Latest news with #Botello
New York Times
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
A Trip to Coachella and a Surprise Wedding, Too
Kameron Ross Martinez remembers being 'completely uninterested' when first meeting Emilio Angel Botello at a Labor Day pool party in Dallas in 2019, hosted by Justin Johnson — better known as drag performer Alyssa Edwards from 'RuPaul's Drag Race.' 'Lio was there with his ex biz partner who was also his ex — it was like a hi-bye kind of thing,' Mr. Martinez recalled. Mr. Martinez, a longtime friend of Mr. Johnson, had attended many parties hosted by Alyssa Edwards. Mr. Botello, who goes by Lio, was new to the scene, having met Mr. Johnson after appearing on the Netflix baking competition show 'Sugar Rush' in 2019. Mr. Johnson had asked Mr. Botello to make desserts for the Labor Day party and invited him to attend as well. About a month after the party, on Oct. 13, 2019, Mr. Botello, 36, and Mr. Martinez, 35, crossed paths again. Mr. Martinez was out with Mr. Johnson at Station 4, a gay club in Dallas. This time there was a strong interest for both of them. 'If people could have heart eyes, Kam had them,' Mr. Botello said. 'It was the strangest shift of energy. So, it was my turn to act a little cool about it.' The evening ended with a first kiss and an exchange of phone numbers. When Mr. Martinez reached out about seeing Mr. Botello again on Oct. 14, 2019, 'I was trying to keep everything chill,' Mr. Botello said. 'So, I said, 'I'm going to do laundry,'' and invited Mr. Martinez to hang out while he did. 'We knew nothing about each other,' Mr. Martinez said. 'Something like doing laundry is actually a good way to talk.' [Click here to binge read this week's featured couples.] On Oct. 23, 2019, the two had their first real date, which was dinner at North Italia in Dallas. Three days later, they went to Mr. Johnson's annual Alyssa Edwards Halloween party. 'At the party, he pulled me aside and asked me to be his boyfriend,' Mr. Botello said. Later that evening, they attended an annual Halloween block party in the Oak Lawn neighborhood of Dallas, where Mr. Martinez was living. Five months later, on March 14, 2020, Mr. Martinez — a country singer who performs as Kameron Ross — traveled to Los Angeles to audition for 'America's Got Talent,' with Mr. Botello by his side. 'He got all yes's,' Mr. Botello said. So he was invited to return to Los Angeles that summer. Mr. Botello was with him throughout the six-week journey until Mr. Martinez was eliminated in the quarterfinals. As the pandemic took hold, they returned to Dallas and decided to quarantine together at Mr. Botello's East Dallas apartment. Mr. Martinez moved in officially in October 2020, and a year later they bought a home together in Oak Cliff. Mr. Martinez proposed to Mr. Botello while the two were vacationing in Oaxaca, Mexico, in January 2024. 'It was our friend Josh's 39th birthday,' Mr. Martinez said. 'The only way to surprise him by wrapping it in something else.' The hotel where they were staying was on a cliff with a small beach below. 'Going down the steep steps I see the roses in a heart and candles and I'm smirking like, 'This is so cheesy for a birthday,'' Mr. Botello said. Then he realized, it wasn't for their friend's birthday. It was for him. It suddenly didn't seem so cheesy after all. Mr. Botello, who is from Fort Worth, Texas, is a baker and a senior process support consultant at the insurance company Allstate. After his appearance on 'Sugar Rush,' where he placed second over all, he has been a guest on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show,' 'Good Morning Texas' and 'Texas Today.' Mr. Botello selectively bakes for clients. 'I wait for an order I'm passionate about,' he said. In addition to being a singer, Mr. Martinez, who was born and raised in Houston, Texas, works as a strategic account manager at a technology company focused on the travel industry. Mr. Martinez attended Blinn College in Bryan, Texas. Since they were already going to be in California for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the two decided to get married while there. 'Considering our current political climate, we weren't sure we would always be able to marry,' Mr. Botello said. 'So, we decided to use our time doing what we love to get married.' On April 10, the two were wed at the Riverside California County Courthouse. Peter Aldana, a county clerk, officiated before their three friends, who the couple surprised by getting married that day. 'We asked our friends for their opinions on our 'Coachella outfits' the night before. It was our 'Just Married shirts,'' Mr. Botello said. 'It took them a second to get it. When they asked when we did it, we told them we were going to the next day.' After the ceremony, the group had lunch at the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. 'I felt at peace,' Mr. Botello said. 'In all the chaos we experience right now, this day felt right.'
Euronews
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Under the hood: The true story of Spain's Nazarene capirote and the Ku Klux Klan
ADVERTISEMENT "It's the Ku Klux Klan!", say some tourists unfamiliar with Spanish Holy Week when they see the penitents accompanying processions in the streets. The elder brother of the Archconfraternity of Jesús de Medinaceli in Madrid, Miguel Ángel Izquierdo, explains to Euronews that this is a common comment every year: "You have to explain to them that it has nothing to do with anything. However, although the supremacist movement adopted a costume similar to that of the Nazarenes, the capirote, a conical form of a Christian pointed hat, predates even the founding of the United States. In Spain, the first pointed hats, which are the origin of today's capuchons, appeared in the 16th century with the Inquisition. Shame and humiliation When the Catholic Monarchs established the Holy Tribunal, an era of Catholic orthodoxy began in Castile, punishing crimes ranging from blasphemy to heresy. "During the autos de fe, the Inquisition imposed on heretics and condemned them to wear the 'sambenito', a special habit, similar to a poncho, which was a form of humiliation, a visual punishment and a public scorn. In some cases, especially with serious convictions, it was topped with a pointed capirote," historian David Botello tells Euronews. Cross burning by the Ku Klux Klan in Rumford, Virginia. Scott Perry/AP1987 The origin of the capirote "The origin of the capirote can be traced back to two sources: medieval spirituality and the Inquisition, because penitents covered themselves out of humility, so that they would not be recognised", adds Botello, author of "Don't touch my Bourbons" (No me toques los Borbones), among many other books in which he delves into the history of Spain. Some were condemned to death and presented themselves in these clothes for execution, which could be death by drowning if they repented of their sins, or they could be burned alive in a public square. Since they were people who were serving a capital sentence, they were called penitents. Painting 'Auto-da-fé of the Inquisition' by Francisco de Goya (1812-1819) in which those condemned by the Holy Inquisition appear wearing hoods Public domain image Paintings such as 'Auto de fe de la Inquisición' by Francisco de Goya, painted between 1812 and 1819, illustrate such clothing. The question is how the different confraternities adopted the same symbolism in their processions. "The confraternities took this attire and redefined it: what was a humiliation, they turned into a voluntary penance," says Botello. "The capirote became a symbol of spiritual elevation: the higher the capirote, the closer you got to God," explains the historian. Originally, in the processions, the Nazarenes were dressed more simply, but "over the centuries, the confraternities improved the design: the hood went from being a simple hood to having a structure and colours or insignia were incorporated". Despite all these changes Botello stresses that "the essence of the dress remains the same: anonymity, recollection and penitence". Why did the Ku Klux Klan adopt the penitents costume? Whatever its origin and evolution, the similarity of the uniforms chosen by the Ku Klux Klan at the end of the 19th century is evident. There are several theories on the matter, "some point to an indirect visual inspiration, maybe a KKK designer saw an illustration, a lithograph or a scene from Holy Week in Spain and thought: 'this imposes'," says Botello. That possibility coincides with a clipping from 'Opportunity' magazine, published in New York in 1927, which said: "One need only glance at it to see the similarity to the white robes and hoods worn by the Ku Klux Klan in our country. To all appearances, the American organisation copied the dress of those Christian believers," the text says. However, Botello insists that there is no conclusive proof of the origin of the supremacists' clothing. "It could also be pure coincidence: many cultures have used hoods to hide their identity, from medieval executioners to members of some sects ," he says. The hood may be imposing and scary, but ignorance is much more frightening. David Botello Historian Whether or not it is cultural appropriation is another debate. What David Botello is clear about, however, is that it is "an aesthetic deformation with radically opposite ends, as Holy Week is a living manifestation of faith, history and tradition that has been reinvented over the centuries". "To confuse a penitent with a supremacist is a disastrous mistake, which erases centuries of spirituality and collective memory", says the historian, who firmly believes that "the hood can be imposing and scary, but ignorance is much scarier".
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Under the hood: The true story of Spain's Nazarene capirote and the Ku Klux Klan
"It's the Ku Klux Klan!", say some tourists unfamiliar with Spanish Holy Week when they see the penitents accompanying processions in the streets. The elder brother of the Archconfraternity of Jesús de Medinaceli in Madrid, Miguel Ángel Izquierdo, explains to Euronews that this is a common comment every year: "You have to explain to them that it has nothing to do with anything. However, although the supremacist movement adopted a costume similar to that of the Nazarenes, the capirote, a conical form of a Christian pointed hat, predates even the founding of the United States. In Spain, the first pointed hats, which are the origin of today's capuchons, appeared in the 16th century with the Inquisition. When the Catholic Monarchs established the Holy Tribunal, an era of Catholic orthodoxy began in Castile, punishing crimes ranging from blasphemy to heresy. "During the autos de fe, the Inquisition imposed on heretics and condemned them to wear the 'sambenito', a special habit, similar to a poncho, which was a form of humiliation, a visual punishment and a public scorn. In some cases, especially with serious convictions, it was topped with a pointed capirote," historian David Botello tells Euronews. "The origin of the capirote can be traced back to two sources: medieval spirituality and the Inquisition, because penitents covered themselves out of humility, so that they would not be recognised", adds Botello, author of "Don't touch my Bourbons" (No me toques los Borbones), among many other books in which he delves into the history of Spain. Some were condemned to death and presented themselves in these clothes for execution, which could be death by drowning if they repented of their sins, or they could be burned alive in a public square. Since they were people who were serving a capital sentence, they were called penitents. Paintings such as 'Auto de fe de la Inquisición' by Francisco de Goya, painted between 1812 and 1819, illustrate such clothing. The question is how the different confraternities adopted the same symbolism in their processions. "The confraternities took this attire and redefined it: what was a humiliation, they turned into a voluntary penance," says Botello. "The capirote became a symbol of spiritual elevation: the higher the capirote, the closer you got to God," explains the historian. Originally, in the processions, the Nazarenes were dressed more simply, but "over the centuries, the confraternities improved the design: the hood went from being a simple hood to having a structure and colours or insignia were incorporated". Despite all these changes Botello stresses that "the essence of the dress remains the same: anonymity, recollection and penitence". Whatever its origin and evolution, the similarity of the uniforms chosen by the Ku Klux Klan at the end of the 19th century is evident. There are several theories on the matter, "some point to an indirect visual inspiration, maybe a KKK designer saw an illustration, a lithograph or a scene from Holy Week in Spain and thought: 'this imposes'," says Botello. That possibility coincides with a clipping from 'Opportunity' magazine, published in New York in 1927, which said: "One need only glance at it to see the similarity to the white robes and hoods worn by the Ku Klux Klan in our country. To all appearances, the American organisation copied the dress of those Christian believers," the text says. However, Botello insists that there is no conclusive proof of the origin of the supremacists' clothing. "It could also be pure coincidence: many cultures have used hoods to hide their identity, from medieval executioners to members of some sects," he says. The hood may be imposing and scary, but ignorance is much more frightening. Whether or not it is cultural appropriation is another debate. What David Botello is clear about, however, is that it is "an aesthetic deformation with radically opposite ends, as Holy Week is a living manifestation of faith, history and tradition that has been reinvented over the centuries". "To confuse a penitent with a supremacist is a disastrous mistake, which erases centuries of spirituality and collective memory", says the historian, who firmly believes that "the hood can be imposing and scary, but ignorance is much scarier".
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Fort Myers sentenced to 13 years for DUI crash that left two dead in 2022
A Fort Myers man who last week pleaded no contest in a impaired driving manslaughter crash that left two people dead learned his fate Monday, four days after the defense reached an agreement with the state. Andres Botello, 31, on Thursday pleaded no contest to two counts of DUI manslaughter and one count of DUI with damage to property or another person. Lee Circuit Judge Robert Branning on Monday sentenced Botello to 13 years in prison, followed by eight years of state probation, linked to the Aug. 6, 2022, fatal crash. According to an incident report from the Florida Highway Patrol, around 5 a.m. Aug. 6, 2022, troopers responded to a crash near Lee Boulevard and Alvin Avenue, in Lehigh Acres. 700 miles away: Fort Myers attempted murder suspect arrested in Mississippi, Lee sheriff's office says The crash left two people dead and another with incapacitating injuries, according to the report. Their identities remain redacted in court documents. According to the report, Botello was driving home from an unspecified Waffle House in Cape Coral "after hanging out with friends" when the crash unfolded. He could not recall how long he spent at the restaurant nor at what time he left. When troopers spoke with Botello, they noted he had red, bloodshot and glassy eyes. Troopers indicated that Botello provided conflicting statements about his chores on the eve of the wreck. According to the report, Botello told troopers he got home around 4 p.m. Aug. 5, 2022, "showered, ate some food, and watched some television." Botello could not remember what he ate nor if he went to sleep when he arrived home from work and stated his days "blend together," according to authorities. Bottello told authorities he could not recall how much sleep he got prior to the crash. On the eve of the crash, Botello said, according to the report, he drove to a friend's house and "hung out with 'like three' friends." He could not give any of the friends' names besides the name of the friend whose house he visited, according to troopers. Botello told authorities he drank beer, but he could not recall how much nor when he started or finished drinking. According to troopers, Botello said the light "must have been green" for him when he attempted to make a left turn moments before the wreck. The report states that just before 6:30 a.m. troopers asked Botello if he would submit a blood sample when they said the exchange concerning the need for an attorney originated. Troopers said their interview concluded about seven minutes later. Authorities noted they found alcohol and marijuana in Botello's blood about four hours after the crash. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@ or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers man sentenced to 13 years in DUI crash that killed 2
