Makeup artist, art director, America's Next Top Model judge and now MMVA presenter - I got some makeup tips & tricks from Jay Manuel (that's Mr. Jay to you) when I interviewed him just before his debut on the awards stage!

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MuchMusic.com: Hi Jay! We loved you on the series premiere of Canada's Next Top Model! How do you think the Canadian models on CNTM stack up to the American models?

Jay: You know it's funny that you ask that because they really surprised me! Well, I was expecting a lot because there are just so many amazing Canadian models who've had great careers - like Shalom Harlow, Linda Evangelista, Tricia Helfer. I was expecting these girls to be beautiful, but what I wasn't expecting was that they would get such great talent for a first time round in a competition, that they would get such great talent. I walked in and saw some of these girls and they were beautiful, but a little reserved. But as you'll see in the show, they are thrown into the pressure cooker, which is really what this whole industry is, and I was just really proud to see Canada do so well! Because for the first time with any show, it's all about the casting and then when you're dealing with a show about models, it's hard to get a good group of girls. I think those judges have a tough time selecting who goes every week.

MuchMusic.com: We're only a few episodes in, but can we expect any more Jay cameos in future episodes?

Jay: I can't say! But stay tuned! I'm from Toronto so when they asked me to be part of the show, I really wanted this format to be successful because other countries have bought the format and I don't think they've done as well. America's Next Top Model's in 107 countries and the ratings are strong. And Canada is so close to the States, I just want it to be a success! Anything to be a part of it, and support the show while it's on!

MuchMusic.com: Who's your favourite Canadian model?

Jay: I always talk about Linda Evangelista - I remember the time when Linda was doing catalogue. It's when she had long hair and people were saying "yeah, she's a pretty model but let's not talk about her nose", and I loved her nose! And she really is the true supermodel diva and she's gorgeous! So she's one of my favourite Canadian models for sure.

MuchMusic.com: What's one fashion trend that you'd love to see go away?

Jay: I am so sick of seeing people wear, especially in the summertime, in shorts with sheepskin boots. I just look at them and I become hot! It just drives me insane. I want that trend to go away!

MuchMusic.com: If a girl's only got a few minutes to freshen up, what's the best quick tip you can recommend?

Jay: If I had to pick one product to use I'd have to say bronzer. It's really one of the most underused products ever. If you need to pump up your eyes you can put bronzer all over your eyelids and you don't have to bronze your whole face but take it along your hairline and down your cheekbones and across your nose, and it'll bring instant dimension and lift to your face. A lot of people think a bronzer is just for putting ALL across the face. But if you use it differently it can make a huge difference.

MuchMusic.com: For amateur makeup application, would you recommend sponges, brushes or fingertips?

Jay: It depends! You can use sponges for foundation but you'd never use a sponge for eyeshadow. I think if you had to spend a lot of money on one thing in putting together a makeup kit, definitely invest in good brushes. I mean you can buy cheap makeup at little novelty shops, but if you don't have a great brush, you're not going to get a good application.

MuchMusic.com: What's your must-have brush, if a girl can only splurge on one?

Jay: Wow, I can't have only one! If you can only afford one brush I'd say a good fading brush, something that's shaped like the ace of spades, because you can any kind of eyeshadow technique, whether you're doing a creased eye or a great faded eye. Cause it's really hard to fade an eye without that. And everything else, in terms of bringing in dimension I'd just use my fingers or a sponge.

MuchMusic.com: What was your favourite photo shoot or challenge in all the cycles of Top Model?

Jay: That's so tough! If I had to choose I'd say the final fashion show in the last cycle in Thailand. I worked really hard on creating that environment. People thought we just showed up at some temple, but you can't shoot at temples in Thailand so we built that entire set. It was a labour of love and a lot of fun!

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Be sure to watch Canada's Next Top Model on Citytv, Wednesdays @ 8pm!

Well guys, it looks like I've got to get back to work. Stay tuned because in the next couple days we'll be working harding to post some exclusive MMVA treats like interviews, photos and more crew blogs!

- Heartthrob alert! Howie of the Backstreet Boys surprised us with an unexpected visit - There was definitely some major screamage going on when he stepped out onto the red carpet.
- Okay, I think I'm in love with Kevin Zegers. The man is beautiful, so model worthy... *Sigh...I think I'll be renting Transamerica very verrry soon.
- Since we're on the subject of surprise guests I think we need to mention the oh so talented Eric Szmanda of CSI. He was looking all spiffy in his blue getup - I'm definitely digging the JT styles hat. Real Nice.

Okay, this may not have to deal with the red carpet but I have to say that Shawn Ashmore made my night. He's such a swell guy. And did you know he had a twin brother, who is equally as nice! Two Ashmores in one building - I nearly had to do a double take when I stopped them for a photo.

That's it for now!

Hey, what's up with "omgzz", anyway? I don't get it.

Whoa, Nelly. Our girl has a few things to celebrate while she performs and parties it up on Sunday - like, she just scored her first UK number one with "Maneater" (her current European single, which if you haven't heard, you must). AND, her big phat album "Loose" is dropping on Tuesday. This will be the summer of Nelly, and it's just getting started!

Simple Plan think they're sooooooooo cool. Well, maybe they are. I guess we'll find out on Sunday night when the weiner for People's Choice: Favourite Canadian Group is announced. They've won this trophy for the past three years and if all goes according to their evil plan, they'll make it four years in a row. Personally, I know Hedley have some nasty tricks up their sleeve, so the battle is on! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Christina Milian has been dropped by her label (YES, this has something to do with MMVAs, hold your horses), apparently because she refused boss L.A. Reid when she refused to record a little ditty called "S.O.S". Rihanna of course snatched that one up and well, looky at what happened. Christina's song of choice, "Say I", did paltry numbers compared to "S.O.S". Now cross your fingers that Rihanna steams up MMVA night with that track!

You don't have to look very far for Nick Lachey news, huh. All the blogs are loving that he's been hanging out extremely lovingly with this Vanessa Minnillo chick. Vanessa used to date baseball dreamboat (haha, I said dreamboat) Derek Jeter, so uh, Jessica Simpson - if you're looking, I know a certain ball player who might need a little company! Hubba, hubba.

Metric are living it out (ack, bad pun) on tour right now, and soon after, madame Emily Haines will release her first solo album (due in September)! Please, please, Metric will live on in solidarity and rock ... idarity? Taste their delicious dish of Metric in action on Sunday - it's seriously a must see.

Another band who always puts on a solid show is Fall Out Boy (with enthusiasm!). But despite their recent haul of success, it would seem that bassist Pete Wentz is still quite content to live at home with his parents. Well, hey man - free food, your most favouritest bed in the world - and by now, his parents are sure to know that if there's a hat on his bedroom doorknob, DO NOT enter.

When Dallas Green set out to release his solo project, little did he know that City and Colour would go gold. Yes, it's more than he BARGAINED for, mwahahaha. Anyway, his own label has been doing very nicely, thank you, as well - they just signed three new acts, which you can check out on his MySpace blog!

And hooray - cause after Yellowcard's singer Ryan faced never singing again, he's recovered from throat surgery and will be hitting the MMVA stage with a new force TO BE RECKONED WITH. What, what.

Only two days til show time! OMGGGGGZZZZ (seriously, what's up with the 'z')!

So, do your duty as a Canadian citizen and vote for the People's Choice categories while you still can, before it's too late and you spend 15 full minutes with your fist grasping the air saying, "noooooo!!!" Ok, truth of the matter is that the categories are very voteable until show time, but if you miss it - *shakes head disapprovingly*

Meanwhile, construction crews are setting up the stages and sets, green room lackeys are wandering around stealing couches and lamps and I'm busy exercising my photo clicking finger. Check out the results of my warm-up exercises and the evolution of the stages in our "Photo Of The Day", which is on the MMVA homepage!

Well, well. Of course the guests at this year's MMVAs get to roam through the GIFT LOUNGE OF AMAZINGOCITY. There's gonna be a set up of cool stuff that they can choose from - lots of clothes, Fossil watches, Xbox stuff, Nokia stuff, Sirius radio stuff - an exciting melange. The soundtrack in all guests' heads while they pick & choose will be that music that plays when Homer's in chocolate land on the Simpsons.

If you're not seething with celebrity-wannabe-lust already, the guests are also gonna score pre-packaged gift bags with a cramload of 'tings - actually, it's way too much for me to type, and I'm lazy. So, check out the entire rundown of gift bag and gift lounge freebies here!

Yo.

So.

So, yo, ho. Sorry, I start to talk gibberish when I'm excited, and right now I've got a pretty good reason to be all up in yo' grill. (See? This is making no sense). Dudes, we've got the official list of presenters for the MMVAs! Eeeeee. First of all, *I* may get the chance to meet Cylon Number 6 from Battlestar Galactica (cylons are sexier!), aka Tricia Helfer aka host of Canada's Next Top Model. If I can get my picture taken with her and pose like a sexy alien robot, I so will.

When you throw a party, who's sure to come? Paris Hilton, that's who. She'll be here, possible wardrobe malfunctions and all, to hand out some hardware. AND my baby daddy T.I. will be in the house. Let's see, who else: Tori Spelling; if she brings along her husband, I'm gonna be on the lookout for that huge Tori tattoo on his arm, man. I need to see that up close. I'll request a wiggle, cause that would be funny. Heehee, DANCE, TATTOO!

Sam Roberts and Evanescence will be all up in here. So will Mobile and Kardinal Offishall, AND Massari, AND Theory of a Deadman, AND The Trews. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!! (shock, gasp, choke)

Amanda Bynes (I'm all about "What I Like About You", that sheeit is hilarious). Elisha Cuthbert. Jesse Metcalfe. Shawn Ashmore. Jay Manuel (Mr. Jay, everybody!).

One last thing - Yellowcard has been added to the list of performers, so you know it's gonna be one hootenanny of a good time.

It's like a 2 for 1 deal, but instead of just 2, you get 25!! I think my head might explode.

Step 1: Come to Much HQ, 299 Queen St West Toronto, on June 10 starting at 8am.
Step 2: Make sure you're 14 or older and you have ID to prove it.
Step 3: You can only get one wristband per person, you put it on when you get it and you wear it until the awards are over (it's like a badge of honour or something).
Step 4: Bring a non-perishable food item!
Step 5: Drool and salivate and know that the wristband is for outdoor performances only!

Here's what's currently tickling my fancy: Nelly Furtado. I'm gonna be all up on that shiznit when she's doing sound check, man. She should probably just give me the mic. Timbaland will be here too, and you know what that means - jacuzzis and women! No, just kidding. It means that we're sure to hear the hotness that is "Promiscuous"!

Also whetting my appetite is Metric and Rihanna. Metric know how to put on a Show (notice my purposeful capitalization) and I'm still not tired of "SOS" (which Rihanna better perform, *shakes fist*).

So, in other news, since I'm rambling, here are the other performers that'll be taking the stage oh-so-triumphantly on June 18 (complete with hilarious puns):

Fall Out Boy. Sugar, you're coming down to see this happen.
Simple Plan. Shut up! No, I'm serious. Is everybody crazy? No, they're not.
Nick Lachey. What will be left of his cheese tray in his green room?
Hedley. Their performance is sure to be a real trip.
City and Colour. Save your singing voice cause you'll want to croon along!

Oh, that was painful (the puns). But how 'bout that lineup?

I'm not saying if it really happened like that. Maybe the envelope wasn't golden; maybe it was made of licorice and we all shared it. Or maybe there was no envelope at all, which is more likely. But here's what we do know: BT, Kardinal Offishall and Massari can each brag about 5 noms. The Trews are the only lucky turkeys with 4 nods. Green Day, Kanye West, Nickelback, Metric and City And Colour are all tripods with three nominations.

Take a looky at the full list!

So let's discuss:

Kelly's had a pretty stellar few years now, since being voted the very first American Idol - a string of radio and video hits...songs written for her by no less than Xtina...and an air of legitimacy that no other Idol can hope to match. She's the real deal with the pipes to match. And gosh darn it, she just seems so nice. So earthy and unpretentious. She should get your vote based on that alone, no? That said, we imagine it will only be a few years until she starts demanding velvet drapes, white M&Ms and private jets everywhere she goes, so vote now to appease her in advance of this!

Kanye. What *can't* you say about him. The man is ubiquitous - he's everywhere, a true king of all media - and he hasn't even starred in his first film yet or put out a cookbook. It's probably only a matter of time until he sets his sights on the White House...and he'll probably win; he really can do no wrong in our eyes. His second album was bigger than the first with the help of friends like Jamie Foxx and Pam Anderson - and as his video for Touch The Sky indicated, he's not stopping there. The sky truly is the limit for this superstar and we're with him every cloud-hop along the way.

This past year, James Blunt falsettoed his way into the hearts of women worldwide. The whole shirtless/washboard abs thing didn't hurt either, we suspect, but the truth is, he croons sweet nothings with the best of them. He definitely takes the cake for syrupy sweet ballad of the year, and that might be enough to take him over the top here. We do think, however, that he's treading dangerously close to the Dave-Navarro-put-your-dang-shirt-on line...so we suggest he release a clothing line and layer up with some of his own gear. Much better, thanks.

Looking back over the year, of all the artists on this list, Rihanna might have shone the brightest. She's young, hot, and has a knack for singing on tracks that insert themselves into your brain and refuse to leave - in a good way. Oh and she has some dude named Jay-Z in her corner. That's good enough for us. We are a little bit afraid to imagine what kind of a juggernaut she'll be in a few years. Rihanna Industries, anyone?

Finally, Mariah. We could rehash the whole career meltdown thing, but really, you've heard it all before and it's a moot point now. Mariah has had the comeback of all comebacks - possibly the only person who could beat her in that department would be Michael Jackson, and there's no imminent sign of that. She's resurrected her career, her cred, her album sales, her status as a single woman and just about everything else. She's a legitimate musical force again and churning out monster hits that are just as comfy on urban radio as they are on adult contemporary stations. That's serious.

So there you have it - the nominees for Favourite International Artist. Do your research, count to ten and then vote for who YOU want to win - cause your votes will decide who takes home the hardware! Happy votin'!

You decide - who rocked your world in 2005? Was it Coldplay? They had lots of videos to pick from, but we liked their debut off X&Y, "Speed Of Sound" best. How about "Newcomers" Fall Out Boy with their insanely catchy video for "Dance, Dance"? Or Green Day's epic video that you couldn't avoid all year, "Wake Me Up When September Ends"? What about last summer's infectious tune "Don't Cha"? Don't try to tell me you weren't humming it, even if it was against your will. Or did you maybe prefer the unrelenting words of Fergie in "My Humps"?

Go decide for yourself! Then tune in next week when we open up another category for voting!

Anyway, all we can do for now is think about the past year, reflect upon who was successful and make hopeful speculations about who might be appearing. I'm going to ask Kat for her wishlist. I bet Massari will be on there. (2 minutes later): Kat says Franz Ferdinand, Kelly Clarkson and Metric. She also said Nickelback but she was kidding. Sorry, Nickelback.

Soon, we'll be able to tell you how to score wristbands and how you can start voting (NO CHEATING!!). Eventually I'll let you in on who'll be appearing and performing, but you have to be really nice to me. Deal? I see you over there. Don't give me that lip.