Chris March—a costume designer who rose to fame after appearing on season four of Bravo's reality show Project Runway—died of a heart attack on at age 56, Deadline reported. A New York City resident, March was in poor health for years, and never totally recovered after falling in his apartment two years ago. March appeared on Project Runway, becoming a finalist, and was on Project Runway All Stars. He later had his own show on Bravo, Mad Fashion and also appeared on The Real Housewives of New York City, making costumes for Sonja Morgan.
Actress Kristen Stewart opened up about how she was told to stay in the closet to advance her career, LGBTQ Nation noted. Speaking with Harper's Bazaar, Stewart said that she had been told not to hold a woman's hand in public. "I have fully been told, 'If you just like do yourself a favor, and don't go out holding your girlfriend's hand in public, you might get a Marvel movie,'" the Twilight actress said. "I don't want to work with people like that." She also said that she avoids labels for her sexuality now.
Oprah Winfrey spoke out on the most recent mass shootings in the United States, Extra reported. Winfrey said, "I think what people are missing is a core moral center. Churches used to do that. ... It was a central place you could come to and there was a core center of values about a way of living and being in the world. Until we can return to that—however that is, in whatever form—we will continue to be lost."
Celebrating Freddie Mercury's birthday, Universal Music Group has released a new music video for the Queen frontman's 1985 solo song "Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow," NewNowNext.com noted. Directed by Esteban Bravo and Beth David, the animated promo explores the late icon's battle with AIDS through a moving love story about two white blood cells. "We wanted to tell a story that was relevant to Freddie's life, but not explicitly about him," Bravo and David write in a statement. "The AIDS crisis of the 1980s is a huge part of LGBT+ history, and it's something that we knew needed to be handled with care."
SPOILER ALERT: IT Chapter Two director Andy Muschietti recently talked about the film's LGBTQ themes with TIME.com . The scene involves Adrian ( Xavier Dolan ) and his boyfriend, Don Hagarty ( Taylor Frey ). It didn't make it into the 1990 TV miniseries adaptation of IT—an omission for which its creators received criticism—but Muschietti told TIME that including it in the movie was never a question for him. Original IT author Stephen King has said that what involves Adrian in the book is closely based on the real-life killing of Charlie Howard, a gay man who was murdered by three local teenagers in Bangor, Maine, in 1984.
Bebe Rexha has shone a light on the music industry's sizeism and ageism, but now, the singer-songwriter has discussed its predatory sexual nature and backhanded bullying, according to TooFab.com . In Cosmopolitan UK's October issue, Rexha opened up about working with several unnamed music producers who made her more than just uncomfortable. As for listening to singer Kesha's mother advice not to work with music producer Dr. Luke, Rexha said, "Trusting her was the best thing I ever did."
Nicki Minaj got candid talking about a past abusive relationship, Page Six noted. "When u see a woman in a toxic relationship, rather than laugh & say mean things, try to offer sound advice from your heart & root for her to learn her worth. We've all been there," she tweeted. "I saw my parents fight & argue non stop & never divorce, so I thought this was normal behavior…" Then, she talked about an abusive relationship of her own, recalling, "I rlly [sic] used to think love had to hurt."
Whoopi Goldberg slammed Will & Grace stars Debra Messing and Eric McCormack for wanting a list of the attendees for a Beverly Hills fundraiser for President Trump, TooFab.com noted. For Goldberg, the suggestion seemed eerily reminiscent of the Hollywood blacklist from the 1940s and '50s, which named alleged communists or sympathizers during the Cold War. "Last time people did this, people started killing themselves. This is not a good idea," said Goldberg. "Your idea of who you don't want to work with, is your personal business. Do not encourage people to print out lists, the next list that comes out, your name will be on and people will be coming after you."
Grammy-nominated acts Steve Aoki and the Backstreet Boys teamed for the first time ever to release their new single "Let It Be Me"—and have now released the video, a press release noted. The stories in the video show Micah, whose wife beat brain cancer; Ella, who was disowned by her family for being transgender; Ryan, who was born deaf; and Britany, whose mother rejected her for her sexuality. See the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk-VHOCyrTI&feature=youtu.be&mc_cid=7008d20fc4&mc_eid=0ed48acfa5.
Darren Criss revealed on social media that he will star in and executive- produce Hollywood—Ryan Murphy's new drama that received a straight-to-series order at Netflix, Deadline noted. "Honored to say that I'm heading back to the House of Murphy where I'll be starring in but also executive producing HOLLYWOOD with Time's King of Television," he wrote. Hollywood is Murphy's third show for Netflix, following The Politician and Ratched. Known for his portrayal of Blaine Anderson on Fox's Glee, Criss won Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG and Critics' Choice awards for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in Murphy's award-winning The Assassination of Gianni Versace.
The 11th annual North Louisiana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival ( NLGLFF ), presented by PACE, took place Sept. 5-8 at the Robinson Film Center in downtown Shreveport, ShreveportTimes.com noted. NLGLFF will showcase international, national and locally produced feature and short films, plus a bonus screening of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas—the latter being part of its celebration of Dolly Parton. The festival returned with Q&A sessions and panels with special guest filmmakers, a steampunk reception, musical performances, after-parties, and Dolly-centric activities and contests.
On the day that Harvey Weinstein's postponed trial for rape was supposed to have started in New York City, the embattled producer's team tried to damn Gwyneth Paltrow in the court of public opinion for the actor's role in his downfall, Deadline reported. "Her father was a top producer, her mother a famous actor, her godfather is Steven Spielberg," the disgraced producer's rep offered of Paltrow, who was one of the first Hollywood stars to go public with being harassed or assaulted by Weinstein after the initial NYT expose broke on Oct. 5, 2017, adding, "She didn't need to make movies with Harvey Weinstein; she wanted to, and she won top awards and was the top paid female actor for nearly a decade, with Weinstein." In the past, Paltrow has been very open about her involvement with the producer and the fallout she felt would hit her.
Bobby Brown was booted off a commercial flight from Los Angeles to Boston—although it was unclear what his transgressions were, if any, East Bay Times noted. Witnesses and sources with direct knowledge of the incident told TMZ that the "My Prerogative" singer was not behaving badly before an onboard altercation led to the JetBlue flight being deplaned, then Brown being delayed. Brown admitted that he had been drinking before the flight, but the outlet's follow-up information to its original story reported that Brown "was not disruptive and did not interfere with the flight crew," and that he didn't protest when told he wouldn't be served any more drinks. Brown was sitting in first class when he was involved in some kind of altercation before takeoff, according to the original report.
A Catholic school in Nashville has banned the Harry Potter series because a reverend at the school claims the books include both good and evil magic, as well as spells, which, if read by a human can conjure "evil spirits," according toa CBS News item that cites the Tennessean. The publication obtained an email from Rev. Dan Reehil, a pastor at Saint Edwards Catholic School parish, that was sent to parents. In the email, Reehil explains in the email that he has consulted several exorcists in the United States and Rome, and it was recommended that the school remove the books.
Six-time Grammy-winning singer, actress, television host and former United Nations Global Ambassador Dionne Warwick will release a Christmas album this fall, a press release touted. The album will feature duet performances with acts such as Andra Day, Michael McDonald, The Oak Ridge Boys, Johnny Mathis, Chloe x Halle and others. Dionne Warwick & The Voices of Christmas will be released by BMG on Oct. 18 in both CD and digital formats. Warwick is one of the most-charted female vocalists of all time, with 56 of her singles making the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998.
iHeartMedia will honor Jennifer Lopez with the fourth annual iHeartRadio Premio Corazon Latino Award, a humanitarian honor, at the 2019 iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina taking place Saturday, Nov. 2, at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Billboard.com noted. Lopez has dedicated her time to several humanitarian causes, including the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club, the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, the American Red Cross, DKMS and the United Nations Foundation, among others.
Britney Spears' father, Jamie, is now under investigation for child abuse, JustJared.com reported. Kevin Federline filed a police report against the father of his ex after Jamie allegedly got into a physical altercation with Britney and Kevin's 13-year-old son, Sean Preston.
Iconic model Pat Cleveland made one of her first appearances since her cancer diagnosis, saying she feels like a "phoenix" rising from what she thought would be her ashes, thanks to the outpouring of support she received from the fashion community, Page Six noted. At Essence's inaugural Best in Black Fashion Awards, Cleveland was honored with the Fashion Icon Award, presented to her by model/agency founder Bethann Hardison. The 68-year-old model—a vegan who does not drink nor smoke—was diagnosed with colon cancer after walking in a Tommy Hilfiger show for Paris Fashion Week this past spring.
Exiting Saturday Night Live cast member Leslie Jones broke her silence about the development, Page Six noted. "To the incredible cast members: I will miss working, creating and laughing with you," she posted, in part, on social media. "I will miss holding it down with Kenan everyday, I will miss Cecily's impression of me making me laugh at myself often, I will miss Kate's loving hugs and talks when I needed. And of course Colin, you porcelain-skinned Ken doll. I will miss all my cast mates!!" SNL will kick off season 45 on Sept. 28 with Woody Harrelson as host ( his fourth stint as headliner ); Billie Eilish will be the musical guest.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the band's debut album, Showbiz, Muse announced the release of the deluxe boxed set Origin of Muse, a press release noted. This deluxe set will chronicle the band from its early beginnings in Devon, the act's early demos, first EPs, debut album and breakthrough record Origin of Symmetry. Muse's honors include two Grammy Awards, an American Music Award, five MTV Europe Music Awards, two Brit Awards, 10 NME Awards and seven Q Awards, amongst others.
Creed star Michael B. Jordan says he's "definitely" in for another round as Adonis "Donnie" Johnson Creed—the champion fighter son of Apollo Creed ( Carl Weathers ) mentored by Rocky Balboa ( Sylvester Stallone )—in what could be his first effort behind the camera, ComicBook.com noted. "I promised Michael B. Jordan that he'd get his chance to direct Creed III," longtime Rocky franchise producer Irwin Winkler revealed in his book, A Life in Movies: Stories From 50 Years in Hollywood. Creed II ended with new father Donnie on top after defeating dangerous rival Viktor Drago ( Florian Munteanu ), son of ex-fighter Ivan Drago ( Dolph Lundgren ), who killed Apollo in the ring more than 30 years earlier.
Henry Cavill, Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley, Alexandra Daddario and Stanley Tucci star in the thriller Night Hunter, now in theaters, on Digital and On Demand, a press release noted. The movie will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD on Oct. 15 from Paramount Home Entertainment.
The CW and Warner Bros Television have made a deal to develop Dark Shadows: Reincarnation—an hourlong gothic horror drama based on the 1966 Dan Curtis-created cult classic TV soap opera, Deadline noted. The re-imagined show will be a modern-day continuation of the strange, terrifying, and sexy saga of the Collins family of Collinsport, Maine—a mysterious, influential, publicity-shy group hiding a supernatural secret.
Britney Spears has a new conservator after ex-husband Kevin Federline filed a restraining order against her father, Jamie Spears, Us Weekly noted. Jodi Montgomery, the singer's current care manager, was approved as Britney's temporary conservator by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Sept. 9. Montgomery will have the same powers that were previously granted to Jamie until Jan. 20, 2020.
Model, photographer, muse and jewelry designer Marina Schiano has died at 71, Vogue.com noted. In 1968 she appeared in an extravagant 28-page feature in the publication, photographed in Mexico by Henry Clarke. She later became an executive vice president of Yves Saint Laurent, a public relations executive for Calvin Klein and creative style director at Vanity Fair.
Priyanka Chopra has her own fashion muse—in Anok Yai, the Egyptian-born U.S. model of South Sudanese descent who has appeared in campaigns for Tom Ford, YSL, Prada and Alexander Wang, Page Six noted. Yai, 21, was discovered in 2017, when she was pictured on Instagram at Howard University's homecoming, attracting interest from a host of modeling agencies. Yai is signed to Next Models, and has become the face of Tom Ford, YSL, Versace, Prada, Fendi, Estee Lauder and Max Mara.
Pitch Perfect co-stars Anna Camp and Skylar Astin finalized their divorce after being married two years, Extra noted. The pair waived rights to spousal support and will split the rights to their L.A. home.
Supergirl couple Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood have tied the knot, Page Six noted. The couple first met while working on Supergirl in 2016 and reportedly started dating in 2017. Benoist was previously married to her Glee co-star Blake Jenner; they split in 2016 and their divorce was finalized in 2017.
