Tag: Olly Alexander

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New Book Highlights Rock Hudson ‘Confession’ Tape + More News

Rock Hudson (photo credit: Kate Gabrielle/Flickr - CC License)

Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: A new Hollywood tell-all book is highlighting Rock Hudson’s so-called gay confession tape, made secretly by his wife, Phyllis Gates, in the late 1950s. Continue reading “New Book Highlights Rock Hudson ‘Confession’ Tape + More News”

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New LGBTQ Series ‘It’s A Sin’ Debuts To Rave Reviews

Promo photo for the new 5-part drama series 'It's A Sin'

The new 5-part drama series 'It's A Sin' debuts to rave reviews from the LGBTQ community The new 5-part drama series ‘It’s A Sin’ debuted last night on Channel 4 in the UK and the reaction from the LGBTQ community is overwhelmingly positive. The series – from Queer As Folk creator Russell T. Davies – chronicles the journey of four friends in London during a decade in which everything changed, including the rise of AIDS. Via Metro:

In episode one, Ritchie (Olly Alexander) moves to London to study law, during which time he embarks on sexual relationships with several individuals, including Ash (Nathaniel Curtis) and Roscoe (Omari Douglas).

But while there is plenty of fun, levity and hilarity in the story, this is juxtaposed with moments of tragedy, as Neil Patrick Harris’ character Henry, a mentor to Colin (Callum Scott Howells), is depicted dying of AIDs in hospital.

Russell, who also created Queer of Folk and was responsible for the 2005 revival of Doctor Who, has been lauded for his ‘astonishing writing’, with one person saying that in their opinion, he is ‘one of our finest TV writers.’

‘It’s A Sin’ debuts in the US February 18 on HBO Max. Check out the first look clip below.

The reaction on the Twitterverse was off the charts

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Trailer: ‘It’s A Sin’ Follows 3 Friends Through 80s AIDS Crisis

Olly Alexander in ‘It’s A Sin’
The UK’s Channel 4 released the trailer for the upcoming new drama series It’s A Sin set in the 80s, from Queer as Folk writer Russell T Davies. The five-part series will star Years & Years singer Olly Alexander along with Stephen Fry, Neil Patrick Harris, Keeley Hawes, and Tracy Ann Oberman. It’s A Sin explores the AIDS crisis in the 1980s by following the story of three friends who move to London as the HIV/AIDS epidemic unfolds. From Channel 4:

Ritchie, Roscoe and Colin are young lads, strangers at first, leaving home at 18 and heading off to London in 1981 with hope and ambition and joy… and walking straight into a plague that most of the world ignores.

Year by year, episode by episode, their lives change, as the mystery of a new virus starts as a rumor, then a threat, then a terror, and then something that binds them together in the fight.

It’s the story of their friends, lovers and families too, especially Jill, the girl who loves them and helps them, and galvanizes them in the battles to come. Together they will endure the horror of the epidemic, the pain of rejection and the prejudices that gay men faced throughout the decade.

Look for the series to debut in 2021.

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Out Music: Years & Years “If You’re Over Me”

Out frontman for Years & Years Olly Alexander

The last music video for synth-pop trio Years & Years introduced us to an imaginary society where androids control the world and humans exist for the purpose of entertaining the androids.

The pop group returns to that dystopian world for the second video, “If You’re Over Me,” from their upcoming album Palo Santo.

The music video begins by explaining the role that humans in this futuristic society play. “The human cabarets of Palo Santo are attended by androids, all hoping to experience real emotion,” reads the text. “Human performers can find themselves dancing the same routines for weeks … months … years …”

In a glittering, sci-fi cabaret, out frontman Olly Alexander performs a choreographed, sexy three-way number while fellow band members Emre Turkmen and Mikey Goldsworthy present a magic trick. The talent show is intended to help the androids attempt to experience real emotion.

The song itself is an bouncy, electro-pop jam about getting straight with an ex-lover. “This is a song about trying to stay friends with an ex,” Alexander told NME. “Spoiler alert — it doesn’t often work. In fact, in my experience, the relationship often ends up ruined.”

“Yesterday you said I’m the one, but now you say you’re done,” Alexander sings. “Stop telling me what I need baby, if you’re over me.”

Watch “If You’re Over Me” below. You can check out the new album Palo Santo (due out July 6) at most digital download sites.

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Music Video: Years & Years “Meteorite”

According to reports, Years & Years front man Olly Alexander wears 86,000 Swarovski crystals in the new music video for “Meteorite,” the band’s first new material in a year.

Designed by Lara Jensen, Alexander glitters in his high-end haute couture as he plays to the 360 camera work among dancers.

Speaking to NME, Alexander shared that the crystal costume was a salute to pop goddesses Britney Spears and Beyoncé. “It’s an honour to follow in the footsteps of some of my heroes and be decked out in tens of thousands of dazzling crystals!”

Btw – check out how Olly artfully handled a Twitter troll who asked, “Is it a requirement for gay men to be effeminate and dress like women?”