"I still love her. But she's retarded, too." — Guy Ritchie tells us how he feels about Madonna today. In these politically correct days, he's been taken to task by a disabilities advocacy group. "Use of the R-word demeans people with intellectual disabilities." Lord in merciful heaven!
I suppose it was only a matter of time before I ended up on stage at Sheryl Lee Ralph's "Divas Simply Singing." Needless to say, this was the doing of the beautiful, bawdy, and bodacious Jenifer Lewis, who asked me to give her an opening chord for her a capella version of "The Star Spangled Banner"—a la Mahalia Jackson. Prior to singing, she and Sheryl Lee were teasing each other to the delight of the capacity house. Meanwhile, I was chatting with Yolanda Adams in the wings. Suddenly, Lewis got it in her head to do some cartwheels. Why? 'Cause she can. Suddenly I hear Jenny bellow, "Where's Billy Masters? Get out here, Billy!" Just like that, I was part of the act...I'm not sure what kinda act it was, but it would have fit in on the Orpheum circuit! I'm thrilled to say that Jenifer brought down the house and got her standing ovation one of the very few of the night.
"Divas" was not without numerous stand-outs. The aforementioned Yolanda Adams brought the crowd to church and was in spectacular form. Speaking of church, Sam Harris turned the concert into a revival meeting with a soulful "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Frenchie Davis displayed remarkable control and purity with "Home." Loretta Devine killed with a rockin' version of "Bust Your Windows." My new best friend Brenda Russell made "Get Here" sound more touching and fresh than ever before. "All-4-One" showed they've still got it with a classic song and new hit. Faith Evans got Sheryl Lee to get down during "Love Like This." Phenomenal 12-year-old Gabi Wilson was easily the crowd favorite and Kelly Price got people all worked up. But the highlight for me was Tamia, who held the audience in the palm of her hand with a mesmerizing rendition of "Me." Brava!
This past weekend, Stephen Gately from the British group Boyzone died under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Gately was on the island of Majorca with his hubby, Andy Cowles. We know that around 2 a.m., the pair went out to The Black Cat, which has been described as a somewhat seedy dance club. When they left around 4 a.m., they were in the company of a swarthy 25-year-old Bulgarian named Georgi Dochev. No one is saying exactly what was going on, but one insider did say this: "Andy retired to the bedroom with the Bulgarian while Stephen stayed in the lounge and sat on the sofa in his pajamas." At 1 p.m., Dochev seems to have come out of the bedroom, found Gately crouched in front of the sofa with his head buried in a pillow. Georgi says Gately was very pale and very cold. He called to Cowles, who rushed out of the bedroom—presumably the same bedroom Georgi was in—and he attempted CPR, but it was too late. Gately was only 33. Rest in peace.
In happier queer news, Mariah Carey has helped bring a young gay couple together. It all happened when Maurie Sherman and Mathew Almeida of Toronto planned to attend Mariah's show at the Palms. Maurie wanted to get married, but Mathew told him three years ago that he'd only marry him if he got to meet Mariah. Sherman plotted the proposal with Mariah's management and he kept his fingers crossed it would go off without a hitch. When the time came, Carey brought the guys on stage and Maurie said, "I'm hoping that my Mariah will accept his Nick Cannon." Mariah had champagne waiting for the boys and toasted their engagement. How great is that? You can watch the video on BillyMasters.com .
One couple comes together, another breaks apart. Cherry Jones has confirmed that she and Sarah Paulson are no longer a romantic couple. These rumors have been circulating ever since Jones neglected to thank Paulson in her Emmy acceptance speech. Cherry says that the two are still great friends. "It's the happiest break-up that's ever been. We grew so much together and now we can send each other off with a kiss and great love."
You lesbians aren't all sweet and loving when you break up. The dirt is ready to fly between Martina Navratilova and her ex, Toni Layton. Although the couple did exchange vows, it was in New Hampshire in 2000—10 years before gay marriage was legal in that state. Since it's not technically a "divorce," Layton has filed a lawsuit stating that the couple had agreed to "evenly share all assets earned and obtained by either." Toni is seeking half the value of their shared homes, return of her three cars and all gifts she gave Martina during the relationship, estimated to be worth $1.5 million. While Navratilova's people aren't speaking, it's rumored that the tennis legend is planning to wed former Miss Universe contestant Julia Lemigova.
We have another ally in the fight for gay marriage. Belinda Carlisle taped a PSA supporting Protect Maine Equality. We'll run the whole message on BillyMasters.com, but here's a quote, "My son James is gay, and I want him and every other gay person out there to have the same opportunities and rights as I've had in life." YAY!
This week's "Ask Billy" question came from Roger in Lake Tahoe ( presumably not IN the lake ) : "There's a really hot guy on Lifetime with the last name Pavelka. Wasn't that the same guy who was on 'The Bachelorette' this summer? I know I've seen him before."
You may have seen him before. You may have heard the name before. And you may have seen the name attached to a hot guy before. But, it's not the same guy. There are two Pavelkas ... if you can believe that. There is the scrumptious Jessie Pavelka, who is the host on DietTribe. Then there's Jake Pavelka, who was on The Bachelorette. And we haven't seen the last of Jake—he's going to be the next Bachelor, which starts airing in January. FYI, these guys are not related. And neither one appears to be gay ... DAMN! But they're really hot, so I'll post pics on BillyMasters.com .
When I'm thinking of starting my own benefit, "Divas Simply Dishing," it's definitely time to end yet another column. Over the next few months, I'll be making lots of personal appearances, so check out my schedule at www.BillyMasters.com . If you have any questions, e-mail me at Billy@BillyMasters.com and I promise to get back to you before Dick Cheney does a PSA supporting his daughter's right to a same-sex marriage! So, until next time, remember, one man's filth is another man's bible.
