Iman Wants Black Models To Be Taken Seriously

-- Trish Bendix from AfterEllen.com

On this last cycle of America's Next Top Model, second runner up Fatima was constantly being compared to Iman. That's certainly nothing to complain about – Iman's beautiful bone structure and glowing skin are only some of her greatest assets. She's currently the host of Project Runway Canada but hasn't stopped modeling –  in fact, she is said to be on the cover of an upcoming issue of Italian Vogue, which is being dubbed "the all black issue."

Iman told New York Magazine that she's not necessarily in support of "all black" issues of magazines, however. "They'll think, 'Okay, we did it.' And then they're done with it, and we'll have to wait till next year," she said. She also remarked that she doesn't want black models to be seen as "caricatures."

 

Summer Preview: What Will Be Hot in Music, TV & Movies for '08!

 

... In my humble, gay opinion, of course. As Memorial Day inches closer, we're keeping up our kick of shameless eye-candy and celebrity hotness posts - all part of LOGO's Utterly Shameless Hot & Sexy Weekend. Yeah ... you love it. But since we're also doing the whole NewNowNEXT thing, I've got a little warm-weather forecast of who will be particularly hot this summer in movies, TV and music.

OK, so if you already recognize some of this picture, I do not think 12-Pack from I Love New York is hot per se - Heather is, though - but his new show is going to make my summer 100 times better, so I'm deeming the whole package h-o-t.

 

Now check out my summer hot picks - along with lots of lovely photos - after the jump!

 

Liz Phair Relives the 1990s

-- Trish Bendix from AfterEllen.com

In 1993, Beavis and Butthead was a new show on MTV, Conan O'Brien got his very own late night slot, and the feel-good movie of the year, Schindler's List, was released. It was also the year we heard of a new singer/songwriter from Chicago named Liz Phair. She was ballsy, and her debut album Exile in Guyville was forwardly feminist, mocking of the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. and also of her position as a female in the music industry. She had attitude, and sang songs like "F--- and Run" about being sick of one night stands.

Exile in Guyville is still on the top of "Best Albums Ever" lists everywhere, but Phair was never quite able to create an album as loved since. Her second (Whip-Smart) and third (whitechocolatespaceegg) were fan favorites, but not as well received by critics. After a short hiatus, she did the unthinkable in the judgmental land of indie rock — she hired the songwriting trio, The Matrix, and put out a major label self-titled album of radio ready songs like "Why Can't I?" and "Extraordinary." There was a Liz Phair backlash, and she’s been the poster child for being a sell out since the early 2000s.

 

The NewNowNext Awards: First Batch of Winners Revealed!

NewNowNext Awards co-hosts Candis Cayne and Colman Domingo

 

Last night in NYC Logo held a big shindig taping of the on-air portion of its first ever NewNowNext Awards. It was major. And really gay! (duh...)

Candis Cayne and Colman Domingo (of Logo's Big Gay Sketch Show genius-ness) co-hosted, and bucketloads of queer and queer-loving talent was on hand: Leona Lewis (gorgeous!), Cyndi Lauper, Christian Siriano, Wilson Cruz, Caroline Rhea, some women from The L Word, musicians like Lady Gaga, Dangerous Muse, Cazwell, the men of Noah's Arc ... and the Dazzle Dancers and the Planet Unicorn crew!

So as to not keep you in suspense, Logo's releasing all the winners of the prizes (which is a big, heavy-looking glass "N" called the "Nexty") today. The full list is after the jump and includes folks as varied as Tina Fey, the trans-led band The Cliks, the aforementioned Leona Lewis, Candis Cayne and more!!!

 

Lovely Leona Lewis looking luscious. Love it!

 

See more pics and the full list of winners after the jump. Hot messes galore!

 

Women Win Big at The ACMAs

-- carolinagrrrl from AfterEllen.com

If my AfterEllen pseudonym doesn’t give it away, I’m a southern girl through and through who’s spent all her life in Carolina and Tennessee.  Thus, it is probably no surprise to you that in addition to being a pop culture addict, I am an avid country music fan.  So to say my level of anticipation for Sunday night’s Academy of Country Music Awards was high would be an incredible understatement.

The event, held in Las Vegas, was hosted for the tenth time by Reba McEntire. 

 

New Coldplay Video: "Violet Hill"

It's time for new Coldplay. Specifically, its time for the video for the first single from the band's upcoming album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends. Wordy, much? (And... You might have noted it was downloaded by two million people during the recent one-week period in which the band made the song available to fans for free!)

Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" North American tour launches on June 29th in Philadelphia, PA. They'll also perform at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards. (And, psssst! You can see them for free in NYC on June 23rd if you're crafty!)

More on the new video (and the alternative version) after the jump!