Latest news with #CassandraPeterson
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
These eight LGBTQ+ Kansans make Pride Month worth celebrating. And all the other months, too.
This Pride Month, writes Clay Wirestone, we can find inspiration among LGBTQ+ Kansans. (Getty Images) LGBTQ+ Pride Month in a red state tends to have a certain edge. Even the most earnest celebration of freedom and belonging can feel like one of those disposable plastic ponchos, quickly unwrapped to keep off the rain. You appreciate it, you value it, but it can't last forever. Yet us gay people persist in living across all 50 states, and in every country around the globe besides. We're most definitely here in Kansas. You can make a joke or two about the Wizard of Oz (heck, I even wrote a column about it), but we're still here, we're still queer, and we're still asking everyone to get used to it. Rather than opine about the meaning of the exercise, I thought I'd kick off the month by highlighting eight LGBTQ+ Kansans. (A hat tip to our friends over at the Manhattan Mercury, who published a similar list last year.) If I left off important folks, please let me know. We have a lot of June left! Melissa Etheridge The Leavenworth-born singer-songwriter rocketed to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A husky-voiced rocker, she blazed trails by coming out publicly all the way back in 1992. She's since recorded a live album at the Topeka Correctional Facility. William S. Burroughs Beat-adjacent writer Burroughs was born in St. Louis and notably lived in Tangiers and New York. He relocated to Lawrence in 1991, however, and lived there until his death in 1997. The city's Burroughs Creek Trail now bears his name. Rep. Sharice Davids The state's Democratic representative for the 3rd District made history in 2018 as the first LGBTQ+ and Native American member. She has now been re-elected three times, which perhaps should raise some eyebrows among national Dems. Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) Any child of the 1980s (and I was one) knows the vampy Elivira on sight. The woman below the wig was Manhattan-born Cassandra Peterson, who revealed her two-decade relationship with a woman in her 2021 memoir. Janelle Monae This Kansas City, Kansas, native first caught my husband's eye through her 2010 album, 'The ArchAndroid.' She has since recorded more albums, acted in movies and now identifies as nonbinary, using she/her or they/them pronouns. Gilbert Baker Born in Chanute and graduating from Parsons High School, Baker created the iconic rainbow pride flag in 1978. Queer icon Harvey Milk, the San Francisco politician and activist, asked him to do so. As an unwelcome note, the Trump administration plans to remove Milk's name from a Navy ship. Just to show that Making America Great Again includes insulting a slain veteran. Stephanie Byers Former State Rep. Stephanie Byers of Wichita was elected in 2020 as the state's first transgender lawmaker. Suffice to say, she put up with an awful lot during her term in office. However, I found her grit and vibrant personality a constant inspiration. Matthew Vines The Wichita native Vines attended Harvard and caused a sensation by arguing that Christianity doesn't condemn same-sex marriage or relationships. He founded the nonprofit Reformation Project and wrote the book 'God and the Gay Christian.' Bonus: your Kansas Reflector opinion editors This might sound like a bit of a cheat, but so be it. Both founding Reflector opinion C.J. Janovy and yours truly have written about our community many times. Janovy even published a book on the subject. Listen, living here might not always be easy. But there's still a heck of a lot to celebrate. I plan to spend at least a bit of time doing just that. Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
80s icon hits back at Meghan Markle after Duchess joked she resembled the horror star after using hair dye during Covid
AN ACTRESS has called out Meghan Markle who joked she looked like the star when she dyed her hair during lockdown. On her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan opened up about doing a DIY hair colouring job during Covid that reminded her of 80s horror star Elvira. 7 7 7 Speaking to pal Kadi Lee, who is the co-owner of hair salon Highbrow Hippie in California, Meghan revealed the story of how she met. It all began when she had a 'mishap' with some DIY hair dye. She explained on her show: 'So, my family had just moved to California, and we were staying in our friend's home, and because it was the pandemic, I kept ordering boxed hair dye. 'I thought, 'I'm going to look just like she does on the box', and instead, it was this very inky, almost Elvira-esque black hair.' Meghan had reached out to her wedding hairstylist Serge Normant for tips and he pointed her in the direction of Kadi and her hair salon. Speaking of how their friendship formed, the Duchess added: 'He said you need to see Kadi, and you came over.' The remark caught the attention of actress Cassandra Peterson, 73, who plays The Mistress of the Dark actress Elvira. Over the weekend, Elvira screenshotted a news headline about the comment, which read: 'Meghan Markle jokes she looked like Elvira after using box hair dye during the pandemic.' The actress saw the funny side of the comment, and captioned her post: 'Hey princess, if you ever need beauty advice from a queen just let me know', alongside the smirking face emoji. Many fans were quick to react to Cassandra's comical post, with one saying: 'Oh Meghan honey you wished that you looked like Elvira.' Trailer for dark 80s comedy Elvira Mistress of the Dark Another added: 'In her wildest dreams, she looked like Elvira.' However, lots of people defended Meghan and praised both women. One wrote: 'I'm a big fan of Elvira and Meghan Markle - they're both stunning, charming, and hilarious.' A second commented: 'Meghan Markle is the furthest thing from goth. Makes sense she wouldn't want to look like Elvira. It's not an insult.' 7 Elvira legacy Born September 17, 1951, Cassandra starting acting in the early '70s and has been nonstop ever since. She is most famously known for her Elvira character and has portrayed her in multiple productions over the years. Elvira's Movie Macabre led to Cassandra's biggest role as Elvira in the 1988 film Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and the 2001 film Elvira's Haunted Hills. 7 The TV show rose up from the dead in 2010 with Elvira hosting public domain films on This TV until 2011 followed by various spin offs. Thanks to her successful career, Peterson has been able to accumulate an estimated worth of $3 million according to Celebrity Net Worth. Most recently, Peterson was heard in Shoplifters of the World and Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo!. She also published her memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark. Ariana dispute She revealed that the pop sensation is a bit of a fan of the eighties icon and asked for 21 free tickets to her latest show. Cassandra told the crowd at a special Halloween experience at Knott's Berry Scary Farm how Ariana and her family members attended the show but then refused to have a photograph together. "She came and she brought 20 guests. So, she wanted 21 tickets, and we were like 'okay'," said Cassandra. 7 "We give her the tickets, and she comes backstage and she asked if I could take pictures with all of her friends and relatives she brought. "I take a picture with every single one of them. I sign autographs for every single one of them. "Then I say to her 'Can we take a photo together?' and she goes, 'Nah, I don't really do that.'" To add further insult to injury, the star shared: "She left before my show started and all her relatives stayed... and she took off. Okay! Just sayin'.' Ariana has since responded to the claims and commented to Cassandra: "I'm so disheartened to see this. "I actually don't even remember getting the chance to meet you because I had an anxiety attack and to my memory, left before the rest of my family (this was around 7 years ago and at the time i was really not great with being in public crowds or loud places)…" She added: "But if I'm misremembering this moment, I sincerely apologise for offending you so." How many Elvira productions have there been?
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Elvira makes cutting dig at Meghan after the Duchess joked she looked like the 80s horror icon when she used box hair dye during the pandemic
Elvira - an American horror icon from the '80s - has called out Meghan Markle after the Duchess of Sussex joked her locks looked like the star's when using box hair dye during the pandemic. The Mistress of the Dark actress, 73, whose real name is Cassandra Peterson, offered to share her 'beauty advice' with Prince Harry's wife in a recent Instagram post. It comes after Meghan, 43, opened up about her hair looking like 'Elvira's' in an episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, in April, alongside Kadi Lee, her friend and co-owner of hair salon Highbrow Hippie in Venice, California. The mother-of-two explained how she first met Kadi in 2020, the year she stepped down as a senior royal with Prince Harry, through leading hairstylist Serge Normant. Meghan had reached out to Serge that year for tips on how to rectify her 'inky' hair colour resulting from repeated boxed hair dye use, and he pointed her in the direction of Kadi. Over the weekend, Elvira shared a screenshot of a news headline about the discussion, which read: 'Meghan Markle jokes she looked like Elvira after using box hair dye during the pandemic'. She captioned her post: 'Hey princess, if you ever need beauty advice from a queen just let me know,' alongside the smirking face emoji. Fans were quick to react, with one person writing in the comments: 'Oh Meghan honey you wished that you looked like Elvira,' while another said: 'In her wildest dreams, she looked like Elvira.' Others complimented both Meghan and the horror star on their appearances; 'I'm a big fan of Elvira and Meghan Markle - they're both stunning, charming, and hilarious,' wrote one person. Another said: 'Ya'll gotta lighten up. We love Elvira. Everyone does. But not everyone wants to look like her. 'Hell, even Elvira doesn't want to look like Elvira all the time; she's a redhead! Meghan Markle is the furthest thing from goth. Makes sense she wouldn't want to look like Elvira. It's not an insult.' Speaking in her podcast, Meghan said: 'So, my family had just moved to California, and we were staying in our friend's home, and because it was the pandemic, I kept ordering boxed hair dye. 'I thought, "I'm going to look just like she does on the box", and instead, it was this very inky, almost Elvira-esque black hair.' The mother-of-two messaged Serge, who styled Meghan's hair for her wedding to Prince Harry two years prior, explaining, 'I had texted Serge, and he said you need to see Kadi, and you came over,' and the pair, who have since developed a close friendship, haven't looked back. Kadi recalled Meghan and Harry greeting her with 'big bear hugs' at the time, adding that the couple instantly acted in a 'warm' manner. Meghan isn't the only famous face that Elvira has called out - after the Mistress of the Dark star slammed Ariana Grande for allegedly snubbing her during a meet and greet with the Queen of Halloween. Reaction: Others complimented both Meghan and the horror star on their appearances; 'I'm a big fan of Elvira and Meghan Markle - they're both stunning, charming, and hilarious,' wrote one person The horror star spilled the tea during a 2024 event at Knott's Scary Farm - where she claimed Grande had requested '20 tickets' to her show - but then refused to take a photo with the actress. Elvira was asked about her worst celebrity encounters at the Q&A session - and quipped the star's name rhymed with 'Pariana Mande.' She continued: 'She came [to my show] and she brought 20 guests. So she wanted 20 or 21 tickets and we were like, "Okay!" and we gave her the tickets. Peterson said she invited Grande and her entourage backstage where the Yes, And? singer 'asked if she would take pictures with all of her friends and relatives'. Peterson said: 'So I take a picture with every single one of them. I sign autographs for every single one of them. And then I say to her, "Could we take a photo together?' and she goes, 'No, I don't really do that."' 'And then she left before my show started but all her relatives stayed.' Elvira's former show director Tom Vanucci added: 'It's all true!' Grande hit back at Elvira's claims - commenting on a post promoting the interview that she had an 'anxiety attack' and could not remember meeting the actress. She wrote: 'I'm so disheartened to see this. i actually don't even remember getting the chance to meet you because i had an anxiety attack and to my memory, left before the rest of my family (this was around 7 years ago and at the time i was really not great with being in public crowds or loud places)… but if i'm misremembering this moment, i sincerely apologize for offending you so. 'thank you for being so nice to my mom, she told me how lovely you were (she might have different feelings about that now but i'll talk to her… clearly, we all have our days!) sending love always. ♡ you'll always be our queen of halloween!' contacted Grande's representatives for comment at the time. Elvira actress Peterson kicked off her career as a Las Vegas showgirl and a member of the comedy troupe The Groundlings, before transforming into the legendary horror hostess in 1981. She debuted Elvira's Movie Macabre on KHJ-TV, rapidly gaining a dedicated fanbase thanks to her signature gothic style, form-fitting black dresses, and sharp, humorous commentary on classic horror films. Her Elvira persona reached even greater fame with the release of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark in 1988, a film she co-wrote and helped propel her into pop culture stardom. Later on, she also starred in the 1993's sitcom The Elvira Show, where her character moved to Manhattan, Kansas, alongside her aunt Minerva and their talking cat, while working as a fortune teller and selling love potions. The witch was quick to become a fan's favourite and came back to the screens in Elvira's Haunted Hills in 2001. Elvira, who is told to bring to life scary movies while 'providing sarcastic, campy commentary' is also seen in the 2010's series Elvira's Movie Macabre, which features 5 seasons. The eccentric Mistress of the Dark came back for 13 Night Of Elvira in 2014, where she takes on movies like Puppet Master, Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death, and Evil Bong and 'skewers them in the sexy, spooky way that only she can', according to its synopsis. Cassandra donned her black wig and slipped once again into her plunging black dress for Elvira's 40th Anniversary, Very Scary, Very Special, Special - a 2021's TV mini series that celebrated her legendary role.
Fox News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Horror hostess Elvira trolls Meghan Markle over pandemic hair dye comparison
Iconic horror hostess Elvira has offered some beauty advice to Meghan Markle in a bold message. After the Duchess of Sussex, 43, previously opened up about a hair disaster she experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, it didn't go unnoticed by the queen of goth glam. The "Mistress of the Dark," 73, whose real name is Cassandra Peterson, took to social media to post a screenshot of a news headline that said, "Meghan Markle jokes she looked like Elvira after using box hair dye during the pandemic." Elvira replied on Instagram with a smirk emoji, writing, "Hey princess, if you ever need beauty advice from a queen just let me know." Fans were quick to react and commented, "Oh Meghan honey you wished that you looked like Elvira." "In her wildest dreams, she looked like Elvira," another fan wrote. Others complimented both women's physical appearances. "I'm a big fan of Elvira and Meghan Markle — they're both stunning, charming, and hilarious." Another comment said, "Ya'll gotta lighten up. We love Elvira. Everyone does. But not everyone wants to look like her. Hell, even Elvira doesn't want to look like Elvira all the time; she's a redhead! Meghan Markle is the furthest thing from goth. Makes sense she wouldn't want to look like Elvira. It's not an insult." The viral moment came to light after Markle recalled a time during the pandemic when she was experimenting with boxed hair dye. However, what she ended up with was far from the look she had imagined. "So, my family had just moved to California. We were staying in our friend's home. And because it was the pandemic, I kept ordering boxed hair dye. And I thought, 'I'm gonna look just like she does on the box,'" Markle said during the April 22 episode of her "Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan" podcast. But things took a turn for the worse when the dye turned her hair into a shade of black she didn't expect. "Instead, it was this very inky, almost Elvira-esque black hair," she remarked. Markle compared her look to the gothic glam that Elvira made famous for decades. Her hair horror story prompted a reaction from the queen of Halloween herself. In 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals and moved to California. The couple cited the intrusive U.K. press and a lack of support from the palace as reasons for the move. Since then, they've welcomed two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Today, the couple call the wealthy, coastal city of Montecito home.
Buzz Feed
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
17 People Who've Waited On Celebrities At Restaurants Shared How Much They Got Tipped, And Holy Crap
We asked the service workers of the BuzzFeed Community to share how much they got tipped if they ever waited on a famous person. Here's what they said: While we can't confirm all of these stories, they are suuuuper entertaining to read. 1. "I worked at a bar on the Jersey Shore for 10 years. Bruce Springsteen is always the most humble and low-key; he would pull up on his motorcycle just trying to have Patron on the rocks unnoticed. He would usually only get through one drink/drink and a half max until someone spotted him but always left $100 tip. I even worked a couple of his private parties as well and always left a FAT tip for everyone from security to the kitchen." 2. "At a previous place I worked, I waited on Emily and Felicity Blunt, John Krasinski, and Stanley Tucci. Nothing went wrong with their meal, and they were nice enough, but Stanley left less than a 10% tip on their $500 bill." "I heard from a friend who had waited on him at a different restaurant that that was standard for him. It was so disappointing." — rchtrluvr 3. "Cassandra Peterson came to The Abbey, and her hair was bleached out for the summer, so I didn't recognize her immediately. Her friend made a joke about her being Elvira, who 'lived up in a dark castle in the Hills.' We laughed, she paid, and they left. She tipped me 150% of the bill which was about $50 bucks. It still didn't dawn on me she was Elvira until the algorithm showed me an interview of Cassandra Peterson and her mannerisms and the way she spoke gave her away." 4. "I was bartending years ago and had Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls at the bar. He was rude and complained about everything — although he ate everything in front of him. The bill came to about $425 — he left me $2. This is why he is called No Tippin' Pippen." 5. "San Francisco Giants former first baseman J.T. Snow and his father were sitting outside at a table in Spanish Bay Resort at Pebble Beach. J.T. ordered a Coke and charged it to his room. He left me a $100 tip." 6. "My partner, who is a classically trained executive chef, was hired to turn around a struggling steak house in Ennis, Montana. I was the weekend front-of-house manager and a server on weeknights. Ennis is a fly fishing Mecca so we had guests from all over the world, but my favorite was David Letterman. He usually came in on a weeknight when we weren't totally out-of-control busy, sometimes with his son or his manager, sometimes by himself. He always had the same meal, a simple but delicious pasta and a glass of wine. He would interact with the locals and was just a delight to wait on. Never had any complaints or expected to be treated as being special. And he always left a $100 tip. I would wait on him when I was the only server on but would let the other server take him when I was fortunate enough to have one…felt like I should share the wealth! Good memories of that restaurant and of Ennis." 7. "I remember seeing Bill Nye walking into the restaurant I was working at (at the time). It was a smooth service, and he seemed to enjoy his food. I came to collect the bill and saw that he had tipped me $40 for a $40 meal. It made my year." 8. "Jeffrey Star and Nikita Dragun came into The Abbey and demanded comped bottle service for themselves. I served them their crew, and they left NOTHING. It was tacky as hell." 9. "Maria Shriver and her daughter, Katherine Schwarzenegger, ate a big brunch at a restaurant I used to work at in Chicago with maybe 10 other ladies. They weren't rude, but they were incredibly needy and demanding. Their bill was close to $1,000. Maria paid, but she didn't leave anything for a tip." "It ruined that server's whole morning, since that was basically the only table they had, and they should have made $200 on it." — andrab4e3b91c06 10. "Jack Black tipped me $100 on a $20 tab when he overheard I was going to be short on rent. Kindest man ever!" 11. "10 years ago, I worked at a resort in Phoenix, AZ. I was the server for Guy Fieri. He had his son with him, and of course his entourage. Guy had a vodka Sprite, and his son had a Sprite, plus food and drink for his entourage. It was several hundred dollars. When it was time to close the tab, I was completely stiffed of a tip. They only paid the tab with no tip!" 12. "Not a restaurant, but when I was working at a movie theater in college we were told to hold a couple of seats for a 'big celebrity' that was coming in to watch The Fighter. It's not something we normally did (it was before you could reserve seats online), but we kept the spots open nonetheless. Turns out it was Dwyane Wade. He tipped me and my friend both $20, which was cool and unexpected!" 13. "I once served John Cena at a taqueria. Not only did he not tip me, he just ghosted on the bill altogether!" 14. "Eugene Levy and his family tipped me 22% of their bill." 15. "Ross Matthews asked for an employee discount with a group of friends while at The Abbey/Pink Pony Club (obviously, he is not an employee) and then tipped on the discounted total. I should have given him discounted service!" 16. "Iowa senator Chuck Grassley stopped in the little diner I was working at in college. He tipped me less than 10%." 17. And finally, "Nelly tipped the bartender who served him nothing." Araya Doheny / Getty Images for Baby2Baby —44, St. Louis Some responses have been edited for length/clarity. Have YOU ever waited on someone famous? How much did they tip you? Let us know in the comments!
