Celebrity Interviews

"The Encore of Tony Duran" is a labor of love for Palm Springs filmmakers

PJ Maytag - BottomLine Magazine
January 12th, 2011

When the curtains draw back from the silver screen and the lights dim at Regal Palm Springs 9 on Friday, Jan. 14, at 4 p.m., Palm Springs locals are going to be packing the theater to witness the world premiere of a very special film.

"The Encore of Tony Duran" is a labor of love so to speak, a Palm Springs produced film that beat all odds to make it into this year’s prestigious fest. And you can bet Palm Springs residents, Co-Producer Terry Allen Fraser and Co-Producer and star of the film, Gene Pietragallo will be among the audience to watch the debut of their film.

VIDEO: "Leading Ladies" has lesbian love, Mama Rose, and a bit of Benji

Scott Brassart - BottomLine
January 10th, 2011

These days, dancing is all the rage. "Dancing with the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance?" are among television’s highest rated shows, bringing some of the world’s top performers into our living rooms. But where are the same-sex couples on these shows?

Anyone who thinks that all (or even the majority) of the dancers (not to mention the choreographers and judges) on these shows are straight is deluded. The dance world is notoriously gay, but for some reason the television community likes to pretend it’s not.

VIDEO: "Undertow" is an exploration of love and honesty

Scott Brassart - BottomLine
January 7th, 2011

Peru’s Foreign Language Film Oscar submission, Javier Fuentes-Leon’s "Undertow," takes an old idea — a devoted lover’s lingering spirit — and breathes new life into it.

This deeply emotional, beautifully shot, gracefully paced film sticks with the viewer long after the final credits. The fact that Peru, a country not known for avidly supporting the gay community, has selected this gay-themed movie as its Academy Award submission is a testament to the film’s sterling quality.

The stars are out at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Scott Brassart - BottomLine
January 5th, 2011

PALM SPRINGS -- Over the course of two decades, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) has grown into one of the largest and most prestigious film festivals not only in North America, but the world. The 22nd annual PSIFF runs Jan. 6–17.

The star-studded event draws well over 100,000 admissions annually, and it is pivotal in generating Academy Awards buzz — particularly in the Foreign Language and Documentary Film categories.

In addition, the event focuses international media attention on the city of Palm Springs and pours millions of dollars into the local economy.

Palm Springs Guide to the hippest, gayest New Year's Eve parties

The BottomLine Magazine Staff
December 24th, 2010

ROAR’N The New Year at Hotel Zoso!

This “Party Animal” show featuring Bella, Pinkie, Jersey and Melissa promises to usher in 2011 with dinner, dancing, music, cocktails and some oh-so-fabulous headdresses!

If you’re tired of the same old song and dance when it comes to New Year’s Eve celebrations, then do we have an excellent alternative to allow you to get a little wild this year.

Hotel Zoso and a cast of thousands (OK, well, at least 20) invite you to spend December 31 with some of your favorite party animals and the hostess with the mostest, our own Bella da Ball.

Photographer Mike Ruiz has a picture perfect 2010

Sam Washington - The BottomLine Magazine
December 20th, 2010

2010 was a picture perfect year for celebrity photographer-turned-TV hunk Mike Ruiz.

In addition to stars like Kim Kardashian, Prince and Adam Lambert clamoring to step in front of his lens, Ruiz became a star himself on the drama-packed reality show, "The A List: New York."

It wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Ruiz on our tubes.

VIDEO: In pursuit of Adonis - is beauty really skin deep?

Barry Dayton - BottomLine Magazine
December 14th, 2010

The myth goes that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty and sexuality, was so smitten with the physical perfection of Adonis that she took him as her lover.

While the image of that physical ideal may have morphed through the ages, we have exalted earthly male beauty in painting, sculpture, music and virtually every other art form ever since.

Today, bodybuilders struggling for that much-acclaimed six-pack – or preferably, eight-pack – ab definition refer to the two shallow grooves running from the hip bone to the pubic area as “the Adonis belt.”

The classiest joint in Palm Springs? McCallum Theatre

Scott Brassart - BottomLine
December 10th, 2010

PALM SPRINGS -- The McCallum Theatre first opened its doors in 1988. Now in its 23rd season, the theater has undergone a dramatic remodel, reestablishing itself as the desert’s premiere entertainment venue.

I recently spoke with Mitchell Gershenfeld, the McCallum’s director of presentations and theater operations, about the recent renovation and this season’s stellar entertainment lineup.

The BottomLine: What exactly does the director of presentations and theater operations do?

Kathy Griffin loves her gays

PJ Maytag - BottomLine Magazine
December 7th, 2010

PALM SPRINGS -- Pssst! I’m going to let you in on an industry secret. Sure, I may be ostracized by my peers and PR people for it, but I need to put the following interview into a little perspective. You see, we here in the media are often at the mercy of celebrity scheduling.

Tim Gunn has the gilded touch as new book becomes a bestseller

Cross-posted on The BottomLine Magazine from TheFrisky.com
November 29th, 2010

"Project Runway" darling Tim Gunn’s new book hit shelves at bookstores across the nation this past September.

Already a bestseller, "Gunn’s Golden Rules" has been billed by some as a tell all, packed with gossip from the fashion world and from his personal life.

Recently leading women’s interest and lifestyle site TheFrisky.com scored an interview with the haute couture maven.