Nyle DiMarco Drops ASL Version Of Ariana Grande's "7 Rings" Video

Deaf activist and model Nyle DiMarco has dropped his own special version of Ariana Grande’s latest music video, “7 Rings.”

An outspoken advocate for the Deaf community, the dashing DiMarco tweeted Grande back in November when she released her “Thank U Next” video asking her to “add captions for 466 million people with hearing loss (deaf here and we do enjoy your music).”

Could you ask @Vevo to add captions for 466 million people with hearing loss

(Deaf here and we do enjoy your music) https://t.co/e0YSC0lBJg

— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) November 30, 2018

When la grand Grande released her “7 Rings” video, the former America’s Next Top Model champ tweeted the good news: “@ArianaGrande dropped WITH CAPTIONS!”

.@ArianaGrande dropped WITH CAPTIONS!

pic.twitter.com/Mhj3LQoLhV

— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) January 18, 2019

Even so, DiMarco decided to take things a little bit further and shoot his own version of the video with director Jake Wilson.

DiMarco’s take on “7 Rings” uses Ariana's as a guide, but shifts the color scheme from pink to cool blue, and features American Sign Language by the sexually fluid hunk. Along the way, he’s joined by some fine looking dancers who drop some ASL alongside him.

Through it all, DiMarco stalks the camera making eyes at me the viewing audience.

“Captioning enhances the viewing experience,” DiMarco recently told Out. “It should be a standard part of any filmed media, and not as an afterthought, but as a part of the ultimate golden standard of universal design.”

On the official website for his foundation, DiMarco shares, “Two percent (2%) of the world’s Deaf population has access to education in sign language.”

Additionally, only 25% of parents use sign language to communicate with their Deaf child.

Imagine living in a world where language was not available to you.

Check out Nyle DiMarco’s ASL version of “7 Rings” below.

News Round-Up: December 16, 2018

Jim Newman (via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• Broadway hunk & 'Daddyhunt' star Jim Newman (above) demonstrates that even Santa's elves have to do laundry some time...

• San Diego Pride is so successful, the organization has announced that it will be donating more than $170,000 to 59 different LGBTQ-serving charities and organizations around the world.

• Ann Coulter offered her description of the Democratic Party on Laura Ingraham's show Tuesday night: "The Muslims and the Jews and the various exotic sexual groups and the black church ladies with the college queers"

On Ingraham's Fox News show, Ann Coulter describes her version of the Dem party

"I mean you have the Muslims and the Jews and the various exotic sexual groups and the black church ladies with the college queers ... you must hate white men. It's the one thing they have in common" pic.twitter.com/xGWe0wH2uP

— Andrew Lawrence (@ndrew_lawrence) December 12, 2018

• Sexual abuse settlements could force the Boy Scouts of America into bankruptcy.

• A new poll by the Washington Post Fact Checker shows 70% of Americans don't believe Trump's lies.

• Frankie Grande teams up with his sis, Ariana, for this take on the Act Two opener from RENT, "Seasons of Love," as part of the #RentSingALong initiative celebrating the upcoming live presentation of the hit musical

RENT will air live on January 27 at 8/7c on FOX. Hit play below.

Ariana Grande & James Corden Serve Up 'Titanic' Mini-Musical

Ariana Grande & James Corden

 Ariana Grande dropped by The Late Late Show with James Corden earlier this week to promote her new album, Sweetener, set to drop August 17.

But the highlight of the appearance was Grande and Corden bringing the story of Titanic to life in a short mini-musical utilizing 13 songs and 9 different sets in one non-stop take.

Using songs from artists like Styx (“Come Sail Away”), Hall & Oates (“Rich Girl”), Lady Gaga (“Just Dance”), Vanilla Ice (“Ice Ice Baby”) and NSYNC (“Bye Bye Bye”), the duo manages to tell the story of the 1997 blockbuster movie in just five minutes.

And, of course, the only way to close out the mega-mix was for Grande to deliver a soaring Celine Dion tribute with “My Heart Will Go On.”

The LGBTQ ally also made an appearance on Corden’s Carpool Karaoke on Wednesday where she sang some of her hits, shared that the theme of her second birthday party was the movie Jaws, gave Corden some coaching on riffing, and pulled out some of her fantastic Celine Dion impersonation with a bit of “All Coming Back To Me Now.”

Dang, this girl is fierce. Watch the fun below and check out her new album here on iTunes.

News Round-Up: July 14, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• It's the weekend! Who wants to go for a ride with InstaHunk Joel Green?

• Scarlett Johansson has withdrawn from the upcoming film, Rub & Tug, after a backlash about the actress playing a transgender role in the movie. “I have great admiration and love for the trans community and am grateful that the conversation regarding inclusivity in Hollywood continues,” she said.

• There's going to be a Downton Abbey movie! Squeee! According to the BBC, the "original principal cast" will begin production later this summer, the film's producers said.

Welcome back to Downton! We’re thrilled to announce that #DowntonAbbey is coming to the big screen. Film production begins this summer. pic.twitter.com/3scMUmosic

— Downton Abbey (@DowntonAbbey) July 13, 2018

• Republican Illinois Gov. Rauner is getting flack from conservatives for having the nerve to officiate the same-sex wedding of longtime friends. #srsly

• 80s super group ABBA just finished recording their first new tracks since 1982 and says 'it was a fantastic experience.'

• From her upcoming album, Sweetener, Ariana Grande releases the female empowered music video for “God Is A Woman”, directed by Grammy Award®-winning director Dave Meyers.

The one-and-only Madonna offers a spoken-word cameo as 'God' along the way.

#divine.

Ariana Grande Pens Love Letter To LGBT Community For Pride Month

Ariana Grande

As part of Billboard Magazine's 30 Days of Pride celebration this June, the magazine asked numerous pop culture luminaries to write ‘love letters’ to their LGBTQ fans.

Today, Billboard kicks off the month with a note of encouragement and acceptance from pop superstar, Ariana Grande.

There is nothing more infectious than the joy and love that the LGBTQ community exudes.

I grew up with a gay brother whose every move I would emulate. I idolized him. Everything Frankie did, I would do. I can’t remember a difference between Frankie before he came out and Frankie after he came out. He’s always just been Frankie.

Sexuality and gender were never topics my family and I were afraid to discuss. When Frankie came out my surprisingly unfazed (for his age) grandfather said “Congrats! Can we go to dinner now? I’m fuckin' hungry.”

I was taught to do my makeup by queens in gay bars in New York City. I made my Broadway debut at 14 years old and did 8 shows a week but there was never a night I was too tired to run to a gay bar and do a quick Whitney cover before bed.

My music being embraced and celebrated by the LGBTQ community is all I ever truly cared about when I thought about my career goals early on. There’s no award I could win or accolade I could receive that would fulfill me more than seeing a 6-foot queen with a 4-foot ponytail walk into my meet n greet and say “hey girl” or meeting a young queer person at Starbucks and them letting me know that my music has helped them become who they are. Literally nothing.

Love is like music. It knows no boundaries and isn’t exclusive to any one gender, sexuality, race, religion, age or creed. It’s a freedom and a delicious luxury that all people should be able to sink into and enjoy every moment of.

I am eternally indebted to and inspired by the LGBTQ community. I hope to create anthems for you that wrap you up with comfort and make you get your best life for as long as I live. Thank you for celebrating me the way I celebrate you.

I love you forever.

In 2017, the recently-launched 'Billboard Pride' debuted the LGBTQ Love Letters Project which featured queer artists and allies sharing their love and support for the community. With letters from everyone from Barbra Streisand to Selena Gomez to Britney Spears (who wrote hers by hand) to RuPaul to Adam Lambert, the love letters fostered solidarity and acceptance in a year where it was sorely needed.

See my previous post about Donald Trump's lack of support during Pride Month.

Under Pride Editor Patrick Crowley, Billboard continues to expand its coverage of LGBTQ artists and culture, from partnering with GLAAD to create a video of musicians speaking out against the military trans ban to shining a spotlight on rising queer talents who are often overlooked in the mainstream.

As an additional testement to Billboard’s devotion to their LGBTQ readers – GLAAD recently honored Billboard with an award for Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage at the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards in May.

Visit Billboard Pride for more coverage throughout the month.

Music Video: Ariana Grande Defies Gravity In "No Tears Left To Cry"

Ariana Grande's new music video for "No Tears Left To Cry" is an eye-popping wonder of computer generated gorgeousness.

Directed by Grammy Award®-winning director Dave Meyers, the trippy video allows Grande to defy gravity as she floats, falls and pretty much stays off-balance through a series of CGI futuristic landscapes.

It's easy to wonder if the metaphor was intended to represent Grande's state of mind following the Manchester Arena terror attack during her concert last May, which killed 23 people and wounded approximately 500.

The new single represents Grande's first since 2016's Dangerous Woman.

Watch the video below.

Christmas Music: Michael Buble & Ariana Grande "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

From the 2014 TV special "Michael Buble's Christmas in New York."

Of course, you know his Christmas album kills :)

Ariana Grande & Seth MacFarlane Belt Out "Suddenly Seymour" For Carpool Karaoke

I just found out the uber-popular "Carpool Karaoke" segments from The Late Late Show has begun transitioning into an Apple TV series.

Check out pop star Ariana Grande and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane belt out a terrific "Suddenly Seymour" from the musical Little Shop of Horrors.

Not only are the vocals on point, near the end of the song MacFarlane almost has a mini-crash while driving the vehicle. But no one drops a note!

“We almost died! But the belting was more important!” said Grande after finishing the song. “I like that we didn’t skip a beat. That is what comes from being a theater person. You stay in it!”

Watch the clip, below.

(h/t OUT)

Over $9 Million Raised For British Red Cross Via Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester Concert

Hit play below to watch Ariana Grande's star-studded benefit concert in Manchester, England, to raise money for the victims of the May 22 terror attack at her concert.

The One Love Manchester event will be broadcast live beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

The 23 year-old Grande quickly gathered huge music stars to participate including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Niall Horan, Marcus Mumford, Coldplay, The Black Eyed Peas and more.

All proceeds from the event will go to a fundraiser benefitting the victims of the terror attack, which killed 22 people and injured 59 others.

You can donate here - http://www.onelovemanchester.com

UPDATE: Over $9 million raised via British Red Cross for victims of Manchester attack thanks to Ariana Grande and One Love Manchester concert

JUST IN: The @BritishRedCross has raised over $9,000,000.00 through #OneLoveManchester benefit concert: https://t.co/9tePIKVg39 pic.twitter.com/ubyNjQ6Gf9

— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 4, 2017

Explosions At Manchester Arena Leave At Least 19 Dead, 50 Injured

From The New York Times:

The sound of explosions thundered through a concert arena in Manchester, England, on Monday night just as a performance by the pop star Ariana Grande was ending. The police reported multiple deaths and injuries as the panicky crowd of spectators, which included children, fled.

There was no immediate word from the police on the cause, but it immediately evoked the terrorist attacks in Paris in November of 2015, which included a deadly assault inside a concert arena where the Eagles of Death Metal had been playing.

People at the concert at the Manchester Arena said they heard what sounded like explosions at the end of the show.

One concertgoer, Sasina Akhtar, told The Manchester Evening News that there had been an explosion at the back of the arena after the last song. “We saw young girls with blood on them, everyone was screaming and people were running,” she said.

Preliminary reports indicate 19 dead and 50 injured.

More from NBC News below:

NBC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT https://t.co/N2lOT9C8KS

— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) May 22, 2017

First Look: HAIRSPRAY Live!

Get your first look at the upcoming Hairspray Live! set to air December 7 at 8PM ET/PT featuring an all-star cast: Harvey Fierstein as "Edna Turnblad," Jennifer Hudson as "Motormouth Mabel," Martin Short as "Wilbur Turnblad," Derek Hough as "Corny Collins," Ariana Grande as "Penny Pingleton," Andrea Martin as "Prudy Pingleton" and Kristin Chenoweth as "Velma Von Tussle."

I know the show well and I have to say this is dream casting across the board. I can't imagine any better than this.

In addition to being the best "Edna Turnblad" ever (Tony Award don't you know?) Harvey Fierstein will provide a new teleplay and original Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell (“Kinky Boots,” “On Your Feet,” "The Full Monty," "Legally Blonde") will bring the moves as choreographer. I have to admit I missed Jerry's choreography in the movie version.

Friday Brain-Break: Ariana Grande Tribute To Whitney Houston

Take a Friday brain-break with Ariana Grande's awesome tribute to Whitney Houston on the season finale of ABC’s Greatest Hits.

While it's true we'll never see another Whitney Houston, I do think Ariana's powerful vocals and stage presence makes for a pretty terrific tribute for the artist Ariana has called one of her greatest inspirations.

News Round-Up: May 24, 2016

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Twitter really wants Marvel to #GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend

• North Carolina's anti-LGBT law, HB2, has already cost Mecklenburg County $285 million and 1,300 jobs. And that's just ONE county.

• After more than 50 women have accused comedian Bill Cosby of inappropriate sexual behavior, he's now been ordered to stand trial for one of those alleged sexual assaults.

• The San Diego Gay Men's Chorus not only accepts the apology of the DJ who "pushed the button" that caused much turmoil at a recent San Diego Padres game, but they are asking that he get his job back.

• The International Olympic Committee will be shipping 450,000 condoms to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic games. That's three times what was provided at the London 2012 Olympic Village. #BowChickaBowWow

• Pop music royal Mariah Carey has inked a deal with the Hallmark Channel to develop, produce and star in three TV movies over the next two years.

• Ariana Grande's new music video for "Into You" pairs her with America's Next Top Model hottie Don Benjamin. The attractive couple wear some sexy denim and skin in the pop-colored vid.

Ariana Grande's Killer Musical Impressions - Whitney, Britney & Celine - On SNL

Somehow I have completely missed the fact that Ariana Grande does spot-on impressions of other superstar pop singers. And she does them really, really well.

As the host of SNL this weekend, Grande headed up a skit where, as the intern of "Tidal Music Streaming" she has to step in when a power outage takes down the Britney Spears, Rihanna, Shakira, Celine and Whitney channels.

On top of the excellent impressions, Grande reminds what great pipes she has.

Ariana Grande Set To Headline NYC Pride "Dance On The Pier"

Ariana Grande will headline NYC Pride's 29th annual Dance on the Pier, organizers announced today, joining a host of famous female alumni that have taken the main-stage at NYC Pride.

We're excited to announce today that Ariana Grande will be belting out some of her most notable hits at NYC Pride's largest fundraiser, Dance on the Pier.

The artist that brought us "Love Me Harder," "Bang Bang," "Problem," and "Break Free" will be closing out the largest Pride celebration in the country. She will join a long list of historic acts that have graced the Dance on the Pier's stage, including: the late Whitney Houston, Cher, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Hudson, Demi Lovato and more!

The Dance on the Pier continues to be NYC Pride's largest fundraiser and benefits numerous LGBT nonprofits within the New York metro area.

All-Star "We Are The Champions" - Jimmy Fallon, Carrie Underwood, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Usher, One Direction, more

In honor of the Super Bowl, Jimmy and the Roots join Carrie Underwood, Sam Smith, Ariana Grande, Blake Shelton, Usher, Meghan Trainor, One Direction, and Christina Aguilera for an a cappella version of "We Are The Champions."

(h/t JMG)

Olivia Newton-John, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato To Guest Judge On RuPaul's Drag Race

RuPaul has shared a list of celebrity guest judges for the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race have been announced, and what a line-up it is.

Olivia Newton-John, Jessica Alba, Mel B, Demi Lovato, John Waters, Kathy Griffin, Jordin Sparks, Michael Urie and Rebecca Romijn are all slated to appear in the new season beginning March 3rd on Logo Network.

In addition to the guest star power, Ru brings in new judges - Queer Eye fashion expert Carson Kressley and Ross Matthews.

Executive Producer RuPaul had this to say about the new judges: "Yes, Virginia, there is a gay Santa Claus! I asked for a new, wickedly funny, smart and experienced judge…and I got two! Ross and Carson are the perfect addition to the ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ family because they're not just show biz experts, they’re superfans and longtime lovers of the art of drag."

Tweet of the Day: Bette Midler

Yes, it's my birthday! And my birthday wish is that @ArianaGrande forgives me soon and let's me direct her next video...

— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) December 1, 2014

Music: Pentatonix "Problem" (Ariana Grande Cover)

Well, it's become an Ariana Grande kind of a day.

Earlier, I posted Ariana's newest music video "Break Free" plus her epic roar on Instagram over someone going after her "Big Brother" contestant brother, Frankie.

Just to round it all out, I figure we end the day with one of my favorite a cappella groups, Pentatonix, and their latest - a cover of Ariana's "Problem."

Find more from the fab Pentatonix on iTunes.

Ariana Grande roars to the defense of her brother Frankie

Ariana Grande recently came roaring to the defense of her brother, Frankie, on a Instagram post.

The pop star saw that someone referred to her brother (currently a contestant on CBS' BIG BROTHER) as "that homo."

Grande responded thusly:

“That ‘homo’ is the fiercest, most incredible, funniest, most intelligent, kind hearted and most LOVED person on the face of the planet! he also cleaned up his game and told the truth to everybody in the house WHICH by the way, nobody else on the show has done. so i don’t give a flying fuck if or when he comes home!!! he is incredible and i am SO proud!!!! oh and also ‘that homo’ gets more ass than you’ll ever get in your life. k miss thing?”

I posted Ariana's newest video "Break Free" earlier today.