It was a rare sighting as CNN's Anderson Cooper and partner Benjamin Maisani walked the carpet hand-in-hand at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 14th annual An Enduring Vision Benefit, Page Six noted. ( Earlier this year, they attended the amfAR gala and the GLAAD Media Awards. ) Matt Lauer, Sandra Lee, Kiefer Sutherland, Whoopi Goldberg, Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, Andy Cohen and Padma Lakshmi were also at the event, held at Cipriani Wall Street.
LGBT activist groups and GLAAD came out against the upcoming Michelle Rodriguez film Tomboy: A Revenger's Tale as soon as plot details surfaced that she would play a transgender assassin. Now, according to SheWired, Rodriguez has spoken out—and has apparently misgendered/misidentified Caitlyn Jenner in the process. "I remember a day when white people were playing Black people," Rodriguez told TMZ. "It's just about the evolution." However, she added, "Thank Kris Jenner for becoming who he became."
Playbill is taking a look at more than 20 artists who made or will make their Broadway debuts this fall. Some of them include Sandra Mae Frank, Austin P. McKenzie, Daniel N. Durant and Marlee Matlin in Spring Awakening; Keira Knightley in Therese Raquin; Bruce Willis in Misery ( acting with Laurie Metcalf ); Clive Owen in Old Times; George Takei in Allegiance; and Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks and Cynthia Erivo in The Color Purple.
At OutFest, two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks was recognized for his groundbreaking performance 22 years ago in the film Philadelphia, as fellow actor Aaron Eckhart presented Hanks with the Outfest Legacy Awards' Trailblazer Award, On Top Magazine noted. Hanks said, in part, "We the people have continued on in the formation of a more perfect union. And yes, there are those who wish to codify inequality and they continue to promote fear and outrage, rather than recognize the strengths that are self evident in our diversity. But the truth will have its day, that our nation is wiser and stronger because we are more open and increasingly honest about what love really is."
Transgender journalist-activist Janet Mock married longtime boyfriend Aaron Tredwell in a beautiful ceremony in her hometown of Oahu, according to NewNowNext.com . "I married the love of my life, my partner, my best friend near the ocean, under stars that navigated my ancestors to Hawaii, surrounded by the people we love most," she wrote on Instagram. The two met back in 2009 on a dance floor in New York.
Jennifer Lopez's manager, Benny Medina, reportedly wanted to be a part of Mariah Carey's career once again—but Lopez allegedly has a "no Mariah" clause in Lopez's contract with Medina, Page Six reported. Lopez has been with Medina since 2008. The powerhouse manager helped revive her career with a judging gig on American Idol. In addition, Lopez launched her first world tour and a Las Vegas residency under Medina's watch. Carey, who also has a Vegas residency, has gone through several managers since severing ties with Medina.
Speaking of Lopez, Leah Remini credits her longtime friend with offering her support and good advice as Remini made the decision to leave the Church of Scientology, People noted. Remini was worried Lopez might have to cut off ties because her father is a Scientologist. But Lopez "didn't waver in our friendship," Remini has said. In her book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, Remini details the moment that she broke the news to Lopez that she was leaving the church.
In the world of comics, the mystery of X-Men member Iceman's sexuality has finally been solved, The Huffington Post reported. A teenage version of the iconic character, displaced in time, made the surprise revelation in April. The plot line raised questions about the character's present-day self, who presented himself as heterosexual—until now. In Uncanny X-Men #600, which hit newsstands Nov. 4, the young Iceman ( alter ego: Bobby Drake ) comes out officially as a gay man while confronting his older self.
LGBT singer Miley Cyrus was honored for her work with the LGBT community at the Los Angeles LGBT Center's 46th Anniversary Gala—and licked a signed white grand piano as part of her acceptance speech, according to US Weekly. "I really have to pee, so I'm going to make this kind of quick," she began her speech after licking the aforementioned musical instrument. Cyrus, 22, was being honored with the Vanguard Award for her work with Happy Hippie and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
Oprah Winfrey has revealed her favorite things in O, The Oprah Magazine's December issue, E! Online noted. Among the 87 recommended goodies are the Fashionista Barbie Collection ( $10 each ), Coltellerie Berti for Match Italian three-piece cheese knife set ( $425 ), Chelsea Market Baskets' Torres Black Truffle Chip Basket ( $65 ) and a menorah made out of challah bread ( $45 ).
Madonna's newest tour is cleaning up the box office as well as her previous ones, US Weekly has noted. The "Rebel Heart" tour has already grossed $46 million in the two months that it has been on the road. As of early November, the "Borderline" singer has performed for more than 300,000 fans at 24 shows so far.
After 24-year-old Rhys McNaughton took his own life, his grieving friends reached out to the actor he bared a striking resemblance to—Zac Efron—with a letter on Facebook, Cambio.com reported. Following his death, McNaughton's friends started a campaign through the Movember Foundation to raise $10,000 for men's mental-health issues. ABC North Coast has reported that the "Hotter than Zac Efro"n Movember team now has 147 members and has raised more than $31,000, as the tally is growing as several communities come to terms with the young Australian man's death.
Gravitas Ventures has secured worldwide rights to Fourth Man Out, a feel-good gay-themed comedy written by Aaron Dancik and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Andrew Nackman, according to a press release. The Office's Kate Flannery stars alongside Parker Young, Evan Todd, Chord Overstreet and Jon Gabrus. Gravitas will release the film-festival favorite on demand and in theaters on Feb. 5, 2016.
Carol won the top prize ( Gold Q Hugo ) while Henry Gamble's Birthday Party ( directed by Chicago's Stephen Cone ) won the Silver Q Hugo in the Chicago International Film Festival's OutFest competition. The festival took place Oct. 15-29.
Hillary Clinton returned to Los Angeles for her fifth fundraising swing since launching her presidential race—starting with one of her largest Hollywood events yet, at the Beverly Hills home of Christina Aguilera and fiance Matthew Rutler, according to Variety. The event raised an estimated $1 million; all three events she is holding in L.A. during her visit were expected to bring in about $2 million. Aguilera sang "Beautiful," and duetted with A Great Big World on "Say Something."
Singer Sam Smith has said he's never had a boyfriend, according to Gay Star News. "I've never had a boyfriend so I don't really know any different, which I think is very lucky actually. I'm still learning on what's right and what's normal in dates," he said. Smith was previously linked to dancer Jonathan Ziezel, but a relationship was never confirmed. He only ever referred to him as "someone he was seeing," and stopped seeing him around January of this year.
A fire damaged the longtime Hollywood Hills home of iconic singer Johnny Mathis, according to Page Six. The 80-year-old singer had just flown back to Los Angeles to learn that his home of 56 years caught fire. "I'm OK, nobody got hurt—that's always important. We can always replace things," Mathis said. Mathis is known for such hit songs as "Chances Are," "It's Not for Me to Say" and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late."
Will America's Next Top Model live on? According to Deadline, a new Top Model installment is currently being pitched to cable and streaming outlets. It is being shepherded by Top Model executive producer/showrunner Ken Mok. "I truly believe it's time," Tyra Banks wrote in reaction to the announcement of the show's end on the CW last month; however, she reportedly supports the new installment.
Rosie O'Donnell is heading to the TV show Mom, SheWired noted. O'Donnell will be guest-starring on the CBS sitcom as Jeanine, the ex-girlfriend of Allison Janney's character, Bonnie, from "back when she was drinking and drugging." Janney has won two consecutive Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for playing Bonnie; with this reveal, she'll also be the first major LGBT character on the show.
Angelina Jolie Pitt may be one of Hollywood's most gorgeous women, but even she had her hesitations when it came time to strip down in her upcoming film By the Sea, People magazine noted. Jolie Pitt, 40—who wrote and directed the '70s marital drama—said she never intended to play the leading role, so once she decided to act opposite her husband Brad Pitt, she began rethinking some of the nude scenes.
Katy Perry has been named the highest-paid woman in music for 2015, Page Six noted. Perry earned the top spot thanks to a world tour, hit singles and endorsements, which combined to earn her $135 million this year. Taylor Swift earned the number-two spot on the list, nabbing $80 million. Fleetwood Mac ( Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie ), Lady Gaga and Beyonce rounded out the top five.
Upon learning she had been "cured" of hepatitis C., Pamela Anderson posted a nude selfie to Instagram, Page Six noted. "I am CURED!!!! — I just found out #nomorehepc," the former Baywatch bombshell, 48, posted along with a photo of herself aboard a yacht. "I pray that anyone living with Hep C can qualify or afford treatment. It will be more available soon. I know treatment is hard to get still…" Anderson has been battling the disease for the better part of 16 years. In August, she told People she was undergoing treatment with a new FDA-approved drug.
Five teenage emerging hip-hop artists will be given a chance to become the next big thing in The Rap Game, premiering New Year's Day on Lifetime, according to a press release. Queen Latifah and business partner Shakim Compere will executive-produce the show, which will feature Jermaine Dupri in a prominent role.
The program "People's Sexiest Man Alive 2015" will air on Lifetime Wed., Nov. 18, at 9 p.m. ET, according to a press release. Hosted by Bellamy Young ( TV's Scandal ), this one-hour special promises to offer a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse at some of the hottest Hollywood hunks. Lance Bass, Michelle Collins and Paulina Porizkova are slated to make guest appearances.
The Internet exploded after The Hunger Games: Mockingjay—Part 2 actresses Jennifer Lawrence and Natalie Dormer accidentally "kissed" each other on the red carpet, People reported. Lawrence was apparently trying to surprise Dormer with a kiss on the cheek while the actress talked to reporters, but when her face turned around at the last second, there appeared to have been some brief lip-on-lip contact. Lawrence was quick to brush off the incident with a laugh, joking, "Oh my god, we just kissed on camera—and I liked it."
Fashion designer Raf Simons, who left Christian Dior last month, showed up for the second night in a row to the fashion house's event for the Guggenheim Museum and even danced with his new boyfriend, according to Page Six. After attending a swank dinner with guests including Emily Blunt, Leelee Sobieski and Cindy Sherman, Simons was spotted at the after-party at Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle, "canoodling [with] and kissing" Jean-Georges d'Orazio, who works for Dior, on the dance floor.
The New York Daily News revealed that former Olympic figure skater and doctor Debi Thomas is now living in a bedbug-infested trailer park where she's penniless and begging former fans for money. In the 1980s, Thomas became the first African-American to win the women's title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. However, she recently told Iyanla Vanzant on the relationship expert's Fix My Life series that her life has crumbled after two divorces left her family broke and forced her to shut down her medical practice in Virginia. Thomas is now living in a mobile home in the Appalachian Mountains with her fiance, who has admitted to having alcohol and anger issues, and his two children.
Karl Lagerfeld is lending his name, likeness and designs to a mobile game: "Kim Kardashian: Hollywood," according to Page Six. The designer, who's called curvy singer Adele "a little too fat," commented, "Kim's contribution to beauty and fashion .‰.‰. is the fact that you don't have to be super-slim and very tall to be beautiful." The Kim app has 30 million downloads.
