Thursday, May 26, 2016

Donald Trump Fumbles Transgender Bathroom Question On “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

"Honestly, I don't know."
From: NewNowNext
In an unintentionally hilarious segment on last night’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, host Jimmy Kimmel confronted guest Donald Trump about a statement he’d made earlier in support of trans individuals having the right to use whatever restrooms they wanted.

Kimmel fished for confirmation that Trump made the statement—effectively going against his own party’s position on the matter—to no avail. Trump evaded the question clumsily, only offering up a “let the state’s decide” refrain.

“What I support is let the states decide and I think the states will do, hopefully, the right thing,” Trump answered when Kimmel insisted he take a personal stance.

“And what’s the right thing?” Kimmel asked in response. “I don’t know yet. I mean, I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know,” Trump concluded.

Cue riotous laughter from the studio audience.

Did A Famous Closeted Actor Really Just Hate On His Fans On Reddit?

"They think that I can get them work. No I can't. That pisses me off more than anything."
From: NewNowNext
  A supposedly well-known actor took to reddit to vent frustrations with his fans and the reality of being gay in Hollywood.

The confession, titled “[No Remorse] I dislike my fans,” begins with the actor establishing his creds, claiming “a few of my movies are among the top-grossing in history… I started out as a child actor and fortunately have worked ever since”

But he’s not exactly grateful for his career claiming he hates his fans because they hound him.

“What really irks me is how fans call me by this character’s name and start touching me and asking for pictures like I am one of those guys dressed like a Transformer on Hollywood/Vine,” he writes. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always chat and take a picture with a fan if they are cool or for a young fan, but most people are assholes.”

In addition to having to put up a heterosexual facade, the writer says he loathes being hit up for money all the time.

“I hate the way they ask me for money and think I have money. I see these sites where fans say I am worth like $20 million. BITCH PLEASE. I am worth like $4 million.”

Must be tough.

Here’s the post in full:

I hate my fans. Appreciate them but hate them. I hate them because they hound and harass me. I am not an attention whore. I don’t tip off the paps, party, etc. I usually enjoy being by myself. I can’t even be open about being gay.
What really irks me is how fans call me by this character’s name and start touching me and asking for pictures like I am one of those guys dressed like a Transformer on Hollywood/Vine. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always chat and take a picture with a fan if they are cool or for a young fan, but most people are assholes.
I hate the way they ask me for money and think I have money. I see these sites where fans will say I am worth like $20 million. BITCH PLEASE. I am worth more like $4 million. And I don’t even live a lavish style. Far from it. I may get four movie offers ranging from $1 – 4 million. I probably take a quarter of that at the end. Most often I turn down the higher-paying movies because they will do the most damage to your career. Sometimes I won’t get any offers.
I have tons of expenses: I have to pay lawyers, accountants, family, etc. Don’t even get me started on taxes. Also, if I ever become disabled or can’t work anymore, then I am fucked.
They think that I can get them work. No I can’t. That pisses me off more than anything.
My life is not that glam. Most famous people are not that interesting. They’re uneducated. They’re ignorant. They’re paranoid. They’re full of themselves.

The discussion continued in the comments, where the writer says that, despite being in a very successful franchise, he actually lost money on it and it hurt his career.
Though he’s done some work in television, nothing has really helped his allegedly stalled career.

“I don’t have friends. Many Hollywood people just want to party and many non-Hollywood people expect that your friendship will enrich them in some way,” he complains. “Can’t tell you how many times non-Hollywood ’friends’ have hit me up for money, work or contacts… I can’t even say that I am a gay guy because it will hurt my career.”


Users on ATRL have speculated it could be Taylor Lautner, Elijah Wood, or just a troll looking for attention. Assuming it’s real, who do you think it is? And are they justified in being pissed off at fans?

Country Star Brad Paisley Sings Confusing Song About Transgender Bathroom Issue

"In North Carolina they are checking for vaginas, if you want to use the can," crooned the "Whiskey Lullaby" singer.
From: NewNowNext
 Plenty of artists have stepped up to address North Carolina’s transphobic HB2, but Brad Paisley’s response has us scratching our heads.

Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, the country star revealed he had a song that addressed the issue of so-called “bathroom bills,” and pulled out his guitar to perform “Sit By Your Man,” a parody song to the tune of Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man.”


 “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman, especially when you are born a man,” Paisley crooned. “In North Carolina they are checking for vaginas, if you want to use the can.”

While Paisley seems to be on the right side of the issue—asking “Why is this such a big deal”—lyrics like “Hike up your dress and take a stand. And sit by your man,” make it sound like he’s telling trans women to use the men’s room.


Huffington Post tapped Paisley’s publicist for some clarification.

“Brad is all about finding that Mark Twain humorous angle where people are laughing before they realize he’s making a really good point,” the rep said.

Listen to the song below, and decide if Paisley was channeling Twain.

Chinese Drag Queen Sets Internet On Fire With Risque Grocery Trip

Clean up, aisle six!
From: NewNowNext
 There’s no RuPaul’s Drag Race: China (yet), but the People’s Republic has a legacy of gender-swapping performance that stretches back centuries. This week, photos of “Sister Tomato” at a supermarket in Shenzhen went viral across the Internet.


 Sister Tomato—a.k.a. Shenzhen Superstar Tomato—is a pole dancer who performs in clubs across China. She told BuzzFeed she wears what she wants and doesn’t care if people stare or take pictures.

“I feel good to be dressed like that,” she says. “Sometimes when I hear music I like in malls, I’ll start dancing and people will stare at me and take photos. It’s just fun for everybody, then I’ll say goodbye [and leave].”


 Weibo, China’s answer to Facebook and Twitter, has been very useful about getting the word out. For this photo series, she posted to a photographer, Mr. Danzi, “I’m going to do some shopping, and I’ll be dressed up very beautifully.”

Internationally, the stunt seems to have gotten the thumbs up, but reaction on Weibo was mixed.


“I respect all kinds of unusual clothing,” said one commentor. “It’s the freedom of choice people have.”

“For any sex or age to dress like this and go out is called an eyesore,” added another. “Transvestites are subject to no difference, one can’t just wear underwear, cut a hole above the butt and go out. Please don’t over correct — have we not shown enough tolerance to minorities nowadays?”

And then there was this woman: “Won’t they get a cold dressed like this?!”

The Essential Stevie Nicks: Ranking Her 66 Greatest Songs

Stand back!
From: NewNowNext
“Don’t listen to her … listen through her.”

Stevie Nicks is an undisputed goddess of rock ’n’ roll, and has influenced a generation of female artists with her style, music and will to survive.

For forty years, she’s seen firsthand the ups and downs of the rock star life, and she’s managed to emerge and thrive, and is more respected and beloved now more than ever.

In honor of her birthday, we’re ranking her songs—both solo and with Fleetwood Mac.

66. 
Crying In The Night 
The opening track from Buckingham Nicks, it introduced The Goddess to the world.

50 Dutch Drag Queens Cover RuPaul, Madonna And More In Mind-Blowing One Take Lip Dub

Gagged!
From: NewNowNext
More than 50 drag queens, drag kings, go-go boys and bartenders shut down Amsterdam’s Club NYX in a new video presented by Lady Galore — an epic eight and a half minute lip dub that tours the depths of the multi-level club in one sweeping take, while the gaggle of queens lip sync to songs by RuPaul, Madonna, BeyoncĂ©, Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and more.

All the queens and kings featured in the video are members of Drag Queens United, a drag collective created by Lady Galore to unite and showcase the many different forms of drag together.

Said Lady Galore: “Special thanks to everyone who came out to party & dance with us! And especially the drag Queens for sending out a very positive message! Drag Queens United is an event to promote, support and nourish a positive and loving drag scene. Learn from each other and obviously have a blast while doing it!”

Check out the intense dragged-out megamix below:

“Cocktails And Classics” Returns With “9 To 5,” “Spice World” And More Gay Favorites

"Okay, girls, that was absolutely perfect without really being any good at all."
From: NewNowNext
 Get a lesson in gay cinema this summer when Logo’s Cocktails and Classics returns with a whole new slate of films and commentary from Michael Urie, DJ “Shangela” Pierce, Michael Musto, Jujubee and other guests.

The new season of Cocktails and Classics debuts June 5 at 8 pm with 9 to 5, perhaps the greatest workplace comedy of all time. What’s more, Dolly herself appears on the episode to give us some behind-the-scenes scoop on the film.


Mel B will be on hand later this summer to kiki about Spice World, which also screens as part of Cocktails & Classics, along with The First Wives Club, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Grey Gardens. and more.

#TBT: Elizabeth Taylor Gives An Oscar-Worthy Performance Putting On Her Makeup

Liz turned beating your face into an art.
From: NewNowNext
 Some of you may only know Elizabeth Taylor as a trailblazing AIDS activist or perfume magnate, but at her peak, Liz was one of the greatest actresses of the 20th century—setting fire to the screen in films like Suddenly Last Summer, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.


But you don’t need to hit up Netflix to see her flex her acting chops—just watch this vintage video of Taylor putting on her makeup.

If there was an Oscar for beating your face, Liz would have won it every year.

Philippe Brisson on The Runway

From: Favorite Hunks & Other Things
 Here Philippe appears in John Galliano's 2008 show which he called Torture Couture, a somewhat catchy title if it were not so disturbing.... Philippe looks hot even masked.








Painfully Photogenic: J Phoenix by Baker and Adams

From: Favorite Hunks & Other Things
When profiling a photographer, especially for the first time, I try to get to know a bit about who they are, maybe in an attempt to connect the work, the images, with the creators behind them. I first saw the work of Baker & Adams a couple of years ago and loved it instantly. I was especially impressed with their ability to capture pose, beautiful and unique head to toe depictions of their subjects.

 I first profiled the San Jose artists back in July of 2011. Sadly, as sometimes happens, circumstances beyond our control brought on a request to have the piece removed. I didn't like losing the images, but because the piece was as much, or more, about the artists, it was equally disappointing to lose the text.


Since then, I have been looking for a way to bring back the body of that post with new work. When recently revisiting their portfolio, I saw new images of a model who I was excited help with the task. J Phoenix has an impressive body of work, some which I have been fortunate to have been able to share on FH. J is one of those models who simply has that 'it' factor. An incredible body, one he knows how to use in front of the camera bringing forth both dramatic and erotic results. J has a great face, and beautiful alluring eyes that draw you in to each image. It is no wonder J has been shot by some of the best, not to mention some of my favorite, photographers of the male form.




I actually first posted about J under 'Favorite New Face of the Day' back in 2009. Since then, I have covered his work on many different occasions and am thrilled to be able to now showcase his work with Baker & Adams.

 'J was delightful to work with. He's one of the few models we've worked with who completely understood and was open to the creative process. While he had ideas of his own, he respected and had fun with our ideas as well, he's painfully photogenic. He's also very open with his body and expressions which was truly refreshing. After the shoot, I was surprised to find we'd shot almost 1600 images of Jason in just four hours. A new record! I was also surprised with how intimate and sensual many of the images were. in nearly every image Jason seemed to fully connect with the camera; sharing with us his heart and soul.'
Baker & Adams


 Below is much of the text from the original post from 2011. Thanks to Baker and Adams, and J Phoenix, for an opportunity to resurrect it.

It is always nice to get a compliment especially from someone whose work you respect. In communicating with Baker and Adams about a feature on FH, they very kindly said they liked the sensitively which I portray through my posts and that my blog was both respectful and elegant. Those words, especially respectful, are important to me as respect is something I strive to keep front and center on FH. Those words also struck me as they are precisely the words that initially drew me to their work.


 With all the thought and care put into each shot, in each detail, it was not a surprise to learn that the images are not the creation of just one man, but two. Baker and Adams are a creative team (creative director and photographer) whose goal is to capture the male form in images that are classical, playful, and occasionally disturbing. The classical makes them beautiful, the playful...sexy and erotic, and the occasionally disturbing...that makes them compelling and immensely interesting.


 'I'm an avid collector of vintage male photography. As a gay kid who grew tired of only seeing pictures of beautiful women in the media, I enjoy creating tasteful male images that are artistic but don't take themselves too seriously.'
Baker


 Baker describes himself as the 'finder.' He looks for models who are uninhibited and have a playful sense about them. He says he likes to get to know a bit about a model before a shoot and tries to have a few telephone conversations with them before a shoot. Photographing a person, not just a body, means getting to know them. 'I can get a sense of who they are, and then I try to build a look around that sense using clothes and props. The more fun those elements are, the better.' This is when Adams steps in and takes Baker's initial ideas and tries to find a complementary lighting style for the themes chosen. Baker creates a story for Adams to capture, and Adams writes it down in pictures.

'I'm a bit of a control freak so I like to fuss and tweak the costume, the pose, hair and props. Adams enjoys taking whatever I put in front of the camera and adding mood and texture to it with light and shadow. We don't tend to step on each others toes much, and our models appreciate that by splitting up our duties we get a lot done while keeping the mood low key and fun.'




'Adams is a passionate commercial cinematographer with a large portfolio of TV commercials and web projects. We very much work together as a director and cinematographer normally would, but with the added dimension of an eleven year relationship. Creating art together is something we both greatly enjoy and we both grow artistically as a result.'


Baker & Adams on Model Mayhem
J. Phoenix on Model Mayhem

Jason Segel in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"

From: Favorite Hunks & Other Things
 Hilarious flick which also stars another favorite of mine, Kristen Bell.