NYC house music producer and Liquid Blonde frontman Tyler Stone clearly has an ‘unnatural’ obsession with Amanda Lepore…WHO DOESN’T?!?! Check out his re-werrrk of Larry Tee’s 2009 hit track My Pussy, spliced with vintage interview footage, below! (Pic by Vijat Mohindra)
The post Stream: Amanda Lepore X Tyler Stone “I Got My Lips Done” appeared first on The WOW Report.
RuPaul, Alaska 5000, Adore Delano, India Ferrah, Bob the Drag Queen, Michelle Visage, and MORE are at the first day of the 2nd RuPaul’s DragCon at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday May 7!
Get your tickets for Sunday, May 8!
The post RuPaul’s DragCon 2016 Ribbon Cutting! Get your tickets for Sunday! appeared first on The WOW Report.
India Ferrah
Alex Van Halen
Darren Hayes
David Keith
Don Rickles
Enrique Iglesias
Gary Glitter
Josie Maran
Katy B
Martha Wainwright
Matthewdavid
Melissa Gilbert
Michel Gondry
Michelle McManus
Olivia Culpo
Phyllida Law
Sir David Attenborough
Stephen Amell
Toni Tennille
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May 8, 1920– The first time I saw a Tom Of Finland drawing was in a downtown Spokane used-book store near the bus station in the 1970s. The image, buried at the back of a men’s physique magazine (this is pre-Men’s Health, but the same idea) was a small ad for additional “special” publications. It jumped out at me like a great big erection. It depicted a pair of muscular butch men with big chins and broad grins grabbing each other’s bubble butts and straining packages while winking at the observer. I was startled and aroused. Tom Of Finland’s pornographic drawings of booted, big butted beefcakes banging booty, rendered in charcoals, pencil, and ink, had my full attention and reminded me that I would need to get to a gym.
He was born as Touko Laaksonen in Kaarina, Finland. His work is quite literally the masturbatory fantasies of a lonely young gay Finnish boy. He began drawing in his bedroom in the 1940s. A self-taught draughtsman, his earliest homoerotic drawings were inspired by his service in the Finnish armed forces. Laaksonen worked as an illustrator in the Finnish advertising business until the early 1970s. He soon became a full time gay pornographer, selling the idea of the male body as a pleased, pleasuring and pleasured thing decades before Calvin Klein’s ads.
Laaksonen’s lasting achievement was in portraying gay men as masculine, happy and proud at a time when they were supposed to be effeminate, high-strung, and shameful. This is certainly the reason why so many gay men have been Tom Of Finland fans. Today’s Internet gay porn is in debt to Tom Of Finland, with the endless loops of butch leather clad dudes with huge dicks and massive pecs having spontaneous, shameless sex, bent over a motorcycle or while standing-up in a dark alley. He gave gay men self-esteem and permission to feel like real men.
Laaksonen had a profound influence on gay culture because during an era that portrayed gay guys as sissies, he portrayed homos as confident and aggressive. Every drawing features a lumberjack, cop, construction worker, cowboy, biker, sailor or soldier. Not a florist, choreographer or dress designer in the bunch. He suggested something more than the masculinity of gay men, turning it around on the straight world; Tom insisted that you couldn’t be truly butch unless you were gay.
Laaksonen’s big break came in the 1950s from Physique Pictorial, a sort of legal gay American magazine dressed up as a straight bodybuilding periodical. The magazine often featured Tom’s manly men on the cover and in the features. More than half a century later and 25 years after his passing, popular culture has turned around and now straight men who look like Tom’s dirty drawings appear on the cover of mainstream magazines. I was reading one with the porn sounding title Maxim while waiting to get my haircut at my local barbershop 7 Bucks A Whack (the perfect Tom Of Finland business name) and the thing was full of advice on how straight men can turn themselves into something out of Tom Of Finland.
“I know my little ‘dirty drawings’ are never going to hang in the main salons of the Louvre, but it would be nice if – I would like to say ‘when,’ but I better say ‘if’ – our world learns to accept all the different ways of loving. Then maybe I could have a place in one of the smaller side rooms.”
Still the big question begs: is it art or is it porn? David Hockney, Robert Mapplethorpe and Andy Warhol were collectors of Tom’s work. He continues to have gallery shows. His work is in the permanent collections of many world museums, including MoMA. We can all see that the macho men of Tom Of Finland are well hung… they’re hung in museums.
This may seem surprising given that homosexuality was illegal in Finland until 1971, and same-sex partnerships were sanctioned only in 2002. Even today, Finland isn’t noted for tolerance, just last July, a Gay Pride march in Helsinki became the target of a gas bomb attack. Yet, in spring 2014, Itella Posti published a set of first class stamps in Finland including two drawings by Tom Of Finland, by the stamps designer graphic artists who represented the Tom Of Finland Foundation hedquartered in LA. The set consisting of a sheet three self-adhesive stamps and are accompanied by a booklet The Secret Correspondence Of Tom Of Finland published by the Finnish Postal Museum. The stamp set became a hit with its popularity surprising the Finish Postal System which received hundreds of thousands of orders from 200 countries around the globe. I happily own a set, waiting to be framed by The Husband. I also have a 6 volume boxed set of Tom Of Finland’s works.
Opening today and playing through the summer, The Pleasure Of Play at the Kunsthalle Helsinki is the most comprehensive Tom Of Finland exhibition ever, spanning six decades and including more than 180 drawings, 1930s childhood paper dolls, the full set of 1940s gouaches along with triptychs, individual drawings, storyboards and over 300 reference pages.
A new book, Tom House (Rizzoli), gives a look at Tom’s historic LA home, which was not only where the artist lived and worked over the last decade of his life, but also the center of a gay biker counterculture, in some ways, a setting where the artist’s work came to life.
“My drawings are primarily meant for guys who may have experienced misunderstanding and oppression and feel that they have somehow failed in their lives. I want to encourage them. I want to encourage this minority group, to tell them not to give up, to think positively about their act and whole being.”
Director Dome Karukoski’s film Tom Of Finland is currently shooting in Finland and Sweden from a screenplay by Aleksi Bardy. I am surprised that James Franco didn’t get there first.
Not a bad legacy for a pornographer.
In 1991, Laaksonen was featured in the film documentary Daddy And The Muscle Academy: The Art, Life, And Times Of Tom Of Finland. Later that same year, he died in Helsinki, taken by Emphysema. He was 71 years old.
The post #BornThisDay: Artist, Toukp Laaksonen (Tom Of Finland) appeared first on The WOW Report.
Enter, purse first!
1. READ THE WOW REPORT
Der. As you well know, for the past 11 1/2 months, since everyone recovered from the last years first DragCon, Wow’s been telling you here why you should get your ass to L.A. like, NOW. Did you see the TONS of pics from the VIP Meet & Greet – PLUS, RuPaul with every single f*cking exhibitor? Wow! You can see how happy they were to be standing next to Mamma. I really got inspired. I’m getting a booth next year, so, not only will I be there, I’ll be… well, I won’t tell you. It’ll be a surprise. (Fenton & Randy, you gotta hook me up!) Oh, and don’t forget subscribe to RuPaul’s DragCon on YouTube too!
2. FOLLOW DRAGCON’S TWITTER, SNAPCHAT, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM
Crucial. You are probably already following them all, but in case you’re not go to @RuPaulsDragCon and The Wow Report on Twitter and Instagram to catch up on minute by minute, gag by gag, queen by queen pics, videos and scoop. Share them on Facebook and social media and pretend to your friends that you’re there! No, I’m kidding– but check out Wow’s Facebook page (I post stuff there everyday…) to chime in on what’s happening at DragCon, your team preference for RuPaul’s DragRace, read the snarky comments and what’s happening in the world beyond, as well.
3. CHECK OUT ALL THE DRAGCON EXHIBITORS
Yesterday seeing all the exhibitors, stuff for sale, photo opps, queens and lists of appearances and panels, really made my head spin. 200,000 square feet of L.A. Convention Center of STUFF, kids. OMG, no wonder it’s been radio silence from my fellow bloggers and friends at Wow for the past ten days. They have been working their wigs off pulling this hat trick off. I can’t imagine….? But DO check out the exhibitors list. These guys ALL have websites, way too many to list here, but some stand outs for me were Tish & Snookie’s Manic Panic (left with Randy Barbato & Ru) my friend David Mason Clopecki‘s Slick It Up booth with their sexy fetish wear (you can see below he booked hot dancers show off in the near buff!) and Pet Wigs! I want for my dog, Lamonte! (Can I get someone that’s not too busy –James? Nigel? Blake?– to get me a pet wig?) But if you don’t have a friend there all the stuff for sale by tons of cool exhibitors are most likely on their websites! Check them out! Send them an email, if you see something at DragCon not on their site that you want, ask how you can get it. And WOW will have items for sale here, once the dust has settled. (Just days after Drag Con is RuPaul’s Drag Race finalé, you know!)
4. MAKE PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR.
NOW. Don’t be mad (like me) when you could be THERE next year, if you really want to. Start a DragCon 3 Fund NOW and put away X dollars a month and start the planning. It’s L.A., kids. It’s not THAT hard to get there, and it is SO much fun. I’m making my plans so, it’s a date. I’ll see you there. And in the meantime, you can watch the video below to see how to prepare and check out these pics from DragCon’s Instagram feed (search #DragCon, too)… and hey, if you’re in the L.A. area now, you can still get tickets today, you know!
The video of Day 1 is below. Watch and GAG on it all!!!
The post #DragCon2: Bummed That You’re Missing All the Fun? (Me Too.) Here’s How To Feel Like You’re There… appeared first on The WOW Report.
Yeah, you read that right! As you probably already know, Mama RuPaul is full of surprises. We were all pretty mind-blown when he decided to take a little stroll through the floor at RuPaul’s DragCon on roller skates! He went around on wheels saying “HIEEEEEEE” to the fabulous exhibitors and fans.
It’s not too late to get your tickets and sashay on down to the LA Convention Center for more DragCon!
Check it out.
Good morning, Ru!
#DragCon pic.twitter.com/9LB0p6UUsv
— Vickie Chang (@vickiechang) May 8, 2016
OMG @RuPaul ON ROLLER SKATES @RuPaulsDragCon
pic.twitter.com/gCkqpV6vCl
— World of Wonder (@WorldOfWonder) May 8, 2016
OH MY GOD @RuPaul ON ROLLER SKATES #DragCon pic.twitter.com/zFjurLRUpr
— RuPaul's DragCon (@RuPaulsDragCon) May 8, 2016
YAAAAASS, Mama Ru!
The post RuPaul Just Roller Skated Around RuPaul’s DragCon Oh My God appeared first on The WOW Report.
Today is the last day of RuPaul’s DragCon, but you still have time to get down to the Los Angeles Convention Center for fierce shopping and tons of RuPaul’s Drag Race queens and WOWlebrities!
The post Come to RuPaul’s DragCon! You’ve Still Got Time! appeared first on The WOW Report.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) told CNN’s Jake Tapper that she is ready to be Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate…
“I think I’m pretty much as vetted as anybody in the country could be vetted. I think there are so many other great people out there in American that could serve in this position.
I think if somebody wanted to choose me, they already know who I am, what I stand for. They wouldn’t be in for any surprises.”
But Palin knows that she is heavy furniture,
“I want to help and not hurt, and I am such a realist that I realize there are a whole lot of people out there who say, ‘Anybody but Palin,’ I wouldn’t want to be a burden on the ticket and I recognize that in many, many eyes, I would be that burden.
So, you know, I just want the guy to win. I want America to win.”
Well, I for one (like much of America, regardless of party) want just the opposite and I think you are just the ticket for another big loss. Watch.
(via Raw Story)
The post #TrumpPalin16!?: Sarah on Being Donald’s VP, “I’m Pretty Much as Vetted as Anybody…” appeared first on The WOW Report.
Daniel Franzese
Albert Finney
Alley Mills
Amber
Amy Hill
Andrew W.K.
Audrina Patridge
Billy Joel
Candice Bergen
Chris Diamantopoulos
Clint Holmes
David Gahan
Dylan Lauren
Ghostface Killah
Glenda Jackson
Grace Gummer
James L. Brooks
John Corbett
Lisa Ann
Matt Morris
Rosario Dawson
Tamia
The post May 9: It’s YOUR Birthday, Bitch! appeared first on The WOW Report.
Wait! What!? OK, maybe I read that press release wrong…
Donald Trump just announced that Chris Christie will lead his transition team if he wins the White House. Trump said in a statement,
“Governor Christie is an extremely knowledgeable and loyal person with the tools and resources to put together an unparalleled Transition Team, one that will be prepared to take over the White House when we win in November.”
It’s very early in the election cycle to announce a transition team. Candidate Barack Obama did not name his until November in 2008. The statement says,
“Mr. Trump has begun shifting towards a general election strategy and implementing an infrastructure capable of securing a victory including making key hires, building a finance operation to benefit the Republican Party and unifying the party by working with several Republican leaders now voicing their support for Mr. Trump and his candidacy.“
In a perhaps related story that Christie might be even more excited about, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will be acquired by JAB Beech in a deal valued at $1.35 billion! Yum!
(T/Y Tad, via Time)
The post #WTF?!: Donald Trump “Transitioning”, Names Chris Christie To His “Team”…? appeared first on The WOW Report.
YES, QUEENS! The RuPaul’s Drag Race Grand Finale season 8 will be May 10 (that’s JUST AFTER RuPaul’s DragCon!) at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles and TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE NOW!
So if you’re already coming for RuPaul’s DragCon on May 7 & 8 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (get your tickets!), why don’t you just extend your stay and get your tickets for the RuPaul’s Drag Race Grand Finale season 8 on May 10! You never know WHO is going to show up!
The post RuPaul’s Drag Race Grand Finale Season 8 Is May 10 and Tickets Are Available NOW! appeared first on The WOW Report.
If you’re anything like me, you’re already having RuPaul’s DragCon withdrawals! Take a look at some of the fiercest looks brought to the second-annual DragCon in Los Angeles and start planning for next year, henny! Tickets are available for #DragCon2017!
Lil’ Kim realness!
The beautiful Raven!
World of Wonder’s Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato!
Badge sponsor Jeffree Star!
The vision that is Tempest DuJour!
The legendary Coco Peru!
Legs for days! Naomi Smalls!
Tatianna and Thorgy Thor!
OK ladies, let’s get in formation. #DragCon
A photo posted by World of Wonder (@wowreport) on
Creature feature. @acidbetty #dragcon #dragaholic #discordaddams #rpdr #acidbetty #mua #makeup
A photo posted by Discord Addams (@discordaddams) on
A photo posted by Taylor Orear (@thomastayloro) on
A photo posted by Scorching Haute Mess (@hotmesscominthru) on
The post RuLive The Fabulousness of RuPaul’s DragCon! Here Are Some of the Most Fierce Photos That Will Leave You Gagged! appeared first on The WOW Report.
The free leader of faeries and nymphs, Grimes surprised us with a deliciously vibrant video for her single “California” this morning. It will be her third video off her sophomore success “Art Angels.”
Not one to shy away from fashion or colors, it’s an enriching visual to a fun song.
Check it out here:
This post is approved by this contemplative clown staring longingly at this tomato:
The post Grimes Sparkles In Her New Video “California” appeared first on The WOW Report.
The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race always give good face, but this weekend at RuPaul’s DragCon, they also gave sickening Instagram. Check out this roundup of posts by some of your favorite queens and celebrities from the DragCon floor!
Alaska 5000 and the legendary Sherry Vine!
A photo posted by Pandora Boxx (@pandoraboxx) on
Pandora Boxx and Samantha Newark!
Katya!
A photo posted by Davis Heppenstall (@naomismalls) on
Naomi Smalls and Kim Chi!
Ongina looked sickening.
A photo posted by Kennedy Davenport (@davenportkennedy) on
Kennedy Davenport and Dianna M Williams slayed the dance panel!
Violet Chachki and Miss Fame are pure beauty.
Having a great time moderating the #littlewomenla panel at @rupaulsdragcon!!!!
A photo posted by Latrice Royale (@latriceroyale) on
Latrice Royale and the Little Women of LA!
RuPaul: always terrifying, always angelic. Shirt by @3rdclassclothing
A photo posted by Trixie Mattel (@trixiemattel) on
Trixie Mattel and Mama RuPaul!
The ever-handsome Milan Christopher! *eggplant emoji*
I wish I was @shrinkle . Hair by @lisafabio .
A photo posted by Trixie Mattel (@trixiemattel) on
Trixie Mattel's photo backdrop was adorable.
Todrick and Alaska!
Don't forget, you can now get tickets for #DragCon2017! Sashay over to rupaulsdragcon.com!
The post RuGirls (And Celebs) Instagram Round Up: RuPaul’s DragCon Edition! appeared first on The WOW Report.
On this episode of Alyssa’s Secret, Alyssa Edwards is joined by her friend and fellow WOWlebrity Todrick Hall to RuView this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and all the girls from season 8!
The post Alyssa’s Secret: RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 RuView with Todrick Hall appeared first on The WOW Report.
NYC house music producer and Liquid Blonde frontman Tyler Stone clearly has an ‘unnatural’ obsession with Amanda Lepore…WHO DOESN’T?!?! Check out his re-werrrk of Larry Tee’s 2009 hit track My Pussy, spliced with vintage interview footage, below! (Pic by Vijat Mohindra)
The post Stream: Amanda Lepore X Tyler Stone “I Got My Lips Done” appeared first on The WOW Report.
The LA Film Festival, which takes place June 1-9 at the ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood and Culver City, will feature not one but TWO boundary-pushing WOW documentary films this year: Out of Iraq and Red Lake.
Out of Iraq tells the story of when two Iraqi men meet by chance and fall in love in 2003 during the midst of war, in a country where homosexuality is banned. Nayyef, a translator for the U.S. military, and Btoo, a soldier in the Iraqi army, face persecution—and possibly death—if they stay in their homeland. After obtaining a visa, Nayyef leaves his love behind, settling in Seattle with a determination to one day reunite with Btoo in a place where they can express their love freely and without fear.
Watch the trailer:
Red Lake – USA (Director Billy Luther; producers Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey, and Billy Luther) In 2005 the Red Lake Indian Reservation was at the center of national media attention after a devastating mass school shooting. Ten years later, survivors continue to heal long after the national spotlight has faded. World Premiere.
(You can read more from producer Billy Luther on Red Lake here.)
Festival passes are now on sale to both Film Independent Members and the general public, so don’t delay! Get your tickets here!
General admission tickets will be on sale for Members beginning Thursday, May 5 and open to the general public starting today. Mark your calendars and earmark that disposable income accordingly, henny! You can get your tickets here.
The post You Can Now Get Tickets to See Two Groundbreaking WOW Films at the LA Film Festival: “Out of Iraq” and “Red Lake” appeared first on The WOW Report.
Transformation Tuesday just got a whole lot QTer…New queers featured every week! Tag us, take a pic of us and follow us on Instagram at QWERRRKOUT, and you too could be the next QT! YOU BETTA QWERRRK!
Art Simone
Age: 23
Location: Melbourne, Australia
About:
Art Simone is one of Australia’s most well put-together club chameleons and popular entertainers. Art has performed countless times in clubs and performance venues, right across Australia. Art’s passion and adoration for drag began as a photography student, studying full time and exploring drag through self portraiture and performance art. Since then, she has spread her wings in a multitude of areas – feature films, television, festivals, live theatre, and even having her photography being featured in the National Gallery of Victoria.With multiple competition titles under her belt, including being crowned Queen of the Galaxy – Australia, Art is being recognized as a strong force within the drag community.
Her love of makeup and constant creation of dynamic looks is a consistent theme with her work and only seems to be growing with a strong drive to spread her love of drag to the masses. This young professional is definitely one to keep an eye on.
The post #TransformationTuesday: QWERRRKOUT feat. Art Simone appeared first on The WOW Report.
Gag on a preview of RuPaul‘s “The Realness” video starring RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8’s top three: Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls and Bob the Drag Queen alongside Mama Ru as they werk it out wearing full blacklight makeup!
The music video premieres this Saturday, May 14 on Logo!
The post Preview RuPaul’s New Music Video For “The Realness” Featuring Bob the Drag Queen, Kim Chi, and Naomi Smalls! appeared first on The WOW Report.
How far would you go to be with the love of your life? The new World of Wonder-produced documentary Out of Iraq tells the story of two men who found love in war-torn Iraq. See the movie at LA Film Festival (get tickets now) or you can watch on Logo in June.
How far would you go to be with the love of your life? In 2003 in the midst of war, in a country where homosexuality is banned, two Iraqi men meet by chance and fall in love. Nayyef, a translator for the U.S. military, and Btoo, a soldier in the Iraqi army, face persecution—and possibly death—if they stay in their homeland. After obtaining a visa, Nayyef leaves his love behind, settling in Seattle with a determination to one day reunite with Btoo in a place where they can express their love freely and without fear.
Directors Eva Orner and Chris McKim tell the story of this audacious journey of love, sacrifice and courage with a heartwarming and energetic style.
–Cristhian Barron and Cooper Hopkins
Watch the trailer:
The post Get Your First Look At WOW-Produced Love Story “Out of Iraq” With This Trailer appeared first on The WOW Report.
#boomerbanks #dragcon #nyc in #la
#DragCon #rpdr #houseofavalon #dragrace #mensfashion #fashion #editorial #gorgeousboy #abs #nyfw #pfw #mfw #dtla #losangeles
@claire.alexander
Matching hair by @wigsandgrace matching l00ks by @died4yoursins set design by @timmiedf #rupaulsdragcon @rupaulsdragrace @rupaulsdragcon
Always #BeYourAutenticself people will love you for it! 
#Rupaulsdragcon #Rupaulsdragcon2016 #Dragcon #HappyMothersDay 
from #LaConventionCenter. | & of course I brought @ejking21 along with me to enjoy some fun! #MilanChristopher
