Ryan Tedder Responds to Clarkson/Beyonce Controversy

Kelly Clarkson’s earlier accusation that music producer Ryan Tedder supplied her with a “ripped off” melody of Beyonce Knowles’ Halo to record with has prompted Tedder to respond to the claims today – and he’s not happy.

Tedder said in a statement that the idea he’d given Clarkson stolen material was “hurtful and absurd,” but applauded the Idol winner on her “haunting and heart-breaking performance” on a track he believes sounds nothing like Beyonce’s Halo.

Tedder’s statement (including all spelling and punctuation errors as he’d written it) reads:

‘”Already Gone’ is one of the best songs I’ve written or produced since ‘Bleeding Love’ and stands tall on it’s own merits apart from ‘Halo.’ They are two entirely different songs conceptually, melodically, & lyrically and I would never try to dupe an artist such as Kelly Clarkson or Beyonce into recording over the same musical track, the idea is both hurtful & absurd. I think when people hear ‘Already Gone’ they will hear what I hear — one of the greatest female vocalists on earth giving her most haunting and heart-breaking performance on a song she helped write. I challenge people to listen and form their own opinions.”

If you haven’t listened to the songs already, click here and here to hear the differences between the two (if you can pick ‘em).

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Dr. Dre’s Son Found Dead

Andre Young Jr., the 20-year-old son of hip-hop producer Dr. Dre, has been found dead in his Woodland Hills home, the star’s rep confirmed to People.

The young man was discovered “unresponsive” by his mother on Saturday morning. An autopsy was conducted on Monday, but the cause of death is as yet undetermined. Foul play is not suspected, the L.A. County Coroner said.

Dr. Dre’s rep, Lori Earl, released a statement on the shock passing earlier today. “Dr. Dre is mourning the loss of his son,” the statement read. “Please respect his family’s grief and privacy at this time.”

According to the police, Young Jr.’s mother “attempted to rouse” her son at around 10:24 a.m. on Saturday, and when she received no response, she phoned the paramedics. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Sydney Pollack Dead At 73

Legendary film director and producer Sydney Pollack has died of cancer, aged 73.

Diagnosed with cancer 10 months ago, Sydney passed away on Monday, at his home in Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, with family members by his side.

As well as being a renowned director and produced, Sydney also was an actor who appeared in movies up until 2007.

He won producing and directing Oscars for the epic romance Out of Africa, starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, in 1985 and directed Tootsie, where he played Dustin Hoffman’s agent.

A very sad and real loss; our thoughts go out to his family.