Swedish pop star Darin (image via Instagram)
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Swedish Pop Star Darin Comes Out: ‘I’m Proud To Be Gay’
InstaHunk Round-Up: Weekend Edition
Green.Joel (via Instagram)
How Did I Miss All The Eye-Candy On ‘Backyard Envy?’
L-R James DeSantis, Garrett Magee, Melissa Brasier (via Instagram)
Today, World of Wonder, which produces both Backyard Envy and RuPaul’s Drag Race, is sharing a special crossover mini-episode with three RPDR favorites. The trio of drag superstars joins the cast of BYE via Zoom to show off their backyards and get pro advice from the experts to make their outdoor space that much more chic.
Garrett offers Jackie Cox (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12) an insider secret on how to kill weeds without lifting a stylishly gloved finger. James chats with All-Stars Season One winner Chad Michaels suggesting some wall hangings to add to Michaels’ already gorgeous backyard. And Melissa gives Yuhua Hamasaki (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10) one little tweak to take her Manhattan hideaway to the next level. Check out the mini-episode above and make sure to tune in for the season premiere of Backyard Envy on August 4 at 10/9c on Bravo. Here’s a bit more eye-candy from the show’s Instagram.
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Music Video: All Aboard The Fire Island Ferry
Seth Sikes (screen capture)
Sikes was supposed to perform his latest show Seth Sikes Sings the ‘20s! at Feinstein’s/54 Below last Spring but because of Covid-19 it has been rescheduled for October 26 at 7PM. Tickets are available here.
Podcast: ‘An Older Gay Guy Show’ Chats Me Up About A Life In The Theater
My actual headshot from back in the day…
Ellen DeGeneres Apologizes To Staff For Toxic Work Environment
Ellen DeGeneres (screen capture)
DeGeneres acknowledged a culture that did not reflect the values with which she started the 17-year-old franchise, and pledged to do better. In addition, insiders familiar with the series said executive producer Ed Glavin is set to exit his role imminently.
“On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ would be a place of happiness — no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case,” DeGeneres wrote.
“I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros., we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues.
As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again,” she continued.
DeGeneres’ full note to staff:
Hey everybody – it’s Ellen. On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness – no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect. Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry. Anyone who knows me knows it’s the opposite of what I believe and what I hoped for our show.
I could not have the success I’ve had without all of your contributions. My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that. Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we’ve grown exponentially, I’ve not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I’d want them done. Clearly some didn’t. That will now change and I’m committed to ensuring this does not happen again.
I’m also learning that people who work with me and for me are speaking on my behalf and misrepresenting who I am and that has to stop. As someone who was judged and nearly lost everything for just being who I am, I truly understand and have deep compassion for those being looked at differently, or treated unfairly, not equal, or – worse – disregarded. To think that any one of you felt that way is awful to me.
It’s been way too long, but we’re finally having conversations about fairness and justice. We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It’s important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so.
I am so proud of the work we do and the fun and joy we all help put out in the world. I want everyone at home to love our show and I want everyone who makes it to love working on it. Again, I’m so sorry to anyone who didn’t have that experience. If not for COVID, I’d have done this in person, and I can’t wait to be back on our stage and see you all then.
Stay safe and healthy.
Love,
Ellen
News Round-Up: July 28, 2020
Dr. Stella Immanuel (screen capture)
Big Emmy Nominations For Schitt’s Creek, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Billy Porter & More
The cast of Schitt’s Creek (via Instagram)
New Music: Jessie Ware, DVRKO, Abby K, Emily Vu
This week’s New Music comes from just about every genre you can think of – including a selection from ‘the future?’ From disco-pop to electronic dance to folk/Americana to bouncy pop bop, there’s something for everyone here 🙂
Check out these terrific new tracks from Jessie Ware, DVRKO, Abby K and Emily Vu.
In a recent Gay Times Magazine interview, Jessie Ware says her latest single, “What’s Your Pleasure?” is a big ‘thank you’ to the LGBTQ community as she echoes Disco divas of the past.
Noting that Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga have recently done disco music as well, Ware says she thinks “it’s the kind of music that… I think ‘elation’ is such a great word to use. It’s needed at the moment.”
The new track is definitely a recipe for club glory with its sleek disco influence, a touch of funk and the kind of free-roaming rubbery bass lines that would have you dancing relentlessly. It’s the perfect prescription for a world without dance floors.
I have to include the latest from mysterious and enigmatic electronic music producer DVRKO: “Lights Up.”
The masked artist (pronounced Dar-koh) recently told Billboard he “hails from a post-apocalyptic civilization in the not-too-distant future, roaming the earth outcasted from society for his wild past and naughty behavior.”
He uses pirated technology and his futuristic music as his only tools to communicate with the world. Asked to explain his backstory, DVRKO answered, “If I have to explain, you’re not paying attention. Take the trip, crack the code: journey’s worth it. But look, at its core, my message is simple: love and respect mother earth, and your mothers, your brothers and your sisters. I promise you, it won’t suck.”
And while he won’t share more on his identity, he does offer this advice to aspiring musicians: “Don’t listen to Polka and don’t pet squirrels, they will find you and touch you.”
Clever or mysterious, DVRKO’s “Lights Up” features an accessible chorus, bouncy syncopation, and exudes a soaring feeling of optimism that is sure to chase away the blues. Follow DRVKO on Spotify here.
I won’t put a label on indie artist Abby K as her music spans several genres including folk, Americana and alt-country.
She was inspired to write her latest single, “Mom’s Old Room,” after a transgender fan shared their story with her.
Noting the “silent prison” some trans people may find themselves in, the LGBTQ ally says, “Living a life where I couldn’t be myself would break me. This song is dedicated to all the human butterflies in the world. May they have the courage to transform and live their true beauty.”
The lilting song and whimsical music video pair perfectly to tell a lovely tale of self-discovery. Follow Abby K on Spotify here.
“Just Wait,” the latest from SoCal native Emily Vu, explores the vulnerability of falling in love with an engaging self-awareness.
“It’s about being aware of how susceptible I am to love and how being in love or just starting to get to know someone is a very vulnerable thing for me,” Emily explains of the inspiration behind the track. “I’m asking for them to wait for me and just trust the process.”
The music video stars the young pop artist surrounded by a multitude of women with each woman representing a past relationship and how Emily carries those experiences and lessons through life.
Vu launched her career in the summer of 2018 on TikTok playing around with cover songs. Since then, she’s amassed a fervent worldwide fanbase of 1.4M TikTok followers, 388K Instagram followers, and 4M+ Spotify streams.
Kennedy Center Announces Special Live Concert Series
Vanessa Williams to perform in special concert series at Kennedy Center (via official website)
Artists will perform from a stage extension built into the front of the Orchestra-seating level of the hall while concert-goers, entering through the wide loading doors on the Center’s front plaza, are seated in physically distanced pairs on the Opera House stage to watch performances set against the iconic red interior of the theater.
These hour-long, intermission-less concerts will take place approximately once per week for a ticketed audience of under 200 once the District of Columbia reaches phase three of reopening.
Select concerts, including performances by four-time Grammy Award® winner and National Medal of the Arts recipient Renée Fleming; Emmy®, Grammy®, and Tony Award® nominee Vanessa Williams; award-winning Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and Broadway actress Tiler Peck; and award-winning choreographer and Artistic Director of Camille A. Brown and Dancers, Camille A. Brown, will be streamed digitally via the Kennedy Center website.
Additional artists from the worlds of jazz, hip hop, comedy, and Broadway will be announced at a later date. Performance details and ticketing information will be announced as D.C. approaches phase three of reopening. Imagine being your view as you take in these special concerts: 
The Kennedy Center Opera House