News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media

Cheyenne Jackson

AfterElton Briefs: Tom Ford dresses Bond, 20 questions with Alan Cumming, and more!


Damn! Damn Yankees stars Sean Hayes, Jane Krakowski, and Cheyenne Jackson

In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

  • Out designer Tom Ford is designing the costumes for the world's best-dressed spy in the next James Bond film, Quantum of Solace. If anyone knows how to make Daniel Craig look his best, Ford does.
  • Here's a fun 20 Questions with the always-entertaining Alan Cumming (he makes mention of his husband, Grant, which is very sweet).
  • According to an authoritative new biography of Hugh Hefner, he once kinda-sorta had a sexual encounter with another man. Which is probably the least scandalous thing ever to happen in the pleasure baron's storied life.
Celebrities: They're just like us! Only with better diets.
(T.R. Knight and Mark Cornelsen snag some organic grub)


  • Our pal John Polly over at NewNowNext was at the impressively star-studded Provincetown Film Festival over the weekend and has a great roundup of all the fun.
  • Boy George's plans for a big US tour this summer are dampened by his inability to obtain a visa. First Amy Winehouse is denied entry, and now George? Next thing you know they'll excommunicate the cremains of Billie Holiday.

And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

How'd I Miss My Coming Out? (Part 2): They Call It "Xanadu"

Originally I had something completely different planned for Part 2 of How'd I Miss My Coming Out?, but then I watched the Tony Awards on DVR and it sparked something.  It doesn't help that AfterElton's love for Cheyenne Jackson has slowly created my own mini-obsession with that tall drink of water so this week we're getting a little light in our skates as we reminisce about Xanadu.

There were a couple things I worshiped as a kid that were pretty damn gay; I'm talking things I would have traded a whole set of Garbage Pail Kids cards for or possibly even sold my little sister on the black market if it meant keeping these things in my life. Yes, I was that dramatic in grade school.

One of these treasures from my youth was Olivia Newton-John and the other was roller skating. So imagine my glee when in 1980 I realized that these two great tastes go great together!

Xanadu was one of my first obsessions and one of the first signs that my parents should have picked up on. It's not every day that you'll see a little blonde kid dancing in his living room with huge headphones on and Electric Light Orchestra contributing to early onset deafness. 

Not only did I think I could sing just like Olivia, I thought I was a roller skating king! I was like lighting on skates (just ask Gina P., whose tail I whooped in the Chestnut Hill Elementary School gymnasium with the entire school watching ... that's what I thought) and practicing moves was as common as piano lessons in my house.  Linda Blair had nothing on my Roller Boogie!

I had the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on vinyl and knew every word by heart.  I can't tell you how many nights were spent singing those famous love songs into my pillow and thinking in my head that I sounded exactly like my girl Olivia. "Suddenly" never sounded so good as through the vocal chords of a pre-pubescent girly-voiced boy who thought he could match Olivia's wispy soprano. 

In my bedroom I was a singer and in my driveway a disco dancin' derby boy who could skate in circles while clapping and chanting "X-A-N-A-D-U" until the sun went down.  My head was full of singing, dancing, skating through walls and lots of neon, it was fab-u-lous!

Alan Cumming and The N are The Trevor Project's Heroes

Every year The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization that works to prevent suicide among gay and questioning youth, honors someone who can be an inspiration for queer youths with The Trevor Hero Award. Past recipients include Nathan Lane and author Michael Cunningham.

This year's award will be given to Alan Cumming, the bisexual Scottish actor who recently starred in the Sci-Fi Channel's The Wizard of Oz remake, Tin Man, and was the voice of curmudgeonly Chuck on Rick and Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World. Cumming is also someone who speaks out on LGBT issues regularly with eloquence and wit.

The Trevor Commitment Award, which is given to a company or organization, will be given to cable network The N, home to gay inclusive teen shows like Degrassi: The Next Generation and South of Nowhere.

Adamo Ruggiero from Degrassi: The Next Generation

 

We can all probably remember what it's like to be young, struggling to accept your sexuality and not being able to find any role models to show that being gay doesn't limit who you can be. With people like Cumming in the limelight and shows like Degrassi finding mainstream popularity, one can certainly hope that the path is slowly getting easier for gay youth.

The awards will be given out at The Trevor Project Gala on June 30. The affair sounds like a gay ole' time with Alec Mapa hosting the festivities, comedienne Sandra Bernhard performaing and Adamo Ruggiero (the Degrassi actor who came out publicly earlier this year), Lauren Collins, Cheyenne Jackson and Heather Matarazzo presenting.

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  • AfterElton Briefs: T.R. talks wedding pressure, Colbert wins another Peabody, and more!


    Mark Cornelsen and T.R. Knight look smart at Get Smart

    In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

    • Access Hollywood caught up with T.R. Knight last night (at the Get Smart premiere with boyfriend Mark Cornelsen), and got his thoughts on the historic day in California marriage history.
    • Here's a clip of out hottiepants Cheyenne Jackson being interviewed at the Tonys red carpet!
    • Groomer Rumor has it that Queer Eye vet Jai Rodriguez will be playing Desi Arnaz in a West Hollywood production of the musical Dance With Me (which tells the love story of Desi and Lucille Ball) in July.
    Better know a Peabody-winner: Stephen Colbert and his new best friend

    • One of our greatest (and funniest) straight allies, Stephen Colbert, was awarded another Peabody Award last night. Keep 'em comin'! Other recipients included 30 Rock, Dexter, Mad Men, and Project Runway.
    • Neil Patrick Harris and Michael Urie (as gay assistant Marc St. James on Ugly Betty) are amongst the nominees for this year's Teen Choice Awards. For the full list go on over here ... I'm sorry, I love Jake Gyllenhaal as much as the next guy, but is there anyone who qualifies as a "teen" who has even heard of Rendition?

    And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

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    While gay men were mostly shut-out, this year's Tony Awards still had much to offer.

    AfterElton Briefs: John Barrowman's "Phantom" rumors, Tom Colicchio's bear following, and more!


    Out actors Mario Cantone and Cheyenne Jackson at the recent amfAR gala (Photo: Getty)

    In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

    • Funny, when I think of John Barrowman making the "Music of the Night", it doesn't involve any masks, capes, or roses ... Barrowman rumored as lead in Phantom of the Opera stage sequel.
    • I don't know about you, but I'd kill to see a Wham! movie. Heck, I saw Music and Lyrics because I thought it was the closest thing we'd ever get!
    Ted Allen and partner Barry Rice


    • Does Top Chef daddy judge Tom Colicchio have a gay following? Um, does a bear flambe in the woods?. While we're on the topic, check out the adorable pic above of co-judge Ted Allen and his man, Barry Rice. Anyone else wondering if they play "Judges' Table" at home?
    • Indiana Jones and the Insult of Doom: A video of hot young thing Shia LaBeouf — sorry, make that "drunk young thing" — goading a friend to slap him by calling him "faggot" has surfaced. Blech. Is it too late to kick him off the Hot 100?

    And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

    Watch the NewNowNext Awards right now!

    Are you feeling blue because we've been telling you all about that brand spankin' new award show — the NewNowNext Awards — that aired tonight on Logo (AfterElton.com's parent company) with appearances by Janet Jackson, Christian Siriano, Patrik-Ian Polk, Cyndi Lauper and Caroline Rhea, but that you couldn't watch because you don't have Logo?

    Well, we have just the thing for you! The award show itself! That Flying Monkeys were hard at work loading the show into our AfterElton.com player and you can watch the whole thing right now. How cool is that!

    You can see who won the "Best Show You're Not Watching" award (Torchwood! Torchwood!), the "Most Guiltiest Pleasure" award (Dante's Cove or Janice Dickinson's Modeling Agency? Hmmm....), the "Cause You're Hot" award (Cheyenne! No, Jensen! No Cheyenne! Arrgghh.....) and the "Best Future Release" award (Breakfast with Scot!)

    Clockwise upper left corner: Andre J, Christian Siriano, Jensen Atwood, Cheyenne Jackson, Ronniw Kroell, John Barrowman

    Also announced during the show was the winner of our very own category — the Best Gay Kiss! And the winner was...well, you'll have to watch to find out. Check back on Monday for a special post just about that! (And, yes, I promise next year we'll have an Ollian kiss. Heck, the way you all flogged me, I'll make them all Ollian kisses!)

    And for those of you dying for some news about Noah's Arc, I can tell you the award show had the first trailer for the movie! So you have a ton of reasons to watch. The clips start after the jump!

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    Tens of thousands of votes were cast, and we have the Top 100 countdown of your favorite men.

    AfterElton Briefs: Good news for Antony Cotton, the thing about gay animals, and more!


    Rodrigo Santoro and his Leonera co-star Martina Gusman

    In a continued effort to bring you all that is important in the world of gay entertainment and ensure that you are being spoon-fed images of gorgeous, commoditized manflesh, we present the newly-minted AfterElton Briefs. Following the usual assortment of carefully-selected news items, interested readers can find a refreshing pic of a hot man in underwear after the jump. Yes, we're serious.

    • Rodrigo Santoro (300) will be playing not one, but two queer roles this year. In addition to his part in I Love You, Phillip Morris, he also plays a bisexual in the Argentine women-with-babies-in-prison film Leonera, which screened at Cannes last week.
    • The scamps at 23/6 created a handy guide to planning your gay wedding. Favorite line: "Find a venue for the ceremony. Churches are probably out."
    • At the Drama League Awards, actor Daniel Evans (Sunday in the Park with George) jokingly proposed to actor Cheyenne Jackson (Xanadu), who jokingly accepted. I jokingly smell a cross-over episode ... Seurat on skates!!
    Gay British actor Antony Cotton

    • There's nothing really new in this brief article about same-sex coupling in the animal kingdom, but they do make an interesting point ... though gay relationships are common in dozens of more socially developed species, you know what's not? Homophobia. We've cornered the market on that, baby!
    • Gay Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has been signed for two more years on the soap as gay barman Sean Tully, as well as another as-yet-undetermined solo project on British TV.

    And today's Briefs are brought to you by...

    bgwe051508img_dotz.jpg

    Grey's gay tumor epidemic, "gay-friendly" turns desperate, Scotty & Kevin should have waited a month, and more!


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