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CoverGirl’s CoverBoy apologizes for Africa joke after Twitter backlash

the makeup brand issued a statement saying that James Charles’ statements are not its own

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9 years ago

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A post shared by COVERGIRL (@covergirl) on

James Charles, CoverGirl’s first male spokesmodel, has apologized for tweeting that he was afraid to contract ebola in Africa after an onslaught of social media criticism.

The 17-year-old beauty YouTuber posted in a now-deleted tweet, “I can’t believe we’re going to Africa today omg what if we get Ebola.’ ‘James we’re fine we could’ve gotten it at chipotle last year’…”

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The post caused an uproar on Twitter with calls to boycott the cosmetics brand. 

Charles posted an apology on Twitter saying that “I am extremely sorry for my tweet and I feel like shit for saying it.”

CoverGirl issued its own statement saying that Charles’ statement does not reflect the brand’s own views. 

Charles’ senior portraits, which showed the teen in full makeup and taken with his own ring light, went viral last year. He caught the attention of CoverGirl and became their first male spokesmodel in October. 

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PHOTOS: Freddie’s Follies

Queens perform at weekly Arlington show

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8 hours ago

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January 6, 2026

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The Freddie's Follies drag show was held at Freddie's Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more

Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’

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2 days ago

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January 5, 2026

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From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.

Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”

The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.

“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”

Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.

Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.

As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.

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The year in photos

Top LGBTQ news photos of 2025

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4 days ago

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January 3, 2026

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(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

The 40th annual Mr. Mid-Atlantic Leather competition is held on Jan. 12 at the Hyatt Regency Washington.
A drag dance protest is held outside the Kennedy Center on Jan. 13.
Activists gather for The People’s March on the Reflecting Pool near the Lincoln Memorial on Jan. 18.
The Transgender Unity Rally and March is held on March 1. Activists march from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.
President Donald Trump addresses the Joint Session of Congress on March 4.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performs “Passports” at Lincoln Theatre on March 14.
The American Civil Liberties Union displays a ‘Freedom to Be’ trans flag on the Mall on May 17.
Actress Ts Madison speaks at the Black Pride Opening Reception on May 23.
The WorldPride Parade moves through the streets of Washington, D.C. on June 7.
Doechii performs at the main stage of the WorldPride Festival on June 8.
Activist/performer Tara Hoot speaks at the D.C. Drag Awards at Trade on July 20.
Cast members from ‘Queer Eye’ speak at a CAA event at Crush Dance Bar on Aug. 4.
The National Guard is controversially deployed by President Trump into Washington, D.C. Military-style vehicles are parked in front of Union Station on Aug.14.
Activists march in a ‘Trump Must Go’ protest ending at the White House on Aug. 16.
Supporters of trans students attend a meeting of the Arlington School Board on Aug. 21 to counter a speech by anti-trans Virginia gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears.
Local governmental officials as well as volunteers and staff of MoCo Pride Center attend a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new LGBTQ community center in Bethesda, Md. on Aug. 30.
Activists protest cuts to PEPFAR funding outside of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Sept. 2.
Ivanna Rights is crowned Miss Gay Maryland America 2025 at The Lodge in Boonsboro, Md. on Sept. 6.
Thousands join the We Are All D.C. March on Sept. 6.
A scene from the We Are All D.C. March on Sept. 6.
Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson speaks at the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS on Sept. 7.
Cake Pop! performs at the Washington Blade’s Best of LGBTQ D.C. party at Crush Dance Bar on Oct. 16.
A participant poses for the camera at the High Heel Race on 17th Street, N.W. on Oct. 28.
President Joe Biden speaks at the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference at the JW Marriott on Dec. 5.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform ‘The Holiday Show’ at the Lincoln Theatre on Dec. 12.
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