Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.If photographer/ man-about-town, Douglas Friedman wasn’t such a nice guy, you could easily hate him. He flies private with pal Ally Hilfiger, trolls Martha Stewart‘s tulip garden and he looks like THIS. Architectural Digest‘s Mayer Rus has assigned him shoots for years and asked him a few questions recently, in between flirting. Who can blame him? Here’s an excerpt:
Mayer Rus: Tell me how you got to be you —the Reader’s Digest version.
Douglas Friedman: I got into photography sort of by accident. I had a successful start in the film industry when I got out of college, assisting a well-known director. That was in the mid-1990s. . .
MR: Wait. Are you not going to tell me who the director was?
DF: [groans] It was so long ago, but every time someone writes about me, it’s the first thing they mention. It feels a little gross dropping the name.
MR: I’m just curious. Totally off the record.
DF: David Fincher.
MR: …tell me about some of your most memorable assignments.
DF: It was an unbelievable privilege to shoot the Great House in Mustique, the villa built by Lord Glenconner. The property, the history, I’ll never forget it.
MR: How many homeowners have hit on you?
DF: [laughs] I’m so daft that I don’t recognize when someone is making a pass at me. Maybe that’s why I’m 43 and still single.
MR:…well, you’re very handsome. Did I say very handsome? I meant impossibly handsome, a genuine dreamboat, the catch of a lifetime for one lucky fella. Now that that’s taken care of—I’m a man of my word—tell me what’s the most exciting news in the world of Douglas Friedman.
DF: I’m building a house outside Marfa, Texas. I’m not sure how to describe it, but the place is magical. Maybe it’s the challenge of getting there, the rewards of being there—it has a kind of creative spirit that you don’t really find in New York these days.
MR: Sounds like you’re smitten.
DF: Honestly, it was like falling in love. You don’t expect it, you maybe don’t even want it, but it hits you over the head like a ton of bricks.
MR: Take note, bachelors. He’s funny, articulate, handsome, and the owner of what will surely be a heavenly retreat in Marfa. Come and get it.
That retreat (in process) can be found below and on Friedman’s Instagram, The Fascinator. You can follow him here.
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When RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 contestants were announced in New York City, not that long ago, I went along to the press preview with my friend, photographer Ruben Natal-San Miguel. He shot some amazing portraits and we spent 2+ hours with all the queens. They posed against the Logo/ World of Wonder step and repeat backdrop one by one and then each had their own station to talk to reporters. I didn’t interview each, but Ruben and I had an idea to shoot them on this fab gold background, so I went to each to grab them for literally three minutes to do a quick portrait. (Ruben works fast, the girls know how to pose and I swung a spotlight around and then back into position each time…)
So, here’s the deal. As you know, all of the episodes had been shot at that point and each queen knew they were ALL eliminated except the top three.
(Full disclosure: This is my persona assumption … as I’ve said before, I’ve discussed none of this with anyone at World of Wonder and have ZERO inside info.)
So, back to the press round up… each one has to be on their guard not to let on what happened during filming, i.e., who got eliminated. And all they know is what they filmed, as they hadn’t seen the episodes we’ve all now watched. So, thinking back on how each one acted, I have some observations…
First of all, I DID think that the three New York girls, Bob, Thorgy Thor and Acid Betty, might go all the way. (Thorgy threw everyone off with that fat suit. When each queen saw him for the first time they GAGGED!) They all shot a pic (below) with past winner, fellow NYC gal Bianca Del Rio who was hosting the preview, so THAT might have been a dead give-away that they WEREN’T going to be the final three.
Naomi Smalls had a strong red carpet presence (that got stronger as the season progressed) and she wasn’t shy at all that night. She was the first out to pose, but I got to talk to her the least. Her look wasn’t WOW, but she was strong, But honestly not someone I singled out to be in the top 3. Surprise!
But Kim Chi was MAJOR, probably the best look of the night, besides Bob & Betty. But she was pretty shy and to be honest, I didn’t see the personality we all came to love on this season. I still have trouble envisioning what Kim Chi’s show would be except for strong looks and lip sync but she really deserves to be in the top.
Bob the Drag Queen was on the whole time. The look, the personality, the posing and expressions. I have to say, he was my favorite and still is. No matter what happens tonight, all there of these queens are MADE already. They’ve got a built-in fan base.
(P.S. When they filmed the finalé last week, they shot each one winning, so they all got their moment and no one, but Ru and a small WOWteam knows the outcome.)
So, we shall see what we shall see. Watch Logo tonight at 9PM kids, to see who is crowned America’s Next Drag Superstar!
Damiana Garcia had an absolute ball and a blast on the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 8 Grand Finale red carpet. Here she is with Kim Chi, Bob the Drag Queen, Naomi Smalls, Derrick Barry, Naysha Lopez, Cynthia Lee Fontaine, Dax Exclamationpoint and Laila McQueen, with special appearances by Bebe Zahara Benet, Mariah Balenciaga, Kennedy Davenport and Alaska Thunderfuck. More interviews coming soon, be sure to subscribe to the Michael Lucid Presents channel to not miss an episode!
On last week’s Empire, Jussie Smollett‘s beloved character Jamal Lyon (Luscious and Cookie’s gay son who has transformed into a music superstar) was shot and rushed to the hospital—leaving quite the cliffhanger at the end of the episode. Then, Jussie tweeted a note that made it seem that he could be moving on to work on other projects at this time, and that his time with Empire is over.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my time w/ @EmpireFOX. I love you all. Truth. Time 2 make a record & some movies. #EmpireImage may be NSFW. Clik here to view.pic.twitter.com/xeCONIhAlE
…which is pretty much exactly how I feel about him potentially leaving the show. However, Entertainment Weekly confirms that they have learned he’s still under contract, but reps for Smollett and Fox have not responded to EW’s request for comment.
ATTENTION, LAMBS. IT’S FINALLY HAPPENING. Rumors have been swirling aboutMariah Carey‘s docu-series, and it seems that someone up above is finally granting us what we all deserve. Mariah is letting us behind the velvet rope with an eight-episode docu-series coming soon to E!
The trailer has finally hit the Internet and it shows Mimi as she prepares for her Sweet Fantasy tour while also planning her wedding to fiancée business mogul James Packer. Though it’s only a minute and a half, the clip is packed with a ton of amazing Mariah moments that you need in your life—like when she explains the rule “that states” how she is never to be seen in fluorescent lighting without wearing large sunglasses.
(Also, I’m especially excited for the new iconic Mariah GIFs that will inevitably be made. This is going to be Internet gold.)
We just gave you a sneak peek last week of Laverne Cox as Dr. Frank-N-Furter and now here’s Fox’s first teaser trailer for The Rocky Horror Picture Show reboot. Riff Raff (Reeve Carney) answers the door to sweethearts Janet (Victoria Justice) and Brad (Ryan McCartan) who knock on Frank’s door one rainy night…
Some of your favoriteRuPaul’s Drag Race queens stomp the stage to flaunt their looks for the audience at the Orpheum Theatre! Don’t miss the season 8 Grand Finale on Monday, May 16 at 9PM on Logo!
#ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmmmm: On Jenny McCarthy‘s radio talk show, Adrien Brody was asked about the controversy regarding allegations of child molestation for Woody Allen and Roman Polanski (both of whom he’s worked for). His nonchalant response? “Life is very complicated.”
He went on to say that when he looks to collaborate with people he doesn’t want them to judge him so he wouldn’t do the same. “It’s an artistic pursuit, and Polanski, for instance, had a very complicated and difficult life,” he continued. “It would be unfair of me to delve into something as complicated as the past that was brought up in the media.”
After continuing by saying that sometimes people make mistakes he was asked about his opinion on Bill Cosby and all the women that came forward, and, again, his response was sliiiiiiiightly problematic.
“I don’t even read about these things, to be honest,” he explained. “I choose not to indulge this kind of fodder.Of course it’s horrible what comes out sometimes, and people have done things in their lives that may be inexcusable, but it’s not something to focus on.”
Owenergy Studios has put together a comprehensive compilation of Matthew McConaughey making weird noises throughout his acting career. I’m not always fan of McConaughey and his Tourette’s-like vocal tics, but this is pretty mesmerizing. Watch it below. (via The Laughing Squid)
Bonus weird noise video: A bat getting his head and tummy scratched.
A sweet, affectionate and attention-seeking juvenile flying-fox named Jeddah made all sorts of adorable happy noises while sitting blissfully in his caretaker’s arms getting a yummy head scratch. (via The Laughing Squid)
Jeddah was rescued by Megabattie, a really wonderful person who cares for wayward, injured and orphaned bats of all sorts and provides them with a home when they can’t be released into the wild.
This is Jeddah. He loves to be tickled and scratched. Look at that blissful face. I usually clip my videos quite short when it’s all one behaviour being shown, but this bliss went on and on and I just couldn’t bring myself to deprive you of any of the lengthy joy. I particularly loved the yawny and sniffy bits about half way through. And I love the curl of the tongue as he yawns. This bat was not releasable due to injuries. He is in care with a vaccinated and licensed bat carer. He is used to being handled. He actively solicits attention and cuddles. There have been suggestions that this bat is terrified and the squeaks are not cute. This bat is in bliss and is able to get away from the carer at any time. He is choosing to be stroked. He solicits attention.
We’re less than one month away from the premiere of season 5 of Big Freeda: Queen of Bounce and this season is bigger than ever! From being banned in Mississippi for twerking to getting that call from Beyonce to be featured on “Formation.” You’ll get to see it all. Until then, check out this promo of all the drama. And don’t miss the brand-new season of Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce when it premieres June 8 at 11PM on Fuse.
And there’s a whole lotta fighting going on! The gorgeous ladies of AsiaSF – Nya, LA, Bionka, Xristina, and Bambiana – return to the Fuse network in an all-new season of their hit show Transcendent on Wednesday, June 8 at 11:30PM!
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
The glamazon queen Violet Chachki was crowned at this time last year as the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 7. At this year’s grand finale which aired last night on Logo, Violet sashayed down the stage looking incredible wearing a skin crown and painted veins—proving why she’s forever the reigning Drag Race queen of fashion.
Purse first and foremost, CONDRAGULATIONS to RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 winner Bob The Drag Queen! WOWlebrity Mx Qwerrrk hit up the VIP lounge, at Brandon Voss’ event in NYC, for all the finale SHEnanigans. Check out the pics with all the girls, including Violet Chachki, Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls, Shangela, Thorgy Thor, Chi Chi DeVayne, Derrick Barry, the newly crowned Miss Congeniality Cynthia Lee Fontaine, and reality TV celebs Dina Lohan and Tiffany “New York” Pollard. (Pics by Santiago Felipe)
Superstar rapper The Game (and one of my biggest celebrity crushes tbh) just changed up his hair in basically the best way ever. Let’s just dive in, shall we? There’s no time to waste here as this topic incites some very strong feelings from everyone.
Historically, Game keeps a pretty clean fade… like this:
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Sigh. So clean. So perfect. Just this fade and I’m already like:
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Or sometimes he’ll cover his hair with a solid-colored fitted hat—which is nothing short of a nice compliment to his athletic fashion sense.
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Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
So simple, yet it has an effect like:
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Now, however, the bar has been raised. Game has blessed us with the cutest look imaginable on him. Though some other celebrities like Chris Brown and Omarion have recently gotten a similar braided look, I feel very strongly that Game has done it best. (After all, his has a top knot also… LIKE IT’S SO GOOD. TOP THIS, DRAKE.)
Drag king extarordinaire Landon Cider stopped by the transformation studios the other day to gives me spring fling makeover, and show the world that not all f-to-m drag has to be of the ultra-maculine variety, that there are, in fact, manymanymany ways to be a man. Check out the look below!
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8 may be over, but don’t forget you can still see some of your favorite queens on the RuPaul’s Drag RaceBattle of the Seasons Tour! The tour is currently moving its way through the east coast and will soon be heading to Australia and Singapore. Check the dates and get ticket info here.
While you’re at it, gag on these images and videos from performances by the ladies from the Anaheim stop for the RuPaul’s Drag RaceBattle of the Seasons Tour including a moving tribute to Prince by Adore Delano who opened the show with a gorgeous cover of “Purple Rain” and a special video message from Michelle Visage from the stage!