Arts & Entertainment
MTV India dating show airs episode with gay contestants
10 suitors attempt to woo a bachelor with an elevator pitch
(Screenshot via Twitter)
India decriminalized homosexuality in September and already is including LGBT representation in its media. “Elovator Pitch,” a dating series on MTV India, aired its first episode on Friday featuring same-sex contestants.
The show’s premise involves 10 people giving an elevator pitch, the time it takes for the elevator to go to the next floor, to the contestant on why they should be picked to date. On Friday, the series featured 10 men attempting to woo bachelor Atmaj Vyas.
Speaking to NBCNews, Vyas described what the experience was like.
“You’re supposed to find someone and remember the floors and the people all in a really short time,” Vyas says. “It’s speed dating, so it goes by really quickly.”
“There were guys who were making style statements, talking about life and even one who was actually coming out to his family via the show,” he continued. “It really doesn’t get better than that.”
Host Cyrus Sahukar explained the importance of an LGBT episode to the Indian Express saying, “On ‘Elovator Pitch,’ it only makes sense to have an episode with people from the LGBTQ Community. At the end of the day, it deals with people meeting others, dating and love. Eventually, love and dating are pretty similar for everyone. Everybody is looking for someone they like and can enjoy with.”
Co-host Gaelyn Mendonca agreed.
“With this special concept, we have upped the ante as India’s first dating reality show to have people from all walks of life coming and exploring beautiful bonds. ‘Elovator Pitch’ brings with it a heavy dose of comedy and love and I’m sure this episode will be a treat to watch for the audience. I’m proud to be a part of the show that is creating history on national television,” she said.
Watch clips below.
This week’s episode of #ElovatorPitch is super special.
This time, we have 10 boys trying to impress 1 boy in an elevator. Their pitches to #AtmajVyas are so sweet, you’ll be smiling throughout. :)Get ready for some #CutenessOverload, with @ga3lyn & @cyrus_sahu, this Fri @ 7 PM pic.twitter.com/ruQPyNRIsc
— MTV India (@MTVIndia) November 12, 2018
READY FOR SOME FUN? ;)
Tomorrow’s episode of #ElovatorPitch is all you need for your #Friyay entertainment.Make sure you tune in to MTV tomorrow at 7 PM!@ga3lyn @cyrus_sahukar pic.twitter.com/xhKKnrd3vn
— MTV India (@MTVIndia) November 15, 2018
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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