Ellen DeGeneres has reacted to tragedy connected with her show. According to US Magazine, Marine Brandon McGraw died during an Australian trip his wife, Cherilyn McGraw, won on DeGeneres' talk show last January. The North Carolina residents redeemed the trip to Australia and went skydiving together on Dec. 14, when Brandon's parachute malfunctioned. DeGeneres' statement read, ""I've been speaking with Cherilyn. And my staff has been in touch with her as well. She's asked us to help keep this private as she tries to deal with this unimaginable tragedy. I hope everyone respects that."
British singer Boy George has announced the comeback of his 1980s pop band Culture Club with a new album in 2014, according to Australia's Yahoo! News. In an interview published in the French gay magazine Tetu, Boy George said guitarist Roy Hay, drummer Jon Moss and bassist Mikey Craig have all agreed to the band reuniting. George, 52, said the new album would not simply retread the pop group's older material, but would still reflect the groups signature mix of soul and reggae.
Demi Lovato confirmed reports that she's leaving the Fox show X Factor, according to TheWrap.com . "In 2014, I'm going to dedicate it entirely to music, touring and making a new album," Lovato told reporters. The 21-year-old joined the competition for the second season. Aside from executive producer Simon Cowell, Lovato was the only other judge to return for season three; Paulina Rubio and Kelly Rowland were the other judges.
Here's what Brian Boitano would do—he has come out of the closet. In a press statement, the figure skater discussed being part of the U.S. delegation traveling to Sochi, Russia, for the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics. He said, "While I am proud to play a public role in representing the American Olympic Delegation as a former Olympic athlete, I have always reserved my private life for my family and friends and will continue to do so. I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am."
The Chicago-based production and distribution company tello Films joined with MyHardt Productions to release the series Nikki & Nora Sunday, Dec. 22, according to a media release. The statement reads that Nikki & Nora is "the first unaired television pilot to be re-imagined and distributed on the Web." Nikki & Nora follows New Orleans locals Nikki ( Liz Vassey ) and Nora ( Christina Cox ), cops-turned-private investigators. The original Nikki & Nora pilot, shot in 2004, was reportedly the first lesbian-themed drama series in serious consideration for a network TV slot.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King told CNN's Christiane Amanpour she "thrilled" to represent the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, according to a news release. "I'm very proud to go as an athlete, and as a gay woman," she said. "I'm thrilled." Asked by Amanpour if there will be any protests, King said "Maybe we should wave rainbow flags or something, I don't know," she said, drawing an analogy to the Black Power salute—a raised fist—given by two American athletes at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
Former RuPaul's Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is releasing a documentary in 2014, according to a press release. Directed by Alex Berry and produced by Basil Shadid and Dual Power Productions, Drag Becomes Him is a behind-the-scenes look into the personality of entertainer Jerick Hoffer, also known as Monsoon. Among other things, Monsoon has played in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and has appeared as the lead dancer in the world's largest drag queen chorus line, which made the Guinness World Records.
Hillary Clinton was revealed as Barbara Walters' most fascinating person of the year on her ABC News special Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2013. However, according to TheWrap.com, Clinton wasn't ready to reveal any plans to make another run for president. "It's such a difficult decision and it's one that I am not going to rush into," Clinton told Walters in an interview that aired Dec. 19.
It's official: Katie Couric's self-titled talk show is ending after two seasons, Deadline.com reported. "While production will continue on Katie through June 2014, we've mutually agreed that there will not be a third season of the show," Couric and Disney-ABC said in a joint statement. Disney-ABC currently has no replacement for Katie, which took over the General Hospital 3 p.m. time slot on the ABC stations.
Iconic comedian and actor Bob Newhart—who just won his first-ever Emmy playing opposite Out 100 cover man Jim Parsons on The Big Bang Theory—cancelled an appearance as the headlining entertainer at the Legatus 2014 Summit, Feb. 6—8, in Orlando, Fla., according to the New Civil Rights Movement. Legatus sits on the far, far right of the Christian spectrum, and is notably anti-gay and pro-life, NewNowNext.com added. Newhart's tweet simply read, "Upcoming Bob Newhart Tour Date Change—Bob will not be performing at the Legatus Summit in Orlando FL on February 6th, 2014."
The daughter of Tina Louise—who played Ginger in the original TV series Gilligan's Island—has suggested that the professor be gay in the reboot, according to Today.com . Caprice Crane said, "My mom was constantly coming on to the Professor on the show, and he was never into it. So the Professor could be the gay one. It would explain a lot. It would be fun if they shake it up, make it worthy of today's times."
On the heels of news surrounding reality television star Phil Robertson's indefinite suspension from A&E for anti-gay comments, gay CNN anchor Don Lemon commented on the development while talking with Piers Morgan, according to CNN.com . While Lemon believes in free speech, he noted that with such rights come instances of regret: "You can say these things, and then you have to suffer the consequences. Look at what happened to Paula Deen. ... It's offensive to me. I do believe in the right to free speech, but I think the marketplace should decide what should happen to this franchise, and it has been put on hold now."
Chris Morelli and Tad Eaton, an openly gay couple featured on the reality show Storage Wars: New York, responded to Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson's anti-gay statements, according to TheWrap.com . "We could give a s— what [Robertson] thinks," the couple told TMZ, going on to explain that the male anus "is tighter" than the vagina. Talking with GQ, Robertson said, "It seems to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man's anus."
Brooklyn's Barclays Center was overflowing with star power Dec. 19, when Madonna attended Beyonce's "Mrs. Carter" show with her 8-year-old daughter, Mercy James, according to US Magazine. At one point, Beyonce kissed Mercy on the child's forehead, prompting Madonna to post the photo on Instagram with the caption, "Mercy James gets a big fat one from the Queen B!" Madonna has four kids; in addition to Mercy, she's mom to daughter Lourdes as well as sons Rocco and David Banda.
In other Beyonce news, she surprised customers at a Walmart in Tewksbury, Mass., by gifting 750 people with $50 in gift cards each, totaling $37,500, according to People.com . Over the store's intercom, she said, "It's Beyonce. I stopped by the store today because my record just arrived. I want to send everyone a little gift." Beyonce pushed a shopping cart around the store and interacted with shoppers and employees, and even did a little shopping.
The U.S. and Canadian women's hockey teams brawled in the Americans' 4-1 victory in North Dakota Dec. 20, according to ESPN.com . U.S. player Jocelyne Lamoureux nailed Brianne Jenner with an illegal body check; then, Lamoureux, sister Monique and U.S. teammates Hilary Knight, Gigi Marvin and Kacey Bellamy were brawling with Canada's Jenner, Melodie Daoust, Jocelyne Larocque, Meaghan Mikkelson and Vicki Bendus. The referees handed out 10 fighting majors and a string of other infractions. The teams will meet again Dec. 28 in St. Paul, Minn.
Fox News pundit Geraldo Rivera is defending not only Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson's anti-gay comments but Alec Baldwin's as well, according to The New York Daily News. During a segment concerning the flap over Robinson's comments on a broadcast of Fox News' Hannity, Rivera declared that the term "c—-sucking f——t" ( which Baldwin allegedly used ) doesn't qualify as an anti-gay slur. Rivera, 70, also blamed what he called "fundamental gay activists" for ending Baldwin's fledgling talk show and for trying to end Duck Dynasty.
However, on the flip side, Charlie Sheen ripped into Phil Robertson for his anti-gay rant, The New York Daily News noted. "The idea that you have a job outside of dirt-clod stacking is a miracle," Sheen posted. "Shame on you. You're the only surviving brain donor I've ever known. ... When the gators and egrets kick you out of their hovel, you need to make serious amends to those you have radically offended."
David Richards, best known for producing the music of rock band Queen, has died at the age of 57, according to Digital Spy. He produced Queen's final four albums with singer Freddy Mercury, including the posthumous Made in Heaven. Other albums he worked on over a decades-spanning career included Iggy Pop's 1986 LP Blah Blah Blah as well as David Bowie's Never Let Me Down and Outside.
Fast & Furious 7 has secured a new release date: April 10, 2015, according to Entertainment Weekly. Franchise star Vin Diesel posted the news on his Facebook page, accompanied by a photo of himself with the late Paul Walker. Diesel explained the photo thusly: "The last scene we filmed together…There was a unique sense of completion, of pride we shared… in the film we were now completing… the magic captured… and, in just how far we've come."
Singer Mariah Carey was photographed on vacation in Aspen, Colo.—walking her dog in the snow while wearing a tiny bikini, according to The Huffington Post. "It's just tradition #aspen," she wrote on Instagram. The singer later posted a photo, wearing the same bikini paired with a silky robe and furry red heels. "Warming up for the hottub moments," she captioned the picture.
A representative for George Michael has denied rumors that the singer may be retiring after fans became concerned by an update to his official website, according to NME.com . The singer's official site features a pair of red curtains and a message promising news in 2014—which some fans thought might mean retirement. A rep said, "George Michael is in great shape and next year promises to be a lovely year musically for George, and all of his fans!"
Rumors are swirling that singer Dolly Parton could be the next musician to appear on the Glastonbury 2014 bill, after reports that the country singer will appear in the Sunday Legends slot in June, the UK Telegraph reported. Parton will reportedly make her festival debut at Worthy Farm, joining the two other acts who have confirmed their appearances: Arcade Fire and Lily Allen. Parton, 67, will be in the UK over the Glastonbury weekend for her Blue Smoke world tour, playing at London's O2 Arena.
In other Dolly Parton news, she has signed with Sony Masterworks, according to Artist Direct. Her new album Blue Smoke will be released in the United States and Europe in May 2014, in advance of the Blue Smoke World Tour hitting England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Sweden.
Dionne Warwick will release her 28th album, Feels So Good, next May via the newly formed Damon Elliott Music Group ( DEMG ) label, in partnership with Caroline, Artist Direct reported. The 10-track duets album will feature some of the music industry's current top artists.
RuPaul's Drag Race season four winner Sharon Needles and season five finalist Alaska have split after four years, according to People magazine. They announced their breakup "on good terms" in a tongue-in-cheek press release, and included their wish "to clarify their intentions to admirers who may question the reason behind this mutual decision not to continue their relationship."
Glee star Dot-Marie Jones, who plays Coach Beiste, married her longtime girlfriend, Bridgett Casteen, Dec. 21, according to People.com . Close friends of Jones, 49, and Casteen were invited to a holiday party at the couple's home. The duo then surprised their guests by informing them that they were actually gathered to witness their nuptials.
Seemingly adding ammunition to the argument that the Motion Picture Association of America ( MPAA ) has stricter standards for movies with gay and lesbian themes, the MPAA has given an "R" rating to the high school comedy G.B.F. ( which stands for "Gay Best Friend" ), Entertainment Weekly noted. The film's director, Darren Stein, posted on Facebook, "I always thought of G.B.F. as a PG-13 movie. we were given an R 'For Sexual References' while not having a single F-bomb, hint of nudity or violence in the film. Perhaps the ratings box should more accurately read 'For Homosexual References' or 'Too Many Scenes of Gay Teens Kissing.'"
In a Facebook post, Liza Minnelli gushed over Lady Gaga, according to Artist Direct. Minnelli wrote, "Whenever I see Lady Gaga in a new outfit I wonder how she finds the time! Her closet must be huge! I've been listening to her new CD and absolutely loving it. She's a true artist and we'll be hearing from her for a long long time."
