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Jonathan Tolliver

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Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson Headline AHF’s Sensational World AIDS Day Event

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

 

When will my reflection show, how blown away I was? Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson put on an absolute clinic at AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s World AIDS Day Benefit. Not only did they run through their impressive gamut of hits, but they did so with ROBUST production value, unending charm and gobsmacking looks. 

The legendary Forum was literally rocking when J Hud hit the stage in a stunning silver sequined gown. She was the EPITOME of glamour, running us through classic performances of ‘And I am Telling You I’m Not Going,’ ‘Natural Woman,’ and ‘Respect,’ alongside sensational originals like ‘Where You At?’ The Chicago legend brought the building to its knees. She was supported by a trio of powerhouse background vocalists, at top-notch band, and even jumped on the keys for a bit in honor of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. 

‘Aretha plays, I peck,’ she assured us before playing beautifully. Sometimes it be like that! 

custom_fields.Caption:”INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 01: Jennifer Hudson attends the AHF World AIDS Day 2021 concert at The Forum on December 01, 2021 in Inglewood, California. AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) free, sold-out concert marks World AIDS Day and AHF’s 35th anniversary at a star-studded event. AHF’s \”L.A. Revival\” concert featured performances by Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera and was hosted by comedian and internet sensation Randy Rainbow. AHF presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Sen. Bernie Sanders (accepted by his wife, Jane) at the concert, which was produced with longtime AHF partner Debbie Allen and featured a performance by students from her Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA). (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation)”

Miss Aguilera came out ferociously to ‘Dirrty,’ flanked by lights, pyro and a gaggle of dancers. She soared through the high-notes, punched the mid-range like a melismatic pugilist, and left it all on the stage. And this was just song number 1! 

She hit us with more uptempo fire – ‘Lady Marmalade’ almost stole my soul – but also brought it home with some stunning ballads. ‘The Voice Within,’ which she wrote 20 years ago, stood the test of time, a brilliant ode to self-love. ‘Aint No Other Man’ also tore through the room, the whole arena trying to keep up with her fierce vocal performance. 

The night was a roaring success. AHF’s impact has been felt globally, but also in my personal life, as I’ve used their testing services and shopped their ‘Out of the Closet’ stores many times over. They’re a rock in the community, and I’m grateful for all they’ve done, including a brand-new transgender housing space, and amplifying the voices of Black and Latinx queer people in Los Angeles and beyond. 

Founder Michael Weinstein spoke beautifully about the organization’s impact and goals; he was the beating heart of this event, and deserves nothing but praise for all he and his incredible staff have done. 

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 01: Randy Rainbow speaks onstage during the AHF World AIDS Day 2021 concert at The Forum on December 01, 2021 in Inglewood, California. AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) free, sold-out concert marks World AIDS Day and AHF’s 35th anniversary at a star-studded event. AHF’s “L.A. Revival” concert featured performances by Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera and was hosted by comedian and internet sensation Randy Rainbow. AHF presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Sen. Bernie Sanders (accepted by his wife, Jane) at the concert, which was produced with longtime AHF partner Debbie Allen and featured a performance by students from her Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA). (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation)

Host Randy Rainbow was pitch-perfect, hilarious and just the right amount of bawdy. I cackled through his opening monologue and was thrilled every time he stepped onstage. 

The legendary Debbie Allen also appeared, speaking powerfully about AHF’s work, and introducing a performance from her incredible young dance students. 

Jane Sanders accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award on Bernie Sanders’ behalf, clearly feeling emotional about all the night represented. 

And she wasn’t alone in that feeling! What a great way to honor all the progress we’ve made. I’m grateful to have been there. 

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‘Queen of the Universe’ Judges Vanessa Williams, Trixie Mattel and More [Exclusive Interview]

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

 

You own…EVERYTHING! I’m praying this is what they say to the winner of ‘Queen of the Universe,’ a sensational new drag queen singing competition that pits queens from the around the world in a fierce and fantastic battle for $250,000 and eternal glory. 

This wonderful and whimsical melisma melee will have you on your feet as the queens blow your mind not only with their pipes, unique takes on international hits, and jaw-dropping looks, but also with their heart. 

There’s a spiritual link between this beautiful series and HBO’s ‘We’re Here’: Both series show how drag takes people to new heights, how it makes them, dare I say it, stronger than yesterday? 

‘That’s where the heartfelt moments come in,’ says judge Vanessa Williams, who I actually spoke to and now can never wash my monitor again. 

She highlighted the fact that many queens face danger in their home countries simply for appearing on the show, and applauds the queens’ grace and courage in the face of such terrible circumstances. 

In addition to Williams, the show features a who’s who of musical and drag – and musical drag – powerhouse judges. Trixie Mattel, Michelle Visage and Leona Lewis round out the panel, with celeb journalist and super host Graham Norton taking on MC duties. 

This show is truly the most fun you’ll have this month; more fun than Christmas and NYE combined, babe. Get into it! 

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Netflix Throws a Sensational Culinary Soiree to Celebrate ‘Gentefied’ Season 2

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

Netflix threw the function of the year to celebrate the second season of their beloved Boyle Heights-based series, Gentefied. This show is an absolute fave of mine not only cause it’s set in my hood, but because the performances are fantastic and the stories are achingly human and funny. 

The party captured that energy perfectly, with the show’s leads and guest stars mingling among the crowd while absolutely inspired local food was served via BLVD MRKT, a downtown Montebello food hall made out of shipping containers. You read that right, my child.

Pez Cantina, VCHOS Pupuseria, Nola Cajun and Creole, and Cafe Santo each delivered incredible eats and drinks. Some of my favorites were the pupusa ruvuelta and queso y locoro pupusa, respectively, and shrimp Creole, all of which knocked me off my feet. Like, lord above. 

There were sensational cocktails on hand, an interactive photo booth that asked folks to define community and a DJ playing absolute bangers all night. 

You could feel the electricity as folks mingled about, partly because we were turnt and dancing, but also because the second season of this wonderful show looks like it’s going to be even better than the first. Powerful plot lines abound: Pops fights deportation, we see what happens to Erik and Lidia’s relocation plans, and find out what Chris’ culinary future looks like. 

There’s so much to love about this show, and I cant wait to see how things play out. The love that goes into this series was present at this event, and I’m glad I got to feel it.

Check out season 2 of Gentefied on Netflix, out this Wednesday. 

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Exclusive: The Fifth and Final Season of Insecure Kicks Off with a Party on a Mountaintop [Video]

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

It’s the Five-nal countdown! Insecure’s fifth and final season is airing on HBO, and the cast and creators celebrated with a jumpin party in legendary Kenneth Hahn park.

It was an emotional night, but only a little. Because for the most part we were all there to enjoy this wonderful universe Issa Rae created, and to eat tray after tray of shrimp and grits. Like a medically unadvisable amount.

The carpet was glamorous as hell, the shows’ stars absolutely flexing on the jeans-and-jacket media. It was a couture affair, babe, and I lived for it.

Issa and executive producer Prentice Penny introduced a pair of episodes that were as funny and fantastic as any the show has produced. On each of our seats was a lil ‘Insecure’ tote and blanket, which came in handy on this brisk night. 

The post-screening party was so freaking incredible. We danced for hours on top of a mountain, enjoying food and custom cocktails. The cast was fuggin it up to the djs buoyant and brilliant soundtrack, as we all marveled and practiced our collective stanky leg. 

I made something like 47 friends at this function, and posed for professional photos with a backdrop, and then blurry photos in the bathroom smiling at my goofy lil face.

 

The art direction and design of the space was breathtaking and very nostalgic, with key moments from the series blown up and framed. I realized I’d grown so much in my time watching the show, mirroring the emotional growth of the characters. What a special night, what a special show. 

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Exclusive: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer and Cast Talk ‘Halloween Kills’ [Video]

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

Michael Meyers was cooked medium-well at the end of the last installment of the Halloween series, yet he’s still thriving well into old age. The masked marauder returns to terrorize Haddonfield, Ill, in a bloody, frenetic, funhouse mirror of a film that will satisfy your lust for terror and gory gags. 

Longtime protagonist Laurie Strode is in the ER with a very gnarly stab wound as the mayhem begins. Her relief at having burned Meyers to a crisp at the end of the previous film is short-lived as reports come in that he’s stomping through town gouging eyes out and stabbing fools to death. 

Beloved characters from the very first film return in dramatic fashion, with Anthony Micheal Hall, Kyle Richards and Marion Chambers reprising their iconic roles 43 years after they first appeared. What starts as a night of storytelling and drinks for the returning trio turns deadly when Meyers shows up in the parking lot with his typical demure, understated approach to making new friends. 

The terror in this film is two-fold. Our A story is of course the murderous rampage through Haddonfield, but there’s also a freakish mob scene unfolding at the hospital where Laurie is bruised and bleeding. There’s an allegory here about groupthink and the contagious nature of fear, and it’s delineated with impeccable and incredibly inventive direction by David Gordon Green, whose only other horror title is the previous Halloween movie. 

The cinematography is breathtaking, and the kills are…beautiful? They’re both ultra-realistic and campy, sight gags made for maximum on-screen impact. 

Curtis is tremendous as ever in a sort of Long Days Journey into Night role, confronting demons and trying to hold her family together. You can’t take your eyes off her deeply human portrayal of a woman who’s been terrorized for decades by an obsessive, deranged man. 

I left the theater desperate to see the next chapter unfold. This is gonna be the longest year of my life. 

Watch my interviews with the cast above!

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Exclusive: Shangela and Eureka Talk HBO’s ‘We’re Here’ [Video]

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

We’re here, we’re queer, get used to it (crying). Season 2 of HBOs Emmy-Nominated series is as rousing a show as I’ve ever seen. l talked about it in therapy. In therapy!

Bob the Drag Queen, Shangela and Eureka O’Hara travel through small towns putting queer people in drag  – they’re each assigned one baby queen per town – and teach them the power of being yourself no matter what, of embracing every part of you.

You hear the stories of a queer refugee, of a matriarch in Selma who tragically lost her granddaughter, of women who marched across Pettis Bridge, of a kid on the spectrum who wants to fit in more than anything – all radiating love in the face of very difficult circumstances.

I walked away from this series feeling love for MYSELF, and I wasn’t even there! These folks live in hostile environments and are brave enough to be unapologetically themselves. You get a sort of transitive courage from watching that, sitting in your studio apartment feeling ready to take on the world.

If this show doesn’t win an Emmy next year I’ll eat a scorpion out of Joe Rogan’s navel. Watch these interviews!

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Hyde Sunset Kitchen + Cocktails is a Visual and Gastronomical Feast

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

Setting the scene here. You’re driving west, just about to enter the throws of the Sunset Strip, when you notice mile-high shrubbery. You know SOMETHING is there, but you’re not quite sure what mysteries lie beyond the tall grass. Well let me tell you, I’m glad I investigated because the restaurant hidden so coquettishly behind those bushes might just be the finest this city has to offer. 

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