Kelly Clarkson, who just released the music video for her new single Already Gone, is spitting mad that folks think that she ripped off the music of her newest single from Beyoncé’s hit single Halo … particularly because she is among the folks who can hear the striking similarity. In a new interview with CBC Radio, Kelly fumes about the fact that co-writer Ryan Tedder (from the band One Republic who penned Already Gone AND Halo) appears to have sold both ladies the same song with different lyrics … and she is pissed!

If you’ve noticed similarities between Kelly Clarkson’s new single “Already Gone” and Beyoncé’s hit “Halo,” well, you’re not the only one. Turns out Clarkson has also noticed, and she’s not too happy about it. In an interview with Canada’s CBC radio network, the former “American Idol” champ said she was unaware of any similarities between her song and Beyoncé’s “Halo” until she heard the two songs side by side (according to Clarkson, her All I Ever Wanted album was finished before Beyoncé’s I Am … Sasha Fierce was released). And she’s not mincing words about who she blames for the similarities: OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, who co-wrote both songs. “Ryan and I met each other at the record label, before he was working with anyone else. He’s from Oklahoma, I’m from Texas; we got along really well and had some of the same influences,” Clarkson said. “We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo’ … [Beyoncé's] album came out when my album was already being printed. “No one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinkin’ ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyoncé and Kelly the same track to write to,’ ” she continued. “No, they’re just gonna be sayin’ I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’ ” “Gone” and “Halo” do share some striking similarities, most notably in the backing track, which features somber piano, crashing drums and hand-claps. Clarkson — who clashed with her label in the past — said that she’s upset that “Already Gone” was released as a single without her blessing, but that, at this point, there’s really nothing to do about the situation. “It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over,” she told the CBC. “I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a shitty situation, but … you know, you learn.” At press time, a spokesperson for Tedder had not responded to MTV News’ request for comment on the situation.

To be honest, I didn’t immediately notice the similarity between the songs when I heard them both separately … at different times. But since the release of Kelly’s new single, I thought it sounded very familiar … and then the handclaps cued me in to the Halo recognition. Shoot, if I were her … I’d be pissed, too … especially since despite the fact that Kelly’s album was finished first, Halo was released months ago well ahead of the release of Already Gone. Methinks Mr. Ryan Tedder has got some ’splainin’ to do. After the jump, check out the music videos for both Kelly Clarkson’s Already Gone and Beyoncé’s Halo for a side-by-side comparison …

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Yesterday we learned the disturbing news that Katie Holmes was almost seriously injured in a movie set accident when the car she was riding in burst into flames after the car battery exploded. Altho she was shaken up pretty bad, Katie managed to evade death and escaped the car unharmed. Here are new pictures of Katie back on the set of her film Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark running around and playing with her only begotten child Suri Holmes-Cruise as if the accident never happened:

As you may recall, the plotline of Katie’s new movie involves her character being terrorized by evil gnomes … perhaps Suri is auditioning for a part in the flick? I keed, I keed!! Clearly, Katie doesn’t feel that the movie set of death is at all a danger to her young child … or does she?????? Whatever the case may be, it’s a relief to see Katie lookin’ so well after enduring such an upsetting incident. Now she can go back about her biz of making movies that no one has any interest in watching.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Great news for Whitney Houston fans who simply cannot wait for the release of her new album I Look To You, originally slated for release on September 1. Whitney’s record company has decided to push up the release of Whit Whit’s new album … BY A DAY! That’s right folks, instead of having to wait until September 1 to procure your copy of her new disc, you’ll now have the opportunity to purchase it one day earlier on Monday August 31!!

Fueled by the continuous excitement from last week’s much-buzzed about Whitney Houston album listening events in New York and Los Angeles, Arista Records has moved the release date of I Look To You up to August 31st. As a gift to her fans, a free download of the album’s title track, powered by Yahoo! Music, is available now at www.whitneyhouston.com until July 31st. “I Look To You,” a sweeping ballad with Whitney’s signature soaring vocals that fans have come to love, was written by R. Kelly.

That’s right folks, the good news doesn’t end there … head over to WhitneyHouston.com you’ll be able to download a FREE MP3 of Whitney’s title track I Look To You for your listening pleasure. As you may recall I revealed that, after hearing Whitney’s new album in full at the LA preview party last week, I Look To You was one of my fave tracks off the album … and now YOU can hear it FOR FREE right now. Get ya asses over to WhitneyHouston.com and download it … tell me what you think.

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Heidi Klum, whose baby bump has grown to the point that her belly button has popped out, was spotted with her children in tow at Coldwater Canyon Park yesterday afternoon. Heidi had that beautiful pregnant woman glow but she also looked a bit tired … might she be further along in her pregnancy than was previously believed?

She looks amazing! I love Heidi when she’s all pleasantly pregs! I cannot wait until she brings forth the fruit of her loins. I’m so excited that she is going to have another girl so that she can round out her collection of children perfectly. Tho, there have been a lot of twin births in Hollywood in recent years … wouldn’t it be a gas if Heidi and Seal ended up having more than one baby this time around? While Seal revealed to Oprah Winfrey that Heidi was having a girl it’s *possible* that he was only telling half of the story ;) Whatever the case may be, I can’t wait for Heidi to blow!!

[Photo credit: X17]

So … I’m not sure if y’all are ready for a boyband resurgence but one of the most successful boybands of all time (no, not *NSync) are making a comeback this Fall with a new album, a new tour and an attempt at that old magic formula that made them stars in the first place. Backstreet Boys — Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and A. J. McLean — have announced that they will be releasing a new 11-track album titled This is Us on October 6 with a world tour to follow. Are y’all ready, cuz here they come ready or not:

From the press release: Backstreet Boys are very proud to announce the release of their new album, THIS IS US. Set for an October 6th release on Jive Records, THIS IS US is the seventh studio album from this groundbreaking and chart topping group that redefined the modern musical landscape, ushering in a chapter of pop culture that commandeered the world’s radio airwaves, broke music and concert sales records, and launched a new generation of teen idols. Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and AJ McLean collaborated with a powerhouse suite of producers and songwriters on THIS IS US that included T-Pain, Max Martin, RedOne, Soulshock and Karlin, Jim Jonsin and Claude Kelly. The end result is an indelible and finely crafted R&B and pop album from four talented musicians who love what they do and who maintain the rare relevance in an industry that often disposes of pop acts. The 11 songs that make up THIS IS US are the sounds of four skilled singers with a similar vision, who have dealt with the trials and tribulations that accompany fame at an early age and who came out as one of the most successful groups of all time. From the undeniable dance floor ready lead single, “Straight Through My Heart” to the reflective soar of “Bigger,” from the hook crazy “Bye Bye Love” to the romantic yearning of “She’s A Dream,” THIS IS US shows remarkable growth as songwriters and continues to give us songs that has made millions smile. “We’re really excited to release this new album and know that our fans are excited too. We worked with a group of amazing artists and producers that we’ve never worked with before, exploring new sounds and territory and know the final product turned out incredible” says Carter. Backstreet Boys plan on spending the second half of 2009 and all of 2010 on the road. A European tour has already been announced and a full North American headlining tour will be announced shortly. Tour dates can be found on the group’s official website www.backstreetboys.com. Over the last 12 years, the Backstreet Boys have sold more than 76 million albums worldwide, have scored a dozen Top 40 hits and charted in the Top Ten in nearly every country making them one of the most successful groups of all time.

Just about 10 years after they conquered the PLANET, BSB are back again. I know there has been much talk in recent years about the return of *NSync (BSB’s #1 competitors) but I haven’t heard any chatter about the return of BSB. The world of pop music is pretty different now than it was back in the boyband hey day but I suppose it’s possible that the boys, er, men could have another hit … mebbe two. After the jump, check out a few promo photos of the Backstreets working on their new album in the studio …

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Awesome casting news to pass along to all y’all Joss Whedon/Dollhouse fans. As we already know, Joss spilled over the weekend (while chatting with a room packed with fans at 2009 San Diego Comic-Con) that Buffyverse alums Alexis Denisof (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) and Summer Glau (Firefly, Serenity) will be joining the case of Dollhouse in some capacity in the show’s second season which premieres on FOX this Fall … but Joss also revealed that Battlestar Galactica star Jamie Bamber (who played Lee Adama on BSG) will appear as a special guest star on the show’s season 2 premiere episode! Since BSG alum Tahmoh Penikett already stars on Dollhouse as “good guy” Paul Ballard, it looks like the show will become a veritable BSG lovefest reunion with Jamie on board, too!!

Want more Dollhouse news? Then you’re in the right place! Network sources confirm to us exclusively that Battlestar Galactica’s Jamie Bamber is set to guest star on the season two premiere of Dollhouse. But where does he fit into the storylines? Here’s what we’re hearing: We’re told that Bamber’s character is heavily involved in an engagement Echo (Eliza Dushku) and her new handler Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) have been assigned to. Geekgasm!

HOW FRAKKIN’ AWESOME IS THIS?! I can’t even properly process how amazing it is to have the Buffyverse and BSG collide in this way. I was so excited when I learned that Tahmoh got a starring gig on Dollhouse but now that Jamie Bamber has been welcomed into the fold, well, perhaps Joss Whedon can open a retirement home for ex-BSGers who need work? I would LOVE that!! For that matter, why not call up some Buffyverse alums who we haven’t heard from in some time … Charisma Carpenter? Emma Caufield? Nicholas Brendon? It could happen! Here’s hoping Dollhouse has a stellar second season … the longer the show stays on the air, the longer the chance exists that our fave actors from days of yore can get cast on the show :)

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