'There's some songs I never would have sang in a million years, but I signed up for it,' he says.
By Katie Byrne

Lee DeWyze
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Fox

Lee DeWyze proved on "American Idol" that everyone truly loves an underdog. He might not have started out as a bold-faced name on season nine, but his consistent growth from ball-of-nerves to confident rocker resonated with America and landed him the coveted crown on Wednesday night.

We caught up with Lee on Friday (May 28) to talk about the show's frustrating theme weeks, how he chose U2's "Beautiful Day" as his first single and what his upcoming album will sound like.

Q: The judges often talk about showing who you'll be as an artist, but then you're forced to sing songs out of your comfort zone with the different theme weeks. Was that frustrating?

A: I think a big part about "American Idol" that scares people and has, I'm sure, stopped people from trying out is the fact that you do have to do things that aren't necessarily your genre. You're given a song, and you do have some say in it, but you go with whatever song you have to go with. You take that song, and the judges always say, "Make it your own! Make it your own!" And sometimes it sounds repetitive when they say that. ... I just wanted to take every song and make it sound like a song that Lee sang. The judges credited me; they said, "You had some great arrangements." We were given free reign to arrange songs the way we wanted. That was what got me through that part, because if it was just "Go up there and sing the songs exactly like they're written," then that would have been a lot more difficult than it was. When we did Shania Twain Week, that was a rough week for me, because it's so out of my element. But I did what I could with the song. It's part of the game, though. That's what "American Idol" is: It's "go up on the stage, play a cover song, and do the best you can your way and make them original." I think that I was able to do that. It was frustrating at times, I won't lie. It was. Because there's some songs I never would have sang in a million years, but I signed up for it, and that's the rules. You play by 'em, and you get by as best you can.

Q: This season, you also have a cover song as your first single. How did you feel about that, and how did you choose that particular song?

A: I like that song a lot. It's a really good song. Is it something that's necessarily in my genre? No. But again, there were songs on the table, and that was the one I thought would represent the moment the best, because this year they didn't have an original song written for this specifically. Whatever the reasons for that are — there's reasons. [Laughs.] I don't know all the ups and downs of the behind-the-scenes stuff. It's just been a big game of "play by the rules." If it was up to me, there were certain things I would have done differently. Like onstage, maybe a little bit longer sets would have been cool; to be able to get into the song, instead of just "ready, go." But again, that's all part of it. Just being able to accept it was the hard part. But then, once you accept it, you can just roll with it. You can make the songs your own, and then move on.

Q: What artists could you see yourself channeling on your upcoming album?

A: I just got the Kings of Leon album [Only by the Night]. I liked their first albums a lot; they were a little harder. I really dig their newest album. I like that sound. That's a sound I go for a lot of the time. It's very gritty, but at the same time, it's got great hooks and great lyrics. They break it down, and they can be a little more chill [or] a little more heavy. I'm always looking for new music. I'm going to be listening to a lot of different things for inspiration.

Q: Were you able to talk to Simon Cowell after the show?

A: I did see Simon [at the "Idol" wrap party], and we cheers'ed, and he said, "Congratulations," and told me he's proud of me, and he's excited to be working with me. And I told him, "Thanks for the opportunity," because without "American Idol," I wouldn't have had this platform to start a career on a major level. It was cool. We got to spend a little time together and talk. And it was a moment I won't forget, because that was a big moment for me.

Will you follow Lee's post-"Idol" career? Let us know in the comments!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds

• 'American Idol' Winners
• Lee DeWyze: From Illinois Boy To 'American Idol' Star

Symbolyc One got a text saying, 'Kanye is loving your stuff. He said he's about to change your life.'
By Jayson Rodriguez

Kanye West
Photo: MTV News

Kanye West has aligned a murderer's row of producers for his forthcoming album, including Pete Rock, the RZA and Q-Tip.

But "Power," the first track to emerge from the Chicago MC's highly anticipated LP, wasn't produced by one of the aforementioned acclaimed beatsmiths. Instead, underground producer Symbolyc One manned the boards for the number.

The Dallas-based producer (a.k.a. S1) has previously worked with Ghostface, Slim Thug and Chamillionaire, but he's hardly a household name.

"The way it came together, I work with Rhymefest," S1 told MTV News about the song, referring to another Chicago MC. "I did like four joints on his album. And one day, out the blue, I got a text from Rhymefest that said, 'Kanye is loving your stuff. He said he's about to change your life.' Two days later, I got an e-mail that said my flight to Hawaii [where West recorded much of the album] leaves in three hours! So I was on a flight, and it just happened like that. I went down and stayed for like two weeks, banged out some joints.

"The 'Power' joint that we did, it was actually a track that I already made and gave to Rhymefest, and he just so happened to play it for Kanye in the studio and he loved it. So when I got out to Hawaii, Kanye had already recorded to it."

A month later, S1 returned to Hawaii and heard "Power" again, this time with more "polish" added by 'Ye, who co-produced the song. However, S1 picked the sample that drives the record: a snippet of British progressive rock band King Crimson's "21st Century Schizoid Man."

Initially, he didn't think West would be interested in the beat, because a drum break resembles a sound the rapper already visited on "Crack Music," a song from one of his previous albums.

But West showed a heavy interest in the song, and used it to fire back at his detractors: "I'm living in the 21st century, doing something mean to it," 'Ye raps on the first verse. "Do it better than anybody you ever seen do it/ Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it/ I guess every superhero need his theme music."

"It was incredible," the producer said. "We would just listen to the joint in the studio over and over, with the lights turned down and these layers of lights on in the studio. And we would bang it loud, over and over."

In addition to producing, S1 is a part of a trio billed as the Strange Fruit Project, who have been releasing material since 2004.

Their next project A Dreamer's Journey — which S1 described as "alternative hip-hop" — is set for fall release; he and his production parter Caleb oversaw all the material.

In the meantime, S1 said he's fielding phone calls and learning as much as he can from West.

"They kind of welcomed me into the family," S1 said. "I've been doing a lot of work with him. He's just a good dude. He has a super-good heart. He really took care of me and made me feel like a part of the family. And I'm so grateful for the position he's put me in right now."

What do you think about Kanye West's new song? Let us know in the comments!

• What Has Kanye West Been Up To This Past Year?

• Kanye West

'Always knew we had the greatest fans,' Paramore frontwoman tweets after a topless photo hit the Net.
By James Montgomery

Hayley Williams
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images

Ever since a topless picture of Paramore's Hayley Williams hit the Internet on Thursday — which she claims came from a rather mean-spirited hacker — the flame-haired frontwoman has remained mostly mum on the matter.

She briefly addressed the incident in a tweet Thursday ("well ... my night just changed drastically. got hacked."). But on Friday (May 28), Williams got a little more in-depth, thanking her fans for their support during the trying time.

"Always knew we had the greatest fans," Williams tweeted. "Thank you so much for all the support. Overwhelming. Today is a new day. Gonna keep my head up high."

In the hours after the photo leaked, Paramore fans took to Twitter en masse to show their support for Williams, writing messages like "Stay strong Hayley! Don't pay attention to the media [or] anyone else. Everything will be okay" and "I don't love you any less. You're still my inspiration." Others declared war on the hacker supposedly responsible for the incident — someone/thing calling themselves "Treb Queron" — threatening all sorts of bodily harm.

A spokesperson for Paramore's label had no comment on the photo when contacted by MTV News. Williams and her Paramore mates will hit the road in the U.S. again in July, as the headlining act on the 2010 Honda Civic Tour, along with Tegan and Sara, New Found Glory and Kadawatha. The jaunt kicks off July 23 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Did you have Hayley's back during the Twitpic scandal? Let us know in the comments!

• 'Sexting In America: When Privates Go Public'

• Paramore

'It sounds really victorious,' one fan tells MTV News of 'Ye's first new music in months.
By James Dinh

Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage

NEW YORK — It's been months since we've heard from Kanye West, so it makes sense that fans are hungry for new music from the rapper. On Friday (May 28), a brand-new track called "Power" leaked online. MTV News wanted to know what fans thought of the song, so we ventured into New York's Times Square to hear what was on their minds.

Many music fans couldn't have been more pleased with "Power." "It sounds like how he used to. I like him back when he first came out. It was like a throwback," Kalu Ohator told MTV News. "It sounds really victorious."

Another fan, Adrienne Smith, enjoyed the track because of its uniqueness. "It's got a cool mix of kind of tribal music," she said. Despite the VMA fiasco, Smith believes Kanye's boldness ultimately gives the rapper an advantage. "I think Kanye's really good about highlighting maybe some of the things we don't want to think about in terms of American culture, but he does it in such a clever way, and he always had that little bit of arrogance that is Kanye," she said of the song's lyrics.

Shirin Taki was pleased with the track's originality. "I liked it. I thought that it was really unique. He has good style. He's always putting on something new," she gushed, noting that the rapper always has something great up his sleeve.

While some fans enjoyed "Power," others thought it could have been better. "It started well, and I thought it had potential, but then it kind of just carried on the same and got a bit boring and repetitive," Haley Heathfield said.

In the end, one fan suggested that it really might not be all about the music. "It was good. It seemed a little racy," Richard Malkling Jr. said. But despite West's ability to make great music, Malkling couldn't ignore the rapper's egotistical past. "He's always got good lyrics, but I don't know ... too much power for one man."

What did you think of "Power"? Sound off in the comments below!

• What Has Kanye West Been Up To This Past Year?

• Kanye West

Pair have been dating for at least a couple of years.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beats announced late Thursday evening that they're engaged, and that the Grammy-winning singer is expecting the couple's first child together.

The news might have been a surprise to some: Keys is an R&B/pop superstar who has performed at President Barack Obama's inauguration, while Swizz (real name: Kasseem Dean) is a Ruff Ryders alumnus and a veteran hip-hop producer who's laced Jay-Z and DMX with some of their grittiest tracks.

But the musical couple have been dating for a couple of years, at least since 2008, when rumors of their union began to swirl — and recently whispers about the two ratcheted up when photos of Keys with what appeared to be a baby bump appeared online.

Here's a timeline of the couple's relationship:

» In 2008, music-industry insiders began buzzing about a pairing between Swizz — then married to R&B chanteuse Mashonda — and Keys, but the speculation turned public when gossip blog TheYBF.com published a post detailing their union, citing a source close to the singer.

» Later in 2008, Alicia Keys threw a surprise birthday party for the art-collecting producer (who by then was separated from his wife) at New York's Guggenheim Museum. Although they wouldn't appear in public together until the following year, the shindig solidified that the two were an item.

» In 2009, Swizz Beatz all but confirmed his relationship with Keys through a remix verse he added to Drake's hit, "Best I Ever Had," rapping, "She gave me a party at the Guggenheim ... What's next? The ring? The baby? She really loves me."

» Throughout the year, Keys and Swizz (engaged in a messy divorce from Mashonda, including public spat on Twitter) were spotted together at a bevy of events, including his pre-Grammy Awards event, game three of World Series (where she performed alongside Jay-Z), and a swank Whitney Houston album preview event; the musical pair worked together to produce the Houston single "Million Dollar Bill."

» This year, the duo have been frequently photographed together, both domestically and abroad; pics of Keys performing across the Atlantic caused a stir online as the singer's loose-fitting clothing led many to believe she was hiding a baby bump.

» On Thursday, a spokesperson for the couple confirmed that they were engaged and are expecting their first child together. The baby will be her first and his third: The producer has two other children from previous relationships.

What do you think about Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys' relationship? Let us know in the comments!

• Lovebirds: Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz

• Alicia Keys
• Swizz Beatz

Onetime child actor lived a complicated public life following star-making turn on 'Diff'rent Strokes.'
By Brian Warmoth

Gary Coleman
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Gary Coleman's career in the public eye introduced nearly as many tangled issues as his "Diff'rent Strokes" character Arnold Jackson grappled with amid laughs. The 42-year-old actor died due to an intracranial hemorrhage Friday (May 28) after being taken off life support at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, and he left behind one of television's most iconic characters, as well as an adult life that reflected the problems he carried away from his experiences as a child actor.

Coleman's recent appearances in works like the documentary "Midgets vs. Mascots" and the TV show "Divorce Court" demonstrated the personal issues he dealt with in the shadow of a young role that defined him for many and the public displays of anger he became known for later on in life. As an actor whose early television work brought discussions about race relations and class into homes across the country, his legacy will also encompass the 1989 lawsuit he filed against his real-life adopted parents for mismanaging his money and the parodies his role as Arnold spawned, both in Coleman's own work and elsewhere.

"Diff'rent Strokes" hit on dramatic real-world topics during its run, notably inviting Nancy Reagan on during an episode focused on drugs. The show also took a stand against racism in a story where Arnold's adopted father, Mr. Drummond, tried to get him and his brother Willis (played by Todd Bridges) into his exclusive prep-school alma mater. In that case, the criteria in the school's entrance exam became part of the issue. During its run, "Diff'rent Strokes" revisited such themes, though, including an episode where Willis encountered more overt discrimination while trying to take a white girl to a dance.

Coleman's signature catchphrase from the 1980s — "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" — cemented his prominent place in pop culture but also followed him throughout the rest of his life into works like the musical "Avenue Q," where Coleman didn't collaborate or necessarily approve, but was presented as a puppet landlord in the song "It Sucks to Be Me."

Coleman left his mark on video games as well, though, voice-acting the part of lemonade seller Kenny Falmouth in the cult-classic LucasArts game "The Curse of Monkey Island." Even there, the exaggerated pouting attitude he exhibited on "Diff'rent Strokes" became part of his charm.

Even the sketches and Arnold's frequently quoted quips at his onscreen brother are a testament to the affection that still exists now for Coleman's character. Few performers ever achieve the lasting presence in the public consciousness that Coleman grabbed playing Arnold Jackson, and his work at the age of 10 will undoubtedly outlast his talk-show and reality-television appearances later in life as he is remembered.

Share your own memories and favorite Gary Coleman roles in the comments below.

• Remembering Gary Coleman

• Gary Coleman: A Life In Photos

• Gary Coleman

The ¡Mayday!-starring clip, plus three other brand-new ones, to premiere during MTV Jams' Lil Tunechi Weekend.
By Shaheem Reid

Lil Wayne
Photo: Young Money/Cash Money

Lil Tunechi Weekend: 'Get A Life'

We get back to partying and rebellious rock and roll on Lil Wayne's "Get a Life" clip. All this week, we've been previewing Wayne videos — "Da Da Da," the Nicki Minaj-featuring "Knockout" and "Runnin'." — that are set to get their debuts on MTV Jams and MTV 2 during the Memorial Day holiday. On Friday (May 28), the preview concluded with Weezy and the versatile band ¡Mayday! rocking on "Get a Life."

Like the clip for "Da Da Da," "Get a Life" was filmed on the roof of the Marlin Hotel, and it features an inspired performance by the Birdman Jr. and his crew of instrumentalists. Back in February, ¡Mayday! bandmember Plex spoke to MTV News about shooting with Wayne.

"It was a whole mess of people," he said of the sets for "Da Da Da" and "Get a Life," which were filmed back-to-back in Miami during Super Bowl weekend. Those were just two of nine Wayne shot in less than 72 hours. "I didn't notice who was there, but I saw Shane [Mosley] because I'm a big fan. Then, you know, the whole Cash Money/ Young Money clique was there. A few NFL players were there. It was crazy."

"I'm just tryna get my own," Wayne sings, dressed in a red ¡Mayday! T-shirt. "I'm up early in the mornin', gettin it by all means/ Gotta get this dough!"

The balance of the fruit of their collective labor, a full-length "Da Da Da," premiered Friday (May 28) on Jams and MTV2.

"[The video] was set up like a reality show," Plex said of "Da Da Da." "They followed us out of the tour bus, up the stairs and then we jumped on the stage and started playing. It was fun, man. They was trying to re-create, spin off of 'The Streets Have No Name' by U2 — the one where they were performing on the rooftop and people start gathering around. [Wayne's video] was doing something parallel to that on the rooftop of the Marlin. They had helicopter shots and all."

Which of the four new Wayne videos are you most excited to see this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

• Lil Tunechi Weekend

• Lil Wayne

Singer debuted 'Rockstar 101' clip earlier this week.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Rihanna in her 'Te Amo' video
Photo: Def Jam

Rihanna had yet another video premiere this week, joining her "Rockstar 101" clip, as the European version of "Te Amo" debuted.

The steamy visual features the Barbadian beauty and French model Laetitia Casta getting close to the Spanglish tune. The video was ripped and loaded onto a German Rihanna fan site on Friday (May 28) and spread among blogs Stateside, giving viewers a peek at the edgier fare.

The clip's soft lighting and red hue give off a "Moulin Rouge" vibe, matching the song's sexy undertone.

"Then she said, 'Te amo'/ Then she put her hand around my waist," Rihanna sings over the perky production. "I told her, 'No'/ She cried, 'Te amo'/ I told her, 'I'm not gonna run away'/ But let me go/ My soul has arrived, without asking why/ I said, 'Te amo'/ Wish somebody would tell me what she said/ Don't it mean 'I love you'?"

Earlier this week, Rihanna debuted "Rockstar 101," in which she channeled her inner Slash, the iconic Guns N' Roses guitar player. Slash spoke to MTV News after the video premiered and revealed that he was asked to make a cameo in the clip, but his schedule prevented it.

"I was supposed to actually be in that video," he said. "I played on the song, and they called me up to ask me to play in the video, but my record was just coming out, and I was sort of worn thin. She was really sweet. She sent me this pleading text to come do the video, but I couldn't make it work. I told her that me not being in the video wasn't going to make or break it."

What do you think about Rihanna's "Te Amo" video? Let us know in the comments!

• Rihanna's 'Rockstar 101' Video: A Pop-Culture Cheat Sheet

• Rihanna

Kim Kardashian, Kevin Smith, Olivia Wilde and John Stamos also take to Twitter to remember 'Diff'rent Strokes' star.
By Brian Warmoth

Gary Coleman
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images

Gary Coleman will be remembered for one TV role more than any other accomplishment in his career, but the "Diff'rent Strokes" star — who died Friday (May 28) due to an intercranial hemorrhage — was mourned by people across the entertainment industry.

Some focused on what he had to overcome as a child actor, while others chose to remember him as Arnold Jackson.

"I'm at a loss for words upon learning of Gary Coleman's passing," said Janet Jackson, who appeared on "Diff'rent Strokes" as the girlfriend of Todd Bridges' character. "I want to remember him as the fun, playful, adorable and affectionate man he was. He has left a lasting legacy. I know he is finally at peace."

John Stamos, who starred with several young Hollywood names during his time on "Full House," noted the difficulties Coleman experienced trying to overcome his "Diff'rent Strokes" persona. "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be...actors. r.i.p. gary," Stamos tweeted.

Tom Arnold credited Coleman with brightening up his adolescence. "He made my teen years funnier!" the actor and comedian wrote. "Now I hope people will stop bullying him."

Both Kim Kardashian and Shannon Elizabeth offered prayers for Coleman and his family.

"Oh wow Gary Coleman passed away!" Kardashian tweeted. "My prayers go out to his family."

Those words were echoed by Elizabeth: "RIP Gary Coleman. Diff'rent Strokes was a huge part of my childhood. My prayers are w/his family & friends-you'll truly be missed Gary..."

Ashton Kutcher kept his thoughts bright on Coleman's death, pledging: "I will always be a fan!" Others, including Alyssa Milano, Ken Jeong and Nick Frost kept their messages simple with "R.I.P." tweets. Olivia Wilde also dropped an R.I.P. into her posts, adding, "Poor Gary Coleman. Hope it was painless."

Kevin Smith may have summed up his feelings most eloquently, referencing one of Coleman's best-known "Strokes" episodes. "Fare thee well, Mr. Coleman," the director tweeted. "As Arnold, you taught us how to say no to pederast bike dealers. But as Gary, you taught us size doesn't matter."

Share your thoughts and memories about Gary Coleman in the comments below.

• Remembering Gary Coleman

• Gary Coleman: A Life In Photos

• Gary Coleman

'This has been so comforting to the family to know how beloved he still is,' her statement reads.
By Kara Warner

Gary Coleman
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Mere hours after news broke that Gary Coleman died of an intracranial hemorrhage on Friday (May 28), Coleman's widow, Shannon Price, thanked fans for their support.

The heartfelt statement was read by her brother, Shawn Price, at a news conference. "We are very grateful for all the wonderful support everyone has been extending to Gary's family," he said. "Thousands of e-mails have poured in to the hospital. This has been so comforting to the family to know how beloved he still is. ... Thank you so much for all that you guys have done and for the support and prayers that you guys have given us."

Price also said that details regarding Coleman's death and funeral arrangements will be announced soon.

The "Diff'rent Strokes" actor, whose congenital kidney disease halted his childhood growth at an early age, had suffered a series of health setbacks in recent years. He was admitted to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo on Wednesday after hitting his head in an unexplained fall and had reportedly slipped into critical condition by the next day. On Friday, doctors announced that he was unconscious and on life support in a coma due to an intracranial hemorrhage, which results from a broken or ruptured blood vessel, causing bleeding inside the skull.

Born in Zion, Illinois, on February 8, 1968, Coleman was adopted as an infant by a local couple. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune dysfunction called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a congenital kidney disease that stunted his growth (he was 4-foot-8) and required two kidney transplants as well as daily dialysis.

Later in life, he was forced to work as a security guard on a movie set in 2008 when acting gigs dried up. He got married that year to then-22-year-old Shannon Price, though the union was rocky, landing the couple on the syndicated "Divorce Court" show. He was hospitalized in Los Angeles for undisclosed reasons in January, then again in February after suffering a seizure on the set of the TV show "The Insider."

Share your thoughts and memories of Gary Coleman in the comments below.

• Remembering Gary Coleman

• Gary Coleman: A Life In Photos

• Gary Coleman