Lesbian "Same Love" singer Mary Lambert has revealed that she was gang-raped as a teen, according to Page Six. In addition to suffering abuse in her home, Lambert said she was gang-raped at 16 after sneaking into an Army barracks. "You kind of go into survival mode and are like, 'OK, how do I navigate this situation?'" she said to Cosmopolitan. Now 28, Lambert also went untreated for bipolar disorder in her teens: "I would have the best day ever and then I'd come home and would want to die."
Jussie Smollett's favorite ensemble is his birthday suit, Page Six noted. "I'm a T-shirt-and-jeans type. I wouldn't even wear clothes if I didn't have to. But I do like to put on a suit and feel like Sidney Poitier or Cary Grant every once in a while," the Empire star told Essence for its June men's issue. Smollett also opened up about his role in the Ridley Scott film Alien: Covenant: "Our planet is failing, so the crew finds what they believe to be an uncharted paradise. Well, it's not." As for Alien: Covenant, it debuted with a haul of $36.1 million at the weekend box office—well short of expectations, Deadline noted.
As Chelsea Manning was released from prison following seven years of incarceration, a group of prominent musicians launched an online benefit compilation to show support and raise funds to help cover Manning's basic living expenses, a press release noted. The digital album is entitled Hugs for Chelsea, and is available at Website Link Here . The compilation—which trans singer/songwriter Evan Greer organized—features artists such as Graham Nash, Talib Kweli, Against Me!, Amanda Palmer, Kimya Dawson and others. A short video from Michael Stipe in support of the project is at Website Link Here .
In a recent interview with The Sun, singer Harry Styles said that he hasn't "felt the need" to label his sexuality, Bustle.com reported. The Sun reporter Dan Wootton brought up the more frank discussion of sexuality in pop music that seems to be happening lately, and asked Styles if the singer has labeled his own sexuality. Styles replied, "No, I've never felt the need to really. No."
Tegan and Sara will kick off a series of headline dates June 7, with a show at The NorVa in Norfolk, Virginia, a press release noted. The band is touring in support of its eighth studio album, Love You to Death. The band will also be playing festivals from coast to coast this summer, beginning with Boston Calling on May 27, San Francisco's Colossal Clusterfest on June 4, Bonnaroo on June 10 and Lollapalooza on Aug. 4.
The bios for the contestants of the upcoming 13th season of The Bachelorette were released—and one of the guys has already made a transphobic remark, NewNowNext.com reported. When asked what his biggest date fear is, 30-year-old firefighter Bryce replied, "The chick is actually a dude." Actor, writer and producer Jen Richards said, "Dear Bryce, on behalf of trans women I can assure you—none of us want to date your bland preppy 1980's teen movie villain rhombus ass."
Zac Efron is set to assume the role of serial killer Ted Bundy in the film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, USA Today noted. Bundy was executed in 1989 after being convicted of killing a 12-year-old and two Florida State University sorority sisters, although he confessed to ending the lives of dozens of women. The movie, written by Michael Werwie, will be told from the point of view of Bundy's former girlfriend.
One day after allegations of sexual assault, anti-Semitism and intimidation were levied against PWR BTTM band member Ben Hopkins, the queer indie duo was dropped by their management company, according to NewNowNext.com. They've also been dropped by their record label, Polyvinyl Records. In addition, multiple opening acts announced they'd no longer tour with the band, and major streaming music platforms have removed PWR BTTM tracks. Recently, the band issued a lengthy release with statements from both Bruce and Hopkins, who claims "the statements made about me by the anonymous source did not line up with any sexual experience I have ever had."
The Cannes Film Festival started with a bang, after a press screening of Netflix's Okja—a 2017 South Korean-American action-adventure film that stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano and Tilda Swinton—was interrupted by loud booing, Page Six noted. Some attendees were infuriated by Netflix's refusal to abide by the new festival rule that all movies should be shown in French cinemas. Christophe Tardieu, director of French film authority the CNC, which underwrites the Cannes festival, told the New York Times that Netflix is "the perfect representation of American cultural imperialism. ... I deplore Netflix's attitude in this affair, which showed total intransigence and refusing to understand and accept how the French cultural exception works."
Actor Alan Cumming revealed he likes to Google naked pictures of any co-stars he's scripted to share sex scenes with, according to Page Six. Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, he explained: "I Google naked pictures of people before I meet them. If I am going to do sex scenes with them, I need a little heads-up. If it is out there, you might as well take a look!"
Cynthia Germanotta—president of Born This Way Foundation which she cofounded with her daughter Lady Gaga—will be honored with the Champion Award presented by the University of Miami Health System during World OutGames Miami's opening ceremonies on Saturday, May 27, according to a press release. The opening ceremonies will kick-off the 10-day event that's making its U.S. debut with athletes, participants, thought leaders and spectators from as many as 59 countries May 26 through June 4. Born This Way Foundation, led by Lady Gaga and Cynthia Germanotta, was created in 2012 to help create a kinder and braver world by supporting youth wellness and empowerment.
A dancing teen named Russell Horning ( who has more than 500,000 followers on Instagram ) is the internet's new favorite Katy Perry dancer after he appeared on Saturday Night Live this past weekend, USA Today noted. Horning, who he goes by "Russell Got Barzz" on Instagram, is a teen from Lawrenceville, Georgia, with limber limbs and an appetite for dance. The 15-year-old took center stage for Katy Perry's SNL performance of "Swish Swish" among a group of voguers that included Jose Gutierez Xtravaganza, who vogued on Madonna's "Blonde Ambition" tour 25 years ago.
A number of people were dead after an apparent explosion at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, according to Page Six. The casualties took place immediately after the singer's performance May 22 in the Manchester Arena, where local police said there were "a number of fatalities and others injured." A concertgoer told The Guardian, "Ariane Grande had just gone behind the curtain and the lights came up when there was this massive bang and a big cloud of smoke." Grande was reportedly okay.
Mary J. Blige has announced her "Strength of a Woman" North American tour, a press release noted. Featuring special guest Lalah Hathaway, the tour will kick off Sunday, July 30, at the Chicago Theater. The musical trek will feature stops in major cities throughout the United States, including New York's MSG Theater and LA's Greek Theater. See MaryJBlige.com.
On the fifth anniversary of the Desperate Housewives series finale, Felicity Huffman tweeted that she'd like ABC to revive the suburban soap, which ran from 2004 to 2012, NewNowNext.com noted. Huffman, who won an Emmy for playing Lynette Scavo, stars on the anthology series American Crime, which is also on ABC. Teri Hatcher has a recurring role on The CW's Supergirl, while Marcia Cross, a.k.a. anal homemaker Bree Van De Kamp, plays the president on Quantico. Co-star Eva Longoria said she'd do a Housewives reboot in a heartbeat.
NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists announced that longtime E! News reporter Marc Malkin is the recipient of the 2017 Lisa Ben Award for Achievement in Features Coverage. Malkin will accept the award at NLGJA's annual L.A. Exclusive benefit event in Los Angeles on June 20.
Dennis Quaid will play President George W. Bush in the upcoming FX drama Katrina: American Crime Story, according to Page Six. The second installment of Ryan Murphy's new anthology series will focus on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Bush was president during the disaster and was widely criticized for the government's response. Quaid joins previously announced cast members Annette Bening, Matthew Broderick and Sarah Paulson.
King Kong will take the New York stage next year, hitting the Shubert Organizations's Broadway Theatre in fall 2018, Deadline noted. Producers Global Creatures and Roy Furman said that casting, opening date and ticketing details will be set in the coming months. King Kong will arrive at the Shubert following the limited engagement of Miss Saigon, which will begin its North American tour in September 2018.
James Corden will return to host the 2018 Grammys, The Hollywood Reporter noted. The Late Late Show host emceed the music awards show for the first time earlier this year. The Grammys will return to New York City for the first time since 2003 next year, with the ceremony set to take place at Madison Square Garden. The show, its 60th edition, will air Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, on CBS.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced that Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the 90th Oscars ceremony on March 4, 2018, on ABC, according to CNNMoney. Producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd will also return next year. The late-night host presided over the ceremony in February that ended with La La Land mistakenly being named best picture instead of the actual winning film, Moonlight.
Tom Hardy is set to join Sony's rebooted Marvel universe in the Spider-Man spin-off Venom, The Guardian noted. The long-gestating project is focused on one of the webslinger's most notorious antagonists, previously brought to life in Spider-Man 3 by Topher Grace. Venom will be part of a new Spider-Man universe that was briefly teased in Captain America: Civil War, which introduced Tom Holland as the latest iteration of Peter Parker; his solo film Spider-Man: Homecoming is released later this summer.
A private jet once owned by Elvis Presley is set to be auctioned after sitting on a runway in New Mexico for 30 years, Page Six noted. Presley designed the interior that has red velvet seats and red shag carpet. However, the red 1962 Lockheed Jetstar has no engines and needs a restoration of its cockpit. GWS Auctions Inc. has said the plane will be auctioned May 27 at an event featuring celebrity memorabilia.
