The Trailblazer Campaign

Matthew Rettenmund reports at Boy Culture:

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.

U.S. Senate Honors Elizabeth Taylor

The U.S. Senate has passed a Boxer/Feinstein-sponsored resolution honoring Elizabeth Taylor. It reads, in part:

Whereas Elizabeth Taylor used her fame to raise awareness and advocate for people affected by HIV/AIDS;
Whereas, at a time when HIV/AIDS was largely an unknown disease and those who were affected by HIV/AIDS were ostracized and shunned, Elizabeth Taylor called for and demonstrated compassion by publicly holding the hand of her friend and former costar, Rock Hudson, after he had announced that he had AIDS;
Whereas Elizabeth Taylor testified before Congress saying, “It is my hope that history will show that the American people and our leaders met the challenge of AIDS rationally and with all the resources at their disposal, for our sake and that of all humanity.”;
Whereas, in 1985, Elizabeth Taylor became the Founding National Chairman for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (commonly known as “amfAR”);
Whereas, in 1991, Elizabeth Taylor founded the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation to provide direct support to those suffering from the disease;
Whereas the extensive efforts of Elizabeth Taylor have helped educate the public and lawmakers about the need for research, treatment, and compassion for those suffering from HIV/AIDS;
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes and honors the courageous, compassionate leadership and many professional accomplishments of Elizabeth Taylor; and offers its deepest condolences to her family.

(Via - LGBTPOV)

Liz Taylor Leaves Estate To AIDS Charities

Most of Elizabeth Taylor's massive fortune will go to the two AIDS charities with whom she was most famously associated.

Screen queen Elizabeth Taylor has left behind a fortune worth at least $600 million, much of which is expected to go to the AIDS charities she championed for decades. Her famous jewelry collection, valued at an eye-popping $150 million in 2002, is likely to be auctioned off with the bulk of the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and amfAR, the AIDS charity she helped found in 1985, according to WFLD/Fox TV Chicago. "From what I understand, she seems to have been very wise about her investments," said a financial planner who has worked with other Hollywood A-listers. At the time of her 1994 divorce from her last husband, Larry Fortensky, Taylor's net worth was estimated at $608.4 million. That figure could now be well in excess of $1 billion. During the 1990s, Taylor reportedly earned about $2 per second, or about $63 million per year. Her famed perfume, White Diamonds, earned more than $70 million last year, according to reports.

Our hero, even in death.

Cher, Madonna, Lindsay

Lindsay Lohan would like you to know that she is dropping her family name and will join the tiny galaxy of megastars known only by one word.

"So many of the greatest people in showbiz are known by just their first name. Look at Oprah and Beyonce. Now you can add Lindsay to that list," a family friend tells me. "And it's a way for them all to start over. No one in the family want anything to do with Lindsay's father [Michael Lohan] anymore and that includes sharing a last name."

Fortunately, California's prisons already use a handy inmate numbering system, so this change will not be problematic. Call her TAFKALL.

Fred Phelps' Son Talks To Joy Behar

Last night Joy Behar spoke to Fred Phelps' estranged son about Westboro and Elizabeth Taylor.

Elizabeth Taylor's Funeral Is Today

Perhaps to thwart the Westboro Baptist Church, who yesterday vowed to picket her funeral, Elizabeth Taylor will be buried today at the famed Forest Lawn Memorial Park, the final resting place of many Hollywood stars. I just checked the Twitter feed of Margie Phelps, who doesn't yet seem to be aware of the speedy service. Story developing...

UPDATE: E! Online reports that the private service took place under tight security and without "unwelcome interruptions," although Westboro may get another shot during an upcoming "more expansive" memorial service. Taylor was interred in Forest Lawn's Great Mausoleum near Michael Jackson. Tomorrow night Broadway's marquees will go dark for one minute at 8PM in Taylor's honor.

Quote Of The Day - Camille Paglia

"To me, Elizabeth Taylor's importance as an actress was that she represented a kind of womanliness that is now completely impossible to find on the U.S. or U.K. screen. It was rooted in hormonal reality -- the vitality of nature. She was single-handedly a living rebuke to postmodernism and post-structuralism, which maintain that gender is merely a social construct. Let me give you an example. Lisa Cholodenko's The Kids Are All Right is a truly wonderful film, but Julianne Moore and Annette Bening -- who is fabulous in it and should have won the Oscar for her portrayal of a prototypical contemporary American career woman -- were painfully scrawny to look at on the screen. This is the standard starvation look that is now projected by Hollywood women stars -- a skeletal, Pilates-honed, anorexic silhouette, which has nothing to do with females as most of the world understands them. There's something almost android about the depictions of women currently being projected by Hollywood." - Camille Paglia, writing for Salon.

Barry Manilow On Liz Taylor's' AIDS Work

Barry Manilow has never come out (as far I can know), but in last night's interview about Elizabeth Taylor he acknowledged that "I had lost half of my phone book" to AIDS. Manilow revealed that Taylor was so grateful that he agreed to perform at her first AIDS fundraiser that she sent him a pot of gardenias every year on his birthday.

amfAR's Tribute To Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor: Early AIDS Hero

Good As You posts the above 1985 news clipping as a reminder that Elizabeth Taylor was among the first and most vocal celebrities to demand funding for AIDS research, a move she made at great risk to her career, considering the tenor of those dark, dark days. Taylor went on to cofound the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and her own Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, which raised over $50M in its first ten years.

This morning the Human Rights Campaign acknowledges Taylor's tireless campaign against HIV/AIDS: "We are deeply saddened by the death Elizabeth Taylor. Ms. Taylor was a true ally to the LGBT community. She was one of the first public voices to speak up about the AIDS crisis while many others stayed silent in the 1980s and she helped raise millions of dollars to fight the disease. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, and to all those whose lives have been positively impacted by the life and work of Elizabeth Taylor."

Perkins: Gay Marriage Is Political Suicide

"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.

"Of course, it's easy to understand the confusion. This White House has done everything it can to promote homosexual 'marriage'--short of announcing its support. And the only reason the President hesitates to do so is the same reason the cosponsors of Maryland's bill walked away. Endorsing same-sex 'marriage' is political suicide. It puts you on the wrong side of an overwhelming number of American voters." - Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, via press release.

Celebs Pressure Obama On Marriage

A coalition of openly gay celebrities and their allies have issued a public letter to the president, asking that he complete his "evolution" and come out publicly in support of same-sex marriage. The letter reads, in part:

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.

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.

Among those signing the letter: Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Hathaway, David Geffen, Martin Sheen, Eric McCormack, Lily Tomlin, Scott Fujita, and Julian Bond.

Jane Russell Dies At Age 89

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.

Academy Award Winners

Best Picture - The King's Speech.
Best Leading Actor - Colin Firth, The King's Speech.
Best Leading Actress - Natalie Portman, Black Swan.
Best Director- Tom Hooper, The King's Speech.
Best Supporting Actor - Christian Bale, The Fighter.
Best Supporting Actress - Melissa Leo, The Fighter.
Best Foreign Language Film - In A Better World.
Best Animated Film - Toy Story 3.
Best Song - Randy Newman, Toy Story 3.

There were others, but you've already forgotten them. Not the gayest Oscar night ever, but I did note at least two shout-outs to gay partners, including from one of the Best Picture producers, who thanked his "boyfriend."

Judith Light - It Gets Better

(Via - Bilerico)

Tips For Predicting The Oscars

SAG Awards...touted amidst hoopla in Hollywood! Jeff Bridges, Jesse EisenBerg, Annette Bening nominated!



Today, the Screen Actors Guild announced their nominees for the 17th Annual SAG Awards.

Not my favorite-looking statuette, by any stretch of the imagination.

Don't expect a bunch of quarrelling actors in a troubled Union to get it right!

The red-carpet celebrations will be broadcast amidst a lot of hype & hoopla on TNT and TBS on Sunday, January 30th (8 p.m. ET).

The Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles will host the much-anticipated event.

At that high-profile event, presenters - on behalf of the Guild and its membership - will announce who won top honors for film cast (since SAG does not single out a film per se along the lines of other voting bodies such as the Oscars, the Golden Globes, etc.).

The nominees are "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech" and "The Social Network."

In the celebrated arena of Theatrical film releases, the acting nominees for 2010 are:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

JEFF BRIDGES (Rooster Cogburn)
TRUE GRIT
(Paramount Pictures)

ROBERT DUVALL (Felix Bush)
GET LOW
(Sony Pictures Classics)

JESSE EISENBERG (Mark Zuckerberg)
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
(Columbia Pictures)

COLIN FIRTH (King George VI)
THE KING’S SPEECH
(The Weinstein Company)

JAMES FRANCO (Aron Ralston)
127 HOURS
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

ANNETTE BENING (Nic)
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
(Focus Features)

NICOLE KIDMAN (Becca)
RABBIT HOLE
(Lionsgate)

JENNIFER LAWRENCE (Ree Dolly)
WINTER’S BONE
(Roadside Attractions)

NATALIE PORTMAN (Nina Sayers)
BLACK SWAN
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

HILARY SWANK (Betty Anne Waters)
CONVICTION
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

CHRISTIAN BALE (Dicky Eklund)
THE FIGHTER
(Paramount Pictures)

JOHN HAWKES (Teardrop)
WINTER’S BONE
(Roadside Attractions)

JEREMY RENNER (James Coughlin)
THE TOWN
(Warner Bros. Pictures)

MARK RUFFALO (Paul)
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
(Focus Features)

GEOFFREY RUSH (Lionel Logue)
THE KING’S SPEECH
(The Weinstein Company)

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

AMY ADAMS (Charlene Fleming)
THE FIGHTER
(Paramount Pictures)

HELENA BONHAM CARTER (Queen Elizabeth)
THE KING’S SPEECH
(The Weinstein Company)

MILA KUNIS (Lily)
BLACK SWAN
(Fox Searchlight Pictures)

MELISSA LEO (Alice Ward)
THE FIGHTER
(Paramount Pictures)

HAILEE STEINFELD (Mattie Ross)
TRUE GRIT
(Paramount Pictures)

Each year, the SAG voting committee singles out Outstanding Performances by an Ensemble cast in the realms of TV Comedy and Drama.

For the 2010 calendar year, well-earned nods for dramatic bill-of-fare went to "Boardwalk Empire," "The Closer," "Dexter," "The Good Wife" and "Mad Men."

On the other side of the proverbial coin, nominees singled out for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble cast in a Comedy were handed out to "30 Rock," "Glee," "Hot in Cleveland," "Modern Family" and "The Office."

Screen Actors Guild Awards 47th Annual Life Achievement Award

Ernest Borgnine, a seasoned pro - well-liked and admired in the acting community - has been bestowed with the honor of Lifetime Achievement Award this year.

Deservedly so!

http://www.thetattler.biz

'Britney Spears Through The Lens' for Candie's

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. unveiled its spring 2010 marketing campaign for its junior brand, Candie's, which is exclusively available at Kohl's Department Stores and Kohls.com. The campaign entitled, "Britney Spears Through The Lens," showcases international superstar Britney Spears as seen through the lens of three famed photographers: Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger and Terry Richardson. Each iconic photographer shot Spears at Paramount Studios in Hollywood late last year.

Britney Spears commented, "Annie, Mark and Terry are three of the biggest photographers in the world, I am honored to be working with them for my Candie's Only at Kohl's ads. It was an amazing shoot and I know my fans are going to love the cool images."

The campaign, a series of photographs of Spears as seen through the lens of each master photographer will debut with a four-page insert in the April issue of Seventeen Magazine as well as online at candies.com and Kohls.com. Each photographer has their own unique and trademark style. Annie Leibovitz's photograph features Spears against an industrial backdrop, Terry Richardson photographed Spears on a plain white set with colorful props, while Mark Seliger created elaborate sets. Seliger's first set was a French burlesque inspired pink dressing room and the second was a custom designed pink Harley-Davidson motorcycle against a perfect blue sky and green grass background.

"This is the most exciting shoot we have ever produced for Candie's. We have three master photographers: Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger and Terry Richardson shooting the biggest pop star in the world, each in their own iconic style," stated Dari Marder, chief marketing officer, Iconix Brand Group.

Julie Gardner, Kohl's executive vice president and chief marketing officer, stated, "The new Candie's spring advertising campaign is innovative, authentic and provides a unique brand expression in the marketplace. We are confident this will resonate with our junior shoppers who trust Candie's to provide style and value."

The "Britney Spears Through The Lens" campaign will be seen in fashion magazines, outdoor billboards, in-store, circulars, online and direct mail. 

Read More............ 

More Iconix Brand Group Inc News...

More Fashion News - USA

More Fashion Company News - USA  

Goodbye Patrick Swayze!

Patrick Swayze’s Dirty Dancing co-star Jennifer Grey led tributes to the actor last night, describing the former dancer as a “real cowboy with a tender heart”.

Grey, 49, played the naïve teenager who fell in love with Swayze’s sultry dance instructor in the hit movie which became a cult classic after its release in 1987. The pair’s on-screen chemistry – best highlighted in their sizzling dance moves and the famous lift scene in a lake – helped turn both actors into Hollywood stars.

"When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing, practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see," Grey, who played Frances 'Baby' Houseman, told People magazine.

Grey said Swayze, who died on Monday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, was so fearless in his acting that: "it was not surprising to me that the war he waged on his cancer was so courageous and dignified."



"Patrick was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace," she said. "My heart goes out to his wife and childhood sweetheart, Lisa Niemi, to his mom, Patsy, and to the rest of their family."

Whoopi Goldberg, who starred alongside Swayze in one of his other best known blockbusters, Ghost, remembered the man to whom she had dedicated the Academy Award she won in 1991 for her supporting role in the film.

"Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can't ever repay," said Goldberg. "I believe in Ghost's message, so he'll always be near."



Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California and former Hollywood action hero, described Swayze as a "talented and passionate artist who struck a memorable chord with audiences throughout the world."

"He played a wide range of characters both on stage and in movies and his celebrated performances made the hard work of acting look effortless - which I know from experience is not easy," Schwarzenegger said. “As a fan and as an actor, I admired Patrick and I know that he will be dearly missed. On behalf of all Californians, Maria and I send our deepest condolences to Patrick’s family, friends and fans.”

Ashton Kutcher — whose wife, Demi Moore, co-starred with Swayze in Ghost — posted a tribute on twitter: “RIP P Swayze”.

The actor’s death was a hot topic on twitter, with ‘RIP Patrick Swayze’, 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ghost' fast becoming among the most popular topics on the social networking site.

The news spread so fast that some of Swayze’s friends and co-stars heard of his death while facing the media on the red carpet at the Toronto Film Festival.

At the premiere of Partir, British actress Kristin Scott Thomas - who starred with Swayze in the 2005 British movie Keeping Mum - put her hands to her mouth and appeared close to tears after hearing the news.

She excused herself from the red carpet to compose herself before returning. The 49-year-old actress reappeared, but her representatives said she did not wish to comment on the news.

Also in Toronto Rob Lowe, who had appeared many films with Swayze, gave an emotional tribute to the Dirty Dancing star.

"Patrick lived a thousand lifetimes in one lifetime,” Lowe said.

"He was an expert dancer, he wrote hit songs, he starred in hit movies, he was an amazing horseman. But the thing I will remember him most for was his amazing love affair with his wife Lisa.”

Lowe added: "He played my brother twice, in The Outsiders when I was 17, and then in Youngblood. Tonight I lost a brother."

The actor C. Thomas Howell, who also co-starred with Swayze in The Outsiders, Grandview U.S.A. and Red Dawn, paid tribute to his acting “brother”.

He said: “I have always had a special place in my heart for Patrick. While I was fortunate enough to work with him in three films, it was our passion for horses that forged a friendship between us that I treasure to this day. Not only did we lose a fine actor today, I lost my older Outsiders brother.”