Category: Entertainment

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A Capitol Fourth On PBS Tonight Hosted By Vanessa Williams

Don't miss A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS tonight hosted by Vanessa Williams

A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS tonight hosted by Vanessa Williams Make sure to tune in tonight, July 4 at 8/7c on PBS for a special presentation of A Capitol Fourth hosted by Vanessa Williams! The acclaimed extravaganza features coverage from 20 cameras positioned around Washington, D.C., ensuring viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks in the nation. Featured performances include Jimmy Buffett, Gladys Knight, Alan Jackson, Cynthia Erivo, Pentatonix, Renee Fleming, Train, Jennifer Nettles, Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen, Auli’i Cravalho, Laura Osnes, Ali Stroker, and Maestro Jack Everly conducting the NSO. This will mark 41 years of the PBS celebration of Independence Day. A Capitol Fourth is broadcast to millions of viewers on PBS and streaming platforms as well as to our troops watching around the world on the American Forces Network. In the four decades since the humble beginning of A Capitol Fourth, a parade of superstars — including Frankie Valli, Patti LaBelle, John Williams, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Reba McEntire, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Steve Martin, Josh Groban, Gloria Estefan, Huey Lewis and the News, Little Richard, Tony Bennett, Faith Hill, Ray Charles, the Bee Gees, Kenny G, Aaron Neville, Kenny Rogers and the Muppets from Sesame Street — has offered the best in American entertainment and helped set the tone for a spectacular American birthday party. There aren’t many TV events I can honestly say I call “must see TV.” But for years I’ve celebrated this TV presentation of diversity, inclusion, class, and a healthy helping of patriotism. Tune in to your local PBS station tonight for the terrific performances and amazing fireworks.

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Out Music: John Duff ‘High Heels’ Feat. Lilias White

Out singer/songwriter John Duff

Out singer/songwriter John Duff
John Duff in ‘High Heels’ (screen capture)
John Duff makes our Friday that much better as he drops the larger-than-life, over-the-top music video for “High Heels.” The banging dance floor filler not only has fantastic video effects but features the vocal talents of Tony Award winner Lilias White.

“High Heels” is the first single from Duff’s new EP Homo•Sapien. Billboard’s Stephen Daw calls the collection “some truly incredible dance-floor ready melodies.” Daw added, “It’s on lead single ‘High Heels,’ featuring Broadway legend Lillias White, that Duff shines the brightest, reaching a musical pinnacle equivalent to a confetti cannon exploding as he declares ‘If I looked the way that I feel, I’d be wearing high heels/ Cause you’ve got me feeling elevated.'” You can find my previous coverage of Duff’s audacious music here.   https://www.instagram.com/p/CQrUelZsMZV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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#TBT: 19-Year-Old Celine Dion Amazing Take On ‘Memory’

19-year-old Celine Dion sings a spectacular "Memory"

19-year-old Celine Dion sings a spectacular "Memory"
Celine Dion then and now (images via Instagram/screen capture)
For a little #ThrowbackThursday action, check out teenage Celine Dion singing “Memory” from the mega-musical CATS in 1987. Even though she was just 19-years-old at the time, the voice and vocal bravura were clearly already in bloom. Performed on the popular Canadian TV show, ‘L’autobus du Show Business,’ La Dion shows up in full Grizabella regalia and throws down a powerful rendition. Regular readers may recall my first big acting gig after moving to New York City in 1985 was in a new national touring company of CATS as the ‘Magical Mr. Mistoffelees.’ After doing my big number in Act Two, our Grizabella (a spectacular Leslie Ellis, who would go on to earn a Grammy singing on Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”) would come out and sing “Memory.” My part in that moment was to sit on the enormous tire upstage of Leslie and stare at the back of her head as she knocked it out of the park. #TheGlamourOfShowBiz Happy Thursday, everyone!

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Adam Lambert & Madonna Weigh In On Lil Nas X BET Awards Kiss

Adam Lambert & Madonna
Adam Lambert & Madonna
Adam Lambert (via Instagram) and Madonna (via Instagram)

Following Lil Nas X’s fierce performance at the BET Awards this past Sunday, which culminated in a steamy kiss with one of his male dancers, folks on social media were quick to point out it wasn’t the first same-sex kiss to stir the award show airwaves.

Notably, there was Adam Lambert’s male-male kiss at the 2009 American Music Awards, and Madonna’s smooch with Britney Spears at the 2003 MTV VMAs.

Both became pop culture controversies, and now both artists have responded to Lil Nas X’s live lip-lock.

Speaking to Billboard this week, Lambert gushed over the moment saying it was “hot.”

“I think he is definitely like the gay pop star that is 2021 — he’s bold, he’s controversial, he’s pushing boundaries,” Lambert told Billboard. “That’s what we want our pop stars to do. It’s just taken this long to have it be a gay one.”

That said, the 39-year-old singer acknowledged the public responses to his kiss versus Lil Nas X were quite different.

Lambert says he was flying to New York City the next day to perform on Good Morning America but was canceled due to the controversy.

But Lambert notes that not only are we in a different place in LGBTQ awareness today, but he was in a different place in his career in 2009 – just months after coming in second on American Idol.

Pointing to streams, sales and radio chart position today, Lambert admits, “One of the great things about Lil Nas is when you look at ‘Old Town Road,’ you see that this massive worldwide hit helped give him some freedom to make some statements and to make some real art. Timing is everything.”

“There is so much good will for someone like him,” Lambert adds. “And I’m just happy to be able to have the perspective to appreciate it.”

Madonna responded to comparisons in her own inimitable way by posting a pic of her VMAs kiss next to Lil Nas X’s BET smooch in her Instagram stories with the hashtag, “#diditfirst.”

When the screen capture was shared on Twitter, folks got a bit riled up.

Some thought the Queen of Pop’s remark took away from Lil Nas X’s moment:

Others thought Madonna could have used the moment to speak up for Britney Spears’ ongoing legal issues:

For his part, Lil Nas X wasn’t buying into the turmoil. He tried to cool things down on by defending Madge’s comment as a joke and reminding folks the two are friends.

But you know – Twitter’s gotta twitter…

At the end of the day, if Madonna wanted to make a statement – and we know she’s not shy about that – I doubt she would have hidden the remark in a ‘blink and it’s gone’ Instagram Story.

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Check Out Billy Porter As ‘Fab G’ In Teaser For ‘Cinderella’

Billy Porter is 'The Fab G' in upcoming Amazon Prime Video reboot of 'Cinderella'
Billy Porter in ‘Cinderella’ (screen capture)
Check out this early teaser for the upcoming Amazon Prime Video reboot of “Cinderella,” set to premiere on September 3, 2021. The new take on the familiar fable stars Camila Cabello as the ‘cinder girl’ herself and Emmy/Tony Award winner Billy Porter as her fairy god-person, “the Fab G.”

When the casting of Porter was first announced, the POSE star told CBS News in March 2020, “Magic has no gender – we are presenting this character as genderless. At least that’s how I’m playing it. And it’s really powerful.”

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The Old Gays Celebrate Pride Month

The Old Gays (image via TikTok)
The Old Gays, a quartet of senior gay men who have developed a devoted following for their candid and often hilarious observations on queer life, have shared a video for Pride that is charming the TikTok world. Each of the men take turns holding up photos of themselves as young men, and contrast how they felt about being gay when they were young versus today. Bill: “When I was growing up, my father was always trying to out me. Well, here I am – free, proud and gay as can be.” Robert: “My father suddenly died while I was in college. I wasn’t sure about my future. But here I am today – 78, proud and still chugging along.” Jessay: “Growing up, I was terrified to come out to my mom. But I finally worked up the courage to do it, and she encouraged me to be myself. Well, here I am.” Michael: “This is me at 20, one year before attending my first pride. I was uncertain of who I was. Now 55 prides later, I know exactly who I am.” The four end the clip with a stop at Shake Shack to enjoy Pride Shakes at the fast food vendor. Proceeds from the shake go to support The Trevor Project. The clip has been ‘Liked’ over 850K times so far 🙂

@oldgaysFree, proud & gay as can be 🏳️‍🌈 @shakeshack ##oldgays ##shakeshack ##shakeshackpartner ##ad ##out ##free ##proud ##gay ##pride2021🏳️‍🌈 ##lgbtq ##fypシ ♬ original sound – The Old Gays

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Kataluna Enriquez Makes History As 1st Trans Miss Nevada USA

Kataluna Enriquez made history becoming the first transgender Miss Nevada USA
Kataluna Enriquez made history becoming the first transgender Miss Nevada USA
Kataluna Enriquez, Miss Nevada USA 2021 (image via Instagram)

Filipino-American model Kataluna Enriquez made history this past weekend becoming the first transgender woman to snatch the crown of Miss Nevada USA 2021.

The win qualifies Enriquez to compete in the Miss USA pageant in November where she will be the first trans contestant to walk the runway at the long-running competition.

The 27-year-old took to Instagram to share a photos and fashions from the event. Wearing a dazzling rainbow-colored gown of her own design for the coronation festivities, she wrote: “In honor of pride month and all of those who don’t get a chance to spread their colors.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQpGCDanjdy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Enriquez competed as Miss Silver State against 21 contestants in three categories of competition: interview, swimsuit/activewear, and evening gown. Contestants are scored on character, poise, confidence, and personality, according to the rules of the pageant.

Following her win, she expressed her thanks via Instagram to all that supported her. “Huge thank you to everyone who supported me from day one,” Enriquez wrote. “My community, you are always in my heart. My win is our win. We just made history. Happy pride.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CQqwmnzn2EA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Originally from San Leandro, California, Kataluna Enriquez is currently based in Las Vegas, Nevada. After graduating from high school in 2011, she enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Las Vegas, where she took a deep dive into her love of fashion design.

In 2016, she launched her own fashion brand, Kataluna Kouture. That same year, she represented California in the Transnation Queen USA pageant ultimately winning the title in Los Angeles.

Speaking to Fox5 News in Las Vegas, Enriquez shared that the road to the crown has not been that of beauty queens before her. In another pageant outside Nevada, when the organizers found out she was trans, everything changed. 

“I was asked to provide documents that were invasive in my opinion physically asking me to get a letter from my doctor,” Enriquez said.

Enriquez was required to meet with a doctor who had to examine her and certify that she was female before being allowed to compete. No other contestants were required to submit to a physical examination. Also, at the same pageant, every contestant was assigned a roommate – expect her.

Should she win the crown, Enriquez would be the second trans woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant after Spain’s Angela Ponce participated in 2018.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQooPXHHcMp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CQtsPafjPyt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/CQrHd2yshk2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Out Music: Kyle Motsinger ‘Retro’

Kyle Motsinger in 'Retro'
Singer/songwriter Kyle Motsinger

Out singer/songwriter Kyle Motsinger is bored with today’s clothing styles. Missing the bolder and more colorful fashions of the past, Motsinger realized he wanted to dunk his junk in some throwback funk and disco.

Born to a beat that folks can wiggle to, Motsinger’s new single, “Retro,” is a fun, upbeat bop that puts deep emotional thoughts aside for a moment.

(screen capture from ‘Retro’)

Instead, our musical ginger hero conjures up scenes of summer parties and high-flying style amid funky disco rhythms and sassy-as-summer horns.

I need to make the outside match the me inside I need to look further back when clothes were amplified Dress me up in Retro Oh Oh / Keep those boring threads away I can’t get no….Oh no / No joy from clothes today 

In the music video (directed by Tyler Jensen), Motsinger dives into his own fashion fantasia at Hamlet’s Vintage in Manhattan. He’s assisted in his ‘retro review’ by drag queen Michael ‘Pickles’ Wakefield as the vintage store clerk.

“Retro” is available for streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, and Soundcloud. Download the new single from iTunes here.

You can check out my previous coverage of Motsinger’s music here, and look for his live performances in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in July and August.

Kyle Motsinger in ‘Retro’

 

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Lil Nas X Throws Down Steamy Kiss At BET Awards

Lil Nas X and dancers at the 2021 BET Awards
Lil Nas X and dancers at the 2021 BET Awards
From Yahoo News:

When Madonna shared a same-sex smooch with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, it was a sensation, but when openly gay pop singer Adam Lambert enjoyed a similar moment with a male band member at the 2009 American Music Awards, it caused a backlash that nearly derailed his career.

That societal progress was evident Sunday — during the final weekend of Pride Month — at the BET Awards, when Lil Nas X ended his fiery performance of the homoerotic hit “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” by passionately kissing one of his male backup dancers. In 2021, this move was met not with scorn but with delight, as Nas’s fearlessness was widely celebrated on social media.

Also – during her acceptance speech for the night’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Queen Latifah gave a shout-out to the LGBTQ+ community and her long-rumored girlfriend Eboni Nichols.

“I’m gonna get off this stage, but I thank you so much for all of you, the fans, for supporting every crazy-ass thing I’ve done through the years,” said the rapper and actress. “And thank you for making Equalizer number 1. Eboni, my love. Rebel, my love. Peace. Happy Pride!”

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Out Music: MDL CHLD ‘Funk (About You)’

Chris Corsini

Chris Corsini
Chris Corsini (credit: Inward Boutique Wellness)
Chris Corsini is on a mission to revolutionize accessibility and inclusivity for Deaf, LGBTQ and BIPOC in both the arts and spiritual communities. As a certified ASL (American Sign Language) Interpreter Corsini has interpreted live performances for numerous pop stars, including Jay Z, Taylor Swift, Jonas Brothers, Panic! At The Disco, Camila Cabello, Thomas Rhett, and Shawn Mendes. An artist himself, as MDL CHLD (Middle Child), Corsini finds a natural synergy between his profession as an ASL Interpreter and his passion for performance by integrating Deaf community members both in front and behind the camera, normalizing ASL and captioned content, and prioritizing his own LGBTQ+ community and BIPOC people. His latest music video, “Funk (About You),” is the latest in a series of uplifting, empowering videos that Corsini says are unambiguously “about finding the people you vibe with and letting go of those who do not serve or motivate you.”

The mega-inclusive “Funk (About You)” features an international mix of LGBTQ, Deaf, and BIPOC from Europe, Africa and North and South America both in front and behind the camera. Those in front of the camera include two trans women: Lola Herself, the face of the current Levi’s® Portugal Pride Campaign who was recently featured for her second time in Vogue Portugal and Babaya Samambaia, a semi-finalist on “Portugal’s Got Talent.” Also seen in the video is Alessio Convito, a Deaf, Italian-born Canadian immigrant, visual artist, International Sign news anchor for Deaf news/media platform H3 World TV, and an instructor with QTIBPOC Deaf artists advocacy, Phoenix the Fire. Behind the camera credits include Deaf artist Alexa Hickox, who created the zippy animated captions and Deaf ASL coach and Phoenix the Fire founder, Gaitrie Persaud. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQcLaPyttBO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link