Lady GaGa: "Judas Video Is Not A Biblical Lesson"

GaGa has previously been slammed by religious groups over her decision to play New Testament icon Mary Magdalene in the video, but Lady G has now stated that the eagerly awaited promo does not attack any religion.

Speaking to E! ahead of Judas' premiere at 7pm EST, the Bad Romance star told interviewer Giuliana Rancic: "I don't view the video as a religious statement. I view it as social statement. I view it as a cultural statement.

The eccentric star added: "It's a metaphor. It's not meant to be a biblical lesson."

In other Lady GaGa news, the Poker Face hitmaker has unveiled a new song from her forthcoming sophomore LP, Born This Way.
Lady GaGa: "Judas Video Is Not A Biblical Lesson"

GaGa performed album track Americano during a show in Guadalajara, Mexico earlier this week, featuring the lyrics: "Mis canciones son de la revolucion/ Mi corazon late por mi generacion," which translates to "My songs are of the revolution/ My heart beats for my generation."

We can't wait to hear GaGa's new album, which is expected to be released later this month.

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Casey Abrams Likens 'American Idol' Judges' Input To 'Jelly Beans'

It's a lot to take in. Imagine being on TV for the first time in your life, in front of several hundred screaming fans in a Los Angeles studio and more than 20 million at home, and not only performing a cover of a song you may not even know, but listening to feedback on your work from three judges, mentor/ record industry legend Jimmy Iovine and the show's producers.

It can be a head-swimming proposition, but for just-booted "American Idol" bass-slapper Casey Abrams, filtering all of that information was not as hard as it sounds.

 "I tended to listen to the coaches more," he said of the "Idol" team of behind-the-scenes vocal coaches that includes associate music director and arranger Michael Orland. "He's sick and he's funny in a weird way. And I just trusted him musically."

But Abrams, who studied music and music theory at California's Idyllwild Arts Academy, also combined that with the words of wisdom from the producers, Iovine and the judges' comments from the previous week. "You piece it together and it's like the jelly beans in a big jar," Abrams explained. "You're not gonna be like, 'Hey producer what do you think? Oh, you think that?' "

In other words, none of those other voices are enough to push a performance in one direction or another, but rather, they're all pieces of a tapestry. There are always those weird flavors in a jelly bean jar, though, like your cotton candy or root beer, right?

"The buttered-popcorn jelly bean would have to be J.Lo," Abrams said of the judge he famously smooched on the show. "Right? She's buttery?"

Don't miss "Idol Party Live" every Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, celebrity guests and even some karaoke — get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

Ashthon Jones Says She Couldn't Shake 'Diva' Label On 'American Idol'

After Jennifer Lopez called her the 'D' word, latest castoff says America got the wrong impression: 'Diva alert!'
If there's one thing Ashthon Jones learned from her brief-but-memorable journey on "American Idol," it's that America does not take kindly to the word "diva."
"Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez called Ashthon the "D" word while raving about her semifinal performance, Monica's "Love All Over Me," but the Nashville native quickly realized that the term carries some negative connotations.
"When J.Lo said it, I understood what she was talking about. You know how Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, Whitney were divas but they were divas in a positive way? They were sweet and humble backstage, but when they got on the stage, they [showed] the world that they could do it," Jones told MTV News on Monday (March 14). "America didn't think that," she laughed before sassily snapping her fingers. " 'Diva! Diva alert! ... She thinks she's all that!' I was like, 'Noooo!' Nobody ever got to know the real me."
Ironically, Ashthon first made an impression on "Idol" for being anything but a diva. Jones lent her support to Hollywood Week group member Ashley Sullivan, who cracked under the pressure and threatened to walk off the show. In fact, Jones' patience and positivity in Hollywood was in sharp contrast to other "Idol" singers' backstabbing and whining.
"That's how we were. We prayed together. We grabbed each other, 'Come on let's pray.' I'm a firm believer of spirituality and faith, and that's how I live my life," she said. Apparently, "Idol" fans have a very short memory. Jones acknowledges that picking a lesser-known Diana Ross song didn't do her any favors, but she suggested the diva label may have been the big thing that kept viewers from getting to know the real Ashthon Jones With a Silent H (which might as well stand for "humble").
"When I get on the stage, I have to ask God for confidence," she admitted. "You can't be timid on 'American Idol,' because you're gonna go home. I went home, but I went home top 13," she said, proud of her accomplishments.
Jones is champing at the bit to put more music out and hopes the connections made on "Idol" won't go to waste. "Oh my goodness, if [Jimmy Iovine's producers] call me? I can't wait to see who I'm going to work with. I don't know what the opportunities are, but I have a good feeling in my spirit that something's gonna happen. This can't be it."
Catch more of Ashthon's interview with MTV News "American Idol" expert Jim Cantiello on "Idol Party Live," following Thursday's results show on MTV.com!