THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

Speaking of Jenner, Warner Bros.' Ellen DeGeneres tied its best season premiere ever on Sept. 8 with a show that featured Jenner and was taped in New York, Broadcasting & Cable reported. Ellen's 13th season premiere debuted with a 3.2 rating/9 share primary-run household average in the weighted metered markets, according to Nielsen Media Research—up 33 percent from the show's September 2014 average. The show's best performance came in WHIO Dayton, Ohio, where it scored a 10.2/24 at 4 p.m.

Ellen DeGeneres is coming clean about her 2010 stint on the singing-competition show American Idol, telling Howard Stern it was "one of the worst decisions I've made," according to Page Six. "As a fan of the shows, it doesn't matter that I sing or I know anything about pitch," she said. "I just thought, like Howard says, 'I can't break this person's heart. Let somebody else do that.'" Fellow former judge Mariah Carey has expressed a similar sentiment, saying, "It's so boring and so fake."

Actor Luke Evans recently caught some attention when he went shirtless and wore a tiny speedo at the beach in Mykonos, Greece, according to Just Jared. Evans—who will soon be seen as Gaston in the live-action Beauty and the Beast film, and who is believed to have dated Spanish model Jon Kortajarena—was joined for the beach outing by friend Mica Stevanovic, who also was seen in a speedo. Also, Evans recently opened up to Wales Online about why his mom is his "model citizen" to support the #MyModelCitizen campaign for action/2015. "My model citizen is my mum, Yvonne Evans, for all the work she does caring for my grandparents with such love and compassion," he said.

One of the highlights of this year's New York Fashion Week was the Marc Jacobs-hosted book party for "Gloss: The Work of Chris von Wangenheim," NewNowNext.com noted. The party's dress code called for things such as "no flat shoes," "sequins" and "Grace Jones Butch Realness." The party's guest list included Laverne Cox, Solange Knowles ( who showed up in a "John-Travolta-Saturday-Night-Fever suit" ), Coco Rocha ( who wore a "Studio 54 minidress" ), Wendy Williams, RJ King, Rose McGowan and more.

Singer Morrissey opened up to Larry King about his cancer diagnosis, his ongoing battle with depression, the alleged sexual assault against him at a U.S. airport and why he believes Barack Obama is "white inside," the UK Guardian noted. In July, Morrissey posted a statement to the fan site True To You claiming he was sexually assaulted by an airport security guard who he alleged groped his penis as he prepared to board a flight to London at San Francisco International airport. He said he filed a sexual assault complaint, but a spokesman for the Transport Security Administration ( TSA ) said security camera footage confirmed nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

Madonna launched her Rebel Heart Tour with a sold-out show at the Bell Centre in Montreal Sept. 9, a press release touted. ( Diplo opened the show. ) The set list spanned all decades of the iconic superstar's career, including songs from her current album, Rebel Heart ( the dance hits "Living for Love" and "Bitch, I'm Madonna" ), to classic fan favorites like "Material Girl" and "Holiday" and a "Dress You Up" medley that included "Get Into The Groove," "Everybody" and "Lucky Star."

Out actor Sir Ian McKellen received an award at the Deauville Film Festival, as he received a tribute honoring his 50-year career, The Hollywood Reporter noted. The Oscar-nominated actor shed his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his American flag T-shirt on the red carpet to show the crowds of cheering fans his Lord of the Rings-inspired tattoo. Inside the theater, he delighted the audience when he delivered his remarks in French. McKellen's next role is slated to be the untitled Noel Coward biopic.

Ellen Page showed off her girlfriend Samantha Thomas at the premiere for her latest film, Freeheld, at the Toronto International Film Festival, where they stepped out for their red carpet debut as a couple, USA Today reported. "I'm in love," Page told E! News. "Walking down the carpet holding my girlfriend's hand is pretty special. It's pretty awesome." People.com added that Thomas is an artist who loves to surf—and who was once offered a golf scholarship to the University of Tulsa.

Modern Family's Sofia Vergara and The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting are tied as the highest-paid actresses on television—with each earning $28.5 million, according to CNN. Vergara's co-star Julie Bowen came in third, at $12 million. Film salaries still outpace television salaries. Jennifer Lawrence is this year's top-paid film actress, and her $52 million paycheck dwarfs the top television actresses' salaries.

A Manhattan judge has ruled that the medical officials who allegedly botched comedienne Joan Rivers' routine throat surgery don't have to admit to any wrongdoing at the outset of the civil case over her death, Page Six revealed. Lawyers for the late TV personality's daughter, Melissa Rivers, had asked Yorkville Endoscopy physicians who performed the fateful throat scope last year to acknowledge what the lawyers claim is in the clinic records—that Dr. Lawrence Cohen snapped a photo of the sedated comic shortly before her death. However, Cohen and his colleagues objected, and Justice Joan Lobis sided with them, saying Melissa "seeks to have defendants admit facts at the heart of the controversy."

John Travolta's alleged gay lover dropped his high-profile case just one week before they were supposed to face each other in court, KPopStarz.com reported. A court clerk confirmed that Travolta's self-proclaimed gay lover, Doug Gotterba, specifically requested last July 31 for Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Donna Geck to dismiss their case. Right after the development was reported by Radar Online, people quickly speculated that the Hairspray actor paid his ex-pilot to cancel the lawsuit.

A Whitney Houston hologram is coming from Greek billionaire Alki David's Hologram USA in partnership with the late singer's estate, TheWrap reported. "It's a great opportunity for her fans to see a reinvention of one the most celebrated female artists in history and to continue a legacy of performances that will not be forgotten in years to come. I look forward to the partnership," Pat Houston said in a statement.

Laverne Cox gave an impassioned speech at the Daily Front Row Fashion Media Awards at the Park Hyatt, according to Page Six. "Years ago, at the beginning of my transition, I would walk down the street and I would hear people yell, 'That's a man,' and I would be devastated," the Orange Is the New Black" star said while accepting an award from Maybelline. ( Katie Couric presented the award. ) "It took me years to internalize that someone could look at me and tell that I am transgender—that is not only OK, that is beautiful. Trans is beautiful."

Playbill reported that Beth Williams ( Grove Entertainment ), Barbara Whitman Productions and Hazy Mills Productions have announced the development of a new play based on the life of Oscar Levant—the actor, composer and concert pianist who appeared in such films as An American in Paris and The Band Wagon. Actor Sean Hayes is slated to play Levant. Hayes—who was Tony-nominated for his work in the revival of Promises, Promises—will also star in the upcoming West Coast debut of An Act of God.

Liza Minnelli was forced to pull out of three planned UK shows—at the London Palladium, Sheffield's City Hall and Glasgow's SECC Clyde Auditorium—because ticket sales were so poor, The Daily Mail reported. Her representatives said in a statement that she pulled out "because of the promoter's failure to pay. Due to current economics and unusually high ticket prices, the producer was unable to secure the promised funds." Minnelli is one of a handful of stars to have won the so-called EGOT: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. In March, she was admitted to rehab for treatment of substance abuse.

Empire creator Lee Daniels is fuming about race relations—and is using his anger to fuel the fire behind his primetime hip-hop drama, The New York Daily News noted. "Where we are in America with race relations is an ugly place, and it is time for us to blow the roof off this mother——r," he told a raucous standing-room only crowd at a Carnegie Hall screening of the Empire second-season premiere. Mariah Carey held court in a corner, was surrounded by her beefy bodyguards; the "We Belong Together" singer will guest-star on an upcoming episode of Empire.

Actor Tom Hardy—who was promoting his latest film, Legend, at the Toronto International Film Festival—shut down a reporter from LGBT news outlet Daily Xtra when asked if it's "hard for celebrities to talk to media about their sexuality, TheWrap reported. "What on earth are you on about?," Hardy responded. "I don't find it difficult for celebrities to talk about their sexuality," Hardy said. "Are you asking me about my sexuality?"

The awkward exchange came to a head when the reporter answered "Sure," and the actor asked, "Why?" "Thank you," Hardy said while cutting off the reporter.

Playbill.com has posed the same question to more than 100 theater actors: "If you could star in a Broadway revival of any play or musical, which show and role would you choose?" Among those who have responded are Lauren Kennedy ( The Robber Bridegroom ), Constantine Maroulis ( Freddie, the American in the production Chess ), Andrea McArdle ( Sweeney Todd; Hairspray ) and Bryan Terrell Clark ( Tony in West Side Story ).

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment ( along with Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment ) will issue the special director's cut of the first season of the hit Fox show Empire ( courtesy of Lee Daniels ), along with a collectible soundtrack and featured character cards. Empire's Director's Cut Pilot Edition ( which will arrive on Blu-ray Nov. 3 ) will feature collectible packaging, uncut music performances and more, including a commentary of the pilot. Soundtrack features will include such songs as "Drip Drop," "You're So Beautiful" and "No Apologies."

Vanessa Williams fans took to social media to celebrate after the actress, model, singer and former Miss America received an on-air apology from pageant organizers, TheWrap noted. Williams won the crown in 1983, but was forced to resign 10 months into her reign after Penthouse published several nude photos of her. "I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America you are, and the Miss America you always will be," Miss America CEO Sam Haskell said Sept. 13. One person posted, "Vanessa Williams' nudity loss her the crown yet in 2000 it launches careers & realty shows for others."

In the comments and reviews on Amazon for Chuck Wendig's latest Star Wars book, Aftermath, which takes place after the Empire is defeated in Return of the Jedi, one user was not happy about the introduction of a gay character, stating, "I also don't like the inclusion of so many gay characters because my personal opinion is that homosexuality is not normal. Sodomy is not normal and I am tired of the liberal media trying to make me accept this lifestyle," Out.com noted Wendig, however, responded, "And if you're upset because I put gay characters and a gay protagonist in the book, I got nothing for you. Sorry, you squawking saurian—meteor's coming. And it's a fabulously gay Nyan Cat meteor with a rainbow trailing behind it and your mode of thought will be extinct."

Out actor/comedian Jason Stuart is being honored with the Jose Julio Sarria International Civil Rights Award, which will be presented by the International Imperial Court System ( IICS ) during the next engagement of the LGBTs in the News panel series Sept. 24 in San Francisco, according to a press release. Presentation of the Jose Julio Sarria International Civil Rights Award to Jason Stuart and SAG-AFTRA will precede the panel discussion. His fellow panelists will be Dr. Betty Sullivan ( publisher of The Bay Times ); Bay Area Reporter columnist and editor Mathew Bajko; Nicole Murray Ramirez ( LGBT Weekly columnist, IICS top official and San Diego City Commissioner ); and the AIDS Memorial Quilt founder, Cleve Jones.

Rugby player James Haskell has posed for Gay Times in nothing but a rainbow and his Calvins, according to Unicorn Booty. While the London Wasps team captain isn't gay himself, Haskell has a history of speaking out against homophobia and being an LGBT ally. He tweeted, "So happy with this gaytimesmag cover. Just wish i still had my tan."

Xyrena, the first celebrity-branded on-demand perfumery, announced that it is collaborating with Dalton Maldonado to be the face of the first signature fragrance from an openly gay athlete, according to PR Newswire. Maldonado, now 19, was arguably the most well-known player on his basketball team last year in the state of Kentucky—but was subjected to harassment by members of an opposing team. Xyrena created Formula 3, naming it after Maldonado's jersey number and coloring it "basketball orange." Formula 3 has top notes of grapefruit, star anise, and bergamot; middle notes of grass and ozone, and base notes of cotton flower and musk.

RLJ Entertainment has acquired the Zoe Saldana-led Nina Simone biopic entitled Nina, according to TheWrap. Nina also stars David Oyelowo, with Cynthia Mort writing and directing. RLJ is planning a December release for the film, which generated considerable online controversy of the casting of light-skinned actress Saldana in the lead role.

Patrick Schwarzenegger is joining the cast of Scream Queens, TheWrap noted. Executive producer Ryan Murphy announced the news on Twitter, although there are no details on the actor's role in the show, which stars Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keke Palmer, Abigail Breslin, Skyler Samuels, Ariana Grande and Nick Jonas. Schwarzenegger, the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, appeared in 2013's Grown Ups 2 and will co-star in this fall's Scout's Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse and next year's Dear Eleanor.

Fans of the Captain Underpants children's book series are in for a surprise with one of their favorite characters, E! Online reported. In the 12th book of the series officially titled Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot, George and Harold meet their future selves—and, as author and illustrator Dav Pilkey quietly reveals, Harold is gay. While some are applauding Pilkey's subtle but significant words, others questioned if the development's right for their kids.

Androgynous singer Grace Jones reveals her wild times in her memoir, ironically titled I'll Never Write My Memoirs, according to the New York Daily News. She writes, "I was the wildest party animal ever. I pushed myself to the limit and started from there." She describes a typical night at the famed disco Studio 54 as "being "lathered in foam and coke, tongued and flailed by drag queens, total strangers and horny hedonists, entertaining the creeps, freaks, strays, and lionized, living the un-American dream."

George Clooney took up the standard for women in Hollywood at the Toronto Film Festival saying that women could play "a lot more" roles written for men, TheWrap reported. "There's a lot more out there if people just started thinking," he said after the premiere of Our Brand Is Crisis, a movie he produced that stars Sandra Bullock. In the film, Bullock plays a consultant to foreign political campaigns—a role originally written for a man.

The Queen of Soul has struck again to stop the Amazing Grace documentary from being shown or sold, Deadline noted. Just one day after a private screening for potential buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival ( TIFF ), Aretha Franklin filed an amended complaint in federal court in Colorado seeking an injunction against the Sydney Pollack-directed film of a 1972 performance by the singer. After Franklin and her lawyers surprisingly convinced a federal judge in Colorado to bar screenings of the film by producer Alan Elliott at the Telluride Film Festival, Amazing Grace was pulled from TIFF just hours before it was supposed to debut up north. However, she also wants to stop private showings of the movie.

Supermodel/entrepreneur Iman credits Christie Brinkley for helping her conceive her only child with David Bowie in 2000, according to Page Six. Iman told Fern Mallis that she told Brinkley at a photo shoot, "'There is an African proverb that says that if you carry another woman's child for a day, you'll get pregnant.' And she said, 'Here!'" Iman also talked about meeting the late designer Halston for the first time. "He says, 'Darling, can you walk?' I said, 'How the f—k do you think I got here?'"

Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam is haunted by his decision to back out of playing 50 Shades of Grey's leading man, Christian Grey—a role that later went to Jamie Dornan, according to People. "It was the worst professional experience of my life," the former Queer As Folk ( UK version ) actor told V Man magazine. "It was the most emotionally destructive and difficult thing that I've ever had to deal with professionally. It was heartbreaking." At the time Hunnam was offered the part, he had already committed to a role in the film Crimson Peak, directed by friend Guillermo del Toro.

Denver radio personality David Mueller has claimed he was dumped from his job after Swift allegedly claimed he "grabbed her bottom" at a meet-and-greet, TheWrap noted. According to the court papers Mueller filed, Swift allegedly claimed that Mueller lifted her "skirt with his hands and grabbed her bottom" as a photographer snapped a picture of a group that included Mueller's girlfriend, Swift and himself in 2013. Mueller was fired from his job at KYGO-FM radio two days after Swift's claim, he says.

Disney and director Rob Marshall are developing a live-action musical featuring beloved nanny Mary Poppins, according to TheWrap. John DeLuca and Marc Platt, who worked with Marshall on Into the Woods, will serve as executive producers. The big-screen version of the musical was a hit for Disney last year, grossing more than $210 million.

Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member Kim Richards was sentenced to three years of probation Sept. 14 after pleading no contest to resisting arrest after she was kicked out of a posh Beverly Hills restaurant in April, the Associated Press reported. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Jane Godfrey also sentenced Richards to 30 days of community labor and 52 weeks of Alcoholics Anonymous sessions. A hearing to update Godfrey on Richards' progress is scheduled for Dec. 14.

Dave Gahan & Soulsavers will release a new album in October, Stereoboard.com noted. The former Depeche Mode member's sophomore LP with Soulsavers, Angels & Ghosts, is expected Oct. 23 through Columbia Records. It follows 2012's The Light The Dead See.

Family, friends and fans of Paul Walker paid tribute to the late actor on what would have been his 42nd birthday, CNN reported. His teenaged daughter, Meadow Walker, marked the occasion by announcing the launch of the Paul Walker Foundation. Paul Walker—best known for his role as Brian O' Conner in the Fast and Furious franchise—died in a car crash on Nov. 30, 2013.

Ryan Seacrest will host NBC's late-night coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, taking over for Mary Carillo, who had the gig in both Beijing and London, according to USA Today. Seacrest was a special correspondent for NBC at the London 2012 Games.