The memorial commemorating the life of Jenni Rivera was as dramatic and colorful as the artist herself, with fans often singing loudly along to Rivera videos and live performances by her friends and family despite the incongruity of the red coffin on the stage.

Billboard caught up with the "Voice" champ to see what she envisions for her first solo LP. "If you were to take Taylor Swift, make it edgier with a just a little hint of country and make the lyrics a little more mature, that would be the direction I'd like to take."

J.Lo made a furry new friend, Miley grabbed her crotch on VH1 divas, Kelly Clarkson goofed off, Britney admired L.A. Reid's cowboy hat, Rihanna got naked (again) and more. See the week's best pics!

Once Billboard.com readers weighed in on their favorite music of the year, Madonna emerged as the 2012 MVP and came out on top in four other categories.

These 20 tunes cover the gamut from hip-hop (Nas, G.O.O.D. Music) and pop (Carly Rae Jepsen) to country (Love and Theft) and rock (fun.), but the Billboard.com staff agrees they're 2012's best.

We sat down with each member of the mighty One Direction and found out what it was like being in the year's biggest new band. Go inside the minds of Harry, Louis, Zayn, Niall and Liam.