Here is Mariah Carey's new single, "Triumphant (Get 'em)". Haven't been hearing enthusiastic reactions from people who like or love Mariah—of which I am not one (hence the totally biased title)—but what do YOU think?

And what about the artwork?

And do you think she will spice up American Idol? I must admit I'd be scared shitless to sing in front of a real singer like her and yet, as someone who's never sung, I wouldn't sweat it if I had to warble for the likes of Paula Abdul or Britney Spears.

"Fuck—you!" [Smiles with satisfaction]

Via MadonnaTribe: Absolutely love the official art for "Give Me All Your Luvin'," which has a lot of energy and style. Love the treatment of the title on Madonna's top. (Fritz thinks that because presenting a person in triptych has occurred before, that makes this somewhat unoriginal. I think Madonna's triptych has a unique, demanding vibe and don't believe it's important for a single cover to be 100% unrecognizable as anything that's ever been done.)

Thought of this cover because of its resemblance to the third pic above

Madonna's triptych "Give It 2 Me" came out June 4, 2008, before Whitney or Mariah's (dramatically different anyway) covers

Any other single covers on which Madonna appears thrice? Oh, yeah! 

Even more in love with the info that "Give Me All Your Luvin'" will be released on February 3 and that iTunes will have an exclusive pre-order of an 18-track deluxe edition of MDNA (including a remix of one song) from February 3—February 6 for just $9.99. Starting February 3, go here for the offer.

Spotted Pia Toscano (RIGHT?) on my L.A. flight (above) and the Harry Potter Weasley twins, James and Oliver Phelps at Buca di Beppo at Universal CityWalk (below):

One more after the jump...

Prove it!

As of midnight last night, it was exactly six years since my first post. It's been a tough thing to keep up with a dayjob and outside activities, and just when I think I might walk away, a valuable connection or interesting opportunity or a kind word comes my way. Thank you all for reading me.

Of whom are you more jealous?

Here are my favorite 100+ posts out of nearly 11,000. Please take some time to read (or re-read!) a couple and tweet or Facebook any you like.

xoxo Matt

The pocket pool championships were intense this year

BOY CULTURE

Boy-crazy

FROM BOY TO MAN: BC B.C. (2007): The entire history of my novell and novel Boy Culture as well as the movie version; might be my ultimate post.

Jonathon Trent & Derek Magyar make an Allan Brocka sandwich

BOY ON FILM (2006): An account of the NYC launch party for Boy Culture as it played the TriBeCa Film Fest.

I was left "Reeling" by the experience

FRIENDS AND "FAMILY" (2006): The movie version of Boy Culture hits Chicago.

No one would've mistaken me for Taylor Lautner

RAPT PUPIL (2006): The final night of Outfest with Boy Culture; I was fat but on the other hand got to meet Bryan Singer.

 

MY ART

 

Construction worker (shot this week) vs. James Dean

GUYDAR (since at least January 17, 2008) & ENDS OF THE WORLD (since at least January 13, 2008): Attractive men of the world—I got your backs. Your fronts, too.

i-i-i (phone)

Not totally built

Unaltered iPhone image that still blows me away

"Your pictures suck" (2008): An art critic attacks me, but not without sustaining some hits in return.

Let's call it a draw

DRAWN TOGETHER (2008): How my desire to draw related to my secret desire. One of my absolute favorite posts.

The shirtless one

LOST ANGELES (2009): My favorite photographic travelogue of L.A.

Even then, New Yorkers feared 9/11 was the beginning of the end

ART IMITATES LIFE (2006): My 9/11 and my distaste for grief tourism.

ME

Death of the party—Jeff in high school, already halfway through his life

BURNING MAN (2007): Tribute to my late high school friend and first romance.

Signed, sealed (eventually) delivered

LOST BOY FOUND (2011): There is a book in here somewhere.

Be Italian

CIAO HOUNDS: OUR TRIP TO ITALY (2011): Finally got José to Europe.

Death becomes here

ILLINOIS DEATH TRIP (2007): Ruminations on death while revisiting a past home, and the past.

Life is short...and meaningful

PASSING BY (2008): Mourning the loss of a person I only met once.

Lots more...

The Voice's Frenchie Davis takes on Madonna's "Like a Prayer" under Madonna-smoochin' Christina Aguilera's tutelage. I used to live in Frenchie's building here in NYC and rooted for her when she was so unfairly booted by American Idol.

I think she does okay with it, but I can hear her discomfort with the sped-up version in the first half. It's interesting to hear that churchy black voice on the lead instead of as the back-up. She definitely gets better as she goes along, too, and ends big...

With thanks to David: Nastily hilarious imaginary throw-down between J.Lo and Beyoncé...

Above, Taylor Lautner revs it up in People (May 9, 2011). Below, can't Kris Allen just come out? So adorable in OK! (May 9, 2011):

Lucky dog!

The Advocate's Jeremy Kinser asked his Facebook pals to suggest questions for his Jennifer Lopez interview last week. Many were, predictably, bitchy and comic. But he kindly used a version of my suggested question: "If you were just beginning your career, which song would you use to audition for American Idol?" She replied:

[Laughs] "That’s funny. Let’s see. Back in the day I used to audition with 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go' by Whitney Houston. I think I would do what I tell the kids to do, which is find something that really suits me and my style and go with that."

Hands up if you want to hear J.Lo attempting a Whitney Houston song, like, right now!

Even Donny Osmond thinks the new American Idol is uncool, saying on his radio show:

"Lots of pressure for the show, and a lot to prove. Okay, look, let me say this, AI first and foremost is a television program. It is not reality. It is packaged for entertainment. Now, the first rule of entertainment is there has to be some kind of conflict. Conflict is what makes it interesting. I'm sorry, but without Simon Cowell, there is no conflict. With Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, you have three white hats and no villain. It just doesn't work! There were lots of 'I’m sorries' and 'you are so sweet' and 'I really like you'...no way.  Simon Cowell is sorely missed, and if last night was any indication, Season 10 will be the final season of AI...It's been fun, American Idol, but it's time to say ‘see ya!'"

Speaking of which, what would Simon make of J.Lo's atrocious take on "Venus"?

This is so close up it could be our engagement picture!

I spent a lovely evening at a party honoring terribly famous (overseas) Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins, whose debut CD Believe is out in the U.S. today on 143/Reprise. She greeted guests and sang—with David Foster accompanying her—three songs: "La Vie en Rose," "The Godfather Theme" and the new Andrew Lloyd Webber composition "Love Never Dies."

 

When she did the latter, Foster had to point out that there was a small mix-up—she was singing the long version and he was playing the shortened one for TV (she did Today today). She immediately pointed out where to pick up again and her voice snapped right back to magnificence: