Tag: RuPaul

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News Round-Up: July 28, 2020

Dr. Stella Immanuel (screen capture)
Some news items you might have missed: • The Gaily Grind: It turns out Dr. Stella Immanuel (above), who shot to fame this week praising hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus “cure,” is a homophobic preacher who alleges alien DNA is currently used in medical treatments and gay marriage means that “very soon people are going to be seeking to marry children.” • Page Six: International pop star Elton John is apparently being sued by his ex-wife for dishing on their ill-fated 1980s marriage in his memoir and bio-pic. • ABC News: An ethics watchdog group has accused President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign of obscuring nearly $170 million worth of campaign spending through so-called “pass-through” vendors linked to campaign leadership instead of disclosing the true recipients of the funds. • AP News: U.S. officials say Russian intelligence operatives are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic and cause confusion ahead of the presidential election in November. • DisneyPlus: In this ‘Mup Close & Personal’ moment, Emmy Award-winner RuPaul stops by the new Muppets Now and discusses ‘fashion icon’ status with the venerable Miss Piggy. The new series begins streaming July 31.

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News Round-Up: July 7, 2020

Craig Ramsay (via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: New American citizen Craig Ramsay (above) has a message for his fellow citizens – “Wear a f**king mask, America🇺🇸” • Washington Post: A long-acting drug injected every two months is more effective at preventing HIV than the pills most commonly used by people at risk of acquiring the infection. The injectable drug cabotegravir (tested on more than 4,500 men and transgender women who have sex with men) proved to be even better than oral drug Truvada in blocking the virus. • Pink News: It only took around 240 mixed-sex couples across more than 16 years, but executives for the UK reality series Strictly Come Dancing are now allegedly considering not one, but two same-sex couples for the show’s upcoming season. • Boy Culture: Daniel Ryan Maples, a white insurance agent wearing a red ‘Running the World Since 1776′ shirt, lost his ever-lovin’ shit when asked by a fellow customer to wear a mask inside Costco. He approached the other customer aggressively, shouting the words that will follow him for the rest of his miserable life: ‘I Feel Threatened.’

• Indiana Lawyer: The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Monday former Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock and his campaign committee, Schock for Congress, are off the hook regarding the law firm’s unpaid legal bills totaling $159,946.37, plus interest. • Provincetown Reimagined: The gay mecca’s acclaimed international film celebration will present a modified festival with drive-in and virtual screenings running July 16-19, 2020. The Festival will kick off with two nights of screenings at the Wellfleet Drive-In including Mischa Richter’s documentary, I AM A TOWN, shot entirely in Provincetown; the 2020 Sundance hit, SAVE YOURSELVES!; and a special night hosted by John Waters with film titles announced soon. The Festival will also feature virtual screenings with selections curated to speak to this moment in time. • Twitter: Still no official word as to why RuPaul deleted his Twitter account and wiped his Instagram clean last week, but Twitter user @cheritaisrandom posits it might have something to do with several old photos of RuPaul dressed in Confederate flag attire, including a 2013 Instagram post that appears to be captioned, “The South will rise again!”.

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Poof! Gone! What Happened To RuPaul’s Social Media Accounts?

RuPaul (screen capture)
Where in the virtual world has RuPaul gone? Fans noticed on Thursday, the 6-time Emmy Award winner had deactivated his Twitter account (“This account doesn’t exist”) and removed all posts on his Instagram account (“No posts yet”). Just gone. Poof. Shantay-ed away. The move has left many fans feeling confused, with one user tweeting: “Can someone please check on @RuPaul. Mother deleted everything on her Instagram.”

“Why did RuPaul just totally decimate his entire Instagram tho — what is happening?” tweeted another fan. One fan, referencing the recent reports that Ru seemingly admitted to allowing fracking on his Wyoming/South Dakota property, responded asking “Did the oil wells dry up in Wyoming??”

Another posited that the world’s most successful drag queen had been hacked, posting a recorded video showing posts disappearing from Instagram one by one. The fan wrote, “@RuPaul someone is hacking your Instagram and deleting your photos.”

Multiple outlets, including The Randy Report, have reached out to RuPaul’s reps about the deletions but received no comment. Page Six points out that Season 10 Drag Race alum Kameron Michaels also wiped his Instagram account on the same day. But early this morning, Michaels posted a note on the Gram of Insta saying he is ‘fine.’

“There is no stunt. No scandal. No big reveal,” wrote Michaels. “Without going into all the whiney details about my own personal issues, I simply want to start over.” Michaels went on to say he cringed at many of his past posts because he began to tie his self-worth in reality “to that of my online content and I’m erasing that toxic behavior.” He added, “As far as someone else doing the same thing I did, weirdly on the very same day…I have mo idea why they or their team erased their content.” Another coincidence – or not? – the timing of RuPaul’s deletions happened the same day as the debut of Canada’s Drag Race, the 4th iteration of the popular reality series. While Mama Ru’s personal social media pages have been deleted or deactivated, for now, the official RuPaul’s Drag RaceInstagram account remains active, although the most recent post was from June 12. The 5th Season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars is currently airing on VH1.

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News Round-Up: July 3, 2020

Yanni Burton (courtesy photo)
Some news items you might have missed: • Newsweek: Producers for The Ellen DeGeneres Show have denied rumors that the long-running talk show is coming to an end following the continued backlash against the host. The Sun alleges the show is set to be axed due to ratings falling 14 percent to a new season 17 low rating of 1.2. • Out Music: Yanni Burton (top photo) turns the spotlight on his own struggles of letting go and moving on from past relationships in his new single and music video, “A Part of Me.” “I have a history of getting lost in memories and emotions,” says Yanni. “To the point where I become consumed with panic, anxiety and I can’t function properly or move on with my life.” Produced by Yanni with his close friend Tiger Darrow, the song contains a dreamy, trippy soundscape and is darker and more emotionally intense than his previous singles. However, it still contains the pop/dance feel the artist has become known for. Check it out below.

• Vanity Fair: The Trump campaign is considering canceling the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville, Florida after the city mandated that people wear masks indoors to slow the explosion of COVID-19 cases. • KIT212: Hit up Kenneth’s latest round-up of the what’s what in local LGBTQ publications like South Florida’s Hot Spots (below). • Pink News: Utah County Commissioner Nathan Ivie, 40, who came out as the state’s first openly gay elected Republican last year, just lost his bid for reelection. He says his loss is “absolutely” because he came out. He won his previous election by 81 percent. • Gay Star News: RuPaul has completely wiped his Instagram account of all posts and deleted his Twitter account entirely – but fans don’t know why. Nevertheless, fans have come up with all sorts of theories as to why the accounts have disappeared.

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News Round-Up: May 18, 2020

RuPaul (left) raised $100K for Planned Parenthood on ‘The Price Is Right’
Some news items you might have missed: • Billboard: Emmy Award winner RuPaul (above) raised nearly $100,000 for Planned Parenthood during a special nighttime edition of the long-running game show, The Price Is Right. • Reuters: Albania’s leading psychologists’ organization has prohibited members from practicing so-called “conversion therapy” which aims to make gay people straight. Albania joins Germany and Malta as the third country in the EU to ban the practice. • PBS News Hour: The venerable news outlet interviewed 74 former staffers for Joe Biden in regard to Tara Reade’s allegations that the former vice president sexually assaulted her in 1993. None of the people interviewed said that they had experienced sexual harassment, assault or misconduct by Biden. All said they never heard any rumors or allegations of Biden engaging in sexual misconduct, until the recent assault allegation made by Reade. • The Advocate: As a huge fan of the 1970s sci-fi series The Bionic Woman, I found this article, exploring why the show resonates so deeply with feminist and LGBTQ audiences, fascinating. • HuffPost: Taking a page from his dad’s playbook, Eric Trump insisted in an interview that COVID-19 will “magically” disappear — after Election Day. He claimed that the coronavirus that has killed 312,000 people around the globe — including nearly 90,000 Americans — is a ploy cooked-up by the Democrats to stop Donald Trump from rallying his supporters at campaign events. • New Music: Eurovision’s 2018 champion Netta is back with her new song “Cuckoo”, a devastating heartbreaker of a ballad that feels eerily poignant given the state of the world currently. The song debuted as a part of Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light which aired in 46 countries and included this touching video of Netta performing the track with a custom-made music box. The studio recording of the single is also available now. The track is a noticeable departure for the Israeli artist/composer/songwriter who has become famous garnering over 1 billion streams globally for her bombastic, colorful, and high-adrenaline pop songs like “Toy” which led to her win at the Eurovision competition.

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New Music: RuPaul, Project Moses, Jakk Fynn, Dance Loud, Mxmtoon

L-R Project Moses, RuPaul, Jakk Fynn (photo: Maxine Bowen)
Can you say TGIF??? With all the news ricocheting this way and that, it might be a good time to sit back with new music and chill at home. With that in mind, here’s what we’re listening to this week in new music from out musicians.

Trans Latinx pop artist Jakk Fynn recently released the song and video for “Heal” from Jakk’s Cancelled, a 5-track EP of original, emotionally evocative dance-pop music. The music video for “Heal” is an emotional pop journey of rebuilding himself as his own person after an emotionally stifling relationship came to an end. “The more I tried to change myself to be who I thought my partner wanted, the more we both lost ourselves,” says Jakk about the new track. “Not being true to yourself in a relationship can feel like suffocation, like death. ‘Heal’ is a chance to do just that—heal—by embracing the vulnerabilities that make me who I am.” With artfully layered vocals, “Heal” takes the listener on a ride from introspective reflection to laser-focused intensity. Follow him on Instagram here.

In his new single, “Missing Half,” out artist Project Moses explores the tumultuous relationship he had with his now-deceased father. The ominous ballad is the first single and music video from his upcoming album, Better Man, and is meant to convey the sometimes-conflicting feelings many people have for the people who raised them. “The idea for the song came to me after my dad died in a car accident,” he explains. “It forced me to reflect on a relationship that wasn’t always good. One that left me with a lot of emotional and psychological scars. Yet, through it all, I still love my dad and was left feeling broken inside by his sudden death.” The piano-driven ballad builds to a dramatic crescendo with soaring choirs framing the out artist’s soulful vocals. Follow Project Moses on Instagram here.

Chicago-based electronic dance duo Dance Loud (Kristin Sanchez & Desereé Fawn Zimmerman) has released the audio for their new single “Hollow” about the hollowness inside us all and the good and bad in everyone. The track blurs the lines between electronic immersion and alternative orchestration. “Hollow” is the first single off of Dance Loud’s forthcoming 2020 DIY independent debut album, The Moment, set for release on June 5th. The Chicago Tribune raved about the real-life couple’s live performances: “The tandem’s live performances are a joy to behold. Sanchez’s beats build and build on the dance floor like any good house music set, then Zimmerman joins the production, adding layers of intricate drum rhythms that both complement and contrast with the synths.” The chill track mixes analog guitars, drums, and distorted synths with hypnotic vocals resulting in a dreamy, euphoric ride. I like. You can Instagram the duo here.

The Queen of Drag, RuPaul released a new rap single called “I’m That Bitch,” featuring tongue-in-cheek lyrics that reference his recent hilarious appearance on Jimmy Fallon that went viral. Had to almost cancel Jimmy, put him in a bodybag / He called me a drag queen. Bitch, I’m the Queen of Drag DRAG QUEEN?!? Bitch, I’m the Queen of Drag / D-D-DRAG QUEEN?!? Bitch, I’m the Queen of Drag In case you forgot let me remind you that I, I, I’m That Bitch Is there really anything else I need to say? You can definitely bounce to this bop as you dance into the weekend.

Out singer/songwriter mxmtoon releases her new track and music video, “Quiet Motions,” which celebrates those moments when we keep our own company. “One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in my short time so far on this earth is that finding comfort in your own company is a wonderful thing,” shares the 19-year-old pop star. “As an introvert, it’s always been a practice of mine to recluse and hang out by myself as a way to recharge my energy, and I think finding those quiet moments throughout my weeks has kept me sane throughout life.” As an introvert myself, I can completely relate with that. “Quiet Motions” pairs guitar-driven orchestration with the artist’s airy, evocative vocals. Find her on Instagram here.

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RuPaul’s DragCon Canceled Due To Coronavirus Concerns

(image via Instagram/RuPaulsDragCon)
RuPaul’s DragCon has been canceled thanks mainly to safety concerns in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). DragCon posted on their website:

DragCon’s first priority is always the health and safety of everyone involved and we’ve been actively tracking the situation around the coronavirus. The situation in California (and the world) is rapidly changing, with new information coming out everyday.

Unfortunately, there’s no way for anyone to know what the situation will be like in May. Due to that uncertainty, and out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided that it’s in the best interest of the talent, staff, and attendees to cancel RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2020.

DragCon LA will return in 2021, better than ever.

We will be working with Eventbrite to issue refunds over the next 7 days.

Thank you for your support. If you have any questions email help@rupaulsdragcon.com.

Several major convention events have been canceled as well including the popular South by Southwest (SXSW) festival which has been held in Austin, TX since 1987. They plan to carry on and prepare for 2021, but they are seeing major financial difficulties and had to lay-off 175 year-round employees. And E! News reports that the 2020 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is likely to be postponed in light of ongoing concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. No official announcement has been made yet, but several outlets have reported that the music festival is looking to push the dates until October.

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Podcast: Aaron Schock, HIV In The Military, Sherry Pie, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg,

The Randy Report podcast

The Randy Report podcast delivers the week's top stories in a quick, convenient podcast - 'the 60 Minutes of gay news - only shorter' In this week’s podcast: • The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals issues important decision for those with HIV • Disgraced former Rep. Aaron Schock comes out as gay • Former Vice President Joe Biden’s plans to advance LGBTQ equality Link to The Biden Plan To Advance LGBTQ Equality in America Link to Bernie Sanders LGBTQ Plan • Pro golfer loses sponsors after sharing a homophobic meme on social media • ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ cancels Sherry Pie after admitting to cat-fishing young actors nude photos and videos • RuPaul’s scripted Netflix series ‘AJ and the Queen’ canceled after one season • Mayor Pete Buttigieg ended his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

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News Round-Up: March 6, 2020

Jim Newman (image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Jim Newman (above) can wear a flannel plaid onesie like no one. Totally giving us lumbersexual in the pic above. #amiright? • NowThisNews: Donald Trump continues to spread dangerous misinformation on COVID-19 to millions of Fox News viewers.

• Washington Blade: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Thursday signed three pro-LGBTQ measures into law ranging from ensuring transgender students are treated fairly, expanding the definition of a hate crime to include sexual orientation and gender identification, and allowing localities to ban discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit, or education based on sexual orientation or gender identity. • KIT212: Kenneth’s weekly round-up of the what’s what in local LGBTQ publications like the latest issue of South Florida Hot Spots featuring Bar Mizrahi. • The Advocate: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit just upheld a preliminary injunction against the Air Force, which appealed the decision of a district court in order to continue the discharge of personnel simply because they are living with HIV. • Netflix: The streaming platform has canceled RuPaul’s scripted series, AJ and the Queen, after only one season.

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RuPaul: My Drag Persona Was A Product Of Science

RuPaul addressed current rash of anti-drag bills across the country

RuPaul dropped by Late Night with Seth Meyers to talk on his many upcoming projects including the new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race as well as the new live version of the series in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Reminiscing about New York City back in the 1980s, Ru realized that with success came a price: “When I got famous, that’s when the drag fun ended for me, honestly. I couldn’t terrorize y’all’s neighborhoods anymore because I became the face of drag!”

Later in the interview, Meyers asked Ru how he came up with his drag persona. It turns out it was all scientific: “I’ve always been ambitious and I’ve always liked to look under the hood to see how things actually worked. So I knew that if I was was going to do drag and make it above 14th Street so to speak, I had to calculate the image. “What I did was I had one part Dolly Parton to two parts Cher, one part David Bowie and a big heaping spoonful of Diana Ross. “Then I took the subversive sexuality out of my persona so Betty and Joe Beercan could invite me into their living room and you know what it worked.”