some sleep.

Oscars: Globes, National Board of Review Strike Out

Roger Friedman
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downeyglobe Oscars: Globes, National Board of Review Strike OutThe Academy Award nominees are here.

There was no nomination for Golden Globe nominee Robert Downey Jr. Or Tobey Maguire. Or Julia Roberts. Hello!

There were 10 best picture nominees from the Academy. They included not one of the Golden Globe nominees for best comedy/musical.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. didn’t do’a very good job of influencing anything. So much for them.

Over at the National Board of Review they snubbed “Precious” except for a “Breakthrough Performance” bone thrown to Gabourey Sidibe. “Precious,” however, now has six Oscar nominations. Gabby is nominated for best actress.

More awards coverage

The NBR also gave best director to Clint Eastwood for “Invictus,” which it also listed as one of the 10 best pictures of the year. Whoops! No Oscars on either count. NBR also named “(500) Days of Summer,” “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Star Trek” to their top 10. Again, wipe out at the Oscars.

Most of the Academy Award nominations this morning were expected. There are only a couple of surprises. Julianne Moore was on target for a nomination for best supporting actress in “A Single Man.” It looks like that spot went to Maggie Gyllenhaal in “Crazy Heart.” Julianne can relax. She’s so good in “The Kids Are All Right” that she’ll be back next year in Best Actress.

The other surprises: Both Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer in “The Last Station.” Plummer probably aced out Alec Baldwin. Mirren seems to have iced Marion Cotillard. We’ll see them all again, certainly.

“Nine” didn’t get a best picture nomination, which seems a shame. But it also shows that musicals just don’t work across the board. “Chicago” was a fluke. Neither “Sweeney Todd” nor “Dreamgirls” could pull it off, either. This is what happens: Older Academy members respond to film versions of shows they’ve seen on Broadway by comparing them unfavorably to the stage versions. It’s just an uphill battle.

Lady Gaga Turned Down Quincy Jones

Roger Friedman
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ladygaga Lady Gaga Turned Down Quincy JonesWho was missing from “We Are the World”? Lady Gaga.

“They literally begged her to come,” a source told me yesterday. “She turned them down. She didn’t get it.”

Jay Z and Beyonce had no excuses. They were in town. So was Alicia Keys, who spent the weekend with boyfriend Swizz Beatz at the home of Paradigm Talent Agency chief Sam Gores and his wife, former soap star Jensen Buchanan. Alicia may have felt spread too thin between the Haiti telethon and her own Keep a Child Alive charity.

Other people whose absence seemed conspicuous: Justin Timberlake. Jennifer Lopez. Madonna.

The artists who did come had a great time. Al Jardine approached Enrique Iglesias about singing a Spanish song on his new album. India Arie had just come off a three-month writing sabbatical and was happy to return to work. Akon’s mother, a fan of “American Idol,” got to meet Randy Jackson. And everyone was exposed to the brilliance of Patti Austin.

The rappers also got their due. Around 8:30 p.m., Quincy Jones sent them all into studio B to trade freestylin’. But there were some glitches to work out. Soon will.i.am and LL Cool J were called into the principal’s office.

“I’m counting eight bars in,” Will said. He was concerned that the overlaps weren’t working.

“I don’t count bars,” LL Cool J responded.

Jones refereed, with bemusement. It will be interesting to hear the final result of the rap section. Snoop Dogg is in there, too. This suggests that there will be a couple of different mixes released.

Meanwhile, I do hope Paul Haggis includes this on the documentary: a moment when several members of the big chorus broke out spontaneously singing Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.” It looked like the “fire” started around Mary Mary and spread through the middle. Even Barbra Streisand joined in. Soon the whole room was clapping and singing along. Withers’ music publisher should waive their rights on this one so the song can be cleared and included. It was’one joyous moment on an afternoon of many.

Michael Jackson’s Kids Shill for ‘Grandpa’ Joe

Roger Friedman
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jacksonkids Michael Jacksons Kids Shill for Grandpa JoeFor so many reasons, Michael Jackson must have been spinning in his million-dollar mausoleum last night.

His kids, Prince and Paris, whom he draped in bee keeper’s hats and masks to keep them out of the public, took center stage and accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards.

Yes, they were poised and articulate. That certainly shows that Jackson’s parenting was better than anyone could have guessed.

But their remarks were scripted. And when Prince Michael, Jackson’s 12-year-old son with Debbie Rowe, spoke, it was worth examining what he said. He acknowledged both his “grandma” — Katherine Jackson, his legal guardian — and his “grandpa,” Joe Jackson, whom Michael hated. Joe Jackson is currently suing Michael’s estate to get a $20,000-per-month allowance.Michael would have returned to being black before he would have let his kids have anything to do with Joe Jackson. Praising him in public? Never. And poor Prince didn’t realize he was shilling for his “grandpa.” That part was sad.

But this was very much like little Paris’ comments on the same stage — the Staples Center — last July at Michael’s memorial service. That’s when Janet Jackson encouraged the 10-year-old to come forward and make a statement about Michael in front of a stadium of strangers.

Michael Jackson’s kids don’t know it yet, but they are being as stage-managed as their predecessors, Michael and his brothers and Janet, when they were children. It’s a little heartbreaking.

Hopefully, the probate judge in Joe Jackson’s case won’t be swayed by this performance. But it will certainly be interesting to see if Prince’s speech winds up in court papers drawn up for Joe Jackson. Stay tuned.

Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban Chill at Grammy Backstage

Roger Friedman
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urbankidman Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban Chill at Grammy BackstageNicole Kidman couldn’t have looked better or had a nicer time at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards.

The Oscar-winning actress is also Mrs. Keith Urban, wife of the very much about to be country music — and maybe pop music — superstar. In the private club backstage at the Staples Center, known as the Chairman’s Room, Nicole and Keith met and mingled with other stars and music execs, dined on buffet short ribs and plates of dessert and fruit.

“It’s so nice to hang out this way,” Nicole said, as she chatted with CBS’ Les Moonves and Julie Chen. She and Keith met Frank DiLeo, Michael Jackson’s famed manager. They talked about music and kids. Nicole is back to being a redhead. She also looked phenomenal. For all the wags who’ve complained that she’s been overly Botoxed or something, I am happy to tell you: Nicole looked just like Nicole Kidman, just beautiful. And she ate like a regular gal.

“You’ve got to try this beef,” she told me, while sampling from a plate. “It’s delicious.”

Nicole also told me there’s a chance she won’t be at the Academy Awards on March 7. “It’s my mom’s 70th birthday, so we may be with her. We love mom!” And yes, Kidman’s mother is one of the nicest people we’ve ever met at premieres or red carpets, so it’s understandable. Nicole also talked about her kids, all three of them, and Keith. “Can you tell him how good you think he is,” Kidman asked. “I’m always telling him.”

I’ll tell you about Keith Urban. He’s a rising superstar. Like Rob Thomas, John Mayer, John Legend and a few others, he’s in the next generation of rock stars. He’s also incredibly humble and devoted to Kidman. He doesn’t know I saw this, but while we were talking and eating, and while Nicole had gone to fetch a plate of desserts, a woman came up and tried hitting on Urban very aggressively.

“Can’t I do that?” she said. It was so rock-and-roll.

Urban stood from the stool he’d been sitting on, and went cold.

“No you may not,” he declared, upbraiding the stranger. “I am married!”

He’s a keeper.

Grammy Backstage: Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna

Roger Friedman
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rihannagrammys Grammy Backstage: Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna Rihanna is starting to get jinxed by the Grammys. Last night, she and her assistant tried to get to their floor seats at the Staples Center at the start of the show. But the show had just begun, and the security guards weren’t letting anyone down from individual gate entrances. So Rihanna had to wait and watch Elton John and Lady Gaga on’a screen, just like regular people. She craned her neck back to catch the action as a crowd pressed up against her. What were the guards thinking? Not much, apparently. Also in our little crowd: George Clinton, the legendary creator of funk…

…Likewise, outside the Staples, coming up the red carpet, Usher had to show his ticket to get in. I mean, hilarious…

PHOTO GALLERY: The 52nd Grammys

…Santana’s new album will feature a dozen or so famous’guest vocalists…So, too, will Slash’s new album…

…Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony left the Grammys early. I asked her about her recent comment in Spanish about Sarah Palin. “It was just a joke!” she said, laughing. Whatever: It was the best thing she ever did…

…Mary J. Blige startled Clive Davis’ audience on Saturday night when she yelled at the backing band mid-performance. But in chatting with her last night, I do think that Mary J. had no idea what she was doing — she goes into something of a trance on stage. “I didn’t know what was happening,” she told me very sincerely. She’d already forgotten about it. For his part, musical director Greg Philliganes was ok with it. “She was right,” he said. Mary J. also told me that during her blistering performance of “I See Colors,” she does see them. “I didn’t know where I was,” she said. Wow!…

…The legendary and beloved Leonard Cohen was not at last night’s show. But he did win a Lifetime Achievement Award. And his manager told me he’s working on’new material for a new recording…

…Elton John will not be part of “We Are the World” today because he’s in the studio recording with Leon Russell. However: Elton John Aids Foundation has donated $200,000 to’Haiti relief, and more’may be coming. The Foundation may have lost more than dozen volunteers in the earthquake…

…Beyonce and Jay Z have seven foot bodyguards who push everyone out of the way, even when Beyonce says, “That’s all right” about a person she knows who’s trying to talk to her. They also had a little boy with them…

…What color tux was Usher wearing? “Taupe, I think,” he said as we walked from the red carpet to the stage entrance. Usher’s working on a new album, and getting back on track post-divorce. He’s part of today’s “We Are the World” recording, too…

…Justin Bieber is a child, but fame has gone to his head. He doesn’t sign autographs and is not nice to adults. The 15-year-old should be sent to his room until he is set straight…

The Real Story Behind Lady Gaga

Roger Friedman
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gagagrammys The Real Story Behind Lady GagaMeet the Bride of Frankenstein, the love child of Elton John and Madonna: Stefani Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga.

At last night’s Grammy Awards, Steve Walter — who ran the late, lamented Cutting Room on West 24th Street with co-owner and pal Chris Noth — got a chuckle out of Lady Gaga.

“That’s Stefani Germanotta,” Walter said. “She got signed out of a workshop at the Cutting Room.”

That was four years ago. Here’s a link to a story that explains what happened. Producer Rob Fusari started working with the New York University student after that night.

The rest of the Lady Gaga story sounds very much like Madonna’s beginnings in Livonia, Mich. Like Gaga, she didn’t write her original hits. The people who gave her her early start were soon forgotten. Now Madonna is worth millions, belongs to’a cult, speaks with an English accent and adopts children from Africa against the will of their families.

Is this what we can expect from Stefani Germanotta? Hopefully not. There are a couple of major differences between Gaga and Madonna. For one, Germanotta really plays the piano, is a gifted musician and a pretty good singer. She also really co-writes her songs from the ground up.

Elton John, dressed down after the opening number last night, told me he really enjoyed playing two-handed piano with Gaga. Of course, Elton was sensational. He’s been doing this stuff since the early ’70s, when he’d dress in wild costumes like the Statue of Liberty in giant platform shoes and play the piano with his elbows. But he can spot talent. And Lady Gaga is certainly his disciple.

PHOTO GALLERY: The 52nd Grammys

Elton John, David Furnish: Broadway Naked Angels

Roger Friedman
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Elton John and David Furnish are about to become Naked Angels.

The pair of partners are also Broadway producers, famously and successfully of the multiple Tony award-winning “Billy Elliott.”

But now they’re joining the upcoming Broadway production of “Next Fall,” which comes from the Naked Angels theater group.

They were both very excited last night at the Grammys when they told me they had a big Broadway announcement.

What’s interesting is that Geoffrey Naufft’s play has no music. It’s the first “straight play” that Elton and Furnish have gotten involved with. But it’s not exactly a “straight play”–to use a pun. The central story is about Luke and Adam, who have been in afive year relationship. Long time Naked Angel member Patrick Breen stars with Patrick Heusinger. “Next Fall” is also about faith, committment, and unconditional love, according to a summary provided by the company.

Streisand, Celine Dion, Usher Record ‘We are the World’ for Haiti

Roger Friedman
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Barbra Streisand, Wyclef Jean, Celine Dion, Usher, Natalie Cole, Keith Urban and 75 more stars are right now recording a new version of “We are the World” to raise money for Haiti relief.

Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and producer RedOne are conducting the proceedings, with Patti Austin organizing vocals. Jennifer Hudson, Pink, Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, the Jonas Brothers and even Miley Cyrus are participating. The extraordinary event is being filmed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis at Henson Studios in Hollywood.

More to come…

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