Arts & Entertainment
Frank Ocean defeats his father’s ‘gay slur’ $14.5 million libel suit
a California judge says Calvin Cooksey did not have sufficient evidence
(Screenshot via YouTube)
Frank Ocean came out victorious in the $14.5 million libel suit filed against him by his father, according to Pitchfork.
A California federal judge ruled that Ocean’s estranged father, Calvin Cooksey, hadn’t provided sufficient evidence that he had been defamed by Ocean’s 2016 Tumblr post.
Ocean wrote the post in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting in which he recounted a childhood memory at a restaurant involving his father.
“I was six years old when I heard my dad call our transgender waitress a fa*got as he dragged me out a neighborhood diner saying we wouldn’t be served because she was dirty,” Ocean writes. “That was the last afternoon I saw my father and the first time I heard that word, I think, although it wouldn’t shock me if it wasn’t.”
Cooksey filed the libel suit in February claiming that the post put him “in the middle of a terrorist attack on the gay community,” and “ruined future financial opportunities in the film and music industries.” He also called Ocean’s post a “publicity stunt in the wake of the Orlando attack.”
Ocean’s attorney Keith Bremer released a statement to TMZ saying “It was a sad case, but we are glad that it ended in Frank’s favor and that it is over.”
Sports
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Games to take place next month in Italy
“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.
HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.
The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.
Bars & Parties
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance
Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.
Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.
This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.
The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.
‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay
Comings & Goings
Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans
‘Queer Eye’ watch party set for Friday
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