Katy Perry raids 20 years of pop culture for "T.G.I.F." 6/13/11

Katy Perry's music video for "Last Friday Night" was released over the weekend and Katy isn't the only pop icon. It was announced last week that Rebecca Black would star in the video, but she wasn't alone. The vid begins with Katy's alter ego Kathy Beth Terry waking up and having no idea what happened the night before when Glee's Darren Criss comes running in to thank her for the party. As the video goes on we see Kevin McHale, Kenny G, Hanson, Corey Feldman, and Debbie Gibson as Tiffany Terry. It was definitely entertaining and worth all eight minutes.

Beyonce's entire album "4" leaked three weeks ahead of schedule popping up all over the internet. Although her team has been desperately working to take the songs down, B isn't taking the angry approach saying: "My music was leaked and while this is not how I wanted to present my new songs, I appreciate the positive response from my fans. When I record music I always think about my fans singing every note and dancing to every beat. I make music to make people happy and I appreciate that everyone has been so anxious to hear my new songs." B's new album is still scheduled to drop June 28th.

Glee star Chris Colfer has signed a book deal. He's never written a novel before, but has been writing scripts lately. His first book is expected to be released sometime around next summer and to be titled "The Land of Stories". He says the story has been at the core of his imagination for nearly 10 years and he's very excited to share it.

Selena Gomez was taken to the hospital Thursday night after taping an episode of The Tonight show with Jay Leno. She said she had a bad headache and felt nauseous. Naturally, the pregnancy rumors have spread like wildfire, but reps so them coming and are quick to shoot them down. Selena was seen returning to the hospital Saturday afternoon when she reportedly underwent blood pressure tests. She has rescheduled the canceled events to begin today. Let's hope she's feeling better.

Coldplay, who have had many plagiarism accusations in the past, have been accused yet again, for plagiarizing their new single "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall". Similarities between it and Mystic's "Ritmo de la Noche" which is a newer version of Allen and Anderson's "I Go to Rio", popped up within hours of it's release. Apparently the song was inspired while watching the move "Biutiful" which has a nightclub scene with "Ritmo de la Noche" playing in the background. A spokesperson for the band says Allen and Anderson are credited as writers of "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall". Sounds like they may be off the hook this time.

Justin Timberlake leaves fans upset by saying he can't see himself ever recording another album. He has recently been focusing his career on the business side of music as well as acting, which he is fantastic at. And he's not the only one, Nicki Minaj wants to do some acting as well. She actually went to acting school and is planning to focus on acting when Britney's Femme Fatale tour ends. She says she would love to work with Will Smith and have a serious acting career. Good luck to them both.

Also, I hear Lady Gaga has hired a director for "The Edge of Glory" music video. She has chosen Joseph Kahn. We should be hearing more about the new video very soon.

Talented Women Hiding in the Auto-tuned Closet.

A lot of things have been known to annoy me, but one thing I just can't stand is when talented women block their talent. For example, the darling Selena Gomez released her single "Bang Bang Bang" this week and I'm sorry to say it doesn't even sound like her. It's been so auto-tuned and edited that you can barely understand the words, not to mention the music is so electronic it drowns everything else out. Now I love Selena, I really do, and I've never been a big fan of her music, but this is a little too much. It got me thinking about all the truly talented women that don't utilize their full talents.

Ke$ha does it. She was in choir in high school, she was talented, now all her voice tracks are put through a machine. Lady Gaga is truly talented, but she edits her songs in such a way and uses her music videos to draw attention to herself instead of her music. And it's not just auto tune. Fabulous, powerful, talented women like Beyonce take their clothes off and prance around when it's not even necessary.

Shakira is a very talented and well respected singer, but is seen pole dancing in music videos. Fergie is beautiful and talented but her outfits take the attention away from her music.

Possibly the one that makes me saddest is Rihanna. When things like her recent conflict with the Parents Television Council come up, it's hard to take either side. She made an important song "Man Down" and a video to match it, but had it banned, but her videos for things like "S&M", "Rockstar 101" and "Rude Boy" aren't challenged.

These are all gimmicks of pop machines created by record companies for temporary milking, but they are being used by strong, talented young women. What's worse then these women denying themselves of true talent is that they are teaching young girls that no matter how powerful, talented or beautiful you are, distracting gimmicks are the only way to be popular and successful.

I feel like it's almost disrespectful to appreciate the things these women do. It's like saying "You're only good when you're shaking something and singing through a machine." My goal has always been to put a positive spin on things, but sometimes things are important. My positive spin is hoping that this message will reach enough people and teach them to appreciate what's good instead of flashy, and that these women will get the respect they deserve.