Sunday, 31 July 2011
Friday, 29 July 2011
An article from AfterElton
[Source]
Morning Meme: Congratulations Denis O'Hare, Harrison Ford Settles a Score and Barbra Looks Amazing.
Posted by Ed Kennedy on July 29, 2011
True Blood's Denis O'Hare wed his longtime partner Hugo Redwood at the New York courthouse. Congratulations to the happy couple!
Morning Meme: Congratulations Denis O'Hare, Harrison Ford Settles a Score and Barbra Looks Amazing.
Posted by Ed Kennedy on July 29, 2011
True Blood's Denis O'Hare wed his longtime partner Hugo Redwood at the New York courthouse. Congratulations to the happy couple!
At the courthouse. Obviously a casual affair.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
An article from AfterElton
[Source]
Watch! Adam Lambert's "Behind The Music" Preview: Kris Allen, "Idol," and Guyliner
Posted by snicks on July 28, 2011
Adam Lambert's much antipated Behind The Music will debut on Sunday, August 7th at 10 PM ET, and we've finally got a preview.
Watch! Adam Lambert's "Behind The Music" Preview: Kris Allen, "Idol," and Guyliner
Posted by snicks on July 28, 2011
Adam Lambert's much antipated Behind The Music will debut on Sunday, August 7th at 10 PM ET, and we've finally got a preview.
In this sneak peek, Lambert talks about his behind-the-scenes struggle with the public debate about his sexuality—and his inability to respond, thanks to the Idol contestant contract, which forbids contestants from giving one-on-one interviews before the competition is over.The clip also features parallelogram-mouthed cutie-pie Kris Allen, who talks about how the show tried to pit them against each other.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
An article from AfterElton
[Source]
Anderson Cooper: "You're Going to See More of Who I Am"
Posted by Will Harris, Will Harris on July 27, 2011
If Anderson Cooper isn’t already one of the busiest journalists working in television today, he’s certainly about to be: on September 12, Cooper kicks off Anderson, his daytime talk show.
While sitting in the Beverly Hilton for the summer edition of the Television Critics Association press tour, however, Cooper repeatedly assured the assembled TV critics that he’s up to the task of maintaining a day job while still doing his duties at CNN in the evening and occasionally contributing to CBS’s 60 Minutes.
“You know, I manage my time really well,” said Cooper. “The schedule of this show, we’re taping it and shooting it in the same building where I work at CNN, in New York. I think it’s all very do-able. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I like working hard. I’ve been working hard for a long time now.”
With a grin, Cooper added, “Plus, it’s TV. So it’s not like it’s real work.”
Later, as the assembled journalists were enjoying cocktails with Cooper in the courtyard, he shrugged and laughed when asked jokingly if he felt guilty for, in his own small way, contributing to America’s unemployment problem by taking on yet another gig.
“We all think about this sort of golden age of television where people are just doing one thing, but I’m a obsessive student of television, and if you go to the Museum of Broadcasting and you look at the old Edward R. Murrow broadcasts, he was doing Person to Person and See It Now,” he said. “There’s just more opportunity now for people in television to branch out. My rule is always, as long as it’s a real reflection of who I am and what I’m interested in, and you’re coming to it from a genuine place of trying to learn things and trying to understand things better, then there’s no reason not to try it.”
Unsurprisingly, the topic of Cooper’s personal life was brought up during the course of conversation, specifically whether or not he would be willing to discuss more about himself in this new forum.
“Is there any interest in that?” said Cooper, with mock naiveté. “I’m kidding. Whatever happens organically happens organically, and as long as it’s organic to what we’re doing and wherever the show’s going, then I think it’s fine. I mean, to me, it’s not a big deal, and it’s not something I think about or think out or plan out. I just… I think we’ll see how things go. Obviously, given the kind of topics we’re going to be covering, you’re going to be seeing more of my personality, more of who I am. Certainly, this is a format where you’re asking people to talk about themselves, and there’s a two-way street, and I understand that.”
At one point, when Cooper was asked if there was anything that he didn’t like or want people saying about him, he indicated a general annoyance with opinions being cited as fact. So how, then AfterElton.com later asked, does he feel about being placed on, say, a list of the Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America?
“You know, people make lists all the time in magazines,” he said. “The lists don’t really mean anything. It’s about selling magazines. And I get that.”
Yes, but surely it still means something to appear on AfterElton’s Hot 100 five years in a row…?
“You know, I’ve seen that,” Cooper said, laughing. “Yes, of course, who wouldn’t be flattered? Although – and I think I said this at one point – I have scrawny little chicken legs, so I don’t know what all the fuss is about. As long as I keep the legs covered up, I think I’m okay.”
Cooper has every reason to believe that his daytime show will be just as GLBT-friendly as the work he does in the evenings. “I do a lot of gay and lesbian issues on the CNN show, so certainly there’s a lot to talk about, and certainly a lot of issues for us to cover,” he said. “Had we been on the air with gay marriage in New York, it would’ve been great to have an audience where everybody had just been married. As someone who works at CNN, I try not to express opinion, but, you know, certainly to see all these couples who’ve been together – for decades, in some cases – marrying, it was incredibly emotional. And it was, for them, incredibly emotional.”
Anderson Cooper: "You're Going to See More of Who I Am"
Posted by Will Harris, Will Harris on July 27, 2011
While sitting in the Beverly Hilton for the summer edition of the Television Critics Association press tour, however, Cooper repeatedly assured the assembled TV critics that he’s up to the task of maintaining a day job while still doing his duties at CNN in the evening and occasionally contributing to CBS’s 60 Minutes.
“You know, I manage my time really well,” said Cooper. “The schedule of this show, we’re taping it and shooting it in the same building where I work at CNN, in New York. I think it’s all very do-able. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I like working hard. I’ve been working hard for a long time now.”
With a grin, Cooper added, “Plus, it’s TV. So it’s not like it’s real work.”
Later, as the assembled journalists were enjoying cocktails with Cooper in the courtyard, he shrugged and laughed when asked jokingly if he felt guilty for, in his own small way, contributing to America’s unemployment problem by taking on yet another gig.
“We all think about this sort of golden age of television where people are just doing one thing, but I’m a obsessive student of television, and if you go to the Museum of Broadcasting and you look at the old Edward R. Murrow broadcasts, he was doing Person to Person and See It Now,” he said. “There’s just more opportunity now for people in television to branch out. My rule is always, as long as it’s a real reflection of who I am and what I’m interested in, and you’re coming to it from a genuine place of trying to learn things and trying to understand things better, then there’s no reason not to try it.”
“Is there any interest in that?” said Cooper, with mock naiveté. “I’m kidding. Whatever happens organically happens organically, and as long as it’s organic to what we’re doing and wherever the show’s going, then I think it’s fine. I mean, to me, it’s not a big deal, and it’s not something I think about or think out or plan out. I just… I think we’ll see how things go. Obviously, given the kind of topics we’re going to be covering, you’re going to be seeing more of my personality, more of who I am. Certainly, this is a format where you’re asking people to talk about themselves, and there’s a two-way street, and I understand that.”
At one point, when Cooper was asked if there was anything that he didn’t like or want people saying about him, he indicated a general annoyance with opinions being cited as fact. So how, then AfterElton.com later asked, does he feel about being placed on, say, a list of the Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America?
“You know, people make lists all the time in magazines,” he said. “The lists don’t really mean anything. It’s about selling magazines. And I get that.”
Yes, but surely it still means something to appear on AfterElton’s Hot 100 five years in a row…?
“You know, I’ve seen that,” Cooper said, laughing. “Yes, of course, who wouldn’t be flattered? Although – and I think I said this at one point – I have scrawny little chicken legs, so I don’t know what all the fuss is about. As long as I keep the legs covered up, I think I’m okay.”
Cooper has every reason to believe that his daytime show will be just as GLBT-friendly as the work he does in the evenings. “I do a lot of gay and lesbian issues on the CNN show, so certainly there’s a lot to talk about, and certainly a lot of issues for us to cover,” he said. “Had we been on the air with gay marriage in New York, it would’ve been great to have an audience where everybody had just been married. As someone who works at CNN, I try not to express opinion, but, you know, certainly to see all these couples who’ve been together – for decades, in some cases – marrying, it was incredibly emotional. And it was, for them, incredibly emotional.”
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Friday, 22 July 2011
Zach Wahls Speaks About Family
[Source]
Zach Wahls & Family Join the NOH8 Campaign
University of Iowa student Zach Wahls became a familiar face among the LGBT community earlier this year when a video went viral of Zach delivering an impassioned speech about his family and growing up with gay parents to the Iowa House of Representatives.
Zach's speech was in response to an Iowa bill that would have ended civil unions in Iowa, and the response to the simple elegance and power of the speech fueled the video to spread throughout the internet overnight, gaining several million hits. Zach was even invited to talk about his speech on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show!
During our recent trip to Des Moines, Iowa, Zach's mothers were honored at the Eychaner Foundation's Matthew Shepard Scholarship Awards Dinner. While in attendance, Co-Founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley (who were also headlining the event) had the chance to speak with Terry Wahls and Jacqueline Reger.
As luck would have it, Zach was scheduled to be in town the very next day - so Team NOH8 rented a car and drove out to Iowa City to meet with Zach's family and photograph them for the campaign.
We're honored to have their support and humbled by their hospitality!
Zach Wahls & Family Join the NOH8 Campaign
Zach's speech was in response to an Iowa bill that would have ended civil unions in Iowa, and the response to the simple elegance and power of the speech fueled the video to spread throughout the internet overnight, gaining several million hits. Zach was even invited to talk about his speech on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show!
During our recent trip to Des Moines, Iowa, Zach's mothers were honored at the Eychaner Foundation's Matthew Shepard Scholarship Awards Dinner. While in attendance, Co-Founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley (who were also headlining the event) had the chance to speak with Terry Wahls and Jacqueline Reger.
As luck would have it, Zach was scheduled to be in town the very next day - so Team NOH8 rented a car and drove out to Iowa City to meet with Zach's family and photograph them for the campaign.
We're honored to have their support and humbled by their hospitality!
 |  |
 |  |
If you haven't yet seen it, you can check out Zach's incredible speech below, as well as his appearance on Ellen.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
An article from Digital Spy
[Source]
'EastEnders' character to come out as gay
Thursday, July 21 2011, 01:51 BST
By Kate Goodacre, News Subeditor
An EastEnders regular is about to become the third gay character on Albert Square, reports have revealed.
Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe) will reveal that he is gay after sharing a kiss with another teenager called Duncan, according to The Mirror.
"Since the day Ben returned to Walford, he's been a bit of a disappointment for Phil," a show insider told the paper.
"With his love of dancing and musicals, Ben was not cast from the same 'tough guy' mould as his father. It's ironic that Phil's efforts to turn his son into a mini version of himself backfire spectacularly when he encourages Ben to go boxing with Duncan.
"But no-one could anticipate the chain of events this will spark around Walford as Ben tries to keep his sexuality secret from his father."
Ben and Duncan will reportedly be spotted by Patrick Truman (Rudolph Walker), but Ben threatens the shopkeeper fearing what father Phil (Steve McFadden) will say if he finds out.
The production source continued: "Poor Ben is terrified of Phil's reaction but the truth will out, sooner or later."
EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood recently defended scenes showing Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge) in bed together following viewer complaints.
'EastEnders' character to come out as gay
Thursday, July 21 2011, 01:51 BST
By Kate Goodacre, News Subeditor
 |
| © BBC |
Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe) will reveal that he is gay after sharing a kiss with another teenager called Duncan, according to The Mirror.
"Since the day Ben returned to Walford, he's been a bit of a disappointment for Phil," a show insider told the paper.
"With his love of dancing and musicals, Ben was not cast from the same 'tough guy' mould as his father. It's ironic that Phil's efforts to turn his son into a mini version of himself backfire spectacularly when he encourages Ben to go boxing with Duncan.
"But no-one could anticipate the chain of events this will spark around Walford as Ben tries to keep his sexuality secret from his father."
Ben and Duncan will reportedly be spotted by Patrick Truman (Rudolph Walker), but Ben threatens the shopkeeper fearing what father Phil (Steve McFadden) will say if he finds out.
The production source continued: "Poor Ben is terrified of Phil's reaction but the truth will out, sooner or later."
EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood recently defended scenes showing Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge) in bed together following viewer complaints.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
An article from The SUN
[Source]
Barrowman bonk with a barman is banned by Beeb
By LEIGH HOLMWOOD, Deputy TV Editor
Published: 19 Jul 2011
ONE of the most sexually explicit scenes ever filmed for a TV drama has been torched - from Torchwood.
Racy bisexual Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman has a gay romp with a barman.
The scene - which includes shots of Jack's naked bum - was filmed for the third episode of the sci-fi hit and would have gone out just 20 minutes after the 9pm watershed.
It has already been shown on US cable channel Starz, which co-funded the drama. But shocked Beeb bosses have cut it from the BBC1 version, fearing an avalanche of complaints from viewers.
A veteran telly insider described it as one of the most sexually explicit TV sex scenes they had seen - and said they were "staggered" it could air in a drama that has so many young fans.
The source said: "It wasn't that it was a gay scene that worried people, but just the fact it was such an explicit sex scene, full stop.
"You can get away with scenes like that on American cable channels, but you can't on primetime BBC1.
"Even though the show airs after the watershed, it has a lot of young fans who would have been shocked at the graphic nature of the sex."
Last night, the BBC confirmed the scene had been axed, along with a gruesome scene later in the series.
A spokeswoman said: "The UK and US versions of Torchwood are slightly different.
"However these differences do not change the story in any way and the strong storylines are first and foremost to the series."
The insider told TV Biz: "Cutting these scenes doesn't affect the story and they are very minimal changes.
"It was decided to cut them as the BBC and Starz have very different audiences."
Part Two of Torchwood: Miracle Day is on Thursday at 9pm
 |
| No sex please, we're British .... Torchwood |
By LEIGH HOLMWOOD, Deputy TV Editor
Published: 19 Jul 2011
ONE of the most sexually explicit scenes ever filmed for a TV drama has been torched - from Torchwood.
Racy bisexual Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman has a gay romp with a barman.
The scene - which includes shots of Jack's naked bum - was filmed for the third episode of the sci-fi hit and would have gone out just 20 minutes after the 9pm watershed.
It has already been shown on US cable channel Starz, which co-funded the drama. But shocked Beeb bosses have cut it from the BBC1 version, fearing an avalanche of complaints from viewers.
A veteran telly insider described it as one of the most sexually explicit TV sex scenes they had seen - and said they were "staggered" it could air in a drama that has so many young fans.
The source said: "It wasn't that it was a gay scene that worried people, but just the fact it was such an explicit sex scene, full stop.
"You can get away with scenes like that on American cable channels, but you can't on primetime BBC1.
"Even though the show airs after the watershed, it has a lot of young fans who would have been shocked at the graphic nature of the sex."
Last night, the BBC confirmed the scene had been axed, along with a gruesome scene later in the series.
A spokeswoman said: "The UK and US versions of Torchwood are slightly different.
"However these differences do not change the story in any way and the strong storylines are first and foremost to the series."
The insider told TV Biz: "Cutting these scenes doesn't affect the story and they are very minimal changes.
"It was decided to cut them as the BBC and Starz have very different audiences."
Part Two of Torchwood: Miracle Day is on Thursday at 9pm
An article and a video from Degital Spy
[Source]
'Torchwood' sex scene cut from UK broadcast
Tuesday, July 19 2011, 12:49 BST By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter
The BBC has confirmed that it has cut a sex scene from an upcoming episode of Torchwood: Miracle Day.
The moment featured Captain Jack (John Barrowman) sleeping with a barman and is expected to be shown in the US on cable network Starz, The Sun reports.
However, the scene will be cut from the UK broadcast as it was allegedly deemed inappropriate for a primetime slot on BBC One.
"It wasn't that it was a gay scene that worried people, but just the fact that it was such an explicit sex scene full stop," a source said. "You can get away with scenes like that on American cable channels, but you can't on primetime BBC One.
"Even though the show airs after the watershed, it has a lot of young fans who would have been shocked at the graphic nature of the sex."
A BBC spokesperson confirmed that the scene will not be shown in the UK, adding that a violent moment will also be cut later in the series.
"The UK and US versions of Torchwood are slightly different," the spokesperson said. "However, these differences do not change the story in any way and the strong storylines are first and foremost to the series."
Barrowman, who has previously said that Jack has "full-on boy sex" in the show, recently admitted that he would like to make a Torchwood movie.
Torchwood: Miracle Day airs on Fridays at 10pm on Starz in the US and on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One in the UK.
Watch John Barrowman discussing Torchwood: Miracle Day with Digital Spy below:
'Torchwood' sex scene cut from UK broadcast
Tuesday, July 19 2011, 12:49 BST By Catriona Wightman, TV Reporter
 |
| © Starz |
The moment featured Captain Jack (John Barrowman) sleeping with a barman and is expected to be shown in the US on cable network Starz, The Sun reports.
However, the scene will be cut from the UK broadcast as it was allegedly deemed inappropriate for a primetime slot on BBC One.
"It wasn't that it was a gay scene that worried people, but just the fact that it was such an explicit sex scene full stop," a source said. "You can get away with scenes like that on American cable channels, but you can't on primetime BBC One.
"Even though the show airs after the watershed, it has a lot of young fans who would have been shocked at the graphic nature of the sex."
A BBC spokesperson confirmed that the scene will not be shown in the UK, adding that a violent moment will also be cut later in the series.
"The UK and US versions of Torchwood are slightly different," the spokesperson said. "However, these differences do not change the story in any way and the strong storylines are first and foremost to the series."
Barrowman, who has previously said that Jack has "full-on boy sex" in the show, recently admitted that he would like to make a Torchwood movie.
Torchwood: Miracle Day airs on Fridays at 10pm on Starz in the US and on Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One in the UK.
Watch John Barrowman discussing Torchwood: Miracle Day with Digital Spy below:
Monday, 18 July 2011
An article from T|V
[Source]
July 17, 2011 03:41 PM PDT
Fall TV Scoop: B.D. Wong Reveals His SVU Fate
Matt Webb Mitovich
The fate of yet another actor facing the prospect of double duty this TV season has apparently been decided. B.D. Wong, who fills a major role on the NBC midseason drama Awake, announced on Twitter Sunday that Law & Order: SVU viewers likely have seen the last of forensic psychiatrist Dr. George Huang.
“I actually do not return for Season 13,” Wong told one follower during his live tweeting of USA Network’s Sunday afternoon “What Would BD DO” SVU marathon. “I am jumping to Awake! It’s awesome!”
Wong hinted at a possible parting of the ways with the long-running crime drama when I spoke to him at NBC’s upfront presentation unveiling the network’s 2011-12 schedule. “[The SVU powers-that-be] gave me the blessing to do [the Awake pilot], which was really nice,” he shared. “But I don’t really know if I can do both or not.”
Since Awake doesn’t debut until midseason, there seemed to be some hope that Huang would return at least to say goodbye. But as Wong tweeted Sunday, “I don’t know if or when I’ll be back [on SVU]! It was amazing to have such a cool job for 11 years and to be a real NY Actor.”
Wong’s exit marks the last bit of cast upheaval for SVU, which has lost series vet Chris Meloni, added Danny Pino (Cold Case) and Kelli Giddish (Chase) as series regulars/new detectives, and is welcoming back Stephanie March and Diane Neal (as prosecutors Alexandra Cabot and Casey Novak) for an undetermined number of episodes each.
On Awake — which, as B.D. said, is rather awesome — Wong plays one of two shrinks that Jason Isaacs’ troubled lawman sees, each in a separate reality. Cherry Jones (24) plays the other therapist. You can get a peek at Awake here; grab a Kleenex first:
July 17, 2011 03:41 PM PDT
Fall TV Scoop: B.D. Wong Reveals His SVU Fate
Matt Webb Mitovich
“I actually do not return for Season 13,” Wong told one follower during his live tweeting of USA Network’s Sunday afternoon “What Would BD DO” SVU marathon. “I am jumping to Awake! It’s awesome!”
Wong hinted at a possible parting of the ways with the long-running crime drama when I spoke to him at NBC’s upfront presentation unveiling the network’s 2011-12 schedule. “[The SVU powers-that-be] gave me the blessing to do [the Awake pilot], which was really nice,” he shared. “But I don’t really know if I can do both or not.”
Since Awake doesn’t debut until midseason, there seemed to be some hope that Huang would return at least to say goodbye. But as Wong tweeted Sunday, “I don’t know if or when I’ll be back [on SVU]! It was amazing to have such a cool job for 11 years and to be a real NY Actor.”
Wong’s exit marks the last bit of cast upheaval for SVU, which has lost series vet Chris Meloni, added Danny Pino (Cold Case) and Kelli Giddish (Chase) as series regulars/new detectives, and is welcoming back Stephanie March and Diane Neal (as prosecutors Alexandra Cabot and Casey Novak) for an undetermined number of episodes each.
On Awake — which, as B.D. said, is rather awesome — Wong plays one of two shrinks that Jason Isaacs’ troubled lawman sees, each in a separate reality. Cherry Jones (24) plays the other therapist. You can get a peek at Awake here; grab a Kleenex first:
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Saturday, 16 July 2011
An article from PinkNews
[Source]
Ben Daniels rejects Rupert Everett’s advice for aspiring gay actors not to come out
by James Park
16 July 2011, 1:55pm
Ben Daniels, star of the BBC hit series Cutting It, has dismissed claims made by Hollywood star Rupert Everett that it is better for aspiring gay actors to stay in the closet despite homophobia he experienced at the BBC.
Speaking to The Stage, Daniels, currently staring in Luise Miller at the Donmar Warehouse in London said: “Out? I’ve never been in!”
“It’s not that advisable [to stay in the closet] to be honest. It’s not very easy. And, honestly, I would not advise any actor necessarily, if he was really thinking of his career, to come out.”
In 2009, Everett told The Observer: “I would not advise any actor necessarily, if he was really thinking of his career, to come out. The fact is that you could not be, and still cannot be, a 25-year-old homosexual trying to make it in the British film business or the American film business or even the Italian film business.”
Daniels told The Stage: “I think [Everett] is a brilliant actor but, hold on, he’s also got a really great career. And I heard him saying in an interview that he’s earned enough money to eat out every night of the year, so it should be put in perspective.
“On the other hand, I know that there is a problem with homophobia in Hollywood. There is at the BBC, too. It’s come up sometimes for some jobs with me, but thankfully someone in the room will say that’s ridiculous. I’ve been around for long enough now that people know I can do it. I have that whole bag-load of serial shagging behind me to prove it.
“I would never advise anyone to stay in the closet to further their careers – I’m sure it leads to big fat gay ulcers. There are actors I know who won’t come out, and I can see it crippling them as human beings. It’s a great shame that people can’t be who they are in the 21st century, and people won’t let them be who they are.”
Daniels claims that being honest about his sexuality makes his acting better: “There’s nothing that gets in your way then.”
In the interview, Daniels does acknowledge one point that Everett has continually made, a lack of credible LGBT A-list stars. “He is absolutely right to bemoan the lack of out gay A-list movie stars. Of course, there are gay A-list movie stars in existence. It’s just that we, the public, don’t know who they are.
“Lying about one’s sexuality seems to be one of the ridiculous rules of what constitutes being a Hollywood movie star. Obviously, my own experience of working and continuing to work as an out gay actor is exactly that – working as an actor and not as a movie star. I don’t think the two are the same. But the whole hankering after being an A-list movie star as the pinnacle of one’s career seems to somehow denigrate the rest of our profession.”
For a full version of The Stage’s interview click here
Ben Daniels rejects Rupert Everett’s advice for aspiring gay actors not to come out
by James Park
16 July 2011, 1:55pm
 |
| Ben Daniels starred in Cutting It (photo:BBC) |
Ben Daniels, star of the BBC hit series Cutting It, has dismissed claims made by Hollywood star Rupert Everett that it is better for aspiring gay actors to stay in the closet despite homophobia he experienced at the BBC.
Speaking to The Stage, Daniels, currently staring in Luise Miller at the Donmar Warehouse in London said: “Out? I’ve never been in!”
“It’s not that advisable [to stay in the closet] to be honest. It’s not very easy. And, honestly, I would not advise any actor necessarily, if he was really thinking of his career, to come out.”
In 2009, Everett told The Observer: “I would not advise any actor necessarily, if he was really thinking of his career, to come out. The fact is that you could not be, and still cannot be, a 25-year-old homosexual trying to make it in the British film business or the American film business or even the Italian film business.”
Daniels told The Stage: “I think [Everett] is a brilliant actor but, hold on, he’s also got a really great career. And I heard him saying in an interview that he’s earned enough money to eat out every night of the year, so it should be put in perspective.
“On the other hand, I know that there is a problem with homophobia in Hollywood. There is at the BBC, too. It’s come up sometimes for some jobs with me, but thankfully someone in the room will say that’s ridiculous. I’ve been around for long enough now that people know I can do it. I have that whole bag-load of serial shagging behind me to prove it.
“I would never advise anyone to stay in the closet to further their careers – I’m sure it leads to big fat gay ulcers. There are actors I know who won’t come out, and I can see it crippling them as human beings. It’s a great shame that people can’t be who they are in the 21st century, and people won’t let them be who they are.”
Daniels claims that being honest about his sexuality makes his acting better: “There’s nothing that gets in your way then.”
In the interview, Daniels does acknowledge one point that Everett has continually made, a lack of credible LGBT A-list stars. “He is absolutely right to bemoan the lack of out gay A-list movie stars. Of course, there are gay A-list movie stars in existence. It’s just that we, the public, don’t know who they are.
“Lying about one’s sexuality seems to be one of the ridiculous rules of what constitutes being a Hollywood movie star. Obviously, my own experience of working and continuing to work as an out gay actor is exactly that – working as an actor and not as a movie star. I don’t think the two are the same. But the whole hankering after being an A-list movie star as the pinnacle of one’s career seems to somehow denigrate the rest of our profession.”
For a full version of The Stage’s interview click here
An article from edgeonthenet.com
[Source]
Gay Celebrities & Politicians Cheer at Crisis in Murdoch’s Press Empire
by Kilian Melloy
Saturday Jul 16, 2011
Gay Celebrities & Politicians Cheer at Crisis in Murdoch’s Press Empire
by Kilian Melloy
Saturday Jul 16, 2011
 |
| George Michael |
"Shut up, you homophobic cow."
That’s how the New York Times, in one of a series of articles that redefines schadenfreude, describes how the way then-husband of Rebekah Brooks, until Friday, July 15, one of the most powerful people in British media, told her off after she made a snide remark to a gay member of parliament.
Brooks was the head of New International, the British media powerhouse that published several newspapers under Rupert Murdoch, who owns the New York Post and Fox News in this country. The Times isn’t alone in its barely hidden glee at the travails of a man who has long instilled fear in politicians in the U.K.
A seemingly endless series of scandals involving bugging and impersonating people to obtain information on former prime ministers, members of the royal family and even the queen herself has brought Murdoch opprobrium from every corner of Her Majesty’s realm.
British tabloid News of the World has been at the heart of recent scandal in which journalists at the paper stand accused of hacking into the voice mail of a missing girl, listening to and then deleting some messages and giving her parents and authorities false hope that she was alive.
In fact, 13-year-old Milly Dowler had been abducted and murdered. Her remains were discovered six months after she disappeared. Convicted killer Levi Bellfield was found guilty of her murder just last month. The cruel saga was made worse by revelations that similarly intrusive actions by journalists associated with the tabloid had targeted people who had been the victims of other crimes.
News of the World was abruptly shuttered by News Corporation, which is owned by Australian media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, whose interests span the globe and include American media company Fox News.
Among the tabloid’s targets were a number of celebrities. Some of them spoke out with delight at the news of the tabloid’s end, including openly gay pop singer George Michael, the Times reported in its July 11 story.
"Hey boyz and girls, a message to my english fans in particular," Michael tweeted on July 7. "Today is a fantastic day for Britain."
Actor Steve Coogan, star of the new Michael Winterbottom movie "The Trip," weighed in as well. Coogan claims that journalists hacked his cell phone. During a July 8 appearance on a BBC news program, Coogan said, "Let’s not forget that The News of the World is -- as far as I’m concerned, always has been -- a misogynistic, xenophobic, single-parent-hating, asylum-seeker-hating newspaper, and it’s gone to the wall and I’m delighted."
Coogan went on to add, "I think its a wonderful day for the press: A small victory for decency and humanity. Because people knew this was going on, everyone knew about it but people just accepted it, thought it was part of the landscape to tolerate this kind of behavior."
Coogan later had the opportunity during the BBC appearance to dress down one of the tabloid’s former editors, Paul McMullan, the New York Times reported.
McMullen attempted to justify the practice of hacking phones and computers by citing a need to uncover the misdeeds of crooked politicians, but Coogan would have none of it.
"Hang on a second, I’m not a politician -- why go after me? Milly Dowler’s relatives are not politicians -- why go after them?" Coogan demanded. "It’s morally bankrupt, and you are morally bankrupt."
Coogan dismissed the notion of the tabloid standing watch over the nation’s public servants, and said that the tabloid had been more interested in unearthing scandal for the sake of creating media sensation.
"You are not uncovering corruption, you are not bringing down institutions that are inherently corrupt," Coogan told McMullan. "You are just trying to find out who is sleeping with who. It is about selling newspapers."
Actor Hugh Grant suggested on June 6 that politicians had not taken action before the Milly Dowling scandal erupted because they were afraid of what the tabloid press might uncover about their own personal lives. As proof, Grant cited openly gay politician Chris Bryant, a member of Parliament who had gone head to head with News of the World former editor Rebekah Brooks in 2003 about the practice of paying off police for juicy tidbits.
Less than a year later, a photo Bryant took of himself posing in jockey shorts before a mirror and sent to another man via the Internet was published in The Mail on Sunday. Other tabloids made use of the photo, dubbing Bryant "Captain Underpants" and other derogatory names.
Another tabloid owned by News Corporation and edited by Brooks used the photo in 2008, calling Bryant "gay pants," the article noted.
But now Bryant may have his turn: The article noted that Bryant had called for a hearing on the News of the World’s reported unsavory activities. In the incident cited above, Brooks seemed to go out of her way to be obnoxious to Bryant. The New York Times reported that she went up to him and said, "Oh, Mr. Bryant, it’s after dark. Shouldn’t you be on Clapham Common?"
That’s a reference to a well-known public park cruising ground. Brooks was married to an English soap-opera star at the time, Ross Kemp, who reportedly contemptuously told his then-wife, "Shut up, you homophobic cow."
George Michael’s tweet contained an extra jab reserved for the man at the head of News Corporation.
"Those of you that have wondered why I have had nothing to say this week about Rupert Murdoch, all I can say is that the time will come."
Those words may yet prove prophetic, as Murdoch’s entire media empire had been shaken by the scandal.
Murdoch reportedly plans to run a full-page advertisement in another British newspaper, the Guardian, on July 16. In a separate article, The New York Times published the content of the ad in advance.
"The News of the World was in the business of holding others to account," a letter with Murdoch’s signature across the bottom read. "It failed when it came to itself.
"We are deeply sorry for the hurt suffered by the individuals affected," the letter added, before going on say, "I realize that simply apologizing is not enough.
"Our business was founded on the idea that a free and open press should be a positive force in society. We need to live up to this."
In giant typeface across the top appeared the words, "We are sorry."
But in a July 14 interview with the Wall Street Journal -- another publication that Murdoch owns -- the media tycoon sounded less than remorseful, saying that he was "just getting annoyed" with the ongoing scandal. The fallout not only included the demise of News of the World, but derailed plans to take over Sky Broadcasting, a British pay channel.
"I’ll get over it," Murdoch, 80, told his own newspaper. "I’m tired."
That’s how the New York Times, in one of a series of articles that redefines schadenfreude, describes how the way then-husband of Rebekah Brooks, until Friday, July 15, one of the most powerful people in British media, told her off after she made a snide remark to a gay member of parliament.
Brooks was the head of New International, the British media powerhouse that published several newspapers under Rupert Murdoch, who owns the New York Post and Fox News in this country. The Times isn’t alone in its barely hidden glee at the travails of a man who has long instilled fear in politicians in the U.K.
A seemingly endless series of scandals involving bugging and impersonating people to obtain information on former prime ministers, members of the royal family and even the queen herself has brought Murdoch opprobrium from every corner of Her Majesty’s realm.
British tabloid News of the World has been at the heart of recent scandal in which journalists at the paper stand accused of hacking into the voice mail of a missing girl, listening to and then deleting some messages and giving her parents and authorities false hope that she was alive.
In fact, 13-year-old Milly Dowler had been abducted and murdered. Her remains were discovered six months after she disappeared. Convicted killer Levi Bellfield was found guilty of her murder just last month. The cruel saga was made worse by revelations that similarly intrusive actions by journalists associated with the tabloid had targeted people who had been the victims of other crimes.
News of the World was abruptly shuttered by News Corporation, which is owned by Australian media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, whose interests span the globe and include American media company Fox News.
Among the tabloid’s targets were a number of celebrities. Some of them spoke out with delight at the news of the tabloid’s end, including openly gay pop singer George Michael, the Times reported in its July 11 story.
"Hey boyz and girls, a message to my english fans in particular," Michael tweeted on July 7. "Today is a fantastic day for Britain."
Actor Steve Coogan, star of the new Michael Winterbottom movie "The Trip," weighed in as well. Coogan claims that journalists hacked his cell phone. During a July 8 appearance on a BBC news program, Coogan said, "Let’s not forget that The News of the World is -- as far as I’m concerned, always has been -- a misogynistic, xenophobic, single-parent-hating, asylum-seeker-hating newspaper, and it’s gone to the wall and I’m delighted."
Coogan went on to add, "I think its a wonderful day for the press: A small victory for decency and humanity. Because people knew this was going on, everyone knew about it but people just accepted it, thought it was part of the landscape to tolerate this kind of behavior."
Coogan later had the opportunity during the BBC appearance to dress down one of the tabloid’s former editors, Paul McMullan, the New York Times reported.
McMullen attempted to justify the practice of hacking phones and computers by citing a need to uncover the misdeeds of crooked politicians, but Coogan would have none of it.
"Hang on a second, I’m not a politician -- why go after me? Milly Dowler’s relatives are not politicians -- why go after them?" Coogan demanded. "It’s morally bankrupt, and you are morally bankrupt."
Coogan dismissed the notion of the tabloid standing watch over the nation’s public servants, and said that the tabloid had been more interested in unearthing scandal for the sake of creating media sensation.
"You are not uncovering corruption, you are not bringing down institutions that are inherently corrupt," Coogan told McMullan. "You are just trying to find out who is sleeping with who. It is about selling newspapers."
Actor Hugh Grant suggested on June 6 that politicians had not taken action before the Milly Dowling scandal erupted because they were afraid of what the tabloid press might uncover about their own personal lives. As proof, Grant cited openly gay politician Chris Bryant, a member of Parliament who had gone head to head with News of the World former editor Rebekah Brooks in 2003 about the practice of paying off police for juicy tidbits.
Less than a year later, a photo Bryant took of himself posing in jockey shorts before a mirror and sent to another man via the Internet was published in The Mail on Sunday. Other tabloids made use of the photo, dubbing Bryant "Captain Underpants" and other derogatory names.
Another tabloid owned by News Corporation and edited by Brooks used the photo in 2008, calling Bryant "gay pants," the article noted.
But now Bryant may have his turn: The article noted that Bryant had called for a hearing on the News of the World’s reported unsavory activities. In the incident cited above, Brooks seemed to go out of her way to be obnoxious to Bryant. The New York Times reported that she went up to him and said, "Oh, Mr. Bryant, it’s after dark. Shouldn’t you be on Clapham Common?"
That’s a reference to a well-known public park cruising ground. Brooks was married to an English soap-opera star at the time, Ross Kemp, who reportedly contemptuously told his then-wife, "Shut up, you homophobic cow."
George Michael’s tweet contained an extra jab reserved for the man at the head of News Corporation.
"Those of you that have wondered why I have had nothing to say this week about Rupert Murdoch, all I can say is that the time will come."
Those words may yet prove prophetic, as Murdoch’s entire media empire had been shaken by the scandal.
Murdoch reportedly plans to run a full-page advertisement in another British newspaper, the Guardian, on July 16. In a separate article, The New York Times published the content of the ad in advance.
"The News of the World was in the business of holding others to account," a letter with Murdoch’s signature across the bottom read. "It failed when it came to itself.
"We are deeply sorry for the hurt suffered by the individuals affected," the letter added, before going on say, "I realize that simply apologizing is not enough.
"Our business was founded on the idea that a free and open press should be a positive force in society. We need to live up to this."
In giant typeface across the top appeared the words, "We are sorry."
But in a July 14 interview with the Wall Street Journal -- another publication that Murdoch owns -- the media tycoon sounded less than remorseful, saying that he was "just getting annoyed" with the ongoing scandal. The fallout not only included the demise of News of the World, but derailed plans to take over Sky Broadcasting, a British pay channel.
"I’ll get over it," Murdoch, 80, told his own newspaper. "I’m tired."
Friday, 15 July 2011
An article from Los Angeles Times
[Source]
Neil Patrick Harris is just keeping busy
The tireless actor is seemingly at the Hollywood pinnacle. Directing the play 'The Expert at the Card Table' is just one of many projects that include film, TV, theater and Web.
 |
| Neil Patrick Harris during rehersal for "The Expert at the Card Table" at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times / July 15, 2011) |
By T.L. Stanley, Special to the Los Angeles Times
July 15, 2011
You'd have to be living under a rock — one with no entertainment in any medium — not to have come across Neil Patrick Harris lately.
The former child star and "Doogie Howser, M.D." alum has been as ubiquitous as Betty White and with similar results. Though he's all over prime-time TV, feature films, musical theater, kids' shows, reality competitions, chat fests and Internet spoofs, there's no discernable backlash.
That's quite a hat trick, even for a magician like Harris.
"It's impossible to get tired of him," said Jon Hurwitz, a creator of the "Harold & Kumar" franchise, in which Harris will reprise his outrageously debauched character in "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas" this holiday. "When you see him, you smile."
In just the last few months, Harris charmed critics and drew big ratings for his second singing-and-dancing go-around as emcee of the Tony Awards, hosted a fundraising gala for President Obama and championed same-sex marriage legislation in New York via his Twitter feed.
That's after wrapping the sixth season of the sleeper hit "How I Met Your Mother," directing a sitcom pilot under consideration at CBS, stumping for his two current independent films and prepping "The Expert at the Card Table," a play he's directing that launches this weekend at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
All that and also Harris is a honcho at the L.A. landmark, the Magic Castle, a producer of the immersive theatrical game, "Accomplice: Hollywood," and an affable presence on shows as varied as "Sesame Street," "Live With Regis and Kelly," "The Howard Stern Show" and "American Idol."
His voice doesn't even get a rest, popping up as the narrator on kids' audio books and in TV series like "Robot Chicken" and "The Penguins of Madagascar." And he and longtime companion David Burtka welcomed fraternal twins by a surrogate last fall; Gideon and Harper are 9 months old now.
Harris, who admits that even this exhaustive list is just scratching the surface of his comings and goings, said he sometimes feels like "a vaudevillian plate spinner." Not one to complain — in fact, he's quick to use words like "grateful" and "fortunate" — he said he simply likes to be busy and strives not to pigeonhole himself.
"I like to make decisions based on things I'm interested in doing, not what seems like the next move in my quote-unquote career," Harris, 38, said recently after a grueling press junket for his upcoming family comedy, "The Smurfs." "I'm not trying to climb a ladder — I'm casting a bit of a net."
He tends to underplay the effect of the public revelation he made in 2006 that he's "a very content gay man" and said he feels like other gay performers had already blazed the trail.
"There are so many examples of talented actors working today, no matter how they live their private lives," the Albuquerque native said. "I'm lucky that people believe me when I'm in character."
Industry colleagues, though, said his subsequent success and high visibility in the cultural mainstream is nothing short of precedent-setting. He's been able to slip easily from being himself on major awards shows — joking in song that the Tonys aren't just for gays anymore, walking the red carpet with Burtka — to playing aggressively heterosexual men like "How I Met Your Mother's" rakish Barney Stinson.
"The fact that he's made his sexuality a nonissue is a particular kind of triumph," said writer-director Joss Whedon, mastermind of the Internet smash "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" in which Harris starred as the title character who's smitten with a woman from the laundromat. "He's managed to create, maintain and embody a persona that transcends sexuality. He might not have set out to be a groundbreaker, but he is one."
Harris' deft coming-out has been "extremely significant," Hurwitz said. "It's things like this that may bring about change" in Hollywood casting.
It's still to be determined if Harris will play big romantic leads or action star roles in mainstream films, which usually have been reserved for actors who are not openly gay.
Though Harris announced he was gay while "How I Met Your Mother" was still getting its foothold, he never asked for any changes in how the womanizing character behaved, or rather, misbehaved, according to executive producer Carter Bays.
Harris had been a bit of a dark horse in the running for Barney Stinson, with the creators having more of a John Belushi or Chris Farley type in mind. But when Harris spiced his audition with some unscripted physical comedy during a laser tag scene, Bays was convinced he was the right choice.
"He went into this shoulder roll that was really acrobatic," Bays said. "It's hard not to give the part to the guy doing somersaults."
That moment set the tone for the next six years, Bays said. "He will always go a little further than necessary," he said. "You get the sense that he doesn't just know his lines — he's worked them 99 different ways until he found the funniest way to say them."
Barney had been envisioned as a scoundrel, "not the guy you would want your friend to date." But Harris gave the character a decent, vulnerable quality that wasn't planned in the original writing.
"He brings all the good stuff to Barney," Bays said. "He's so likable that when you put him in this role, Barney never seems like that bad of a guy. That's not so much acting — that's Neil at his core."
With seemingly everyone, including the Muppets and "So You Think You Can Dance's" Nigel Lythgoe, clamoring to work with him, how will Harris decide what to do next? He mentioned scaling back his myriad activities to spend more time with his young family, but he also has his eye on more directing and producing projects. He'd love to try his hand at being a modern-day Ed Sullivan, and he's percolating ideas for children's TV shows.
Another "Dr. Horrible," which is in the works, "would take precedence," Harris said, though he'd have to fit it into what he calls "the Tetris game that is my professional life."
Whedon, who directed Harris in his Emmy-winning guest turn on "Glee," said it's no wonder he's in demand. He has "a Sinatra quality" that makes his shifts between genres and platforms look effortless.
"Through the force of his own personality and wit, he's become something bigger than the roles he plays," Whedon said. "People look at him and don't see any one of those parts — they see that guy they love."
calendar@latimes.com
July 15, 2011
You'd have to be living under a rock — one with no entertainment in any medium — not to have come across Neil Patrick Harris lately.
The former child star and "Doogie Howser, M.D." alum has been as ubiquitous as Betty White and with similar results. Though he's all over prime-time TV, feature films, musical theater, kids' shows, reality competitions, chat fests and Internet spoofs, there's no discernable backlash.
That's quite a hat trick, even for a magician like Harris.
"It's impossible to get tired of him," said Jon Hurwitz, a creator of the "Harold & Kumar" franchise, in which Harris will reprise his outrageously debauched character in "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas" this holiday. "When you see him, you smile."
In just the last few months, Harris charmed critics and drew big ratings for his second singing-and-dancing go-around as emcee of the Tony Awards, hosted a fundraising gala for President Obama and championed same-sex marriage legislation in New York via his Twitter feed.
That's after wrapping the sixth season of the sleeper hit "How I Met Your Mother," directing a sitcom pilot under consideration at CBS, stumping for his two current independent films and prepping "The Expert at the Card Table," a play he's directing that launches this weekend at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
All that and also Harris is a honcho at the L.A. landmark, the Magic Castle, a producer of the immersive theatrical game, "Accomplice: Hollywood," and an affable presence on shows as varied as "Sesame Street," "Live With Regis and Kelly," "The Howard Stern Show" and "American Idol."
His voice doesn't even get a rest, popping up as the narrator on kids' audio books and in TV series like "Robot Chicken" and "The Penguins of Madagascar." And he and longtime companion David Burtka welcomed fraternal twins by a surrogate last fall; Gideon and Harper are 9 months old now.
Harris, who admits that even this exhaustive list is just scratching the surface of his comings and goings, said he sometimes feels like "a vaudevillian plate spinner." Not one to complain — in fact, he's quick to use words like "grateful" and "fortunate" — he said he simply likes to be busy and strives not to pigeonhole himself.
"I like to make decisions based on things I'm interested in doing, not what seems like the next move in my quote-unquote career," Harris, 38, said recently after a grueling press junket for his upcoming family comedy, "The Smurfs." "I'm not trying to climb a ladder — I'm casting a bit of a net."
He tends to underplay the effect of the public revelation he made in 2006 that he's "a very content gay man" and said he feels like other gay performers had already blazed the trail.
"There are so many examples of talented actors working today, no matter how they live their private lives," the Albuquerque native said. "I'm lucky that people believe me when I'm in character."
Industry colleagues, though, said his subsequent success and high visibility in the cultural mainstream is nothing short of precedent-setting. He's been able to slip easily from being himself on major awards shows — joking in song that the Tonys aren't just for gays anymore, walking the red carpet with Burtka — to playing aggressively heterosexual men like "How I Met Your Mother's" rakish Barney Stinson.
"The fact that he's made his sexuality a nonissue is a particular kind of triumph," said writer-director Joss Whedon, mastermind of the Internet smash "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" in which Harris starred as the title character who's smitten with a woman from the laundromat. "He's managed to create, maintain and embody a persona that transcends sexuality. He might not have set out to be a groundbreaker, but he is one."
Harris' deft coming-out has been "extremely significant," Hurwitz said. "It's things like this that may bring about change" in Hollywood casting.
It's still to be determined if Harris will play big romantic leads or action star roles in mainstream films, which usually have been reserved for actors who are not openly gay.
Though Harris announced he was gay while "How I Met Your Mother" was still getting its foothold, he never asked for any changes in how the womanizing character behaved, or rather, misbehaved, according to executive producer Carter Bays.
Harris had been a bit of a dark horse in the running for Barney Stinson, with the creators having more of a John Belushi or Chris Farley type in mind. But when Harris spiced his audition with some unscripted physical comedy during a laser tag scene, Bays was convinced he was the right choice.
"He went into this shoulder roll that was really acrobatic," Bays said. "It's hard not to give the part to the guy doing somersaults."
That moment set the tone for the next six years, Bays said. "He will always go a little further than necessary," he said. "You get the sense that he doesn't just know his lines — he's worked them 99 different ways until he found the funniest way to say them."
Barney had been envisioned as a scoundrel, "not the guy you would want your friend to date." But Harris gave the character a decent, vulnerable quality that wasn't planned in the original writing.
"He brings all the good stuff to Barney," Bays said. "He's so likable that when you put him in this role, Barney never seems like that bad of a guy. That's not so much acting — that's Neil at his core."
With seemingly everyone, including the Muppets and "So You Think You Can Dance's" Nigel Lythgoe, clamoring to work with him, how will Harris decide what to do next? He mentioned scaling back his myriad activities to spend more time with his young family, but he also has his eye on more directing and producing projects. He'd love to try his hand at being a modern-day Ed Sullivan, and he's percolating ideas for children's TV shows.
Another "Dr. Horrible," which is in the works, "would take precedence," Harris said, though he'd have to fit it into what he calls "the Tetris game that is my professional life."
Whedon, who directed Harris in his Emmy-winning guest turn on "Glee," said it's no wonder he's in demand. He has "a Sinatra quality" that makes his shifts between genres and platforms look effortless.
"Through the force of his own personality and wit, he's become something bigger than the roles he plays," Whedon said. "People look at him and don't see any one of those parts — they see that guy they love."
calendar@latimes.com
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Kerri-anne: Darren Hayes Exclusive
Only a link URL though, Here is Darren's fantastic interview
http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/darren-hayes-exclusive/xz28teq
http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/darren-hayes-exclusive/xz28teq
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
Darren Hayes Performed LIVE on DWTS
Performed LIVE on " Dancing With The Stars" - Grand Finale Night (July 10, 2011).
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Friday, 8 July 2011
Interview on GaydarNation
[Source]
Radio : Music : Interviews
Darren Hayes
08 Jul 2011
We spoke to Darren about what to expect from him this time ‘round, the gay label and the importance of being a good role model.
Stop or confirm (or start) a rumour about yourself...
Oh dear. I'm terrible with this stuff. I despise gossip, so I'm afraid I don't have much to offer here. I can clear up a misconception. I think people assume I'm an extrovert, but I'm actually quite shy. I become someone else on stage, but in my private life I'm a real homebody.
Tell us a bit about ‘Talk Talk Talk’ – what can we expect?
I think it's a wonderful marriage between the best of what I can do and a new young modern Swedish pop sound from producer Carl Falk. It's heavy lyrically, but sonically it sounds like Swedish pop music.
It's got a great message in that it really is a call for peace talks between two lovers or friends at war. It's that kind of 'come down off the mountain' moment where you say the things to each other you have been keeping secret.
What are you most proud of about the single?
I'm glad it's relevant without sounding desperately hip. It's modern enough to belong on the radio, but honest enough to still sound like me.
Is ‘Talk Talk Talk’ representative of your forthcoming album as a whole?
I think it's a gentle introduction to a record that is really quite epic and cinematic in sound. 'Talk Talk Talk' is probably the most effervescent moment and a great 'hello' to a new sound.
What’s the album been like to record?
Quite honestly, it was the hardest album I've ever made. It is on par with the first Savage Garden album in that it seemed to take forever and, every time I felt it was finished, it seemed to require more work. There were a lot of laughs and a lot of tears, and it's a deeply personal record. I'm very proud of it.
So, when did you first realise you had musical talent?
I could sing at the age of three or four and believed my father when he fibbed that he was going to do a Joe Jackson and make a band out of my sister and brother and I. He was joking, but I feel like I always knew what I wanted to do. I thought everyone wanted to be a singer and, as I grew up, I realised that everybody did not!
"I try to avoid being categorised as a 'gay artist'. I'm an artist. I'm proud of who I am, but in the same time, I don't want to be put into a box or limited in that way. I make records for people about people."
Do you remember your first ever gig? What happened?
It was Alison Moyet at the Brisbane Festival Hall some time in the mid 80s and she was phenomenal. I thought I was going to lose my mind when she played a Yazoo track.
Do you have a funny/crazy tour story to share with us?
I do not. I am that boring.
What lessons – if any – have you learnt as an openly gay artist?
I don't know that being gay and out has necessarily taught me anything in terms of my career. I try to avoid being categorised as a 'gay artist'. I'm an artist. I'm proud of who I am, but in the same time, I don't want to be put into a box or limited in that way. I make records for people about people.
What’s your take on celebrities who won’t come out of the closet?
I think it's none of our business. I think there is a huge difference between lying about who you are and choosing not to hold a press conference about it. I think it's a really dated view to expect or demand someone to be 'out'. What does that mean anyway? You never really stop coming out. It's a deeply psychological experience and you are ready when you are ready. To force someone to declare who they are to the world if they are not comfortable with who they are is surely only a bad thing.
I think it's far more important to be a good role model. I think of my marriage and my career as examples to young people that there is a happy ever after, no matter who you are. That's my positive contribution - just leading my life and striving forward.
Finish the sentence: A good night out starts with...
Dinner with friends.
It ends with...
Deep conversation and laughs.
"I think of my marriage and my career as examples to young people that there is a happy ever after, no matter who you are. That's my positive contribution - just leading my life and striving forward."
It’s our round – what are you having?
I'm not a drinker, I'm afraid - so probably a diet coke.
What makes you happy?
A gazillion things mostly related to love
What makes you angry?
Ignorance. Intolerance.
When the phone rings, who do you hope is calling?
Family in Australia.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don't take any of this personally.
Anything to add?
Poached pears, little bit of cinnamon added to your morning porridge with berries. There you go!
'Talk Talk Talk', the new single from Darren Hayes, is out now. Find out more at www.darrenhayes.com.
Author: Bree Hoskin
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Sunday, 3 July 2011
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