R.I.P. - Naya Rivera

While I was never a Glee fan (I think I watched it 5 times during it's entire run) that does not mean the unexpected passing of one of it's cast members can not sadden me. Especially when that person was a mere 33 years old.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Naya Rivera she was beautiful and talented. I sincerely hope her family and her son are holding up. I wish them all the best.

As many of you know Naya was BFF's with her co-star Heather Morris. Naya's character Santana Lopez was groundbreaking in the fact that she came out as a Lesbian who romanced Heather's character Brittany S. Pierce on Glee.

While any gay storyline is a bold move this one had the added facet of Naya being Latina. Making her TV's first and most visible Latina Lesbian. Naya was as bold as her talent.

I am going to leave you with Naya as Santana professing her feelings for Heather as Brittany singing a cover of the Fleetwood Mac song Songbird from the album Rumors. In honor of their friendship and Naya's spirit.

Naya on IMDb -

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0729369/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1  

Sunday Schwing! Darren Criss

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Traci Lords Pin-Up Girl

It's The Traci Dress!
Traci Lords & John Waters

Actress, Singer, Author, Songwriter, Icon these are the adjectives that come up when you mention the name Traci Lords.

Well saddle up because there is a new adjective in town to add to Traci's resume: Clothing Designer.

That's correct Traci has a new vintage clothing line from a design company with the moniker Pin-Up Girl a company that meshes seamlessly with her fashion sense and image.

Tired of having to alter pieces to flatter her curvy figure Traci set out to design ready to wear clothes for women like herself. The line also has a shout out to her character Wanda Woodward from John Waters Cry-Baby. Hey guys she didn't forget us, there is a T-shirt that was made just for us men as well. Time for Traci!

MS: Hey, Traci how's your day going?

TL: Fine, I'm just recovering from a whirlwind last week at Burger Boogaloo.

MS: Was it a good time?

Beat It Creep!
Traci & Laura Byrnes of Pin-Up Girl

TL: Yeah, it was a lot of fun! I've never been to it before, they do it every year. It's like a punk rock, rockabilly festival. It's all outside and it's in Oakland, CA, Jello Biafra was the DJ there. John Waters had done it last year, he was the Mister of ceremonies so when it came up this year they asked me to co-host it with him. I knew it was a big deal when I had family in town the week before and my nephew who is twenty-six now asked "What are you doing aunt Traci?" I told him I was going to MC an event where a band called The Mummies were playing. He said "The Mummies, oh my god!" They were all dressed like mummies, they were pretty groovy. The clientele was really great too sometimes the nicest people you meet are the ones covered in tattoos and dressed in leather, and the conservative looking ones in the suits are the ones you have to watch out for. You can't judge a book by it's cover.

MS: Let's talk fashion, give us the 411 on your clothing line.

TL: I'm doing this collab with Pin-Up Girl Clothing so I got to take my new "Beat It Creep" shirts to the festival. I also wore two samples of my Traci Dress which is a red halter just below the knees in homage to my Wanda dress from Cry-Baby. The fans were really delighted and supportive, they squealed, they loved getting a glimpse of Wanda! The week before I thought "I can't possibly host this event with John Waters without the Traci Dress."

MS: When first I heard about your clothing line I was intrigued. Is it based on Wanda?

                                                           Traci as Wanda 
                                                              In Cry-Baby

TL: The line isn't really based on Wanda, I realized Pin-Up Girl and myself have the same fan base. My female fans who love Wanda tend to dress up in more retro/pin-up inspired clothing. All these women are looking for empowerment, some sort of strong female bad ass prototype. Wanda has become such an icon for rockabilly/punk/pin-up scene, she just really is. I'm not kidding, I have my little baby Wanda's who are six years old that I have pictures of and those little girls they just love the songs. John made Cry-Baby so musical and so much fun to sing with, kids just love that! 

Then I have the women with tattoos and they're dressed like a pin-up. They are straight women who have families and all that, and they all want me to sign their breasts, every one of them. They say "just sign right here on my cleavage" so there are all these women walking around with gorge dresses on with my name across their breasts (laughs) It's really funny it's like "OK, right on!" - over the years it's really wild, men and women show up with my name tattoo'd on their bodies where I've signed it, I'm thinking "tattoos are forever are you sure you want to do that?!" (both laugh) The clothes I am doing with Pin-Up Girl are day wear, like that cool skirt with the hip/retro vibe that's ready to wear and you don't have to squash your body into. I'm not a large woman, but I am all legs and have a short torso, so it seems like everything always has to be moved to fit right, and I was tired of squeezing my boobs into dresses to make them work. This idea came from a desire to have clothes that were custom made for me and women like me that look amazing and aren't made for a twenty year old. These clothes are for women who want to look cool, elegant and sexy in their forties.

MS: Tell me about "Swedish Dicks."

TL: Peter Stormare and his partner own a detective agency and they had the bad luck of opening it across the street from my agency. My character sees herself as the finest detective in all of Los Angeles, I think I have the biggest dick of all! 

MS: You might! (both laughing)

TL: I know! She has a little bit of Jane Lynch from "Glee," she's very blunt about what she says and uses all of her feminine wiles to get what she wants. She is such a fun part to play. It's dark comedy with off quirky little bits here and there as well.

Traci, Gunnar & Jeff

MS: I have to ask about "Sharkansas Women's Prison Massacre"...

TL: My husband rented it I haven't seen it yet, it's on my list. My son watched, this is horrible but this is what happens when I'm out of town, My husband and my son watched "Sharknado" I'm worried about Gunnar being afraid. Gunnar then told me about it when I got home "It was the stupidest, most hilarious movie I have ever seen, the shark went flying through the air and ate this guy and only his legs were left, and there was what looked like paint from my paint set!" He just thought it was hilarious! With "Sharkansas" I think what I'm going to do...he can see the parts that I'm in with Corey Landis because we are the detectives, that was actually a really fun role to play, but some of the cheesy stuff with the prison girls, I think we will go ahead and edit that out.(laughs)

MS: He stole the show on "Celebrity Wife Swap."

TL: He thinks he's a TV Star because of that, it's just hilarious! He tells me, this is just so funny that his plan is he wants to be a scientist. What he tells me he is going to do is graduate High School and make one or two movies so that he can finance his career (both laugh) this is his plan! Which made me laugh, it's less work for me!

MS: You will be jetting of to Williamsburg, VA soon for "Scares That Care."

TL: Yes, it's a 501 non-profit, it's a really great one. All of the money from it goes to helping families who are facing serious hardships, things that are insurmountable like a family member who has cancer. It's all 100% volunteer, nobody is paid salary or anything like that. The money really makes a difference. All ticket sales all the money goes to the people who need it. I've never been to Williamsburg it's supposed to be a very cool place historically, I'm looking forward to that. 

MS: I feel that if you are in a position or have a platform to help you should. The more open I am to that the better I feel.

TL: Especially when it hits that close to home. I am sure it doesn't surprise you that I had a lot of hardship in my family when I was growing up. There was nothing like "Scares That Care" at the time to help. Children Of The Night is another organization that is near and dear to my heart, it helps young girls really transform their lives. It's really important, human trafficking is really a big deal Los Angeles is the hub of it, it's unbelievable and not sexy. You are talking about young girls who are having their lives taken away from them.

MS: You've got a lot going on, all the best on the clothing line.

TL: Here's a fun little factoid, my old friend Shirley Manson of Garbage, used to be with a band called Angel Fish that was on the same label I was Radioactive Records. She just Tweeted me a couple of days ago that she wanted a pink and a black "Beat It Creep" T-shirt. I'm very flattered that she wants to wear them.

MS: By the way I would love to have one of the men's T-shirts.

TL: I think that can be arranged. (laughs)

Traci on the net:
https://twitter.com/thetracilords?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/tracilords
https://www.instagram.com/tracilords/

Pin-Up Girl Clothing:
https://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/   

G.B.F.F. (Gay Best Friend Friday)

G.B.F.F!
Jonathan Groff & Lea Michele

The rumors are true most grown ass women have a gay male best friend. In honor of this I am posting an adorable photo of Glee and Scream Queens star Lea Michele and her GBF Jonathan Groff, who also appeared on Glee as Jesse St. James snuggling in bed together. 

Michele posted the photo on Instagram with the caption: "And suddenly all is right"

Can I get an Awwwwwwwwwww???

Jonathan wrote this about he and Lea's deep bond in Teen Vogue:

"Lea Michele and I have shared some pretty unique experiences since we met. We've simulated sex more than 1,000 times onstage in Spring Awakening. We've performed everything from show tunes to 'Like a Virgin' on Glee. I've watched her sing for the President and accept Billboard's first-ever Triple Threat Award, and I've seen her laugh so hard that she peed her pants,"

Nothing says GBF like having simulated sex I always say. On that note T.G.I.F and have a terrific weekend!

Lea on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/msleamichele/?hl=en

"Say Something," It's "A Great Big World"

A Great Big World

A GREAT BIG WORLD TO EMBARK ON "A GREAT BIG WORLD TOUR"

NEW SINGLE "ALREADY HOME"

“ROCKSTAR” COVERED ON “GLEE” APRIL 1

Always remember: It's A Great Big World and you just live in it, carry on....

A Great Big World will be crisscrossing the globe this year when they launch an expansive international run, the appropriately titled "A Great Big World Tour". This marks their return to Europe and sees them hit numerous territories for the first time. The tour also perfectly coincides with the launch of the group's latest single "Already Home". With an elegant piano intro, the song builds into another impressive, inspiring, and infectious chorus from the group. It's another majestic anthem from A Great Big World following upon the stratospheric success of “Say Something” with Christina Aguilera which has reached international multi-platinum sales.

About “Already Home”, A Great Big World adds, "We wrote this song years ago, but it's kind of spooky how much the lyrics mean to us now that we've been away touring for months. We're realizing that 'home' doesn't need to be a tangible and physical thing. It can be that quiet place that is always there inside of you, or the love that exists between two people, no matter how far apart. So in that sense, we are always 'home."

In support of the song and critically acclaimed debut album, Is There Anybody Out There? [Black Magnetic/Epic Records], the tour starts on May 10^th with the iconic Los Angeles radio show Wango Tango, and then sees the New York pop duo of Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino visit at least twelve countries over the course of four months.

Axel and Vaccarino preface the tour saying, "It's pretty unbelievable that we've reached a point where we're able to travel half-way across the Earth, and have fans coming to see us and support us. That's why we write. That's why we perform - to connect. The world is beginning to feel a lot smaller than our name suggests!"

On April 1, A Great Big World’s music returns to hit Fox show Glee as the group’s uplifting anthem“Rockstar” will be covered by the cast during a pivotal episode. This is the second time Glee has chosen to perform one of the group’s songs. In 2013 the Glee cast performed “This Is the New Year” (video) and helped launch the song to its viral success.  Get ready to hear “Rockstar” like you’ve never heard it before.

It's been a magical journey thus far for the group. In addition to debuting at #3 on the Billboard Top 200, Is There Anybody Out There? received widespread critical acclaim upon its release in January. 

Their breakthrough triple-platinum mega-hit with Christina Aguilera, "Say Something,” ignited a fast rise to success back in November 2012. Axel, Vaccarino, and Aguilera gave a stirring performance on NBC's The Voice followed by enchanting and electrifying turns at the American Music Awards and The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. 

As their profile grew, the single entranced the entire world, eventually selling over three million digital songs at a rapid rate in the U.S. alone. It went on to occupy the #1 spot on iTunes, Billboard's Digital Songs Chart, Billboard's Digital Track Chart, Spotify, and Shazam in addition to going Top 10 on sales charts in 19 countries. They've also performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ABC's Good Morning America, LIVE with Kelly and Michael and had a live stream of their sold out New York Highline Ballroom show with VH1.com.  VH1 also selected the group as their first 2014 “You Oughta Know” Artist.  Finally most recently they were asked to perform as the first-ever musical guest on Late Night With Seth Meyers and gave a riveting performance at the prestigious Clive Davis annual Pre-Grammy party this year.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

5/10       Los Angeles, CA                 Wango Tango

5/11       Reno, NV                              Kitting Factory*

5/13       San Francisco, CA              Regency Ballroom*

5/16       Las Vegas, NV                     Red Rocks Lounge*

5/17       Tucson, AZ                           Rialto Theater

5/21       London, UK                         Heaven*

5/22       Paris, France                       Tabendo*

5/23       Zurich, Switzerland          Plaza*

5/25       Vienna, Austria                  WUK*

5/26       Cologne, Germany            Luxor*

5/27       Berlin, Germany                                Postbahnhof*

5/29       Amsterdam, Holland       Paradiso*

6/3         House of Blues                 Boston, MA

6/15       Northampton, MA           Pearl Street*

6/17       Montreal, QC                      Corona Theatre*

6/20       Richmond, VA                    National*

6/21       Sayreville, NJ                      Starland Ballroom*

6/22       Dover, DE                            Firefly Music Festival

6/24       Toronto, ON                       Danforth Music Hall*

6/26       Detroit, MI                          Royal Oak Music Theatre*

6/27        Chicago, IL                         House of Blues

6/28       Milwaukee, WI                   Summerfest

6/29       Minneapolis, MN              Mill City Nights*

7/05       Birmingham, UK                                Wireless Festival

7/06       London, UK                         Wireless Festival

8/01       Sydney, Australia             Hi-Fi*

8/02       Brisbane, Australia           The Tivoli*

8/03       Melbourne, Australia      Russell*

8/5         Auckland, NZ                      Powerstation*

8/14       Seoul, Korea                       Super Sonic Festival

8/16       Tokyo, Japan                      Summersonic Festival

8/17       Osaka, Japan                      Summersonic Festival

*Headline Dates

Album available now at their official site, Amazon, iTunes, or a signed copy at Target.com now!

A Great Big World:

www.agreatbigworld.com/

www.facebook.com/agreatbigworld

www.twitter.com/agreatbigworld

www.youtube.com/agreatbigworld

Dancing With The Stars Season 17

Dancing With The Stars Cast Season 17

For the first time ever I watched a full episode of "Dancing With the Stars" while I am still not a converted loyal fan, let's say they actually have a cast with more actual "stars" than usual and two of the actors on the show, no doubt aimed as a get toward the youth market, Amber Riley of "Glee" and Brant Daugherty of "Pretty Little Liars" are actually working currently on their respective shows.

While I'm not sure how past seasons went overall, the dancing talent is very strong this year and should provide for some fierce competition!

Rather than review a show I never really watch, let me give you the reasons I actually did:

1. Elizabeth Berkley - Despite having worked steadily under the radar for years after "Showgirls" it's time to for her to do something big and attention getting...DWTS is the perfect vehicle for her to do that. She, to me is also a star, how many performers out there have to iconic things under their belt that are the fabric of American Culture, with "Saved by the Bell" reruns on daily around the world and the most infamous "Showgirls"...Oh and by the way I want her to win.

2. Leah Remini - She will always be remembered for the long running sitcom "King of Queens" and currently known as Leah Remini, Scientology Refugee. This makes her present currency very intriguing. Leaving Scientology makes her the ultimate Hollywood Bad Ass, she already was one, but now...also of note she was a Guest Star on "Saved by the Bell" an episode which I ironically saw in the middle of the night drunk in a Vegas Hotel room with my friend Karen Castrischer.

Go Elizabeth!

3. Jack Osbourne - This was not the initial reason I tuned in, but his dancing was so surprising and good, that I would like to see how he progresses. Hey he's Ozzy and Sharon's spawn & former contestant Kelly Osbourne's brother.

4. Brant Daugherty - Hey he's hunky and he's Noel Kahn from one of my favorite shows "Pretty Little Liars". Also he and his dance partner, Peta Murgatroyd have sizzling chemistry, I would tune in to see that week after week...I am betting they end up hooking up off the dance floor too.

5. Valarie Harper - I am grudgingly giving her props for appearing on the show as I personally have mixed feelings about it. She was already given an unfair score - a 21 out of 30. She was OK, but should have received an 18 in my opinion and it annoys me she will get preferential treatment because of her condition. However it is inspiring to see her drag her 73 year old booty out there with brain cancer and all...most of all like Elizabeth Berkley she is a cultural icon, "Rhoda" anyone?

So there you have reasons I tuned in to my first full episode of DWTS and why I may continue to check it out week after week, or at least catch the highlights somewhere.

Dance your ass off! At: http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars

R.I.P. Cory Monteith Of "Glee"

Wow! Cory Monteith "Finn Hudson" of Ryan Murphy's "Glee" is gone....although I was not a fan of the show, I respected the Actor/Singers on it, they are/were major talents. He was only 31 years old.

Cory had a history of being in and out of rehab - something that thousands of Americans can relate to in this crazy world we live in.

While the final autopsy has yet to determine what The Amazing Cory passed away from, I suspect it has something to do with his addictions.

He had everything, success and talent, but sometimes that is not enough to fill the hole in someone's heart, and Cory had a lot of heart.....

Rest In Peace....Sweet Prince, despite what happened, I hope you truly enjoyed the ride...xoxo....

Enjoy "Glee's" signature song featuring Cory on Oprah covering Journey's: "Don't Stop Believin"

                                                      "Don't Stop Believen" On Oprah

10 Stupid Questions: Aiden Leslie

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  It's time for another "Entertain Me" favorite, singer/songwriter Aiden Leslie to let loose and answer this writer's "stupid questions" - OK Aiden, here we are now, "Entertain" us.
  
  MS: Anything you are “Trying To Leave Now”?
  
  AL: Not at the moment. That was last year...
  
  MS: Do you aspire to perform with an Elvis hologram?
  
  AL: I didn’t know what a hologram was until recently…they kind of scare me☺
  
  MS: What's it like being a Devo, spill?
  
  AL:  There is nothing to spill…LOL. I feel like a nerd most of the time.
  
  MS: Isn’t Erasure that thing on the end of a pencil?
  
  AL: YES☺ AND also, a great band that inspired me in a huge way!
  
  MS: Glee or Smash?
  
  AL: This is probably the wrong answer…but neither.
  
  MS: What’s a Farrah Burns and should we all have one?
  
  AL: Hard to define, but (she’s) got it goin’ on!
  
  MS: So, where would you like to visit that’s “Worlds Away”?
  
  AL: Anywhere where I haven’t been before…and that list is long!
  
  MS: Falsetto or Auto Tone?
  
  AL: No question. Falsetto!
  
  MS: Bitter or Sweet?
  
  AL: It’s always bittersweet.
  
  MS: If your life was a pop song, what pop song would it be?
  
  AL:“My Way.” Frank Sinatra.
  
  Do it Aiden's way at www.aidenleslie.com