Katy Perry Denies Paying to Play Super Bowl Halftime

When Katy Perry officially announced she had been chosen for the Super Bowl Halftime show, everyone began asking just how much the pop star had paid for the gig due to the National Football League’s recent request to try and extort money from performers in a “pay-to-play” scheme.

According to the pop star, who beat out acts like Coldplay and close friend Rihanna for the gig, she didn’t pay a single cent.

At the beginning of the talks, Perry reportedly made it clear that she would not pay to play at “football’s biggest night” saying at the time, “I’m not the kind of girl who would pay to play the Super Bowl.”

In a new interview, it appears that the “Teenage Dream” singer stuck to her guns, claiming that she did not give in to the NFL’s requests.

“I put my foot down very early in the courtship,” explained Perry to the Associated Press.

“I said, ‘Look guys, here’s where I draw a line in the sand.’ I want to be invited on my own merits and not with some fine print. I don’t even care if my contract leaks. I have nothing to hide, basically.”

Perry’s performance will reportedly run 12 minutes long and consists of “two worlds.” Whatever that means.

She already revealed that Lenny Kravitz will be one of her special guests for the performance which might, in a way describe, the whole two world performance idea. Word has also started to spread that Perry would be bringing another special guest for the performance.

At the time, there’s no official confirmation, but some are speculating Rihanna is the other guest.

When asked about her performance, Perry said: “I’m all about female empowerment and uplifting people’s spirit, and people finding their own voice with songs like ‘Roar’ and ‘Firework,’ so maybe there is no better person [for the show]. Hopefully, I can bring that incredible strength and empowerment to people throughout the performance.”

Considering she was the most likely from the initial list to be chosen for the gig, we have a feeling she’ll be able to accomplish just that, even if we are a little bias here.

Super Bowl XLIX will take place on Feb. 1 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in, where else, Phoenix, AZ.

Lenny Kravitz Covers the Beatles

With February marking the 50th anniversary since the Beatles made their debut in America, it is only fitting that artists from all different genres of music gather to honor one of the most iconic bands.

The Late Show With David Letterman has begun their own homage to the foursome by having the musical guest stars perform some of the Beatles tunes. Last night, Lenny Kravitz, for those of you that know him as an actor, yes Cinna from The Hunger Games films, took on “Get Back,” the closing track on Let It Be.

Kravitz’s performance marks the halfway mark on the homage weeks. On Monday, Broken Bells performed a synthy version of “And I Love Her” while on Tuesday, Sting performed a duet version of “Drive My Car” with neo-soul singer Ivy Levan. As for tonight, Sean Lennon and the Flaming Lips are set to perform “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” while rumor has it Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are due to appear on Friday night’s show to perform.

Lenny Kravtiz Leaves Marvin Gaye Bio-Pic

Lenny Kravitz was scheduled to play famed musician, Marvin Gaye, in a new bio-pic about the musician’s life titled, Sexual Healing. It has been reported that Kravitz has dropped out of the project and will be replaced by Law & Order alum, Jesse L. Martin.

So far no word has been issued over why Kravitz had dropped out, but last year Gaye’s son, Marvin Gaye III had objected to Kravitz playing his father and asked him to step down. Gaye then followed it with legal threats if he didn’t leave the project.

The movie is set to focus on Gaye’s time in Europe during 1980 when he was trying to curb his addiction and re-launch his career with the help of British promoter Freddy Cousaert.

The movie is set to start filming in later this month in Europe and a little tid bit, Martin was actually set to star in a previous version of this film that was being produced by James Gandolfini in 2008.