News Round-Up: December 29, 2016

Gus Kenworthy (L) and Matt Wilkas (R)

Some news items you may have missed:

• OUT Magazine talks to sexy free-style Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy and his hottie actor bf Matt Wilkas about the genesis of their relationship in a new feature called "The Love Portfolio."

• Logo TV Network will salute Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds with a “Will & Grace” marathon, plus her appearances on “Golden Girls" and “Drag Race."

• Dating app Scruff has banned the word “party” from user bios to avoid the word is being used as a code for drugs and chemsex. #GoodMoveScruff

• Donald Trump says "My Administration will follow two simple rules: BUY AMERICAN and HIRE AMERICAN!" But he just got approval to hire 64 foreign workers saying, "It's very, very hard to get people."

• Controversial homocon/provocateur/white nationalist Milo Yiannopoulos inks $250K book deal.

• Politico reports that the incoming Trump administration is frantically trying to place a Hispanic official in a high level position due to criticism that his cabinet is practically all white guys.

• Check out the newly released extended trailer for the upcoming Lifetime Channel's remake of the 1988 Bette Midler classic film, Beaches, starring Idina Menzel as "C.C." (originally played by Bette Midler) and Nia Long (The Best Man Holiday). The flick debuts January 21st.

Listen: Idina Menzel Covers "Wind Beneath My Wings" For BEACHES Remake

From the upcoming Lifetime remake of "Beaches," premiering January 21, 2017 at 8/7c.

Kudos for making the song her own. Definitely has that Idina feel to it.

Thoughts? Love it? Hate it?

The track is available now on iTunes.

One of my all-time favs. Get Wind Beneath My Wings when you pre-order the #BeachesMovie sdtrk. https://t.co/aaOcOpzOdK Hope you enjoy! xoxo pic.twitter.com/mOLTr8laMh

— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) December 16, 2016

Idina Menzel Sings "Wind Beneath My Wings" In First Look At BEACHES Remake

We get our first tease of Tony Award winner Idina Menzel singing the iconic "Wind Beneath My Wings" from the upcoming Lifetime Channel remake of the Bette Midler classic film, Beaches.

Here's the synopsis of the film:

Like the 1988 original, the remake follows C.C. (Menzel) and Hillary (Nia Long) over several decades, including the former’s stage success and the latter’s tragic illness. Despite coming from different backgrounds, C.C., a budding singer, and Hillary, the daughter of a civil rights lawyer, strike up a friendship that lasts a lifetime.

The TV movie debuts on Lifetime January 21 at 8PM ET/7PM C

Idina Menzel To Star In "Beaches" TV Reboot

Idina Menzel fans will be thrilled to hear the news that the Tony Award winner is set to star in a 2017 remake of the Bette Midler classic film, Beaches.

Menzel will offer her take on the role of "CC" created by Midler back in 1988. The original film was directed by recently deceased Garry Marshall, and costarred Barbara Hershey.

The role includes singing iconic pop anthems (something Menzel does quite well) "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "The Glory of Love." Menzel will also record additional songs for the TV movie.

More from Deadline:

Beaches follows the serendipitous meeting of two youngsters, CC and Hillary, on the Venice Boardwalk, who, though worlds apart in lifestyle, embark on unexpected and lifelong friendship. Menzel’s CC is an aspiring singer trying to make it in Los Angeles until she is discovered by a director who gives CC her first big shot. Hillary, played by Barbara Hershey in the original and yet to be cast in the remake, is the daughter of a prominent civil rights lawyer who struggles to find her own destiny. Their friendship—even with its ups and downs—sustains them for decades.

The movie was a box office success, grossing $57 million domestically, with “Wing Beneath My Wings” winning Record and Song of the Year Grammy Awards (and becoming a pop culture anthem.)

Here's a clip from the film:

My Favorite Thing Today: Shoshana Bean "Wind Beneath My Wings"

From the diva herself:

"I have had the pleasure of singing this song every night as Cee Cee Bloom in Beaches the musical all summer long at the Drury Lane. So as our run draws to a close I figured it would be an appropriate finale!"

Here's the official description of the Broadway bound musical currently doing a try-out run in Chicago at the Drury Lane Theater through August 16th.

"Beaches follows two extraordinary friends through 30 years of camaraderie, laughter and sorrow. Vivacious, outlandish Cee Cee and beautiful, privileged Bertie meet as children and become fast friends. From pen-pals to roommates to romantic rivals, Cee Cee and Bertie’s oil-and-water friendship perseveres through even the most tragic trials. With a touching vulnerability, Beaches exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the bonds of sisterhood."