Beyoncé
Online

Beyonce is back in the studio working on her new album (in addition to possible work on the soundtrack for “A Star Is Born,"), and she has some very special guests with her like producer/rapper Hit-Boy and her pal Kanye West.

UK newspaper, The Sun, is reporting that Mrs. Knowles has been holing up in a New York studio with none other than Kanye West and producer Hit-Boy, the mastermind behind The Throne’s “Paris." According to their sources, Bey has rented out the entire studio and has top notch security to make sure no one hears a peep of what she plans to be her best work yet.

This album will be Knowles’ fifth studio album and it is rumored that the second album she is working on could be the soundtrack for the upcoming Clint Eastwood re-make of “A Star Is Born," which she'll appear in alongside Tom Cruise. Between Kanye, Hit-Boy, and One Republic’s Ryan Tedder, it’s obvious that Bey is pulling out the big guns for this album.

"Is this what happens at the U.N. every Friday night?" Anderson Cooper jokingly asked the crowd seated in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations on Friday (August 10). "Because, I've gotta tell you ... I wanna be here every Friday night if this goes on."

The news anchor was referring to members of the organization and their invited guests who were gathered for a special event leading up to World Humanitarian Day, quickly approaching on Saturday. Cooper, himself a humanitarian in many respects, was on hand to host a series of interviews with local and international humanitarians that would eventually lead into a performance from Beyoncé.

The 30-year-old star had appeared at the United Nations earlier in the day, where she rehearsed her performance of "I Was Here" and met with members of the United Nations. Now, at 8 p.m. ET on Friday night, Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson made his way to the stage welcoming everyone to the General Assembly Hall and giving an early introduction of Beyoncé.

"Tonight brings more than her stunning talents; she brings inspiration to help another person, to help another human being," he told the crowd, going on to describe "I Was Here" as a "profound and moving song." When he slipped on the title for a second, calling the song "I Was There," it became evident that there were some Bey stans in the audience. They quickly corrected him and joined him in laughing it off, while he added, "in fact 'here' and 'there' is the same thing — that's solidarity."

On the eve of her live performance for her video in honor of World Humanitarian Day, Beyoncé meets Secretary General Ban Ki moon at the UN General Assembly Hall.

Please visit https://www.whd-iwashere.org/ now to pledge your support

#WHD2012 #IWASHERE

Rita Ora has been busy giving interviews for magazines and radio stations in support of her debut album ORA, which is due out in the fall. She shared the best advice she received from Jay-Z and Beyonce.

The best advice Jay-Z gave her was to learn to shine all on her own.

“The best advice he gave me was, ‘Have you seen Chris Martin perform? You know it’s literally just him on a stage? And he just rocks it out. Jay told me, ‘You don’t need dancers and stuff around you,” she told British GQ.

Beyonce has also been supportive.

When it comes to the best advice Beyonce offered, Ora shared in a separate interview, “She just wanted to see that I believed what I was singing — just to be comfortable in my skin, and to really understand what I’m about to do. That’s what she was trying to do, and that was the best advice ever.”

It’s been a tough year for celebrity couples. From Katy Perry and Russell Brand to Heidi Klum and Seal to Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher and, ultimately, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, the love affairs of the rich and famous seem to be falling apart everywhere these days. Still, there are some couples out there in Tinseltown and beyond who have not only managed to stay strong but are also laughing all the way to the bank together. Take Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z, for example. Last year’s runners-up on the list of The World’s Highest-Paid Celebrity Couples, the duo has now climbed one spot to top this year’s ranking. Knowles, who took a break from her hectic touring schedule in 2011 to give birth to daughter Blue Ivy Carter, still collects big paychecks from old hits. Besides, the singer’s new album went platinum in the U.S., not to mention her non-musical ventures and endorsement deals, which all helped to bring her total earnings between May 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012 to $40 million, according to data from the latest Celebrity 100 list. And as the male half of music’s first couple, Jay-Z isn’t far behind his wife. The hip-hop mogul made millions from Watch the Throne, his musical collaboration with pal Kanye West, and even more from the tour that followed. Add to that a bevy of non-musical enterprises such as ad firm Translation and cosmetics company Carol’s Daughter and the result is a staggering $38 million that he has brought home in twelve months, putting the couple’s annual income at $78 million.

A huge congratulations to 16 year old Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas - WOW - what a thrill to watch you take this Gold!

I can tell you've been working hard for so long - enjoy this moment, its yours.

Thank you for inspiring all of us!

Love,

B

While two new records from Destiny's Child might be on the horizon, it doesn't sound like we can expect a musical reunion from Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams anytime in the near future. At the unveiling of her special-edition TW Steel watches in New York on Tuesday night, Rowland dismissed any reports of the trio reuniting, saying the only thing the three currently do as a group is hang out. "We have a good time together and I think that's the most important thing," she told MTV News. "We don't want to scratch each other's eyes out; we love each other too much." Although the return of Destiny's Child might not be imminent, that won't stop the release of two compilations featuring previously unreleased material from the group. In an interview with the Huffington Post, B's dad, Mathew Knowles, revealed that two catalog records will be released via his Music World Entertainment label sometime in November. In addition to the new tunes, the group's former manager also spoke to the possibility of a DC3 reunion tour, stressing that it would only occur after the second release drops and if it fit with each of the stars' respective careers. Nonetheless, Rowland's sole focus for the group is "sistership." "If something that we would want to do, you know, but in the meantime we're just enjoying each other's friendship," Rowland said. "That's the greatest gift of Destiny's Child."

International star Beyoncé, the United Nations and humanitarian aid organizations are launching a global campaign today to shine a spotlight on humanitarian work and encourage people around the world to get involved by doing something good for others. World Humanitarian Day is a global day to celebrate humanity and the spirit of people helping people. The World Humanitarian Day music video for Beyoncé’s song “I Was Here” will be filmed in the UN General Assembly Hall in New York in front of a live audience. It will be released globally on 19 August. Beyoncé and songwriter Diane Warren are donating the video to the campaign. “World Humanitarian Day celebrates humanitarian work,” said Valerie Amos, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. “I hope everyone will pledge to complete at least one humanitarian action - however great or small - through www.whdiwashere.org. Together we can create an unprecedented awareness of the plight of people affected by crises around the world.” The campaign website, which is launched today, provides everyone with an opportunity to unite and share his or her individual acts of good. On 19 August, the campaign aims to reach 1 billion people in a day with a single message. “We all see the headlines and we think what can I really do to help?”, said Beyoncé. “World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity for all of us to work together to make a difference. This is our time to leave our mark on the world and show that we were here and we care.” The campaign is launched in collaboration with award-winning advertising agency Droga5, the UN humanitarian arm’s lead agency for special projects. Production company Ridley Scott & Associates and directors Kenzo Digital and Sophie Muller will help bring the initiative to life. “There are few forces for good as extensive and important as the United Nations,” said David Droga, Founder and Creative Chairman, Droga5. “Being able to work with them and other global aid organizations for World Humanitarian Day is a humbling and extraordinary opportunity.”

Beyoncé Knowles has donned many guises in her entertainment career -- musical superstar, fashion icon, actress. Now she's looking to add a rather different notch: documentary director. Knowles and her representatives at agency ICM have in recent weeks been shopping a nonfiction film to Hollywood studios about the celebrity's life and career. According to a person familiar with the package who was not authorized to talk about it publicly, the movie is as a mix of music and personal study, blending concert footage with confessional interview. Knowles not only stars in the project but is directing it, and will also serve as a producer. About 20 minutes of footage has been shown to distributors. A representative at Knowles’ agency did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Knowles certainly would have a lot to discuss in the doc. In the last 18 months, she's released a top-selling album ("4"), split from her longtime manager (her father), and had a baby, Blue Ivy Carter, with husband Jay-Z, among other noteworthy events. Although she's attached to star in a potential remake of "A Star Is Born," Knowles also has had a taste of the nonfiction film life. In June 2011, MTV aired "Beyoncé: Year of 4,” a "mini-documentary" that showed the artist taking time off and then returning to the recording studio.

On the 19th of August 2012 we rise together - for each other.

Do one thing. Nothing is too small. Do one thing for another human being.

1. Visit www.whd-iwashere.org

2. Click on “Show Your Support”.

3. Choose to support World Humanitarian Day via Twitter, Facebook or both, and get the word out to your friends and followers.

4. Continue tweeting and posting in the lead-up to 19 August.

5. On 19 August, make your mark by doing something in your local community, and watch as everyone’s World Humanitarian Day messages are simultaneously shared around the world.

This begins with each of us. Make your mark and say, 'I WAS HERE'.

And together, on August 19th, we’ll make our stories known.

Much love,

B

Beyoncé just racked up 3 more nominations for her latest release 4. And this time they are for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Beyoncé grabbed nominations in the following categories:

Best Female Video – “Love on Top”
Best Choreography – “Countdown”
Best Editing – “Countdown”

You can vote for Best Female Video now at MTV.com. The 2012 MTV VMAs air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, September 6 at 8/7c. Check your local listings.

Beyonce finally updated her Tumblr with new photos!

Having tracks leaked before their intended release date is hugely frustrating for artists, especially if the music is unfinished and now it has emerged that Beyonce goes to great lengths to make sure her tracks don't see the light of day until she's ready. Singer Conor Maynard is new to the music scene, but he's been hearing stories about how the big artists roll. Chatting to BBC Newsbeat, he revealed how the 'Single Ladies' star prepares to make new music. "I've heard some mad stories. With Beyonce, I heard that with her people they'll make sure that there's no-one in the studio. They go into the studio, wipe it, set up one new session for her to record. Once she's finished recording they move it onto a hard drive. They wipe the studio computer again and then leave," he said.

Beyonce has etched her name in the books as a fashion and music icon at the young age of 30. Since debuting to the world in Destiny’s Child one man has been charged with creating the looks of Beyonce. Meet Ty Hunter. In a video posted by Fuse, Ty talks about dressing Bey for 16 years now, Blue Ivy’s style, coordinating outfits with Jay-Z’s stylist June Ambrose and her gorgeous Stephane Rolland dress at the 2012 BET Awards. When asked what it’s like to work with the “Single Ladies” singer Ty responds, “I’ve been working with her now for about 16 years…it’s just family, like playing dress up with your sister at this point. We have meetings, if she has a vision it’s up to us to bring it to life.” He also insist that the self proclaimed workaholic entertainer is in charge of her complete look. Jay-Z is often noted for his red carpet styles but Ty confirms that’s not his department, “He has an amazing stylist June Ambrose, my girl. She takes care of that.” Stylist June Ambrose is at least willing to share her client when Bey and Jay are attending events together. “Yeah like all the time…I’m like ‘June, what is he wearing?’ and she’s like ‘what is she wearing?’…it’s been years of that,” revealed the stylist about working together with June. The two famed stylist had a chance to work together again for the 2012 BET Awards where Bey wore a gorgeous lime green Stephane Rolland dress. “Stephane Roland, he’s an amazing designer….day of the show we had a fitting, it just worked out so right. That’s the first dress I wanted her to wear in the first place. It was a show stopper; I was really excited for the choice that was made.” On the topic of Blue Ivy, Beyonce’s stylist played shy, “I don’t talk about Baby Blue…but she does have style. That’s my baby.”

Is it an announcement or maybe a new single? Beyonce posted a mysterious and sort of cryptic message on her website this week claiming something big is coming in August. "Leave your footprint on 19 August 2012," reads the message posted Wednesday. With not much else to go on, it might be assumed that Beyonce will either make a major announcement on this date or maybe she will just release a song that no one expected. As widely reported earlier this year, Ryan Tedder claimed he had discussions with the "Love On Top" and "Best Thing I Never Had" singer for two projects in February. With little further detail, it was assumed that one of those projects could be a follow up to the Grammy winner's 2011 effort "4." Rather than further speculate it looks like we'll just have to wait until August 19 to see what Beyonce has to offer. What do you think this message means?

An enterprising Snuggie enthusiast's highly produced tribute to Beyonce has scored tons of fans online - including the Queen B herself. A YouTube fan who goes by kkpalmer1000 uploaded a homemade version of Beyonce's "Countdown" video that has gone viral due to, well, a ton of reasons, specifically the fairly faithful recreation of the video's elaborate choreography and pop-art style editing. One of the main differences though is that the superfan swaps 'Yonce's slinky leotards for a color-shifting Snuggie. After fans went nuts over the video online, Beyonce shared the clip on her website in a post titled "Brilliant," along with the message:

"I Think he did this video better than I did :)

Love
B"



Check out a side-by-side comparison.