An Idol for gays? We envision a queer future for many of this year's American Idol finalists. (The Music Issue).When fuchsia-haired Midleresque spitfire Vanessa Olivarez Vanessa Denae Olivarez (born February 3, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American singer best known as the first finalist to be eliminated on the second season of the television series American Idol. , 21, became the first American First American may refer to:
DeMato is the youngest of one sister and five brothers. still on? They booted the wrong beautician!") and remorse ("Why didn't I pick up the damn phone?). Talk about your gay shame Gay Shame is a movement from within the LGBT and queer communities described as a radical alternative to gay mainstreaming and directly posits an alternative view of traditional "gay pride" events and activities which have become increasingly commercialized with corporate sponsors . AI groupies Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels Tammy Lynn Michaels (born Tammy Lynn Doring November 26, 1974, in Lafayette, Indiana), also known by the surname Etheridge after exchanging vows with Melissa Etheridge,[1] is an American actress. tried to soften the blow by having her over for dinner, but let's face it-all of the lesbian love-ins in the world won't get our Idol Most Likely to Perform in a Bathhouse back into the competition. Still, life and American Idol American Idol is an annual American televised singing competition, which began its first season on June 11, 2002. Part of the Idol franchise, it originated from the British reality program Pop Idol. must go on, and lucky for us, there are still plenty of talented future gay icons of America left--at press time, anyway. Take Trenyce, for example. Not only does this diva-ette have the chutzpah chutz·pah also hutz·pah n. Utter nerve; effrontery: "has the chutzpah to claim a lock on God and morality" New York Times. to tackle Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing,' but she's got the pipes to pull it off. If the artist formerly known as Lashundra Cobbins (love that reinvention!) isn't remixed and raising the roof at some White Party or other by year's end, it's her own fault, because we are hooked. We also love a man in uniform, especially if he can sing like U.S. marine Joshua Gracin. The hunkiest of the finalists by far (so what if he's married with a kid), the Oceanside, Calif., native sealed his macho appeal when, in response to judge Simon Cowell's suggestion that he lose a few pounds, he assumed the pushup position and gave us 20. Even more resonant was that "coming-out episode," in which Josh admitted to Simon and God and everybody that deep down inside he was, yep, a country singer. Josh can be our cryin' shoulder anytime. Which brings us to the two Kims. Voluptuous Kimberley Locke, 25, scored points with Judy lovers by singing "Over the Rainbow' on practically every early -episode, gets bonus points for picking the Ryan Seacrest Ryan Seacrest (born December 24, 1974) is an American radio and television personality. Seacrest is also a former children's game show host, who gained prominence as the host of the reality television amateur-search series American Idol. anthem "It's Raining Men' for Disco Week. Then there's Texas pageant queen Kimberly Caldwell, 21. Hmmm. Let's just say we appreciate Kim for being a shameless blond camera hog, Her "Look at me" crying jag when friend-foe DeMato got eliminated was like something out of The Hours. There's nothing particularly gay about velvet-voiced Vandross-in-training Ruben Studdard, 24. Still, something about the way this Birmingham, Ala., native croons "Can't get enough of your love, babe" makes us want to grab our same-sex partner same-sex partner Social medicine A domestic partner of the same genotypic sex. See Homosexual. and hold on tight. Ruben may just go all the way. Of course, Raleigh, N.C.'s own Clay Aiken may have something to say about that. Repeatedly dissed by Simon ("That was like Motown: The Musical"), the ever-genial special-needs teacher has proved that big voices can come in unexpected packages. What's more, he's emerged as the unlikely heartthrob of the competition. "You are a mystery," gushed guest judge Gladys Knight after Clay blew the crowd away with his version of "Somewhere Out There." Well, we love a good mystery. Hensley is the author of Screening Party (Alyson Books). |
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