Real Style Network: You got your start on the YTV reality show The Next Star. What was it like being on the show?

Victoria Duffield: It was really neat. I had acted before, but I had never done a reality show. It was definitely very different. Overall it was a great experience and a great stepping stone in my career giving me national exposure and meeting some great people, which then connected me to Warner. It was definitely a great step in my career.

Real Style Network: What did you think when you didn’t win?

Victoria Duffield: When the finale came and I wasn’t chosen there was never a thought of ‘Ok, that’s where my career ends.’ It was always thought of as ‘That was one step. Where can I go now?’ I continued to rehearse in the dance studio and perform in my community. It wasn’t until March that I had a board meeting with Warner. There were many months there where I kept on going. That wasn’t going to stop me.

Real Style Network: Was it intimidating going in to meet with such a huge music company for the first time?

Victoria Duffield: I was definitely very nervous. I don’t usually get nervous for performances, but that was a nerve wracking one, because I knew how important it was for me and my career. I thought ‘Wow, this happened when I was 16.’ As it is, I am the youngest person they have ever signed. I was definitely nervous, but up to the challenge.

Real Style Network: So now you have released your first single “Shut Up & Dance” and it’s reached number one on the Canadian chart. What did you think when your first single ever hit number one?

Victoria Duffield: I don’t know what I thought would happen when the song first came out. When it hit number 29 on MuchMusic, I was like ‘Oh my god I am on the MuchMusic countdown! How can this be possible?’ For it to be number one is unbelievable. It’s very honouring that the country could take to my song so fast. I was absolutely thrilled.

Real Style Network: Was it strange for your friends seeing you on the charts?

Victoria Duffield: They are kind of used to it. I have always been in commercials and different things. They are like ‘Oh Victoria’s off doing something again.’ For them hearing my song on the radio is something they have never heard. For them, that is the weirdest thing. They say ‘You will never guess. I was driving down the road and you were on the radio.’ They think it’s pretty cool.

Real Style Network: Was it important for you to bring your love of dance into your first single?

Victoria Duffield: As an artist, that is what I bring to differentiate myself from people. I like to have the full show. It was very important for me in the first single, right off the bat, to show Canada what I am about and showcase my dancing.

Real Style Network: Are you currently working on a full length now?

Victoria Duffield: I have been doing lots of other writing and recording. I am getting ready for my second single to be out on the 14^th. We are planning and getting together an EP. I am doing some other writing as well in these next couple of weeks. After that I hope to take that on some sort of tour.

Real Style Network: What can fans expect from future music from you?

Victoria Duffield: Definitely more dance pop music. This upcoming song has a darker dance edge. I’ve been hearing from other people that the songs are very catchy. Look forward to a lot of our songs getting stuck in your head.

Real Style Network: How do you balance all of this with school?

Victoria Duffield: It is very difficult I won’t lie to you. I just work out the right balance. When I am away it is all about my interviews, my performing and my rehearsals. Then when I get home I work to catch up on my homework and get everything done. I don’t sleep much. I do get stressed with everything going on, but it’s what I want to do so I feel I need to deal with this. All of these exciting things are happening. It’s a juggling act, but I make it work.

Real Style Network: What advice do you have for other kids your age who want to pursue the same path as you?

Victoria Duffield: Work really hard. Don’t be afraid to invest a lot of your time in it. Take advantage of every opportunity that you get. I was always one to go into any singing competition and taking advantage of offers for any performances. Just get as much experience as you can. Don’t listen when people say ‘Oh you can’t do that.’ If you want it keep going for it.

Of the four movies opening this weekend Safe House will probably have the weakest opening.  First it’s restricted, second it stars Denzel Washington who hasn’t had a hit in quite some time and Ryan Reynolds who is slowly watching his star fade, and thirdly its director is making his North American debut.  Still it looks like it could be fun, what with Reynolds playing a young CIA agent tasked with watching over a fugitive, even after he’s forced to do so on the run.

The Rock says, let’s make a sequel to Journey To The Center of the Earth, and combine it with another famous science fiction story by the same author, and call it Journey 2: Mysterious Island.  Oh yeah, and let’s add characters not in the original movie, and bring in a former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson to star because Brendan Fraser isn’t coming back.  This movie looks like a train wreck waiting to happen, but because it’s a kid’s flick it will probably do all right.  Especially with the Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson and teenage fan favourite Vanessa Hudgens co-starring.

During the most romantic weekend of the year Hollywood has decided to only bring out one romance.  The Vow starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum is based on a true story about a couple getting to know one another again after a car accident strips a man’s wife of her memory.  Expect a lot of tears in the theaters this weekend because of this one.

And finally yet another Star Wars movie is being re-released.  1999′s The Phantom Menace is coming back to theaters in 3-D, and yes for George Lucas once again has tinkered with the final product.  This time he’s removed puppet Yoda and replaced him with CGI.  Why this man feels it necessary to continually change things is beyond anyone, but it will undoubtedly still do very well this weekend.  It’s not like the re-releases of the original trilogy back in the 90′s though, so it will probably fade away after a couple of weeks.

Executive producers David Shore and Katie Jacobs and series star Hugh Laurie released a joint statement on the reason they decided to end it. “The decision to end the show now, or ever, is a painful one, as it risks putting asunder hundreds of close friendships that have developed over the last eight years — but also because the show itself has been a source of great pride to everyone involved,” they said. “The producers have always imagined House as an enigmatic creature;  he should never be the last one to leave the party. How much better to disappear before the music stops, while there is still some promise and mystique in the air.”

The series has dealt with many issues throughout the years including drug addiction, suicide and mental illness for their main cast, and and many other illnesses to their patients.  The series continues to be a ratings winner, but their numbers have dropped over the years as the cast salaries have risen.  It came down to a last minute decision last year as to whether or not they were going to renew for this season.  After the decision was made to renew, Lisa Edelstein decided not to return, and joined a list of former stars who left the show including Jennifer Morrison and Kal Penn.

The last episode of House will air in May.

In a press release Claire Freeland, Director of Original Programming, Rogers Media, and Executive Producer of The Bachelor Canada said “We are searching for romantic hopefuls from across the country that represent the true scope of the vibrant, fun and fearless women here in Canada. This is an extraordinary opportunity for bachelorettes currently on a quest for love and willing to put it all on the line to find it.”

If you are looking to participate and try out you’ll have to travel to either Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal or Halifax.  The tour starts on February 19th on the west coast and travels east.  To be a considered for the show you must be a single Canadian women over the age of majority.   The press release states that “whether single and ready to settle down, unlucky in love, or never been kissed – The Bachelor Canada is looking for 25 lucky ladies who are ready to find their happily ever after by winning the heart of one special bachelor.”

This version of the show begins filming in the spring, and will air on CityTV this fall.  With nine episodes set to air you could find yourself not only becoming a celebrity, but also finding the love of your life.

If you are unable to attend the tour, you can still apply online at www.citytv.com/bachelorcanada.

The official announcement came this morning from The Recording Academy, and it was also announced that the band would be performing with Maroon 5 and Foster The People.  It wasn’t announced what the special performance would consist, but it’s sure to help with ratings by getting fans of the group to tune in.  Both Maroon 5 and Foster The People are current nominees for the awards.  Foster The People are up for  Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Music Album for Torches, while Maroon 5 is up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Moves Like Jagger”.

The Recording Academy also announced that The Civil Wars, Diana Krall, Maceo Parker, and Joe Walsh have been added to the lineup.

L.L. Cool J will host the event this Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and will be braodcast live on CBS starting at 8pm.

The Album of the Year award has Drake facing off against Justin Bieber, Michael Buble, Nickleback and Avril Lavigne.  Justin Bieber and Michael Buble’s albums are their Christmas additions that came out late last year.  The Artist of the Year category is also one that should be an interesting fight with City and Colour up against Deadmau5, Drake, Feist and Michael Buble.

Jim Cuddy told Canada.com that being nominated for the Junos  ”means something to everybody, whether they acknowledge it or not. Whether you’re an established artist or a new artist, the hype around the telecast is definitely important for all of the nominees.”

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences also announced that William Shatner would be hosting the April 1st event.    “I’m so pleased to be a part of THE JUNO AWARDS,” he said in a press release. “To be part of Canada’s entertainment industry is a point of pride.”

“A true Canadian icon, we are thrilled to welcome the man and the legend, William Shatner, as host of THE 2012 JUNO AWARDS broadcast,” said Phil King, President CTV Programming and Sports said. “A recording artist himself, Mr. Shatner will bring his irreverent sense of humour and love for his home country to his role as host of Canada’s Music Awards.”

For a complete list of nominees for the 41st Annual Juno Awards check out Junoawards.ca.

The 2012 Juno Awards air on Sunday, April 1 from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.

Photo Courtesy of CTV

Yesterday marked the annual Oscar’s Nominees Luncheon, and this year 18 of the 20 acting nominees attended.  They were among more than 150 nominees altogether.

The Academy stated in a press release that “From the Best Actress and Actor categories all the nominees – Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams, Demián Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman and Brad Pitt – are expected to attend. Kenneth Branagh, Jonah Hill, Nick Nolte, Max von Sydow, Bérénice Bejo, Melissa McCarthy, Janet McTeer and Octavia Spencer will represent the Supporting Actor and Actress categories.”  They also said that 3 of the 5 directors nominated, Michel Hazanavicius, Alexander Payne and Martin Scorsese would be there.

EW was at the event, and discovered everyone had different reasons for attending.  George Clooney was there for the “free booze”, while Kenneth Branagh was there to enjoy the “the camaraderie” of his fellow actors.  Whatever their reasons for attending however, all them took time to socialize with one another and talk to the press.

The Help’s Octavia Spencer said that “I hope I can be a symbol of hope for all the other actors who’ve been doing it as long as I have. It says something about perseverance and staying in the game. I’m an Oscar nominee. Whatever happens, I’m always going to sing that Oscar nominee part.”

Glenn Close, who was nominated for Albert Nobbs, sang a similar story.  “The first time I went was for my first nomination for The World According To Garp. I remember being astounded that I met some people who were hyperventilating as to whether they were going to win or not. I have never understood that because if you do the simple math — the amount of people that are in our two unions, the amount of people in our profession who are out of work at any given time, the amount of movies made every year, and then you’re one of five — how could you possibly think of yourself as a loser? Being an actor is a privilege and a responsibility. Great art rearranges people forever. You come out a different person. That’s one of the basic powers of film.”

Moneyball’s Brad Pitt took the time to reflect on the troubles of the world and how he can make things better.  “As you travel around the world, you see so many struggles. Even in our own country so many people are hurting right now. I’ve always wrestled with that. I feel very fortunate that I’m in a position where I pass on some of that good fortune. It’s one of the nicest things about where I stand today.”

Bridesmaids Melissa McCarthy just couldn’t believe she was there.  “It’s been a pretty amazing, surreal year where I keep pinching myself. I’m really hoping I don’t get the call where someone goes, ‘Kidding!’”

The 2012 Academy Awards airs February 26th.

Photo Courtesy of:  Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S.

When we left Gossip Girl, Blair had escaped from her wedding with. The reception is still raging on when we return, but Serena noticed that Blair is MIA. It looks like Dan took her to the Empire.

On their way out, Serena and Chuck find Nate flirting with the real Charlie Rhodes and catch a ride with her to the hotel. Serena is scheming with her real cousin and has no idea. This is too much at an already stressful time! When they arrive at the Empire they meet Georgina (or should we call her Gossip Girl?), not Blair. She wants to join in the hunt for the runaway bride.

Prince Louis and his mother are also looking for Blair. Louis can’t risk the press finding out that he is in a loveless, fake marriage.

Blair and Dan are actually on their way to the airport so Blair can fly to the Dominican where she can get a divorce. She’s not going to get far in that wedding gown though.

Dan’s horrible lying when Serena calls isn’t helping either. Fortunately Serena is too distracted by her love for him that she doesn’t notice. When Georgina tries to tell them that Dan is lying, Chuck and Serena force her out. I supposed she was bound to start lying eventually, so it’s better if she goes now. Soon enough they realize Georgina may have been telling the truth. Georgina blackmails Dorota into spilling the beans and stops Blair from getting her much needed passport.

Dan is so distraught he calls Rufus for a hand. He enlists Rufus to keep Louis’ family in the dark about Blair’s whereabouts. She has to get out of the country before the royals call in some favours and get the borders closed down. Princess Sophie finally snaps and demands that Eleanor get Blair back or pay the dowry in the pre-nuptial agreement. What century are we in? Do dowries really still exist?

While they wait for a flight, Blair gets a huge shock when Louis appears on TV reporting her missing. He asks the public to help find her and implies that she’s not mentally stable. This is bad news for the start of Blair’s marriage. He’s creating this picture of her in the media, which he can use later. Louis doesn’t need the media thought because Gossip Girl tips him off on where to find his bride. Is it Georgina causing more trouble?

Blair and Dan hide out in a cheap hotel. At least that’s the one place no one would ever expect to look for Blair. Chuck and Serena show up at the door and Georgina is close behind with a convenient little camera phone. During the surprise Serena drops her purse revealing the camera that taped Blair and Chuck at the wedding. Serena, how could you? You sent the video to Gossip Girl? Serena admits it, but somehow turns it around on Blair for running away with Dan. Why is Serena making this about her? She ruined her best friend’s wedding. Does she ever think about other people? Her problems are minute in comparison.

Before Chuck can whisk Blair away from everything, Princess Sophie appears in the doorway. She demands Blair returns to Louis or force her mother to lose everything. Heroic Chuck offers to pay the dowry and free her (this sounds like a fairy tale), but she refuses. If they are to be together, Blair doesn’t want them to start a relationship like that. She leaves Chuck standing alone in the hotel room again. How many times can this happen to him?

Before she returns to Louis, Blair thanks Dan for supporting her despite the way she treats him. From the way they talk, it seems like maybe Blair is getting closer to admitting her true feelings for Dan. Maybe these two still do have a future.

Throughout all of this, Nate is at the Empire sweet talking Charlie. When he hears her lying on the phone he politely gets her to leave. What is up with that? Everyone around Nate is a pathological liar; he can handle it. Charlie heads back to work, which is a flower delivery to Rufus and Lily. Oh my god, I can’t take all of these close encounters without anyone knowing she’s the real Charlie.

Before the finale Nate apologizes to her, because he’s just that nice of a guy. He says he doesn’t want another liar of a girlfriend. She admits that her mom doesn’t know that she is in New York. The pair make up, one step closer to the big reveal!

Eleanor confronts Louis. She says she doesn’t want Blair anywhere near him and she doesn’t care what they say, but it’s too late. Blair has already returned and is ready to go. She wants to live up to her responsibilities. Louis looks so sleazy as he escorts her out for the paparazzi. It’s creepy. Poor Blair!

In the end, we see Georgina back at the computer writing another Gossip Girl post. She says that she has taken up the role of Gossip Girl since the true Gossip Girl stopped posting because well, “the world need Gossip Girl.”

Chuck and Serena share a night cap discussing the video. It turns out neither of them actually sent it. They were trying to cover for each other. If they didn’t, then who sent the video and tried to ruin Blair’s wedding. Could it be Dan? Sweet Dan Humphrey who always take the high road, but does love Blair with all his heart. We will have to wait until next week to find out the truth.

Related: Read More Gossip Girl Recaps

[Photo via The CW]

The website, littlemonsters.com, has yet to go live, but when you visit it you are given the option of entering your name and e-mail address to “Request an invite to be among the first to experience a new community only for Little Monsters. Because you were born this way!”

Little Monsters is the name Lady Gaga calls her fans, and it is intended to be a social networking site for her fans. After registering on the site you receive the following reply.  “Your invitation request has been received! We’re excited to share the world of LittleMonsters with you very shortly, keep an eye out for an official invite sometime soon.”

The site is being created by social media company Backplane, which Lady Gaga is an investor in.

Madonna may have had pre-show gitters before her big Super Bowl performance, but by all accounts they didn’t show as she brought her A-game.

When the first half of the Super Bowl came to an end Sunday evening Madonna fans were eagerly anticipating an appearance by their idol.  She made a grand entrance to the stage, carried by an army of gladiators.  Her first song wasn’t her new single, but a rendition of Vogue.  Covers from the long published magazine flashed on the screen as she sang.  It was interesting to see LMFAO take the stage next and help Madge with a version of her hit song Music, before singing samples of their songs Party Rock Anthem and Sexy and I Know It with her.  For Madonna’s next song Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. joined the Material Girl on stage dressed as cheerleaders for her latest hit Give Me All Your Luvin’.  It wouldn’t be a Madonna performance either without a change of clothing, so for her last song she changed our of her gladiator queen garb into a black robe and sang a version of Like A Prayer (with a little Open Your Heart and Express Yourself mixed in) with help from Cee Lo Green.   When it was over, the stage burst into a cloud of smoke and Madonna vanished as she belted out her final note.  The words World Peace glittered on the stage as the show ended.

All in all it was a great performance.  Sure there is speculation as to whether or not Madonna was lip syncing, she didn’t dance very much (but who could in the boots she was wearing, and she did trip over the bleachers near the beginning), and M.I.A stole some of her thunder by giving the finger to the entire audience (which NBC has all ready apologized for), but it was still fun to watch.  Even celebrities got into the swing of things by Tweeting about her show.

@Eva_Longoria: Madonna is amazing!!! Love her always! What a performer! All my fav songs!
@SteveMartinToGo: Congrats to Madonna for great spot, especially considering game has resumed during last three minutes.
@denise_richards: Madonna looks amazing!! Great #halftime show!!!

Did you catch the show?  What did you think?