Arts & Entertainment
Idris Elba named People’s Sexiest Man Alive 2018
The British actor is the third person of color to receive the title
Idris Elba (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Idris Elba is People magazine’s 2018 Sexiest Man Alive.
The news was announced on “The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon” on Tuesday where the British actor, 46, spoke with Fallon via satellite.
“Congratulations on being the sexiest man alive. We have the cover here,” Fallon says to Elba. “It refers to you as a sweet, smoldering superstar. Can we see a little smolder?”
Elba throws off some smoldering looks and a “shy” smile to the delight of the audience before looking at the magazine’s cover for the first time.
“It’s amazing. I’m really, really happy with that. Thank you so much, People magazine, for making me sexiest man in the world,” Elba says. “My mum is going to be very, very proud.”
Elba is only the third man of color to hold the honor since the title’s inception in 1986. Denzel Washington was the first to receive the title in 1996 and Dwayne Johnson was the second in 2016.
He told People magazine his first reaction to the news was “I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?'”
Growing up, Elba describes himself as “tall and skinny” who was bullied until puberty hit.
“And my name was Idrissa Akuna Elba, OK?,” Elba told People. “I got picked on a little bit. But as soon as I could grow a mustache, I was the coolest kid on the block. Grew a mustache, had some muscles, bonkers.”
His first major introduction to a U.S. audience was as drug kingpin Russell “Stringer” Bell on the hit show “The Wire.” He also appeared in the films “Molly’s Game,” “The Jungle Book” and “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Elba is a father of two and is engaged to his fiancée 29-year-old model, Sabrina Dhowre.
Who’d have thought it! Thank you @people & all the fans for naming me #SexiestManAlive. Don’t forget to grab your issue this week https://t.co/WI7eWfXOPB. I’m honoured & thankful. What’s even more important is your vote in the midterm elections. Your vote can make a difference!?? pic.twitter.com/TBQapjxJsT
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) November 6, 2018
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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