Author: Randy Slovacek

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News Round-Up: February 24, 2020

(image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: I hate to say it, I’m guilty of this as well, but Bremen Menelli (above) is right: there are no excuses to get some kind of workout in  – even if it’s just a few sets of bicep curls. Get up and do something folks. • Deadline: The TV series inspired by the praised 2018 movie Love, Simon is moving from Disney+ to the Disney-controlled Hulu streaming service. The half-hour comedy, which will be re-titled Love, Victor after its protagonist, will debut in time for Pride month. • Reuters: Stock market experts pointed to the growing coronavirus outbreak threat as well as the surging Bernie Sanders campaign for the S&P 500 managed healthcare index of health insurance stocks (SPLRCHMO) tumbling over 7% early Monday afternoon. • LA Times: Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape and a felony sex crime Monday. Weinstein was acquitted on the two most serious charges of predatory sexual assault, which each carried a potential life sentence. Sentencing for the 69-year-old is set for March 11. • Axios: The Trump White House and its allies, over the past 18 months, has assembled detailed lists of government officials perceived to be disloyal to oust. The plan would be to dismiss those officials and replace them with Trump loyalists. • NBC News/Marist Poll: A new poll in South Carolina shows Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) trailing former Vice President Joe Biden by only four points. That said, Biden continues to lead the pack of Democratic contenders among African American voters by double-digits with only five days before the South Carolina primary.

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Sanders Picks Up 24 Delegates In Nevada Caucus Results

L-R Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders
It took two days but the final results of the Nevada Democratic caucuses have been announced. According to the results, Sen. Bernie Sanders picked up 24 pledged delegates thanks to his overwhelming victory on Saturday. Former Vice President Joe Biden garnered 9 new delegates and former Mayor Pete Buttigieg was awarded 3 delegates. No other candidates’ vote totals were enough to win any delegates.

Of those on the delegate count scoreboard, Sanders now has 45 delegates, while Buttigieg has 25 and former Vice President Joe Biden has 15. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has 8 delegates, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has 7. In related news, a new poll released Monday from the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs found Biden with 22.5 percent support in the Lone Star State and Sanders with 22.1 percent, a statistical tie. The two were followed by Warren with 18.3 percent. No other candidate cleared the 15 percent threshold necessary to claim delegates in the state.

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Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty To New Charges Of Filing False Police Report

Former ‘Empire’ star Jussie Smollett (center)
Former Empire star Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty Monday to a fresh round of charges accusing the actor of staging a homophobic and racist attack last year. From CBS Chicago:

A new indictment filed earlier this month charged Smollett with six counts of disorderly conduct, accusing him of filing false police reports that he was attacked on the way home from Subway in the middle of the night in Streeterville in January 2019.

Cook County prosecutors dropped the original case against Smollett, dismissing 16 counts of disorderly conduct against him last March, without requiring he admit any wrongdoing, in a controversial move just weeks after he’d pleaded not guilty.

A special prosecutor later was assigned to look into the entire case, after a judge found “unprecedented irregularities” in how Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx handled the case, specifically by handing it over to her second-in-command after announcing she had recused herself.

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New Music: Lauv ‘Modern Loneliness’

Who knew a music artist could release all of his music independently and find success to the tune of billions of streams to his name? Lauv, a shooting star in the world of pop music who has done just that, drops his latest single “Modern Loneliness,” which the artist says is “the most important song” he feels he’s ever made. The lilting ballad takes aim at the technology-driven generation that can’t seem to put their cell phones down underscoring how we experience isolation living our lives ‘alone together.’

Modern loneliness We’re never alone but always depressed, yeah Love my friends to death but I never call, I never text La di da di da, yeah You get what you give and you give what you get, so Modern loneliness We love to get high but we don’t know how to come down

The video depicts the artist laying in a field of grass pondering his loneliness. But as the song continues the build, the camera pulls back to show he’s surrounded by others experiencing similar isolation just feet away. “There is a lot of loneliness out there,” says Lauv. “We all feel it. But there is also a lot of love waiting for us and I hope this song can be a catalyst for that.” The artist has been open about his own struggles with anxiety and depression and has taken action on the issue with his Blue Boy Foundation, which supports programs that help young people feel more comfortable reaching out for help with mental health. In 2019, he launched the “My Blue Thoughts” initiative, a community-building mechanism for fans to anonymously write down or record whatever is on their mind, as a way to engage with people around the world who may be having similar experiences.

In addition to recording and releasing his music, Lauv has also found success writing for some of the biggest stars in the world while simultaneously selling out shows all over the world as a headliner. And, perhaps most amazingly, he has done all of this without releasing an album. (yet) “Modern Loneliness” will be featured on Lauv’s highly anticipated upcoming album, ~how i’m feeling~,  set for release on March 6, 2020. He kicks off his world tour in Mexico on March 21. I’m definitely a fan. I’ve previously covered Lauv’s music here and here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CITYtX5LfBJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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Twitter Rant: When A Top Cancels At The Last Minute

Twitter-user “’Top Guy’ FloralAndy” is a marketing executive based in Philadelphia who, as his screen name implies, is mostly a ‘top guy.’ But after a packed schedule of business trips, said ‘top guy’ woke up recently feeling ‘a little pent up’ and decided he wanted to hook up BUT wanted to be on the receiving end of ‘business.’ “When I woke up this morning, something just hit different, or rather I wanted to be hit different,” he explained in a Twitter video that has gone viral. “So I made a bold and daring move, and after eating an omelet with a lot of cheese for brunch, decided that I wanted to bottom.” Of course, as we all know, with that decision comes some preparation. “So, I found someone who committed like a responsible adult to coming over later and I spent a ton of time in HERE (camera swoops to the toilet).” “I was also considerate and lit a candle,” explaining how he took the time to set the mood. “And then I was also considerate and made my f**king bed which I never do!”

Look how considerate…
“And then I laid out a towel – WHICH I NEVER DO because I’m not a very considerate person – and all of a sudden wanting to bottom makes me nice, and then…” Wait for it… “He f**king CANCELLED.” “I swear to god, I’m going to run for public office and I’m going to make this s**t illegal,” said our newly-enlightened hero. “I’m going to criminalize it! I’ve never once canceled on someone and I’m very proud of that.” He closed his rant with a proud declaration: “And you better bet your a** that I revenge-ate some tacos like a good pseudo-bottom.” And scene. ‘Mr. Mostly Top’ told Pink News that he has “hypothetically known that the process is time-consuming and somewhat emotionally draining: taking Imodium hours earlier, starting other prep hours earlier, showering, cleaning, lighting a candle, then losing hope and getting progressively angrier as the clock ticks.” He also shared that the would-be top eventually texted him (after said taco revenge) to say he had an “unforeseen roommate dispute and am no longer available.” In any case, Andy shares that the experience has truly helped him to better understand the plight of bottoms everywhere. “I stand in solidarity with bottoms now more than ever,” he proudly told Pink News. “Tops should be more considerate in their bookings – being an upfront adult can save everyone a lot of time and emotional energy.” At this writing, the video has over 588,000 views on Twitter in less than a day and the tweet has received over 35,000 Likes. For the most part, gay Twitter felt his pain:

(source: Pink News)

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Soldiers Dancing Cheek To Cheek Captures Internet’s Imagination

(image via Reddit)
They say a picture paints a thousand words. A vintage photo recently posted in several social media circles (I found it on Reddit) appears to show two young military servicemen dancing shirtless cheek to cheek. One soldier facing the camera has his eyes closed with a blissful smile as he holds his bare chest against his friend. It’s not clear if the duo is just messing around, or having a moment. One commenter wrote, “They were probably goofing around but some of them probably secretly enjoyed it.” Another seemed to agree with that assessment: “No women to dance with so they were just bros being bros.” One aspect of the pic was undeniable though as one Redditor wrote, “I love how happy they look together.” “I find it sad how today this is seen as homosexual behavior, but back then this was simply nonsexual and non-romantic fondness shared between two guys,” said another. “I want straight guys to not be stigmatized for sharing affection.” And this Redditor summed up the feelings of many: “Everybody just wants some warmth in dark times. This is an awesome photo.” I thought it was a touching way to begin the week. Does anyone know the story behind the mystery photo? No one seems to know the true origin of the pic, although a poster on Imgur suggested it was from Sweden in 1955. But it’s set hearts aflutter in imagining the scenario. Let me know in the comment section.

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Instagram Round-Up: Weekend Edition

Bruno Tarchetti in Brazil (via Instagram)
Catching up with some of my favorite InstaHunks… It seems like everyone is down in Brazil this week. You could title beefy Bruno Tarchetti‘s pic (above) ‘Bear takes flight in Brazil.” Kiko Riaze is attending the Revolution Party down at Carnival in Rio de Janiero:

Sexy Eliad Cohen took his uber-popular Papa Party world tour down to Rio for Carnival as well:

 

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@papaworldtour Carinval @theweekriodejaneiro 💥 📸 @igoramota Body painting by @vitor_martinez

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And Max Souza is giving you COSTUME down in Rio for Carnival as he expressed his appreciation for the invite to take part:

International pop star Ricky Martin declared he was ready for Miami (but was Miami ready for Ricky?):

 

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Hello #Miami. @premiolonuestro I’m ready. 📷 : @danielavesco

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Emmy Award-winning choreographer Travis Wall flew high above Hawaii:

Karlitos Amarilla says “Life is prettier on the beach!” If this is the view, I’d be inclined to agree:

 

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Por que la vida es más bonita en la playa!!! ☀️

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John Travolta recently joined ‘Mr. Worldwide’ himself, Pitbull, onstage in concert. Posted this twin bald pic from backstage:

 

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A knight hugged a dame as Sir Elton John welcomed Dame Olivia Newton-John to his concert in Melbourne:

 

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There is nothing like a Dame ❤️🚀 @therealonj 🚀❤️#EltonFarewellTour 📷: @bengibsonphoto

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Maluma On Gay Rumors: Lend Me Your Girlfriend To See How Gay I Am

Maluma (image via Instagram)
During a recent Q&A session on Instagram with his 49 million followers, Colombian reggaeton recording star Maluma laughed off rumors about him possibly being gay. Translated from Spanish, Maluma’s reply to the question was: “People are stupid, aren’t they? How can they say that I am gay? If I were gay, I would have already talked about it. The one who said I’m gay, lend me his girlfriend to see how gay I am. You guys make me laugh.”

Gee, just because the Latin hottie has collaborated with out superstar Ricky Martin and ‘queen of the gays’ Madonna, does that mean he HAS to be gay? Rock on, Maluma, rock on.

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Model/Restauranteur B. Smith Passes Away At 70

Model/restauranteur B. Smith (image courtesy of family)
Model, entrepreneur and style maven B. Smith has passed away at the age of 70 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Smith shared her diagnosis with the world in 2013. From TMZ:

Dan Gasby announced her death, saying, “It is with great sadness that my daughter Dana and I announce the passing of my wife, Barbara Elaine Smith.” He says she passed peacefully at 10:50 PM Saturday at their home on Long Island after having battled Alzheimer’s Disease for several years.

B. started her career in the 1960s as a model who was signed to Wilhelmina modeling agency. In 1976, she became the first black woman featured on a cover of Mademoiselle.

She went on to open 3 of her popular B. Smith restaurants in New York City, on Long Island and also in Washington, D.C.

B. landed her own cooking and lifestyle show in 1997 when “B. Smith with Style” debuted.

She and Dan married in 1992 and she became a stepmother to his daughter from a previous relationship.

I can’t recall how many times I passed her restaurant in New York City and would see her talking and laughing with patrons inside. Rest in power, B. Smith.