Arts & Entertainment
Miss Cleo dies at 53
infomercial psychic had been battling colon cancer
(Screenshot via YouTube)
Famed television psychic Miss Cleo died Tuesday morning in Palm Beach County, Fla., after a battle with colon cancer. She was 53.
Miss Cleo, born Youree Dell Harris in Los Angeles, became an infomercial staple in the late ’90s until the early ’00s as the spokeswoman for Psychic Readers Network. The on-air personality would wear headwraps and colorful garb and use a fake Jamaican accent. Her infomercials became well known for her on-air psychic readings and famous catchphrases “You can’t fool Miss Cleo” and “Call me now.”
The calls claimed to be free, but according to the Federal Trade Commission, customers were charged $4.99 per minute adding up to an average of $60 per call. Nearly six million people fell victim to the charges. The Psychic Readers Network’s parent company reached a settlement with customers in 2002 and the Miss Cleo character retired. Harris would continue on to do private readings with clients.
In 2006, Harris came out as a lesbian in an interview with The Advocate. She told the publication coming out had always been hard for her because of people’s reactions.
“The reason it’s scary is because in my personal experience, black cultures throughout the world have a more difficult time accepting homosexuality in their family,” Harris told The Advocate.
“I have family members who will be shocked; they don’t know. I have some family members who are very close to me, and they do know. But I’ve been afraid of the wrath, of the exile. When I came out to a number of friends in the late ’80s I had a number of friends who turned their backs on me and walked away. That was really intense. I really believed they were my friends,” Harris continued.
Harris appeared in the 2014 documentary “Hotline,” which followed hotline operators and their clients. In the film, she discussed her time as a television psychic and the scandal behind Psychic Readers Network.
“What I loved watching was — and what was most poignant for me — was the connection I made with other people that were featured in the film,” Harris told IndieWire after the film’s premiere. “It really touched me. I’m tickled.”
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
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