Arts & Entertainment
Actor DJ Qualls comes out
DJ Qualls, known for his role in “The Man in the High Castle” and appearances in several other popular television shows and movies, has become the latest Hollywood actor to come out as gay.
The 41-year-old actor was appearing in San Diego at a taping of “The Jim Jeffries Show,” which airs on Comedy Central, when he made the announcement. Afterwards, he took to Twitter to talk about it.
“It is 11:20pm,” he tweeted. “I just came out on stage at a @jimjefferiesshow in San Diego. Yep, I’m gay. Been gay this whole time. Tired of worrying about what people would think of me. Tired of worrying about what it would do to my career.”
Qualls, a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with Hodgkins’ lymphoma at age 14, began his career as a community theatre actor in his native Nashville, before landing a few parts in front of the camera and working as a model for Prada and photographers like David LaChapelle and Steve Klein. He became a familiar face for his frequent roles as a geeky virgin in such movies as “Road Trip” and “Cherry Falls.” Other big screen roles have included parts in “Big Trouble,” “Hustle & Flow,” and “The New Guy.” On TV, he’s turned up on numerous popular shows, such as “Scrubs,” “Lost,” “My Name is Earl,” “Breaking Bad,” and a particularly memorable guest appearance on “The Big Bang Theory.” In recent years, he has gained a growing fan following for his role (as a gay character) on Amazon’s “The Man in the High Castle,” along with Syfy’s “Z Nation” and CW’s “Supernatural,” where he plays fan-favorite recurring character Garth Fitzgerald IV.
Following his announcement, Qualls’ fans and followers were quick to offer their congratulations and support. One, Twisted Resister (@CryptoMcVape), commented “Good on you. Every person brave enough to live their truth gives courage to others that aren’t quite there yet. Much love brother.” Another, itsalwayssues (@smesues), said, “Hey, cheers and congratulations for being the you that you are! It’s the way it ought to be, damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead. You are perfect just being the you that you are! Don’t hide your light under a bushel as my Nan used to say.” Sebastian Roche, who co-stars with Quall on “High Castle,” commented simply, “Well done my friend, very proud of you.”
Qualls has been friends with Jeffries for several years, according to The Independent. He has appeared on Jeffries’ comedy show before, in 2018, and worked with the Australian-born comedian’s series “Legit” in 2013.
This is the first time he has spoken publicly about his sexuality.
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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