Gemma Collins slams critics of Chicago role as she insists she 'trained hard and auditioned'

Hi Jake,I’m in my early 30s and living in Miami Beach. It’s already May and “Hot Gay Summer” is approaching like a speeding train, but I don’t feel like my body is anywhere close to where it needs to be.  “Hot Gay Summer” for me means going to the various beach and pool parties, outdoor concerts, dance parties and Prides, and then traveling to P-town for the 4th of July. All my friends have bodies that are close to perfection, and I don’t want to stand out or be judged by them. My whole summer depends upon looking a certain way. It’s been a stressful time with work, and it’s been harder to get back on a regular workout schedule after the pandemic. I’m starting to panic. What should I do?Summertime SadnessDear Summertime Sadness,Grinding in a sea of perfect, sweaty torsos on a hot summer night is a gay image as old as time.

Pop music might sound a lot like gay rights, but the actual stage often only offers room for heteronormative artists. In Latin America, it’s even harder for unabashedly queer Latinx pop stars to thrive.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has successfully taken over the West End and beyond – and now one of its creators wants to see the production being retold in schools.The Feeling singer Dan Gillespie Sells wrote and composed the music for the hit show, which was created by Tom MacRae and is based upon the true-life story of 16-year-old schoolboy Jamie Campbell, as he overcomes prejudice and bullying to step out of the darkness and become a drag queen. It has even been turned into a movie, keeping Dan very busy amid The Feeling’s hiatus, which began in 2016 and came to an end recently with the release of their new album Loss Hope Love. Reflecting on Jamie’s popularity on the theatre boards, Dan told Metro.co.uk: ‘We’ve just been trying to keep up with its success, it’s kept us all so busy and we’ve loved it and are trying to look after the story and trying to make sure it doesn’t get pulled out of shape by producers, especially when there’s big executives from movie companies getting involved, you’re like, we need to look after this story because I don’t want it to become something it isn’t. ‘That’s our main job with Jamie is to look after him.’ Dan revealed that he, and other members of The Feeling who also contributed music, were drawn to Jamie’s story because they could ‘see ourselves in it’. ‘We’re three guys who went to regular state schools, come from working class backgrounds and basically were big dreamers at school,’ he explained. ‘We recognise ourselves in this character and could make him into our hero, which we’d never seen on-screen or stage before. ‘We’d never seen a young gay, really effeminate boy who was actually the hero of the story, so that was what drew us to making it.

To the Editor: Re “All Children 8 and Older Should Be Screened for Anxiety, U.S. Task Force Says” (Well, nytimes.com, April 12): I remember my first panic attack. I was 7.

Edward I. Koch looked like the busiest septuagenarian in New York. Glad-handing well-wishers at his favorite restaurants, gesticulating through television interviews long after his three terms as mayor, Mr.

“Hey, what’s your type? What do you look for in a man?”Our friends love asking these questions because it honestly reveals a lot about a person and what they want in life. Our taste in men is also entirely different from straight men’s taste in women, so the topic deserves some attention.

Metro.co.uk: ‘Fate always brings you back. I’m lucky he’s very supportive because I have got such a busy career and you need a man with confidence really, that can understand my life. ‘It is a lot sometimes, I’m not gonna lie but I have to juggle that home balance, you know, because when you’re a single girl you can just get up and go.

This was before Section 28, which would have been pointless anyway - there was no need to ban ‘promotion of homosexuality to children’ because literally nobody promoted it, or at least nobody round my way.  There were no role models.  No lesbians in public life.  No mention of lesbians in school, in books, on TV.   Not a single lesbian in the family, and certainly no talking about lesbians in the family.  Nothing.  The knowledge that lesbians even existed sneaked up on me slowly in middle school, made up of a patchwork of stereotypes – pitiable spinsters, tomboys, predatory dykes.   Although I didn’t come out until my mid 20s, people were calling me a ‘f***ing lezzer’ on the playground at 11.  So I grew up fighting, mostly with words, sometimes with fists, because I instinctively knew the word ‘lesbian’ was so dangerous you couldn’t let it get attached to you.     Things have changed since then, of course. When I was younger, Lesbian Visibility Week – a whole week that celebrates my community – would have been unthinkable.   And there is a way of telling this story that can make it feel and sound like everything has improved.   Section 28 has come and gone: right now in schools across the UK children are being taught about LGBTQ+ lives, families and relationships.  There are lesbians in books, in TV, in music – in popular culture, the media and politics. We have rights our lesbian elders never had.

press release. “Jill and I have known and respected Karine a long time and she will be a strong voice speaking for me and this Administration.“Jen Psaki has set the standard for returning decency, respect and decorum to the White House Briefing Room.

The first Downton Abbey film gave us Thomas Barrow, played by Rob James-Collier, a gay butler whose sexuality was explored throughout the film by way of a short-lived romance with the king’s royal dresser. However, in Downton Abbey: A New Era, currently playing in theatres, Thomas Barrow’s story gets more of a spotlight and his experiences as a gay man are presented under a warmer more optimistic light, with bright hope for his future. For LGBTQI fans of both the show and western television, the introduction of this storyline back in 2010 was a milestone moment. Thomas Barrow is an openly gay character played by an openly gay actor; while in this moment in time this alone may not be much to celebrate, in 2010 this was relatively rare in Hollywood, considering shows like Will & Grace were the height of mainstream gay representation, with straight actors playing the lead roles. At this time streaming services which have now majorly streamlined production and allowed more marginalised stories to be told, were also not yet around. Thomas Barrow.

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film CriticThe word “tabloid” has a sleazy mystique. It’s such a potent word that it can influence the way you think about the subjects that fall into that category.

Pose, Lil Nas X, Today, Power Rangers, Sesame Street, and Dawn Ennis were among the award recipients at the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in New York City Friday night.Winners in 16 of this year’s 30 categories were announced at the ceremony at the New York Hilton Midtown. Additional recipients, including The Advocate, were announced at a ceremony April 2 in Los Angeles. There were also several special awards.

Look Long: Together (premiering Sunday) the Indigo Girls, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, give new meaning to their lyrics “Get out the map and lay your finger any way down.” Not only does their canon take a listener on a journey through one’s memories, but the film also features musicians contributing tracks from around the globe. In 2020, just prior to shelter-in-place orders proliferating, the veteran musical duo were prepared to hit the road in support of their new album Look Long.

Jeopardy!, but now it has come to an end.Roach, a lesbian and one of several stellar out contestants the show has had recently, saw her winning streak end in the episode that aired Friday. She lost by a single dollar to challenger Danielle Maurer.Maurer, a digital marketing manager from Peachtree Corners, Ga., finished in first place with $15,600 while Roach, a tutor from Toronto, came in second with $15,599.Roach was in the lead with $19,200 heading into Final Jeopardy!, wagered $3,601, and did not respond correctly, while Maurer, who had $11,400 going into the round, wagered $4,200 and did provide the correct response.The category was USA, and the clue was “These two mayors gave their names to a facility built on the site of an old racetrack owned by Coca-Cola magnate Asa Candler.” The correct response was “Who are William Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson?” Both were mayors of Atlanta, and the facility is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.But Roach’s run on Jeopardy! was a great one.

the Trevor Project earlier this week, the LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention and mental health organization found that there has been an upward trend in suicidal thoughts among queer youth, many of whom are trans youth and queer youth of color.“The Trevor Project’s research demonstrates that suicidal thoughts have trended upward among LGBTQ young people over the last three years, making our life-saving work all the more important. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and relentless political attacks during this time period cannot be understated,” said Amit Paley, CEO and executive director of The Trevor Project, in a press release.The findings are part of the group’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, which included responses from almost 34,000 LGBTQ+ youth across the country between the ages of 13 and 24.

Just Like Us, people across the UK have postponed coming out due to ‘harmful’ stereotypes, with 68% of lesbians delaying coming out due to stereotypes about being ‘man-hating’, ‘unattractive’ and even ‘anti-trans’.But why is it so hard for lesbians to come out as lesbians? What exactly is wrong with the L word? Why was I so scared of it, and why nearly 10 years after I finally used the word to proudly describe myself, are so many people still scared to use it?Over the last few months, I’ve been an assistant producer on the Channel 4 documentary ‘Where Have All The Lesbians Gone?’ where we tried to answer these questions.

The cast of ‘Mean Girls.’ (Courtesy photo by Jenny Anderson)

Gemma Collins was seen leaving a London restaurant with fiancé Rami Hawash after revealing Leonardo DiCaprio apologised to her during a performance of her one woman show GC's Big Night Out at The Troxy on Monday 11 April.  The TV star, 41, is currently performing at venues up and down the country and has chosen a suitably spectacular array of costumes. She wowed crowds at the venue in a very glitzy black dress complete with sequins, beading and feathers. She accessorised with large dark sunglasses and matched her dark pink manicure and lipstick.

GEMMA Collins broke down in tears on stage on Monday night as she spoke about her father's Covid battle which left him fighting for his life. Alan was rushed to hospital in January 2021 before being placed in the ICU where he needed around the clock support to help him breathe.

Gemma Collins dazzled in a thigh-high split dress as she left her one-woman show last night. The 41-year-old wore a sparkling black number that made her stand out from the crowd. Gemma has been continuing to show off her weight loss after shedding more than three stone.

Katherine Ryan enjoyed a fun night out with her daughter seeing Gemma Collins' new live show in London. The comedian, 37, who recently opened up about a "brief rift" in her marriage due to Covid, has only recently started posting more of her daughter on social media as she gets older. Taking to her Instagram Stories, and doing her best impression of the GC, Katherine took to Instagram to share with her fans their plans for the evening.

GEMMA Collins was left begging for help after her car broke down on the motorway - at 4.30am. The 41-year-old Towie diva finished her show in Glasgow and was heading back down south when disaster struck.

Gemma Collins is taking her tour, The GC's Big Night Out, to Glasgow tonight and has shared some behind-the-scenes snaps from before the O2 Academy show.

It seems that there are some doors that being a UK celebrity can’t open, as former TOWIE star Gemma Collins claimed that she got her kicked out of a private members club in LA after saying a simple hello to legendary actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Gemma, 41, said that the incident happened after she tried to introduce herself to the Titanic actor, 47, during a night out in Hollywood, reportedly at Soho House. Gemma told The Sun: “Leonardo DiCaprio – I said hello to him and got thrown out of the club in LA.

Gallery: She sent an explicit text to her FRIEND’S HUSBAND?! You will never believe these celebrity pranks (BANG Showbiz)She told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre Column: "I thought, ‘You do realise I am famous as well. Thank you very much!’ I could never go back there again.

Leonardo DiCaprio had her thrown out of a Los Angeles nightclub after she said hello to him.The Only Way Is Essex reality TV star alleged that she was at the actor’s private members’ club, reportedly Soho House, when she was suddenly kicked out.“Leonardo DiCaprio – I said hello to him and got thrown out of the club in LA,” she told The Sun. “I mean, he looked at me and I looked at him back and all I said was hello.“Next thing I know, I’ve been thrown out.

ONE is among the biggest film idols in the world, with an Oscar, Bafta and three Golden Globes to his name. The other is one the biggest egos to come out of Essex . . . with a sizeable gob to match. But when Leonardo DiCaprio met Gemma Collins, their rendezvous ended without the classic Hollywood ending she might have imagined.

Gemma Collins had a rather awkward encounter with movie megastar, Leonardo DiCaprio that left her feeling rather red-faced.The reality star is a household name in the UK after rising to fame on The Only Way Is Essex and appearing on shows such as Celebrity Big Brother.And although a big name over this side of the pond, she claims she was kicked out of a private members’ club in Los Angeles for speaking to Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio.The star, 41, went to introduce herself to Leo while on a night out in California but was immediately ushered away.Gemma, who is currently on her Big Night Out tour, said things didn't go to plan, with her telling The Sun: "Leonardo DiCaprio — I said hello to him and got thrown out of the club in LA.""I mean, he looked at me and I looked at him back and all I said was hello. Next thing I know, I’ve been thrown out."I thought, 'You do realise I am famous as well.

Gemma Collins has won legions of fans since starring in hit ITVBe show, The Only Way is Essex, and they were out in their droves on Tuesday night for the launch of her one-woman show, The GC's Big Night Out, in Manchester.The star looked fabulous in a neon green satin suit as she left the show and accessorised with glamorous rhinestone sunglasses, hot pink strappy heels and a Louis Vuitton clutch bag. Her blonde hair was still in the same loose waves from the show, and she wore a slick of fuchsia pink lipstick and her trademark deep tan.

Gemma Collins wowed as she left the Opera House theatre following the opening night of her one-woman show. The former The Only Way Is Essex star brought the first show of her GC's Big Night Out tour to Manchester.

GEMMA Collins has revealed she will start trying for a baby in August. The former Towie star said she would make time to start a family after her West End stint as Mama Morton in Chicago this summer.

Gemma Collins stepped out on stage last night for the first night of her GC's Big Night Out tour, but she ended up being heckled and booed.

Gemma Collins debuted her brand new tour in Manchester last night - but found herself being booed over a comment that didn't go down well with her audience.

GEMMA Collins looked the ultimate A-lister after slipping into a lime green suit and wading through a mob of adoring fans. The GC, 41, channelled her inner diva as she showed off her slimmed-down figure outside The Opera House Theatre in Manchester.

Gemma Collins was joined by her nephew Hayden to lunch ahead of her debut on her GC Big Night Out tour.The star, 41, kicks off her stage show in Manchester on Tuesday evening before heading out on a UK tour. And reality star Gemma looked radiant as she left a meal at The Ivy in Manchester ahead of her evening show with her nephew Hayden.The GC wrapped up warm in a long cream coat and clutched onto a Louis Vuitton handbag as she left the restaurant flanked by security guards.The star wore her blonde locks tied up in a messy bun and wore a pair of diamanté sunglasses to complete her look as she spent some quality time with her nephew, who dressed casually in a fur lined winter coat and comfy black trousers.

Gemma Collins was in full swing of rehearsals for her upcoming GC Big Night Out tour when her mum Joan burst into tears after rewatching her infamous fall on Dancing on Ice.The pair were in the Manchester Opera House as preparations went underway for Gemma’s first live show at the arena when mum Joan got rather emotional. A clip of Gemma falling on Dancing on Ice was being played behind the stage as the TOWIE star was rehearsing and caused Joan to shed tears as she caught sight of her daughter’s nasty tumble. Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter.

weight loss secrets.

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins was snapped in a stunning and flattering green slinky jumpsuit.The blonde oozed confidence as she posed with a hand on her hip that was decorated with stylish red nail polish. However, the eye-catching fit wasn't the only aspect of the photo that caught the attention of fans.The reality TV star took to her 2.2 million followers on Instagram to share the eye-catching photo.

GEMMA Collins showed off her shrinking waist in a stunning new snap in her garden. However, fans were all saying the same thing about the saddle on the horse statue in the background.

GEMMA Collins showed off her sensational weight loss in a glam green jumpsuit which synched in at the waist. The former TOWIE star, 41, has just returned from a sun-soaked Tenerife break and her golden glow complemented the one-piece perfectly.

Dancing on Ice professional Matt Evers has delivered a series of scathing reviews about his former celebrity skating partners, and revealed who was his least favourite to work with. Former champ Matt, who performed with Corrie's Sally Dynevor this year, admitted he hasn't got on so well with everyone he's taught to skate.

Gemma Collins wowed fans with her latest stunning social media upload. The 41-year-old star flashed a smile to the camera as she stood outside in the sun while donning a bright purple co-ord.

DANCING On Ice star Matt Evers has dished on his former dance partners including his least favourite. The pro skater, who was partnered with Corrie's Sally Dynevor in the competition this year, opened up about the challenges of partnering up with famous names.

GEMMA Collins stunned fans with her incredible weight loss today as she posed in a glamorous purple coord after shedding four stone. The 41-year-old star stood with her hands on her slimmer hips and flashed a huge smile.

Former The Only Way Is Essex star, Gemma Collins had emergency dental work done on Wednesday to remove her wisdom tooth, just a week before she is due to start rehearsals for her debut as Mama Morton in Chicago the Musical.The reality TV star, 41, told her 2.2million Instagram followers about the pain she had been experiencing, saying: "Had a pain, been getting pains in my ear, been getting pains in my teeth.” She added: “Needed wisdom teeth removal!” Gemma posted a snap to her Instagram story wearing dentist goggles with a painful-looking swollen mouth, before videoing her dentist at Highland View Dental Surgery and showing off her removed wisdom tooth. Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter.The star could be heard saying: “Guys, this man is God for me today.

Gemma Collins has been rushed in for emergency surgery days before starting Chicago rehearsals – after she was in "so much pain". Due to take to the stage in May for the new production of Chicago, multi-talented Gemma has had to undergo emergency surgery on her mouth in order to sort out her wisdom teeth.

GEMMA Collins has revealed she was rushed for emergency surgery just days before she starts rehearsals for Chicago. The 41-year-old revealed this week that she's landed the role of Mama Morton in the musical and will take to the stage for the first time in May.

TOWIE, Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing On Ice meme machine was trending on Twitter all day following the announcement that she’ll play Mama Morton for a select few dates in the UK and Ireland tour of Chicago. Mama Morton is, you’ll remember, the part played by Queen Latifah in the Oscar-winning movie adaptation; the supporting role that gets to sing the absolute belters When You’re Good To Mama and Class. Many actors are outraged by The GC’s appointment, and to quote Mary Sunshine in We Both Reached For The Gun, it’s perfectly understandable.