Christina Aguilera to Launch New Series of Las Vegas Shows at The Venetian Resort

Christina Aguilera is stripping down…

The 42-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer has announced that she’ll be holding a new series of shows in Las Vegas.

Christina AguileraAguilera’s shows will take place at the Voltaire Belle de Nuit at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas starting New Year’s Eve weekend. Taking place in Voltaire’s “seductively cozy” performance space, the show will follow the singer through two decades of hit songs.

“I look forward to bringing Las Vegas a new show that fuses music, sophistication and art in ways I have never performed before,” Aguilera says in a statement. “What I love about the intimacy at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort is how up-close-and-personal I can be with the audience … a truly modern twist on the performance experience.”

The new shows will officially kick off December 30 and 31, with future dates set to be announced on Friday (October 13).

In a statement, Voltaire founder Michael Gruber says the venue’s goal is to create “superstar artist experiences in Las Vegas” and that the “incredibly talented” Aguilera will help “highlight that Voltaire experience.”

Aguilera made headlines for her own live performance earlier this year when she headlined NYC’s Pride Island back in late June, where she celebrated the LGBTQ community with a set of her biggest hits to date. “There’s a lot of bleak things out there right now,” she told the crowd during her dazzling set. “We are here tonight and we stand in unison to be free to be ourselves.”

Tickets for the opening dates of Aguilera’s Voltaire shows go on sale Friday (October 13) at Voltaire’s website.

Bad Bunny to Receive Vanguard Award at GLAAD Media Awards

Bad Bunny is being feted for his activism…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar, who recently won his third career Grammy, will be honored at the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards next month for advancing and supporting the LGBTQ community.

Bad BunnyBad Bunny — Spotify’s most-streamed artist in the world last year — will receive the Vanguard Award for having made “a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.”

Bad Bunny’s advocacy and outspoken allyship for the LGBTQ community has reached millions around the world, using his craft to speak out for equality.

“Bad Bunny uses his role as one of the world’s most popular music artists to boldly shine a light on LGBTQ people and issues, including transgender equality and ending violence against trans women of color,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “By consistently advocating for our community, elevating our stories and demanding action from anti-LGBTQ leaders, Bad Bunny redefines the positive influence Latin music artists can have within the LGBTQ community, and has set an example for all artists.”

But El Conejo Malo isn’t the only Latino act set to be honored…

Five-time Grammy winner Christina Aguilera will receive the Advocate for Change Award for having “changed the game for LGBTQ people around the world.”

Aguilera has used her platform to be a bold advocate for the LGBTQ community, advancing conversations around acceptance and more through music. “Christina Aguilera is a beloved icon who has inspired and shared messages of love for the LGBTQ community since the start of her music career,” Ellis said. “From using her voice to speak out against anti-LGBTQ legislation to creating songs and music videos that showcase LGBTQ love, Christina loudly and proudly raises the bar for what it means to be a LGBTQ ally today.”

The awards show will be handed during the March 30 ceremony at the Beverly Hilton.

Here are GLAAD’s mini-bios of Bad Bunny & Aguilera:

Bad Bunny

Named Spotify’s most-streamed artist of 2022, with 8.3 billion streams globally, the three-time Grammy-winning artist, bringing his own voice to the forefront to help others see themselves in the world.

As he reimagines the Latin urban music genre, LGBTQ people and issues remain in the vanguards of equality and inclusion for him, especially those in Puerto Rico, where he was born. His live performances and music videos cast an array of voices, experiences and backgrounds, showcasing queer love and affection on full display. For his music video for “Yo Perreo Sola,” he dressed in drag, telling Rolling Stone, “I did it to show support to those who need it. I may not be gay, but I’m a human.”

In a performance for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the rapper paid homage to Alexa Negrón Luciano, a trans woman murdered in the city of Toa Baja, wearing a shirt in Spanish that read: “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.” In 2019, the artist also helped influence a movement to force former Puerto Rican Governor, Ricardo Rosselló, to step down from office, after being exposed for corruption and anti-LGBTQ attitudes.

Moving from sound booth to the big screen, Bad Bunny plans to executive produce the forthcoming Netflix adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel, They Both Die in the End, which features a queer Latinx storyline.

Previous GLAAD Vito Russo Award recipient Ricky Martin told Rolling Stone that Bad Bunny is an “icon for the Latin queer community.”

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera, who has one of the most celebrated voices in history, has used her platform to be a bold advocate for the LGBTQ community, advancing conversations around LGBTQ acceptance and more, through music. Most recently, her impact on the LGBTQ community was realized after Club Q Colorado Springs shooting survivor, Michael Anderson, invoked her lyrics as he testified before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on LGBTQ violence. In 2002, Aguilera dedicated her single, “Beautiful,” to the LGBTQ community, with the line “words can’t bring us down” becoming a personal mantra for many queer people. The song brought a unique awareness and a sense of compassion in the face of hate, earning Aguilera a Special Recognition honor at the 14th GLAAD Media Awards. Last year, the seven-time Grammy-winner celebrated 20 years of “Beautiful” with a brand new music video, reminding people of the importance of accepting themselves for who they are.

A staunch supporter of LGBTQ rights and a visionary for representation, Aguilera raised over $500 million for HIV research with MAC Cosmetics in 2004, spoke out loudly against Proposition 8 in 2008 and brought trans dancers and drag artists into the limelight during the 2012 American Music Awards. Following the Pulse Nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Aguilera dedicated the song, “Change,” to those affected by the tragedy with proceeds from the song going to victims’ families. She later penned a “Love Letter to the LGBTQ Community” for Billboard in 2017. Her very own Pride collection was launched in 2021, to proudly support two nonprofit organizations: TransTech and TransLash. Using the power of music to build bridges and demand change, Aguilera has redefined what it means to be a true advocate for the LGBTQ community, creating spaces for queer voices and talent to be known and thrive: From performing alongside breakthrough LGBTQ artists like Anitta, Syd, Kim Petras, Chika and Michaela Jaé, to condemning anti-LGBTQ legislation like Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law.

Dani Toro to Perform at New York City’s Pride Island LGBTQ Music Festival

It’s a Pride moment for Dani Toro.

After two years of at-home or hybrid celebrations, New York City is bringing back its in-person Pride Month activities, with the Spanish deejay among the participating artists.

Dani Toro,NYC Pride, the organization responsible for organizing Pride Month festivities in New York, announced this year’s Pride Island, a three-day LGBTQ music festival, will take place June 24-26.

Kim Petras will serve as the official headliner.

“Can’t believe I’m headlining NYC Pride,” Petras tweeted. “The dolls keep winning. See you on June 26th it’s gna be amazingg!”

Along with announcing Petras as their Sunday headliner, NYC Pride also announced that the annual festival would be changing locations. While past iterations of Pride Island took place at Manhattan’s Pier 97, the 2022 festivities will be taking place at the Play Lawn on Governor’s Island.

“With our first ever trans headliner and our move to Governors Island, this will truly be a historic weekend in the history of Pride” Lauren Cheeseborough, Pride Island’s event manager said in a statement. “The expansion of Pride Island to a 3-day event creates new experiences for the community to love and live their truth by dancing freely without fear of consequence.”

In addition to Petras and Toro, NYC Pride announced a number of the other performers set to appear at Pride Island, including Papi Juice, Eddie Martinez and Alex Chapman. Additional performers will be announced closer to the event.

Discounted tickets to Pride Island are available now for Mastercard holders, while general ticket sales will launch on Wednesday, April 6.

Xochitl Gomez Signs with Hyperion Talent Agency

Xochitl Gomez is heading into hyper(ion) space..

The 15-year-old Mexican American actress has signed with Hyperion for representation in all areas.

Xochitl GomezGomez will next star opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in Disney/Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which hits theaters May 6.

Gomez plays America Chavez in the film, a groundbreaking Marvel LGBTQ Latin American character who ultimately joins the Young Avengers. Chavez is known for her strength, and the power of flight, particularly exceeding the speed of light. She also has a talent for kicking open star-shaped holes in reality, allowing her and her teammates to travel through the multiverse.

Gomez previously starred as Dawn Schafer, the lead of the Netflix series The Baby-Sitters Club.

In 2020, she won a Young Artist Award for Supporting Teen Artist for her work in the film Shadow Wolves. That same year, her short film The Letter was licensed by HBO.

The actress is an alum of the Sundance Institute, where she was a feature actress in the Director’s Lab in 2018. Gomez won Best Child Actor at the London Independent Film Awards for her turn in Boob Sweat and also won Best Young Actress for the movie at the 2018 New York Film Awards.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez to Receive Stephen F. Kolzak Award at GLAAD Media Awards

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has something special to be GLAAD about…

The 31-year-old half-Afro-Puerto Rican actress, singer and activist, also known as Mj Rodriguez, will receive the Stephen F. Kolzak Award from GLAAD, the queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, at the 33rd annual GLAAD Media Awards.

MJ RodriguezThe Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to a LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting LGBTQ acceptance.

The award is named after a legendary casting director, who devoted his life to raising awareness in the entertainment industry about the discrimination faced by LGBTQ people as well as people living with HIV. Previous Stephen F. Kolzak honorees include Laverne Cox, Jim Parsons, Wanda Sykes, Troye Sivan, Ruby Rose, Chaz Bono, Stephen Warren, Melissa Etheridge, and Sir Ian McKellen.

“Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is an undeniable talent who is changing the way audiences understand trans people while breaking down barriers for the trans community and LGBTQ people of color within the entertainment industry,” said GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Her performance as Blanca on Pose was one of the most important and impactful roles in the history of LGBTQ representation on television, and she continues to spearhead the future of trans visibility and inclusion in entertainment through her talent on screen, in music, and as a passionate activist.”

The GLAAD Media Awards honor media for fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBTQ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally.

The ceremony is set for Saturday, April 2 at the Beverly Hilton.

A New York ceremony will be held at the Hilton Midtown on Friday, May 6, 2022.

Zach Villa to Star in LGBTQ-Themed Horror-Thriller “Hypochondriac”

Zach Villa is dealing with a little health anxiety

The 34-year-old Mexican American actor, singer, songwriter, dancer and musician will star in Addison Heimann’s feature directorial debut Hypochondriac.

Zach Villa Villa will star opposite Devon Graye, Madeline Zima, Chris Doubek, Marlene FortePaget Brewster, Adam Busch, Michael Cassidy, Peter Mensah and Debra Wilson in the project.

In the LGBTQ-themed horror-thriller, a young potter’s life devolves into chaos as he loses function of his body while being haunted by the physical manifestation of his childhood trauma.

Bay Dariz is producing through his Minutehand Pictures banner alongside John Humber, with Michelle Lewitt handling casting.

Heimann is a queer filmmaker whose goal is to elevate and empower queer characters in the genre space. His shorts and web series have played the Chicago International Film Festival, Fantasia, Inside Out, Atlanta International, the Nashville Film Festival, Outfest, and the New York Television Festival, among others. They can also be seen online via Dust, Omeleto, Film Shortage, and Revry.

Villa’s previous credits include American Horror Story: 1984, Bordertown and Station 19.

Demi Lovato Promotes Partnership with Propeller to Raise Awareness & Action for LGBTQ Issues

Demi Lovato is encouraging people to do their part to support the LGBTQ community, even though Pride Month has drawn to a close.

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American actor/singer has shared a new video to help promote their partnership with Propeller, aiming to raise awareness and actions for LGBTQ issues by offering fans a chance to win special prizes.

Demi Lovato

In the clip, Lovato shared the reason why they started the campaign — in order to help LGBTQ and trans youth around the country.

“In 2021 alone, more than 34 states have introduced legislation targeting trans youth,” Lovato said in their video. “It is more important than ever that we continue to work to secure equal rights for all. Join me in taking action to support organizations working hard to defend LGBTQIA+ rights, and support the Equality Act.”

The star also spoke on some of the prizes that fans could win, the biggest being a trip to Joshua Tree to stay at the Invisible House, where Lovato shot the promotional photos for their latest album Dancing With the Devil..The Art of Starting Over

“You’ll have a chance to win items from my closet including outfits I’ve worn on tour or an incredible trip to Joshua Tree,” they added. “I’ve put together some of my favorite things to do and some of my favorite places to go there, and I’m teaming up with Propeller to give that all to you. All you have to enter is take action with Human Rights Campaign, a group that has been working tirelessly to support trans and non-binary equality, and all LGBTQ+ rights for over 40 years.”

For their new campaign, Lovato is urging fans to donate directly to organizations such as HRC, The Trevor Project, and more, while also asking them to sign petitions for causes including the Trevor Project’s “50 Bills 50 States” initiative to end conversion therapy in the U.S., or HRC’s “Count Me In” campaign to support transgender and non-binary youth.

You can enter their Propeller campaign here.

Demi Lovato to Co-Host Special YouTube Pride 2021 Livestream

Demi Lovato is celebrating Pride in a big way…

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American actor/singer and Olly Alexander with Mawaan Rizwan will join previously announced hosts Trixie Mattel and Daniel Howell for the YouTube Pride 2021 livestream on June 25.

Demi Lovato

Lovato and their fellow emcees will host the YouTube Originals multi-hour livestream event celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, including Pride parties from their respective YouTube channels.

The festivities will include musical performances, challenges and more, during which viewers will be encouraged to donate to The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth, as well as the UK-based LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity akt.

The livestream’s special guests will include YouTube star Tyler Oakley, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 8 runner-up Kim Chi, All Stars winner Monét X Change, season 9 runner-up Peppermint and season 13 contestant Denali Foxx.

Demi Lovato announced last month that they are non-binary and their pronouns are they/them. The “very personal” news came as part of Lovato’s new “4D With Demi Lovato” podcast, in which they explained, “Over the past year and a half I’ve been doing some healing and self-reflective work. And through this work, I’ve had the revelation that I identify as nonbinary.”

Alongside H.E.R. and Brandi Carlile, Lovato paid tribute to Elton John by performing a medley of his biggest hits at last week’s iHeartRadio Awards.

YouTube Pride 2021 will be held on Friday, June 25. JA Films producers created a Pride 2021 microsite asking content creators to submit videos of themselves sharing their stories and questions for the hosts with a chance to have their videos featured on the YouTube livestream.

YouTube is also launching a #GiveWithPride donation campaign with hopes to raise $500,000 for The Trevor Project. YouTube is matching donations made to the campaign up to $250,000.

If the campaign’s fundraising goal is met, YouTube creators will each release a zany challenge video, including Patrick Starrr, Gigi Gorgeous, Elle of the Mills, The Fitness Marshall, Jackson Bird, Alannized, Jessie Paege, KingOfReads, and Jade Fox. The video, which teases creators bleaching their hair, getting tattoos and re-creating viral dance challenges, will air during YouTube Pride 2021.

Demi Lovato to Take Part in iHeartMedia & P&G’s “Can’t Cancel Pride” Virtual Benefit Concert

Demi Lovato is celebrating Pride in a big way…

The 28-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actor will be taking part in iHeartMedia and P&G’s second annual “Can’t Cancel Pride,” a virtual benefit concert featuring some of the biggest LGBTQ names in music appearing to offer special performances, while also raising funds for nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping LGBTQ people around the world.

Demi Lovato

Hosted by Elvis Duran and Bebe Rexha, the event will take place on June 4, and will feature appearances and performances from Lovato, Lil Nas X, Troye Sivan, Rexha, Brothers Osborne, Busy Phillips, Hayley Kiyoko, Jennifer Hudson, JoJo Siwa, Marshmello, MJ Rodriguez, Nina West, P!nk, Ricky Martin, Regard and Tate McRae.

Along with putting on a good show, iHeartMedia and P&G are also partnering with Greater Cincinatti Foundation to help distribute the funds raised from the event to six organizations supporting the LGBTQ community in 2021, including GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink, and OutRight Action International.

“As the country is returning back to normal and we are slowly starting to gather again, LGBTQ+ communities around the world are still feeling the devastating effects of COVID-19,”  iHeartMedia’s chief  marketing officer Gayle Troberman said in a statement. “We look forward to once again celebrating the incredible voices and allies of the LGBTQ+ community with an amazing night of music that will honor Pride and the communities’ fight for equal rights, all while benefiting six remarkable nonprofits that make an everyday positive impact.”

“Can’t Cancel Pride” will take place on June 4th at 9:00 p.m. ET on iHeartRadio’s TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram TV pages, PrideRadio.com and Revry, while also being broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio App.

Learn more about the upcoming event here.

Freestyle Digital Media Acquires Global VOD Rights to Alfredo Castro’s “My Tender Matador”

Alfredo Castro’s latest project is going global…

Freestyle Digital Media has acquired international VOD rights to My Tender Matador, starring the 65-year-old Chilean actor.

my tender matador

The Spanish, LGBTQ-influenced romantic drama had its world premiere at Venice Days in 2020.

It’s directed by Rodrigo Sepúlveda and co-written by Sepúlveda and Juan Elias Tovar, based on the novel by Pedro Lemebel and will hit digital outlets on June 4.

Set amid the turmoil of 1980s Chile, a passionate relationship flourishes between a lonely transvestite and a young guerrilla during the Pinochet dictatorship.

In addition Castro, the film also stars Leonardo Ortizgris and Julieta Zylberberg.