Arts & Entertainment
Chicken nugget boy breaks Ellen DeGeneres’ Twitter record
the fast food chain also donated $100k to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
(Carter Wilkerson and Ellen DeGeneres. Screenshot via YouTube.)
High school student Carter Wilkerson broke the record for most retweets on Twitter, surpassing Ellen DeGeneres who previously held the title.
In April, Wilkerson, 16, tweeted Wendy’s asking the fast food chain how many retweets it would take to receive a year of free chicken nuggets. Wendy’s replied it would seal the deal if he could earn 18 million retweets.
Wilkerson took on the challenge and the hashtag #NuggsforCarter was born.
HELP ME PLEASE. A MAN NEEDS HIS NUGGS pic.twitter.com/4SrfHmEMo3
— Carter Wilkerson (@carterjwm) April 6, 2017
DeGeneres held the record for the most retweets with her March 2014 Oscars selfie. While hosting the Academy Awards, DeGeneres gathered big-name celebrities like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep and Lupita Nyong’o for a selfie that has since received more than 3.4 million retweets.
If only Bradley’s arm was longer. Best photo ever. #oscars pic.twitter.com/C9U5NOtGap
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 3, 2014
As Wilkerson gained on DeGeneres, the talk show host invited him on her April 18 show and gave him a new TV and a year’s supply of Ellen underwear in exchange for him to not take away her title.
While Wilkerson didn’t reach 18 million he did surpass DeGeneres’ tweet making his plea for free chicken nuggets the most retweeted on Twitter. Wendy’s agreed to gift Wilkerson his nuggets and donated $100,000 to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in his name.
Wilkerson has started his own website to raise funds for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and Pinocchio’s Moms on the Run, a charity that provides services to women with breast cancer and their families.
.@carterjwm is now the most retweeted tweet of all-time. That’s good for the nuggets, and $100k to @DTFA. Consider it done. #nuggsforcarter pic.twitter.com/k6uhsJiP4E
— Wendy’s (@Wendys) May 9, 2017
a&e features
Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 45 years at annual gala
‘Sapphire & Sparkle’ Spring Affair held at the Ritz Carlton
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington held the annual Spring Affair gala at the Ritz Carlton Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The theme for this year’s fete was “Sapphire & Sparkle.” The chorus celebrated 45 years in D.C. with musical performances, food, entertainment, and an awards ceremony.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Executive Director Justin Fyala and Artistic Director Thea Kano gave welcoming speeches. Opening remarks were delivered by Spring Affair co-chairs Tracy Barlow and Tomeika Bowden. Uproariously funny comedian Murray Hill performed a stand-up set and served as the emcee.
There were performances by Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington groups Potomac Fever, 17th Street Dance, the Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, and the GenOUT Youth Chorus.
Anjali Murthy, a member of the chorus and a graduate of the GenOUT Youth Chorus, addressed the attendees of the gala.
“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t bound by blood ties: we are brought together by shared experience,” Murthy said. “Being Gen Z, I grew up with Ellen [DeGeneres] telling me through the TV screen that it gets better: that one day, it’ll all be okay. The sentiment isn’t wrong, but it’s passive. What I’ve learned from GMCW is that our future is something we practice together. It exists because people like you continue to show up for it, to believe in the possibilities of what we’re still becoming”
The event concluded with the presentation of the annual Harmony Awards. This year’s awardees included local drag artist and activist Tara Hoot, the human rights organization Rainbow Railroad as well as Rocky Mountain Arts Association Executive Director, Dr. Chipper Dean.
(Washington Blade photos and videos by Michael Key)
Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 16.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Photos
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Ashley Biden accepts award for Beau Biden at annual Rehoboth fundraiser
The 19th annual Blade Foundation Summer Kickoff Party was held on Friday, May 15 at Diego’s in Rehoboth Beach, Del. An award presentation was held for former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. Ashley Biden accepted the award on her brother’s behalf and gave remarks. Other speakers included Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Washington Blade Editor Kevin Naff. The event was a fundraiser for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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PHOTOS: Blade Summer Kickoff Party
