Arts & Entertainment
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ features first same-sex pairing
“Strictly Come Dancing” – the UK reality dance competition show that was forerunner to “Dancing With The Stars” in the US and other countries – this weekend featured the first same-sex dance routine in its 17-season history.
The hit BBC show has been a frequent target of criticism from LGBTQ advocates for its refusal to pair any of its celebrity contestants with professional dancers of the same sex, despite the frequent participation of openly gay contestants.
Though last season included two professionals dancing together as part of a group routine, this weekend’s installment of the Sunday results show was the first to include a solo spot between two male dancers – Johannes Radebe, who is gay, and Graziano di Prima, who is heterosexual.
Radebe is a professional dancer and choreographer who spent two seasons on South Africa’s version of the program before joining the UK cast in 2018. He had been teamed this season with celebrity partner Catherine Tyldesley before the pair was eliminated from the show last week.
Radebe, who has spoken out about being bullied when younger and the difficulties of growing up gay in South Africa, spoke to UK’s Hello magazine about what being asked to take part in the historic same sex routine meant to him.
“I’ve never felt so liberated. For the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am. That says so much about the people of this country,” he said. “To be able to dance with a friend I respect and adore is joyous. There’s bromance galore between us, but there were no male and female roles, just free movement. It was beautiful, classy and elegant.”
Graziano is a Sicilian dancer who also joined the show in 2018. He is an Italian Latin Champion who has also represented Belgium at the World Championships and made the top 24 at the under 21s Latin World Championships.
Both men took to social media to comment on the dance.
Radebe posted photos of him and di Prima, commenting, “Love knows no boundaries.”
Di Prima posted a clip to his Twitter with the message: “REPRESENTATION always matters!?️?unforgettable moment, loved to dance with you @johannesradebe.”
Di Prima’s tweet has drawn over 24,000 likes and thousands of comments. Some were negative – with fans of the show expressing disappointment and saying they would not watch the show in the future if it featured more same-sex couplings – but the majority were supportive of the routine.
On his Instagram, Radebe thanked people for their support.
“I see all those messages coming in and I feel the love. I’m going to take time to respond to each and every message. There’s a lot! I’m really grateful and I’m really thankful.”
Last year, “Ballando con le Stelle,” Italy’s version of “Dancing With The Stars,” featured a gay celebrity partnered with a male professional dancer. The same-sex pairing made the competition’s grand final and took third place.
The Israeli version of the show has included a female same-sex couple in its competition and the Austrian version has featured a male couple. Australian drag star Courtney Act danced with a male partner in that country’s version of the show.
In the US, Dancing With The Stars” has yet to feature a same-sex competing – though in 2016, Nyle DiMarco participated in a brief same-sex routine before going on to win the series with his female dance partner, Peta Murgatroyd.
Radebe and di Prima danced to singer Emeli Sande, performing her track, “Shine.” You can watch their full routine below.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”
Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.
Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.
Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.
“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.
Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”
Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.
Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.
Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.
Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.
Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.
Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”
The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.
Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.
“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.
On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”
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