Paula Deen wants a partial dismissal of the lawsuit that has toppled her empireand is using the Supreme Court's Prop 8 ruling to do it, according to TheWrap.com . Attorneys for Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers, contend that a woman suing them on the grounds of racial discrimination, among other claims, doesn't have legal standing to file the claim because the plaintiff is white. The lawyers pointed to the Supreme Court's court's ruling in the Prop 8 case, Hollingsworth v. Perry, in which the court said anyone suing in federal court must have standing.
Almost immediately after Matt Lauer's June 26 interview with Paula Deen on the Today Show, the show began critiquing itand gave Deen mostly failing grades, according to Deadline.com . "Paula Deen's TODAY apology 'failed' and was 'bizarre,' experts say" ran the Today.com headline. The critique included reviews by public relations experts, one of whom noted, "(Former President Richard Nixon) never apologized by saying he was guilty or wring about Watergate; she was the same way." Deen was on the show to talk about her admission during a deposition that she has used the N-word in the past.
Neil Patrick Harris has announced he will marry long-term partner David Burtka after being engaged for seven years, according to Gay Star News. "Certainlywe have children, and marriage is an appropriate thing to do [as] a part of their well-being, so I'm sure it will be inevitableand awesome," Harris told E! News. Harris is unsure whether they will marry in California or New York; gay marriage is now legal in both states.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' "Same Love" is reportedly the first same-sex anthem to be a Billboard Top 40 hit, according to Hitflix.com . That chart comprises radio play, Youtube and other online streaming, and digital sales. While Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, affirmed acceptance for all including the LBGT community, "Same Love" is the first Top 40 tune to embrace the concept of same-sex marriage.
After two years as a runner-up, Forbes named Oprah Winfrey the most powerful celebrity, heading the six women and four men who make up the top 10, according to a Chicago Tribune item. It was the fifth time the former talk show host who runs her own TV network has headed the annual ranking of 100 celebrities. Singer Lady Gaga came in second, followed by director/producer Steven Spielberg, and singers Beyonce and Madonna. Winfrey, Spielberg and Howard Stern are the only ones who have been on every single list since 1999.
Actor/director Rob Reineralso a founding board member of the American Foundation for Equal Rightspraised the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court rulings that favored gay rights, according to a press release. Reiner said, "Today's momentous decision not only celebrates the core American values of freedom and justice, but also recognizes our nation's continued movement toward equality. After four long years, our plaintiffs, as well as tens of thousands of loving committed couples throughout California, will finally have their love recognized by their government as equal."
Singer Aaron Carter, the brother of Backstreet Boys band member Nick Carter, was reportedly attacked in Boston by fans of another boy band: New Kids on the Block, according to ABC News. Aaron Carter had reportedly just had dinner with a friend when a man approached and said, "I heard you're doing a show here tomorrow. This is the town of the New Kids." Three other men jumped out of a gold Chevrolet Malibu and started hitting him. Aaron later posted images of his bruised face and knuckles on Instagram.
Rap musician Dres (from the group Black Sheep) posted a controversial comment about Kanye West and sexuality, according to SOHH.com . On Twitter June 12, Dres stated, "Kanye... like Steve Jobs... is one of the most powerful gay men in the world.... God Bless Him." He then added, "oh... he's not out yet.... my bad.... lmao." Other rappers, such as Lord Jamar, have lyrically attacked West's manhood after he wore a skirt during a performance.
The new season of the revived Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva will feature a storyline about a gay pro athlete, according to Outsports.com . The story of the gay-athlete episode will revolve around the pro athlete's perceived need to keep his sexual orientation a secret from the public. While the story was developed and written before NBA player Jason Collins came out publicly, only one sentence needed to be changed following Collins' announcement. Executive Producer Josh Berman said, "Given the competitive nature of sports and how much money pro athletes make, it's ripe for a legal storyline."
Modern Family could feature a gay-wedding plot following the June 26 DOMA ruling, according to Digital Spy. Modern Family co-creator Christopher Lloyd told Entertainment Weekly that a wedding for gay couple Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) is now "a real possibility." He said, "It's certainly something we are contemplating on the show in ways we wouldn't have in prior seasons."
Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie have always been the best of friendshowever, an upcoming cover of The New Yorker magazine suggests that the Muppets might be in a different kind of relationship, the New York Post reported. Shown in partial silhouette from behind, Burt sits upright on a couch with his arm wrapped around Ernie, who rests his head on Burt's shoulder. In addition, they are lit by a television that clearly displays the Supreme Court. The magazine calls the July 8 & 15 cover "Bert and Ernie's 'Moment of Joy.'"
Actor Alec Baldwin has apologized to LGBT-rights group GLAAD for a series of tweets that could be interpreted as anti-gay, according to Newsday. Baldwin's messages were directed at a newspaper reporter who accused his wife of tweeting during the funeral for actor James Gandolfini. Baldwin says in a letter to GLAAD posted on its website that his tweets didn't have anything to do with "issues of anyone's sexual orientation" and that he's worked with marriage-equality organizations.
Channing Tatum talked a bit about the sequel to the male-stripper movie Magic Mike, according to Out.com . Providing a thumbnail sketch of the plot, Tatum tolde Entertainment Tonight, "It will be a road-trip movie. It will essentially be the movie that everyone thought the first one was going to becrazy and fun and less slice-of-life and less drama. The first one, we had to make not so cheesy and campy; this one we are going to swing for the fences."
Fox show Glee is downsizing. According to TVGuide.com, original stars Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Harry Shum Jr. and Heather Morris will not return as series regulars for the show's upcoming fifth season. In addition, former star Dianna Agron, who only appeared in a handful of episodes last season, may only make a possible guest appearance. Glee was renewed for seasons five and six this past spring.
After more than a decade together, the Fabulous Beekman Boyscouple Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridgemarried June 28 at their farm in Sharon Springs, N.Y. (where they film their Cooking Channel show), according to US Weekly. Together since 2000, Kilmer-Purcell and Ridge wed in front of guests such as Martha Stewart, who planned the nuptials and did a special broadcast of her Sirius XM radio show, Martha Live, from the wedding site. Prior to the ceremony, the couple posted a blog on their website thanking fans for their support.
The CBS show The Good Wife has cast Alias alum Melissa George as Peter's (Chris Noth) smart, sexy and savvy new in-house ethics counsel, according to TVGuide.com . The show has also added British actress Juliet Rylance as Holly, an assistant state's attorney who is a love interest for female private investigator Kalinda (Archie Punjabi).
Celebrating the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the Defense of Marriage Act, Lady Gaga took to the stage at the Gay Pride Parade's kick-off rally in New York City to express her allegiance to the LGBT community, according to the Huffington Post. "When I was in high school and grade school and younger, I was considered to be an outcast and I just couldn't find my place," the long-time LGBT ally said with emotion, addressing the cheering crowd. "[But] there was a particular crowd who did accept me. ... It was you." She then sang the national anthem, improvising slightly to sing "Oh say does that star-spangled flag of pride yet wave."
A Cirque du Soleil performer has died after falling during a performance of the show "Ka" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, TheWrap.com noted. Sarah Guillot-Guyard, 31, was killed in fall from the show's elevated vertical stage at the hotel. It's the first onstage death in the 30-year history of artistic acrobatic troupe.
Starting mid-July, actress Glenn Close will be auctioning off some of the clothes and accessories from her show Damages, including items from designers such as Giorgio Armani, Christian Louboutin and Prada, according to a press release. Proceeds will go to benefit the bringchange2mind organization (of which Close is a founder) that strives to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. All items will be viewable beginning next week and bidding begins July 10. See bringchangedamagesauction.com .
Using the same approach as Deen, the adult film industry is citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage in an effort to silence its main opponent in the legal battle to keep condoms off of its actors, according to KTVU.com . Attorneys filed a motion in U.S. District Court asking that the AIDS Healthcare Foundation be removed from the industry's legal battle to repeal the condom requirement that Los Angeles County voters approved last year. Lawyers claim the foundation has no legal standing.
The attorney representing the three men who accused former Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash of sexual abuse when they were minors said his clients plan to keep pursuing their case against him despite their latest legal setback, according to TheWrap.com . Lawyer Jeff Herman responded to a judge's dismissal on the basis of the expiration of the statute of limitations by saying said statute "is an arbitrary timeline that silences victims."
Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren will star in the film The Hundred Foot Journey, according to Deadline.com . Lasse Hallstrom will direct the culinary-competition drama in which Mirrey will play famous chef Madame Mallory. Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Juliet Blake are producing.
Out gay personality B. Scott was at the center of controversy at the 2013 BET Awards June 30, according to the Huffington Post. Scott, a contributing editor to The Glam Network and an Ebony Magazine advice columnist, took to his Twitter account to address posts that BET allegedly made him change his wardrobe as well as remove his heels and lipstick. Scott tweeted that he initially wasn't going to speak about the issue and apologized if he had let anyone down. He then stated that his "saving grace" was a Procter & Gamble consultant who voiced that the company didn't support what allegedly took place.
The NCAA publicly reprimanded Baylor University women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey and said she must sit out one game the next time her team advances to the March Madness tournament for criticizing the officiating last March, according to ESPN.com . After Louisville beat Baylor (which featured 6'8" out lesbian Brittney Griner) 82-81, Mulkey said the game was far too physical and singled out the officials.
Nick Gruber is planning to return to New York after reuniting with ex-boyfriend Calvin Klein, according to the New York Post. Gruber, a former erotic model, is preparing to move back from L.A. and restart his career. In May, Gruber and Klein rekindled their relationship and took a trip to Mexico together. The couple had split in January 2012 after dating for two years, but after Gruber was arrested for assault and cocaine possession and completed a stint in an Arizona rehab facility, Gruber fled to the West Coast.
Former American Idol winner Ruben Studdard is joining the upcoming 15th season of NBC's The Biggest Loser as a contestant, according to the New York Daily News. Following his Idol win over Clay Aiken, Studdard added 100 pounds, tipping the scales at 455 lbs. He lost the weight but then put it back on after his 2011 divorce from wife Surata Zuri McCants.
Hugh Jackman and his wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness, are reportedly frustrated about the gay rumors that persist about the actor, even after 17 years of marriage, Gay Star News noted. "If I was [gay], I would be ... It's, to me, not the most interesting thing about a person, anyway," Jackman said during a joint interview the couple gave to 60 Minutes in Australia. Furness said she finds the questions about her husband's sexuality "offensive." Jackman won a Tony Award for playing a gay man, Peter Allen, in the Broadway musical The Boy From Oz.
Marie Osmond's daily talk show will not return to Hallmark Channel for a second season, Deadline.com noted. Associated Television International, the company behind Marie, will be taking it out for a syndication launch in fall 2014. Marie, which marked Osmond's return to daytime television, premiered on Hallmark last fall when it replaced The Martha Stewart Show.
Laura Jane Grace, the transgender frontwoman of the band Against Me!, has announced a run of solo acoustic shows on the East Coast, according to a press release. "Laura Jane Grace Sings The Transgender Dysphoria Blues" will begin Saturday, Aug. 10, at MilkBoy in Philadelphia; other shows will take place in Boston; Providence, R.I.; Washington, D.C.; and New York City. She will also be at Chicago's Riot Fest the weekend of Sept. 13-15.