Bernardo Sim is the deputy editor of Out. He's also a staff contributor to The Advocate, PRIDE, and other equalpride publications. Born in Brazil, he currently lives in South Florida.
We’re loving this competitive All-Stars edition of ‘Love Island’!
After 10 seasons in the UK, five seasons in the US, and a few spinoffs around the world, the Love Island franchise has finally launched an All-Stars edition with the brand-new series Love Island Games on the Peacock streaming service.
Viewers have been incredibly excited about the concept behind this new show, which is poised to focus more on competitions and gaming than solely on love. Meanwhile, the cast of Love Island Games also got everyone instantly excited about the return of fan-favorites like Courtney Boerner, Justine Ndiba, Cely Vazquez, Liberty Poole, Imani Wheeler, and Kyra Green, to name a few.
While a lot of girls, gays, and theys watch Love Island for the fierce female contestants who go on the show looking for love, we can’t deny that there are also plenty of studs in the villa!
Scroll through to meet the hot guys competing on Love Island Games, which is now streaming six nights a week on Peacock.
With all the anti-gay and anti-Pride rhetoric happening, at least Cartoon Network (CN) isn't backing down from their allyship.
We may be seeing pullbacks from major corporations like Target, but CN posted a carousel of images of fan-inspired artwork from their queer characters that showed their support of LGBTQ+ identities.
Captioned “You are an EXPERIENCE!” with a Pride flag, they went on to say, “Pride is a reminder to live bravely in your authenticity - use your voice, stand up for others, and spread love.” They closed it with a heart in each color of the flag.
This, of course, sent some people into a tailspin in the comments section, but the animated network didn’t hold back from scolding people for their homophobic and pearl clutching responses.
Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial
Most of the negative comments revolve around how people feel like their “childhood is gone” and complaining about how CN has turned woke.
In return, CN has responded with various reactions that revolve around how it doesn’t seem like any of these people have grown up.
Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial
After a wave of hatred, CN commented that “some of yall need to rewatch some episodes and it shows,” which further upset the haters but elevated its support from non-bigots, as well.
Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial
They further trolled people by saying, “Watching comments be mad about characters from a show that aired 15 years ago” after people initially blew up about the post.
Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial
It wasn’t only the hatred they responded to, either. Some users have called out the homophobia and hate crimes that have seen an uptick this year. One user said they were happy that “at least CN is here for us,” to which they responded, “always.”
Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial
The network’s willingness to stand up for what they believe in—and the backbone they have not to back down when confronted—has left users calling for a “raise and extra vacation days” for the people who run the account.
Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial
Their responses, for their part, have also largely turned around the conversation in lieu of more support than anger. One user commented that they “came here to fight with someone” but found a “surprising lack of negative comments now,” which also helps move the conversation forward in a more positive light.
Instagram.com/cartoonnetworkofficial
All in all, it’s nice to know that some companies still stand with us in the face of the unknown. It’s even better that they’re not willing to bend the knee and stray from who they are and what they believe.
Here’s to hoping more companies have a spine like this, and that the conversation becomes more positive and inclusive as it has in this comment section.
Sapphics, are you paying attention? You are going to want to know this: A new independent streaming series starring Lili Reinhart and Cooper Raiff is headed our way!
On Monday, Deadline broke the news that streaming service MUBI acquired the rights to Hal & Harper, an eight-episode show centered around the titular codependent siblings, played by Reinhart and Raiff. Raiff also created, wrote, and directed the show.
The series premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, earning rave reviews from viewers who appreciated both the heart and the comedy at the core of the show. Notably, both Reinhart and Raiff also play the much younger versions of themselves in childhood flashbacks, adding a Pen15-like quality to those sequences.
If that wasn't enough to have us looking forward to Hal & Harper, it's also got a stacked cast that includes some queer faves. Mark Ruffalo plays their father, Betty Gilpin plays his girlfriend, and Bottoms' Havana Rose Liu plays the girl Hal is interested in.
Oh, and did we mention Harper has a girlfriend? The Sex Lives of College Girls star Alyah Chanelle Scott tackles that role, while Addison Timlin plays the coworker Harper is crushing on.
MUBI has had a hand in distributing several well-received queer films in recent years, including Shiva Baby, Knife + Heart, and Benedetta. Hal & Harper is one of a few series they have coming up, with the acquisition being praised by those hoping independent TV is a viable way forward.
"MUBI is the perfect home for our very specific family show. They’re a singular platform that understands the art they’re putting out," Raiff toldDeadline. "I am in awe of what they’ve done recently, and am excited to be a part of the family."
And if you're still on the fence about the whole thing, we'll just leave this here:
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Hal & Harper will premiere on MUBI sometime this fall.
From left: Love Island contestants Sherif Lanre, Yulissa Escobar, and Ollie Williams
ITV; Peacock
Love Island USA is back on our TV screens with 10 new sexy singles competing to find “love” and win $100,000, but it’s already off to a rocky start as one sexy single was kicked off for a controversial reason.
The series is known for being messy, but we’re only two episodes into the seventh season of the popular reality series, hosted once again by bisexual queen Ariana Madix, and contestant Yulissa Escobar has already been unceremoniously removed from the villa in Fiji.
In episode 2, after participating in a kissing challenge and getting ready for bed, Escobar was missing the next morning, with the narrator Iain Stirling announcing that, “Yulissa has left the villa” without any explanation.
Yulissa Escobar
ITV
Although Peacock didn’t provide a reason for her exit when Decider reached out for comment, shortly before her departure, TMZ resurfaced a clip of Escobar using the N-word multiple times during a past podcast appearance where she was talking about her dating life.
But not only was she caught using racial slurs, but Love Island fans have been critical of Escobar for other videos and social media posts that show she’s a Trump supporter.
“I lost about 600 followers just because I’m a Trump supporter. Everybody’s entitled to their own fucking opinion,” Escobar said in a video she posted to X (formerly Twitter).
Escobar’s exit may be shocking, but she is far from the only sexy single to get the boot because of controversial behavior.
Ollie Williams (Season 6)
Ollie Williams
ITV
Ollie Williams was on the sixth sixth season of the UK’s Love Island but chose to leave the villa after just three days, admitting that he was missing his ex. But before his abrupt exit, photos of Williams posing with hunted animals surfaced online and fans had already started demand he be banned from coming on the show at. Viewers claimed his exit was staged because he left before even taking the time to out on a shirt or shoes.
He also landed in hot water after he introduced himself on the show that he is the heir to an estate in Cornwall, Lanhydrock and would one day “take on the titles and the estate” that belong to his father, but it later came out that all of that may be a fiction, the BBC reported.
Malia Arkian (Season 2)
Malia Arkian
ITV
Love Island star Malia Arkian broke a record for fasted exit in the show’s history after leaving 20 minutes into the first episode of season 2. Arkian got into a fight with fellow Love Islander Kady over Scott, who they both were into.
Malia claimed Kady poured a drink down her leg and then the two women got into a huge argument which ended with Arkian shouting, “Shut up you b*tch,” before allegedly shoving Kady.
“Security removed me after an altercation with Kady,” Arkian told Closer. "I met with the producers, where we watched the footage back and there was a report conducted. I then went to a hotel with my chaperone, where I stayed for 24 hours, with no contact with anyone.”
Sherif Lanre (Season 5)
Sherif Lanre
ITV
When Sherif Lanre was kicked off of Love Island season 5, wild rumors spread that he had been asked to leave for breaking rules, with fans guessing that his behavior had been inappropriate or that he got into a fight with a fellow contestant. But the truth is that he was asked to leave after he accidentally kicked a fellow contestant Molly-Mae Hague while the two were playfighting and then jokingly called the move a “c***-punt."
Lanre told the press that he was woken up the next morning and was told he’d be leaving the show. “I know I have been stupid and let myself down, but I was not being malicious,” he told The Sun. “This has been blown out of all proportion and I have been made to look like a terrible person when I am not.”
Is a reality TV show even good if there isn't some controversy?
Paris Hilton needs no introduction as the entrepreneur, reality star, DJ, and literal mother continues to slay as her empire grows by the year.
Despite her very packed schedule, the sliving superstar always makes time to entertain and give back to the LGBTQ+ community.
After performing an electric set at the OUTLOUD Festival to kick off Pride Month, Hilton is now gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime set at the WorldPride Music Festival in Washington, D.C.
"This means so much to me! It's such an honor to be in D.C. for WorldPride with people celebrating from all around the world. I think it's so important for everyone to live their truth and celebrate love. The energy is another level," Hilton tells PRIDE.
Hilton is not only serving looks and bringing pop star realness to Pride festivals this June.
The performer is also teaming up with Rainbow Railroad to help LGBTQ+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
Hilton and her nonprofit, 11:11 Media Impact, are donating $11 for every video created on TikTok and Instagram using her Infinite Icon remixes (up to $111,111) during Pride Month.
"It really is a dream come true! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world every day. I've done so many iconic things in my life, but the thing I am most proud of is passing my bill in federal legislation to protect children from abuse. That is what I hope I'm remembered for... for using my voice to help others and to change and save people's lives."
Although many people in the queer community may be a bit fearful to show their Pride this year, Hilton encourages everyone to stay strong despite adversity.
"I love you all! I'm so proud to stand with you and to celebrate you this whole Pride Month and every month of the year. You should be there to celebrate with people who love you. I can't wait to be there with you all."
It's safe to say Hilton may be more booked and busy than ever. However, the star is still manifesting a guest judge appearance on a future season of RuPaul's Drag Race.
"My team has been in contact with them! We're just trying to figure out a date that works. I love the show, I love the queens. I can't wait to do it!"
Fans can keep up with Paris Hilton by following her on Instagram here. To see the full interview, check out the video at the top of the page.
Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger discuss The White Lotus and nude roles
Youtube.com/@variety
The most recent season of Mike White’s The White Lotus gave us everything from Jason Isaac’s penis to an incest storyline involving Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon Ratliff and his on-screen brother, Lochlan, played by Sam Nivola.
In a recent interview with Variety, Patrick’s dad, the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger, had some thoughts on his son’s nudity that is raising eyebrows across the internet, to say the least.
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Others defended the former California Governor by saying he was "just being a dad" in "hilarious and awkward" ways.
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In the 25-second viral clip, Arnold said, “I’m watching your show, and I’m watching your butt sticking out there.”
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As Patrick laughed, Arnold continued, “And all of a sudden, I see the weenie, and I said to myself, ‘What is going on here? I mean, this is crazy!’”
Referring to his own career, Arnold hit his head and added, “Then I said to myself, ‘Well, Arnold, hello! You did the same thing in Conan and in Terminator and all of those films. You were naked, so don’t complain about it.’”
Still, he admitted it came as a “shock” to him that his son followed his footsteps “that closely.”
Although the interview sparked an online debate, it isn’t the first time Arnold addressed his son’s on-screen nudity.
In February, he posted on Instagram, stating, “What a show! I could claim to be surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but what can I say - the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Patrick responded to Arnold’s post with a simple tweet saying, “Parents” with two face-smack emojis.
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Outside of the nudity, Arnold said later in the interview that Patrick’s acting “surprised that hell” out of him, saying, “Not that I didn’t know that you’re good…But it was just unbelievable, the kind of stuff that you did in the show.”
Check out the full interview below:
Stream the first three seasons of The White Lotus on HBO Max, and keep scrolling for some other fan reactions to the viral clip.
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"this whole family is weird tbh"
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"yall act as if he wasn’t changing his son’s diapers"
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"Bro said wut?"
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"That’s one way to bond over TV time."
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"I haven't seen da weenie since you were a liddle toddlah!"
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"The accent just makes everything better"
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"Honestly, the funniest part of the whole segment. The rest of it lacked spontaneity, which is WHY they have actors talk to other actors they don't know well or haven't worked with extensively."
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"Awww he must have been such a fund dad to grow up with"
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Ok why do ppl think it’s weird for them to joke like this?
