Feature: A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical • Feature: Rhythm of the River Festival • Pix: New Year’s Eve Around South Florida • Feature: Monster Jam Returns • Feature: Funny Girl Comes to the Kravis Center • Feature: Robbie Williams: The Straight Pop Star Who Made Space for My Queer Identity
Out with Scott/What’s Hot | Scott Holland’s Guide to Events Pix: Pride Skate January Event • Pix: Murray and Peter Present a Drag Queen Christmas Hot Bodies • Pix: GFLGLCC Quarterly Luncheon at Westin Deep Inside Hollywood • Hot Puzzle
Photo: Dennis Dean
Model: Elvir Nazimov
The Broward Center for the performing Arts Presents
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical
By Julieta Cervantes
By: Scott Holland
Producers Ken Davenport, Bob Gaudio, NETworks Presentations and Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale Series with presenting Sponsor Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, are thrilled to announce A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, will makes its Fort Lauderdale premiere at the Broward Center January 21 – February 2.
Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbusting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like "America," "Forever in Blue Jeans," and "Sweet Caroline," an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the
world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil “Some of my most thrilling nights have been while I was on tour, bringing my music to audiences across the world,” said Neil Diamond. “Having A Beautiful Noise go on tour is an honor and I can’t wait for audiences across North America to experience this show. I hope they enjoy it as much as I have.”
“The biographical drama is a heartwarming celebration of Mr. Diamond’s uplifting music and inspirational life.” -The Washington Times. Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America's greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.
visiting the same cities where he gave so many people so much joy. Now, after a successful Broadway run, good times never seemed so good as A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, is in Fort Lauderdale making its premiere at the Broward Center in January 2025.” Producer Bob Gaudio
I knew how daunting that would be. With Jersey Boys, I learned how vital it is to have a first-rate creative team making sure everything weaves together. We have that on A Beautiful Noise —an incisive book that tells Neil’s story honestly, fantastic choreography, one of the best directors on Broadway guiding the entire production, and of course, Neil’s iconic songs.”
Nick Fradiani plays ‘Neil Diamond –Then’ in the national tour directly from playing the role on Broadway since October 2023. He won the title of “American Idol” in 2015 and has since released his debut album “Hurricane” in 2016, featuring the hit single “Beautiful Life.” “Past My Past,” Fradiani’s second solo album, was released in 2022. Joining Fradiani are Tony Nominee Robert Westenberg (Neil Diamond – Now), Hannah Jewel Kohn (Marcia Murphey), Lisa Reneé Pitts (Doctor), Michael Accardo (Bert Berns/ Kieve Diamond), Tuck Milligan (Fred Weintraub/ Tommy O'Rourke), Kate A. Mulligan (Ellie Greenwich/ Rose Diamond) and Tiffany Tatreau (Jaye Posner). Rounding out the company as “The Noise” are Cooper Clack, Chris Marsh Clark, Dennis Dizon (Swing), Dale Duko, Deirdre Dunkin, Rene Mirai Guyon (Swing), Ginger Hurley, Jer (Swing), Spencer Donavan Jones, Zoë Maloney (Swing), Ellen McGihon, Thabitha Moruthane, Tasheim Ramsey Pack, Jeilani Rhone-Collins, Daniela Rodrigo (Swing), Alec Michael Ryan (Swing) and J’Kobe Wallace. It was a pleasure to sit down with lead J’Kobe Wallace for this exclusive
It was a pleasure to sit down with lead J’Kobe Wallace for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
At what age did you begin performing and how did it happen?
The first time I ever performed I was maybe in 3rd grade, and I had one line and it was “Give a hoot, don’t pollute,” and I was hooked ever since. But when I was in High School, I got into it big time and was doing musical theater.
What was your first professional gig?
When I was in college, I worked in this theater in South Dakota, Prairie Repertory Theatre, and I made life long friends because of it.
When did you know performing would be your career?
I would say in 2016 when I was doing my local theater, and they hired out-of-town actors. It was the first time I worked with people that were not from my town, and it inspired me to book out of town. Luckily, I have been working ever since.
Other than this show, what has been your favorite role so far?
I have to say it was when I got to tour with Sesame Street live. I was the host, so I did all of the live singing and dancing and to lead such an iconic brand with characters I grew up with was amazing and it made it my favorite project.
What’s your fantasy role (a role you haven’t played but would die to play)?
I don’t think that role has been written yet. I always like to put my own spin on things, so it’s hard for me to see myself in any project until I come to it. However, I am excited to find that fantasy role and build it. Describe yourself in 3 words?
Fierce, warm, and magnetic
What do you do for fun?
I am a photographer, and I document my time on the road. I have also been taking pics of my cast mates and people I meet on the road.
Since you are part of our community, are you single or taken?
I am single
What’s the perfect guy for you?
The perfect guy is artistic and has a love for the arts and will support me in my career. They also have to have their own They also
have to have their own passions and love for what they do.
Is there something I didn’t ask you that you want to talk about?
Yes, Protect trans kids and black lives matter.
Finally, what should our readers expect from this touring company of, “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical”?
This show is not your typical jukebox musical, as it has a very specific way of story telling which allows the audience to learn more about who Neil Diamond was and how he got to the level of stardom he achieved. He has never told his story before, and this is the way he wanted it to be told. The show really touches people. You will get high energy and all your favorite Neil Diamond songs, and you will also get lots of love and heart, which is what his music brings to people.
For more information on J’Kobe, you can follow him on Instagram.com/Jkobewallace. For more information visit: Abeautifulnoisethemusical.com
A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical has raised $750,000 for the Parkinson’s Foundation. For more information on how you can help visit www.abeautifulnoisethemusical.com/ partners
Ticket prices starting at $45 are available at BrowardCenter.org and Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 954.468.0222 or at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office located at 201 SW Fifth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33312.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts kicks off the New Year with the Fourth Annual Rhythm by the River: A Festival Celebrating Black Voices featuring music and activities for the entire family to enjoy on Sunday, January 26 from 2 to 6pm at Esplanade Park overlooking the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Admission is free.
Presented by Baptist Health and JM Family Enterprises, Inc. with support from TD Charitable Foundation, Rhythm by the River brings to the Esplanade stage many of the talented performers in the community
To get things started on the main stage, Dillard High School ’s nationally renowned Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble puts the afternoon in full swing. Next up, inspirational soul songstress La Vie will
serenade audiences with smooth sophisticated sounds evocative of her Haitian heritage. Jamaican Roots Reggae trio The Fantells will blend sweet melodies with Caribbean beats. Vincentian Soca singer Kevin Lyttle, best known for his 2003 Billboard single “Turn Me On,” closes out the afternoon, bringing everyone to their feet with his red-hot dance hits.
In addition to the live musical performances, the audience can participate in three free community workshops throughout the afternoon in the Broward Center’s Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom featuring the Moving Music Museum with Michael Gil and African Dance with Anita MacBeth. In the park, the day’s festivities also feature free activities in the Baptist Health Activity Zone including arts and crafts, face painting, a community mural and interactive games for the whole family. Guests can savor the flavors of J&J Soul Food, Tropical Soul Food, Reggae Beets and cupcakes from Sweet Sensations by Charlene. Community partners will also
Rhythm by the River is proudly supported by radio media sponsor Cox Media Group and will be hosted live by Rodney Baltimore, mornings on Hot 105 and K Foxx of 99 JAMZ.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
Elvir Nazimov is 25, a Gemini and originally hails from Ruse, Bulgaria
What city do you live in now?
Oakland Park
What’s your favorite thing about Oakland Park?
New Years Eve Around South Florida
Scott Holland
Monster Jam Returns
Saturday, Jan 25 and Sunday, Jan 26
Experience Monster Jam live and become a fan for life with an ultimate day of fun at loanDepot park (501 Marlins Way, Miami) on January 25-26. Get ready to cheer, scream, and be amazed as massive Monster Jam trucks and world champion drivers take over Miami for a weekend packed with high-flying action and jaw-dropping stunts.
This isn’t just any event—it’s As Big As It Getsä where 12,000-pound trucks stand on two wheels and fly through the air in competitions of speed and skill. It’s all happening at Monster Jam, where every moment is unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable.
Feel the Thrill of Full-Throttle Fun
Get ready for non-stop excitement as Miami roars to life with gravity-defying stunts, heart-pounding races, and plenty of big air! The world’s best drivers tear up on the dirt as they battle for the Event Championship in three competitions: Racing, Skills, and everyone’s favorite, Freestyle, where Monster Jam trucks defy the laws of physics and do the impossible. Fans will be right in the middle of the action, helping to crown the Event Champion as they get to score the drivers in real time based on their skills, stunts, and saves. Start the Fun Early at the Monster Jam Pit Party
This day of fun starts at the Monster Jam Pit Party on Saturday, where you can get
up close and personal with these massive trucks, snap a selfie, meet their favorite drivers, and collect autographs. It’s the perfect way to start a day of adrenaline-charged fun, packed with friendly activities.
Don’t Miss the Monster Jam Trackside Experience
Arrive early and get revved up with Monster Jam Trackside, happening about an hour before the event. It’s packed with driver interviews, pit crew sneak peeks, and epic giveaways that’ll get everyone pumped up before the action begins. Then, watch as the opening ceremonies set the stage for non-stop Monster Jam madness! Meet the Superstars of Monster Jam! These aren’t just any drivers—they’re
world-class male and female athletes who have mastered controlling these 12,000-pound beasts. Whether pulling off insane backflips, nailing vertical 2-wheel tricks, or tearing up the track in all-out racing, these drivers are ready to wow fans with the most mind-blowing live motorsports action around.
coveted spot in the Monster Jam World Finals in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 4th weekend. Fans can cheer on their favorites, like Adam Anderson in the legendary Grave Digger; fierce and fearless Kayla Blood driving Sparkle Smashä, a six-ton unicorn with a bold attitude; Tristan England driving JCB DIGatronä which was designed in conjunction with JCB’s engineering team and inspired by JCB’s iconic construction equipment; and more!
The competition is fierce as 12 top drivers battle it out for the Stadium Championship Series West title and a
TRUCK LINEUP: Grave Digger® driven by Adam Anderson; Sparkle Smashä driven by Kayla Blood; JCB DIGatronä driven by Tristan England; Son-uva Digger® driven by Ryan Anderson; Megalodon® driven by Todd LeDuc; El Toro Loco® driven by Jamey Garner; TBA driven by Bryce Kenny; Wild Side driven by Zack Garner; Black Pearl driven by Cole Venard; Jester driven by Matt Pagliarulo; Kraken driven by Nick Pagliarulo; and Excaliber driven by Michael Pagliarulo**Truck and driver line-up subject to change
On Saturday, January 25, the event time is 7pm, with the Pit Party opening from 2:30 - 5:30pm (Saturday Event Ticket & Pit Party Pass required for entry). On Sunday, January 26, the event time is 3pm.
Tickets and Pit Party Passes are now available for purchase online at MLB.com
Murray and Peter Present
A Drag Queen Christmas
Scott Holland
Gym Etiquette 101 Rookies vs Gymrats
By: Leo Harley
January is that magical time when gyms are flooded with fresh-faced, resolutionfueled “January Joiners” mingling with the seasoned veterans (aka “Old-School Gym Rats”). Whether you’re a rookie or a veteran, good gym etiquette makes the gym a better place for everyone. So, let’s lay down the ironclad (pun intended) rules of the gym, whether you’re there to crush your PRs or just survive leg day.
The Do’s
Wipe It Down, Folks
No one wants to sit in your sweat puddle and beware that you are highly exposed to germs and bacterias at the gym. So be the hero of hygiene and wipe down equipment
after use. Most gyms provide disinfectants and towels, if not, bring your own.
Share the Space
Whether it’s the squat rack or dumbbells, remember: no piece of equipment belongs to you. If someone’s waiting, you should offer to share or let them work in. Also avoid exercising by doors or hallways where there’s traffic. This ensures your own safety and those around you. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Do Not Disturb
Yes, do share, but remember to respect each other’s personal space. Rushing others for their equipment is like trying to take a shit with somebody knocking on the door - If the equipment you want is being used,
the gym.
Put It Back Where You Found It
Dumbbells, plates, and kettlebells don’t magically return to their homes. Re-rack your weights and save everyone the frustration of hunting for a matching pair. I’m sure you’ll appreciate finding them when you need them also.
Respect the Clock
Cardio machines and prime-time equipment are in demand. Stick to the time limits, especially when the gym is busy. Use your time efficiently so others can, too.
The Don’ts
Don’t Hog the Equipment
Sitting on a bench scrolling through social media while others wait? Gym Sin number one. If you’re resting, stay focused or move aside.
Don’t Be a Know-It-All
Unsolicited advice is a big no-no. If someone looks like they need help, offer kindly, but otherwise, let people do their thing. You might have the best intentions at heart, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to help but ended up being shot down by dirty looks, so best to mind your own business.
Avoid the Gym Selfie Obstruction
Snap your progress pics, but don’t turn the free weight area into your personal photo studio. Leave the tripod at home and
don’t block someone mid-set for a selfie backdrop. It’s against most gym regulations and it’s just good sense.
Don’t Slam the Weights (Unless Necessary)
Olympic lifts? Sure, sometimes a slam is unavoidable. But repeatedly dropping dumbbells or barbells for attention? Not a great look.
For January Joiners
Start Small: Don’t feel pressured to lift heavy or master every machine on day one. Progress takes time.
Ask Questions: Gym veterans, trainers, or staff are often happy to help you learn. Just approach them politely.
Stay Consistent: The gym isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Keep showing up, and you’ll find your groove.
For Gym Veterans
Be Patient: Newbies might not know the rules. Lead by example and show them the ropes if needed.
Don’t Gatekeep: We all started somewhere. Encourage newcomers, they’re the next generation of fitness enthusiasts.
Keep the Ego in Check: Yes, you’ve been here for years, but the gym is for everyone.
At the end of the day, the gym is a shared space where everyone’s chasing their goals. Let’s keep the vibes positive, the equipment clean, and the lifts heavy. Whether you’re a January Joiner or an Old-School Gym Rat, you belong here - act accordingly!
Happy lifting!
Get in touch with us. Share your progress, your questions, your selfies to be featured, send to: Hotbodies@hotspots.lgbt
Funny Girl Comes to the Kravis Center
Jan 28- Feb 2
By: Scott Holland
Funny Girl, the sensational musical comedy revival, is coming to The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for a limited engagement from January 28 to February 2, 2025.
Welcome to musical comedy heaven!
The “vivacious and delightfully glitzy” (Vogue) Broadway revival features iconic songs, including “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and “People.”
Breaking box office records week after week and receiving unanimous raves on Broadway, this bittersweet comedy is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice. As a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage, everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shiningbrighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. The Observer describes the revival as “sparkling and explosively entertaining!”
Funny Girl is directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and features the classic score by Tony, Grammy and Academy Award winner Jule Styne and lyrics by Tony Award nominee and Grammy Award winner Bob Merrill, (comprising additional songs from Styne & Merrill). The original book by Isobel Lennart, from an original story by Miss Lennart, is revised by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Newsies).
Funny Girl features choreography by Ellenore Scott (Falsettos); tap choreography by Ayodele Casel; scenic design by Tony Award winner David Zinn (SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical); costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty (Wicked); lighting design by Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (Hedwig and the Angry Inch); sound design by Tony Award winner Brian Ronan (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) and Cody Spencer; hair and wig design by Campbell Young Associates;
music supervision by Emmy Award winner Michael Rafter; casting by Jim Carnahan, CSA, and Jason Thinger, CSA; orchestrations by Chris Walker; dance, vocal and incidental music arrangements by Alan Williams, and additional arrangements by David Dabbon and Carmel Dean. The associate director is Johanna McKeon; the associate choreographer is Jeffrey Gugliotti; the assistant director is Torya Beard; the assistant tap choreographer is Dre Torres.
The Funny Girl tour stage management team is led by Production Stage Manager Jovon E. Shuck and is supported by Stage Manager Kyle Dannahey and Assistant Stage Manager Rachael Wilkin. The company management team is led by Company Manager Justin Sweeney with Associate Company Manager Ryan Mayfield. The tour music director/conductor is Elaine Davidson.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Kyle de la Cruz who is not only a member of the LGBTQ+ community but also a native of Florida.
At what age did you begin performing and how did it happen?
Oh gosh I was so young, about 8 or 9 years old and I had a crazy obsession with SpongeBob SquarePants and memorized the episodes and then recite them in front
of my parents. My parent saw that I loved performing and put me in performing summer camp, My first show was Peter Pan and I was a pirate and then I found Sol Children’s Theater in Boca and I cultivated my love for theater there. What was your first professional gig?
I was a sophomore in college, and I got a coveted internship at Maine State Music Theater where I was working 18 hours a day. In this job we had to do 360 of theater, literally every aspect of the theater including building sets. I did get paid for this! When did you know performing would be your career?
In high school when I did my first musical. In my sophomore year, we did the show “Crazy for You” which is a 2 ½ hour tap musical, and we all had to learn how to tap dance. I landed the lead, and I never looked back. My high School Choreographer, Angela Morando, talked to me and told me I was really good at this, and I could do this if I really wanted to and I truly did not look back from that point.
Other than this show, what has been your favorite role so far?
I was lucky in 2019 to come down to Fort Lauderdale for Slow Burn and do Priscilla Queen of the Dessert and work with so many wonderful South Florida artists. I enjoyed their shows for so many years in high school, so it was a full circle moment.
by Matthew Murphy
Photo
What’s your fantasy role (a role you haven’t played but would die to play)?
This is a hard question…I don’t really know to be quite honest as there is a lot of things I want to do. I love developing and creating things, so I would love to make a new show from the ground up. Describe yourself in 3 words?
Silly, kind and quiet
Are you single or in a relationship?
I am single
What would the perfect guy be for you?
Oh gosh he has got to make me laugh and deal with me. Someone who can see past my nonsense and see the little 10-year-old inside of me who wants to have
What do you do for fun?
I like to read, do yoga, and cook a lot. Since I am on tour, I have a lot of online friend dates. I really enjoy spending time with the people who are closest to me. Are you excited about coming back to South Florida?
by
I am thrilled, I can’t wait! I grew up going to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, and to be able to come back to Kravis and being in a national tour there is so crazy, and I feel so lucky and fortunate. If I told my 13-year-old self this would have happened, I think his head would have popped off. Finally, what should our readers
Fierstein, and you are getting all the big songs with a great story of resilience about this incredible woman who was constantly told no, but believed in her abilities, even though she wasn’t the most standard beauty. She was a powerful strong woman who said and did what she wanted to. In addition, you are getting tap dancing, beautiful costumes, and you are getting the perfect Broadway musical and I feel very lucky to be a part this historic timeless show. For more information on Kyle, you can follow him on Instagram.com/kylelaing
by
Photo
Matthew Murphy
Photo
Matthew Murphy
The ‘Wicked’ career of Jonathan Bailey
Queers who haven’t watched “Bridgerton” or “Fellow Travelers” are getting what may be their first look at gay actor Jonathan Bailey in “Wicked,” as the man who’s winning the hearts of both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Of course, Christmas 2025 will see him back in “Wicked: Part Two,” but new fans won’t have long to wait for more of him: he’s wrapped shooting “Jurassic World Rebirth,” the next chapter in the now-decades-long “Jurassic” film franchise. Co-starring Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend, the movie is set five years down the road from “Jurassic
World Dominion” and the earth’s climate is no longer compatible with the dinosaurs. It also turns out that the remaining creatures might hold the genetic key to a human-life-saving miracle drug. This is only fair after all the people they ate in the previous films. Look for the big summer movie — when else — in July.
Ian McKellen joins Steven Soderbergh’s ‘The Christophers’
We’re loving the recent viral internet pic of 85-year-old Sir Ian McKellen out at the club
Olivia
Colman and John Lithgow bring ‘Jimpa’ to
Sophie Hyde, whose most
retire, Steven Soderberg. The film is called “The Christophers” and it’s a dark comedy involving the estranged children of a famous artist who hire a forger to finish their fathers’ paintings so that they can be sold after his death. It co-stars James Corden and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “I May Destroy You” actor Michaela Coel, and is written by Ed Solomon, who’s already collaborated with Soderbergh on the film “No Sudden Move” and the TV series “Mosaic” and “Full Circle.” In production now, figure to get first looks sometime in late 2025, probably while both Soderbergh and McKellen will have already wrapped something else.
Emma Thompson, was a bright spot in the Covid streaming-at-home moment, is back with one you’ll probably get to see in a movie theater. It’s called “Jimpa” and it stars Olivia Colman, John Lithgow and Hyde’s child, non-binary actor Aud Mason-Hyde. It’s a family comedy-drama about a mother and her non-binary child visiting their gay grandfather (Lithgow) and discovering the value and important bonds of a queer family lineage. The film premieres in early 2025 at the Sundance Film Festival, and should drop into multiplex world at an unspecified time after that. NB representation keeps rolling into 2025, and that’s a good thing.
Tom Daley knits up a reality series
Gay British Olympic diver Tom Daley might not be competing anymore but he’s got plenty to do. And if you’ve paid any attention to his personal life, you’ve seen that one of those things is knitting. He’s always got his needles with him out in public, working on something cozy. Enter TV stardom on a new reality competition series: “Game of Wool.” Daley will host the eight-episode knitting competition series, set in rural Scotland, where 10 contestants will take part in challenges such as making jewelry, furniture, sculptures and more. How this will be accomplished with knitting is why you’re probably going to tune in and watch, because otherwise it’s just a show about people sitting down and making sweaters (or “jumpers” as they call them over there). In production now, expect this one to catch fire among devotees the way “Great British Romeo San Vicente is exceptionally crafty.
Robbie Williams: The Straight Pop Star
Who Made Space for My Queer Identity
While Williams is not gay, he notes that many of his musical influences have been
By Chris Azzopardi
I had already agreed to an interview with Robbie Williams before realizing he wasn’t queer at all. That’s on me. As a teenager who was fond of his anthemic ballad “Angel” and then saw him strip down to his briefs (and much less) in the “Rock DJ” video, I couldn’t help but hope he was. Our pop idols have limited control over how we perceive them and their sexual identity (just ask Shawn Mendes, Harry Styles and even Taylor Swift), and in my wishful thinking as a gay kid growing up in the 1990s without much representation, I missed the part where Williams sued a British tabloid in 2005 for claiming he had a “secret gay lover” and performed a sex act on a man in a Manchester club bathroom. (The tabloid ultimately apologized and paid “substantial” damages to the pop star.)
Then I lost track of him for a while. Now, he’s the subject of an entire biopic, “Better Man,” where he’s portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee. Though human actors surround him in "The Greatest Showman" director Michael Gracey's film, this animal version of Williams serves as a symbol of his complex feelings about fame, as he contemplates how he sees himself in a world that often dictates the roles we’re supposed to play. For a time, Williams became something he wasn’t for me.
Our idols can only control their narrative to a certain extent, and when I finally connected with him during our video call and realized only hours before while researching that he is, in fact, completely straight, I learned that Williams is the kind of guy who, even if he wasn’t the
representation I once hoped for as a struggling gay teen, would be proud to have your back.
“Look, if I fancied noshing some bloke off by the canal, I'd have noshed some bloke off by the canal,” he tells me, in response to my ask about the lawsuit, which he said he appreciated having the opportunity to respond to. “The visual of that, I am perfectly OK with; it was important for me to be me at the time. Just like it's important for you to be you in every aspect and to be seen and to be heard.”
“I'm not disrespecting anybody or getting my handbag and going, ‘Heaven forbid that people think of this disgusting thing [about] me,’” he continues. If someone were to create an AI-imagined version of Williams engaged in a same-sex encounter (his exact words: “AI me doing it”), “I'll watch it myself,” he says.
Williams’ honesty extends into “Better Man,” where we see a version of him that’s raw and vulnerable. It’s a portrayal grounded in his truth, not ours — or mine.
The film delves into the psychological toll of his fame and his constant struggle to escape the shadow of his father, Pete Conway, a beloved entertainer in the U.K. It’s a reminder that, for all his charisma, Williams is still just a man who grew up in a working-class town, trying to navigate a life that skyrocketed him to stardom in 1990 at
just 16 years old, as the youngest member of the British boy band that would eventually become known as Take That. The film captures the group's meteoric rise to fame, particularly within queer spaces. Williams recalls, “For the first 18 months, all we played were gay clubs.”
Williams quickly formed a deep connection with the queer community. When I ask him about his memories of performing at gay clubs while preparing for those scenes in “Better Man,” his laugh prompts me to delve further.
“OK, the laugh's about this: It’s my first memory of being in a gay club when I'm 16,” he starts, amused by what he’s about to say but also acknowledging uncertainty about telling a story that “may not land.”
“I'm sat in a banquette in this part of the club where a curtain is pulled in front of it and it's a makeshift dressing room.
And I am sat by myself and there's a man in the corner and he appears to be masturbating. And I'm like, ‘Oh my god. What?’ And I'm sort of frozen and I'm thinking, ‘But what do I do in this? I'm cool. Just be cool." And it turns out it was a stripper and he was blowing his penis up for his performance. He wasn't masturbating at all. And so that was sort of a memory
memory. Biographical movies, of course, often face limitations in delving into deeply personal stories. Williams offers "many different reasons" for this restraint.
“Lots of them being that a lot of people are still alive and will sue me and I can't prove it in a court of law that it actually happened,” he says.
But Williams’ childhood in Stoke-on-Trent, a city in Staffordshire, England, gets plenty of attention. He tells me it’s “considered the hood in modern parlance or thereabouts,” and recalls that “‘gay’ was a slur and something to be feared and ridiculed.”
Life took a dramatic turn for him at 15, after his audition led him to Take That. Soon thereafter, he found himself being admired by half-naked gay men in clubs, a stark contrast that he vividly described as transformative: “I went from being in a place where I used to wonder which shoes to put on by how much violence was going to be at the place that I was going to — steel toe cap boots if it was going to be really bad — and then, all of a sudden, I was in this place of acceptance and warmth and silliness.”
It’s a place that Williams, who is now 50, is familiar with, and since his teen rise, he has come to understand his place in gay culture even, as he says, “I don’t understand the queer lifestyle, I’m not of it.”
“But,” he goes on, “I understand that I am accepted there and I'm loved and I'm wanted and I am needed. And from that moment on I know what my response to and of it is, which is gratitude.”
From an early age, Williams says he latched onto the queer community’s sense of playfulness and lightheartedness. “I have been mainly inspired by Black culture and gay culture,” he says. “And they are two
things that I am incredibly grateful for to this day.
“As British people, we're camp. We put on dresses. We go to these theater shows where women play guys and guys play women. And the people that are on the TV as you're growing up are camp and are warm and silly. I'll go back to that word ‘silly’ that means so much to me: I take silly very seriously,” he says.
His connection to the queer community extends beyond performing at gay clubs; he actively seeks to understand the people who’ve been following him for decades.
He speaks highly of the “warmth of people” like Larry Grayson, a popular British comedian and TV presenter who was rumored to be gay, but only hinted at it toward the end of his life. “No one had a clue that he was gay, but it’s just so obvious now,” Williams says.
“And Freddie Mercury, who is an angel, and every time I see him represented on screen and in documentaries I just am gobsmacked of his very presence and his very being,” he adds. “And then, of course, you've got Elton. Boy George changed the world with one appearance on ‘Top of the Pops,’ which is our TV show. So you are surrounded and also influenced and informed — well, I was anyway, of how to act, how behave, and how to be gentle and warm and arch.”
During our interview, it became clear that Williams holds a deep respect for the LGBTQ+ community, offering insights that go beyond surface-level understanding.
“I suppose that there is a certain set of self-examination that has to be done because it's forced upon you, that people in the straight community aren't forced to do,” he says. “So I'm sure that that self-examination elevates you to a place that people wouldn't normally have to have had done because you are forced to. There's an elevation in thought because of the process that you've had to go through.”
He likens his journey of being understood by the public to mine, as a gay man, and says that the rumors surrounding him stem from his desire for his true self to be represented accurately and authentically.
“I am bothered about being authentic, and so are you. You are bothered about being authentically you in a world that has told you you can't be you. The world was telling me I couldn't be me. And it was really important for me to say, ‘No, I'm going to be me and I'm going to be me 100%.’”
In 2013, the rumors he debunked were met with a quote from Williams, as expressed to The Daily Star, that acknowledged that he was “49 percent homosexual,” a remark that led The Guardian to criticize his reliance on stereotypes.
“I love musical theater and a lot of the other things that are often associated with gays. I am 49 percent homosexual and sometimes as far as 50 percent. However, that would imply that I enjoy having a particular sort of fun, which I don’t,” he said at the time.
And recently, while speaking to journalist Michael Cragg at The Guardian, Williams explained his reasoning for challenging the gay rumors made by a British tabloid via a lawsuit: “I was more sad. Not about gay accusations because look, I’ve done everything but suck a cock. Honestly, you’ve never met somebody that wants to be gay as much as me.”
“I was maligned, belittled, disrespected, hated, followed, harangued, phone-tapped,” he shares with me about his experiences with the British tabloids. “People on the payroll being told to give rumors about me, tell them where I was, people who were in the credit card companies. And my only way of representing myself at the time was to do a book, and the book would say everything about who I was. So I released this book as a way of going, ‘If you hate me, at least hate me for the right reasons.’” “The same week that comes out,” he continues, “there's a story in a newspaper about how I sucked some bloke's dick by a canal.
And now the only thing about that was I'd gone to great pains to tell everybody who I was, and here was this story saying I'm actually not telling people who I am and what I was. And that, not the fact that I'm by a canal on my knees, noshing off some bloke, I'm not bothered; the thing that pained me was, yet again, I'm telling my truth and I'm exposing myself so much, but there's this thing representing me that isn't true.”
However Williams chooses to identify, it’s clear he might not have been the man I thought he was when I was a teenager desperate for queer representation, but he is, at least, the first to admit that the truth, messy and imperfect as it may be, is the only thing that matters. And in a world that often
demands we fit into predefined boxes, his journey is a reminder that we’re all just trying to be seen for who we truly are — no matter who that is.
Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.
ACCOUNTING u
STERLING ACCOUNTING
Friendly, engaging and specialized expertise for individuals and those with small businesses and real estate. Call Sterling Accounting at 954-667-9829. Tax@ SterlingAccounting.com
BOOKKEEPING AND TAX PREPARATION
Efficient, reliable, and affordable bookkeeping & tax preparation services for individuals and small businesses. Save time and money with our expert assistance. We also specialize in payroll management and business setup and registration.Contact us today for a free consultation! Phone: (404) 606-3685
Email: cesar@ledgerguardian.com
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS
Call 754-200-2979
Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
AIR CONDITIONING u
CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING
Repairs, installations, indoor air quality. Residential/Commercial. Proudly serving the tri-county area. Quality and experience. Free service calls for all A/C makes and models. Lic/Ins CMC1249558 Call 954-274-8287 for your free estimate. **10% off your first repair**
BARBERS u
ELECTRICAL u
ELECTRIC’ 24-HOUR SERVICE
Quality work at a reasonable price. We also service & install any size generator. Licensed & Insured (98-CME-1807-X). 954-257-9509.
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS Call 754-200-2979
Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
COMPUTERS u
IN-HOME SERVICE. Cell phones, printers & Internet issues. Proudly serving our community for over 25 years. *Get the BEST performance, protection & value from your computer investment. *A+ Hardware & OS certified. *Friendly, professional, RELIABLE service. Reasonable rates. Call: Mike 954-817-3883
Your Personal Tech Assistant. BEST RATES in the tri-county area. Specializing in Android & iPhones. PC/Mac-Training, Installation, Clean-up & Repairs. Friendly, In-Home and remote Srvc. Call/Txt 954-903-4383.
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS
Call 754-200-2979
Email Classifieds@Hotspots.lgbt
HANDYMAN u
KENNY & JAY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
TV Wall mounting, Ceiling Fans, Bathroom, kitchen, faucet, microwave, plumbing and electric, outlets, switches, breakers. Time clocks, Upgrade breaker box, repair or replace sprinkler & pool motors, replace & remove hot water tanks & install tankless water heaters. Bathroom, Vanity, sinks, dishwasher & garbage disposals and SHOWER GRAB BARS. Replace Door knobs and locks (locksmith). K&J 954-260-9940 BEST PRICES IN TOWN! 32 Years Experience.
L.H.P. HANDYMAN SERVICES
Reliable, honest, affordable general home repairs, pressure washing, painting, tile, light plumbing, light/fan fixtures installs. Good troubleshooting. Insured. L.H.P. Handyman Services - Al (954) 683-3754
HELP WANTED u
MASSAGE THERAPIST AND FULL TIME FRONT DESK NEEDED
Inquire in person between 9 a.m. and 2 pm. at Pineapple Point Guesthouse 315 NE 16 Terrace Ft Lauderdale FL 33301. 954-527-0094
P/T “H O U S E B O Y” WANTED
pick up palm leaves, mow, clean pool, house, cars. Computer and phone savvy a plus. Non smoker with a vehicle. $15/hour cash. Flexible hours afternoons/evenings. We’re located in Coral Ridge/Victoria Park, Fort Lauderdale. Please live close. Call/text after 12 noon 954 803 0318.
NURSE / HEALTH AID LIVE-IN
NEEDED
For older disabled gentlemen. Must have drivers license, car, light cooking, general household, cleaning. Have previous experience. Victoria Park area/East Fort Lauderdale. Have own bedroom and bath. Call Jeffrey at 954-523-6757 or 954-304-7981.
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS Call 754-200-2979 or Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
Offering a great massage for Men with a fusion of different techniques; always relaxing, always a great experience. Whether you’re experiencing muscle discomfort or just looking to relax...I have a very comfortable studio conveniently located in Wilton Manors on NE 26th Street. Affordable Rates! 954-600-5843. Licensed and experienced LMT. Lic#MM22293
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES u
GET NAKED, GET FIT IN 2025!
Nude Certified Personal Training (1 on 1), aqua aerobics (small groups) & full body massages for naturists. Personalized fitness programs after 2.5-hour health, fitness, nutritional assessment. All goals. In-calls on beautiful pool deck (Wilton Manors). Affordable rates. Free 30 min consult. http://naked.beyondfitness.info – BJ (323) 270-7121
REAL ESTATE u
PRIVATE MORTGAGE MONEY
When the bank says no, we say yes! No credit check, no income verification, and you get your money in 10 days. Whether you want an interest only loan or amortized loan, it is what works for you. If you own a 50 percent interest in real estate and you need money, we will loan you the funds that you need on your half interest. No other company does this. 48hr approval, no broker fees, Call us today 561-578-0319.
RENTALS - VICTORIA PARK u
VICTORIA PARK
Nice area 2 bedroom apartment end unit east of US-1 near beach. Walk to all needs. Washer/Dryer in unit. Private off street parking at your door. Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and D/W. Private rear patio. Same building: Nice studio efficiency with full kitchen. Call 954-523-6757
RENTALS - OAKLAND PARK u
SHARE OAKLAND PARK
POOL HOME
Share an Oakland Park pool home with couple who travels a lot. 1 BR/1 BA. Pool, laundry and kitchen privileges. Off street parking. Walking distance to bus lines on Andrews Ave and Powerline Road. A dog may be OK. $1,750/Mo. Phone: (305) 772-7139.
RENTALS - FORT LAUDERDALE u
2/2 CORNER UNIT TENNIS CLUB
Renovated bathrooms. Spacious, ceramic floor corner unit. Dog friendly. HOA includes water, cable, free HBO, Showtime. 4 mins from Wilton, 9 mins from the beach. Dog park, pool, picnic, barbecue area, tennis court, car wash. Can be shared. 5th floor. Asking $2,350 f/l/s Süreyya YARGIC 954 383 8689
ADVERTISE IN CLASSIFIEDS
Call 754-200-2979 or Email Classifieds@Hotspots.LGBT
ROOMMATES - FORT LAUDERDALE u
DOWNTOWN FT. LAUDERDALE APT TO SHARE
Great Location on the New River with Stunning Views, Gay Guy looking to Share Furnished 2 BR /2 BA ..Includes Parking ,W/D, WiFi, FPL ,HK.. $1,100 MONTH -1ST Month & Security, No Pets, Smokers Contact Tosh @ 305-776-7946
TAX PREPARATION u
HAROLD J BLOTCHER, EA
Tax preparation and resolution for individuals and small businesses. Help with same-sex marriage issues and IRS matters. Call 781-363-5519 or 561-429-3592 www.haroldjblotchertaxes.com
SEWING/ALTERATIONS u
ALTERATIONS
Clothing repair, trouser hem, sleeve hem, zipper change, clothing adjustments, cushions, curtains, pillows. Everything related to sewing. Exclusive swimwear are made to suit the client, tank tops, t-shirts, shorts, sports wear. Text me at 407-732-1756. Instagram: @Nicolo_ Bivona.B
HOT PUZZLE
Bridget Over Troubled Waters
1 What the $ in 59-Down
way to run
characters in “Kinky Boots”
and Nora's dog
Was excessive with the mouth
Island of Barrie's land
Docking site
Absinthe flavoring
Gay Bob, for example
Dixie Chicks' "Goodbye ___"
21 Supernatural horror comedy film of Bridget Everett
23 Rupert Everett look in “Inspector Gadget”
25 Follows up on a kiss?
26 Aunt in _Bambi_ 27 With 50-Across, American drama film of Bridget Everett
Sweaters at a sauna
Coin of Foucault
Gasteyer of “SNL”
Lance once of 'N Sync
Kidman's award for
“The Hours”
40 Casino gratuity
44 James Cameron film of 2009
46 "Marriage ___" (civil union, derogatorily)
48 Nureyev's nyet
49 Submit (to)
50 See 27-Across
52 ___ Zion church
53 Dusting for bottoms
55 Makes less difficult to bear
56 American drama film of Bridget Everett
60 Lorca's "but"
61 Malcolm Boyd, for example
62 Caesar's "See!"
64 Film set VIP
65 Misleads with the tongue
66 P's for Socrates
67 Chemical suffix
68 Judy Garland's parade day
69 Spills one's seed
70 Article written by Marlene Dietrich 1 Ambiguously Gay Duo attire 2 Mishima and Ang Lee 3 Family room feature 4 Langston Hughes' home for many years 5 Word on an Asian map 6 Algonquian spirits 7 Came together 8 High-priced 9 Solemn sound
10 “West ___ Story”
11 Cross-dresser J. Edgar
12 Looking for internet porn, maybe
13 Oak Lawn locale
22 Where to see sweaty athletes
24 Second pitches for Copland
28 Crude dude
30 Bit of grain for a stallion
32 Painting and sculpture, to Michelangelo
33 Fruit metaphor for a troublemaker
34 Prayer to the Queen of Heaven 35 Locks on arms 36 Sault ___ Marie 38 Spike Lee crime drams 39 Prepare to shoot straight 41 Like a Mobius strip 42 Garbo role as Anna 43 They don't look good 45 Broadway performer, e.g. 47 Mary's little lamb, perhaps
