Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin has criticized presidential candidate Donald Trump for "continuing to gratuitously harass the Latin community," Gay Star News reported. "The fact that an individual like Donald Trump, a candidate for the presidency of the United States for the Republican party, has the audacity to continue to gratuitously harass the Latin community makes my blood boil," Martin wrote in an op-ed for Univision that Billboard translated. Martin then called on Latinos to unite against Trump: "Enough is enough!"
Gay actor/fashion designer Marc Jacobs said he doesn't want to be defined by his profession or sexuality, PinkNews reported. Speaking to T Magazine, the designer said that after Caitlyn Jenner came out as transgender, he tired of labels and identification. Jacobs said, "I think it was after the Caitlyn Jenner thing, and I just said, like, can we just start calling people by their name? You know, not what they do for a living, not what their sexual preference is, not their age, not who they're related to. It's 2015."
Don Cheadle is up for an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a comedy for House of Lies, but he thinks Jeffrey Tambor should win for the latter's transgender-related role in the show Transparent, TheWrap reported. "I think he's doing very interesting work," he said, adding that comedian Louis C.K. should also prevail for his role in Louie.
LGBT actress Maria Bello is set to co-star opposite Billy Bob Thornton in Trial, the Amazon Studios drama from The Practice creator David E. Kelley, Deadline reported. The legal drama, which Kelley co-wrote with his Practice producer Jonathan Shapiro, centers on attorney Billy McBride ( Thornton ). Bello will play Billy's ex-wife Julie McBride, a brilliant and accomplished attorney. William Hurt and Olivia Thirlby are also in the cast.
Taylor Swift ended the Los Angeles leg of her "1989" world tour with a bang when Justin Timberlake took to the stage for a surprise duet, TheWrap noted. The pop pair performed his 2013 hit, "Mirrors," as the audience at the Staples Center in downtown L.A. erupted into crazed applause. The "Bad Blood" singer's ultimate special guests for her final night followed in the footsteps of performances earlier in the week from John Legend, Beck, St. Vincent, Natalie Maines, Alanis Morissette and Ellen DeGeneres.
Speaking of Timberlake, he and actress wife Jessica Biel will be honored at the 11th annual GLSEN Respect Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California, according to On Top Magazine. Timberlake and Biel will be honored with the group's Inspiration Award on Oct. 23. Serving as honorary co-chairs for the 2015 ceremony are last year's Respect Award honorees: NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt, actress Julia Roberts and her husband, Danny Moder.
Miley Cyrus has now revealed that she identifies as pansexual, Yahoo! reported. The 22-year-old singer-actress spoke about her sexuality in the October issue of Elle UK, telling the magazine, "I'm very open about it — I'm pansexual. But I'm not in a relationship. I'm 22, I'm going on dates, but I change my style every two weeks, let alone who I'm with." Pansexuality "generally means that somebody is open to either falling in love and or being sexually attracted to people of all genders," sex researcher Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., said.
RuPaul has broken his silence on his season two Drag Race winner Tyra Sanchez telling a fan to "go kill yourself," Gay Star News reported. "I think that what happened was there is a certain level of reverence and camp in what sometimes is said out loud [that] is not meant for mixed company," RuPaul said. "Twitter is not the place for that. People don't get nuance on Twitter, you can't do irony on Twitter—people won't get it." In part, Sanchez had tweeted, "I have no sympathy for people that commit suicide. They're cowards. ... If you want to kill yourself, go ahead it's your life. Am I gonna be sympathetic for you & give pity? I think not. Too busy living MY life."
Legendary James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has no problem with a gay Bond, the UK Mirror noted. When the 62-year-old was asked if he could picture a gay Bond, the star told Details, "Sure. Why not?" However, he added that some might not welcome the move just yet: "I don't think Barbara [Broccoli, the James Bond producer] would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime. ... Let's start with a great Black actor being James Bond. Idris Elba certainly has the physicality, the charisma, the presence. But I think Daniel [Craig] will be there for a while yet."
Openly lesbian actress Ellen Page doesn't think that a straight actor should be called "brave" just because they play a gay character in a movie or television show, Mediaite reported. In an interview with Time Magazine, Page—who's starring in the upcoming movie Freeheld, about a lesbian couple dealing with tragedy after one of them is diagnosed with lung cancer—called the very idea of calling any actor brave a bit silly, because "our job is to read something on a page."
Out actor Jim Parsons ( TV's Big Bang Theory ) as become the world's highest paid actor on television, earning $29 million per season, according to Gay Star News. Last year, the cast of the CBS sitcom held out for increased earnings; this means that all of the cast now earn from $800,000 to $1 million per episode, as well as around 1 percent of the show's back profits. Parsons' status put him at the top of Forbes' list of highest-paid TV actors.
Hulu's original series Difficult People, starring Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner, has been picked up for a 10-episode second season, according to Deadline. Its a high-profile title for Hulu, with the comedy coming from executive producers Amy Poehler, Dave Becky ( Louie ), Tony Hernandez of Jax Media and showrunner Scott King. Kluasner and Eichner play friends living in New York City, and their irreverent behavior lands them in some very awkward situations.
Adele has been teasing the follow-up to her 2011 blockbuster, 21, for more than a year, but a new set of music may finally materialize this fall, as the label is planning on a November release, Billboard reported. Danger Mouse has been working on the album, and Max Martin has contributed a single. Canadian singer-songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. also has written a ( reportedly, standout ) track, and OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder is back in the mix after producing and co-writing "Rumour Has It" on 21. Adele's album 21 has sold more than 11 million copies, and was the top-selling album of the year in both 2011 and 2012.
Gay musician Tom Goss—known for his viral hits like "Bears"—has released a music video that spotlights the beauty of love, regardless of sexual orientation, Out.com noted. The video features an intimate dance between three couples; one is straight, and the other two are same-sex. Featuring another musician, Matt Alber, "Breath and Sound" has been deemed "a moving medley of art and music."
Out YouTube sensation Todrick has launched his show, Todrick, on MTV, The New York Daily News reported. It's a sort of mashup reality show, following Todrick and his creative team while they create videos. He created a YouTube channel for his videos ( racking up more than 5 million views ) that showcases his choreography, production, costuming and renditions of songs that span several genres. Talking with Windy City Times in 2014, Todrick said he came out as gay at the age of 14, saying the disclosure "was a struggle for my family, but we pushed through it."
Rosie O'Donnell has taken offense at her former The View co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck's comments about the #BlackLivesMatter movement, TheWrap reported. "Why has the #BlackLivesMatter movement not been classified yet as a hate group?" Hasselbeck asked a guest in response to the recent shooting death of a Texas deputy by an African-American suspect. O'Donnell tweeted, "Hasselbeck asked, 'Kevin, why has the Black Lives Matter movement not been classified yet as a hate group? ...' some r slow 2 wake."
There was some confusion in the Hamptons when a uniformed cop showed up to a party in Water Mill, where 500-plus guests were required to dress like members of disco act Village People—including at least 100 in police-officer costumes, Page Six noted. "Sir" Ivan Wilzig hosted his annual over-the-top summer bash at his castle-like home, but security was stumped when a real cop arrived to demand the music volume be decreased. Village People cowboy Randy Jones said, "There were Native Americans, soldiers, bikers, cops, sailors." But when the real cop showed up after a neighbor's noise complaint, party security thought he was just a crasher in costume.
Joy Behar is returning as a co-host on ABC News's The View when it returns for its 19th season, Deadline reported. In its announcement, ABC News called Behar "one of the most-beloved personalities in the talk show's history having co-hosted for seasons 1-16." "Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in," said Behar. "And I'm looking forward to sticking my two cents into the hot topics, especially now that Hillary and the Donald are in the spotlight."
Billboard asked Christian hip-hop pioneer TobyMac about same-sex marriage—and some may say his answer avoids the topic. When asked about the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on marriage equality, the fortysomething musician said, "I've always felt my music is for everybody. It's music about loving people right where they are and counting on a faithful God. I want my music in every home falling on open ears listening to the beautiful story of grace." He also said he has not yet decided which presidential candidate to support.
Singer Taylor Dayne talked with Advocate.com about her fans and marriage equality, among other topics. Being in this industry and performing at Prides for the past 25 years—talk about a Pride 25 years ago!," Dayne said. "I watched this community grow to be what a Pride can be today. Now you're watching families." Also, she said of the U.S. Supreme Court's marriage-equality ruling, "It all comes down to personal relationships; for example, the friends I've had who've gone through the struggle of just trying to be parents. ... Any marriage—it's more than love. It's bonds." Among Dayne's hits are "Tell It To My Heart" and "I'll Always Love You."
Sean Hayes is playing God in a stage production next year, Gay Star News noted. The Will & Grace actor, known to many fans as Jack, will be playing the Almighty in the stage production An Act of God at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre. It's based on the 2011 book The Last Testament: A Memoir By God written by David Javerbaum of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
After putting her career on hold last year to care for her husband, Rene Angelil, who is battling cancer, Celine Dion returned to her residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, ABC News reported. Dion performed for an hour and 50 minutes on the Caesars Palace Stage. The set has changed since her last performances, but she says even some familiar love songs have taken on new meaning in light of her husband's illness.
Tobias Strebel—the 35-year-old who spent more than $100,000 to look like Justin Bieber—has been found dead after he was reported missing Aug. 18, TheWrap confirmed. Strebel's body was found in a Motel 6 in the North Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles on Aug. 21. However, his death wasn't reported to the media until Aug. 26.
Rosie O'Donnell's adopted daughter Chelsea, who went missing earlier this month, has now turned 18 and left home once again—this time to go live with her birth mother, Entertainment Tonight reported. Chelsea's birth mother Deanna Micoley, who gave her up for adoption in 1997, drove from Wisconsin to New York to pick up Chelsea.
A Halloween costume of Caitlyn Jenner's Vanity Fair cover has caused a stir on social media for being transphobic, but Spirit Halloween, the organization responsible for the get-up, has not gotten rid of the outfit. The store even slammed rumors about the "Call Me Caitlyn Unisex Adult Costume" being removed, IBTimes.com reported. The store said the costume is not meant to be transphobic or offensive, but is about "celebrating" Jenner.
The newly named MiFo LGBT Film Festival will hold its Fort Lauderdale edition Oct. 9-11 and 15-18 with dramas, comedies and documentaries that touch upon various aspects of LGBT life, according to a press release. To foster this progressive environment and rebranding effort, MiFo has appointed Victor M. Gimenez as its new executive director. See www.MiFofilm.com .
Jennifer Hudson is making her Broadway debut in The Color Purple—and says the story is especially meaningful for her, EW.com noted. Hudson, 33, who plays Shug Avery, says Alice Walker's story is "a timeless piece of American culture." Hudson has said she is "very nervous" about taking the Broadway stage for the first time, but added that nerves "make the experience exciting." In a video, Hudson and co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays Celie, sing the title song, "The Color Purple."
Les Miserables star Kyle Jean-Baptiste—who just became the youngest actor and the first African-American to play Jean Valjean on Broadway—has died at age 21 after accidentally falling off his mother's fire escape, TheWrap reported. Jean-Baptiste usually played Constable and Courfeyrac in Les Miserables, but he was also the understudy for the role of Valjean. He recently tweeted, "The ability to play this part on Broadway has been life changing. I'm so greatful."
The Weinstein Company is ready to greenlight its Richard Pryor biopic—and Harvey Weinstein and Lee Daniels have assembled quite the cast, according to Page Six. The new additions: Oprah Winfrey will play Pryor's grandmother, who ran a brothel and raised the iconic comic there; Eddie Murphy will play Pryor's father, Leroy "Buck Carter" Pryor; and Kate Hudson is set to play Pryor's widow, Jennifer Lee Pryor. Also, Mike Epps is now locked to play Pryor. The script is by Bill Condon and Daniels' Empire collaborator, Danny Strong.
University of Michigan economics/public policy professor Justin Wohlers recently crunched numbers regarding gay athletes for the New York Times, according to Outsports. Among Wohler's revelations were that "If baseball players are as likely to be gay as other men their age—let's go with an estimate of one in 25—then the odds that none of these men are gay is one in two sextillion." He also said, "Even if the proportion [of gays in baseball] is much lower, the point remains that there are probably dozens of gay men currently playing for teams associated with Major League Baseball."
In the world of professional wrestling, the WWE was recently set to introduce a "tough-guy character that would out himself as being gay," WrestlingInc.com reported. It was said that Brock Lesnar ( who is not gay in his personal life ) was originally considered for this idea; however, the WWE creative team decided to go in another direction.
Rafael Nadal is taking it off for Tommy Hilfiger, Page Six reported. The designer has unveiled the Spaniard as the new face of his line's fall underwear campaign. In a racy clip for the skivvies, tennis god Nadal is shown heading into a locker room in a pair of jeans and stripping down. The ad stops just short of showing him without underwear.
Filmmaker and Gone Girl star Tyler Perry—who put an Atlanta mansion up for sale this summer for $25 million—has shelled out a relatively mere $150,000 to buy music legend Nat King Cole's old concert piano, Page Six noted. Perry bought the "Steinway B concert grand piano"—which has also been played by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Mel Torme and Oscar Peterson—to benefit Nat King Cole Generation Hope, which supports music education in public schools.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have reportedly settled their lawsuit against YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley, whom they sued in 2013 after he secretly took video of ( and eventually leaked ) their proposal in San Francisco's AT&T Park, Billboard.com reported. Hurley and the Kardashian-Wests have agreed to a $440,000 settlement, per a report by TMZ. The couple sued after Hurley sneaked into the park, took video of the proposal ( which later aired on E!'s Keeping Up With The Kardashians ) and shared it via his start-up Mixbit—after signing a confidentiality agreement.
Lindsay Lohan claimed she was "slipped a mickey" at the wedding of Justin Etzin, consul general and ambassador of tourism for the Seychelles, and model Lana Zakocela in Florence, Italy, according to a Page Six item. Reportedly, "it was one thing after the next [with Lohan]" during the lavish four-day affair, where guests included Ellen von Unwerth, Sara Sampaio, Edward Spencer-Churchill and Micah Jesse. During the ceremony, Lohan allegedly "was painting her nails ... and looking at her phone."
