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Nikki Yanofsky: Just Your Average Teenager -- Who Sings!

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Hey J-14ers!

I just got to meet young Canadian artist Nikki Yanofsky! She was a true talent and such a pleasure to talk to! As a young artist of only 16, she is very down-to-earth and recognizes how fortunate she is! She believes that her voice is the greatest gift that she has ever received and explained that her love for singing started at very young age. She said that even if she didn't have a good voice, she would probably sing anyway!

Nikki was honored to sing Canada's national anthem at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Even with all the pressure of singing in front of millions of people, her biggest worry -- walking down the stairs in her five inch heels LOL! She also had the privilege of working with other successful artists such as Justin Bieber, Drake, and Avril Lavigne on Canada's Young Artists For Haiti "Wavin' Flag". She claims that Justin's hair really does look as soft as everyone thinks, and she does a hysterical impression of him doing his hair flip!

No matter what she endeavors, Nikki makes sure to always be herself and not change for anyone! Her powerful voice and strong personality have led her to success, and I'm sure there is more to come! Make sure to check out her debut album, Nikki!

What do you think of Nikki Yanofsky?

XOXO

Your J-14 Intern,
Steph

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Burnham Rocks New York City

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Hey J-14ers!

Last night I got to hang with Burnham again in NYC! Z100 hosted an awesome event for the band at Carnival at Bowlmor Lanes. With a Coney Island theme, this sweet place played great music, offered lots of cool carnival games, and waitresses even walked around serving us hor d'oeuvres! There were so many fun things to do as the excitement built up for Burnham to come out and play!

Backstage Alex, Andre, and Forrest were hilarious as usual, and we had fun catching up before their performance. They were so excited to play for everyone and to be there with their fans! Their whole family was incredibly nice, and I got to talk to their parents and their two adorable little sisters! Did you know that there were more Burnhams?

The girls all went nuts when Burnham came out to put on a performance! The boys showed their appreciation for their fans and lead singer Forrest kept everyone laughing with his quirky personality! Everyone rocked out as they played 4 songs for us, including their hit single "Catch Me If You Can." I loved the new songs that I hadn't heard and can't wait for them to get released! "Glow in the Dark" was definitely one of my favorites!

After generously meeting every single person that was there, the boys headed downstairs to put on their bowling shoes and have some fun! The whole Burnham family bowled together and gave each other tips as they went along -- their dad bowled a strike on his first frame! Even as they were bowling they made sure to make time for their fans, and sat and chatted with girls as they waited for their turn!

It was such a fun night all around and this band really knows how to put on a good show! Stay on the look out for the debut Burnham album! I know that you will love it! And don't forget that you will be able to see them all across America this fall on the Justin Bieber tour!

Who went to the event last night? Do you love Burnham as much as I do?

XOXO

Your J-14 Intern,
Steph

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Win It: I Am Number Four Prize Pack

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J-14 has another amazing prize pack for you to win! This time, it's an I Am Number Four hoodie, t-shirt, and book autographed by author Pittacus Lore. I Am Number Four is the first in a series about a group of teens who seem normal, but secretly have extraordinary powers.

The book hits shelves next Tuesday, August 3, and a 2011 movie version is already in the works starring Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron, and Callan McAuliffe! Find out more about I Am Number Four here and head over to our Win It page for your chance to take home the prize pack!

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J-14 Blog: Every Avenue Hits NYC on First Headlining Tour!

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Hey J-14ers,

So it's no secret that I'm a huge Every Avenue fan, so I was super psyched to check out the Michigan-based band last week during the New York leg of their headlining tour, the Motel 6 "Rock Yourself To Sleep" Tour.

EA has so much energy on stage, it was contagious. I was jumping around like a crazy person, and I'm totally okay with admitting that. Everyone sang along to their single "Tell Me I'm A Wreck," but my fave part came during the encore when singer Dave Strauchman came out and performed "Between You & I" with just his piano. He worked the song up into a huge chorus that the whole band then joined in on.

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J-14 Video: Katy Perry Debuts Purr-fect Perfume

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Hey J-14ers,
We were on hand as Katy Perry announced the exciting details about her first-ever perfume, Purr by Katy Perry, at the Andaz 5th Avenue Hotel in New York City last week. From the minute Katy walked into the room sporting her signature quirky style -- a body-hugging music note dress and a bright purple wig -- she seemed totally confident and relaxed standing in front of a room full of questioning beauty editors. She was so excited to talk about all the hard work she put into creating a fragrance, she even gave us a sneak peek ("No photos allowed!") at the top-secret bottle design -- it's shaped like a cat with a "purr" tag on it's collar. So cute!

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Win It: Ugly Betty Prize Pack!

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If you're anything like us, you were totally bummed when Ugly Betty went off the air. Luckily, we don't have to say goodbye to Betty and the gang forever -- TV Guide Network is reairing episodes of the hit show every Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. ET/PT! To celebrate, we're hooking up one lucky reader with a fabulous prize pack, including all four seasons of Ugly Betty on DVD plus a $250 gift card to Best Buy!

All you have to do is watch the clip below and post in the comments the times that you spot the following three items appearing in the clip -- a woman in an all white suit, Betty's poncho from the first episode, and a red ladder. We'll then choose one winner at random to receive the prize pack. Good luck!

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J-14 Video: Our Warped Tour Diary

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Hey J-14ers,

I had an awesome time at yesterday's Vans Warped Tour 2010 stop in Oceanport, NJ. As much as I love my home state (and the number of NJ tattoos I saw -- go Jersey!), we're in the middle of a heat wave right now, so it felt like over 100 degrees outside -- I went through four water bottles! But despite that, the day was amazing.

Oceanport was this year's halfway point, and it was the last day for Sparks The Rescue (they told me they're going back to Maine to record their next album!) and The All-American Rejects. Not only did singer Tyson Ritter give an amazing speech about how much the Warped Tour has meant to him and the band, he joked with people in the VIP section and gave a sick performance of "Gives You Hell."

I also got to see two of my fave bands of all time perform -- Reel Big Fish and Alkaline Trio -- and caught some new bands I've been waiting to see live, like We Are The In Crowd, Anarbor, Set Your Goals, and The Summer Set. It was awesome to see VersaEmerge and The Pretty Reckless again as well -- VE's Sierra Kusterbeck is so original and hopefully a voice you'll be hearing more from in the future, and Taylor Momsen sounds better and better with each performance.

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Hey Monday & Never Shout Never Give Great Warped Tour Advice!

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Hey J-14ers,

I'm so psyched to be go to Warped Tour this weekend! Being the music junkie I am (hello, Bamboozle), this is pretty much heaven for me because I get to see some of my fave bands -- Artist Vs. Poet, The All-American Rejects, The Pretty Reckless, We The Kings, Alkaline Trio, VersaEmerge, Reel Big Fish, The Bouncing Souls, and way more!

To prep for the big event, I got some advice from two awesome singers -- Hey Monday's Cassadee Pope and Christofer Drew of Never Shout Never -- and if you're going to any shows this summer, it's great advice for you too!

Cassadee says the top five things you should bring with you to Warped Tour are "sunscreen, lip balm, hats, dresses, and sandals." Her top five list for herself is pretty cool, too -- she wants to "gain as many fans as possible, gain as many friends as possible, sing with Four Year Strong, stay healthy, and get as many tan lines as possible."

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American Idiot Celebrates the Music of Green Day

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Hi there J-14ers!

Two things I'm absolutely obsessed with? Rock bands and Broadway musicals. So you can imagine my excitement when one of my all-time fave bands, Green Day, announced that they were taking their greatest hits and weaving them into the rock musical, American Idiot.

I was lucky enough to catch a preview back in April just before the show opened... and W-O-W! Green Day's songs have always been the soundtrack to my life at one time or another... from the power ballads "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" (dare I say, greatest music video of all time?!) to the rock-out jams "Holiday" and of course "American Idiot." But I never quite realized how they could be woven together into such a compelling coming-of-age story. It's the grittiness of modern-day musical like Rent meets the head-banging fun of a Green Day concert rolled into one.

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Win It: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Burger King Prize Pack!

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By now you've probably seen The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (maybe more than once!), and what better way to keep the Forks magic alive than by winning your own set of Team Edward, Jacob, and Bella water bottles (available at www.bkeclipse.com)! Plus, you'll also get $15 worth of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse BK Crown Cards and fun Burger King Twilight crowns. Head over to our Win It page to enter for your chance to win now!

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Rooney and The Young Veins Rock New York City

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Hi there J-14ers!

I pretty much know within a few notes of hearing a band's song how I'm going to feel about them -- and it was love at first listen years ago when I heard Rooney. So I was stoked when I found out that the band (who had opened for the Jonas Brothers in 2008) was headlining their own tour for their new album, Eureka.

On top of that... I was totally bummed when another of my fave bands, Panic At the Disco, had lost two members last summer (I'll admit, I still blast their last album Pretty. Odd. all the time on my iPod!), but was thrilled that Ryan Ross and Jon Walker had started The Young Veins.

So when I heard that The Young Veins was opening for Rooney on this tour, it literally was a match made in rock band heaven for me... and after seeing the show last night, boy was it!

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The Hills Series Finale: Silly or Shocking?

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Hey J-14ers!

Let's see a show of hands -- who didn't think The Hills was fake? Right... we all kind of felt like it wasn't exactly "real," but who ever thought they would admit it?

I have been anxiously awaiting this series finale since the show began its final season a few weeks ago since I couldn't wait to see how they would wrap up all of the storylines for our favorite Cali girls and guys.

So here's what went down...Stephanie Pratt finally gets what she's been waiting for -- a boyfriend! Audrina Patridge is going to enjoy her single life, Lo Bosworth is taking the next step and moving in with her BF, and Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag are getting a divorce (maybe?)... and nowhere to be found. The resident hottie Brody Jenner is enjoying spending time with his new "mystery" lady (cough, cough Avril Lavigne perhaps?) and Kristin Cavallari decided she needs a break from L.A. and takes a trip to Europe.

It is nice to know that these friends who let us into their lives every Tuesday night were going to be alright and moving on to start their lives. That is, of course, until the final scene.

When the camera pulled back for the final time, it revealed a Hollywood sign backdrop being pulled away, showing that the "reality" show was actually staged all this time! I couldn't help but feel a little bit like I'd just been duped. I never really thought the show was real, but a piece of me liked to pretend it was.

What did you guys think...were you happy that they let us all in on the secret or shocked that the show wasn't real?

Until next time,
Katelyn

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J-14 Star Watch: Nikki Yanofsky

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Hi J-14ers!

I was so excited when I heard that a bunch of Canadian musicians were banding together for a music video to help Haiti back in March... and it was so cool to see who popped up in the video for Young Artists for Haiti's "Wavin' Flag.". After all, some of my favorite musicians and bands are Canadian -- Simple Plan, Sum 41, Hedley, Marianas Trench, Avril Lavigne, Drake, and of course, Justin Bieber.

But the singer who really caught my attention was a young Canadian girl I didn't know... Nikki Yanofsky. She totally steals the video from all these big names with her amazingly powerful vocals during the dramatic bridge of the song.

So I was anxious to find out more about her right away. Turns out she looked familiar because she was the girl who wowed the world with her performance at the Winter Olympics' opening ceremony earlier this year. At only 16, she released her debut album in May to incredible reviews and a number one spot on the Billboard Heatseeker chart.

But the coolest thing about Nikki? Even though she's an amazing vocalist having performed for a billion (yes, billion!) people during the Olympics, she's just like you and me... a huge Twilight fan. "I have a huge crush on Rob Pattinson," she says. But her current dilemma du jour? Whether to side with Team Rob or Team Taylor after seeing The Twilight Saga: Eclipse... we know how you feel, Nikki!

Watch Nikki's music video for "For Another Day"...

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Shocker! Alex leaves So You Think You Can Dance!

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Hey J-14ers,

On Thursday night's result show for the Top Eight, we were told Alex Wong (my fave!) would be sent home because of an injury (Billy and Ashley were in the bottom three with him). Appearing on stage in crutches and wearing a shirt that said "I am grateful" Alex accepted praise from the judges and audience. His torn Achilles tendon will need several months to heal after Friday's scheduled surgery, and would be unable to continue competing this season.

Surprisingly, judge Nigel said Alex would be welcomed back next season after his injury heals. Now I'm already looking forward to next season!

Also performing last night were all-stars Pasha and Anya, the cast of the Broadway hit "In the Heights," and Natasha Bedingfield (with the all-stars backup dancing). One more thing... what did you think of the shirtless Billy in a long white skirt?

--Erik
J-14 Art Director

Photo: Mathieu Young/FOX

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J-14 Contest: Be a J-14 YouTube Star!

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In the August issue of J-14, you've read about how your fave stars like Justin Bieber, Charice, Cody Simpson, and Greyson Chance all got their big break just by posting videos on YouTube.

Now it's your chance to get your video seen by the world -- J-14 is going to host one lucky reader's video on our YouTube channel where it will be seen by tons of J-14 fans (and who knows who else!).

To enter, simply upload a video of yourself showing off your special talent (singing, dancing, comedy, waterbending, whatever!) and name it with a title beginning "J-14 Entry:". For all the official contest rules and regulations, click here.

And be sure to check out J-14's August issue on stands Monday, July 5 for tips on how to make the perfect YouTube video straight from the stars (including Justin)!

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So You Think You Can Dance -- Top Nine Recap

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Hi J-14ers!

My favorite, Alex, rocked it last night on So You Think You Can Dance! I rewinded it on my DVR to watch the routine a second time. Performing a hip hop routine by NappyTabs, the judges gave him a standing ovation (second time this season)!

Also great last night was Adéchiké, who really opened up and was all smiles. Lauren had a wardrobe malfunction while dancing with All-Star Neil, but nothing was exposed. And Kent didn't get fantastic reviews for his jazz routine, because his face kept playing to the audience rather than his partner Allison.

Who do you think is going home tonight? Who's your favorite from last night?

--Erik
J-14 Art Director


Photo: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

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Team Edward: I Promise To Love You Every Single Day of Forever, Edward!

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Hey there J-14ers!

Normally I can always see the other side of the coin in a situation, even if I don't agree. But the one thing I just can't even relate to the opposite of? The Team Edward vs. Team Jacob battle. To me, it's just so obvious that Edward Cullen is Bella Swan's destiny -- and the way Jacob Black tries to weasel his way into Bella's life is just kinda, well, annoying! (Don't worry, Taylor Lautner fans -- I'm talking just about the characters. Love Taylor and Rob Pattinson!)

And now that the two literally battle for Bella in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on the big screen, it just brought to fruition how crazy the situation is. First of all, the chemistry between Edward and Bella is so undeniable -- and the fact that Edward is willing to give all that up and selflessly offer Bella a better life just shows the kind of person he is at the core -- he cares more about Bella than himself. I mean, he says stuff to her like, "Do you ever think that your life might be easier if you weren't in love with me?"

Not only did he run off and bear the agony in New Moon, but even face-to-face in the tent scene in Eclipse, Edward admits right to Jacob that he understands that Bella would have a better life with Jacob. He'd rather give up his own "life" and live all of eternity in pain than have Bella for himself... now that's true romance.

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Team Jacob: Let's Face it, Jacob Will Always Be Hotter!

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Hi J-14 readers!

Eclipse made being Team Jacob so easy... especially since he was shirtless for most of the movie!!!

I still can be charmed by Edward, but Jacob is so passionate. Even though both Edward and Jacob just want what best for Bella, I think Jacob is better choice. She has to sacrifice too much to be with Edward. Being with Jacob is so natural and easy. And I just like Bella better when she's with Jacob.

Her relationship with Edward is just too serious and complicated. She smiles and laughs and has fun when she's with Jacob. She can be a normal teen with Jacob and continue to have a normal life. I think Bella is just afraid to admit her feelings for Jacob, I guess because there's a lot to lose when you fall for your best friend. But I think nothing could be better than having your best friend be your boyfriend and your boyfriend be your best friend!

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Kristen Stewart's New Locks

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Hi J-14ers!

Kristen Stewart debuted her new 'do yesterday -- and I think it looks totally great! She chopped it off and dyed it to a lighter brown with a little red in it. I think the color goes perfectly with her milky complexion.

I'm not sure what sparked the change for Kristen, but I'm so glad she did it! These short locks are just in time for summer and the piecey bob seems like it would be the perfect match for Kristen's easy going personality, simple and stylish!

Kristen's had quite a few different styles this year and I think this one is definitely the best!

What do you think of Kristen's new look?

Katelyn
J-14 Photo Assistant

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Win a Twilight Saga Prize Pack!

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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse hits theaters on Wednesday and to celebrate the big release, we've got some amazing Twilight-themed prizes. CaféPress is home to hundreds of thousands of official fan-designed Twilight merchandise, and J-14 has 10 sets of these awesome Twilight Saga duffel bags and t-shirts from the site to give away. The coolest part? They're totally created by fans just like you! Head over to our Win It page for your chance to win or visit CafePress.com to create your own designs!

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So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 10 Shine

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Hi J-14ers!

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance, the Top 10 performed. The judges' fave performance of the night seemed to be either Robert and Anya's Argentine Tango, where Robert became the "Italian Roberto" and the hip hop routine with an emotional Lauren and Dominic.

But I think Alex is my fave guy... and not sure who I'd pick out of the girls, since the guys are so good this year. I'd probably choose "farm boy" Kent as my other fave.

Do you have a favorite dancer yet? Anyone you would want to see in J-14?

-- Erik
J-14 Art Director

Photo: Kelsey McNeal/FOX

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J-14 Flick Pick: Grown Ups

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Hi there J-14ers!

50 First Dates, Mr. Deeds, The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy -- there's just something about Adam Sandler movies that don't just have you LOL-ing, but also put you in a fun-loving mood.

So when I heard that Adam was joining forces with a bunch more funnymen -- Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and David Spade -- for the movie Grown Ups (opening this Friday), it sounded like a guaranteed riot. And boy was it!

The movie starts showing the five guys as middle school basketball champions --inseparable and forever bonded by those ties. But as the years pass, their lives drift apart... until their coach dies and they reunite... with families in tow.

Through fun and games at the lake, waterpark, and basketball court -- the guys reconnect over crazy antics, silly memories, and tons of laughs that will have you rolling on the floor giggling too!

But the best part? The film's all about learning to appreciate what you have while you have it. And the big secret revealed in the movie? Grown ups are kids at heart afterall! ;) It just might be the perfect movie to see with your mom, dad, or any other special grown up in your lives!

Will you go see Grown Ups this weekend? Who's your fave comedian in it?

Can't wait to hear from you!
Rachel Chang
J-14 Editor

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J-14 Flick Pick: Toy Story 3

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Hi there J-14ers!

At the risk of sounding super lame, bring a box of Kleenex to see Toy Story 3. Seriously.

I've always enjoyed the Toy Story movies, but it was never the kind of film I had to see right away. When I saw the preview for the third installment -- and saw the fear the toys had now that Andy was going off to college, it intrigued me and I had to know the fate of Buzz Lightyear and Woody! So I figured it would be a light-hearted and fun movie to check out.

Boy was I wrong. The movie was an emotional roller coaster -- each plot twist was more dramatic than the next! The toys thought they were retiring to the attic. The toys thought they were saved to the day care. The day care turned out to be a prison. The toys tried to get back to the attic. The toys ended up in a dumpster and headed to their demise... EEKS!

I've given away enough already, so I'll stop there, but I'll admit I let out a few screams and shrieks -- who knew an animated film in 3D would be so dramatic... in the very best way possible. And the end is so emotional that I definitely had tears in my eyes (thank goodness I was wearing the 3D glasses to cover them -- ha!).

And when I got home from the screening, what was the first thing I did? Rescue my longtime favorite stuffed animal, my Care Bear Cheer Bear, who had "retired" to my closet. I realized all the tough times she's gotten me through over the years -- she's always been that one (inanimate) friend who's just sat there with a smile. And at the risk of sounding even cheesier, Toy Story 3 reminded me of the importance of having those tried-and-true toys in our lives who allow us to escape reality for a bit and put a smile on our faces.

My Cheer Bear (aka "Cheery") is now sitting proudly on top of my bed where she's sat for so many years... and it's all thanks to Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the whole toy gang.

So for action, adventure, laughs, smiles, and tears, head to the theater this weekend to check out Toy Story 3... and you just might reconnect with an old friend. :)

Now that I've spilled my secret about my old stuffed animal, I want to know -- did you have a favorite stuffed animal growing up? What was its name and where is it now?

Can't wait to hear from you!
Rachel
J-14 Editor

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Win It: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Water Bottles!

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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse hits theaters in less than two weeks, and J-14 has 5 sets of these awesome "Team Jacob," "Team Bella," and "Team Edward" 1-liter aluminum water bottles to give away! No matter who you root for, these hot water bottles are sure to keep you cooled off all summer long.

For your chance to win and show where your loyalties lie, head over to our Win It page and enter now! The water bottles are also available for sale at www.eclipsebottles.com.

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Meet the Burnham Brothers!

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Hey J-14ers!

I just got to meet and listen to a performance by Burnham, a band of three brothers from Vermont! Alex, Andre, and Forrest Burnham truly impressed me with their talent and energy! The boys performed their first single "Catch Me if You Can" which was, no pun intended, very catchy, and has been stuck in my head ever since! The talent that was showcased in this live performance blew me away. I hadn't expected such a big and powerful voice to come out of lead singer Forrest at only 14-years-old! Older brothers Alex and Andre backed him up on their guitars, and together the three put on a very entertaining show!

After they played we had some fun talking and I even got to take some pics with the bros! They are so cute!

Burnham is incredibly excited to be opening the second leg of Justin Bieber's My World Tour, this fall! Are you going to be at that concert? Make sure you get there early so you don't miss this opening act!

Their debut single "Catch Me if You Can" hit iTunes and radios on June 28th! I highly recommend checking it out!

Have you heard Burnham's new song? Do you want to see more of them in J-14?

Your J-14 Intern,
Steph

Photo: Courtesy of Danielle Kepler

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Backstreet's Back... ALRIGHT!

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Hey J-14ers,

Long before our man Justin Bieber was topping the charts, the airwaves were ruled by boy bands, like the incredibly awesome and hunky Backstreet Boys, and let me tell you, Backstreet's Back, ALRIGHT! J-14 was lucky enough to catch their concert last night in NYC and the fellas have still got it, and certainly know how to wow the crowd!

It's a known fact that these four fit guys are wildly talented, but AJ, Howie, Brian, and Nick sounded incredible and had some pretty sweet dance moves that had the crowd screaming. I have been to a few BSB concerts in my day, and this one ranks pretty high. A few highlights would be the show starter, "Everybody," and the crowd favorite, "The One."

I seriously recommend checking out their newest album This Is Us. I promise you, I would not lead you astray, it is definitely some delicious ear candy. While you're at it you should check out some of their older stuff like "I Want it That Way" (Their first number one hit!) and one of my personal faves from their first album "We've Got It Going On" -- total ear candy!

These are great tunes to pepper into your summer playlists that will have you tapping your toes and bobbing your head all summer long. If you like the sounds of Justin Bieber, and Big Time Rush, the Backstreet Boys are the perfect addition to your iPod.

So check them out J-14ers! Until next time...

-Katelyn

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Photos: Courtesy of Katelyn Mullen

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Big Time Rush is Big Time Fun!

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Hey J-14ers!

I just got back from a photo shoot and interview with the guys from Big Time Rush!

The boys were SO much fun! James was the first one I met and he won me over with his gorgeous eyes and adorable personality. He greeted me with a hug (!!) and then the photographer started snapping some pics. When this was going on, I sat in with J-14 editor Ashley as she interviewed Kendall. Kendall is a TOTAL romantic. The J-14 editors and I couldn't get over how honest and sweet he was.

I got to meet Carlos next. He is so funny! He had everyone laughing the whole time -- especially when he and J-14 editor Emily were playing football and baseball together. He is super athletic. He hit a baseball so high up into the air that we couldn't see it anymore! I looked up and then it landed about a foot away from my head. So embarrassing! We were cracking up. I got to sit in on Logan's interview, too. He talked about the awesome things the band has been doing while visiting NYC and even talked about his love life. You'll have to get an upcoming issue of J-14 for all those deets. :-)

When boys got together for some group photos, James disappeared for a few minutes. The J-14 editors and I spotted him talking on his cell phone in the parking lot. Hmm... talking to a girl, perhaps?

Emily got the boys together to make a video answering all of your questions. They did -- until a massive ant started crawling on Carlos' arm! The boys screamed and ran all over the place. Once they gained their composure, they sat down only to see even MORE killer ants everywhere! Everyone was laughing hysterically because they were going crazy. Stay on the lookout for that video because it is too funny!

I couldn't get over how down-to-earth and outgoing all of the boys were. They joked around and posed for extra pictures at the end of the interview. Carlos and J-14 editor Kim hit it off and jokingly posed for pictures "prom-style!" LOL! They even invited us to visit them in California. I think I see a J-14 and BTR reunion in the future!

Do you like Big Time Rush just as much as I do?

Your J-14 Intern,
Kara

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Check Out J-14's Hot Summer Reads!

J14BookClub.jpg Sure, you could spend the whole summer re-reading The Twilight Saga and Harry Potter for the umpteenth time, but maybe it's finally time to try something fresh. J-14 has saved you the trouble of tracking down new reads and scouted out the hottest books of summer! From first loves to werewolves to elegant balls, you won't be able to put these page-turners down.

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
It's impossible to not get sucked into this prequel to Sex and the City, which follows a spunky Carrie Bradshaw through her high school years as a small-town girl who dreams of moving to New York City and becoming a writer. In the meantime, she'll have to deal with frizzy hair, bad boys, and frenemies. The ending is especially fabulous, and rumor has it there's a sequel in the works!
Also check out: Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Grace grew up fascinated by the wolf in the woods behind her house that once saved her from its pack. Little does she know that the wolf is actually Sam -- a boy who was bitten by a wolf many years before. When Grace and a temporarily human Sam finally meet, they feel an instant connection. It's only a matter of time before Sam must return to being a wolf, but you'll be rooting for Sam and Grace's love to defy the odds. Read Shiver now, so you can be ready to scoop up its sequel Linger when it hits shelves July 20!
Also check out: Need and Captivate by Carrie Jones

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J-14 Staff Picks: MTV Movie Awards Highlights

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J-14 couldn't stop chatting about last night's MTV Movie Awards this morning. From celeb impersonations to crazy dances, here's our picks at the top moments of the night.

"When Tom Cruise came out as agent Les Grossman from Tropic Thunder and started booty dancing with Jennifer Lopez, I almost fell off my couch. Suri, you have a really cool dad!" --Associate Editor Kim Messina

"Loved how heartfelt Rob was when he thanked Kristen during his acceptance speech -- and how modest Kristen was about it. Awww!" --Editor-in-Chief Rachel Chang

"My favorite part was when host Aziz Ansari impersonated R. Kelly singing!" --Associate Art Director Erik Jacobsen

"I liked Katy Perry's very neon performance of "California Gurls" -- and that she hit the stage on a surfboard!" --Assistant Editor Emily Krauser

"I loved Tom Felton's acceptance speech. Not only because he was humble and thanked his Mom, but because Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell were hanging above him making jokes the whole time." --Photo Editor Danielle Kepler

"The Kiss Cam was definitely my favorite part of the night. Zac and Vanessa had me on the edge of my seat begging to see a little smooch, and they came through with a sweet little peck. But it was Jonah Hill and Russell Brand who really brought the LOLs with their full-on make-out!" --Intern Kara Frasca

What was your favorite moment?

Get More Movie Awards:
Popeater: Tom Cruise Redeems Himself at MTV Movie Awards

Photo: Mark Davis/MTV/Picturegroup

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The Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato Rock GMA!

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Hey J-14ers!

The early hour of the morning didn't stop my friends and I from heading into Central Park to watch the Jonas Brothers on Good Morning America. (They will also be back on August 13.) We started our day by waking up at 3:30 a.m. in order to get in for the concert by 7. Thousands of people filled the area to watch the boys entertain us with both new and old songs. This was the kick off to their summer, and it seemed to be a preview of what their upcoming tour is going to be like. With no new album coming out, I'm thinking that their summer tour is going to be a mix between their old music, new songs from their show JONAS, and music from Camp Rock 2.

Demi Lovato, girlfriend of Joe Jonas at the time, was a guest performer at the show. The anticipation of how Joe and Demi would act around each other was perhaps more intriguing than the concert itself. The crowd would scream whenever they would go near each other, and would boo when the group did an interview and Jemi didn't stand together. In fact, Joe and Demi made a point of never standing near one another, much to the disappointment of the crowd. However there were subtle acts between the two that I noted. When Demi first came on stage, she went right over to Joe and gave him a hug. In order to make this look more like an act of friendship, she went and hugged Kevin as well. But there was a certain way that Joe would gaze at Demi while she spoke or while she sang that would only lead us to believe that they are in love.

But all of this is irrelevant after yesterday's confirmation that the two have split. It is rumored that their split had been brewing for the last week, but I witnessed no signs of hostility between them on stage. If they were having problems on Friday then it definitely wasn't shown, and I believe that they will be able to successfully tour together this summer, and keep their chemistry on stage.

Who's going to the summer tour? I know I am!

Click "Read More" to see my photo diary!

Your J-14 Intern,
Steph

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Spoiler Alert: One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl Leave Viewers Shocked!

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Hi J-14ers!

One night, two finales, three shootings. Monday night TV on The CW stayed true to it's past when both One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl left viewers with an a few OMG moments.

The first shocker came during the season finale of One Tree Hill, which was rumored to be the end of the series. Since this was the case, I expected all characters to be heading towards a happily ever after. The first 59 minutes of the show met my expectations. I was overjoyed when Brooke and Julian got engaged, and Naley was FINALLY having another baby! But in the last few fatal seconds Clay's stalker/dead wife look-a-like appeared in his house, and shot both him and Quinn to what looked like their deaths. Where did she come from? I thought we got rid of her last week! What do you think J-14ers? Is this some sort of dream? Or could Clay and Quinn be leaving us forever? Thankfully, OTH got picked up for at least 12 more episodes, so our questions will be answered in the fall... But maybe not, seeing how former main characters Lucas and Peyton were gone ALL season, and they still never mentioned where they went!

Perhaps even more of a shocker came when Gossip Girl left girls all over America heartbroken, when our beloved Chuck Bass was unexpectedly shot to the ground. We see that he had been carrying a box with a diamond ring before he was robbed and left for dead on the streets of Prague. Blair, who was on her way to Paris better come help her man! He made some mistakes, but they need to be together! Will Chuck and Blair ever get their happy ending?

So The CW leaves us to suffer through the long summer without our favorite shows and leaves us wondering which of our favorites are alive, and which ones are dead. OMG, we will have to wait and see....XOXO

Your J-14 Intern,
Steph

Photos: Courtesy of The CW

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Justin Bieber's J-14 Office Visit: One Year Later!

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Exactly a year ago today, a quiet and seemingly shy 15-year-old boy dressed in a simple purple sweatshirt, baggy jeans, and black L.A. Dodgers baseball cap sat in the lobby of the J-14 office, waiting to meet the staff for his first big magazine office visit.

I went out to greet him... and he introduced himself as Justin Bieber and sweetly shook my hand. So polite and so charming, but he definitely kept to himself just a bit. By coincidence, singer Kristinia DeBarge was our J-14 Celeb Intern for the Day. As she was preparing to interview Justin, I hung out with him and his mom Pattie -- and gave Justin a copy of our handwritten boy quiz for him to fill out.

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Fun and Sparkles at the Taylor Swift Concert

TaylorSwiftConcert3.jpgHey J-14ers,

It's your photo girl Katelyn here and I just wanted to give you guys some of the highlights from the Taylor Swift concert last night in NJ. First of all, the show was beyond awesome. Her dresses were amazing, her makeup was flawless and her accessories were so cute! I've not seen that many sparkly dresses, well, ever!

We were lucky enough to chat with Taylor a little before her show in her "T Party" lounge that she has setup backstage. She draped the walls in these great colored fabrics and she even said she was going to do something like that in her own house! She had some of her favorite music playing, and the movie Definitely, Maybe on in the background. Taylor's mom really gave me the star treatment when she took me on a backstage tour, where I got to see Taylor's mini on-stage dressing room where Taylor does all her quick changes during the show. Her mom was so sweet! I can see where Taylor gets it from!

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The biggest highlight of the night, easily was when Taylor's Mom let me sneak a peak at their tour bus! Living on the road can't always be fun, but it definitely looks like Taylor and her mom could have some great times on their bus.

Well I gotta run, I have some metallic blue nail polish (just like Taylor wore last night) waiting to be painted on my nails!

Until next time,
Katelyn

Photos: Courtesy of Rachel Chang

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Red Pyramid: A Puzzle Lover's Dream!

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Hey J-14ers!

If you loved Percy Jackson and the Olympians as much as I did, then you have to check out The Red Pyramid, the first book of the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan.

After their mother's death, siblings Carter and Sadie are separated. Sadie lives with their grandparents while Carter travels the world with their father, a famous Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings his kids together at a museum to try to set things right with the family, but instead, he unleashes an Egyptian god who banishes him into oblivion and sends Sadie and Carter running for their lives! On their dangerous journey around the world, they find the truth about their family, while escaping the waking gods of Egypt!

This book basically has everything awesome: Egyptian gods, family drama, adventure, danger! And that's not even the best part! You can go on your own adventure by solving the interactive puzzles at redpyramidpuzzle.com. It's a tricky series of puzzles you can solve using the book, the internet, and even your webcam. It may be challenging, but worth the reward!

Good luck,
Danielle
J-14 Photo Editor

PS: Check out some more pix after the jump!

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J-14 Exclusive: Our Bamboozle Festival Diary

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Hey J-14ers,

I had a major weekend -- I spent Saturday and Sunday at this year's Bamboozle Festival! I got to see some bands I've been obsessed with for years, like Paramore, Something Corporate (they reunited for three Bamboozle festivals and a greatest hits CD that will drop later this year), Saves The Day (classic Jersey pop-punk band represented in full-force!), Piebald, and Motion City Soundtrack, plus some of my current faves like Hey Monday, Every Avenue, Drake, and Artist Vs Poet. I also caught two new acts I'm excited to hear more from -- The Dig and Goodbye Friday.

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On Saturday I hung out backstage with Let's Get It, The Maine, Kicking Daisies, and Artist Vs Poet, and The Maine's Jared Monaco and Kennedy Brock told me they were stoked to play the festival again. "I'm really excited to hang out with all of our friends," Kennedy said. "We've got friends from everywhere in the country today, so it's a big family reunion." And the Let's Get It boys and Jared both told me they were psyched to see Drake perform. "It's really fun to have something new in the mix -- everybody goes crazy for it. They wait for that all day, and so are we," Jared explained. And they were in for a show -- despite being sick, Drake performed an extra-long set that included a drum solo and slow dancing!

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J-14 Review: Punk Goes Classic Rock

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Hey J-14ers,

If there are two things I'm pretty much obsessed with when it comes to music, it'd be classic rock and pop-punk. Yeah, I know, they're both in the rock genre, but it's what I love! But that's why I was pretty psyched when Punk Goes Classic Rock landed on my desk.

The entire CD is made up of some of my favorite bands (like VersaEmerge, Mayday Parade, We The Kings, and Every Avenue) and your faves (like The Maine and Never Shout Never) covering some of the greatest rock tunes of all time! The Almost pump up Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'," making it even more upbeat than the original, and VersaEmerge's version of The Rolling Stone's "Paint It Black" is more modernized and feels ready for pop radio. A lot of the songs don't vary too far from the originals, like The Maine's take on Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar On Me" or Mayday Parade's version of Queen's "We Are The Champions," but that can be taken as a nod of appreciation to the original bands.

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Create an Earth Day Playlist, Win an iPod Nano!

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It's almost Earth Day, and what better way to celebrate than by combining two amazing things -- saving the planet and music!

If you're anything like me, you're obsessed with making MySpace Music playlists. So much fun, right? Well, now, in honor of Earth Day, MySpace Music is giving away an amazing prize pack complete with an iPod Nano, MSM hoodie, ear buds, 1GB flash drive, iPod case, ear plugs, MSM pin & CD spine opener! And the best part? You can win it all just by making a playlist!

All you have to do is go to MySpace Music and create your ultimate Earth Day playlist. Then post your playlist's URL in the comment box underneath this J-14 blog post, and we'll choose a winner at random.

Good luck, J-14ers!

xoxo,
Ashley
J-14 Editor

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J-14 Exclusive: Jasmine V Talks Justin Bieber!

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Hey J-14ers,

We caught up with Jasmine V (the gal in Justin Bieber's "Baby" music video) at the 2010 Kids' Choice Awards, where she told us what it was like to work with Justin Bieber. You can check out the video here:

So I was wondering -- what do you think it would be like to work with Justin? And if you could sing any song with him, which tune would you pick?

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Lily Collins is Taylor Lautner's New Onscreen GF!

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I was so excited to hear that Lily Collins has been cast to play Taylor Lautner's GF in his new movie, Abduction. I loved her in The Blind Side and I have a feeling she and Taylor will have total chemistry onscreen. In Abduction, Taylor stars as a guy who sees his own face on a missing person's ad and realizes that the parents who raised him aren't his own. Eek! And when he strikes out to find them, he gets much more than he bargained for. It starts filming this summer, and I can't help but wonder if a little real-life summer romance could be on the horizon for these two, as well...

At 21, she is a little older than Taylor (who's 18), but I think it could work!
Do you think Lily and Taylor would make a cute real-life couple?

Photo: Kyle Rover/Startraks Photo; Tony DiMaio/Startraks Photo

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Hanson's New Music Video Rocks My World!

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Hey there J-14ers!
Let's face it, bands of brothers are hot. Some people might even say that they're the best bands that exist in all the world -- like my all time favorites, Hanson! Their new album Shout it Out hits stores June 8, and to tide us over until then, their new music video for "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'" debuted today!

As you guys know, I'm a big music video fan! This one, with its super fun flash mob-like dance scenes filmed in their hometown of Tulsa, OK, alter egos (look for the extra Hansons running around) and, of course, the music itself, I am instantly hooked. The J-14 office has been Hansonlicious all day! Watch "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'" below and tell me what you think:

Admit it. You're living for it, right?

Dish with me below: do you like the song? Are you Hanson fans?

XOXO,
Lisa

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J-14 Video Exclusive: Devon Werkheiser Talks About His New Music!

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Hey J-14ers!

It's been a few years since we last saw Devon Werkheiser on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, but now the star is all grown up and working on an album! I took a listen to his new single, "If Eyes Could Speak" absolutely loved it!

J-14 caught up with Devon on the 2010 Kids' Choice Awards red carpet, and he was so excited to tell us about his new single. Check out what he had to say here:

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Miranda Cosgrove's Debut Album Hits This Month!

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Hey J-14ers,

I was psyched to get a sneak peak of Miranda Cosgrove's upcoming debut CD, Sparks Fly! The album drops April 27, and it's got everything you'd want from the iCarly star -- a sweet pop vibe mixed with catchy lyrics and hot beats that will make you want to keep listening.

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