Universal Pictures has the rights to Tanya Smith’s memoir Never Saw Me Coming: How I Outsmarted the FBI and the Entire Banking System—and Pocketed $40 Million, with queer actor/musician Janelle Monáe (Moonlight; Hidden Figures) attached to star in the film adaptation, according to Variety. Smith—who will be involved in the movie as an executive producer—was behind what’s been called “one of the single biggest threats to the entire United States banking system.” The story follows Smith’s journey from teenage hacker to financial system mastermind; by age 18, she had already orchestrated several heists, amassing millions of dollars while avoiding law enforcement in the process.
The 50th-anniversary London concert production of Pippin—featuring non-binary Tony winner Alex Newell—will make its streaming premiere beginning March 13 on BroadwayHD, according to Playbill. The show was presented April 29–30, 2024, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and featured the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and a 50-member choir. Newell was joined by Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) in the title role; Olivier winner Patricia Hodge, who created the role of Catherine in the original 1973 West End premiere of Pippin, as Berthe; Lucie Jones (Wicked) as Catherine; and Guys and Dolls Olivier nominee Cedric Neal as Charlemagne, among others.
Lady Gaga confirmed she will perform a free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach on May 3, EDGE Media Network noted. “I’ve been dying to come perform for you for years and was heartbroken when I had to cancel years ago because I was hospitalized,” Gaga said on social media. Gaga’s concert on the beach follows Madonna’s free performance there in May; the “Like a Prayer” singer drew an estimated 1.6 million people. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes, who was re-elected last year to a four-year term, has pledged to bring a major global concert to the city every May.
In other Gaga-related news, she talked with InStyle about her respect for the NYC queer ballroom scene and how it influenced her latest video “Abracadabra,” according to Queerty. In part, she said, “I grew up in New York City and I also was a student of Paris Is Burning when I was really, really young. And I was always inspired by the tremendous amount of grace, freedom, expression and joy of ballroom culture. …And I am still so inspired by it and, to this day, it felt like a relevant thing to bring up in the video [her single ‘Abracadabra’] because it’s about resilience. I can’t think of a place where I’ve seen more resilience than in a ballroom.”
The Boston Pops and conductor Keith Lockhart announced a new addition to the 2025 season: Out activist/author/Star Trek actor George Takei will narrate “Music of the Cosmos,” a multimedia program exploring the intersection of music, science and science fiction, according to EDGE Media Network. As part of a yearlong celebration marking Lockhart’s 30th-anniversary season as the Boston Pops conductor, there will be guest artists such as Brian Stokes Mitchell, Cynthia Erivo, Orville Peck and Michael Feinstein.
A resurfaced 2023 quote that Dolly Parton made to The Hollywood Reporter is going viral, according to Yahoo! The quote is, “I just want everybody to be treated good. I try not to get into the politics of everything. I try to get into the human element of it. I have some of everybody in my own immediate family and in my circle of employees. I’ve got transgender people. I’ve got gays. I’ve got lesbians. I’ve got drunks. I’ve got drug addicts—all within my own family. I know and love them all, and I do not judge.” The superstar has also said statements like “”If you’re gay, you’re gay. If you’re straight, you’re straight. And you should be allowed to be how you are and who you are.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon will perform at NYC’s Carnegie Hall in Pirates! A Penzance Musical, Queerty noted. In the production, longtime collaborator BenDeLaCreme will direct an evening of “original songs and inspired covers that range from cabaret, blues, show tunes, and torch songs to high-energy rock and pop.” And Monsoon will be the latest in a long line of gender-nonconforming performers at Carnegie Hall, which opened in 1891. Francis Renault was likely the first in 1945, impersonating Lillian Russell and other celebrities of the era. In addition, The New York Pops Orchestra has invited a host of queer talent to the stage for its concert seasons over the years, including J. Harrison Ghee, Alex Newell, Norm Lewis and Billy Porter.
Trans Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer revealed that her new passport was issued with a male gender marker, according to NBC News. On TikTok, Schafer said she marked herself off as female in her passport application, adding added that the gender markers on her government-issued IDs have been female since she was a teenager. Schafer said that she was aware of the anti-trans policy, but did not believe it would be implemented. “Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. I’m never gonna stop being trans,” she said. “A letter and a passport can’t change that. And f— this administration.”
Trans Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón—the history-making Oscar nominee at the center of an award season scandal for her past offensive tweets—plans to attend the Academy Awards ceremony on March 2, People noted. Variety added, though, that it’s currently unclear if she will walk the red carpet or sit with her co-stars, who include Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez. When this year’s Oscar nominations were revealed Jan. 23, Emilia Pérez was the most-nominated film and Gascón, who plays the titular role, became the first openly transgender star to be nominated for Best Actress.
The 40th annual Independent Spirit Awards took place in Santa Monica on Feb. 22, with Aidy Bryant hosting for the second consecutive year. The Netflix series Baby Reindeer won big, with Richard Gadd (a member of the LGBTQ+ community), Nava Mau and Jessica Gunning clinching the awards for lead, supporting and breakthrough performance, Variety noted. On the movie side, Anora took home three awards, including Best Lead Performance in a Film, with Mikey Madison beating nominees such as Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Demi Moore (The Substance) and Hunter Schafer (Cuckoo). Sarah Winshall won the Producers Awards for the trans-centered film I Saw the TV Glow.
Queer actress Keke Palmer was named entertainer of the year award at the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 22, Reuters noted. “It’s so important that we come here together and celebrate one another,” Palmer said. “Nobody has uplifted me more than you, all the people in this room.” Also, former Vice President Kamala Harris took home the Chairman’s Award, given to those who “excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.” Other highlights included the Wayans family being inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame; past Hall of Fame recipients include New Edition, Eddie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, among others. Controversial comedian Dave Chappelle won the NAACP President’s Award; TV and film honors went to productions/actors such as Kerry Washington, Abbott Elementary, Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson and Luther: Never Too Much, according to Forbes.
During the Screen Actors Guild Awards, honoree Jane Fonda urged Hollywood to fight these politically charged times with empathy, Variety noted. “What we, actors, create is empathy. Our job is to understand another human being so profoundly that we can touch their souls,” said Fonda, who received SAG’s life achievement award. “And make no mistake: Empathy is not weak or woke. By the way, ‘woke’ just means you give a damn about other people.”
Stars in the House—the successful COVID-era digital series that has raised more than $2 Million for the Entertainment Community Fund and other organizations in need—announced that it will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a very special performance of Finn, per a press release. The critically acclaimed musical premiered at the Kennedy Center to rave reviews; however, the center’s national tour was abruptly canceled recently. Slated performers include Andrew Rannells, Andrea Martin, Kelli O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Bonnie Milligan, Jessie Mueller, Nikki M. James, Jose Llana and Hennessy Winkler, as well as members of the original Kennedy Center cast, with many more to be announced. Stars in the House creators Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jacksonare teaming with Finn creators Chris Nee, Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond to present this one-night-only performance on Monday, March 17, at 8 p.m. ET at The Town Hall in New York City. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and livestream donations will go to The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people..
Andy Bell—best known for being half of the UK act Erasure—has detailed a new solo album, Ten Crowns, that is set for release on May 2 on vinyl (white, oxblood and picture disc available), CD (standard and two-CD versions), gold cassette and digitally via Crown Recordings, per a press release. He also has shared a single, “Don’t Cha Know.” The new album will coincide with a UK tour, with North American dates to be announced. The new album is the result of Andy embracing a milestone in his life, as Ten Crowns was completed the year Bell turned 60.
The Art Museum of the Americas in D.C., has canceled two major exhibitions showcasing Black and LGBTQ+ artists, referring to executive orders from President Donald Trump targeting DEI initiatives, The Advocate noted, citing The Washington Post. One canceled exhibition, “Before the Americas,” was set to open March 21 and feature 40 works by Afro-Latino, Caribbean and African American artists; the show, curated by Washington-based artist Cheryl D. Edwards, highlighted migration, colonialism and the African diaspora’s cultural impact. A second canceled exhibition, “Nature’s Wild With Andil Gosine,” focused on queer theory and colonial law in the Caribbean.
Tom Hearn will tour his show, How Fabulous Is That?!, throughout North America through Aug. 14 in anticipation of his debut comedy album, Gay Garbage, that will be out in June on Howl & Road Records, a press release noted. How Fabulous Is That?! is a hit parade of Hearn’s iconic impressions of Martha Stewart, Reba McEntire, Kody Brown, James Corden and Ina Garten. Originally from New Brunswick Canada, Tom Hearn is an award-winning sketch comedian, actor and drag queen living in New York; he has been on shows ranging from Today to Good Day Chicago.
The global LGBTQ+ Pride celebration WorldPride, which is headed to D.C. this summer, has gotten backlash for announcing singer Grimes—who has three children with ex Elon Musk—as one of the performers, according to Them. Grimes has since sought to distance herself from Musk online, particularly after Musk performed a gesture closely resembling a Nazi salute after Trump’s inauguration in January. In addition to Troye Sivan and Jennifer Lopez, the June 6-7 festival will feature sets by Tinashe (who headlined Them’s “Pride Night Out” celebration in 2023), Marina and Paris Hilton. To some, it remains unclear to what extent Grimes has distanced herself from Musk and the U.S. far right in real life even though she recently wrote the slogan “MAKE AMERICA GAY AGAIN” in reference to Trump’s MAGA slogan.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story star Cooper Koch shared a new statement in reaction to the Menéndez brothers’ DA Nathan Hochman opposing their request for a new trial, Out noted. Koch—who doesn’t have a social-media profile of his own— shared this new message through his brother Payton Koch’s Instagram story, writing, “I am deeply troubled by the statement made … by District Attorney Nathan Hochman. It is still my firm belief that the Menendez brothers did not receive a fair second trial and all of the evidence that supported their claims of sexual, psychological, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their mother and father were not considered.” At the peak of the Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story rollout on Netflix, Koch joined Kim Kardashian in visiting the Menéndez brothers in prison. Also, Deadline noted that a month before a potentially pivotal resentencing hearing for the Menendez brothers, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered a risk assessment probe for the siblings as a clemency petition sits on his desk.
British rock icons Skunk Anansie—led by queer singer Skin—announced their new studio album, The Painful Truth, per a press release. The new album, their seventh studio collection and first in nine years, will be released May 23 via FLG Records. To celebrate, the band will be playing a very special headline show on the day of release at Good Times at the Ridings in Chipping Sodbury. Tracks include “An Artist Is An Artist” (the first single), “Animal,” “Fell in Love with a Girl” and “Meltdown,” among others. The album can be pre-ordered here.
Daniel Craig lauded James Bond‘s longtime producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, after they announced their plans to step back from the 007 franchise and hand over creative control to Amazon MGM, Variety noted. “My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” Craig, who played the British spy in five successful films, said. Amazon MGM, Wilson and Broccoli have formed a joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights; the three parties will remain co-owners of the franchise but the studio will have creative control on future projects.
After addressing topics like weight loss and artificial intelligence with in-depth conversations over the past year, Oprah Winfrey will host the primetime television event, An Oprah Winfrey Special: The Menopause Revolution, on March 31 on ABC, per a press release. (It’ll show the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.) Special guests include award-winning actress, director and advocate Halle Berry; acclaimed actress, author and advocate Naomi Watts; No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and OB-GYN Dr. Mary Claire Haver; Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist and women’s health advocate Maria Shriver; Dr. Rhonda Voskuhl, a professor of neurology at the University of California, Los Angeles; and comedienne Leanne Morgan.
Reacher star Alan Ritchson revealed his childhood feud with a former high school classmate, ex-US Rep. Matt Gaetz, describing the politician as his adversary, per The New York Post. “That motherf–ker. We are adversaries,” Ritchson told GQ. Ritchson was born in North Dakota, but his family moved to Florida when he was 10; he and his parents, who were both in the military, settled in Niceville in the 1990s, according to Mid Bay News. Ritchson expressed his displeasure with his fellow Floridians who continued to vote for Gaetz to represent Florida’s 1st District. Gaetz represented the district from 2016 until his resignation in 2024.
OWN’s dating series The Never Ever Mets, hosted by actress Ta’Rhonda Jones, returns for its second season on Friday, April 4, per a press release. The new season features seven new couples who have built strong love connections online but have never met in person.
David Beckham previewed Victoria Beckham’s upcoming Netflix docuseries at MIP London, telling the streamer’s chief content officer Bela Bajaria that “it’s really special”—although getting the former Spice Girl to participate, even after the success of his Beckham doc, took some convincing, per Variety. Beckham said that viewers will see Victoria “in a different light” in the upcoming show; the as-yet-untitled series started production in August and will follow Beckham’s journey from Spice Girls superstardom in the ‘90s to modern fashion designer.
A proposed class action filed in Illinois federal court accuses Skims.com—the shapewear retailer founded by reality star Kim Kardashian—of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with “significant access barriers” that make it “difficult if not impossible” for visually impaired customers to navigate the website, Illinois Law360 noted. In addition, California resident Isabel Alvarez has hit Skims Body with a class-action lawsuit alleging that Kardashian’s popular apparel company violated federal telemarketing laws by sending marketing text messages at unlawfully early hours of the morning, according to Top Class Actions.
Two Below Deck: Sailing Yacht crew members—hair/makeup artist Samantha Suarez and camera operator Grey Duddleston—are suing Gary King, NBCUniversal, Bravo, Endemol Shine and producers of the superyacht reality TV series for sexual battery, a hostile work environment, retaliation and failure to prevent discrimination, according to Deadline. The career fallout came after an allegedly violent July 23, 2022 assault in Sardinia by a seemingly drunken King that Suarez thought could have escalated to rape. According to the filing, “When production spoke to King, he admitted what he had done. He was not fired, however. Instead, King was warned that he would be fired if something like that were to happen again.”