Arts & Entertainment
Watch: reporter accidentally has fangirl meltdown in front of Ricky Martin
Ana Belaval didn’t realize the star was still on-air with her
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Ricky Martin witnessed WGN Chicago reporter Ana Belaval have a fan meltdown on-air over him after interviewing the star via satellite.
Martin was doing promotion for “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” in an interview with the anchors at WGN Chicago when Belaval was patched in at the end to ask about his recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
The interview ends and Belaval starts to fangirl over talking to Martin without realizing that he is still on-air with her.
“I seriously went very berserk on Dean Richards [WGN anchor] because you have to understand, when you’re part of a minority and you don’t have a lot of role models in media, and you have a Ricky Martin that wherever you go in the world, it’s a good name to mention as a Puerto Rican ― oh my goodness you feel related to him,” Belaval says.
“He called me mama baby! Can we make this happen? He goes with me, I’ll take care of his kids,” she continues to gush.
“I’ll call 911 Ricky, don’t worry,” one of the anchors jokes.
“That’s beautiful. I love what I’m hearing,” Martin replies.
Belaval looks shocked as she realizes Martin has been listening in the whole time.
“He’s still there?” Belaval yells at the anchors. “I’m going to kill you.”
Martin laughs it off joking, “Please, I don’t want to be involved in another ‘American Crime Story.'”
Watch below.
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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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(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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