Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2021 i Attitude Magazine

Jordan Rossi, Photographer I polled my friends and I got awards for: ‘Sassiest Comebacks’, ‘Most Resilient’, ‘Hardest Working’ and ‘Most Likely to Have a Camera in Hand’. I also received ‘Lion Tamer’ and ‘Unicorn’ awards for my ability to sense danger on set and to be calm in an ocean of insanity — not a bad combo. Magnus Hastings, Photographer My friends would nominate me for ‘The Most Extra’, because although I try to be low maintenance, it does not come easily. I am a neurotic nightmare… Silver lining, though, they would also nominate me for ‘Most Hilarious’. Darren Styles OBE Attitude managing director When I was awarded an OBE in 2018, my mum said “What the fuck for?” She’s not nominating me for anything. The bf would have said ‘Best…

Photography Dean Ryan McDaid Fashion director Joseph Kocharian Ben wears suit and tank top, by Dsquared2, necklace, Ben’s own Photography Olivia Richardson Fashion director Joseph Kocharian Styling Frank Strachan Lisa wears dress, by House of CB; Faye wears dress, by Love & Other Things; Claire wears dress, by House of CB; H wears trousers, by ASOS, shirt, stylist’s own; Lee wears shirt, by Nanushka at MATCHESFASHION, jeans, by ASOS Photography Taylor Miller Fashion director Joseph Kocharian Stylists Ty Hunter and Colin Anderson Billy wears outfit, by Victoria Hayes, hat, by Gigi Burris, earring, by Erickson Beamon, rings, by Jill Herlands Photography Jordan Rossi Fashion director Joseph Kocharian Bimini wears dress, by Moschino, gloves, by Anastasia Bull Photography Magnus Hastings Fashion director Joseph Kocharian Styling Aquiles at The Only Agency Todrick…

I’m talking about toilets a lot at the moment — sex in toilets or cottaging, to be specific. I haven’t had that much sex in toilets myself — I was more of a cruiser than a cottager. These days, we have Grindr for immediacy, but with all the associated toxicity, too. While men groan about online hookups, seasoned cottagers love to speak about their sexual adventures and they do so with a certain amount of joy and a glint in their eyes. Way before the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967, public conveniences were one of the few places where men could meet other men for sex. Back then, you could get arrested for looking at a man the wrong way, beaten up, bribed or thrown out of your home.…

Billy Porter is on top of the world. Or, at least, on top of New York City. On a late summer’s afternoon, the fearless actor, musician, and advocate is lounging at the poolside bar on the roof of a swish members’ club in the Meatpacking district, sipping on a spicy margarita and kicking his shoes off. “Excuse me, I like to have my feet out!” he hoots, as his chunky designer trainers go flying. The Manhattan neighbourhood we’re in was an LGBTQ+ hub in the ’70s, with back-alley bars like Mineshaft that catered to every shade of kink. But although the designer shops and boutique hotels that line the streets today attract quite a different crowd from the leather daddies and sex workers of previous decades, Porter’s fierce energy is…

There aren’t many TV shows whose success you can measure in terms of the real-life impact they’ve had. But It’s a Sin is definitely one of them. Russell T Davies’ drama, which tells the story of a group of friends through the joy and heartbreak of the ’80s and the Aids crisis, has potentially saved lives. Coinciding with February’s National HIV Testing Week, the show, which has become the most viewed on Channel 4’s All 4 service, inspired a huge interest in testing, with more than 17,000 tests ordered during the week – double the amount for the previous year, according to the HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust. The Trust also saw a 30 per cent increase in calls following the show’s debut as well as a flood of traffic…

First breaking out as a semi-finalist on the ninth season of American Idol back in 2010, Todrick soon transformed what for most would have been a 15-minute window of fame into a career that has traversed theatre, music and television. Although celebrated for roles in Chicago and Kinky Boots, Todrick often directs, choreographs and writes all his original material. The visual album Straight Outta Oz reimagined the famous L. Frank Baum tale with a sassier edge, while the video to smash-hit single Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels is the definition of a gay house-party anthem and ratchets any night out up a notch. Proving Todrick is an auteur for the YouTube generation, his live shows attract truly diverse crowds of gays, straights, mums and dads with their offspring, as well as…

There was a slight misunderstanding, for one member of Steps anyway, when the band were informed that they’d be receiving the Icon honour at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards 2021, powered by Jaguar. “Do you know the story?” Lisa Scott-Lee asks, with a giggle. “I genuinely thought we were presenting it. So, when it hit home that we were actually the winners, I was over the moon!” Lisa is and will forever be the moment. Bursting onto the scene in 1997 with their camp-as-tits anthem 5, 6, 7, 8, Lisa, now 45, Claire Richards, 44, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, 45, Faye Tozer, 45, and Lee Latchford-Evans, 46, brightened up our lives with primarycoloured outfits, sugar-coated songs and exquisitely accessible, Two Brewers-friendly armography. Sourpuss critics may have dismissed Steps as naff, but…

He’s a hit and he probably knows it! Max Harwood’s cinematic debut as the charismatic and daring Jamie New in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has firmly launched the young actor’s career. It’s no wonder he’s the winner of this year’s Attitude Breakthrough Award. “If any role was going to break me through, it was going to be one where I showcased lots of things that I can do. It’s an important story as well, so I’m glad it’s been received the way it has,” he tells Attitude. The 24-year-old scored the title role in the Jonathan Butterell film after flouting his drama school’s rules and auditioning when he should have been in class. However, much like his character, Max’s rebellious streak got him exactly where he wanted to be. And…

Order books online at gaystheword.co.uk BOOK OF THE MONTH Bimini’s bible The Drag Race UK favourite releases an uplifting, kindhearted handbook for all of the queer community RELEASE THE BEAST — A DRAG QUEEN’S GUIDE TO LIFE Bimini Bon Boulash/Penguin Viking The brilliant anti-self-help book from the death-dropping, non-binary, vegan, trendsetting star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season 2, Release the Beast is a self-love manifesto based on ten life lessons Bimini (interviewed on page 74) has learned from drag. In this celebration of non-conformity and self-compassion, they share insights from their struggles with gender and identity, while encouraging people to have a sense of humour about themselves, cherish their individuality and develop a positive mental attitude. It’s a candid and nourishing read, full of wisdom, humour and love. Sharing…

Little Mix goes solo Jade Thirwall popped into my radio show to present Little Mix’s new song Love (Sweet Love) while serving cute, sleeveless jumper chic. It’s a look she describes as “librarian realness”. This was Jade’s first solo interview while Leigh-Anne and Perrie are busy being baby mamas, but the queen of the allies slayed every second, praising the girls’ journey to motherhood. “We worked so hard in our last few weeks together and shot two music videos in two weeks! I quite liked them being pregnant because I also got to sit down and have a rest.” The band’s long-time collaborator and producer MNEK got some love, too. “He just gets the assignment,” said Jade. And if Jade were ever to enter RuPaul’s Drag Race UK as a…

For a second year running, Tom Allen proved he is the host with the most at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards 2021, powered by Jaguar. Best known for serving his whip-smart wit on GBBO spin-offs An Extra Slice and The Professionals, the comedian recently published his autobiography, No Shame, A Queer Life in Suburbia. Singling out Victoria Wood as his comedy inspiration, Tom, 38, from Bromley, says: “The way she was able to be vulnerable and quirky and true to herself — it’s hard to do that in a world which demands that we never let ourselves be vulnerable.” Here are a few of Tom’s favourite things… No Shame, A Queer Life in Suburbia (published by Hodder Studio) is out now …place to write comedy? On stage when I’m previewing…

THEY’RE BACK After Miss Rona enforced a ‘sabbatical’ last year, the queens will be out in fierce for Halloween ’21 MAKING HERSTORY RuPaul is the most Emmy-awarded Black performer ever — gaymen to that! SWISS BLISS Switzerland votes in favour of samesex marriage and adoption… no neutral ground here! DOCTOR WOO-HOO! Russell T Davies rejoins Doctor Who — will Olly Alexander whip out his sonic screwdriver? GOBBLE GOBBLE The world goes fullon batshit as we contemplate a turkey-less Christmas. Vegans will be happy, though BIG BETTY SWOLLOCKS Our sympathies are with Nicki Minaj’s cousin’s friend and his massive swollen balls PUMPED OUT Anyone else found themselves listening to Britney’s Gasoline during the gas shortage? Just us? NO THANKS, NADINE DORRIES BoJo’s new culture vulture secretary is a woman who has…

HOT STUFF TOWELS Dry off with a set of tongue-incheek towels, designed to rub you in all the right ways, from gay lifestyle brand Hot Stuff. Emblazoned with playful slogans like ‘top/btm’, ‘stud’ and ‘Daddy’s towel’, the towels are sure to raise a smile (or welcome a wink) whether you’re poolside or on the beach. In the words of Donna Summer, we’re more than ready for some Hot Stuff… uk.hotstuff.trade IRIS PRIZE FESTIVAL Boasting the biggest short film festival prize in the world, the annual Iris Prize celebrates the leading lights in LGBTQ+ filmmaking. If you haven’t been able to make it to Cardiff to catch a screening this year, worry not, as even after the festival ends on 10 October, all screenings, talks and events will be available online…

What were your rejected drag names? Cinnamon. Describe yourself in three emojis. Describe your drag style in five words. Washed-up film noir actress. What is your biggest inspiration? Classic black-and-white movies. Best pick-up line someone has said to you? “Do you take contactless?” Worst thing someone could say to you in bed? “Can I borrow your toothbrush?” Biggest turn-on? Great perfume. And turn-off? People talking with food in their mouths. What is your safe word? BALENCIAGA. What keeps you awake at night? Impending doom. If you could be any inanimate object in the world, what would you be? The crown jewels. I’d be priceless, super-sparkly and kept locked away from grubby hands. What would a film of your life be called, and who would star as you? It Seemed Like…

3 ISSUES FOR £3 THEN ONLY £3 AN ISSUE Saving more than 45% CALL NOW CALL 01778 392005 AND QUOTE ATT341 OR VISIT MYMAGAZINESUB.CO.UK/ATTITUDE/PROMO/BESTEVER PRINT Subscribe to Attitude — Europe’s biggest and best-selling gay lifestyle magazine – by direct debit on trial today and get the next three issues delivered to your door for just £3! That’s just £1 an issue instead of the regular cover price of £5.50, so saving yourself a tidy £13.50. Better still, when the trial period comes to an end, extend your subscription automatically every six months for just £3 an issue – saving £15 each time: a discount of more than 45 per cent! Every issue is delivered to your door, in a discreet envelope, on the day it appears in shops. 13 issues…

The country held its breath as Tom Daley and his diving partner Matty Lee’s Chinese rivals took to the springboard for their last dive in the men’s tenmetre synchronised event at the Tokyo Olympics. Was this going to be the moment — seemingly a lifetime in the making — that the 27-year-old Daley would finally clinch Olympic gold? As it turned out, yes. Thirteen years after his debut in Beijing, and in his fourth Olympic Games, Tom Daley won his long-awaited gold medal, becoming the first Team GB diver to win four Olympic medals. Ever since he stepped onto the Olympic stage at 14, Daley has been a sporting hero. As such, he is truly deserving of this year’s Attitude Sport Award. The significance of striking gold was not lost…

Does Elaine Paige need any introduction? She’s the undisputed queen of the West End musical, a feted visitor to Broadway, possessor of a truly awesome singing voice, not to mention the naughtiest of giggles, and a deliciously down-to-earth superstar whose Sunday lunchtime show on BBC Radio 2 has been delighting musical theatre lovers for the past 17 years. Having made her professional debut in The Roar of the Greasepaint — The Smell of the Crowd in 1964, she’s since been in everything from Hair to Follies via Grease, Cats, Anything Goes, Sunset Boulevard and Chess. She sang Memory before Streisand, was Evita way before Madonna and faced off against Barbara Dickson on I Know Him So Well — surely the greatest duet of all time. She’s also released more than…

“I’d like to address the divide within our community. It is hard for people to relate to each other” It may be fitting that the Attitude Hero Award-winner Chella Man, a trans artist and model who uses he/him pronouns, made his acting debut as Jericho on DC superhero series Titans in 2019. But this fierce 22-year-old, born in Pennsylvania, has been a heroic figure to the LGBTQ+ community around the world for far longer than that. This multi-talent has always used his platforms (on Instagram, he has 479k followers and counting) to encourage kindness and compassion… not to mention love, respect, and inclusivity for those who identify between traditional — and often heteronormative — binaries. Earlier this year, the genderqueer social media star published his truths in his first book,…

“I’ve never not been honest about it [my sexuality], it’s just there had never been a need to talk about it” If variety is the spice of life, then Jonathan Bailey has stockpiles of the stuff. Whether he’s making a song and dance on stage, or sending swoon levels soaring on screen, this year’s Culture Award honouree likes to mix it up, cementing his status as one of the country’s most eclectic, versatile and – oh, yes – dashing acting talents. There should also probably be a separate awards category in recognition of Jonny’s ability to rock a pair of breeches. More on these in a moment. The British actor, from Oxfordshire, cut his teeth in a string of acclaimed TV series, notably W1A, Crashing (written by and starring Phoebe…

Jaguar are going high voltage. While the UK government has J announced it will ban the sale of petrol cars by 2030, the premium car manufacturer is charging ahead and aims to have a fleet of fully electric vehicles on sale from 2025. The company have moved with the times in other ways, too, including going the extra mile to recognise and celebrate their LGBTQ+ employees, who include Markus Carlson, the company’s national communications manager. Here, Carlson, who left Sweden to join the wellknown brand nearly a decade ago, explains how Jaguar has gone beyond simply rainbow-washing for Pride month, as well as revealing his favourite campaigns and the shocking difference between Sweden and the UK when it comes to office politics. How long have you been working for Jaguar?…

We have missed theatre bad — or in this case, ahem, Bard. Putting a pop-tastic spin on the most famous love story of all time (no, not Posh and Becks, huns), & Juliet revisits and, indeed, remixes William Shakespeare’s classic tale of doomed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. The action starts up in fair Verona with young Juliet (played by Miriam-Teak Lee) picking up the pieces of her broken heart and embarking on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment with her best pals in tow — all to the sound of the biggest bops from legendary songwriter Max Martin, from Britney’s …Baby One More Time to Bon Jovi’s It’s My Life. Beats the lyre, eh? In September, the Olivier award-winning musical, directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights), made a triumphant…

Hilarious, salacious, and heartrending, The Lick of Love is the new autobiography by comic and author Julian Clary. Beginning with Fanny the Wonder Dog, a rescue that rescued him right back and helped propel him up the ranks of the alternative comedy circuit, Clary uses the prism of his relationships with dogs to reveal his life story. From brief encounters in nightclubs, working as a signing Tarzano-gram, finding TV success, the death of his partner, that Norman Lamont joke and a bizarre episode involving the Bulgarian mafia, to his move to the country and finally settling down, Julian’s unique voice radiates off the page. Laugh-out-loud funny. 14 Oct…

Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Ralph Ineson We couldn’t include this stunner in last month’s reviews because its release date was confirmed so late, but if you haven’t seen it yet, make haste: director David Lowery’s interpretation of a 14thcentury Arthurian epic poem is a thing of strange, soaring beauty, following Dev Patel’s quixotic young warrior on a courageous quest. It’s lyrical and thrillingly queer. Although it’s available to stream on Amazon Prime, you’ll want the cinema for this one. Out now…

Just like that, we’re back in the room. Both mentally and physically, and boy, can we feel it. Since lockdown restrictions eased, most of us have thrown ourselves headlong into the mix of living openly again: heading to Prides, going to bars, late nights in clubs, and gorging on pizza during the inevitable hangover. I don’t know about you, but my waistline and bank balance are both testament to these facts. Here at Attitude, when the lights came back on and it became apparent that we would also be turning the lights on for a real-life, in-the-flesh, fancy-frocks bash for the tenth annual Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, we jumped for joy. Fast-forward eight weeks, and as the event ticks closer and our stress levels rise, we’d almost…

HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL harder than a power bottom hitting a bottle of poppers at a chillout. Even better to have a press-friendly anecdote for the red carpet at the ready. Remember, “There can be a hundred people in the room”… BRING THE REALNESS. Hollywood laps it up when actors portray people who actually lived and breathed, from dead presidents to mop creators. The petition for a Kim Woodburn biopic begins here, luvvie! SUFFER FOR YOUR ART. Pain equals gain in this race, whether you’re shedding lots of weight, filming in sub-zero temperatures or being manhandled by a bear. Saying that, we do have a soft spot for bears. NEVER PLAY A CAT. After watching a certain cat-astrophic musical – me-ouch! – we were this close to calling the RSPCA. Only exception…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH Pioneer Dj Which track are you loving right now? I currently have a forthcoming single of mine on repeat. It’s called Storytime and it’s coming out soon. As some of you may know, there is a stupidly long wait for vinyl pressing at the moment because of Covid and Brexit bullshit, so you might have to wait a little while to hear it. Which song introduced you to dance music? I was obsessed with pirate radio when I was a young teenager. Before I got my first set of decks, I would make compilation tapes with my best friend, Mel. We would spend whole nights by the radio with blank cassettes lined up, poised to press the ‘record’ button when we heard a tune that we liked…

Dear Attitude readers, I am delighted that Virgin Atlantic is once again attending the Attitude Awards as the headline sponsor. The night is sure to be one to remember after our two-year hiatus from the Roundhouse! It’s incredible to finally be able to come together after all we’ve been through over the past 20 months. At Virgin Atlantic, we’ve experienced some of the most difficult times in our history and our friends at Attitude magazine have played a significant role in supporting us and the travel and aviation industry, which we will never forget. This year, we’ve continued to face the impact the pandemic has had on travel, with ever-changing restrictions, but 2021 has also brought opportunities. We have launched new routes to Pakistan connecting friends and relatives who have been…

Until last year, Ben Aldridge was a romantic lead who’d stolen the hearts of viewers across the UK and beyond with roles in Our Girl and the global phenomenon that is Fleabag. He was also playing Batman’s father Thomas Wayne in the hit show Pennyworth. The future looked bright. But something wasn’t sitting right with him… On World Pride Day last June, he came out publicly. “I did an Instagram post that I’d spent the morning thinking about. It had been circulating in my brain for a very long time that I wanted to address it. It was a very simple way to just express who I am.” It hadn’t been an easy path to reach this place. His burgeoning success made it a particularly dangerous move for him careerwise,…

Confession: I resisted watching Sex Education for a couple of years. Ignoring the audible buzz, the recommendations from telly-savvy friends, and yes, even the presence of acting deity Gillian Anderson, I told myself that I was simply too old to watch a show about a bunch of kids navigating the troubles and travails of being a teenager. Been there, done that, got the acne scars to prove it. But I was wrong – forget the receding hairline and unfulfilled hopes and dreams, aren’t we all still teens inside? Creator Laurie Nunn, 35, thinks so. “I feel like I’m 16. It just never really goes away, that awkward, cringe ‘I don’t know what I’m doing’ feeling. You continue to carry that into your life as an adult. I think that’s why…

I am confronted with an array of nuts: big ones, small ones, wrinkly ones, funny-shaped ones. Oh boy. Ordinarily, I would not be fazed by such a selection, far from it. But stood in front of a shelf bulging with bags of the stuff in a Holland & Barrett in Kentish Town, I feel a bit overwhelmed. For the life of me I can’t remember what type of nut Bimini Bon Boulash said they wanted to nibble on. I plump for almond and cashew – or rather, ca-phew. Turns out I made the right choice. Things have been more than a little nutty for Bimini since they bing, bang, bonged their way to the finale of series two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, coming this close to snatching the crown…

Adele Roberts looks the business in a lilac two-piece suit, and when the photographer swings the monitor around so she can have a peek at the pictures taken so far, the radio presenter and DJ’s eyes suddenly swim with happy tears. “I can’t believe that’s me,” Adele beams, turning towards her fiancée, actress Kate Holderness. This is Adele’s first bells-and-whistles magazine photoshoot, and she is excited but also understandably nervous, and beforehand asks if she can bring along her other half for moral support. Rifling through a rail of colourful (and expensive) designer garments, Adele notes that she normally shops at Primark and really only ever wears black. “People like me don’t normally get experiences like this… northern, from a council estate, gay, you know,” she explains, when we gather,…

IT WAS MY 22ND BIRTHDAY AND I WAS ON A TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO… WE WENT TO A SHOW CALLED — YOU’LL HAVE TO BLEEP THIS — T*****SHACK AT THE STUD, AND IT WAS DURAN DURAN NIGHT, AND THESE SAN FRAN QUEENS WERE SO WILD, BEARDED, CRAZY AND SCARY… I REMEMBER THINKING, I WANT TO DO THIS. To take something that was in my imagination – or on paper – and put it on your body and walk out in the world, or on stage, is extremely empowering. I think it’s why so many people are into drag now, because you really can become the image of your imagination. The first person I came out to was Elena, my best friend in high school. She knew what was up and…

A profound, artful, and deeply personal work of auto-fiction from the master of disquiet, Dennis Cooper. In his first novel in ten years, he writes about love, loss, addiction, suicide, and how fiction can both capture these things and fail to capture them. Candid and powerful, I Wished includes appearances by Santa Claus, land artist James Turrell, sentient prairie dogs, John Wayne Gacy and Nick Drake. But at its heart is George Miles, the muse for Cooper’s acclaimed cult novels Closer, Frisk, Try, Guide, and Period — collectively known as the George Miles Cycle. In revisiting the inspiration for the Cycle, Dennis has written a masterwork: the most raw and haunted book of his career. Out now…

Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck You wait years for a meaty 14thcentury epic, and then, like the proverbial London buses, two come along at once. Ridley Scott’s film is by far the more conventional, but this story of two knights battling over the honour of an assaulted woman is rewarding, while smuggling some less expected Me Too-era gender politics into the mix. Let’s just agree to never speak of Matt Damon’s medieval mullet again. 15 October…

PUT A RING ON IT Tell a story with your sense of style by raiding the Pawnshop. Living up to its name, the brand is inspired by vintage jewellery, from ’70s signet rings to ’80s come-out-swinging hoop earrings; now all you need is a perm. Many of the pieces are eco-friendly, too, crafted from recycled sterling silver and other sustainable materials. If you’re in the market for something extra-special, there is also a carefully curated collection of locally sourced heirlooms – let the treasure hunt begin! pawnlondon.com THE GREAT FROG The Great Frog is known for its edgy jewellery. Established in 1972 in London’s Carnaby Street, the brand made accessories that appealed to the era’s emerging sub-cultures: heavy metal, rockers, punks and bikers — and their designs retain this alternative…

PARKER PACKS A PUNCH Model of the moment Parker Van Noord is the star of Jean Paul Gaultier’s oh-so-sexy campaign for their latest scent, Scandal Pour Homme. In it, the chiselled god, who has fast become fashion royalty, channels his inner boxer to become The King of the Ring. In keeping with the theme, Scandal comes in a crown-shaped bottle and packs a punch with mandarin and sage top notes as well as tonka bean and sensual vetiver to create a fresh fragrance that’s something of a knock-out. A bit like Parker himself… jeanpaulgaultier.com MÅNESKIN X GUCCI BEAUTY Let’s be honest, all anyone could talk about after this year’s Eurovision was the dreamy Damiano David from Måneskin. As well as leading Italy to victory, Måneskin’s genderblurring style and makeup caught…

THE NEXT BIG THING Through its Innovators programme, MATCHESFASHION champions the designers of tomorrow by giving them the support they need to make their way in the industry. This year, 14 up-and-coming creatives have been chosen to benefit from the scheme, with each selected for the unique DNA and compelling stories driving their creations. They include Nensi Dojaka, whose work focuses on embracing feminity and the importance of female empowerment; Maximilian Davis, who lists Black history and identity as his inspirations; and S.S Daley, who wants to challenge menswear stereotypes through his planet-conscious pieces. The Innovators’ AW21 collections are available to view online. matchesfashion.com…