Arts & Entertainment
Richard Simmons sues tabloids for ‘cruel and malicious’ sex-change rumors
the suit against the National Enquirer and Radar Online is for libel and invasion of privacy
(Photo via Wikimedia Commons.)
Richard Simmons has filed a lawsuit against American Media, owner of the National Enquirer and Radar Online, for libel and invasion of privacy, NBC reports.
Simmons retreated from the public eye without explanation in 2014. According to the lawsuit, Simmons is accusing the National Enquirer and Radar Online of publishing false “cruel and malicious” articles that claim Simmons’ public disappearance was due to “transition from male to female” surgeries.
“This case is about a particularly egregious and hurtful campaign of defamations and privacy invasions, falsely asserting that Mr. Simmons is transitioning from a male to a female, including ‘shocking sex surgery,’ breast implants, hormone treatments and consultations on medical castration,” the lawsuit states.
“Mr. Simmons, like every person in this nation, has a legal right to insist that he not be portrayed as someone he is not. Even the most ardent supporter of sexual autonomy and LGBTQ rights is entitled to be portrayed in a manner that is truthful,” the lawsuit continues.
The lawsuit also alleges Simmons’ former assistant Mauro Oliveira had been blackmailing the fitness guru and selling stories to the tabloids. Allegedly, Oliveira told the publications Simmons was “frail, weak and spiritually broken” and that he was “being held hostage by his housekeeper who was controlling Mr. Simmons, taking advantage of his weak mental state and engaging in witchcraft.” The lawsuit states that these stories were meant to “destroy” Simmons’ “career and reputation.”
A spokesperson for American Media told PEOPLE both publications used accurate reporting when publishing the stories and the publisher plans to “vigorously” defend itself against the allegations.
“While we have not seen Mr. Simmons’ complaint we stand by our reporting about him, all of which was based on solid sourcing and material evidence. Should he choose to proceed with his lawsuit, we will defend it vigorously, and we look forward to the public vindication of our reports,” American Media said in a statement.
Media speculation over Simmons’ disappearance has been rampant since his 2014 disappearance, including in the popular podcast “Missing Richard Simmons.”
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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