MTV News Round-Up 16/01/2004

*** Britney Spears' childhood mate Jason Alexander, who was married to the star for 55 hours, is alleged to have received 300,000 for his troubles, according to tabloid reports. Apparently, the Spears camp crossed his palm in way of insurance that he wouldn't lay claim to half of Britney's fortune.

*** Ashanti had to be rescued from dozens of male fans at an HIV/AIDS awareness gig in Nigeria. After the vocalist invited one member of the audience on stage for a private dance, loads more rushed the stage and tried to get near her. Ashanti was whisked into the wings by security.

*** Mystikal has received a six-year jail sentence for sexual battery. The rap star, real name Michael Taylor, was found guilty last night (January 15) of forcing a hairdresser to perform sex acts on him in 2002. Mystikal's two bodyguards received three and four years respectively for their parts in the sexual crime.

*** R Kelly is said to be in talks with Broadway producers about writing the score for a stage version of 'Rocky'. The theatre interpretation is being written by Thomas Meehan who previously scripted The Producers, Annie and Hairspray.

*** Britney Spears, Pink, Enrique Iglesias and Beyonce have been brought together by Pepsi for the fizzy drink giant's new ad campaign. The Dare For More Pepsi campaign sees all four stars looking hot and sexy amidst the soft drink's trademark red white and blue wavy logo.

*** Manic Street Preachers will play at this year's Isle Of White festival, the band have confirmed. The band will play as special guests on Saturday night at the legendary festival, before headliners The Who take to the stage. Other headliners at the three-dayer include David Bowie and Stereophonics.

*** Enrique Iglesias has recruited Kelis for his new video. "I have a lot of Spanish people in my family," she said, "so to do a Spanish kind of record is a lot of fun." Kelis' fiance Nas is said to have insisted on being on set for the shooting of the video, owing to Enrique's reputation for getting it on with his co-stars.

DL