First-time Tony nominee Darren Criss and Tony and Tony winner Renée Elise Goldsberry will host The Tony Awards: Act One, the live pre-show, on Pluto TV on June 8, Deadline revealed. The 78th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo from Radio City Music Hall, will immediately follow, broadcast live to both coasts on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States. Criss received his first Tony nod this year for his performance as Oliver in the Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending, while Goldsberry won a Tony for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton.
And speaking of Hamilton, Tony Award Productions and CBS announced that in an unprecedented moment for Broadway and fans worldwide, members of that production’s original cast will reunite at the 78th Annual Tony Awards on June 8 to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary, per a media release. Participating in this landmark performance are Carleigh Bettiol, Andrew Chappelle, Ariana DeBose, Alysha Deslorieux, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff, Sydney James Harcourt, Neil Haskell, Sasha Hutchings, Christopher Jackson, Thayne Jasperson, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Stephanie Klemons, Morgan Marcell, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Javier Muñoz, Leslie Odom Jr., Okieriete Onaodowan, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Jon Rua, Austin Smith, Phillipa Soo, Seth Stewart, Betsy Struxness, Ephraim Sykes and Voltaire Wade-Greene.
Rock band Green Day—led by LGBTQ+ musician Billie Joe Armstrong—released a new (édition de luxe) version of the Grammy-nominated album Saviors via Reprise Records, per a press release. Saviors (édition de luxe) includes seven new tracks in total, including two acoustic versions of “Suzie Chapstick” and “Father to a Son,” and five new tracks such as “Smash It Like Belushi,” “Fuck Off,” “Stay Young,” “Ballyhoo” and “Underdog.” Released in January 2024, Saviors had Green Day teaming again with Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo, who famously helmed the band’s albums Dookie and American Idiot.
British rock band Skunk Anansie—led by queer singer Skin—have released its new album, The Painful Truth, per a press release. To celebrate, the band has also released the focus track “Shame.” The release stated, “Produced by David Sitek of TV On The Radio fame, The Painful Truth is a fresh, frank, uplifting, and richly textured album that proves Skunk Anansie’s knack for writing big pop songs remains defiantly undiminished. If anything, their hooks are sharper than ever, sinking in quicker and hitting harder.” Some of the other tracks include “Animal,” “Fell in Love with a Girl” and “Meltdown.”
Victoria Brownworth—a lesbian journalist who was the longtime television columnist for the Bay Area Reporter and who contributed to Philadelphia Gay News as well as other publications—died May 22 at age 69, per the Reporter. Brownworth had long lived with multiple sclerosis and had battled cancer for many years; she was recently hospitalized in Philadelphia. Brownworth penned the B.A.R.’s Lavender Tube TV column for three decades and, often, her writing incorporated the political. Also an author, she won the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery for her 2016 novel, Ordinary Mayhem, and was a five-time finalist in other categories.
American Ballet Theatre (ABT) hosted its 85th Anniversary Spring Gala at Cipriani South Street in New York City, a press release announced. The one-night-only program featured an exclusive preview of the company’s 2025 summer season, including an excerpt from the ABT New York premiere of The Winter’s Tale, by two-time Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon. Gala guests who enjoyed the beautiful performance, black-tie dinner, and dancing included Alec & Hilaria Baldwin, Alex Newell, Amy Astley, Cynthia Rowley, Dascha Polanco, Eric Rutherford & James Miller, Indré Rockefeller, Jean Shafiroff, Karine Jean-Pierre, Kelly Killoren Bensimon & Teddy Bensimon, Lauren Levinson, Lizzie Asher, Michelle Ochs, Misty Copeland, Sai de Silva, Sascha Radetsky & Stella Abrera, Sharareh Siadat, Sophia Bush & Ashlyn Harris, Sutton & Porter Stracke, Tina Leung, ABT Artistic Director Susan Jaffe and Executive Director Barry Hughson.
Disney has now set a release date for the sequel to the 2006 comedy The Devil Wears Prada: May 1, 2026, Variety noted. Although it was reported last year that Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt would be returning, no cast members have been officially confirmed. Stanley Tucci, who starred in the original Devil Wears Prada, recently told Variety, “I know they’re working on it. If it happens, I would be so happy, but I cannot give you any information.” The next chapter reportedly follows Miranda Priestly (played by Streep) as she navigates her career amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing and as she faces off against Blunt’s character—now a high-powered executive for a luxury group with advertising dollars that Priestly needs.
Ryan Murphy has lined up his next high-profile series project, Deadline noted. FX is in early development on The Shards, based on Bret Easton Ellis’ prep school thriller that is set in 1981. Model/actress Kaia Gerber (the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford) is on board to star; Max Winkler will direct. Both are previous Murphy collaborators: Gerber had recurring roles on both American Horror Story and the spin-off American Horror Stories, while Winkler has become a go-to director for Murphy. He recently worked on the third season of Netflix’s Monster and is set to helm the pilot episode of the upcoming FX series American Love Story.
British singer Yungblud spoke about being accused of queerbaiting while appearing on an episode of the podcast We Need to Talk, according to Them. “My vibe is like, I don’t know what people want me to say about that,” Yungblud said. “I’ve f**ked everyone under the sun and that’s the vibe. And I love love and if it’s a vibe, it’s a vibe.” He added, “If a person’s a vibe, a person’s a vibe. Rock and roll, man. I’ve been wearing a skirt since I was six. I was into that vibe.” The interview was part of the promotional tour for his upcoming album Idols, the first of a two-part album, that will debut June 20. In a November 2020 cover profile for British queer magazine Attitude, the singer said he identified as polyamorous and pansexual.
Johnny Mathis stepped onto the stage for the final time at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey—concluding a remarkable seven-decade career, The Advocate noted. Mathis, who will be 90 in September, recently announced his retirement from live performances. Mathis—whose hits “Wonderful! Wonderful!” and “It’s Not for Me to Say” catapulted him to fame in the late 50s, followed by the chart-topping “Chances Are”—is leaving the stage due to age and increasing memory issues. His team shared the news on his Facebook page, thanking fans and hinting at potential new music in the future. Mathis has released more than 70 albums and sold more than 350 million records worldwide.
After Bruce Springsteen criticized President Trump during his latest European tour, Riv’s Toms River Hub in Toms River, New Jersey, canceled a scheduled performance by Springsteen cover band No Surrender, with the owner deeming the show “too risky at the moment,” per Yahoo! Entertainment. The nine-piece group was set to play Riv’s on May 30; however, shortly after Springsteen’s remarks at the opening of his “The Land of Hope & Dreams Tour,” band members began receiving texts from concerned owner Tony Rivoli. According to NJ.com, Rivoli messaged bassist Guy Fleming that Toms River and his establishment’s base “is red and won’t stand for [Springsteen’s] bullshit.” But Rivoli told NJ.com that he never officially canceled the gig, and that “as of Wednesday [May 21],” he would have allowed No Surrender to play. In 2020, Rivoli’s previous restaurant posted a sign reading, “I can breathe, I obey law”—a reference to the death of Eric Garner; Rivoli publicly apologized.
Olympians Gabriella Papadakis and Madison Hubbell are rewriting how skaters approach ice skating, specifically ice dance, by performing together, per the Irish Star. Traditionally, ice dance has been performed by a man and a woman, as the discipline has often been used to portray traditional stories of (presumably straight) love. However, once the two athletes got on the ice and performed during the “Art on Ice,” commentators were blown away by the spectacle as the pair left the audience in awe of what they accomplished. “We made people see other realities,” Papadakis, who is French, said, according to the Washington Post. She added that having both her and Hubbell performing at the same time is indicative of how the world has changed in recent years. “The new generation just doesn’t relate to it anymore.”
Queer musician Billie Eilish—who just won in all seven categories she was nominated in at the American Music Awards, including Album and Artist of the Year—announced 23 additional arena dates for her Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour in Japan and the U.S. for this year, per a press release. Produced by Live Nation, the newly added shows include two nights at Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena on Aug. 16-17, followed by a second U.S. leg this fall with stops in Miami, Orlando, Phoenix, New Orleans, Austin and more. Since launching last September, Eilish has brought her tour to North America and Australia, and is currently touring across Europe, the UK and Ireland.
American Music Awards host Jennifer Lopez is returning to Las Vegas with her new residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, per Variety. Her show, “Jennifer Lopez: Up All Night Live in Las Vegas,” opens the week of New Year’s Eve with four shows on Dec. 30, Dec. 31, Jan. 2 and Jan. 3. There will be an additional eight performances in March 2026. This marks the second time the Grammy-nominated artist landed a Las Vegas residency; her first, entitled “Jennifer Lopez: All I Have,” ran for 120 shows from 2016 to 2018 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
And in another development involving Jennifer Lopez, she has also been accused of queerbaiting at the American Music Awards (AMAs), according to PinkNews. As a section of Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” played (because Lopez was performing a medley of 2024’s biggest hits), she made out with one of her male dancers and then locked lips with a female dancer. While there were some queerbaiting comments, many people were wowed by the spectacle of the opening number, with some hailing it as “INSANE.” Queerbaiting often refers to celebrities falsely hinting that they’re LGBTQ+ in an attempt to attract a queer audience.
Legendary singer Connie Francis—who became the first woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo act in July 1960 with “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool”—is back in the news again, thanks to TikTok, according to Billboard. Francis’ 1962 tinkly organ bop “Pretty Little Baby” has become viral thanks to the social-media platform that Francis wasn’t previously aware of, she said. “Pretty Little Baby” was one of 40 songs Francis recorded during several recording sessions over four days in August 1961, according to her 2017 autobiography Among My Souvenirs: The Real Story Vol. 1. The tune ended up on her album Connie Francis Sings Second Hand Love & Other Hits. LGBTQ+ musician Demi Lovato married Jordan “Jutes” Lutes on May 25 in California, according to E! News. The wedding came more than a year after their engagement in December 2023, when Lutes proposed to Lovato with an original song as he got down on one knee. He presented the “Skyscraper” singer with a pear-shaped, solitaire diamond engagement ring created by the jewelry boutique Material Good.
Out LGBTQ+ musician Tom Goss has released the song “Bear Soup”—a high-energy tune that celebrates body positivity, per a press release. The new single (which features Brooklyn-based rapper Chris Conde) marks the fourth installment in Tom’s bear-themed song series, following the songs “Bears,” “Round in All the Right Places” and “Nerdy Bear.” “I was thinking about fun ways to celebrate body positivity, especially within the bear ecosystem,” Goss said. “It occurred to me—why don’t bears have their own twerk anthem? Most bears have more to twerk with than just their butts. I want folks to twerk their bellies, their butts, and anything else that jiggles!”
Former American Idol finalist David Archuleta and legendary R&B singer Lil’ Mo will headline the Pittsburgh Pride Festival, which is running May 30-June 1, per CBS News. In addition to concert festivities, the event—which has the theme “YOUniting Diversity”—will include over 300 vendors and 70 local performers. Also, the parade will feature a local and national grand marshal; the local grand marshal will be Jeff Freedman, a longtime Pride organizer and Pittsburgh native, while the national grand marshal will be Lydia B. Kollins, a performer from RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 17) and All Stars 10.
Grammy-winning rock act and LGBTQ+ allies Twenty One Pilots announced their seventh full-length album, Breach, arriving in September via Fueled By Ramen, a press release noted. Along with the album, the duo announced the first single off the record, “The Contract,” which is set for release on June 12. Recently, Twenty One Pilots celebrated the 10th anniversary of their chart-topping and record-breaking album, Blurryface. Along with producing hits “Stressed Out” and “Ride,” Blurryface made history by earning a Guinness® World Record for being the first album to notch a RIAA Gold or Platinum certification for every one of its songs.
Although legends Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald have co-starred in numerous concerts and galas over the years, LuPone revealed in a New Yorker profile published May 26 that, as of now, McDonald is “not a friend,” per E! While LuPone is no stranger to a Broadway feud, her unfiltered update about her and McDonald’s relationship comes six months after the Company actress was involved in a feud with Kecia Lewis, who portrayed Miss Liza Jane in Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen while LuPone and Mia Farrow were performing The Roommate in the theater next door. LuPone thought the neighboring show was too loud and called the head of the Shubert Organization, which owns both venues, to ask him if he could fix the noise problem; however, soon after, Lewis posted a video to Instagram, speaking as one “veteran” to another, calling LuPone’s actions “racially microaggressive” and “rooted in privilege” for calling “a Black show loud.” When Lewis initially accused LuPone of “bullying” in her post, McDonald was one of many showing their support in the comments—which LuPone disliked.
More than $17 million were raised for amfAR’s AIDS research programs at the 31st edition of amfAR Gala Cannes, according to a press release. The black-tie gala, which took place at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, was hosted by Oscar-nominated actor, producer and advocate Taraji P. Henson and featured performances by Grammy-winning rock band Duran Duran; Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist Ciara; and Grammy-nominated entertainer and current Queen frontman Adam Lambert. Among those attending were Spike Lee, Leonardo DiCaprio, Colman Domingo, Adrien Brody, Michelle Rodriguez, Heidi Klum, Mariska Hargitay, Odell Beckham Jr., Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, James Franco, Georgina Chapman, Coco Rocha and many others. A feature of the evening was the “From Cannes With Love” Collection fashion show, curated by longtime amfAR supporter Carine Roitfeld; Longtime amfAR supporter Klum, a chair of the event, joined fellow event chair Domingo on stage to help Simon de Pury sell the collection in its entirety.
Legendary Oakland R&B group En Vogue—with current members Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones (who has returned after 13 years away) and Rhona Bennett—marked the 35th anniversary of its first album during an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show and hinted at the possibility of a film adaptation of its career journey, per The San Francisco Chronicle. Also, V101.9 noted that the act will start its 2025 overseas tour in Antwerp, Belgium, this June before visiting the UK, the Netherlands, Morocco and Ireland. The group’s first album, Born to Sing, produced three smash hits: “Hold On,” “Lies” and “Don’t Go.” “Hold On” won a Grammy for Top R&B single in 1990. On a related note, Dawn Robinson—the fourth original member of the group—recently revealed that she is homeless and has been living in her car for the past three years, according to People.
In September, the pansexual Marvel antihero will encounter DC’s Dark Knight with the release of Deadpool/Batman #1, per a press release. The comic book will be written by prolific Spider-Man comics writer and Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine co-writer Zeb Wells and drawn by industry superstar Greg Capullo, an artist with a legacy at both legendary comic-book companies. Deadpool/Batman #1, the first of two crossovers between Marvel and DC, will be followed in November by Batman/Deadpool #1.
Amazon Prime Video has canceled the fantasy series The Wheel of Time after three seasons, Variety noted. The show followed LGBTQ+ character Moiraine (Rosamund Pike)—a member of a powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai—who embarks on a global journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity. Along with Pike, the cast included Josha Stradowski, Madeleine Madden, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn, Ceara Coveney, Kate Fleetwood, Natasha O’Keeffe, Ayoola Smart, Kae Alexander and Sophie Okonedo (who plays Pike’s superior—and onetime love).
Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for its upcoming crime drama Smoke, per a press release. The series will reunite the creative team behind Apple TV+’s acclaimed limited drama Black Bird, and it stars and was executive-produced by Emmy nominee Taron Egerton. Smoke will make its global debut on Apple TV+ on June 27 with the first two episodes, followed by one episode weekly, every Friday through Aug. 15. Smoke follows an arson investigator who begrudgingly teams up with a police detective as their race to stop two arsonists ignites a twisted game of secrets and suspicions.
Grammy-nominated musician Benson Boone released a new ballad, “Momma Song,” a media release noted. The track serves as the next taste of his new album, American Heart, arriving June 20 via Night Street Records/Warner Records. He first introduced American Heart with “Sorry I’m Here For Someone Else,” his first release of the year. Boone’s “Beautiful Things” was the #1 most streamed song in the world last year, earning Boone the IFPI Global Single Award for 2024.
Queer celebrity Frankie Grande has released a new single and music video entitled “Boys,” out now via Casablanca Records, a media release noted. It sets the stage for his forthcoming debut album, Hotel Rock Bottom, out June 27. Grande said, “‘Boys’ is my unapologetically queer twist on a pop classic—because boys just wanna get some! I wrote it about a magical trip to Fire Island for Pride where I felt totally free, fierce and fabulous. This track is a ‘gay Pride’ summer anthem for anyone who’s ever danced all night, kissed under the stars, and lived their truth out loud!” The locker room-set video is here.
CBS began the official countdown to Survivor 50—and one of the contestants is LGBTQ+ filmmaker Mike White (The White Lotus), Deadline revealed. Host Jeff Probst disclosed that White—who will be one of 24 competitors—is returning to Fiji for another chance at the cash prize, after having competed during season 37’s David Vs. Goliath and going on to create three seasons of his social satire for HBO. Other notable players from Survivor‘s past who are returning for the milestone season are Colby Donaldson from season two, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty (from the very first season) Aubrey Bracco from 32 (who’s returning for a fourth time) and Cirie Fields (12) and LGBTQ+ competitor Ozzy Lusth (13)—both of whom are returning for a fifth time. Survivor 50 will leave two spots for two players from season 49, which will air this fall. Interestingly, there will be no contestants who competed for the very first time between seasons 19 and 31, EW noted.
President Trump fully pardoned reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley after they were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud in 2022, Variety noted. White House communications advisor Margo Martin posted a video to X of Trump on the phone with their daughter Savannah Chrisley, delivering the news that he will fully pardon her parents. Todd Chrisley was set to face 12 years in prison while Julie was sentenced to serve seven, according to WSB-TV in Atlanta. The couple’s accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also sentenced to three years in prison for his hand in the scheme; however, it’s not known if he will also be pardoned.
Kevin Spacey directed—and is featured in—a supernatural thriller that co-stars Dolph Lundgren, Tyrese Gibson and Eric Roberts, Variety reported. The out gay two-time Oscar-winning actor—who fell from grace in Hollywood following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct—helmed the film, which has the working title of “Holiguards,” and is planned to be the first in a franchise known as “Statiguards vs. Holiguards.” The film, which has a budget of around $10 million, was shot in Mexico last year and is now in post-production.
After questioning her sexuality on Celebrity Big Brother UK, JoJo Siwa posted intimate photos of her with co-housemate and former Love Island participant Chris Hughes, Yahoo! Entertainment noted. Speculation surrounding her relationship with Hughes escalated when Siwa’s ex, Kath Ebbs, revealed that Siwa broke up with them at the CBB UK wrap party. And Siwa recently shared a string of photos and videos from her weeklong birthday celebration—including one with Siwa resting her head on Hughes’ shoulder as he gazed down at her; he makes several appearances throughout her post. Hughes posted “The previous 7 days have been the prettiest,” with most of the photos featuring Siwa.
Groundbreaking former NFL player Michael Sam seems to be “casually dating” figure skater Colin Grafton, per Out. Sam came out as gay in 2014 in an interview with ESPN; after playing college football for Missouri, the St. Louis Rams drafted him to the NFL, making him the first out player to be drafted in the league. After the Rams let him go during the preseason, Sam spent time on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad before playing in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes for one game. Grafton, who came out last year, used to compete with Team USA in pairs skating.
Gwyneth Paltrow has a few choice words for those still criticizing her controversial vagina candle, according to EW. In 2020, Paltrow’s lifestyle brand, Goop, made headlines for selling the $75 candle “This Smells Like My Vagina.” But at the recent Mindvalley Manifesting Summit, Paltrow still felt compelled to defend the candle. “I kept it on the site because there is an aspect to women’s sexuality that I think we’re socialized to feel a lot of shame,” she explained. “I sort of loved this kind of punk rock idea. We are beautiful and awesome.” And as for detractors, Paltrow added, “Go f**k yourself.”