"Summer Rain," the debut single from Glee star Matthew Morrison, has debuted on iTunes and is slated to premiere on radio March 14, according to a press release. Morrison wrote the song with Claude Kelly (who has worked with Bruno Mars, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, to name a a few) and the Norwegian duo Espionage, who produced the track in New York City. Morrison—who plays Mr. Schuester on the Fox show—has been nominated for Tony, Golden Globe and Emmy awards.
Scarlett Johansson received the Ally for Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign at the 2011 HRC Los Angeles Gala March 12 in Los Angeles, in case Former Congressman Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., received the HRC National Leadership Award, while Rabbi Denise Eger and Rev. Canon Susan Russell received the HRC Community Equality Award. "Scarlett Johansson has been a tremendous friend to the LGBT community and has for many years used her celebrity and talents to advocate for our rights," said HRC Los Angeles Gala Co-Chair Andrew Arnold. "We appreciate and honor her support as an ally with this award."
There's more drama with the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark. According to the New York Times, the show's producers have delayed its scheduled March 15 opening for about three months. (Among the changes is director Julie Taymor being relieved of her day-to-day duties.) If the new opening date is around the time of the Tony Awards (June 12), that could be controversial with Broadway producers who feel that Spider-Man has taken attention away from their shows.
Speaking of Broadway, Green Day's adaptation of their album American Idiot will close in April, according to Digital Spy. A drop in ticket sales followed Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong's announcement to leave the cast Feb. 27; he plans to reprise his role of St. Jimmy from April 5-24, the show's last days.
Lady Gaga has ended a short-lived partnership with Target, according to the Huffington Post. Gaga halted her deal for an exclusive special edition of her upcoming album, allegedly over the company's continued political activity with anti-gay political organizations. A source told The Advocate, "She and Target didn't see eye to eye on Target's policy of political donations and how they affect the LGBT community." The "Born This Way" singer first struck the deal with the corporate giant in February.
Singer Natasha Bedingfield is saying she's ready for anything regarding the lesbian event The Dinah when it takes place at the end of March—including oil-wrestling out country singer Chely Wright, according to an Advocate.com article. Bedingfield said, "I'm pretty strong and I love wrestling. I grew up in England and am from New Zealand and we tend to be much more physical." She added that she would also engage in aerial acrobatics with scheduled performer Dreya Weber, who choreographed Pink's show.
Lesbians are not liking Justin Bieber's new haircut. That seems to be the conclusion of Danielle Owens-Reid, who founded the website Lesbians Who Look Like Justin Bieber, according to Advocate.com . Owens-Reid told AOL News, "I'm still getting the same amount of pictures of girls with the swoopy Justin Bieber hair, not the new style. It's like everyone wants to ignore the new cut, just like everyone wants to ignore the fact that he's dating Selena Gomez. It's one of those 'say it ain't so' moments." She is considering an Internet petition to get Bieber to grows his bangs back.
R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe said in a recent interview that he is 80 percent gay, according to Advocate.com . Stipe, 51, said, "On a sliding scale of sexuality I'd place myself around 80-20, but I definitely prefer men to women. He has been with his partner, art photographer Thomas Dozol, for 12 years.
Kelly Osbourne has said that she wants to have a baby with her gay best friend, according to Advocate.com . She made the statement shortly after a very public break-up with fiance Luke Worrall, a model who reportedly cheated on her with men and women, including transgender model Elle Schneider. Osbourne, 26, said, "I'm fed up with straight men; I'd love a baby with my gay best friend Nate. We'd be the perfect parents and my mum would love it!"
NFL player Brendon Ayanbadejo is featured in an Equality Maryland video encouraging the state's residents to join him "in the land of the brave for standing on the side of love," according to the Baltimore Sun. Ayanbadejo, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens who once played with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, is a longtime proponent of marriage equality, and even wrote an editorial on the subject for the Huffington Post in 2009.
Julianne Moore will portray former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the HBO adaptation of Mark Halperin's book, Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime, according to MediaBistro.com . Many believed 30 Rock star Tina Fey was the front runner for the role, but The Kids Are All Right actress prevailed, thanks to her strong drama background.
Britney Spears is on the cover of the newest issue of OUT magazine, which is devoted to "Ladies We Love," according to TheCelebrityCafe.com . For the photo spread, she wore a leotard that exposed the two tattoos on her inner thighs. The "Hold It Against Me" singer expressed her admiration for Lady Gaga; promoted her new album, Femme Fatale; and confirmed that she "only has eyes for men."
In Washington, D.C., singer/actress Jennifer Hudson stunned the lunch crowd at Buddha Bar when she started singing her Weight Watchers theme song, "Feeling Good," according to the New York Post. Wearing skinny jeans, black pumps and a black blazer, Hudson—who recently lost 80 pounds—grabbed the microphone after doing a radio interview. "The room didn't really know what to do," a source said. "But finally everyone stood up and applauded."
Lilith Fair is no more. According to Advocate.com, founder Sarah McLachlan has announced that the all-female music female is over because of a lack of revenue. McLachlan told a Canadian newspaper, "It's done, and that's okay. It's actually a good thing." Over the years, the festival featured musicians such as Deborah Cox, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill and Sheryl Crow.
Superstar singer Cyndi Lauper recently cheered up stranded travelers in Argentina by serenading them, according to ABC News. To help out people stuck at Buenos Aires' Jorge Newbery Airport, she grabbed a public-address microphone and belted out her 1983 hit "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" as travelers and staffers sang with her. Lauper was traveling from Argentina to Chile when some flights were delayed because of an extended holiday weekend.
The Parents' Television Council has criticized a recent episode of the show Glee in which Gwyneth Paltrow's character, Holly Holliday, provided sex education to some of the other characters, Digital Spy reported. the council's public-policy director, Dan Isett, complained about the scene in which Lauren and Puck considered making a sex tape, and about Holliday's performance of "Do You Wanna Touch Me?" He also criticized the portrayal of the school's celibacy club, saying that it looked "like the nerds' convention, essentially."
WARNING—Plot spoiler: Alexander Skarsgård has confirmed that his character, Eric, will lose his memory in the fourth season of True Blood, according to Digital Spy. He added that the development will make Eric vulnerable: "A witch casts a spell and he doesn't know who he is." The show's fourth season will premiere June 12 on HBO.
Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo has said that he never intended to give the song "Irreplaceable" to Beyonce, according to Digital Spy. Ne-Yo, 31, said that he wrote the song for himself but that he understands the track was a better fit for her. He added, "[T]hat song actually taught me a very interesting lesson: Men and women don't actually think that much differently on the grand scheme of things." "Irreplaceable" was number one on the Billboard singles chart from December 2006 to February 2007.
Lindsay Lohan has until March 25 to accept a plea deal that would send her to jail, the New York Post reported. Lohan, who rejected the agreement March 10, was on probation in January when a Venice, Calif., jewelry store accused her of stealing a $2,500 necklace. Her return to court came days after Entertainment Tonight aired video footage of the actress wearing the necklace and talking with a store clerk.
Rapper Kanye West was excluded from several runway shows during Paris Fashion Week after he showed up uninvited, the New York Post reported. Although he attended shows for Vivienne Westwood, Givenchy and Valentino, he was not invited to Alexander McQuen and Louis Vuitton events. Organizers are reportedly tired of celebrities turning up uninvited and expecting VIP treatment.
Former American Idol and current X Factor judge Simon Cowell as launched a scathing counterattack on Sir Elton John, according to the New York Post. John recently said that reality shows have "killed talent" in England and asked if "any X Factor people [can] cut the mustard." Cowell, who is about to launch X Factor in the United States, responded, "I always want to say to them, 'I tell you what: You just made a million dollars off your last private gig. Go and give it to a bunch of young musicians you care about, put them in the studio. Go and nurture them. Go and spend some time looking after them.' Then I'll buy your argument. They're only worried about themselves."
Rihanna upset gay fans in Australia when she failed to show for a concert, according to the Times of India. Organizers of the Sydney Mardi Gras hoped that the "Umbrella" singer would make a last-minute decision to be the headliner at the annual party, which she agreed to attend as a guest during the week. However, she stayed hidden in the artists' area while DJ Calvin Harris spun tunes for the crowd.
Out singing legend George Michael will be releasing a new album with uptempo music, according to NZCity. Michael, 47, believes the openness of his new songs is similar to those featured on his 1987 classic album Faith. He added, "I think there's a lot more joy to put in the writing this time around. Since I've been out as a gay man, house music has been more of an influence in my life. So ultimately as a gay man, you don't really stop listening to club music as early as straight people do and I wanted the album to reflect that."
Singer Gwen Stefani told Elle magazine that she is proud of husband Gavin Rossdale and that she is sticking with him despite his revelations that he has a love child and that he had an affair with another man in the '80s, according to MonstersAndCritics.com . Stefani, 41, said, "I've been with Gavin for 14 years, and, let's face it, that's a huge accomplishment. I feel so proud of that; it hasn't been the easiest journey."
Domestic maven Martha Stewart has become a grandmother, according to Popeater.com . Stewart's daughter, Alexis, had a daughter via a gestational surrogate. However, Alexis stated that Martha does not want to called "Grandma:" "Martha is going to be called 'Martha.'" She added that Martha initially brought "this huge box from Bergdorf [Goodman] ... full of baby clothes, all with embroidery" when the baby was born.
Actor/martial-arts figure Chuck Norris has written a piece on public schools in which, among other things, he shows his dislike for homosexuality, according to the Boston Herald. In a piece for the World Net Daily, Norris cited Dr. Jim Nelson Black's book, Free Fall of the American University: "In it, he documents the clear biases pervading our public academic settings. Among that lopsidedness is the intentional training of students to disdain America, freely experiment sexually, forcefully defend issues like abortion and homosexuality, as well as become cultural advocates for political correctness, relativism, globalization, green agendas and tolerance for all."
Fashion designer John Galliano has been fired from Dior and arrested for anti-Semitic remarks he made in a videotape that recently surfaced, but Philipe Virgitti—one of the accusers—does not think that Galliano is racist or that he hates Jews, according to Racked.com . Virgitti—who, with girlfriend Geraldine Bloch, accused Galliano of using racist slurs—said of the insults, "I'm not convinced now that he really meant them. I don't think he is racist or anti-Semitic. I just think he's very ill. ... I would like Mr. Galliano to benefit from this unhappy story by drinking a little less and getting back to making the dresses and shows that he did so well."
It looks like Victoria Beckham will finally have a girl. According to JustJared.com, husband David Beckham, 34, confirmed the news at a luncheon for his soccer team, the L.A. Galaxy. The girl will join the Beckhams' other children: Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.
Following the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan March 11, the cast and crew of the movie The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—including Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart—were evacuated from their filming site at British Columbia's Vancouver Island beach, according to Popeater.com . The location includes an open waterfront that was considered a potential target of the tsunami.
Speaking of the Japanese disasters, Lady Gaga has designed a red-and-white wristband for fans to purchase in her official online store, according to Popeater.com . Proceeds will benefit victims of the natural disasters—and people can add more to the bracelet's $5 price if they wish. The bracelet has "We Pray For Japan" on it, along with a red hand in Gaga's monster-claw position. She raised more than $250,000 in two days.
Arthur Laurents is now saying that the Gypsy film that was supposed to star Barbra Streisand is not happening, according to Broadway World. Streisand had confirmed in February that she would star in the movie, but Laurents—who directed Streisand in her first Broadway show, I Can Get It For You Wholesale—said that lyricist Stephen Sondheim convinced him not to go ahead with the film. "[Sondheim] said, 'You want a record because the theater is ephemeral. But that's wrong. The theater's greatest essence is that it is ephemeral. You don't need a record,'" Laurents said.
The 2011 White Party—promoted as "the largest gay dance music festival in North America"—will take place April 8-11 in Palm Springs, Calif. Among the entertainers slated to attend/perform are Charo, Robyn, Wynter Gordon, Alexis Jordan, He Met Her and performers from the Cirque du Soleil show Zumanity. Chi Chi LaRue, Joe Gauthreaux and Freemasons are among the DJs expected to perform. See www.jeffreysanker.com .
"Logo Docs"—Logo's documentary series that showcases the lives of today's innovators and underdogs—returns for a new season March 26 with the premiere of "Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens." Viewers will take a behind-the-scenes look of her life, her art and her relationship with Susan Sontag. There will be interviews and footage of her work with celebrity subjects such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Whoopi Goldberg, Mick Jagger, George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
Richard Hatch—the first winner of TV's Survivor and a current contestant on Celebrity Apprentice—has presented himself to U.S. marshals in Rhode Island to begin a nine-month prison sentence for failing to pay taxes on the $1 million he won on the first season of the TV show Survivor, according to TBO.com . The openly gay Hatch has appealed the sentence, saying that he is helping his sister with her businesses and has several projects he needs to get in order.
Tyra Banks has traded the catwalk for the classroom. According to People.com, the supermodel-turned-mogul has been attending Harvard Business School since last year. Banks, 37, told CBS News, "In order for my company to grow and be the best, and to reach these women, and to serve them, I needed the best. So I went to the best." Two years ago, Forbes listed the America's Next Top Model host as the highest-paid woman in prime time, with a yearly income of $30 million.
David Burtka—the partner of How I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris—has been cast in Foursome, a sex-themed chat show that E! is developing, according to TV Guide. Burtka said that he will talk about his own personal life, although most of the details will be about relationships before Harris. Burtka said, "I have quite a past. I have lots of stories to [discuss].
Openly gay actor George Takei (Star Trek) is among those in Allegiance, a musical about the forced internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The musical will run at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Calif. Takei and his family were among the many Japanese-Americans who were interned after war broke out in 1941.
