Latest news with #MichelleVisage
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Genius: MLK/X,' ‘Out of My Mind,' and 4 other shows win at the 2025 Television Academy Honors
Two scripted shows — Genius: MLK/X and Out of My Mind — and four unscripted projects — Daughters, Independent Lens: Greener Pastures, We Will Dance Again, and Will & Harper — have been named the winners of the 2025 Television Academy Honors. RuPaul's Drag Race judge and producer Michelle Visage will host the non-televised awards show on May 28. This is the 18th year for the Television Academy Honors, which recognizes programs and producers that inspire social change. This year's eligibility window was the 2024 calendar year. More from GoldDerby No, Conan O'Brien is not dead in the 'Hacks' world - and he has an 'open invite' to join Season 5 'No one ever asks me to do comedy': Julianne Nicholson explains how she became Dance Mom on 'Hacks' Steve Carell will submit in lead at the Emmys for 'The Four Seasons' as Will Forte, Colman Domingo, and Marco Calvani land in supporting Recent influential series that have claimed this prestigious prize from the TV Academy include Beef, Heartstopper, Insecure, The Daily Show, I May Destroy You, Watchmen, and Pose. 'Now more than ever, television serves as a powerful platform for information and discourse on important social issues that affect so many of us throughout the world,' said Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego. 'We honor this year's winners for their dedication and commitment to creative and effective storytelling that both educates and motivates audiences around the globe.' Visage, an outspoken advocate for diversity and inclusion both on and off the screen, has won three Emmy Awards so far as a producer on RuPaul's Drag Race. The 17th season of that inspirational reality TV show will be eligible at the upcoming Emmys. SEE'RuPaul's Drag Race' winners list: Every season, plus 'All Stars' Here are the 2025 Television Academy Honors winners: This documentary film intimately follows four young girls as they prepare for a special daddy / daughter dance with their incarcerated fathers, part of a unique fatherhood program in a Washington, D.C., jail. The girls share their aspirations, dreams and the emotional toll of their fathers' absence, revealing a profound wisdom and resilience beyond their years. (Netflix) The formative years and parallel stories of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two iconic leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, are compellingly explored in this docudrama series. It is particularly focused on their pioneering accomplishments with their formidable wives, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz. (National Geographic Channel) There is a mental health crisis happening for many American farmers. A combination of climate change and the pandemic have contributed to increasing economic uncertainty and isolation. This documentary, which follows four family farms in the Midwest over several years, is a story of perseverance and survival within the farming industry in the heartland. (PBS) This inspiring, coming-of-age drama is the story of Melody Brooks, a quick-witted, non-verbal sixth grader with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair. She is not given the same opportunities as her classmates; but when a young educator notices her untapped potential, Melody starts to participate in mainstream education and finds her voice. (Disney+) This documentary about the October 7 Hamas terror attack at the Nova Music Festival in Israel is told by two dozen survivors — witnesses to unimaginable stories of courage, humanity and heroism. Their stories provide a riveting account as the celebration of music turned into a nightmare, and festivalgoers had to make choices that would determine whether they lived or died. (Paramount+ and Bitachon 365) When Will Ferrell finds out his close friend of 30 years was coming out as a trans woman, the two decided to embark on a cross-country road trip to process this new stage of their relationship. This documentary is an intimate portrait of friendship, transition and America. (Netflix) SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby Everything to know about Ryan Coogler's 'The X-Files' reboot: Gillian Anderson finally weighs in 'I just wanted to make her feel seen': Imogen Faith Reid on portraying Natalia Grace in Hulu's 'Good American Family' 'The Four Seasons' star Marco Calvani on how his breakout role changed his life Click here to read the full article.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Reality TV star comes out as a transgender woman in emotional post
Former Drag Race México co-host Valentina Xunaxi announced her gender affirmation as a transgender woman in honor of her 34th birthday on Wednesday. 'For some time now I've been in transition, I've been doing it privately but today I wanted to open and share with you all,' the drag performer revealed to her 1.7M social media followers. 'Along the way I've felt pressure to come forward so I've decided and wanted to take today to declare myself as a transgender woman. I welcome all the love, support and protection from my dear fans. Thank you so much.' Valentina (born James Andrew Leyva) quickly received validation from World of Wonder, the production company behind Drag Race, as well as judge Michelle Visage, who's best friends with RuPaul. 'Happy happy happy birthday!' Michelle gushed. The Cali-born kid of Mexican immigrants got some love from her RuPaul's Drag Race season nine and All Stars 4 sister Farrah Moan, who commented: 'Happy birthday beautiful!' Former Drag Race México co-host Valentina Xunaxi announced her gender affirmation as a transgender woman in honor of her 34th birthday on Wednesday (pictured March 27) Valentina's All Stars 4 sister and Pit Stop host Monét X Change gushed in Spanglish: 'Mi hermosa reina! Happy Birthday amor!' The 5ft8in stunner's season 9 sister Peppermint - who publicly came out as trans in 2016 - commented: 'Happy Birthday lady! I love you so much!' And RuPaul's Drag Race #6 winner Bianca Del Rio put her sarcastic jabs aside to write: 'Happy birthday! Love, Nana!' Valentina also received supportive comments from her Drag Race sisters Kylie Sonique Love, Detox, Bosco, Amanda Tori Meating, Jewels Sparkles, DeJa Skye, CoCo Montrese, Tammie Brown, June Jambalaya, Manila Luzon, Naysha Lopez, Shea Couleé, and Jaida Essence Hall. The brunette beauty previously came out as non-binary in 2019, telling Out Magazine: 'I don't completely feel like a man, I don't completely feel like a woman. I feel like a goddess. I feel like I'm my own gender.' Valentina had only been doing drag for 10 months in LA nightclubs when she was cast in the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired in 2017 on VH1. The Mexican-American star made Drag Race her-story when RuPaul stopped her lip sync against Nina Bo'nina Brown early because she initially refused to remove her face mask (years before COVID-19). And while Valentina ultimately landed in seventh place with only one challenge win under her belt, viewers voted her Miss Congeniality for season nine. The drag performer revealed to her 1.7M social media followers: 'For some time now I've been in transition, I've been doing it privately but today I wanted to open and share with you all' 'Along the way I've felt pressure to come forward so I've decided and wanted to take today to declare myself as a transgender woman. I welcome all the love, support and protection from my dear fans. Thank you so much' Valentina (born James Andrew Leyva) quickly received validation from World of Wonder, the production company behind Drag Race, as well as judge Michelle Visage, who's best friends with RuPaul The Cali-born kid of Mexican immigrants got some love from her RuPaul's Drag Race season nine and All Stars 4 sister Farrah Moan, who commented: 'Happy birthday beautiful!' Valentina's All Stars 4 sister and Pit Stop host Monét X Change gushed in Spanglish: 'Mi hermosa reina! Happy Birthday amor!' The 5ft8in stunner's season 9 sister Peppermint - who publicly came out as trans in 2016 - commented: 'Happy Birthday lady! I love you so much!' And RuPaul's Drag Race #6 winner Bianca Del Rio put her sarcastic jabs aside to write: 'Happy birthday! Love, Nana!' Valentina previously came out as non-binary in 2019, telling Out Magazine: 'I don't completely feel like a man, I don't completely feel like a woman. I feel like a goddess. I feel like I'm my own gender' (pictured May 2) The brunette beauty had only been doing drag for 10 months in LA nightclubs when she was cast in the ninth season of RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired in 2017 on VH1 Valentina made Drag Race her-story when RuPaul stopped her lip sync against Nina Bo'nina Brown early because she initially refused to remove her face mask (years before COVID-19) And while the Mexican-American star (M) ultimately landed in seventh place with only one challenge win under her belt, viewers voted her Miss Congeniality for season nine History repeated itself when Valentina competed on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2018-2019) since she came in seventh place again with only one challenge win The Linda Evangelista lookalike went on to portray HIV-positive drag queen Angel Dumott Schunard in Fox's Rent: Live in 2019 alongside Brandon Victor Dixon (L) and Vanessa Hudgens Valentina made a cameo as a patron of Daniela's salon alongside Orange is the New Black alum Dascha Polanco (L) in Jon M. Chu's 2021 musical, In the Heights History repeated itself when the Linda Evangelista lookalike competed on the fourth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2018-2019) since she came in seventh place again with only one challenge win. Valentina went on to portray HIV-positive drag queen Angel Dumott Schunard in Fox's Rent: Live in 2019 alongside Brandon Victor Dixon and Vanessa Hudgens. The Vogue México model made a cameo as a patron of Daniela's (Daphne Rubin-Vega) salon alongside Orange is the New Black alum Dascha Polanco in Jon M. Chu's 2021 musical, In the Heights.
BreakingNews.ie
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Michelle Visage mourns loss of Drag Race ‘angel' Jiggly Caliente at 44
RuPaul's Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente has been remembered as an 'angel' who brought laughter to the world by Michelle Visage, following her death at the age of 44. Her family had announced on Thursday that the Filipino-US drag performer, who took part in the original US competition during season four, had part of her leg amputated due to a 'severe infection'. Advertisement Caliente, real name Bianca Castro-Arabejo, has also appeared in hit LGBT+ drama Pose, and was set to judge the latest season of spin-off programme, Drag Race Philippines. The drag queen's family wrote on Instagram that she was 'cherished by many' for her career, and died on Sunday at 4.42am 'surrounded by her loving family and close friends'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Visage (@michellevisage) On Instagram, BBC Radio 2 DJ and RuPaul's Drag Race judge Visage wrote: 'My jiggles…. The laughter was endless, our talks were special, your energy was contagious. 'You were and remain so very loved. This world has lost an angel and we want you to soar high…..I love you so much honey.' Advertisement Comedian, drag queen and actor Bianca Del Rio, who won the sixth series of the US competition, wrote on Instagram: 'Rest well, my good time gal @jiggly_official. Thank you for 20 years of laughter and friendship.' Jaremi Carey, who competed as Phi Phi O'Hara on the same series as Caliente before moving away from being a drag queen, wrote a lengthy post, saying that 'the pain I've felt is something I've ever felt before', after he felt 'awful' for holding on to the news. He said he 'rushed to hospital to hold my best friend's hand one last time as I wish her on her way to a place where she is no longer in pain', and added he was 'broken and crushed' by the death. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bianca Del Rio (@thebiancadelrio) Carey also wrote: 'I hope you know how proud I am of the woman you grew up to be and the spaces and hearts you touched. Advertisement 'You have been a fighter your entire life and you will always be remembered for living life authentically and truthful. The world knew you as the superstar Jiggly Caliente, some knew you as Bianca Castro, and to me you were my best friend, my sister, my family.' RuPaul's Drag Race star Mystique Summers Madison wrote on Instagram: 'Today we lost a true star. Jiggly you were my sister and a fierce light in this world. 'Thank you for your laughter, your fight! You'll live on in all of us. Rest easy, sis.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mystique Summers (@mystiquesummers) 'A luminous presence in the worlds of entertainment and advocacy, Jiggly Caliente was celebrated for her infectious energy, fierce wit, and unwavering authenticity,' a family statement said. Advertisement 'She touched countless lives through her artistry, activism, and the genuine connection she fostered with fans around the world. 'Her legacy is one of love, courage, and light. 'Though her physical presence is gone, the joy she shared and the space she helped create for so many will remain forever. 'She will be deeply missed, always loved, and eternally remembered.' Advertisement Underneath the post, fellow drag stars from the franchise Courtney Act, Laganja Estranja, Jujubee, Baga Chipz and Cheryl The Queen paid tribute. Estranja wrote: 'So heartbreaking, such a kind, caring soul!! She will be greatly missed.' Cheryl wrote: 'We will love you forever and always Jiggly.' Baga wrote said she was 'one of the most kindest, sweetest souls I've ever met. I'm gonna miss you beautiful. Thank you for always being so lovely. Rest easy legend. Sending your family so much love right now'. 'I love you, my sister,' Jujubee wrote. 'I will forever remember our giggles together. I'm so grateful we met this lifetime.' A statement shared by Drag Race Philippines and producers World Of Wonder on social media said they were 'devastated'. They added: 'Jiggly's humour, love, and light touched so many in the Drag Race family and beyond. Her legacy will continue to uplift the communities she advocated for. 'Our love and deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. Please give them the privacy and space to grieve this tremendous loss.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Drag Race Philippines (@dragraceph) Caliente appeared in Ryan Murphy's LGBT+ drama Pose as Veronica Ferocity, who competes in drag balls as a member of the House Ferocity, and US comedies Broad City and Saturday Night Live. Following coming out as transgender, she was a contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars season six and was later appointed a judge when Drag Race Philippines began airing in 2022. Born on November 29 1980, she moved from the Philippines to New York when she was a child. While appearing in her first drag series, Caliente was praised by the judges for her sense of humour, and impressive lip synchs when she battled not to leave the competition early, while also struggling with sewing garments during some challenges. She was eliminated before the final, with drag queen Sharon Needles going on to be crowned champion in 2012. Since the franchise began in 2009, the reality show has seen the deaths of RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars Cherry Valentine, 28, and The Vivienne, 32, as well as US competitors Sahara Davenport, 27, and Chi Chi DeVayne, 34.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'RuPaul's Drag Race' star, viral TikTok queen Plastique Tiara announces engagement: 'Baby boy, this is serious'
RuPaul's Drag Race season 11 and All Stars 9 queen Plastique shared sweet photos of her engagement. The Vietnam-born queen said, "Baby boy, this is serious" alongside the announcement. Michelle Visage, Nymphia Wind, Kim Chi, and more Drag Race queens congratulated their Drag Race season 11 and All Stars 9 queen Plastique Tiara — who blazed a trail for drag artists on social media thanks to her consistently viral transformation TikTok videos — has announced that she's engaged to be married. The Vietnamese beauty shared a sweet Instagram post Sunday morning revealing the news, writing, "Baby boy, this is serious" in the post's caption, and sharing several photos of her fiancé proposing to her. In one of the images, Plastique embraces her fiancé, with her shimmering ring resting on his shoulder. In another, a photographer captured the moment Plastique's partner got down on one knee to propose in the middle of a foggy field, with rose petals under their feet. Related: RuPaul's Drag Race queen Plasma meets her Snatch Game celebrity Patti LuPone in real life: 'Meet your heroes' (exclusive) Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Plastique for more information. Several of Plastique's Drag Race sisters congratulated her in the comments section of the post. "Congrats, baby!" wrote season 8 finalist Kim Chi, with other celebratory messages coming from Drag Race Thailand host Pangina Heals, season 13's Denali, season 8 and 9's Cynthia Lee Fontaine, season 16 winner Nymphia Wind, and season 17 star Arrietty. "So precious," replied Nymphia, while longtime Drag Race judge Michelle Visage commented with an all-caps message: "CONGRATS TO YOU BOTH!!!" In addition to serving fashion-forward looks on the Drag Race runway across season 11 (on which she placed 8th) and All Stars 9 (where she tied for 4th place), Plastique has amassed cross-demographic appeal with nearly 4 million followers on Instagram and 12 million on TikTok. She also connected with Drag Race audiences back in season 11 through her story of immigrating from Vietnam to the United States."The world is moving into a place where being good on social media is such an important skill to have," Plastique previously told EW in response to queens pushing back against newer performers with social media prowess. "That's your LinkedIn. They're looking at the numbers. I came on a season where being a social media queen was dubbed as bad because you don't know how to perform. A true queen knows how to perform, of course. But the world is moving to a place where you really don't have to perform anymore. You could just DJ, do deals, and transitions all day long. Drag is changing, so get with it or get out." See Plastique's full engagement announcement on her Instagram profile. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
