Arts & Entertainment
Ready for an all-female ‘Queer Eye?’ You can help!
Fans of Netflix’s “Queer Eye” may soon have a sister version of the hit makeover show to look forward to.
According to Tre’vell Anderson of Out, there’s a new series in the works that would take the concept of the “Fab Five” and give it a gender flip. The show, called “Butch Pal for the Straight Gal,” has dropped a trailer to launch a fundraising campaign, in hopes of showing the world that “lesbians can do makeovers, too.”
The show’s creator, Ally Johnson, says, “If you want more queer television, you have to fight for it. After a year of doing just that, it’s becoming clear that we are not alone. People all over the world want this show to exist, and by the power of Gay Jesus we’re going to make it happen!”
The new series would follow the same formula as “Queer Eye,” with five queer women – dubbed “The Fierce Five” – offering a straight woman not just a makeover but their guidance, with the goal of empowerment, building self-esteem, and helping them to achieve self-confidence and control over their lives.
“Butch Pal” is not an official offshoot from the Netflix series (itself a rebooted version of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” which ran on Bravo), but it has reportedly been given the “stamp of approval” from Jai Rodriguez, culture expert from the original show.
The development team (production company Driven Equation, director Assaad Yacoub [“Cherry Pop”], and the diverse cast which features Emmy-winner Dot-Marie Jones) have been working on the project for a year. They have already completed filming on a pilot, which was funded through a viral crowdfunding campaign last summer.
Now, in an effort to fund the final steps of production, the “Butch Pal” creators are renewing fundraising efforts. With 20% left to go before hitting their $15,000 goal, the team are donating a portion of every donation it receives on Thanksgiving Day to The Trevor Project.
According to Johnson, “Though the project itself seeks to create more queer representation in the industry, we also want to do our part to give back to the community in other ways. My wife was a volunteer counselor for them for a few years and we’ve always greatly valued their work.”
You can donate here.
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
a&e features
Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
PHOTOS: Freddie’s Follies
Imperial Court of Washington drag group has ‘dissolved’
What to watch for in 2026: midterms, Supreme Court, and more
A reminder that Jan. 6 was ‘textbook terrorism’
Claudia López criticizes Trump over threats against Colombian president
D.C.’s 10 best theater productions of 2025
A look back at the best books of 2025
The year in photos
Safer Ways to Pay for Online Performances and Queer Events
