Photo: Instagram
It’s finally Friday, ladies. Before I get to the gossip today, I want to acknowledge the victims of the Manchester bombing and their families. Although it can be therapeutic to escape reality with celebrity news and entertainment, I can’t go ahead with this week’s round-up before addressing this tragedy. My thoughts remain with those closely affected and I wish them strength moving forward.
Our hearts are with #Manchester today and we are reminded of how fragile and precious this life is. #ManchesterBombing💔
— AfterEllen.com (@afterellen) May 23, 2017
On a lighter note, this week Ruby Rose got into a feud with Katy Perry, Ilene Chaiken teased an L Word reunion, and Ellen DeGeneres is heading back to stand-up. Lez get to it!
Gif: Buzzfeed
Ruby Rose Goes After Katy Perry… Then Backtracks
Photo: Ruby Rose/Instagram
If you know anything about Ruby, you know she’s a big fan of Taylor Swift. Their unexpected friendship blossomed a few years ago, and the lesbian icon even attended Swift’s annual 4th of July party with her now ex-girlfriend Haley Gusman. Not only did Rose defend Taylor against Kim Kardashian and Kanye West last summer, but she also stuck up for the singer just this past week.
If you’ve made it through that confusing celebrity drama babble, here’s exactly what went down. Katy recently took to the press to explain her longstanding feud with Taylor. Apparently the whole fight erupted over back-up dancers because back-up dancers are the most important thing on earth. Without your back-up dancers, you are NOTHING. Following Perry’s comments, Ruby went HAM on the singer in a series of tweets:
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/865422401244352513
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/865430407839219712
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/865470258299060224
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/865467271199694849
Well, the model turned actress didn’t follow her “heart” for long. A few days later, the star recanted her “mean” comments:
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/866011664117673984
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/866011959996465152
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/866012280248426496
https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/866012959985680384
Let’s all collectively hope that this marks the end of the Swift/Perry feud (plus the random interjections). I truly feel like it has gone on for my entire life.
Ilene Chaiken Teases An L Word Reunion!
Photo: Showtime
Don’t you just love vague tweeting? On May 20, Chaiken tweeted the L Word‘s cast with the words “So excited! Can’t wait…!” Obviously, the news set fans into a frenzy… and even Kate Moennig chimed in with more details.
@TheLWord @jenniferbeals @katemoennig @Leisha_Hailey @onlysarahshahi @Erincdu @LaurelLHolloman @danielasea So excited! Can't wait…!
— Ilene Chaiken (@ilenechaiken) May 20, 2017
At this time, it sounds like whatever is going on is more of a reunion than it is a reboot. Considering some reboots end up really crappy, this might be a good thing.
Can't wait to be with my gals again!!
— kate moennig (@katemoennig) May 20, 2017
As far as I know, it's not a reboot.
— kate moennig (@katemoennig) May 20, 2017
For reunion inquiries, direct that to @showtime 😉
Me toooooooooo!!! It's been WAAAAYYYYY TOOOOOOO LOOOOONNNG!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/09Prh4vLli
— Sarah Shahi (@sarahshahi) May 20, 2017
So exciting! Hopefully the project comes to fruition before the end of 2017. I think we all need something to look forward to.
Anna Paquin To Star In New Margaret Atwood Adaptation
Photo: Netflix
Dear Margaret: thanks again for making an excellent casting choice!
Back in August, Netflix announced a new Atwood adaptation of Alias Grace, a true life story of a an Irish servant who murdered her employers. Although Netflix clued us in on this project almost a year ago, the show JUST got its first look this past week. In the still (above) Anna can be seen sporting a bad ass bonnet in what appears to be church or court. In case you missed it, the bisexual actress will be portraying Nancy Montgomery, one of the victims.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUPP995lTbg/?taken-by=_annapaquin
Can’t wait for this one to come out!
GLAAD Reveals Hollywood Is Still Failing With LGBTQ Representation
Thanks for nothing, Hollywood.
On Thursday, GLAAD released its fifth annual report card on LGBTQ representation in film. Using the Vito Russo Test, GLAAD analyzed the 2016 output of seven major studios (Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Walt Disney Studios) and gave them grades. Unfortunately, not one studio received a “good” or “excellent” grade this past year. Additionally, only 23 of the 125 movies released in 2016 (18.4 precent) included lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer characters. The sobering statistic is just a one point increase from 17.5 percent in 2015.
The only upside to all of this? Television is getting better and better with LBGTQ representation. I can come up with a long list of LGBTQ characters on TV I enjoy and follow. Some queer-baiting incidents aside, TV is hitting the mark way more than the film industry is these days. Even GLAAD’s president, Sarah Kate Ellis, agrees with this sentiment:
“With many of the most popular TV shows proudly including LGBTQ characters and stories, the time has come for the film industry to step up and show the full diversity of the world that movie audiences are living in today instead and end the outdated humor seen in many films. Films like Moonlight prove there is a huge opportunity to not only tell LGBTQ stories worthy of Oscar gold, but to open the hearts and minds of audiences here and around the world in places where these stories can be a lifeline to the people who need it most.”
Well-said. You can immerse yourself in the full findings HERE.
Cara Delevingne Stars In Final Valerian TrailerOk, this is the final Valerian trailer before it comes out on July 21… for real this time. After months of premieres and trailer teases, Cara’s sci-fi action flick released its last look. Check it out below!
Bella Thorne Is Reportedly Dating Scott Disick
Photo: Instagram
I really have no words for this. This past week, the bisexual actress jetted off to Cannes with the father of Kourtney Kardashian’s three children. Although I have no qualms with people dating out of their age bracket (she’s 19 and he’s 33), the photos of the pair lounging poolside looks odd. Something is just off about this, you know? Maybe this is all a publicity stunt.
As for how the two first met, a source close to the situation revealed:
“They run in the same circles and have met before.”Interesting.
Real time update: as I was writing this post, I saw Bella tweet something about being over Cannes. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that Scott just ditched the star for his ex Chloe Bartoli. This is all happening as I write, people. I feel like I’m in the midst of a really bizarre novella.
Yo this #cannes fancy life isn't for me
— BITCHIMBELLATHORNE (@bellathorne) May 25, 2017
Love that you threw the #Cannes hashtag in there, Bella.
ICYMI: Halsey Performs At The Billboard Music Awards
Gif: Giphy
Remember when I told you Halsey was set to perform at the BMAs this past Sunday? If you missed the show, you can check out the full performance here. For the star-studded event, the bisexual singer belted out her new single Now or Never in a rose adorned cape.
To make matters even better, the star took home three major awards:
Top Dance Song 2017 • Closer Winner Top Hot 100 Song 2017 • Closer Winner Top Collaboration 2017 • Closer Winner
Congrats, Halsey!
Jack Antonoff Is Working With St. Vincent On Her New Album
You either know Jack as the guy from Bleachers or as Lena Dunham’s longtime boyfriend. Either way, the musician is working with St. Vincent on her next album. A New York Times profile revealed Antonoff is “working on new music by the cult singer and guitarist St. Vincent”. The queer singer’s last album, Digital Witness, came out in 2014. It totally makes sense that the musician is ready to work on her next endeavor and I look forward to this collaboration. I’ll keep you posted as this develops!
Lea DeLaria Named Grand Marshall Of Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade
Photo: Instagram
Good news, Chicago friends! Lea is set to be the grand marshall of the city’s 48th annual pride parade on June 25. Better yet, the lesbian actress will perform a concert the following day at the Ravinia Festival’s Martin Theatre after leading the parade. In case ya didn’t know, the OITNB star is a cabaret artist and jazz singer with six albums to her credit. The cherry on top: DeLaria will be riding through the streets of Chi-Town in a convertible.
P.S. Happy belated birthday, Lea! (May 23)
Ellen DeGeneres Scores New Netflix Stand-Up Special
Gif: Imgix
What can’t Ellen obtain at this point?
On May 24, the lesbian comic casually announced she signed up for a stand-up special on Netflix. The news is particularly exciting since DeGeneres hasn’t done much stand-up ever since she became a bonafide morning talk show host with Ellen. Anyways, it’s always refreshing when a star goes back to her true roots!
Looks like it's been 15 years since you did a stand-up special, @TheEllenShow. How about one for Netflix?
— Netflix (@netflix) May 24, 2017
Let me think about it. Ok I'm in. https://t.co/kUAdHyXAjS
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 24, 2017
Following the big announcement, the TV star confirmed the news to Variety:
“It has been 15 years since I did a stand-up special. 15 years. And I’m writing it now, I can’t wait. I’ll keep you posted when and where I’m gonna shoot my Netflix special. I’m excited to do it; I’m excited for you to see it.”Wow — this is like the holy grail for diehard Ellen fans. Crack one open in celebration, DeGeneres disciples!
EXCLUSIVE! UHH’s Camila Grey Lends Her Vocals To Haides’ Debut EP
Fabulous news! AfterEllen is proud to gift its readers, and especially Camila’s most loyal fans, with an EXCLUSIVE listen to her vocals on a track from Haides debut EP titled “Faith”. The EP is being released TODAY. Enjoy!!!
P.S. Congrats to newlyweds Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor. The WBNA stars got married last week but I missed the news. I wish the two the best!
We’ve reached the end, lady lovin’ readers. Have a great holiday weekend!
Gif: Towleroad
