Speaking of Gaga, she is teaming with the social-gaming company Zynga on its wildly popular FarmVille, the New York Post reported. Starting May 17, FarmVille users can visit a neighboring farm in the game called GagaVille, which features unicorns and motorcycle-riding sheep. FarmVille players can also get a sneak peek at music from Gaga’s upcoming CD, Born This Way.
Beyoncé has revealed that her new album will be called 4, according to Digital Spy. She told Billboard, “”It’s the day I was born. My mother’s birthday, and a lot of my friends’ birthdays, are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date.” In addition, it will be the fourth studio album for the “Crazy in Love” singer, who will receive the Billboard Millennium Award 2011.
George Michael has admitted that he feels he has let young people down for being repeatedly arrested, according to Digital Spy. The “Faith” singer added to Bang Showbiz that young people “would then witness the homophobia that is thrown at me and the wording of that homophobia and the language that is being used.” He plans to atone for the damage he feels he has done.
Apparently, there is a “feud” between CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Two weeks ago, Colbert mocked Cooper for putting Sean Hannity on his “RidicuList” after Hannity creatively edited a Cooper clip. Colbert then put Cooper on his “On Notice” board and accused Cooper of ripping off that list for his own show. Now, Cooper has accused Colbert of plagiarism, saying, “Not since I woke up disoriented smelling of toner in a Kinko’s on 56th and Broadway have I seen such blatant copying.”
James Franco has cast actor Val Lauren as the late bisexual Rebel Without A Cause star Sal Mineo in the biopic he is slated to direct this summer, according to Advocate.com. The film, titled Sal, is Franco’s adaptation of Michael Gregg Michaud’s comprehensive biography, Sal Mineo.
In a May 11 talk with The Hollywood Reporter, out gay singer (and American Idol alum) Adam Lambert said that Haley Reinhart is his pick to win. Lambert said, “I love Haley so much because musically and vocally, she’s doing things that are at a top-notch level.” However, he feels that the judges do not provide her enough positive reinforcement. As for contestant James Durbin, who was bounced in the May 12 episode, Lambert said he is “kind of over” him, adding, “I think he’s got talent and passion 100 percent, but I feel like he’s trying way too hard.”
Voters in a Stonewall poll have voted Milk—Gus Van Sant’s 2008 biopic about the late gay-rights activist Harvey Milk—the best gay film of the decade, according to So So Gay. The poll picked out The Kids Are All Right, Brokeback Mountain, A Single Man and The Hours as the other four top films. Longtime activist Cleve Jones, played by Emile Hirsch in Milk, said, “This is a fantastic achievement for Milk. As someone who was depicted in the film, I feel very proud that gay people are saying it’s the most significant film for them in the last decade—it shows that the campaign for full gay equality has reached a whole new generation of people, which gives me real hope.”
Country singer Blake Shelton has apologized for a controversial anti-gay tweet he recently posted, according to the L.A. Times. Shelton—who is also a mentor on the TV show The Voice—recently rewrote a Shania Twain song and tweeted, “Any man that tries Touching my behind He’s gonna be a beaten, bleedin’, heaving kind of guy.” After GLAAD demanded an apology, Shelton apologized for “the misunderstanding,” adding, “when it comes to gay/lesbian right or just feelings … I love everybody. So go look for a real villain and leave me out of it.” He also asked GLAAD for support, posting, “@glaad hey I want my fans and @nbcthevoice fans to know that anti-gay and lesbian violence is unacceptable!!!! Help me!!!!”
In another Voice/Shelton-related development, the singer eliminated gay Mormon Tyler Robinson from the show in the first “knockout round” episode May 10, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Two members from Shelton’s team—Robinson and Patrick Thomas—sang the same song at the same time, and Shelton chose Thomas. Christina Aguilera praised Robinson and Thomas, while Adam Levine and Cee-Lo Green said they would pick Robinson. Three out singers—Vicci Martinez (who won her battle round), Beverly McClellan and Nakia—remain on the show.
Actor Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four; Beastly) will take it off in Magic Mike, a Steven Soderbergh comedy about male strippers, according to People.com. Channing Tatum—who was a stripper before he broke into movies—will play Pettyfer’s mentor. “Look, I’m not proud of it—but I’m not ashamed of it,” Tatum said in 2010 of his stripper gig.
As part of her claim against Desperate Housewives and show creator Marc Cherry, Nicollette Sheridan has claimed that Cherry describe Eva Longoria as a “girl with no [breasts] that looks like a boy,” according to Digital Spy. The claim is part of Sheridan’s lawsuit against Cherry and ABC for wrongful termination, following her dismissal from the show in 2009. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White dismissed Sheridan’s other claims of sexual harassment and assault.
Prince has denied banning singer Whitney Houston from his concerts, according to Digital Spy. After it was announced that Houston checked herself into outpatient rehab for drug and alcohol treatment, it was reported that the “Kiss” singer banned her from any more concerts after she allegedly exhibited erratic behavior at some of his recent shows. In a statement, Prince’s rep now says, “Whitney Houston is always welcome at Prince shows 4 all of eternity. Seeing her at 2 shows at The Forum in L.A. was a treat, especially when she sang with Chaka Khan and danced with Prince during his set.”
Mary Tyler Moore is reportedly “recovering nicely” from a recent four-hour operation on her brain, according to Digital Spy. Moore, 73, decided to have surgery to remove a meningioma, a benign tumor on the tissue lining of her brain. Moore is best known for her landmark 1970s TV show as well as her role in the ’60s series The Dick Van Dyke Show.
It turned out that 1950s actress/pin-up Yvette Vickers died of heart disease, according to People.com. Her mummified body was discovered in her home by a neighbor last month. Vickers, 82, starred in such B-movies as Attack of the Giant Leeches, and had a history of health issues in recent years, including obesity, paranoia and alcoholism.
The 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards were held May 14 at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, according to a press release. Glee co-star Naya Rivera (who plays Santana) hosted the event, while other presenters included Sara Ramirez, Mario Lopez and Dancing with the Stars’ Louis Van Amstel. Kim Cattrall (the Golden Gate Award), The Kids Are All Alright (Outstanding Film—Wide Release) and Christian Chávez (Outstanding Spanish-Language Music Artist) were among the award recipients. Additional awards were presented in New York March 19 and in Los Angeles April 10.
Comedian Andy Dick has been sued in Texas for allegedly grinding his genitals against a man’s head during a stand-up performance, according to Advocate.com. Robert Tucker claims in a lawsuit that on Dec. 18, 2010, Dick was wearing a red skirt (without underwear), black top and a wig when he walked down from the stage to interact with audience members. After Tucker asked Dick for an autograph, Dick allegedly grabbed Tucker’s head and forced his genitals against Tucker’s face. Tucker is suing for defamation of conduct, offensive physical contact and infliction of emotional distress.
NBC has announced its fall line-up—and the much-ballyhooed Wonder Woman did not make the cut, according to USA Today. The network’s new shows include The Playboy Club, a ’60s-era soap about the Chicago hot spot; and Prime Suspect, a remake of the British detective series that starred Helen Mirren but who is now played by Maria Bello. Cancellations include Law & Order: Los Angeles, The Event and Outsourced.
Over on ABC, the network has cancelled Brothers & Sisters. The drama starred Sally Field, Callista Flockhart and Rachel Griffiths, and included several gay characters. However, some of the actors were ready to go: According to EW.com, Matthew Rhys (who played the gay brother Kevin) said, “we’ve run a lot of extreme stories and big stories, so I personally wouldn’t want to be a writer if I had to stretch it another season.” ABC also cancelled V, Off the Map, Detroit 1-8-7 and No Ordinary Family.
Producer GK Films and distributor FilmDistrict have announced that In the Land of Blood and Honey—Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut—will hit U.S. theaters Dec. 23, a big date for award contenders, according to HitFlix.com. The movie is set during the 1990s Bosnian War and shows how late intervention by Western countries had huge ramifications for the people of the region. In a statement, Jolie said, “The film is specific to the Bosnian War, but it’s also universal. I wanted to tell a story of how human relationships and behavior are deeply affected by living inside a war.”
Gay television network here! TV has announced that rap artist Cazwell will host the new original music video series Boombox, according to a press release. Boombox debuts this June exclusively on here! TV and here! Online, here! TV’s premium online subscription video player found at www.heretv.com. Cazwell will occasionally be joined by friends such as Amanda Lepore and J.D. Samson (of MEN and Le Tigre). Boombox will feature world-premiere videos and exclusive interviews, among other things.
It’s been revealed that actor and former Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a child with a member of his household staff, according to the New York Post. The revelation apparently led to wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple’s home before the recent announcement of their separation. In a statement, Schwarzenegger said, “There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.”
Lady Gaga has become the first person to have 10 million followers on Twitter, according to the New York Post. She is now the most-followed person on that network, ahead of President Obama and singer Justin Bieber. “10MillionMonsters! I’m speechless, we did it!” Gaga, 25, wrote. “It’s an illness how I love you. Leaving London smiling.”
Fashion designer John Galliano will go on trial June 22 on charges that he made anti-Semitic insults—allegations that cost him his job at Dior, the New York Post reported. Galliano was videotaped making such comments and praising dictator Adolf Hitler, apparently while being drunk. He could face up to six months in prison and $31,000 in fines if convicted. Galliano subsequently released a statement saying, “Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologize for my behavior in causing any offense.”
The San Francisco Giants will become the first pro sports team to record an “It Gets Better video, according to an Advocate.com item. Team members will encourage LGBT youth and speak out against anti-gay bullying. Spokeswoman Staci Slaughter said that the team had already discussed recording a video before more than 6,500 people signed an online petition urging the team to do so.
Britney Spears has said that Madonna taught her to “stay true” to herself, according to Digital Spy. Talking with Harper’s Bazaar, Spears, 29, said, “I guess she’s really taught me to stay true to myself. That seems like a simple thing to say, but she taught me through action, not just by saying it. There are so many people around you that have opinions, but you just have to listen to your instincts.”
Jane Espenson, a writer for Torchwood—a sci-fi series that stars openly gay actor John Barrowman—has said that there is new online spin-off in the works, according to Digital Spy. She tweeted that Torchwood: Web of Lies will accompany the new 10-part series Torchwood: Miracle Day when it airs in July. Espenson also intimated that Eliza Dushku (who had a huge lesbian following on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as fellow slayer Faith) will star in the web series.
Openly gay film director Gus Van Sant (Milk; My Own Private Idaho) said that he found his interview to direct the final installment in the Twilight franchise intimidating, Digital Spy reported. “I got very nervous,” Van Sant said. “There were, like, 15 people. I had never really auditioned or gone into a job interview in that way since maybe 1988 or ’87.” Van Sant was star Robert Pattinson’s top choice to helm The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, but the role ultimately went to Bill Condon (Dreamgirls; Gods and Monsters).
British rugby player Ben Cohen is retiring from the sport to devote more time to fighting homophobia and bullying, according to Advocate.com. A newspaper reported, “Cohen believes he could play for another two years but has turned down offers from clubs in England and France. Instead he will focus on heading up the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, which tackles bullying and homophobia.” Cohen is set to launch his 10-day Ben Cohen Acceptance Tour of U.S. cities; there will be talks, training sessions and fundraisers.
In his upcoming book, The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring, former boxer and ex-Dancing with the Stars contestant Sugar Ray Leonard says an unnamed Olympic boxing coach sexually abused him when he was a young fighter, according to USA Today. Leonard alleges he was first abused at 15, and then again several years later; Leonard said that the second incident “has haunted me for life.” The book also tackles issues such as an auto accident, domestic violence and becoming a father at 17.