Sixteen year-old aspiring country singer Courtney Stodden has married actor Doug Hutchinson, 51, whom you may recall played the weasely Percy Wetmore in The Green Mile. The happy couple plans a champagne toast to their nuptials in five years when the bride reaches drinking age.Duke Mason is the son of Morgan Mason, who served in Ronald Reagan's State Department, and singer Belinda Carlisle, as well as the grandson of film star James Mason. But he's also a vocal proponent of LGBT rights—and he's not letting his acting aspirations silence his advocacy. Mason has founded the Trailblazer Campaign. Modeled after It Gets Better, Trailblazer's goal is to help Hollywood come out of the closet—and it's about fucking time!). With videos coming from Chad Allen, David Moretti, Perez Hilton, Mike Manning and Sandra Bernhard, he's off to a good start.
"On Friday, one of the most liberal states in America killed a bill to legalize same-sex 'marriage.' That doesn't seem to register with a small group from Hollywood, who can't see past their agenda to the political reality: that counterfeit marriage is a losing issue. Some celebrities are still pushing the President to publicly endorse same-sex 'marriage,' despite some bruising losses on the state front. 'Say, 'I do,' Mr. President,' they wrote in a letter. The actors praised his decision to abandon the federal marriage law in court, and said that move calls for 'clarity' on the marriage question.Like so many Americans, you have spoken of your personal journey toward support for the freedom to marry. You have talked about the gay and lesbian people in your life, their commitment to each other and care for their kids, and their families that aren’t so different from any other family.Among those signing the letter: Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Hathaway, David Geffen, Martin Sheen, Eric McCormack, Lily Tomlin, Scott Fujita, and Julian Bond.
We ask you now for your leadership on ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage, an exclusion that harms millions of Americans each day. Whether to end discrimination in marriage is a question America has faced before, and faces again today. With so many Americans talking it through in heartfelt conversations, it is a question that calls for clarity from the President.
Jane Russell, voluptuous pin-up model and star of dozens of Westerns and musicals, has died at the age of 89. While her "scandalous" movies and photo shoots at times created controversies over censorship, in her later years Russell embraced far-right conservative Christian politics and openly accepted the label of "bigot." Perhaps best known politically for her anti-feminism and battles against abortion rights (including for rape and incest), in 2003 she told Australia's Daily Mail: "These days I’m a teetotal, mean-spirited, right-wing, narrow-minded, conservative Christian bigot, but not a racist." Russell was an occasional guest on the anti-gay Praise The Lord show hosted by Jan and Paul Crouch, although I'm not finding any examples of her commenting on gay rights issues. For now, let's remember her from before the crazy years.
"You're an embarrassment to me. You look like a fucking pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n***ers, it will be your fault." - Mel Gibson, in a voice mail recorded by the mother of his love child, Oksana Grigorieva.
Just in time for gay pride, this week the Hollywood location of Madame Tussaud's unveiled their wax statue of Judy Garland.The June 8 ceremony in the forecourt next to Grauman's Chinese Theatre happened two days before what would have been Garland's 88th birthday. MC of the event was Jack Allen, writer and historian, with an extensive background on the Hollywood film industry. There was a special appearance by actress famed actress Margaret O'Brien and Garland's co-star in "Meet me in Saint Louis." Following the figure unveiling, [Munchkin Jerry] Maren and O'Brien held a photo and lollipop signing in the courtyard where fans were able to purchase photographs and have them signed by the stars themselves. Ranked by the AFI (American Film Institute) as one of the ten most popular film actresses of all time, Judy Garland is an American original. Literally born in a trunk to a show business family, Garland rose to become one of the 20th century's greatest entertainers, famed for both her live stage shows and movie appearances, including the unforgettable character "Dorothy" in "The Wizard of Oz."Click over to Broadway World for lots of photos of the waxen Judy and the unveiling ceremony.
Insiders are reporting that People Magazine is about to feature the coming out of a "Hollywood celebrity." People Magazine allegedly has the exclusive and the celeb is booked on several major talk shows that week including "The View." PR powerhouse Howard Bragman, who has successfully -- some might add brilliantly -- orchestrated several celeb outings in the past decade talked about his next coming out project at the GLAAD Media Awards red carpet Sunday (Apr. 17). Bragman -- the coming out king of Hollywood -- doesn't want to speculate on who it will be (that would kind of ruin his well-planned surprise, wouldn't it) but In the past he's helped NFL defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo, LPGA star Rosie Jones, WNBA star Sheryl Swoops and retired NBA center John Amaechi come out. He also orchestrated the plans for former "Party of Five" Mitchell Anderson, "Married with Children" co-star Amanda Bearse and aided Dick Sargent of "Bewitched" fame to come out on Entertainment Tonight.My vote is on Queen Latifah. Of course, Johnny Weir (who isn't "Hollywood" but has a TV show) is repped by Bragman and he does have a book coming.
Danish architect Christian Bay-Jorgensen is being praised by some for his idea to turn the iconic Hollywood sign into a hotel. The iconic Hollywood sign is in danger of being obstructed by hulking mansions. There's fear that future generations will point toward Mount Lee and ask: Mommy, why can I only see the letters "OO" on the hill? If the demise of the view of the Hollywood sign were a movie, then Danish architect Christian Bay-Jorgensen is among the hopefuls auditioning to be the swashbuckling hero. His plan: Transform the sign itself into a hotel, each giant letter hosting guests marveling at the sweeping views of the Los Angeles basin. The hotel-letters would be about twice the size of the current 45-foot tall sign, and include amenities such as an observation deck. The ultimate goal, he says, would be to preserve an internationally recognized landmark while helping the city generate badly needed funding. "I'm a fan of the Hollywood sign and the unused spaces of America," Bay-Jorgensen, a Denmark-based architect, said Monday after visiting Los Angeles. "It could be interesting to make it a center for such events as the Golden Globes and Oscars. This could be the future of the sign."Hit the link for more renderings of the proposal. The folks charged with maintaining the sign admit they are strapped for funding, but aren't too interested in the hotel idea.
Gossip tabloid Us Weekly reports that Elizabeth Taylor, 78, is engaged to be married for the ninth time. Dame Elizabeth Taylor may soon be walking down the aisle ... for the ninth time. A source close to the Oscar-winning actress, 78, tells UsMagazine.com exclusively that Taylor recently got engaged to Jason Winters, 49, of Sterling Winters Management. Taylor -- who now predominantly uses a wheelchair -- and Winters -- who recently became Janet Jackson's new manager -- have yet to confirm the news. The screen legend has also gushed about Winters to gossip columnist Liz Smith, describing him as "one of the most wonderful men I've ever known, that's why I love him." He even reportedly bought a house for them. The screen legend has been married eight times -- twice to love Richard Burton. Her last union, to construction worker Larry Fortensky, ended after five years in 1996.Straight folks can get married again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again. And most of us can't get married once.
