Aubrey O’Day of pop singing group Danity Kane will make her Broadway debut as Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray beginning July 18 at the Neil Simon Theatre. O’Day, a veteran of MTV’s Making the Band 3, will be appearing opposite Ashley Parker Angel (Link Larkin), who starred in the first incarnation of Making the Band. She replaces another reality show alum, Ashley Spencer of You’re the One that I Want, who will play Sandy in the Broadway company of Grease beginning July 22. O’Day is scheduled to remain in Hairspray through August 31.O’Day got her start onstage at age four as Molly in a production of Annie and went on to star in regional theater productions of The Wizard of Oz, Fame, Grease, The Sound of Music, A Chorus Line and Fiddler on the Roof. Her appearance on Making the Band 3, resulted in the formation of the platinum selling group, Danity Kane, the first female group in Billboard history to have their first two albums enter the main charts at number-one.

c/o broadway

 Danity Kane videos usually follow the same formula: Have the girls walk around the streets of some unknown city, rain or shine, in 5-inch heels and figure-hugging outfits. Sometimes there are glimpses of them in the studio with Diddy behind the boards, or in the backs of cars, taunting horny males as they zip along the boulevard.

But in the forthcoming video for “Bad Girl,” the second single from the band’s latest LP, Welcome to the Dollhouse (which has scanned more than 500,000 copies to date), we’ll get to see Diddy’s girl group as we’ve never seen them before: being very, very bad girls … or, as the director’s treatment reveals, embodying their “kick-ass alter egos.”

“It’s on fire,” Aubrey O’Day told MTV News on the Los Angeles set of the “Bad Girl” video, which is being directed by Erik White (Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown). “Five-inch heels, massive choreography — Gil Duldulao is our choreographer, and he’s [worked with] Janet Jackson. He’s fab.”

In the fast-paced clip, Danity Kane pay homage — in a sense — to the bold, sexy look of the graphic novel. Like the song, the video, which will begin airing later this month, features a cameo by Missy Elliott.

O’Day’s scene takes place in a dimly lit police interrogation room. She’s sitting across from a rugged detective, requisite lamp shining in her face. Soon, her alter ego emerges. Wearing a skintight leather catsuit, O’Day grabs the detective by his shirt and throws him on the table. Then she straddles him and cuffs his hands to the table, allowing for her escape.

“We tortured boys all day,” O’Day said in between character shoots. “I slapped him around a little bit, threw him on a table, handcuffed him … the usual. I just tortured him.”

D. Woods’ alter ego in the video, it turns out, is a peep-show performer. We’ll see her dressed in leather and striking poses in a closet-size room. The front wall of the room slides up, revealing a nice-looking gent will dollar bills in hand. “I was in a peep-show box, and I took all his money,” Woods laughs. “I tortured him for a day.”

Shannon Bex will portray a speed-hungry motorcycle babe in the video, while Dawn Richard plays a patient strapped to a gurney, with IV tubes jutting from both arms. She ultimately frees herself and uses the gurney to attack those who’d been preparing to experiment on her. Aundrea Fimbres plays a young woman who’s chained up in a dank room and eventually outwits and outmuscles her captor.

The finished product will likely be a stylized mix between “The Matrix” and “Speed Racer,” ending with all of the DK girls kicking butt in a massive fight scene that closes the clip.

But fighting crime and escaping sticky situations aren’t the only things keeping the Danity Kane gaggle busy these days. They’ve been touring for months and recently finished shooting the third season of “Making the Band 4,” which is slated to premiere in August.

“And we’ve been doing a lot of running around the country, picking up fans and doing shows,” O’Day said. “We work on our music constantly. We’re on the tour bus, creating, coming up with beats, coming up with lyrics, doing anything we can to stay creative while we’re on the road. And we’ve been working on some big ventures, some very entrepreneurial things.”

The ladies are coming out with a line of denim from Dollhouse, O’Day said, and Richard has her own comic book on the way.

“We are conquering every area of entertainment,” Woods said. Meanwhile, O’Day’s going to hit the Great White Way soon, too.

“I’m doing Broadway … ‘Hairspray,’ and all the girls are going to be in the front row opening night,” she explained, before Woods interjected, “Aubrey has always done musical theater and theater. So have I, and I think this is a perfect opportunity, a perfect platform for her to showcase this other side of her talents. And we’re going to be there to sing all the words and be her fans.”

Most artists have to wait until they’ve hit the big time before the general public gets a glimpse of them on television. And even then, it might only be a carefully placed music video on a music entertainment channel. Yes, this is usually the protocol for most artists.

That is of course unless your band name is Danity Kane.

After the grueling process that was Making The Band, it seemed that Diddy had finally assembled his dream team. Danity Kane exploded onto the music scene in 2006 with their self-titled debut album, which not only debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200, but also spawned the hit single “Showstopper.”

Yet after the success of their debut album, rumors began to surface about disharmony within the group. Many began to believe that their first album might very well be their last as Danity Kane.

But then on the season finale of Making the Band 4, the girls appeared out of nowhere like the fictional superhero that is their namesake. The girls appeared to be as united as ever.

This past season on Making The Band – aside from fans becoming reunited with Danity Kane as they worked on their second album – they also got to know their labelmates, the newly formed Day 26 and soloist Donnie Klang.

The creation of their new project brought new challenges for the five women, yet fans watched as they stepped into the driver’s seat, took the wheel, and steered their album to completion.

Now on the heels of another Number One album, Welcome To The Dollhouse, and another hit single “Damaged,” they are about to embark on their first ever headlining tour. We sat down with these ladies of Bad Boy for a chat about all things Danity…

AllHipHop.com Alternatives: You guys have definitely grown a lot since we first became acquainted with you. How have your experiences changed? What is different?

DK-Aundrea: With this album we definitely took a lot more creative control. We came in this time with our minds set on how we wanted to look and how we wanted to sound and what songs we wanted to sing. And we also wanted to write. We definitely went head to head with Puff to get everything that we wanted. The major difference on this album is that things are a little more our way.

DK-D.Woods: Also, it’s just that the first time around we were just so happy to be in the game, just playing along. But now it’s like we have a strategy, and we are in it to win it.

AHHA: Your last album was a lot more R&B. This album is a lot more Pop. Is there any particular reason you guys went in a different direction with the album this time?

DK-Dawn: I think it has a lot to do with the movement of music and where it is going. I think the first album was pretty much like D said. We were told what to do, and we were excited and it was more urban because that was pretty much Bad Boy’s track record.

Usually with the producers that we’re given like B[ryan-Michael] Cox, we’ve got alot of urban-sounding producers; that was the direction of where that last album went. This time around, we really wanted to expose ourselves internationally.

We felt that we really didn’t touch on that before. Especially with this group and the different sounds that we have, we just can’t cater to one sound especially urban, since we have such a diverse group of girls here. So we really wanted to tap into pop music as well as urban, because the urban will be there being on Bad Boy and the group already has that ground underneath it.

We really wanted to make it international – touch the clubs with that high-energy music, where music is pretty much going right now. And that’s why we worked with producers like Danja Handz, and that Euro sound. I think it was extremely smart on our part because we got on it before it really hit.

Because now it seems like everything you hear is on that level. I feel like we already tapped into it, but still stayed with the Danity Kane sound that we had before; just added to it. That’s what makes us different from what’s out right now.

DK-D. Woods: Also a big difference is because we had so much creative control this time around. We weren’t allowed to do that last time, although we wanted to. Sometimes you just have to play your position. So this time around, like I said, we came in with our strategy.

And because [the material] is coming moreso from us, from  “the horse’s mouth,” it has a different tone than if it was given to us. Also we are dancers, which is why we have so much dance music, because we really didn’t get to express that talent as well as we would have liked to the last time out.

DK-Aundrea: And even on top of that, we are just a few years older than we were, and we definitely grew as a group. We grew closer. We grew vocally. Our vocals definitely changed, and we have learned each other’s voices so much better. So we just had this set thing of how we wanted to sound.

AHHA: Do you guys sense a difference in how you have been received this time around?

DK-Aundrea: Definitely. I think this time out people have been more receptive. They are seeing that it’s not just TV. And also they are playing our stuff all over the radio. Radio didn’t really touch us with the last time at all. They didn’t really play us. This time it’s very different. We just went into the Top Ten for pop radio and on the Billboard charts this week. We have just been received very well.

DK-Dawn: I think also we were very skeptical about the show ourselves and a little bit wary about this whole situation the first time. But this time we really took the reigns, so even the swagger of how we are and the way we approach things is a little bit different. If you give us respect, we’re gonna continue to earn [it].

As long as we are good and we continue to do our job, people are starting to see that we are not looking for approval. We are looking for the next thing we can do, the next goal we can accomplish. A lot of people are starting to see that we have a work ethic like you haven’t really ever seen. Even Diddy continues to say a lot that we are some hard working women.

We are just looking for ways to make ourselves better; how we can make our fans appreciate the music more. And because of that, I think artists are starting to respect that because we are songwriters and we are trying to better ourselves as musicians as well as artists and performers.

AHHA: Was the experience of being in the same house as Donnie and Day 26 and recording at the same time a bit hectic for you all?

DK-Aundrea: I think in the beginning we were just a little concerned, because we didn’t really know what their work ethic was like. And we didn’t really know them at all. And we knew what WE wanted to do. We knew that we wanted to come in focused.

I think we were all pleasantly surprised. They are all very very nice and very talented young men, and I think we learned a lot from them. I also think they learned a lot from us. I also think they motivated us and pushed us even more.

AHHA: Have you guys gotten used to having cameras follow you around every minute of the day?

DK-D.Woods: Yeah, it’s funny because now the directors from the show don’t even have to direct us. I mean it is reality TV, but there is a certain amount of “set” involved in it. It’s like we know a lot of the sound guys and cameramen so we are used to them.

DK-Aundrea: It’s funny because a lot of people who aren’t really used to it…they get nervous when they approach us or when they are talking to us. And I’m like, “Calm down. Don’t even pay attention to them!” [laughs] We are so used to them being around because it’s just always been apart of how we’ve done Danity Kane. It would feel weird to not have [the camera crew].

AHHA: Now if you guys could talk a bit about the tour that you guys are headlining…

DK-Aundrea: Yay!!

DK-Dawn: I think fans are going to be pleasantly surprised. I think Puff is smart. He knew what he was doing when he [put this tour together]. People are gonna be taken aback by Danity Kane since we have been in ten-hour rehearsals, and like D said, we are all performers and dancers so we always try to go above and beyond what the normal person would do.

DK-D.Woods: You don’t want to see my feet right now! [laughs]

DK-Dawn: Seven to ten hours in stilettos, and we are not tipping around the stage. I’m talking about hardcore dancing. We are rolling on the floor, doing leg lifts; we’re doing tricks. [laughs] It’s crazy! We are just constantly looking for ways that we can push the envelope. Even with the smaller venues, that doesn’t mean any [difference] for us, it doesn’t matter how small [the venue is], our brains are so big in what we wanna do visually.

And because the content of our album is so meaningful, there are so many deep things we can touch on visually with the sound of the album. There is so much we can do with it. I think people are going to be really excited to see what we have in store for them. I don’t think they are ready!

DK-D.Woods: Even Puff said when he comes into one of our rehearsals and he was like, no matter what [the choreographer] said…

[group in unison]

Y’all got this good!

DK-D. Woods: But [Diddy] was really really surprised. You know, the tell tale factor in the show is can you do this with the lights on in your rehearsal clothes with no makeup and still be captivating. He said he was captivated even in the first process of our rehearsal.

He was like, “I want you guys to be ready that when you guys get on stage, you might not get the crowd screaming and going crazy. They might just be taken aback and just watchin’ y’all, because I was really taken aback.” We weren’t expecting, “If there’s crickets, it’s ok. They just don’t understand what you’re doing.”

AHHA: Beyond this album, beyond this tour. What’s next for Danity Kane?

DK-Aundrea: We are going to take over the world!

DK-Dawn: Just more. DK will be a brand name.

AHHA: In 20 years if someone asked, “Who is Danity Kane?” what would be the answer?

DK-Aubrey: A group of diverse women that figured out how to understand each other and unite instead of work against each other, which is the most important thing you can do.

Credit: AHH

Ten years ago, Donnie Klang was a seventh-grader at Island Trees Memorial Middle School in Levittown; he sang and rapped The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy’s “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems” for the annual talent show.

These days, Klang, 23, is promoting his debut single, “Take You There,” featuring P. Diddy.

“That’s a dream come true,” says Klang, taking a break from rehearsals for “Making the Band 4: The Tour,” which kicked off last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom and runs through July. “Even in the old groups I used to sing in, we used to say ‘Bad Boy’ on our tracks. We used to try to find a capellas of Diddy so we could have him rap on our songs. Now, I’m signed to Bad Boy.”

After the current tour, Klang, who still lives in Roslyn, will put the final touches on the rollout of his debut album, set to drop on Aug. 19 to coincide with the return of the MTV series “Making the Band 4,” which will focus on Klang working on his debut, as well as the travels of the show’s other acts, Danity Kane and Day 26.

The successes of those groups, whose albums both debuted at No. 1 on separate weeks in March, isn’t lost on Klang, though he says he’s more interested in having his album define a new style, “something nobody’s expecting to hear.” (“It would be great to beat their first-week [sales], though,” he adds. “It’s the competitive side between us on ‘Making the Band.’”)

Klang says his style brings together his early years in Canarsie, Brooklyn, and his life since moving to Roslyn at age 12.

“They’re two very different places,” he says. “I feel like I took the R&B from Brooklyn and the pop from Long Island. The songs are the kind of songs you listen to on the way to the beach or you pop in when you’re playing ball at the park. And, of course, there are crazy tracks for when you’re at the club.”

cred: newsday

There aren’t any marshmallows or ghost stories, but Diddy says going on tour is like heading to summer camp.

“Imagine sleepaway camp for adults with a lot of money and a lot of success,” he clarified. “Anything can happen.”

Diddy is getting ready to send his two biggest acts, Danity Kane and Day26, on the road in a couple of weeks. Not only will we see the groups performing, but we’ll also get to check out all the backstage and out-of-venue chaos: The jaunt will be filmed for the next season of “Making the Band.”

“They’re gonna hone their craft. This is just phase one of the tour,” Diddy detailed. “We’re going to a lot of the cities that support us.”

Bad Boy artists Cheri Dennis and Donnie Klang will be opening up.

“In some cities and states, I’m gonna make a guest appearance,” the mogul promised. “Do a light 15 hits. I’m not gonna bore you with, like, 40. I’mma just hit you with 15 real quick verses to really get the place rocking.”

Last week, Combs was in L.A. getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Puff — who moved to L.A. in an effort to dive deeper into his film career — said he would have taken any spot the Walk of Fame committee offered, but he wound up with prime real estate in front of the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

“You mean where Clark Gable and Frank Sinatra and Denzel are at?” he said with a smile, reliving the moment his agent told him he was up for the accolade. “I was stuck for a second, then I felt a sense of appreciation. That’s a great honor, especially coming from Harlem. We would just see pictures of it. When we landed in L.A., that’s where we would go to. Like people when they land in New York come to Times Square. To know that my family and my kids and my kids’ kids are going to be able to see my name down there, because I put it down during my time, is a blessing.

“It blinded me in a great way,” he continued. “Sometimes things come to you as blessings you don’t expect. When you’re not going after them, sometimes those are the best awards.”

Jamie Foxx was among the well-wishers supporting Diddy at his ceremony. “Making the Band 4″: The Tour kicks off May 18 at the House of Blues in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

cred: mtv

Danity Kane has reason to celebrate this week. As their sophomore release Welcome to the Dollhouse is set to be number 1 on the billboard charts after selling over 250,000 copies. Crushing the competition congratulations girls and a big thank you to all the fans that went out and got this incredible album.

So here we go.  As the release date approaches.   The album cover has been released.  Here it is:

And also we have a tracklisting, which may or may not change as we get closer to the actual release.  So here it is as of press time:

Lets hope the girls can go platinum twice!  I’ll be posting, in the next few days, all the links where you can buy it online so we can make sure to grab it on its release day!   Stay tuned.

In a recent interview with TV/Radio Host Wendy Williams, the Platinum selling 5 star girl group Danity Kane revealed that they have never been paid for all the work they’ve done on their first album which has sold over 1 million copies thus far.

 All 5 of the members agreed, that they have not seen 1 cent from Diddy, Bad Boy, or any of its affiliates in relation to their album release which comes as a shock to many fans, and even some people ‘in the know’ for this industry.

The Radio Host even went on to joke with quotes such as “P-Diddy rippin artists off since 1992“.  “Puff is takin these girls for a ride”.

I can’t confirm any sort of contract dealings between Bad Boy and Danity Kane but can say the girls are looking forward to their second album being a success as they were permitted to write for this album and are expecting royalties from that. 

Though, if past experience predicts the future looks like Danity Kane might need a hat on a NY sidewalk to start paying some bills.  Tough Break girls.  The fans still love ya!

credit: DanityKane.Info

And it is by far the worst name I’ve ever heard in my life – Day 26 – yes you heard right.

During a visit to Philly’s Power 99 radio station, the group – Brian Andrews, Mike McCluney, Robert Curry, Qwanell Mosley, and Willie Taylor –are now officially known as Day 26.

What a sad sad day, sorry guys thats about as awesome as “da band” and we all saw how far they went.

Diddy may still be the hardest working man in the industry. In front of a packed house at New York’s Spotlight, home to the popular biweekly “R&B Live” showcase, the music mogul introduced the new faces of Bad Boy Entertainment to the industry. With music executives like Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Andre Harrell and others seated in the audience, Diddy worked the room like a pro, shaking hands and networking with everyone from the higher-ups to the interns.

The night belonged to Bad Boy, as Danity Kane, the Makin’ The Band 4 boys, Mario Winans, and Cheri Dennis were among the acts to perform, and each act had their CEO’s undivided attention. As sweat trickled down the cheeks of Mario Winans during his performance of “I Don’t Wanna Know,” Diddy appeared from backstage to pass Winans a towel. When one of the mics failed the MTB4 boys, Diddy jumped on stage and did an impromptu soundcheck. And when his newest act, the OutKast-influenced Janelle Monae, flaunted her unique talent with a lively performance,  Diddy stood up on the booth where he was seated and cheered her on.

With newly appointed President of Bad Boy entertainment Harve Pierre close by, Diddy introduced his acts with excitement, as if to kickoff a new era of his successful Bad Boy label. But to the audience’s surprise, his special invited guests also led the crowd in song. Naughty By Nature’s Treach and Vinnie performed a medley of their hits, taking it back to the old school right before Dana Dane got on the mic.

Cameras flashed all night, and reality show producers followed Diddy and company around the venue to capture all the highlights. Some of the celebrities in attendance included Missy Elliott, Jeff Redd (who also performed), singer-slash-sex tape celebrity Ray J, Fat Joe, and others. In between his Makin’ The Band 4 taping and CIROC vodka promoting, Diddy is also gearing up for his “A Raisin In The Sun” TV premiere on Feb. 25. Read more »