News Brief

By D. Kevin McNeir GBMNews Sr. Correspondent & Editor

 

RuPaul has been spotted in bookstores from Los Angeles to New York City, signing copies of his new book, Workin' It! (It Books/Harper Collins, 2010), which already has folks comparing their strategies for life, style and fashion to this guide, written by the world's most famous drag queen. And he'll be in Atlanta at Outwrite, the southeast's premier location for literature, music and art that celebrates the LGBT community, on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m., where he'll be taking photos, signing copies of his book and "dishing out the scoop on fashion for girls and boys, straight and gay - and everyone in between." Centre Stage Magazine will feature the incomparable RuPaul on the cover of our February edition, scheduled for release next weekend, where he talks about his book, his life and his new surge in popularity. And you can be sure, we'll have plenty of photographs (courtesy of LOGO and  photographers Ocean Morisset and Rick Gore) along with interviews from some of this season's contestants on the popular Logo-produced, "RuPaul's Drag Race, even including words from one of the shows' handsome hunks, Max Philisaire, who shares his hints for those who want to improve their body and health. Stay tuned!

 

 

An Interview with producer/writer, Demetrius Bady

By Doug Cooper-Spencer GBMNews Contributing Columnist

 

"At Moesha I was gay in a black world that preferences and privileges heterosexuality and in West Hollywood, I was black in a gay world which preferences and privileges whiteness." ~ Producer, Writer, Demetrius Bady

Being black and gay in Hollywood can be a daunting experience. With two strikes already against you, there's a thin line you have to walk; to fall either way can cost you. This article focuses on the challenging - even frustrating relationship black LGBT people have with the film industry. Specifically, it is an interview with producer, writer, Demetrius Bady who served as a writer on various T.V. shows, including the '90's hit, 'Moesha'. Demetrius talks about his years in Hollywood as an openly gay black writer and producer, his relationship with black Hollywood, and his latest project: 'Nothing Personal', a documentary film that challenges the homophobia that exists in the black entertainment industry, in particular the film industry.

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By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

On April 30th, Brady Green was charged, found guilty of stalking the television/model diva, Ms. Tyra Banks.

 

The Associated Press said that Mr. Green, who arrived from Georgia, was also charged with criminal trespass, harassment and attempted aggravated harassment. The model superstar lived in fear as Mr. Green sent her flowers, letters, even showed up at the studio where the "Tyra Banks" show is filmed.

Many of you may remember when I wrote about Mr. Green sitting at MacDonald's, across the street from Tyra's studio, where he waited for her to exit. Now Green claims that he didn't mean to scare her and he did not intend hurt her. He claims to have felt a connection when Ms. Banks spoke about homelessness (and other topic's), his mind told him to go to NYC, to be close to his friend, "Tyra Banks". Mr. Green faces 90 days jail time. His lawyers are suppose to appeal. If he's convicted 90 days, what happens after he has served his time? Perhaps the "system" should enforce mental health care. You read it here at GBMNews.com

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

Checking on line for the latest news, I was suddenly sadden to read that actress, comedian, and singer, Ms. Beatrice Arthur had passed away from cancer on Saturday, April 25, 2009. I can recall that early this year I had seen a photo of her, and wondered if she was ok.

  

Ms. Arthur was born on May 13, 1992. This is two years after my grandmother's birth, as Ms. Arthur is part of my grandmother's generation but because of her extreme talent she was able to be a part of everyone's generation, no matter the age, race, class and gender.

The first time I became aware of Ms. Arthur was when she did her series, "Maude", which was a spin off of " All In the Family". From that moment I was a fan. I also remember enjoying her performance, as Mame's best friend, Vera, in the movie "Mame" with Ms. Lucille Ball. The interesting thing is that Ms. Arthur played Vera, the best friend to Angela Lansbury's "Mame" on Broadway, of which she won a Tony Award. But her legacy will be "Golden Girls". She won Emmy's for her character, "Dorothy" in Golden Girls and also her lead character in the series, "Maude".

Ms. Arthur born name is Bernice Frankel, who was born in New York City but raised in Cambridge, Maryland. In 1947 Ms. Arthur studied drama at the New School in New York City. Her resume shows that she performed in various plays on and off Broadway. After "Golden Girls", I was happily surprised to see her on cable series, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" where she played actor, Larry Davis', mother.

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By Kheven LaGrone

What a person says when outraged or upset reveals a lot about them. We saw that recently at the Miss USA pageant when Perez Hilton asked Miss California her views on gay marriage. The 21-year old college student answered that she didn’t want to offend anyone, but she felt that marriage was between a man and a woman. Hilton, a gay man, was not happy with her response. He later publicly called her the “b-word.” He rescinded calling her that. Then he changed his mind about rescinding the attack. As he says, he meant to call her the “b-word.” In fact, he added that he was also thinking of the “c-word.”


 

Mr. Hilton says that Miss California’s response to his question alienated many gays and lesbians. Yet his calling Miss California “the b-word” is a direct affront to women—both straight and lesbian. The fact that he says he was thinking of demeaning her with the “c-word” revealed the underlying misogynistic intent of his attack. He announced to the media a disdain for the female anatomy. Is he really the one to speak for lesbians? Did Mr. Hilton feel that his outrage justified abusing a woman who disagreed with him? Do all women who disagree with him risk such an attack? Would he have justified “b***h-slapping” Miss California if she had been standing close enough to him?

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Industry Vets Will Go Backstage "Interviewing Hollywood"

By Sr. Correspondent,  D. Kevin McNeir

GBM News will be giving you the news in an exciting new way with its upcoming video show, "Interviewing Hollywood," which premiers in the next few weeks. The show's host, creator and GBM News Senior Correspondent, Shahid Manning, is a Howard University graduate with over 20 years of acting and production experience. And he says that the best thing about the new show is that it allows him to get up close and personal with celebrated entertainers as well as those whose stars have yet to shine.

 

Shahid Manning

"We will interview local talent in entertainment, from the unknown to superstars and give the audience a peek into how Hollywood runs from the ground up," Manning said. "On the ground level we will be able to provide publicity to smaller productions and make the viewers aware that they are out there doing some great work." Manning says one of the challenges he has faced living in Los Angeles is where to find good entertainment. He hopes that as more episodes for "Interviewing Hollywood" are produced, that the public's knowledge of quality productions will be heightened - from vocalists and dancers to actors of the stage and the silver screen. "We want to raise the consciousness of our viewers and share the trials and tribulations of being an entertainer," he said. "We really hope that through the interviews people will leave with a keener sense of how things work behind the scenes. But more than that, we want to share the real lives of the people we interview, actors for example, and show the road they have traveled and what really motivates them. There is a lot that goes on with entertainment - it's not just the show and where it is playing - what really interests me is who these entertainers are and how masterpieces are first conceived and then made."

Stanley Bennett Clay

The first episode of "Interviewing Hollywood will feature playwright and author Stanley Bennett Clay and include clips from his new play, Armstrong's Kid [Lucy Florence Theatre]. The story is about a boy who accuses his teacher of child molestation and picks up 11 years later when the boy, now a man, returns home and seeks his former teacher's forgiveness. "It's a great play - full of twists and turns and as we discover, things are not as cut and dry and one might believe," Manning said. "Stanley [Bennett Clay] has been in the business for over 40 years and does some powerful writing. It's the kind of piece that makes you enjoy going to the theater and is so provocative that you can't help but want to discuss the many themes that are raised." Manning hopes to air new episodes weekly but says with this being the first episode, there is still some learning and perfecting that must occur. He says he is blessed to have some good people working with him and says that the team that has been assembled is putting together an outstanding product.

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Shahid Manning brings the stars of Hollywood to you on GBMNews. Please check out his exclusive video interview with Stanley Bennett Clay and the cast of Armstrong's Kid.

Cleck through to the Full Story where there are four episodes to this interview and two exceperts of the play "Armstrong Kid".




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By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

The media has gone running with a quote from Mr. Hulk Hogan. The pro wrestler and reality show star, when interviewed by "Rollingstone" magazine, expressed what I'm sure a lot of ex-husbands feel, after being replaced by a younger model (man).

 

"I could have turned everything into a crime scene like O.J., cutting everybody's throat," Hogan said in the interview.

"You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater [Florida] and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife... ."I totally understand O.J. I get it," Hogan said, according to CNN. TMZ and other networks showed the same footage of Mr. Hogan saying that he totally understands why O.J. Simpson probably murdered his wife. (Now that's scary). Mr. Hogan did not say what Mr. Simpson was accused of is correct. Yet, the sister of murdered victim, Ron Goldman, was seen on the television stating how displeased she was with Mr. Hogan comments. The kid that Mr. Hogan's ex-wife is dating could be her son. But you know men have been doing it for years. Such is life. You read it here at GBMNews.com

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

Enough already!!! Another reality show, say it isn't so. It's been released that the American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino will return to television on a VH-1 reality show.

Now I love Fantasia but why would I be interested in her personal life?

Well, maybe, since she's a single mother, a recording artist and what might be interesting is that all of her family members can sing. So you know during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, you are going to hear some serious heartfelt singing. At present, she's touring with the "Color Purple". Stay tuned, we can chit chat later. You read it here at GBMNews.com

By Entertainment Correspondent, John Frazier

Now come on people. We should stop watching television. Keshia Knight Pulliam better known as Rudy from the Crosby show is said to be finalizing the details for her reality show for cable television.

 

The reality show will star Ms. Pulliam and her live-in boyfriend, Kaseem Penn, an entrepreneur. According to the Associated Press, the show will focus on what its like to be young, rich, rich, young, young, rich, what's wrong with this picture?

The economy has gone down the toilet, people are losing their jobs, homes, families are becoming homeless, many don't have food to eat and we want to watch young rich folks be rich. I don't think so. This is a stupid idea. You read it here at GBMNews.com